Well today I did something I have never done before... I invited coworkers to go to church at lunchtime.

I have to give credit to my wife, it was originally her idea to take a break and go to mass. It was also her idea to see if anyone in the office would be interested in going. Surprising to myself, I followed her advice and actually composed an e-mail that I sent out. Here I was asking others to join in prayer.

God works in mysterious ways for sure. Here it was last night I asked in prayer, that God help me with prayer, and less than twenty-four hour later I am inviting others to pray with me. It was completely out of my character to do that. At first I was hesitant but the more I thought about it, the more courage I got to send it. Inviting people to pray is and was not my thing. I did not think that I would be comfortable showing the religious side of me to people I work with daily. Would they think of me differently, it's hard to tell, even with people you work with daily. In the end, I finally realized no, I would be the same guy since a good handful know I am Catholic and they all know I have three children, and yes, I do want more. The look at me and already think I am a good father (at least I hope so). This would be nothing more then reinforcing my religious and personal beliefs.

Its funny but by offering others to join in prayer, I received a ton of email replies. All said they were unable to for various reasons, but they all asked that I say a prayer for them or they would be there in prayer. The word prayer kept coming up in all of the e-mails. As it turns out, no one that I e-mailed was scared to use the word.

If no one was scared to use the word prayer, then why is it, that word so taboo in our society. Why was prayer removed from schools, why is it being removed from our courtrooms and why is it being removed from our money. Why are people afraid of prayer, is it because prayer can not be studied as scientifically as most everything else in this world? I have decided I really do not care what others think, why should I worry so much about offending people with using the word prayer? If you do not like it then pay no attention. Same goes for the SPAM we receive in our e-mail. If I am offended with an e-mail received, I hit the delete key and think nothing more. Stop walking on eggshells, stop hiding your beliefs. If you want to leave a bible on your desk at work then go for it. Wear your faith on your sleeve and tell the world that you are a Christian, you are a Catholic, you are A Better Catholic Dad!

I have my bible and I think I know just the place to put it on my desk as that subtle hint to the world. I am Catholic and darn proud of it.

"...and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.  For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the deciples were first called Christians."  Acts 11:26