19th SOTC - Action.MP3

Jesus is going to return. Are we prepared for His coming, putting our faith in action? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2YZFzd3 Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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17th SOTC '19 - ACTS.MP3

Jesus teaches the disciples to pray, giving both the model and the request to be persistent. DO we pray boldly with Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/3153hSL Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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16th SOTC - Busy

Martha asks Jesus to ask Mary to help her, but Jesus calls Martha to a different type of hospitality. Are we too busy to see the Lord? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2YkIUmF Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
via View From the Ambo Podcast

15th SOTC '19 - Neighbors

Christ answers a question about loving neighbors with a question, Who was the neighbor? We might be wise to ask ourselves, too.Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2Ll21qz Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz
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13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Excuses.MP3

I apologize for the poor quality - I am excited to be back at the Ambo after a needed rest. What are our excuses for not following the Lord today? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2xhyzsG Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
via View From the Ambo Podcast

Home

As I was preparing to leave after eight weeks, the Lord was working overtime to make sure that I was ready. He asked what I wanted during my morning holy hour. That’s a question I hadn’t been asking. I knew the answer, Home. I wanted to be home. But not home sickness. I wanted Him to be my home. In a matter of seconds, I was overwhelmed with His presence and these words spilled out (not so prettily, I might add). Maybe the maybe the Lord wants you home, too, so I share these with you:

Home is not a place,

A “where” of maps, locations, or points,

A destination or departure,

Traveled to by planes or cars.

It is not a structure made for lodging,

And building constructed of wood or stone,

Mortar or brick.

There are no roof or floors,

neither windows nor doors,

Yet all are invited.

Home is a state of being,

An abiding in,

A being with,

Not only where the heart dwells,

But where the heart and the Holy Spirit reside,

In communication with each other.

Home is when joy overflows into tears and laughter,

When healing is found

In the source of all Being.

Home is love, mercy, forgiveness,

No, home is not a place,

But the enduring presence of our Lord,

Home is a “when”:

When the Lord reveals His love,

His providence, His protection,

When all is right with the world,

Because peace is found in the soul.

Home can be found a thousand miles from where we reside,

Or right where we are.

Home is a heart set free,

Singing with the angels and saints,

A harmony that the heart knows,

But the mind has yet to grasp.

Home is found only by the soul longing to travel inward to find Him waiting.

Announcement of my return

After 8 weeks of being away, I will be returning and moving into my new assignment in Marshall, MN.

A little update first, as some might be curious where I have been: In early April, I was invited by Bishop LeVoir to take a minimum of 3 weeks of retreat out of state. He was concerned about me for a number of reasons, most important of them was that he was concerned that I was extremely stressed. I thought that 3 weeks would be enough, but as it was, the issues that led to my stress and my responses were deeper and more entangled with my personal history than I was aware. To become more aware of the patterns, to find freedom, and to continue to rest from a stressful situation, I requested to stay a full 8 weeks. I am dealing with the issues that were Bishop LeVoir’s concerns, as well as some personal health issues of my own. I am rested, and intent to take better care of my personal need for prayer, rest, and recreation.

However, I realized that my being away required me to resign. Some of the stressors were not resolved on my departure, and because of the needs of the parishes I served, I requested to resign. (It had already been determined that I would be moving.) Fr. Denny Labat, now parochial administrator of St. Peter and Nicollet and I basically swapped positions. He is parochial administrator (pastor in responsibilities, but not in right to stay is the best understanding of his title), and I will be parochial vicar (Associate Pastor) in the Marshall area.

I am so pleased that Fr. Labat has agreed to take the position earlier than planned so that I can tend to my needs. 

I loved my time at St. Peter and Nicollet, but it is obvious that at this time our needs are different. Please join me in keeping the parishes and parishioners there in prayer, and if you have a few to spare, please pray for my continued healing from old wounds that are deep and painful.