Messages of Hope, Inspiration and Kindness for 2016

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

As we begin the New Year, none of us has to be reminded about the alarming state of affairs in our nation and our world. Those of us who are blessed with children and grandchildren worry about their future, their safety and the contentiousness that has become a way of life for so many people who are alienated, frightened and alone.

Now more than ever, we need voices of compassion, kindness, love, peace, reconciliation and understanding. Fr. Joseph Girzone was one of those voices for Kitch and me. Fr. Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in California, is another.

To set the tone for the New Year, we would like to share 10 healing thoughts from Fr. Greg Boyle, and 15 beautiful thoughts from Fr. Joe Girzone. We hope they lift your spirits and give you hope.

10 Healing Thoughts from Fr. Greg Boyle:

Compassion

Compassion isn’t just about feeling the pain of others; it’s about bringing them in toward yourself… Being compassionate as God is compassionate, means the dismantling of barriers that exclude.

God’s Longing

This longing of God’s to give us peace and assurance and a sense of well-being only awaits our willingness to cooperate with God’s limitless magnanimity. 

God’s Vision

God looks beyond our fault and sees our need.

Hope

“Emily Dickinson writes, “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, that sings the song without the words and never stops at all.”

The Challenge

St. Paul challenges us to "dedicate ourselves to thankfulness," and so I will. 

Patience

Ours is a God who waits. Who are we not to? It takes what it takes for the great turnaround. Wait for it.

The Essential Principle

“It is an essential tenet of Buddhism that we can begin to change the world by first changing how we look at the world.” 

The Power of Love

There is no force in the world better able to alter anything from its course than love. It is truly hard for us to see the truth that disapproval does not seem to be part of God’s DNA. God is just too busy loving us to have any time left for disappointment. 

Resilience

Sometimes resilience arrives in the moment you discover your own unshakeable goodness.

The Ultimate Truths

You are so much more than the worst thing you have done

Kindness is the only strength there is.

15 Beautiful Thoughts from Fr. Joseph Girzone:

Be a Visionary

Visionaries are not afraid to think for themselves and dare to be different. They must be willing to and prepared to endure misunderstanding and suspicion by those whose minds are too small to comprehend ideas that are beyond the ordinary

Down Time

We need to spend time alone doing a lot of thinking. That will give us the peace and quiet to sort things out and put all of life together.

Growth

Growth means change, and holiness means an ever-deepening understanding of God and what he expects of each of us.

Inner Peace

The things of this world cannot give peace. It must come from our ability to rise above material things and reach a point where we don’t crave them.

Learn to forgive

If you want to have peace of soul, learn to forgive…The world needs to understand Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, and when it does, the world will find its way to peace.

Love and Acceptance

If you want to find love and acceptance, you may first have to show love and acceptance, because love can be returned only when it is given.

Never Alone

I learned that I was never alone, that there was Someone always very close by and, indeed, within me, giving me strength in times of weakness and desolation, light in times of darkness, joy in times of great sorrow and pain, and the will to struggle on when continuing seemed futile.

Peace Comes from Within

Peace comes from within. I do not let myself be hurt by events. I realize all humanity is in a process of growing…love people for what they are.

Reaching Out

People’s complaints are often a plea for help, an expression of their caring and their craving for greater intimacy with God.

Reality

You never really know what life is all about until you have suffered and been humbled and beaten down by life.

See Beyond the Obvious

Try to understand the pain in people’s lives…and do not take personally what they do to us.

The First Step

Charity should be the first step to unity. Then, when people are worshiping together and working together as a Christian family, their love will make possible a unity of belief and a willingness to accept the guidance of Peter.

True Religion

True religion comes from the heart. It is a deep relationship with God, and should bring peace and joy and love to people, not fear, guilt and meanness.

Understand the Pain

Jesus’ secret was His ability to see into people’s hearts. Seeing their anguish and pain helped Him to understand their nastiness. So He could pity them rather than become angry with them.

World Peace

The world needs to understand Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness, and when it does, the world will find its way to peace.

We hope 2016 will be a year of good health, good fortune, inner-peace and many joyful moments for you and those you love.
Happy New Year,

Tony & Kitch

When you have a few moments, you might want to watch the program we produced about Fr. Girzone and his story about Joshua. You will find it at this secure address:
http://faceofamericawps.com/video/fr-joe-girzone-joshua/

The Picture of Fr. Joseph Girzone was taken by Kitch during his presentation in Dallas.
Fr. Greg Boyle’s picture appears on The Creighton University Online Ministries Home Page