Today was a long but wonderful day of recording for a new DVD program on the Beatitudes as a path to happiness. It’s based on a similar book I wrote on the same topic. Recording is always interesting and fun. You should see some of the mistakes!
Today was a long but wonderful day of recording for a new DVD program on the Beatitudes as a path to happiness. It’s based on a similar book I wrote on the same topic. Recording is always interesting and fun. You should see some of the mistakes!
What a joy it is to teach at Belmont Abbey College! Class this morning reflected the array of interests in the Bible and its teachings. The students always seem eager (and it’s a 9:30 AM class!) about the biblical narrative and how to read the Bible intelligibly! This is an inspiring sign of hope for the future!
This year, the whole family got together for Labor Day. As my nieces and nephews get older, this type of get together gets harder and harder. But, we pulled it off!
And to celebrate, my mom decided it was time for new family pictures! You can imagine a whole family standing in the heat in a city park trying to smile and act like it’s not blazing! But we did it! And we hope that all the pics come out well enough to spare us all for a few more years! Ha!
Earlier today, I offered the parish’s monthly Healing Mass. When the custom started, I wanted us to do it under the patronage of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart and so I chose the First Saturdays. No surprise, the Masses are always strong with faith and covered in a tangible hope.
After the Mass, I went with our coordinator of homebound visits to see some of our homebound parishioners. Some of them were heavy visits that required a lot of prayer and supernatural hope.
We have a lot of suffering in our world! As believers, this reminds us how much we need the Good News and the help of God’s grace!
Last evening, my mom, sister, and niece visited the parish. This morning, I went on a doughnut run with my mom. On the ride, I gave her one of the two promo copies I received of my new book “Kingdom of Happiness.” My mom does a lot for my extended family and so it was a blessing to give her one of the first copies! Thank you, Mom!
This evening, it was my great privilege to celebrate the Opening of the School Year Mass for our new homeschool co-op! I’m very happy to welcome and support the parents of the co-op. While not a possibility for many parents, homeschooling is a direct way to fulfill the parental vocation to educate one’s children. I wish all our homeschool parents a blessed semester!
Today was a great day! Walking around the Convocation of Catholic Leaders gave me a wonderful experience of seeing how much good is being done in the Church. There are a lot of talented people doing ministry and addressing pressing needs in our country.
I wish our Church could get better media and people could see the vast array of positive things the Church is doing in our culture today!
Most priests have refrigerators full of leftovers or easy-to-make meals but sometimes… it’s just time for a pizza! Tonight is one of those evenings! And so, I’m catching up on work and about to dive into a small pizza!
Sunday’s are great for rest and writing! After my Masses and afternoon duties with the Kolbe Group, I took a “solemn high nap” and then worked on some of my writings! This is the best time for clear thinking and organizational thoughts! Currently, I’m doing some research on the Beatutudes towards a new book on happiness.
Saturday evenings are always a fast train. I try to open the church in Indian Land around 2:00 PM and it’s non-stop from there. Honestly, I like the pace and try to keep a positive spirit as I bounce between two parishes that are about 45 minutes apart from each other. Sometimes, it’s hard to be fully present to each community but it’s a good challenge that allows for growth in self-awareness and self-sacrifice.
© 2024 Fr. Jeffrey Kirby