Now to Valleyfield

Yesterday morning, news was published indicating that the Holy Father had appointed a new shepherd for the Diocese of Valleyfield, Quebec in the person of His Excellency, Noël Simard.  Within minutes of the publication of the offical announcement on the Vatican website, the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie also issued a press release explaining the appointment.

A priest of the Archdiocese of Quebec, Bishop Simard is (in a sense) returning home to the province of his birth.  There is a significant anglophone population in the Diocese of Valleyfield as well, so his command of the English language will serve him well.

The details about a farewell liturgical gathering and the date and location of his installation and the innauguration of his Episcopal ministry in the Diocese of Valleyfield are forthcoming.

Farewell to 2011

Catching up

They say that friends can sometimes go for great periods of time in one another's absence, and when they do get re-united, they can chat as though they were never apart.

Evidence of this came true once again today.  Eighteen years and some months have passed since I had the opportunity to see some of the priests who were at the seminary when I was there.  Even though I do travel into areas where others of my classmates and contemporaries are located, we seldom get the opportunity to visit.  That makes the happenings of today even more wonderful.

As it turns out, one of my contemporaries is currently assigned to one of the parishes located not far from my parents donicile.  Today, I had an opportunity to visit with him, and to renew acquaintances.  Despite the fact that so much time has passed, we still recognized each other (which is a fortunate thing, particularly given the amount of time and experiences that have marked our respective journeys).

There have been countless writings detailing the encounters between disciples throughout the ages.  Some of them were short in duration and others lasted for varying lengths of time.  I'm not sure that this one will be logged in that fashion, but I couldn't help thinking that this might have been one of those meetings between Paul and Timothy, or Peter and any one of the other apostles who came to visit while he was in Rome.  What of Benedict and Scholastica?

This was a time (brief as it was) to exchange some of the joys and treasures we have both encountered during the years of our service to God's people.  Each of us has followed different roads, but both of us have more than enough stories to recount as evidence of God's goodness to us.  Both of us also know only too well that it is only through the treasure of prayer that we are able to continue bearing witness to the One whose gospel we preach.

This was a precious opportunity to renew a friendship, and to remember once again the great gift that has been entrusted to us.  In the coming year, it is our hope that we will continue to discover the consolation that comes with faithful service as a consolation to those who walk the road of discipleship.

Holy Innocents

Jealousy does really strange things.  It can lead to unfounded judgements, and even to more drastic and irreversible consequences.  Jealousy was at the root of Herod's problem, and today we remember the consequence that bore its fruit in the death of the little ones we now refer to as the Holy Innocents.

Matthew's gospel recounts Herod's order for the slaughter of these little ones, all because he had heard of the birth of a king, and was worried that this royal one would threaten his own position and authority.

In today's world too there are modern-day slaughters of the innocents: the ones who have no say in the matter, the ones who must suffer the ravages of starvation, slavery and even martyrdom at the hands of others.  The news of these days speaks of funeral services being held for fallen dictators.  I wonder whether those who have suffered are relieved by the passing of such power mongers, or whether they will truly be saved from the tirade by this passing.

Perhaps, nay certainly, the slaughter of innocents continues.  Perhaps the only consolation that can be offered is authored by heavenly hands.

My first tea party

She grabbed my hand and joyfully but somewhat insistantly urged me to follow her.  The destination: her kitchen.  The purpose: I was being invited to a kitchen party.  Apparently I was the only guest on the list.  What a wonderful privilege.

First, she boiled some water, and before I knew it, the tea was brewed, poured into cups and mixed with just the right amount of sugar and milk.  While I was sipping on my tea, my hostess began working on the next course.  No, there were no cookies at this party.  On the menu were boiled eggs, crispy bacon strips and toast.

The salt and pepper seemed to be flying through the air, but in truth the artist in this kitchen was demonstrating her proficiency with the world of spices.  It was a most delicious meal, but most of all, I enjoyed spending time with my special hostess.  She seems right at home in her kitchen.  She seems to know where everything is: the vegetables, the dairy products, the canned goods, and even the spices.  She has no problem at all manouvering the stove, the pots, the pans and even the utensils.

The meal complete, and both of us sufficiently satiated from hunger, the next order of business was the discovery of the art room, including the animals who might some day stand as models for this young budding artist. Ah, and don't forget the visit to the music room, where treasures like the snare drum and the maracas: perfect for the beginner percussionist.

It seemed that I was just getting familiar with these new surroundings, when the party came to an abrupt end.  The next adventure had already begun.  As soon as I catch up to it, I'll be only too happy to recount it.  In the meanwhile, for a few moments spent in such a happy place, thanks.

The second and third days of Christmas

The day known by most of society as Boxing Day is also the second day of the Christmas Season.  In the liturgical calendar, it is known simply as the Feast of Stephen, perhaps most well known through its reference in the Christmas Carol Good King Wenceslas, which is a poetic rendering of the story of this good King.



Then there's the third day of Christmas, which is also reserved for the celebration of the Feast of Saint John the Evangelist.  This is the disciple Jesus loved, as he was referred to in the fourth gospel.  There is a really good reflection about the meaning of these three words.  It might help us to more deeply appreciate the importance of this little-known apostle, and the importance of this day.



These are days for celebrating with family and friends.  These are days for rest and relaxation.  These are days for coming closer to the saints who guide us through this period of Christmas rejoicing.  These are days for receiving the gifts prepared for us.

The other homily

There are some moments when even those of us who are charged with the mission of proclaiming become the ones who receive the message.  In the case of the liturgies for Christmas, this 'other' message was provided courtesy of the little ones who were present.

From the front of the gathered congregation, I was asking the children to help me understand what Christmas was all about.  They were quick to tell me that it was the celebration of Christ's birthday, so I drew a parallel between Jesus' birthday and our birthday.  We decorate for a party with balloons and we share some time with friends.  We cut a cake and we bring presents for the person who is being feted.  When Christ's birthday is being celebrated, lots of his friends come to visit.  We decorate with special flowers and colours, we get dressed up and we spend time with friends, learning more about his love for us.

