Chaplain's Message

As we move into the Fall of the year, we see the beautiful vistas of the dying leaves on trees and bushes as the landscape takes on the appearance of magnificent bouquets of color and change. It is a time of the year to meditate on the beauty of death as nature enlightens us with its preparation for renewal and resurrection in the Spring. 

Let us remember those who have suffered through the impact of the recent storms. So many lives have been affected and it is overwhelming to see homes destroyed, cars toppled over, and debris everywhere. It is amazing to see the utter destruction the wind and waves left behind. Yet many trees seemed unaffected. How do they do it? With strong, deep roots, a tree with deep roots can weather any storm.

It is only a matter of time before the next storm gets here: an illness, the death of a loved one, unemployment, financial difficulties, a troubled child, a natural disaster, marital strife, or any number of other things. The storms of life are inevitable. And when the next storm gets here, it’s too late to sink the roots. We either have our roots set or we do not.

One of the best ways to sink deep roots is to pray, especially the rosary in this Month of the Rosary. The Rosary is a devotion that works in our lives. Praying the Rosary settles the heart and the mind. It puts things in perspective and allows us to see things as they really are. Praying the Rosary reaches deep into our soul and puts us at ease, creating a peace that is rare and beautiful.

The Rosary is one of the Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality. These pillars combine 2,000 years of spiritual wisdom into a handful of spiritual exercises. They may be ancient practices, but don’t let that fool you into believing they are not relevant to your life in the modern world. They will help you build deep, strong roots.

The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality are:

Confession

Daily Prayer

The Mass

The Bible

Fasting

Spiritual Reading

The Rosary

Which pillar do you need in your life right now?

There are different seasons in our lives. There are different seasons in our spiritual journeys. And we need different pillars, depending on the circumstances in our particular time and journey in life.

Regardless of where you are in your life, you can start sinking these roots, the Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality, deep into your life and you will weather any storm. But so much more than surviving the storms of life, you will come to know the abundant life that Jesus offers us and invites us to experience.

Blessings, Dcn. Dub

Chaplain