This morning as my husband Rob, my son Jonah and I walked into church I had to remind myself, "Catherine....things will be different - be open, gracious, and let go". (For me - as for many of you, change is not easy. So, I must remind myself to be open to newness) One of the first things I see is Fr. Larry greeting everyone. What a nice thing to see when we first walk in - hospitality!!!! After we visited and got reacquainted with everyone (since we were on vacation last week) I sat down in our pew and quieted my heart. Mass began with the same enthusiasm that the 8:30am Mass always brings - awh, such a wonderful community we are a part of! It wasn't long and I noticed that the cross had been moved - change is good, change is good. The Lectors, Cantor and Fr. Larry proclaimed - and then Fr. Ben taught, inspired and engaged us with his homily. All of a sudden I was stopped dead in my tracks.... "the small things may change - but the community, the spirit and God's faithfulness is still the same Catherine". It's OK, we're going to be OK, you're going to be OK.
Isn't it funny that even when our heads know something our hearts take a while to learn it? Why is that? Do we need to have experience speak to us before we can fully grasp with our heart? Are we that afraid of the unknown, change, the possibilities that it takes us a while before we can truly be at peace? I have some things to ponder during my prayer time this week.
I am truly grateful to this community, to our parish leadership (clergy and lay), and to God for being patient with me and for being so faithful. Praise God!
Do you happen to have any parishioners who have a home to rent for the Olympic trials Sept 7-14. We have a family that are interested in staying together as we cheer our family members on at the trials. Four years ago we sent one off to the olympics, maybe we'll do that again. Please contact me, Dawn, at teachar3@chartermi.net I really appreciate any consideration you can give us.
ReplyDeleteDawn Chartier
Bay City MI
A disclaimer:
ReplyDeleteThe cross was not moved by anyone.... it was just that we forgot to move it back to its spot after Fr. Jed's retirement prayer service. Sorry!!!!