St. John of the Cross Catholic Cluster

NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL St. David St. Agatha St. Bruno - St. Remi St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel St. Luce St. Joseph (Hamlin) St. Thomas Aquinas St. Joseph (Sinclair) St. Michael (Summer Months)

NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL

309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103 Madawaska, ME 04756

Parish Office / Cluster 2 Business Office - 728-7531 notredamedumontcarmel@portlanddiocese.org

Faith Formation Office - 728-7135

OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY 379 Main St./PO Box 10, St. Agatha, ME 04772

Parish Office - 543-7447 Faith Formation Office - 543-6119

ST. PETER CHANEL 174 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785

Parish Office - 868-2718 StPeterChanelParish@portlanddiocese.org

February 16, 2020

Pastor

Fr. James Plourde

james.plourde@portlanddiocese.org

Parochial Vicar

Fr. Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN

Deacons

Rev. Mr. Donald R. Clavette

Rev. Mr. Rodney Deschaine

Cluster 2 Business Coordinator

Greg Cyr

Sacramental & Pastoral Care

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call your parish office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturday before 4pm Mass or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Please call your parish office at least 6 months prior to date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call your parish office. FUNERALS Please contact the Cluster 2 business office.

New Parishioners

If you are new to the parish or have an address or phone number change, please contact your parish office.

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 16, 2020

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Mass Schedule

St. Peter Chanel Mass Schedule

Our Lady of the Valley Mass Schedule

Saturday, February 15

6:00pm SA: Raoul, Gladys, Richard, Patrick Collin by Roland & Phyllis Paradis

Sunday, February 16 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30am SL: Andre Ouellette by Jean Paul & Cleo Ouellette 4:00pm SJ: Robert Collin by Ken & Arlene Lerman

Monday, February 17 6:00pm SA: Maude Marin by Alma Chasse

Tuesday, February 18 8:30am SJ: Our Lady of the Rosary for Prayers Answered by Constance Cote

Wednesday, February 19 NO MASS

Thursday, February 20 6:00pm SL: Marie Louise Raymond by Aurel & Joan Lavoie

Friday, February 21 NO MASS / St. Peter Damian

Saturday, February 22

6:00pm SA: John Beaupre by Marilyn & Children

Sunday, February 23 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30am SL: Edith McQuarrie by Parents 4:00pm SJ: Marie Brown Ayotte by Husband

Saturday, February 15 4:00pm ST: Robert Lavoie (1st Anniv.) by Family

6:00pm SG: Della Kaliris by Rita & Family

Sunday, February 16 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am ST: Paul Hicks by Gagnon Family 11:00am SD: Fernand Morin (1st Anniv.) by Family

Monday, February 17 NO MASS

Tuesday, February 18 9:00am-5:45pm ST: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00pm ST: Louis Dumond by Florence Daigle

Wednesday, February 19 8:30am SD: Lorraine Gendreau by Gene & Edna Deprey

Thursday, February 20 NO MASS

Friday, February 21 St. Peter Damian

Saturday, February 22 4:00pm ST: Oneil & Cecile Ouellette by Ouellette Family

6:00pm SG: Constance Chasse by Louise Chasse

Sunday, February 23 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am ST: George Dugal by Don Pelletier 11:00am SD: Jean Paul Martin by Wife & Children

Abbreviations for Cluster Church Sites and Facilities

NOTRE DAME DU CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL

SD - St. David SA - St. Agatha SB/SR - St. Bruno/St. Remi SG - St. Gerard SL - St. Luce SJ - St. Joseph (Hamlin) ST - St. Thomas Aquinas SJ - St. Joseph (Sinclair) BVM - Borderview Manor CV - Country Village SM - St. Michael’s Chapel RDG - Ridgewood SJMC - St. Joseph Memory Care HVM - High View MH - Montfort Heights RDG - Ridgewood Estates

Saturday, February 15 4:00pm SB/SR: Marcella Lajoie by Rick & Kelly Pitre

Sunday, February 16 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am SJ: Wayne Martin by Denise, Amber, Anthony & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Ken Bouchard by John & Noreen Pelletier

