“It’s not that fans don’t want a relationship with Jesus; it’s that they want the relationship with him on their terms. The real question we must ask is this: What kind of relationship does Jesus want to have with us? That’s what matters. What are His terms? What would He say it really means to follow him?” NAF

Our new series starts this Friday, 6:00pm in Waldeisen Hall.

$15.00/participant

~ SparkFaith

Are you a fan of Jesus Christ or are you a fully committed follower of Jesus Christ? Perhaps the question is a little confusing. Being a fan doesn’t seem like such a bad thing. Often we really enjoy the Jesus environment; he has some great music, and getting together with friends and family at church is fun! However, you can know about him, love his bio and be well read on his miracles and message, and yet miss the real invitation that Jesus has made to all of us! Twenty times in the New Testament, Jesus Christ issued a compelling and challenging invitation: “Follow Me.” He is not interested in mere fans. He doesn’t want enthusiastic admirers. He wants completely committed followers.

This year, we invite you to Experience Easter through a six week cinematic journey designed to help shape today’s believer into a first century Christ-follower. Join us as we follow the journey of Eric Nelson, a man leading a compartmentalized triple life as a pleasure-seeking rebel, a cutthroat corporate executive, and a nominal Christian. But when confronted with a near death experience, Eric embarks on a spiritual journey that transforms his commitment to Jesus Christ and tests the faith of his friends and family.

Free Early Registration Has Ended

Registration Fee: $15.00/person – to be paid at Session 1

Followers Journal will be available at Session 2.

To register, call the parish rectory or use our online registration form.

Program Dates

Friday, February 24, 6:00pm “Fan or Follower”
Friday, March 02, 6:00pm “Follow Me”
Friday, March 09, 6:00pm “What Must I Do”
Friday, March 16, 6:00pm “Bury The Dead”
Friday, March 23, 6:00pm “Dead Men’s Bones”
Friday, March 30, 6:00pm “Decision Time”

It has been quite a while since I last posted on here and I regret not doing it more. So, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to post at least once a week. Let’s see if I can keep it up. There is no specific topic for this post, only random updates and thoughts on a few subjects.

First of all let me update you all on the past semester and what I have left. Unfortunately I got my first “C.” It was in logic class. Consequently logic isn’t as logical as one would think…or maybe I’m not as logical as I thought. Either way, I did well with 3 “A’s,” 1 “B,” and 1 “C.” As far as my undergraduate career goes I’ve finally reached my last semester and I graduate in the spring. Two classes separate me from my degree in Philosophy…Philosophy of God and my thesis. The thesis is going to focus on the human desire to create. Stay tuned for updates on a graduation party.

A few weekends ago we finally implemented the 3^rd edition of the Roman Missal. Being at two of the three Masses that first weekend and quite a few over this Christmas break I must say that things went relatively well. Remember to continue using the laminated cards until it becomes second nature. And the music for the Gloria is #233 in the We Celebrate hymnal.

And now a quick word on New Year’s Resolutions. The making of resolutions for the New Year has become an art form in our culture. Unfortunately the art is that of…failure! I read one article that said 98% of people fail at their resolutions and my hope is that all of us fall in with the 2% by the end of 2012. Here are a few things I did and will do to try to succeed this year. First, if you haven’t already done so pray about your resolution. Don’t separate God from your plans. Second, make sure that whatever you resolve is going to make you and those around you better people. Getting healthy is great but if your spending all your time counting calories and working out while neglecting your responsibilities it’s all for naught. Third, have a plan. Fr. Mike has told us from the ambo many times to make plans. Whether they are for our Lenten sacrifice, relationship with Christ, or whatever else we need to work a plan. This will make it much easier than flying by the seat of your pants everyday and it will hold you accountable. And finally be realistic and don’t set yourself up for failure. I have a lot of weight to lose but I’m not going to resolve to lose it all in 2012. You get the picture. Well there you have it…take it or leave it but I hope and pray that you all have a blessed and prosperous New Year!!!

Stay tuned next week, or sooner, for a few thoughts about the new translation of the Roman Missal.

Father Mike will address “The Lives of the Saints: Comfort in Difficult Times”  at Blessed Trinity, followed by small group discussion & time for conversation with Fr. Mike.  This event is part of the Come and See series. Contact the rectory for additional information.

Participants were shown the process for registering and entering new content to the website. Participants also participated in a discussion on ways the website can benefit individual ministries and the overall parish community.

Group leaders who were unable to attend this importnat meeting, but would like to be a part of the expanded website, should contact the Technology Team c/o ickenmore@yahoo.com or through the contact link at the top of this page.

Visit Klove.com for three free Christmas music downloads.

“Emmanuel” by Laura Story
“O Come All Ye Faithful” by Phillips Craig & Dean
“Christmas Time” by Phil Wickham

Klove is a listener supported, commercial free, network of Christian radio stations throughout the United States. You can listen to them locally at 91.7 FM or online at Klove.com.

This is our first sample video.

Actually give thanks — Many of us treat the Thanksgiving meal like a sports event. We restlessly wait for the food to be placed on the table so the gorging can begin. Conversation dies down to nothing and we communicate in a series of grunts and dirty looks. A way to correct this is to actually give thanks to a higher power for another year. Take time before the meal to go around the table and think of something you are thankful for. It doesn’t have to be overtly religious — just a simple time for reflection about the things you were lucky enough to receive. Don’t feel guilty if you can’t think of some deep philosophical thing to give thanks for.

Look around — The greatest cause of stress and joy for many in life is family and friends. Often, Thanksgiving brings together people who haven’t been in each other’s company for months or even years. When you are all together, take time to look around and soak in everyone’s collective aura. The old cliché that life is too short is absolutely true. Anything can happen between this turkey day and the next. It may be fun to gossip about how a friend looks or lay scorn on a relative you don’t like, but in the end it isn’t worth it. This is the tip I am most passionate about and it is also the easiest to accomplish. All you have to do is simply be aware of everyone’s presence and think about your own place in the family. Last Thanksgiving, my dad sat next to me and chatted about an ancestor he had known who’d been born in 1885. On my dad’s other side was a cousin who was born in 2006. That simple fact floored me. I reflected on and prayed about how short our time here really is, and how we simply must appreciate our time in the great human experiment. Do not take your time with anyone for granted or assume it’s never-ending. Holidays are chances to forge good memories; don’t waste the opportunity.