Last Tuesday morning, before I went over to EDS for my interview, I logged on to the Irish Jesuits' prayer site: sacredspace.ie  
The prayer that greeted me on the opening page was amazing and I felt like God had put it there for me, but also for all of you as you move through the Looking Forward with Grace process.  I hope that it will be something that all of us can pray together in the weeks ahead:

"Our lives are a journey, a pilgrimage. From our mysterious origins, through our childhood and growing years, we have set forth along a unique path amidst our families or the significant people close to us. So, for myself, wherever I am along that journey which is mine, in light or in darkness, struggling or in relative peace and stability, still I am being drawn forward, along a pilgrimage way. Perhaps I haven't seen things from this perspective, or have forgotten it, but it is the truth of my life: I am called by name, journeying along a unique path, God with me, God before me, all along the way that is mine. "I will bless you and go before you", God said to Abraham and Sarah, the parents of our way of faith, journeying in the desert as virtual nomads, on the basis of God's promise and Covenant. The Chosen People journeyed too, having come out of Egypt. John Henry Newman (1801-90), at a crucial and lonely stage of his journey, wrote "Lead Kindly Light", believing God would lead him on. And today, in our endlessly fluid, bewildering and challenging world, we are especially called to travel in faith, and to depend on God's word and blessing, especially coming to us in Jesus. And perhaps, like the disciples on the Mount of the Transfiguration, we might hear the words, "This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour; listen to him". (Matthew 17:5) Lord, let me listen to you. Guide me, and lead me on."

As I went through the day, meeting with the Faculty, Students, Staff, and then the whole community, I felt like God was carrying me.  And I felt your prayers and your love carrying me as well.  It was a grace-filled day, to be sure. And as I sat in prayer early in the morning, I was filled with gratitude for all you have taught me and given of yourselves.  

It is all in God's hands now.  Let us all continue to pray for each other, for the entire parish and for all the people who make up the EDS community.  God's will be done.