Today's Readings
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Genesis 1:1
My routine of going to the Scripture to begin my day was interrupted this morning by a phone call from a concerned friend, telling me that the Pope had resigned! What?
In a rare moment these days, I turned on the TV. I saw Benedict's pictures on virtually every morning show, with experts explaining all of the early details. I waited for the "bomb shell". Why else would any leader resign? Was there some issue, or controversy? Nope... After an hour or so of hearing facts and the understanding of how things work. The Holy Father may retire if he chooses. "If it should happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office, it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it be accepted by anyone" (Canon 332, No. 2).
Like a great athlete, the Holy Father is retiring at the top of his game.
Here's my first take... From my FB post earlier in the day: Our prayers are with the Holy Father this day, and for many to come. Take a deep breath my Catholic friends, and all who care... This will pan out to be something monumental in the life of the Church. Pope Benedict XVI has just given us a valuable lesson: Knowing when to say when, and putting one's total trust in God and the plan that is in store for us is of primary importance. Sure, there is precedent, and the Code of Canon Law allows for this to happen, but most of all, our Holy Father is calling on our Church to stay in a proactive and ready mode of witnessing the Gospel! He will continue to witness through a life of prayer, while the next Pope will have to hit the ground running! There are things to do!
Now that I've looked at today's readings, I am very confident that God has a plan, for today we hear of Creation... Yep, the whole story of just how we began. No history interpretations or lessons, just the facts. In the beginning, there was nothing. Then that "mighty wind" swept over us, and BANG... We're something! Today, the Holy Spirit is upon all of us, the Church, and Pope Benedict XVI. Once again, this mighty wind is calling the world to create itself anew!
The Holy Father is responding ahead of time to a concern that was raised quite often during the last years of Pope John Paul II's Papacy. Blessed John Paul the Great made a huge impression on the world as he faced illness with humility and courage. And I know that Pope Benedict is doing the same. But he is offering us one very important caveat... The work of the Church must be led by examples of prayer and ACTION. He will continue to pray, but must step aside for someone else who is physically capable to fulfill the role. This decision to resign is rare and the first such decision in more than 600 years. I wonder if his final act as Pontiff is designed to teach us something?
That's a silly question... Of course it is! Like it or not, it's time for something new, and maybe, as Monty Python put it, "something completely different"!
Showing posts with label new. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new. Show all posts
Monday, February 11, 2013
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A New Transition of Sorts...
Dear Friends,
As of this month, I am beginning a new phase in my ministry life! As some of you know, I have been serving the Catholic Faith for almost 23 years in Youth Ministry. Recently, I have been accepted as a Candidate for the Diaconate in the Church, and beginning in August, my wife Karen and I will embark on a 3 and 1/2 year journey that will focus on my becoming an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church. With God's help, and many prayers, this journey will become complete in December of 2013.
Relating with this step in ministry, I have also accepted a new position at my Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama. I am transitioning my role on the Parish Staff from Youth Minister to Director of Liturgy and Music. I will be assisting in the welcoming of a new YM, and helping guide the new program, offering any help I can. My new role is actually a continuation of a significant part of my job description that has evolved over the last couple of years. Liturgy and music, and the planning that goes with it, is a new adventure for me, and one that I think will begin to open another facet of ministry opportunity. I am excited to apply my gifts and talents to this new area, and I know I have a lot to learn! Please pray for patience, and an openness to new possibilities... I am ready to give this my all!
With respect to my 23 years in Youth Ministry, I humbly offer that I am NOT leaving! I have always felt God's call to serve the youth of our world, and I will continue to BE one who loves to bring the Faith to our young people. My journey into serving the Church's Liturgy and Music will expand my foundation in ministry that is very much grounded in "The Vision of Youth Ministry". While I may be handing off the role of Youth Minister in the parish, I am always a Youth Minister, and will continue to apply and adapt all that I have learned about ministry in my future journeys in serving and working for the Church.
With respect to the GregCast, I will continue to focus my efforts and attention to expanding this aspect of my personal ministry, for this is my LOVE; and the blogging and podcasting that have become "The GregCast" will continue to be a special part of my daily grind in the understanding of God's challenge for us all! The goal of the GregCast has always been to share the Faith "out loud", and that's just what this little extravert needs! So, stay tuned to the same 'ol "little guy", and his goofiness, as we all wrestle with the "meaning of it all"!
Thanks for everything, and we'll see you soon. The next GregCast is on the horizon! BTW, my vacation this summer was my first ever CRUISE... Wow! I saw really deep blue water, and beautiful sea green shallows. Snorkeling opened up a whole new world for me, and putting me in front of unlimited dining just might have stunted my vertical growth for good... My gut, on the other hand, grew just fine!
