I've missed a few days of posting, but I would like to "catch up". We have had some great saints on the calendar this week. On the 8th of August we honored Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers. Renowned in his day, his charism continues through countless men and women throughout the world. I have had a very limited experience and encounters with Dominicans, but I would like to mention three that touched my life.
At Saint Francis Seminary, for a few years, we had Father John Davis of the Order of Preachers on our faculty. I remember him as being outgoing and a good liturgist. I'm not sure what happened to him, but being the first Dominican that I met, he is remembered.
There are two other Dominicans that I have come to know and respect for their holiness, their love of the church, and their preaching/teaching abilities. They are Fathers Michael Champlin and Nicholas Punch, who together with Sister Joan Bukrey, OSF, form a retreat/parish mission team that is based out of the Thomas More Center in Webster, Wisconsin. I have had the honor of having them visit parishes that I been assigned to in Greensburg and Scottdale, and they have ministered in a number of other parishes in our diocese over the years. I look forward to calling upon them again in the near future. They are great people, good Religious, excellent teachers, and true ministers of the Gospel. Dominic's charism of preaching and teaching is exemplified in the lives of these three Dominicans, and my life is better for the presence of their ministry.
******************************
***********************************
Someone closer to our time, in fact within our recent history, is a woman Religious by the name of Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross of the Carmelite Order. Her feast is on the 9th of August. She lived in Europe at a most difficult time, and was arrested, imprisoned at Auschwitz, and put to death in 1942 by the Nazi's. The reason for her death was two-fold: she was an intellectual, a philosopher and scholar before entering Carmel, and also because she came from a Jewish background. Her name before entering religious life was Edith Stein. Her death, along with millions of Jews and Catholics and Christians, and outcasts and intellectuals and priests and religious, is part of the dreadful legacy of our human condition apart from God. Maybe her elevation to the altar, along with Maximilian Kolbe whose feast is this coming Tuesday, will help us remember those dark days when the world was embraced by evil.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Stepping out in Faith
As I get older I have developed some problems with my legs and back, and I am using a cane these days, primarily for security and balance. There is an uncertainty to my venturing forth. The last thing I need is to fall and hurt myself or provide the very difficult challenge of getting me back on my feet (a crane, I think, would be needed in that case). In the past year or so, the ice and snow of our winters have proven frightening.
The Gospel from Matthew this morning (Mt 14:22-36) has Peter stepping out in Faith onto the waters of the lake. Rash and impetuous as always, when Peter saw the Lord coming toward the disciples on the water, he said "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus said "Come."
Now the interesting thing is that Peter got out of the boat without hesitation and started walking toward Jesus. Walking on the water. No doubts. No second guessing. At least for a few minutes. Then he realizes what is happening and what he is doing, and with his sight straying from the one commanding him to "Come", he begins to falter and become frightened, blaming it on the wind! Only then does he begin to sink. It takes Jesus to reach out and bring him to the water's surface and ultimately to the boat. Focused on him, trusting in his word of command, reassured by his loving embrace, we can do the impossible, and the "foolish" becomes a sign of strength and wisdom. We do not need the crutch or the cane to provide security and balance. All we need is the Faith given us freely as a gift, and trust in the giver of the gift. Nothing is impossible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have buried two long time parishioners these past few days. Yesterday was Dorothy Dow and today was Irene Sekercheck. May their souls, and the souls of all of the faithful departed, rest in peace.
The Gospel from Matthew this morning (Mt 14:22-36) has Peter stepping out in Faith onto the waters of the lake. Rash and impetuous as always, when Peter saw the Lord coming toward the disciples on the water, he said "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus said "Come."
Now the interesting thing is that Peter got out of the boat without hesitation and started walking toward Jesus. Walking on the water. No doubts. No second guessing. At least for a few minutes. Then he realizes what is happening and what he is doing, and with his sight straying from the one commanding him to "Come", he begins to falter and become frightened, blaming it on the wind! Only then does he begin to sink. It takes Jesus to reach out and bring him to the water's surface and ultimately to the boat. Focused on him, trusting in his word of command, reassured by his loving embrace, we can do the impossible, and the "foolish" becomes a sign of strength and wisdom. We do not need the crutch or the cane to provide security and balance. All we need is the Faith given us freely as a gift, and trust in the giver of the gift. Nothing is impossible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have buried two long time parishioners these past few days. Yesterday was Dorothy Dow and today was Irene Sekercheck. May their souls, and the souls of all of the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Monday, August 6, 2012
A blinding light
It was an intimate mountaintop experience for a few close friends. Tension was building and things looked bleak for the future. Those opposed to the truth that Jesus was revealing were set to bring him down. So Jesus took Peter, James and John to that mountaintop and gave them a glimpse of who he really is - God! There was a cloud involved, and an awesome, blinding light. They saw something that few had ever seen before (and lived) - the glory of God! They were overcome, speechless, unsure as to what to do next. When Moses saw the face of God his hair turned snow white and his face glowed, scripture says. When these three saw the face of God they were strengthened and fortified for the task ahead, and they were never the same.
