Christmas Blog - You're Amazing

Reflection authored by Vicki Wagner, Parishioner

We end this beautiful book with the Greatest Life Ever.

Jesus is before all things and in Him all things hold together like glue. He is the body, the beginning and the first born from the dead. Whether on earth or in heaven He is making peace by the blood of His cross.

I truly hope you had a chance to experience this amazing book and the power of prayer. God talks to us in so many ways. If we keep our hearts open to Him, our life will change for the better, forever.

God want us to be a example to the world. when you surrender your life to Him you will be given that new heart and life you have been looking for.

Someday we will all die and I want to see all of you in heaven with all of our loved ones that have gone before us. Take time out of everyday to spend fully with Jesus in prayer. Go to church and spend a hour in silence with Him. Ask him what lessons from this book he wants you to share with others.

Pass this book on to someone in your life that is looking for more out of life. My book will be going to my sister who is struggling right now. I love and care so much about her but I have not seen or communicated with her for over a year. She fights severe depression and anxiety and has crawled in a shell and shut all of her family out of her life. 

I ended up with two books for some reason God had a plan. The second book will go to our son that has fought that same depression, anxiety and loneliness. it was Jesus plan that I had two books to give. 

I close with sharing with all of you a experience I had at my second or third CEW. We had broke for lunch and after lunch I went back to our meeting space. No one but myself was in the room yet but Jesus and me. We had heard some phenomenal speakers and with each speaker a flag was brought in to our room with a message and placed up front. As I sat down at my table and looked up the flag directly in front of me said, "You need to be a example to the world". I knew Jesus was speaking directly to me and I knew what was a message He wanted me to carry to this world. Be a good example of what a true Christian should be. I try to do that with each person I meet. Try being a good Christian example to this world because "You're Amazing".

                                                                                                 God Bless,

Reflection from Mary Clarke, past Parishioner

Mary made this video for our Special Needs Ministry.

Reflection authored by Nancy Breitkruetz, Parishioner

Life throws lots of curve balls.  We have had a few.  Each new hurdle leaves us with a decision.  Do we despair and give up? Or do we look to God for assurance that better days are coming. At age 40, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  My mother had died from this disease when I was 27. I had done everything possible to avoid it, I thought.  This was a chance to be angry-- which I was, a time to scream, “Why me?” --which I did, but also an opportunity to say, “I am going to expect the best and beat this”.  With lots of excellent medical treatment, lots of help from family and friends, and lots of prayer the best happened.  For 28 years, I was cancer free.  Then, in July 2019, my routine mammogram was “iffy”. It was suggested I wait 6 months and redo the mammogram.  God whispered to me, “Get a second opinion”. My second opinion offered a biopsy to relieve my concerns.  I endured a couple of sleepless nights asking that this “cup could pass me by”. It was confirmed. I had a different cancer in the other breast. I was in shock. Me, again??? I was tearful as I told my family the diagnosis, and that this time I was choosing double mastectomy, not another lumpectomy. To me, this was a better chance that I might miss the third strike. Expecting the best. 

Again, with lots of excellent medical treatment, lots of help from family and friends, and lots of prayer; the best happened. My surgery was a success. I am being watched closely by my wonderful medical team. At this time, I am a two-time cancer survivor! I am very blessed!  I look forward, expecting the best. I know that God has a plan for me.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Questions to ponder:

1.      Have you had an experience where you chose to expect the best?

2.      How do you support others to expect the best in difficult situations?

3.      How does God have a plan for you?

Reflection authored by Barb Bennett, Parishioner and Spiritual Director

The author focused on John 3:16 For God so loved the world.  He shared the story of his son’s birth and how incredible it was to know God’s love through that experience.  As a parent and grandparent I could relate to the amazement of bringing a child into the world and recognizing the miracle that you hold in your arms. 

I could go in so many different directions as I pondered God’s love and mercy, but I will continue his theme of birth.  How easy it is to love that sweet infant, but how challenging it can be to love them through the terrible twos and beyond. There are no guarantees for us as parents. All of our littles don’t turn out perfectly formed and responsible adults and yet, we too, continue to love them.  Sometimes we think if we love them more or harder we will all get past the disappointments and difficulties.

What an amazing God we have that teaches us how to love. That allows us to exercise our free will and loves us through our mistakes, our sinfulness, our turning away from that greatest of gifts. God loves us and leaves us free to choose. Choose God. Choose Life.  Can we do any less for our children, give them the freedom to choose, to find their way?

Stories of birth always remind me of the day my first Granddaughter was born.  I had just lost my job and was warned of the difficulty I might experience on the first day of unemployment. It turned out to be a miraculous day.  I held that sweet baby in my arms and fell deeply in love.  The kind of love that knew I would love her forever, but even more I was blown away by the love I felt from a God who blessed me with the greatest gift I could receive on that first day of unemployment. I was exactly where I was meant to be on that specific day. I too was loved.

I am not a Divine parent or Grandparent. I am oh so human, but through all the difficulties of our lives I choose God and I choose Life and the greatest grace of all is that God keeps choosing me too.

