I recently heard a severely misguided accusation I’ve heard less than ten times in over twenty years of parish work: “The parish staff are only in it for the money!”

Allow me to preface the next paragraph with the following heartfelt disclaimers: Being Director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Joy is a dream job. I get to spend the majority of my day learning about and passing along the Catholic Faith. I have met and become friends with so many incredible parishioners. I work in an environment that benefits my Faith rather than eroding it. It is a tremendous blessing. Having said that, there are struggles for every parish worker I’ve ministered beside for over two decades.

This week, I’m am writing to you from a farm in Stuttgart, Arkansas. I actually love hanging out with farmers. More often than not, you know where they stand. And if you don’t, just ask—they’ll tell you what they think. And those opinions are solidly grounded in common sense.

If you find a friend, keep them for life.

Do as much as you can with what has been entrusted to you.

Congratulations are in order! Easter Morning has come and gone—which marks the end of thirteen months of Lent!

All kidding aside, we are an Easter people and it’s high time we start living like it!

Jesus defeated death.

If we REALLY believe that, there is nothing to be afraid of with the one exception being falling short of heaven. As Scripture says, “Death, where is your sting?” There is no persecution that can deny us entry into heaven. There is no burden that will not be lifted upon entry into heaven. No chronic pain or psychological illness that can rob us of heaven. There is nothing except our own free will.

Welcome to Our Lady of Joy.

This parish belongs to God. And His family.

You are as much a member of His family as I am.

You are missed when you aren’t here. There is a hole that no one else can fill. Even when the pews are filled, the Church can never be full without you.

We could never be the same without you. Without your prayers. Without your gifts. Without your smile. Without your burdens.

St. Paul says in Romans 5:10, “If, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.” The CCC #654 explains this further: “The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by His death, Christ liberates us from sin; by His Resurrection, He opens for us the way to a new life. This new life is above all justification that reinstates us in God’s grace, “so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

A long time ago, I saw a movie, and, in that movie, a man said this to his wife, “There can be no life without you.” It is the most touching statement about human love I have ever heard. There can be no life without you!