It’s hard to believe that this is the last weekend in July! It seems like yesterday that Fr. Tony (II) arrived from Africa. Yet he has been here for four weeks already. His stay with us is half over; and on the  other hand he still has another month to be with us! The glass half empty or half full! He has been enjoying his time with us and has learned much about American culture as well as American faith. He has spent time previously in England but finds Americans warmer and friendlier.  He has been inspired by the faithfulness of St. Michael’s parishioners (as his SMA predecessors here at St. Michael’s have been as well.)
  Since he only has four weeks left, if you plan to invite him to do something, time is running short. Fr. Bob and I plan to cook a “Thanksgiving dinner in August” so that he can experience the ultimate American experience (at least in our opinion).    
  Abby and Fr. Tony have formed a special bond. He talks to her and takes her for walks and she almost talks back to him! He has sampled many of the dishes I like to make. While their food in Africa is different from ours, he is anxious to try whatever we have to offer. He is a very agreeable companion!
  As I write this column we are having rain showers and the earth seems to be growing ever more green. As the scriptures remind us, just as the rains come down to water the earth and return to the skies, so does God’s Word come down to nourish our hearts and lives and then return to His Father. May our lives continue to be nourished and nurtured by God’s loving presence!