As we enter the Year of Our Lord 2014, it came to me that I should write down my own goals (of course Taylor Marshall’s post helped a bit too). On December 29, I had this idea in my head, but never articulated it to now. Thanks Taylor!

My mind works systematically. For me, writing things down helps me to accomplish projects and goals much better than if I just kept them in my head. I am a visual learner. Ask my office partner at the parish, I have a list of things to accomplish each day written down on a legal pad (Yes, I like to kick it old school).

As I approach my 40^th year this side of Heaven, so many things I once believed to be important and primary have seemed to drop from my life. Our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed me abundantly with a very supportive family; an amazing new job that is truly is becoming my “dream job”, a cross that was always in the shadows, but is now in the light, and most of all, he has given me back a blessing I once believed to be lost.

The Scripture passage that is often on my mind and I go to when I am struggling the most is Psalm 139: 1-5 –

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You beset me behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.”

Since I am not married nor have children (yet!), here are my goals for 2014.

TOM’S GOALS FOR 2014

1. God

1. Begin each day with a prayer as my “feet hit the floor”

2. Attend Daily Mass 3-4 times a week

3. Spend at least 15 minutes a day in prayer (preferably in front of Our Lord in Adoration)

4. Renew my 33 Day Consecration on October 7

5. Pray the Jesus Prayer daily – “O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

6. Pray every morning – Lord, help me to be a little bit holier today than I was yesterday.

2. Mind

1. Focus on being more joyful in my daily life and not being a man who complains. The virtue that I will focus for 2014 is Charity.

2. Being less judgmental and more charitable in my words and deeds.

3. Set time aside each day to read more books.

3. Body

1. Exercise with weights and do cardiovascular at least 3-4 times a week.

2. Work on my sleeping habits and get to bed by 11:00 p.m.

3. For penance, abstain from meat every Friday, not just the Fridays of Lent (see Canons 1250-1251).

4. Work and Charity

1. Develop a great Adult Evangelization and Catechesis program at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Gilbert, Arizona that will lead souls to Heaven.

2. Continue to write and publish blog posts 2-3 times a week

3. Expand my views and visitors to TomPerna.org

4. Publish my first book on the Blessed Virgin Mary

5. Give more talks around the Diocese of Phoenix and the country as long as they don’t interfere with the people important in my life and my job at the parish.

There you go! Those are goals, not resolutions. Resolutions fade within weeks; goals “with the heart of Christ in mind” keep you moving forward toward Him.

God has blessed me with certain abilities and gifts, it is my duty to take those gifts and abilities, received at Baptism, and be a missionary to my family, friends, and the world I live in.

Please Pray for me as I will Pray for You.