May 5, 2024

Dear People of God,

It’s hard to believe May is upon us. How quickly the year is moving! How fast time seems to fly — especially as we age!

As we continue our Easter Season, the joy of the Resurrection promises new life so abundant we call it Eternal Life. However, it is imperative to take each day as a gift from God and live life to the fullest by serving our sisters and brothers.

I have always been known as a list maker. Since childhood, I have kept a list of all the various birds I have identified. I keep a list of baseball cards from multiple years. I list all the Christmas gifts I need to purchase. The other day, I discovered a list worth keeping….so I am sharing it with you today.

• The most significant problem to overcome: fear
• The most potent force: love
• The greatest asset: faith
• The most worthless emotion: self-pity
• The most prized possession: integrity
• The most significant barrier to success: excuses
• The most satisfying work: helping others
• The ugliest personality trait: selfishness
• The deadliest weapon: an uncontrolled tongue
• The most incredible gift: encouragement
• The greatest joy: giving
• The most contagious spirit: enthusiasm
• The one thing we can’t live without: hope

I want to add that God’s gift of life is rooted in prayer, serving, forgiving, sharing (especially with the poor), and humor! In his book Just Like Jesus, Max Lucado points to the gift of touch.

“Oh, the power of godly touch. Haven’t you known it? The doctor who treated you, or the teacher who dried your tears? Was there a hand holding yours at a funeral? Another on your shoulder during a trial?

A handshake of welcome at a new job? Can’t we offer the same?

Many of you already do. Some of you have the master touch of the Physician himself. You use your hands to pray over the sick and minister to the weak. If you aren’t touching them personally, your hands are writing letters, dialing phones, baking pies. You have learned the power of touch.”

But others of us tend to forget. Our hearts are good; it’s just that our memories are flawed. We forget how significant one touch can be…

Aren’t we glad Jesus didn’t make the same mistake?

We take so much for granted, or our memories forget the wonderful past events, and we focus only on our lives’ dark moments or regrets. Each of us could create lists worth keeping related to living life to the fullest.

At the end of the day, we must ask, “How much did I love and forgive this day?” Then shut off the night lamp and know when you go to bed turn your worries over to God, because God will be up all night anyway!

On the journey with you,

Fr. Greg

Special message from Fr. Greg

Thank you to Mary Lederer who retired this past week from her position as Director of Stewardship. We are incredibly grateful for everything she accomplished during her tenure at the Cathedral. The investment of her time and talents in building the plans and programs have made a major difference in our approach to stewardship. Mary both inspired and challenged us to grow. We wish her well on her journey. May she always know she has a home at Holy Name Cathedral. Our prayers and love are with you. (read more about Mary on Page 10 of today’s bulletin)