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Community

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Last week, I joined a Lenten small group. There’s only five of us and we’re reading “Give Up Worry for Lent! 40 Days to Finding Peace in Christ” by Gary Zimak. As someone with anxiety, this small group was simultaneously calling out to me and scaring me away. What better time than Lent to work on my faithful solution to my anxiety?

At the same time, the thought of a small group was uncomfortable enough without having to talk about our struggles. I couldn’t be alone. I mean, a small group where worriers have to talk about their worries? Hilariously, I just imagined a group of us, sitting there, too much in our heads to actually talk out loud.

The reality of the small group was actually extremely comforting. I was finally surrounded by people that understood what I was going through. I know I am not alone, but sometimes it can feel that way. My loved ones try to understand what I am going through, but they can’t always put themselves in my shoes. You can’t fully understand the illogical feelings of depression and anxiety if you don’t have it.

But these people, these four others that also had the courage to say yes to a small group? They understood.

One of the questions we discussed was what we do when we’re worrying and how we cope with worrying. Personally, when I feel worried about something, I just focus on something else. Sounds great in theory, but in reality, it just means that we find ourselves focusing on anything but the actual issues in our lives, both big and small.

However, this group wasn’t all about agreeing with each other on how to avoid life. It’s about living a spiritually worry-free life through Christ. This meant that we shared how we coped with our worries and how our faith helps us. For example, in college, I found that talking to myself helped me put things into perspective and work through things. Now I talk to God in an out-loud conversation. I know that he is listening and is planting small seeds of confidence and trust while I talk to myself.

One of my peers also told me about how they talk with the people that they are close to. I find it hard to do so in fear of being judged and rejected, but she went on to say that the conversations with loved ones have been the most calming and fulfilling. This weekend, I tried having that conversation with a loved one and she was right. The people that surround me are there because God handpicked them as my family and friends. They have the same beliefs as me and only want the best for me.

This experience made me realize that although I have found a way to use God’s strength instead of my own, I still have trouble asking others (humans) for help. But God did not put me in a bubble. He put me in a community. As Catholics, we are a part of a community of faith, meant to help each other through the hard times that we cannot handle ourselves. Do you rely on your community of faith? Do you help others?

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Veronica Alvarado is a born and raised Texan currently living in Michigan. Since graduating from Texas A&M University, Veronica has published various articles in the Catholic Diocese of Austin’s official newspaper, the Catholic Spirit, and other local publications. She now works as the Content Specialist in Diocesan’s Web Department.

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Return to Me

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Today’s reading from Jeremiah reminded me of my high school days.  Youth group member, Steubenville retreat attendee, daily-Mass-going 14-year-old me thought she was holier than thou. I prided myself in following the rules, getting good grades and being a teacher’s pet. Even amidst the hormone shifts of teenage-hood I had permitted not a single curse word to escape my lips. In fact, when someone in the locker next to me dared to swear, I would be so bold as to speak up “please don’t use those words”, and then I would turn on my heels and walk away. I had few friends and of course not a single classmate approached this goodie-two-shoes with offers of “a good time.” I felt much like Jeremiah did being verbally attacked and snickered at. Indeed, why should good be repaid with evil?

As I left that atmosphere to dedicate a portion of my teen and young adult years to the missions, I learned that my behavior had more to do with my own insecurity than being truly holy. I clung to religion as my stronghold, followed the rules because of their consistency and familiarity. I remember thinking in those days that I had learned it all regarding my faith. I had already received the Sacraments, was familiar with a good portion of the Bible, had the Mass and many of the familiar hymns memorized… I was going to be SO BORED for the rest of my life with nothing new to learn. Boy was I wrong! I was missing one of the most important elements.

The Psalm declares steadfast trust in the Lord stating firmly: “You are my God” and speaks of His unfailing love. Did snappy requests in front of a locker speak of unfailing love? Not likely. Did gaining favor with every adult figure speaking of steadfast trust? Probably not. Did clinging to rules show God that He was mine? Nope. Like the mother of James and John in the Gospel, I was searching for greatness, albeit holy greatness, when I should have been seeking servitude. I love that quote from St. Francis that says “Preach the Gospel always, when necessary, use words” because it is a lesson that I still have not learned. I long for my relationship with God to be my all, my one and only, the reason to awaken each morning, what eeks from my very being day after day. Yet I have so far to go.

