Don't worry about the words.....!

This is my weekend for ministry at the hospital. My last trip went very quickly as they were unable to retrieve a list for me and I could only see two patients. This week was a completely different story. I picked up the list and there were quite a few of people on the lists provided. I had three lists, one from Good Shepherd Parish in Berlin, Holy Family in Gorham, and Catholics with no parishes. There was a total of ten people on the lists.

My first patient to see was someone whom I've seen before. He's been in there for a while and the last time I saw him I was truly impressed by his positive attitude despite his health condition. I met another man who struggled with his health but had no complaints, we talked for about 20 minutes. I met another man who caught me off guard, he was on the list but he called the Church "a racket". This one challenged me and all I could think of was "don't worry about the words to say...!" I relaxed and didn't try to challenge him, he wasn't too happy but was very respectful of me. He even thanked me for being respectful of his wishes. I told him I would pray for him and he said " it can't do any harm!"  I did my best and said goodbye to him. The other people were very respectful and then I met someone who was another challenge.

The woman was leaving the hospital and I asked if she wanted to receive Communion and she declined. She was definitely preoccupied with her health, and definitely frustrated. I wished her well and told her that I would be praying for her. This visit was very tough for me, as I had waited several minutes to see her to make sure I saw everyone. I knew her husband quite well but with what was weighing on her mind I really could understand a little what she was going through.

The trip was very different from any that I have had at the hospital. This was definitely the longest visit of them all. For the most part,I just talked with all of them with no expectations. I'm not really sure what kind of impact I had and I guess I just have to leave it in the hands of the Lord. I've been told that at times the greatest impact we can have is when we expect the least. I'm not really on any high from the trip, and that's probably how it has to be at times.

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

These three things and God's grace will get you to heaven!

Now that I'm back on line something very special that I read last week really stirred up something inside of me. I'm sure that I have mentioned to you all that I have been keeping a journal since the start of the year. What I have written will never be enough to produce the Great American Novel, but it will probably give you some insight about the real me. I've learned that change will always be a constant in my life. The journal book I use I bought from the Word Among Us, and what I really love about it is the unique quotes that they insert at the top of the pages. No, I'm not getting an endorsement fee to plug their journal. Anyways, on Sunday the 17th at the top of the page I read this quote......

"Think well, Speak well, Do well.

These three things, through the mercy of God,

will make a person go to heaven.

-St. Camillus De Lellis

Wow! Piece of cake right? Such a simple little formula to make it to heaven. Sign me up I'm on my way. Right???? Well, how could something so simple be so challenging? Shouldn't this be very easy. Well!!!!! Yeah, I know often times we neglect to take care of the little things. What I find so fascinating is the simplicity of it all. We as Christians I think try to over complicate things and fail to do the little things right, yours truly included.

Ever since I read this I've tried to follow this very little recipe to create eternal glory! I'm really trying to get it right, after all we only have three little things to do and mixed in with the grace of God we will be there. Good luck to all of you, the secret recipe is out!

Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

French Fries & Fried Computers!

A summer ritual that Terry and I enjoy is a trip to Old Orchard Beach in Maine. We both have been going to Old Orchard at least once a year for probably as long as we have been alive. I'm sure our French Canadian heritage has something to do with that. I just love the atmosphere and the large crowds. Yeah! I know it is commercialized etc. etc. but it still is a must go place in the summer. I also have another reason to go there, Pier Fries! They have to be the best fries in the world. Pier Fries, vinegar, and salt a wonderful summer tradition. I love the waves, excellent for body surfing (no bogey boards for me) and you definitely will see someone from home any time you go there.

Well, if you haven't noticed I haven't posted anything for some time. It isn't because I've had writers cramp, it's much worse. Our hard drive was fried by a power surge and so today is the first day were back on line since last Tuesday. I hope you all survived the heat and I will be posting again soon, got to catch up on lost time.

Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

Keep Still!

Keeping still, has to be one of the toughest thing for a jittery person to do. For several weeks now I read the daily Scriptures before reading the reflection from the Word Among Us! Yesterday was one of those days that I had to sit back and  write down the passage from the Bible that got to me.....

" The Lord himself will fight for you; you only have to keep still!" Exodus 14:14.

At times I can be very impatient; something that I am working on. I want details, I want answers, I"m trying not to let emotions get the best of me. Last week I had a situation with another store that could have gotten out of control. It was a perfect time to keep still, and not let this turn into a fight. Fortunately, by the grace of God I kept still and dealt with the situation of taking proper care of the customer, and not with the emotinal baggage that was inside of me.

At morning prayer today I shared the passage with Mike and he really liked it also. He then found me a little impatient about something and he said....remember keep still! Well, I obviously still have work to do.

