Category: September 2009

Fall Is Finally Here

Fall. Back to school. Cooler temperatures. Colorful leaves. Pumpkins. Halloween. Sweaters. Swimming pools “closed for the season”.

Growing up in south-central Pennsylvania, these are the memories of Fall. An exciting time marked by dramatic changes from Summer.

Well, in central Florida, these changes from Summer to Fall are much less distinct. In fact, they are almost invisible.

Attempting to share some of our history and traditions with our son (9), a native Floridian, I had to find small ways to tell big stories.

So, the first night the temperature starts with a six instead of a seven, well, that’s when I officially declare Fall has arrived. We haven’t seen a day or night temperature below 70 since April, until today.

As we go through our busy lives, it’s these little things that make life more interesting, more “alive”, for me.

Do you have small ways to tell big stories? Want to share any here? Please feel free. But I’ll completely understand if you’re too busy.

CLOW – Children’s Liturgy

Sundays during the school year, our Church offers Children’s Liturgy of the Word for Kindergarten through fifth grade. Two or three adult leaders form a team and lead a particular week each month.

The volunteer leaders perform various functions to help bring Mass down to an Elementary level and to engage the children differently (better) than the adult Mass.

My wife, a good friend, and I, lead 50-100 children through Children’s Liturgy every the fourth Sunday.

This past Sunday, for a variety of reasons, my wife Cheryl led it solo. Sixty-five children in all. She said they were incredibly well behaved. If you’ve never done this, you’d be amazed at how challenging it is.

We began volunteering in this ministry several years ago after a parishioner made a plea for more volunteers or the program would end.

Funny how life puts things in your path. This experience has me delivering homilies (sermons). Who would have ever thought? Me? You’ve got to be kidding.

Blessed Passing

Have been following a friend’s recent journey with cancer. Her brother-in-law, who lives with her and her husband, was recently diagnosed with cancer – seems like less than a month ago.

Waking at 3:30AM this morning, with coffee in hand, fired up the laptops for the morning routine. Checked several social media “Favorites”, including Facebook.

My friend posted this update regarding her beloved brother-in-law: “He walked softly out the door with Jesus a few minutes ago”.

Moments like these are constant reminders that life is fragile, and an incomprehensible gift.

That life is painfully challenging and gloriously wonderful.

Please Pray For This Family

Please pray for this Family. There’s a very special Family in mind, and you most likely don’t know them, but also most likely, you know someone just like them.

A year ago today, in what was simply another ordinary day for this Family, the phone rang that night.

“Your daughter has been in an accident”.

Their precious daughter was severely injured and she was not expected to make it through the injuries.

Somehow she did.

But in a fate most of us can’t even remotely comprehend, nine days later, she unexpectedly passed.

To go to the edge of the cliff, then pulled back from it, and then to suddenly plunge unexpectedly over, breaks my heart to think about.

In a CaringBridge update yesterday, I was reminded of this “anniversary”, and will honor their request to never miss an opportunity to tell my son or my wife, “I love you”.

National Anthem Makes You Cry

This rendition of our National Anthem deserves your attention.

Why? Because five little girls will make your heart stop and tears flow, but only if you appreciate being an American Citizen and only if you have a great spirit of Love:

Enjoy your Freedom today. Many years ago, people came to our Country with a dream. Thank you, five young ladies, for reminding us.