Fr. Sichko speaks on trust and kindness in Remsen

By RENEE WEBB
Content and Design Coordinator

A papal Missionary of Mercy brought storytelling and humor to the Advent parish mission – “60 Minutes for Jesus” - held at St. Mary Church in Remsen Dec. 15 to 17 as he presented talks each night for parishioners of Remsen and Marcus.

Father Jim Sichko, a native of Texas and priest of the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, each night of the mission featured a 60-minute talk focused on the general themes of kindness, trust and leadership. 

God’s voice
On Sunday night he asked the congregation if they would know what the sound of God’s voice was in their life.

“Because God speaks to all of us. He calls us by name but how are we ever going to be able to know our name is being called if we can’t hear or know voice of God,” said Father Sichko. “To me, a person of faith, to be a follower of God you have to be able to risk and trust God. You have to be able to know what the sound of God’s voice is in your lives.”

Known for promoting and offering simple acts of kindness throughout all 50 states, he mentioned on the way to the talk on Sunday night he stopped for gas and heard to voice of God ask him to pay for the gas of a farm truck that had pulled up.

He was hesitant because he was a stranger, but God persisted in his message.

“I just kind of walk up and I’m showing my Carhart, so he thinks at least I’m a relative,” quipped Father Sichko who was wearing a Carhart jacket he purchased in Sioux City. “This guy gets out with the boots and says, ‘Can I help you?’ I said no. I’m going to pay for your gas.”

The man – after asking the priest who he was - thanked him and told him this was the first time the truck was ever filled with gas. This was sure to create a buzz around town. By the way, the priest told the stranger he was Father Tim and warned the pastor he might receive some calls with requests to purchase gas.

“In order to know the voice of God, you are going to have to trust,” stressed Father Sichko. “And how do your trust? Number one, you spend time with God. Every day you have to spend time with God.”

If they thought coming Mass every weekend was enough to get them to heaven, he said, “Guess what, you will be in the smoking section for eternity.”

At the same time, he noted, people must know the difference between their own voice and God’s voice.

“You see, if you follow your voice it will end in failure. If you follow God’s voice, though it may be difficult and much more challenging than following your voice, you will always end up in abundant blessings,” said the speaker. 

Trust
Again, he spoke about the trust needed to hear God’s voice in your life. T – time, R – relationship, U – understanding, S – surrendering, T – trying.

Spending time talking to God and then quieting oneself down to listen – doing so every day – is how a relationship builds and people can come to know God’s voice in their lives.
Reading the word of God is also a way to build up a relationship with God.

“I’m telling you, if your Bible is in good shape in your house, you aren’t,” he said. Some may say they don’t understand it, but he stressed you have to read it and “then it takes root within you.” Over time, people begin to see things more clearly and love things more dearly.
It takes time and commitment. In addition, it takes surrendering to God.

“It doesn’t mean that you are not going to carry a cross or have difficulties, it doesn’t mean anything but that God will always be with you.” Father Sichko added, “God will never forsake you. You would know that if you read your Scripture because God says it over and over again. He makes it very clear that he is yours.”In the end, he mentioned that all God really asks for is that the faithful tries, and makes the effort.

“When you try, God rewards,” said the speaker. “It doesn’t mean that you are not going to be uncomfortable. It doesn’t mean that you will not disappoint. It doesn’t mean that you will not have to do things you do not want to do. Time, relationship, understanding, surrendering and trying.” 

It takes work
Father Sichko mentioned he is in a different church in a different part of the country or world almost every weekend. Having celebrated Sunday Masses in both Remsen and Marcus, the priest gave the packed house on Sunday evening frank impressions - grades. He told them he is always straight-forward and sometimes they might not want to hear it.

Both churches – Marcus and Remsen – received top grades for showing up to Mass on time, not leaving early (after Communion), ministers of Mass (lectors, musicians, hospitality, etc.). 
Congregational singing, however, scored low marks as did gum chewing in the church. 

Pointing out that he could tell most of the parishioners had German descent, he mentioned they could also work on exhibiting an overall welcoming/joyful spirit which was needed to draw more people to the church and Christ.
He acknowledged that some may say, “You don’t want to hear my husband sing.” While that might be true, the speaker stressed it was about making the effort for God.

“My brothers and sisters, it’s not about you and it’s not about me. It’s about God and how great God is,” said Father Sichko. “Both communities (Remsen and Marcus) are blessed and I hope you not only realize that but you exhibit it.”

Many blessings and even miracles could come out of the parish mission, he noted, but they would have to make the effort and do the work. The speaker knew this could be done because people of the rural America are “faithful, hard workers and dedicated.” 

To assist the parishioners in helping them express their joy and improve congregational singing, he had them sing O Come, O Come Emmanual a couple of times before the group sounded akin to the “Morman Tabernacle Choir.” Asking them to sing it like they have never done before, he videoed the group and the clip is now at home on his social media accounts.

He challenged the parishioners to answer the call to be evangelizers.

“Why would I do that, because you – the people of Remsen and Marcus – are going to become the Missionaries of Mercy,” said Father Sichko, who added that some of the viewers may be in hospitals, hospice or may not feel welcome in any church. “Some might be tired of life, depressed and lonely, and they might want to end it. Your words, your participation is going to cause them to stop.”

He told them while they may not feel qualified to evangelize, “God tends to recruit from the pit and not the pedestal.”