I will not be posting anything for at least a week and a half, as I and my family are mourning the loss of my sister! I ask for your continued support and prayers through this difficult time.
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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, November 19, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
East vs. West!
Before I get started I want all of you to know that this isn't another plug for the glories, the joys, and the benefits of being brought up in Berlin's east side. With that out of the way, for the past few weeks I have been listening to NHPR at the store. We have all kind of got hooked into this by the quirky programs that they put on.
Yesterday I was listening and they had a topic about the eastern and western cultures. One of the issues they discussed was about the way intelligence was viewed. They talked to a college professor who once taught in a public school. He mentioned that he once sent a student to the blackboard to work out a math problem. The student was not the top of his class and was struggling with the problem. He asked the other students repeatedly if the answer was correct and the answer was no. He worried about the pressure that was placed upon the child. In time the young man got it right, and the class confirmed that he was in fact correct. The class applauded the young man who left the board beaming.
The next discussion centered upon an exercise with eastern children vs. western children given an almost impossible math problem to solve. They were both given one hour to try to solve the problem. The western children gave up after about 5 minutes, while the eastern children were told that time was up!
So what's my point. Well, as Catholics we need to realize that struggling and persevering is a tremendous part of the journey. It's not always about knowing more, it's how we deal with issues and work to resolve them.
I really didn't think this was just an eastern culture issue. I remember growing up hearing stories how our ancestors would grow in faith and maturity through their own challenges in life. Maybe it's more that we have not embraced the crosses in our lives that makes being a Catholic so challenging.
Either way, I thought that this radio segment tied into my journey in faith and discernment very well.
Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis!
Mitch
Yesterday I was listening and they had a topic about the eastern and western cultures. One of the issues they discussed was about the way intelligence was viewed. They talked to a college professor who once taught in a public school. He mentioned that he once sent a student to the blackboard to work out a math problem. The student was not the top of his class and was struggling with the problem. He asked the other students repeatedly if the answer was correct and the answer was no. He worried about the pressure that was placed upon the child. In time the young man got it right, and the class confirmed that he was in fact correct. The class applauded the young man who left the board beaming.
The next discussion centered upon an exercise with eastern children vs. western children given an almost impossible math problem to solve. They were both given one hour to try to solve the problem. The western children gave up after about 5 minutes, while the eastern children were told that time was up!
So what's my point. Well, as Catholics we need to realize that struggling and persevering is a tremendous part of the journey. It's not always about knowing more, it's how we deal with issues and work to resolve them.
I really didn't think this was just an eastern culture issue. I remember growing up hearing stories how our ancestors would grow in faith and maturity through their own challenges in life. Maybe it's more that we have not embraced the crosses in our lives that makes being a Catholic so challenging.
Either way, I thought that this radio segment tied into my journey in faith and discernment very well.
Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis!
Mitch
Saturday, November 10, 2012
The Widow!
In today's reading we discover in both the Old Testament and the Gospel, a discussion that centers around the widows. We find that these widows have given completely of themselves with no regards for their own livelihood.
Are we as Catholics, that committed to our faith? Do we give completely of ourselves, our total selves when we aren't surrounded by the safe confines of the walls of the Church?
Fr. Marc challenged us to be the widow, and to pray that there can be more of the widow inside of us all.
He spoke of power and how we use it. The use of money, and of knowledge as power over how we live our lives. Are we using it? Or, are we simply witholding it?
I know I struggle with this challenge. The more you know, the more you have, the more that is expected of you. It isn't all about money, or just knowledge, it is about the gifts that we are blessed with.
This week I'll be reflecting daily on what I'm really doing with the knowledge, and the financial gifts that I have received. May they all glorify God, and bring about the kingdom of God.
I pray that I may become more like the widow, and also the good Deacon who is charged to care for the widows, and the orphans. May I never forget that my calling is to serve and not to be served!
