This morning I celebrated Mass at the parish for the first time since April 1st. I did concelebrate a Mass each of these last three weekends, but this was the first "solo" flight. This illness that began on the 1st of April has robbed me of two months, and made me grateful for many things, not least of which are the help of my local brother priests and the prayers of so many friends and parishioners and staff. Today is significant because it is Memorial Day, on the original date, and my sixty-ninth birthday. How time flies.
Those friendships and the relationships that are established in ministry sustain me on my journey, and lift my spirits when times get difficult. A few weeks ago in the mail I received a letter from the local Serra Club of Greensburg whose sole purpose is to promote vocations to the priesthood. As a part of their efforts, they invite 7th and 8th grade students in the local Catholic schools to write letters to their local priests. I received three such letters this time. One was a 7th grader from Queen of Angels School named Johnny P. who thanked me for the school masses that I offered and also said "... the homilies that you give at our school liturgies have helped me make some important decisions about my faith that have been very helpful, and give me a sense of confidence in the decisions that I have to make." Jordan M. thanked me for my years of service as a priest and in the parish as pastor, and said "Your homilies are always very interesting and make me think about my life when I come home. I try to think about your homily during the week so I can live a better life." And finally, Lucas F. said "You are a great priest. I have had some wonderful experiences at your Church ... Everyone was nice there, and I could easily understand the homily ... Thank you for responding to God's call to the Church."
With words such as this, how can one's spirits not be lifted! Thanks, guys.
Monday, May 30, 2016
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Longevity and Faith
Within the past month our local Church and our local community, as well as our priestly presbyterate have lost two women of Faith whose lives spanned 220 years. Both were mothers of priests who served this Diocese, and both were good women who inspired many. Both had been residents of Saint Anne's Home in Greensburg.
On April 4th, Pricilla Brandt, mother of our retired Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, died in her sleep at the age of 107. Mrs. Brandt's life was long and interesting, and she took great delight in all things, the simple and the extraordinary. I remember Bishop Brandt having an enjoyable conversation with my sister soon after he arrived in the Diocese as they discussed the various soap operas on tv that each of our mom's enjoyed. I also remember Mrs. Brandt taking great delight in the fact that her son was "the bishop". She was a good woman of Faith whose life spanned a remarkable time frame.
On April 4th, Pricilla Brandt, mother of our retired Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, died in her sleep at the age of 107. Mrs. Brandt's life was long and interesting, and she took great delight in all things, the simple and the extraordinary. I remember Bishop Brandt having an enjoyable conversation with my sister soon after he arrived in the Diocese as they discussed the various soap operas on tv that each of our mom's enjoyed. I also remember Mrs. Brandt taking great delight in the fact that her son was "the bishop". She was a good woman of Faith whose life spanned a remarkable time frame.
And on May 7th, Mrs. Irene Ciuffoletti, another resident of Saint Anne's Home and possibly the oldest resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, died at the age of 113. She was the mother of one of our deceased priests, Father Angelo Ciuffoletti. Her funeral Mass was this afternoon in her home town of New Kensington. Mrs. Ciuffoletti, who I mentioned in an earlier post, was active and alert, loved life and her relationship with the Lord, and was also an inspiration to those who knew her.
May these two good women
enjoy eternity and
REST IN PEACE.
And may the souls of the Faithful Departed
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
43 years of journey - 1,000 post of Journey Thoughts
Forty three years ago this morning V. Paul Fitzmaurice, Peter L. Peretti, Roger Statnick and yours truly were ordained to the priesthood by the late Bishop William G. Connare at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg. It was a cool but glorious morning. Thus began my journey, for which I am eternally grateful to Almighty God, and to the People of God who have helped in my formation. All four of us are still serving in active ministry in this Diocese, and God has been so generous in his blessings. I wish my brothers well on this special day.
In my recent illness I have had the opportunity for much tv watching. One of those shows is "The Chew", a cooking show on in the early afternoon. Today they are marking their 1,000th program, with much hoopla.
Today also marks my 1,000th post of "Journey Thoughts". It has been an extraordinary journey within "the" journey, and I am deeply indebted to those who have faithfully followed these random thoughts regarding priesthood over these years, and those who are so encouraging. Our God is SO GOOD!
In my recent illness I have had the opportunity for much tv watching. One of those shows is "The Chew", a cooking show on in the early afternoon. Today they are marking their 1,000th program, with much hoopla.