Monday, February 17 6:00pm SB/SR: NO MASS - President’s Day

Tuesday, February 18 NO MASS

Wednesday, February 19 6:00pm SB/SR: Therese Gagnon by Gary & Diane Vaillancourt 6:30pm - 7:00pm - Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation

Thursday, February 20 NO MASS

Friday, February 21 St. Peter Damian 10:00am BVM: Kim Beaulieu by Jackie Michaud

Saturday, February 22 The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle 4:00pm SB/SR: Michael Lapointe by Marlene, Ray Maldonado &

Family

Sunday, February 23 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am SJ: Jerome Bell by Mom & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Gervaise Lapierre by Ray & Judy Marquis

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish Corner St. David, St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel/Grand Isle, St. Thomas Aquinas/Madawaska

LAMP FOR THE UNBORN BURNS FOR: St. David - for the Unborn by a Parishioner St. Gerard - for Simon by Celine Lausier

Worship & Spirituality

Parish Life

Finance & Administration

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Financial Update

Offertory: July 1, 2018 to February 2, 2020

Budget: $223,558 Actual: $230,908 Over Anticipated: $7,350

Amount given Weekly goal St. David $2,073 $1,958 St. Gerard $939 $1,231 St. Thomas Aquinas $4,193 $4,023 Weekly Totals $7,205 $7,212

Heating: $1,263.61

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION EVERY TUESDAY at St. Thomas Aquinas Church from 9am – 5:45pm

This week’s intention: For all the children in our parish who are preparing for the sacraments of Confirmation & First Eucharist, and also for our area businesses and their workforces.

4TH DEGREE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPPER/MEETING: Monday, February 17th; rosary at 5:30pm, meal at 6pm followed by meeting.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA ANNUAL CARD PARTY: Sunday, March 1st at 1pm at the Madawaska Knights of

Columbus Hall. Admission: $5.00 American money Bring your friends. This is open to the public! Many prizes to be won!!

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA PRAYER LINE: If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, the Daughters of Isabella can help through the Prayer Line. This is open to anyone – not only for members. To add a name to the prayer line, contact Lorraine Talbot, 316-7035.

FATIMA ROSARY: Recited every 13th of each month at 12pm (noon) at St. Gerard Church. Everyone invited to attend

††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:

† Gilman Dufour, 80, who passed away on February 3rd. He was the husband of Dorothy of our parish.

† Joel Bellefleur, 85, who passed away on February 9th. He was the husband of Edwina and father of Jackie Albert and Marcel Bellefleur of our parish.

PRAY FOR OUR SICK Rosanne Chasse, Gene Lavoie, Bernice Martin, Joel Albert, Odette Pelletier, James Lavoie, Michael Rossignol, Danny G. Cyr, Patsy Madore, Donna Neill, Connie Doucette, Jesse Waltman and Thomas O’Brien. FMI call 728-7135.

SECOND COLLECTION February 15/16 - Herald’s of Good News

Once a year a special collection is taken for the Herald's of Good News, Fr. Alex’s Community. The collection is taken on a rotation basis among our three parishes. This year the collection is taken up in NDMC Parish this weekend, February 15-16. Please be generous in helping Fr. Alex’s community continue the great missionary work in our parish, diocese, and nation.

NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL PARISH SCHOLARSHIP: For high school youth from our parish community. This scholarship up to $500 will be awarded to a deserving candidate(s). Criteria for scholarship: Involvement in parish community. Applications can be picked up at the Madawaska Middle/High School Guidance Office. Please type or print clearly. Return completed application and support materials to the Madawaska Middle/High School Guidance Office by May 1st.

CLUSTER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION

The Committee’s task will be to propose to the Pastor the best possible scenario(s) for cutting two weekend Masses by the spring of 2021. It will also propose scenario(s) for the possible closing of churches at the end of this decade. The committee will do this by fact finding and reviewing a whole list of criteria in a specified time-frame. The committee will be formed by one representative from each Mass in the cluster and one member chosen by the Pastor from each parish. Representatives from each Mass will be voted into the committee by parishioners who attend that Mass.

