Maderville

Change
The first time I ever walked in to St. Philip's I knew there was something special about it. I never felt at home in a church in all of my life like I had this one and knew that this was the place for me. It was December of 1998 and I knew that my life was going to become more centered around God. I was on a mission to be come more Christlike and have my faith become more a part of my every day life. I knew that the path I had been walking wasn't going in the direction I wanted and I was desperately seeking something bigger and better than what I had. We walked in on a casual Sunday night and it just felt right. I have spent countless hours within the confines of those buildings and feel like I have contributed in many ways. I have volunteered for just about every committee and donated to every cause. I rarely miss a Sunday and while that alone doesn't make me a (good)Christian, I know that I have grown in many ways just by being a part of the ministry there. I was confirmed there, divorced there, married there(again), sponsored my husband to be confirmed there, buried a child there, Christened two children there and built a playground in memory of my firstborn. Yes, I'd say I feel very much a thread in the fabric that is St. Philip's. The whole reason we even visited there was because I was new in town and I was determined to go to church that Sunday come hell or high water. We couldn't find the Catholic church so we whipped in to something 'close enough'. God just makes miracles happen that way. He put one obstacle in my way so I could find the better path. There were a few reasons I felt at home. One was because I was invited to take the sacrament of His body and blood at the altar. I hadn't been able to do that in quite sometime because I hadn't been confirmed at the Catholic church we went to. Since I felt that was a little hypocritical and discriminatory I rarely went to church at all. The other reason was because this nice young couple with the cutest 6 month old came up and immediately introduced themselves to us and we became fast friends. We are still friends today although we live many states away. The third and most important reason we stayed was because of the priest at the altar. He had this kind, genuine message that seemed to speak to me. I wish I could tell you what he said that night but I guess and more importantly was the way I felt when I left. I felt like I belonged for the first time ever in the walls of a church. What a day of all days it was for me! I never looked anywhere else and I got confirmed that Easter. I went to Cursillo and really immersed myself in to this Parish life. It was great! Over the years we have seen some people come and go. Some babies be born and some people die. People marry...people divorce. I know that the cycle of life is what it is but never had I imagined that less than a year after I married my husband that I would be sitting in that same front row burying my first born child. It is still too much for words. The same priest was there for all of those milestones....the most devastating days of my life and the most joyous occasions. Tom was always standing at the altar doing his thing. He is moving on to new challenges and places and he will be missed. I know this is the right thing for him and quite possible us as a parish but I he holds a special place in my heart and always will. Thank you, Tom, for 15 years of service and specifically 12.5 to me. I will miss you and hope that you are blessed in all of your future endeavors.