Advent Icons

     An ICON is an image of the sacred.  Those of our friends from the Churches of the East are very familiar with icons.  Rather than statues they celebrate these stylized images into the holy.

     There are two primary icons for the great season of Advent.  The first is the image of Mary presented to us as an Advent reminder that ALL are called to the Son of Mary, that ALL are equal in the eyes of God, that ALL are pregnant with hope and anticipation of salvation and new life, and that the message of the Christ is not reserved for a few but meant for ALL.  She is an invitation to life.

     In early December we celebrated the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, Saint Anne.  She was chosen and prepared for her mission of giving flesh to the Son of God by being conceived without the burden and stain of Original Sin.  She was given the gift of holiness before her Son won that gift for us.  Our holiness rests in our YES to his invitation to accept the redemption that he won for us and the grace to walk in the way of holiness.  Her YES did not protect her from sin but allowed her to be strong in the resistance of temptation and to walk confidently along the path of holiness.

     On the 12th we looked to the patroness of all of the Americas in the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  This feast celebrating the appearance of Mary as a young native girl with child to Juan Diego, a convert to Christianity, was an important moment in God's plan.  The fact that she appeared to a peasant, a native of the place and not the ruling class or the upper crust was shocking.  The fact that her image was that of a native person rather than that of a Spanish maiden was even more shocking.  That fact that she is carrying her child in her womb was unexpected.  All of this happened in the 1500's in Mexico and led countless peoples to embrace Our Lady of Guadalupe and her Son, Jesus.

     And now within a week we will hear the story and see the image of a young mother giving birth to her first-born son in humble surroundings in Bethlehem of Judea.  That image of Mary with Joseph and the child, Jesus, is the featured image - primary icon - of Mary.

     The other primary icon of Advent is our friend, John, the son of Elizabeth and Zachariah, the one called the Baptist.  He too points the way and makes known the savior.  He too calls us to repentance and a change of heart so that we might live in Christ.  He too is an invitation to life.

     Advent is a time of realizing who we are in Christ, of realizing the need for repentance and conversion, and a time of hearing in our own lives and becoming for others "an invitation to life".  Thank God for these two tremendous icons of Advent.

The straight path

     This fourth day of December has the Church celebrating the memorial of Saint John Damascene, a priest and Doctor of the Church.  He was born in Damascus at the end of the seventh century.  He was born of a Christian family and was a learned philosopher and theologian.  He became a monk and then was ordained a priest and lived near Jerusalem.

     It is reported that he prayed:

"Lord, do not let my heart lean either to the right or to the left, but let your good Spirit guide me along the straight path."

     The most accurate GPS navigation of our lives is found in the Holy Spirit.  Knowing that fact and being open to the Spirit is the first step at arriving at our destiny.  Having driven in some areas of northern West Virginia (not on the interstates) I know that the route from point A to point B can be confusing and very round-a-bout.  No offense to our west Virginia neighbors.

      Our path to the Lord can also carry us in the most indirect of ways.  That it is why it is important to seek the help of the Spirit of the Lord so that our paths remain straight and the way smooth.  We hear that description in the Scriptures (in fact on this coming Sunday) where we are called to prepare for the coming of the Lord and for our journey to him by leveling  every mountain and filling in every valley … we must pave the rough road and straighten every curve … so that nothing, NOTHING, will impede our progress.

     John Damascene knew this and offered this simple prayer … which could be our own.  Prepare ye the way of the Lord.

Now is the acceptable time

     On this Monday of the First Week of Advent I would like to borrow the words of Saint Charles Borromeo that is found in a pastoral letter from the saint that is a part of the Office of Readings for today.  They give us a good introduction to this Advent season.

     "Beloved, now is the acceptable time spoken of by the Spirit, the day of salvation, peace and reconciliation: the great season of Advent.  This is the time eagerly awaited by the patriarchs and prophets, the time that holy Simeon rejoiced at last to see.  This is the season that the Church has always celebrated with special solemnity.  We too should always observe it with faith and love, offering praise and thanksgiving to the Father for the mercy and love he has shown us in this mystery.  In his infinite love for us, though we were sinners, he sent his only Son to free us from the tyranny of Satan, to summon us to heaven, to welcome us into its innermost recesses, to show us truth itself, to train us in right conduct, to plant within us the seed of virtue, to enrich us with the treasures of his grace, and to make us children of God and heirs of eternal life."

     In these beginning days of this season of anticipation, we join with the prayer of the Church in seeking the warmth of the Father's love and the light of his Word.  We ask for the strength to grow in love and rejoice in his presence.

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     Word has been received of the death of Monsignor Michael Dylag, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg.  Msgr. Dylag died on Saturday at his home in Waterford, Michigan, at the age of 80.

      Msgr. Dylag, originally from Cleveland, was ordained for Greensburg on the 15th of May in 1960 at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.  He served for eleven years in parishes in the diocese before taking up special assignments at the Orchard Lake Schools (College & Seminary) in Michigan, and at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington.

     Msgr. Dylag met the future Pope John Paul II in 1969 and they developed a longtime friendship that saw him visit the Holy Father often in Rome for private dinners and conversation.  He also met many other dignitaries over the years, including former President George H. W. Bush, whose service of transfer to Washington for burial is on TV even as I post this.

     I did not know Mike well, having met him only a few times during my priesthood, but the stories about him and the stories that he told reveal him as an interesting, talented and unique individual.

     We trust that the Lord will grant him Eternal Rest and joy in the Kingdom that he preached.

Advent

       Today we begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent.  The collect prayer for today's liturgy prays:

Grant you faithful, we pray, almighty God,

the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ

with righteous deeds at his coming, 

so that, gathered at his right hand,

they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever.

