Another Year of Life in Moments

While I customarily reflect on significant moments of the calendar year around New Year's Eve, the occasion of my birthday in the middle of March gives me another opportunity to do just the same.

I'm sure I could reflect at length on meaningful experiences during the past year of my life.  Many of them are associated with my travels:

Going to Death Valley National Park to experience summertime heat on July 18 was on my Big To-Do List.  Just 2 days earlier, I went to Mexico, the land of my heritage, for the first time.  And the day before that, I had a thrilling and scenic ride on the Pacific Surliner train, which paralleled the coast and came so close, providing spectacular views.

It was also thrilling to feel the high speed of riding the Acela train at over 100 mph during my family vacation in Washington, D.C., almost a year ago.  And it was enjoyable to check out the first-class experience on my way back from a quick visit to Philadelphia, where I reconnected again with Independence Hall by going on a tour.

In October, volunteering at the OPRF History Museum during Open House Chicago weekend was a great way for me to showcase how much Oak Park has meant to me, especially as I marked the 30th anniversary of moving here on November 28.  While I don't have memories of that moving day, there's no doubt it is paramount in its influence on my life.

I think the same way about the day of my baptism.  It was particularly special to celebrate that anniversary this year because on the same day was the 60th ordination anniversary of Father Pacocha, who baptized me.  I eagerly went to attend a special Mass held in honor of his special occasion on April 23.  At the reception, I thanked her for the impact he had on me, which has gone on to impact so many others, including my RE students.

Religious Education continues to be an important part of my life. Each year is a chance to do some of the same things in class, while taking up new things with a different group of students.

Customarily, I share the story of my faith journey with my students in class, and I mark the progression of the journey by noting significant days in my life.  During this year, when I shared my story, and opened the floor for questions upon finishing, one student asked me what the most significant day of my life is.  I responded by saying there are so many, but somehow, the day of my Confirmation rises to the top.  While my physical life is a great gift that I experienced specially for the first time when I was born, my Confirmation was an experience when I entered more deeply into the mystery of God, Who gave me the gift of life, and enhanced its meaning through the Abundant Life that comes through the Paschal Mystery of Christ.  The day of my Confirmation was when I made a decisive step deeper into the mystery which I realize by faith, and then transformed me to advance forward to put that gift of faith into action.  I have indeed realized the great purpose for my life through the Life that comes to me by faith.

And so I rejoice and give thanks to God.