A Message from Our Deacon Dear Brothers and Sisters, “Don’t do that in public, and please pass the bread.” I was recently out for dinner at a restaurant with friends and I overheard (and oversaw) what led up to the above quote. It appeared as though a grade-school aged child was attempting to make the sign of the cross and pray before dinner, but his older brother was embarrassed by the gesture. It was mildly amusing, but the truth is, I too have been reluctant to pray in a restaurant. Perhaps it seems inappropriate to pray in public, or perhaps it’s because we are afraid of offending others, or perhaps we are afraid of looking like Jesus-freaks. But consider this quote from Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” So let your light shine. Eat, drink and be merry…just remember to bless yourself, and the Lord’s gifts, which you are about to receive, from His bounty, through Christ our Lord…Amen! Who knows? Maybe you’ll set off a chain reaction of crosses in the restaurant! Deacon Vic