The retreat this past week was very enlightening and enjoyable.  On Tuesday night we had Reconciliation for all of those who so desired.  Wednesday after Evening Prayer, we had the Anointing of the Sick and elderly, of which I could qualify on both accounts. I often think how often I anoint others, and with my own health conditions may receive the sacrament only once a year.  I cannot anoint myself, and must ask another priest to do it.  At any rate, it was great to receive the sacrament and the strength, both spiritual and physical that comes with it.  Back to the retreat!  Our retreat master, or leader, is a Benedictine monk from St. Meinrad, where I went to school.  He was ordained the year after I was ordained.  It was good to reminisce about some of the old professors, policies, liturgies, and all that is new.  His topic was the Psalms in the daily prayers of the priest.  Very good, insightful and very down to earth meaning for all of us! The Psalms of the O.T. are the prayers of the people, leaders, in time of joy and sorrow, in times of success and of trial to a God that loves his people and really cares for them.  They are like conversations between the human pray-ers and his trust in a loving God.  We never walk alone!  In all that happens, God is present and the third member in action that we do, or any words that we say—always helping us, or wanting to help us.  It is a very powerful concept about our relationship with our God, our life with our God, and our eternal goal with God.  I want to grow from it so that I can help you grow in it.

 

Today, Sunday 13^th, I will go to see my brother in Iowa, and will return on Friday, Jan 18^th.  Ed and Nell are 87 and 88 years old respectively, and I know that we will not have too many more years to share.  Since this is winter time and their travel can be stymied by snow and weather (they have 12 inches of snow on the ground now), I figured that if I would go and visit with them, I might warm things up—have some fun.  I did not get to go see them last year, and they made the trip to go fishing in September.

 

From Monday, Jan 21 to Thursday, Jan. 3l, I will be in Arizona with some old friends, and then with Fr. Bill Hitpas—we will come back together.  Some might take issue that I will be gone these 14 days for some rest and recreation.  I only took one week last year when I went to California, and usually do not take my weekly day off (Monday) because there always seems to be something to do.  At the present time, I feel both physically, mentally, and emotionally that I need to take some time for myself and for your sakes also.  I honestly feel tired and drained, and that is not good for me.  So pray for me that I have a great and safe rest.

 

Lent begins on Wednesday, February 6^th—the first full week of February.  I will have a Lenten letter and the “The Little Black Book”—Lenten prayers and meditations, mailed to you in the next couple days.  Take time to find the love God has for each of you during this Lent!  Take time to talk to Him in prayer and the sacraments!  God loves you!

 

In February, the Diocese conducts its annual CATHOLIC SERVICES AND MISSION APPEAL.  Last year we went over our goal, and I hope that we will do that again this year.  We are making possible the spread of our faith in our diocese, and the helping of so many children through education, special care, and religious education.  We also help the spread of faith to adults in poverty areas, prisons, special homes, nursing homes and hospitals.  God has been so good to all of us!  We want others to find this out in their lives, change their lives by it, pass it on, and change the world.  Please make plans to support this tremendous program to the best of your ability.  Coming soon in February!

 

 

January 2008

 

1/06 9:00 AM PSR-hcs

1/13 9:00 AM PSR-hcs

1/20 NO PSR

1/27 9:00 AM PSR-hcs

 

Reminder:  NO PSR on Sunday January 20th for Martin Luther King day