On a retreat, I shared a personal story relating to our relationship with our mother's, and how our relationship with Mary our mother is to be.

- The Symbol
- All is Love

Your small right hand
​Nesting upon
the right of my chest
Brings a warmth

Never before felt

Negative degree
blizzard winds
Could blow
And yet my heart
would be warm

Resting in your embrace

The fragrance of your hair
Naturally
Brings me to paradise

Resting with you
Is a dream
I never thought would be real

May this reality never end

When rains pour
And snow falls
When grass grows
And when the sun's rays burn

Even on the darkest of nights
Hold my heart

​As I hold you.
​
- The Symbol
- All is Love

A few months ago, after some conversations with my Idente superiors, we were able to initiate this "meeting of the minds" of sorts with other Youth Ministers here in the Bronx . . . In it we are able to share a little of the Idente spirit of "holiness in common", by sharing our success', failures, and insights into building up our youth ministry initiatives in our various parishes here in our community.  Not sharing from some theoretical, or philosophical standpoint(although true to the teachings of the church) but instead from our lived relationship with Christ, and personal experiences.

"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.Now the body is not a single part, but many." - 1 Cor 12: 4-14

We all have different talents and gifts given to bring to the table, but one church to bring up.  Pray for us as we work here in this broken city to restore in God's grace. Amen.

- The Symbol
- All is Love

A few weeks into our marriage... What does it mean to us?

- The Symbol
- All is Love

Christian you may never see this post in your lifetime, but I love you boy.  I am grateful to God that he has trusted me to be your father . . . As I see you continuously grow not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually I am amazed by you boy.

I am proud of you.

The world has its way of taking a toll, and I know that our situation is one that is unique as I am not with your mother, but you were conceived when we were young and misguided.  I was glad it was you to bring up the rings as I married Janet, as it means so much for my life and yours.  Thank you for your understanding, and peace . . . And for getting turnt up dancing at the wedding reception.

You may never see, but you are such a blessing to me and to this world, and I pray that God sees you through all the way and that you are open to his grace.  May you come to know, understand, and respond to whatever vocation he has for you.  May God keep leading me and may I learn to walk in holiness here and on through my life, so that you may have a model to lead you to Christ. Amen.

#TheJoysOfFatherhood

- The Symbol
- All is Love

You've seen the flyer, now check out the promo video . . . ROOTED Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in the Bronx presents it's "VIEWS" Retreat Promo

- The Symbol
- All is Love

Its been a while since a blog post.... Leading up to the wedding, and then afterwards a little time off, but I am glad to speak to you now from the perspective of a married man.

People have started to ask me how I feel, and things of that sort and it has been hard to find the words . . . The best way to describe it is "Complete." Yeah I know the theological stuff of only God being able to complete us and no human being, but that is not what I mean... I am not making my wife an idol.  When I say complete I mean ready to live out and fulfill the mission God has for my life in a new way; with a partner he himself has given me, to love, protect, and guide as well as collaborate with in every way for the glory of his kingdom.  So yeah, I feel complete....

In a way that no degree, or title could give me . . . In a way that no level of success could satisfy - I feel complete.

Marriage is not simply a piece of paper, or a title as many in our modern culture think. I have have experienced truly, and feel the special grace God has bestowed through marriage on us - and Janet and I are so much closer than before because of it.  

Lord I thank you for entrusting to me the soul of my wife to lead her to you for the rest of my life.  Help me to see your presence in her always, and to love her unconditionally throughout it all.  Please bless our family, friends, and community that we may reflect your love to them in a new and special way. Amen.

- The Symbol
- All is Love