Conference: "Resiliency"

Speaker - Fr. Paul Fagan (substituting for Phil Colon)

Fr. Paul is Retreat Director here at the Passionist Spiritual Center.  Last year, he filled in for Fr. John Duffell who had to cancel due to the World Trade Center tragedy.  Click here to see Fr. Paul's talk from the 2001 retreat.  This year, he is filling in for Phil Colon who had to cancel due to a family emergency.  Click here to see Fr. Paul's talk from the 2000 retreat.  Our thanks to Fr. Paul for substituting twice on such short notice.

Outline of Talk

1. Introductory Comments
   1. (Read Kipling's "If".)  I read it at my Father's funeral.  It always reminds me of him.
              Click here for text of "If" - www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/kipling-if.html 
   2. Resiliency: the ability to carry on in the face of adversity.
   3. The story of Theophane: We must live in the now, ready always to respond to problems or opportunities.
2. Resiliency and Faith
   1. We are just instruments of God.  The current crisis in our Church requires our faith.  The priesthood's image is tarnished.  Yet we need more priests.  My appointment here at the retreat house came in crisis.  And, should I step off a curb, there is at present no one to replace me.
   2. Men make mistakes, bad choices; but they do not rock our faith.  We all get knocked off our horses now and then.  We have to get up, keep living in the now.
3. Resiliency and Healing
   1. Jesus healed Samuel's legs, then told him to come join Him now and help heal others.
   2. Over a sick young man, I prayed.  I was moved by the pain and suffering.  The prayer changed his life.  I know the power of prayer and living into our faith.
   3. Healing is not a Hollywood experience.  It is a real-life connection with God.
   4. A smile can be a powerful gesture.  It can help healing.
   5. Resiliency gives meaning and power to life, especially when things are crumbling around us.
   6. What are we called to be, despite our problems?
   7. St. Francis's prayer: "O Lord, make me an instrument".
   8. Living in the now, when we reach out to put the pieces together, they will go together.
4. Questions and Answers
   1. In every age, history seems to repeat  itself.  Perhaps we need another Francis to teach us how to hang on by our fingertips.
   2. As we're healing, recovery involves giving of ourselves.  After all, you can't take it with you (the parable of the rich fool).  You never see a U-Haul trailer behind a hearse!
5. Breakout Session (Ed McEneney, leader)
   1. Ed McEneney: We've all had tough times; but we've all been healed.  Consider an instance in which someone helped you and you are now equipped to help others.
   2. Dave Price: Two Army buddies helped me realize that I should go to business school.  Now, I'm in a position to help my lady's three kids as they approach adulthood.
   3. John Cleary: I've been very lucky in my career; I was even chosen as a participant in my company's personnel development program.  Now, I derive much satisfaction from developing people.

(The notes of this outline were taken by David G. Price.  They were wordprocessed by Patrick Lyons.
These notes may not be reproduced without the written permission of the presenter.
This page was last edited on August 08, 2003 by Patrick Lyons.)