"Non-Concerts" in Texas and Oklahoma

Here is a picture of those who came to the "non-concert" at St. Elizabeth Parish in Pflugerville, Texas.

We have found that if I sing for the whole communion time and share a one minute testimony at the end of mass, people tend to come out for an evening like this. Otherwise they have no idea who the bald-headed singer is or why he is at their parish and the idea of a concert... well... if you have attended one of the evenings I present, you already KNOW it is not a concert.

This is why as I give the one minute testimony and invitation I make sure and say something like, "This is really not a concert..."

Does that sound odd to you? Odd but true. I am not interested in developing a music career. A music career is not my 'calling'. After being a husband and father, my calling is to invite you and remind myself that one of the most important decisions I can make is this:

"For the rest of my life I will be about the conversion of my heart, my mind, my opinions, my dreams, my plans, my attitude, my motives.... etc. Everything must slowly but surely be conformed to the will of God."

Otherwise everything is slowly but surely being conformed to my will or someone else's or some cultural norm.

There is no neutral ground here. We are changing whether we want to or not -we are getting stronger or weaker in faith. We are growing closer to or farther apart from our spouse. We are becoming a closer family or becoming more and more estranged from one another. Okay 'nuff rambling on that! Now onto the World Youth Day event held in San Antonio for those who were not able to fly to Australia.

The day was a scorcher. So hot that for my hour, instead of being up on stage, I stood beside the stage at ground level under a big umbrella for shade. Knowing how peaceful my stuff is, it was a pretty mellow time - my favorite part of the day, other than the mass, was having a chance to lead music before the Bread of Life. It is really all about an ongoing conversion of heart - and that is not the last time you will see that in print here!




Here is a snapshot of the night time portion of the World Youth Day Event held in San Antonio, Texas

Earlier in the day, a friend invited me to sing at Sunday morning mass at the Oblate Grotto where he is the music leader. Afterwards the pastor invited me to sing a few songs so after mass about 30 people remained. The fact that we had just received Jesus in the Eucharist inspired the following sung meditation: (since this was spontaneous, I will try to get as close to the actual wording as possible)

"Help me to adore your Presence here within me. Now that we've received you in the form of bread and wine.... Help us cherish your mercy within us now. Your majesty fills the heavens, let it transform us from the inside. Help us honor your presence in one another... draw us closer to being one mind, one body, one community in you. By the power of your presence within us, pull us together until we forgive... until we love... until we are truly one in you as you are in the Father... "



The Oblates Grotto in San Antonio.

A gathering of Catholic home schooling families in San Antonio. Here is a link to learn about their "TORCH" chapter. After sharing a potluck dinner at a local Retreat House we headed to the chapel where I offered a brief time of music and prayer. Here is another example of Catholic families pulling together to encourage, strengthen, and accompany one another along the path of holiness.

Families of the "Two Hearts" Chapter of Torch.

OKLAHOMA VISIT

I FINALLY got to sing at the masses at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. I've been wanting to do this for years and it was wonderful to be so kindly and warmly welcomed by this community. The great turn out meant I was able to enjoy the beautiful voices of those who sang along - especially during the adoration portion of the evening. This Friday we leave for Fayette, Missouri then on toward Lost Nation Iowa. I will post again as time allows.