Hello my brothers and sisters,

As a young man in high school volunteering at St. Philomene, I was stunned of how many people would say "huh, you do what?" But when I would say this and tell them in a way that they would understand the Catholic faith, my faith, I would use different analogies, such as a Star Wars analogy. I would use the Lord Jesus Christ as Yoda and Satan as the Dark side of the force, but if you think about don't you think that star wars is kind of a good representation of our catholic faith, how Luke was saved by his father from the evil Emperor with both of his hands gone and how after all the Jedi that he killed and people he killed that Padmé still believed there was good in Anakin, and she was right.

No matter how evil you may think someone might be, the light of Christ can shine in their soul and lift up their spirit and show them the goodness of the Lord. Isn't that what Christ want from us, to show peace to everyone, "Well Father, there is this neighbor I have, an she is so annoying." But do you ever listen to mass, "...Now let us offer each other a sign of peace of Jesus Christ." Do you think you should only do that for when your in mass or near a church. You are supposed to take the Lord every where you go, and no matter who you meet. Peace and Love of Christ should be embraced by everyone. We know that the Lord works in mysterious ways. Maybe the one you find annoying to you can be Christ testing you and you don't know it.

When you get angry or frustrated and about to explode, you would usually say something to calm down or count or do breathing in and out, but the next time you feel like your going to explode I would like you to slow down and say to yourself, "God loves me, Jesus loves me, and God loves you, and Jesus love you." We don't think about much when we get angry at someone, In the world today, people just blame other people for their problems or what happens to a place or a group of people. Does the Lord say to you "Stop loving this person, because he acts different, or don't acknowledge this person, because they have different beliefs then you do!" No he doesn't, he wants us to love each and every person with love and joy.

We must not look at the evil in people, but look in the good in people and see the glory of God in them. Stop looking down and start looking up. Don't let someone continue to have a bad day, but ask them "How are you doing?" or invite them to have lunch or dinner sometime. Some people just don't care what happens to you, "What Father there are people who don't care!" Its true, but they don't see the light of God all they see is light of their own ambition and things that make them happy. Want to know what makes me happy seeing the High school student or college students take time out their busy day and come to Bounty and help to feed the hungry and less fortunate. It is always an honor for me to work side by side with someone who donates their time and effort in making other people feel better or just volunteering where ever.

Don't ever turn your back on anything or anyone. That's not what Christ wants you to do. He wants you to understand that everyone is made the same. This person is not more loved then this person! We are all loved the same, each and every one of you are the children of the lord. we must open our hearts to him and anything or anyone he sends our way. Never look upon someone, who acts differently then you, who a face of disgusted, but a face of love and happiness. Start meeting new people and enjoy the time you spend together. Say hello to them ,each time you see them, as if you are seeing them for the first time. I have never met a stranger in my life and I am not going to start now.



When you see someone walking past you who you know and dislike, don't frown upon them. Walk up to them and say "Hello, or Hi, I am sorry for what has happen between us, I hope that we can become friends" and if that doesn't work with them, then let go and pray for them, pray that Gods love will show them enjoyment of their life. When most people don't like someone, they will usually stay away or just ignore them. We must never steer away from people or ignore them, we must look upon them for a new begging. My favorite verse is Proverbs 17:17 "A friend is always a friend, and a brother is born in a time of stress." I live by that verse everyday of my life. I know that the Lord has blessed me with friends of all sorts and I love each and everyone of them as much as I love the next person the Lord calls to be my friend.In the Name of the Father and of the Son and Holy Spirit, I shall not know no strangers of my life on earth or heaven. A resolution that I encourage everyone to make this New Years or whenever you decide to, because when we need a friend or a brother in a time of stress the Lord give us a sign that he knows us and sends an angel to help us. We must understand that when Jesus Christ made his sacrifice, he did it for the sacrifice of us and our salvation, and not for his own ambition. A death he freely except for our salvation. He dead so that we can live in glory of his love and honor to him, with everyone.