Sliney Central

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Michael Sliney

Do you love Christ?

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends, in Christ,

     “Love God, serve God: everything is in that.” — St. Clare of Assisi

    Christ asked Peter three times, “do you love me?”   Christ asks this same question to us everyday.  “Do you love me enough to be kind and patient with your spouse?  Do you love me enough to give up the emotional attachments that might be hurting your marital bond?  Do you love me enough to forgive this person who hurt you deeply?  Do you love me enough to put me on your schedule and dedicate serious time to prayer each day?  This is the key…love Christ intensely!!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Praying the rosary

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“How beautiful is the family that recites the Rosary every evening!” St. Pope John Paul II
 
A few months ago, I joined a family for dinner on their outdoor patio. They had a beautiful grotto of the Blessed Mother in their garden and shortly after dinner, we all gathered to pray the rosary together. I have always noticed a certain sweetness and kindness of the children of this family, and that night, I discovered their secret.
 
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Forming youth

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

     “Youth is wild, and requires many governors, teachers, directors, attendants, and tutors; and after all these, it is a happiness if it be restrained. For as a horse not broken in, or a wild beast untamed, such is youth. But if from the beginning, from the earliest age, we fix it in good rules, much pains will not be required afterwards; for good habits formed will be to them as a law.”

St. John Chrysostom

     It started with strict bedtimes that were enforced in grade school and this evolved into a strict curfew in High School on week-ends.  My dad would always be at the door at 1130 PM to analyze my state of mind and ask a few questions to see my level of coherency.  There was a deep Faith, and a loving discipline in our home and I am really grateful to my parents for going the extra mile in “forming” us!  They taught me to respect them and God, and this foundation was fundamental and transformational for my adult life.

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Don’t leave Jesus out!

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Always climbing ladders, grinding it out?
Putting yourself out there, garnering clout?
Posting perfect photos…for a shout-out?
Yoga, spinning, marathons…working out?
Kale, cold pressed juices, lots of brussels sprouts?
All solid stuff…but does it leave a doubt?
Is this what “happiness” is all about?
Are Scripture and the chapel your “hang-out”?
Jesus is the key, PLEASE don’t leave him out!

Selflessness

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

     “The truly patient man neither complains of his hard lot nor desires to be pitied by others. He speaks of his sufferings in a natural, true, and sincere way, without murmuring, complaining, or exaggerating them.” St. Francis de Sales

     Several years ago, I had the privilege of traveling with one of our priests in Guadalajara, Mexico.  His name was Fr. Morales, and he was dying of throat cancer.  I asked him how he was sleeping at night and he said, “It can be a little difficult with only one lung, but I try my best to get through the night.” Then he asked us to pull over at a snack shop on the road, and he picked out some great Mexican candies, chips and sodas and paid for them…I asked him what he liked best and he said, “Oh no, this is all for you (there were 2 other priests in the car), I cannot each much now, but I thought you would like these snacks.”  Powerful testimony of love and patient suffering…and all with a gentle and kind smile!!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC