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Scenes from my first Christmas

Yes, this is my First Christmas.....as a Deacon of course. Fr. Andrew reminded me and the entire congregation of that, along with the story ...

Monday, February 29, 2016

Throw him a curveball

In baseball a pitcher will throw different things at you to keep you guessing, to be less predictable, and to shake you up. Father Kyle  did this to me yesterday at Mass. Every time you think you heard it all, and when you least expect it, something wonderful happens. He Used a different Eucharistic prayer, One that is used for penance. It tied in so well with his homily. There is one line in it that got my attention immediately……"Help us to work together for the coming of your Kingdom, until the hour when we stand before you, Saints among the Saints in the halls of heaven." That line touch me incredibly! How can anybody not be moved by hearing that. Saints among saints in the halls of heaven, be a saint!

Mercy in the City

Please check out this video http://youtu.be/TZkfdHRAudw

The power of a smile,

In the last two weeks I've been reminded what a difference a smile, what a difference it is to be joyful people. As I was preparing a young couple with a child for baptism on Easter Sunday an
elderly parishioner caught my attention. I excused myself and went to talk to her for just a moment. She shared with me her thoughts  how much you she loved that I was serving at the Altar. She commented mostly all my smile. She told me you're always smiling and I love seeing that. She shared that at times when she comes to mass she may not be in the best of moods but seeing my smille can turn her around.  I shared with her how much I love being a deacon,  butmost of all how we are called to be joyful people.  She suggested that I should keep on smiling, I promised her I would.

Yesterday morning, father Kyle mentioned about the holy father Pope Francis' smile.  He shared with us the secret behind that wonderful smile. For he is a man who loves the sacrament of reconciliation. He shared that the holy father receives Great joy and grace from going to reconciliation. Isn't  it amazing what a small can do.
During this Lenten season, I have two challenges for you.  Smile, be joyful, after all you are a child of Christ! Secondly, take advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation, and maybe you two will have a smile the changes the world at least around you.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Call Someone

3) Call someone who you know is lonely, even if you understand why they're lonely. Especially if you do!

Ironically today Father reminded me of a parishioner who is lonely that I forgot to touch base with. Tomorrow I'm off, tomorrow I call. Tomorrow I think of someone else who is lonely too!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

#2 Possessions

Good morning everyone. Isn't there a little bit of a packrat or hoarder in all of us. As I reflect on my life there are times when I wonder who's in control. Am I in control of my possessions, or is it the other way around? Today's reflection obviously deals with possessions, and how much do we really need to own in this life. Here is #2......Pare down possessions: share your  things with the needy.

Terry and I've been thinking about this for quite some time. We have so many things that just sit there. Some of it obviously just needs to be disposed of. We actually donated three bags of clothing that neither one of us were using recently. There is much more that needs to be done. I have lots of soul-searching to do on this one. You may want to consider time is a possession also. Are we making good use of it? The challenge for all of us as Christians is to share our time, talent, and treasures. God bless all of you

Friday, February 26, 2016

This time we start from the top


In the past few days I've been sharing a list of items I found that all of us "myself included" need to address during Lent, in this Year of Mercy, and actually everyday. Here is #1....1) Resist sarcasm; it is the antithesis of mercy: "Set, O Lord, a guard over my mouth; keep watch, O Lord, at the door of my lips!" (Psalm 141:3) From the Anchoress

This is a hot button for me. I have a deep desire to argue and win. I'm working hard  on this one. Only through Grace do I succeed.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

33) When mercy for others is difficult, pray Cardinal Merry del Val’s Litany of Humility.

In a series of challenges this and every day.....HUMILITY.....
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, 
Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

17) Hold. Your. Tongue.

Today I failed on that list. I failed miserably! All I can say is....through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault! No excuses! I own that faux pas! Reconciliation is coming soon, it's great having such a Merciful Father! More work to do, grace will carry me.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

#24

Today I had to live this one.....24) Recall a time you were not given a benefit of a doubt, and extend one to someone else.

this morning I came into work and I get an email from my boss directed at many managers. Supposedly these were the ones who did not complete an online learning course. I know for a fact I did, I was actually The first want to complete it in my store. After breathing hard for a few minutes I decide to take the test all over again anyways. I did send an email alerting them that I had already completed it but decided to take it once more. I resisted sarcasm and decided something must've gone wrong and just do it anyways. Today while reviewing the many things that I'm trying to do during this Year of mercy I noticed number 24. I realize this is only because of the grace of God

Monday, February 22, 2016

God's inexplicable mercy to a sinner

Recently I found this & felt the need to share from Justice Scalia.....After attending the funeral of Justice Lewis F. Powell Jr., which was held at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Va., Scalia wrote to Dr. James C. Goodloe to tell him “how reverent and inspiring I found the service that you conducted.”
Scalia lamented that often the eulogy is the centerpiece of a funeral, “rather than (as it was in your church) the Resurrection of Christ, and the eternal life which follows from that.” Praise for the deceased “can cause us to forget that we are praying for, and giving thanks for, God’s inexplicable mercy to a sinner,” he said.

Rights & Duties

“To claim one’s rights and ignore one’s duties, or only half fulfill them, is like building a house with one hand and tearing it down with the other.”


-          St. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, #30 (Peace on Earth)