Sliney Central

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

Taming the tongue

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Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Friends in Christ,

     “Violence of the tongue is very real- sharper than any knife, wounding and creating bitterness that only the grace of God can heal.”  Blessed Mother Teresa

     When your passions are boiling, when you have just suffered a terrible injustice, when you “feel” you need to get it all off your chest…stop and ask Jesus for help!  Silence is the better option and “prayerfully” waiting a bit will allow a “calmer” mind to choose “wiser” words.

God bless,

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

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