A member of this committee must: • Be positive and open-minded with the ability to work with

others. • Committed to the process. • Available to attend a monthly Tuesday afternoon meeting

1:30-2:30pm from April - September. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 14th 2020 at the St. Thomas Center Conference Room (309 St. Thomas Street).

• Willing to travel to various locations in the cluster for these meetings.

• A willingness to assist in drafting a rep-ort and possible scenarios to be shared with the Pastor and the parishioners of the cluster.

If you are willing and able to be a possible member of this committee, please submit your name for nomination to any parish office or to Fr. Plourde. If you know of someone who you think would be a good candidate for this committee, please encourage them to submit their name. All nominations must be submitted by March 1st 2020.

From The Pastor’s Desk

PRAYER LINE CONTACTS St. Joseph: Cecile Ouellette 543-6073

Worship & Spirituality Finance & Administration

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Monday’s after 6:00 p.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Thursday’s after 6:00 pm. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Luce

Our Lady Of The Valley Parish Corner St. Agatha, St. Joseph/Sinclair, St. Luce/Frenchville, St. Michael Chapel

Our Lady of the Valley Financial Updates

Offertory: July 1, 2018 to February 2, 2020

Budget: $119,231 Actual: $112.315 Under Anticipated: -$6,915

Amount Given Weekly Goal Weekly Totals $3,337 $4,703

This Year Last Year Average Collections $3,633 $3,817

Sacramental Life

SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION / CONFESSIONS Mondays at St. Agatha: After 6pm Mass Thursdays at St. Luce: After 6pm Mass

From The Pastor’s Desk

Community Events

Parish Life

††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:

† Berthier Bourgoin, 82, who passed away on January 31st. He was the husband of Pauline and father of Dave and Rachel Corriveau of our parish.

† Jacqueline Paradis, 79, who passed away on February 4th. She was the wife of Antoine of our parish.

2019 CONTRIBUTION REPORTS: If you would like a copy of your contribution report for tax purposes, please write it on your contribution envelope or call the office at 728-7531.

SENIOR LUNCHES Sinclair: Monday, February 17th at 11:30 a.m.

Menu: Pork Loin

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING APPLICATIONS Montfort Heights in St. Agatha, ME is accepting applications for subsidized housing. For more information contact Eric Fruge at

207-543-6325, 384 Main St., St. Agatha, ME 04772 or by email at EFruge@ehdoc.org.

ST. AGATHA LADIES OF SAINT ANNE MEETING: Monday, March 2nd at 6:45pm (after Mass) in the basement of the St. Agatha Rectory.

All members are invited to attend

CLUSTER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION

The Committee’s task will be to propose to the Pastor the best possible scenario(s) for cutting two weekend Masses by the spring of 2021. It will also propose scenario(s) for the possible closing of churches at the end of this decade. The committee will do this by fact finding and reviewing a whole list of criteria in a specified time-frame. The committee will be formed by one representative from each Mass in the cluster and one member chosen by the Pastor from each parish. Representatives from each Mass will be voted into the committee by parishioners who attend that Mass.

A member of this committee must: • Be positive and open-minded with the ability to work with

others. • Committed to the process. • Available to attend a monthly Tuesday afternoon meeting

1:30-2:30pm from April - September. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 14th 2020 at the St. Thomas Center Conference Room (309 St. Thomas Street).

• Willing to travel to various locations in the cluster for these meetings.

• A willingness to assist in drafting a rep-ort and possible scenarios to be shared with the Pastor and the parishioners of the cluster.

If you are willing and able to be a possible member of this committee, please submit your name for nomination to any parish office or to Fr. Plourde. If you know of someone who you think would be a good candidate for this committee, please encourage them to submit their name. All nominations must be submitted by March 1st 2020.

St. Peter Chanel Parish Corner St. Bruno-St. Remi Church/Van Buren, St. Joseph Church/Hamlin & Borderview Nursing Home

Bulletin Memorials In Memory of:

Finance & Administration

**BULLETIN MEMORIALS**: This is a reminder that there are bulletin memorials available. The cost of each memorial is: (1 mos.): $20; (3 mos.): $50; (6 mos.): $100; (1 Yr.): $200. These memorials honor family members & friends while helping to offset parish expenses.

