Attributed to St. Catherine of Siena, the following quote really consoles me: “He fills us with strength and perseverance so that we won’t turn back to look at what we have plowed.” The end of the faith formation year has come. Inexperienced, I am tempted to look back at where I could have plowed straighter. Oh gosh, that didn’t work or I didn’t do that very well. I don’t even know how to plow! How do I copy and paste a *!#@ link to send again?! Then, the Holy Spirit encourages: “I know your weaknesses. But trust me and go plow that field.” So that’s what I try to do.

Maybe you are familiar with the only Church-approved Marian apparition located in the United States. It’s Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin. There, Our Lady appeared to Adele Brice in 1859, commissioning her with these words: “Gather the children of this wild country and teach them what they need to know for their salvation”. I suppose our little parishes of Pelican and Vermilion Lakes would be considered wild country. (Afterall it is over 60 miles from my house to the nearest Walmart!) So, I like to recall Our Lady’s words each Wednesday evening when I turn on the lights for classes. We are all just simple parishioners, putting one hand to the plowshare, the other hand in our loving Father’s, trying to teach the students “what they need to know for their salvation.” And then be patient, have strength and persevere, not looking back but forward, always forward to a Catholic church, a diocese, and parishes, flourishing.

St. Catherine of Siena, pray for us!