So the reading this Sunday at Mass from the Old Testament was from the book of Genesis. Maybe this is the first Bible Story we learn. It is the end of Adam and Eve and their paradise of Eden. From this point on their life is normal, mundane. From this point on all they have … [Read more…]
Listening to the Gospel reading at Mass this week I made up my mind that I was going to be such a good Catholic, and this week, the week of Ash Wednesday and the week that Lent begins, I was going to live the Gospel. I was going to quit worrying. I was not going … [Read more…]
I was sitting in Mass this morning and I wondered what would happen after I died. I wanted to know if when I came to the end of my life that someone would say about me that I was a good Catholic Christian. I hope that is the case. I was born Catholic. My mother … [Read more…]
I was raised Catholic. I was raised as Catholic as you can get. My mother was very devout and my father was a convert. We lived in a Catholic community and I went to Catholic schools for 12 years. So yeah, I’m Catholic. And one thing my mother and that Catholic education instilled in me … [Read more…]
A.W. Tozer wrote “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” When I heard that I thought, that’s not right. God would not hurt us. Intentionally, he would not cause us any pain. He loves us too much. I just can’t fathom God doing that. But this … [Read more…]
I had a wonderful experience tonight. I had an experience of adoration in the group of a retreat for young people. These are not kids who have never been to adoration. We aree so fortunate that it is making a comeback in our diocese at camps, at youth groups and at Youth 2000. … [Read more…]
We live in a farming community. Jimmy’s favorite saint is St. Isidore. He is the patron saint of farmers and rural life. We actually have a statue of him out at church. One year for Christmas I got a 3 foot statue of St. Isidore for Jimmy. He has lived all over our house but … [Read more…]
This past weekend I went home again. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve gone home many times before. After all, my sister lives in our family home. But last weekend has really taken me again. Last weekend was set aside for my high school reunion. I never was one for reunions. I like family reunions fine, … [Read more…]
Today, my youngest daughter graduates from high school. You know her, Katie Elder. Everyone knows and loves Katie. And I wanted so much to talk about the woman she has become but it just seems that I prefer to talk about graduating. On this same date, 40 years ago exactly, it was a Friday as … [Read more…]
Our community lost a treasure this week. Fr. David Willett was born in Fancy Farm, he was raised in Fancy Farm, joined the military, became a priest, rejoined the military and retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army. When he retired from the military for the third time he moved home. A lot of … [Read more…]