The following is the Scriptural Reflection for our website at the diocese - dioceseofgreensburg.org - that I prepared for this weekend.  I thought that I would also share it here.

     This is the time of the year when girls and boys are writing their letters to Santa with their list of things that they want for Christmas.  They have been told by their parents that if they have been god throughout the year, Santa will visit them on Christmas eve and bring them their hearts desire.  They rely upon this treasured promise.

     I remember my Mom trying to get me to eat my vegetables at mealtime.  She would promise that if I cleaned my plate, including the vegetables, I would get dessert.  I must confess that Mom was not very successful because even today vegetables are not often found on my plate.  I also found that despite the conditions to her promise, the dessert usually found its way before me.

     We are children and men and women whose lives are filled with promises.  We know that those promises are not always made good in our lives and so we are skeptical of their truthfulness.  But we also know that when a promise made to us or by us is fulfilled that we are blessed.

     We begin a new Church Year this weekend.  The First Sunday of Advent renews our desire to draw closer to the Lord as we seek his deepening presence in our lives.  And that relationship with its blessings is the promise given us - not in the magical hope for Christmas gifts or the efforts to have you eat your vegetables or the desire to achieve success - but in the more important, life-giving moment of attaining the truth and celebrating the life that is eternal.

     We are Children of the Promise.  We have been chosen by the Creator to share in his life.  We have been called by him to walk in his love.  We have been gifted by him to share ourselves with others in order to make strong his Kingdom.

     Jeremiah today reminds us that "The days are coming says the Lord when I will fulfill the promise that I made …".  That promise involves the coming of the "just shoot" from David's line, the One who will establish the reign of God, the anointed Messiah who will save his people from themselves and from their sins and restore them to the glory and dignity that is theirs by right - as Children of God, heirs of the Kingdom, Children of the Promise.

     We still await the fulfillment of the promise and we do so with renewed hope.  Like Saint Paul to the Thessalonians we exhort each other to seek from the Lord an increase in love for God and for one another … to be strong of heart … to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father … and to conduct ourselves to please God. 

     No amount of broken promises, no experiences of empty words, no amount of waiting should keep us from moving forward in the season of anticipation toward the heart of the promise - the coming of our Messiah and Lord, Jesus Christ, in this moment of grace and blessing.

     Journey well in these weeks of Advent toward Emmanuel.

Random Thoughts

     Here are some random thoughts that have been on my mind of late.

     Thanksgiving Day is now in the past.  I went home to my sister Janie's place, for a few days.  We went out to dinner on Wednesday evening with our cousin, Ted, and enjoyed a great dinner at Ruby Tuesdays followed by a Blizzard at Dairy Queen.  On Thanksgiving Day Janie and I attended Mass at Saint Therese Church at 9am.  It was the only Mass in the city of Uniontown and was a joint venture of the four parishes.  A good crowd, a great liturgy, and five priests: the two assigned to the parishes plus three of us retired guys.  Janie prepared an outstanding dinner later that day.  I returned on Friday afternoon to our priests' residence.

     The weekend involved preparing for my live radio program on our local Catholic station WAOB FM (106.7).  The station broadcasts a daily program at 8:00pm on the scriptures for the upcoming day.  The program is entitled: "Drawing life giving waters from Jacob's well" and involves the reading of four chapters of Scripture with three reflections on each reading followed by a minutes of silence between each.   It is a form of "lectio divina", and I try to do about four programs a month as my share in the mission of spreading the Good News.  Prep takes awhile … and I worked Friday eve and Saturday morn to be ready.
     I filled in at the Church of Saint Paul in Greensburg for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 3:00pm followed by the Christ the King liturgy at 4:30pm.  The people there are very warm and welcoming, and my experience as presider was uplifting.
    After that was a quick bite to eat, and then the program at the studio in Latrobe.   A busy but fulfilling day for a retired pastor.

     The Church Year ended with the celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King.  In my homily I spotlighted two brave individuals of the 1920's who witnessed to the Lordship and the Kingship of Jesus Christ with their lives during the Cristeros War in Mexico.  I remember hearing the inspiring story of Blessed Father Miguel Pro who faced a firing squad by bravely standing with arms outstretched in the form of a Cross and proclaiming loudly "Viva Cristo Rey!" - "Long Live Christ the King!"   He was denied a Christian burial but it was reported that 40,000 people lined the path to his place of burial, and another 20,000 were waiting at the cemetery.  The government was not happy with the attention and devotion of the faithful.
     The other individual was just canonized a Saint of the Church in 2016.  His name is Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio who was tortured and put to death at the age of 14, never giving in to denying his faith and his Lord.  He also died with words of forgiveness for his tormentors and with the words "Viva Cristo Rey!" on his lips.  His story was told in the recent movie "For Greater Glory" - about that moment in history.

     And now we are winding down this liturgical year with this thirty-fourth week in Ordinary Time, and await the First Sunday of Advent this coming Sunday.  How time flies.

A surprise act of kindness

     Yesterday as I was returning from my hour long live program of scriptural reflections (lectio divina) on our local Catholic radio station WAOB [We Are One Body] 106.7 FM, I stopped at the local Eat & Park restaurant for a sandwich, fries and dessert.  It was late (9pm) and I had my trusty Nook with me so that I could read my latest James Patterson novel while eating alone.  I enjoyed the meal and the quiet, and as I was preparing to leave, a gentleman from the next table (there were two couples at the table) stopped me and said: "Let me have your check."  I said thanks but that wasn't necessary, but he insisted.  So I thanked him profusely, told them all "God bless you!", and with a grateful heart headed for home.  He even met me at the door and offered to hold the door for me as I backed out with my walker.  I am certain that he did not know that I was a priest - which made this act of kindness even more random and appreciated.  I did note that these four joined hands to pray before eating their meal … I overheard comments about church and the sermon, so I presume that they were people of faith sharing God's blessings.  I was blessed … and I am grateful to them and to so many who have touched my life over the years with their generosity.  It was a great way to begin this Thanksgiving week.

