After 26 years in teaching, I've decided to retire at the end of this year to pursue other opportunities. About six years ago, I came across a documentary called "Footprints." It tells the story of a group of guys from California who embark on the Camino de Santiago. Watching that video, I was captivated by the stories and the idea of a pilgrimage. That night, after watching it with my wife, I told her that the summer I retire, I'm going to walk the 500 miles of the Camino. This was an idea I had never heard of just two hours earlier, but I felt called to make this pilgrimage.

As time passed, the Camino has always been inside me, and with my retirement approaching, it's time to do it. Walking the Camino has always tugged at my heart as a Catholic. Pope Francis said, "Pilgrimage is a symbol of life. It makes us think of life as walking, as a path. If a person does not walk but instead stays still, this is not useful; it accomplishes nothing. Think of water: when water is not in the river, it does not course, but instead, it remains still and stagnates."

St James

I am undertaking this journey not only to close a chapter of my life but also to rediscover myself as a husband, father, and friend as I begin the second part of my life with whatever new adventure awaits me. I am also undertaking this journey to help raise much-needed funds for Loreto House, where I currently serve as the chairman of the board. I have seen firsthand the good that your donations provide for the women and their children we serve.

I humbly ask that you follow me on my Camino journey and pledge a donation to help me reach my goal for Loreto House. You can follow my journey on my Facebook page, where I will be posting updates and interacting with people daily. If you would like to reach out to me directly, you can contact me at dentoncatholic@gmail.com. Thank you for visiting, and please add me to your prayers and prayerfully consider a donation. ¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Robert Black

dentoncatholic@gmail.com

972-921-1026

Vivat Jesus!