Two years ago, I made an attempt at blogging each Sunday about the message I heard in Mass.  I was able to keep it up for 3 months before I quit.  I don’t have an excuse for why.  I didn’t stop going to Mass.  Maybe the push and pull of life pulled me away.  In any case, I would like to try again.  Remember, I will only be sharing my experiences and thoughts on my journey as a Catholic.  I do not pretend to be an expert in any way.

In mass today, we heard the priest say, “My wife and I…”  Yes, you read that right!  We had the privilege of having a priest from the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.  This is a small but growing order of priests who have come to the Catholic church from the Anglican church.  I was unaware of this order and am really happy to see the door is open for Anglican priests to come into the Catholic priesthood and retain their marital vows.  Fr. Steve has been a Catholic priest for only 6 months however he was an Anglican priest for 25 years!  He had a wonderful story about some students who were planning a road trip for Spring Break.  They had everything planned out: how much food they needed, what to take with them, etc.  However, when he asked them what route they were taking to get there, they had no idea.  They had a place to go, a way to get there, but no idea how they were going to get there.  Sound familiar?

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions.  “I’m going to be healthier.”  “I’m going to lose weight.”  “I’m going to be a better Catholic.”  “I’m going to be nicer to people.” and many many more.  As Fr. Steve pointed out, how many gyms are packed the first week of January and by February 1st are back to normal?!  What is the key to keeping those resolutions? Fr. Steve put forth that it is in the planning.  If you want to change how you eat, plan out exactly how you will accomplish the change.  If you are intent on learning more about your faith, make a plan for what steps you will take.  Then, of course, stick to that plan!

So you may ask what my resolutions are this year.  I’ve never been one for making them.  I’ve never kept to them and all the hype about the New Year has never caught me up.  In my mind, it is just another new day.  One of my favorite heroines once said, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”  I try hard to to stick to that thought.

What goals did you set for yourself this year?  Have you made a plan to stick to that goal?