Yesterday I was presenting to some middle schoolers. After it was over, a teacher came up to me and said…”You were good; I didn’t get a single paper graded.”

A few weeks back I was touring Megan’s new school with the principal and she was introducing me to teachers as we saw the different rooms. One of Megan’s teachers smiled and then paused and asked, “Do you speak and do retreats?” I answered that I did, thinking I might have spoken at some mission or youth rally in the last few years which she attended.

She then said, “You did my 6th grade retreat!” I shook my head thinking I could have gone all day without hearing that remark. It’s hard to believe I began teaching and doing retreats in 1984 and that I could have well done this. She recalled icebreaker songs she remembered and how she used them in her classroom to teach various points. She said it was one of the most memorable retreats she had.

I went from groaning on the inside that I am as old as I am to have my daughter’s teachers telling me I did retreats for them to thanking God for working through the silliest things sometimes and for letting me get to hang out while he does some of them.

Today I was at a wonderful gathering, a Eucharistic Congress for the diocese held in Myrtle Beach SC. Their theme was Fire at the Beach.

I was very impressed with the town; I’d heard good things but it was neat to see it for myself.

I’m always impressed when a conference is held and different ministries in the church come together (as in this case). I met a superb group of DREs who were a part of this committee and cared deeply about this experience being a good experience for those gathered, even with all the logistical glitches that can happen.

Fr. J. Glenn Murray gave a rousing keynote address (I hear it may eventually be up on www.fireatthebeach.com.).

My workshops were on “Eucharist as a Model for Youth Ministry” and “A Healthy Case of Heartburn”—wanna guess what that one was about?

I had to laugh as one of my workshop times were changed and a delightful catechist who has been in ministry forever didn’t get the news of the change and came to see me expecting a different presenter. When I introduced myself to the group she politely (and publicly) explained to me I was not supposed to be there and wanted to know where the advertised speaker was! (Humbling and humorous to me for sure). She thought I was mispronouncing the name (Daugherty, I think) badly. I explained my topic and how the news of the switch had come..and told her (publicly, humorously) I would not be offended if she chose to leave (he wasn’t offering the session until the next time slot) and she said , “No, go ahead with what you planned. I might as well stay here and see what you say.” Nothing like starting with a bang!

I got to meet some neat adults (and also, to my surprise, some teens) who are working hard at the grass roots level. My host, Jerry White, was awesome in providing hospitality.

I’m excited because I will be back here in March for their diocesan youth conference.