It scarcely seems possible that so much has transpired since our last Christmas letter. The year began on a sad note but the months of 1984 have brought us joy. Pat’s mother died last December; her funeral Mass was on the morning of Christmas Eve. He and Karen flew to Ohio and combined the sadness of loss with the gladness of His Birth. Deb, Ken and Kip were present for a combined New Year’s Day/Christmas Day with improved expectations for the coming year. The greatest expectation was realized on February 25th when Pat was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. The life-style for us hasn’t been dull ever since!
As a Permanent Deacon Pat has been involved in not only liturgical celebrations but also in adult religious education. Karen has been with him on every step of the way. It is difficult to say who has been the more involved in activities at their parish, Christ the Good Shepherd, what with Bible study classes, convert education, college ministry, marriage preparation, etc. Yet there has still been time for prayer and reflection – albeit, never enough. In July they managed a visit to Ohio and a week in South Bend, Indiana for work-shops at Notre Dame. Their vacation also consisted of a long weekend in San Diego in September, with as much golden-beach time as possible.
There has been so much to do that there has been little opportunity to fall prey to the empty-nest syndrome. Kip is now a sophomore at Southwest Texas State University; Ken is in his third year at Texas A&M; and Deb continues to reside in San Antonio where she answers questions at the information desk at the public library. (The rest of the family is reluctant to challenge her in a game of Trivial Pursuit!)
Pat continues to play with a new computer system at Baylor College of Medicine. Karen has left paid employment to engage in almost a full-time occupation in the parish. Except for the salary, Karen seems to have the better deal. She is our expert on the Old Testament and is rapidly becoming one on the New; she is also very active in writing prayer services and has been accused of writing Pat’s homilies/sermons (at least the “better” ones)!
In summarizing 1984, it seems that little has occurred which can be easily tabulated. Yet there has been much peace and contentment, values which can not be measured but nevertheless pervade everything and make all of it worthwhile. We hope that this has been true for each of you as well. The tangible accomplishments may seem insignificant – or even non-existent – in themselves, but the spirit of peace is there and the sense of growth is ever present. May your growth, too, continue in the coming months. May your beauty shine forth in this Season and throughout your life.