Walking...and Talking
Posted by Brandy Miller on Monday, March 16, 2009
Since my last post...
1) I spoke with Monsignor Duesman at St. Ann's. He gave a lukewarm reception to the idea but in retrospect I don't think I was explaining it so that he truly understood what I was trying to get at. I think he was thinking primarily in dollars and cents when I was talking about sharing because he kept bringing up how much money St. Ann's gives. I guess he thought I was looking for money. It is true that this walk will need money to operate - we're going to be giving up our jobs to do this work and we'll still have monetary obligations we have to make sure are met - but it's not primarily about the money. I have a tentative sponsorship agreement in place to provide the majority of those funds, and as soon as I have approval will enact it This is primarily a walk to raise hope, to change people's view of themselves and their neighbors, and to encourage people to come together as a community to overcome the economic challenges we are all facing. He was, however, kind enough to provide me with the name and number of the Parish Council and suggested I bring my information to them and see what they say. He also reiterated what Deacon Pete had said - that I should go through the Bishop for approvals.
2) I spoke with Alan Zimmerer, who said he supports our mission and agrees with the concept. He doesn't know the Dallas bishop at all and has only met the Ft. Worth Bishop twice. However, I may see if he will be willing to help spread the word about the walk and maybe even get the message to Mr. Coniker so that the Apostolate can be introduced to parishes along the way.
3) I spoke with Father Alphonse today. He told me that this is good work, and that I should not give up but continue to pursue it. He suggested I talk with this to Jim Courtney, and then bring it to Monsignor. When I told him I had spoken to Monsignor, he said don't be discouraged and don't ever give up on work like this but keep pushing it until you get your yes.
I am reminded of the important lessons I have learned over my lifetime in the process of getting this walk done.
1) Don't give up just because the first person, or the 10th person, doesn't listen. Keep talking. Eventually SOMEONE will hear you and take action.
2) Don't give up. Don't give up. Don't give up.
3) You won't know how close you were to the finish line until you decide to quit. Then and only then will you realize just how close to victory you really were, and you'll live the rest of your life wishing you hadn't quit in the first place.
4) With God, all things are possible, so don't worry if they tell you it will never work. They are right in human terms, but they don't know what God can do until after He's already done it.
1) I spoke with Monsignor Duesman at St. Ann's. He gave a lukewarm reception to the idea but in retrospect I don't think I was explaining it so that he truly understood what I was trying to get at. I think he was thinking primarily in dollars and cents when I was talking about sharing because he kept bringing up how much money St. Ann's gives. I guess he thought I was looking for money. It is true that this walk will need money to operate - we're going to be giving up our jobs to do this work and we'll still have monetary obligations we have to make sure are met - but it's not primarily about the money. I have a tentative sponsorship agreement in place to provide the majority of those funds, and as soon as I have approval will enact it This is primarily a walk to raise hope, to change people's view of themselves and their neighbors, and to encourage people to come together as a community to overcome the economic challenges we are all facing. He was, however, kind enough to provide me with the name and number of the Parish Council and suggested I bring my information to them and see what they say. He also reiterated what Deacon Pete had said - that I should go through the Bishop for approvals.
2) I spoke with Alan Zimmerer, who said he supports our mission and agrees with the concept. He doesn't know the Dallas bishop at all and has only met the Ft. Worth Bishop twice. However, I may see if he will be willing to help spread the word about the walk and maybe even get the message to Mr. Coniker so that the Apostolate can be introduced to parishes along the way.
3) I spoke with Father Alphonse today. He told me that this is good work, and that I should not give up but continue to pursue it. He suggested I talk with this to Jim Courtney, and then bring it to Monsignor. When I told him I had spoken to Monsignor, he said don't be discouraged and don't ever give up on work like this but keep pushing it until you get your yes.
I am reminded of the important lessons I have learned over my lifetime in the process of getting this walk done.
1) Don't give up just because the first person, or the 10th person, doesn't listen. Keep talking. Eventually SOMEONE will hear you and take action.
2) Don't give up. Don't give up. Don't give up.
3) You won't know how close you were to the finish line until you decide to quit. Then and only then will you realize just how close to victory you really were, and you'll live the rest of your life wishing you hadn't quit in the first place.
4) With God, all things are possible, so don't worry if they tell you it will never work. They are right in human terms, but they don't know what God can do until after He's already done it.