These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house that I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the LORD. (Hg 1:1-8)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092823.cfm
Almost 70 years ago my mom became friends with a visiting Norwegian nurse, Joss Engen. They remained friends all their lives. My mom and Joss have both died. But this week Joss’s niece and her husband came from Norway to visit me in Colombia. We had not seen each other for 35 years, since my mom and I went to visit her friend Joss in Norway. Yesterday as they continued their journey to Cartagena and then on to Machu Pichu, they joined me for the early morning Mass at the House of the Lord (my local parish next door). The friendship of my mom and Joss continues! God bless you, Per & Heidi!