I don't know what to title this

Dennis and I attended a funeral Friday morning which included a complete Catholic Mass. This is far from the first Mass I've attended, but I always find them interesting.

Friday morning was different though. The Catholic Priest (I hope I am identifying his title correctly) actually quoted a Mormon during his talk. He mentioned Steven L Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." I have never even read this book, but I've heard quotes from it for years. But hearing about it in a Catholic Mass? I admit I was surprised.

Quoting Covey, this Priest talked about how we should "begin with the end in mind." That we should envision our own funeral and think about the words that we wish to be said about ourselves. This can help us visualize what we value the most. To begin with the end simply means to start with our destination in mind. That gives us a sense of where we are in our life.

I love it when religions come together in shared beliefs. I personally think the Catholics and the Mormons, and many other religions, have more common beliefs than we have differences. After all, we both pray to the same God. We are all brothers and sisters. 
Why have I not read this book before? 
I don't know, but I'm very interested in doing so now. 
I know my Mom read it. 
I can still picture it sitting there by the couch in her living room.  

The funeral was for Bill Pieper. He was/is the brother of Rose Emler, who we lived across the street on Fairmont most of our growing up years. We just knew him as "Uncle Bill"
 
The picture below shows "Uncle Bill" on his wedding day back in 1961. About in the center of this picture is Rose Emler (Uncle Bill's sister) along with her 4 children surrounding her: Robbie, Terri, and Karen and holding baby Tammy. Anyway this was 51 years ago...the same year we moved across the street from them. And somewhere through those years, they have become like family.



to see how religions break down state by state.  
Interesting to watch.

6 comments:

Richard said...

Yours is the best blog on the web. I've read about a dozen different ones so I would know. Yours is clearly the best!

Anonymous said...

This is ANOTHER thing I really like about you, Jill. You are open-minded.
Love, darlene

Eileen said...

First, so sorry to hear about your loss. God Bless "Uncle Bill" and his family. We recently lost a long-time neighbor who had become like family to us too. I will keep you all in my prayers.

Jill, Ray and I were just discussing this very thing last night. We were talking about the election coverage and how surprised we were to hear that so many people have a misconception about Mormons and how some people even feel that they wouldn't vote for someone who is a Mormon. I just find that so mind-boggling.
I was raised Catholic and many times at Mass leaders from other religions are quoted or talked about in high esteem. I guess I just thought that religious prejudice was in the past.

I was telling Ray that I visit so many blogs of people with many differing religious backgrounds and they are from many different areas of the U.S. and I have found all of them open and accepting. Many non-Catholics have quoted Mother Teresa or one of the Popes. So I know religious tolerance is not just a 'New York thing' but is on a national level, so it is surprising to me when I hear how prejudice some people still are.

I agree one hundred percent with what you said ~ we have more in common than we have differences. We all love the same God and He Loves and Cares for us all. We are all His children, we are all brothers and sisters.

Love and Prayers,
Eileen
PS ~ Interesting map. Thanks for posting it!

Connie said...

While hearing the Steven Covey quote you may have felt the same way I felt when I saw a music video posted on a blog from Australia, that had our town featured in it. Great post.

Karen Mortensen said...

Great post Jill. Loved that picture from the wedding.

Tamara said...

Love this post and I agree about us as a whole becoming more tolerant of religious differences. Loved your map, too, in fact I've saved it and may use it on my blog!

Hugz!

Look what happened last night

  Just a little pre-graduating gathering for our DIL Amy.... Not everyday a Mom of 7 and a Grandma of 7, graduates from college. It was not ...