So, I am complicated, in case you hadn't worked it out. I'm earnest too, there are no shallow places in me, only deep ones and I know that can be hard for some people to cope with.
I am in love with my wife who I met in 1989 and married in 1995. She is great in every way and an real inspiration to me as well as a support and a guide. It is extraordinary to be part of a relationship that matures with age. I love her more every year that passes, our souls seem to inter-twine, our roots grow more entangled and our marriage grows stronger and stronger.
I am a father of four children, three boys and a girl. I take that responsibility very seriously, I'm not the best father ever in the world, I do not labour under any illusions, but I do take the responsibility of bringing up little souls very seriously.
Family life fascinates me. I have investigated many ideas and tried on quite a number of lifestyles, yet, ultimately, people look at my Marriage in awe and always ask me how we have done it. I formed the opinion long ago now that the Church had the answers as far as relationships were concerned. What the Catholic Church teaches about people intereacting with people is so incredibly practically effective. It works on every level. It's not easy-- some things about it are incredibly tough, you might be shaking your head reading this and thinking how wrong I am but, look around you: Lou and I are living proof to me that Catholic Marriage is the most incredible institution; the best way to go about life and the most rewarding.
I'm a reader. The older I get, the more reading I want to do. I have a great love of books and of words, poetry and prose. I have a huge library and am constantly adding to it!
I have an affinity for India and for the Middle East. I don't know why, but all things Indian sit comfortably with me. I am drawn to the people, the colours, the sites, the music of the sub-continent. I have never been, but hope very much to go one day!
I have never been to the Middle East either, but again I love the people, the music and the culture (and the food!!). I have many Muslim friends and have great respect for that great faith. I also have many concerns and fears lately and I wonder where things will end!
I also love America. I have been, but want to explore more- Colorado, Utah, Oregon. I love the iconography of the cow boy and the Native American tradition, living as one with the planes, in symbiosis with your environment. America is archetypal for my generation I think. A symbol of truth, freedom and justice. Today that image is often challenged and contested, there are some ideas around that I struggle with. I am no lover of guns for example. But America remains a wonderful place full of friends and lofty ideals.
I find Mormonism fascinating as well- it seems quintessentially American. The few Mormon friends I have made are truly special people and I would love to meet more!
It is true, I own and run four companies, but it's not really what I want to do and it's not really who I am. It just happened. I am searching for a vocation. I think my vocation lies with people and my family and stuff like that. I love my work in Parish Catechesis and in the Church. I spent a lot of time working with the sick and handicapped in Lourdes, France before my family came along and found it immensely rewarding. Maybe I'll end up doing something like that?
I am desperate to know God, I feel his call to me in the depths of my soul-- the tool I use to find him is Catholicism- but, although I am a proud and faithful Catholic it is probably different to what you know, whether you're Catholic or not.
Saint Michael the Archangel,
Defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Sancte MÃchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio contra nequÃtiam et insÃdias diáboli esto præsÃdium. Imperet illi Deus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, princeps milÃtiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spÃritus malÃgnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in mundo, divÃna virtúte, In inférnum detrude.
Amen
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O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life: Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence,of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your Son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.
Amen.
~ Pope John Paul II
"My identity and my history are defined only by myself -- beyond politics, beyond nationality and Beyond Skin."
~Nitin Sawhney
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"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."
~Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso
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"Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create."
~Pope John Paul II
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"Humanity should question itself, once more, about the absurd and always unfair phenomenon of war, on whose stage of death and pain only remain standing the negotiating table that could and should have prevented it."
~Pope John Paul II
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