Hi folks. Blessings from the Deacon for the Catholic Family Podcast Show. When I wrote my first e-column for this program, I spoke about warm feelings for the Sweeneys. And I likely was speaking for many of you who listen to David and Allyson. I haven’t gone back to the beginning with them. But I’ve been listening since they renewed their wedding vows at their parish on their anniversary. I think it was that same show they took us along for their visit to a Bed & Breakfast… tee hee. Imagine us accompanying young lovers on such a trip. And there was the podcast news about their trip for the ‘all you can eat’ free ice cream at Blue Bell (of Brenham, Texas I believe). And not long before Holy Week, I felt like I was sitting on a short-legged easy chair in the river with them as they had a relaxing weekend with the kids and at least one friend. And what a great job on their recent Triduum shows. David and Allyson are demonstrating in a very wholesome manner what it is like to live life in the real world… and how to do it as committed and loving Catholics and members of the Church. As a deacon, I often run into some odd variations on this… I’m Catholic but I don’t go to Church that often… I’m Catholic but we are raising the kids to let them decide… I’m Catholic but the kids don’t like going to CCD or to Mass! What is it our good Jewish friends say? “Oyveh” With the Sweeney family – faith seems integrated into the fabric of who they are… the adults and the kids. I’ve been dealing with people for a long, long time. Many years ago, working with police and fire departments on sometimes very expensive computer systems. I feel like I can size people up fairly quickly. Sometimes it’s a rush-to-judgment and it isn’t always right. But I really like these Texas folks. We hear the kids in the background from time to time. They sound neat and sweet… but none of us have had to be with them (the kids) for 48 hours. So you know – the attitude might shift a little if circumstances were different. Don’t tell my wife but I have a sort of crush on Allyson. She is such a neat lady with mothering and music talents. And how is it that she can put up with all that manly beer-making stuff when there are important things to be concerned about in life? Behind every good working family is a good man. Stu Weber in his book TENDER WARRIOR says: A real man is kind.A real man is caring. A real man helps his wife.A real man helps his kids….A real man doesn’t run from his problems.A real man is honest. I don’t know David personally – but if I had a chance to interview the wife or kids – I’d bet he’d get flying colors on these sorts of attributes. And for all of us who are husbands, let’s revisit what Paul said in his letter to the Church at Ephesus:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
I get a sense of this when I listen to the Catholic Family Podcasts over time. It’s good doses of Vitamins C & F for Catholic and Family! Thanks you guys! Blessings. Deacon Tomwww.deacontomonline.com
Leave a Reply