I last posted 14 days ago. Since then the world has changed. Normalcy as we know it has given way to extraordinarily precautious restrictions. All this due to the caronavirus that is afflicting the world community. There is no way that you cannot have heard of or been affected by this pandemic.
Nations are on lockdown and quarentine. The tally of those who tested positive skyrockets and the death tolls continues to grow. I just heard that Italy saw over 350 deaths in the last 24 hours, and they are not at the peak of the epidemic. We are just at the early stages in this country, and drastic efforts are being taken to contain the spread of the virus, which is particularly dangerous to the elderly and those suffering from other chronic illnesses. These are frightening times.
We even find that the public celebration of the Mass and our public prayer life have been suspended for the forseable future. I cannot remember that ever happening before in my years of priesthood and even in my lifetime. And yet, the time to pray has never been more vital.
A part of me balks at these drastic restrictions to the living out of our faith life. We do trust in the love and providence of the Lord in our lives. Then why act as if we do not trust? If it involved simply myself, things might be different. But these precautions are meant to curtail the spread of the virus, and therefore are for the sake of others. We must do our part. And that includes intensifying our prayer and sacrifice, of sharing our love and concern, and of awaiting that turning point when life will once again return to normal and the new life of Spring will come again. Meanwhile, nothing will be regular or the same ... not even our faith ... which must deepen with every harship and restriction placed before our lives.
Be strong! Keep the faith! Be careful and responsible! And renew your deep friendship with the Lord of Life, Jesus the Christ!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
How Should We Pray?
As our Lenten journey continues, the Gospel for this Tuesday of the First Week of Lenrt is taken from chapter 6 of Matthew (Matthew 6:7-15).
Jesus speaks of praying. He warns that praying is not simply the multiplication of words or "babbling like the pagans". Still, I'm sure that you have heard someone, even a priest (maybe even myself) babble on in prayer. We have a good priest in our house who is into brevity, and when the prayer chosen is the long form, or if the presider is expansive, will audible sigh (reminding us to cut it short).
Jesus in today's Gospel gives us "the perfect prayer". He shared it with his followers when they asked him to give them a prayer that would identify them to him. This was a common practice among teachers - to share their charism or gift (the Chaplet of Saint Faustina ... the Prayer of Saint Francis ... etc).
Jesus says, when you pray:
a) remember who you are addressing: Our Father in heaven, you are holy!
b) acknowledge God's plan and your place in it: Your kingdom come, here as in heaven!
c) place yourself before him in supplication: Give us what we need - our earthly needs of daily bread and our spirotual need of forgiveness!
d) willingly place yourself within his plan: We will share with others and we will forgive those who trespass against us!
e) express your heart's desire: Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil!
To this perfect prayer we add our AMEN!
Jesus speaks of praying. He warns that praying is not simply the multiplication of words or "babbling like the pagans". Still, I'm sure that you have heard someone, even a priest (maybe even myself) babble on in prayer. We have a good priest in our house who is into brevity, and when the prayer chosen is the long form, or if the presider is expansive, will audible sigh (reminding us to cut it short).
Jesus in today's Gospel gives us "the perfect prayer". He shared it with his followers when they asked him to give them a prayer that would identify them to him. This was a common practice among teachers - to share their charism or gift (the Chaplet of Saint Faustina ... the Prayer of Saint Francis ... etc).
Jesus says, when you pray:
a) remember who you are addressing: Our Father in heaven, you are holy!
b) acknowledge God's plan and your place in it: Your kingdom come, here as in heaven!
c) place yourself before him in supplication: Give us what we need - our earthly needs of daily bread and our spirotual need of forgiveness!
d) willingly place yourself within his plan: We will share with others and we will forgive those who trespass against us!
e) express your heart's desire: Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil!
To this perfect prayer we add our AMEN!
Sunday, March 1, 2020
An arrogant enemy
On this first Sunday of Lent we are reminded of our enemy, the serpent of Genesis, the reason for the Fall of Adam and the tempter of Jesus. We see him for who he is: a self-obsessed lier and thief whose claim of lordship is of darkness and death.
We know who he is, for we too are tempted by him to turn away from the Lord and stand on our own. We know who he is, for we live a world touched by darkness and sin, embraced by selfishness and failure. We know who he is, for he plants the seed of doubt and despair in our hearts.
