Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with mercy and compassion, who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your mouth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103, RSV)
May the peace of the Lord be with all of you!
I have just completed my third week of serving at the Saint John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter. I cannot begin to say how happy I am that I took this position. I cannot begin to say how humbled I am for the blessings that the Lord has bestowed upon me. For years I have attempted to find happiness according to my own will. It turns out that following my own will is futility.
My work at the shelter has proved to be an opportunity for human growth. Working with the poor has taught me that all people deserve respect and dignity and working with them has proved to me that they are all human beings with real needs and real problems. I feel I am growing as a leader as many of the volunteers need a little direction to begin their day. Most of the homeless crave direction and often they all pitch in to help clean and sort through donated clothes.
Most importantly, working with the poor as helped me grow spiritually. In observing the homeless that come to our shelter I have learned that I take for granted the basic needs that are a given for most of us....Shelter, food, and love. I believe the greatest need we all have is knowing we are loved as many of the people I serve have been abandoned by others and are left alone. My work has made me stop more often and thank our wonderful God for the gifts he has given me that I take for granted as if it were a right and not a privilege.
The most wonderful fruit I have experienced in serving the poor in Green Bay has been to feel the presence of God around me when I help someone who has no one else to turn to. Or to treat someone with respect and dignity when they are embarrassed that they need your help and feel terrible for accepting it.
I have learned through this experience that those who are truly blind are the ones who suffer from spiritual blindness. Anyone who thinks God is in some far off place and existed thousands of years ago is truly blind. All anyone has to do is open their hearts and their minds to know that the Lord is among us in the most simple places. Seek the Lord and you will find him. I know this because I see and feel his presence in all of these people every day. That my friends, is the best blessing of all.
Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you all!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Did You Not Know I Must Be In My Fathers House?
(Jason, Annik, Fr. Roger, Leah and Ryan)
(Jason, Leah, Ryan and Proud Godparents)
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents did not know it.... after three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers....And when they saw him they were astonished and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so?....and he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my fathers house?" (Luke 2:41-49 RSV)
This Gospel passage ends with an important statement from our Lord. In today's terms he would have been saying to the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, "Did you not know, I had to be about my fathers business?". Jesus is teaching us through this passage stating the importance and duty he felt to his heavenly Father which involved independence of earthly matters. But none the less, Jesus left with his parents and remained obedient to them.
This Gospel passage stood out in my own heart this week as I needed to decide which "business" I was going to be about. A week or so ago, I was approached by a recruiter who was working on filling a Claims Adjuster position with American Family. After two interviews I was offered the job. With no other current offers on the table and a drive within myself to preserve my financial cauffers, I said yes.
Many who read this that live outside of the greater Green Bay area will not know this however, shortly after I made the move back to Green Bay, the City Council of Green Bay was turning down a Conditional Use Permit to Saint John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter. The shelter had been open from November through April over the last two winters. This year the residents of the area decided that they were going to protest the shelter. Upon review, the city council forbade the church from reopening this year. After two months of coming up with possible solutions the city council failed to pass a measure to help the homeless in Green Bay. In response, the Archbishop of Milwaukee, Timothy Dolan (temporary administrator of the Green Bay Diocese until we receive a new bishop) delivered a letter to the Mayor's office stating that it is the Church of Green Bay's First Amendment Right to operate a homeless shelter at Saint John The Evangelist Catholic Church regardless if the city approves of it or not because tending to the needy is a part of it's duties as a church. (However the Diocese is doing everything that it needs to so it is on the up and up)
On Tuesday, November 6th I received a call from a person who is staffing the homeless shelter and offered me a paid position with the shelter. Needless to say I was sitting at a fork in the road. Which business was I going to be about? Corporate business or God's business? After a lot of prayer and consulting with Fr. Tom and my trusted friend Russ, I decided that I needed to be about God's business.
Working for a wonderful organization like American Family Insurance offers a ton of financial security and security of employment. However I realized that when I left the corporate world to move into the Xavier House my life needed to be more than just working 9 to 5 and accumalating wordly posessions. If I am truly to discern the call of the Lord in my life, I need to work in the service of the Lord. I feel working with the poorest of the poor in Green Bay will help me further in my discernment process. It was a difficult decision to make but I am glad that I made it.
Also, I have some really awesome news! Brian and Amy Andvik welcomed their brand new baby girl Haley into the world. Haley is 7Ilbs 5oz and both mom and Haley and dad are doing great.
