Freedom

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Over the years, so many that have served in the military have paid the ultimate price in this world.  To lay down your life so that others can prosper.  As we live this day let us not forget the gift that they and that Jesus has given us all.  As Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13-15…

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself.  If you keep biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

May God bless you and your family and friends this day and may we forgive those we have been “biting and devouring” in our own lives.  Peace to you all.

Prayer and Speaking to God

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My next experience of faith was in college.  One of my best friends lost his brother in a plane crash.  I didn’t know what to do or where to go…something told me to go to the Catholic Church some of us had started attending occasionally in our third year of college.  It was at night and the door was locked…I went over to the living quarters and knocked and asked if I could get into the church to pray because I figured that is where I needed to be.  The pastor looked me up and down, probably thinking a college kid asking to get into the church at night in a college town…he declined my request.  Well now what.  Feeling rejected I walked over to my car in the parking lot and looked back towards the church.  The moon was shining with some clouds passing by right behind the steeple…I looked with wonder and then I started to speak…

God, I don’t know what to do or what to say but please help my friend and his family during this sad time and this tragic event…help them anyway you can.  I don’t know what I can do but I know you can help them.

It’s my opinion that this was my first real prayer because it had an attitude of belief behind it that wasn’t there when I would “recite” a prayer during church when I was younger.

What was it like the first time you truly spoke to God?

How did the faith journey begin for me?

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ImageI grew up going to a Catholic church with my family; we went to mass every Sunday and on holidays.  I was baptized, celebrated first communion and completed confirmation.  As a child and a teenager church was something we did before football games on Sunday because we had to…I didn’t know why.  My first real exposure to faith as a part of life occurred at the age of 16.  My father lost his job and for several days and weeks afterward he was going to the church everyday…not just Sunday.  Why would he do that?  What is going on there every day?  We never discussed it but I definitely noticed.  Those “actions” by my father told me more about his faith than any words he could have said to me.  Today, as a father of a 16 year old girl and a 12 year old boy I try hard to remember my actions say more about my faith than anything I say to them.

What is your first memory of experiencing faith or seeing faith in others?

Who Am I?

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Hello and Welcome,

My name is Marty Calcagno.  I have started this blog based on my faith.  I have been married for just over 18 years and I am a father of two kids.  I believe that faith is a journey…a personal relationship with God the Father and Jesus his son guided by the Holy Spirit.  There is so much to learn and experience when you decide that faith is important to you and you are going to try and put it first in your life.  My journey to this point has been slow at the start and picking up speed in the last 5 years.  Now I am at the point where I want to share it with others and I hope that it may make a difference in their lives some day.  Let the journey continue…..