This lord of darkness is the devil who tempts Jesus in today's gospel of Matthew. Filled with jealousy and pride, he declared himself equal to his creator ... on a par with God in those first moments of creation. Not satisfied with his legions, he appears in the Garden to tempt those who are children and friends of God, leading them to step out of grace and favor. Through him, humanity fell into personal sin which has led to a world of pain and suffering, bondage and despair. He claims dominion over that which is not his, and is blinded by his arrogant selfishness.
When he tempts Jesus today, his temptations are reflected in those temptations that continually confront us.
He tempts Jesus in his hunger, after 40 days and nights of fasting and prayer. He does not give Jesus bread to eat, but asks him to "turn the stones into bread" … telling him to personally mistrust the blessings of the Father. Jesus did not buy into the lie. Our hungers are many, and he tempts us to trust in ourselves or others rather than the Father who has pledged us his loving care.
He tempts Jesus with self-preservation. "Throw yourself from the temple" ... God's angels will protect you! It does not matter what you do, we are told, God will protect you and keep you from harm. Like Jesus in the desert, we need to tell the evil one that we will not put the Lord to the test. We will live in his love without compromising our safety or existence.
And he tempts Jesus with all the power and riches of the world ... which he mistakenly claims as his own. The lord of darkness offers these things to Jesus (and us) if we but "bow down" in worship of him. What arrogance!
What the Lord created as we hear in Genesis was seen to be good! And God was pleased! We are the crowning moment of that creation! We must not allow temptations and lies, sin and darkness, confound the vision of God. Lent is our time of repenting of our sins, turning to the Lord, and embracing his merciful grace and live!
We know who he is, for we too are tempted by him to turn away from the Lord and stand on our own. We know who he is, for we live a world touched by darkness and sin, embraced by selfishness and failure. We know who he is, for he plants the seed of doubt and despair in our hearts.
This lord of darkness is the devil who tempts Jesus in today's gospel of Matthew. Filled with jealousy and pride, he declared himself equal to his creator ... on a par with God in those first moments of creation. Not satisfied with his legions, he appears in the Garden to tempt those who are children and friends of God, leading them to step out of grace and favor. Through him, humanity fell into personal sin which has led to a world of pain and suffering, bondage and despair. He claims dominion over that which is not his, and is blinded by his arrogant selfishness.
When he tempts Jesus today, his temptations are reflected in those temptations that continually confront us.
He tempts Jesus in his hunger, after 40 days and nights of fasting and prayer. He does not give Jesus bread to eat, but asks him to "turn the stones into bread" … telling him to personally mistrust the blessings of the Father. Jesus did not buy into the lie. Our hungers are many, and he tempts us to trust in ourselves or others rather than the Father who has pledged us his loving care.
He tempts Jesus with self-preservation. "Throw yourself from the temple" ... God's angels will protect you! It does not matter what you do, we are told, God will protect you and keep you from harm. Like Jesus in the desert, we need to tell the evil one that we will not put the Lord to the test. We will live in his love without compromising our safety or existence.
And he tempts Jesus with all the power and riches of the world ... which he mistakenly claims as his own. The lord of darkness offers these things to Jesus (and us) if we but "bow down" in worship of him. What arrogance!
What the Lord created as we hear in Genesis was seen to be good! And God was pleased! We are the crowning moment of that creation! We must not allow temptations and lies, sin and darkness, confound the vision of God. Lent is our time of repenting of our sins, turning to the Lord, and embracing his merciful grace and live!
Thursday, February 27, 2020
The Choice
The first reading for this second day in Lent is from the Book of Deuteronomy in the Hebrew Scriptures. In chapter 30 we read: "Moses said to the people: 'Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom. If you obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the Lord, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy."'
God's desire for us comes from the depth of his heart. It comes to us in deep love and it is not forced ... never forced. He desires for us to live ... to choose life ... to accept him and walk in his way ... to provide an opportunity for his blessing to find a home within us. But the choice is ours ... always ours. We may find excuses and place the blame for our predicaments on others, but it rests with us.
Lent is our time of taking stock. We are faced with a choice. We are to look at the alternatives before us and, if wise with the wisdom of God, choose life and growing numerous and being blest and sharing the blessings of God with others.
Lent is a long season of prayer and fasting, gratitude and almsgiving, growth in holiness. Do not procrastinate in the invitation given in these first days to choose life or to renew our decision.
"Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will support you."
God's desire for us comes from the depth of his heart. It comes to us in deep love and it is not forced ... never forced. He desires for us to live ... to choose life ... to accept him and walk in his way ... to provide an opportunity for his blessing to find a home within us. But the choice is ours ... always ours. We may find excuses and place the blame for our predicaments on others, but it rests with us.
Lent is our time of taking stock. We are faced with a choice. We are to look at the alternatives before us and, if wise with the wisdom of God, choose life and growing numerous and being blest and sharing the blessings of God with others.
Lent is a long season of prayer and fasting, gratitude and almsgiving, growth in holiness. Do not procrastinate in the invitation given in these first days to choose life or to renew our decision.
"Entrust your cares to the Lord, and he will support you."
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
LENT 2020
From "The Blessing of Ashes" of the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.
"O God, who are moved by acts of humility and respond with forgiveness to works of penance, lend your merciful ear to our prayers and in your kindness pour out the grace of your blessing on your servants who are marked with these ashes, that, as they follow the Lenten observances, they may be worthy to come with minds made pure to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of your Son. Through Christ our Lord."
"O God, who are moved by acts of humility and respond with forgiveness to works of penance, lend your merciful ear to our prayers and in your kindness pour out the grace of your blessing on your servants who are marked with these ashes, that, as they follow the Lenten observances, they may be worthy to come with minds made pure to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of your Son. Through Christ our Lord."
REPENT,
AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL!
May this LENT be a journey of growth in holiness!
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
February Family Celebrations
The Stoviak family celebrates two special months. May sees the birthday of my sister, Jane and of myself ... and my ordination to the priesthood which took place on Janie's 23rd birthday. The other significant month is February.
On the 9th of February in 1920 my Dad, Bill Stoviak, was born of Bessie and John Stoviak (Stachowiak) in the small coal mining community (patch) called Continental # 3, about five miles outside of Uniontown. He grew up there, attended Georges High School, got his first job, courted Mom, did his duty during World War II in the Army on the European Front, and upon return, married Mom and attended the police academy before joining the Uniontown Police Department. He served there for many years as patrolman, sargent, and in retirement as a dispatcher. This capsule of his life does no justice to the legacy and effect that this good man and great husband and father brought to all whom he met. He went home to heaven on May 10, 2002 - 18 years ago. This past Sunday, February 9th, would have been Dad's 100th birthday.
On February 11 in 1919 my Mom, Frances Louise Lenard was born in Uniontown of Mary and Frank Lenard. She never went far from home, for she grew up four houses down the street from our family home. She attended Uniontown High School where the yearbook says she was homeroom president, student senate, Beta Pennsylvania Club, Nature Club, Advertisement Club, chorus, usher and the Dancing Club. We just found this tidbit of info recently. I never knew that Mom was a dancer. She worked for a few years in retail before marrying Dad and beginning our family. Mom was loving, supportive and loyal to her family and friends. She went home to join Dad in heaven three short years after his death, on March 3rd, 2005 - 15 years ago this year. Today would have been Mom's 101st birthday.
Our other family celebration was February 17th. On that date in 1946 Frances Lenard and William Stoviak were married at Saint Mary Nativity Church in Uniontown. 74 years ago this coming Monday marks the beginning of their journey together and our family. As their children, Janie and I were and truly are blessed.
As you can see - February is a special month for us - and this year those celebrations have taken on significant importance in the number of years ... 100, 101 and 74. Happy Birthday, Mom & Dad ... and Happy Anniversary!
On the 9th of February in 1920 my Dad, Bill Stoviak, was born of Bessie and John Stoviak (Stachowiak) in the small coal mining community (patch) called Continental # 3, about five miles outside of Uniontown. He grew up there, attended Georges High School, got his first job, courted Mom, did his duty during World War II in the Army on the European Front, and upon return, married Mom and attended the police academy before joining the Uniontown Police Department. He served there for many years as patrolman, sargent, and in retirement as a dispatcher. This capsule of his life does no justice to the legacy and effect that this good man and great husband and father brought to all whom he met. He went home to heaven on May 10, 2002 - 18 years ago. This past Sunday, February 9th, would have been Dad's 100th birthday.
