A Message From My Dad
A Message From My Dad
MercyNotes
Vol. 2, Number 1
"A Christian Spelling Lesson"
Greetings & blessings!
Ever notice how sometimes the way a word is spelled doesn't seem to make a lot of sense? A few years ago, listening to a talk by Babsie Bleasdell, I realized that the spelling of a particular word had actually kept me from understanding what it really ought to mean in my life.
The word is "responsibility," not a bad word to think about in this first month of a new year, though I must confess I've never liked the word much. It always conjured up images of things I ought to do, or ways in which I ought to behave. It seemed like such a serious and sometimes even negative word.
To me, the tradition of making new year's resolutions was all about responsibility. And sometimes it got pretty depressing. I'd dutifully examine the previous year and try to figure out what changes I should try to make in my life. What should I try to do differently so that I could become more "responsible" in thought, word, and deed?
But all the time, there was that nagging feeling that it wasn't going to work anyway. I'd do ok for the first few days or weeks, but then I'd slack off again.
If you want a clue about what my problem with responsibility was, just look back over what I've written so far, and count the number of times I said "I."
It all revolved around me. Responsibility meant that I had to do something. I had to make changes, I had to become a better person. I was completely depending upon myself. Sometimes I'd feel pretty confident that I could keep my resolutions; other times I didn't feel capable at all.
It reminds me of a story Fr. George Kosicki likes to tell about a young priest who went to his spiritual director in complete depression and told him, "Father, I just feel so inadequate." His spiritual director laughed and said, "Well of course you're inadequate!"
What's all this got to do with a spelling? I'm getting to it.
Babsie pulled me out of my "inadequacy syndrome" by respelling and redefining responsibility.
"Response-ability," she said, "is my response to God's ability."
Of course we're inadequate! But God's not. A response is an answer, a reply. I'm not initiating anything. God is! He's calling me. Response-ability is my reply to him, my yes to His call. It's when I respond, not depending upon myself, but trusting that if He's calling me to do something, He'll give me the strength to do it.
As Babsie put it, "My weakness is no deterent to His grace. All He needs is my yes. When God calls you, He enables you, And the grace that enables you is there before He calls you."
What you and I need to do is make sure that we involve God in the process from the very beginning. Resolutions should be made on our knees.
I shouldn't be deciding what I ought to do and then depending on myself to do it. In the quiet hush of daily prayer, I should be giving God the opportunity to call me, to let me know what He wants me to do. And then I should respond with a full yes, trusting in His ability to make all things new.
Vinny Flynn
MISSION NEWS MERCYSONG IN RUSSIA!
In September, 2005, my daughter Erin left the USA for "hands-on" mission work in Vladivostok, Russia. Initially she assisted at the orphanage and hospice run by the Mary Mother of God Mission. But since Novemebr she has been devoting most of her time developing a program for street kids, mostly orphans or runaway teens, 13-18 years old. Please keep her ministry in prayer as she works to help provide these kids with food, warm clothing, medical attention, shelter, and educational opportunities.
BENEDICTUS IS HERE!
Last year, when we announced our desire to produce a Eucharistic Healing Album, more than 50 people came forward to help sponsor it. Recorded in alternating layers of Latin and English, this new healing CD features the best-loved traditional Holy Hour hymns, along with a few contemporary adoration songs - all with fresh new arrangements(and a bit of an Irish touch). BENEDICTUS CD: $15 (Free shipping).
YOU ASKED FOR IT!
In response to countless requests, our best-selling rosary series is now available in two new packages:
1. THE GOSPEL ROSARY OF POPE JOHN PAUL II. All 4 CDs in a folding case. Includes both the long and short version of each set of mysteries. Set of 4 CDs: $30 (Free shipping).
2. THE COMPLETE STILL WATERS ROSARY. All the short versions from the Gospel Rosary, edited and remastered to fit on a single CD. $15 (Free shipping).
CONTEMPORARY CATHOLIC PRAISE & WORSHIP MUSIC
"The kids have been busy!" John, Erin, and Brian have all released new Praise and Worship CDs. Special introductory price: $15 each or all three for $40 (Free shipping). Check out the descriptions below:
CRY OUT by John Flynn
This will have you dancing one moment and lifting your voice in prayer the next. A veteran of Youth 2000, Life Teen, and World Youth Day events, John has chosen 12 of his original Catholic liturgical songs with a contemporary music style and lyrics that pull the listener into the heart of worship.
THROUGH THE DARKNESS by Erin Flynn
An intensely personal and emotional expression of love and trust in God. Erin's haunting vocals will touch the depths of your soul. Her songs, some slow and heart-wrenching, some fast and joyful, remind you that you are not alone, the darkness is not forever, and our God is a God of hope. Includes 3 original songs she sang on EWTN's Life on the Rock.
IN THE SIGHT OF THE ANGELS by Brian Flynn
Brian's second album, including eight of his own compositions. You'll find a bit of everything here, from gentle Eucharistic worship songs, to the foot-stomping "Find Me Ready," to the tender ballad he sang to his wife on their wedding day (Get the tissues ready!)
HOW TO ORDER
Since we're not set up to do billing for offers like this, prepayment is required. You can call toll free (1-888-549-8009) and charge it to your Mastercard or Visa. Or send a check or money order to MercySong, PO Box 486, Stockbridge, MA 01262.
If you've ordered from us by credit card before, you can send an email order (mercysong@aol.com) and tell us to use the credit card number on file. Please include the current expiration date and your phone number.
OUTREACH MINISTRY SCHEDULE
February 26-28
Parish Mission
Holy Family Church
Rockland, MA
March 5-7
Parish Mission
St. Patrick's Parish
Chicopee, MA
March 12-14
Parish Mission
St. Patrick's Parish
Ludlow Falls, OH
April 9-11
Parish Mission
Annunciation of Our Lord Parish
Fort Ashby, WV
April 22-24
Mercy Sunday Weekend Music & EWTN Filming
National Shrine of The Divine Mercy
Stockbridge, MA
BRING US TO YOUR AREA
Now scheduling special "Beyond the Veil"
Parish Missions, presentations, and retreats.
Email mercysong@aol.com
MAKE A DONATION
MercySong, Inc. is a 501(3)c not-for-profit
Catholic apostolate. Contributions to our
ministry are gratefully accepted and tax-deductible.
And, if you wish, your gift can be charged to
your Mastercard or Visa.
"LOOKIN' FOR A HOME"
We are looking for a large-acreage rural property where
We could establish a MercySong Retreat Center, Recording
Studio, Central Office, and Distribution facility for our
ministries. If you have property that could be donated
for this purpose or for its resale value to help establish
a MercySong property fund, please let us know.
CONTACT US
MercySong
P.O. Box 486
Stockbridge, MA 01262
1-888-549-8009
PASS IT ON
If you know of others who might benefit from
this letter, please feel free to forward it to
friends and family on your list.
REQUEST A CATALOG
mercysong@aol.com
posted by Mr. Tim @ 8:30 AM
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