|
|
|
|
Terry Malta - We are RISEN
Weisse Family
Baker Family - Answering "YES"
Fink Family - Meant to Be
Rachel Daily - It's
Never Too Early to Serve
Bill Goglia - St. Vincent de Paul Society
Kathy Becker - "Receiving
God's Gift"
Rick Hepperla - To Question
"Why"
Amy Wittenberger - The
Lord's Servant
Kathy Pavlic Thomas - Circle of Life
Michael Hoeffler - "What a Gift"
Mary Skladanek - "Why I Serve"
Meg Fabiszak - A Passionate Venture
Joel & Carrie Jensen - "Running in
Celebration"
John Waymel - "Why Wait to be Asked"
The Evans Family - "A Miracle Among Us"
Carol
Wingenter - Therapist is 'godsend' for special needs kids
|
We are RISEN |
 The
RISEN (Religious Instruction Special Education Needs) program for
special students has been a part of the LFF program for many years. This
is my first year involved with this ministry and I have found it very
rewarding. I decided to take a step “out of my comfort zone” as they
say, and volunteer as my previous commitment for Sundays had ended. I
have enjoyed working with these beautiful students, all of whom come
with their own unique personalities as do all children. I have been
amazed by their participation in spite of the challenges they face.
They exemplify the model that we all should follow, “Bloom where you are
planted!”
I have a great admiration for their parents, who are committed to their
children’s spiritual and overall development. I am very lucky to have
able co-leaders in Carol Wingenter and Rachel Daily. Carol brings her
special expertise (and equipment!) as an occupational therapist and long
time LFF class leader. Rachel, as a student volunteer with previous
experience with the RISEN class, has helped with suggestions and has
offered her fine example in dealing with various situations. In
addition there are confirmation candidate volunteer teachers who are
able to give one-on-one attention to each student. These include Julie
Golab, Eliza Zwolinski, Taylor Stewart, Kevin and Brian Sylla, Joe
Heckes, Mike Meidl and Kim Haberkorn. I am so impressed by their
interactions with our RISEN students - what a great example of their
Christian spirit!
 The
RISEN classes are held in the Marcy Center approximately every two weeks
on Sunday mornings during the school year. We have been reading both Old
and New Testament stories adapted for their interest and then focus on
the lessons God is teaching us with these stories and events. During
the Lenten season we focused on Jesus’ life, teachings and the meaning
of His death for us. The students are asked to give their insight into
the lessons learned from God’s actions and how they can respond to His
teachings. They show good insight into what it means to be a follower
of Christ! I am proud that St. Dominic’s has made this ongoing
commitment to these special children and that I am able to be a part of
it. Terri Malta
WEISSE FAMILY
What have you taught your children about family? We have taught
them that it is a blessing to be a part of a family. When the kids were
younger, they would sometimes say things like, “Why is Lydia different?”
We have tried to teach them that all people are children of God and
Lydia was given to us, just as they were. As a part of God’s family we
need to care for one another. We have also tried to teach them that
things don’t always go as you might have planned, but as a family we
work together and see each new day as a gift from God.
How is St. Dominic a part of your larger family? Joining St.
Dominic Parish 10 years ago was a blessing. We love the school and we
have met so many wonderful people. Having a child with special needs is
a daily challenge. I feel blessed and fortunate that I am able to call
on people to help out with rides and more, for the other kids. We met
Lydia’s two best helpers here. (You know who you are, L.& C.!)
 Are
there any stories about the RISEN program specifically that you would
like to share? Lydia has been attending RISEN for many years. Every
time we go to church, she has to go downstairs and check if there is
class. She loves all the teachers and all the students who have helped
out. She also looks forward to seeing her friend Mary in class. We
would personally like to thank St. Dominic Parish and all the people who
have helped out to provide this opportunity for these special kids! |
|
Answering "YES" |
Read more about the Baker family journey to adoption:
http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site?pg=582288 Password:
7kycats
Our road to adoption was an unnecessarily long one. Well, unnecessary
in an earthly sense of time but not in God’s — His time is perfect. Our
journey began with a quiet whisper which we promptly dismissed as
absurd. We had four young children and life was busy and difficult to
keep up with already. We knew it would be a challenge to give them all
that they needed — time, attention, a Catholic education, a college
education...the list goes on! It was some time later while praying the
Rosary that God showed us something important. When the angel came to
Mary, her “Yes” to God was so pure and never did she focus on the
impossibilities or say, “But what about…?” She trusted him completely.
