April 25, 2010

Well, it’s been a few weeks since I wrote an article from the pastor’s desk and a lot has happened since then, namely the Easter celebrations.  It’s funny that sometimes the best laid plans amount to very little.  I planned to begin preparations for Easter with the deacons nearly a month ahead of time so that everything would be in place and run smoothly.  However, there were many different situations that prevented us from meeting as often as I would have liked.  Despite the distractions, I believe the Easter Liturgies were spectacular.  We had 20 people – 8 catechumens (newly baptized) and 12 candidates (already baptized and welcomed into full communion with the Church) – who are now members of our faith community.  Easter is always a time of great joy and new life, especially for those who have worked so hard to receive what we cradle Catholics so often take for granted.  That is the one thing that amazes me so much at the Easter Vigil, men and women overwhelmed with joy to be a part of our Church.  Each year when I see the joy, often accompanied by tears, in the eyes of those being received into the Church, it reminds me that God’s peace and joy is so powerful that it even overcomes those obstacles we place in the way.  Please continue to pray for our neophytes (those welcomed into the church at Easter), that they will find joy and happiness in their new found faith.  You can see their pictures in the vestibule of Church and offer up prayers for them during Mass.  I know that they are very excited to be Catholic and be part of our Church.  Maybe that can be a little spark for each of us to give thanks as well.   

April 4, 2010          EASTER SUNDAY:  THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

Take a look at the baptismal font in your church. It’s a symbol of Easter. Chances are it has eight sides.  We enter the Church through baptism. In its healing waters, we’re immersed in the death of Christ and rise with him to new life. Today’s Gospel describes the day the women who had followed Jesus came to his tomb. It was empty. Something new is here. Much more than the original creation, or the original week, has happened. Early Christians called Easter the “eighth day.”  Traditionally eight-sided baptismal fonts are placed at the entrance to churches—an illustration of their role in our sacramental entrance to faith. Separate structures outside some churches show this symbolism even more vividly. One of the most beautiful and most famous baptisteries stands outside the Basilica of San Giovanni in Florence. What every font expresses, this baptistery sings in a new key. In the fifteenth century, Lorenzo Ghiberti spent more than two decades creating twenty-eight panels for this octagonal building with scenes from the New Testament and the early fathers of the Church.  He then spent two and half decades more on ten bronze scenes from the Old Testament for the same building. These final images were nicknamed the “Gates of Paradise” by Michelangelo. They lifted the eyes and hearts of those who saw them to the place Christ waits for us to join him in triumph over death.  In his resurrection, Christ fulfills the Scriptures.  Ghiberti’s life was given to illustrate the story of salvation, moving step by step toward complete union with Christ. Our calling is to live a life that illustrates the same thing.  In Easter—in each baptismal font—heaven and earth are joined for our beginning.

March 28, 2010

As we head into the final week of Lent, the climax will come with the Easter Triduum, the three holiest days of the year.  The Triduum is not three separate Liturgies but one single Liturgy spanning a three day period…Holy Thursday, Good Friday and culminating with the Easter Vigil Saturday evening (which includes the Easter Day Masses on Sunday).  The tradition of celebrating these three high Holy Days begins Thursday evening with the Lord’s Supper and washing of the feet.  This commemorates the Last Supper Christ celebrated with the Apostles the night before He died.  There is no dismissal after this service as the Liturgy continues on Good Friday.  Good Friday consists of the Liturgy of the Word followed by a communion service with hosts that were consecrated at Holy Thursday service.  On Good Friday we remember that Jesus was crucified and laid in the tomb.  It is a Church custom to spend time in the chapel after Good Friday services in remembrance of His suffering and death.  The completion of the Triduum comes with the Easter Vigil Saturday evening when the Candidates and Catechumens-those baptized and non-baptized persons who seeking entry into the Church-are received into the full communion of the Catholic faith.  This three day single Liturgy is to the Church year what Sunday is to the week.  As we head down the final stretch, let us remember the great sacrifice Christ made for us so that we can call this Church our home.  God’s peace and I pray you all have a blessed Triduum and Easter.    

March 21, 2010

Good news for our Parish Lenten Project.  I have been in contact with Bishop Lafontant, current bishop of Port-au-Prince  Archdiocese in Haiti and have the information for the parish we are going to adopt, St Mary Magdalene Parish in Port-de-Bonheur.   It is a very poor parish that was devastated.  The name Port-de-Bonheur actually means, “Port of Happiness.”  So we will be bringing much happiness to the Port of Happiness.  I would like to thank all of you for your generous support.  We have already collected nearly $4000 and will send a check off to Bishop Lafontant very soon and send the remainder after Easter.  I know this will bring some relief and happiness to the poor people of that parish as well as some much needed Easter joy and hope.  Thank you for being such a generous community of givers.  It seems every time we have a program to help those in need, our people always step up.  Bishop Lafontant is very appreciative as well and sends his blessings.

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On another note, we have several people who are in wheelchairs or otherwise unable to come forward to receive Holy Communion.  Until we can figure out how to better serve these people, we will bring Holy Communion to them in the pew.  If you would just let us know who you are before Mass so we do not miss you.  Only the Body of Christ (the host) will be given to those in the pews…the Precious Blood cannot leave the sanctuary.  The reason for this is that if the host is dropped, it can easily be picked up and consumed by the minister.  If the Precious Blood is spilled, it can create a problem for cleanup.  Of course, we receive the entire Jesus – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity – when we receive even the smallest portion of the consecrated host or the smallest drop of the Precious Blood.  We will continue to work on a better solution to this problem, like adding a special section for the handicapped.  

