|
Friends,
We live in a noisy world! I was awakened at 1:49 AM this morning by music pumping through the air at an establishment near my rectory not named Desi‘s. There is also the local car rental right across the alley from my backyard that plays music at night to keep the homeless away. So, I have the planes and traffic with noisy motorcycles, ambulances, sirens and loud motors during the day starting at 6:30 AM and going to 11 PM at night. and then we have the night music noise right in your ear. It’s just the opposite of the Benedictine monastery of Mount Angel Abbey in Mt Angel, Oregon where I studied six years preparing for the priesthood :-). So much coveted silence, prayer and break from the noise.
So with the noise that woke me up this morning I remembered I needed to write this article! I got back from Australia two days ago and the Speaking/Ministry tour was wonderful. God blessed it left and right! Pretty much hit the ground running and had 14 talks and ministry events in 11 days. Hence, not too much time for sight-seeing or relaxing.
It was a blessing to share the tour with my friend Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. He is from Oregon and was going to be a Benedictine monk himself but then God called him to marriage and family (4 children) and a very active apostolate of teaching and preaching. We met and grew in friendship when he asked me to be his spiritual director from 2006–2017. After about six years of being his spiritual director I actually encouraged him to quit his secular job as a police chief because he is so gifted at teaching and preaching. Now he is on the road 40 weeks a year and travels over 150,000 miles spreading the Good News on several continents. Actually, this weekend he is a keynote speaker at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indiana.
51% of Australians are Catholics/Christians. But out of that 51% only 8% are going to church. The rest have just stopped practicing their faith. We all know the pain, carnage, and hopelessness that happens when we live without God. Once again, my brothers and sisters, we are called to bring the love and light and joy of our salvation to everyone we meet. That is always your calling! Each and every moment of every day with every person you meet. That said, who have you invited for burgers and brew this next week? Who have you invited to come to Holy Mass and experience reality and joy of Jesus in this incredible community? Who is God calling you to invite to become Catholic?
It is good to be back home with you- on mission!
+Fr John Amsberry
A couple of new friends I made in Australia at about 10 PM one evening!
| 
