The Picnic

St. Elizabeth Parish Picnic was immensely successful this weekend. We were blessed with beautiful weather and large crowds. This is our major fundraiser each year, and the whole parish works together to make it happen. Our parish staff sometimes calls it "Granite City's Class Reunion" because it kind of is - you see a little bit of every generation still in town, and coming back to enjoy the picnic. We're grateful for everyone who showed up - to work, to give, or to enjoy.

One highlight: My old friend and former boss James Hodges was in town with two of his sons. One of them was playing in the national club soccer tournament, so I stopped by the fields in Creve Coeur on Friday night to catch up and watch Matt's team win in PKs. Then James and his sons Matt and Chris stopped by at the end of Mass on Sunday and hung out at the picnic before their flights home.

It was great to finally have the family meet James. He was my leader for roughly 10 of my 18 years at Adobe - the one who hired me back after Exodus. I told his boys he's the best boss I've ever had. When they asked why, I talked about how he gives his leaders the trust, freedom, and support to build their own success with their parts of his team. He's also the guy who - after my first 5K and 10-Miler - had me set a personal goal of running my first Half Marathon.

They loved the parish picnic too. A wonderful collision of my worlds. They especially loved "I Dood It" - and I fully expect to visit an LDS Stake Picnic in Provo, Utah someday, with I Dood It inherited from St. Elizabeth in Granite City, IL.

Totus Tuus Next Week

Totus Tuus arrives at St. Elizabeth next week - four missionaries spending the week with our youth. I'm the parish coordinator, so their arrival day on Saturday is a big day.

We still need help:

  • A home for the 2 women missionaries
  • Lunches for the team Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
  • Dinners for the team Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday
  • Teen and adult helpers during the daytime program

And above all: pray, pray, pray.

If you can help with any of this, reach out to me directly.

Some News

A few things I can now share:

First: Domus continues to grow - at or slightly ahead of plan. The flywheel is turning. Thanks be to God!

Second: I've been doing contract work with a few Catholic ministries and organizations, including helping start a Catholic Incubator for Catholic entrepreneurs and founders in our region, in partnership with our Diocesan Foundation. More on this soon.

Third: Before our cruise, I wrapped up May finishing my coursework, exams, and licensing to sell insurance in Illinois. Starting in July, I'll be a Knights of Columbus field agent with a primary territory of Edwardsville and Glen Carbon. I look forward to helping Catholic men and their families protect and provide for their financial futures.

Matthew's Volleyball Journey

One more thing from the weekend: Matthew wrapped up his high school volleyball journey with the annual volleyball banquet. Another threshold crossed. Another chapter closed. Proud of the young man he's becoming. Although it's hard to believe he'll be leaving for Basic Training in less than 3 weeks!

What I'm Writing

Missio Dei (Tuesdays): My contribution this week - He Makes His Sun Rise

Lux Perpetua: The Lost Crown, Chapter 11 drops tomorrow. The Living Thread, Chapter 15 on Monday. The story is building. LuxPerpetua.net

Two Lamps: Many Wednesday @ Lunch readers may not have heard of this yet - it's a weekly short story braiding the lives of two saints from different centuries into a single narrative. Free to read. Fridays at 6 AM Central.

This Friday: Saint Romuald and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, in the infirmary of the Roman Jesuit College, Rome, late June 1591. A dying young Jesuit and the founder of the Camaldolese hermits, four centuries apart, meeting at the edge of life.

TwoLamps.org

What I'm Praying This Week

For Totus Tuus - for the missionaries, the kids, the parish, the volunteers.

For the homily I'll be preaching this weekend at St. Elizabeth.

For Matthew, stepping into whatever comes next.

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

"O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love; broken by our ingratitude and pierced by our sins; yet loving us still; accept the consecration we make to You of all that we are and all that we have."

Amen.