He Never Misses

Category: Catholicism

  • Mad for…Sr. Josemaria

    To be happy what you need is not an easy life, but a heart which is in love. -St. Josemaria Escriva

    The Carmel Deanery is chock full of stunningly gorgeous souls that I affectionately called “Jesus girls”. I took an unofficial headcount and I am pretty sure almost all of them were at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church this afternoon to hear a talk by Sr. Josemaria Pence at the AWAKEN event! Sister a Nashville Dominican.

    For those who have been humoring me on my little journey, you already know that each day in 2019, I am endeavoring to point out an fantastic human that I spot around me and write a few words about why I think he or she makes a positive difference in the world. I try to take cues from my day and let the Lord do the choosing. Today, our good and gracious God yelled a little louder than usual.

    What I already knew from my own observations over the past 4 years or so was that Sr. Josemaria is a sunny, joyful woman. Neither of my recent Guerin Catholic graduates had her as a teacher during their time as “Golden Eagles” but I have a fondness for religious men and women, so I’d been paying more attention to her than she might suspect. I know, I know….that’s a little creepy? The truth is, I’m drawn to the joy I have noticed in all the women I’ve encountered who are Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, just like Sr. Josemaria. Who doesn’t want to bask in the warmth a little? When I heard that she was speaking, I offered my rosary for her efforts today to be fruitful, which they certainly were.

    It turns out, while she’s on loan to us here in central Indiana, Sr. Josemaria actually hails from Minnesota. She shared with us today about her family and her vocation story, and It’s one I won’t even attempt to retell in a few words here, but in her generosity, I found myself feeling filled by Christ as I listened. She’s genuine, and her smile is infectious. She’s the owner of a hilarious, self-deprecating sense of humor. She’s a devoted daughter of the Church who is clearly filled with zeal, enthusiasm and love of the Lord. Her laugh and her smile are kind. In short, my time in her presence today left me feeling refreshed, renewed, and incredibly grateful.

    Thank you, Sr. Josemaria, for the courage it must have taken to say YES in such a powerful way to Jesus with your life. Your cannonball into the deep end of the pool, it turns out, has allowed Him to splash all over your beautiful life and the rest of us nearby are a little drenched too. How great is that?? The beautiful way you love Christ is inspiring, and I know that your students experience God’s infinite love for them through your efforts each day! I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOU!

    *NOTE: If you would like to know more about the Nashville Dominicans, please visit their website at http://www.nashvilledominican.org.http://nashvilledominican.org

  • Mad for…Kelly

    Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. -St. Teresa of Avila

    I chose one of my favorite saint quotes to share with you today as I honor St. Louis de Montfort junior high math teacher, Kelly Hauschild. You see, Kelly has had more than her fair share of struggles over the last few years, and I thought maybe one of the great women of the Catholic Church could provide her some solace today!

    It’s hard enough to be the mother of a big, beautiful brood of children at home, but teaching math to 6th, 7th and 8th graders is also remarkably challenging. When one adds to that set of large responsibilities some outside struggles which have called forth all the reserves in a person, well, I guess what I am feeling today is the need to ask you all to just keep Kelly in your prayers.

    It wasn’t that long ago that I found myself collecting gift cards and cash for Kelly. The Hauschild family suffered a major fire at their Fishers home a couple years back. When I visited, meeting her there to share what I could from the generous people of SLDM, it was a scene that took my breath away. However frazzled she was at the time, Kelly had her wits about her and seemed genuinely grateful that her family members were all safe. Certainly, it could have been much worse. The family has recovered from that episode, and they handled it with as much grace as they could. I so admired their perseverance.

    In more recent weeks, I’ve learned that Kelly has endured 4 surgeries since the beginning of the year after suffering a fall on the ice during what I am calling the LONGEST WINTER EVER. It might not technically be the longest, but the lack of sunshine and cold weather has surely tested me as never before. During these frozen weeks, outside of Kohls, Kelly broke both bones in her right arm and dislocated her wrist, among other injuries. She has more metal in her arm than bone at this point, and well, my heart goes out to her. Suffering is just no fun at all!!

    It’s easy during these times to allow your mind to be filled with anger or frustration, but I know Kelly to be a courageous woman of faith, so I am certain she will forge through this time with her head up! For many years, Kelly has been the brains behind the 8th grade Washington DC trip, a wonderful and very organized time filled with blessings for our students. She joyfully and reverently guides the 8th graders through the process of putting on the Living Stations of the Cross each Lent at SLDM, an event that the students always look forward to, and the parents treasure. She does an excellent job, always, of communicating about grade school graduation events for the kiddos as well. She does all these things with precise attention to detail, and with ample compassion and care.