But what were we doing? We were finding all of the selfish reasons to
say “no,” the reasons that don’t matter when you are standing face to
face with your Creator. So, we started praying about it. And what we
realized was that no matter what, this was going to be a great test of
faith that would require a wholehearted trust in the Lord. We had a
discussion with our children about adoption and how it would involve
sacrifice, selfless love, and potential unknowns. Their yes was like
Mary’s, a pure “yes!” The next day, after five years of uncertainty, we
decided we would begin our adoption paperwork, and if God wanted to
close the doors, He would. Finally, after two years of waiting and
praying, we received “the call.” We were so excited to finally see her
face after such a long wait!
 Again,
we had to trust in God. There were so many unknowns ahead of us: what if
she wouldn’t attach to us, what had she endured in her two and a half
years of life and how would it affect her and our family, what if she
had medical problems that we didn’t know about, etc. Then I heard this
quote: “If you set out and you know what’s ahead of you, that’s
knowledge; if you set out and don’t know what’s ahead, that’s faith.”
We had our answer...we would not worry and we would trust God fully.
We departed for China on Christmas Eve. We received our daughter in
Ningxia, China and returned home on January 10, 2010. God has blessed us
beyond words with our new daughter and there is no doubt that she is so
very perfect for our family. She has brought such joy and love to all of
us and we have to smile. God knew so much more than we did, we just had
to trust Him!
Day 3 Journal: "We were told early on that she would likely bond
with one of us. So, early on I pinched her so she would bond with Deb
first. I did not want Deb upset the next few months so yes, I took one
for the team. In all seriousness, she does love me from afar (I
think). We have a great time playing and as long as Deb is holding her
she lets me give kisses. This morning was a good morning for dear old
dad. She woke up while Deb was on the computer and she let me hold her
for about 5 minutes while we snuggled. “As we boarded the plane to
leave Elizabeth’s birthplace there is a part of me that is sad for all
those that have touched her in the past two years. It is very obvious
that she was loved by her foster family and well taken care of. She came
to us clean, she smelled wonderful, and she knew who we were...We both
know it is by God’s grace...that Elizabeth knew we were coming for her.
It has been amazing to watch all the people in the streets and at the
hotel. I can just see the love they have for her and I know her mom must
have been heartbroken to give her up." Jeff Baker |
|
Meant to Be |
 View
more Fink family photos
Over Christmas break, our family traveled to Ethiopia to adopt our five
year-old brother, Jacob. Looking back on it now, it’s amazing how
smoothly the whole process has gone and how great the experience has
been for everyone involved. Despite all the doubts, all the worries, and
all the possible difficulties that could have arisen, the journey our
family has taken from the moment our five-hour-delayed flight left the
tarmac of O’Hare International has been truly blessed. The ease with
which Jacob has fit into our family and the positive effects this life
changing commitment has produced, seems to suggest that this was meant
to be.
God’s will can often be more difficult to predict than the Final Four,
however Jacob’s incorporation into our family certainly was what God
intended. It was my parent’s faith in God that allowed them to have the
confidence to pursue such an ambitious endeavor despite not knowing the
enigmatic will of God with more certainty. I do know that the process of
seriously considering adoption began years ago and has overcome a number
of frustrating setbacks. Jumping from one adoption program to another
due to the volatile political atmospheres of many of the countries
popular for adoptions even tested my parents’ resolve and maybe made
them question whether or not adoption was something our family was meant
to do.
These frustrating obstacles, however, ultimately led us to look into
Ethiopia as a possibility and it was there that we found Jacob. This
fortuitous outcome could not have come about without the faith that my
parents had in God’s guiding hand. The timing of the adoption even ended
up allowing the entire family to travel to Ethiopia to pick Jacob up.
