In today's world, we are surrounded by constant noise and distractions. At home, we are always connected to media such as smartphones, computers, television and tablets. In the car, we are also saturated by noise and radio programs with commentary often inappropriate for our children's ears.
During a Nov. 29 meeting at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul, Archbishop Bernard Hebda said trust in the Holy Spirit’s help will aid members of the new Blue Ribbon Commission on Parents as Primary Educators.
I believe the seed of the vocation was planted toward the end of my five years with the Companions of Christ, an archdiocesan association of priests. I knew I was not called to be a priest, but there remained this pull on my heart to be near the altar.
I attended a Christ Renews His Parish retreat in March of 2016 that included the sacrament of reconciliation. I remember preparing well prior to participating in the sacrament, and then I made a thorough confession.
This has always been in the back of my mind my entire adult life. A serious back injury about 10 years ago brought everything into sharp focus in that it caused me to rethink how I see myself — not as success/failure, but as a son of God.