Are we as Catholics, that committed to our faith? Do we give completely of ourselves, our total selves when we aren't surrounded by the safe confines of the walls of the Church?
Fr. Marc challenged us to be the widow, and to pray that there can be more of the widow inside of us all.
He spoke of power and how we use it. The use of money, and of knowledge as power over how we live our lives. Are we using it? Or, are we simply witholding it?
I know I struggle with this challenge. The more you know, the more you have, the more that is expected of you. It isn't all about money, or just knowledge, it is about the gifts that we are blessed with.
This week I'll be reflecting daily on what I'm really doing with the knowledge, and the financial gifts that I have received. May they all glorify God, and bring about the kingdom of God.
I pray that I may become more like the widow, and also the good Deacon who is charged to care for the widows, and the orphans. May I never forget that my calling is to serve and not to be served!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
In honor of our Deacon!
Deacon Merle M. Albert
|
November 06, 2012
|
Deacon Merle M.
Albert,76, of 215 Sweden St., Berlin passed away on Tuesday November 6, 2012 at
the Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin. He was born in Portland, ME on April
1, 1936 the son of Stanley J. and Alice L. (Hackett) Albert and graduated from
Berlin High School. He lived in Alaska for about 14 years, returning to Milan in
1990. He had been employed as a Senior Electronic Technician for Communication
Satelite Corporation and R.C. A. and served in the Army National Guard for 14
years. Merle was ordained a Catholic Deacon in 1981 in Alaska and later served
as the Catholic Deacon for the Berlin area Catholic Churches. Merle was an
accomplished pilot and guitar player. He was passionate about his faith and his
family. He loved to preach the Gospel and he touched many lives with his words.
Members of the family include his son Mark Albert of Texas; daughters Lisa
Konecky of Palmer, AK, Janet Albert of Berlin, NH and Annmarie Hopkins of
Hansville, WA; stepchildren Patrick McKenzie of Hooksett, NH, Kevin McKenzie of
Milan, NH and Kathleen Anderson of Gorham, NH; grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by his first wife
Roseanne (Fitzmorris) Albert in 1983 and his second wife Jackie (Blake) Albert
in 2009.
SERVICES: The Rite of Reception of Deacon Merle will be held at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish on Friday evening Nov. 9, 2012 at 6:00 PM, where he will lie in state from 6 to 8 PM for public visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday Nov. 10 at 10:00 AM at the Church. Interment will follow at St. Kieran Cemetery in Berlin. In his Memory, Masses may be said for the Repose of His Soul. The Bryant Funeral Home in Berlin is in charge of the arrangements. |
Monday, November 5, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
A Solemn Evening!
Last night was a very solemn evening! We gathered together to pray for all those souls who have passed away since the last Remembrance Mass. Any time you have something special, you only need to look at those who put all their heart into this night and realize the love and the warmth that filled the Church.
I and Terry want to thank everyone involved for such a spiritual evening.
Special thanks goes to my buddy Mike J., who is much too humble to take any credit for all the time and effort he put into this.
We gathered, we remembered, we cried, we loved, and we gave glory to God!
Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,
Mitch
Friday, November 2, 2012
Your innermost vision!
"May he enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which he has called you" Ephesians 1:18
It's always wonderful to know that you are never alone in your struggles, and yesterday I was reminded about that when I came upon this reading during morning prayers. It's the final day of inventory and I'm praying alone in the Adoration Chapel, and then his word comes upon me. My pain, my fears, all seemed to go away. I'm not Superman, so I know that life is full of tests and challenges. I'm trying hard to cope with the changes and struggles that life has dealt me. Yesterday's reading just literally brought tears to my eyes. This beautiful line of Hope, when he opened my eyes to see. I learned that everyday life blinds us to the wonders of his love, Lord God have pity on me! Help me see!
Sometimes just hearing his voice is enough to pick me right up, and it was what the Great Physician ordered!
Merci beaucoup Mon Dieux!
Thank you so much my Lord!
Mitch
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