 Spring
"Nothing is so beautiful as spring -
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush's eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightning to hear him sing;
the glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth's sweet being in the beginning
In Eden's garden,--Have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord,and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid's child, thy choice and worthy the winning."
Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)
Spring is such an unpredictable time. Last week I wrote about what was going on outside my office windows here at St. Nicholas: the winds and rains that stayed with us in such dramatic fashion. Later that evening, tornadoes ripped through the far western suburbs leaving in their wake death and destruction. April 9th will be remembered by many in those far-flung farm communities as the night that terror reigned. For our parishioners Penny and Hank Mandziara, April 9th will be remembered as the day they welcomed their new baby granddaughter into this world. Life, death, winds, rains, those peak-a-boo rays of sun that teased us into thinking calmer weather was at hand. Not so. Not until the next morning did we all breathe a sigh of relief . . . the worst had passed and calm had at last settled upon us.
Out in those farm communities, people picked up the remnants of their lives; a scrap book here or a chipped dish there. Closer to home, proud parents and grandparents awed at the miracle of birth and the beauty that God brought into the world.
Spring is such an unpredictable time. It is a season of new life, rejuvenation, rebirth and recreation. Spring is beautiful. Let us all celebrate in the gifts that this season provides. Let us also be mindful of the power and majesty this time of year can put on display. See the good and be mindful that as unpredictable as Spring can be, our God is always and forever predictable and consistent in God's love and care for all the world's people.
Amen. | 
Each year, the houses of worship throughout the Village gather to pray and rejoice in the diversity of our faith traditions as we celebrate National Prayer Day. 
Each year throughout the month of May, we pay homage to our Mothers. Whether our Moms are with us here and now or in their heavenly domain, we honor and show our love for them. We give thanks for our moms, along with our Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus, for their sacrifices, their care for us and their enduring love.