Peace,
Greg
As of this month, I am beginning a new phase in my ministry life! As some of you know, I have been serving the Catholic Faith for almost 23 years in Youth Ministry. Recently, I have been accepted as a Candidate for the Diaconate in the Church, and beginning in August, my wife Karen and I will embark on a 3 and 1/2 year journey that will focus on my becoming an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church. With God's help, and many prayers, this journey will become complete in December of 2013.
Relating with this step in ministry, I have also accepted a new position at my Parish, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama. I am transitioning my role on the Parish Staff from Youth Minister to Director of Liturgy and Music. I will be assisting in the welcoming of a new YM, and helping guide the new program, offering any help I can. My new role is actually a continuation of a significant part of my job description that has evolved over the last couple of years. Liturgy and music, and the planning that goes with it, is a new adventure for me, and one that I think will begin to open another facet of ministry opportunity. I am excited to apply my gifts and talents to this new area, and I know I have a lot to learn! Please pray for patience, and an openness to new possibilities... I am ready to give this my all!
With respect to my 23 years in Youth Ministry, I humbly offer that I am NOT leaving! I have always felt God's call to serve the youth of our world, and I will continue to BE one who loves to bring the Faith to our young people. My journey into serving the Church's Liturgy and Music will expand my foundation in ministry that is very much grounded in "The Vision of Youth Ministry". While I may be handing off the role of Youth Minister in the parish, I am always a Youth Minister, and will continue to apply and adapt all that I have learned about ministry in my future journeys in serving and working for the Church.
With respect to the GregCast, I will continue to focus my efforts and attention to expanding this aspect of my personal ministry, for this is my LOVE; and the blogging and podcasting that have become "The GregCast" will continue to be a special part of my daily grind in the understanding of God's challenge for us all! The goal of the GregCast has always been to share the Faith "out loud", and that's just what this little extravert needs! So, stay tuned to the same 'ol "little guy", and his goofiness, as we all wrestle with the "meaning of it all"!
Thanks for everything, and we'll see you soon. The next GregCast is on the horizon! BTW, my vacation this summer was my first ever CRUISE... Wow! I saw really deep blue water, and beautiful sea green shallows. Snorkeling opened up a whole new world for me, and putting me in front of unlimited dining just might have stunted my vertical growth for good... My gut, on the other hand, grew just fine!
Peace,
Greg
Saturday, May 1, 2010
50 Ways to Get Through Easter... Growth!
"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." (Matthew 13: 57)
Easter Day #28: Growth!
As of today, I am a Candidate for the Diaconate (Ministry of Deacon) in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama. I, and 24 other Candidates were officially accepted at a Mass with Bishop Robert Baker this morning at the Cathedral in Birmingham. I am called to GROW over a three and a half year process of formation, and I will stay open to what the Holy Spirit has to offer. This means that my future is now in the hands of God and others!
The Gospel read at Mass this morning ended with the line above, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." While I certainly will never achieve the status of Prophet, I did shutter a bit when I heard the part about having trouble with “the folks at home”! And while it seems a bit challenging to say the least, I think this means something for us all... When we GROW, we GROW towards change. We must be open to that GROWTH taking us in a direction that makes us have to move out of our little “comfy zone”. I will be dedicated to MY HOME forever, and it is here that I will spend my every day, trying to figure out how to do what God wants me to do, but GROWTH = CHANGE, and I am embarking on a process that will change me forever. So how about indulging me a tad, and dedicate yourselves to change as well. The Holy Spirit is calling you to GROW too! How about we demand the same from our society? Easter still means NEW LIFE, and the NEW part means that something has to CHANGE, and to change we all MUST GROW! So, who’s with me?
Easter Day #28: Growth!
As of today, I am a Candidate for the Diaconate (Ministry of Deacon) in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama. I, and 24 other Candidates were officially accepted at a Mass with Bishop Robert Baker this morning at the Cathedral in Birmingham. I am called to GROW over a three and a half year process of formation, and I will stay open to what the Holy Spirit has to offer. This means that my future is now in the hands of God and others!
The Gospel read at Mass this morning ended with the line above, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." While I certainly will never achieve the status of Prophet, I did shutter a bit when I heard the part about having trouble with “the folks at home”! And while it seems a bit challenging to say the least, I think this means something for us all... When we GROW, we GROW towards change. We must be open to that GROWTH taking us in a direction that makes us have to move out of our little “comfy zone”. I will be dedicated to MY HOME forever, and it is here that I will spend my every day, trying to figure out how to do what God wants me to do, but GROWTH = CHANGE, and I am embarking on a process that will change me forever. So how about indulging me a tad, and dedicate yourselves to change as well. The Holy Spirit is calling you to GROW too! How about we demand the same from our society? Easter still means NEW LIFE, and the NEW part means that something has to CHANGE, and to change we all MUST GROW! So, who’s with me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)