CLUSTER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER JOB DESCRIPTION

The Committee’s task will be to propose to the Pastor the best possible scenario(s) for cutting two weekend Masses by the spring of 2021. It will also propose scenario(s) for the possible closing of churches at the end of this decade. The committee will do this by fact finding and reviewing a whole list of criteria in a specified time-frame. The committee will be formed by one representative from each Mass in the cluster and one member chosen by the Pastor from each parish. Representatives from each Mass will be voted into the committee by parishioners who attend that Mass.

A member of this committee must: • Be positive and open-minded with the ability to work with

others. • Committed to the process. • Available to attend a monthly Tuesday afternoon meeting

1:30-2:30pm from April - September. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 14th 2020 at the St. Thomas Center Conference Room (309 St. Thomas Street).

• Willing to travel to various locations in the cluster for these meetings.

• A willingness to assist in drafting a rep-ort and possible scenarios to be shared with the Pastor and the parishioners of the cluster.

If you are willing and able to be a possible member of this committee, please submit your name for nomination to any parish office or to Fr. Plourde. If you know of someone who you think would be a good candidate for this committee, please encourage them to submit their name. All nominations must be submitted by March 1st 2020.

ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI CHURCH SPONSORS BREAD & WINE SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Therese Saucier by Gene & Rachel Levesque

SANCTUARY LAMP SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: No Sponsor

WANTED: Bread & Wine & Sanctuary Lamp Sponsors : There are currently available dates* for the 2020 new year for

Bread & Wine ($25) and *Sanctuary Lamp($15) sponsors. Please consider coming into the office to reserve your dates and memorialize a family member while helping to defer Parish costs.

From The Pastor’s Desk

St. Peter Chanel Parish Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2019 to February 2, 2020

Budget: $85,429 Actual: $84,380 Under Anticipated: -$1,049 Amt. Given $2,219 Wkly Goal $2,756 Average Collection: This yr. $2,715 Last yr. $2,784

Marquis & Cyr Families by

Ray & Judy Marquis

Mom & Dad, Matante Julie, Tom & Linda

by Lisa

Rest in Peace Dad Love Gary

Cote & Beaulieu Families by

Bridget Cote & Family

Miss you Bro Love

Gary & Mom

Raymond & Marcella Lajoie by

Bob, Carol & Family

Tardif, Parent & Young Families by

Ron & June & Family

Tom, Omerine & Dan Smith by

Their Family

St. Pierre & Marquis Fami-lies by

Paul & Helen St. Pierre

Parent & Cyr Families by

John & Muriel Parent

Roland Laverdiere by his wife, Matilda

& son, John

Georgianne Doucette by

Don, Mike & Alan

Lajoie & Sirois Families by

Mike & Marie Lajoie

Mom, Dad, Ti John,& Claudette Rest in

Peace, Love Glenn

Gervaise Lapierre by

Bob & Family

Our Blessed Mother Mary For a favor obtained by a Parishioner C.L.

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

Simon Cyr by

Grandpa & Grandma

Gerard, Isabel & Rick Parent

by Rudy & Dinah

Peter, Jeannine & Ricky Cyr

by Rudy & Dinah

St. Peter Chanel Outreach Committee News Food Pantry News:

Did you know that in the past three years, our pantry has grown by almost 100%? In 2017 Pantry was serving @80 families per month. Now pantry is serving up to over150 families. This year's extra allotments of USDA foods, and local food drives have helped, more volunteers have stepped forward, but we still need community support in the way of funding for necessary safety renovations and operating expenses. When you donate to pantry, it stays in Van Buren. Food security helps our elderly pay for medications, families to come together and children to grow strong in body, mind and spirit. Food Insecurity is a silent trauma that in unhealthy for families and community in health and economy. Next Regular Distribution is Thursday, February 27, 1-3pm

Never hesitate to call for emergencies: Please be clear if leaving message.

