Read Mary Stutzman's Reflection from our Lenten Mission Series

A Call to Holiness and Prayer
Reflection for St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Parish Lenten Mission

 
TUESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT - MARCH 19, 2019
BY MARY STUTZMAN
  
I saw Father Bob’s list of 25 things to do during Lent, and I just want to see a show of hands of how many of you took him up on his cold “Scottish” showers. Now I am going to give everyone a chance to really stretch their arms ...raise your hand if you want to be happy. That’s pretty unanimous, isn’t it? Well, God wants you to be happy too!

During our homeschooling years, a big part of our religious instruction came from the Baltimore Catechism. I would sit and snuggle on the couch with my kids and quiz them every Friday on that weeks’ catechism, helping them to memorize it word for word. One of the questions was, “What must we do to gain the happiness of heaven?” They would rattle off, “To gain the happiness of
heaven we must know, love, and serve God in this world.”

So, beginning at a very young age, I taught my children these simple truths. It’s so simple, yet many people today would rather be their own god and follow their own path to happiness. The reality is that it is only by knowing, loving, and Serving God in this world that we achieve eternal happiness. . .  continue reading.  
 

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Mary Stutzman is a full-time wife, mom, and homeschool teacher and part-time Director of Religious Education at St. Mary of the Annunciation in Bristol. She walked away from a career as a  Computer Programmer in the 80's to be able to devote her life to her growing family. She's been married to Scott for 35 years and has dedicated the last 25 years to homeschooling their 6 amazing children through high school. They are happily expecting their 8th grandchild in May. She loves to quilt, sing in the choir, power walk, and have dance parties with her grandkids!