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     Sadly our Diocesan family said a prayerful farewell to Father Micah Kozoil, one of our priests who just retired from active parish ministry this Summer.  Father Micah's funeral liturgy was celebrated this morning at Saint Aloysius Church in Dunbar, where he served as pastor until his retirement.   Father Micah served the Diocese and the Church for many years in a dedicated and committed ministry as shepherd.  He will be missed.

     Father Micah was ordained to the priesthood for the Benedictine Community at Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe in 1976 and served as a professor of mathematics at the college.  His vocational journey led him to join the Diocesan Community of the Diocese of Greensburg, where he was incardinated in 1994, serving in numerous parishes over these years.  He was a gentle soul who shared his faith and cultural traditions with those that he met.

       May Father Micah Rest In Peace!

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     And on a final note for today … yesterday on facebook a friend of mine commented that he thinks that I have given up posting on "Journey Thoughts".  I may have slowed down a bit, but I have not given up.  So hang in there, dear friend, Mike Bates!

Responsible remembering

     At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year of Our Lord 1918 an Armistice was signed which brought to an end the hostility of the 1st World War.  Today marks the 100th anniversary of that moment when the fighting stopped and the eyes of all were directed toward world peace.

     That date has been recognized by various nations in many ways - Armistice Day … Remembrance Day … and in our nation as Veterans Day.  It has become a day of remembering, of honoring and hopefully of recommitment to the goal of peace on earth.

     World War I was the first major world conflict.  It was described as the "great war", the "war to end all wars".  The devastation through combat, with advancing weapons, and with the use of biological weapons caused all to have second thoughts as to the future of warfare.  There had been wars and conflicts probably from the beginning of time - and the magnitude of this war seemed to be a pinnacle of man's inhumanity to man - but the lesson was not learned.   It was not long before a greater war encompassed the entire world with staggering statistics that made WWI pale in comparison.  And wars have continued to this day, despite the resolve of many and the cries for peace.  We are incapable of bringing about peace because we do not know or possess the source of peace - Jesus Christ.

 This year's Remembrance Day Observance at the Tower of London

had 10,000 lights surrounding the Tower

The Remembrance Day Observance in 2014 had thousands of red

poppies surrounding the Tower.  The poppy is the

symbol of the fields of Flanders where many died

     Today is a day of remembering the tragic reality of war within the hearts of humanity.  Today is also a day of remembering those who stepped forward to lay their lives on the line for a common good, to serve their nations and the greater quest for peace and justice for all, not only in that "great war" but in all such struggles.   Today is a day of honoring their service and their sacrifice.   Today is also a day to resolve to renew our effort to bring about a lasting peace that is rooted in love and respect, a love and respect that we, as people of Faith, have already experienced in our relationship with God.   Saint Pope Paul VI in the early 60's visited the UN and spoke passionate words:  "War never again!  Never again war!"  The world listened but did not hear. The world leaders thought about it for a moment but dismissed it as a "pipe dream".  That "pipe dream" can only become a reality when we turn our hearts toward the Lord and are immersed in his love.  So today is a day of prayer for peace in the hearts of men and women and in the responsibilities embrassed by the world community.

     Remember … Honor … Pray … Serve the cause of peace.

The reality of facing death

     I began some reflections on death and new life with the last post as we entered into the month of November.  These recent days have had me/us facing the reality of death with different aspects of the eyes of Faith.
     As everyone knows, a week ago last Saturday six people were wounded (four of them first responders) and eleven souls lost their lives in a senseless attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Unlike Sandy Hook or Las Vegas or the small church in Texas a few years ago and too many other assaults on life, these good people were older, people of Faith gathered for worship.  They were remembered as having touched the lives of countless people in their families, in their professions, and in their close knit community.  Their tragic deaths on that Saturday morning is bringing about a sense of unity and peace as they are remembered with great affection by thousands.  God grant them rest!
     This past Saturday we celebrated the funeral liturgy for one of our International Priests serving the parishes of our Diocese. 

Father Arnel Aldave Estrella came to the Diocese of Greensburg from his home in the Philippines in March of 2015.  He was 52 years of age and has served as a priest for twenty-five years.  He died after a short illness, and is mourned by his Mom, Delia Estrella of Camaligan in the Philippines, his family and those who he has served both at home and in his new home here with us.  The funeral was held at Christ the King Church in Leechburg, Pennsylvania, celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic and many priests and faithful.  His body is being returned home to the Philippines.  May the Lord bless this servant of God and bring comfort to those that he loves.  His death is seen in the light of his life of ministry and service to the Lord of Life. 
     Saturday also saw the funeral Mass for Margaret Fitzmaurice, the 95 year old mother of my ordination mate and fellow priest of the Diocese, Monsignor V. Paul Fitzmaurice.  Margaret was an outgoing and outspoken individual who raised her family and shared her Faith wonderfully throughout her lifetime.  Sad as her death is to her family and friends, it is seen as a loving embrace by the God that she loved and trusted.  Paul and his siblings and their families know that they have our prayers.
     Add to that the notice that I received over this weekend of the deaths of two men that I attended seminary with at Saint Francis in Loretto who were from the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese: Father Dan O'Neill and Msgr. Harold Biller.  I think Dan was buried on Saturday and Harold just yesterday.  Good men and servants of the Lord.

    My point is that death is all around is - in nature, in society, in family and in ourselves.  But death is not the end … it is, as the Scriptures tell us, a moment of transition, a movement into the true life given to us in baptism and through faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Whether that death is tragic, or unexpected, or reached after illness and old age, or anticipated as the years add up - death is our brother, as Saint Francis tells us, and he brings us to our true home.  That is why we pray that the faithful departed …

REST IN PEACE!

