TALKING RELIGION THROUGH THE PRISM OF STEVE MARTIN'S MUSIC WITH DR. COOKSON..........

Seeing my orthopedist at Sutter Roseville Medical Center for an appointment today, we beagan our conversation as we usually do, discussing religion.  He asked me if I like Bluegrass Music.  When I acknowledged liking some of all kinds of music, he told me about an, "Austin City Limits" program he had watched, featuring comedian / actor Steve Martin playing bluegrass.  Martin is actually a banjo player, as is Dr. Cookson, so he tuned in enthusiastically.  Then he went on to describe a funny song Steve Martin and his band sang about the differences between Catholic-Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Atheists.  So you sing even at a medical appointment, the primary focus of my life, Faith and Religion, remain in the mix of activity.  Dr. Cookson is a very devout Believer who teaches Sunday School at the Bayside Church in Rocklin, and almost annually donates his professional services to Third World countries, as a part of their family vacation.  That is truly being a   Faithful Witness Christian.  Most of us do our witnessing within the parish and neighborhood.  How faithful are you being to doing something that is undeniably making an ongoing contribution of your time and talent, to serving the needs before you ?  OLOL parishioners have that opportunity everyday in the more than 15 ministries that make up our Community of Believers.  A big part of my priorities are , and will be to increasingly involve all our members in at least one ministry of parish life.  For to paraphrase 16th Century poet John Donne, "No person is an island".  We are attached, affiliated, intended, to be interactive beings, and the Body of Christ, the People of God, who are The Church, is definitely founded, called, and challenged to be fully alive and involved in making a difference here and now that builds the Kingdom of God..........How Are You Fulfilling Your Discipleship Today ?,   Fr.  Troy