One Of The Most Beautiful Privileges Of My Life

One Of The Most Beautiful Privileges Of My Life I woke up today, Sunday morning, feeling easy and cheerful. I enjoyed a quiet morning before attending church wondering how my day would play out. I really didn’t have any high expectations of anything extra ordinary because I had not planned anything outside of catch up, errand running, reading and the like. Lesson #1 - Count only on God for extraordinary! I was now spiritually awake. Sunday Mass was concluding and Monsignor addressed the congregation one last time before the final blessing. However, his news was not about supporting a pancake breakfast or attending a retreat, it was about the grave illness of one of the church’s most senior members. It was then, at that moment, I knew what activities I would be foregoing today and what extraordinary event would take place. Just hours later, at 3pm, I found myself with a rosary in hand sitting at the bedside of a gravely ill priest waiting for his final moment of mercy, the hour at which he would meet his creator. Fr. Donald Ponthoff has lived 90 years on earth and has given 63 years of them to the Catholic Church as a priest. My history with Rev. Donald Potthoff, Pastor Emeritus (retired priest), has simply been a hand shake at the end of mass as I passed him sitting in a wheel chair in the back row of the pews. There was another occasion just this past year in the church rectory, where I sang to him the “happy birthday song.” Age and illness has slowed him down, however just days ago, he had trouble breathing and he was rushed to the emergency room and was diagnosed with cancer and placed in hospice. Ironically, just before walking into the St. Jude’s Hospital I read a letter addressed to Monsignor that he shared with the congregation today. The Most Reverend Jose H Gomez wrote in part, “As priests, we are called to walk with our people – from the time they are born until the time of their death. From their Baptism until their Annointing and final preparation for the journey to everlasting life. This is one of the beautiful privileges that we have as priests of Jesus Christ. Through our pastoral ministry we provide comfort to the dying and consolation to the loved ones they leave behind.” He closed his letter, “Please know that you and your ministry are in my prayers every day, and I would be grateful for your prayers for my ministry. I entrust you to the Blessed Virgin Mary. May she help us in all our pastoral efforts to prepare people for the hour of their death and their passing over to their heavenly homeland.” I walked into Fr. Potthoff’s hospice room and I saw a man who’s body was now tired, listless, ridden with cancer, and he struggled for his next breath. I was moved to tears as I thanked him for his ministry on behalf of all people whose lives he touched. For those who found comfort through his intercession as they sought forgiveness and reconciliation with the Lord. For those who celebrated baptism, confirmation, and marriage. And finally for those he consoled through prayer in times of illness, despair and death. As I prayed the Divine Mercy Prayer with him and for him, I saw a hint of extra ordinary life. His lower lip worked fervently to recite the familiar holy rosary and his hand gently clentched mine. I believed and felt that the Holy Spirit was there with us and I immediately felt comforted at that intense solemn and sacred moment. Lesson #2 - Holy and sacred moments show themselves in quiet prayer-filled times. Before I left I asked him if I could take a picture of our hands so that it could be another reminder that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, called to imitate Jesus with acts of love. As I prepared to leave, just like a veneration, there was another parishioner walking in and another in the parking lot who would follow. Also present was a caretaker who was stationed at his side so that he would not be alone. I realized that there are many who give of themselves in many ways, in many circumstances, whether it be in person, in thought and in prayer. Lesson #3 - people are actively caring and doing even when we don't see it. We all possess a holy spirit inside of us. Follow it when it touches your heart. Choose to be a doer with the gift of your time, a giver with money, a surrenderer in forgiveness, a donor in compassion, a provider of hope, and a bestower of love. Together, let us be inspired every day to do selfless things (our ministry), in Jesus’ name. (Lessons never cease) Today has been one of the most beautiful privileges of my life. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now at the hour of our death. Amen. My prayer and blessing today – Rev. Donald Potthoff, Pastor Emeritus – May God grant you great mercy now and at the hour of your death. Amen.

There's So Much To Look Forward To In Heaven

There’s So Much To Look Forward To In Heaven On my commute this morning I was engaged in singing a duet with Michael Buble AgAiN! When I arrived at my destination I was so pumped up, happy endorphins jumped ecstatically in my body and I looked up and asked like a little girl, “Dear Lord, can you make that happen for me?” Minutes later, I read a little snippet of scripture that said in part, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Then I thought, “Yes!#%&*!!!! If not in this life, then the next! I won’t give up now because all things are possible with God. However, the icing on the cake is that there’s so much to look forward to in heaven!

SOMETHING BORROWED: Wear Your Expression Well

SOMETHING BORROWED - WEAR YOUR EXPRESSION WELL Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. Jane Lane We can place much attention into what we wear. We can feel bright in spirit when we wear vibrant clothing and filled with more self esteem when our clothes are properly fitted or new. But what happens when we haven’t done our laundry and dig into the closet and reach for something that is ill-fitted, too worn or tacky. It’s important to feel at peace within our selves, confident about who we are, self-assured about where we are going, happy about our aura when we walk into a room and attentive to what we project to others. A garment of clothing should not change who we are much less determine what we show on our face. “Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

You Are Special, A Gift And A Masterpiece

You Are Special, A Gift And A Masterpiece It has often been said of a child and a parent, who have perhaps united for the first time, “You could not deny that child. He looks like you and has your mannerisms.” It’s incredible how we can be like each other but never have spent much or any time together. We are all created by one God. We are like each other in that we possess a spirit that connects us to God although we are each separate and unique because of our special gifts. God created His Son Jesus from His spiritual image and in our human image so that we could more intimately relate to and know Him. Today, seek to connect your human self with your spiritual soul, reaching deep below the surface and into that special place in your spirit where God lives and waits for you. You are special, a gift and a masterpiece, put here to enhance the world. Your special purpose is to leave a holy legacy. Make it your spiritual vocation on earth to create a life that reveals a desirable and righteous existence, laced with many layers of labors of love that will live on long after you are gone.

Enjoy This Glorious Easter Day!

Christ has ri-sen, all-lee-lu-jah. Christ has ri-sen, all-l-elu-jah. All-le-lu-jahhhhh, all-le-lu-jahhhhhhh! Easter is the celebration of the rising of Christ to heaven, which is the foundation of Christianity. We all can have a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. May the world celebrate this incredible miracle of God and may we grow in love, spirit and faith every day of our lives. Enjoy this Glorious Easter Day!

Good Friday What It Means For Me

Good Friday. Set an alarm for 2 times today; one for 12pm and one for 3pm. At 12 stop and pray to Jesus with a heart filled with thankfulness for what He endured for you. Be mindful during the next 3 hours over His agony. Imagine Him hanging from a cross, not uttering a single objection, enduring the most grievous humiliation and pain, while continually praying, “Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do.” At 3pm, when the alarm sounds, allow your heart to immerse itself into His pain and the giving up of His human spirit. Imagine Him experiencing all this believing in God’s glory, mercy and love. In order to fulfill the scripture He said, “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, He said, “It is finished.” His journey and miracles before people are complete. The end of his pain inflicted by the community is done. The final words for the end of the fulfillment of the scripture to this day have been spoken. His agony, pain and the carrying of His cross is over. Now, we wait hopefully and faithfully for His resurrection. On Easter Sunday let us celebrate our eternity together. Let us pray, “Thank you Lord, there is a place in heaven waiting for us.”