...I had a revelation. No, not that kind. Rather, I realized that by God's good grace one day I would be a priest, that I would be a father.

Like most men who have contemplated fatherhood before me, I wondered what I might give my children. Of course, I knew that these would not be natural children born of a mother and a father but rather children born in the Spirit. Nevertheless, I knew that I would be called to care for these persons as I would my own family. And like all fathers I knew I wanted to give them not only good things but the best of things. "But what might that be?", I asked myself.

The answer was obvious. I would give them the best thing that I had, the same gift that I had first received through my own parents. I would teach them to know and love Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ Himself. 

"OK," I wondered, "so how will I do that???"

Again, the answer was obvious: Teach them to pray!

It was then that I really began to take the pursuit of prayer seriously, making my own daily commitments to prayer outside of those required by seminary formation. Over time, I would read books on prayer and begin to discover the great riches of the spiritual traditions that Holy Mother Church has cultivated over the centuries. 

So started a long journey that will last a lifetime until that day when, God-willing, I will no longer contemplate God in prayer, but instead see Him face to face in the beatific vision in Heaven. 

It is my hope that you will join me on this journey of prayer. As an aid in this pursuit, STARTING TONIGHT and for the next six weeks of Lent I will be offering an Introduction to Prayer series on Monday nights @ 7pm in the church. 

May it please God that what today we seek in Faith, Hope, and Charity we will one day see, possess, and love for all eternity!

I hope to see you there!

In Christ,

-fr. hynes