We don't cut a cake for Jesus' birthday (I'd be worried about how many candles we'd have to light), but we do share a special meal, and we do bring presents.  When I asked what kinds of gifts we bring for Jesus, I heard a little voice (not originating from the children immediately before me, but rather from another little voice somewhere else in the crowd), 'Barbie!' the voice called out.  I wonder how many others heard it.  I wonder how many around her might have chuckled to themselves.

Elsewhere in the crowd, there was another contributor who was providing answers to all my questions.  When I asked about what we were celebrating, she answered Snow.  Apparently this offering was repeated numerous times, so she must have been convinced of her answer.  In truth, we had thought that we would be celebrating a green Christmas, until the snow began to fall shortly after noon on Christmas Eve.  Snow continued for the better part of 10 to 12 hours, so by the time the Children's Mass began at 5:00pm, the entire landscape had been transformed into a winter wonderland.  Wisdom from the little ones.

When I spoke with the children about celebrating and asked them what kinds of foods they might bring to the party, our unknown contributor offered her ideas: Meatballs and pizza.  I love the idea of inviting Jesus and his friends to a pizza party, and what better accompaniment than meatballs (juicy and tender ones, little bite sized ones, or huge tasty ones, perfect for meatball subs).

It appears that our anonymous contributor kept her listeners quite well entertained.  Her answers were appropriate for each of the questions that was posed, and of course they added her own unique perspective to the celebration.

What a wonderful gift.  I wonder if she realizes the profundity of her wisdom.  With gratitude to the unknown little one for sharing this amazing gift.

Have you heard?

The celebration of Christmas is upon us because we have received a great gift from our God.  The gift is some very good news: Christ is born; come let us adore him!  This good news, first shared by angels is repeated among all those who celebrate this Festival day today.

At the first Mass celebrated earlier this afternoon, children helped me to teach some of the adults among us about this message.  Through a series of questions and answers, we learned that there are many gifts exchanged at Christmas time, all because we love one another and we want to share these gifts with those who are near to us.  The wisdom of a child is what this celebration is all about.  Pray therefore for the ability to cherish the little ones among us, to learn from them, and to cherish the lessons that are taught.

Celebrate and give thanks also for the gift of love, and if you have time, feel free to read through (or re-read, or even listen into as the case may be) the reflection that was offered tonight (and again at tomorrow morning's liturgy.

  

Good news

In the evening hours of September 16 of this year, news hit the wires that Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Priscilla Lopes-Schliep had given birth to her first-born child.  ‘It’s a girl!’ the headline read, and instantly there was great joy and cause for celebration.  In the days that followed, the first pictures of the new-born child were shared not only with family and friends but with the whole country via print and new media.  Even Priscilla herself tweeted a message to all her ‘fans’: Thank you everyone for all your support.  Bronsen and I are very happy to announce the birth of our daughter Nataliya Ava Schliep!

There’s a thrill in the air when parents announce the birth of a child, and isn’t it equally exciting to gather around a tiny baby?  Every newborn child is a wonder, a mystery, a gift from God.  No matter whether the family is wealthy or poor, whether the child is first-born or latest in a long line, all who gather around, and even those who are separated by physical distance are moved.  Congratulatory words are spoken and sent.  Visitors smile, cry, laugh, bring a gift, wish happiness and peace for the child and the parents, for every child is a sign of hope and faith in the future.

For us Christians, Christmas is about remembering and celebrating the birth of a child which took place in time (more than 2000 years ago), but it is also about proclaiming the feast of our salvation, and about looking forward to the second coming of Christ and the inauguration of God’s kingdom.

With wonder and awe, we recognize God’s presence in a tiny vulnerable infant, so unexpected, so overwhelming.  The story of Joseph and Mary is not so different from the story of many young couples today, not so different from your story and from mine.  Two millennia ago, God’s people had been waiting for a messiah: waiting so long that they had begun to grow weary and doubtful about whether their efforts were bearing any fruit.  They were a people walking in darkness, and God surprised them by sending not a warrior, but a child to replace worn-out expectations with renewed light and hope.

Tonight, God invites us to hear afresh the message proclaimed by the angels, to you is born this day … a Savior who is Christ the Lord.  In Christ, the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.  Tonight, God invites us to believe that this message, this grace is truly offered for each of us.  Indeed it is good news, and we should set out with renewed excitement to find the Christ-child.   In the great city of David, surrounded by the goings and comings of all those who had been summoned to partake in the census, he was not born in great luxury, but in a stable.  Not surrounded by doctors and nurses, his first attendants were a donkey, a cow and perhaps a dove that had roosted in the rafters to seek shelter and warmth.

Christ’s birth was not announced in the newspapers or on Twitter.  It was proclaimed by angels.  There was no fanfare to this beginning.  Instead, the visitors who first smiled and cried, laughed and brought gifts to wish happiness and peace for him were the outcasts of society, the shepherds who were among the poorest of the poor.  The mere fact that there was no glitz and glitter about this birth makes it all the more a reason for us to gather here tonight.  This king came among us as one of us.  He wanted then as he wants now to be close to us, to be within our reach.

The true miracle of Christmas is that the creator of the universe, the one who made each of us and all that we can see and touch, came among us to live with us.  He is present in the wonder and awe of a child who awakens with great excitement to greet a new day.  He is present in a newborn child who embodies the hopes and dreams of her parents and family.

Merry Christmas!

A lullaby for Christmas

Mere moments after the clock has marked our arrival at the beginning of the celebration of the Christmas Season, it is perhaps fitting that we should consider a lullaby of a different sort.  What would it have been if instead of Mary singing to her newborn child, she had the extraordinary privilege of the angels singing her a lullaby.  Would it have sounded like this?



Merry Christmas to you all.

In the digital age

In just a few hours, the story of the first Christmas will be retold.  In most cases, this will be a matter of one or two voices proclaiming a word or two, recounting a story that is older than all of us combined.  What if, just for a moment, we were to imagine the story of coming of Christ as it might have taken place today?

It just might have looked a bit like this:



Abundant blessings for technology users everywhere!

For those we love

Christmas is a time for spending time with those we love.  Some will be surrounded by large groups of family and friends, and some will be lucky to find the one who means the whole world.  Many or few, have a wonderful celebration!