Death leading to new life

     In these early days in November we are reminded of the reality of death.  How we deal with this reality is very much affected by our Faith in Jesus Christ.  For it is he that has conquered sin and death and promised us a new life that is eternal … God's gift to us, the children that he loves.   Here are a few reflections for this month of November dedicated to remembering the dead and celebrating the victory of Christ over death that we share in.

     Last evening we turned our clocks back and placed behind us Daylight Savings Time.  This means that this time of the year has the daylight hours lessening and darkness coming earlier in the evening.  I like the longer days and find this "time change" depressing.  I know that others disagree, but that's me.

     The trees are changing color and beginning to lose their leaves.  In our part of the country, this can provide for truly beautiful vistas.  Our colors this years are not as vibrant as other years have been.  But it is the beginning of the end of fresh growth and beautiful greenery and the harbinger of the death coldness and starkness of winter.  The road that we take in our journey of faith, straight or curvy, allow is to see the beauty of creation in its vibrant growth in Summer, in its colorful transition to dormancy in the Fall, in the bareness and death of Winter, and then the resurgence of new life in Spring.  Nature shows us what God has revealed … that there is a cycle to life, and our relationship with him involves life, suffering and dying, and death that leads to new life.

             

              

      November begins by honoring the saints.  The 1st is the Church's Feast of All Saints … acknowledging the Church victorious with her hero's and heroines who are recognized as holy.  It also reminds us of those who may not be acknowledged but who we know share in that Call to Holiness, and who have been marked with the Sign of Faith in death.  

The day before this great feast - All Hallows Eve - reminds us of all of the souls of the faithful departed, although it has been usurped into becoming a time of fright and darkness.  The days of Casper the friendly ghost and of harmless witches and goblins have given way to the walking dead, to zombie apocalypse, to Annabelle and Chucky, to blood and guts. Halloween is more popular than Christmas or Easter in this messed up world of ours.  Boy, do we have work to do in proclaiming the joy of the gospel.  

And then comes All Souls Day, a day of remembering and praying for those who have gone before us in Faith.  It is a time of acclaiming our trust in God's promise while cherishing the memories that we have of our loved ones.  This afternoon, in a tradition found in many of our parishes, I joined my sister in a Service of Remembrance at Saint Mary Cemetery in Uniontown where Mom and Dad and many of our relatives are buried.  And last Friday I returned to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton church for their Mass of Remembrance honoring those who have died this past year from the parish.  Having served as their pastor for over eight years, these were parishioners and friends whose lives touched mine in many special ways.  May they, and all of the Faithful Departed, Rest In Peace!  This month is a special time of remembering the dead in gratitude and love.  Use it well!

     

Mea culpa

September 11, 2018

      The above date is the last time that I posted on "Journey Thoughts".  I am sorry!

     

     One of the beautiful aspects of ministry for me over the years has been the experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  There were many times when I would encounter someone who has been away from the Sacrament for a long time.  I usually would ask them if there was a reason for not approaching the Sacrament.  Sometimes there was … and you could address the issue or the fear and welcome them back to the Lord's embrace.  Most often it was simply a case of procrastination, no serious sin and despite the best of intentions not stepping up to the plate.  And as time goes on, there is the ongoing reluctance to admit the avoidance of the Sacrament and the embarrassment and fear of finally doing it.

     I would then ask them what brought them back.

     I feel like that embarrassed and guilty penitent in posting today, after so long a time.  My reasons involve a bit of laziness, or the condition of retirement.  But they also involve the ongoing and persistent situation of confusion and struggle that is a part of the sexual abuse crisis within the Church and among the clergy.  These have been trying times.  I can assure you that there were many days when the struggle of my thoughts and feelings tried to find words, but were all over the place.  I had many posts in my mind and heart in those days, and I apologize for not sharing them with you.  I have been kept busy with parish and sacramental assistance and with the "lectio divina" presentations on my WAOB Catholic radio programs.  But there is not an excuse for the hiatus in "Journey Thoughts".

     My reason for posting today is the feast of All Saints … the reminder that we are all called to holiness and that our journey in this Valley of Tears is one guided and watched over by a most loving God.   And it is time to once again share the hope that I find in this flawed but God-graced Church that is my/our Mother.

     I will endeavor to be true to this aspect of ministry in the future.

Pray for me.

Days of Challenge

     Today is 9/11.  In our day it is a moment seared in our memories as we recall the events of September 11, 2001.  Our priests were on retreat that week, as we are this week.  The word came and we found a tv and were glued to it, not believing what was transpiring in New York, Washington, and very near us in Shanksville.  We stopped to offer Mass with the staff of our retreat center and to pray as we had seldom prayed before.

     The attack on 9/11 was for so many of us a crisis of faith and trust in our security.  It was a time of unbelievable sorrow and pain for countless thousands and heart-wrenching pain for the rest of us.  Anger filled our hearts and our emotions were running on empty.  It was the punch in the gut that doubled us over.   What would tomorrow bring?

     For an earlier generation, December 7, 1941, was such a day.  As FDR called it, the attack on Pearl Harbor was a day that will live in infamy.  The distance from Hawaii to us mattered little as we struggled with the events of that day and our subsequent entry in to WWII.

     In both of those moments of crisis we roused the best of our spirits and courage as a nation, and we took a knee in prayer to the Lord for his love and strength, his compassion and mercy, and for help in ways that we could not even put into words.  And we survived … and we regrouped … and we rebuilt and hopefully grew stronger.   And, as is so important, we remember.  When we forget, we falter and fall.

