1st and 2nd Year Diaconate Retreat

Andrei Rublev's Trinity Icon was used as a focal point for meditation and comtemplation during the retreat.

Photos of the retreat are located to the right under November Retrea. Thanks to Fred and Rich for the photos.



You can click on the title and get information on the Icon
ttp://tars.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/trinity.html

Picking Jesus

It was Saturday, the day had finally arrived and it was a gorgeous day; a beautiful autumn morning where the leaves had already fallen off the trees and covered the ground. The landscape gleamed as the sun glistened on the morning dew turning the ground into radiant colors of bright red, yellow, and orange. It was wonderful to look at. Today was our first guitar lesson.

After greeting each other in our usual style, smiles, jokes, plenty of laughter, and the pure joy of being in the presence of each other, we (Stan, Jim, Rich, and Paul) headed to Lou’s house, which upon entering had large open windows that revealed a breathtaking view of Shadow Lake. The view at our arrival showed calm water with ducks gliding along its surface and who shared the water with an occasional kayaker.

After settling in with coffee and food in hand, Lou and Stan inspected and tuned Rich’s and Paul’s guitars. Once complete, Lou opened the lesson with a beautiful song prayer whose title was Abraham, which told the Genesis account of the meeting between Abraham and the three Angels. After opening prayer the lesson began. During the lesson we shared tips, techniques, songs, stories and jokes. It was a wonderful time and the three hours went by in a blink of an eye.

At the completion of our first lesson, we received the Aspiring Deacon Music Study Award, for outstanding preparation, a beautiful certificate designed by Lou and signed by Stan and Lou. Obviously for the newbies, we left with some sore finger tips, but you know what they say, “No pain no gain”.

It was a great spirit filled morning and we can’t wait to gather again next Saturday.

You can click on the photo album at the right to see pictures of the group.

Sidewalk Art

I was in NYC on the corner of W 8th St. and 5th Ave. doing an inspection on a building there. On the corner was this chalk drawing of a mother that I believe is Mary our Mother holding a baby. The baby has a cross in his right hand and off to the left and above are baby angels in clouds. The light wasn't that great and the sun glare dims the picture. It was great just to admire the drawing and the artist for a few moments. Attached is the artist's webpage where you can look at other works of art he has done in NYC.

Sisters of Life

While I was working in Manhattan on Monday the 31st, I had the opportunity to visit a convent that houses The Sisters of Life. It is an amazing contemplative / active religious community of women founded in 1991 by John Cardinal O’Connor for the protection and enhancement of the sacredness of every human life.

The picture shown is Titled Madonna of the Streets. It was explained to me that the portrait depicts a lonely woman on the streets and Mary giving Jesus to the mother and in accepting Jesus the woman in turn gives Jesus back to Mary. It was a wonderful few moments at the convent and to hear of the spirituality of the Sisters of Life. I have attached their website for those interested in learning more of this grace filled community.

Where Am I Going

Our family was invited to spend one last weekend in the Poconos with some of our close friends before the summer ended. We were trying to get one more family weekend before the kids start school and diaconate classes start. An alternative motive was also to contemplate the events in my life over the last year and what will be needed to commit to this year’s diaconate classes. Also to again ask the question, “Is God calling me to a special ministry within the Church?” A question I will be asking throughout my diaconate process.

On Saturday, between the rain storms, the guys were able to get a round of golf in. The different views that each hole of the course provided were just breathtaking. Since it was the first time I played this particular course, I was concentrating on watching the group in front of us to see how the course was laid out and were to play my shots. While our group was standing on one of the tee boxes watching the group in front, a sudden fog bank enveloped the course and we quickly lost sight of the group in front. It was amazing how quick the fog appeared. The picture above was taken just before the fog enveloped us. The question, “How do I know where to go?” popped into my mind and I pondered it while we were deciding whether we could tee off. I believe deep down the question referred to my ongoing calling to be a deacon more than where to hit my golf ball that day.

I found great joy in knowing that God is guiding me along my path and I have a great support system in my family, priest, deacons, and fellow classmates to give advice and direction when I may not know where to go. A great feeling of peace came over me after that and I felt good and humbled about the direction God is showing me. This wonderful experience only lasted but a few moments; as did the fog. As quickly as the fog appeared it was gone, but that experience and the joy I felt will stay with me forever. How great is God! Using nature to come to a lowly man on a golf course to let him know he is loved and to give him strength for his journey.

An Awsome Creator

Lately I start my morning commutes to work in the darkness. Most days during the week Sean and I exchange emails before I head out. He has a great sense of being and he usually sends me off laughing with a good joke or pleasant sarcasm. We are silently working on improving his electronic prowess.

I'm on the train and heading north right as the morning light starts to show. I was on the train and for whatever reason I was delayed in starting my morning prayers. I was getting through the Wednesday morning canticle (Judith 16: 2-3a, 13-15). I just finished the verse, " Let every creature serve you; for you spoke, and they were made, you sent forth your spirit, and they were created; no one can resist your word." I looked up and out the window to reflect on the verse and the picture shown is what I was welcomed to. What a glorious way for God to say good morning to me.

All I can say is God the creator of all things visible and invisible. What a beautiful world He has created."

The gentle signs of seasons changing. I enjoy heading to work in the early morning light. This morning I headed out in darkness - seasons changing...

The anticipation is building

As I had the opportunity to read the latest Stephan's Footsteps, our Master Schedule emailed by Fernando Linka, and submitting our candidacy letters, excitement began and is still building for the start of classes. I've had the opportunity to see some of the class members over the summer and it felt great to be together. I can't wait to see everyone and catch up on events that happened over the summer and how they feel about starting up again. Though I'm pump'd up now for the start of classes, remind me about this post come December or January. God bless

This post was sent from my phone using a simple text message. Just showing one way of posting to our blog. God bless - In His Service.

Summer Book Reads

How I did it I don’t know, but I was able to get through a few books this summer. I found them all good reads. Three of the books you can say were theology books (they were not heavy reads and were laid out well). I list them below for whoever wants to search them out. I know it may be difficult to read anything soon with our full attention on our studies, but keep the list for down the road.

The Creed – by Luke Timothy Johnson

Catholic theologian Luke Timothy Johnson knows that the creed, although it is recited by millions of us every Sunday, is far from being well understood. In the book He explains to confused Christians why an ancient confession of faith still makes sense in the world. Exploring the Creed line by line, he gives the readers some history behind each phrase, both in Christian Scripture and in church tradition, and he defends its relevance to faith today.

Truth of Catholism – by George Weigel

George Weigel, author of the book Witness to Hope, explores ten controversies related to the Catholic Church. It was a great book and all I can say is a simple invitation that was in the book, “Come inside”. In other words our faith looks different on the inside. - Paulus

What Makes Us Catholic – by Thomas Groome

Most of my friends and I have at least one thing in common. We’re Catholic. That statement immediately brings up the question, what does it mean to be Catholic? Thomas Groome offers some answers. He is a former Irish priest (sorry Sean) and a professor of theology. Mr. Groome says that all Catholics, regardless of their religious involvement in the Church, share a common sense of spirituality. He describes eight spiritual qualities that he believes are distinctively Catholic. These include sacramentality, a sense of community, a commitment to justice, a reverence for tradition, and a disposition toward faith and not despair. A great book – Paulus

Treasure in Clay – Fulton Sheen

I’m still trying to get through this wonderful book. I hope to finish it before classes start. I will write on it then.