I love the month of October. Such a wide variety of important dates fall within the month, that we now have an annual “Kraftoberfiesta” to celebrate. This year, Vanessa and I celebrated our 4th anniversary on the 4th, I remembered my dad on what would have been his 69th birthday on the 9th. My mom reflected on her marriage on what should have been her 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday. Today is my 28th birthday and, new to the mix, Friday welcomed our third child, Teresa Frances, into the world.
For my family, October— especially the first two weeks—is a time of celebration, renewal, and new life.
For the Church, Pope Benedict opened the Year of Faith on October 11th, itself the anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council as a time of celebration and renewal.
While the Diocese and parishes will have events all year-long, both specifically for the Year of Faith and others simply borrowing from the theme, we, individuals and domestic churches alike, have a wonderful opportunity to seek this renewal ourselves. Of course, we can always start new, any day of the any year, we should take advantage of this declared year to help motivate us. For me, one thing has been a conscience decision to study more about St. Benedict and Benedictine Oblates. I’ve always found the idea interesting and attractive, but never did more than read a webpage here and there. With my growing family demands, I don’t expect to be able to officially become on Oblate or even intentionally discern it through visiting a monastery, but nevertheless, can further my pilgrimage to Christ through the example of Benedict and those who used his example to find Christ.
There is no limit nor a wrong way to find new ways to deepen your faith. Whether it is growing in your own personal spirituality or volunteering to be a Eucharistic Minister at Seton or joining a new ministry at church or being more purposeful with talking openly about your faith, anything we do to be more intent on growing closer to Christ will advance us toward the end goal.
