The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-26

VI 4y4vV 4SSs ApVut BLK utl1eS ITOll
 El Valle. A Catholic Indian and
 his family of five were on hand to greet us and helped us in preparing our supper as we feasted lmomen-
 tarily, at least, on the magnificent
 scenery. In the distance - some
 thirty miles by air was the new
 air base of Rio Hato and for miles
 in the distance the glorious blue waters of the Pacific stretched out
 before us. An ideal place for Q retreat.
 We left the mountainside about eight in the evening getting back
 to Balboa at eleven. There were
 no trains to the Atlantic side un- til the morning but the Rabbi
 would put us on a freight train If
 we wished to 90. We did and so at 3:15 next morning two very sleepy and very tired chaplains arrived on the Atlantic side in time
 to say their early morning Masses. From the Atlantic to the Pacific to
 the Atlantic all in one day and what 6 day 1t had been!
 But at the same time what 6 fruitful day, for two weeks later seven chaplains escorted by an army truck, two boys from France Field to take care of the place, @ cook and Q driver from Albrook
 Field arrived at Los BolioS for their annual military retreat.
 A tent pitched outside on the lawn made the chapel where the
 Blessed Sacrament might be re- served, large patio enclosed by the huts acted as a conference hall and a place for morning Mass and evening Benediction. Father Jim" McGoohan from Camp Paraiso was sacristan; Father Gene Meade, Paulist from Fort Sherman was Procurator (food provider); Father Earl Stennett from Fort Davis was moderator and bell rin- ger; Father John Kelly from AL brook Field furnished the library and directed the spiritual reading; Father Joseph Koch, department chaplain acted as chief executive while yours truly from the Naval Air Station (the only navy chap lain) acted as Retreat Master. All of our equipment had been trans. ported here by army truck.
 Army Pursuit Plane
 Gives Message
 I doubt very much If any re. treat has been made under more unique circumstances. We were many miles from Q phone, so on the first day an army pursuit plane flew over with e roar. He dove from around three thousand feet to clear the ground in front of us by about ten. He wanted to attract our attention and give an obvious message. They knew where we were, in an emergency they would drop messages to us. We un- derstand, all wave, and with Q waggle or two of his wings he Is away, a mere speck in the sky. These small planes develop terrific speed-not only did he attract our attention-he just about took our breath away by the daring of his dive.
 And thus the retreat was con- ducted. Early morning rising, all of our meals in the open air under an arbor of Grenadines that re- semble huge squash hanging over- head and threatening always to crush your skull if you moved un- wisely and did not watch your head" Tn the afternoon there was Q swim to be had in @ nearby mountain pool, water cool and in- vigorating. And at night-heav- , en be praised-it was so cold that one or two blankets were neces- sary on the bed.
 On Thursday three of the Vincen- tian Fathers from St. Mary's Mis- sion in Balboa drove up to see us. Our Indian guide, Severiano, was on the lookout for them. He saw their car several miles away go over 8 hill but 1t did not reappear. There was something wrong, said he-and we dispatched the army truck to find out that he was cor rect and there with one wheel over the side of a cliff was the stalled car and three perspiring Padres. But our Indian and truck driver were very capable and soon all was well.
 Planes Are
 Very Accommodating
 The Retreat was of tremendous help both physically and spiritual ly. It gave all the opportunity to get away from ringing telephones and the constant wear and tear of service life. One of the practical resolutions was the plan for a retreat day and the first one we had this past week was typical.
 Perhaps the following will illus trate the circumstances in which the chaplains very often find them selves. We were to meet at Corozal on the Pacific side, but only two made the 2 o'clock train. Fathers Meade and Stennett made the train and were met at Balboa-all went to Albrook Field and just as they arrived an Army Bomber from France Field circled for landing; out stepped Father Koch and as he did he noticed a Navy plane its landing. Your humble servant was on that, while behind me by 6 few minutes. three or four. came another bomber from Rio Hato where Father Duguery is the chaplain. We have all found the officers and men most cooperative and they think nothing of putting us down at our destination, any time, by plane. am afraid we are being spoiled.
 However. we feel quite sure thaa no one of us will ever forget the Retreat in the mountains of Pana- ma. May its benefits be multiplied and spread abroad through those among whom the Padres MlII- tares" must labor.
 
 GOVERNOR HURLEY NJ
 INVITED TO FAIR