You are a wonderful person - a wonderful human being and a wonderful Catholic missionary - you are a great credit to FMC. I love and admire you little sister - Thank You!
I think the report you have sent is so excellent, covering many important matters the right way. Clearly you are thankful for all the good things the Lord has been doing there, and you are seeking and discerning about the things the Lord wants to do in the future; and you are concerned for the well-being of your team members. You're a great person, doing a great job!
Our family did enjoy a peaceful downtime together in Pensacola at the time of Sammy Romero's wedding - we swam in the sea, with the grandchildren, and we sailed, and we got to know our future son-in-laws brother and family better. Thank you for keeping us all in your prayers.
I think that it's very good that you and Bridget are having downtime; we can't let ourselves get addicted to work, work, work, and running, running, running. The Lord will STOP us from time to time, and have us be silent and still, waiting patiently, waiting on HIM to speak. He tests our patience and obedience, and lets us understand that, as missionaries, we are nothing and can do nothing without Him showing us what to do and then opening the doors for us to do it, and providing the energy ( Holy Spirit power) and resources to do it. Handling downtime well is a very important virtue for the missionary evangelist.
As you said, be at peace and enjoy the downtime when it comes - enjoy your house-sitting with the nice swimming pool; have a holy rest. You and Bridget enjoy your time together; maybe y'all should take a weekend trip you've thought about but haven't had the time to enjoy before; be good friends to one another and with Jesus.
Remember that Maria and Kristen may need downtime when they return from Calcutta.
I like the idea of the FMC team developing some new works (approved by the pastors). Consider the gathering of young people at your house for fellowship and prayer - - become a Basic Ecclesial Community together, see what the Lord will do, build strong faith ties and engage in some apostolate together - maybe in time some of these brothers and sisters will want to be missionaries with us. What about the students who went to Calcutta with Maria and Kristen? Do they want to go forward? Do they need follow-up?
Y'all had that Andalusian youth conference. Do any of those youth need follow-up. You could form different BECs with different people with different needs.
And, of course, the team can identify the marginalized, neglected poor and develop an ongoing work to serve their needs. Remember how important it is for us FMC missionaries to find Jesus with the poor.
Come and See begins Tuesday. Five persons are scheduled to be here. It looks like we will have seven singles here for Intake in September, plus the Rojo family.
Sheila, please do pursue your dialogue with Fr. Scanlan about payment of the FUS students' loans. Please let the Browns and Luczaks and Bridget know where the ball lies and what they can do. I suggest you move on this as soon as possible, so that the others are not held in limbo.
I was delighted to hear of the opportunity the Lord gave you to witness to Bishops and Cardinals during the Rocco conference. God is great!
You mentioned you thought about getting our team to have another regular study time; consider restudying the Mission of the Redeemer together; after this time in mission you will be able to encounter that Word at a new and deeper level. Maybe some who are returning from Calcutta would join with our team in that restudy.
I think you can share this note with Bridget, and I am sending your letter and this response to our other missionaries and the Board.
In Jesus, Frank
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