This morning, Enjolie and Mirya cooked me a great breakfast, the best I have had in weeks, and then at Mass Fr. Bill McKee asked me to say a few words about the pilgrimage, which was a blessing and led at least two people to ask me for more information. Our good friend Leanne, whose husband Paul walked with me yesterday, walked with me today. Mirya said she would walk a little bit of the way with us and walked for about three-quarters of the way to the Church of St. Martin of Tours in Fife, our last stop before we reach the ICE Northwest Detention Center tomorrow.
Walking with companions strengthens my resolve and encourages me when my energy and/or enthusiasm is low. There really is a difference when two or three are gathered to pray, I feel it. After the day's walk ended, I received a phone call from Silvario, who had walked quite a way with us earlier but who was unable to continue for medical reasons. He has been calling almost every day to let us know he is praying with us even though he is not walking with us. The knowledge of his spiritual companionship is almost as good an energizer as his physical presence. Which is to say that accompaniment can be physical or not but that what really counts is heartfelt and expressed concern for others.
Tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, we walk the last four miles from St. Martin of Tours Church to the ICE Northwest Detention Center, where we will pray the Stations of the Cross and other prayers on behalf of immigrants, whether detained there or not. Please join us at 10:00 am in Fife--look for the white cross! Or later at the Detention Center in Tacoma.
posted by Nick
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