On February 11 in 1919 my Mom, Frances Louise Lenard was born in Uniontown of Mary and Frank Lenard. She never went far from home, for she grew up four houses down the street from our family home. She attended Uniontown High School where the yearbook says she was homeroom president, student senate, Beta Pennsylvania Club, Nature Club, Advertisement Club, chorus, usher and the Dancing Club. We just found this tidbit of info recently. I never knew that Mom was a dancer. She worked for a few years in retail before marrying Dad and beginning our family. Mom was loving, supportive and loyal to her family and friends. She went home to join Dad in heaven three short years after his death, on March 3rd, 2005 - 15 years ago this year. Today would have been Mom's 101st birthday.
Our other family celebration was February 17th. On that date in 1946 Frances Lenard and William Stoviak were married at Saint Mary Nativity Church in Uniontown. 74 years ago this coming Monday marks the beginning of their journey together and our family. As their children, Janie and I were and truly are blessed.
As you can see - February is a special month for us - and this year those celebrations have taken on significant importance in the number of years ... 100, 101 and 74. Happy Birthday, Mom & Dad ... and Happy Anniversary!
Monday, February 3, 2020
Let me try to explain!
Sunday at lunch at our place (February 2nd) I found myself saying "Let me try to explain!". We were finishing lunch and one of our newer residents, a young and charming priest from Nigeria by the name of Father Anthony who is a new member of our International Priests Program and is living with us as he gets his papers, drivers test, clearances, etc. taken care of. We had greeted each other earlier with "Happy Feast of the Presentation of the Lord" and "Happy Groundhog Day". Well, he asked: "What is groundhog day?"
To someone from another culture and another climate, try to explain that tid bit of lore! Let me try to explain!
The few of us at lunch proceeded to explain the tradition of Punxsutawney Phil, the local groundhog personality from the nearby small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, who predicts every year on the morning of February 2nd that we will see either an early Spring or six more weeks of Winter. It all has to do with Phil seeing or not seeing his shadow. The event is a great celebration for the townsfolk and a multitude of visitors who party hardy! The news covers it in great detail. And this has been happening on February 2nd since 1887. With a few odd years that were missed, the score is: 103 years of a longer Winter ... 20 years of an early Spring. This year was an early Spring prognosis. Try to have that make sense to an intelligent person from another culture.
The other thing that we tried to explain is our Winter weather. Father Anthony has rarely seen snow and the cold is uncommon for him. We have been warning him of our winters ... but his experience since he arrived in early January has been strange at best. We've had a rather mild January ... we are behind in regular snowfall ... even yesterday at lunch we had at least an inch of snow on the ground and it was in the low 30's ... and today it was 64 and sunny. So again, Father Anthony, let me try to explain our weather. I did reassure him that he will know Winter when he finally experiences it.
To someone from another culture and another climate, try to explain that tid bit of lore! Let me try to explain!
The few of us at lunch proceeded to explain the tradition of Punxsutawney Phil, the local groundhog personality from the nearby small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, who predicts every year on the morning of February 2nd that we will see either an early Spring or six more weeks of Winter. It all has to do with Phil seeing or not seeing his shadow. The event is a great celebration for the townsfolk and a multitude of visitors who party hardy! The news covers it in great detail. And this has been happening on February 2nd since 1887. With a few odd years that were missed, the score is: 103 years of a longer Winter ... 20 years of an early Spring. This year was an early Spring prognosis. Try to have that make sense to an intelligent person from another culture.
The other thing that we tried to explain is our Winter weather. Father Anthony has rarely seen snow and the cold is uncommon for him. We have been warning him of our winters ... but his experience since he arrived in early January has been strange at best. We've had a rather mild January ... we are behind in regular snowfall ... even yesterday at lunch we had at least an inch of snow on the ground and it was in the low 30's ... and today it was 64 and sunny. So again, Father Anthony, let me try to explain our weather. I did reassure him that he will know Winter when he finally experiences it.
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