     As a Catholic, as a priest, as a member of the Church, I see August 14th's Grand Jury Report publication as our spiritual 9/11.  Let me assure you that I am not comparing this crisis within the Church to those other two devastating moments, but there are similarities.  
     The victims who suffered abuse at the hands of abuser priests have also died - in countless ways.  They have struggled and suffered with betrayal and self worth.   Memories are hard to heal, and healing can be illusive.  Add to that the mistakes of the Church in handling many of these situations, and Faith itself is often shaken.  They need our love and support, and most especially our desire for forgiveness from them for the failures of the Church.   We are that Church.
     The Church suffers from the attacks from both within and from without - from those hostile to religious faith and the institutional Church.  The suffering from within involves shame and failure to stand vigilant in preserving the dignity of every child of God.  Not only are the actions of the Church leadership called into question (which they rightly should be) but there is a calling of their motives into question - as if this were a planned, coordinated, sinister plot to not care about the victims.  I find this to not be the case, at least in my experience.
     As I have said before, the vast majority of our priests are faith-filled, faithful, loving servants of the Lord, whose love for those entrusted to them is deep and abiding.  We suffer when the priesthood is described as being vastly predatory and we are labeled by association.  And to those who have been falsely accused in the past or whose accusations have not been substantiated, there is a feeling of abandonment.  We used to say that you were innocent until proven guilty.  That is a thing of the past.
     And as I said in my last post, the Lord requires that we pray for our persecutors, that we love our enemies, that we forgive as the Lord has forgiven us.  This is the most difficult, most challenging aspect of being loved by Christ.  He died for us, but he died for all of us - sinners and saints alike.  And he promised to be our strength as we pray for those who have sinned against us.  Only then can we begin to heal, can we begin to rebuild, can we begin to reflect the glory that is ours as Children of God - redeemed and sanctified in the Blood of the Lamb.

      

A Call To Prayer

      Three weeks ago today the PA Grand Jury issued its report on child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in six dioceses over the last seventy years.  It was a blistering and sobering report that has been heard around the world.  These three weeks have been for me a whirlwind of emotions and sorrow, but also a time of strengthened Faith.  The darkness of this moment of facing our sin and failures as individuals and as Church will give way to the bright promise of grace and future immortality for those redeemed by Christ.

     Remembering that the Church  was instituted by Christ to bring grace, and that the Church consists of all of the Children of God, united with Christ as one body, guided by shepherds that he has chosen, some of whom have sinned grievously against his people and led by others who have made grave mistakes, we are a family in need of tremendous forgiveness and healing.  We must be in an attitude of total submission to the mercy and grace of God so that renewal and restoration may help us heal and be strong.  
   
    The response of our diocese has been thoughtful, reasoned and sincere.   More needs to be done ... and will be done.  But the Lord has laid it upon my heart that what we also need is a grassroots response of prayer - a "call to arms" or rather a "call to take a knee".   Every single Catholic and those of our brothers and sister from other Faiths who will join us need to beseech heaven for forgiveness and healing within the Body of Christ.   I believe that we need to pray for four things in particular: a) for the victims of abuse both within the Church and in society at large [this is a crisis much larger than the Church] ... they have suffered greatly and have had their trust betrayed; b) for the Church, the People of God, who are also suffering and are confused and struggling to understand this failure to their trust; c) for the overwhelming majority of good and faithful priests who have and continue to serve the Lord and his people with unwavering fidelity, including those whose accusations are unsubstantiated; and lastly [and this is the hard part, but necessary if we are to be faithful to Christ] we need to pray for those men who have sinned and for those who have made mistakes in dealing with them, for Christ has come to call not only the saint, but the sinner as well.

     Since we saw "our cross" on a Tuesday, Might I suggest making Tuesdays a day of pray and fasting for healing and forgiveness.  Go to Mass that day, if possible, or spend time before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer.  Pray the Rosary for these specific intentions, or the Divine Mercy Chaplet or the Liturgy of the Hours.  Fast.  Intentionally endeavor to meet the needs of the poor and lonely.  

     How long should we respond in this way?  It will take more than the commitment of a week or two ... it may take a lifetime for hurt to give way to forgiveness and healing find completion.  But we need to begin NOW!

     And as we say as we address Mary in her prayer: "... pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death."  Amen 

The need for prayer

     The day following the release of the PA Grand Jury Report on child abuse by priests and the Church's failures, while we were all still speechless and shocked, a wonderful group of the faithful gathered on August 15th with Bishop Malesic on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin to celebrate their Faith, to honor the Mother of God on the day of her entry into heaven, and to be fed with the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist as we sang the praises of the Father of all.  Mary, under the title of the Assumption, is the patroness of our diocese.   That night, as we gathered, darkness descended upon us.  The fright of that darkness was dispelled that night by the light of our Faith, the light of the many candles carried in procession, and the strength of trust and redemption as we placed ourselves within the healing power of God and the gentle love of his mother, Mary.  It was a much needed moment of hope for the future.   I have included a number of pictures of the evening taken by the diocesan photographers who sought to capture the beauty of that evening.  And I thank God for the families who witnessed to their undying love of this gift of the Family of God.