I am so grateful for this season of Lent that affords us such a great opportunity to return to God with our whole hearts. Perhaps this year I will take one step forward in my relationship with my God, my Creator, my Love, my All. “Into your hands, I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” (Psalm 31:5)

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Tami grew up in Western Michigan, a middle child in a large Catholic family. Attending Catholic schools her whole life, she was an avid sportswoman, a (mostly) straight A student and a totally type A sister. She loves tackling home projects, keeping tabs on the family finances and finding unique ways to love. She spent early young adulthood as a missionary in Mexico, studying theology and philosophy, then worked and traveled extensively before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Western Kentucky. Her favorite things to do are finding fun ways to keep her four boys occupied, quiet conversation with the hubby, and grocery shopping with a latte in her hand. She works at Diocesan, is a guest blogger on CatholicMom.com and BlessedIsShe.net, runs her own blog at https://togetherandalways.wordpress.com and has been doing Spanish translations on the side for the past 18 years.

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St. Joseph: A Model of Humility

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Today, the Church celebrates one of the most celebrated saints in all of tradition: St. Joseph. Not much is known about St. Joseph outside of what we hear in the gospels of St. Luke and St. Matthew. We know he was a humble man who was of the house of David. He was betrothed to the Blessed Virgin Mary who miraculously became pregnant before they lived in the same house.

Because he was a just man and didn’t want to put Mary to shame, he decided to divorce her quietly. Many theologians have debated where St. Joseph’s mind was in the midst of the situation. Most believe that he was stupefied by the situation—he knew that Mary was faithful but couldn’t understand how she was pregnant. Others say that he knew that the child in Mary’s womb was the Messiah, so out of humility, he wanted to bow out.

The incredible mystery surrounding St. Joseph, is that he was explicitly chosen by God to be the Father of himself. He was trusted to be the protector and leader of the Holy Family. The Lord allowed himself to be subject to Joseph’s care and protection. St. Joseph rose up to the challenge—he loved and protected the Christ Child devoutly.

Our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph have a perfect marriage that we are called to imitate and find hope in. Mary loved St. Joseph and was fiercely loyal and trusting in him. Venerable Fulton Sheen said of the couple, “No husband and wife ever loved one another so much as Joseph and Mary.”

St. Joseph was obedient to the will of God. Each time an angel appeared to him in a dream—whether it be to take Mary into his home, flee to Egypt, or return to Nazareth—he acted without a question and without fear. He obeys immediately imitating Mary’s obedience in the gospel of St. Luke following the Annunciation. They are together a couple who conformed wholly to the will of God both as a couple and individuals.

And so today, we ought to set aside time to thank God for the gift of St. Joseph. May we allow St. Joseph to become our father, friend, and spiritual guide, just like he was for Christ, whom we can rely on and imitate.

St. Joseph, pray for us.

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Hannah Crites is a native to Denver Colorado and graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville. She has written for numerous publications and blogs including the Chastity Project, Washington Times, Faith & Culture: The Journal of the Augustine Institute, and Franciscan Magazine. She is currently working in content and digital marketing for a small web development and digital marketing agency. Connect with her through Twitter (@hannah_crites) and Facebook. Check out more of what she has written at https://hannhcrites.com/.

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Divine Self-Awareness and Responsibility

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In the First Reading, Daniel admits to his sins and those of Judah. Context aside, the dialogue sounds very much like a person participating in the sacrament of Reconciliation: it is a voluntary admission of guilt.

Let alone the mysterious outpouring of grace from confession, it is advantageous for a person to be capable of “accusing” him or herself of the wrong that they’ve done.

When we take responsibility for our sins, we approach the opportunity to overcome our sin. If it’s true that we can choose sin, isn’t it also true that we can choose the True, Good and Beautiful?

We can indeed. We see evidence of that in the lives of the Saints and Venerables.

We have radical, God-given freedom, which requires responsibility and self-awareness in order to be practiced well.

But the Gospel is not a “self-help” book; it is a “God-help-us-so-we-can-help-others-and-ourselves” book (among other things).

