Fr Mike's Notes

  While I might not be as into Thanksgiving Day as many people are, there is a great deal to be grateful for, even beyond the things from the first post a few days back.  I came to realize so much more after Mass this morning. My family and friends are so awesome.  I know I mentioned them the other day, but the afternoon gathering was truly priceless.  One of our friends is a fun guy with a gracious personality.  It seems more and more that he feels comfortable being a part of our regular family gatherings.  What he doesn't always realize is just how much he adds to the atmosphere of those gatherings.  He has stories, one liners, questions about faith, the Church, and I know how grateful he is to be part of our lives.  It's just I don't always think he realizes how much he adds to mix. My niece and her husband came into town for the weekend from Minnesota.  Of course we miss having them around the area regularly, but it's so marvelous to have...

I know that my first post was for the first Sunday of Advent; however, Thanksgiving cannot be left out. Thanksgiving is around the corner, just two days away.  Like so many others in the world, I have plenty to be grateful for.   Where God is always first in whom I am most thankful, family is always near the top of the list.  My mother is still a great person.  She continues to be a great example of discipleship for many in our world, but especially for me.  Mom still nurtures my brother and I, and continues to show great love for her grandchildren.  My sister-in-law's family has also been a blessing to us all, after all, as I've told many a couple on their wedding day, it is through the Holy Spirit's bond that not only does the couple become one, but He binds the two families to become one through the couple.  God has done this so incredibly well for us, from both sides of my parents' families, and that larger family continues to grow with new co...

November 25, 2024 This first blog is a new adventure for me.  Never have I thought of doing my writing in this venue.  I am actually very excited about getting this whole thing started.  While I published my book We Don't Live In Eden back in 2014, daily/weekly writing is very different.  Since this coming Sunday is going to be the beginning of the new liturgical year -- the First Sunday of Advent 2025 (I'll explain) -- I can't think of a better topic to have as a first installment.  I hope this will be the beginning of something beautiful and lasting. I named this first piece Advent 2025 because it will be the beginning of a new liturgical year.  The Church's calendar and the Gregorian calendar are not the same in timing.  Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving (which in the Gregorian calendar is the 4th Thursday in November).  The Gregorian calendar begins January 1st every year -- same date, whereas the new liturgical year's date is fluid,...