Friday, September 2, 2016

Saintly Mother

Most people - in many places around the world - refer to their mothers as saints - women who rose above the challenges of life - excelled in various ways - raised families - often on their own. My own mother - a saint - having managed two sets of twins - six children under the age of nine - keeping the lot of us under control. I know for a fact that as children we were not always little angels - running havoc around the house. Some women excelled even above that which we think is notable - achieving so much in their lifetime that today they are canonized Saints in the Church. The most recent - Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta - joining Saint Mother Theodore Guerin - Saint Gianna Beretta Molla - Saint Monica. Truth be told - many more women canonized as Saints - all having excelled as women. 


God calls all women and men to saintly lives - lives lived honestly in service to families - neighbors - communities - not all of whom will be declared Saints in the Church. Sainthood is not the goal of Christians - holiness their goal. In lives lived daily - in accordance with the teachings of Jesus - quietly - humbly - holy. Today - another day in which all of us may attempt to reach that goal.

Deacon Dale 

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Too Quick - Too Soon

The first of September - vacation over - back to school - fall approaching - too soon. Yes - time flies - too quickly - too soon - the lazy days of summer quickly a fading memory. Hopefully everyone had time to enjoy some peaceful days with family and friends. Now time to look forward to fall chores - planning for winter - colder weather - falling leaves - outdoor events. Although the temperatures will soon be falling - fall is still a great time to entertain outdoors - to host events with family and friends - to enjoy peaceful moments of nature. In our family the beginning of September signals the annual family reunion - golf tournament - chili cook-off. For football fans - tailgating a number one time to enjoy fellowship and food. Each season brings with it - good - bad - opportunities for everyone.


In every season of life - summer - fall - winter - spring - young - old - God is present. He is constantly with us - even when we are too busy to notice - too busy to care - too occupied with worldly things. He blesses each of us - day in and day out - especially when we least deserve it. As we begin the fall of our lives - take time to pause - to listen - to observe - God's presence in our lives - before it is too quick - too soon - to appreciate all that He offers each of us.

Deacon Dale