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!