Wednesday, September 24, 2008

An encounter...



I thought I'd share with you that among those present at the 12 noon Mass at the Cathedral yesterday were 2 young men. They were seated together and seemed to be totally engrossed in listening to the readings for the day. What a wonderful, wonderful site to behold! With invitation to the priesthood in mind, of course, it became my goal to speak with them after Mass.


I said 'hello' to them as they were on their way out of the church. We found ourselves talking, just chatting, laughing, and soon, exchanging experiences of our journey, and very soon, sharing scripture passages that brought us to the present. I wanted to get a feel of who they were before popping up the question "Have you thought of becoming a priest?" When that was blurted out, one of them shared that someone did ask him if he wanted to become a priest. He trodded into that path by joining a group of brothers. Turns out it was there he discovered that it wasn't meant to be for him. But it was alright.


Our conversation and our connection were one of joy. These 2 young men were very happy that I welcomed them and that I took the time to get to know them. What a good reminder that was for me! Welcoming people IN the church could also mean welcoming them INTO the church! And most of all, it was a great reminder to never stop inviting young men to consider priesthood! :-)


God be praised!!!!







Monday, September 15, 2008

Help St. Mark Roman Catholic Church

St. Mark Roman Catholic Church



St. Mark Roman Catholic Church is located in Madison County,
one of the fastest-growing counties in Kentucky.
Our church is also a member of the Diocese of Lexington.
Read more about them...




Here was the email Fr. John Sichko sent me to post here on my blog
:

I would love for you to do some things about what I am doing here in my poor parish of Richmond, Ky.

I am sending you some press releases.

We believe that even though we are hugely in debt...by giving to others...in turn ...we will receive a thousand fold.

Father Jim Sichko
http://www.saintmarkcatholicchurch.net/




ST. MARK ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PRESENTS
“AN ENCORE PERFORMANCE: AN EVENING AMONG FRIENDS
FEATURING DOLLY PARTON”


SPECIAL SHOW TO BE HELD AT BROCK AUDITORIUM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 – 8:00 P.M.

RICHMOND, KY – As a result of the success of “An Evening Among Friends,” an exceptional series of fundraising events held by St. Mark Catholic Church, it was announced that an Encore Performance will be held Saturday, October 25, 2008, in Richmond’s Brock Auditorium. The special guest will be Dolly Parton, Grammy Award-winning country music singer/songwriter, composer, author, actress and philanthropist.

Tickets for this Encore Performance are available now at http://www.saintmarkcatholicchurch.net/, Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com. As with the incredible response to previous events, tickets are expected to sell out quickly.

Ms. Parton remains the most successful female country artist in history, having 25 number-one singles (a record for a female country artist) and 41 top-10 country albums. Known for her distinctive mountain soprano, Ms. Parton was a 2006 Kennedy Center honoree for her lifetime contribution to American culture and the performing arts.

“We’re thrilled to have Dolly Parton for this Encore Performance,” Reverend James W. Sichko said. “As with our previous events, this one will provide an opportunity for expanded fellowship with a community of people from all walks of life, faith and education.” Proceeds from this event will benefit St. Mark Catholic Church, Breast Cancer Awareness and the St. Anne Home for Mentally Challenged Women.

“An Evening with Friends” grew out of concept that St. Mark, as Church is called to improve the quality of life and to give back what it has received. The mission of St. Mark Church is to foster gospel values through Christian education and to promote the dignity of the person, family and community through worship, service and fellowship.

For more information, please contact
Rev. James W. Sichko, at (859) 623-2989.







Monday, September 8, 2008

Happy Birthday, Most Beautiful Mother!

From Steve Ray's blog




Dearest Mother Mary,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

We offer to your loving hands
all our priests today

May you be blessed by
their prayers and Holy Mass said...

May you be honored
by the love they have for your Son Jesus...

God be praised for you, dearest Mother Mary!