As the Angles sing an old Hank Williams song.

Time marches on, time marches on. 

Time marches on, time marches on. 

Time marches on. Time marches on.

Tracy Lawrence

It's already October! The leaves are changing colors here... the days are shorter... the sun shines bright during the days... evenings and mornings are cool and brisk. It's definitely autumn here.

When I was growing up one of my favorite movies was "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." One of my favorite quotes from that movie is when Ferris is doing one of his monologues towards the beginning of the movie and says, "I said it before and I'll say it again. Life moves at you pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once and a while, you could miss it."

I think I've quoted Ferris before on this blog. Every once in a while the quote is just so appropriate... Like today... or this week, actually. My facebook status says, "Sr. Nicole is wondering what happened to September."

Last month was a very full month. It was wonderful, don't get me wrong, but it was certainly full. I had the great joy of going on 3 retreats last month - First, a retreat for the first year students at UD. It was great to get to know so many students who are new to UD and trying to find their place. 

Then, I went on my own "retreat"... back to Villa Maria Pennsylvania for an intercommunity formation weekend. It was good to see some familiar faces and meet new people who are all just entering religious life. I think, though, I've already blogged about that weekend...

Lastly, I went on retreat with a student group at UD called "Catholic Life." It was a weekend that allowed students to really delve deeply into their relationship with Jesus and reflect on how that effects the way they live and what they do, think, say. It was also good for me. I had some wonderful conversations with students and good personal prayer time. I also had the chance to stay in a Benedictine Monastery for the weekend. The community there was so kind!

Then... it was October! 

Last weekend I had the opportunity to witness one of our Marianist brothers profess perpetual vows. Bro. Brian Halderman, SM professed the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability for his whole life. It was a beautiful celebration - the Mass was moving with such symbolism and meaning. The dinner after was a true celebration with friends and family of Bro. Brian and MANY Marianist brothers, priests, sisters and lay members. What a joy to celebrate! And an added bonus was that I had a chance to reconnect with young adult Marianists I haven't seen in a few months.

So, these past several weeks have been full of blessings, relationship building, prayer, planning and busyness. I have found, though, that if I don't stop every once in a while and say "Thank you," then the time goes without much reflection on my part. 

Therefore, I say thanks!

Many blessings on all who read this!

Sr. N