Hope

Hope

Fr. Dale Matson

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Bald Eagle Chicks

At age 77, it is easy for Satan to attack my mind and buffet my body. He is called the liar and murderer and I would add the terms obfuscator and discourager.

I probably spend too much time on the internet in general and YouTube in particular, although I do have my own YouTube channel. 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0G3jx2PLv6FOw2NM5Aa6Yw

My future daughter-In-Law once described the internet as, “The Devil”. At the time my younger son (her fiancé) was caught up in “EverQuest”. The role play game is aptly named. One of his friends had even dropped out of college to play this game full time.

I think the internet can be a source of edification, comfort and hope too. I recently came across a video about a young man afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis. He had given up hope and decided to stop his life sustaining treatments. His family and friends convinced him to resume his treatments and he joined a gym and hired a professional body building coach. The first photo of him at the gym is difficult to view. He eventually placed in a body building competition. I have included a link to this video and hope you will take the time to watch his heroic story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezIdwQKmLGA 

Jared’s story breathed new life into me too. One of the thoughts that continually shuts me up is that I have nothing left to say. After watching that video, I was inspired to comment on it and have even more ideas in my mental cue. And that is how this old man again becomes a river of living water again instead of a stagnant pond. 

  

Mass of Chrism Anglican Diocese Of San Joaquin 2022

Fr. Dale Matson

After a two-year hiatus because of Covid, we were again able to gather together for the Mass of Chrism. This is a holy obligation for our clergy and during this mass, we repeat our ordination vows and the bishop blesses the three oils. I go into more depth in a previous report. 

https://sanjoaquinsoundings.blogspot.com/2019/04/anglican-diocese-of-san-joaquin-annual.html

I have retired from my regular duties but participated when not taking photos. You will not see me since I was the photographer.

It was good to have a meal with the clergy following the mass. The bishop then gave a state of the diocese message. A positive note is that we are still attracting younger clergy here and some were introduced by bishop Menees. The mass was held at the lovely campus of St. Michael The Archangel Anglican Church in Fresno CA. There are more photos this year and less of my talk. 

Christ is the answer.

Dale+

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I have made full size file photos available to our diocese.