What Christmas is all about

Will today bring a bevvy of last-minute shoppers?  Will today bring frantic hurrying and frazled nerves?  Perhpas this might help.  Remember that the true wisdom of this time is found in the hearts of children.  With that in mind, it might help to learn some wisdom from the little people:

A time for giving ... and receiving

An almost surprise visit from some of the Daughters of Isabella happened this morning.  In truth, I knew that they were coming so I wasn't entirely caught off guard.

Three of the Daughters from Marian Circle 908 came by to deliver a cheque, representing a donation to the parish.  This money will help us to defray part of the cost of our charitable works, in union with the Daughters who themselves do charitable work to promote unity,friendship and charity among the most needy of our world.

With gratitude to the wonderful women who work so tirelessly for the good of others.  At all times of the year, but especially at Christmas time, your dedication and love is most appreciated.

A final O

Today, we complete the presentation of the O Antiphons.  For the past week, the liturgy has been highlighted by the series of titles ascribed to Christ, and now the seventh (and final antiphon is recited with Vespers tonight).

O Emmanuel, this time O God with us is the title in the spotlight.  Here's how at least one setting puts it:



As for the translation, here it is: 

O Emmanuel, our king and our lawgiver,

the hope of the nations and their Saviour:

Come and save us, O Lord our God.

 And so ends the period of preparation.  On to the celebration of the Season of Christmas.  Celebrate well, surround yourself with the ones who you love (and who love you), and give thanks for the Gift that is the reason for the season.

When doors are closed

The outer door of the building opened easily enough, but when I passed through the second set of doors, I discovered a sight I've never seen before.  All the other doors were closed.

Normally, the doors leading to various rooms off the hallway are all open, and various souls pass in and out of them throughout the busy days, but closed doors immediately conveyed a different message: beware!  important stuff is happening!

Things meant to be hidden happen behind closed doors.  People discuss pretty important matters behind closed doors.  Closed doors speak loudly of a call for privacy, and to the casual visitor, closed doors say Think twice before you knock (especially if under normal circumstances they are usually propped open).  Therefore, I did just that.

Cautiously I knocked at one of the doors that happened to be open just a crack.  Having been bid to enter, I proceeded about the business at hand, and then dared to comment on what I had seen.  Indeed, there were a series of pretty important matters being tended to, and this explained the strange sight that had greeted me.  Nothing that couldn't be handled, just things that needed to be dealt with.  Yet, this posture spoke also of weariness and a need for some down time which can't come fast enough.

In the midst of all this, thank goodness that we are celebrating a time of miracles, the anniversary of Christ's manifestation among us.  He came from heaven in order to open celestial doors for our good.  Maybe he can soften the hearts of those behind the closed doors of our society, so that they will in turn be able to welcome visitors who might pass by.  Who knows, maybe some of the doors which are too often closed will begin to crack open to let in a bit of the divine light.

Last minute preparations

The day began before the sun had crested the horizon.  Computers were on, emails were being sent and received, last-minute details were being tended to, all in preparation for the period of vacation that will begin in just a few days' time.

In the midst of the frenzy, there was a moment of peace and serenity today; a reminder that beneath all the preparations lies the true reason for the torrid pace at which we seem to be operating these days.  The paradox is that all this hype leads us to a time of welcoming the One who came among us so many centuries ago to bring us peace.

For more years than many of us can count, God's people have waited.  Our waiting is therefore a continuation of a tradition that has been passed down to us from ancestors in faith who walked this land, who themselves heard the call of the child God and who watched and waited for his coming.



This morning, I celebrated a Mass with the staff at the Board Office (the SCDSB that is).  Along with the staff members, a group of students from St. Charles College were in attendance.  Apparently, their original plan was to sing some Christmas Carols for the Board staff, but then they discovered that there would be a Mass celebrated, so they agreed to join us, and to add their voices to the others who would sing and pray together.

What a wonderful surprise.  These girls brought with them their gift of song, and witnessed for us the hard work that they have been doing in preparation for this festive season.  Their voices rang out to not only our ears but our hearts as well: evidence of the seeds of faith that have been planted and which are now germinating.




We even borrowed one of the hymns for today's liturgy from the Baptist tradition: evidence that all of us have gifts to bring to the table.  From this table, we receive the food that is our God, to strengthen us in faith so that we can continue to proclaim the good news that we have heard.

King of all

So, the O Antiphons continue.

Today, yet another title is ascribed to the Savior: O Rex Gentium (O King of the nations), and the evensong chant is taken up:



In answer to the prophesy of Isaiah (9:6), this antiphon praises the King of all nations who is coming among us

O King of the nations, and their desire,

the cornerstone making both one:

Come and save the human race,

which you fashioned from clay.

When voices combine

In posts recent, I've recounted tales of students who are 'getting into the spirit', but ours are not the only ones who have discovered a bit of the magic of the season of Christmas.  It seems that deep within each of us is a wish for happiness and peace, and what better way to prepare for the joy of Christmas than to prepare the places necessary for the festivities to take place.

The Carlson School of Management is a place where students learn the finer points of running a business, but just for a moment, all of the books and studies were put aside and as though by mere coincidence, the students combined their efforts with those of the teachers, custodians and even the campus security team to create a bit of Christmas cheer.  Have a look:



Luckily for us, schools are not the only place where the spirit of Christmas seems to be catching on.  In at least one of the malls, the other mecas where people seem to gather by the thousands, worshipping the god of merchandise seems to have been replaced (albeit for just a moment) by a renewed sense of the true beauty and wonder of Christ who came among us.  Check it out.



Four more sleeps to go!

Birth: the miracle

Have you ever seen an embryo being fertilized?  Have you ever watched a foetus grow within the womb?  Have you ever seen a child being born?  Perhaps, yet not many have seen it quite like this:

Light another candle

This morning, the students at St. David's held their fourth Advent celebration.  Each week during the Advent season, the students gather to pray and to learn about this season of waiting.

The liturgical use of the Advent wreath is actually something that is more common in the Lutheran tradition.  There are even a number of hymns which have been composed (in various traditions) particularly for this season, including those which have found their way into the Catholic tradition.  Despite the vast library of music we already posess, there are others too which either seldom are used, or are yet to be discovered.  Some are ancient and others are contemporary.  Some are beautiful renditions which will stand the test of time, and others are tried and true testaments to the hope that we all hold dear.