Reflection authored by Bev Whitlatch, Parishioner

Well, here I am again. Joyce chose this second chapter for me to blog about and it is out of my box again. I tried to change chapters with my husband Dwight, but he said there is a reason this chapter was chosen for me. OK I concede.

I can honestly say I do not pick up the Bible daily and read it. When I was a child, I went to Annunciation Catholic school in Coon Rapids from 1st through 6th grade and do not remember the nuns reading from the Bible. Those days we were reading from the Baltimore Catechism “Who made me? God made me”. And so forth. Simple questions with simple answers.

As a family growing up, we never read out of the Bible. I am not sure I ever even saw a Bible in our home. We went to Sunday Mass, but God and prayer was not referred to much in my home growing up.

We moved to a farm when I was going into 7th grade through graduation and we lived 10 miles out in the country. I do remember mom teaching CCD and being involved with Women’s groups at St. Mary’s in Guthrie Center. At that time though, I was more interested in trying to be a good student and making friends.

When going to Mass, I don’t remember when I realized that the readings were The Word of God taken from the Bible. I thought they were just stories made up about Jesus by different men.

After graduating I moved to Des Moines and started working for Bell Telephone. I did try to make it to Mass on Sundays depending on how hard I partied on Saturday night but reading the Bible was never a thought. I don’t think I even had one then.

Then I met and married Dwight and we joined OLIH. It is then that I became more aware of church and all it represents. I believe going to Marriage Encounter, with Dwight, helped me open my heart and mind to what God wants for me as a wife, mother, and women of God. I realized that in the Bible is where I can find answers through his life and story if I would just take the time to read it and relate it to my life. CEW helped me find my personal relationship with God and by reading HIS story would help me find my personal life story too.

Over the years there are many ways I have become aware that the Bible is the Word of God. Going to the Bible Timeline through church and helping Dwight facilitate the shorter version of it helped me to realize that it is not just little stories made up by different men but a story of God and of my faith.

Other resources that help is I have The Catholic Women’s Devotional Bible that helps me interpret the readings into my daily life as a woman. Also Give us This Day daily prayer book has the daily Mass readings and at the end of each Mass there is a reflection that also helps me put it into my daily life.

The greatest thing I can say that helped me to realize that the Bible is the REAL word and life of God was going to the Holy Land in January 2020. Now when I hear the Bible readings, I can actually put myself there with him.

So even though I can say I do not give myself a DAILY DOSE OF THE BIBLE, I can say that the Bible stories are very much a part of my daily life. After doing this blog I will try to make it a priority of OPEN THE BIBLE and read it.

Reflection authored by Jean Black, Parishioner

So many words in this chapter spoke to me.  First, that Jesus was people focused.  So – If we say we love God, but we forget about the people around us, then do we really love him?  “If anyone says, ‘I love God’, but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.  This is the commandment we have for him: whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 John 4:20-21)

I have to remind myself daily of the love given me and the love I am called to give.  Some days I fail, but I have to keep trying.  There are so many daily interactions that I am given and if I am not aware of the needs of others, I fail to meet these opportunities to show love.  It’s as easy (or difficult) as remembering to greet each day with thoughts of love – love for myself, for those closet to me (friends and family) and those I meet.  I can make the choice daily to love or not. 

I was recently presented with an opportunity to watch for needs outside those close to me.  Last fall, when I was taking my daily walk, I saw a $5.00 bill blowing in the wind toward the pond water.  It stopped close to me.  I picked it up and put it in my pocket.  When I got home, I put it on the counter thinking I could donate it later.  Later, I picked it up and realized it was a $50.00 bill not a $5.00 bill, I vowed to make sure it was to be used wisely in remembrance of the person that had lost it.  For months, even over Christmas, I waited and watched for the right moment to make a difference and show love to someone.  Nothing presented an opportunity to share it.  Last week, one morning before 9:00 am I was waiting in my car for a store to open, when I saw a lady who appeared to be homeless go to an outside trash can.  She was going through some of the trash, took an object out and ate it.  I didn’t have my $50.00 with me.  I had only brought my credit card and $10.00 with me.  I took the $10.00, walked over to her and gave it to her, told her to have a good day.  She thanked me exclaiming “God Bless You” over and over as I walked away.  The love she shared with her heartfelt words for me reminded me how much we are all loved.  I have thought of her and prayed for her every day since.  She moved me to remember to love and give thanks for the small as well as large encounters I have in my life.  Sometimes it’s hard not to judge other, but that’s not for me to do.  I’m sure she used the money well, but again, that was not for me to judge.  I felt bad that I didn’t have more with me to give, but I feel that was what I was meant to do.

Every day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I will try to focus on the new day, the love God has given me, and the HAPPY memories I’ve stored from those who have loved me and for Jesus’ love for me.

I recently read:

“Happiness is like a bank account:  You withdraw from it, what you deposit.”  Just in the same way Jesus loves me and asks me to love others.  Every day I can make a choice to be HAPPY or NOT. 

