With typical timing, Wednesday morning started 45 minutes after departure time but of course created no obstacles The delay actually might have even helped. Because we arrived at the Cathedral one-half hour late for the 8:30 tour, the delegates had the chance to hear from the guide for twenty minutes during her break from the assigned group, a right to life group that took a twenty minute recess to pray.
They also had the chance to hear briefly the story of the arrest at the Cathedral of my wife, Jean, and me some years earlier. I recounted the personal explanation of how our reverent memorial service in honor of the four fallen church women and Jesuits in El Salvador had been cut short by the then pastor, Rev. Ambrose Hayden, who ordered the police to arrest our prayerful group of about 200. Included in the number were nuns and some priests of other faiths. I explained to the Guatemalan delegates how my wife and I later wrote to the then Archbishop Roach and explained how Jean had been baptized and reared in the Cathedral parish. She told how her mother, long active in the Cathedral's work, has always reassured her young daughter that if ever in trouble, to seek refuge in the church. (Jean's mother and father were the first couple to be married there.) Much to her dismay, she wrote the Archbishop, her presence in the Cathedral happened to be the cause of her arrest. The charges were later dropped during our court appearance at the request of Arch Bishop. The other interesting note is that the current Diocese's social ministry work is now housed in the building that was the former Cathedral School and faces the Cathedral and named after Rev. Ambrose Hayden.
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From the obvious pleasure of the delegates to use a few minutes of somber quiet to pray at the Virgin's alter in the rear left quarter of the Cathedral, the group seemed to find comfort in the 45 minute session. From there the hardy group walked the short distance to the Capitol, after a short stop to take in the monuments and memorials in front of the state's Capitol. |
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Our next stop was to the office of Senator John Marty. Because of Sen. Marty's need to accompany his wife on a personal health appointment with a doctor, the senator was unable to meet with us but provided the generous help of Michael Brakke, his aide. The Capitol visit provided us with a tour by the friendly and knowledgeable guide, Richard. I had been reassured earlier in planning to learn that though the Capitol might be shut down, the guides are volunteers from the historical society and would be there. |
Though still running late, our arrival at the Covington Inn anchored on the south side of the Mississippi River just west of the Wabasha Bridge caused no problems. The Covington Inn is a former river tug converted to a bed and breakfast. It is owned by the daughter of one of our TNII committee's member, Liz Miller. Liz bought the inn a year ago. Many Twin Citians might recall that the inn served as a restaurant for several years when it was called the No Wake Café.
Hosted by Liz and her identical twin, Martha, along with mom Judy, prepared a barbecued chicken with fruit salad, cold slaw and deviled eggs. And like the proverbial loaves and fishes, the meal seemed to stretch way beyond the expected 15 for the 20 some feasting.
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There the diocese's Center for Mission representative, Mike Haasl, filled in the group on the many aspects of the diocese' role in its ministry to social action. The warm weather but compensating view of the city's skyline created a comfortable ambience until the question of "women's role in the church" was posed by a delegate. The topic sparked more heat but no fire. Everyone considered the topic important enough to extend the departure time. |
St. Joan of Arcers, Marie and John Braun, of the WAMM/SJA Peacemakers, met us at St. Mark's Church in St. Paul. Because of its nearness to the place of action, the Lake Street Bridge, it provided an excellent meeting spot for John and Marie to explain their active role in the peace and justice movement with special emphasize in trying to bring end the Iraq attack. Their continued inspiration prompted the group to participate in the hour long vigil on the Lake Street Bridge. There, in addition to the delegates running into the faithful and committed Fr. John Brandes, former pastor of St. Marks, they were honked at in supportive ways to show our foreign guests that the majority of passersby disagrees with our government's attack on Iraq.
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Though somewhat discomfited by blistering sun and humidity. the Guatemalans waved with borrowed signs to passing cars and hung on until we gathered an hour later. After recognition by Marie and the group in the post vigil routine, we left for our cabin at Sugar Lake. Yep, about 45 minutes behind schedule. |
Traffic posed no delays and we made it to our cabin near Annandale in time to be ferried around the lake by Jean's nephew-in-law, John, in their comfortable pontoon boat.
Upon the return, they feasted on brats, beans and potato salad lovingly prepared by the faithful committee member, Leslie Knoblauch. Leslie and her gifted and Spanish language talented granddaughter, helped prepare the feast. Leslie assures me that the final dessert of strawberry shortcake was not of her culinary skills. Leslie's relying on the packaged product so out of character it must have been because of the heat.
Lights out found each person dependent on a sleeping bag for her/his sleeping comfort. It was Tricky deal and offered small chance for steady relief in the heat challenged western Minnesota.
Submitted by Bob Heberle