For all of you who have always followed my adventures and misadventures, I thought I would share this with you. As you know, I generally come down to St. Meinrad each summer for my annual retreat. Although it is a private retreat, Fr. Brian and I come down here together. We go our separate ways throughout the day as we retreat and then we rendezvous for dinner.
On our way to dinner last night, I was telling him about something that had seriously been tempting me in my retirement to come. I have considered purchasing a stateroom on a residential cruise ship and sailing the world. The purchase is a fifteen year contract (that should more than outlast me) and the itinerary is phenomenal.
But here’s the hitch. I told Fr. Brian that, even though I could probably end up offering Mass on board for the other owners, that’s not what I want to do in my retirement. I was ordained to perform the sacraments for as many people as possible. I am planning on becoming a “supply priest” after retirement, helping any pastor that needs coverage because of vacation, retreat, illness, et cetera. To purchase a room on a ship and sail away would, in my mind, be abandoning my brother priests as well as the people of the diocese.
I guess they’re all going to be stuck with me for as long as God has in mind. 🙂
