What is happening

 Over a month has gone by since my last post.  There is no excuse, other than the weight of the times affecting my life.

     This year has been unlike any that I have known.  We keep saying that, but these ARE unprecedented times.  Shut down, isolated, urged to be distant and careful, we find little happening in our lives.  But in the life of the Diocese of Greensburg, there have been a few significant events and announcements celebrated in the most unusual ways.

     Most importantly for our Diocese came the announcement that the Holy Father has named our bishop, Bishop Edward C. Malesic, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland.  When I read of the pending announcement in "Whispers in the Loggia" the night before the Vatican notification, I did not know whether to cry or rejoice.  In that moment I rejoiced that Cleveland would welcome a very good shepherd in Bishop Malesic ... but there was a sadness in my heart that we would be losing a shepherd who is so loved and appreciated in our Diocese, by both the faithful and our priests.  Our loss as priests is not only the shepherd but also the friend.  We wish him all of the Lord's blessings as he prepares for his installation in Cleveland on Monday, September 14th.  A change that brings disappointment and sadness to my heart.

     In June we saw the ordination by Bishop Malesic of a new priest, Father Mark Dunmire.  This good young from Saint Margaret Mary Church in Lower Burrell was ordained in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, but with the Covid-19 restrictions we had to watch on streaming.  He has been assigned as Parochial Vicar at one of the parishes in which I served as pastor, Saint Paul Parish in Greensburg.  I told Mark that he is blessed in this assignment.

A welcome blessing to my heart and to the Diocese.

   Bishop Malesic also ordained five men to the Permanent Diaconate during this time.  They are: Craig Gilbert, Steven LoCasio, William Wilson, Bob Stauffer and Michael Dargay.  Again, the ordination was by invitation only and we watched from a distance (it is not the same).  I met all of these men and I know a few of them, and they will bring bring great service to God's people and joy to my heart.

     Our Chrism Mass, moved from Holy Thursday, was also celebrated recently at the Cathedral with the Priests' Council and Deans representing the diocesan clergy.  This is such a wonderful celebration of the renewal of priesthood that to participate on-line just didn't do it (at least for me). This necessary change brought another disappointment to my heart.

     And we rejoiced in the selection of Father Martin de Pores Bartel as the 12th Archabbot of Saint Vincent Benedictine Archabbey in Latrobe within the Diocese.  Saint Vincent is a blessing within our Church, and for me the Benedictines of Saint Vincent not only provided me with a great High School education at the former Saint Vincent Prep, but have been friends and fellow co-workers in the parishes.  Archabbot Martin is a warm and friendly man who will serve well as Father Abbot.  Bishop Malesic installed him as Archabbot in Saint Vincent Basilica last month, with appropriate limitation and social distancing.  I was a disappointment to not be present, but a joy to watch.

     Our faith in the love of God for his people allows us to not be overcome by our disappointment and restrictions as well as to rejoice in his blessings, in whatever limited way we can celebrate them.  This virus is an opportunity to deepen our trust and strengthen our faith in a loving God.  Be strong!

Whom do we fear?

     As some of you may know, for about three years I have been involved in the Catholic Radio Ministry of WAOB (We Are One Body) serving Southwestern Pennsylvania.  I am a part of a team who provides a daily "lectio divina" program entitled "Drawing Life-Giving Waters From Jacob's Well", live every evening from 8 to 9.

For well over a year I have guided the Saturday program, which provides four Scripture passages (the next day's readings) and my three reflections on each of those Scriptures.  Today I would like to share my thoughts on this past Sunday's Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, verse 26 through 42.

     Our gospel for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time is taken from the second half of chapter 10 of Matthew.  Jesus tells us just who it is that we need to fear.

     Earlier in this chapter Jesus warns us to beware of wolves in sheep's clothing … of the time when we see brother against brother, family against family and friends … and of those who persecute us.  Jesus' words still have powerful meaning, for we are continually confronted with anger and hostility, persecution and ridicule, hatred and violence.  Every day on the news we see and hear of a world gone astray,  Fear is the emotion of the moment in our troubled times.