I remember being taught that when we reached heaven we would shared in the beatific vision, we would see the face of God and be transformed. All darkness was consumed by the light of that face, which is the indescribable power of God. We would never be the same. In the Transfiguration of Our Lord, celebrated on this 6th day of August, we are given a glimpse of that glory that will be so generously given to us in the beatific vision. We are reminded that we share in his glory, a glory belongs to God, and that like the moon with the sun, we reflect that glory and are not the source of it.
Today, as I mentioned in last year's post for this date, marks the anniversary of another blinding light that revealed an unbridled power, a cloud of destruction rather than life-giving mystery seen by the world, and a victory won that unleashed not glory but rather fear and dread for the past sixty-seven years. On this day, in 1945, on the city of Hiroshima, Japan, the first Atomic bomb was dropped by the U.S. It destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people outright. Three days later a second bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, killing another 70,000. Those bombs, those deaths helped bring about the end of a devastating war. You could say that a good came from that evil. But it was an evil. And the truth that "the end does not justify the means" is of paramount importance in our historical understanding of this action. Granted, it brought the conflict to a close. Granted, we had the capability to use this weapon. But was it the right thing to do? History will give us answers over time. But God will give the ultimate answer ... were we ready or able to deal with this destructive power that imitates the life giving power of God? Or did we unleash that which was not ours to unleash? How ironic that after all of these centuries of celebrating the Transfiguration on the 6th of August, that the date for these last 67 years is remembered for a bombing.
It was Pope Paul VI, who died on this date in 1978, who said before the U.N. "No more war! War never again!" If only the world had listened to those prophetic words.
I remember being taught that when we reached heaven we would shared in the beatific vision, we would see the face of God and be transformed. All darkness was consumed by the light of that face, which is the indescribable power of God. We would never be the same. In the Transfiguration of Our Lord, celebrated on this 6th day of August, we are given a glimpse of that glory that will be so generously given to us in the beatific vision. We are reminded that we share in his glory, a glory belongs to God, and that like the moon with the sun, we reflect that glory and are not the source of it.
Today, as I mentioned in last year's post for this date, marks the anniversary of another blinding light that revealed an unbridled power, a cloud of destruction rather than life-giving mystery seen by the world, and a victory won that unleashed not glory but rather fear and dread for the past sixty-seven years. On this day, in 1945, on the city of Hiroshima, Japan, the first Atomic bomb was dropped by the U.S. It destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people outright. Three days later a second bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, killing another 70,000. Those bombs, those deaths helped bring about the end of a devastating war. You could say that a good came from that evil. But it was an evil. And the truth that "the end does not justify the means" is of paramount importance in our historical understanding of this action. Granted, it brought the conflict to a close. Granted, we had the capability to use this weapon. But was it the right thing to do? History will give us answers over time. But God will give the ultimate answer ... were we ready or able to deal with this destructive power that imitates the life giving power of God? Or did we unleash that which was not ours to unleash? How ironic that after all of these centuries of celebrating the Transfiguration on the 6th of August, that the date for these last 67 years is remembered for a bombing.
It was Pope Paul VI, who died on this date in 1978, who said before the U.N. "No more war! War never again!" If only the world had listened to those prophetic words.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
A failing grade
On a weekend that was okay, but just a little off - an unusual flub or two with the translations, music that was just not on at times, a never before experience at the Saturday baptism at Mass of little Mackenzie Bria Koraly (who as I was about to pour the water reached up and blocked my movement with her arm - surprisingly strong, too) - I was confronted with a "test" at the 11:00 am Mass. After the 8:30 I began to have some intestinal problems and my lower back was really bothering me. But I was coping. At about twenty till, an usher came and asked if I had given an okay for a couple with a child to stand outside the entrance of the church with a sign asking for food or shelter? I was not aware that this was happening. People were concerned, or uncomfortable, or embarrassed to walk past them. I went out and told them to not solicit there. It was raining and they indicated that they needed to stay out of the rain. I said okay, but no sign. They promptly disregarded or did not understand what I had told them. Some people gave them money, some wanted to know if we should ask them to leave, some asked about called the police, some wanted to invite them in.
