Today was one of those days that was perfect.  It was a beautiful summer day and I had the opportunity to go to the beach twice.  There is nothing more relaxing for me than some time at the beach.  Somehow all the cares and stresses of the world are whisked away by the ocean.  The water was frigid, and the air was cool.  As I sat at the beach I was observing the tide coming in and out and noticed the footprints that were left on the sand by people who were walking on the beach.  It reminded me of the poem “Footprints in the Sand.”

One night I dreamed a dream.  As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.  Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.  For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.  I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.  "Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way.  But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints.  I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you Never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you."

Mary Fishback Powers

May we take time each day to remember the truth of this poem – that our God is always with us.

Pat Schifini

Pentecost Sunday

Today is Pentecost Sunday – the birthday of the Church.  On this day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us all.  Our world is in desperate need of the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and we all need to pray for the guidance of the Spirit.  As we pray this day let us pray for our world and for one another that we may be open to the Spirit.  Let us pray:  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.  Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.  And You shall renew the face of the earth.  O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Pat Schifini, OSU

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Where were you on this day fifty years ago?  On this day, the world learned of the tragedy that took place in Memphis, Tennessee—the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot while standing on his balcony of the Lorraine Motel by James Earl Ray.  Martin Luther King, Jr. was America's greatest civil rights leader and most famous advocate of non-violence.  He was in Memphis to support a march for black sanitation workers on strike for better pay and wages.

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream and sought to be an ambassador of peace in all he did and said.  On Aug. 28, 1963, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.   This historic speech helped galvanize the Civil Rights Movement and brought the plight of the disenfranchised to a larger national and international audience.  As we remember and celebrate this wonderful man today let us reflect on some of his most popular quotes:

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

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“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

May the dream he had continue to become a reality in our world as we strive to live together in peace, love and harmony.  

Pat Schifini, OSU

Faith

In today’s scripture readings we have the familiar story of the three brothers Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who are cast into the furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar who wants to weaken their resolve to follow God’s commands.  He wants them to betray their faith and turn away from God.  Often we too face many heavy demands that can make us wonder if we have any strength left.  We can feel that we are being tested to the extreme.

The three young Israelites are models for us to follow. No matter what threat was flung at them, they refused to succumb to defeat and fear.   Their faith in God could not be shaken.  They knew the reality of God’s abundant love for them.  God would stand by and protect them from all evil and harm.  The same is true for us - God will never abandon us nor will he take his love from us.  All we need to do is surrender our love to the God who has loved us first.  Take some time today as the snow falls to relish the love of God present in your life.

Pat Schifini, OSU

Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Breastplate is a popular prayer attributed to one of Ireland’s most beloved patron saints. According to tradition, St. Patrick wrote it in 433 A.D. for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Leoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. The term breastplate refers to a piece of armor worn in battle.  This is the part of the prayer that is most popular and familiar for people.

Christ with me,

Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Let us pray for all people who celebrate this day.  May all be safe and enjoy their day.

Pat Schifini, OSU

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.  For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.  But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.  John 3: 14 – 21

Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is what was once called Laetare Sunday.  Laetare means “Rejoice” in Latin.  In the entrance antiphon we hear “Rejoice, Jerusalem!”  We are just a bit more than half way through the Lenten season.  This day we hear the familiar “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”  This passage is one of the most often quoted passages.  It gives us both hope and challenge.  God does indeed love each and every one of us as we are and challenges us to continue to grow into the person we are meant to be and this is a great reason to rejoice!.

Pat Schifini, OSU

Prayer for Women Leaders Around the World

March, is Women's History Month, a time when we recognize all the great women who have forged our history and continue to do so.  This morning as a school community we prayed the following prayer to honor all women leaders around the world.  Take some time today to pray to and for the women who have influenced your life.

A Prayer for Women Leaders Around the World

Praise to you, women leaders of the seven continents, for your many works of justice.

Praise to you, women leaders of Asia, for confronting trafficking of women.

Praise to you, women leaders of Africa, for raising your voices to stop AIDS.

Praise to you, women leaders of Europe, for your peacekeeping.

Praise to you, women leaders of North America, for confronting economic inequities and racism.

Praise to you, women leaders of South America, for struggling against U.S. domination of your land.

Praise to you, women leaders in Antarctica, for your scientific research.

Praise to you, women leaders of Australia, for supporting indigenous cultures.

May our loving God continue to bless women leaders each day.  Amen

 - Diann Neu

Pat Schifini, OSU