"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
(Ephesians 4:1-6)

We greet you during this season of spiritual renewal!

Sometimes we are confused about the role of a Priest and the role of a layperson. I have often heard faithful servants of the church say that they feel they have nothing to share or to give... besides money. I want to assure you that this is not true. We are taught by the Apostle Paul; "but to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Without the ministry of the laity to me, I would be a very weak Christian.

Over the last many years we have had thousands of contacts with those in prison. Although our contact is limited we do the best we can to remain faithful unto those God allows us to minister to. For many of those in prison we are the last outside contact left for them to feel connected to the body of Christ. We do not allow the frustration of what we cannot do, prohibit us from that which we can do. As I have said many times, "little is much when God is in it."

We recently received a letter from one of the brothers who has recently been released from prison. He was writing us from a monastery in Arizona and was thanking us for being part of the direction in his life. He is beginning the monastic path and we thank God we had a small part in his life. We now have a faithful prayer warrior interceding for us in the calling of the monastic life.

During the season of lent I would like to encourage you to keep your eyes open. God will reveal the gifts He has blessed you with so you can pass His love and message to those He may send into your life.

May the beauty of heaven consume you,
Fr. David Ogan