What a Birthday!

Details: 30 November 2012

On my 40th birthday, after morning Mass at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., Raymond Jansen (now Father Jansen who is pastor at Immaculate Conception parish in Ulysses, and teacher at St. Gregory the Great Seminary) followed me back to the dormitory. This was out of the ordinary because while I usually ate a light breakfast in my room before classes, he ate his at the college cafeteria.

After opening the door to my dormitory room, I no longer wondered why he followed me back to the dormitory. He wanted to see my facial expressions after opening the door to my room. I was grateful someone taped a pin on my door with the following instructions, "Happy 40th birthday! You might need this pin!" I cannot remember how long it took me to pop all of those black balloons that were knee high… for months I found shreds of black plastic in different places in the room.

Many experience surprises turning 30, 40, 50, 60 and beyond. Just days ago I experienced a pleasant surprise when Casie Otte turned 40. Instead of purchasing gifts for her birthday party, those invited were asked to bring items for Catholic Social Services. After the party, she and her son Maximilian brought almost 200 pounds of food, $70 in gift cards and some clothes to our office. What a pleasant surprise! It is this love of God and neighbor that allow us to help the many individuals and families that come to us each day in need.

As we begin the Advent Season in which we prepare ourselves for the coming of the baby Jesus into our hearts spiritually, we recall the Son of God’s first coming. In so doing, let us be reminded that this in turn will help us prepare ourselves for His second coming at the end of time when He comes with His angels in the clouds as the just Judge (Mt 25:31-46). In our secular society, it is easy to get inordinately attached to transitory things of the world which in the end will be taken away from us. A good Advent preparation for Christmas with more prayer, penance and works of charity helps us focus on the greatest gift God the Father ever gave us, the gift of Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. Jesus came to die so we who were dead in sin can live eternally. It is only through Him we gain access to the Father (Jn 14:6).

Please let me express my thanks to Casie, her husband Andy, and all those who attended her birthday party, and of course to Maximilian, who helped bring gifts to the office. Thanks also to all those who support us spiritually with your prayers, materially with items around your home or farm not needed including vehicles and financially with cash donations according to your means so we can help the many individuals and families that come to us daily in need. Please know that you will all remain in our special prayers this Advent season!