OK everyone…feel free to yell at me for being so horrible at this “post a day” business. But since the pure intention to post once a day is there, you’ll notice I still use the “postaday2011” tag in these posts. It’s the thought that counts, right?
So here’s a brief update on things:
This past Sunday-Tuesday was the Parish Mission at the home parish of St. Anne’s in O-town…missed the first night because I forgot it was that weekend. BUT I went the last two nights and, boy, am I glad I did! Fr. Tom McCarthy from St. Ritah’s was absolutely amazing and it was very cool to talk to him a little bit afterward. The mission was about the seven sacraments broken up into their categories: Initiation, Healing, and Vocation. On the night of healing, he talked about Anointing of the sick and confession…afterward everyone had the opporunity to go to confession. I went to Father Dan (St. Anne’s retired pastor) and my model priest and he said his usual, “I have the seminary application in my pocket in case I see you!” bit. Truly a man of God; truly a moment from God.
This week has been a particularly stressful one as I try to move myself closer to God and continue working toward a genuine sense of holiness within my spirit. This is not easy at North Central since it is not really the most…shall we say, “holy” place on earth. It’s hard to find people around here willing to hear me out and show interest in the thing that is going to keep me in school for 9 more years. I have, however, found more than 1 new person to add to this list…while unfortunately losing one. A friend and I had a falling out over the issue of faith, and it makes me very sad. But I know that this person and I are not meant for the same things, but I know we will both be great and continue to follow the one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Today there was no band, so I got off of work and hopped in the car and drove to the Oswego Village Hall and spent the day doing work for the Character Counts! Coalition of Oswego and Montgomery, of which I am the President. It is stressful to have so many days in a row without downtime, but I know I am working toward something good and everything will pay off in the end.
I am, plainly and simply, emotionally, mentally, and physically pooped tonight. But I don’t let this stuff get me down because I know that God is bigger than all of this and, through that, I can find peace.
Even though days have ups and downs, whether they are caused by the free will of others or the very hand of God, I know that I am blessed and feel so lucky to be. We are all blessed, each and every one of us. I don’t think that anyone is really more blessed than another person, I think it is a matter of recognizing our blessings that God gives us. I’ve been coming upon so many “blessings in disguise” lately and it’s amazing.
So tonight I pray that everyone will take a step back this weekend, perhaps at Mass on Sunday, and examine the blessings in their lives.
I pray for all of the victims of suicide, murder, war, abortion, or any other injustice to life. May all of us, Christians and non-Christians, find respect for the human life, from the moment of conception to natural death.
I pray that I will no longer feel alone in my search for holiness and truth; on my path to the priesthood.
I pray for famililes, mine and yours, that they may look to the Holy Family as a model of respect, love, and generosity.
But most of all, I pray for you. Each one of you who reads this, please know that you are blessed; you are a gift from God; you are not a mistake; and that you and your sould are right here, right now for a reason…take advantage.
In Christ,
RA