Diocesan Liturgy Camp 2011 up at Kinkora

Camping season is upon us, and today I had the pleasure of going up to Camp Kinkora (a campsite owned by the Foundation of Catholic Community Services) to say mass for the Diocesan Liturgy Camp (a.k.a. DLC). The photo below is of yours truly in action:

Mass at DLC in 2011

I stuck around after mass for supper, and then chatted with one of the counsellors (a former parishioner of mine). I was planning of praying vespers by the lake as well, but a happy interruption came along in the form of three young campers. They asked me questions all about where I worked, what my life was like as a priest, what it meant that I was becoming a bishop, and so on. They also talked about their families, about their religious pratice, even about how they pray and read the Bible. Given two were 8 years old and one was 11, it was really pretty profound. Eventually I had to go, and as I was getting up to leave they wanted to know if I’d be back next year — I guess we had a good connection! Of course, I don’t know what my schedule as a bishop will allow me to do or not, but I do hope I’ll be able to come back — it is these sorts of random moments of grace that make ministry such a joy!