More great news.....:) I talked with Bradley Andvik today and he and Anna are expecting twins. A boy and a girl. Gary, Brian and Brads dad quickly stated that it is the Andvik baby making factory as of late.
Please pray for Brian, Amy, Haley and Brad, Anna and the twins.
Lastly, I was honored when my dear friends Jason and Leah asked me to be the Godfather to their new son Ryan. Attached are some photos of Jason, Leah, Annik (their 3 year old daughter)Leah's sister and Fr. Roger from White Bear Lake, MN. I am so proud to be a part of so many of your lives. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Please continue to pray for me as you remain in mine.
God bless you always!
Monday, October 22, 2007
And the Things You Have Prepared, Whose Will They Be?
And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, "What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there will I store all my grain and my goods.... Luke 12: 16-18 RSV
This was taken from today's gospel reading when our Lord was teaching the crowd about greed. If we examine our own hearts we will soon realize that a greedy heart is a heart full of fear of having to do without. I know if I examine my own heart this is true.
Does it make sense to say that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and that everything I have is given to me by him and then turn around and not respond to those in need around me? I think a possible meaning behind today's gospel is to truly give everything we have to God as a good steward of his gifts does.
Friends, I am not saying that we need to give all of our money or posessions away and do without anything. Rather, I think he would have us offer up our time, talents, body and financial resources to helping those around us when we see others in need.
I wanted to update you all on my kidney donation to Aunt Lois. Lois and I received a regretful call last week from the Kidney Transplant Team on Thursday. They have accepted me as a healthy donar, however they will not use me as a donar to Lois. Because her blood type and mine is different they feel it would be prudent to test other possible candidates with similar blood types so that she doesn't have to take as much anti-rejection meds. So for now, God's will is for us to wait for another person with the same blood type to be approved as a donar.
With the prospect of donating a kidney behind me, I will be resuming my search for employment while I live in discernment.
All of your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Please keep Aunt Lois in your prayers as well.
This was taken from today's gospel reading when our Lord was teaching the crowd about greed. If we examine our own hearts we will soon realize that a greedy heart is a heart full of fear of having to do without. I know if I examine my own heart this is true.
Does it make sense to say that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and that everything I have is given to me by him and then turn around and not respond to those in need around me? I think a possible meaning behind today's gospel is to truly give everything we have to God as a good steward of his gifts does.
Friends, I am not saying that we need to give all of our money or posessions away and do without anything. Rather, I think he would have us offer up our time, talents, body and financial resources to helping those around us when we see others in need.
I wanted to update you all on my kidney donation to Aunt Lois. Lois and I received a regretful call last week from the Kidney Transplant Team on Thursday. They have accepted me as a healthy donar, however they will not use me as a donar to Lois. Because her blood type and mine is different they feel it would be prudent to test other possible candidates with similar blood types so that she doesn't have to take as much anti-rejection meds. So for now, God's will is for us to wait for another person with the same blood type to be approved as a donar.
With the prospect of donating a kidney behind me, I will be resuming my search for employment while I live in discernment.
All of your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Please keep Aunt Lois in your prayers as well.
Friday, October 5, 2007
The Greatest Commandment
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and will all your mind. This is the great commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:35-39 (RSV)
It was a number of months ago that I learned that Aunt Lois was in need of a kidney as her health has been in decline for quite some time. Upon learning this I wanted to help her if I could. In a strong way, I felt called by God to help.
I spent October 2-3 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester going through a battle of tests. The doctor that I met with on October 2nd stated that I will receive a more thorough examination than I ever have in my entire life. He was right! I will spare you the details of all the examinations, however, I wanted to share with all of you the results.
For a 31 year old, I am very healthy. However, according to the doctor, I am about 35 pounds over weight. For a 6 foot tall and 210 pound man, he says if I were a little more heavier I would be considered obese. I thought he was crazy but he did say that my liver is beginning to show signs of fat deposits which is attributed to being over weight. Exercise and less sweets will be a part of my regular regimen from now on. He stated that it was important to remain in good health after donating a kidney because obesity can cause diabetes which damages the kidney's. Message received!
The doctor does not see any reasons in my health that would prevent me from donating a kidney for Lois. He and the committee will meet in two weeks on October 17Th to make final recommendations whether or not my kidney has a great chance of being accepted by Lois' body. So please pray hard for God's will!
I also met with one of four possible surgeons to discuss the procedure. They will go in below my navel and make an incision about 3 inches long. There will also be two holes poked in my side for the camera and instruments. She stated that the surgery would last about 80 minutes to remove my kidney and close. She stated that I can resume all normal physical activity after 6 weeks. I could resume working a desk job within 2 weeks. All good news!
