Transitions
In one week, we have been through some major transitions. All, good, but bittersweet.
The youngest one left for college in a city about an hour away and the oldest son moved out. In the midst of all this, our house sold and we have started the major move to our new home and new parish, St Joseph the Worker.
We are leaving the town of Emmaus where Jesus revealed himself to us in the breaking of the bread. Our first parish, St Ann's will remain in our hearts as a special place but the beauty of the Catholic faith is that the Mass remains the same no matter where you go. One priest doesn't confect the Eucharist any better than another, and our spiritual life is not dependent on the personality of the pastor or his homiles (sermons).
We are sad to see our children go, but thankful to God for this new era in their lives. The day my youngest went to college, I was seeking the intercession of St. Monica for him. I opened my
e mail and saw that the "Saint of The Day" was St Monica! It was very comforting to celebrate the feast day of St Monica on the day my son left home. As many of you know, St. Monica was St. Augustine's mum and prayed for him to reconcile to God and come to faith. She actually followed him to Rome where he met St. Ambrose who eventually baptised him into the Catholic faith.
Never underestimate, the power of the intercession of the saints. Today I spoke with my youngest and he told me he went to Mass! He's not even Catholic, but the Newman Center on campus is directly across from his dorm. Thank you God for hearing the prayers of your saints! His late Mom is in heaven praying for him I know. This college was her alma mater.
The youngest one left for college in a city about an hour away and the oldest son moved out. In the midst of all this, our house sold and we have started the major move to our new home and new parish, St Joseph the Worker.
We are leaving the town of Emmaus where Jesus revealed himself to us in the breaking of the bread. Our first parish, St Ann's will remain in our hearts as a special place but the beauty of the Catholic faith is that the Mass remains the same no matter where you go. One priest doesn't confect the Eucharist any better than another, and our spiritual life is not dependent on the personality of the pastor or his homiles (sermons).
We are sad to see our children go, but thankful to God for this new era in their lives. The day my youngest went to college, I was seeking the intercession of St. Monica for him. I opened my
e mail and saw that the "Saint of The Day" was St Monica! It was very comforting to celebrate the feast day of St Monica on the day my son left home. As many of you know, St. Monica was St. Augustine's mum and prayed for him to reconcile to God and come to faith. She actually followed him to Rome where he met St. Ambrose who eventually baptised him into the Catholic faith.
Never underestimate, the power of the intercession of the saints. Today I spoke with my youngest and he told me he went to Mass! He's not even Catholic, but the Newman Center on campus is directly across from his dorm. Thank you God for hearing the prayers of your saints! His late Mom is in heaven praying for him I know. This college was her alma mater.
posted by Russ Rentler, M.D. | 6:53 PM
6 Comments:
A warm post full of faith and love. By the way, on the very same day, the feast day of Saint Monica, it was our 25th anniversary. Of course, 25 years ago the significance of such a saint day was lost on us - but not to God who restores the years of the locust and turns what was not to what is :) God bless you, your wife and kids in this new stage of life. And may your move be blessed.
What an exciting time Russ! It is like your life is really having a change this fall. I pray that all continues to be well with you and yours. Also, I hope you are enjoying your labor day monday!
Blessings to you my friend.
-g-
Such great news, Russ! You know how our lives parallel. We're not moving, and our boys have both been gone a long time, but you know what I mean...I too was comforted by St Monica on her feast day which came as a surprise to me, not knowing it was that day, until at Mass. Our oldest son is going to Mass and will enroll in RCIA, as far as we know. He has to leave Dallas for cases, so he wasn't sure how it works to miss classes. We're praying that St Monica and St Augustine will guide his steps, and provide orthodox mentors in his life now. We see it has begun! We have two sons who were baptized in the CC, but never brought up with any formation, as we, like Owen left to wander in the Evangelical forest. I don't mean that to be critical of Evangelicals, per se, but it is a forest and sometimes hard to find the correct path, but as we know, all paths lead to Rome, so one day, your sons and ours and many others will find that path, that was also traveled by Augustine in his journey back to the Church. Late have I loved Thee, our dear Catholic Church, but better late than never! God bless you and Deborah and your sons. Maybe you'll be able to come to Omaha sometime and play your dulcimer on the prairie at the Holy Family Shrine and visit the Lincoln diocese where 49 seminarians are studying to be priests for the new "Springtime" of the Church. Who knows, one of your sons and maybe our oldest could very well get the call!! I dream "big" and delight in the stories of all of us prodigals, the famous and the obscure, the great and the small, the intellects and the simple ALL ONE in CHRIST and JOINED in ONE FAITH in ONE CHURCH. You might catch Newman at 2000, on EWTN. It's being rebroadcast from 8 years ago and it's tremendous! That's one amazing journey of a brilliant mind! Sorry to ramble. PAX~
Susie said:
"Who knows, one of your sons and maybe our oldest could very well get the call!! I dream "big" and delight in the stories of all of us prodigals, the famous and the obscure, the great and the small, the intellects and the simple ALL ONE in CHRIST and JOINED in ONE FAITH in ONE CHURCH."
A big Amen to that!
Hey, if we came back to the Church, there's no telling what God can do in the lives of our kids!
That's great news about your son and RCIA.
St Monica and St Augustine, pray for our families.
thanks owen. yes restoring the years the locust has taken, I know what you mean.
hey George,
thanks so much for your prayers!
I will send up some for you as well
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