Such an experience was something that has been essential to the
necessary bonding that has taken place between Jacob and our family. The
trip itself was something that we will never forget and will always be a
part of us. The energy and light that Jacob has brought to our home
since he arrived has been the best kind of remedy to a long and cold
Wisconsin winter. I have come to learn that the language barrier does
not apply to things like building forts, paper airplanes, and sticker
wars; that naptime is the best time, and that little kids from Ethiopia
can be just as stubborn as the ones from Wisconsin. Drew Fink
"Going to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia really had us all praying, as it
appeared so very bleak, dirty and crowded. The streets were full of cars
and vans, people and animals. One driver commented that it is a city
with three million people and one stoplight. It did appear to be the
case! But just as there is poverty and orphans in Ethiopia, we also met
people who were part of families that live together, have weddings, go
to school, laugh and eat together. Everyone from the drivers, the
guesthouse cook, the orphanage director and the nannies were all kind,
happy, beautiful people. It makes me think that the world really is
small and that we are all a part of the family of humanity; that we have
a family connection to all people and supporting each other in whatever
way that we can is something that we are called to do. It is the will
of God for sure. Adoption is not for everyone and we were not always
certain it was for us but through it all we just went through the steps
needed, did the mountain of paperwork, asked friends and family to put
in a good word for us in letters to the agency, were fingerprinted and
background checked, and doublechecked…and then we waited and waited. It
is awesome to think that before we even knew of Jacob he also waited.
Through most of it we did not talk much about it to anyone and sometimes
not even to each other. We just had it in the back of our mind and in
our hearts and had faith that God was guiding the journey and how it
would unfold." Cathy Fink |
|
Rachel
Daily - It's Never too Early to Serve |
 I
got started in Children’s Ministry four years ago through Vacation Bible
School, where I discovered that I could be more involved during the
school year. Since I wanted to be a teacher, I thought this would be a
good opportunity for me. I have helped in first and third-grade
classrooms, a catch-up class, and am currently the catechist in a
kindergarten classroom. I also help out in R.I.S.E.N., the quad-parish
special education program.
Even though I am still a student myself, I feel that I am completely
welcomed within the St. Dominic community – being in Children’s Ministry
has helped me become more involved in the parish. I really enjoy seeing
everything the students learn, as well as everything they are capable
of. They never cease to amaze me with the ideas that they have.
To all the young parishioners of St. Dominic: It is never too early to
volunteer your time. Even though I am a very busy high school student, I
am able to spend a couple hours of my week with these students, and it
is worth every minute of that time. You do not have to be a certified
teacher to be able to make a difference for these children; a little bit
of patience and some creativity will go a very long way. I feel that
because of my young age, I can be a very good role model for these
children both in and out of the classroom.
Probably the best thing that I have gained from working with all of
these students, however, is the ability to build my own faith. It is
amazing that kindergarteners can actually teach me about my faith, but
they do.
I am very grateful for the numerous opportunities Children’s Ministry
has given me. Not only am I able to build my own faith, but I have also
gained many experiences that will help me later on. Teaching these
classes has shown me that I definitely want to go into education as my
career. It allows me to express my love for teaching as well as my love
for God. |
|
Bill Goglia |
 President
of St. Dominic’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul
My wife Linda and I joined SVDP about 4˝ years ago. At that time, we had
become empty nesters and wanted to become more involved with our
wonderful faith community at
St. Dominic Church. We found out about SVDP through other members and
were encouraged to attend a meeting. I believe we became hooked very
quickly. This was not an organization that you just wrote a check out
to...it was far more involved and took a greater commitment.
The commitment to serve the poor goes to the heart of our faith. The
face of Jesus is present at every home visit we go on. At times, these
visits are very difficult and the situations may never be rectified.
Whether it is delivering food to the elderly, helping a former inmate
with rent, providing vouchers for the single mother to buy coats and
clothes for her children at the SVDP store in Waukesha or praying for
one of our clients going through a health crisis, our ministry is
“one-on-one” and very personal.
Knowing that we are trying to make someone’s life better through the
compassionate grace of God and donations from our wonderful faith
community make our small group a special and exciting way to serve the
Lord. The fact that SVDP is a world-wide community makes it even
better. With approximately 26 conferences in Haiti, working in
conjunction with the Sisters of Charity, it is assuring to know that
when the Haitian people are no longer on the front pages of the New York
Times, they will still be in the hearts, actions and deeds of St.
Vincent de Paul members. |
|
Kathy Becker - "Receiving
God's Gift" |
 When
I started my Guatemalan journey two years ago, I did not think of it as
―Answering God‘s Call. I was invited by my daughter Ashley to accompany
her, along with her friend‘s family and other volunteers, to Guatemala
to improve the conditions of a rural school. The mission trip was to
scope out projects for the following year and to provide a day long
clinic in the rural area of Guatemala. Being a nurse, my skills were
needed.
