From the Director's Desk...

 What is so instructive, even moving, about this book is the intriguing journey it takes us on, through roughly 70 years of history with the most congenial and well-informed guide I can imagine.  And along the way, we are introduced to a host of friends and acquaintances of our guide-many of them among the "movers and shakers" of this historic epoch. 

 Since our guide is a theologian, the story he tells is largely about the Church, but it becomes immediately clear that this Church is, in the words of Vatican II, "The Church in the Modern World."  So we find our guide wrestling with issues like feminism, racism, child abuse, war and the work of peace, meaning and postmodernity.  In the best sense, it is a very worldly story. 

 But the real story here, in my humble opinion, is not simply the unfolding of history, but the unfolding of the guide himself.  It is fascinating to watch Walter Burghardt, now 85 years old, soon to be 86, unfolding and growing over this long period of time, from his seminary days at "Woodstock in the woods" outside Baltimore up to the present day. 

 The theme of that lifetime's story is, I submit, unchanging fidelity in a changing world and Church.  The changes over those years are bewildering and confounding.  We will list and ponder them.  But how change with them, and not lose oneself or one's basic commitments?  Even one's integrity?

 The obvious importance for tracing this lifetime development is that it can set a pattern for our own personal growth and development.  None of us will, or should, be Walter J. Burghardt at the end of our story.  In his conclusions and decisions, his is not always the last word, much less the best word.  But we can and should struggle with integrity as he does, listen as attentively as he, question "givens" and find accurate answers, seek for and trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 "Guide to the Perplexed" comes to mind.  And aren't we all perplexed, sometimes more than others?  For this guidance, unwitting though it might have been, we say thanks to Father Burghardt.  And wish him well for yet another 85! 

 You will also find our final appeal for your financial support for Woodstock as we approach the end of our fiscal year on June 30.  We are just short of our goal for individual gifts.  As always, I am very grateful for the generous support you give to Woodstock. 

 Be sure of the prayers of all of us at the Woodstock Center.  We wish you a safe and relaxing summer.

James L. Connor, S.J.