    So, as Kelly clings to the cliff a little this spring, I think it’s important to remind her to anchor herself in the solid rock of our Lord and Savior, but also…to let her know how much her efforts and positive attitude make an impact for many children and many families each day and each year. KELLY, we so appreciate you! Hang in there! We are praying for you, and we hope you know you are loved!

    Join me in saying this prayer for Kelly….

    Loving God, I pray that You will comfort Kelly in her suffering, lend skill to the hands of her healers, bless the means used for her cure, and provide others to help her as she struggles. Give her such confidence in the power of Your grace, that even when she is afraid, she will put her whole trust in You. Through our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

  • Mad for…Faith

    Joy, with peace, is the sister of charity. Serve the Lord with laughter. (St. Padre Pio)

    Today’s beautiful birthday girl is Faith Ryder! Faith is a freshman at Guerin Catholic High School in Noblesville, Indiana. She’s the much loved daughter of Tom and Meg Ryder, and also she’s a joyful and fantastic young woman.

    Since she was a very small girl attending St. Louis de Montfort grade school, Faith was unceasingly filled with the joy of the Lord. She always had a smile to share, and each time I came into contact with her, she greeted me with enthusiasm. Let’s be honest, there is very little that beats a sunny young lady who calls out, “Hi, Mrs. Thieme! I hope you are having the best day!”

    Faith is bright and kind. She apparently is also quite a talented equestrian. I know so little about horses that I’m not even sure I’ve said that right…but I have seen this gal and her horses and just so many ribbons over the years. That’s kind of unique, and certainly a very cool, special talent. However, it’s not the reason I chose to honor her today!

    What makes Faith stand out is that she seems to be aware, even at the tender age of 15, that she is the beloved child of the King! I’ve listened as she cantored at all-school mass, so filled with the love of Christ. Those same sparkle-filled eyes are the ones that never failed to say hello to a parent or a younger child in her path as I watched from a distance over the years. We adults who work in lunchrooms, at retreats, on the playground, or helping in the classroom….well…we get to know the children in the school. What makes Faith breathtakingly beautiful to me is the way she treats those around her– including carpool moms like yours truly. None of us gets it right 100% of the time, but this young lady has been caught red-handed in many acts of faithfulness and love towards others by this particular (relative stranger) over the years. We could all use a little scoop of that brand of kindness, Faith! I wish I’d said something sooner.

    Faith, thank you for the simple yet jaw-droppingly gorgeous example of how we should treat others– with our smile on full display and our arms extended in love! For all the times you greeted me with your warm smile and quick hello over the years, I am grateful! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET GIRL! I hope your day has been half as spectacular as you!

  • Mad for…Fr. Pat

    May God grant you always…a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you, laughter to cheer you, faithful friends near you, and wherever you pray, Heaven to hear you. –An Irish Blessing

    Day 76 of 365.

    It seems only appropriate to recognize today, on the feast of St. Patrick, a Roman Catholic priest by the same name. Today is the feast of his namesake, so I’ve chosen a man who I have known since my oldest son was in the 2nd grade. That same kid is now a college junior! Nick was in the very first group of grade school children at St. Louis de Montfort to have their first reconciliation and receive their first communion from Fr. Pat Click. In the years that followed, Fr. Pat was present for two more first communions as well as the confirmation mass of my oldest son. We’re thankful to him for conferring on all of us the sacraments over many years.

    Fr. Pat spent some time before he moved to Fishers as the Pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on the Purdue University campus. I’m fairly certain it was this assignment that gave him such great affinity for my beloved Boilermakers. We’ve traded some excitement about some fun Purdue football and basketball victories over the years!

    The special quality evident in Fr. Pat that I have noticed over the decades is his unique ability to provide comfort to those who are mourning. Many, many families have been the recipient of his pastoral giftedness in this area over the years, including my own. His presence and his words were powerfully helpful when my mother-in-law, Jane Thieme, passed away. I was grateful at that challenging time, and my gratitude remains. I know that there are so many others who have had a similar compassion-filled experience at what is a truly challenging time in life– as we mourn.

    Thank you, Fr. Pat, for the gift of your thoughtful service to so many families over the years. We hope you are having a FANTASTIC St. Patrick’s Day and we wish you many blessings now and always!

