Super Bowl of Caring & Super Day of Love

Companies are laying off workers on a daily basis, stocks are hurting, pensions are disappearing, and the lines at soup kitchens are growing longer. Yet, there is hope that fills the hearts of everyone out there. Today, the St. Thomas More Youth and Families stood outside of local grocery stores for two hours in 30 degree weather. Their purpose was to collect money and food for three Denver Soup Kitchens.

Last year we had 25 volunteers that manned 7 stores for one hour and collected over 2300 non-perishable items & over $800. This year we raised the number of volunteers to 160, bumped the number of stores to 18 and lengthened the time to two hours. Our result? 6,133 non-perishable items and over $2,800! One word: BLESSING.

Thank you to everyone that blessed our brothers and sisters in humanity with the gift of their time. But, most importantly, thank you to God for opening the hearts of everyone that was coming to the store to just buy last minute snacks for the super bowl. It was an incredible time and an amazing witness to the servant hearts of so many in the St. Thomas More community.

Here's to serving those that need a little help. You never know, you might know someone who is only a paycheck away from being in a tough position. Until next time! GOD'S PEACE!

On the Radio

Good Morning!

Today. I can say that I have been on the radio 3 times in my life. The first time was when I was 9 yrs old and a radio station was giving away tickets to see "Don't tell mom the babysitters dead." to whoever had the worst babysitter story. Needless to say, I won. I won't go into details, instead I will just say that my daycare worker had a bad temper and would make us sit in the fireplace when we got in trouble (no the fire was not lit). CRAZY!

The 2nd time was when I called in to win tickets to see the Denver Nuggets. Guess what? I won again! (Too bad that was when the Nuggets were really bad and had one of the worst records in the NBA). Anyways, this morning was the 3rd time that I have been on the radio. At 6:15am, KOSI 101fm called and asked me about the Souperbowl of Caring event that we are holding on Sunday, February 1st.

I don't think I have ever been more nervous in my life. Well, okay there was that time when I got caught by my teacher for forging my fathers signature on my report card. (Man, that was the longest 3 hours of my life while waiting for my dad to get home!) But, other than that... Oh, wait. There was also that time I threw a pole into the tree to retrieve my soccer ball and watched as the pole landed straight back down to cut a gash on my forehead that required 9 stitches. But, other than those too times, I have never been so nervous about what I was going to do or say.

Thankfully, the radio show hosts were very friendly and helped it run smoothly. I hope people are not only inspired to show up and donate at one the 18 stores we will be at, rather they will also be encouraged to start this event in their community. Maybe you can help make that happen. Thanks for reading!

Until next Time!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

It's Wednesday afternoon and I am sitting here enjoying some nice Diet Peach Tea while trying to think of what I can tell you guys about my time growing up in Parkhill, Colorado. Here's one of my favorite stories. My mom and I used to spend Sundays walking to Mass (which was only 5 blocks from our house), taking the city bus downtown to see a movie, and then watching the Broncos play on the big screen at the restaurant near the movie theater. When the broncos didn't play we would walk down the 16th street mall and visit all the different stores that she and I liked to visit.

However, that's not the story. What stood out most in my mind was seeing all of the homeless men and women that walked around downtown Denver searching through trash cans and begging people for money or food. I remember seeing the men and women in business suits try their hardest to avoid them by pretending like they never saw them. Others would tell them that they didn't have any money on them and would walk into the restaurant right behind their little post. All in all, people viewed them more as an inconvenience rather that their brothers and sisters in humanity.

My mother had a different approach though. She always looked them in their eyes and asked what they needed most. Then she and I would walk into the nearest fast food place and get them something to eat (yeah, it wasn't atkin's friendly, but it was hot and filling). My mother also gave the last of her money to those she felt were in most need. The one thing she didn't do was pretend like they didn't exist.

I am reminded of her attitude towards the homeless every time I see someone holding a sign on the side of the road as I drive in my car. What do you do when you see them? Do you look them in their eyes or do you pretend like they don't exist? Be careful, most of us are only one missed paycheck or terrible accident away from their position. Until next time!

