Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
My most magnificent, marvelous mom:
Acute, artsy…amazingly aplomb,
Caring, colorful, contemplative…calm!
Incredible intuition,
Powerful premonition,
Exceptional erudition,
Delightful disposition!
Christ-centeredness? Communicated!
Daily devotions? Demonstrated!
Awesomeness? Appreciated!
My most magnificent, marvelous mom:
Ninety one years old and still going strong!!
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“Ponder the fact that God has made you a gardener to root out vice and plant virtue.” St. Catherine of Sienna
A beautiful garden, like a beautiful soul is always something special to contemplate and enjoy. The greater the variety of flowers (virtues) and the less number of weeds (vices), make it even more appealing to the eye of the beholder. Physical beauty attracts…but virtue INSPIRES! What virtue have you planted recently in your “soul” garden? Is Christ asking you to add a few new additions?
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“Divine gift-love in the man enables him to love what is not naturally lovable: lepers, criminals, enemies, morons, the sulky, the superior and the sneering.” CS Lewis
I know a “Grease Monkey” owner who goes out of this way to hire ex-convicts to give them a second chance. Several of these guys have come up to me during an oil change, to ask me about my Faith, to talk “Jesus” and simply to receive a little love. I don’t know their backgrounds or their past crimes, but thanks to this shop owner, their dignity is clearly being restored and I noticed sincere smiles on their faces.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“When, however, this leaving one’s father and mother, and joining oneself to a woman, and going forward… when this love fails – because many times it fails – we have to feel the pain of the failure, [we must] accompany those people who have had this failure in their love. Do not condemn. Walk with them – and don’t practice casuistry on their situation.” Pope Francis
We have all been touched in some way by the ravages of divorce. There is a lot of hurt and deep pain in the hearts and minds of these souls…and what they most need is our kindness and our accompaniment.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“Family prayer has its own characteristic qualities. It is prayer offered in common, husband and wife together, parents and children together…by reason of their dignity and mission, Christian parents have the specific responsibility of educating their children in prayer, introducing them to gradual discovery of the mystery of God and to personal dialogue with Him…” St. John Paul II
Grace before meals, kneeling down with your kids before going to bed to say a prayer of thanksgiving or petition, reading Sacred Scripture and reflecting on a passage as a family, praying the rosary or at least a decade as a family, saying a prayer for a safe trip before leaving in your car,…so many simple but powerful ways to weave prayer into your family’s fiber.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“True progress quietly and persistently moves along without notice.” St. Francis de Sales
One of the keys to happiness is to focus less on the appreciation and esteem of other people and more on what God thinks about you. Do everything for him in a simple and quiet way, and he will bless you abundantly!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“The family, like the Church, ought to be a place where the Gospel is transmitted and from which the Gospel radiates…the future of evangelization depends in great part on the Church of the home.” St. John Paul II
I learned more about my Catholic faith in my home than I did in 13 years of Catholic schooling. This is where the faith is transmitted, this is where authentic examples of a “lived faith” permeate deep into the hearts and minds of kids. Parents, please be conscious of your role as the primary evangelizers of your children!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“I plead with you! Never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” St. John Paul II
Discouragement is one of the greatest temptations of the devil. Persevering in good is not easy, so we need to renew our love for Christ first thing each day, telling him that the entire day will be dedicated to him and lived for him. If Christ is at the center, nothing is too hard!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“Peace is better than fortune.” St. Francis de Sales
Peace is a powerful perk God gives to those selfless souls who pray a lot, and focus more on serving others and doing his most holy will.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
TKC!
“If you can share your anxiety with your spiritual director or some trusted friend, calm will be restored more quickly.” St. Francis de Sales
When something begins to agitate my soul and try to take away my peace, I am one text or phone call away to my spiritual director in clearing the air and getting back on track. Often, just the mere fact of talking about a troubling issue with your spiritual director, takes the issue “out of play.”
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC