In His Presence!

To some of the regular followers of this blog I may be coming across as repeating myself on a certain trend. Yes, there always seems to be a word that has a tendency to stick inside my head. As I have spent time preparing for my final paper for Christology, again a single word became the center point of my world for now. That word that has captured me and become a part of me is the word Presence.

My final paper is titled "In His Presence"! I am a cradle Catholic and my traditional upbringing has given me a very strong foundation in my faith. I have a mother who nurtured and lived a life of faith. I have a parochial school education that reinforced and also nurtured my faith. Growing up wasn't being Catholic, it was living the faith and walking the talk.

Now as my journey shifts into another gear, I am being exposed to more about Jesus and especially the Presence of God. Opening up to this has only made this walk even more exciting than I could have imagined. Being in the Presence happens every day, and I want to be sure that I don't miss out on anything.  When I get up to pray in my inner room, I search for His Presence. When I read the Word of God, I search for His Presence. When I minister to the sick at the hospital, I need to do ministry of Presence. This action happens also when I meet and greet people, in my studies, and when I search for the face of God in the hearts of all His children.

Yesterday at Mass when Fr. Mark preached about the Gospel and  he reminded us to strive to be in the Presence of God. He is also the one who defined the ministry of Presence in a very simple and loving way. He said that what I need to do is to make sure that I am there for people in whatever way the Spirit moves me, by a smile, a kind word, holding their hands, listening to them, but most of all just being with them in their presence. When I truly search for the face of God, then I begin to be in His Presence!

So to quote The Word Among Us..."Slow down, spend time in God's Presence, and let Him speak to you and lift you up!"

Adieu mes Amis,


Mitch

A Mug Shot?

You really know that you belong to a family, when one of the members of the family is comortable enough to pick on you. Yesterday, I read an email from a brother aspiant and he referred to a link that was below my "mug shot" as he quite eloquently called it. I love it! Mostly because the more you know of me, the more you realize that I love to tease people and have fun. So here it is my mug shot....

We're all getting closer to the end of our courses until this fall. The vote was in from our class and it was unanimous. We are all anxious to take a break and really unpack what we have learned this year. At our class last night Sr. Monique talked about integrating what we have learned in our lives. I like that word! Since I have started this journey I don't know if it is just me, but individual words seem to pop up and grab my attention.

I have a full weekend ahead of me. I'm lector at Mass tomorrow morning, I'm heading to Dover to help my daughter move , I have to finish my Christology paper, and my Sunday night League is wrapping up. Just another normal weekend in my life. I hope you are all enjoying the beautitful weather today and tomorrow.

Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

Rating the Weekend, and doing the Deacon Shuffle!

After reflecting on our most recent weekend together, Terry and I both agree it was a great time spent with everyone. I had the chance to talk to many more people and yet I still have a few that I haven't carried a really good conversation with yet. The mood is obviously very relaxed. Similar to a family gathering, after all we are family now. Terry and I are very touched by the kind words, and support we feel. When someone mentioned to me "your son is home" , I was wondering how they knew. I almost forgot that I have been sharing my life with all of you. Thank you!

A small but inspirational group is developing in it's infancy. We have some would be entertainers calling themselves the boys in the hoods working on a new routine called the Deacon Shuffle. It was bantered about that we could post it on You Tube. Any interested in joining?

On a more serious note, what really inspired me from this weekend? Well, first of all I am realizing that I still have work to do and I'm ok with that. You know the routine, you realize that there are some things you have to work on and wonder when you will be able to do it. Well, I know it means surrendering time for me. Key words for me were patience, The Scriptures,  prayer,who is my neighbor, plus finish my final paper for Christology. BTW that was my favorite course, if I haven't mentioned it yet, that is so far!

As we shuffled back to Berlin, Terry and I with the radio off of course talked all the way back about what we learned, felt, and enjoyed about this past weekend. With a little over two hours of driving for us, we are really lucky to be with each other and communicating.

I hope all of you have come away with the same feelings I experienced. Also, we have less than 26 days until the next time we gather as family in our journey to seek the face of God.

May God Bless you always, and all who share in my journey.

Bonsoir mes Amis, et Cherchez Pour Le Visage Du Seigneur! (Good night my friends, and keep searching for the face of God!)

Adieu,

Mitch

Je Cherche le Visage!

Yesterday, was a very mixed bag of happenings in my life. Terry and I attended a funeral for her Aunt yesterday. If you would have asked me what was an area of ministry that I would struggle with, immediately I would have said prison ministry. Without having even spent one moment dealing with that ministry, the unknown left me with uncertainty and probably fears.

Recently I have had to deal with the death of three friends, and one whom I saw on his deathbed. I am struggling with this for many reasons. I have not lost very many people that I Love. I am so blest to have my Mom and Dad still alive, and I regard each and every day a blessing in my life. I know that their mortality eats away at me, each and every time I deal with a friend who is dying. In her recent questionnaire Terry listed dealing with death as an issue that should be addressed at our formation weekends.  I whole heartedly agree. Not just for me personally, but in an aging community this ministry will be a fact of life for me.

At Mass yesterday and old Hymn was played and sung so beautifully. "Je Cherche le Visage" was one that has remained with me, and to hear it again literally brought tears to my eyes! Our faith is so rich by the diversity, of all our ethnic, and cultural heritages. I am searching or looking for the face of God is the literal translation. Vous etes le corps du Christ, you are the body of Christ, vous etes le sang du Christ, you are the blood of Christ, vous etes la paix du Christ, you are the peace of Christ. Alors, qu'avez vous faites pour lui, So what have you done for him? You can sing a song all your life and bang, it comes to life for you all over again. This song is so simple, loving, and powerful as we focus on the words. As we all journey on searching for the face of God, please reflect on these during Lent. If you are interested in hearing the song, just go to youtube.com and check it out.

After Mass Terry, my Son, and I had lunch at a restaurant and had the chance to talk. My Son is going through a difficult break up with his girlfriend and moved back home. He is struggling along and will have to sift through the difficulties of change and being depressed by the lost of a relationship, which is a grieving process. I've also noticed how the tension can escalate and cause arguments, which we had to deal with. Again, our faith is on forgiveness and redemption and we talked through those issues later that night.

Lastly, Tuesdays are my league bowling night and we were in fourth place facing the third place team. My first game I bowled a 251 and had seven strikes in a row. That was the best game I ever bowled in my life. The next two games weren't as impressive but we had a great team night, and took four points to move up to third place and meet next week to decide who finishes in second place. The ups and downs in life is just like a bowling game, keep plugging away and you never know how it will finish up. Go back to basics, relax, and trust in what you have learned.

Well that's it for today, and yeah I'm on vacation this week.

Adieu mes Amis!

Mitch

Discernment Time!

This coming weekend our group of Aspirants will be enjoying another formation weekend, and the focus will be on Vocation Discernment. I think the timing is perfect. During this time of Lent we are given the opportunity to search for Our Lord and search our hearts for His Call!

This weekend I'm sure will guide us through the journey of moving on towards Candidacy for the Permanent Diaconate. Similar to a marriage our journey begins to mesh into the future. We are Aspirants and most if not all will move on to Candidacy. As we move forward we take on the mantle of our calling. I relate it to a marriage in that the two become one is witnessed at a single public event, but the transformation happens much sooner than that.

I know that I am not the same person that began this journey last year in anticipation of acceptance to this wonderful family. The classes, the formation weekends, the prayers, the support of our parishioners, all are some important. I've learned to say no at times because I can't do it all and I need to continue to balance my life. The Spirit is guiding me along and taking me to places, meeting people, and giving me the words that need to be said.

This week I'm on vacation with Terry and we have the opportunity to just be together and try to get some projects done around the house.

I am so looking forward to meeting my other family again, and I want to continue to meet and talk with others that I haven't been able to do that with. Amazingly enough, you would think that I would have had the chance to talk with everyone. Time and chance hasn't allowed that to happen. I love hearing every one's stories of life,family, & faith.

Please pray for all of us as we can all use them!

Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

Taking Time To Listen!

Well, I discussed earlier how busy these past weekdays were, and that I was anxiously awaiting what the weekend would unveil. It actually began on Friday night, a night I usually spend with my best friend. I left him with an open invitation to do something that night and when he didn't call, I called him at about 8 pm. He shared with me that he had been at the hospital to visit his Uncle who was dying. We also got to talk about his son participating in the state welding tournament, where his son had finished in 9th place. He was pretty proud of his son and I agreed.

Saturday morning the parish added and 8 am Mass and I was asked to serve as a Eucharistic Minister and gladly offered a couple of weekends during Lent. I was there early to finish up some prayers and my best friend's mom "Tiger" was there. Tiger will be a discussion at a future blog edition. Tiger sat with me and we enjoyed a very nice Mass with a small but fervent group of faithful. After Mass we sat together for about 20 minutes just talking, and mostly listening on my part. She is a wonderful lady, that I Love dearly and I was so glad to hear her stories about the family.

After Mass I picked up the Blessed Sacrament to do my hospital ministry. I went home first because I forgot my name badge, you know the rules I have to look official. My son asked me if he could borrow my car to go skiing, so I worked out the details with Terry and Mitch Jr. was happy to go out there and share in his passion. After Terry finished her hair appointment I took her to the Senior Center where she was volunteering for an Old Fashioned Sugar house dinner.

I headed to the hospital and picked up my list and again something new happened. I waited at the desk for any instructions and I saw a nurse I knew and asked her if she knew of anyone else who wanted to receive the Blessed Sacramaent. She said "Please let me receive Him, I really need Him today!" She shared how difficult the day has been already and a I thanked her for the important care she provides.

Unfortunately, most of the faithful were sleeping except for one of them and she was so enthusiastic to receive Our Lord. I am so in awe with the look in their eyes when the receive, it is indescribable. I also went to the children's ICU and prayed outside the doors and when I walked by the chapel I noticed some young people and I was moved to go in and offer my prayers and support for them.

The hospital visit ended with a discussion I had with a classmate of mine. I shared with her how difficult it was for me visiting friends who are dying. She knew who I was talking about, and she shared that they provide as much Love and attention that is humanly possible to give. She added that although it is very difficult at times she is fulfilled by her Loving work.

I traveled back to the Church to return the Blessed Sacrament. When I left the altar I met a parishioner who thought I was Fr. Mark. I guess were both pretty tall guys so it is understable. He asked me how my studies were going and how much longer before I could serve the parish. This question still comes up very frequently. I told him that my studies were going very well and he wanted to discuss his love for the old Hymns. He offered that he really misses them and doesn't like the new hymns. I listened as he would share his passion for the music and I understood his nostalgia for the past.Ironically, I would read in my book that evening how we see the image of Christ. I honestly feel that he would see and meet Christ in music. We finished my discussing how we have evolved into one parish, and the fact that our one Church of worship is probably one of the most beautiful Churches in the Diocese. "Check out the pictures on catholicchurchnh.org where you can see our Stations of the Cross and other beautiful pictures.


The rest of the day was simple, a beautiful dinner with my family at the Senior Center. Mom, Dad, my sister, and my wife had dinner together. My son came back home and we had supper together. I started reading for class, and Terry and I were waiting for Bruce again to call. He didn't call so I texted him and he quickly got sick of texting and called me. He was at Wal Mart at the Dunkin Donuts. Terry wanted to go so while she was shopping I sat down, had a cup of coffee with him. We talked, and we both listened to each other. It was a short but enjoyable time.

Well, that is a recap of a very interesting day. I know this was a very long discussion today, but this week has been, let's say inspirational.

I pray that Our Lord showers you with the same Blessings that I have received this week. It has truly been a week of Epiphanies!

Adieu mes Amis,


Mitch

Renewal!

This week was anything but boring. An old friend came by to spend time with me and my staff this week. I have been in business with Sherwin-Williams for almost 26 years. In that time span I have met many, many people. Bob works in the wallpaper industry and we have known each other for over 20 years. I haven't seen him in about three or four years and it was great to renew an old friendship. The people that I work with become more than just associates, I generally build a relationship with them. Bob was always a great person to talk to, work with, and help out in any way he could.

My Son moved back home from California. Yeah, most people say what??? Like any place in the world, scenery and weather may not give you everything you want out of life. The transition for him will be challenging, as I remember dearly coming home after leaving the Seminary in my second year. I shared the experience with him and I know he'll be ok but coming home doesn't look too good to him at this time.

Last night we had our third Christology class and right now it seems to me that this is a course that inspires some passion in all of us. We have had some great discussions and the atmosphere is just wonderful. We had a problem with our class being locked up, so Steve found a lounge room that would be large enough for our small group. We were all comfy, cozy in that little room. Before we knew it the time was up and we were making that little trip back home again.

Today I was trying to wrap up a bunch of things at work before heading for a vacation. I called my best friend and asked him to join me for dinner at McDonalds. Yeah, nothing is too good for me and my buddy. Filet of Fish are on sale and even though we can eat meat today I still love to have them during lent. We weren't together for very long but the time spent together talking and sharing is something I will never tire from.

Yes, this week thus far has been eventful. I'm looking forward to the weekend to see what will happen. I will attend Mass tomorrow morning and then probably visit the hospital. It reminds me of what we discussed at class last night. Fr. John said that while in the Seminary he volunteered to tutor to a youth club. The ministry began with tutoring, the end result was to be in the presence of people and share some time with them. That's what has been happening with me when I visit the hospital.

Well a walk through town now that the weather is better will be on the agenda and my fasting day is tomorrow.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Adieu mes Amis!

Mitch

PS please pray for those who have no one to pray for them. I heard this last night and I love it!