God helps us by “not deal[ing] with us according to our sins”.

  • PS 103:10a, Responsorial Psalm

When we are self-aware and admit to our responsibility of sin in Reconciliation, the free gift of grace that is His mercy transforms us. If we return to Him and make a good confession, our hearts start to resemble the Sacred and Immaculate.

It is only after a sincere confession and gift of heavenly grace that we are able to withhold judgment and condemnation. Instead, we are able to forgive and give freely because that is how the Divine has responded to our apology… and for those who have yet to make an apology, He yearns most to share His mercy with them.

Grow in Divine Self-Awareness.

 Harness responsibility.

 And “Be merciful just as [our] heavenly Father is merciful”

-Luke 6:36

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During the week, Matthew Juliano works as a Direct Support Professional with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Visit his Patreon page to learn more about his job; there you can also find more reflections on life and faith. On weekends, he travels as the drummer for Full Armor Band to play retreats and conferences.  Most importantly, Matthew is planning and preparing to wed his fiancé this July.

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The Freedom of Servitude

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“Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!” (Psalm 119)

The NFL handbook is over three-hundred pages long. What makes this sport so entertaining is seeing smart players execute a touchdown or large gain in the bounds of these rules. This structure does not limit these players; it frees them up to utilize their creative ability. The expertise is beautiful.

What would kill the beauty of this sport? Seeing twenty-two grown men running out of bounds, throwing illegal forward passes, and hitting each other illegally in order to win.

Theatre directors will often go throughout the early phases of a rehearsal process staging the actors in a general shape. This overall shape will set the bounds for the actors. Within these bounds, the actors are free to explore and employ their own creativity. Then on opening night, the audience witnesses the beauty of the collaboration that leads to live theatre.

What would kill the beauty of this art? Seeing actors run around the stage, speak in ways that can’t be seen or heard, or default to standing in a line for the entire two hours.

Rules are what free us to be us. Without rules, we are slaves to a false sense of freedom. It is in the service of God’s will rather than my own that my life becomes beautiful. The best way to do this is by knowing God. Frank Sheed said that each reason for knowing God is another reason to love Him even more and that each reason to love God is another reason to know him even more. Then we may live in accordance with what we were created for, and this is beautiful.

It can be intensely dissatisfying to know that God “makes his sun rise on the good and the bad” (Matthew 5:45). But we must remember that God made his Son rise for the good and the bad. When Jesus tells us to live perfectly it is not a demand to be entirely free of all blemishes. It is an admonition to strive toward the fullness of truth that lies within God’s commandments, laws, decrees, and way.

And “provided you keep all his commandments he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God, as he promised” (Deuteronomy 26: 19).

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Benjamin serves as the Music Minister at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Branchville, NJ. He teaches Children’s Theatre at the Paper Mill Playhouse and is a Catholic songwriter that has given talks on Confirmation, How to Keep the Faith in College, and The Courage to Choose Life. He can be reached at benjamintyates@gmail.com.

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Complete Freedom

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Were you required to memorize the 10 Commandments as a student? They seem simple enough, and judging ourselves by those precepts can make us think that we are doing ok. “Thou shalt not kill”? I haven’t killed anybody. So I’m ok on that one, right?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus traces this commandment right back to the depths of every human being and helps us see that God wants Truth to reign over even the subtle movements of the heart. Most of us are not guilty of murder, but the violent movement that would take another’s life is already present in the anger, the spiteful word, or the evil intention in the heart of the murderer. It is our INTENTION that drives our words and actions. It is our intention that determines their value. It is the intention deep within the heart that God alone can judge.

Jesus points out that anger, name-calling, and giving others a reason to have something against us are enough to plant the dark seeds of resentment and vindictiveness and, yes, even murder. Jesus calls us to reject vengeance (a demand for “justice”) and work toward reconciliation (an act of MERCY) so that our offering at the altar comes from a pure heart and is free of any shadows of selfishness. God wants our whole heart and every movement within it.

This is a new teaching. The norm of the Old Covenant was justice: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, injury for injury (but not more evil than one had received; this balance was legislated!). But Jesus now tells us: this is not enough. Because in taking justice upon ourselves rather than leaving it to God, we never really restore justice but rather create new injustices and keep anger and enmity alive within us. When we focus on “justice,” our hearts are narrowed and darkened and hardened. In contrast, focusing on mercy and forgiveness opens our hearts to the light of God’s grace and love.