Candles are lit in the Advent wreath, and people pause to remember and pray in thanksgiving for God's gifts of hope, peace, joy and love ... all in preparation for the coming of His son, the bearer of all these gifts.

Children need to learn these lessons, and adults need to celebrate them so that we can always remember the greatest of gifts ever given.

First signs of morning

The O Antiphon for evening prayer tonight speaks another word of hope and honor.  O Oriens (O Morning Star) can also be translated as O Rising Sun:

Lessons from the little ones

This is the time for listening to good music, to children who tell the story of miracles that can take place if we dare to dream.

A few years ago, a little girl named Jackie Evancho stunned the talent world with her mature voice, and since that time she has made strides in sharing her voice and her belief that we can always watch for the new morn.  In the musical selection entitled To Believe, her uncle's composition, she sings of possiblities that can come true ... if children of all ages would only believe:

Celebrate with Thunder

In just a few days, we will be celebrating the Festival of Christmas.  These final days of the Advent period put us 'in the mood' to mark the most wonderful time of the year:



Hopefully, by this point, the letters have been sent, and the wishes have all been spoken, so that Christmas wishes can come true:



So, take the time you need.  Surround yourself with family and friends, and people who you love.  Sing songs and celebrate ... Christmas is almost here:

After the party

For the third time in almost a week, students at St. David's threw a party.  This time, a full turkey dinner for all the students (and as many of the staff as cared to partake as well).  The décor for this meal included placemats for each diner; each one a work of art in its own right.

Students stood attentively behind each one of the dishes of heaping food, and served the meal with poise and grace (good lessons for all of us in the art of hospitality).  With teachers' assistance, the students also distributed cookies and cupcakes to those who had completed their savory meals.

While all the guests were devouring their meals, a collection of slides prepared by the senior students displayed memories from the months past, and the good work that has been accomplished.  As an added bonus, the staff agreed to have their pictures taken and to be included in Christmas carol displays which were shown to all the students.

When all the gastronomic adventures were complete, the younger students made their way to the school yard in order to enjoy some fresh air while the senior students cleaned up the tables and chairs.  Last but not least, a group of six students grabbed brooms and dust mopped the floor of the gymnasium.  By the time they left the room, all the chairs had been stacked, the tables counted, the floor swept and the room made ready for the next adventure.

Some valuable lessons were taught today: hospitality, including simple greetings for friends who shared a meal together; sharing of chores, including the cleanup after the meal was complete; and the satisfaction of knowing that each student present played a part (small or large) in making this celebration one of great joy for all who were there.

David's Key

Today's O antiphon is entitled O Clavis David (O Key of David): yet another name for Jesus.  Here's the chant, in case you're still wondering.  If you're lucky enough to know where there might be a community of monks or others who pray the Office in public, you might even hear this antiphon chanted at Evening Prayer tonight.



The English-language translation runs something like this:

O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel;

you open and no one can shut;

you shut and no one can open:

Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house,

those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Antiphons 1-3

December 17 begins the octave immediately preceding the Solemnity of Christmas.  In the Roman Catholic tradition, these eight days are characterized by the chanting of the O Antiphons during the recitation of Vespers (Evening Prayer) at the end of each of these eight days.

Each of these O antiphons refers to one of the names traditionally attributed to Jesus. On the first of these days (December 17), the antiphon is entitled O Sapientia (Widsom).



December 18 is reserved for the antiphon entitled O Adonai (Lord).



And then today, the antiphon is entitled O Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse).



Others will be posted in the coming days.  Enjoy!

For those who matter

This fourth Sunday of Advent gives us an opportunity to pay attention to some important words and attitudes about preparing for Christmas, including making room for the things and people who are most important ... even the ones we may sometimes forget.

Listen in or read on:

Important people

There’s one week left before Christmas.  Is all your shopping done?  Are all the packages wrapped?  Are all your plans made?  Some among us may be still franticly searching this week for the right gifts, but others have already sent the cards, made all the arrangements for the family meals, put the bows on the boxes, and even tucked away a few extra gifts for the people in our lives who might sometimes go un-noticed.  You know who they are: the people who deliver the daily papers, the janitors who clean our schools and places of work and the neighbours next door.  These are important people too.

The scriptures we have heard this week tell the story of some pretty important conversations that took place, and some major players in our faith history, but I’m not going to focus on either King David or on Mary this week.  Instead, I want to give the limelight to some of the lesser-known biblical figures.  These were the ones entrusted with the important work.  These were the messengers, but unfortunately they are far too often overlooked because it seems that they play relatively minor roles in the story.

David was indeed a great king, and an important part of the history of the Israelite people, but if it were not for Nathan, the prophet who stopped him from making some unwise decisions, David may very well have forgotten that before he had been called by God, he himself was a lowly shepherd.  Without the wisdom of Nathan, the great King would never have understood that every gift he could possibly offer to God was first a gift that God had offered to him.  This is the true wisdom that kept David grounded.  This is the true source of the strength he carried in his years of leadership, and all thanks to the wisdom of the relatively unknown prophet Nathan.

There are other figures in today’s scriptures who share their wisdom as well.  The angel Gabriel brought a message from God and spoke words to a young maiden in the hill country of Judea that changed her life: Hail, full of grace!  Greetings to you, so highly blessed.  Gabriel was the one who had to calm Mary’s fears, who had to reassure her that the role he was proposing was a gift that was being offered to her, and a gift that she could in turn offer to all humanity.  The scriptural account of the conversation that ensued doesn’t recount all the words that were spoken, but enough so that we understand the essentials of the encounter.  Gabriel came to announce a miracle, and Mary expressed her doubts.  I think that we would all wonder if she had not voiced some concern.  In fact, her doubts are the same that we would have had, and isn’t it true that when God asks us to cooperate in his plan, we all have doubts and concerns?

