Gray Skies Are Gonna Clear Up....!

A couple of months ago, my 28 year old son Nick asked if I could fix a broken audio cassette he found in the basement of his mother's house. It was a recording of his mom and I talking to Nick when he was 1, 2 and 3 years old. Precious moments: singing "Rejoice in the Lord", "Away in The Manger", telling knock knock jokes, etc. Finally, I repaired the tape and dubbed the audio onto a CD for a more permanent recording.

I have listened to it several times now and each time tears come to my eyes. Hearing the voice of my three year old son Nicky (the name we called him then) reminded me of what a good little boy he was and what an outstanding man he is. Listening to him at that age immediately took me back to that warm, safe, loving place.

After going through a divorce, Father's Day has been a difficult holiday to celebrate with my two boys. This year I am hoping to take some of that tension away. On Sunday, I am going to give Nick a copy of the CD. Andy is going to get a copy of a 1991 newspaper article that praises his actions on the runway in a father/son fashion show. At age 5, he stole the show with his sunglasses and tough look at the audience.

We are forever connected to our children. Past. Present. Future. Remembering the good times can help get us through challenging times. Dads, build a new memory with your children by giving them a gift for Father's Day! An old picture, letter, book, report card, team cap or uniform, video, audio tape, etc. A new tradition begins!

Please share your thoughts. I will let you know how it goes with my boys.

Happy Father's Day!

PS. Maybe moms could also return the favor next year on Mother's Day.

Okay, this is not the most burning news issue of the day, but it is a fun topic and it seems everyone has a strong opinion about FRUITCAKES!

On Sunday at 5 & 9pm on Fox 2 News I will be reporting an "In Good Faith" story about monks in southern Missouri who make world-renowned fruitcakes. They have been known to sell about 30-thousand fruitcakes a year.

I wasn't a big fruitcake fan, but these monks made a believer out of me. Their cake is moist, dark, rich, delicious....more fruit than cake.

Meteorologist Chris Higgins is planning a public taste test this week. He's going to put the monks' cake up against store bought fruitcakes. Time and location to be announced soon.

What is your opinion of fruitcakes?

I have received several comments about the stories FOX 2 has done on the Catholic Church allowing broader use of the Latin Mass. Thank you so much. If you know of Catholic Churches that are adding or banning Latin Masses please pass the info along for possible news coverage.

Some folks asked why St. Francis de Sales Oratory/Institute of Christ the King were not included in the "In Good Faith" report on the Latin Mass on July 2. Due to scheduling issues we were not able to shoot all the churches in the Bi-State area that regularly offer Latin Masses.

However, we did include a link from our website to the Institute of Christ the King website if anyone wanted more information on the Latin Mass. In addition, the Institute was covered in two FOX 2 news stories in June: 1) Archbishop Burke's ordination of two men to the Institute's priesthood during a Latin Mass at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica; 2) The ordination was mentioned again when the Vatican announced that the Pope would be relaxing restrictions on celebrating the Latin Mass. Video of the Archbishop's Latin Mass was used durin both stories. It is likely that the Institute and St. Francis de Sale will get more coverage on this and other issues.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

The touching spiritual stories I have received in this blog are truly remarkable and inspirational. We are reviewing them for possible use on the air for our new series of reports called "In Good Faith." Please keep them coming. Even if we don't use your story on the air, it may still have a positive impact on someone who reads your story on this blog. Many bloggers who are struggling with personal problems say your stories give them hope.

If you have had a spiritual experience of how your life was made better when there was little hope, please share it. If you have a worry or fear, hang in there. Don't give up hope. Life will get better.

Stories of events, trends, reach out efforts, debates, political issues, etc. involving your faith are also welcome. The first "In Good Faith" report will air May 28 during the 9pm newscast. We take a look at a growing trend by churches that hold Sunday worship services in movie theaters.

Thanks again,

Dan