In this teaching, Jesus brings a new level of freedom, made possible in the New Covenant by the transforming power of grace in the Holy Spirit. This creative freedom calls us to selflessness, to forgiveness, and even to loving those who hate us! Grace allows us to be transformed completely in Christ so that we can do what would otherwise be impossible to our fallen human natures: we can respond to the eternal call of the Father and turn back to Him with our whole hearts, in complete freedom.

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Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Deacon Rob and seminarian Luke ;-), and two grandchildren. She is a Secular Discalced Carmelite and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 25 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE. Currently, she serves the Church as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio, by publishing and speaking, and by collaborating with the diocesan Office of Catechesis, various parishes, and other ministries to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is https://www.kathryntherese.com/.

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Ask, Seek, Knock

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When reading today’s Gospel, the first thing I thought of was my mom. Throughout my life, every time I go to her and say, “Why didn’t this happen even though I prayed for it? I thought it was the right thing” her response would be one of two things: “God’s delay is not God’s denial” or “Thank God for unanswered prayers”. As a kid, it was sometimes hard to hear. Heck, as an adult it’s still a hard thing to hear. But I know she’s right.

The Gospel comes from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount and he tells us to do three things: Ask, Seek, and Knock. He is telling us to be persistent in our faith, to not stop at asking God for His help but rather, to continue searching for Him and for His presence in our lives until we know truly know Him. By seeking Him in this life, the doors to Heaven will be opened for us. In the responsorial psalm we say, “Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me” and in the first reading, we hear Esther’s lamentations and petitions to God. She is vulnerable before God and asks his forgiveness, knowing that He will listen to her pleas. Her faith in God and His mercy allows her to sincerely ask for and seek Him.

At the end of the Gospel Christ says, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” The Golden Rule. We’ve all known it ever since elementary school but how often and with what disposition to we go about implementing this in our daily lives? We should always strive to be Christ to others. Not just so that others are kind to us, or show mercy to us, but so that we can share our faith by way of example.

So often we grow frustrated when God’s answers to our prayers and to our petitions don’t come in the form we expect. Perhaps when we take a closer look at our lives we will see that God has, when we ask with a pure heart and genuine spirit, answered all our prayers. May we use this Lenten season to grow in fortitude and continue to persevere in our faith. May we also use this time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to be Christ to all those we encounter.

St. Frances of Rome, pray for us!

 

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Dakota currently lives in Denver, CO is studying for her Master’s in Spanish, and loves her job as an elementary school librarian. She is engaged to the love of her life, Ralph. In her spare time, she reads, goes to breweries, and watches baseball. Dakota’s favorite saints are St. John Paul II (how could it not be?) and St. José Luis Sánchez del Río. She is passionate about her faith and considers herself blessed at any opportunity to share that faith with others. Check out more of her writing at https://dakotaleonard16.blogspot.com.

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Do You Want to be Well?

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The whole purpose of this liturgical season is to return to Jesus with our whole hearts. I don’t know about you, but when I picture my heart, it isn’t always pretty. I picture my heart with its scars, bruises, and sometimes it’s weariness. When I read Today’s Readings, I long to be that very sick old man.  That may sound funny, but I’m being completely honest. Jesus comes to him as he is ill and in a low place. Jesus says to him, “Do you want to be well?”. What does that sound like in your own ears? What is Jesus referring to as He states those words to you right now? “Do you want to be well?”. I hear those words and know that they are saturated in a tender love.  Those words come from a Man who wants your free will, He wants you to talk to Him about what you want. He wants to know if you want to be well.

What is wellness? Wellness is a state of being in good health.  We may think automatically about the health of our bodies when we hear this, but it’s even more than that.  It’s about the whole person. Jesus is asking about all of us. Do we want to be well in the health of our body? Do we want to be well in the health of our soul? My answer is a deep soul cry “yes”.  I long to be well, to be in great health, body and soul. Do you want that too? As we continue to read, we hear that Jesus tells Him to “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” The moment of a miracle. When I read this encounter, I realize that the opportunity for this miracle is based on a question and answer.  How often does Jesus pursue our hearts and yet we do not reply. How often does Jesus pursue us in asking, “Do you want to be well?”.

