This weekend I was immersed in the liturgy of my faith. Liturgy is indeed a celebration, and a way to focus a community's collective heart, mind and soul on the things that truly matter most; the fact that God loves, heals, nourishes, and cleanses all to be able to go forth and truly change the world!
Friday: As we gathered for the usual school Mass at my parish, I had the pleasure of directing our children's choir. While the Mass always focuses on God's Word, and the nourishment that comes with Body and Blood of His Son Jesus Christ, we also focus on a theme of "light in the darkness", especially as seen in the life and writings of St. John of the Cross. This always brings up his most famous book, "The Dark Night of the Soul", which seeks to understand God's presence in our lives, especially when things seem their most bleak... Meanwhile in Newtown, CT, a reign of terror comes down upon an elementary school, where children are subjected to the worst we fear anyone can imagine. All I see are the innocent smiles, like ones I saw in the choir in that moment, transformed into something unspeakable. God bless the children!
Saturday: We hosted a Mass with the Anointing of the Sick for our parish. In leading song for this Mass, I couldn't help but focus on an unfolding miracle of my faith. The pews were full of hope and promise of beautiful people from a generation whose lives have been full; their bodies ailing, but their spirits strong! The oil of anointing seals one in Christ's healing presence, making sure that all know that there is always more to life, than the limitations of sickness. It is always encouraging to see witnesses of faith, overcoming obstacles, proclaiming the joy of God's healing touch!
Rejoice - The Third Sunday of Advent! I have been on a personal and shared journey towards becoming a Deacon in the Catholic Church. Its been a four year process thus far, and God willing, will culminate with ordination in December of 2013. A year ago I was installed as an ordinary Lector. A little over a week ago, I was installed as an ordinary Acolyte. These two steps are purposeful in calling me to commit my life to serving the Word of God, in proclaiming, teaching and living its "Good News", and serving the Altar, especially the Eucharist, offering nourishment to the community of faith in assisting with preparing the meal, and serving communion at Mass and to the sick, via personal visits. I've been serving as a Lector for a while now, but this weekend was the first time I officially dawned an Alb, and served as an Acolyte. I was at all five of our Masses, and had the pleasure of sharing the Altar with my Pastor, Fr. Phil O'Kennedy, my Associate Pastor, Fr. Roy Runkle, Deacons Darrel Diem, and Dan Laurita (both are huge influences in my life) and some great Altar Servers, two of them were serving their first Mass as well! I hesitate to make a big deal about all of this, because I don't want to appear proud. So let's just say that it is an honor and a privaledge to open another chapter of ministry as I enter my 25th year working for the Catholic Church.
Baptisms! Surprise... There's work to be done, and the cycle of life continues. At the end of the late morning Mass, my Pastor asked if I would help serve our weekly Baptisms. There were six children, ready to take the light of Christ into a world that so desperately needs it! This was certainly impromptu, and a delightful way let me know that there will always be work to do, and life to follow! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching these children smile, and cry, and look up to a future full of hope and promise... Rejoice!
Icing on the Cake: At the end of the Sunday evening Mass, I joined my fellow band mates in our little "garage ministry" called Vision Song. We plugged in, used really cool stuff, and attempted to become what God needs us to be, to rock the house a little! We served our parish high school youth group as they gathered to "think pink" on Gaudete Sunday! It was a blast, and a perfect way to end a full weekend, bringing my heart out of darkness, and into the light of Christ!
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