Before July, I did not know this: Every year, people in Gibsland, La., brandish automatic weapons, have shootouts and engage in car chases — and everyone gets away with it. It happens every May on the anniversary of the ambush of Bonnie and Clyde, in this tiny northern Louisiana burg. A bit morbid, but when you have a claim to fame, no matter what it is or how notorious it is, have a festival and celebrate, right? I also did not know, but learned, that northern Louisiana is wooded, much like Arkansas above it and the piney woods of East Texas to the west. It is only in the southern regions, in cajun country, where the bog begins.

Before July I did not know this: Bishop Michael Sis likes to clap and move to the music, and especially enjoys contemporary Christian singer and Catholic singer Matt Maher. If pressed, the bishop might even be able to cut a rug.

Before July I had never laughed along with a Cardinal. But Cardinal Joseph Tobin, CSsR, the archbishop of Newark, made that possible through his poignant talk which included a couple of telling stories of Pope Francis love for the poor and the immigrant.

The stated purpose of the Convocation of Catholic Leaders in Orlando, Fla., July 1-4, was to encourage the 3,500 in attendance and the hundreds of thousands beyond those who were able to attend, to take up the mantle of missionary discipleship through our relationship with Jesus Christ and to share that love with others who might not otherwise come to know it.

The outgrowth of the convocation, though the time and friendships shared with one another. The faith that moved about through all who were there was tangible. Bishops participated in small groups with rank-and-file Catholics they might not otherwise ever come in contact with. Shreveport Bishop Michael Duca shared with members of our small group in one breakout session his experiences in northern Louisiana since being named the diocese’s shepherd. Bishop Michael Sis sat with a group from the diocese and was moved by the praise music presented by Maher and Audrey Assad, another singer on the bill. And Cardinal Tobin did not talk at the assembly, but rather shared in a personable, approachable manner. Whether dressed in brown cassock, white collar or blue slacks, we all shared a common love for Christ.

Cardinal Tobin told those assembled they could better prepare themselves to become missionary disciples by asking themselves a few questions. “What do you see? What is in your peripheral vision? Where is God opening a door? What pierces your heart and leaves you to weep? Pope Francis would ask us to go to the peripheries, to the forgotten and to the unseen and share the friendship and love of Jesus.”

I’ve not been to many of these kinds of gathering, but of those that I have, this was the most beneficial of all. It was powerful.

Eighty-four years of experience. The Diocese of San Angelo witnessed the transitions of two longtime servants this summer with the retirement of Msgr Jim Bridges, former pastor of St. Stephen in Midland, and Sister Malachy ‘Mal’ Griffin, OP, formerly the Vicar for Women Religious in the diocese. I will never forget either. Their candor, humor and wisdom touched many. One of my favorite homilies was given on Gaudete Sunday -- the Sunday of Joy -- when Msgr. Bridges abandoned traditional homily style and stood at the ambo for seven minutes, telling one joke after another. And then sat down. I’ve never experienced such laughter in a congregation.

Sister Malachy had become for the last few years, my date to the staff Christmas party. I enjoyed that gift of abbreviated time spent each year. I will miss her honesty, her wisdom and grace, and her love of life and the Church. And I will miss her very much.