June 18, 2006-27 years in BSG

June 18, 2006
Proper 6 in Pentecost Season

Parise Be Jesus Christ!

It has been over a year since I last wrote into my blog. I did celebrate my 25th Anniversary in BSG. Itis the best decision that I made in my life.From 2005 to June of 2006, it has been a rocky road spiritually and physically. I suffer from depression and anxiety. It is like a roller coast ride, up and down most of the time. The doctor tried all types of medications, and now I am on four different meds and it seeks to be working. I just started the fourth med three weeks ago. I am feeling good and upbeat again. Feeling more postive. Jesus Christ has always been there for me, but I have been a failureand refuse to accept myself or even love myself. Jesus loves me as I am and always accept whom I am. That is the greatest gift He could give me.

Will be 61 on July 7th, the time has flown by. I do not know where all the time went.
I am still a religious brother who struggles each day to do his best. I struggle with my eating habits. I had gastric-by-pass surgery done in March 2003 and have gained 39 lbs. The depression/anxiety have added to this problem, but now feeling good and positive I need to seek Jesus' help to get me started, just to take one day at a time. Goals for short-term or long-term is not good for me, it is the one day at a time. That is my goal, and to folow Christ morec closely.

Relationships are important,and I continue to search for my mate. To many perosnals on websites but no feelers,maybe one at this point. I can not wish for someone, God will work this for me, I need to work at my life, secular anb religious. ONE DAY ONLY!

"God grant me the Serenity to accpet the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I canm ad The WIsdom to know the difference."

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.
Trusting that I will make all things right.
Taking as Jesus dd, the World as it is, not as I would have it.
Living out one day at a time, enjoying one moment art a time.

Dearest Jesus help me with this. help me to become healed and do things better in my life.

Soli Deo GOLoria! To God alone be the Glory!

Life In the World Continues

August 5, 2005
Feria Day.

It is Friday already and I am still in a positive mode and very ubeat from the retreat and convocation with the community last week. There is not much I could do about my situation in life, work, finances or problems, I just need to trust in God and have faith that he would take care of me and my needs.
Yetsreday, I had problems with my car and it kept stalling at red lights, took it to the mechanic and it cost $301.05. Wow and now the "Servanthood Ministry " only two people showed up out of a possible 9 that were scheduled. I am not down about it, a bit discouraged, but letting my prayers ascend heavenward and letting God handle it, not me.

This is a big change of attitude in my life and it feels really good! Praise Be Jesus Christ!

July 25-31, 2005 Retreat & Convocation

July 25-31, 2005 was the Annual Retreat and Convocation of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory at Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappinger Falls, NY.

The drive to the retreat center was uneventful, lots of thunderstorms, but I arrived at 10:15 am after leaving at 5:30 am.

The week was hot and humid most days, the food was good, but the fellowship was great. We had one life profession and four first professions, and we admitted 4 new postulants, two from Texas, one from Wales and One from Australia.

Monday night, July 25th at 8:30 PM, the community gathered to celebrate The Funeral of Br. Patrick Ignatius, BSG. He will be greatly missed by all.

I also celebrated my 25th Anniversary of vows and receved an acclamation and cake and silver plate to mark the occassion on July 28th. It was a surprise and I felt very humbled.

The prayer life of the community is what binds us and we had ample time to get to know one another, since we do not see other for at least six months.

I am glad to be part of this community. Soli Deo Gloria!

My 26thYear with The Brothehood of Saint Gregory

July 25-31, 2005 is the Annual Retreat/Convocation of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory. This will be my 26th year in the community. It seems like ages since 1979 when I joined. I have seen many men come and go in this community and now we have six brothers and one sister who has departed this life. I am reminded of Jesus's call to come and serve. I am so glad that I have made that choice with this community and I am so happy to be in the Episcopal Church.

Today is a quiet day at work, getting loose ends completed and getting to leave on Monday bright and early. My brother has recovered from heart surgey in March of this year and is doing well and is back to work. I am getting better, my medication for depression/anxiety/stress seems to be working, but I still have some days.

God is truly working in my life and I can feel it ever much more so today. I have a new friend in heaven to assist me, Br. Patrick Ignatius.

Lots of prayer/reflection/study/fellowship in the next week. I need it very much.
I need prayers, please remember me

IN MEMORY OF A HOLY MAN!

Br. Patrick Ignatius Dickson,BSG
passed away this morning of July 20, 2005 at 4:36 AM at Fesseden House where he did his ministry (Yonkers, NY).
The funeral will be held at Mt. Alvernia Monastery (RC Franciscans) in Wappinger Falls, NY on July 25, 2005 at 8:30 PM. The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory will gather together to begin their long week (25th-31st) Annual Retreat and Convocation.

Almighty God, we remember before you today your faithful servant Br. Patrick Ignatius and we pray that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, you will receive him more and more into your joyful service, that, with all who have faithfully served you in the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, but especially by this brother. May his soul and all the souls of gthe faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

60 YEARS ON JULY 7, 2005

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
JULY 7, 1945-JULY 7, 2005
60 YEARS.

Where has all those years gone. When I turned 40, it was ok but when I turned 50, it was terrible. I was between 50 and death (laugh!) and now that I am 60 tomorrow, it doesn's bother me much, hahaha!

Life has been good. I had many downs then ups, but all and all, God was there guiding me when I least expected Him to. I dream of being younger and fit, but this is the way God made me and I am fit and beautiful in his eyes. God has blest with my good brother, John, my Brotherhood of Saint Gregory Family, My parish of Mt. Calvary and the church family I work for, Community United Methodist Church ans for my best friend, William. I am blest and I have much to be thankful for today and always.

THERE ARE SAINTS AMONG US TODAY!

Saints do exist today. we can see them in our times. I want to tell you of one such holy man. His name is Br. Patrick Ignatius Dickson, BSG. He is a member of my family and community. He made his first profession on July 23, 1999 and his life profession on July 24, 2004.

We have become close as friends and had many spiritual chats and conversations mostly about my life and what was going with me. Here is a man who really eptimozies following Christ, truly living the vows that he proclaimed. He lives them each day. he has a great sense of humor. He truly is a christ-follower.

This brother develop Cancer and for the past few years has endured much, on medications did chemotherapy, but yet he had strong faith in God to keep him going each day. His smile reached me and all, his attitude of life was amazing, his love for God and the religious life were outstanding. He walks with a cane, he did get tired but he did attend convocations with community and he relished his presence among us. We both always sat together for meals, we had many conversations on the spiritual life. His devotion to Jesus and Mary was something to see in his life.

Br. Patrick Ignatius now is on hospice care and he is getting weaker by the day.
My heart is overwhelmed with love for this man of God. He has touched me so deeply.
I know he has touched others in the community.

SOLI DEO GLORIA! The motto of the community . Br. Patrick Ignatius lives each day.

Saints do exist and this one especially for me. Thank You, Br. Patrick Ignatius!