At that point, with Mass about to start and dealing with my physical difficulties, I did nothing. I could not handle this "complication" at that moment. I did not offer to get them help ... I did not personally invite them in ... I was suspicious and kept an eye on them. And I felt miserable about it. Running through my mind was that this is not what Christ would do, this is not what I should do as a Christian, this was not a good example. My homily was focused on Ephesians where Paul says not to be conformed to the world but to put on Christ. As I am listening to the readings I am saying to myself that I am conforming to the world. My thoughts were in at least four places at homily time (I think I said as much). I apologized to those who were offended by this experience, affirmed those who responded out of concern, and mentioned that maybe this was a "testing moment", like Francis encountering Christ in the leper in Assisi. But I personally failed the test - big time!
The couple, a young man and woman, with a child much too big for the stroller that she was in, may have been from south of the border. The ushers invited them in. One parishioner offered yard work and I understand was told by the gentleman that he did not have a green card. They were driving a passenger van. And they were given help. One of our good parishioners contacted the local Saint Vincent de Paul for assistance, and as they were waiting for the SVDP rep to arrive, the couple thanked me.
Confronted with a challenging situation, I handled it poorly. I am truly sorry to the three who found themselves on our doorstep as well as to the many who were not inspired by my example of living the Christian life. Not one of my better days!
At that point, with Mass about to start and dealing with my physical difficulties, I did nothing. I could not handle this "complication" at that moment. I did not offer to get them help ... I did not personally invite them in ... I was suspicious and kept an eye on them. And I felt miserable about it. Running through my mind was that this is not what Christ would do, this is not what I should do as a Christian, this was not a good example. My homily was focused on Ephesians where Paul says not to be conformed to the world but to put on Christ. As I am listening to the readings I am saying to myself that I am conforming to the world. My thoughts were in at least four places at homily time (I think I said as much). I apologized to those who were offended by this experience, affirmed those who responded out of concern, and mentioned that maybe this was a "testing moment", like Francis encountering Christ in the leper in Assisi. But I personally failed the test - big time!
The couple, a young man and woman, with a child much too big for the stroller that she was in, may have been from south of the border. The ushers invited them in. One parishioner offered yard work and I understand was told by the gentleman that he did not have a green card. They were driving a passenger van. And they were given help. One of our good parishioners contacted the local Saint Vincent de Paul for assistance, and as they were waiting for the SVDP rep to arrive, the couple thanked me.
Confronted with a challenging situation, I handled it poorly. I am truly sorry to the three who found themselves on our doorstep as well as to the many who were not inspired by my example of living the Christian life. Not one of my better days!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
A Parish Priest
This past week in one of the news conferences announcing his appointment as the tenth bishop of Erie, PA, Bishop-elect Lawrence Persico of our diocese was asked something like "Did you see yourself on this journey toward the episcopate?" His answer was a simple one - that he never saw himself as anything other than a parish priest. He is that, of course, as pastor of Saint James parish in New Alexandria ... but he is or has been much more: chaplain to religious communities, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese, student, canon lawyer, administrator, etc, etc, etc. And now as the chief shepherd of a great diocese in Northwestern Pennsylvania. But his best qualification for the new job is that of being "a parish priest".
Today the Church recognizes "a simple parish priest" in Saint John Marie Vianney, the Cure (or pastor) of Ars, a little village in France. He is the patron of parish priests. I told his story last year on this date in a posting entitled "A Good Pastor". His renown came from his desire and willingness to be "a parish priest" to those to whom he was sent. He brought with him his closeness to God and the struggle that it brought with it. He brought with him his love of God and the love of God's people that took root in his heart. He did not bring with him a stellar reputation, wisdom in intellectual knowledge, ambition, prestige, wealth or power. They were not his to bring. But he developed a reputation for holiness, a wisdom in the confessional that touched hearts, a humility in the power that flowed not from him but from God through him. He put Ars on the map, but more importantly he brought Christ into hearts.
Occasionally people will ask me if I want to be a bishop. Good God, NO! No offense to those called to that ministry, but I simply want to be a parish priest ... and I have been blessed to be that for these thirty-nine years through eight assignments. May the Lord continue to bless me with the desire to be "a good parish priest", and may the Lord bless those who have been supportive of that vocation.
Today the Church recognizes "a simple parish priest" in Saint John Marie Vianney, the Cure (or pastor) of Ars, a little village in France. He is the patron of parish priests. I told his story last year on this date in a posting entitled "A Good Pastor". His renown came from his desire and willingness to be "a parish priest" to those to whom he was sent. He brought with him his closeness to God and the struggle that it brought with it. He brought with him his love of God and the love of God's people that took root in his heart. He did not bring with him a stellar reputation, wisdom in intellectual knowledge, ambition, prestige, wealth or power. They were not his to bring. But he developed a reputation for holiness, a wisdom in the confessional that touched hearts, a humility in the power that flowed not from him but from God through him. He put Ars on the map, but more importantly he brought Christ into hearts.
Occasionally people will ask me if I want to be a bishop. Good God, NO! No offense to those called to that ministry, but I simply want to be a parish priest ... and I have been blessed to be that for these thirty-nine years through eight assignments. May the Lord continue to bless me with the desire to be "a good parish priest", and may the Lord bless those who have been supportive of that vocation.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Of many things
On Tuesday of this week the Benedictine Community of Saint Vincent Archabbey hosted the annual Priests' Day celebration at the abbey in Latrobe. As I mentioned last year, this event brings priests from the Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Erie and Altoona-Johnstown dioceses together along with alumni and friends for an enjoyable day of prayer and relaxation. This year saw Bishop Walterscheid, the Auxiliary of Pittsburgh as the celebrant and preacher, joined by Bishop Winter of Pittsburgh and the Archabbot of Saint Vincent, Douglas Nowicki along with Father Earl Henry, the Prior. Joining them in hosting the day was the new rector of the seminary, Father Tim Whalen of Pittsburgh.
Following Mass in the Basilica, refreshments and a wonderful sit down dinner was served in upper Placid Hall. The afternoon was free, with the Steelers training camp in session on campus, and was followed by a cook out near the monastery at 4:00 pm.
At the dinner I sat with my classmate from the diocese, Father Peter Peretti, Father Joe Gerg, a monk of Saint Vincent who I first went to Rome with back in 1975 (we were remembering those days), and a Franciscan T.O.R. from Loretto who had joined us, Father Bob Hilz. Bob and I were in Rome in the mid 80's for the International Priests' Retreat and knew each other from the seminary days. Father Chuck Esposito of our diocese and a priest from Altoona-Johnstown were also there. It was enjoyable.
The Benedictines are noted for their hospitality, and the Saint Vincent Community particularly so. Our thanks to them.
++++++++++++++++++
I filled in for my neighbor, Father John Moineau of Immaculate Conception yesterday for the morning Mass and a funeral for a 35 year old young man from the parish. Father John was dealing with, I believe, a detached retina. It was like old times having daily mass at IC - it has been 35 years since I moved from there. The funeral, though difficult for one so young, went well - with music and choir and cantoring and lectoring and serving being done with compassion and love. I found blessing ... and I ask your prayers for Father John. He's a great guy.
Following Mass in the Basilica, refreshments and a wonderful sit down dinner was served in upper Placid Hall. The afternoon was free, with the Steelers training camp in session on campus, and was followed by a cook out near the monastery at 4:00 pm.
At the dinner I sat with my classmate from the diocese, Father Peter Peretti, Father Joe Gerg, a monk of Saint Vincent who I first went to Rome with back in 1975 (we were remembering those days), and a Franciscan T.O.R. from Loretto who had joined us, Father Bob Hilz. Bob and I were in Rome in the mid 80's for the International Priests' Retreat and knew each other from the seminary days. Father Chuck Esposito of our diocese and a priest from Altoona-Johnstown were also there. It was enjoyable.
The Benedictines are noted for their hospitality, and the Saint Vincent Community particularly so. Our thanks to them.
++++++++++++++++++
I filled in for my neighbor, Father John Moineau of Immaculate Conception yesterday for the morning Mass and a funeral for a 35 year old young man from the parish. Father John was dealing with, I believe, a detached retina. It was like old times having daily mass at IC - it has been 35 years since I moved from there. The funeral, though difficult for one so young, went well - with music and choir and cantoring and lectoring and serving being done with compassion and love. I found blessing ... and I ask your prayers for Father John. He's a great guy.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What a reputation! When Jeremiah shared the message of the Lord with the people of Judah at the time of Jehoiakim, the king, as we heard this morning in the first reading, they were harsh words. Basically the Lord said - you have ignored me long enough, you have done evil in my sight, you are not deserving of my love. When people want to curse another, they will use your name. Your house shall be a word of derision, a curse and condemnation. When your name is heard or spoken, only the worst will be called to mind. Unless you repent!
What a reputation!!! But the Lord gave them a chance at redemption. What a God!!!!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Forgetting the Covenant
In my earlier days as an assistant, I was stationed with a man who had some problems, especially with me. We lived in the same house and worked at the same parish and ministered to the same people, and he could be cordial and at times generous. But his problems would surface at the most unusual times and periodically he would get on my case. He would verbally "assault" me (and I use that word generously). He would tell me to my face that I was worthless as a priest, that I was a waste of time and energy, that I was nothing and a nobody. He would harangue me like that for great lengths of time, and the next Sunday mention to the people what a good priest I was. It drove me nuts ... and it undermined my self confidence. The one saving element to these experiences was my relationship to the Lord, the affirmation that I received from the people of the parish, and the support of my priest friends and other close friends. To live a life without affirmation is difficult. To live a life being told that you are worthless and that you do not matter can be devastating. To live life without supportive relationships is to not live at all.
I was reminded of this in the responsorial psalm of this past Monday which reminded the people of Israel that they had forgotten God, their life giver, their rock. They had declared that they did not need God - God was useless to them, non-existent. And God said that if they thought that they did not need God, that he was unnecessary, that he was non-existent ... then God would hide his face from these stiff necked people, with their vain idols, and show them to be a "no-people", and anger them with problems that could be resolved if they trusted God but without God would be overwhelming. Their identity rested in their relationship with him. Their meaning and purpose was founded in him.
The "no-god" attitude of our every increasing world view and culture threatens to leave us without an identity; and without that identity, to be without a purpose; and to be without a purpose, to be lost. We are headed to be that "no-people" that was spoken of - to be nobodies, worthless, forsaken, dead in the waters. Without the affirming love and power of God, we are nothing. With it, we share Glory!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NPM Convention Reflection
I mentioned what a joy it was to be among so many faith filled, like minded people. It was also a blessing to be in the presence of so many talented composers and musicians. They shared with us, show cased their new works, led us in prayer, and lifted our spirits. On Wednesday evening in the Allegheny Ballroom of the Westin we were blessed with three composers of liturgical music from different generations sharing their comtemporary works. Curtis Stephan and Steve Angrisano are current musicians and composers who were joined by veteran composer Dan Schutte for an hour concert. Dan has written "City of God" , "Beyond the Moon and Stars", and "Here I am, Lord". These three men were formed by the Church at different times of her history, yet they share a love of God and a common faith that flows into hearts. In their additional song at the finale, they did "Here I am, Lord". Dan Schutte asked us to sing it as he intended when he wrote the song. The verses would be sung by one person (these are the words of God - "I the Lord of sea and sky ... who will I send?") and the refrain would be sung by all ("Here I am, Lord; it is I, Lord ...). It was the most powerful experience of that song that I can remember.
I was reminded of this in the responsorial psalm of this past Monday which reminded the people of Israel that they had forgotten God, their life giver, their rock. They had declared that they did not need God - God was useless to them, non-existent. And God said that if they thought that they did not need God, that he was unnecessary, that he was non-existent ... then God would hide his face from these stiff necked people, with their vain idols, and show them to be a "no-people", and anger them with problems that could be resolved if they trusted God but without God would be overwhelming. Their identity rested in their relationship with him. Their meaning and purpose was founded in him.
The "no-god" attitude of our every increasing world view and culture threatens to leave us without an identity; and without that identity, to be without a purpose; and to be without a purpose, to be lost. We are headed to be that "no-people" that was spoken of - to be nobodies, worthless, forsaken, dead in the waters. Without the affirming love and power of God, we are nothing. With it, we share Glory!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NPM Convention Reflection
I mentioned what a joy it was to be among so many faith filled, like minded people. It was also a blessing to be in the presence of so many talented composers and musicians. They shared with us, show cased their new works, led us in prayer, and lifted our spirits. On Wednesday evening in the Allegheny Ballroom of the Westin we were blessed with three composers of liturgical music from different generations sharing their comtemporary works. Curtis Stephan and Steve Angrisano are current musicians and composers who were joined by veteran composer Dan Schutte for an hour concert. Dan has written "City of God" , "Beyond the Moon and Stars", and "Here I am, Lord". These three men were formed by the Church at different times of her history, yet they share a love of God and a common faith that flows into hearts. In their additional song at the finale, they did "Here I am, Lord". Dan Schutte asked us to sing it as he intended when he wrote the song. The verses would be sung by one person (these are the words of God - "I the Lord of sea and sky ... who will I send?") and the refrain would be sung by all ("Here I am, Lord; it is I, Lord ...). It was the most powerful experience of that song that I can remember.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)