Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We all need role models. Sometimes it’s a parent, a family member or a teacher, work friend or priest. They help us see the world through a different lens or encourage us to reach higher. Over the years I have always celebrated anniversaries, or milestones because sometimes when the first difficulty arises in a marriage or vocation the easy option can seem to be to walk away. Anniversaries and milestones remind us that there are role models out there who through their commitment and trust have managed to achieve what seems to be the impossible, happiness and contentment in their marriage or vocation. Stress can be a part of every vocation. There are people in all communities who can be difficult to get along with and sometimes make impossible demands. In marriages how to parent the kids and different styles of parenting can cause huge stress. How much freedom should the kids have? What time do they go to bed? What are the boundaries of discussion and what is allowed as they get older and question you? Is school, homework and play important? These are just a few of the issues along with the demands of living together under the same roof. Stress is part of live and role models show us that it can be handled and the relationship can survive and prosper. Talking to people and couples who are content, happy and committed to their vocation can help. Next weekend we will celebrate in our parish Sister Monica’s Diamond Jubilee(60 years) of religious commitment. She is a role model for us as a teacher, religious educator and a Religious. As we celebrate her story and pray with her and for her let us all pray for vocations to the religious life and to family life. We also pray that others will see in those who have lived long and well in their vocation (religious life and married life) an encouragement to work hard to fulfill their own vocation. Let the Journey continue, Fr Karl