Hard Dig

When we bought our snowbird home in Arizona we decided that it was partially for ourselves as a winter retreat - secondly as an investment home to be rented out in our absence.  We were unable to find exactly what we wanted - bought our house based on the potential to fix up - add amenities.  The inside was fairly complete - minor touch up here and there - the outside - another story.  As back yards go - not a pretty site - plain - ignored over the years.  In Illinois we have a home designed for family - friends - entertaining. In Arizona we wanted to create that same feeling - warm - welcoming - entertaining.  The plan - add a swimming pool - bocce court - place to grill outdoors - plenty of seating.The most complicated project - the swimming pool. In the mid-west not very difficult - in the Sierra Estrella Mountains - a challenge.  It was not a complete surprise to us that our house is built on a mountain - under a cover of twelve inches of decomposed granite - solid rock.  The original excavation halted after 30 minutes - delayed a few days to get bids on digging through solid rock.  After it was finally done - about eight hours of hammering with a hydraulic breaker attachment on the excavator and fragments removed - a free formed curving hole in solid rock. 

Solid Rock Pool Base

When Jesus was selecting his followers He told Peter that he was a rock and that upon him - He would built His church.  Peter - meaning well - not clearly seeing God's plan - put his foot in his mouth more than once during his time with Jesus.  Some may laugh at his follies - but many ministers - most of us - have done likewise.  In spite of our limited vision - God works miracles around us every day.  People we turn away from - embraced by God- groups not deemed worthy by many - worthy in God's eyes.  In time - reflecting on life's misadventures - most of us learn - are informed - educated - in God's way. We stop judging - comparing - criticizing - we look with the eyes of Jesus - we hear with His ears - we love with His heart.  Accepting all - as brothers - sisters - children of God - we become true disciples - continuing His work on Earth.

Deacon Dale  

Security

Security is big business - ask anyone - car alarms - house alarms - personal protection - it is everywhere. As a country - Americans - obsessed with security - safety - worry about daily encounters.  Television is filled with police shows - Criminal Minds - Rookie Blue - this or that PD - constantly sharing danger - constantly spreading fear - real - imaginary.  Some - so paralyzed - they fear their own homes - pets - lives. We are not secure - there is no real safety - if they want you - they will get you.

Nothing is one-hundred percent perfect - secure.  The only security any of us have is in God. In God alone - our souls at rest - at peace - secure in His promise - secure in the knowledge - that He - the King of Kings - Lord of Lords - our constant companion - constant guard - stands in the doorway - offering - security.  Choose Jesus - choose life - be secure.

Deacon Dale 

House On A Rock

Almost everyone has heard the scripture about the wisdom of building a house on a rock as compared to a sandy piece of land.  While that is great for encouraging people to have a sound foundation for their life - it does not go well for those who literally live in a house on a rock where they wish to install an in-ground swimming pool.  Unlike normal soil - rock is very hard to dig through. What would normally be a one or two day process becomes a task of four days to a week. That is what I am told as we are one of the lucky ones to face  this dilemma.  One of the reasons we bought  this particular home was the large yard and space to add a swimming pool.  What we thought would be a straight forward project - now a rather rocky issue.  We have a solution - an estimate to chip and remove a lot of granite - a plan - more expense.

Quite often God calls us to a place in our lives where we expect easy sailing - a walk in the park - cruise through - only to discover a rock in the road - an obstruction - a road block. Just as God helps us through our daily difficulties - even more so He helps with our spiritual challenges.  Rather than worry about the delay - the extra investment - constantly we are reminded - with God - all things are possible.

Deacon Dale 

Shrines of Italy

Looking to get away from the cold weather - dreaming of an Italian holiday in the sun

COME JOURNEY WITH US

We are recruiting people to join us on  an 11-day Italian pilgrimage Nov. 3-13, 2015 starting in Rome - heading to Assisi - optional trip to Florence - Loreto on the Adriatic Sea - Montecassino - Pompeii - Salerno - back to Rome - a Papal Audience - visiting cultural and spiritual sites of Saint Francis - Saint Padre Pio - Saint Benedict - the Grotto of Michael the Archangel - Saint John Paul II - Pope Francis - many more. 

Travel in comfort with fellow parishioners and friends - enjoy Italian cusine and drink - spend free time wandering in Assisi and Rome - connect with your inner spirit - connect with God - the history of the Church.

We have two departure gateways - Chicago O'Hare - Phoenix Sky Harbor

$250 Reserves your spot on this trip

All Inclusive* -  $3399* from Chicago   -   $3599* from Phoenix 

Read the complete details and itinerary 

Read trip options here 

Saint Padre Pio

Make 2015 the year you commit yourself to spiritual growth

To register for this trip -  print and complete the following forms

Registration - A

Registration- B

For additional information call Deacon Dale 630.334.5065

or email:  Italy@deacontravel.org

Deacon Dale 

Sunny In Arizona

Having endured too many harsh winters in the midwest - we left Illinois shortly after celebrating Christmas with family - to head to Arizona - the land of sun and heat.  We were shocked - driving a southern route through Texas - encountering a snow storm.  Being advised to avoid Flagstaff - an anticipated major snow storm there - we headed south - through New Mexico - entering Arizona on clear but wet roads. The land of sun and heat - not so sunny as we first entered. The sun did appear the next morning - remaining with us daily since. 

If you want to make God laugh - tell Him your plans - then see what really happens. The best laid plans of men - often not as anticipated - different - not necessarily worse - just different.  No matter how much we plan - schedule - research - investigate - the ultimate outcome - not always in our control.  Acceptance - understanding - willing to change - bring peace - contentment. As we wait to see what 2015 has in store for us - as we anticipate - we wait with pregnant faith - trusting - in all situations - God is in control.

Deacon Dale