On occasion, our Grace Before Meals movement will send out some “Blasts from the Past,” not only because the messages are still relevant today, but it also helps us remember how far we’ve come!
Remember, feel free to send me your thoughts, prayers, questions and comments at askfrleo@gracebeforemeals.com. God Bless!

Fr. Leo with his mother. Not much has changed, right?

Come See Fr. Leo

Even though we are taking a break from new e-Blasts (I know, I know, but I’m moving AGAIN!), it doesn’t mean you can’t come out to see him speak. Be sure to keep up with me by checking my event calendar on the website (or by clicking here) and seeing if I’m coming to a location near you. Up next is a trip to Surrey, Canada at St. Matthew’s Parish and Our Lady of Good Counsel, followed by a trip to St. Paul, MN to help spread Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. So come out and support the movement, or in the very least, get the chance to try a delicious dish as made by yours truly.

We’re always adding more events to the schedule, so keep your eye on the calendar. And if you are interested in bringing me out your way, just fill out the “Book Fr. Leo” form or contact Joe Hansbrough at jhansbrough@gracebeforemeals.com.

This week’s “Blast From the Past” was published October 15, 2008 and touches upon the importance of faith over financial woes. Even now, nearly three years later, our economy is still struggling, and our deficit is the worst it has ever been. But despite these circumstances, we can have faith in knowing that God always provides, especially through the gift of family. It is simply up to us to receive His gifts. So next time you are have a financial concern (or any concern for that matter), just take a moment and say a prayer. Trust that God loves you and will never abandon you. And with that, I hope you have a great week and that I will see some of you at future events. Ciao!

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Originally Published: October 15, 2008

Built on Sand?

This past week, worldwide financial institutions experienced economic downturns, frustration, and for some, complete financial disaster.  This week’s financial mess has left many people worried about their future.  Many families are now wondering how they will pay for college, retirement, even this month’s bills.  In some very sad cases, tragic suicides have been reported simply because people were so fearful of financial instability.  It’s not a pretty picture.  In response to these troubling times, the Holy Father challenges people to ask, “in whom do we place our trust?” and “have we built our success on sand?”

Interestingly enough, American currency has the inscription (unfortunately less obvious on the new dollar coin) “In God We Trust.”  Yet, the response from media, investors, and public opinion makes me question if that istrue.  It seems that the almighty dollar is becoming more powerful than God – the Almighty Father who cares for His children.

This question from the Holy Father about whether families put more trust in faith or finances couldn’t have been more visible a few weeks ago when I was invited to some conferences in Roanoke, Virginia.  This event promoted families and the culture of life.  The Richmond Diocese’s Gift of Life Group sponsored my presentations at a few parishes in the area.  Before I continue with my thoughts, I want to thank the pastors and parishioners of Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church, Transfiguration Church, Roanoke Catholic Schools, and St. Patrick’s Church for the wonderful welcome.

Now, back to the visible sign of faith versus finance question.  If you have ever seen Roanoke’s charming downtown skyline, you notice three uniquely impressive landmarks: the spires of the gothic church of St. Patrick, the European influence of the Roanoke Hotel, and the immense tower of Wachovia’s central offices.

The skyline made me think of our current financial situation.  While the Roanoke Hotel has been assumed by the Hilton Hotels Corporation and Wachovia tenuously owns its building, St. Patrick’s Church remains the most stable institution of the three.  No matter how impressive these buildings are, the foundations of the hotel and bank have changed, but the church’s foundation stays the same.

These three skyline institutions pose a question for those who see them: Which do you trust?  The comfort and recreation of the hotel, the financial trappings of the bank, or the faith of the church that gives grace to people who are in crisis?

I am no financial analyst, so please don’t think I’m trying to advise you on how to invest for your family’s future.  But as a priest, I have the responsibility of challenging families on how they prepare for their ultimate future – eternal life.  I meet so many families, rich and poor, and I see a common trait in those who are very secure with their future: faith.

Economically challenged families that are faithful are much happier than rich families who seemingly have everything but a religious foundation.  Conversely, rich families that teach their children generosity and help them recognize financial success as a blessing from God are much happier than poor families who think elected officials will provide for them through a welfare system.  The formula for stable and happy families is not investment in finances or promises from political candidates.  Faith is the only real investment.  It provides parents and children a unique and Godly wisdom that helps build homes, not on sand, but on solid ground.

This Grace Before Meals weekend in Roanoke was a ray of good news in the midst of the tragedy the media tried to convince us was happening.  Listening to sound bites from reporters could leave anyone rather depressed.  Instead, I listened to the Gospel and the laughter of participants.  Despite the downturn of the economy, I met families who were able to smile, rejoice, pray, and be thankful for what they had.  Faithful families realize they possess the greatest treasure of all: each other.

The three major buildings in Roanoke were impressive.  While each still remain standing, only one really stood out for me.  The only building that had any joyful life around it was the one that was built on a solid foundation.

Soy, Basil, and Caper Basted Salmon!

I’m not sure if many subscribers are aware of the web shows online.  Many of you only receive the weekly email blast.  First of all, thanks for being part of the Grace Before Meals family.  You can truly help us spread this message by encouraging family, friends, and parishioners to also sign up for the free weekly blast (not a bad investment, if I do say so myself).  Since you are sent the messages, you may not always visit the website.  It has many recipes from me and our subscribers.  Please click here to visit the website and see the webisodes.[Editors note: Or watch more here at Fr. Leo's Youtube page]

This week, I’d like to feature a recipe that my mother made for my dad’s birthday a few weeks ago.

It’s a wonderful salmon dish that was marinated in a mom’s special fusion sauce.  This picture shows my mother’s family style approach to cooking.  She simply used two large salmon steaks and cooked them whole.  I slightly revised her recipe by creating individual portions and adding a bit of sweetness with a syrup or honey marinade.

4 Salmon fillets

Ingredients (serves 4)

1/2 cup soy sauce

¼ cup diced tomatoes

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped

4 teaspoons capers

2 tablespoons finely minced red onion

2 teaspoons honey or syrup

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly season salmon fillet with salt and pepper.  Combine ingredients in a separate bowl and pour over salmon.  Bake 15-20 minutes.  Serve with wild rice.

Prayer for Stability!

I am sadly very aware of the seriousness of finances and the burdens it puts on families.  Please know of my prayers for you all.  As a parish priest, I struggled to make sure budgets were realistic enough to provide the services families expected from their church community.  As a formation director of future priests, I am trying to encourage them to understand the practices of fiscal responsibility and management.  We are living in tough economic times.  But, would you rather live without a few comforts now or as early Christians in the first three centuries, when being a Christian meant certain persecution or death?  We ought to count our blessings – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which shouldn’t cost us a thing.

Let us pray: Father in Heaven, You are the almighty one on whom we should place our trust.  Help us to live responsibly and within our means. Help us to avoid the temptation of material greed that places false hope on monetary valuables.  Give us the grace to work and develop the most important investment for our families: a sincere practice of faith!  With the prayers of the Blessed Mother, who we commemorate as “Our Lady of the Rosary” during the month of October, help us to remember that Jesus grew up a poor carpenter’s son.  May we always recognize our responsibility to the poor and may we do what we can to avoid true poverty, which is a life without faith.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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