Think Again!

The way we think of things matters. The perspective we bring to life — even to a given day or event — can help or hurt the outcome of that day or event. So if we are having a bad day, sometimes we need to think again (“metanoia” in Greek) to turn it around.

         Although Jesus’ disciples were faced with him leaving, they could think of it in many different ways. This time of year we also celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in many of our lives. How will we face the fear of something new? How can we think of the change as a gift to us?

This is a paraphrase based on one of the points from the presentation Surprised by Joy: Encountering the Risen Christ, given by Dr. Tom Neal on May 17 at St. Boniface. Look for more in future bulletins.

Have you participated in Christ Renews His Parish elsewhere?

If you have participated in a Christ Renews His Parish Retreat at another parish, please let Steve Dressel know. We’d like to make sure that you are invited to future Retreat events.

Lessons from Celebrate

Over 60 participated in Celebrate What’s Right with the World, a video presentation and discussion at St. Boniface.

       "Incredible things happen … when you're open to possibilities." That philosophy drives the continual search for the perfect photograph by DeWitt Jones, who spent two decades taking pictures all over the world for National Geographic. Jones took us through the thought processes he used to find theremarkable shots that uniquely capture the often-hidden essence of subjects, natural and human.

      Through his examples, Jones invites us to "explore all the beauty that's standing beyond the rat race" — to find  activities and thought patterns that cause our spirits to start soaring, that allow us to go the extra step from a good perspective to a great perspective. The group talked about how to believe it and we’ll see it and how to recognize abundance and look for possibilities in life — even amidst those things that are most challenging.

       Michelangelo once wrote, “I saw an angel in the stone, and carved to set it free.” Where do we need to see angels in the stone, and have the patience to carve them free? We need to unleash our energy to fix what’s wrong — by first celebrating what’s right.

       Change is a constant in this world, and the more change we experience, the more potential for us for growth and opportunity. Can we see it that way? Sometimes we need to take ourselves to the edge — to explore things beyond our comfort zone. As the examples of our mentors and our faith illustrate, our call and challenge is to be our best for the world. What steps do you need to take for this to happen?

      —Steve Dressel

Connect your life and faith — ideas welcome!

Since the fall, the Life and Faith Connection group has invited us to make this connection in many ways:

· Making a Prarea (sacred space) in your home

· Bringing in an Advent/Christmas ornament (“Follow the Star”)

· Noting some of our positive actions on “Tithe of Love” hearts

· Providing a list of ways to serve during Lent and beyond (“Let Us Build”)

· Praying for Peace at a Lenten prayer service

· Serve others together at Homeless Shelter and Care Facility

Do these work for you? We would love to hear your feedback. Some activities are for individuals/families to do at home, and some are for us to do (or display) together. We are always looking for activities and ideas that can help parishioners make this vital connection between our life and our faith. If you have an idea or any interest in brainstorming with this group, please contact Steve Dressel at the parish. The group would particularly appreciate new participants with children still at home, or young adults themselves.

Please remember in your prayers those connected with St. Boniface who are serving in the military:

Jay Knox — husband of Masami

Lieutenant Colonel, Army

Serving presently Joint Forces Headquarters — Iowa

Christopher Oberembt — son of Rick & Cindy Oberembt

Lcpl, Marine Corp, serving in Cuba

coberembt@yahoo.com

Codi Nizzi — daughter of Jim and Kelly Nizzi

Medic— Iowa National Guard

Deploying to Iraq July 2009

Home address: 827 Locust St, Waukee, IA 50263

onesweetworld06@hotmail.com

Bruce Ritchie — husband of Katherine

Master Sergeant — Iowa Army National Guard

Camp Dodge, Johnston Iowa, will retire August 30, 2009

Joseph Smith — grandson of Sharon Faymore

Staff Sergeant — Army

Previously served in Hawaii and Germany

Presently serving in Iraq

Chris Thielenhaus —

son of Marilyn Thielenhaus

Captain, U.S. Army

Presently serving at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Address: Cpt. Chris Thielenhaus

135 Westfield Ct., Apt. 703

Clarksville, TN 37040

Christopher.thielenhaus@us.army.mil

Matt Wolf — husband of Lisa

Warrant Officer — Iowa Army National Guard

Presently serving at Camp Dodge, Iowa

Address: 165 Peachtree Dr., Waukee, IA 50263

Matthew.wolf1@us.army.mil

Responses to What I learned from my mother or father

Our Dad, Ed McIlhon, not only gave us life, but taught us how to live it.  A saying hangs on his office wall that reads "It's All Good," and with Dad, it is. His true character comes through when you see that he faces challenges with the same fortitude as triumphs. Thanks for teaching that life is good, Dad! Love, Casey, Kellie Megan and Riley 

    I love my mother very much. My father divorced her because polygamy is very common in my country, Uganda, East Africa. Though my mother left me when I was a baby, there are a lot of things I learned from her.     

     Generosity is the one I will never forget because it reminds me of her and the scripture which says, “Give and you will be given threefold.” When I was 12 years old, I visited her. We were very delighted to see each other. One day I helped her rake in the field. We worked the whole day. When we came home and were to snack on boiled yam, some friends came. They had come from a funeral and were very hungry. She took the wole yam and gave it them. Tears rolled from my eyes, but I didn’t show it and remained calm.

     When they had left, another friend of hers came carrying something on her head. She welcomed her warmly. The friend said that she came to see me because she had learned that I was around. When mother called me, I was reluctant but came and greeted her. After chanting for a while, she left. After that mother served us with the food she told me that the friend had brought for me as a present. I was very grateful and surprised too. I had never known why such things happened until I read from the Bible, “Give and you will be given threefold.” My mother’s feeding the hungry women, let me receive threefold that day. This lesson I never forget and try to share with friends as much as I can. —Rose Etima