Good Morning Parish Family & ADD Irregulars! These morning updates are for the all of the friends I see 5 to 7 days a week, staff, daily Mass goers and the Coffee Talkers in real life at the Smokehaus and on-line @ Padre's.

I have been overwhelmed by all the prayers, love and support for my parish family and friends. I have to begin with that statement that even with all the challenges that are ahead of me, I am immensely blessed and I cannot help begin the day with gratitude and praise. Your love is evident and felt, I only hope I can honor it well in my recovery and return to ministry. I so miss the ordinary rhythm of my life, but I so look forward to when I can return to it. Life can change so suddenly, I know that so much more than just a week ago.

Last night I was transferred to DePaul rehab across the Missouri river and about 25 miles away from where I was. I am about 45 minutes away from home with normal traffic and I would encourage any who want to visit me to consider waiting until to return home or at least closer to home. I am always open to receive visitors and have been blessed by so many visits, cards, text messages and e-mails. I do my best to keep up but know that I am far from perfect.

The next five days will entail learning what I can from physical and occupational therapy to make the next transition in life more manageable. While I am on the old and fat track of life, I am thankful I still have a good amount of upper body strength to help me deal with all the demands of my franken-legs. I am thankful for the presence of the braces, they remind me to slow down and be much more deliberate and aware of what I want to do next. Nothing will be fast in my body for a good while, my mind will keep witty and racing, but the body is on the slow boat to healing the damage and then rebuilding all the strength. I am know I am going to grow weaker in my legs during this time and can only hope that the muscle loss will be minimal. I am not a worrywart or doomcaster, I know that there will be loss and diminishment, but I am fortunate that many things can be reversed with determination, patience and good judgment. Maybe not 100%, but perhaps overall better shape that I was in before the fall. Time will tell.

As you read these morning missives, please keep in mind that everything is very fluid in my life. The details can change day by day. What is hoped for in the morning maybe a completely different reality by the afternoon or evening. It is all good, just an other subtle knock at the door of patience. Patience does not mean passivity, but rather a willingness to bring issues & experience before prayer and perspective before letting emotions and reactions run wild with things. Thank for all the love and kindness. Peace dear family & friends.

DePaul Hospital has the same patron as the charity we often support at Padre's. The Vincent de Paul Society. Speaking of which we need to decide on January's collection plate. I will look at the detail and amount later today.