So remember to:

1. Free your heart from hate/discord

2. Free your mind from worries

3. Live simply

4. Give more

5. Take less

And most of all LOVE!!

Reflection authored by Fr Michael Amadeo, Pastor OLIH

In the first weeks of arriving at the parish, a parishioner asked me a question he frequently inquires of many individuals:  What is your passion?   The question astounded me for one is rarely voiced in an initial introduction and I had not given serious reflection to it for a number of years.

In exploring the answer to the question, I first needed to acknowledge the gifts and talents in which I was blessed. Furthermore, I needed to ask myself if I was using the gifts and talents for my own selfish desires or for the good of others.  

A friend of mine is passionate about pottery and over the years I have seen many of her exquisite creations.  She finds great serenity in her studio working with clay at any stage: shaping, decorating, or firing it.  The time in her studio is sacred for her.  In that holy dwelling she encounters the Divine, she hears the voice of God gently and faithfully speaking to her.   

Making works of art is my friend’s passion, one that brings her happiness.  Such a state is deepened when she shares her handiwork with others.  Creating in her studio gives my friend life, and also provides joy to others as she frequently gifts her work to others. 

What is your passion?  An important question that is worthy of time spent in contemplation.

Each one of us has interests and desires, talents and gifts.  The specific passions in which we have been blessed are to give God glory.  Subsequently in sharing our passion it brings delight and happiness to others.

What is my passion? The question still causes me to pause and enter into serious reflection. Through the prayerfulness of the upcoming season of Lent may each of us articulate our passions, and in doing so bring joy into the life of another.

Reflection authored by Jeannie Burlingame, Parishioner

I need to be honest. I thought the title of this chapter was ENTHUSIASM FOR GOD… No doubt a Holy Spirit, God moment. But- in my book, if we have ENTHUSIASM FOR GOD… we will have Enthusiasm for what is good. Am I right?

Going back to 1982- was the first time I experienced the Holy Spirit Tingles “my sign of the Holy Spirit Prompting me” . It is the best feeling in the world and bears much fruit if you listen and put this faith into action.

I was in deep conversation with a friend about God. I was only 21 and she was 40 so she knew a lot more about her faith than I did.  I remember telling her what she said,  sent “tingles down my back.”  She told me,  that’s the Holy Spirit, it’s TRUTH… It was in that year that I began attending daily mass. Fast forward 17 years to 1999 at the OLIH- CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT- CEW  retreat, my Enthusiasm for God, was rekindled, the flames were fanned and I was ON FIRE!

Add then on top of that, being blessed, an anointing in 2005 – I believe it was the gift of evangelization. Since that time, it seems to be impossible for me to have a conversation with anyone, that I don’t bring God into the conversation.

My Enthusiasm and love of my God has spilled over onto my sweet 3 year old granddaughter Nora. She is on fire for the Lord too. She and I have our rituals when she spends the night with me. Starting when Nora was about 18 months old,  I’d take the Hook picture (CEW Jesus picture) off her bedroom wall at bed time and she would kiss him good night and I would tell her about how much he loved her. Now that she is older I have it where she can get to it herself. A few weeks ago, while we were watching Mass virtually, the Spiritual Communion Prayer was on the screen. She saw the stained glass, picture of Jesus, and yelled Jesus and ran and got the Hook picture, she  hugged it and said, “He Loves me so much- cause He is in my heart”. Now that’s ENTHUSIASM for what is good. She loves Ma-Ma Mary and St. Joseph in the same exuberant way!

Last weekend during night time prayer, she recited the Our Father prayer  all by herself (good job Mom & Dad). Remember, she won’t be 3 until the 21st of this month.  But it happened through study and prayer on her part, with the help of your Mom and Dad.

Nothing gets by Nora at church either, she has always been so intrigued and engaged, when they carry in the cross at the start of Mass. She’d announce- “there’s the cross.”

Last week after Father did the opening blessing,  she said “where is the cross ?” I had to admit, I didn’t know. Where do they put it during mass? I really never paid too much attention. I am too focused on Father doing the opening prayer. Even after I scanned the church, I didn’t see it. Believe me when I tell you - I was sure to pay attention during the closing blessing to see where they went to retrieved the cross.

Nora is now saying, “I can do that when I get big” (carry the cross). Because she loves it so much, I gave her a cross, that she now takes to Mass, so she can hold up “her cross”  during the procession in & out of the church.  

At the time of consecration, I focus Nora’s attention on Father (I’ve done this since she was about 2), it started as a way to keep her “entertained”  distracted, but it has developed into so much more….

I ‘d point and say “watch”, “watch” . Now that she is older, I’ve been  saying, “watch, watch” then tell her what he is doing, changing the Bread into Jesus Body, and the wine into His Blood.

