Ponderings and Packing

            Human life is marked with all kinds of beginnings: birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements, farewell parties…

Over the past week a lot has happened, I have wrapped up my ministry as a Pastoral Assistant, I have helped to plan a First Mass in a new church (which is absolutely gorgeous!), I have enjoyed an awesome farewell party, I have cleaned out my apartment, moved out of it and have started to unpack and organize my belongings and life for both a temporary and permanent stay at my parent’s place. I am also dealing with wrapping up details that come with a move and looking ahead to my Postulancy year which begins in 20 days.

In the mix of last week I found out I will have another classmate this year, so there will be nine of us living in the Friary. That is exciting! All I know is his name, so another adventure awaits as I will be meeting more people in the next month that will really help shape my next year.

As I reflect on the last week, the many blessings and fond memories that my farewell from the parish brought to my attention, the following prayer has been playing through my mind over and over again. This prayer is accredited to Oscar Romero but was written by +Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw. This prayer has long been a favorite of mine and at this moment in my journey it seems to speak volumes.

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent
enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete,
which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an
opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.

I will be forever grateful for my years at Resurrection. I could never be all and do all at the parish but for me the last lines of this prayer best describe my time there. I always tried to live from the reality that I was a worker and minister not a master builder or messiah. My ministry was always about others, helping others share their gifts, helping others to shine their light and reflect Christ into our world. It was never about me, always about Christ and always will be about Christ. I am so grateful for the many I worked with, ministered with, dreamed with, planned with, created with, prayed with and celebrated with. The gift of community and the Eucharist is such a source of strength, hope and courage… I take these with me as I begin my Postulancy year and know that we are united because of these gifts.

As the next chapter begins to open up a bit more I leave you with these thoughts…

Blessings                            

Peace in the journey.

Peace in the living.
Peace in the life given.

Hope in the discoveries.

Hope in the experiences.
Hope in the gift of life.
 

Love in the relationships.

Love in the sharing.
Love in the beautiful life.
 

Joy in the path trodden.

Joy in the growth and building.
Joy in the awe of life.
 

Christ in the all of each day.

Christ in the challenges and blessings.

Christ in the life that is me.

May peace be yours, may hope be rooted in your heart, may love be your guide, may joy be awakened in you each day and may Christ bless you all always. God Bless you and Thank you.

Six Years of Ministry

This week marks the end of my six years of ministry as a Pastoral Assistant.  Six years equals a lot of hours given in the name of Jesus Christ. Six years equals many happy memories and amazing successes. Six years equals a time of growth, development and a deepening faith. What a blessing to look back on six years of ministry.

In my six years I have:

-          met amazing people of all ages and all walks of life

-          encouraged people to share their gifts

-          worked with committees in developing programs, prayers, and celebrations

-          journeyed with children and youth through sacraments, RCIC and Youth Ministry

-          sang with amazing choirs

-          celebrated the awesomeness of the Church Year in so many great ways

-          allowed creativity to flourish

-          decorated with talented people

-          laughed, cried, comforted and rejoiced with our young people

-          walked freely into 3 super Catholic elementary schools and felt right at home

-          have been amazed over and over again

-          shared my love of the saints and seasons

-          attended prayer and Mass and have gone forth nourished and renewed

-          been encouraged in my own journey of faith

 

It is because of the journey over the past six years that I was able to quiet myself enough in the busyness of the ministry to hear God’s voice. I had many great conversations with God and God allowed me to take my time through the journey. God is amazingly patient and loving and so when I finally opened myself up a bit more and said to God at the beginning of this year ‘do something new in me’, God poured into my life the journey that lies ahead. Over the past six years the many blessings that have nurtured and filled my life have propelled me forward and allowed me to discern and say to God: ‘okay, I trust You, I give You permission to do something new in me.’ The new being my journey with the Franciscans.

Sure there are people, celebrations, challenges, routines, community and simply things that are a part of my ministry and this community that I will miss, however I carry these forward like a treasure and a source of inspiration and hope. God is always good and I trust in that and the prayers, encouragement and friendship from a great community of faith.

I feel very blessed and I am very grateful today and always. Know that I will hold Resurrection in my prayers and look forward to visits when I return. May we all continue to walk in the light of Christ, for we are all people of the Resurrection.

Extensions of Love

Within the last three weeks I have had the great privilege of joining in the celebration of the 85^th birthday of each of my Grandmothers. These two remarkable women are the foundation of two families that when added up comes close to 270 people. That’s right 270 people! 270 people of all ages that are influenced by two remarkable women (and two remarkable men – my Grandfathers).

I’m sure it is in part because of the prayers of these two women that I was finally able to open myself up enough to discern a religious vocation. It is also in part due to the way these two women have lived their lives. I have seen in them deep faith, rooted trust, love in action, a dedication to service of others, a joyfulness in giving, a caring and kindness that is appreciated by so many, generosity beyond compare, a listening ear, a great sense of humor and openness to God and all a large family can throw at you. I am beyond grateful for their prayers, their actions, their words, and their love. Christ in action in our world today is exemplified in these two women.

