Always My Son

You are my son, a part of me, and that will never change,

No matter what you do in life my love will still remain.

I held you as a baby and I looked into your face,

And I knew then, no other one could ever take your place.

I knew then as I held you, you would grow to be a man,

And anything you did in life I’d try to understand.

I knew you would make choices and would follow your own heart,

I only prayed that in your life I’d always have a part.

I knew some things you did in life would give me so much pride,

But also realized some things would tear me up inside.

I only want the best for you and want you to succeed,

And want you to find happiness with everything you need.

I can only guide you and give you a helping hand,

You will choose the path to take now that you are a man.

Along the road that you will choose, whatever that may be,

Just remember this my son that you can count on me.

I will not try to push you to live life in my own stride,

I only promise I will love you and stand by your side.

I know that you will make mistakes and life is full of them,

But realize my love for you will not let me condemn.

I know this life's not perfect and we do the best we can,

Just realize I love you and I’ll always understand.

I knew one day you would grow up and you would leave my nest,

I will do what I can for you and let God do the rest.

I have held you in my arms and done the best I can,

Now I pray that God will hold you now that you're a man.

Just remember in my heart you are a special one,

And I will always proudly tell the world, "this is my son."

by James A. Kisner

New Year's Day Photos

Photos taken at Sun Flower Farms, Chair of Saint Peters Church, Phasak Cholasit Dam.

Happy New Year 2011

Prayer for the New Year

O God of new beginnings and wonderful surprises,

thank you for the gift of a new year.

May it be a time of grace for me,

a time to grow in faith and love,

a time to renew my commitment

to following Your Son, Jesus.

May it be a year of blessing for me,

a time to cherish my family and friends,

a time to renew my efforts at work,

a time to embrace my faith more fully.

Walk with me, please,

in every day and every hour of this new year,

that the light of Christ might shine through me,

in spite of my weaknesses and failings.

Above all, may I remember this year

that I am a pilgrim on the sacred path to You.

Amen

Christmas 2010

The message says it all ! A blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year to one and all !!!

Above is the ancient and elaborately designed altar of Assumption Cathedral, beautifully decorated for the celebration of Christmas.

The statue of Our Lady of the Assumption.

The statue of the infant Jesus on His crib on display for public veneration.

JM poses at the front of the nativity scene.

The nativity scene of Assumption Cathedral, Bangkok.

Another nativity scene located in the compound of Assumption College.

Our nativity scene at home.

A just for Jesus stocking with prayers inside.

My little Christmas tree all lighted up for Christmas day.

My giant Christmas tree and wreath on our staircase.

A Christmas Creed

I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty

of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.

I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town;

and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world,

in towns both large and small.

I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room,

and I confess that my heart still sometimes

wants to exclude Christ from my life today.

I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored

and the proud could never understand;

whose life was among common people,

whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.

I believe in the one who proclaimed

the love of God to be invincible:

I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother's arms,

whose modest home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth,

who looked at persons and

made them see what God's love saw in them,

who by love brought sinners back to purity,

and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.

I confess my ever-lasting need of God:

The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed,

the need of new life for empty souls,

the need of love for hearts grown cold.

I believe in God who gives us the best of himself.

I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God,

born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world.

Merry Christmas !

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Key of David, come and deliver the captives from their prison. By Thy coming free us from all that separates us from God. Bring us freedom and redemption; incline us to surrender ourselves completely to God. So all pray for each, and each for all.

Excerpted from The Light of the World by Benedict Baur, O.S.B.

Christmas in Bangkok

JM at the entrance of the Siam Paragon.

Shoppers looking at and shopping for Christmas and new year gifts.

The side doors of our parish were nicely decorated for this years Christmas celebration.

This giant Christmas tree decorates the front of our parish church.

The altar of our parish with the brightly decorated crib on its right side.

Silver bells, it's Christmas time in the city of Bangkok, JM.

A giant rabbit stands at the entrance of the Christmas carnival at Siam Paragon.

Pretty pink bells along the Paragon's walkway.

A tall gold metallic Christmas tree adorns the entrance of the Siam Paragon.

Giant rabbits guards the entrance to Christmas wonderland.

Christmas carnival !!!

A giant snowman at LH Bank smiles at visitors looking around at the beautiful Christmas presentation.

Snow White and the seven dwarfs were there too !!!

JM in an adorable Christmas home !!

A giant tree adorns the grounds of LH Bank.

Gifts are all over Christmas wonderland !

Merry Christmas from Donald Duck !!!

A giant, blue Christmas tree draws crowds because of its uniqueness !

A very Merry Christmas to one and all !!!

Photos were taken at the following locations : Holy Redeemer Church, LH Bank and the Siam Paragon.