It has been wonderful to connect with kindred spirits who have fully embraced Alphonsian/Redemptorist spirituality, share our experiences of how we live and express the love of Jesus the Redeemer, and support each other in our journeys as followers and disciples of Jesus the Redeemer. Getting to know each other online led to a desire to meet in person.
Fr. Greg’s retreat talks, our activities, and our shared prayer and reflection times were meaningfully integrated. We had the opportunity to learn how the Tucson community RAs witness to the Redeemer’s love through their dedicated and diverse volunteer service serving and caring for the poor, migrants, and mothers with special needs, recognizing their dignity and their humanity. It was inspiring to see how their love for Jesus the Redeemer guides their service and also spoke to the quality of their formation as RAs.
Fr. Greg celebrated Mass in the dining hall of Casa Alitas. Again, we united the Eucharistic celebration with the serving of food to our sisters and brothers. We observed that many of the migrants were Catholic, and that their faces showed how much they had suffered. After Mass, many of them requested a special blessing from Fr. Greg. It was heartbreaking and touching at the same time; the blessing gave them hope despite their very precarious circumstances.
Truly the Holy Spirit was at work – without our knowledge, Fr. Greg had selected the renewal vows, which spoke so poignantly to our marriage relationship. He also chose the Wedding Song (“There is Love”) by Paul Stookey, a song played at our wedding. We felt so honored that Fr. Greg officiated the renewal of our marriage vows and that this special moment was shared with members of the Redemptorist family.