Dan 868-5707, Nancy 868-5324, Norm 498-9570. Serving Van Buren, Cyr Plantation & Hamlin

Outreach Committee Breakfast Schedule The Next breakfast is February 16th

2020 Breakfast Schedule / Cost: Free will donations What you give helps those in need. God bless you!!

February 16th, March 29th, April 19th & May 17th

Matt 25:40 “Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS CATHOLIC CLUSTER / DIOCESAN CORNER

ST. THOMAS GIFT SHOP St. Thomas Aquinas Church Basement

Hours: Monday to Thursday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Call 728-4346/316-8062 Lee

Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. 1 Samuel 12:23

SCAPULARS: Sterling Medals & Chains - different models! A wonderful gift idea!

WOODEN ROSARIES: St. Benedict Cord Rosary - $2.99 Padre Pio Cord Rosary - $2.00

ST. BENEDICT BRACELETS: We have MANY different models of St. Benedict Bracelets, all inexpensive and all a wonderful token of appreciation or a sign of thoughtfulness for a special someone!!

CD's: The Chaplet of St. Michael - $15.99 John Michael Talbot - City of God $15.99

BOOKS: “TO LIVE IS CHRIST" A 40-Day Journey with St. Paul Compiled by Peter Celano Explore the life and spirituality of St. Paul with popes, saints, and other great teachers of the Church. To Live Is Christ is a matchless treasury of wisdom about and from St. Paul. This book is unique in that it quotes extensively from Church Fathers, saints, and popes both to tell Paul's life story and to develop the key themes of his letters. The well-crafted questions for reflection at the end of each of the forty devotions touch the heart with Paul's message and lead to life-changing decisions. Was $17.99 On SALE $13.99 A WONDERFUL BOOK FOR LENT!!

FOR KIDS: “St. Peter’s Story" for Children Simon Peter was an ordinary fisherman, but his life changed when he met Jesus. Peter heard Jesus’ teachings and saw his great miracles. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. After Jesus died on the cross, Peter saw him alive again. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter fearlessly spread the good news about Jesus’ saving love. As the first pope, he led the early Church. This is St. Peter’s story. For ages 5 to 10. Reading to and with your children is the best way to spend time with them and get them interested in books, which is the best way to open their little brains!! And they are Never Too Young!! Time Well Spent!!

Gift Certificates are Always available!!

REMEMBER A BOOK IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!!

CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER SCHEDULE

THEOLOGY IN THE COUNTY: All adults (18+) are encouraged to gather for “Theology in the County” at the Warehouse Bar & Grill on 14 Evergreen Parkway in Caribou on Wednesday, March 18th at 6:30pm. “Theology in the County” provides challenging and relevant presentations on our faith and how it applies to daily life, while giving adults the opportunity to network with one another and be part of the larger Catholic community that extends beyond their parish setting. The guest speaker will be Fr. Nehru Stephen Savarayia, HGN, parochial vicar of Parish of the Precious Blood in Caribou. FMI, call the parish office at 768-3671 or email Theresa Bonner at theresa.bonner@portlanddiocese.org.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Just as Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, present your marriage to the Lord. Strengthen, renew, and rekindle your marriage sacrament by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next weekends are March 13-15, 2020 in Duxbury, MA and April 18-19, 2020 in Brewster, MA. FMI call Stephen & Michelle O’Leary at 1-800-710-9963 or visit them at http://wwmema.org/

LAVALLEE YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

February 16: No Meeting (School vacation) February 23: Meeting March 1: Meeting March 8: Meeting March 15: Meeting March 22: Meeting March 29: Meeting

February 16 – Mid-Winter Spiritual Concert – St. Luce Church (2:00pm – 4:30pm) February 23 – Family Dinner and a Movie (2:30pm – 5:30pm) February 29 – Adult Lenten retreat (8:00am – 3:00pm)

To register, call 207-543-6193 or charlescolin@portlanddiocese.org

BAPTISMAL PREP CLASS: Saturday, March 21st at 9:30am at the St. Thomas Building in the Youth Ministry Room. To register for the class, please call the office at 728-7531.

