Tammi Murray is Sister Parish Ministry Chair for Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Bremerton, WA.
In
the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves
treasures on earth … For where your treasure is, there also will your
heart be.” (Read Matthew Chapter 6.) For me, reconciliation
began first with simplifying. The realization of how much excess stuff
I had was just a bit overwhelming and I began bringing box after box,
bag after bag, week after week to St. Vincent de Paul. Three years
later, I still have too much stuff. For me,
it’s a process of peeling away. When Ugandan Sisters visited my home
last summer, I became even more aware of the excess – in my
refrigerator! Worse yet, I knew that much of the food would ultimately
go to waste. I now try to buy less and waste less.
My
next realization was just how little of my total income I was giving to
the Parish and the poor. I began to slowly give more and more. At first
giving began with helping a friend’s brother attend
college. By the following year, I was helping another friend with a
street children program. Although most of what I give continues to be
directed to educational sponsorships and small-scale development
projects, I am also trying to be more consistent in my
financial commitment to my own Parish.
Lastly, I began to realize my great need for
prayer. I realize that this may all seem to be a bit backward, but I am a Martha and my first instinct is
actions. However, I have come to realize the need for both prayer and
actions. While attending a social justice conference this past
summer, I learned that you cannot give what you do not have. I have come
to realize that as I draw from the Source, I am filled, and that when I
am filled, I have more to give. As part of
this renewed commitment to prayer, several members of the Sister Parish
Ministry made a total consecration to Jesus through Mary on the Feast
of the Immaculate Conception.
Webare (Thank you)
(Read more from Tammi: http://starofthesea.net/index.
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