A highlight from the week was when we went to serve at the last camp. Mrs. Kathy served us dinner at her house which is near the last camp. It was once again raining, just like it had been every day since we arrived, but we needed to leave to go prepare for Mass. After most of the team left, I loaded my bus with 14 boys and we started to follow them when the bus got stuck in the mud. When the boys realized it, they started to ask me, excited for adventure, “Do we have to push the bus?”. I agreed and thankfully they managed to get the bus free with only one boy covered completely in mud because he was right by the wheel. We started to leave when suddenly the bus became stuck again, even deeper than the first time. I started to worry because Fr. Dwight was also stuck behind us, unable to pass us on the narrow road, and there would be no Mass without the priest. I filled with doubt, telling the guys, “we might not make it to Mass”. Yet, we persevered and “locked in”, starting to look for rocks and sticks to place under the wheels. At that point, God’s providence kicked in to help us get to Mass in a surprising and beautiful way. Fr. Dwight had spare clothes that the boy covered in mud could borrow. They went back to Mrs. Kathy’s house and then Mrs. Kathy brough out cat litter (apparently a good tool to have handy if you get stuck in mud). We added it to the rocks and sticks under the tires, mobilized for one last push, and we were free! The boys roared in triumph, embracing one another and patting each other on the back.

     Then, we were faced with the next obstacle – our GPS was no longer working because we were in too remote of an area. Once I realized I was lost, I stopped on the road. A few moments later, a large man in a white truck with a silver cross tied round his neck offered to lead us to the next town where the camp was. He drove us as far as he could, but then we had to stop again because we didn’t know where the camp was. I thanked him and asked him what his name was. He said, “Everyone ‘round here calls me Bubba”. He gave a big smile and left. Then, seconds later, another man in a white truck approached. I recognized him from before – he had come from the camp to look for us. We followed him the rest of the way and made it just in time to have Mass before the sun went down.

​     After Mass, one of the migrant men named José spoke with me. He said thank you for the music and shared how he missed leading worship with his church back in Mexico, but now he just works all day then goes to bed. He also shared how he hadn’t been to Confession since he left Mexico in February. Father had previously told me that he preferred to not offer confessions this trip since he wasn’t confident in his Spanish, but I decided to ask him anyway just in case since José brought it up and Father agreed to it (by the end of the mission, Father heard multiple confessions in Spanish!). I was filled with joy. THIS is why we do this. This is the focus of our mission: these men don’t have access to Jesus in the Most Holy Sacraments of the Mass and Confession. Those who have material goods often help those who don’t have them, but so few focus on aiding the spiritual poverty of the poor. These men don’t have transportation so they can’t go to Mass or Confession even if they long for it like José. All Glory to God.

     The National Eucharistic Congress was an awe-inspiring experience, a landmark event for the Catholic Church in America that left an indelible mark on my soul. The profound encounters with the Lord, both in communal worship and personal reflection, have ignited a renewed passion for the Eucharist in my life.
     The Congress reminded me that the Eucharist is not merely a ritual, but a transformative force that should permeate every aspect of our lives because it truly is Jesus. Witnessing the unity of the Church, especially in the shared reverence during Eucharistic adoration, was deeply moving. The sight of thousands falling silent at the words "He is here," moved me to tears, as we united in prayer and devotion to Christ.
     The experience also brought about a personal transformation. The joy and patience I experienced inspired a desire to reflect those qualities in my daily interactions with family, friends, and colleagues. Fr. Mike Schmitz's call to identify and repent of the "fire extinguishers" in our lives led me to confront my own poverty and strive for greater holiness.
     I now see my roles as a wife, parent, and professional through a new lens, recognizing that I am always on a mission, fueled by the Eucharist. Bishop Barron's words about the transformative power of the Congress resonated deeply, and I am committed to seeking the grace of the Eucharist to transform my family into a beacon of faith.
     While the "mountaintop" experience of the Congress was incredible, the real challenge lies in sustaining that fire upon returning to everyday life. Sister Josephine Garrett's message to remember our identity in Christ and embrace healing and repentance is a guiding light. Through prayer, sacraments, and personal growth, we can strive to become the best versions of ourselves.
     The Congress stirred a yearning for something more, reminding us that our hearts are destined for heaven. We were granted a glimpse of its beauty and goodness, and now it is our responsibility to live the Gospel with renewed intentionality. By embracing personal transformation and reflecting the beauty, truth, and goodness we experienced, we can bring a little bit of heaven down to earth.
     The journey continues, and I invite all fellow Catholics to open their hearts to God's grace and allow His love to overflow into the world. As Msgr. James Shea aptly put it, "It's time for faithful Catholics to stop living for God, we have to start living from God."
     This renewed understanding of the Eucharist and its transformative power has filled me with gratitude and a deep sense of purpose. May the fruits of this Congress continue to ripple throughout the Church and the world, inspiring countless others to embrace the profound love and grace that flow from the Eucharist.

