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.