We now have taken it a step farther, and we watch the adults receive his body and blood, the kids get their blessing. She already knows when she turns 7, she gets to receive Jesus’s Body and Blood. Once when we were talking about her First Holy Communion, during virtual mass at home, she ever so excitedly announced - when I do “I’ll share it will all you-guys! I’ll never forget her little voice. It warmed  my heart. I thought WOW- out of the mouths of babes, right? But, even more than that, I really felt like it was God talking to us, reminding us what we are called to do.

A couple of weeks ago (Father had already consecrated the bread into the Body) so I was telling her “watch, watch Father is changing the wine into”… she shouted “THE BLOOD”  then pointed at her arm (she gets blood drawn every three months so she really does understands what blood is).

Christ tells us to be foolish, by stepping out of our comfort zone. Well here it is- my little story of me stepping out of my comfort zone.

You might say the way I praise and celebrate God, in Mass now – is me having stepped out of my comfort zone. Do I look foolish? If I do I don’t care!

I gaze up, close  my eyes, sway back and forth and extend my hands up toward Him, did I always do this? No. I really don’t even know when it all started, but I can tell you, it happened over time and it I was put on my heart and because I do, I feel so close to God during Mass. Where the discomfort came in is now that the church is less full, and now that I always sit in the first or second row so can Nora can see the altar, and  because both sides of our church face each other, the whole other side of the church can see, but hopefully they are looking at Father, or have their eyes closed too. My point is, was I going to “sell out for God”?  Was I not going to do what I loved doing for God, because of what people might think? Well, if you‘ve seen me in church lately, you know the answer-NO…

I can’t tell you how or why, other than the Holy Spirit brought the idea to me, to beat my breast, bow my head and thank God for giving us HIS ONLY begotten Son. I thank Jesus, for pouring out his blood to open the gates of heaven to us for all eternity. I thank Mary, Joseph, St. Anne and Joachim for their YES for the consecration of each species. If you have not seen The Veil Removed, look for it on YouTube.  Since attending the event, now during the consecration, I  visualize in my mind, the Jesus crucified on the cross above the altar, the blood dripping from the crucifix into the chalice as shown in the Veil Removed. The Veil removed brought to life for me what we are told, that during this time at  Mass, the Angels and Saints (and out  faithfully departed family and friends) in heaven join us at the Mass. Fr. John Ricardo says, we step into Gods presence for one moment when the priest elevates the host. (it becomes a 2 way mirror). He also reminds us the Mass is heaven here on earth.

Enthusiasm spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment. Jesus died for us, he poured out everything he had for us, he was wrung out of every drop of fluid from his body…

Doesn’t God deserve better than mediocrity from us? Are you Enthusiastic in your Love for Christ?

The things that feed my enthusiasm and relationship with God are  book studies, Catholic Radio, U-Tube videos, Pod-Casts, EWTN, and OLIH Faith Formation offerings like this, just to name a few.

God Bless,

Jeannie

Reflection authored by Nancy Breitkreutz, Parishioner

Gratefulness to me is all about recognizing all of our blessings.  God has given us so much! How can we not be full of thanksgiving? It is hard to imagine the size of His love for us.

This chapter on gratitude has helped me to reflect on people and experiences that I cherish.  As I did this, I realized LOVE is the center of all my gratefulness.  Our family fills my heart and soul with love. The many memories we have made together over the years sustain me, especially during this pandemic.  Our fabulous friends have been a wonderful support system through joys and sorrows. Our church faith community is a beacon of hope and joy. We are blessed!

G-Gratefulness is choosing joy, even in times of stress, loss and disappointment.

R-Recognizing the God moments

A-Always aware of your blessings

T-Taking time for prayer

E-Ever faithful to our God

F-Forgiving others and yourself

U-Understanding all we go through, prepares us for what is ahead

L-Life is a gift. Use it wisely.

N-New challenges lead to new ways to be grateful

E-Ever striving to serve others

S-Staying hopeful

S-Savoring the beauty all around us!

May we be open to joy and experience gratefulness each day!

Questions to ponder:

1.      What fills you with gratitude?

2.      How do you find the good in the hard to accept?

3.      Where do you go for support when you are struggling to be grateful?

Reflection authored by Dwight Whitlatch, Parishioner

One of the benefits of being an older adult is that we have a chance to look back on our life to see the crooked road we have traveled along with a lot of the detours and dead ends.  And there were a great number of U-turns as well.  Always struggling to find my own path, I have finally realized that God has a much better plan for my life than I ever could come up with. 

Now that is not to say that I see clearly what God’s plan is for me in the future or even the day.   I usually begin my day with a little news, coffee and breakfast with some prayer time or morning Mass.  Then sit in the office to plan my day as I see how it should play out.  The most peaceful days are the ones where I tell the Lord, this is the plans I have for the day, may I gratefully accept your plans should they be different.  Not doing this, I often feel anger and resentment for whatever upset my plans instead of being grateful and open to see just why the Lord’s plans were there for an opportunity to help or be a witness to someone.