I considered the invitation for a long period and decided it was time
for me to offer a little back. After a long flight, my daughter and I
arrived in Guatemala on July 4, 2008. We spent a total of 9 days in
Guatemala. During that time, we identified many projects. Two projects
became priorities; one was to build an altar and the other was to paint
a mural in the chapel at the residential school for children. We came
back to the U.S. with a clear plan for the next mission group to carry
out the following year.
Then in 2009 another call came and I was asked to help fulfill some of
the tasks we identified in 2008. Again, I took a long time considering
whether to go on this trip. I prayed and asked God for guidance. He
provided that guidance during a time I was sitting with Barry, my
husband. I asked Barry what he thought I should do. He responded, ―There
is no doubt you should go to Guatemala. Remember last year how fulfilled
you were when you came back? You need to go again this year. With that
support I signed up for the trip which was scheduled from June 11
through June 20, 2009. I contacted Ashley and asked if she also would be
interested in going again this year, and she agreed. We were off to
Guatemala.
 In
preparation for the trip I thought about the supplies we brought over
the previous year; they included numerous boxes of shoes for children. I
telephoned Mr. John Chovanec, St. Dominic School Principal and asked if
I could collect shoes through the grade school children. Without
hesitation he encouraged me to write an announcement for the school
newsletter. I wrote the article and a week later I had two huge boxes of
shoes to take over to Guatemala. The Guatemalan children are little, so
sizes that fit American children ages 1 year to 12 years are most
needed. Thrilled with our shoe donations, we packed and prepared for our
journey.
We flew into Guatemala and then drove to Rio Dulce. The chapel was
nothing but an empty shell when we began our work. The volunteers pushed
concrete in a wheel barrel up the hill to the chapel to build the altar.
The same was done for the stone and pails of water. The work was arduous
and the weather was hot, with temperatures in the 90‘s. It was labor
intensive work and everything was mixed by hand; no cement mixers for
us!
Upon completion of the altar, the task of adding the mural was next. We
began by painting the background with sun rays, which are significant in
the Mayan culture. Stenciling the pictures on the wall followed. After
the stenciling was completed we could paint the images. Some of the
local residents were there to help us. We used regular house paint
previously purchased in Antigua to paint the murals.
It took seven days to complete the painting of the wall, but it was well
worth it. The murals included a picture of Jesus with his children and a
mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Father Javier presided over Mass at the
newly painted chapel. The Mass was said in three languages; Spanish,
Kachee and English.
During our stay at the school, we invited the school children and their
families to join us for an evening meal. We arranged all shoes in the
library of the school. Everyone at the evening gathering was invited to
pick out the number of pairs of shoes to meet the needs of their
families. Some children couldn‘t believe the good fortune they had at
receiving shoes!
It was an incredible journey! When answering God‘s call, some people
believe it has to do with suffering and self-sacrificing, but in my
journey to answer God‘s call, I walked away with a sense of joy and
peace that I have never experienced in my life before. In answering
God‘s call, I received a gift from God. |
|
Rick
Hepperla - To Question "Why"... |
|
The question “why?” is a powerful challenge.
Rick Hepperla, a member of the St. Dominic RCIA (Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults) Inquiry Team asked this question over and over
again during a two-year period after learning that his son Austin
was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy in 1992. Brought up in the
Catholic Church with many years of Catholic education, he recalls
being taught “what” to believe, but not “why.” Now he started
questioning everything; all his beliefs, his faith and the moral and
theological issues related to birth control and artificial
insemination (MD is a genetic disease). He searched his soul for
answers. Austin’s diagnosis was a major turning
point in his life. At this time, the Catholic Parish where he was a
member called for candidate sponsors for their RCIA process. The
Holy Spirit moved him to join. He wanted to help teach others what
he had learned. It led him to a deeper study the Catholic faith.
Living in Tennessee at the time (the “Bible Belt” where only 4% of
the population was Catholic), he found himself increasing his
knowledge of apologetics and debating fundamentalist and evangelical
Christians, defending the Catholic faith. The
RCIA Inquiry Team is responsible for answering candidates questions
and walking them through the catechism. Rick’s search for answers to
the “why” questions and his street debates with other Christians
prepared him to deal with hot topics such as Mary, confession,
purgatory, the saints and the Pope. Many
candidates enter the program with certain biases. Each candidate is
unique and has his/her own frame of reference and reason for
entering the process. Rick believes that by finding a common ground
and building from a biblical basis, candidates become more open to
more difficult or challenging topics. He has a burning desire to
teach the candidates but knows he has to let them go at their pace.
