Adieu mon Petit Frere

Last night we said Adieu to Fr Andrew. We celebrated a Mass with about 900 of his closest friends. The Love that was displayed was amazing, but not surprising. 

Here are some pictures....

What a night, what a gift he was to all of us. Please pray for him as he temporarily leads our Mother Church in Manchester.

Peace

Deacon Mitch

Summer Reading

I recently read in an email that the average American reads one book per year. My challenge was to be above average, which in my case wasn't too hard to beat. My first book was Lord of the Worlds by Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson. As I shared before I loved it. 

Fr Andrew had put together a challenge for all of us to read one book this summer. I ordered two. The first was Mr. Blue by Myles Connolly. This one was very good. I preferred Lord of the Worlds, but nonetheless a very good and easy reading book that was written in a similar time.

My next book is from Blesssed, soon to be Saint Mother Teresa....No Greater Love. I picked this one as I'm finding guidance from her to live my life as a Deacon. Great reading, thought provoking, and challenging. Highly recommended. 

I will keep you all posted on my future thoughts.

Peace 

Deacon Mitch

Time and Promises

Yesterday, was a grand day! Celebrating Father's day in many special ways, by serving at the Altar with Fr. Andrew, by standing by my Dad's side at the end of the Mass greeting everyone; it was a wonderful time. 

Back in the Sacristy  I shared a few moments with Fr. Andrew along with his Mom and Dad. I guess we are all looking over the time Fr. Andrew has spent with us and how quickly it is coming to an end. I would have to say I'm savoring every moment that I get to serve with him, realizing that I may only serve once or twice a year with him from now on into the foreseeable future. Each moment is truly bittersweet. 

His parents are such wonderful people, and I have grown close to them; just like family. His Mom asked about this blog and I shared that work, ministry, family, has been so busy that I have been struggling to find the time. Yes, that old ancient excuse. 

Actually, I've been praying for some time on finding answer to this blog question. I've realized for quite some time that there has been a dry period in this ministry. Yes, it is a ministry, a journey that I've been on for quite a few years now. Looking back I marveled at how the Holy Spirit has moved me to share so many different things going on, and ironically it has always been a little nudge, a grace filled moment that gets me back on track.

Yesterday, I believe that the Holy Spirit in His own time provided me another grace filled moment to move forward. I realize time is important, precious, but also can be used as an excuse for walking away. We have all been charged to manage our gifts, and time is definitely a gift! I know that I'm busy, but I have allowed outside influences to manage my time, or at least being an excuse for the lack of it. Through the grace of God I resolve to move forward, maybe not at the break neck speed I've shared thoughts in the past, but with timely thoughts and words that the spirit is looking to share with me and then with all of you. 

Now for the second word....Promise! I've learned to better manage that word in my life. I believe that most of us have thrown out that word far too frequently, and haphazardly in our lives. My ministry has made me realize how important promises are, like the ones made by adults at Baptism as Godparents and parents baptizing their child. As I meet with people I share with them what they are saying,what they are promising. Once I had someone back out because they realized fully what they are promising to God and in good conscience, couldn't fulfill that.

So what was the impetus to dealing with promises? Again, the conversation with the Nelson's. Mrs. Nelson mentioned she had some issues at her house, and I as a paint expert  I said that I could take a look at it. She said...promise? I hesitated, realizing that I committed myself, and then calmly said....yes! I will make sure that I manage my time to fulfill that promise. Maybe not so much as to looking at a paint problem, but rather as an opportunity to be with people I care for and just enjoying being with them.

So my brothers and sisters, here we are working together to manage time, and keeping promises.

May the Holy Spirit continue to move us all and may the Grace of God nudge us all along to be His Messengers of hope, peace, and love.

Deacon  Mitch

It's already been two years

It's hard to believe but as of this past Tuesday it has been two years since ordination. That evening we celebrated with friends who are also ordained that day.i've been honored to receive text messages from dear friends wishing me the best and a parishioner was in my store yesterday's reminded me of the ordination anniversary too. My biggest Takeaway at this time is how God has perfect timing. I shared with my friends that if we were still in studies this year because of my workload I probably would have to withdraw. What this reminds me of is that God knows what's in my heart I knew when I was ready and his timing was perfect. I am still so humbled by this tremendous honor and I strive each and every day to better myself to try to serve worthily Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, May the blessings of Almighty God descend upon you and remain with you all forever and ever amen

What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit

I was off Sunday and Monday, and upon returning to work on Tuesday morning I see this on my desk..... 

One of my parishioners and a dear friend dropped it off. It took a little detective work to figure out who it was.

Tonight he stopped by to chat and discuss the powers of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and how much you can change peoples lives. As we near the feast of Pentecost these prophetic words I'm much more important today the neighbor ever been. For they are much more than words they are a tool, a gift to all of us. These fruits are giveen to us to be perfect as Christ is called us to be.

And now I'm taking a few minutes to do evening prayer, and this is tonight's reading

READING
Galatians 5:16, 22-23a, 25

Live in accord with the spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity. Since we live by the spirit, let us follow the spirit’s lead.

Let us call upon the Holy Spirit to guide us to fill us with the fruits of Charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-Control, and chastity.

Aren't all churches the same?

Please check out this link https://youtu.be/Q5G_6I4DIIE

There is nothing ordinary in the ordinary times, and there is nothing off in the off-season

Just last week we wrapped up the final session with our our RCIA class. We met for one final time,  to answer questions, and just to gather as friends in Christ.

Father Andrew put together one final piece that I thought was an excellent way to end the night. We held a private mass for the group and it was very special.

We also had a private social afterwards, to relax. And enjoy each other's company. There is so much joy that they are working to gather as a group for Bible study, which begins next week.

The RCIA team has already gathered together to plan for the future. How do we make things better? Who will be on the team next year?

As we are nearing the end of Easter season, we will be entering ordinary times. One thing that I have learned, there is nothing ordinary about ordinary times. We are still filled with the spirit and the spirit moves us to seek out those who yearn for the truth. 

So in essence at this time it is the off-season so to speak for our RCIA team. I believe each one of us are looking for a way to make things better, and also seek out those who have a longing to be closer to Christ through the Sacraments. 

There is a new movie out called Convinced.It is about people who have come to the Catholic Church, they have finally come home, and they call themselves born-again Catholics. I ordered the copy recently and I am expecting it tomorrow.

The producer believes that it would be an ideal film to introduce those who are contemplating to be Catholics, and maybe just maybe realize that they are not the only ones that feel this way.

After I view it I will share my thoughts with you.

As you can see there are no off in the offseasons. And there is definitely no ordinary in ordinary times.

God bless