His Presence

Oh – I have spent the past six Mondays “Awakening my Faith” with the most incredible group of people! As our time came to a close last evening, we listened to “The Eyes and Hands of Christ” by Tom Kendzia, and I commented how much they have been Christ’s presence to me over these past six weeks.  Being with others who share my love of Jesus Christ and hearing how they live out their baptismal promises was truly inspiring to me.  It got me thinking about how each of us make Christ present in the world through our acts of kindness and love toward each other.  This inspired me to write a little note to someone who has made Christ’s presence known to me. 

I often talk about “God’s time” and “little pockets of grace.”  After writing my note, I opened my email to find my daily 3 Minute Retreat from Loyola Press.  Alas – the topic of reflection this day is “We Are Christ’s Presence!”  God is always watching out for me!  I want to share with you part of the retreat reflection and I encourage you to visit Loyola Press.com to experience the 3 Minute Retreat (You can use the direct link provided on the News/Events Page of the St. William Champion website- http://www.stwilliamchampion.org/news-events.html)

These words affirm my experience of Christ and His Church.  I not only find myself describing our Holy Mass in much these same words, I find that I need to be broken open in order to make room for Christ to enter here!  I find myself being poured out as I struggle with being “the Body of Christ.”  This indeed is not easy work; no, it “is not passive.” As we enter into the Holy Triduum I am reminded how the physical body of Christ endured so much for me!  I am reminded how his hands took nails for me.  Knowing that makes it possible for me to reach my hand out to others.

I pray that you take time to celebrate these three holy days and remember that Christ has no body now but yours!

Shalom,

Tina

Sealed with The Spirit

On February 28 our youngest son was sealed by the spirit along with nine others young men and women of the church from St. William and young men and women of the church from St. Mary, Warren; St. Joseph, Mantua; St. Brendan, Youngstown; Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Lowellville and St. Edward, Youngstown.

 

Nathan McCue affirming his faith
with his sponsor and Bishop Murray
2/28/16 at St. Columba Cathedral

As a sponsor for one of our young ladies, I was lucky enough to have a front row seat which enabled me to witness everyone one of these young men and women being sealed with the spirit.  It was a beautiful gift to be able to witness Bishop Murry signing their foreheads and shaking their hands to congratulate them for making this commitment to their faith.  As I watched each of these members of the young church approach the Bishop I could not help but wonder what God has in store for them as we sung out “Veni Sacte Spiritus” . . .Come Holy Spirit!  I can’t wait to see how they will continue to grow in faith and learn to become adult members of the church.

Now, I know I have shared with you before how I love the rituals of the Catholic Church!  The sights and sounds and smell!  I have to admit that I kind of freaked my son out a little bit because I kept smelling his forehead.  Even as I write these words I tear up and am covered with a chill that can only be the presence of the spirit with me!  This reminds me how we humans need tangible signs of God’s presence in our lives.  There is something about the smell of the chrism oil that brings me a sense of complete peace.  When I ponder that Christ himself was anointed with sacred oil I feel such a connection to him.  I am reminded that he loved me so much he became one of us.

The day after Confirmation, our Awakening Faith group gathered to explore the question, “Do I Really Need the Spirit?”  Oh – God’s timing that this session would fall the day after my sweet son was confirmed as: Nathan Charles Wolfgang!  Do I need the Spirit . . . A resounding YES!  One of the questions was “what powers you the most?”  Well, besides coffee, the first thing that came to my mind was the gift of working with the young church.  I am filled with wonder and awe as I watch young men and women come into ownership of their faith.  

This feeling was further affirmed for me yesterday as I listened to three previously confirmed young adults of St. William address the newly confirmed.  They shared what their faith has come to mean to them and how serving the church has brought them closer to God and brings them such joy in knowing that by answering God’s call, they are giving thanks to Him for the many gifts they have received.  

To quote Chandler,

     “God knows and loves us always, even when we do something wrong or let him down.  We are constantly showered in unconditional love.  Being involved in ministry makes me feel like I’m giving back for that love. We are all imperfect human beings, but we are also strong-willed and capable.  If we honor God for the sake of honoring him, we have already received every reward that matters in this life.  So I encourage you, give it a shot. Try anything, even if it’s just singing a little louder at Church on Sunday (and believe me, I’d appreciate that, too) or helping clean up the Church after a holiday.  Give a little back to the guy who gave us all.

     I hope that in my brief talk, you found something to relate to and take with you as you start your journey in the Church as adults.  I wish all of you the best of luck, love, and happiness.”

Thank you Olivia, Noah and Chandler for showing us the face of Christ!

May each of us be inspired by the challenge to “just give it a shot” and awaken our faith to serve our good and merciful God!

Shalom,

Tina

Broken

Have you ever felt broken in life or spread so thin that you don’t really know where you belong?  These feelings have been overwhelming me a little bit lately as I struggle with balancing full time work and family life.  As I type this, it kind of makes me feel a little bit ashamed because I have been so blessed throughout my life.  When I think of single mothers who work full time and struggle to put food on the table, I feel like a whimpering child and pray that God gives me the strength to snap out of it!!

