Finally, there is “practice” as used in the phrase “practice makes perfect.” Here, “practice” refers narrowly to conscious effort aimed at perfecting one’s execution of an action. Can we in this sense “practice” taking the steps on the way of Christ? Certainly we can and should work with purpose on those aspects of Christian practice that don’t come easily to us, that may never become habitual.

Jen and Friends make us LAUGH

This year I find it necessary to break away from the news and the computer to remember how to laugh. Today was one of those days, a family hiking day up north. The day started as four individuals. During the ride up north we started to reconnect and had some laughs. By lunch we were a cohesive group. At the end, the kids were able to look up at the landmarks we had passed along the ridge and acknowledge their accomplishment. All I had to do was look around at the happy, (but tired), faces of my family to feel that I had accomplished my goal. We had all needed to laugh together.

We still have a way to go before we can put COVID-19 in the rear view mirror. But by acknowledging our anger and frustration with this reality and using a bit of humor and laughter we can all become superhero’s like me!

There will always be a rogue “stink bug” creeping into your day, but know that you are not alone; there are friends everywhere ready to help, whether you ask for it or not. I hope that you have a wonderful week, finding laughter in small moments every day.

Laughter is medicine. It can distract us from our troubles, raise our spirits, and help us bond with others. The fact that it is so much more difficult to spend time with folks who aren’t in our bubbles means that we need to find new ways to connect and make each other laugh.

A Catholic Priest, a rabbit and a Minister walk into a bar. The bartender asks the rabbit, “What’ll you have?” The rabbit answers, “ I don’t know, I’m only here because of autocorrect.”

This is how we become better and stronger. Our children and grandchildren will ask questions. They will want to hear our stories and understand what it was like and what happened. We need to remember and to honor the truth of our experiences for them.

I have been deeply moved by these stories, by them and the meaning each has found in their problems, by the unrecognized strengths, resilience, the depths of love and devotion, the rich and human tapestry of this journey. It is in listening to another’s lived experience I have had the opportunity to grow in connectedness in a time of distancing.

As my short-term memory improved, so did my long-term memory. A song, a smell, a sight would bring back an old memory. Sometimes I have an extremely clear memory from the past and I don't even know what triggered it. Almost like something brought me back to that moment, but I can't pinpoint what. The brain is mysterious and amazing. And God is also mysterious and amazing. (I love when science and religion share similarities!)

Over time, I remembered that irrevocable identity assigned to me at birth – not Roman Catholic, but something perhaps a little more basic – that of being a human being in a sea of human beings trying to figure out how to be and how to act.

The first person I saw greeting people in the doorway was a lovely woman I had met a few weeks earlier at the Krempels Center, only this time she was clothed in beautiful Christmas robes. "A Woman Priest!" I said to myself, "I must have found my spiritual home!"

We need you now more than ever. Join our ‘week of giving’ campaign to ensure St. John’s thrives in 2021. Helen shares her message: We are all in this together. She should know. She’s been part of St. John’s for over 50 years.

We need you now more than ever. Join our ‘week of giving’ campaign to ensure St. John’s thrives in 2021. Jeff and Denise feel the love, and share the resources.

We need you now more than ever. Join our ‘week of giving’ campaign to ensure St. John’s thrives in 2021. Bertha Rocray leans on her deep faith and the St. John’s community to navigate the challenging moments in her life.

We need you now more than ever. Join our ‘week of giving’ campaign to ensure St. John’s thrives in 2021. Hear from three young families who are committed to each other and St. John’s.

We need you now more than ever. Join our ‘week of giving’ campaign to ensure St. John’s thrives in 2021. Today we visit with Reggie Baird who takes us on a quick tour highlighting a couple of the improvements we have made in our historic building this year.

We need you now more than ever. Join our ‘week of giving’ campaign to ensure St. John’s thrives in 2021. Today we visit with Anna Kay Vorsteg who sends a message of love and gratitude to you.

We need you now more than ever. Join our campaign to ensure St. John’s thrives in 2021.