     Verse 26 echoes what we heard so often from Saint John Paul II … "Fear not!"  It says: "Have no fear of the things that cause fear."  We may suffer because of fear, but there is nothing that is hidden that will not be made known.  Christ loves us and stands by our side.

     Verse 27 says: "What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops.  Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul."

     In this dark hour of confusion and anger and fear, we are told with clear and outright assurance that we are the beloved of God.  We are told that it is not just one or another life that matters, but that the lives of all of God's children are precious.  In the midst of confusion and fear - health wise, socially, racially, economically, politically, historically - that the Lord whispers to our hearts of his love and his protective care, and he calls us as Church to proclaim it from the housetops.

     We have been physically separated from one another, kept from the strengthening power of worship in the house of the Lord and the nourishment of Eucharist, confronted with injustice and fear and anger, and seen reason be misplaced.

     But we continue to be chosen and gifted with God's love.

     Whom do you fear?  I believe FDR said "We have nothing to fear but fear itself".  I am a Tolkien fan, and in "The Lord of the Rings" the dark wizard Saruman asks his grotesque followers: "Whom do you serve?"  They answer, of course, Saruman!

     For me and my house … we will serve the Lord. Whom do we fear?  With respect for all powers, good and bad alike, we fear no one - for we are the beloved of God.  As Matthew tells us, God protects even the smallest sparrow … and we are worth more than many sparrows.

     Verse 32 says: "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven."

    This is not the message that many want us to hear nor is it the attitude of heart that some want us to have.  Touched by grace we stand against the call to darkness and stand in the light.  I read somewhere that: "Love is what we were born with … fear is what we learned here."  Take your birthright and witness to God's love.

The Strength of the Holy Spirit

     This past Saturday, May 30th marked the celebration of Memorial Day.  The nation celebrated the occasion on the previous Monday as we have for many years, in order to have a long holiday weekend.  But Memorial Day, or as it was once called, "Decoration Day", was celebrated on May 30th for most of my life.  The day originated following the Civil War and was a day to honor those who have died in battle by "decorating" their graves and honoring their service and sacrifice.  It is a day of parades and flags.

     I always thought, as a child, that the parades and flags were in my honor, since this is the "memorable" day that I was born into this world back in 1947.  So Saturday was my birthday, along with another of our priests here at Neumann House.  It was a good birthday.  I pointed out that there are two significant numbers for me this year: I was born in '47 and this is my 47th anniversary of ordination … and I was ordained in '73 and this year I celebrate my 73rd birthday.

     The day was capped off with a special "Extended Pentecost Vigil Liturgy" for our small group with Mass at 7:00pm in the Saint Joseph Chapel on the campus of Christ Our Shepherd Center where I live.  The "extended Vigil" is an optional Pentecost vigil celebration similar to the Easter Vigil with added Scripture readings and sung responses.  Most of the men had never experienced this in the parishes, but I have been doing so since the publication of the New Roman Missal created the liturgy.  We were blessed with an accompanist and cantor, and the liturgy was beautiful.  It capped off my day.

     You may not know that I am a part of a radio ministry in the area on WAOB (We Are One Body), a Catholic channel that ministers throughout a wide area on both am & fm.  I am part of a daily "lectio divina" program entitled "Drawing Life-giving Waters From Jacob's Well" broadcast every evening live from 8 to 9 pm.  I usually take the Saturday evening program and give reflections on the next day's scriptures.  I have been blessed to do this ministry for nearly three years now.

     The station also has me record English versions of talks that our Holy Father gives to various group, for broadcast at varying times throughout the day.  I did such a taping this afternoon, and it spoke to my heart of the need for the strength of the Holy Spirit in our lives, especially today.

    The Holy Father was speaking to CHARIS - The Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service leadership group in a video message for their Pentecost Vigil Celebration.  The Holy Father said that we are to be a "witness to Jesus".  He said that "today the world suffers, it is wounded … the world needs us to give it Jesus.  We are only able to give this witness with the strength of the Holy Spirit."