A Break in the Clouds

     This past weekend I was called upon to "help out" at the Church of Saint Paul in Greensburg.  I celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday afternoon and was moved in the frailty of the human condition by the humble trust that people express in the mercy of God that comes through that sacrament.  As the guy behind the curtain or in the opposite chair I am always keenly aware of my own frailty and sinfulness and the grace of the Sacrament that uses an unworthy vessel to bring the forgiveness of the Lord and of his Church to the repentant sinner.  As usual, I was truly graced this past Saturday afternoon.
     Later in the afternoon I led the people in prayer as we celebrated the Eucharist.  In my homily I spoke of the storm clouds surrounding the Church, especially in the last week and a half following the PA Grand Jury Report publication.  I shared that this was probably the darkest hour of my priesthood and some of the most challenging days in the life of the Church in my lifetime.  The Scriptures reminded us of the inspired words of Peter when Jesus asked the Twelve if they, like so many other followers who could not face the hard times, would depart from him.  Peter said: "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life."  And in the Hebrew Scriptures of the day, the words of the leaders of the people of God: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."   The evil one, like a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devourer.  He is having a field day with the Church in her sinfulness and in the push on the part of some to bring her down.  But we are built upon the Rock of Peter and we have been established by Christ.
     I had a dozen or so people make a point of thanking me for encouraging words in the midst of this conflict.  Our Bishop shared a homily the previous Sunday which began the process of healing and strengthening so needed in the Church of our day.

     But on Sunday morning at the 9:00am Mass, I had the joy of celebrating a baptism with the community.  When the family came into Church with their child, grandma reminded me that many years ago in this same church I had baptized the baby's mom, Allison.  She and her husband, along with a large number of family and friends, joined with me and the three to four hundred in attendance in welcoming Elliot Edward Lutz as a Child of God into the Church community.   The community continues to gather as family to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries and to welcome a new member of a new generation who will continue the living out of the Faith, even in a flawed Church.  For me, as I returned home that morning, it was like a break in the storm clouds and a glimpse of hope that we continue our mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord.

     

A Sign of Hope IV

     As I bring this short series of posts to a close, I would like to focus a little on the outstanding work that the diocese and our parishes do in ministering to the people of this area.

     Faith is a gift given to us by God.  Our mission is to share that faith.  We do so in living out and proclaiming the message of the Gospel and by worshiping the Lord and being a strong community of believers.  We do so by sharing our time, talent and treasure with communities both local and international.  We help meet the spiritual and material needs of the poor throughout the world.

     Service organizations like the St. Vincent de Paul Society with their volunteers and stores, the Knights of Columbus, the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, the Scouting programs, parish food pantries and food banks are just a few.  We visit the sick, the homebound and those in prison.  

    And our Catholic Charities reaches to all four counties of the Diocese in providing counseling and assistance on numerous levels. Charities answers nearly 20,000 call yearly; has distributed $1.27 million in direct material assistance to folks in the last 19 years through their annual fundraiser - the Salt & Light Dinner; helped 66 families last year with furnace and hot water heaters after weather disasters to the amount of $200,000.  Charities helps 1,000 families a year with utility bills and distributed $400,000 from the Poverty Relief Fund since 2009.  This is just from Catholic Charities ... parishes and parish groups do much more in their local communities.

     The Church is more than her failures, more than that described in the Grand Jury Report in all of its revulsion, more than what is found in the justifiable anger and hurt coming from the victims of abuse, more than the sense of betrayal and confusion found in so many of the faithful.  The Church is founded by Jesus Christ who pledged that he will remain with us always, gracing us with healing and love in the darkest moments and strengthening us with hope and love so that we may renew, rebuild and refresh the Church on our journey to holiness.  It is this vision of Church that is our Sign of Hope.

Our day of darkness

     Since the last post, the Grand Jury Report on the sexual abuse of children in Pennsylvania over the last seventy years was released.  It is a time of darkness for the Church, a day of sorrow, scandal and disgust.  For those who are the victims of abuse through these priests, it hopefully is a time of vindication and a moment of healing grace.  The Diocese of Greensburg had twenty priests listed as abusers.  Reading what they did, in some cases a few times to multiple sins and crimes, was devastating and disgusting.  I am embarrassed for the Church and filled with concern for my brothers who through the grace of God have remained faithful to our call.  But most of all, my heart goes out to those who were harmed by these priests.

     As I mentioned in the beginning of this series of posts "A Sign of Hope", this is the scandal of the Cross that Jesus was preparing him followers for when he took them to the mountain top and was transfigured before them, giving them a glimpse of his glory which would see them through their dark hour.   The report of "Higher Standards" of our diocese that I am sharing allows us to see the Church of the Grand Jury Report as not being today's Catholic Church.  We have made strides over the last thirty years that help us to better protect God's children and be vigilant in our effort to correct the failures of the past.

     All of our priests, employees and volunteers who work with children in the Diocese for the past fifteen years, more than 15,000, must go through these procedures.  They must have background checks: a PA Criminal Background check ... a PA Child Abuse History clearance ... a FBI Fingerprint check ... they must read and sign the Pastoral Code of Conduct for the Diocese of Greensburg ... they attend the PA Mandated Reporter Training Course ... they must take part in VIRTUS (the National Catholic online training program to combat child abuse).  A Bishop's Delegate is available to hear and accept reports of abuse and Childline is also available for reporting.  Their numbers and the encouragement to report abuse are regularly publicized in the diocesan paper and in all of the parish bulletins.

     We do more than any other organization for Child Abuse Survivors by offering counseling no matter when, where or by whom it occurred.

     Can this make up for the crimes of the past?  Obviously not.  Is this enough for the moment?  No, but it is a beginning that has been in place for years and continues to be evaluated and updated.  Will this solve the problem?  Probably not completely, but we hope and pray so.  The last reported incident occurred  twenty-five years ago.  May there never be another in the future of this Diocese.

     As Bishop Malesic says in his introduction to the Diocesan Report on Higher Standards: "We believe that we will get through this time of suffering if we remain in Jesus and allow him to remain in us.  Apart from Him, we can do nothing.  With Him, even the impossible becomes doable."

A Sign of Hope III

      Looking at the Church of Greensburg today as we await the Statewide Grand Jury Report on the abuse of children by a number of priests over the last seventy years, I would like to focus in this post on the Mission of Faith Formation and Catholic School Education.   Given the tremendous crimes and sins experienced by young victims of which we are all sorry and ashamed, it bears noting that the mission of the Church to care for our young people continues with renewed efforts at protection and strengthening the quality of education and growth.

