four good things to read

1. Fr. Z on frequent confession and growing in holiness.

When we say no to our appetites, we suffer, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot, depending on what it is and how deeply engrained the habit is.  In this suffering, however, you have an opportunity to unite your sufferings to those of the Lord and the martyrs in heaven and, through them be tested in your love of the Lord and be corrected. 

It can be done.  But it might not be easy.  You might come up with some other strategies, but first you need to study yourself with brutal honesty and without the slightest shred of self-deception.  That can be reinforced with your evening examination of conscience.
Also, the sacrament of penance gives you not only forgiveness for your sins but also helps against sinning, a strengthening against the occasions of sin.

2. I Wonder If It’s Unrealisitic to think I could Double the Size of My Congregation in One Year?

Why not? Why shouldn’t I aim high? And really, is it that high? Is it really so unrealistic to ask every member of my congregation to shepherd one soul back to the sacraments and the practice of the faith in the next year? Is that so impossible, for each one to reach one, and work with them for a year and to invite them to come and learn more of the faith? 

Well, I’m going to try. As a parish we have been engaged in a door-to-door evangelization campaign and that’s been going quite well, actually. Over 1500 homes have been visited and our Sunday numbers are up by 50. 

But I am also aware that friendship and family are a more fruitful vein than the “cold-contact” approach of door to door. We’re going to keep doing that because we need to obey Christ who sends us out two by two. But every congregant knows at least five members from among their family or friends who need to come  to God’s house either because they have drifted, or because they have never had a Church home at all. It’s time to go to work and shepherd them back.

Sounds like a plan!


3. "... three reasons I love the rosary."


4. The Lost Art of Killing Time

I hate to admit it, but I honestly cannot remember when I last killed a whole day by just wandering around. I read a column lately in which the author made the point that with mobile devices like smart phones always around for e-mail, Facebook, games and such,  boredom is headed for extinction.  There is always some sort of digital input to fill up the white space. 

For me, this past Sunday was a day for non-digital input. I came away with a much more relaxed perspective and a bit of an ah-ha about how much time I spend plugged in and what the impact is of that.