Dear Friends,
I am away this weekend returning to my “second home” in Beverly, Massachusetts.
It will be my first return since Easter when my two friends. Armand LaSelva and Marla Lech, died within days of one another. I have never missed some summertime in Beverly for over 40 years until this year. Life, like so many of us, is “busy” and I have been part of that world for some time now. I love my vocation and what I am doing but I am looking forward to a respite and some moments apart to be with friends/family.
Our two Parish Staffs had an opportunity to get away for a day of reflection. Sister Karen Dietz, known by many of you, led us in a very valuable day of prayer, contemplation and heartfelt conversations. One of many great moments was in sharing with a video that I heard these words and immediately wrote them down. “Practice gratitude, lean into joy.” I try to make this my mantra.
A week ago, after mass, a family was leaving mass. They were out the door after I wished them a good day when a young boy came back to me. He shared his birthday was coming up and he was going to be 9. He wanted to share his joy! I wasn’t presiding at this mass and said, let’s do it next weekend because the joy will still be with you and me!
That same weekend I had a joy I could acknowledge at mass!
Jack Tvrdik, a very young man, we have been praying for and sending cards to him for a very long time. He was plagued with some form of tick disease beginning in 2019. Jack, if I may say, has been through hell. He has fought valiantly and has been so close to the Lord in these many, many months and years. Well, Jack texted me on Saturday, October 7 and said I might come to mass tomorrow.
OMG, my heart started to spin! I replied, this will be wonderful. Not knowing if it would happen, I was overjoyed when Jack arrived for mass! He was upright, first time I had seen that in quite some time and he looked great.
He shared he had just started driving two days before. AND, he asked, is there anything I could do today. He brought up the gifts for the eucharist. In our conversation I asked him if I could point him out at mass. He agreed. That was MY JOY at mass to share JACK WAS BACK! People turned to him, many with tears in their eyes (like myself) and gave a thunderous applause for several minutes!!!
Miracles happen. I practiced gratitude for this special 9 year old and Jack in my prayers that night.
I am still leaning on joy!
See you when I return.
Blessings to all,
Father Rob