Lights, Camera, Action

Friday, August 21, 2010 we received a visit from the producers of One Square Mile, a documentary which has been covering various cities and small town through out the United States and Hawaii. The producers were interested in our mission of being inclusive to the residents of Wilton Manors, which now it seems is openly split between same gender and opposite gender residents.

During the interview and filming , Father Larry and myself both shared that we had gone to Boston to get married after having been together almost 39 years. You see we believe in married priests. Both of us can share our experience, hope and strength in a committed loving relationship and all that couples have to work through to keep that love on the front burner.

For a long time we kinda kept our marriage quiet although other married priests used the experience to help struggling couples deal with their relationships. Of course now, we will be openly sharing ,that is maybe, if they choose to use our interview, as a part of the fabric that makes up Wilton Manors. And then again I dont know who reads this blog, but its now out there .

So the next time someone says what do you priests know about marriage and its ups and downs,
we will indeed have the makings of a a good discussion. I will keep you informed when the documentary is up and running,

God loves you and so do I. Father John Joseph Reid

newdivinemercy.org.

Home Sweet Home

There is something comforting in "Coming Back Home". We hear this many times when people join us for our liturgies, after having been away from "church" for a long time. We have seen tears after those who have received communion.

And so too, we feel right about coming back to our Shrine Chapel, looking around at the altar, the stained glass windows, the Large Painting of Divine Mercy and other Sacred Pictures. And coming back does not mean being stuck in the past, but regrouping and strenghtening; being open again to the voice of the Holy Spirit to guide us further along our spiritual journey. As we pray in the Shrine Chapel, whether at Mass, during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament or the Divine Mercy Novena, we are sending out to the world healing spiritual energy.

The motto of our Church is "Jesus I trust in You". It is now the right time to really practice what we preach. No longer will we be advertising through fliers, ads in newspapers, etc. Rather we will reach out personally through attraction rather promotion. Jesus will be in charge, we will depend solely on Him for his guidance as to where we, as a community are to serve him.

I can tell you that since we have returned back to the Shrine Chapel, Jesus has been sending mostly those who are unemployed, one living under a bridge and one who recently found a room, with the financial help of the Missionaries. Right now, we do not push the river, we go with the flow.....Jesus is guiding us.

Letting Go and Letting God.....Lesson to constantly learn.

Peace and Love to you all. Father John Joseph and Father Larry and our other brothers and sisters send their love.

GETTING READY TO GET READY

Can you imagine the Christmas Season will soon be upon us. Here it is December 11 and the Chrismas Season begins on December 25. Right now we are putting together our Christmas Eve Candlelit Midnight Mass program Flyers passing out, store placards being distributed, ads in two newpapers, soloist found, candles to be obtained, etc. etc. etc. We are getting ready to get ready, Going from Celebrating Mass in a chapel which seats 16 to a large auditorium is that seats over 300 is a big jump for us ( a big leap of faith). And, as we get closer and closer, the more excited I get, trusting that God knows what he is doing although sometimes I dont have a clue. Then there are times when I go Whoa, do you know what you have really bitten off here. Now that part can be scarey.

So we trudge along the path of happy destiny knowing that God did not carry us this far to drop us down. Come dance along with us on this path. Nol body leads and no body follows, God leads the band. Cha cha any one?

Newdivinemercy.org. referrals welcome