Brothers and Sisters,

Are you faster than a turtle?

While you might pause to think about the story of the tortoise and the hare, still, as a human, you probably can confidently answer, “Yes, I’m faster than a turtle,”… that is, on land. I assure you, encountering a sea turtle in water will make you quickly realize that turtles are faster than any of us, even if you can keep up with the Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. When motivated, a mature sea turtle can easily do laps around Micheal and us!

Among all the scuba diving creature encounters I’ve experienced, I love sea turtles the most. Like their cousins on land, they are often relaxed and calm and don’t mind scuba divers staring at them (even as close up as six feet). And when they tire of you, they simply swim away (and, trust me, this scuba diver cannot keep pace with them).

As much as we like doing something, like my love of scuba diving and hanging out with sea turtles, these interests or hobbies should pale compared to our interest in spending time with our Savior. And that is what the Church 2023 Eucharistic Revival is all about. Making efforts to encourage one another to cultivate a passion for spending time with the Lord in adoration with the intent that a grassroots Eucharistic renewal will spring forth, one that our broken world so desperately needs. Like Peter, I pray that we’ve all experienced that moment in prayer where we speak from the depths of our hearts, “Lord, it is good that we are here.” After all, that’s when we understand the Scriptures better or hear God calling us personally. We may even become strengthened in virtue to avoid particular sins.

Let’s learn from the turtle when we take our spiritual walk by regularly visiting the source of life – the Eucharist – without rushing. Just be present with the Lord, leaving our agendas at the door. Eager to listen, just as Peter, James, and John remained on the mountain, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Just as Mary told the servants at the wedding feast, “Do whatever he tells you.” Please consider visiting our Chapel of the Good Shepherd for adoration during our Wednesday to Saturday morning exposition or another hour of the week. Visit our chapel landing page, olphparish.org/adoration-chapel/, to learn more.

And please also continue joining us for one of our “featured” times of prayer and adoration at one of our monthly Festival of Praises (FOP). This coming month’s FOP will be on Friday, August 11, at 7:30 pm, as many of our Middle and High schoolers returning from Catholic Youth Summer Camp in Damascus, Ohio, will be in attendance. Stay afterward and enjoy fellowship at our outdoor Backyard Bash in our parish’s backyard (bring a chair and snack to share). Then on Saturday, August 12, families of younger children can experience time in adoration as the Keller Family leads them in worship at our Pizza and Praise event, beginning after the 4:30 pm Mass, continuing with a pizza dinner, and followed by 45 minutes of adoration time in the Church starting at 6:15 pm. Please let us know if you’re coming and order your pizza by visiting OLPHParish.org/reg-hub. As a parish, we have so many fantastic opportunities to visit with Christ! Let’s accept his invitation and join him “up the mountain,” knowing our time there will invigorate us to positively impact our world, bringing his grace and mercy to others.