One more talk report…today was the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership – a workshop that was a last-minute addition (was originally scheduled to be a "publishers’ showcase," but then they decided they wanted me to do a workshop).

It was very pleasant, I tell you, to get in my car, drive 10 minutes to the airport, fly 40 minutes, get off the plane, hop on a shuttle bus, ride 10 minutes to the hotel where the convention’s being held. Much easier than flying 5 hours or driving 3 or 8 and spending nights in hotels, blah.

Got there around 8:30, wandered around the exhibits, heard Cardinal George speak. On church and culture. His most memorable observation, to me, was that in a culture centered on individual rights, conversion has no place – because, of course, the fundamental value is that "I have the right to be who I am, and that’s marvelous." Well, he said it more precisely, but you probably get the drift.

I was in the hotel lobby when the Cardinal came in. I was going to go say hello and introduce myself, but for the small posse accompanying him. Michael says I shouldn’t have been deterred, because that’s the function of the posse – you know: "Walk with me. Look busy." Ah well. I guess it was better that I didn’t meet Cardinal George while juggling a pile of books and a Diet Pepsi.

Before that, I had ventured to the room where my talk was scheduled..and found it occupied! Until noon, the sign said! Hmm. Well, after a few minutes, we got that straightened out – the room next door was empty. Always check your room before you speak!

The room was full – about a hundred people, I would guess. I gave my standard talk, tweaked for the audience (DRE’s and other parish and diocesan staff). I wasn’t exactly sure at what my audience would be like – you never know with Professional Catholics – but they were quite receptive and quite frustrated with the situation and even – I could tell from some head-nodding – willing to ascribe some responsibility for the situation to inadequate catechesis and even unintended consequences of some recent dominant pedagogical assumptions…as in carin’ and sharin’.

Did a little more exhibit wandering, had lunch with the folks from California – Katherine, Celeste and Monsignor Sork – weird seeing people two weeks in a row in two completely different locations! It was great to see them again though – an excellent parish out there in Ranchos Palos Verdes.

Saw and met various others – OSV and Loyola people, of course, plus the very well-respected Sr. M. Johanna Paruch, of Steubenville, Regis Flaherty and his wife, Libby, of Emmaus Road publishers and author Catherine Odell.

Then back home by 4:30!