Fr. Jacob's May 2014 Newsletter Message

Special

Special. Everyone wants to be special to someone.

For the last few years I have had the great honor of delivering the Invocation at the Special Olympics Montana Yellowstone Valley Area Games. Just after Easter around 500 athletes parade proudly into Daylis Stadium. Hundreds of spectators, families, volunteers and young people from local schools holler and clap to show their support. The Dance Team, the Rockers, really do get the stadium rocking. Two St. Stephen's members, Kerrie and Chandra, are key members of the Rockers. The National Anthem is sung with a pride that I always find deeply moving. I pray a simple prayer in Christ's name and then an athlete leads the competitors in the Special Olympics oath, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

In our own family, my sister-in-law who is an amazing young woman with many gifts who happens to also have Down Syndrome, was richly blessed by her participation in Special Olympics when she was younger. As I leave the Stadium, my step is always lighter, and the world just seems a better place.

Special Olympics was founded at the end of the '60s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. It has grown into the world's largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities. I just see the Games but throughout the year Special Olympics transforms lives through the joy of sport. It is non-partisan, family and volunteer led. As they say, "through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence and fulfilment - on the playing field and in life. They also inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hears to a wider world of human talents and potential."

Special Olympics Montana will be holding the State Summer Games in Billings May 13 - 16. It will be centered at Rocky Mountain College, with special events at the Metra and competition across Billings and the surrounding area. If you are free, my own experience is, you will not experience a more uplifting, delightful, joyful event this year.

Undergirding everything, as I have seen it, is a vision that all human life is valuable, everyone is special. I of course, bring my own perspective as a Christian - and I want to say - all human life is infinitely precious because we are each made in the image of God. Christ died for all of us and the Lord created each one of us with gifts that might bring delight, joy and life.

May is a month for celebrating gifts. On May 4th we'll be celebrating those who are graduating. The Lord has given our young people amazing gifts, and we commend them to his mercy as they move on to new adventures, new discoveries and new challenges. I pray that they might continue to grow into righteous young men and women, who bear joyful witness to our Lord Jesus Christ. On May 11th we are celebrating Mothers Day - the love that many of us were blessed by; the gift, joy and challenge of motherly love. May 18th is Sunday School Teacher Appreciation. I love our Sunday School team. We have great leaders - Amy, Megan, Lisa - and they work with a great team of volunteers. Let's show our appreciation for all that they have done.

The Lord has given you gifts. You are precious in His sight. I pray that you might, ever more deeply, use those gifts to honor God and love his Creation.

With my love,

Fr. Jacob Knee