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis & "keep still!"

MItch

What's your attitude?

Growing up, the word attitude is one I've heard many times for very different reasons. You know the terms, change your attitude, boy do you have an attitude, and so on. Several years ago I made a change in my workplace and the first change was my attitude. Working for a large corporation can be very frustrating at times, with the only constant being change is the norm. I decided that I have two choices in life, to live with and accept the changes that will always come before me, or make a career change. I decided the first choice was the only choice and I'm glad that I'm still with this company. I even put a message on my cell phone that read "attitude is everything" and I would always see it whenever I turned on the phone.

Today I went to the hospital for weekend ministry. I was warned that the hospital had made changes (remember change is the norm) and we now have a new procedure to get our list of Communicants, and with a new change it didn't go very smoothly. I had to wait a half hour and then because of the new system she was unable to retrieve a list for me. Our parish director had given me two names that she wanted to make sure I would go see. I got the room numbers for those two and headed to the fourth floor.

We almost had a class reunion of sorts as the lady at the desk, a nurse, and myself had all gone to school together since the sixth grade.The main topic was the new computer program which wasn't on any ones top ten list of favorites.

The first gentleman I saw was bedridden with some issues in life, but his attitude really stood out with me. His faith, his Love of the Lord, and his positive attitude was just wonderful. We both grew up on the east side as we spoke of times when we were both young. He was much older than I, but his eyes lit up like a teenager whenever we spoke of our first home.

I wasn't there for very long with only two people to see and one them was sleeping, so I prayed outside her door. When I left I spoke to the receptionist and she mentioned that she just had her first cold in 15 to 20 years and I said " wow, you have really been blessed!" She mentioned that she was old school, she said "sick home, or sick at work, might as well be at work!" Again another person with a wonderful and very positive attitude on life.

So as I part, "what is your attitude?"

Adieu et Bonjour mes Amis!

Mitch

Home!

For the last month I have been the Lector at the 9 am Mass on Sunday morning. In some ways it is a routine and then again not. The very nice part is seeing all the faces at a very well attended Mass. The best way to describe it is that there is "life" in the celebration. It is wonderful to see all the familiar faces, just like Cheers where everyone knows your name. But, do you know what is even better? When you look around and see someone you know and think wow, have they come back?

I have been talking with my assistant manager about seeing different faces and commenting that I think there are more people attending Mass on Sunday's. She felt the same way, but you know you are never really sure if it really is happening or just wishful thinking.

Yesterday I had a service call to do at the home of friends and customers. They had a blind in their bedroom that wasn't working right and I went to get information to find out if it is still on warranty. After struggling to remove the blind and retrieving the numbers, the couple said "we are going back to Church, my son recommended and encouraged us to go back." They were so excited to share their story and the enthusiasm was contagious.This was one of the couples that I thought were coming back to Church. The husband asked me about my vocation and I had a few minutes to explain it to him, but I was really excited to see that spark and that look in their eyes.

Imagine that, it wasn't wishful thinking and they're excited to share the Good News of coming Home! There is definitely something special happening here in Berlin/Gorham, a renewal, a revival, a new Spirit! I'm so excited to witness it. My former Pastor mentioned a phrase "Ministry in the marketplace", it happens and it is real. So next Sunday look around, look at the many faces, maybe you'll see someone you haven't seen before. Say hello to them and don't be surprised that the Spirit moves them to share their joy and excitement with you.

Bonsoir et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

"Everything you need to know.........for now!"

Ever since I received the recent email from the diocese I couldn't get the title out of my head. Where have I heard something that relates to this. "Everything you need to know!" Then it hit me, Christology class. Huh! Yeah Christology class. Fr. John brought up something very moving in the class about revelation. He said that God is constantly revealing himself to us throughout the ages and we are receiving a little more each and every time we get closer to Him. Of course we won't ever get the total picture until we meet face to face but we are getting closer.

All the Candidates received this letter that reveals to us what we should be expecting in the coming year. Ironically, we are only getting to know everything we need to know for now, and later on we will obviously know more. I think this is a good thing, sometimes knowing too much can be overwhelming.

So I guess we know enough of what is to be for now, and it's time to enjoy this hot weather, the garden growing, the beautiful flowers, and the time spent with family and friends.

Tonight I attended Mass in Gorham. I'm trying to take advantage of attending Mass at least once during the week. After Mass I met up with a good friend that I've known ever since I started school. We both grew up on the east side and we both share a Love of Our Lord. We shared stories of our families and our dual needs for prayers. On my way back I thought about how much we need each other and I remembered a sign that I saw at a park in Lancaster today. The sign read " It's not me, it's not you, it's us! "


Bonsoir et Adieu mes Amis!

Mitch