Make It A Great Day!

By Fr. Norm Douglas

This bulletin note from me, which I rotate every other week with Deacon Andy or Deacon Robin, has been my first opportunity to put in print my deep gratitude for you. I came here in March 2016, which according to my calculation means I have been with you 100 months. WOW! I have been a priest now for 600 months. You have been a blessing for me and a source of daily joy. Those of you who were able to participate in our anniversary celebration at Guys Party Center know that we had great food, lively conversation, and heartfelt expressions of our Lord’s goodness for us all.

In addition, I am grateful, even for “the roasting” that was definitely part of the evening shenanigans (that is a big word and an apt description of the goings-on.) Do I really have to wait for 10 years for my 60th?

And I’m sure you have heard me write or say what matters most here is that we recognize the preciousness of every day and each relationship. I used my home computer to determine that from the day I was ordained June 8, 1974 to now I have been serving as a priest and as a missionary disciple of Jesus with you for 18,264 days.

There is a familiar cliché – “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” You have also heard me say that when we take leave from one another rather than saying “Have a good day.” to say “Make it a good day.” It’s up to us, especially staying open to our Lord’s gift of ever present and everlasting love – to realize every day is a sacred gift from God and a wonderful opportunity to bring a little more of our Lord’s healing and reconciliation, mercy and justice to a wounded human family and planet.