MAINE CATHOLIC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: The 2020 Maine Catholic Women’s Conference is set for Saturday, March 21st, from 8:30am to 5pm at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Registration is now open at www.portlanddiocese.org/mcwc2020. The conference will feature Mass with Bishop Deeley, dynamic presentations, Eucharistic adoration, and displays from vendors and exhibitors. Teenagers are welcome. Admission is $65 ($59 if tickets are purchased prior to February 21st). Students can register for $40 (ages 16 to 23). The admission fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. FMI, please visit the registration link above.

RACHEL’S VINEYARD RETREAT: April 17-19 in the greater Bangor area, starting on Friday at 6 p.m. and concluding on Divine Mercy Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The registration deadline for the retreat is Friday, April 3 (pre-registration required). Call (207) 321-7897 or email projectrachel@portlanddiocese.org. All messages are confidential. You can also visit the retreat website at www.portlanddiocese.org/sites/default/files/files/RachelVinyardApril2020retreat.pdf.

WOMEN’S ACTS RETREAT: You are invited to join us for a spiritual uplifting weekend at the Christian Life Center in Frenchville, the weekend of March 26-29, 2020. Set aside some time for God and yourself. Get away from your busy schedule by joining others like yourself to seek His answers to life, family and eternity. ACTS is acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology, Service. This weekend is an opportunity to strengthen your faith, review yourself spiritually and establish friendships that will last a lifetime. All women are encouraged to attend. The cost is $100 which includes lodging, food, beverage and all activities. Financ-es should not deter you from attending. To make arrangements and for more information, please call, Peggy Sousa at 436-9856 or Mary Ellen Fields, ACTS Core Director at 207-999-2378.

GOSPEL MEDITATION: February 16, 2020 - 6th Sunday of OT

People are not property. We cannot exchange them at will or simply use them for our own designs and purposes. What does the word “commitment” mean to you? We can begin to understand its meaning by looking at some synonyms: dedication, devotion, allegiance, loyalty, faithfulness, fidelity, and bond. Commitment is primarily about relationship, and Jesus is all about relationships. How our lives affect others, how we treat our brothers and sisters, how we resolve conflict, and how we view the vows of marriage. Jesus’ teachings on obeying the commandments, murder, reconciliation, marriage, divorce, and adultery all stem from the sacredness of commitment. All of this has a God connection.

We can easily see one another as interchangeable and dispensable. We treat so much of our lives this way. What works today may not be what I want tomorrow. We search and search for the right thing only to find our hearts still restless in the end. Is real happiness achievable this side of the grave? Sometimes we expect too much out of others and want our relationships to fill a hole that we must figure out how to fill ourselves. Any seasoned married couple will tell you that their love for one another changes as time passes. Even though the understanding of romance changes as life changes, the dedication, devotion, allegiance, loyalty, faithfulness, and fidelity all remain and even deepen.

Some relationships can be hurtful, and God does not want us to live with abuse or pain. Also, how a relationship develops is sometimes out of our control, and we become the victim of someone else’s decision. But we can’t be self-focused in our relationships and see them exclusively as self-fulfilling ends. We are companions on life’s journey with varying depths of relationships being enjoyed by all who are with us along the way. We have the freedom to choose. God asks us to do so wisely, with right judgment and thinking.

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR

ORDINARY MOMENTS

Don’t Live a Lie

One day, my son was explaining to his mother that he felt she had lied to him. It was nothing very important, but he wanted to take this opportunity to share how important telling the truth is to him. He explained that he simply tells it like it is in all aspects of his life. But an hour later, we caught him in a lie! Again, it was not about a matter of life and death, but it was a lie. When confronted with his own previous words on how important the telling the truth was to him, he just smiled. Yes, the guilty often have no words of defense.

Jesus said it best in Matthew 5: “Let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’” He was warning his disciples about false oaths and then instructing them on the fullness of the Hebrew laws. We may try to do what we say and say what we mean, but it can be all too easy to fall short. We call ourselves disciples yet provide evidence to the contrary buy our actions (or lack of them).

Even if we feel that we have lied to no one, we may have lied to our-selves. We portray ourselves as generous, thankful, and loving people, yet fail to answer God’s call in a situation because we perceive the cost to be too great. Jesus did not simply mean for his message to be about two words. He also meant that when you say you are a disciple, make sure you are a disciple as well.