thependulumswings

Religion is a sensitive subject for many.  For the rest it’s a very sensitive subject.  For Boom Boom it was a fabric woven through his life.

Boom Boom was born and raised Catholic.  He attended mass EVERY Sunday and almost always once more during the week.  He was an usher at most services helping out wherever he could.  He joined the Holy Name Society (a men’s group involved in many worthy causes within the parish) and rose to the presidency.   When the Catholic Church worldwide realized (finally) that fewer men were entering the priesthood, they anointed a chosen few to a level of Minister Extraordinaire (a layman’s version of priesthood with a limited role).  Boom Boom was the first one of a chosen few in his parish for this role.  He gleefully accepted.

But.  But, Boom Boom only showed the way to the church and his devout faith.  He didn’t shout the way.  He delivered it in his actions, not words.

His offspring continued with their devotion to lesser or nonexistent degrees as they reached adulthood and had children of their own.  He never ever suggested that any straying from the strict devotion that he practiced was a wrong turn in their lives.

The willingness to sacrifice, the willingness to help, and the willingness to have unyielding faith in your beliefs, whatever they may be, was the silent message he sent to all.  That message has great application in anything worth pursuing.

As with many lessons it took a while to fully understand and appreciate this one.  It is now much appreciated.  Stay strong in your beliefs and keep the faith!