The church reserves a place of great honor in our tradition and our teaching for Mary, and rightly so, but not in the same sense that we might pay homage to a film star or a pop idol.  No, Mary’s place of honor was deserved more because of her humility and because she provided us with the first model of discipleship.  It was right that she should question the angel about what God wanted her to do, but in the end she had to give her consent: Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.  In these few words lie the pivotal point of Mary’s entire existence.  This is the phrase she was created to utter.  This is the phrase she teaches us to say as well.

Across the centuries, the wisdom of David and Mary call out to us, encouraging us to always remember the One who continues to love us, to provide for us, and to challenge us.  The example of Nathan and Gabriel also encourage us to constantly make room for the ones who make God’s wisdom known to us, and the words written by Paul to the community in Rome remind us that for all the wisdom we might garner in this world, for all the successes we may know throughout our lives, we should always be ready to give praise and thanks to God. 

See, even the little people can teach some pretty valuable lessons.

Welcoming Christmas

There's nothing like children to put adults in the spirit of Christmas, and one of the best ways to do this is to get the adults to sit down

and pay attention to the show.  There's a certain magic in the air when parents are invited to watch their children in action.  In this case, the show began with the Native Studies class singing a welcoming song which many of us knew as the Huron Carol.  Many have sung this hymn, some have even attempted to dramatize it but none as well as the students who sang it yesterday morning.

From the drummer/singer to the dramatists

What a wonderful start!  As this group of students finished their presentation, and as the stage was prepared for the next group, there was music in the air, courtesy of one of the most gifted Grade 8 students, who began the performance praying for guidance (I think):

As he filled the air with wonderful strains of Christmas Carols, there was even a mystery visitor who made his presence known to fill us with cheer and joy ... ah and of course he was accompanied by two of his faithful helpers.

Other performances took place one by one until we had all had a taste of the joy and innocence that makes this time of year well worth it.

Some hymns were sung by choirs while others had just the right amount of drama to keep us all on our feet, like the musical story of the twelve days of Christmas and the gifts that were given by the Author of Love.  Did you know that this song was actually written as a catechesis to help people understand their faith?

Above is an image of the Partridge in his pear tree (as it was dramatized for the attentive audience.

Some pictures don't need any words.  They tell their own story of wonder.

For some of the students, this was the day for their debut; for others it was a chance to have some fun, including taking some theatrical licence to tell the story of what Christmas might be like if Santa ever decided to take a day off.

Whether he's sleeping on the job or not, there are some children who will be watiing with anticipation for his arrival:

Even the ones who now that they will have to be sleeping before Santa arrives

Thanks to all the children (of all ages) for all the hard work and dedication that was invested, and that made this presentation possible.  This is what it's all about!

Here they come

What happens when some extra guests show up at the party?  Answer, we make room for them, right?

Yesterday (Thursday that is), we had a visit from some of the students at the local high school.  They arrived just in time for the celebration of the regular weekday Mass.  Even though they outnumbered the adults who were here, they were still among the 'newcomers', and their lack of familiarity with these surroundings was still evident (a bit) although to be honest, they are getting more and more used to this place.  They should be, since they have been coming into this building about four or five times a year for the last four years or so.

Things have changed though since the last time they were here.  We are in the Season of Advent, which means that whereas the students would normally have prepared for a 'Christmas' Mass for this week, we kept the focus on waiting rather than anticipating.  This didn't stop some of them from willingly participating in the proclamation of the scriptures, and the prayers that were offered for peace and goodwill.

Perhaps the most surprising result was that they willingly took part in the recitation of new responses to the various parts of the Mass, and when the time came for the distribution of Communion, they all stood (yes, they had been instructed to do so) until the last person had received, and then all sat with a clatter for the 'period of silent reflection'.

It might have seemed a bit strange to some that this gathering passed with narry a song or a note being played, but in truth, they continue to learn (as we all do) and to grow in their experience of celebrating faith, respecting the silence of a sacred space, and opening their hearts to receive the gift of faith that is being offered.

In turn, they share with this community their youth, their vigour and their love for live.  Isn't that the task that is set before each of us: to share with the world the good news of faith, of Jesus risen and of the child who came to bring peace to the world?

Chaos, confusion or creativity

Getting ready for Christmas is already a busy time, but amid the other activities that occupy our time, there is always room for a surprise or two.

Last night, we held one of the practice sessions for little ones who will take part in the Christmas pagent at the first of our Masses for Christmas Eve.  This is always a wonderful time for seeing creativity at work.  While children with amazing musical talent bustled about arranging their music, and adults sat patiently waiting to begin the music practice, other realities were unfolding in another part of the church.

Little ones (some as young as three years old) were getting ready for the procession which will take place.  Each of them will have a 'job' to do.  Each of them will play an important part in telling the story of the first Christmas.  The wonderful thinig about working with children of this age is that they are like sponges, taking in the instructions they are given, and eagerly accepting their responsibilities.

In just over a week's time, other children of all ages will be here.  I wonder if they too will soak in the experience.

Christmas lights

We have all seen Christmas lights on houses at this time of year.  The other day, while I was travelling with some children aboard, they begged me to slow down so that they could watch the lights as we passed by the houses in their neighbourhood.

What lengths some people have gone to over the years though to make their displays sing (in more ways than one).  Take for example, a house in Pleasant Grove, Utah, where the owners set their display to music.  The result was that so many people stopped to watch the show that the owners had to start charging them money so that they could pay the police to direct traffic.



Was this what Christ had in mind, that simple night in Bethlehem ... or is this what Christmas has become?

The imagination of children

This morning, I had the wonderful privilege to share some time with Senior Kindergarten students at St. David's.  There are four tables set up in this classroom, and from the moment I walked in, I became an instant Educational Assistant, although in situations such as these, I'm never sure who is the educator.

Since the regular teacher was occupied with other activities during my visit, there was a substitue who was filling in, so between us, we made sure that all the children got some breakfast.  Feeding bananas to Kindergarten students is interesting, since their little fingers sometimes have difficulty removing the peel, and therefore they need adult fingers to help them figure out the puzzle.  If fingers don't work, there are always scissors, but the kind needed for this task should only be handled by adults.

Even as some of the students continued to enjoy the adventure of a leisurely breakfast, others were ready to move on to the next activity.  In most cases this meant that colouring books came out on the desks, and an array of coloured pencils weren't far behind.  Before long, the little scissors also made their appearance, and the result was a crop of paper angels which, once cut and stapled became puppets: another source of amusement for young intellectual minds.

