I was just about to post a thread like this too. What a terrific week!

I'd like to drop by either that or AGO national next year, provided I have the CE funds.

Colloquium first-timer Mary Ann from Iowa here...I again offer prayerful thanks to God, Fr. H., Fr. D. and my parish for the opportunity to take part in the most incredible week of sacred church music I have ever experienced.

To everyone I had the privilege of meeting; to those I sang/prayed/visited/laughed/cried or shared a meal with: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship, caring, warmth and encouragement. Please know you are all carried in my heart and included in my daily prayers for your health and safety.

May I add a resounding "Amen!" to gregp's: "The best liturgies; the best music; the best people. Period."

This was definitely one of the most memorable weeks of my life!!! God bless the CMAA and all who took part in this year's colloquium! The music and lectures was so very inspiring, invigorating, and awesome! The camaraderie of like minded Catholic musicians made it all the more enjoyable, and the lovely Maria Della Strada Chapel as well as the view of Lake Michigan outside the Chapel were exceedingly lovely! This was my first year attending, and I'm praying I'll be able to go next year! I realize I mightn't have as blissful a time, since the first time for most things is usually the the most memorable, but I do believe it would be an enjoyable experience, to say the least! The breakout sessions, and classes were very informative, and gave me a greater understanding of music in the liturgy and how to sing (and conduct)it well! I can't wait to learn more! The instructors were so knowledgeable about what they were teaching, patient, kind, personable, enthusiastic, and able to explain things so well! (Btw, I love you Mrs. Oost-Zinner, and Mr. Brouwers! (my chant and polyphony conductors)Music and conducting aside, you're very wonderful people : ) One of the things I found attractive about the colloquium was that, for me anyways, it was kind of like a retreat, with all the lovely liturgy, the opportunity to frequent the chapel and the sacraments, the recitation of morning and evening prayer, and the happiness evoked from singing praises to God all day left me feeling exuberant and closer to Christ than ever before! Especially whilst in the chapel; to hear and sing such beautiful prayers to God made me feel more in communion with Him! Who could ask for anything more? I have been very blessed to have been able to take part in this year's colloquium and truly will never forget this week! Nor all the friendly, God-loving people whom I met! God bless you all!

The adjustment back to the day-to-day grind of a financial analyst after having spent the last week immersed in rehearsal and liturgy. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this and to everyone who came. It was my first Colloquium and, by the grace of God, it will not be my last.

And, if anyone in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is willing to teach me to sing between now and the next Colloquium, PM me, as being more than a millstone to my groups would make the experience even more wonderful. :D

The whole thing puts me in mind of Moses coming down from the mountain with the Tablets, and he 'wist not that the skin of his face shone' after talking with Adoshem. In my own case, I know that my face is shining! I can't wait to see my choir members again and also to start recruiting for the Fall. There is no time to waste . . . I will strike while the iron of (as Prof. Mahrt called it) the spirit of enthusiasm is still hot!

I hope to see you all at Mt. CMAA again next year, if not sooner!

In the meantime, this may help with re-entry, perhaps even more because of the homily than the music: http://www.catholictv.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=57&videoID=752

Amazing expression on the Pope's face during the 2nd reading, "I am already being poured out like a libation."

Starting saving now for next year. And I'm going to make sure that I let my brides fend for themselves, so I can stay through the weekend.

I enjoyed all the old friends, all the new ones, bloggers unmasked, and the lovely unreal quality of being surrounded by people who actually think this music matters.

Now it's back to the Forum for all of us - and back to work.

It's impossible to express how much of an impact this has on my life, both here and the hereafter. Thank you, all you wonderful saints and hard workers.