According to my donor coordinator, the surgery will be done sometime between November and the first of the year if I am the approved donor.
All of your prayers will be appreciated.
God bless you all!
Chris
It was a number of months ago that I learned that Aunt Lois was in need of a kidney as her health has been in decline for quite some time. Upon learning this I wanted to help her if I could. In a strong way, I felt called by God to help.
I spent October 2-3 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester going through a battle of tests. The doctor that I met with on October 2nd stated that I will receive a more thorough examination than I ever have in my entire life. He was right! I will spare you the details of all the examinations, however, I wanted to share with all of you the results.
For a 31 year old, I am very healthy. However, according to the doctor, I am about 35 pounds over weight. For a 6 foot tall and 210 pound man, he says if I were a little more heavier I would be considered obese. I thought he was crazy but he did say that my liver is beginning to show signs of fat deposits which is attributed to being over weight. Exercise and less sweets will be a part of my regular regimen from now on. He stated that it was important to remain in good health after donating a kidney because obesity can cause diabetes which damages the kidney's. Message received!
The doctor does not see any reasons in my health that would prevent me from donating a kidney for Lois. He and the committee will meet in two weeks on October 17Th to make final recommendations whether or not my kidney has a great chance of being accepted by Lois' body. So please pray hard for God's will!
I also met with one of four possible surgeons to discuss the procedure. They will go in below my navel and make an incision about 3 inches long. There will also be two holes poked in my side for the camera and instruments. She stated that the surgery would last about 80 minutes to remove my kidney and close. She stated that I can resume all normal physical activity after 6 weeks. I could resume working a desk job within 2 weeks. All good news!
According to my donor coordinator, the surgery will be done sometime between November and the first of the year if I am the approved donor.
All of your prayers will be appreciated.
God bless you all!
Chris
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
And he said to them, " Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 (RSV)
These are the words that our Lord spoke to his first disciples, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. I often wonder what it would have been like to live in the times of Christ and to hear those words directly from him. I know that as true as it was for the first disciples as it is for us today, we must walk in the light of faith.
Often as a child and now, I hear my mother in her great wisdom say, "Let go and let God". This is a statement of faith... to let God be the Lord of your life. All else set aside, God is number one.
It has taken me a long time to learn that true happiness and fulfillment can only be accomplished when we do the will of God faithfully. So what is the will of God in my life? I hope to discern that very question.
On September 17th, 2007, I moved into a home for men discerning God's call in their lives. The home is called, "Xavier House." Xavier House, is open to all men who are open to the possibility that God may be calling them to the Catholic Priesthood. This place of discernment has been a wonderful blessing to me. Currently I live with Fr. Tom Long, Director of Xavier House and Vocations Director of the Catholice Diocese of Green Bay, WI, and four other men currently in the process of discernment. My own discernment process will lead me on a two-year journey. I will work, play and pray during this time before deciding to enter into the seminary for studies and priestly formation.
As I pray and discern the call, I set up this blog to chronicle my progress and as a way to keep in touch with all of you. I am in the process of taking photos of Xavier House along with my flatmates. Check back soon and often.
I ask you all for your prayers as you remain in mine.
God bless you,
Chris
These are the words that our Lord spoke to his first disciples, Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. I often wonder what it would have been like to live in the times of Christ and to hear those words directly from him. I know that as true as it was for the first disciples as it is for us today, we must walk in the light of faith.
Often as a child and now, I hear my mother in her great wisdom say, "Let go and let God". This is a statement of faith... to let God be the Lord of your life. All else set aside, God is number one.
It has taken me a long time to learn that true happiness and fulfillment can only be accomplished when we do the will of God faithfully. So what is the will of God in my life? I hope to discern that very question.
On September 17th, 2007, I moved into a home for men discerning God's call in their lives. The home is called, "Xavier House." Xavier House, is open to all men who are open to the possibility that God may be calling them to the Catholic Priesthood. This place of discernment has been a wonderful blessing to me. Currently I live with Fr. Tom Long, Director of Xavier House and Vocations Director of the Catholice Diocese of Green Bay, WI, and four other men currently in the process of discernment. My own discernment process will lead me on a two-year journey. I will work, play and pray during this time before deciding to enter into the seminary for studies and priestly formation.
As I pray and discern the call, I set up this blog to chronicle my progress and as a way to keep in touch with all of you. I am in the process of taking photos of Xavier House along with my flatmates. Check back soon and often.
I ask you all for your prayers as you remain in mine.
God bless you,
Chris
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