On the way to the train at 8 am on Sunday, I noticed a woman giving out parking tickets. She felt sorry to be handing out these tickets since most car owners without resident permits would not have realized that there was a major stadium event on a Sunday morning! Neither did I! It was the annual Run for the Cure for breast cancer.

It was a cool morning - around freezing point - cloudy and threatening to rain or snow. And yet, at the Stadium station and later at the University station, I encountered hundreds of women, families, young people and seniors, ready to walk or run. White-shirted groups being dropped off or walking to the station from all directions. Most were warmly dressed under the flimzy t-shirt. A sense of camaderie and excitement prevailed as they sauntered by with their Tim Horton coffee. Whatever brought them here this

Sunday morning was a sign of hope. Over 10,000 were expected. Last year more than $1.2 million was raised for cancer research in Edmonton and this gesture was repeated in 40 Canadian cities.

When I returned from church at 11, the clouds were threatening but as the train emerged from underground into the light, the sun appeared shining brightly. Its warmth spread over hundreds running and assembling around the stadium. A brief thank you to those who chose to bring hope this Sunday morning.

A special prayer and thank you this week for the School Sisters of St. Francis whose patron feast - St. Francis of Assisi - is on October 4.