     He reminds us that the Spirit gives us new eyes to see that we are in this world of suffering and joy together, united by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He says that "We have before us the duty to build a new reality.  The Lord will do it; we can collaborate: "I make all things new", He says in Revelation 21:5.

    Then he said something profound.  "When we come out of this pandemic, we will no longer be able to do what we have been doing, how we have been doing it.  No, everything will be different."

     "From the great trials of humanity, including this pandemic, we emerge either better or worse.  We do not come out the same."  The Holy Spirit changes our hearts, strengthens our resolve, inspires our spirits and helps us to come out better."

     Good, strong, necessary words.  The question we have been asking here is: "Will things ever get back to normal?"  Normal is not enough!  We need to trust the strength of the Spirit to help come out better. 

Priesthood Celebrated

     It has been a long time since I posted.  A good friend of mine from high school days called last week to make sure that I was okay, since he hadn't seen a post on "Journey Thoughts".  I thank him and all who missed these missives for their concern.
     All is well with me.  We at our priests retirement residence have remained careful and are generally well, God willing, free of the virus that threatens us all.

     Today, by way of the Diocesan facebook page, many of us at Neumann House live streamed the funeral Mass of Father Donald Mondello, a long time retired priest whose funeral liturgy was limited by the restrictions of even this "yellow phase" of quarantine.

     Later this afternoon we gathered in our chapel for our special Marian devotions which we are celebrating every Wednesday during May.  Following the devotions, we gathered as a family for a brief social before a festive dinner in our larger, socially distanced dining room.  The occasion was the recognition of the priesthood anniversaries of the thirteen men who reside here in retirement.  Those anniversaries range from 44 years to 63 years ordained as priests … with a grand total of 640 years of priestly service represented.  Imagine the people  ministered to with mercy and compassion … the countless Masses, confessions and sacraments celebrated … and the impact of the faith shared with the local church and the larger community.  May 5th was 47 years for me.  Those years have gone by swiftly and have brought me great blessings and joy.
      This year the Greensburg Diocese has one young man to be ordained to the priesthood - later in June.  Pray for him and for an increase of priestly vocations.

     There is an observation that is well known which I would like to share here.  It is called:

WHO WILL REPLACE HIM

If a priest preaches over ten minutes, he's long winded.
If his sermon is short, he didn't prepare it.
If the parish funds are high, he's a businessman.
If he mentions money, he is money-mad.
If he visits his parishioners, he's nosing;
If he doesn't, he's being snobbish.
If he has fairs and bazaars, he's bleeding the people;
If he doesn't, there isn't any life in the parish.
If he takes time in confession to help and advise sinners, 
        he takes too long;
If he doesn't, he doesn't care.
If he celebrates the liturgy in a quiet voice, he's boring;
If he puts feeling into it, he's an actor.
If he starts Mass on time, his watch is fast.
If he starts late, he's holding up the people.
If he tries to lead the people in music, he's showing off;
If he doesn't, he doesn't care what Mass is like.
If he decorates the Church, he's wasting money;
If he doesn't, he's letting it run down.
If he's young, he's not experienced.
If he's old, he ought to retire.

But … if he dies ...

THERE MAY BE NO ONE TO REPLACE HIM.

Please pray for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life!

The Day the Earth Stood Still

     The striking images of well known places around the world that are empty or nearly so, devoid of crowds and the normal activity of life, are chilling.  To see empty churches, and an empty Saint Peter Square and Basilica with a handful of faithful joining the Holy Father in these Liturgies of the Sacred Triduum, is disconcerting.  To hear of the sufferings of so many worldwide through illness or economic hardships, added to the never-ending world at war, rips at our hearts.

     Today our Triduum takes us to the hill of Calvary, not to a mountaintop wrapped in glory nor to a city jubilant with pilgrims for a feast nor to the quiet intimacy of family gathered for a meal.  On this mountain, on this hill of sacrifice, in the midst of a fragile and needy world stands a Cross, an image of death, which, by the One sacrificed on that Cross, draws us from death and despair to the truth of Eternal Life.