     In the Diocese of Greensburg today we find 2,300 students in 11 elementary schools and 2 junior-senior high schools.  The parents of these children have committed to the high standards and the quality of education in our schools and despite high tuition costs have placed their trust in our schools.  The academic excellence found there is combined with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the teaching of moral values.  Our schools provide a safe environment and benefit from tremendous faculties that share knowledge as well as the value of service to others.

     And when I speak of academic excellence, consider these stats: our 2018 graduates from high school were offered $10,117,919 in scholarships and grants ... and in a college-in-high school program those graduates earned 886 college credits while in high school.

     Add to all of this the thousands of youngsters in our parish Religious Education Programs who have the faith shared with them by catechists and aides who, like our school teachers, have their background clearances and who have been thoroughly trained in the protection of God's children.  

    

     Our children are our most important concern.  The failures of the past, whatever the number (let me say that one is too many) will find no acceptance in the Church today.  Our efforts and policies for the past thirty years are striving to root out this terrible evil and provide a safe environment for all of God's children.

A Sign of Hope II

     In my last post I spoke of the hope given to Peter, James and John when Jesus was revealed to them in his divinity, preparing them for the difficult days ahead.  I mentioned that the pending publishing of the Grand Jury Report of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regarding child abuse by priests and the handling of such cases by the Church will paint a picture of the Church that will challenge the faith of many.  The sins and crimes of the few priests over these last seventy years and the response of those in authority will show a Church that is not the Church of today.  I would like to give you a glimpse of the Church of Greensburg today, and present this as a sign of hope that the Lord's message is being lived and shared in wonderful ways.  The next few posts will attempt to do that.

    Bishop Malesic shared these words in a message to the people of the Diocese of Greensburg.  "Today's Catholic Church is committed to higher standards.  The people of the Diocese of Greensburg should know that we have learned from the mistakes made in the past.  Our Catholic Church is a good Church.  We have taken care of the sick.  We have helped the poor.  We have preached the Gospel.  The Lord has given much success to the work of our hands.  I can assure you that the Church in the Diocese of Greensburg today has evolved far beyond the Church described in media reports."

     Who are we as a diocese?

     The Diocese of Greensburg was established on March 10, 1951.  It covers 3,334 square miles in four counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania.  The total Catholic population is currently 137,641, served in 78 parishes by 51 active diocesan priests, 14 Religious Order priests and 14 International priests.  There are 35 retired diocesan priests and 258 Women Religious.  We live in a part of the nation that has an aging population and in an area of the Commonwealth that is economically challenged. Our parishes and population have decreased over the years because of these factors.  We are facing these changing demographics in creative and confident ways.  We are a vibrant Church.

     Today our Diocese issued a report that shares this message of hope to help us weather the storm.  I will attempt to share some of this info in the next few posts, but the full report can be found on the Diocesan website: www.dioceseofgreensburg.org  
     Until the next post, find strength and encouragement in the fact that we are responding to the Lord's call to live out the Gospel and to grow in holiness and grace.

A Sign of Hope

     Yesterday, August 6th, was the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord.  As the gospel tells us, Jesus, just before the darkest hour that he and the early Church had to face, takes Peter, James and John to the mountain top to pray.  He was transfigured before their eyes.  He appeared to them in all of his glory, along with Moses and Elijah (the law and the prophets), to reveal that their glory resided in their unity with him and that he is their hope, their light in the darkest of moments.  He had chosen them to be his friends and to do his work, and they were his beloved.  Darkness and sin and despair would not overwhelm or destroy them.   They could place their trust in him.

     There is an appropriateness to this feast falling where it does at this moment of time within the Church.  Within the next week we will be confronted with the sins of a number of priests over the past seventy years and be enveloped in the darkness of shame and confusion and anger and despair at a level that we have not experienced in a long time.  This will be presented in the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Grand Jury investigation report of the last two years that is about to be announced.  The Church will be accused of cover-ups and selfish intents and condemned by so many.  This will be a time of darkness that I am not looking forward to.

    Before these challenging moments and the raising of hatred and persecution  from many for the Church, with Evil rejoicing in the undermining of the Faith of God's People, I find it necessary to take a moment and see the goodness of the vast majority of our priests and leaders, the deep faith of the laity who see the frailty of the human condition and who have experienced the tender mercy and compassion of our loving God, and the truth that the Church, an imperfect human institution, has been established by Jesus and empowered by his Spirit to proclaim the Good News and to build up the Kingdom of God.  It is he that calls us to holiness.  It is he that challenges us to turn away from sin and to believe in the Gospel.  It is he that embraces us in our repentance and restores us to grace in his love.   This imperfect institution is growing in grace and mercy in our unity with him and reflects the glory of God even in our tarnished moments.  This vision is a sign of hope for me as I hope it is for you. 

Old Friends

      I was a Simon and Garfunkel fan in my early days.  I loved their music, attended a concert in Pittsburgh centuries ago and whenever their Concert in the Park from New York is shown on tv, I watch with great nostalgia, singing along to the tunes.
     One of the little ditties that they did was a quiet, sentimental, reflective song entitled "Old Friends/Bookends".  Some of the lyrics are: "Old friends ... sat on their park bench like bookends ... Can you imagine us years from today sharing a park bench quietly?  How terribly strange to be seventy ... old friends ... memory brushes the same years ... silently sharing the same fear ... time it was, and what a time it was ... it was a time of innocence ... a time of consequences ... long ago ... it must be ... I have a photograph ... preserve your memories, they're all that's left you."  As the years go by, this sad little song speaks to my heart.