Often in the process, a friendship develops. Rick loves the
candidates with the most questions; sometimes the most challenging
candidates become the most committed. He admits the Inquiry Team
learns as much or more from the candidates than they teach, and that
is a great gift.
Rick is a business executive, third generation member
of St. Dominic and has been involved in the RCIA process for over 15
years. |
|
Amy Whittenberger - The Lord's Servant |
|
 My
belief in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mary, the Communion of Saints
and the teachings of the Catholic Church has been firm throughout my
life. But I’ve always known that I had to make distinct choices to
keep myself connected and active in my faith life and church. A
critical decision as a young adult was to choose a Catholic college,
Cardinal Stritch, to keep me grounded as well as active in my faith.
After college, no matter where I lived, I went to Mass every Sunday
and continually served the community in a variety of ways with time
and treasure. Upon moving back home to Wisconsin in 1997, I
immediately sought to get reconnected with St. Dominic, the parish I
was raised in. First, I became a lector and Eucharistic minister. To
deepen my connection to St. Dominic, I contacted Debbie Olla to help
out on a Confirmation retreat, which led to becoming a 9th grade LFF
Catechist, then a Confirmation leader and an adult chaperone for
Group Workcamp. Due to Debbie’s encouragement, a weekend retreat
turned out to be a nine-year commitment.
 Then
I decided to take a “year off.” What was I thinking? You can’t take
“time off” from your faith. I quickly realized that I felt
disconnected from St. Dominic. A nagging feeling was working its way
into my heart and soul. The Time and Talent Stewardship appeal came
around and I volunteered to help Meg Picciolo with the Web site
calendar, re-signed up as a Confirmation leader and Eucharistic
minister, and began to serve on the Human Resource Committee. I feel
like I’m connected again. I learned form one of
our annual LFF themes that, like Paul, I’ve been called to be a
planter (1 Cor 3:6), bringing the faith to our young people and
watching God make it grow. As Paul writes, “[We] are God’s servants,
working together” (1 Cor 3:9). I truly believe I am the Lord’s
servant. I have His work to do—to build stronger, more loving
communities by expressing my faith in God through action and by
Word. |
|
|
 Simba
and Nala in The Lion King were not the only ones acutely
aware of the circles of life. My academic and professional lives
have just come full circle at St. Dominic. I attended grades 1-8 at
the recently built St. Dominic School. Several years later I
enjoyed my first teaching position in a 1st grade
parochial school classroom. Fast forward to the present and I find
myself thrilled to return “home” to St. Dominic and teaching first
grade once again.
After five years in the classroom, I began my
family and chose to be a full-time mom and part-time teacher. Now
that my children are getting ready to fly from our nest, I am very
excited to be back as a full-time classroom teacher at St. Dominic.
Katelyn, 19 will be a freshman at Stevens Point and Jackie, 17, is a
Brookfield Central senior. While my educational philosophy is an
ever-evolving kaleidoscope, parenting my own children has added the
most dynamic change to my teaching style. Many times I think about
how I would want a specific situation handled if I was this child’s
parent.
St. Dominic Parish has been one of my
“villages” for over 40 years. I remember Sister Marcel Marie
greeting me, in full habit, as I walked into my first grade
classroom. I was sure that Father Griebasch was related to the Jolly
Green Giant because he was so tall when he taught us religion in our
classroom once each week. Who could forget the competitive spirit
between the well-known boys’ choir and Miss Wolf’s girls’ choir?
Finally, I always looked forward to the nights that my parents
hosted the St. Dominic bridge club at our home. It meant great
snacks and mom and dad’s friends were always so nice to us. Many of
those people are still parish members today!
I am proud to have been part of St. Dominic’s
past. Today, I am blest to share friendships with so many wonderful
people in our parish. Finally, I am fortunate and tremendously
excited to be part of the education of our first grade students who
are St. Dominic’s future. Please stop by and introduce yourself. I
look forward to meeting you! |
|
Meg Fabiszak
- Passionate Venture |
|
New York, London, Paris, Barcelona,
Florence, Beijing, and Quito What do these cities all have in
common? They are all cities to which one of our young adult
parishioners has traveled in the last two years. Currently a
student at NYU, Meg Fabiszak is determined to experience diversity
and varied cultures and to embrace a mission that will allow her to
devote her time and talents in being of service to the poorest of
the poor and those whose lives are marginalized.