Almost Superbowl Sunday

I wonder how many people are actually reading this? If anyone, well let me be the first to say thank you. I am going to start posting on here every day. I'm going to keep it short, because I hate timing. Here are some of the things I am thinking about. This weekend is a big day in the USA sports world. It's the Championship game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Millions will gather in homes, bars, and youth rooms to watch the game and chow down on nacho's, pizza, chips, beer, pop, and tons of sweets. I will definitely be one of them! However, for the past several years I have had the joy of celebrating the day by engaging the adults and youth in our youth groups to participate int he Souper Bowl of Caring (www.souperbowl.org).

This year 130 Adults/Students from St. Thomas More will stand in front of local grocery stores handing out shopping list and collecting money for several local soup kitchens in the Denver area. 100% of non parishables and money will be donated among the 3 soup kitchens. It's a very exciting time and I ask for yoru rpayers that other churches and youthg roups around Colorado will take part in this nationwide program that was started 20 years ago at a youth group in South Carolina.

Let's feed our countries poor and homeless. In one morning we could collect enough food to fill every food bank and soup kitchen for months and months. Just htink about it!

It's Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas all! I hope that you find this time of the year to be a time where you draw closer to God, family, and friends. Please put behind all things that hold you captive. Maybe it's gossip, maybe it's an impure relationship, maybe it's depression, or maybe it's anger? Whatever is keeping you from seeking God with your whole heart, mind, and soul is exactly what needs to be burned in the winter fire. As you go to Mass today and/or tomorrow, I encourage you to look at the manger scene and see what God has given us to take the place of the things that keep us trapped. It's baby Jesus! That mighty little baby has the power to destroy those distractions. Your job is to allow him to do this for you! Until next time... Merry Christmas!!!!

The Cross

Read Deuteronomy 4:25-31. Seriously, open up your bible and read the verses. This passage states that the children of God would become corrupt, make themselves idols to worship, assimilate into the practices of the surrounding nations, and do evil against the Lord for many years.

Much like our culture today, I bet it's safe to say that we ourselves often make false idols out of work, money, popularity, sports, or other distractions. I bet we do this so that we can assimilate these into our lives in order to fit into the world we live in. I know that I have and still do to this day. But, did you notice that verse? There was one that captured my eyes & heart. Reread verse 29. Did you catch it?

"Yet there too you shall seek the LORD, your God; and you shall indeed find him when you search after him with your whole heart and your whole soul". God is giving us hope. After chasing the things that leave us empty, we can feel alone and trapped in darkness. We can enter a place in our relationship with God that we feel so far away from Him. However, we are never too far away from Him. "Yet, there too you shall seek the Lord". Even in the darkness you can turn back to Him. And you will find him IF you seek him with your whole heart & soul.

The question is not about climbing out of the darkness and becoming holy so you can finally begin seeking God again. No, God wants you turn around just where you are and He will lift you out of that darkness (in His time). "YET, THERE TOO!" Jesus died for us on the Cross. He has won the battle, our goal is to allow him to lead our lives. He knows where we need to go. So, stop trying to live this life on your own, trust in him and seek him from wherever you are! Amen!

I Want to be Rich

So, I grew up with two parents and two dogs. My father was unemployed for a number of years and struggled with alcoholism. My mother worked 50 hours a week at the old Qwest (USWEST) and put in even more hours preparing dinner every night, washing clothes, helping me grow in my faith and teaching me how to throw a football. We lived in the same house my whole life and I went to Catholic school from 1st through 12th grade which cost a lot of money. We never had the best of anything because of the amount of money my parents spent on their mortgage, my Catholic Education, and my fathers alcoholism.

However, my mother was the richest person I ever knew! She taught me from an early age that it was foolish to chase after the greed of money, because most people who lusted after money led empty lives. My mom used to say that what was most important was to be "rich in Heaven." That must sound foolish to people who lack a relationship with the Lord.

How sad it would be if I spent my whole life trying to be a millionaire and didn't build spiritual riches through prayer, works of charity, and love of neighbor. Sure, I would have tons of bling-bling (did I just use that word?) here on earth... But, I would lack what will last with me for eternity.

So, here's to not chasing after greed and seeking the wealth of the Lord (Prayer, Fasting, and Alms-Giving!) Let's be most concerned with being Rich in Heaven! Amen? AMEN!