    A number of years ago a few of us who had attended Saint Francis Seminary in Loretto, Pennsylvania and had continued to keep in touch decided to gather a few times a year for lunch and sharing old times.  We would go to a restaurant and spend an afternoon in fellowship.  When one of us came down with ALS, we gathered at his rectory.  The picture above is of one of those gatherings.  These "old friends" included Father Dennis Colamarino in the bright yellow shirt, behind him John Prosperi, Fathers Albie Schempp, Dave Schorr, Joe Mele, Chet Raimer and myself.  We met at Dennis' rectory and enjoyed our friendship, good food, many memories and the joy of ministry.

     David Schorr, pastor of Resurrection in West Mifflin, passed away unexpectedly in October of 2014 ... Dennis Colamarino, pastor of Christ the Light in Duquesne, passed away in March of 2015 after a long two year battle with ALS that never kept him down ... and just last Wednesday, on July 11th, Chester Raimer, retired pastor of Saints Simon & Jude in Blairsville died after a brief illness.   These three, and the remaining four of us, were the "old friends" of the Simon and Garfunkel tune, with one notable exception to the lyrics - the song says "preserve your memories, they're all that's left you."  We have our memories, but we also have that love and affection of old friends who know and are loved by a merciful and generous God.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     When I retired last July and moved into the Neumann House retirement residence for priests, Chet and I anticipated spending much time on our "park bench" like bookends, sharing our retirement together.  He took a serious turn in his health in September and moved to Saint Anne Home in Greensburg, where he resided until his peaceful death on July 11th.  He was ready to go home to the Lord.

     Chet was born on May 4, 1944 ... ordained a priest on May 4, 1974 ... and entered into glory on July 11, 2018.  He served as a priest in the Greensburg Diocese for forty-four years and touch countless lives with his love and compassion, generous spirit and his smile and laughter.

     We were friend since college seminary in the mid sixties, ministering together, vacationing together, and journeying together.  He is a great friend and brother.

    His funeral liturgy was wonderful and the remaining four of us from the above picture prayed for, toasted and remembered the good times with Chet, and realized "how terribly strange it was to be seventy".  Where has the time gone?  It was a time of innocence ... a time of consequences.

    May the Lord embrace his friend, my friend, our friend,  Chester, with tender love and compassion and bring him peace and joy.

Freedom & New Beginnings

     1776 - It was a time of crisis and frustration that lead to a bold move by many of the leaders of the Colonies in the New World ... a Declaration of Independence.   It took awhile to develop the document, and a bit longer to officially sign and promulgate this declaration, but this is the day on which we celebrate the first pronouncement - July 4th.

     The second paragraph of this momentous document states: "We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."   These powerful words echo the Truth revealed by God to those that he has chosen as his own, and whom he has blessed with the blessings of Life, Freedom and the desire to be fulfilled in love.

     On this Independence Day in the United States, let us continue to celebrate our freedom declare our dependence upon the very source of all things, the Lord God.  Happy July 4th!

******************

       This past Saturday, June 30th, was a great day for the Diocese of Greensburg as we ordained to the Order of Presbyter (priest) a young man of the diocese who is a member of the Cathedral parish.  Bishop Edward Malesic ordained Daniel Carr in a beautiful ceremony at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.  Father Dan has been fulfilling his theological studies at the North American College in Rome, and will be returning for a final year of studies this September.   He is a fine young man and we look forward to his ministry as a priest to the Church.  I have enclosed a few pictures of the ordination with gratitude to the Diocesan web site
.

 The Litany of the Saints

 Promise of Obedience and Respect

The Laying on of Hands - the Ordination

Anointing of Father Dan's hands with Chrism

 Presentation of the chalice and paten

First blessing given to the bishop

Father Dan's family

 Our diocesan priests

Father Dan Carr with Mom & Dad & Bishop Ed Malesic

     The next day Father Dan celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving with family and friends at the Cathedral parish.  He did very well, although a little stiff and nervous, even though he had asked the Director of Liturgy at North American College to preach.  Talk about putting pressure on yourself!  

     I recall my ordination and first Mass forty-five years ago, and was grateful to share these days of joy with Dan and by able to share the "laying on of hands" during the ordination ceremony.  Powerful moments of grace for me and so many others.  Pray for Father Dan Carr as he begins his ministry to the Church.

John the Baptist

     Yesterday marked the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist.  I celebrated the Saturday evening liturgy at the Church of Saint Paul in Greensburg, recorded my Radio program on WAOB later that evening, and yesterday took part in the first Saint John's Fire Celebration in the Diocese of Greensburg - a gathering for Evening Prayer and social time and fellowship gathered around a blazing fire.  This is a common celebration in many parts of the world, and it finally found its way to Greensburg.  Even our beer was appropriately from the All Saints Brewery.  It was fun.

     Our understanding of the importance of John the Baptist is highlighted in the fact that he is one of one three whose birth and death are celebrated by the Church - Jesus, Mary and John.  It is usual for the Church to recognize the entry into heaven that comes with death, since this is the new birth of the saints in glory, but in these three we celebrate both.

     I found that the Preface for this Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist states so well the high regard we have for this saint.  I would like to share these words with you that come from the Roman Missal.

     "It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,

through Christ our Lord.

      In his Precursor, Saint John the Baptist,

we praise your great glory,

for you consecrated him for a singular honor

among those born of women.

      His birth brought great rejoicing;

even in the womb he leapt for joy

at the coming of human salvation. 

He alone of all the prophets

pointed out the Lamb of redemption.

      And to make holy the flowing waters,

he baptized the very author of Baptism

and was privileged to bear him supreme witness

by the shedding of his blood.

      And so, with the Powers of heaven,

we worship you constantly on earth,

and before your majesty

without end we acclaim ... "