The Life of Virtue

I'm assisting with the Catechist Formation Day at my parish today.  Specifically, I'm presenting a session entitled "The Virtuous Teacher: Who and How?"  As catechists of others who are in need of learning their faith, we must exemplify virtue.  Quite simply, my presentation is meant to "train" catechists on how they might become virtuous people and teachers. I'll let you know how it goes, and I may be able to post an outline.  If anyone is interested in bringing this presentation, and others related to it, to your parish or diocese, please don't hesitate to email me .  I pray that I might be able share this Good News around the region and the country.

I've tried lots different ways.  I've tried in the mid-day; I've tried in the evening; I've tried before bed.  No time of day is better for an extended prayer session than the morning time. Because life and ministry are unbelievably busy these days,  it is necessary for me to remain rooted in Christ and grounded in prayer.  Because of all the distractions that taunt me throughout any given day, I have found that the first hours of the day are best for prayer "in bulk." During recent weeks, I have been made a point to set aside an hour or more on several mornings to vocal, meditative, and contemplative prayer.  The  distractions are fewer, and the prayer has been more fruitful.  One great thing is that I have been able to examine how the place and growth of virtues in my life.   Another great blessing is that God seems to grant more energy and zeal for Christian ministry throughout these days.  If I allow Him be my anchor from the start to the finish of the day...

You know how some parents have bumper stickers that dote on their honor student, star athlete, or prodigous musician.  Well, there should be a bumper sticker for all-around great teens! I had half a dozen Young Apostles from my parish's youth group who were generous enough with their time and talents to work with me for six hours today.  Best of all, not a single complaint was heard throughout the day! If I were the type to put bumper stickers on a car, the rear of my Volkswagen would be full of such sticky praises.  I am most grateful for a wonderful group of teen leaders.  I know that they will do great things to build the City of God in the near future. My prayers are with them and their families.

I will spare my few readers the usual excuses for my absence in recent weeks.  The title of this post should be sufficient to explain.  I always have a desire to write, but writing usually falls to the bottom of my priority list.  So, I'll continue to write as often as I'm able, and there should be no mockery from my audience! The last couple of days have yielded quite a few threads of thought that are "blog-worthy."  The scope is broad; some are pithy (I think) and at least one is silly and self-centered.  I'll let readers be the judge of the category into which each of these thoughts falls. HE PRAYED ME INTO THE CHURCH Just five days ago, a holy man passed away.  As my pastor remarked in his homily at the funeral yesterday: he understood the "essence of Catholic spirituality."  Indeed, he was a man of such prayer that his supplications to the Father for my own conversion bore much fruit. My in-laws told him about the young man who was dating their daug...