Time seems to fly when there is this much activity around, but not before I was beckoned by one child who wanted to show me his artistic renditions of his family, including the birds that were flying above their heads, and the motorcycles he has already begun to dream about.

I can't wait to see what other dreams and aspirations they come up with.

Out of the mouths of babes

What would it take for us to wake up and realize the real reason for the celebration of Christmas?  For some, this is a given; for others, simple words spoken by children are enough to wake them up. 

Becky Kelley found herself in a lineup at her neighbourhood mall.  Not far away were children waiting to visit with Santa.  Everything seemed just right, until a small child tugged on her blouse and asked, Where`s the line to see Jesus?

The result of her wake-up call was a song that she recorded and posted.  It's met with great success, and is a fitting message for us to hear in these weeks as we prepare for the season of giving, love and the celebration of birth.

Catechism at Christmas

As we prepare for the celebration of the Christmas season, perhaps this is a good time to ask readers whether you realize that the words of the famous Twelve Days of Christmas were originally written as a means of teaching children about the truths of faith taught by the Church.

Before we explain, here (to refresh your memory) is the rendition as it was recorded by the famous Chipmunks:



Now for the translated meaning of each of these days:

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each
element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

• The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
• Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
• Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
• The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
• The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
• The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
• Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching,  Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
• The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
• Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,  Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
• The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
• The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
• The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today.  Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone - and, remember, the Twelve Days of Christmas are the 12 days following December 25th.  The Christmas Season runs until Epiphany, January 6.

Oh, and should you be wanting yet another rendition of this carol, here is the rendition recorded in 1998 by a men's chorus called Straight No Chaser.  Enjoy!

Stand up

Today is Gaudete Sunday, the day of great rejoicing, the day when our anticipation for the coming of our Savior is all but brimming over.  It seems ironic that on this day of great joy, the scriptures speak of situations and people who often can hamper such celebration.  Is it true that the scriptures provide paradox?  Is it not true that often this paradox allows us to unveil a deep-seated truth about our call to be people of faith?

Here then (or should that be hear then?) is my reflection based on the gospel passage of John, a voice crying in the wilderness, a witness to the Light:


I am the voice

Across our country, especially among children, there is significant concern about a prevailing tendency for bullying among peers.  This is not a new phenomenon, but it seems to have reached epic proportions in recent years.  As part of the campaign to identify the perpetrators and to control this issue, the local Catholic School Board has recently introduced a new slogan which is being repeated within the walls of our schools.  The words Stand up to bullying provide the framework for addressing the problem of bullying whether it takes place on the school bus, in the school yard, in the halls or in the classroom.  Some if not all of us present today may very well have known our own fair share of bullies in school, at work or in some other setting.  Regardless of their age and size, bullies are either controlled or allowed to control, and unfortunately, the ones who are bullied often end up feeling powerless.

The scripture passages we have heard today tell us that bullying existed even as far back as the time of Jesus.  In fact, I would venture to say that bullies have existed for many centuries before that time too.  In the time of Jesus, the Romans were occupying the territory of present-day Israel, and they ruled with an iron fist.  There was little mercy shown to anyone who dared to question their methods, and this bred a sense of fear in their subjects.  Jesus knew this repression only too well, but he also knew that the spirit of the Lord was upon him and that he was to be entrusted with the task of bringing good news to the oppressed, of binding up the broken hearted, of proclaiming liberty to captives, and release to those who were imprisoned and who were being repressed.

Even before Jesus came onto the public stage though, there were other heroes for the cause.  John the Baptist stood in the waters of the Jordan and testified to the Light.  The Roman rulers were smart political figures.  They knew the signs of insurrection, so even as the first signs of threat to their rule were becoming apparent they sent emissaries to put John to the test.  The arrival of these priests and Levites (the law enforcers of the day) would have been like the school yard bully making a grand entrance.  They thrived on the fear that was conjured in the hearts and spirits of their captives.  Although John would have known this to be true, he appeared to have the answers well-rehearsed.  I wonder whether his voice cracked as he answered their queries: Who are you? and Why are you baptizing?

The truth is that his answers paved the way for the one whose sandals he himself was unworthy to untie.  The truth is that he was able to overcome the fear that imprisons so that he could find a voice to proclaim a new truth: that he was but a voice crying in the wilderness, speaking out against the ever-present oppression.

What of our world today?  There are places in our world where political oppression makes it feel as though any words spoken about the promise of one who can bring freedom are indeed the voice of one crying in the wilderness, as though such an effort would be worthless.  In India, Christians count for only 3 percent of the population.  Across the mountains, in China, words about Christianity might very well meet with a much more severe punishment.  In the Northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat, words once spoken in hope have been stifled, and unkempt promises have resulted in a decimated people.  Yet, one of the signs that convince me that faith is bigger than any of us is that there is a thriving Christian presence in China, and the three percent of Indians who are Christian can teach us a thing or two about not being afraid to be fervent disciples.  The truth is that wherever it is oppressed, faith seems to grow stronger.  Even when attempts to silence our words appear to be triumphing, we must be brave enough to speak, especially for those who have no voice.

Perhaps we can’t change every situation, but I wonder if we have the courage to leave this place tonight (today), to go into our streets, into our schools and into our workplaces, ready to face the challenges we will meet there.  We know only too well who the bullies in our own situations are.  The truth of the matter is that bullying itself is often a response to some kind of oppression, and bullies often are the ones who most need to be convinced that they are loved.  What would it take for us to answer terrorizing tactics with enough love to convince even the most skeptical?  Paul’s words encourage us to rejoice always for the Spirit within us will give us the words we need to speak at the appropriate time.

For Gaudete Sunday

Happy Sunday!

The third Sunday of Advent (that's today) is traditionally known as the day of great joy.  This joy is not born out of some sense of success on our part, but rather on the great gift of love that was offered to us by our God.  Out of this love, we were created and redeemed.  Because of this grace, we now live by the light of faith.

Enjoy the day, and give thanks for all that we have received.

