An incredible post-mass coffee and donuts today. I was speaking with Mary, entertaining Keith, an intelligent young man I speak with randomly after Sunday mass when two couples moved to the table. Keith offered them his seat. Mary was occupying my full attention so I was unable to greet properly as the four sat down as one. I will state that St Paul Shrine has proved to be a spiritual home. The people presenting themselves are closely examined as to why God is placing them in my life. The couples–first let’s be clear it was wonderful to socialize with married people, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, leaders of healthy Catholic families–I have noticed attending Sunday mass quite regularly. The woman are quite attractive marking them easily for attention. The one gentleman immediately poured himself out to me, obviously a strong articulate working man of a humble disposition. It turns out he is an executive with a crane company doing business with my employer. He knew my boss by name. The conversation progressed incredibly smooth, the natural talk, soothing to the religious experience of mass. I knew instantly I was amongst adult company, proud to engage. The table flowed with conversation. Humbly and forthright, I felt the need to tell the woman to my immediate right about my Hospice volunteering efforts. I was a bit uncomfortable, yet I followed the urging of the Holy Spirit. I was avoiding speaking directly to the woman as I found her extremely beautiful, difficult not to look at her and be overwhelmed by her beauty. Once male bonding was soundly established with the husbands, I directly addressed the woman, slightly away from the main conversation, while not excluding others. She absorbed everything I said looking closely at me, fully present to my words, yet not responding. Matters continued and the woman disappeared speaking with the extern sisters in the gift shop. I commented to the woman’s husband that I forgot my Rosaries, desiring to go before the Eucharist and pray, yet possessed no beads. He insisted that I allow him to run out to his car and retrieve a Rosary. I tried to prevent him, yet his determination to please me forced me to comprehend it was an opportunity for him to bless me with a personal favor. It is important to be a generous receiver as well as a giver. Parting, he told me his wife’s extreme devotion to the Rosary, her association with Jan Marie and the Tilma bookstore in Berea, his wife being a founder and leader of a Rosary group in East Cleveland, active in the promotion of praying the Rosary. In his absence, his wife sat down, directly speaking to me. She heard none of her husband’s words, the fact they were working on me as a team, conjoined while unaware. Speaking with purpose, I knew the woman had discerned precisely regarding her approach, telling me of the importance of St Paul Shrine in her life, her marriage being conducting there. My mission with Hospice became forefront. It turns out the woman and her husband are highly involved with the Cleveland Clinic serving as ministers. The woman was a long-time volunteer for the Hospice of the Western Reserve. She said many things, coming to the bottom line that she felt there was a reason we meet specific people and that her and her husband would be looking for me during the Advent season. I am not sure regarding the future, praying for grace regarding patience and understanding, although I feel so spiritually satisfied to have spent such lengthy time with mature adults on the natural and spiritual level, comprehending God introduced something inspiring. Walking away from the encounter, another table called me over, proving just as marvelous. A woman I invited to lunch months and months ago, leaving me with the response her and her husband would love to have lunch with me insisted I sit and speak with her. Mary was at the table and my friend John, the retired high school teacher, interesting with his knowledge and adventures as an amateur photographer traveling the world capturing images of holy places, specializing in Spanish and French monasteries, as well as a fourth, the professional operatic singer Jason who performs during Sunday mass. The woman, Cuban by birth overwhelmed me with conversation, dissecting my mind, while supplying a splendid view into hers. She is an amazing highly educated woman married to an amazing doctor, doing so much social and service work I cannot even begin to describe. The woman and I spoke easily and freely. She talked about ministering to one another, being a brother and sister to one another. She parted with words she never had a brother before and maybe she will take special interest in me. Truthfully, she embarrassed me. I do not see why she was showering me with such attention. I loved her cultured talk though: classic music, poetry, museums, saints, and religious orders, all expressed with complete humility. I was not the only one receiving her attention as the single Jason, a Taiwanese by birth, she also tendered to, implying that Jason and I should become friends, doing things together. We both chuckled, yet I feel we both thought she presented an interesting idea. All in God’s hands, for still out their implanting himself within my spiritual life is Chris. After all this healthy fellowship, I felt warm, overwhelmed a bit, startled by the presence of the Holy Spirit, so I sheepishly walked over to Sister Clare Marie telling her how wonderful coffee and donuts were today. I realized it was like being home, seeking out my sister in order to sort out a social gather transpiring within our home. She smiled, supporting and cleaning up the donuts I furnished. Delivering the donuts in the morning, a quick meeting with Mother superior graced, the presence of the Poor Clares bolstering my life, invigorating my spirit with familial love and nourishment. It is good to have a spiritual home. And in parting, everything comes together in silence and stillness, the Eucharist radiating, a Rosary recited before the immensity of life and eternity.