Being a Vietnam Combat Vet, I feel so grateful for many things that we take for granted.  Gratefulness is so important to recognize that God wants us to use our time and talents for others.  Especially this time of the Covid restrictions, it is easy to think of all the negative things and then I realize that I appreciate the little things we have, a warm bed, clean water to drink, cold soda, plenty of food, comfort of a loving wife and family and so many other things.  I often think of the song I’m Alive by Kenny Chesney and the words ,  “Breathing In And Out It’s A Blessing Can’t You See.”

Let me take the opportunity to encourage you to use what you do have to be open to the Lord’s call to let your problems be an opportunity to reach out to others rather than being discouraged.  Pray to understand God’s plan for your life and let Him in to be a part of your day.   One of my favorite sayings is;

 “What Part Of Not Being In Charge Do You Not Understand”. 

Blessings,

Reflection authored by Jeannie Burlingame, Parishioner

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted-Matthew 23:12.

How many times, have your felt the Lord humble you? I know I have and I am grateful, when he does.  I’ve had times when I’ve seen someone do something or say something and I think, wow, I would never do or act like that, then sure enough-God sends a set of circumstances my way and I just know, he is revisiting that with me. That’s when I smile, look up and say to the Lord, ok, o.k. I got it . Thank you,  I’m sorry.  

I get a kick out of those times. Because of those times, I now do a “little bit” better job of being more aware and catching myself. It comforts me, and reinforces what I know –

He is always with me, just as he promised.

 and wants me to walk in His ways.

It is even in simple ways such as that- that we can BEAR FRUIT for the Lord, by being open and asking him to transform our hearts and lives, to make us more humble.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta said: Humility is the mother of all virtues. It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted and ardent…

Wow, that is profound. I Love that!  When I read that, my 3 year old granddaughter Nora, comes to my mind and the LOVE I have for her. It does make me feel REAL, DEVOTED and ARDENT (I feel passionate, committed, and dedicated to her). I would pour out my entire self if she needed me too. This is the love through humility that we need to take into the world.  John 3:30 He must increase; I must decrease. Let’s ask in prayer, that he provide us with opportunities- to decrease, that he might increase.

Everyone needs to be clear - Humility does not mean thinking poorly of oneself- God does not make junk!

God said Love thy neighbor as thy self. He did not say better or instead of yourself…

True humility is knowing who you are in the eyes of God. The greatest risk any of us will ever take –is to be seen as we truly are. Have Courage. God says we are his Beloved Sons and Daughters.

We need to REMEMBER that, always… Be Kind- for we are made in the image and likeness of God.

Humilities counterpart is magnanimity “greatness of spirit.”It’s about seeking greatness in one’s life - God calls us to this every day!

We will never be perfectly humble, but we must strive to be. Mary (the first follower of Christ) is the perfect example of Humility. We should ask her into our heart each and every day and ask her to take us into her sacred heart, to help her satiate her son’s thirst.

Psalm 145:18 “ The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  

Humility is Truth. We must live in the truth.

Call on him….

Reflection authored by Vicki Wagner, Parishioner

We go through life holding on to all of our hurts and angers instead of giving them to Jesus and letting go of them. Forgiving someone for a hurt they have caused you, makes you a better person. 

If a elderly man who is ready to die can forgive his father for something he has held on to in his heart for many years, we can also forgive. We all want to go to heaven when we die to live with Jesus through eternity.

The three minutes of power communicates the power of Jesus in a concise and compelling way. We need to give the people around us a reason for their hope. That Hope is only found in Jesus.

Jesus died on the cross for us to give us Hope. In heaven we will have the privilege of meeting all those who received their grace from the power of the cross.

As Christians we understand the power of the cross. The church pew we normally sit in at Mass each Sunday, is directly across from the cross that Jesus hangs on. Through out the Mass our eyes are always directed to the cross and the constant reminder of how much Jesus loves us that he died on the cross we we could be saved.

Through life many of us have been abused, abandoned by their Dads, discouraged or hurt by a best friend, bullied or maybe humiliated. There is so much suffering in the world today.

So many Christians including myself, wear a crucifix around our neck. A piece of jewelry to remind us of Jesus death on the cross. To some people that may feel what a sad necklace to wear, but it reflects the horrific death Jesus suffered. It reflects His selfless love He had for us. I wear my cross and bless Virgin Mary around my neck, always.

Share your three minutes by wearing a cross. Jesus remains at our side all the time. A daily rosary is what Pope Paul 11 said was his best prayer you could say. My daily rosary each day brings me many blessings. I thank God everyday for our health, family, home, friends and all our loved ones. 

We have all had a lot of challenges in our life. Losses, hurts, anxiety, and many other feelings, but if you give these over to Jesus, it relives your heart knowing Jesus will take these from you.

I have experienced Christ in my life, everyday. It might be small things but I know He listens.

Be grateful for everything Jesus gives you in life. share your gratefulness with others. It will make a difference in your life.

                                                                    God Bless

Reflection authored by Bev Whitlatch, Parishioner

When Joyce Clawson asked me to write a blog on a couple of the chapters in this book, I immediately told her “You know I have trouble writing down my thoughts and feelings.” I just go blank. I have many empty journals in my prayer room upstairs that my friends have given me. I have trouble putting into words what I am thinking or feeling and if I would write them down the fear that someone would find them and read them and the strong German woman I portray would be gone.

