Michael's Random Thoughts and Photos on Spirituality

THE LUMMI NATION Members of the Lummi Nation will be blessing a new totem at St. Philip Neri Parish on Monday, August 24 from 5:30pm to 8pm The Lummi People. are the original inhabitants of Washington's northernmost coast and southern British Columbia. For thousands of years, they worked, struggled and celebrated life on the shores and waters of Puget Sound. All are welcome to this spirit filled event at 16th and Division in SE Portand.  There is lots of parking and we are on the Number 4 Bus line… Come and join us…

Lummi  Nation Members of the Lummi Nation will be blessing a new totem at St. Philip Neri Parish on Monday, August 24 from 6pm to 8pm The Lummi People. are the original inhabitants of Washington's northernmost coast and southern British Columbia. For thousands of years, they worked, struggled and celebrated life on the shores and waters of Puget Sound. All are welcome to this spirit filled event at 16th and Division in SE Portand.  There is lots of parking and we are on the Number 4 Bus line. Come and join us…

There was a common saying when I entered the seminary in 1966: "you keep the rule and the rule will keep you." Some in formation for priesthood, even today, don't get beyond this dictum. Some of them have risen to great heights -- bishops and cardinals.It is the dictum for succeeding in the "system" whatever than system may be. I am obviously ding something wrong —- thankfully. Fortunately I found out, early on, that Paulists aren’t good at keeping the rule.We are stretched by the overwhelming influence of the Holy Spirit -- by Wisdom as mentioned in our first reading from Proverbs.The line in our reading from Proverbs that caught my attention is: "Let whoever is simple turn in here." We are not looking fort simple-minded people; but wise people, watchful people, seeking people who want to enrich and deepen their experience of God. In Paul's letter we are asked to "watch carefully how we live" to not be foolish persons but wise ones.