Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.” St. John Chrysostom
Make time for prayer during the day! Don’t rush it, don’t go through the motions…allow God to fully fill your heart with his love!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“Love burdens itself with the wants and woes and losses and even the wrongs of others.” Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
On a recent train ride a single mom confided to me that she has not seen or heard from her son in 3 years. He got into drugs and many other vices and simply disappeared, never to come back…as tears were coming out of her eyes, she asked me to pray for him. This love of a mother made me think how much God the Father loves each and every soul out there, and how he never gives up in trying to bring the lost sheep back to the fold.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“Be slow to pass judgment.” St. John Bosco
During my internship in Washington, DC as a seminarian, I had the privilege of teaching a ccd class of 8th graders. On the first day of class, I heard a roar coming from my classroom as I walked in; one of the boys was swinging from beam to beam on the ceiling and the class was cheering his progress. This boy jumped down when he saw me, sauntered up to me and laughingly shook my hand. So, although my first impression was not the best, I did spend extra time with this boy and tried to be patient….especially when I later realized that he came from a very dysfunctional family with real abuse issues. He thanked me at the end of the year with sincere gratitude, more than any student in that class, and I learned never to put anybody in a box based on first impressions!
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“A stiff apology is a second insult. The injured party does not want to be compensated because he has been wronged; he wants to be healed because he has been hurt.” G.K. Chesterton
If your apology cannot be sincere and from the heart, go to Our Lord and ask him for this grace…sometimes, it might be better to wait until your apology can be sincere.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“It is useless to meet revenge with revenge; it will heal nothing.” J.R.R. Tolkien
Take the high road. Show some nobility and humility. At times we may need to defend ourselves, but often we just simply need to take it and rise above the pettiness of other people’s nasty attacks. Only in this way can their be healing and repentance…
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“The smallest good act today is the strategic point from which, months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.” CS Lewis
I arrived late last Wednesday evening from a day in NJ to discover that one of my brother priests had kindly taken out all of the garbage and recyclables for me…not something I was looking forward to after a full day of spiritual directions and meetings. I still do not know who did it, but this is why I love my community!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“The way to attain the virtue of mercy lies in our constant awareness of being encompassed by mercy.” Dietrich Von Hildebrand
How many times has God forgiven you in Confession? How many times did your parents give you a second, third and fourth chance? Before unleashing anger and resentment towards others, try to remember God’s mercy towards you!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“It is unwarranted to regard women as inferior because feelings play a central role in their lives. If the feelings vibrating in their hearts are noble, appropriate, good, legitimate, sanctioned, and pleasing to God, then they are precious jewels in God’s sight.” Alice Von Hildebrand
Feelings, if purified and channeled with the help of the Holy Spirit, can be a positive and dynamic force that allow us to live God’s will more fully and passionately.
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in dread of them: for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
As this image from the “Road to Emaus” reminds us, Christ is always right there; on the road, in the car, in our homes, in our offices…listening, loving, wanting to help!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC
Thy Kingdom Come!
Dear Friends, in Christ,
“When you have reached your own room, be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still in the hall. If they are wrong they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them. That is
one of the rules common to the whole house.” CS Lewis
Many Catholic adults did not have the blessing of being raised in a two parent household, or the benefit of solid Catholic education in either the home or school, or perhaps they were scarred by bad examples…there are so many reasons why people have left the Church or chosen other options. Pray for them, and let them see the beauty of the Catholic Church by the power of your example!
God bless,
Fr. Michael Sliney, LC