Michael Sliney

Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

     “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

     Back in 1998, we brought a large group over to Rome for the Feast of Pentecost.  We were scheduled to have a special rosary with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican Gardens, but the crowds in St. Peter’s square rushed towards the gate when it opened for our group, so the Swiss Guards asked if we could form a human chain to keep the crowds under control.  Our guys volunteered for the job, and before long the guards were about to close the gates because the garden area was completely full.  Our guys offered to wait outside to control the crowds and to help lead everyone in a rosary on the steps of St. Peter’s along with Fr. Anthony Bannon, LC.  This was a tough sacrifice, but they did it with a great spirit.

     Two days later, we went to a Papal audience in St. Peter’s Square and as we entered the plaza, a Swiss Guard came up to me and mentioned that he could open up the barricade for our group, because the Pope would be driving right down this particular aisle. One hour later, the Pope drove down that aisle and most of our kids were able to touch him and see him up close.  Our little act of charity did not go unnoticed by God!

Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

     “You can pray while you work.  Work doesn’t stop prayer and prayer doesn’t stop work.  It requires only that small raising of the mind to him: I love you God, I trust you, I believe in you, I need you now.  Small things like that.  They are wonderful prayers.”  St. Mother Teresa

 The key is to have constant awareness of the presence of Christ as your traveling companion, friend and older brother.  Strive for conversations with Christ or the Blessed Mother from the heart, taking a break from work/technology and re-charging your spiritual batteries.  For example, you can say these words as you are getting closer to home while in the car, “Jesus, I have had a long day at work and am about to walk in the door.  Please give me strength and patience to be a loving presence for my family”

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Got Grace?

By Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

     “Got milk?” was a very successful television ad many years ago, showing satisfied, happy faces after drinking milk and flooding the screen with all of the nutritional advantages as well. The Catholic Church should consider doing an ad, “Got Grace?” Our worn down souls have a huge need for God’s grace and Lent is a great time to develop a healthy dependency on it.

     Nearly two years ago, I ran in the Hartford Marathon with two of my brother priests. Besides the practical advantage of getting back into shape and checking it off my bucket list, I thought it would help me better understand what it means to persevere in an endeavor that requires serious commitment and determination.  Several avid runners told me that I needed to buy a large supply of GU energy gels for my training and more importantly for the race itself. I resisted their urging until my body completely shut down near the end of a 16 mile training session…I think the 90 degree heat may have contributed to this breakdown! On the day of the race, I had five Gu packets stuffed in my pockets and systematically brought them out after the 4,8,12,16 and 20 mile markers…and I was extremely grateful for a gentleman on a bicycle who was handing out additional packets from mile 20-26.2…I had another 2 more!

     Persevering in Lent is similar to persevering in a marathon. Ash Wednesday is like the beginning of the race…lots of enthusiasm, focus, excitement and great hopes are at the starting line. Everyone has their resolution in mind, but as Lent drags on, some start to get tired, pull spiritual muscles or simply want out…perhaps the spiritual “GU” is missing fromtheir daily regiment? It also helped me, especially on mile 23, to remember that there was a finish line, that the fans were waiting and their would be a moment to celebrate with my brother priests. Easter is just around the corner…stay strong!

     Visit Jesus in the Eucharist! Don’t worry about what you are going to say, don’t worry if you hear anything or feel anything, don’t worry about all the other things you could be doing during this time. Make space to allow Jesus to love you! Go to Confession! Like a boxer going into the corner when the bell rings, we all need to leave the ring and get patched up by our trainer, the Holy Spirit. As the GU gel replenishes the body, Jesus will nourish your tired soul and give you the spiritual protein needed to continue on your transformational journey to holiness. Please, “waste time” with Jesus- you will never leave disappointed!

Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends, in Christ,

     “God does not give Himself to a chattering soul which, like a drone in a beehive, buzzes around but gathers no honey. A talkative soul is empty inside. It lacks both the essential virtues and intimacy with God. A deeper interior life, one of gentle peace and of that silence where the Lord dwells, is quite out of the question. A soul that has never tasted the sweetness of inner silence is a restless spirit which disturbs the silence of others.” St. Faustina Kowalska

     We are all surrounded by constant noise on the radio, TV, Itunes, Iphones, conversations and events, and we can often engage in endless chatter….we need to get away and find a quiet place to pray.  Let your soul breathe the fresh air of God’s grace, and simply slow down.  God whispers…he will never shout.