  • Mad for…Will

    Day 75 of 365: Will Oberndorfer

    Author’s Note: In 2017, long before I began my “Mad for 2019” challenge, I wrote the following entry about a then high school senior, Will Oberndorfer. Will is now a Boilermaker, a freshman at Purdue University. Will is a very funny and faith-filled young man who blogs himself and I’d love to put the link here but I can’t seem to figure it out. When I get it, I will update this entry. Will is also the co-founder of Diabetes Will’s Way, and you can find out more about that incredibly charity and the work they do at www.diabeteswillsway.com. He’s a handsome, athletic, kind and incredible young man whose love of the Lord guides him always, and he’s tremendously inspiring to me in many ways. The story below still illustrates his essence better than I can do otherwise. We should all be so lucky as to have a character filled friend of this quality. Will, I am grateful for you, kid, because who you are makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE to so many people. If you don’t know him yet, you should. For those folks, I hope you enjoy learning more about Will. –ST

    Will Oberndorfer, at center, with his family at his high school graduation last spring. Yes, he was Valedictorian, and yes, he gave an incredibly moving speech that day. In addition to being a big smarty pants, Will is STILL the real deal!

    [Please enjoy the story below, an entry from 2017]

    Ummm…Drew?  Did I hear the doorbell ring at 11:30 last night?

    Yeah, Mom.  You did.   All you need to know is that Oby is an amazing friend!  I gotta go!!

    Ok, then.  Have a great day, D!

    The above conversation was one of those “I’ve got no time and I am running late so make it quick, Mom” moments.  Every mother of an 18 year old knows what I’m saying.  In this case, my middle kid had gotten very little sleep.  He had played his basketball game and gotten home about 10pm the previous evening.  He arrived home starving, so I shoved a sandwich and some apple slices at him.  Then, he hustled upstairs to work on homework.  I knew he would be up until all hours.  His academic load is significant— by his own choice.  He’s a bright kid and a hard worker but I do worry about him.  It’s a mom thing.  Is he getting enough sleep?  Is the insane IB homework load just too much?  Would it be better for him to have more time for just being a goofy kid?  You get it.  All of us who have kids constantly have this little interior chatter.

    This particular day stands out to me, because as the day wore on, I learned more details about the late night visit of one Will Oberndorfer.  It was a God wink.

    Apparently, in the new world of electronic everything, there are online quizzes and apps you must have operational, plus midnight deadlines for assignments….all sorts of things I cannot imagine as I compare my son’s academic experience to my own.  I don’t even pretend to understand any of it, and I am truly thankful to God that I was born in 1971.  Pencils, paper and dogs that ate homework were all actual things back in the day.  I digress.  Anyway, on Tuesday night after Drew had his sandwich and a shower, he began his homework marathon later than normal.  It was pushing 11pm.  Shortly after plopping down at his desk, Drew realized that there was a glitch causing his computer to be unable to run some application he needed in order to successfully complete a required quiz by midnight.  He texted his friends—the other crazy young people who are also up half the night, every night, trying to finish their own work.  He was wondering if any of them knew a way to fix the computer issue.  None did.  His friend Oby offered to let Drew come over to his house and use his working computer.  Drew didn’t want to bother his buddy so late.  He then just thanked his friends anyway deciding he would have to just take the zero this time.  He would take his computer into the Guerin Catholic IT folks in the morning for a technical assist.

    Then, the doorbell rang.  It was 11:30pm.

    I don’t want you to take the zero.

    There was Oby.  He had an operational computer for Drew to borrow to take the quiz.

    Was it just a small act of kindness?  Yes.  Did it feel small to Drew?  No.

    This week, God used a terrific teenager named Will Oberndorfer to remind me, again, how we can all effect positive change in this crazy, wonderful, and sometimes breathtakingly desperate world.  It’s done one kind act at a time, right in the place where you live.  Simply put:  BE THE FRIEND EVERYONE WISHES THEY HAD.

    If we’re all working to be the face and hands of Christ, pretty soon it’s going to be incredibly difficult to go anywhere and NOT see how much we are ALL deeply loved by our truly awesome God.

    Atta boy, Oby!  You are the REAL DEAL, kid.

    Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.  –Mother Teresa

  • Mad for…Clay

    With my own voice I will call out to the Lord, and he will answer me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:5)

    Day 74 of 365.

    The handsome college freshman in the center of this trio of great guys is Clay Hepp. Clay is a 2018 graduate of Guerin Catholic High School and he now attends the University of Dayton. Having him back in my house this week has been a great gift as he always leaves me, Tom (and my sons) feeling joyful. This is a sharp, gracious, and sunny young man. He’s witty and he’s kind.

