August 28 - September 7
Hi Fr Ron,
I am writing
these few lines at Charlotte airport as I await my flight to Dublin - many
thanks again for arranging to have me flown (via your Frequent Flyer Miles) 1st class
since departing from St Vincent. The extra benefits will considerably help
shorten this last and longest leg of my journey.
Looking back
on my extended stay with you, I scarcely believe it lasted all of 10 days. The
time just flew. The amount of engagements you had lined up were way beyond my
expectations and I did not expect that so many people would go out of there way
to meet up with me. On the other hand, knowing these friends who have supported
you down through the years, it was obvious that they would not disappoint you
in your hour of need as you went out of your way to entertain an Irishman who
took up so much of your time.
Having collaborated
with you on your many productive projects in the Caribbean, I was particularly
keen to visit Rhodelia and see your current undertaking in your home parish. In
a nut shell, the project yet again revealed an imaginative can-do mind that
underpins the dynamic motivation with which you have been gifted.
Before I left
Louisville, I did manage to thank some of those with whom I met (those whose contact details I had). It is extremely
easy for me to recall the engagements in sequence as they occurred so please
pass on my sincere gratitude and good wishes to each and everyone as you meet
them again….. Tom and Rea Clarke, Dr Paul Kelty and Pat Paterson; Fr Tom Clark,
Jim who lives in Bardstown; Deacon Greg and his wife Shirley. What a bonus it
was to meet your sister Brenda on our visit to St Theresa’s; Tim, the backroom
brain, who is so meticulous in his planning and advice; the evening spent with the
stalwarts who visited St Vincent in 2019 – Dr. Paul and Susan, Beth and Bill;
Karen and Tim (the tall one!) was also very special as we recalled pre volcano
times on the islands; another family member was Fr Bob Ray who spoke so
approvingly of the Irish Curragh! Sue and John, as well as Gary and Rita like
all the others left an impression of what friendship is all about. Last but not
least was Greg whose wife Teri was unfortunately unable to travel with him – incidentally,
Greg, if you recall, was the first friend I met on my initial visit to Louisville.
Despite various ups and downs experienced by some, everyone was looking great.
The jokes, yarn exchanges, tall tales, conversations about the good old days
went down as a treat. Finally it was special to have visited the two convents and met
some of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and the Little Sisters of the Poor.
How did so many Irish ladies end up in Louisville convents – we have an acute
shortage back home?
It is wonderful
to be heading home with so many happy memories and soon be able to relate many of my encounters
to my daughter Mary and her family. I know you are more than half way to being
persuaded to come east and visit your friends in Europe. No matter what, a welcome is
extended there. You can be sure it will fade in relation to what you can expect when you
arrive in Ireland.
Sincere
thanks again for your hospitality – Kentuckian style.
Fergal
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