When I take an honest look at the course of my life, I see a clear pattern of always trying to find balance between my desire to do for others and my desire to care for my own family.  I love my husband and children fiercely but if I am to be completely honest with myself, I realize that I put them on the back burner most of the time.  This fills me with such shame.  During this season of lent, it is this sin that I lay at the foot of the cross.

Lent is a time to search inward and see what patterns in our life draw us away from God.  This is a struggle for me because while I feel I serve God by serving others, I am equally neglecting those whom should come first in my life.  While one draws me toward God, the other pulls me away from God.  Have you ever felt this pull?  Please pray for me as I come to terms with patterns of selfishness and pride which put my need for serving others before serving my husband and children.  Today is my daughter’s 17^th birthday and I have filled it working in the morning, traveling to Cleveland to be with Brian and working in the evening.  I have heard it said that the best gift we can give someone is the gift of our presence.  While I prepared her birthday meal yesterday, today, I could not give her the smallest gift my presence.

You know, one song that keeps coming on the radio that I really need to hear is “Broken Together.”  It speaks of how while we are not perfect, the only way to get through life is being “broken together.”  It helps me cling on to hope that my family will love me in my brokenness – that they will know my love for them even when I am too busy to be present to them.  God I hope they know my love for them!

I pray that “God will help our broken hearts align.”

I pray that whatever pain you may be going through, that “healing may be spoken.”

Shalom,

Tina

He’s Alive

Easter Sunday – my favorite day of the year – hands down.  The celebration for me begins at the Easter Vigil.  A few weeks ago, I saw Gary bringing in a large narrow box, and I wanted to shout, “The new Easter candle is here, the new Easter candle is here.”  I am filled with anticipation to see what Father Balash has chosen for us this year. 

 

I love how we begin outside with a new flame and then that flame is shared and breaks through the darkness as our candles are lit.  This to me is a beautiful, visual reminder that we each carry the light of Christ within us.  It is a light that shines brightest when it is shared with others.

I have always felt a connection with Mary Magdalene.  For me, she represents the epitome of pure Christian love.  I often hold in my mind the image of her going to the tomb to anoint the body of her friend, and upon arrival find the stone rolled away.  I imagine her dropping the holy oil and spices and running to see if someone has harmed his body.  She arrives in the tomb, only to find the shroud.  I imagine her picking it up and holding it tight to her chest in tears and confusion.  Where is her Jesus?  Suddenly He appears and she wants to touch him but he keeps her at a distance, and so she runs filled with joy and wonder to spread the good news HE IS ALIVE!

The image of the empty tomb came to life for me nine years ago when my sweet Grandmother died.  My grandparents have one of those large above the ground tombs.  As we were leaving the cemetery, mom wanted to pass by the tomb.  As we approached, I could see that Grandma’s stone was sitting to the side so that her earthly remains could be encased in the tomb.  My first instinct was to look inside because I wanted to see my Grandfather’s casket – I don’t know why – that little five year old girl just longed to see her grandpa.  Then I snapped back to reality and it hit me – the tomb is empty.  I know that empty space was waiting to receive Grandma but all I could think of was the TOMB IS EMPTY – she is alive and is rejoicing with the Holy One! 

“He’s alive and I’m forgiven, heaven’s gates are opened wide.”  Rejoice my friends; share your light of Christ with others; spread the Good News!

Shalom,

Tina

Operation Rice Bowl

From the Heart . . .

Every year we religiously take home the CRS Rice Bowl at the beginning of lent.  When our children were young, we were pretty consistent in praying for highlighted family of the week.  Every year I would begin lent with the intention of making the weekly recipe.  We would throw our spare change in throughout the 40 days, and if we found that we weren’t too generous with our spare change, we would put a $5 or $10 in the rice bowl before turning in our rice bowl on Holy Thursday.  Does this sound familiar to you?

As our children grew and our gathering around our dinner table declined, we have gotten out of the practice of using the rice bowl as a form of prayer during the Lenten season.  Inspired by the 40^th anniversary of Operation Rice Bowl, I am trying to get back into the practice of truly using the rice bowl to help me, and my family, practice the three pillars of lent ~ prayer ~ fasting ~ giving.

I love the daily reflections and the suggestion of the sacrificial giving for the day.  I especially liked the suggestion of putting $1.00 in the rice bowl for every chair at your dining room table.  This really hit a heartstring for me because the dining room table is the heart of our home, even if we aren’t gathering for a meal.  As I put that $6.00 in the rice bowl, I realized that each dollar doesn’t represent the chair, it represents my child who is able to comfortably sit and never have to worry about being hungry.  Perhaps that dollar will bring comfort to another mother somewhere in the world who struggles daily just to feed her child, let alone provide shelter and comfort. 

With the help of CRS Global Kitchen, we have made two of the recipes and have found them to be quite delicious.  Perhaps since two of our children have served our global community, I am more aware of global solidarity than I ever was before.  Looking for a way to celebrate Lent? 

Prayer:  Pray the Rice Bowl Prayer and read the message for the day

Fasting:  Prepare the suggested dish ~ or eat simply at least one night of the week

Giving:  Be intentional with your sacrificial giving

#4Lent4Life  #prayfastgive #40yearsofserving

Shalom,

Tina