Before I Forget…

Everyday, no matter how busy I am, I can find the time to go on a slow leisurely walk with my dogs.  Pets are a huge responsibility, yet they provide great companionship.  Scientists are now proving that humans benefit mentally and physically from contact with animals. (I'm not sure about cats, but there are parishioners who are  "cat people.")
When I was assigned to St. Henry's  in Monticello,  I always took Ollie, (the Dalai Lama of Golden Retrievers) to the local nursing home for Mass.  He gave every resident  the "sign of peace."  Even grumpy residents smiled when Ollie was around.  Animals can lower heart rates, calm disturbed children, and encourage non-talkers to talk.
Why are animals so great?  Probably it's uncomplicated and simple to relate to them. Animals don't judge us, they are accepting and attentive to us.  They don't talk back, criticize, or give orders.  I always practice my Sunday homily with Teddy and Ozzie.  Ten times out of ten they fall asleep!  I think they like my sermons!  The only time they hide is when I pull out the vacuum cleaner.  Hell for dogs is a million vacuum cleaners operated by great big cats.
What about this:  If a dog barks his head off in the woods, and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?
Keep life simple and enjoy it.  And always wear loose comfortable clothing when flying.

Fr. Bill

(Written the night before I left on vacation. After reading this, you probably agreed that I needed time off.)

• There is more to life than increasing its speed.
  

Are you enjoying your life?  Stop and think about it.  Do you think that Jesus enjoyed His life while He lived on earth?  If we believe that human life is a gift from God, don't you think that we should be having some enjoyment?  Are you working too hard?  Do you have too many responsibilities?  Is your family life so structured that it's no longer fun?  Do you know how to relax and play?  Do you believe that we work so hard so that we cannot play?  Do you take at least one day a week to re-energize yourself?  Do you allow kids one day a week to unwind from studies and organized sports? 
Relaxation is important for our spiritual lives. If we are always doing something, can we really appreciate the gift of self?  It is okay to slow down, to stop everything. All of us, from youngest to oldest, need Sabbath rest.  Even God rested on the seventh day.  When you and I leave this earth, the only thing we take is self.  Resting, playing, plain old leisure time, is important to discover our true selves.

  Answer Yes or No to each question: 
1. I fully understand the value of leisure in my life.
2. I have at least one rewarding weekend a month.
3. I take care of errands during the week so I don't use up my weekends. 
4. I plan and take an annual or semi-annual vacation. 
5. I engage in rewarding, relaxing hobbies or other interests.
6. I regularly exercise at a tennis club, pool, spa, or another facility.
7. I can be comfortable doing nothing at all at selected times.
8. I can relax without the use of chemical substances.
9. I engage in regularly scheduled leisure time activities. 

10. I have achieved a reasonable balance between work and play.
    

Dear Friends,

I hate Goodbyes. So much so that I generally prefer to steal quietly away. However, in this case, I think a few words of farewell are a must.

I have enjoyed working at St John's very much.  It was a privilege to meet, and work with, so many genuinely Christian people. 

I am leaving at the end of this month with great regret because of compelling personal, financial, and health reasons. I would like to have achieved so much more, but I am consoled by the fact that better men and women than I were here before I arrived, and will still be here after I leave.

My wife Pauline and I are going home to Canada to retire. We will both miss St John's.

You can be sure that I will log in to the home page from time to time to keep in touch.

God Bless,

Deacon Mike Winn