     I was born and raised in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.  Outside of town, on Summit Mountain the Methodist church has a training camp at Jumonville Glen.  On the top of the mountain stands a large Cross which everyone from miles around can see and reflect upon.
This first image is of the Cross on a winter's day ... and the second is a striking image of the place of the Cross in the midst of the world.

    On Golgotha those many years ago, the world stood still.  The universe paused in its existence to witness the end of everything the world held important.  This was literally "the end of the world".  No longer would/could things be the same.  A death came and touched our life in order that a Life beyond imagining would bring us to the beauty of Truth and the Glory of God as He had desired for us.

     Pilate asked: "What is truth?"  He knew of power, influence, Caesars, politics, loyalty, all the things held important by the world ... but he did not know truth because he did not recognize Jesus.  In his dwelling among men he would not look upon Jesus Crucified and therefore would still hunger for truth.

     Even those who were given the promise of God's love through the Law and the prophets, the religious leaders of the people, cried out to Pilate: "We have no king but Caesar."  Blinded to the truth, they were blinded to the reality of life that God had called them to treasure.

     On that day the earth stood still.  In our day the world is in a "pause mode" because of a pandemic.  In the depth of our hearts on this Good Friday, there must be a moment to stand still, to pause and pray and to encourage each other when we gaze upon the Cross of Christ: "Come, let us worship!"

The 2020 Triduum

     40 Days ago we began a time of "stepping aside" from our normal schedules and routine to journey through a season of reflection, penance, prayer and sacrifice.  This time we call LENT.  As the image above describes, it begins with Ash Wednesday and proceeds through a period described by the words surrounding LENT.  Those 40 days are like a mini retreat.  Bishop Malesic in a response to an email from me noted that this year's "retreat" was unlike any we may have ever made.  Our lives are so changed from the "ordinary" that we approach these transitional days with hearts ready for the Good News of the Resurrection ... the good news of hope and of an Easter morn that will see us through our Good Friday of this pandemic and the silence of waiting that is Holy Saturday of waiting for the end of death and the joy of the Father's promise.

     We move through Three Sacred Days, the first of which is this Holy Thursday.  It is the day of preparation ... a time of gathering as family in the intimacy of our common table, to be fed with the food that will sustain us on our road to the Cross.

    But this year our churches are closed, there are no liturgies with the faithful present, and we rely upon a spiritual nourishment that will see us through but will have us hunger even more for the Bread of Life.  These are terribly difficult moments for the faithful of every faith ... but for us, who cherish the Eucharist, the hunger is overwhelming.

     A suggestion ... since this celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper involves the gathering of family around the table ... if you have not done so today, gather with those you can tomorrow and share your love, share your table, and share your faith story.

     Christ instituted the priesthood at this Holy Thursday Supper, so pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis ... pray for Bishop Malesic of our Diocese, Bishop Brandt, and all bishops ... pray for your priests and all of those who have shared in the ordained priesthood ... and pray for and be there for each other in love and charity.

In 1st Corinthians 11 Paul has Jesus say: "This is my body that is for you.  This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood ... Do this in remembrance of me."  

A Prayer

The following is a prayer 

put forth by the Knights of Columbus, 

adapted from the prayer of Pope Francis.  

I encourage you to use these words of peteition 

in your daily prayer.

A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

IN TIME OF PANDEMIC

O Mary,

you always brighten our path

as a sign of salvation and of hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,

who, at the Cross, took part in Jesus' pain

while remaining steadfast in faith.

O loving Mother,

you know what we need, 

and we are confident you will provide for us

as at Cana in Galilee.

Intercede for us with your Son Jesus,

the Divine Physician,

for those who have fallen ill,

for those who are vulnerable,

and for those who have died.

Intercede also for those charged with

protecting the health and safety of others

and for those who are tending to the sick

and seeking a cure.

Help us, O Mother of Divine Love,

to conform to the will of the Father

and to do what we are told by Jesus,

who took upon himself our

sufferings and carried our sorrows,

so as to lead us, through the Cross,

to the glory of the Resurrection.  Amen.