Summer is a time when things often slow down. Summer for this retired priest is a time when very few noteworthy things happen. But I've had a few special moments recently.
Today is the feast of Saint Martha. She was the sister of Mary and their brother Lazarus whose family were close friends of Jesus. We met them the Sunday before last in the gospel passage from chapter 10 of Luke, when Jesus stopped by their house for a visit. It was Martha who was busy with the things of hospitality. In fact, that is one of her noteworthy traits, for the Church recognizes her as a model of hospitality and a faithful disciple of Jesus. She is also the patron of housewives, waiters and waitresses.
Yesterday my sister Janie came to Greensburg for a visit. We get together often, but she hadn't been here for a few weeks. She came early in the morning and we drove over to my former parish of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church for the 11:30 Mass. It was good to be back home, and to be welcomed so warmly by many parish family members and friends, including my cousin, Deacon Jeff Cieslewicz and his wife Rose Ann, as we celebrated with the parish. Even Father John Moineaux extended a word of welcome at the end of the liturgy. It has been two years since I retired, and although the inevitable changes that have taken place since I left made me nostalgic for the old days, the warmth and faith of these good people has never changed. It was good to be home.
Last Tuesday the Benedictine Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe hosted their yearly "Priests' Day" at the Archabbey. This annual event held each summer gathers alumni of the Seminary as well as priests from the local dioceses.
The day began with a Mass celebrated at the Basilica Church, this year with our own bishop, Bishop Edward Malesic as presider along with Auxiliary Bishop Winters of Pittsburgh and our host, Archabbot Douglas Nowicki. Monsignor Larry Kulick preached the homily. Following Mass is a reception and then an excellent sit-down dinner. The afternoon is free and the concluding event is a wonderful cook-out in the Monastery Gardens. The crowds this year were not what they once were ... but neither are the number of priests today compared to the days of old. Martha and Mary's gift of hospitality, along with that of the Rule of Saint Benedict, is very evident in the life of our local monastic community. Our thanks to Archabbot Douglas, Father Earl, the Prior, and the entire Benedictine Community.
And for me, a few weeks ago two very special and long time friends invited my to join them for dinner at a local restaurant, Rizzo's. With Mary Ann and Deacon Bill Newhouse I enjoyed good food, a relaxing evening and continued lasting friendship. It occurs to me that I may not have thanked them properly for the evening, and I resolve to do so ASAP.
God's goodness is beyond measure, and my blessings are too numerous to be counted.
Monday, July 29, 2019
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Gettysburg
July 3rd in 1863 marked the end of a three day battle of the American Civil War that took place in the small town of Gettysburg. Located in south central Pennsylvania (about a three hour drive from my home) Gettysburg was transformed from a sleepy country town to the scene of one of the bloodiest battles to take place in the United States. The army of the South came to this crossroads town from the Northwest while the Northern army came from Maryland in the South (one of the little ironies of the battle).
July 1, 2 & 3 marked the encounters, with the unsuccessful Picket's Charge on the afternoon of the 3rd turning the tide in favor of the North. One hundred and fifty-six years ago at this time Lee's army was retreating to the South, and even though there would be two more years of bloodshed before the war's end, this battle marked a turning point.
Growing up in grade school we read about the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg, and I remember learning the Gettysburg Address by heart [I can still recite the Address]. But it was in 1992 that I was reintroduced to this peaceful place of carnage through a good friend, Mike Ripple, who knew the place well. He had a relative [I believe it was his great grandfather] who stood in reserve outside of Gettysburg during those three days. My interest was aroused and I have visited often, read much, and collected some powerful battle artwork over the years.
My interest was less in battle tactics and more in terms of the human costs of this struggle of brother against brother. There is much to remember and to honor in this struggle, on both sides, but there is also much to learn. We cannot learn the lessons of life taught in this terrible civil war if we desire to change history or deny the struggle that touched the hearts of those from the South and from the North. It pains me that we are changing names and tearing down statues and finding offense at what were things of the past. We still do it in our day, judging the past by the standards and sensitivities of our day. If we have not grown or moved on, then that judging may be valid. But if we have learned from the mistakes of the past, then we must focus on looking ahead to celebrating our accomplishments and re-establishing our goals.
On this anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg we must remember that while it was brother against brother [sometimes literally] it was a struggle of a family for her freedom. That freedom is not yet perfect in our experience, but it is the best that we have and worth the ongoing struggle to make it more perfect.
July 1, 2 & 3 marked the encounters, with the unsuccessful Picket's Charge on the afternoon of the 3rd turning the tide in favor of the North. One hundred and fifty-six years ago at this time Lee's army was retreating to the South, and even though there would be two more years of bloodshed before the war's end, this battle marked a turning point.
