From Sunday on part deux...

There is so much to share with all of you what has been going on in the past week. I would like to begin with where it all starts, and that is being in community and celebrating the Lord at Mass. I continue to serve as often as I can as an Acolyte and enjoying each moment. Fr. Andrew was the celebrant and I particularly loved and remembered his homily about how community was important to the new Cardinal Gerald Lacroix. He talked about his buddies who walked to school with him, teachers, his Mom and Dad who nurtured his faith, and the parish community. Hmmmmmmmmm, it reminded me so much of how I grew up here in Berlin. The neighborhood was very important to him and to me also. 

Monday was a busy day checking out the details for the invitations and also preparing for class that evening. This course is living up to it's billing, and as far as a few of us are concerned the teacher is hands down the best. She gets it! She is well prepared, and she has a wonderful way of getting all of us involved. That night the guys shared at break time that they had received their letter calling us to orders. Well, my mail usually doesn't show up until later in the day so I had to wait until I got back home. That night I checked and sure enough there it was. Finally, it's official! A few days before we received an email stating so, but it's nice to get the letter. 

Tuesday was to be my day of rest! I got out early and then..........bowling! My team is in second and we are battling to maybe finally get that top spot. We struggled in our first game and ended up splitting the wins. We are still in second, but the best part is it's a great night out to just hang out and have fun. 

Wednesday offered putting the finishing touches on the invitations and back to school at night. Once again we had a wonderful class!

The next two days were two long work days. Thursday was a little slow, but Friday was a big day in sales and there was so much to do the day moved along very quickly. Last night my son and his dog came for a visit. It was the best part of the day. We talked, we argued about hockey (Bruins vs. Canadiens),just like the old days. It was great. 

Today is homework day! It should have been yesterday but our teacher had given us an extension. It is the LAST PAPER!!! ALLLELUIA! Yes, I am anxious to finish. 


I hope you all had a great week and we will see you in Church!

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch
 

From Sunday on........

This past weekend was the first time in a long time that Terry and I were together for Sunday. It also happened to be the day that we had a Mass said for her Father. I asked her what she preferred, serving at the Altar or sitting with her. She chose me to sit beside her and I'm glad. I love being with her, and I will make sure that I do continue to put some time aside for her and I to praise and worship side by side.

Yesterday, I went to the local printers to order the invitations. It's one of those details that needed to get done, that I had put off long enough.

Last night it was back to school again for our third class. It's still a very interesting and thought provoking class. You can tell she has done this before.

Today I made a few phone calls to confirm who would be coming to the ordination. I left a couple of messages with family and friends, and plan to have that detail wrapped up by the end of the week. I also called to book a kennel for the dogs and trying to book a place to eat after the ordination. So many things to do, and yet the clock is ticking along. 

This afternoon Mike and I are working on our homework as a team. I'm looking forward to this project. 

Tonight we have a man's night out at the Church. Our parish is holding a male adult renewal night. This one should be good.

That's it! I'll keep you all posted!

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch 

Directions please!

This morning I made the trek to Lancaster to meet with my Spiritual adviser. Once again I allowed the Spirit to take over and lead us to what He wants to reveal to me. It was a very fruitful and enjoyable session again. It has been about two months since we met and it was something I really needed. He helps keep me grounded and focused and realizing some parts of me that at times I neglect.

Bonjour a tous!

Mitch 

Stations of the Cross!

 Well tonight I received my first opportunity to lead the Stations of the Cross at Holy Family Church in Gorham. I was given a great introduction from Fr. Kyle and a pep talk from Fr. Andrew.  Was I nervous, you bet! It took a while but eventually a felling of peace came over me and I really enjoyed the experience. I want to thank these priests for their support and also the parishioners who encouraged me afterwards. 

