At the beginning of December the group met at Bragg Creek.In this Community which hugs its artists, we have a two tier existence: the foothills and the mountains. The area is called Kananaskiis, the Indian word "to be in touch with nature." Thirty people came to celebrate. This time was different from past years in that we had in our presence a baby, teenagers and a person celebrating a ninetieth birthday. "Your young men will dream dreams and your older persons will see visions." We had it all together.

   It seemed like yesterday that this group played pond hockey until there was no second wind left. This year we were satisfied with a short walk and time to ponder. Firma Terra never felt so good. I guess we are at the stage when our knees buckle but our belt around the waist does not. The Liturgy was a leader's delight. A baby; twins celebrating a birthday; Marquerite Watson celebrating a ninetieth birthday; Frank Hoebarth retiring from Social Work with the City of Calgary. With all these candles to light something celebrative was bound to happen. The theme GRACE as the Surprise of God is evident in the movie "Sometimes It’s a Wonderful Life”. It is about the sudden surprise of friendship in our life. We can feel alone and suddenly a friendship breaks through,to prove us wrong. In our celebration, as well, people come and surround us in a redeeming moment. We are glad that Mary Mclellan has not recovered from her role as an English Arts Teacher, thus we could prod her into reading the poem LITTLE LAMB (Blake):

   As a response, Sheldon and Carlene Oleksyn gave a reflection on the experience of child birth and how it has brought them closer to Godde.We don't know the hour or the day ,so our task is to be ready when Godde will visit us in new and exciting ways. At this time we needed to unmask our sorrow at the death of Bill Kelly.He was a leader among the Basilian Fathers and taught many years in Lethbridge AB.The latter part of his life he gave his gift of love to his wife Marion, his nephews and nieces. The imprint of his joy and laughter is everywhere. We keep in mind the sick: Tad Gusie; Bernie Bryden, and Lucille Neyron. Joan Palardy and Catherine Williams are in recovery from accidents.

   The group talked about the possibility of hosting a national Conference, sometime in the Fall. A Committee of six was struck to pursue the idea. Fred Williams provided some well timed humor re the ninetieth birthday of Marquerite Watson and in the right spirit: Four Golfers are on the golf course. Three of them are complaining - One says the fairways are TOO long; another the hills are too HIGH; another the sand traps are TOO deep. The forth says at least we are all on this side of the GRASS.