North American Saints and a Surprise Guest!

Saturday Night we commemorated the Saints of North America. Fr Gary's homily stuck out to me. First of all, he joked about how the list of saints from America may be small, but the list from New Jersey is even smaller. But he went on to mention how today we are in uncertain times and the saints who came to America, St. Herman, St. Innocent, ect.~ all faced uncertainty and yet they managed to get by. More than get by, really. I guess you can say they thrived!

All of this they did because they never forgot the fundamentals of their faith. That is what Fr Gary called us to do. To remember our faith and, by that, we shall please God.

Jim Martin (his blog is listed on the right, 7 Days till Now) got an early Father's day present. His daughter Tiffany visited Vespers. I hadn't seen her in years and she looks great! Tiffany messaged me on Facebook and asked me particulars about the service,i.e., start times, ect, but told me not to tell "the old man". So, I didn't.

I don't know how many Orthodox services she has been at-I learned later that she went to a Serbian Orthodox Wedding once so at least one time- but I was surprised that she was crossing herself (and in the correct direction!) at every Trinitarian invocation. Most people (including myself) upon their first visit to an Orthodox service just stand there. But Tiffany was crossing herself like a little babushka. I guess, when in Rome....well, maybe I should say when in Constantinople....:)

Tiffany said she liked the service and it wasn't as formal as the other Orthodox service she attended and that made her feel more comfortable. I like that about Orthodoxy. Yes, we worship in the "correct way" but there is room for local custom. That just makes sense!

I know Jim Martin was thrilled to have her there. It was a nice Father's day present!

From time to time I will be posting a podcast. (When Fr Gary saw he, he said I was becoming a media mogul!) I guess I just like the new media, what can I say. Feel free to call the comment line and live any message you like and I will include in the next podcast. (The phone number is on the right). If you don't want me to "broadcast" your message just let me know. Otherwise, it would be cool to get a conversation going via podcast. I know it was podcasts that first started drawing me to Orthodoxy so they hold a special place in my heart.

Here is a link below so you can listen to episode #1!

Thanks for everyone's encouragement!