Oh the spring semester of another school year.  Our youth have just come off the long Christmas break and for many it will be the middle of March before they get another break from a five day school week.  I remember my years of teaching and it seemed that from January to spring break was the longest haul for any academic year.  And of course we quickly can be reminded of the many activities that are part of everyone's lives, which add to this.

I have been blessed to work in this diocese now for almost eighteen years.  Bishop Schlarman was a man who found his day in the desert.  Bishop Gilmore invited us to "Be Still" and now of course with Bishop Brungardt our call to be "Filled with Compassion".  But too, I am drawn to how each of these shepherds have called us to deeper prayer and discernment in a response to God's call.  We have been invited to "Listen to Him", an example given to us by Christ.  Christ never lost sight of who he was and what God had called him to do.  Daily he took time to pray.

And so, as we enter these early months of this spring catechetical semester, when so many are focused on Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation, as well as preparing for graduations, can we take to heart in a little greater way the example of Christ.  Can we help the young people we minister to find some time each day, to simply give back to God through prayer.  It may only be 10 minutes, but it would be a time where more people would be spending time with God.  And with so much going on in the lives of many, these segments of "God Time" could ease stress, and in small ways continue to change the world.