One day too late

Today the Church provides an optional memorial to pray with Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.  Very little is known about the life of this Mexican aboriginal before his conversion to Catholicism, yet he is famous because he is the peasant to whom Mary appeared in the Tepeyac dessert near Mexico City.  This apparition is commemoriated on December 12 (that's next Monday) as the Virgin of Guadalupe.

This morning, I set out to visit the nearby high school.  Normally, I am there on Thursdays but yesterday saw me busy with other matters, so off I went, only to discover today that although the students are in classes, the chaplain who I would normally meet is at another location today.  These are relatively informal visits (for the most part) so after spending just a few moments to greet arriving students and staff, I left the school.  No problem: the students are scheduled to celebrate Mass here next week, so maybe then I'll be able to tell them about today's Mexican saint (unless of course there is some other focus that might take over the spotlight, like Advent or some other hero in faith).

Gone home

Word today from the Congregation of the Resurrection of a funeral that was celebrated in Kitchener for a priest who once served in this diocese.  He's better known to people in the North Bay area than in other parts, but nonetheless we join our prayers with those of his religious congregation as we commend him to the mercy of our God.

Father Joseph Palubeski, CR died on Saturday, December 3 of this year as a result of a brain tumour.  He was in his 73rd year of life and his 54th year of religious life.

The son of the late Dominic and Stella Palubeski (nee Coulas), Fr. Joseph was born in Woodstock, Ontario.  He is survived by his sisters Beverly Sieber of Kitchener and Marylin Strauss of Waterloo as well as five nieces and 1 nephew.

He grew up attending Sacred Heart Church in Kitchener, Ontario under the care of the Congregation of the Resurrection.  On September 8, 1958, he professed his first vows in the Congregation.  He then attended St. Peter's Seminary in London, where he obtained his B.A. in Honors Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario (1962).  He continued his theological studies at St. John Cantius Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri from 1962 to 1966 and on March 26, 1966 he was ordained a priest in St. Louis.

From 1966 to 1983, Fr. Joe taught Business and Commerce, Mathematics and Religion at three different High Schools in Kitchener, Brantford and North Bay.  He served on the OECTA in Brantford and North Bay during his postings in those cities.  In 1978, he obtained a M.Ed. from the University of Toronto.  In 1983, he was appointed Associate Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus parish in North Bay, and then served there as Pastor from 1984 to 1993.  Following this appointment, he accepted an appointment in Stony Hill (Jamaica) where he served as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish and four missions for a period of seven years.  From 2000 to 2003, he was assigned as Pastor of Guardian Angels church in Louisville, Kentucky, and then was called to serve as Pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Warwick, Bermuda.  Two years later, he was appointed as Rector of St. Theresa's Cathedral in Hamilton, Bermuda, where he served until the present day.

Well known for his generosity and zeal, he demonstrated a consistent quality of commitment and fidelity to the values of religious life, which enabled him to touch the lives of many people during his life of faithful service.

Visitation took place last night at the church of the Sacred Heart (Kitchener) and the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there this morning at 10:00am.  Fr. Palubeski was then burried in the Resurrectionist Community plot at Mount Hope Cemetery in Kitchener.

May the choirs of angels come to meet you; may they take you to paradise.  May the Lord enfold you in His mercy, and may you find eternal life.

The one who chose his mother

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  This is a feast that is often misunderstood, for perhaps the first thought is that today is about celebrating the fact that Mary conceived her Son without sin.  In fact, today is about celebrating the fact that Mary herself was conceived without sin.

Fulton Sheen, who served as Bishop of Rochester, New York from 1966 to 1969 spoke of this feast by explaining that God had the privilege of choosing the one who would be his mother.  If you had this privilege, would you not choose the best, most perfect woman?  In fact, the Church teaches that from the moment of her own conception, Mary was protected by the special gift of prevenient grace from the effects of sin.  Today is about celebrating this gift, given to a mortal by the immortal.

Saint Anselm sppoke of this day explaining that God is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world.  God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life.  For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made, and Mary gave birth to him as the Savior of the world.  Without God's Son, nothing could exist, without Mary's Son, nothing could be redeemed. (from the Office of Readings for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception)

A morning with the little ones

This morning, the front hall at St. David's was very busy when I arrived.  At least four students were waiting for their chance to explain their actions (or lack thereof).  All of this is 'normal' in this setting where the children face all kinds of challenges.  Thank goodness they are so resilient.

My morning routine took me into the JK class today to meet with some of my little friends.  In fact, when I walked into the class, they were overjoyed to see me, and actually knew my name (aren't they smart?).  They are quickly getting used to my visits, and perhaps are anticipating them as much as I am.

Even as we shared English muffins and oranges this morning, I heard whispers about going with this group of youngsters to the gymnasium.  On the way, the children willingly posed for a few photos.

Notice the sign that is above their heads.  One would have thought that I placed it there to identify my new-found friends.  As it happens, the sign was already there, and I just happened to notice it there. I wonder whether they put it there in anctipation of such a photo op.

After this brief pause, the next stop was the gymnasium, where they quickly demonstrated their knowlege of the routine.

From this circle, they could proceed to any number of activities:

• running in circles around at least half of the gym space
• playing hopscotch on the coloured circles (you can perhaps catch a glimpse of the circles in the distance, behind the circle of children, and
• taking their turn at bowling, a task which isn't as easy as it might first appear, especially for these little ones (the bowling ball is bigger than some of them).

In all, it was a morning filled with the simplicity of children.  What a wonderful gift for the adult: an opportunity to remember that no matter how old we may be, we're all children at heart.

From politics to priesthood

Today, the Church celebrates a fourth-century saint who actually began not as a priest, but as a politician.  Some would say that all priests need to be politicians of sorts, but today's hero boasted a father who served as the Prefect of Gaul.

Having died at a relatively early age, this father left the way open for his son to follow in his footsteps.  In fact though, his political background only paved the way for his ecclesiastical election to the office of Bishop.  This happened in a fashion not often heard of today: he was chosen by spontaneous acclamation.

In time, his dedication to the Church and to his ministry as one of the Shepherds earned him the title of Doctor of the Church, one reserved to those whose teaching has proven to be particularly pivotal in the magesterium (teaching authority of the Church).


