So far, so good!

Another weekend, and another relaxing Sunday! (I know you were wondering, so I decided to report) It may not have been another person's idea of "perfect" -- it was rainy, cold, and gloomy outside, with a flurry of leaves falling off the trees with each gust of wind -- but for me, it was heavenly!

I must admit, Saturday night around here reminds me a bit of Golde rushing around in Fiddler on the Roof ("hurry, children, hurry! The Sabbath is almost here!") as I try to get all of the last minute things (that are going to bug the heck out of me) DONE so I can truly sit back and relax on Sunday. I finished up the last little bit of ironing so the laundry room wouldn't haunt me today... I emptied out the dishwasher before I went to bed so this morning would be as relaxed as possible... and I planned a fairly easy supper so I wouldn't spend a ton of time in the kitchen today.


It all added up to a relaxing Sunday -- all the more remarkable considering that I have several sick kids, and feel like I'm coming down with the same virus they have.

I was able to sit... read... cross-stitch... and even to (gasp!) start scrapbooking for 2009, thank you very much! I'm only 11 months behind on this year's pictures! (I won't begin to tell you how behind I am on all the other years. Let's just say it's pretty bad).

Again, I'm not going to say that all I have to do is do no work on Sunday and I'm promised a day of roses and sunshine. It's more like I'm being rewarded for taking the very first baby steps... *chuckle* or even better, like a child who is just starting to be potty trained. At first, every attempt is greeted with lots of praise and perhaps even M&Ms as a treat. If that child were to talk about the experience with his friends, his words might sound quite a bit like my posts of late:

"It's really amazing! All I have to do is this one simple thing, and look at all the great stuff I get! Wow! If I had known I was going to get rewarded like this, I would have done this years ago!"

Eventually, I suppose, the "treats" will disappear and I will be doing what I'm supposed to do just because I'm supposed to do it, and not necessarily for the promise of M&Ms a restful Sunday.  Until then, however, I will be glad to report on how He continues to show me that things DO go better when I attempt to do it His way!

Message from Our Bishop

Year of the Family
February 9, 2007

Dear Pastors and Parish Life Facilitators,

I invite all parishes in the Diocese of Charleston to begin the celebration of the Year of the Family by reclaiming the Sabbath for God and family. Because we have become distracted, overworked, and overcommitted to outside activities, Sunday has become just another work day. I challenge each of you to restore Sunday as a gift from the Father for the family to appreciate one another. We have lost the peace that God created for our day of rest, and we all should actively seek ways to invite God into the center of our families.

Some ideas to make this a reality:

Once a month, pray a parish family Rosary, followed by a covered dish with fun activities for youth and children.

Plan a pilgrimage to one of your favorite religious sites, such as the Shrine to Our Lady of Joyful Hope of South Carolina in Kingstree or Mepkin Abbey in Monck’s Corner.

Allow a member of the family to share fifteen minutes of scripture reading.

Refrain from any labor, shopping, and any private activity that conflicts with prayer or family involvement on a Sunday.

While your children or youth may be involved in faith formation on Sunday, try organizing activities with other parents and adults to enrich your faith and friendships.


Sunday is the day which recalls in grateful adoration the world's first day and looks forward in active hope to "the last day," when Christ will come in glory (cf. Acts 1:11; 1 Th 4:13-17) and all things will be made new (cf. Rev 21:5). Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter, Dies Domini.

I am happy to proclaim each Sunday in this diocesan Year of the Family a Day of Prayer for the Family.

With assurance of my continued prayers for you and appreciation of your prayers for me as well, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,



Most Rev. Robert J. Baker
Bishop of Charleston