“I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone comes a moment of trial. We all of us have our particular devil who rides us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end.” Daphne Du Maurier, Rebecca
Inspirational thoughts
Pray more
“I don’t think there is anyone who needs God’s help and grace as much as I do. Sometimes I feel so helpless and weak. I think that is why God uses me. Because I cannot depend on my own strength, I rely on him twenty four hours a day. If the day had even more hours then I would need his help and grace during those hours as well. All of us must cling to God through prayer.” St. Mother Teresa
Excuses
“When I was younger, I was always taught not to make excuses.” – Derek Jeter (Former Yankee’s all star)
The Why?
“My father told me once that the most important thing every man should know is what he would die for.” (Tana French, Faithful Place)
My annual 8 day silent retreat!
This year’s annual 8 day silent retreat took on a different twist, as I will celebrate my 25th anniversary to the priesthood on December 24, 2023. I had plenty of time to reflect with Christ on the mystery of this incredible gift…all of the Masses, Confessions, mission trips, World Youth Days, special “Holy Spirit moments”, marathon ministry, etc.. I am so grateful to Christ for the incredible gift and mystery of this priestly calling, and I look forward to my next 25 years, focused mainly on deepening my friendship with HIM…trying my best not to get in His way or slow Him down!
I am heading out to vacation tomorrow with my brother priests…back again on August 14th.
God bless you,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Taking a break
Tomorrow evening, I will begin my annual 8 day silent retreat at Our Lady of Bethesda, followed by 2 weeks of vacation with my brother priests. My service will resume when I return to DC on August 14th. I am looking forward to this special time of prayer with my best friend, Jesus Christ, and some time to physically recharge the batteries with my brother priests on vacation. Have a blessed summer ahead!
Loving more
“I hold it true, whate’er befall;
I feel it when I sorrow most;
‘Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.” Alfred Lord Tennyson
Excess drinking
Friendship
“That kind of friendship doesn’t just materialize at the end of the rainbow one morning in a soft-focus Hollywood haze. For it to last this long, and at such close quarters, some serious work had gone into it. Ask any ice-skater or ballet dancer or show jumper, anyone who lives by beautiful moving things: nothing takes as much work as effortlessness.”
— Tana French
The past
“There is no going back in life, no return, no second chance. I cannot call back the spoken word or the accomplished deed.” (My Cousin Rachel, 1951)