Growing up in grade school we read about the Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg, and I remember learning the Gettysburg Address by heart [I can still recite the Address]. But it was in 1992 that I was reintroduced to this peaceful place of carnage through a good friend, Mike Ripple, who knew the place well. He had a relative [I believe it was his great grandfather] who stood in reserve outside of Gettysburg during those three days. My interest was aroused and I have visited often, read much, and collected some powerful battle artwork over the years.
My interest was less in battle tactics and more in terms of the human costs of this struggle of brother against brother. There is much to remember and to honor in this struggle, on both sides, but there is also much to learn. We cannot learn the lessons of life taught in this terrible civil war if we desire to change history or deny the struggle that touched the hearts of those from the South and from the North. It pains me that we are changing names and tearing down statues and finding offense at what were things of the past. We still do it in our day, judging the past by the standards and sensitivities of our day. If we have not grown or moved on, then that judging may be valid. But if we have learned from the mistakes of the past, then we must focus on looking ahead to celebrating our accomplishments and re-establishing our goals.
On this anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg we must remember that while it was brother against brother [sometimes literally] it was a struggle of a family for her freedom. That freedom is not yet perfect in our experience, but it is the best that we have and worth the ongoing struggle to make it more perfect.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Tempus Fugit
"Tempus fugit" is an old Latin saying that translated means "Time flies". There is another old adage that hints that as you get older, time moves by more quickly than you would want. I find truth in both of these sayings.
Yesterday, July 1st, we entered into the second half of 2019!
Unbelievable! And yet it is clear that this year is flying by with great speed. I thought that in retirement things would slow down, but no such luck.
The month of June saw many things happen. It saw our diocese bidding farewell to one of our priests. Father Tom Lukac, a priest of the Greensburg Diocese for fifty-six years, was laid to rest with a funeral Mass on Tuesday, June 18th, at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Latrobe, his last assignment as pastor. He had retired from active ministry in 2008 and in these last years had suffered from the loss of memory and recognition of others.
Father Tom was a quiet and gentle man who was born and raised in Uniontown, my home town. (There have been many vocations to the priesthood from the four parishes of this Fayette County town). He served in three parishes as a Parochial Vicar and then as pastor in six parishes during his active ministry.
He was a true gift to the faithful of this diocese and his memory will live long in the hearts of many of his family and friends.
But as we said good-bye to Father Tom on Tuesday, on the following Saturday we welcomed into the clergy of this Diocese Deacon Mark Dunmire, who was ordained at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral to the transitional Diaconate. Mark will be ordained to the priesthood next year, God willing.
Mark's home parish is Saint Margaret Mary Parish in Lower Burrell. He has been participating in a Pastoral Year at Mother of Sorrows Parish in Murrysville, under the guidance of Msgr. James Gaston. Mark is completing his studies at Saint Mary Seminary in Baltimore.
The ordination ceremony was wonderful. Our Shepherd, Bishop Ed Malesic, once again led the celebration with ease and prayerfulness and joy. I watched Mark uncomfortable at the center of attention and saw how the bishop put him at ease. I also saw the pride and joy of his family, especially his Mom and Dad, as they saw their son embrace this call to service. We continue to pray for Mark and look forward to his joining the presbyterate of our diocese.
Yesterday, July 1st, we entered into the second half of 2019!
Unbelievable! And yet it is clear that this year is flying by with great speed. I thought that in retirement things would slow down, but no such luck.
The month of June saw many things happen. It saw our diocese bidding farewell to one of our priests. Father Tom Lukac, a priest of the Greensburg Diocese for fifty-six years, was laid to rest with a funeral Mass on Tuesday, June 18th, at Saint John the Evangelist Church in Latrobe, his last assignment as pastor. He had retired from active ministry in 2008 and in these last years had suffered from the loss of memory and recognition of others.
He was a true gift to the faithful of this diocese and his memory will live long in the hearts of many of his family and friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
But as we said good-bye to Father Tom on Tuesday, on the following Saturday we welcomed into the clergy of this Diocese Deacon Mark Dunmire, who was ordained at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral to the transitional Diaconate. Mark will be ordained to the priesthood next year, God willing.
Mark's home parish is Saint Margaret Mary Parish in Lower Burrell. He has been participating in a Pastoral Year at Mother of Sorrows Parish in Murrysville, under the guidance of Msgr. James Gaston. Mark is completing his studies at Saint Mary Seminary in Baltimore.
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