     Two things God has shown me during this time in Honduras are that He loves me in my humanity and He desires me to love others in their humanity. Jesus has shown e my limits and my weakness and has loved me in them. He showed me that I can love better when I have nothing and I am dependent on Him. He didn't come despite of my humanity- He comes to me in my humanity. My humanity is not something God wants me to overcome but it is exactly in my humanity that He loves me and works through me. 

     As I am writing this, my wife and I are on a cruise in the Baltic Sea.  Though we are on a huge cruise ship, we can still feel the effect of the waves on the ship.  Had we been on a boat like the Apostles, we definitely would have wanted Jesus on board!
 
        But we would also have to reflect on what Jesus said, “Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?  Do you not yet have faith?””
 
        Do we not yet have faith?  Picture our lives as a boat like the Apostles had, and the effects of Nature on that boat as the effects of the Secular world on our lives.  We have all had our “boats” tossed and turned, some even feel like they have been cap-sized at times (raise hand).  Like the effects of COVID; various physical, spiritual, and mental illnesses.  Loss of jobs, family, and friends.  The effects of various forms of addictions.  Oh, and let us not forget, the effects of how the secular world DEMANDS us to be more successful; “Gotta get that next promotion; that next pay raise; that next position; that corner office; be world famous; that Porsche or Lamborghini, or Mercedes, or Cadillac; that mansion on the hill: etc., etc., etc.”
 
        Satan and his minions are constantly prowling the world, seeking souls to tempt time and time again to desire earthly rewards - many times by any means possible - instead of letting us seek the Lord and His pathways.  From these two song titles; “Stairway to Heaven” and “Highway to Hell”, if Satan has his way, we have a pretty good idea of the traffic pattern.  As I have quoted once before from C.S. Lewis in his book, “The Screwtape Letters”, Satan tells his minions to flood humans with all sorts of secular noise in order to drown out the whispers of the Lord’s words.  And, unfortunately, by the looks of things today, Satan’s team is doing a pretty good job of it.
 
        So, the effects of all these self-imposed secular demands, addictions, etc., can pile up, multiply, to the point of being overwhelming, crushing, seemingly giving us nowhere to turn.  The we too want to cry out like the Apostles; “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
 
        Of course, God cares.  He does not want us to perish.  But it is up to us to turn to Him, continually look to Him for our salvation; to help – like the theme from this Men’s Cursillo Weekend – “Calm the Squall” in each of our lives.  We must pray constantly, unceasingly, with as much fervor as we can muster.  Even when we do not feel like it.  Even if it seems “inconvenient” - which is what Satan wants - we MUST pray.  One of the mystics stated that every time a human prays the Hail Mary, to Satan it feels like a hammer blow to his head!  So, let’s all pray the rosary with gusto and keep Satan a blistering migraine!
 
        I received the following from a from a good friend last week: “The ultimate test of faith is not how loudly you praise God in happy times, but how deeply you trust in Him in dark times.”
 
        And always remember; “A ship does sink from the water that surrounds around it.  It sinks when water gets in it.  So, do not let what is happening around us get inside and weigh us down.”
 
“Why are you terrified?  Do you not yet have faith?”

       The Sacred Heart of Jesus is love represented in a special way. Jesus showed himself and became a human, so human to show us through His pierced heart, love, and total surrender of Himself for me and for you. When I see the sacred heart of Jesus, I think of the words He has loved me to the extreme,  and it fills me to take refuge in his Sacred Heart because it is the heart that has loved humanity the most. It is pure love and mercy. This devotion is a gift in my life where I have received many graces by entrusting myself to Him and simply depositing the burdens of my heart to His Sacred Heart. It is the humanity of Jesus alive in a divine way, and the signs of the cross, the fire, and the crown of thorns are the perfect union of victory, love, and the Divine sacrifice of salvation. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most special divine things in my life, where I can experience refuge in sorrows, confidence in times of anguish, and total surrender in despair. Through this, I find the strength to believe that he rises from the dead to continue transforming me and that my heart is more and more united to His.
​SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN YOU I TRUST.

     The Holy Spirit has been teaching me that I need to focus more on praise in prayer. And then this morning, as I read the story of the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew, something new struck me about praise. 

     Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish, looked to heaven, and gave thanks. Scripture doesn't tell us this, but as I read, it struck me that Jesus was likely not only thanking God for what He had already provided but also for what He was about to do—turn that meager amount of food into an abundant feast . . . with leftovers. 

     Jesus knew His Father, and He knew that He would provide for the needs of His people. And you know what? The same is true in our lives. God knows our needs, and we can trust He will provide for them and provide for the needs of those we serve.

     So, what if we did the same? What if we thanked God for what He has done AND what He will do? 

Heavenly Father, You are an all-knowing, all-powerful God who knows each of our needs and is faithful to provide. I'm so grateful for the Holy Spirit who speaks uniquely to every believer. Thank you for the reminder I needed to praise you for what you have done AND what you will do. Thank you for the way you love and care for us.
In Jesus' Name,  Amen.