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February 28, 2010

I just wanted to take this opportunity to say “Thank You” to everyone who participated in the Parish Lenten Mission last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.  Our speaker, Deacon Alex Jones, was very good and the responses I received from many of you confirm that.  Our numbers were not only good on the initial evening – which is usually the case – but they continued to increase with each night’s presentation.  Monday and Tuesday’s numbers were well over 200.  It is so refreshing for me to listen to a person who has risked so much, and given so much up, to have what I so often take for granted.  If you did not hear his story or have a chance to purchase one of his books, “No Price Too High, the Bookstore will soon be ordering some and you can pick them up there.  Or you can go to his webpage http://deaconalexcjones.com, which also has the DVD.  We are continually striving to help our parishioners grow in faith and appreciate what has been passed on to us, often at a great price.  Please assist us by becoming involved and participate in the many activities we provide for you.  If you have any ideas of your own that might help us do that, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I have to say, I am very proud to be a part of this parish.  So many people tell me how blessed we are here at Holy Family and with each passing day I realize that more and more.  Deacon Jones even commented on this and he should know, he has been to many, many Catholic churches and knows what a “good church” really is.  Again, thank you for being such wonderful parishioners and let’s keep helping each other grow in holiness. 

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February 14, 2010

This year, we are going to try something different in regard to the Sacrament of Penance (Confession).    The Church states that we are required to go to confession at least once a year, most appropriately during the season of Lent in preparation to properly celebrate Easter.  Many of you are familiar with the standard Penance Rite where 8 – 10 priests from around the area come together in our parish on the same night to hear confessions.  This is a good opportunity for those people who do not like going to their parish priest.  However, in my short time as a priest, I have seen something lacking in these communal penance rites.  It seems to me that we are just rushing people through their confessions and putting the Church’s “Stamp of Approval” on them and sending them on their way…it seems very institutional and sterile to me.  This year I will offer more private times for confessions, as I did last year, and I will invite these same priests who would have attended our standard penance rite to come and celebrate individual confessions at different times during the week.  I pray this will give many people the opportunity to make a good, heartfelt confession without someone seeing or hearing them.  Watch the bulletin for more details and specific times.  I pray this will only intensify your Lenten experience

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January 24, 2010

Last week at Mass, I felt the need to talk about my vocation to the priesthood in light of Vocation Awareness Week, especially in this, the “ Year for Priests,” as designated by Pope Benedict XVI.  But the vocation most people will experience is the vocation to the married life.  This sacred institution is being attacked on all sides and I feel frustrated and helpless in my attempt to stop the devastating effects it’s having on our Church, and society as a whole.   The Catholic Church offers many programs for couples who are struggling in their marriages, or if they just want to strengthen a marriage that needs a little help.  Unfortunately, many people are unwilling to invest the time and energy necessary to save their marriage.  I believe that it takes two distinct areas of focus when it comes to strengthening any marriage, one from a spiritual standpoint and the other from a psychological.    I am not a trained counselor so my help is limited to the spiritual realm.  I can suggest many areas in which your spiritual life can greatly assist you – such as in prayer – but unless you understand what it is you are praying for, the fruit of your prayer may never be realized.  So it is imperative for couples to seek out a good counselor…that’s where I can use your help.  If you are aware of any good marriage counselors in our area, please let me know.  It’s so important for me as a priest to have good resources.  As I mentioned earlier, the Church does offer many programs aimed at strengthening your marriage.  We have listed several in this bulletin.  Please take time to look these programs over – whether your marriage is in pretty good shape, or if you feel it’s on the rocks – and see if one of these may be of benefit to you.  If you have any questions or need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to call me.  I feel it is important at this point of my pastorate to make marriage and family life a priority.  Please continue to pray for vocations – to the priesthood, yes – but also, and just as importantly, for marriage and married life. 

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January 3, 2010

Well, quite an interesting Christmas to say the least.  “The Blizzard of 09” sure threw a wrench in our Christmas Liturgies but, from what I hear, most were able to enjoy the spirit of Christmas anyway.  It was a good lesson for me in letting go and letting God.  He keeps teaching me time and time again that there is great power in letting go of things I have no control over.  As I mentioned this past weekend, there is no reason to go to confession if you were not able to make it to Christmas Mass, God understands.  On another note, next weekend is Vocation Awareness Weekend.  In an effort to promote vocations, priests around the archdiocese will do a “Priest Swap” on the weekend of January 9/10.  Priests from all over will be trading places with other priests and giving their vocation story…how they became a priest.  I will be swapping with Fr Joseph Irwin, pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Duncan and its missions.  I am sure you will enjoy Fr Irwin and find the story of his call to the priesthood very interesting.  Remember, this is the “Year for Priests” and we must continue to pray with conviction and hope that young men around the world, and especially in our archdiocese, will hear the call and find support among their family and friends.  Priests do not grow on trees; they must be cultivated and encouraged.  Since we have a young man from our own parish, Jared Ortega, studying in the seminary, I think it is good for us to be reminded that just because someone enters the seminary, it does not mean they will become a priest.  The seminary is a place for men to discern, with the help of our Archbishop and his vocation team, as well as the seminary staff, if they are in fact called to be a priest.  I am not sure of the exact figures, but something like 70% of the men who enter the seminary never get ordained.  So please keep Jared, and all of our seminarians, in your prayers that they will be able to truly discern if God is calling them to the priesthood.  P.S.  This is another opportunity to thank all of you for your generous outpouring of love to me for Christmas.  The cards, gifts and food were absolutely wonderful and it makes me so glad to be your pastor and part of this parish.  God bless you all.