Sliney Central

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Inspirational thoughts

Patient endurance

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

     “I have found that the greatest power is hidden patience. I see that patience always leads to victory, although not immediately; but that victory will become manifest after many years. Patience is linked to meekness.” St. Faustina

   My mom stuck with me during my childhood years.  I was stubborn, manipulative, at times disrespectful, and always wanted it done my way.  She put up with a lot of suffering over a long period of time (from me and my 2 brothers…my sister was a saint), and her patient endurance and loving discipline paid off.   Her Faith and virtue are the main reason I am here as a priest today.

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Life’s lessons

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

“A mother helps her children look at life’s problems realistically, and not dwell on them, but to face them with courage, and not to be weak and to know how to overcome them.”  (Pope Francis, May 6, 2013)

   The first time I played pond hockey with my older brothers, I got really banged up.  My knees were strawberries and my shins were all black and blue…when I came home, I showed my legs to my mom and I started to cry.  She looked at me with love, and said with a smile, “Michael, this is part of hockey and really, this will part of your whole life.  It’s ok to get a little hurt, just make sure you always get back up and keep playing.”  Tough words but a good life lesson for me!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Gratitude

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

     “With God’s permission…hope and love are put to the test.”  St. Faustina

    During one of our home visits at the family mission in Avondale, PA., we spent time with a young mom with cancer.  Her head was completely bald, she lived in a trailer park with no air conditioning, but she had a radiant glow in her face.  She was upbeat and grateful to God for recently allowing her to have a baby in spite of many risks, and during our brief stay her focus was on serving us and making sure that we were comfortable…those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Evangelizing your pond

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

    Which fish in your “pond of influence” do not know and love Christ?  Make a list, pray for them and offer up concrete sacrifices for them each day…and don’t be afraid to share the treasure in a prudent, sincere and heart-felt way!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Taking your temperature

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

“I always want to see you behaving like a brave soldier who does not complain about his own suffering but takes his comrades’ wounds seriously and treats his own as nothing but scratches.”

–Saint Therese of Lisieux, to her novices

     How often are we asked, “How do you feel? How are you doing?”   We all have aches, pains and real difficulties, but in general, most people do not want to be burdened by them.  I am always impressed by people who put their best face forward, don’t complain, and focus on serving the needs of others.  The more you take your own temperature, the higher it rises!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Praying

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

     “Whether, therefore, we receive what we ask for, or do not receive it, let us still continue steadfast in prayer. For to fail in obtaining the desires of our heart, when God so wills it, is not worse than to receive it; for we know not as He does, what is profitable to us” – St. John Chrysostom

     In the Our Father, we pray: “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”   We can certainly pray for anything, but this should be our main focus as it will lead to our greatest fulfillment as human beings as well.  Our focus should be on evangelizing and spreading his love and doing his will in each and every moment.  If your prayers are not answered to your liking, trust that Christ has a better plan in store…

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

St. John Paul II

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TKC!

“There is no place for selfishness—and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice”

–St. Pope John Paul II

    An elderly gentleman from Poland told me a story about St. Pope John’s Paul’s days as a parish priest.  He had just arrived to his new parish on horseback during a blizzard and he was certainly tired and cold from the journey.   Most of the parishioners were in the church praying the rosary and he was told that one of their parishioners had not come back from his travels and they were praying for his safe return in the blizzard.  The Pope immediately set out with a few young men and came back with this man on his horseback six hours later…he saved his life!  He truly walked the walk in so many ways!!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

The Eucharist

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends, in Christ,

“Only to be with thee, only to see thee, sufficeth me. My heart is then at rest.  I wonder I am worthy of so much.”  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

     I always prefer seeing a friend “face to face”, and having a conversation “heart to heart”.  Nothing beats being with Christ where he is, body and soul.  Go to the Eucharist!!

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC