Thanks to Chad Ham and the many other volunteers who greeted pilgrims taking part in the Nine Church Walk on Friday. The pilgrims started arriving almost at the completion of our Holy Thursday vigil at 6:00am, and they continued even into the afternoon and evening. There were many new faces in the church for the Stations of the Cross at 6:00pm. Chad had his handy clicker to count numbers, so we know that at least 2,000 people came to visit St. Stephen’s on Friday. I sat in the confessional from 9:00-11:00 am, and it made me realize that next year I need to extend the hours. The line was continuous for the entire time. Anybody who doubts the vitality of the Catholic Church in New Orleans need only to have seen the busloads of high school groups, CYO groups, and large families taking part in the walk to have their doubts removed. I was so happy to greet many pilgrims from other parishes where I have served. It was great to see old friends, but it made me so proud and happy to be able to welcome them to my new home. I heard nothing but good reports from the crowds at St. Henry and Our Lady of Good Counsel. I wish I had been able to make it to those churches, but between the Holy Thursday vigil, confessions, the soup service, the 3:00pm Good Friday service and 6:00pm Stations of the Cross, I didn’t have much time to venture out! Thanks to everyone!