Our Common Journey

There is an old joke that people from the state of Maine tell of themselves: A tourist stops to ask directions of a farmer in Maine. The farmer begins with an awfully complicated set of directions and as if he realizes how complicated they are he stops and tries another set of directions. Depending on who’s telling the joke this may happen several times, each time the farmer rejecting his own set of directions. Then the punch line is delivered in the best possible New England drawl, “come to think of it, you can’t get there from here!”

My brother constantly reminds people that, “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” And he’s right. Rest is not a destination or reward. Rest is an opportunity to prepare for the next thing. We need rest every day, so we sleep. We need rest every week, so we worship. We need rest every year, so we holiday. Communities need rest too, and so we have a parish festival.

Our Parish Festival: This Is Your Church, will be an opportunity to rest and prepare ourselves (as a community) for the next leg of our common journey. It will also be a time of celebration, reflection and planning. It is not to be missed.

I know that some people will be away and that’s unfortunate. Nevertheless, I ask you, each of you to go get your calendar… I will wait, we have time! Now, mark in your calendar “Parish Festival” on April 26, 27 and 28. This event will play a significant part in our future. Some people have prior commitments that will prevent their attendance. But please don’t miss this for some stupid reason like, “I forgot,” or, “I didn’t write it down,” or, “there’s an Aerosmith concert in Moncton.” I don’t know if Aerosmith are playing Moncton that weekend, I’m just saying, that’s a stupid reason to miss the Parish Festival.

And remember, together we can get to where God is calling us from here, but remember to enjoy the journey too. Our Parish Festival: This Is Your Church is part of the journey.