Nov. 13, 2013 By Kristina Dean Although the weather was cold and rainy, nothing seemed to dampen the excitement and positive atmosphere during the Matthew Kelly talk: Living With Passion and Purpose. During his three talks on October 27 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg, I was filled to the brim with inspiration. My head felt so full, I needed a week just to process all the information filling it. One piece resounding with me the most is his motto: “Be Bold. Be Catholic.” I guess this is because there have been times when I haven’t been a bold Catholic. I have turned my face aside when trying to say prayers. I have hidden the sign of the cross, concerned about what people think. And I have avoided talking to my family about my faith. Even holding my hands up in Mass while saying the Our Father prayer – for a long time I didn’t do this. This is something of which I am very much ashamed. I was away from the church for a very long time. When I came back, my faith became precious to me. I couldn’t stand to have people speak about it as if it wasn’t important, or worse – to insult the Catholic Church. It became easier to hide the faith rather than flaunt it. It seemed like whenever I said I was Catholic, no matter what, someone always asked me complicated questions about Chuch doctrine and wanted to argue some point. At the time, it was easier to avoid discussion, rather than answer. What I should have done was to educate myself on Catechism and become a defender of the faith. One of the wonderful things about hearing Matthew Kelly talk is that it reminded me of how beautiful it is to be Catholic. He has a talent for stripping the noise and nonsense from issues and looking at it from a purely Catholic standpoint. He reminded me of all the wonderful things the church does. We feed, house, cloth and educate more people in the world than any other group! How awesome is that! He reminded me of how to be engaged into my faith entirely. And I took it heart when he said we’ve forgotten our faith story. I need to be more involved in mine because when we aren’t involved in the growth of our faith, we become stagnant. We become complacent and lukewarm. Sometimes we need reminders like Mr. Kelly gives us. We come from a wonderful heritage and family. Early Christians were changing the world. People that live their faith live that way change the world. I want the happiness that comes from being focused, energized and invigorated. I want to pay attention to the voice of God speaking to me in my life. I want to become who God means for me to become. After the tidal wave of positivity and energy sunk into me, I have decided to do several things. One is to read more non fiction books, especially about the lives of the saints. I have decided to keep a Mass journal. And, I have decided to be unashamedly Catholic. No more hiding the sign of the cross! Mr. Kelly said there is nothing more attractive than holiness. And, he doesn’t mean trying to get attention by being the holiest in the room. There is something beautiful about quiet, unobtrusive holiness. I think of my father. Every night at dinner, he would ask for silence, bow his head, fold his hands and using a quiet, reverent voice, thank God for many things. Sometimes we, as kids, would be hungry, and anxious to eat, we’d get tired of his thanks. But now I often wish I could go back and thank him for demonstrating to me a simple, humble holiness. Another message I took from Mr. Kelly’s talk is to always be open to God’s will for us, always listening to his message. These are such special moments. Recently, one hit me over the head. Sometimes in Mass, the words the priest says pass me by quickly. But several weeks ago, as if it were playing before me like a movie, one moment slowed down and made me sit up and pay attention. The moment the priest held up the host and says, “Behold the Lamb of God,” I suddenly snapped to attention and realized that THIS is really God, here in front of us. I was filled with joy and my eyes with tears. I realized God was talking to me at that moment. It was such a beautiful gift. I wish my heart was open continually, so I could experience more moments like that. God is speaking to us all the time. One more piece of advice that I absorbed: to disconnect from the electronic world so as to delve deep inside myself and listen to the voice from God. As a teacher, there are many voices, many questions and many concerns around me all day long. As a parent, my own children demand most of my attention, and of course, my husband deserves my time and attention. Once I attend to their needs, there isn’t much space left, and if I fill the spaces with noise from radio, television, internet and anything else, it is tremendously hard to think. Some of the best thinking time I have is early in the morning, when it’s just me, a cup of coffee and my prayers. And every once in a while I figure out what God wants me to hear. May we all find time in our busy lives to be disciplined to attend to our faith. May we become 100 percent engaged as Catholics, be proud of our faith and become potent, powerful and effective. God willing, we’ll become what God wishes for us to be, and find the lasting happiness that can only come by following God’s will for us. photo by betty steele
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