Hey, so the CNMC 2011 is over and I’m on the last flight out of Kansas City. It’s always the same for me – an overload of things that need to be done, keeping an eye on the program, and at the same time, slipping into the presentations I want to watch, talk to the people I want to get to know, and catch up with old friends. In short, the CNMC zoomed by and I need a minute to gather my thoughts and think about the whole experience, both in its delightful little snippets of conversations, and in the broad picture of The Conversation.
But first, I have to think about some logistics and some conversation that need to be held following the point when everyone has checked out of the hotels, boarded their flights home, and put the conference behind them.
Then I’ll get to reflect. In the meantime, here are some highlights that continue to make me smile :
Fr. Jay Finelli is hilarious. Really hilarious. And he yells at his GPS.
Steve Nelson is a superhero with an invisible cape.
Paul Camarata is one of the most gracious people I know.
Lisa Hendey delights me…because she is delightful.
Matt Warner’s baby girl is adorable and likes oatmeal cookies.
Cheese puffs are a universal snack. Fr. Roderick and Ian Maxfield know this, even if they’ll never admit it. Pshaw to their European sensibilities.
Jeff Geerling is really really smart…and really really clever. And his wife makes really really tasty cookies. Really.
Pat Gohn may have a new podcast, Homilies-R-Us. Kinda redefines her Among Women segments on women in the pew.
Sean Patrick Lovett is absolutely, unquestionably, amazingly charming.
Sr. Anne, I discovered, loves raspberries and dark chocolate. You should send her some.
Greg Willits is still very tall. And tore up Mac Barron’s shoes.
Scott Maentz is magical with his camera. Look up the CNMC11 on Flickr and see the smiles, fun, and intensity that he captured, both in the sessions, and the celebration.
Jeff Nielsen, Pat Padley, and Nick Padley are unsung heroes. If you watched any of the goings on anywhere at the conference, it was because of their untiring work to make it happen…not just technologically, but in the liturgies as well.
The Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas was so welcoming, and their beautiful Savior Pastoral Center was magnificent. Archbishop Naumann gave us a lovely treat by leading evening prayer and visiting with all of us.
And finally, a big hug and a kiss to all the people who came to the CNMC and participated in the dialogue – making new friends, reinforcing old ties, and jumping into the deep together.
I didn’t take any pictures during the CNMC because, well, I’m a #FAIL, but here’s a little peek at the shenanigans during the set-up, and then grabbing dinner in town (a little under-dressed and over-tired, and then the next day, another super early morning…and then…the CNMC!).
Thank you for the lovely post, Maria. I enjoyed your thoughts and pics very much.
These are great pictures! I love all the smiles and silly expressions. How about a hug and a kiss for an *almost* attendee?
aw ladies…you were both missed. There was so much interaction this year…so many opportunities to meet new people and spend time with old friends 🙂
I’m so glad we were finally able to meet in person; too bad, we didn’t get more of an opportunity to talk more. Thanks for all your hard work this past week-end making the conference such a success.
I know! I would have liked to have spent more time talking “not-silly” things. But you know, that was just the ice-breaker. Now when we engage on-line, it’s realer. Is that a word? Realer?
Confidential to Barb and Denyse: Ditto what Maria says. You were both missed.
And to you, Maria — my pal and CNMC roomie — thanks for another ‘top shelf’ road trip adventure. Next time, you ride shotgun –IN BOSTON!
There’s that gauntlet. I can’t say, YES! cuz you don’t believe me 🙂 So, I’ll just have to show up.