But who can say no to Joycie? So here I am. I told her she could chose the chapter and when I saw what she had chosen “LEAD LIKE JESUS” I thought you’ve got to be kidding me!

I don’t like to be in the LEAD position even though many times I have been PROMOTED to that position. I love to be the doer. Give me a task and I will GET-R-DUN. Many of my friends call me the GET-R-DUN girl.

So back to the blog. As I think about LEADING LIKE JESUS, I remember years ago I came up with a MANTRA I try to say first thing in the morning and throughout the day when I find things challenging. I started it like this.

            “Jesus, give me the strength the be the person you want me to be.”

After going to a few retreats there would be discussions about sitting in silence and meditating while repeating a mantra or word that would help you to focus on what God wants for you and what you can do for God.

I used that Mantra for many years and then suddenly I read an article or heard someone say there is a big difference between WANT and NEED.

I thought long and hard about that and the next time I wanted to buy something like a new pair of shoes or something for the house I asked myself do I just WANT that or is it really something I NEED.

Then it really struck me the next time I meditated on my Mantra. Does Jesus just WANT me to be that person or does he NEED me to be the person on earth to be like Him and give me the strength to be that person. I came to the conclusion that many times even though I don’t WANT to be that person, Jesus NEEDS me to be the one who steps up and say yes to LEAD LIKE HIM.

The next time you notice your neighbor or friend may need something or you are asked to be involved in helping with church or community ask yourself WHAT WOULD JESUS DO. Does JESUS NEED YOU to LEAD LIKE HIM?

Reflection authored by Jan Brown, Parishioner and local AMOS

I remember when I was doing my graduate work at Drake.  My professor required that we work in teams to complete an assignment.  I hated it!  I was accustomed to doing my own work and my grade was based on my individual effort.  Working on teams required me to get the “team” grade which was always lower (I thought) than if I had done the entire assignment on my own. 

When I complained my professor reminded me that in the real world, we would have to work with others in most circumstances. 

Later, I found this to be true.  I was responsible for organizing a legislative campaign for my state dental hygiene association.  The legislation we sought was to allow the hygiene profession to regulate itself rather than the dental profession.  It was not right that dentists were allowed to regulate our practice when they were also our employers, in most circumstances.  It was a very direct conflict of interest.  It involved enlisting the help of the dental hygienists throughout the state to speak with their individual legislators and explain the problem with the current system.  Of course the dental profession had a lot more money that we did to influence the legislative leaders.  Instead, the hygienists pooled small contributions from many people,  We also helped the legislators who were in support of our efforts to win in their districts.  We walked many towns and passed out campaign material.  We made phone calls for them.   And then, during the session, we appeared in mass at the Capital to remind our legislators of the importance of our request.

 I can’t tell you the joy I felt when a dental hygiene colleague shared the conversation she had with her legislator.  They were overjoyed because they felt they had made an impact.  They loved sharing their experience.  It was more joyful for me to hear their experience than if I had had the conversation myself. 

The legislators we helped didn’t forget how we helped them.  They passed the legislation to allow us to create our own dental hygiene committee that was responsible for our profession.  We couldn’t have had that impact without a team dedicated to making it happen. 

During the last 4 or 5 years, I have been a part of AMOS (a mid-Iowa organizing strategy.  We have an amazing team with many different abilities.  Our purpose is to listen to our community members and try to find ways to  improve the lives of families that live in our communities.   We have had several successes including two bills in the legislature to improve services for adults and children with mental illness.  We continue to work on funding these bills, so they can be implemented.

 OLIH AMOS created a lengthy needs assessment of Ankeny looking through the eyes of those who live in poverty.  We have used that assessment to make others more aware of the fact that Ankeny does have poverty and there are needs that should be addressed.  Due to that research, five other churches in Ankeny have joined our efforts.  All five churches were involved in addressing the city council regarding the sewage backups that occurred 2 years ago after a heavy rainfall.  This summer we have observed many public work projects being done to improve the sewage systems in the older parts of Ankeny.  This year, OLIH AMOS is working on racial equality and what we, as a church community, can do to improve the lives of those who are different than ourselves. 

The book “You’re Amazing” states “in order to develop a deeper relationship with God, we must build a team around us like Jesus did - which sometimes takes a lot of humility.  Being on a team shows us that it is not all about us; it’s about what we can do together.”  Jesus formed his team of 12.  “Am I on Jesus’s team?”

BONUS MATERIAL:

Watch for our Lenten offerings as we delve into racial equality! Want a jump start? Check out the US Bishops document Open Wide Our Hearts condensed version or full version

Reflection authored by Dwight Whitlatch, Parishioner

Being an electrician for well over 47 years it is easier to diagnose the problem, fix it, and move on to the next job unconscious to the other people who are also involved.  Just GET-R-Done

Perhaps the struggles of growing up in brokenness left me the feeling that I have dealt with enough problems, experience my own pain which makes it easier to focus on the tasks at hand rather than the people around me.  It was easier to not see you as an individual in the crowd rather like looking at a forest and not seeing a single tree. 