    I was going to wait until later in the year to write about Clay, as his birthday is in the fall, but right now is when this young man needs all of our prayers, so I’ve decided there is no time like the present to give a shout out to this terrific kid! When we put God first, all other things ten to fall into their proper place in our lives, and it seems to me, Clay is working very hard to do just that. You see, currently, Clay is going through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process at UD. He’s a Candidate, converting to the Catholic faith with his older brother, Cole, as his sponsor.

    So today, I chose a little bit of the third Psalm as I started to write a little about this faith-filled young man because I hope he will always remember that the Lord is available, and when we call He answers. It’s not always the answer we expect or the one we hoped for but He’s trustworthy and He can be counted on– for now and forever. God always wills what is best for us because He is love itself. Join me in prayer for Clay as he rounds third base and heads towards home on the RCIA journey, that as he embarks on his new adventure in faith this Easter, the Lord will draw him ever closer, and that he will always know God loves him no matter what!

    This young man is already an incredibly loving and attentive son and brother as well as a caring and thoughtful friend. He’s gifted, honest, and articulate. He sparkles. This is a young man who is absolutely a blessing to all who know him. However, I predict an even brighter version of Clay is about to shine forth…and I am so happy for him! I cannot wait to wish him a Happy Easter as the sacraments and all their grace are opened to him.

    Clay, thank you for always being a good friend to Drew and a good example to Zach of what an integrity-filled friend looks like. Your big, silly smile and fantastic laugh have always been a great joy to the entire Thieme clan. We love you, Clay Hepp!!

  • Mad for…Gachia

    Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2)

    Day 73 of 365.

    Do you see the joyful mother and wife on the left here in the photo above? That’s Gachia Hoefer. She’s one of the most genuinely friendly and welcoming souls I have ever come across. For this reason, I think the little bit of scripture above is a perfect choice as I attempt to honor her today with some positive words. I’m quite sure that when and if an angel crosses her path unknowingly, they will have been treated as hospitably as humanly possible. It seems to just be who she is and what she does.

    Long before I began to attend mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, I would make fairly regular visits to the parish office. I was uneasy, unsure, and completely self-conscious about my presence there. Gachia was the face that greeted me on nearly every visit I made. After a while, she began to recognize my face, and she was very consistent. She smiled, she welcomed, and she put me at ease. I suspect it was the exact thing she did with countless others who came in lost, lonely, scared or searching.

    Gachia’s a face I recognize and a name I know, but we are not really acquainted at all. I have her on my mind today because I happen to know she’s on a long car ride from Colorado back to Indiana at this moment. I learned about them being stuck out west during the Colorado blizzard this week and how they have had to bob and weave from their original plans, driving back in less than ideal conditions. I’ve been praying for their safe travels.

    With the Hoefers on my heart today, I was reminded of a time that my appointment at the office at OLMC was delayed. Pastor, Fr. Richard Doerr, was to meet with me, but he was running behind. I wondered if I should go and come back another day, but Gachia waved off the idea and invited me to pray with the office staff while I waited. She drew me in. It was just one tiny example of what she spent many years doing…introducing random strangers to the love of God with her kindness and her smile.

    Gachia, the Lord loves your welcoming ways, and so do I. I so wish that I had stopped in to say so in person, or even written a note of gratitude when you retired from your post as parish secretary. You are an amazing, lovely and faith-filled woman and I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to get to know you just a little. The witness you provided me means that even now when I see you at a distance at mass, just spotting you in a crowd is a wonderful reminder to me about how I’d like to treat others with the same joy and care! THANK YOU for your service to the parish and for your kindness to me over several years. I think you are a giant scoop of awesome sauce!

  • Mad for…Georgia

    See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! -1 John 3:1

    Day 72 of 365.

    I chose this scripture verse above to honor a very special woman named Georgia today, because it’s a good respresentation of what it really what it feels like to me to have had her in my life these many years. There she’s been at every event of consequence through the years, cheering me on and supporting my family. It’s like God telling me how lavishly I am loved. She’s what I call my “back up Mom”. I spent every single summer vacation of my youth with her and her amazing husband, Chuck and her son Ted, who truly is like a brother to me. The Dykhuizens and Stumpfs were pretty much a perfect vacation match. Those are memories I will always treasure.

