Michael Sliney

Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends, in Christ,

     “Gossip can also kill, because it kills the reputation of the person! It is so terrible to gossip! At first it may seem like a nice thing, even amusing, like enjoying a candy. But in the end, it fills the heart with bitterness, and even poisons us.” (Pope Francis, Angelus, Feb. 16, 2014).

    Before you say, spread or post a “lie”, try to separate yourself from the angry or jealous feelings that you may feel towards that particular person, and reflect on the damage that will be done.  Even “stretching” the truth in a negative light can have extremely hurtful consequences…humility and magnanimity are a big part of being Christian. In the end, you are also hurting yourself as well…

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends, in Christ,

     “If you do not understand a man you cannot crush him. And if you do understand him, very probably you will not.” G.K. Chesterton

    As I listen and spend more time with people, my appreciation of them typically tends to grow.  You begin to realize their personal struggles, their vulnerabilities and hurts, their anxieties and fears…and empathy becomes so much easier.  When a homeless man in NYC asked me if I had ever spent two weeks on the street in the freezing cold, without a shower and rarely without a hot meal, and that even with 4 pairs of socks on, he could no longer feel his toes…it certainly changed my perspective!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends, in Christ,

     “When I am incapable of praying or practicing virtue, then is the moment to look for small occasions, nothings, to give You pleasure. For example, a smile, a friendly word, when I should much prefer to say nothing at all or look bored…. When I find no occasions, at least I want to keep telling You that I love You; it is not difficult and it keeps the fire of love going.” (St. Thèrése of the Child Jesus,  Letters, 122)

     When your emotional and mental batteries are running low, when you are having a rough day and it seems like everything and everyone is against you, when you simply want to just shut down and go to bed…this is the golden time of deep virtue!  Try to smile, say a friendly word and try your best to show Jesus that you really do love him.

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends, in Christ,

     “The culture of selfishness and individualism that often prevails in our society is not, I repeat, not what builds up and leads to a more habitable world: rather, it is the culture of solidarity that does so; the culture of solidarity means seeing others not as rivals or statistics, but brothers and sisters.”  Pope Francis

    We live in a culture when everyone is trying to “one-up” their team-mate, sibling, co-worker, or friend…whatever the cost and by whatever means necessary.  You can be successful and driven while still caring about those around you and trying to help them to shine in the process…this is the Christian way!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends, in Christ,

     “When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” G.K. Chesterton

     During one of our mission trips to Mexico, our bus load of boys and dads stopped by a roadside house to use their two outhouses in the field.  They used newspaper for toilet paper, their “house” was a shack with a dirt floor and flimsy cots as beds, and corn tortillas seemed to be the staple dish.  But the three Mexican girls and their mom and dad had bright smiles on their faces and a deep peace in their hearts.  They told me that they went to Mass every Sunday, prayed and truly valued their time together as a family.  Faith and family are such huge gifts and I encourage all of the parents out there to make this the priority as well.

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

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