At the end of the story, Jesus found this old man healed in the temple area and said to Him, “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” Here in this simple phrase, we are given to opportunity to see very clearly the heart of Jesus.  Yes, in His words we can see the Sacred Heart of Jesus for what it is. It is a heart of complete love, protection, and care. Jesus advises this man whom he healed to sin no more. Why? Because He doesn’t want him to get hurt. When we look at the Ten Commandments as a list of forbidding rules, we may feel annoyed or imposed upon.  When we look at the Ten Commandments for what they truly are, we encounter the heart of Jesus. The whole reason God has given us the guidelines of the Ten Commandments is perfectly summed up in Jesus’ words, “so that nothing worse may happen to you.” Sin hurts us, breaks us down, wounds our hearts, relationships with others and with God Himself.  If you have a hard time understanding why you’re not supposed to do this or that, reflect on how it affects your body, soul, and relationship with God. Then you will know that Jesus just wants to keep you safe. He wants to know if you wish to be well and then he wants to keep you safe in that wellness forever.

What is this Scripture story calling us to? Well, I do know what makes my heart and soul well…It is the gift and Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The place we come to encounter the mercy of Jesus, the answer to His question. When we go to receive this sacrament we are saying, “Yes, I want to be well.”  It is in this sacrament that we are made well by His grace and forgiveness. We become white as snow and that scarred wounded heart starts to heal. As we leave the confessional, Jesus says to us, “Do not sin again, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” He wants us safe and safety lies in being in communion with Him.

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Briana is a Catholic youth minister at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Cleveland, OH. She is also a district manager at Arbonne. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Catechetics from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH and is excited to use these skills to bring her students closer to Christ and His Church. “My soul has been refined and I can raise my head like a flower after a storm.” -St. Therese

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Bend Your Knee, Bow Your Head, and Pray

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Today’s readings are packed with beauty and symbolism. But, for me, it was easy to choose which Scripture I would use. It just has to be the Gospel, when the Lord gives us his prayer.

In the beginning, Jesus tells his disciples not to babble on in prayer as do the pagans. Have you ever found yourself doing this? Trying to find either the most effective words, or perhaps too many words to express to God your desires? Or, worse yet, using these words because we are not sincere in our prayer? I used to ramble on. It seemed to me I had to go on-and-on about what I was praying for. For example: when praying for a friend who, perhaps, was suffering from an illness, I’d go on forever saying things like “Help my friend, Lord. She is suffering from cancer and needs your strength and increased faith. Help her doctors to clearly discern her situation and treatment”…and then comes the blah, blah blah extras. As I’ve aged, and I have aged, these prayers now come down to: “Dear Lord, give strength to my friend. She needs you. Your will be done.” Because I’ve also learned, as I’ve aged, that Jesus’ statement that the Father knows what we need before we ask him is very true. But that should not stop us from asking. It is as healthy for us to ask for our own spiritual well-being as it is for the person for whom we are praying. Asking God, asking Jesus, on behalf of others, strengthens our faith and confirms our reliance on his graces.

But I also wanted to share with your something about this Lord’s Prayer – I want to share with you how it has affected me over the years. Of all the prayers we learned as children, or have encountered in the books read or reflections we share, the Lord’s Prayer is the one that will bring me to tears in an instant. How often I’ve attended the funeral of a friend, family member or acquaintance, been in total control of my emotions until we pray or sing the Lord’s Prayer. It is at that point I will break down. I can’t tell you how many times during Mass if I’ve been hurting either physically or emotionally, that the Our Father will bring me to tears – to the point that I can no longer say the words out loud. What causes this? I’m not sure. It could be because Jesus gave us the most simple, most perfect prayer we could say and, for me, connects me so closely with him and God. This prayer will always bring me into the Father’s loving arms.

It was no happenstance that Jesus starts the prayer with “Our Father.” There is, I believe, a purpose to this. In our world, as well as in Jesus’ time on earth, many could not connect with the image of a father. In his great wisdom, Jesus gave us God himself, his father, as our father, and we cannot discount this. If you need a father; you have one. And, in turn, if you need a mother, Jesus also gave us his mother, Mary, to give us strength and example.

