Mike McElheny: Building our Faith

St. Mark Family- 

 " Building Our Faith" is a topic that is of strong interest to me. In thinking about this, it seems paramount to first ask: who, what, and how was my faith formed? Reflecting on this brings me back in time to some early memories. It seems during this time we find ourselves ask these questions: Why are we having this pandemic? How can I protect my family and myself? When will life get back to normal? However, there is one more highly important question to ask - how can we build our faith, my own, that of my family, and the faith of the community of St. Mark, during this very challenging time?

When I think of who helped formed my faith it is easy to identify - my mother and father created the most impact. My mother was from a large farming family in Kansas; whose life, other than farming, was closely tied to the nearby Catholic Church. She saw to it that God, Church and Christian morality were in place in the home. My father, a convert to Catholicism at marriage, was a strong example of faith through his life and work. The everyday examples of their FAITH in God were what formed my faith.  Moreover, my faith was formed by making sure God was a part of my life through encouraging prayer at night, meal prayer, Sunday Mass, Confession and Communion, observance of Lent and Stations of the Cross- this was the how. Additionally, serving Mass with our priest, and during grade school years, attendance at Catechism classes for two weeks in the summer, taught by visiting nuns.

The follow up that we all need is: How do we feed our faith? How do we build on our faith? As is often said, anything worth doing is never easy. And, there is no question - I could do a better job of it. Prayer and thoughts of Jesus and Mary help. As I read somewhere, if you pray, one thing happens to you. If you don't pray, another thing happens to you. Participating with parishioners in ministries and activities helps, as well as providing enjoyment and feeling a part of the community of St. Mark, does help build faith. I think everyone, whether often or not, and whether on frequent display or deep in the heart, wants to build their faith.

During this unusual time of social distancing from the Church building, activities, and fellow parishioners, it is necessary to consider additional ways to build our faith. Some thoughts I had were family prayer time, praying the Rosary, reading a spiritual book, watching a movie or video that has a moral theme, doing something for a friend or neighbor that is difficult or impossible for them to do. It would be of real interest to know how others build their faith in times of stress. Consider sharing the ways you have found to build upon your faith, and found comfort and strength during this time of social distancing. Share your submissions through the form on this webpage.

Your brother in Christ, 
Mike McElheny