Saint Ambrose of Milan, pray for us.

A saint and shoes

Did you know that Santa Claus is a saint?

The famous man in red had a fourth-century cousin who walked the world as a bishop in modern-day Turkey.  Today, the Church all over the world remembers and prays with this saint who had a reputation for secret gift giving.  People would leave their shoes out for him, and if he passed by (which he often did) he would put coins into the shoes.  Based on this habitual goodness, he provides the model for the famous inhabitant of the northernmost reaches of this country.


As at some other times in the year, both the Eastern and Western Church hold this holy man in great reverence, as do various protestant churches, including some branches of the Lutheran and Anglican traditions.

You might say that he was also a model for ecumenism, long before it was necessary.

Preparing the way

The words of the baptist must have made a few people scratch their heads and wonder.  Perhaps more than a few in his day thought that he was just a reed blowing in the wind, but one by one, more and more people listened, and came to believe.  Today, we too may choose to let these words pass us by, but if we stop long enough to ponder them, we may discover a truth that speaks to our hearts, and calls us into a new relationship of love.

Prepare the way

Twice this past week, I was woken up in the early hours of the morning by snow plows passing by.  Throughout the summer months, I’d forgotten the fact that in the downtown core, these machines pass by (sometimes quite regularly) during the winter months, and they often work in the pre-dawn hours of the morning, clearing away the debris left by an overnight snowfall, and preparing the streets for the morning rush hour traffic.

Long before the advent of snowploughs, there was another means of waking us up, of preparing us for the day ahead.  The prophet Isaiah spoke during a time when the Israelite people would have known only too well what it was like to have weathered a storm or too.  They had been exiled from their homeland, and been subjected to captivity for so long that they perhaps had almost forgotten what it was like to be free.  In the face of such desperation, the prophet’s words speak of promise, of a time when the ravages of captivity will come to an end, of the hope of a better tomorrow.  Even as this new dawn was looming, Isaiah also challenged God’s people to prepare the way of the Lord.

Throughout the centuries that have since passed, these words have been repeated by the Baptist and by others, as a reminder that we must always be on the lookout, always preparing the way for a better tomorrow.  The question is, How exactly do we prepare the way? and What will this better tomorrow look like?  Will we recognize it when we see it?

To answer the first of these questions, perhaps we should borrow a page from the ancient Lenten practices of fasting and prayer.  Together with almsgiving, these are the disciplines most often spoken of during the season of preparation for Easter, but there is room for them to help us live the Advent period too.  The discipline of fasting allows us to identify the excuses we make up in order to convince ourselves that we’re too busy for God.  It’s about admitting to ourselves that we’re our own worst enemies when it comes to admitting that we often surround ourselves more with the tasks of life than leaving room for living life to the full.  One might say that the discipline of fasting allows us to identify the debris in our lives that needs to be cleared away in order to make the path straight again.

Making the path straight is where the discipline of prayer comes in.  Over the past number of weeks, we’ve been preparing for the introduction of the revised Roman Missal, and last week, for the very first time, we used this new text for our time of prayer.  It will still take some time for all of us to get used to this new language, but I think that we did pretty well, considering how many changes there are.  I was also pleasantly surprised to see that we’ve started to implement most of the changes in posture, but I’m sure that there are still some who are wondering what’s going on.  For those who may not have heard the news, Bishop Plouffe issued a set of directives about the implementation of these changes back in September.  One of the changes he’s called for is that during the distribution of communion, the assembly should remain standing (if possible) until all have received the Blessed Sacrament.  After Communion has been distributed to all the assembly, ‘as circumstances allow’ the members of the assembly may sit or kneel while a period of sacred silence is observed.

While we may still be asking why such a change has to be implemented, consider for a moment that this is all part of preparing the way.  A better tomorrow begins to take shape when we all recognize that the prayer we offer during the Mass is about giving praise and thanks to God.  This sacred space allows us to utter private words of supplication and also to join in the common prayer of the Eucharist.  Even as we speak these words, our prayer makes us keenly aware that there are aspects of our lives that need to be cleared away in order to make the path straight for the coming of the Lord.  When he comes there will be a new heaven and a new earth.  I for one can’t wait to see what that will be like.

X-day

Today is the liturgical feast of Saint Francis Xavier.  It also happens to be the day on which graduates of St. Francis Xavier University (StFX for short) receive their rings.  Yes, every graduate from that institute of higher learning (with the exception perhaps of the distance learners) is presented with a ring as a momento of their years spent there.

This year, for the first time I believe, the grad ceremony and the presentation of rings is being televised on-line so that other X-men and women can be present, albeit virtually at the festivities.

The broadcast begins at 2:00pm EST.

A child's perspective

Every now and then, wisdom comes to the heart of adults from the mouths of children.  If we're lucky, we get the opportunity to hear this stuff first hand, but at times it comes to us through the miracle of modern communication.  Evidence the words of a very bright young child who lives in the city of Chula Vista, California.  Here's 8-year-old Danny's take on explaining God:

'One of God's main jobs is making people. He  makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be  enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't  make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller  and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his  valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just  leave that to mothers and fathers.'

'God's second  most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of  this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things,  pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to  listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears  everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his  ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it  off.'

'God sees everything and hears everything and  is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't  go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head  asking for something they said you couldn't  have.'

'Atheists are people who don't believe in God.  I don't think there are any in Chula Vista ... At least  there aren't any who come to our church.'

'Jesus is  God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on  water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people  who didn't want to learn about God.. They finally got tired  of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was  good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that  they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them  and God said O.K.'

'His dad (God) appreciated  everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth  so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore.  He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad  out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are  important for God to take care of and which ones he can take  care of himself without having to bother God. Like a  secretary, only more important.'

'You can pray  anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they  got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.' 

'You should always go to church on Sunday because it  makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make  happy, it's God!

Don't skip church to do something  you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is  wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach  until noon anyway.'

'If you don't believe in God,  besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because  your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but  God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're  scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get  thrown into real deep water by big  kids.'

'But.....you shouldn't just always think of  what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can  take me back anytime he pleases.

And...that's why I  believe in God.'

How can we top that one?