Jim and I stopped by the parish office at around 8:15 Friday morning to ask Debbie to stamp our credentials--camino passports as it were-- to mark the beginning of our journey. Jim picked up the rest of the prayer requests destined for Lourdes, France, then we stopped by the school. We got another prayer request from the school, then headed to 9:00 Mass, during which Fr. Don was going to send us off with a Pilgrim's Blessing.
Fr. Don incorporated the blessing into his homily--it was beautiful! After Mass, many people hugged us, and wished us a safe journey. Jim and I feel so loved by the people of St. Charles, and are blessed to call it our "parish home!"
We met up with the friends with whom we are making this journey, and arrived in Barcelona Saturday morning. We spent the day exploring the sights, and will be in Barcelona for another day.