Back to Ordinary

We're home from the cruise. The laptop stayed behind for the first time I can remember, and it was wonderful.

But re-entry was harder than I expected. Not the desire to return, but the reconnecting. I had disconnected so well that I couldn't immediately remember what was in motion, what needed attention, what came next.

That's a strange problem to have. And a good one.

We're in Ordinary Time now - which doesn't mean what people think. It comes from ordinal: ordered, counted. The invitation isn't to endure the unremarkable. It's to rightly order our days.

Read the full reflection: Ordinary Time

Family News

Andrew is settling into summer with the Father McGivney golf team - his new passion. It's good to watch him find his thing.

Mira - our niece and Goddaughter, a recent McGivney graduate alongside Matthew - just won a State championship with her girls soccer team. We celebrated as a McGivney school family on Monday evening. Proud uncle moment.

The Halbrook boys are spreading out into their own lanes. It's a joy to watch.

This Weekend: St. Elizabeth Parish Picnic

If you're anywhere near Granite City this weekend, come to our annual parish picnic.

This is our major fundraiser - we raise between $75k and $100k each year, and it fuels our parish's work and ministry for the year ahead. The whole parish works together. 

I'll be at the evangelization and outreach booth most of the weekend - come say hello. If you've got questions about the faith, want to talk through something, or just want to meet in person, find me there.

One More Thing

Right before leaving on the cruise, I completed coursework and licensing for selling Life & Health Insurance in the state of Illinois.

Announcement coming very soon on what this means and how it fits into everything else I'm building. Stay tuned.

Lux Perpetua

The Lost Crown (Thursdays): New chapter drops tomorrow. The testimony continues to build toward something Joshua isn't ready to see.

If you haven't started yet, now's a good time: LuxPerpetua.net

Two Lamps

Weekly short fiction braiding the lives of two saints across centuries. Free to read. Fridays at 6 AM Central.

Last week: Saint Charles Lwanga and Saint Justin Martyr, at the royal enclosure at Munyonyo, Buganda, the night before the martyrdom.

TwoLamps.org

2 Minute Homilies Are Back

After a week off for the cruise, the 2 Minute Homily returns this Sunday night for next Sunday's readings.

Subscribe on YouTube if you haven't: @DeaconMichaelH

What I'm Praying This Week

For a good parish picnic - for weather, for turnout, for the conversations at the booth.

For Andrew as he finds his stride this summer.

For Mira and her teammates celebrating a championship.

For all of us learning to rightly order our days.

Domus Formation

WeAreDomus.com - Start a free trial. Hearth & Altar for families. Eventide & Altar for the second half of life. Iron & Altar for men. Vessel & Altar for women.

WeAreDomus.com/Daily - The free daily email. Catholic news for families.

Final Word

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

— Psalm 90:12

Ordinary Time. Ordered days. Here we go.