That was the old me.  Through my growth in faith from various sources such as Marriage Encounter, CEW, my time understanding scripture though courses such as the Bible Timeline and the Activated Disciple, and especially my time spent riding with Jeff Cavins and the God Squad, have learned more to focus on those around me more than a task at hand. 

The first year I rode with Jeff Cavins and after one his talks a lady approached me to talk.  I quickly introduced her to a priest who was also riding with us.  I tried to escape from the corner that I was in and listened as the priest prayed over her and gave her a blessing. The priest moved on and I think it was at that time, the Lord tapped me on the head and told me to listen to her as she once again turned to me.  For whatever reason, the Holy Spirit gave me the words to pray comfort for her and witnessed a transformation in her eyes.   The lesson for me, BE OPEN TO BE MY DISCIPLE.

I know that I am blessed especially during this pandemic to meet people in their homes to not only to take care of electrical issues, but to also listen and give words of encouragement and yes to even pray for them.   Not always perfect at it and sometimes my head is filled with what parts do I need or how will I fix an issue and it takes another tap on the head from the Lord to instruct be to always be present to others in front of us no matter who or where they are.  Perhaps by Success will not be how many electrical issues I fix, but how many people I encourage to seek the Lord.   Pray that I see you even with a mask on!

Reflection authored by Vicki Berberich, Parishioner

Holy Cow did you read this chapter?! Start at Zero pretty powerful words for us to live by… start every day with a fresh start!

This chapter spoke volumes to me, oh how I wish I could tell all of you that this is me! How I start every day with a fresh page, no worries about yesterday, last week or last month….NOT!!

This chapter is challenging me, so much so that I’ve posted a note on my bathroom mirror that says “Start at Zero”.  I am challenging myself daily to have that “fresh page and clean start”.

What has been working for me is taking the focus off me. Looking outside myself how am I able to help others today. Maybe it’s the kind word to a stranger, stopping by the food boxes around Ankeny to add more food, maybe it’s a text, email or note to someone to let them know I’m thinking about them.

It takes intentional effort for me to live in the moment, I am a planner, organizer, always thinking what I need to do next…I’m going to focus this Lenten season on “Starting at Zero”.

How do you plan to “Start at Zero”?

Here’s a suggestion: Read the Beatitudes is there one phrase that causes your heart to stir? Maybe that’s what you focus on.

Dear Lord, it’s not easy letting go of our yesterdays, today help me Lord to be present, to start at zero, to focus on what is happening right this minute in my life….Amen.

Reflection authored by Randy Henderson, Director of Youth Ministry

      On page 119 Justin Fatica writes, “God kept the Israelites moving through the desert by giving them quail and manna every night and morning, and just enough for one serving each so they couldn’t store it up.”    

  What does it mean to receive “just enough” for one day?  When we pray the Our Father, we find a line that echoes this experience of being fed in the desert: “Give us this day, our daily bread.” Wouldn’t we feel more secure, more prepared, and ready to face the future if God gave us what we needed today plus some extra?    Perhaps the answer to this question is that there could never be enough food, enough money or “security” of any kind that would satisfy our true hunger.  So what are we really hungry for? 

      In chapter 24 of our Christmas book, “You’re Amazing,” Justin Fatica suggests that food, true food is about “remembering” how much God loves us.  The word “remember,” means to “put back together.” and through the eyes of faith, “to make present again.” Fatica suggests building a tradition of inviting people to enjoy Mass together and then share breakfast with each other.  We are hungry for connection, especially through this pandemic.  We are hungry to remember how much God loves us and how much community helps us live THIS day with the most love, charity, justice and peace that only Christ can provide.  Let us come to the table together! 

Reflection authored by Patty Mayer, Director of Adult Faith Formation, Coordinator of RCIA, and Spiritual Director

As I read this chapter I thought of two distinct Bible stories - in Genesis when Jacob wrestles all night with God, and in Acts of the Apostles when Saul is knocked down and blinded.  Both of these men were passionate in what they were doing and where they were going, yet they were stopped in their tracks, in the darkness, until they were ready to face the light of truth. As a result of this moment, their life was changed, Jacob becomes Israel and Saul joins the ones he was persecuting, and is called Paul.  Both men continued to be passionate, as they followed God’s will in their life.

