Well, the school year has begun, and the life of the parish seems to back into full swing. The "lazy days of summer" seem to be quickly passing, and the routines that autumn bring seem to be with us once again.
Our faith and the practice of it should never take a break - even in the summer. Amidst the many activities that resume with the new school year, we need to remember to take time to come with the other members of the Body of Christ to worship our God and thank Him for all the blessings He has given to us. It's so important to remain connected to God, especially through our participation in the liturgy - for the reception of the sacraments and the gathering together as the Body of Christ is what truly sustains us in this life . . . and this life of faith.
Continue to be active in your parish family. Continue to know the love and the life that God offers to us through the sacraments, especially those of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. God is always calling each of us to a deeper relationship with Him. We simply need to respond.
Enjoy the journey . . .
16 September 2010
09 September 2010
Busy, busy, busy
Although I promised to post weekly, I quickly fell behind a little. My apologies!
But, in all honesty, it's been a busy time.
Coming into the priesthood, I knew that I would be rather busy, but it's in the unplanned events and activities that I find myself that I find my plans and intentions being side-tracked. In no way am I complaining . . . each unplanned moment has been a unique and grace-filled experience, and I would not trade those moments in for anything. Yet, when I would set aside time to blog, catch up on some correspondence or prepare for the classes that I'm teaching (beginning next week - YIKES!), those moments would be interrupted by someone visiting the parish offices, a phone call, a conversation between staff members, etc. Yet, while I look at the totality of these events - planned and unplanned - THIS IS WHY I ENTERED INTO THE ORDAINED MINISTRY!
Speaking of classes that I'm teaching, the two are coming up very fast. The first class, Understanding the Sunday Eucharist, begins next Wednesday. I feel rather comfortable in teaching this class, since this is one of the areas I worked in prior to entering the seminary. I have the classes outlined, and am just getting final preparations completed. The second class, The Spiritual and Moral Character of the Human Person, is still a bit of an enigma to me, for no one has yet taught the course. And so, I am pretty much building this one from the ground up. Again, no complaining, just a little frustration and a slight feeling of being overwhelmed when I first began to prepare. However, one of my former seminary professors pointed me to a few books, one of which seems solid enough in which to base the course off of. I'm excited to have this opportunity to pass my excitement (and whatever knowledge I may have) to those who sign up for the course.
One other exciting (small) project is writing two reflections on the readings of upcoming weeks for our diocesan newspaper. They're due by next Monday, so I should be finish them within the next few days. I'm also the guest homilist at a Eucharistic Day at my former seminary parish assignment of Sacred Heart, in the Shadyside / East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. It will be good to be back there.
Other than that, Madrid prep, a new year of Youth Ministry, hospital visits, anointings, school visits, active presence at the high school, and a life in ministry in general is what is going on. It's a life which is keeping me busy, busy, busy . . . but I am enjoying it overall.
Enjoy the journey . . .
But, in all honesty, it's been a busy time.
Coming into the priesthood, I knew that I would be rather busy, but it's in the unplanned events and activities that I find myself that I find my plans and intentions being side-tracked. In no way am I complaining . . . each unplanned moment has been a unique and grace-filled experience, and I would not trade those moments in for anything. Yet, when I would set aside time to blog, catch up on some correspondence or prepare for the classes that I'm teaching (beginning next week - YIKES!), those moments would be interrupted by someone visiting the parish offices, a phone call, a conversation between staff members, etc. Yet, while I look at the totality of these events - planned and unplanned - THIS IS WHY I ENTERED INTO THE ORDAINED MINISTRY!
Speaking of classes that I'm teaching, the two are coming up very fast. The first class, Understanding the Sunday Eucharist, begins next Wednesday. I feel rather comfortable in teaching this class, since this is one of the areas I worked in prior to entering the seminary. I have the classes outlined, and am just getting final preparations completed. The second class, The Spiritual and Moral Character of the Human Person, is still a bit of an enigma to me, for no one has yet taught the course. And so, I am pretty much building this one from the ground up. Again, no complaining, just a little frustration and a slight feeling of being overwhelmed when I first began to prepare. However, one of my former seminary professors pointed me to a few books, one of which seems solid enough in which to base the course off of. I'm excited to have this opportunity to pass my excitement (and whatever knowledge I may have) to those who sign up for the course.
One other exciting (small) project is writing two reflections on the readings of upcoming weeks for our diocesan newspaper. They're due by next Monday, so I should be finish them within the next few days. I'm also the guest homilist at a Eucharistic Day at my former seminary parish assignment of Sacred Heart, in the Shadyside / East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. It will be good to be back there.
Other than that, Madrid prep, a new year of Youth Ministry, hospital visits, anointings, school visits, active presence at the high school, and a life in ministry in general is what is going on. It's a life which is keeping me busy, busy, busy . . . but I am enjoying it overall.
Enjoy the journey . . .
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