The well-known saying is, “Everybody wants to live a long time, but nobody wants to be old.”
A lot can be achieved by a person who has lived a long time, but has decided not to be too old to do what he/she had set his/her mind to accomplish. The following are some examples of people who lived a long time, but are far from being “old.”
Gladys Burrill ran and completed a marathon at the age of 92.
Teiichi Igarashi climbed Mount Fuji at age 100.
John Glenn became the oldest person to go into space at age 77.
Mohr Keet completed a bungee jump at 96 years of age.
Dorothy Davenhill journeyed to the North Pole at 89 years of age.
Dr. Leila Denmark was the oldest practicing pediatrician until she retired at the age of 103.
Jessica Tandy was 80 years of age when she won an Academy Award!
No excuses, no matter what is your age. If you set your mind to achieve it, with God’s help and absolute determination, you can make it happen.
Be bold. Not old.
God bless you with good health to do what you are called to accomplish today!
Peace, Fr. Marc
Pastor's Message 7-3-20
The fictional story goes like this…
“While visiting with a friend over coffee one morning, a young woman complained, “Every time my husband and I get into an argument, he gets historical!” The friend interrupted, “Don’t you mean hysterical?” The young woman replied, “No, I mean historical. He always brings up the past.”
Obviously, the aforementioned husband could not forgive the wife for whatever happened in the past. To repeatedly bring up the past identifies an inability to forgive, thereby weakening a relationship.
Relationships endure when forgiveness is employed. Co-workers return to being “on the same page.” Friendships are saved. Spouses become one in the marriage again.
As it is so well known to those whose relationships have proven to endure the test of many years, “Forgiving requires people not to keep score.”
Don’t keep score! The winners in the game of life are those who truly forgive, then move forward with the person who is truly sorry for what he/she has done.
Peace, Fr. Marc
Pastor's Message 7-2-20
One of the most imaginative, brilliant persons of the twentieth century was Walt Disney. But, did you know as a young adult he was fired from his job at a newspaper because he was found to “lack creativity?” Soon thereafter, he tried to form his own company. However, that company quickly went bankrupt! Mr. Disney was totally out of money, at that point. Nevertheless, as you are aware, eventually he became a magnificent success.
There had to be great determination for Mr. Disney to achieve what he did, after the lack of successes earlier in his life. What he did is realization of the phrase, “He who wants milk should not sit himself in the middle of a pasture waiting for a cow to back up to him.”
Wikipedia defines determination as “a positive emotional feeling that involves persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles.” The good example of Walt Disney is one of countless true stories which can be found about individuals “persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles.”
Maybe, someday you can be one of the individuals we tell the story that by an execution of determination, vast obstacles were overcome. Yes, if you are reading this MESSAGE, then the message is meant precisely for you - the next Walt Disney!
Remember, if you want the milk, don’t wait for the arrival of the cow, as you sit idle in the pasture.
Peace, Fr. Marc
Pastor's Message 7-1-20
In my estimation, a very beautiful plant is the sun flower. As I am sure you know, it is a large plant which tends to face the sun during the day. And, the flower part of the plant can grow to over 12 inches in diameter. It is found in various different colors, including yellow, red and orange.
The beauty of the sun flower would not be seen, if it never bloomed. Such a plant would never reach its potential in this world, if there was no bloom. Indeed, therein is a lesson for all of us to consider.
To not fulfill your potential is like being a flower which never bloomed. Sadly, such a person never reaches his/her potential in this world. What an utter tragedy!
I remember reading the following good advice a while ago. “When you stop trying to become all can be, you are through.”
Don’t be “through,” no matter your age or status in life. If possible, turn to the One who created each of us for a purpose in His creation. A purpose which no person ever had prior and no person will have subsequently. God will give you the grace to become all you are meant to be.
Today, bloom to your greatest beauty.
Peace, Fr. Marc
Pastor's Message 6-30-20
Henry Ford, the great 20th century American Industrialist, offered a thought worthy of pondering. He stated, “Don’t find fault; find a remedy.”
Surely, from time to time, “faults” cannot be missed, especially if they are blatant and lacking prudent judgment. For some, there is a temptation after a fault concerning an individual is found, to make derogatory remarks about him or her.
However, the better person, when a fault is recognized, avoids making the said remarks. The better person finds a remedy. He/she becomes focused on setting things right, instead of being fixed on what is the wrong with the individual.
Maybe, the best practice for us to “change gears” to go from “fault finding” to “remedy making,” is we should think of our own faults. Upon realizing you are also flawed, the response probably will be to help the other person consider a remedy for his/hers.
In addition, if you are a Christian, it is interesting to consider Jesus’ mission in this regard. He is rightly called our Savior. And, to name Him as Lord and Messiah are appropriate titles too. But, if we reflect on His magnificent sermons and insightful teachings, it would be very appropriate to consider Him as the best in providing “remedies” for human faults! Without fault He was, so if anyone could have been extremely critical, it would have been Him. But, no, He wasn’t. Jesus not only came to save us from sin, but also not allow us to be a victimized by our human faults, offering needed remedies which are found in His words to us.
Do what Jesus did always.
Peace, Fr. Marc
Pastor's Message 6-29-20
When I have the time while driving my car, I occasionally take different ways to a place I have set as my destination. Sometimes, when a passenger is seated beside me, the question is asked, (on occasions, not very politely), “Marc, where are you taking me…this definitely isn’t the way to go?”
Over the years living in New Jersey, I have found interesting routes and roads to go to my set destination. If I did not try the different ways, when I had the time to do so, I would not have the knowledge I have about the said routes and roads.
So, the point is, we learn by doing. To put it bluntly, “You no do, then, you no learn!”
God has given each of gifts and talents. Sure, some people may have more than you or I. That’s okay. But, what is most important is to utilize each gift and talent we possess by doing. Otherwise, if you are afraid to do something, it will lead to the missed opportunity to learn.
Consequently, give honor to God by trying to do something which you have not done, as long as it is not contrary to what you should do as His beloved son or daughter. If you do, you’ll learn more than you know today. Then, happy will you be to have gain more knowledge, while God looks down from heaven proudly at you!
Proverbs 13:4 “The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied.”