Stories

Everyone has a story. Where were you born? Where did you grow up? What experiences brought you to ChristLife? Stories.

A year ago I didn’t know that anyone loved me in my story. A year ago I was going through a very hurtful time. I didn’t know what my future was going to be, I didn’t know where I was going to live. I even read stories from a magazine that my mother subscribed for me that I didn’t even want. I didn’t want it because I thought she didn’t love me anymore because I had been so hurtful to her, my dad, other family members and friends.

My story changed. I remember  sitting in a coffee shop quietly reading, journaling, and meditating when I discovered that God was opening His arms up to me. It came from the stories from that pocket-sized magazine. I felt this tight squeeze and I never wanted to let go. God did not let go. Every direction I turned over this past year, God has been there… with arms wide open … unconditionally. “There’s nothing you can do to make me love you even less.”

I have my story. It includes my family and close friends. It includes you, the people of Christ.

My story includes the love that God has for me. My story still has this tight squeeze around me.

1 John 4:16 God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.

- Written by: Kathy Daspit

Chicken Pot Pie

We have all heard the saying “if you build it…they will come.” It is also true that “if you feed them…they will come.” I thought that statement only applied to teenagers and cats but apparently it also applies to the participants of ChristLife. If you feed them homemade chicken pot pie, salad and rolls…they will come!

What is it about sharing a meal with others? Eating together reminds us of our common humanity; our physical need for food. It binds us as a family, a church, and a community. Looking around the room last week I was reminded of the many times that Jesus “sat at table” with his apostles, supporters and sinners. What would it have been like to sit at the table with Christ? Would he have wanted a second chicken pot pie like I did?

After dinner, my group wrestled with the question that Jesus asks in Matthew 16:15, “Who do you say that I am?” Would we answer as St. Peter did in Matthew 16:16, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."? If our answer is the same, then it demands nothing less from us than a personal response. If I acknowledge that Jesus Christ matters in my life today I will have to make a commitment. Is this why so many people do not participate in organized religion or go to church? Fear of commitment?

Making a commitment to Christ looks different for every person. Coming to ChristLife every Thursday is a commitment. Attending Bible Study every week is a commitment. Quietly, humbly and diligently working in the kitchen for many, many hours to provide dinner for 320 people is a commitment. Thank you Knights of Columbus! 

This week I will examine my life and prayerfully discern if I am following God’s path or my own. What personal response have you made to Jesus? Have you shared a meal with Him lately? Let's gather this Sunday at Christ's table and maybe afterwards for some chicken pot pie!

- Written by: Connie Moretti

Name Tags...

I have never “blogged” before nor have I ever followed a blog. When Josef asked if I would be willing to write for the Christ Life blog I thought that it would be “no big deal.” Well, here I sit after our first Christ Life meeting with a blank screen.

It is appropriate to first express gratitude and appreciation for the people who helped make this night happen. Thank you to those “behind the scenes” persons working to configure tables and chairs. Thank you to the dedicated crew of cooks, servers, and dish washers who worked throughout the evening. Many hearts and many hands went into preparing for this event. Why is it then, that all I can think of right now are name tags?

Name tags. Name tags are small. They are plastic and paper. They may have a pin, a clip or hang around your neck.  They are not significant in and of themselves. Yet, name tags are vitally important for any large gathering of people not intimately acquainted with one another.

Name tags tell others who you are. They share that unique and individualized name your parents blessed you with upon your birth. Your name was carefully and lovingly considered. Do we name you after Grandma Betty? Uncle Fred? Aunt Wilma? Much love and forethought went into the name that is now displayed on your name tag…font 48 for your first name and font 36 for your last name.

Name tags also organize you. They arrange you alphabetically by first and/or last name. They have numbered stickers to sort you into groups. Are you a number 34? Then you belong with the RCIA group. Is your number a 0? Then you belong to the roaming group. Your name tag identifies and organizes you. So what the heck does this have to do with the meaning of life?

God knows us just as our name tags name us. He identifies each one of as by our unique name, talents and abilities. He loves us for who we are; Betty, Fred or Wilma. We read in Isaiah 43:1 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” The meaning of my life is to find and fulfill the purpose that God created me for. What name does God call me? Can He read my name tag? Is the font big enough?

As we journey through Christ Life together we all hope to find the purpose and meaning of our lives. My physical life started when God formed me in my mother’s womb. My Christian life began when my parents named me at my baptism. The meaning of my life starts with my name and I am comforted to know that God calls me by that name and I am His. So, please allow me to introduce myself…

Written By: Connie Moretti

Welcome to ChristLife!

Hi! And welcome to the Holy Family Kirkland, WA ChristLife Blog!

Today marks the beginning of the Year of Faith and what a year it’s going to be! We are all very excited to journey with you this year as you discover, or rediscover, that relationship with the living Jesus Christ! Throughout the year you will be able to come to this Blog to find out what’s going on with ChristLife at Holy Family Kirkland. There will be weekly reflection from members of the ChristLife community – inspiring us by sharing their thoughts, reflections, and insights on how actively engaging in the relationship of love with Jesus Christ is impacting their lives.

Here’s what some of the ChristLife team has to say about their experience with ChristLife so far!

“We never know what God has planned for us...I came to ChristLife with an open mind and heart.  He showed me the goodness in the sisters around the table I shared.  He made me aware of the sisterhood/brotherhood we all share in Him and how powerful that is in good times and bad.  He is an awesome - awesome God and one that must be shared and shouted from the roof tops. Oh what a friend we have in Jesus and oh what friends he has for us to meet through Him!”
                                                                                                       - Jeanne Thomas

“ChristLife program offered me a greater sense of community and a chance to deepen my Catholic faith.   The music, the food and the loving surroundings enhanced the discussion and prayer in a small group setting which led to me opening my heart bigger to let Christ in!” 

                                                                                          - Colleen Goodwin

“As Catholics, we sometimes become rusty and need someone or something to perk us up so we can live our faith with others full of joy. One thing that I loved about Christ Life was the new relationships with others in faith” 

- Mike Thomas

“A key thing that happened during Christ Life was a greater awareness of His presence in my life that was brought to my attention through small group discussion and events taking place in others' lives. As I mentioned to someone just recently, they have a responsibility to share their story to bring about a greater awareness in someone else’s life and grow deeper in their own faith through the sharing of others.”

                                                                                                            - Laura Carr