As Summer Winds Down
I am writing this update from the Archbishop Brunett Retreat Center at the Palisades in Federal Way. We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful retreat center in our Archdiocese. I have conducted numerous retreats here over the past 17 years. How well I remember coming here nearly 18 years ago for my diaconate retreat. It snowed during that week and I stared out the window for quite some time watching planes come and go from the Sea-Tac airport. My seminary formation was rapidly drawing to an end and I was overwhelmed at how quickly the 5 years had gone by. I borrowed my Aunt Millie's car who was in the nursing home. I decided to make a surprise visit to her during my retreat. I had a great conversation with her and during that time and she said she was proud of our family and that she was ready to "move on". She "moved on" to her eternal reward on March 17, 1997. I flew up to sing at her funeral. She was a remarkably generous and kind person and I always e