It all began for Meg like many of our young
adults who take a mission trip. She was seeking an opportunity to
combine travel with service; a place where she could make a
difference. She heard God’s call on her trip to the Working Boys
Center in Quito, Ecuador. It was there that Meg saw a vision; a
vision of what one person can accomplish in a relatively short
period of time - one person and hundreds more who followed; many who
have gone through the center and are now staff members of the WBC.
All of whom sacrifice their time, effort and salary to dedicate
their lives to offer love and hope to others; who offer sustainable
change through education. The children come to the WBC with no
concept of a future. The WBC opens the door to opportunities; it
provides a community of success in which you become a member of the
family.
Meg spoke about how her experience in Quito
changed her life. “The Catholic Church is the absolute center
of the WBC. It is the core behind everything they do. Every little
bit given to the WBC snowballs into something huge and great.” The
volunteers who come to the WBC are treated with the utmost kindness
and generosity. Meg realized that generosity on a daily basis is
their way of life. The WBC understands that the volunteers are an
integral part of their success; the volunteers contribute to the
client’s idea of the world - a world full of hope and
possibilities. For Meg, as is often the case, she received much
more in return. It was at Mass in the cafeteria of the WBC that Meg
truly felt the love of God. “It lights your entire soul, standing,
looking out over these poorest of people, singing their hearts out
with joyous exuberance. I never sang with my heart before.”
 “The juxtaposition of Quito to Brookfield can’t
be internalized without experiencing it.
My experience in Quito has inspired me to find ways to help the
many people in developing countries, and even our own country that
are seen as hopeless.” Meg and three friends applied for and
recently received a grant through Youth Ventures – whose
mission is: “Building a global movement of young changemakers”
http://www.genv.net in order to get back to Ecuador. Not only
to volunteer as teaching assistants, but their greater goal is to
find ways for successful organizations in Ecuador to extend
resources and services to the WBC. They are calling their venture,
“Bridges to Success.” There are logistical problems that need to be
resolved, but they are determined to see their project succeed.
“Seeing first hand what is possible drives me
each and every day, not to just get a college degree, but to have a
greater purpose. My goal is to work with Doctors Without
Borders
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org for a number of years and
hopefully even start my own clinic in a developing country. I truly
believe that adequate healthcare must form the foundation for
progress to occur. The ability to help an entire community is just a
phenomenal motivation to push ahead. All my sleepless nights are
worth it!”
Meg keeps a special boy in her heart as a
reminder of the faith found within a poor child in Quito. The day
she left after her first trip to the WBC, a young sweet boy named
Brayan, looked at Meg with sincerity, innocence and hope and said,
“Remember me.” When Meg returned to the WBC two years later, a boy
came directly up to her and said, “You are Margaret, you came back
for us.” It was Brayan.
It would be an honor for Meg to chat with you about the WBC, to
answer any questions, and hopefully inspire you to take a mission
trip to Quito of your own. Or if you would like to hear about the
world healthcare research project in which she participated in China
send her an email at:
mmf303@nyu.edu . |
|
|
Testimonials
When
you receive a gift, it is truly loved and treasured. However, when you
share the gift it is an act of great charity-which is love! Is this not
what our Lord did for us on the cross? What a gift!
My
first foray into ministry was as a lector in 1989. For 11 years prior to
that I was in a depressed state, after the untimely death of my father.
But that Lenten season (1989) I participated in a Renewal Program. As I
write this, I can still feel the deep withheld emotions bubbling up and
out. The facilitator had given each of us a small stone and told us to
hold it in the palm of our hands. He asked that we call on God to help
us to release whatever we held inside and put it in that stone. If I
could have, I would have crushed that pebble. I still feel it in my
palm. I put everything I had into that small piece of earth. Then we
came forward and threw it away while being blessed by this holy man. The
tears I shed were tears of joy. I was no longer angry at myself, at one
of my brothers, at my Dad (who I miss terribly to this day), or at God.
I went searching in the deepest, darkest parts of myself and found Him
waiting there for me; for "I am with you always" (MT 28:20). I was loved
and now I could love again.
