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      Dear Readers, 

      As we explored the archives of The Way, we rediscovered a treasure of editorials that spoke to the hopes, challenges, and aspirations of our Church and community. Though written decades ago, many of these reflections remain surprisingly relevant today. 

      We are pleased to launch Blast from the Past, a new series featuring selected editorials from past issues of The Way. We begin with the year 1941, inviting you to journey back in time and rediscover the thoughts, values, and conversations that shaped our community more than eighty years ago. 

      Some articles may inspire, some may challenge, and others may offer a fascinating glimpse into the concerns and priorities of a different era. Together, they remind us of the enduring mission of The Way and the rich history of our Church. 

      We hope you will find these historical voices meaningful, enlightening, and worthy of renewed attention. 

      Sincerely, 
      The Editorial Team 

      Great Life!

      Originally published in The Way on February 1, 1941

      What is a great life? In answer to this question there are many definitions. One of them claims that a great life “is a thought in youth carved out in ripened years.”

      Yes, there is a joy in making dreams come true, but whether your life is great or not after they have come true, depends upon the dreams. Young people whose rule of life is to avoid what is difficult and go through with those projects only which appeal to their sense of ease are the raw material from which the failures of life are formed.

      Much of our success, our achievement depends upon whether in performing our task our eyes are upon the minimum or upon the maximum. People who look to the minimum are all too common. They expend a great amount of energy thinking of plans to do as little as possible and yet “get away with as much as possible,” or else they justify themselves by thinking of the amount of effort others would put into it.

      Whenever the minimum is given, the effects are always the same. The undertaking is done with the minimum of satisfaction. This minimum is always done with the hope that luck or circumstances will come along to provide a brilliant result and high commendation for the small effort. Sometimes this happens, but that is not the path to a great life. You can fool some people all the time, some people some of the time, but certainly not all the people all the time, and certainly you, yourself, are not fooled. You know the truth.

      Usually, people with their eye on the minimum are dull for such action cuts the roots of enthusiasm, enfeebles the will, and clogs the brain. Pre-occupied with the minimum means they are not thinking of the undertaking, but of themselves, and that indicates an undertaking which is perfunctorily done and a self which is clouded and dissatisfied.

      A person with his eyes on the maximum is invigorating. He is an inspiration, for his high aim not only holds his will to the higher performance, but inspires his faculties to make the highest possible. It not only makes his own work better, but also improves the work of those around him. Such a person is not thinking of “how to get by”, but how to improve and that makes life great.

      Yes, our reach is no higher than our aim; our success no greater than our effort. Our life is what we make it! With our eyes on the highest ideals possible, our minds on the finest achievement within the power of man, we can achieve excellence, and our life can be great.