Bonsoir et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch 

PS I saw this listed on the parish website when I will be doing the Stations of the Cross again:

 Stations of the Cross (HFC) - Acolyte Mitch

When Fri, April 18, 3pm – 4pm

Good Friday & Back to School

This past weekend the topic of our Homiletics workshop was on the Passion of Jesus from the Gospel of John. The workshop wasn't so much of putting together a finished product, rather it was to open our eyes as to how many sources were available to us. Some of them were at my fingertips and I didn't take advantage of. After thinking for a while I also thought of a few other sources that I could use that I had at home. 

We also gathered in small groups and there was a great feeling from the sharing that was going on. We gathered a couple of times in groups, made a presentation of what we discovered, and we also had a couple of alone times to reflect. The reflection time actually reinforced the thoughts, and inspirations I was receiving. In our groups we shared key words, love, personal relationships, commitment, and this continue to make me think how much there is of St. Peter in all of us, and how much more there should be. We also discussed moments of prayers and some key words came to us, openness, peace, silence, patience, chaos, personal time.

The best part of the weekend has to be the times we spend with one another. We have become very close and continue to do so. 

Monday evening was our first class for our final course, pastoral care and counseling. I heard someone say that this will be the gem of all our courses. If Monday night was any indication, they were spot on. 

While talking to the boys in Littleton they shared that they would be doing a reflection on Good Friday services. Well, not being one to be shy about things, I sent Fr. Kyle an email asking if he would consider allowing me to do so. Today, we spoke, I shared my thoughts and he was going to discuss this with Fr. Andrew. Either way, I'm okay. I know the opportunities will come again soon. 

Tomorrow evening I will be leading the Stations of the Cross. This will be my first time flying solo. Fr. Kyle asked that I get there early and he would set up the microphone for me and have all the other details taken care of. I'm really looking forward to this, as I'm itching to get started and do something to help out our priests and serve the parishioners. 

That's it! 

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch 

Stations of the Cross and another road trip!

Last night we had the Stations of the Cross and Fr. Kyle was flanked by his two bodyguards as Mike put it. Mike and I both assisted at the Stations and it was great to be serving with him and Father and the young men. 

Today were off to St. Methodios for another formation weekend. The weather looks great and so the trip should be pleasant. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch 

Having a guy's night out!

Well, it was a great night together at the game. The distraction was good for all of us, and the opportunity for our priests to make an appearance at a public event was really good too! They both seemed to get some attention from various people and I think the public loved it to see them there. Regardless, it was just a good old fashioned night out for the boys!

Tonight I will be attending the Stations of the Cross and learning the ropes so that I can get my turn to lead a couple of them in April.

Tomorrow I will be away for a formation weekend on homiletics.  

Have a great weekend everyone!

 Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

Are you free?

For a few weeks now there has been talk in the Sacristy about missing the high school sporting events. Tonight Berlin High School boys are playing a tournament home game against Stevens High School. I sent a text to the Priests and I guess there up for a change of pace and we are heading to the game tonight. 

I"ll spend the next hour in prepping for this weekend and then meet the guys at the rectory. 

Should be fun!

Bonsoir et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch 

A new beginning!

For many reasons the title of the this posting is very timely and appropriate. This being Ash Wednesday we are all preparing for a new beginning. Today I met with my new pastor for the first time and I shared my experiences with him and also my hopes and dreams for the future. 

I really like his style, his vision, but most of all the wisdom he has for such a young man. I put everything on the table with him and then told him it's time to move forward and to begin anew. 

Last week I participated in a couple of experiences with the Confirmation candidates and he gave me some great feedback on how I did. I was very happy to hear the honest responses and the helpful suggestions for future opportunities. 

The final evening I received a wonderful opportunity to share some of the wisdom that I have gained from my journey as a seminarian and a Deacon candidate. We have a young man who shared publicly that he was discerning a vocation to the priesthood. I listened and then shared just a few words with him. I told him to never lose who he is, and to try to avoid being molded into someone he isn't. I also shared that God called him because of who he is, and if, and only if the priesthood is your vocation, then most of all be true to yourself. 

Here's to new beginnings, and here's to loving and being the best we can be!

Bonsoir et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch