Mission Accepted...and Accomplished

At Mass last evening, I happened to look up during Communion, and who should I see but the superintendent of Catholic Schools in our Archdiocese.

Immediate decided mission = track her down after Mass (in the most NOT creepy sense), introduce myself and the ACErs, and enjoy a little bit of conversation

Mission Accepted.

"Thanks be to God" - Closing Hymn - Brief chat with someone I had recognized from Phoenix

And then it was time to grab my sister and start our mission.

(ACE sure helped us out by hosting their weekly post-Mass get-together - everyone in one place!)

Yes, we had to wait for five or so minutes - it's hard to know when the most appropriate/non-awkward time for "interrupting" a person's conversation is while not wanting to wait for 2 more hours as others "interrupt" before you - but it was worth our wait. Sr. Mary Paul was bursting with joy, smiling from ear to ear, and just, apparently, thrilled with life and all ACE is doing in Chicago and around the country. (It would be safe to say that she was even happier than a camel on Wednesday.)

And her enthusiasm and energy was catching - pretty soon we were smiling from ear to ear too. And we got her to meet 3 of the 4 Chicago ACErs for next year. (I still can't get over how supportive and enthusiastic she is about ACE!)

Next year's gonna be great.

Mission accomplished.