THE EVENT

     I left this morning at 7:30 for the city of Pittsburgh.  It's not a far drive, except for traffic.  The Parkway was backed up from Edgewood/Swissvale to beyond Wilkinsburg, so I exited at Edgewood and took the Oakland way into the city.  Passing Carnegie Mellon I noticed attendants directing parking for an event.  A little further on the Pitt campus, I noticed tents pitched and people gathering for something.  Further down Fifth, parking attendants were flagging people into their lots for a special event of some kind at the Consul Energy Center.  But I was on my way to the A. J. Palumbo Center at Duquesne University.  The event there was the Gathering of Catholic Men sponsored by the Pittsburgh Catholic Mens' Fellowship, a one day event that brought together (as one usher told me) at least 1,900 men for fellowship, prayer and worship, inspirational speakers, and grace filled moments.  I submit that of all the events happening in the city today, this was THE EVENT.  Here is why.

     In addition to nearly 2,000 men beginning the day with a prayerful and reverent Holy Hour and Benediction, four great presentations interspersed with song and prayer, great fellowship, and concluding with the celebration of the Eucharist led by Bishop David Zubik, there was a day long celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I began hearing confessions about 9:30 am and, except for a brief break for lunch, did not finish until just after three o'clock.  There were at least thirty priests doing the same (including Bishop Zubik).  It was an awesome experience of Church, of Faith, and of God's gentle healing power on the bluff above town.  Now that, my friends, was "the" event of the day for the area.  I was truly humbled and blest.

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      By the way, my apologies for missing a posting yesterday, and for being so late today.   Hectic times.