When you find yourself trying to pray, and just cannot come up with the right words, stop looking. Just say the Lord’s Prayer. It is all you need when the thoughts and words don’t come to you. God reads your heart and will know what to do with your faithful prayer.

One has to be of a certain age, and I am, to remember a wonderful singer, Perry Como. Perry was a devout Catholic and, from all I’ve learned about him, a wonderful man. He never closed any of his TV specials without singing either the Ave Maria or the Lord’s Prayer, and I believe he was the best. This was, of course, in a time when entertainers were not vilified for, or afraid of, such things. I’m sharing with you today a YouTube clip of Perry singing the Our Father from one of his shows that aired in 1957! Please, find a quiet place, close your eyes and listen. It will bring you to tears, and hopefully, closer to Your Father.

God Bless.

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Jeanne Penoyar, an Accounts Manager here at Diocesan, is currently a Lector at St. Anthony of Padua parish in Grand Rapids, MI. While at St. Thomas the Apostle, Grand Rapids, Jeanne was a Lector, Cantor, Coordinator of Special Liturgies, Coordinator of lectors and, at one time, chair of the Liturgy Commission. In a past life, secretary/bookkeeper at the Basilica of St. Adalbert where she ran the RCIA program for the Steepletown parishes. And she loves to write! When relaxing, she likes reading and word puzzles. You can contact her at jpenoyar@diocesan.com.

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One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic

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As a part of Tom (mi esposo)’s discernment and formation for the diaconate, we have taken several classes on the Creed. So, when this last class came to the marks of the Church, I thought, “I’ve got this. I’ve taught this in CCD. I have them memorized. Bring it on.”

Then in “The Creed” by Berard L. Mathaler I read:

“The marks of the Church are first of all gifts, but they need to be cultivated and nurtured. On the day of Pentecost, before it even moved outside of the gates of Jerusalem, the Church was ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC and APOSTOLIC, (emphasis is his), and much as a newborn is every inch a human being even before it begins to grow and develop its innate gifts. It is the Christian’s task to make the marks visible and recognizable.”

Wait? What?

In all of my years of professing the Creed, I always took this as a descriptor, not a responsibility. As God draws our own hearts’ back to himself this Lent, this puts an entirely new spin on my Lenten practices. Today’s readings spell out exactly how this is to look in practice in my life.

In order to make the marks of the Church visible to the world, to have them live in my whole heart and be manifested in my actions today, I need to not defraud or rob my neighbor, not only of their physical goods but of their inherent human dignity. I need to neither show partiality to the weak nor deference to the mighty; rather acknowledging each as a child of God, a brother or sister in Christ regardless of what they believe or do. I can’t spread slander among my kin nor stand idly by when my neighbor’s life is at stake. I might rush to help someone who is not physically safe, but do I stand by as others jeopardize their immortal lives? I can take no revenge nor bear a grudge against my fellow countrymen. That means all of my countrymen; the ones I agree with and the ones I don’t, the ones who were born here and the ones who came here in search of a better life. No revenge, I can’t talk them down, move against them or even bear a grudge towards them or even wish that I could.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that when we do all this, we do it for him and to him. He is present in each and every person we encounter, those we embrace and those from whom we turn away.

So whatever your Lenten practice this year, try to take it one step deeper, one step farther. If you are denying yourself some cherished thing, offer that sacrifice for the good of another. If you are seeking new practices, such as prayer or spiritual reading, reach out to someone else and invite them to join you. If you can’t give money as alms, give of yourself.

As we take this Lent to turn back to God with our whole heart, may our Lenten practices, guided by today’s readings help us to live up to our call to be a sign of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church in an aching and divided world.

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If you catch Sheryl sitting still, you are most likely to find her nose stuck in a book. It may be studying with her husband, Tom as he goes through Diaconate Formation, trying to stay one step ahead of her 5th and 6th-grade students at St Rose of Lima Catholic School or preparing for the teens she serves as Director of Youth Evangelization and Outreach in her parish collaborative. You can reach her through her through www.youthministrynacc.com.