    Georgie’s a retired English teacher so I’ll share this appropriate bit of Shakespeare as well. You’ll “find though she be but little, she is fierce.” Standing around 4’11, there’s nothing quiet or introverted about Georgia. She’s generous with her thoughts and absolutely lacks any filter when it comes to the asking of whatever curiosity enters her mind. It makes me laugh and keeps everyone on their toes who is in her orbit. This special feature of her personality was somewhat disturbing during my teenage years while I was dating. “Has he kissed you yet?” Questions of this ilk were very commonplace. Mostly, I can’t help loving her authenticity. She’s 100% genuine.

    Georgia has a beautiful smile and when she gets laughing, it’s completely contagious. More than once, she’s gotten me laughing so hard that I can no longer breathe and I am left fanning myself for oxygen. She’s joyful, and she’s kind.

    Here’s the thing. I know if I called for her help or advice even today, she would sweep right in with her love and scoop me up. She’s an amazing woman who I truly love and TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday, Georgia. I am so truly thankful for you and I love you very much!!

  • Mad for…Msgr. Laughlin

    My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. –Thomas Merton

    Day 71 of 365.

    Meet Msgr Laughlin. He’s a retired priest with family in the area and he often presides at daily masses at nearby Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. This morning was such an occasion. He spoke to us this morning about prayer, and he referred at some length to the famous Thomas Merton prayer I’ve shared above. I have always found it incredibly comforting, and in fact I had it displayed for several years on my fridge.

    I am told the Msgr. is in his mid 90s. This fact blows my mind, mostly because he’s so incredibly coherent and filled with such wisdom that nearly every time he is there saying mass I end up digging for my phone to quickly jot down something he said. I’ve more than once gone into the adoration chapel and found him kneeling in prayer there. Let’s be honest, the chances of many of us being physically able to do either of those things in our mid-nineties is slim to none, am I right? He’s quite clearly a holy and prayerful man, and I feel grateful he has chosen central Indiana as the place he is spending his retirement.

    Some time ago, he shared a sentiment similar to the one above written by Merton that settled on me in a meaningful way. It went something like this. If someone trustworthy tells you a movie is terrific, hard to watch at moments but just has a great ending and to stick it out…you would, right? It’s the same attitude we need with God. He has a plan for us, he’s worthy of our trust. If we stay with Him, it all ends well. Beautiful truth, spoken simply.

    Today’s gospel message about the importance of praying to glorify God and trusting Him with our lives struck me as incredibly filled with wisdom and meaning. So, this man of God, well into his retirement years, is STILL the face of Christ to others by his witness and his words. Thank you, Lord, for Msgr. Laughlin and all your holy priests!! I am so grateful for them, every single one.

  • Mad for…Tim

    May the light of the Lord shine upon you and grant you happiness on this birthday and for many years to come!

    Day 70 of 365.

    A long, lanky guy who stands about 6’4, Tim Houze is a good man who has a big heart that matches his stature! Today’s birthday boy is both compassionate and warm, and he is always ready to share a genuine hug and an encouraging word!

    I met Tim when he began to date my close friend, Lisa, many years ago. At that time, she was a single mom raising her beautiful son, Christian. When Tim joined them, it just seemed to me that they never missed a beat. I was always incredibly impressed by how he took instantly to the role of Dad. He has proven to be a loving and terrific father to both Christian and their younger son, Malcolm as well. The boys adore their Dad, as well they should.

    Tim is a generous and faithful guy and an active member at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church. He’s made numerous mission trips to Mexico over the years with some amazing men from his parish to help provide housing for the poor– a commitment of time and talent that always leaves me incredibly moved. What’s not to love about a group of men behaving so selflessly?

    In recent weeks as I had some medical drama, Tim showed up at my front door with his sunny smile to visit. He just wanted to check in on me in person and make sure that I know I’m loved. Mission accomplished, Timmy! As you left, I could only think of the famous quote by St. Thomas Aquinas, “There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” It wasn’t long after that, and my dear friend Tim Houze suffered a little drama of his own….a fall which resulted in 8 broken ribs and a punctured lung among other injuries. As I type this, Tim’s still got many weeks to recover before he’s back to full strength. However, you can’t keep a good man down for long! He’ll be back and stronger than ever very soon.

    Tim is a just, upright and respectful man who I am proud to call a dear friend. When I see him, I know I can count on being greeted with warmth and genuine love. His presence in my life and the lives of my sons and husband is an utter blessing from the Lord. We love you, Timmy, and your life is one which should all be celebrating today on your special day! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TIM HOUZE! LYMI!!