Another great blessing because of these two women trusting in God is the gift of extended family!  I have 47 Aunts and Uncles, whom are a big part of my life. They always are interested in my and all my cousins journeys. They are entwined into the fabric of our lives. At the birthday gatherings I have had the chance to not only visit again with Godparents but also Aunts and Uncles I have not seen in a while and each encounter is appreciated. So on top of 47 Aunts and Uncles I have lots of cousins, their spouses and their children! I have been surrounded by cousins my whole life and would not have any other way. We range in age from 39 – 3 (for cousins – not to mention the babies of cousins). Friendly hellos, family updates, warm hugs, questions about life since we last saw each other, support in times of hardship, and teasing when needed, it’s a pretty great built in support system.

So yesterday when I was at the entrance of our family homestead and looking towards a yard full of family of all ages I was struck by God’s awesome love for me and the support I have for the journey ahead. I look ahead to the journey that lies ahead with excitement because I know I am going from my home embraced with love, support and interest in the journey from my extended family.  I know there will times in the months ahead that I will miss out on a family gathering or big celebration, but I know I will be held close in heart and they will be held close in mine. I thank them for being a light on the path of life.

Woven together like a beautiful tapestry family is extension of God’s love that grows more beautiful and is appreciated more and more with the passing of time! I am truly grateful for an awesome extended family that fills my life with love, has provided me with many cherished memories and who will be there to support me in the journey and create many more memories! God is so good!

God Bless all the Grandmas and Grandpas, all the Aunts and Uncles, all the Cousins and families, all the Moms and Dads, all the Brothers and Sisters, all the Nephews and Nieces of my P & K families and of the world!

The Nephew Factor: Happy But Sad

Over the past week I have had the great blessing of spending time or seeing nearly all my nephews and nieces and Godchildren. There have been visits, movies, hugs, high fives, tears, laughter, shy hellos, tea parties and great discussions. What a blessing indeed, but also a reminder of the upcoming farewell. As my nephew said to me the other day, ‘I won’t say good-bye Uncle, I’ll just say see you later.’ Which is so true, it really will just be see you later or see you next time I’m home for a visit, but still the separation does tug at my heart.

 

My eleven year old nephew is an amazing boy, and our similar characteristics and emotional responses are quite interesting and have been the discussion of many family conversations.  Not having any children of my own he is the closest example I have of looking in a mirror and seeing me growing up. He fascinates me; his imagination and mind are always at work. He is a deep thinker, wears his heart on his sleeve a lot of the time, he loves to play, has an awesome memory, asks deep questions and ponders things from many different angles. When I look back on my journey I don’t know if I was aware as what he is at such a young age. I hope and pray he will continue to have these gifts a she grows older.

 

Since I told him about my ‘big move’ and the adventure ahead with the Franciscans we have shared a few tears, some big hugs and have asked a lot of questions. Some realities are harder to understand for both of us. Within one conversation we discussed how I won’t be home for Thanksgiving (which I really didn’t think would be a big deal for him) to him realizing that in a short 5 years he will be old enough to drive and pick me up from the airport or come and visit on his own (which I really hadn’t thought of). We have discussed how I will still be able to be in touch with them and will come home for visits. He shared with me how he is happy for me but sad at the same time and then we shared more tears and hugs.

 

It’s moments like these that like he said are 'happy but sad'.  I am happy to be able to share such special times with him and all my nephews, nieces and Godchildren, but I have to be honest I am a bit sad that they won’t be as frequent or as easily coordinated. I am however excited for the adventure ahead and that makes me happy, in fact it offers me joy. The sadness I will encounter I’m sure will be short lived as I will have fond memories to get me through and e-mail or phone call to help me be connected again to those I love.

 

Something my nephew said that struck me was, ‘I pray for you every night… because I know this is a good thing and you will be helping people and that is a good thing too.’  Wow, what a gift he has offered me, what an affirmation and hope-filled outlook even if his heart is sad. This amazing boy touches my life and my heart in so many ways. I am so grateful for him and his prayers. His simple voicing that he prays for me eased my heart and so I once again humbly ask for your prayers as well as I journey ahead.

Summer Time...Time to Relax?

Summer time has officially begun... great weather, BBQ's, bonfires, eating outside, longer walks, long sunsets, time with friends and of course a more relaxed schedule... well that is true unless you are about to embark on a new path in life.

So I have been enjoying summer's gifts, but my schedule if far from relaxed. In about 20 days I will wrap up 6 years of ministry at a great church. In those 20 days there is a lot of details to work through and wrap up, a few events to launch and of course support to be given to a new Youth Minister (who is doing awesome) and the staff I leave behind. As all of that is happening, I am also trying to pack, enroll for a class, prep for a wedding I'm MCing at, and spend as much time as possible with family and friends!

So even though the schedule is not really relaxed, I am truly am grateful. My life is very full and this fullness leads me on to the path ahead. This fullness has allowed me to discover my gifts and learn, it has challenged me to grow and trust. This fullness has helped me to encounter God and all God's love that is poured into my life. God is so amazing and that in itself makes the crazy schedule bearable and worth it!

As summer begins to take hold in this great nation of Canada, I look forward to each day and all it's blessings. I learn to walk more humbly with my God and trust more deeply in how God is calling me. I am encouraged by the kindness and hugs that I have received over the past week from family, friends, children, youth and students with whom I have worked. A full life is a life that is in tune with our awesome God. What more could I want?