Loading...Dear Friends in Christ,
I believe that my age has caught up with me. I have always enjoyed winter. I have always loved snow, loved playing in it, and even enjoyed driving in it. The snows we had last month were not enjoyable. I don’t want to go out in it. I find myself saying some of the same things people my age usually say about snow. I would rather be somewhere warm. This realization has been a shock to me. I don’t know what to think about this. I have always felt that chronological age was the least important age, that being young at heart was the best age. I remember a Hit Parade song from my childhood, Young at Heart. I don’t feel so young at heart. My knees, shoulder, and fingers hurt from arthritis. I have learned that getting old is not for sissies, but I have to admit it is better than I thought it would be. Much better!
In looking back at my life, I know I have been abundantly blessed. I have gotten to do so many wonderful things. I have directed bands and choirs in concerts. Now that is a sense of power. Making music is one of the best gifts we have received from God. I have been allowed to take part in amateur theater. I did get paid one summer for being in the outdoor drama, The Common Glory in Williamsburg, VA. All the others were community and high school productions. Playing Tevye, Fagin, and the Cowardly Lion were fantastic. I also spent some time directing plays, hopefully inspiring young people to use the talents God gave them. Some of those young people have gone on in music and theater and have let me know how grateful they are for giving them a chance early on. You may never know how you will touch someone else’s life, but touch them you will.
I tell people the best thing I ever did was to marry Debbie. She completes me. Allen has always been a blessing. We have shared so much – music, theater, sports, and our faith. I am so lucky that they share with me this calling to serve God and His people. I thank God every day for them.
I also thank Him every day for allowing me to be a priest in His church. I pray to be worthy. I have learned so much from serving Him and you. The pains I now suffer are nothing compared to the joy of being your priest.
There will be two very important programs this month that everyone in the Cluster needs to attend. The first one will be at St. Mary’s on March 9. After dinner, Jack White will be giving a program on “Growing the Church.” As I prepare to retire at the end of the year, we need to prepare for the future of our three parishes. The Cluster has saved our three parishes from vanishing. The reason for Clustering almost twenty years ago still exists. We need more people so that you can not only the serve the community that you do, but to do more. The next meeting will be on Sunday, March 12 at Stras.
Mary Anna Ross told me once that she often wondered why God kept her little church open. I believe that it is because we strive to do God’s will by loving and worshipping Him and by loving and serving His people. It is what we do outside our churches that are the reasons for being inside of them. I pray that you will do what you can to keep our presence in our communities. I pray that you will answer the calls to serve Him in whatever way He calls you.
May God continue to bless.
In Christ’s Love,
Father Russ
