Two years ago this Sunday, I made what I believe to be my most important staff member hire at both parishes. Many have met her and many have been welcomed and greeted by her when visiting the parish office. Her name is Angel and I guess that you could say that her “official staff title” is Special Assistant to the Pastor. It was Halloween of 2019 that I went with my sister-in-law to begin the process of selecting a rescue dog. I didn’t know if that day I would find the “right one” or I would decide to check out more possibilities, but within minutes of meeting Angel I knew I was the one.
In the two years that she has been with us, I believe that Angel has been a tremendous addition to our parish family and a wonderful assistant to me. She loves to greet visitors to the office with a wagging tail at the door and whenever I am meeting with anyone, Angel enjoys meeting with them at the exact same time. Sometimes it seems like she’s saying that they’re there to meet with her, not with me. When I go home to visit and sometimes stay with my mom, Angel loves to cuddle up on the chair that my dad passed away in and she keeps me active as she loves her walks. Angel truly is a rescue dog, not just because I rescued her but because she has also rescued me. In many ways I’ve experienced the presence of God through Angel.
This week, we have two opportunities to reflect on ways that we have seen and experienced God’s presence. Monday, is All Saints’ Day and though it’s not a Holy Day of Obligation this year we’ll still have Mass @ 6:30 pm and Wednesday we’ll remember all of our loved ones who have passed away in the past year in our All Souls’ Mass of Remembrance. The saints’, both those who are officially canonized and those who aren’t but still dwell with God in heaven, along with all of our loved ones who’ve gone before us have revealed to us something about God, something about His love, something about His goodness. This week we give thanks for all those who have been a revelation of God to us. May all of our deceased brothers and sisters, through the mercy of God rest in peace!
Have a blessed week!