One of the hardest parts of my divorce was not knowing the truth. My ex told me he wanted a divorce but never told me why.  A year later I would find the truth.  The truth was painful; I wanted to run away or ignore it because of the inner turmoil it caused me.  The more I wrestled with it the more I found myself in a dark place and alone. One day my spiritual director asked me if God was present in the darkness.  I closed my eyes to imagine me in the darkness. I could see myself sitting on a dirt floor in complete darkness with my knees bent up, and my forehead resting on my knees. I noticed my back was leaning against something cool and smooth.  Having been in the darkness for so long I only now realized, as I slowly lifted my head, my eyes had adjusted to the dark. I sensed Him before I saw Him. Jesus was laying on a cement slab next to me… we were in the tomb.  I could see His eyes as He looked at me and said very peacefully, “we can leave whenever you are ready to face the light.” That week I found a support group and began the hard journey of truth seeking –  the next few months I would have revelation after revelation about my ex, and about me. I read book after book to learn more, but, as the author here suggests, head knowledge is not heart knowledge, so I took what I was learning to prayer.  My daily prayer became, “God, help me to forgive, … to not lose myself, … to trust that ‘I am enough’ just as I am.” As I continued to open myself to God’s truth I began to rediscover my “amazing heart.” 

Jesus tells us “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:31-32).   

My truth seeking journey has never stopped, but my focus now is on myself – who am I and who does God call me to be.  The more I open myself to the truth of God’s word and God’s will in my life the more I am able to passionately live the amazing life I was made for!

Ponder:

• Is there a truth I am running from?

• When have I wrestled with God or been knocked down?

• Am I passionately living God’s will in my life? How?

More:

At the Revive, Refresh, Renew: Encountering Christ event on Feb 6 I will be sharing a story about God’s truth being revealed to me through a water jug.  Join us for a day of worship stories, prayers, and community.  To reserve your spot, register today at Revive, Refresh, Renew: Encountering Christ

Reflection authored by Sr Susan Widdel, Pastoral Minister

Mercy – a five letter word that has a powerful message for all of us.

   Being a Sister of Mercy brings to mind what Catherine McAuley (the foundress of the Community)  gave to her follow Sisters.  Our mission is to care for those in need. 

    There are many ways to show mercy.  The chapter shared a powerful message of mercy in the story it told.  I would like to share a few simple ways that each of us can share mercy.

1. Call someone who lives alone.

2. Check on an elderly family member or neighbor.

3. Write a letter or send a card to someone you haven’t seen recently.

4. Greet people with a smile or a hello.

5. Say “I’m sorry” when you have wronged someone.

6. Say “I forgive you” when someone asks forgiveness.

There are larger ways to share mercy:

1. Give donation to the food pantry or volunteer to deliver food.

2. Help with Family Promise

3. Habitat for Humanity projects

4. Donate money to special projects the parish supports

5. Donate money or time to charities you are interested in supporting.

Listen to your heart and see where God is calling you to show mercy.

Reflection authored by Fr James Downey, Associate Pastor OLIH and St Luke’s

I have renewed my initial Total Consecration to Christ through Mary every subsequent year since I first did the consecration in 2012. Some years, the renewal was done fully, well, and faithfully, taking time each day to pray and reflect during the thirty-three days leading up to the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.  The prayer, reading, and recommitment, the taking stock of my life and seeing what parts of my life and heart could be given and consecrated more fully this year, always resulted in a great renewal in both my interior life and exterior ministry: a life more fully given to God.  Some years, it was ugly, rushed, or the preparation time was non-existent in amidst a hundred other things demanding my time. Before I knew it, I’d find myself in the evening or night on the 8th or even December 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, wondering, “Should I even bother with this if I’ve given so little time to it? I’ve been a horrible son, a half-hearted devotee, and a lazy servant; I’m afraid I’d be insulting her by renewing this consecration and asking for her help again.” Yet not sure why, by the grace of God and contrary to the doubts (and lies) pushing me the other way, I would humbly and shame-facedly crack open the book and prayer the Prayer of Consecration again.

Looking back, during my time in seminary and now as a priest, I can see a bit more clearly the importance of that consecration for both the good years and the ugly ones. During the years done well, placing myself into the care of Mary like the newly-wed couple of Cana, I found myself placed more firmly in the presence of her Son and enjoying an over-abundance of grace to aid me in my studies or ministry, to live out my vocation more fully.  During the years done poorly, I see now how even that half-cocked re-consecration was sometimes even more important than ones in the good years: Like the rope of a life-preserver tossed to a drowning person overboard in the middle of a storm and like the person still on the ship hauling that rope in, it was during those hard years that the binding chain of my consecration to Mary and her motherly intercession and protection were the only things keeping my head above water and my life connected to her Son. So if you understand Mary to be somewhere between your loving mother (sometimes comforting, sometimes correcting) and a burly sailor dragging your semi-conscious rear-end back onto the ship so that you can reach your destination and safe harbor alive, you’ve got a decent idea of Mary’s role in the life of a Christian. She’s the mother Christ gave to us and she is her Son’s first and most loyal disciple: she’s a good person to get to know and spend some time with. No one can point you and take you quicker to our Savior.

Speaking of Mary, her role in the Christian life, and the sea, here’s a thousand-year-old prayer worth thinking upon and a five-hundred-year-old choir arrangement of it worth listening to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsPQFytWWHo

Loving mother of the Redeemer,
gate of heaven, star of the sea,
assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again,
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,
yet remained a virgin after as before,
You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,
have pity on us poor sinners.