Dear Friends,
Well we have all made it through the Superbowl at this point. I am so pleased Josh Allen received the MVP award at the NFL Honors Ceremony. There are many of you who I know feel the same way. I write this article not knowing the outcome of the Super Bowl.
We each cheer on for a favorite, beloved team; even when our team doesn’t make it, do we cheer? This makes me think about the Christian world. Are you a cheerleader for Christianity? Not to be sexist, but do we see that each of us are called to be cheerleaders too?
I have a beloved friend who said to me last weekend, after I mentioned my Amazon Prime order for an Eagles Wings retro shirt, how can you flip around so much? Yes, having lived in New England for some time, I like the Patriots! Yes, being raised here in Upstate New York, I celebrate the success of the Bills! I replied to my friend, “Well, I have two parishes, I will have two teams!”
And, my two teams are not part of the Superbowl, but will that take away my blessing to be together with friends and to enjoy being with one another? NO!
How does our seriousness of faith weigh on our “team support?”
You know I am talking about Jesus. Are we as committed and enthusiastic about Jesus and being loyal to Him as we are about the Patriots, Bills, Eagles, Chiefs, Browns, Saints and fill in the blank.
Yes, fill in the blank. What team are you on? Jesus has quite the program and openings. Where would you play for Him? He has a position for all of us for the victory!
Your answer?
Oh, I had a great evening last Friday with some of our youth on Search Retreat at Notre Dame in Canandaigua! After arriving, and slipping on an ice covered parking lot shooting up in the air one of the cupcakes I brought, I safely made it into the retreat house with the guidance of Sarah Gargano.
What a great evening I experienced with some of the best young people from our two parishes! We shared great introductions, a delightful game, a delicious dinner and a wonderful celebration with one another of the Eucharist!
I made it safely out of the retreat house, avoiding slipping on the ice, not connecting with any wildlife on the way back home and going to my night prayer thanking the good Lord for Anne, Karen, Devon, Audrey, Cassidy, Danica, Elizabeth, Grace, Julia, Keaton, Lillian, Ryan, Sarah, Violet and William.
There is no better way for me to end my day than thanking Jesus for those who blessed me this very day! I am so grateful!
Blessings,
Father Rob