Today also marks my 1,000th post of "Journey Thoughts". It has been an extraordinary journey within "the" journey, and I am deeply indebted to those who have faithfully followed these random thoughts regarding priesthood over these years, and those who are so encouraging. Our God is SO GOOD!
Monday, May 2, 2016
a pause on the journey - a lost month
One month ago, April 1st, I awoke on that Friday morning with my right leg twice the size of my left leg. This was after a night of soreness and nausea that I thought was the beginning of the flu. As the day progressed, my leg from the knee down began to turn red and get hot, and by evening there was a place where there was an oozing of fluid on the lower leg. On Saturday I went to the emergency room and was admitted for six days with a severe case of cellulitis and a severe case of sepsis in the blood in the right leg. At the same time, my left shoulder, which is full of arthritis and is a regular problem, froze up on me so that I could not use it at all.
After two MRI's and two other major procedures, a month of intravenous and then oral antibiotics, and multiple visits to the infectuous disease doctor and the wound clinic to deal with the five wounds that developed on the right leg, I an slowly recovering. I have done nothing for the month of April. In fact, it has been lost to me, as has much of the Easter season. Saturday was my first excursion out - to Mass and yesterday to our annual Bike Blessing, and they did me in. This is my first time at the computer as well.
Throughout all of this, my neighboring brothers from IC and Saint Agnes have been graciously covering for me. My staff has been great and very accomadating. The parishioners and friends have kept me in prayer and thought, with cards and visits. And most importantly, my sister Janie has stopped her life to take care of me in every way possible. I am in her debt. To all who have been praying for me ....THANK YOU! And keep praying. I can't wear a shoe yet, and am not driving. I will post whenever I can, and will keep you all in thought and prayer.
After two MRI's and two other major procedures, a month of intravenous and then oral antibiotics, and multiple visits to the infectuous disease doctor and the wound clinic to deal with the five wounds that developed on the right leg, I an slowly recovering. I have done nothing for the month of April. In fact, it has been lost to me, as has much of the Easter season. Saturday was my first excursion out - to Mass and yesterday to our annual Bike Blessing, and they did me in. This is my first time at the computer as well.
Throughout all of this, my neighboring brothers from IC and Saint Agnes have been graciously covering for me. My staff has been great and very accomadating. The parishioners and friends have kept me in prayer and thought, with cards and visits. And most importantly, my sister Janie has stopped her life to take care of me in every way possible. I am in her debt. To all who have been praying for me ....THANK YOU! And keep praying. I can't wear a shoe yet, and am not driving. I will post whenever I can, and will keep you all in thought and prayer.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
A week's reflection
Last week was typically hectic for Holy Week. Kicking off with the Palm Sunday liturgies, we brought the great season of Lent to a quiet close with the weekday Masses. For me, it was a quick, uneventful and yet rewarding Lent, and I was surprised that it had reached it's end.
I attended the Chrism Mass on Thursday morning at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg. It was the first for our new bishop, Bishop Ed Malesic, who with his usual prayerful yet personable style truly got into the celebration. The oils were blessed and distributed, the priests were gathered and affirmed in their priestly renewal before the people, the Word was broken open and we were inspired by the bishop's words (he spoke of many things, with one being an awareness of the sense of smell - Chrism has a distinctive smell to it which the bishop called a "churchy smell" - and spoke of a new priest in Harrisburg who was photographed smelling his newly anointed hands after ordination [the bishop posted the picture on his facebook]). We had a great turnout of priests and people, and another great celebration of the love of God for us all.
Later the evening we began the Triduum at the parish with the Mass of the Lord's Supper. I love this liturgy for its simplicity and beauty. Some of us travel by bus to a number of churches [St. Robert in East McKeesport and St. Coleman in Turtle Creek, both in the Pittsburgh Diocese] for visits to the altars of repose, and ended up for dessert before returning home. I must admit that I backed out of the trip this year because of the need to rest and regain my strength, but those who went were blessed.
The Good Friday Service was not one of my favorites for years, mainly because I was always concerned with time and getting things right. But for a number of years now I have resolved those issues and find it to be a powerful time of reflection and grace. I am especially moved by the veneration of the Cross by the people. We use a very large wooden Cross, and because of my mobility problems, I have four parishioners carry the Cross into the church for our veneration. Their reverence in procession, and watching the faces of those who come forward to kiss, touch, bow or genuflect before, or just gaze upon the Cross is inspiring.
We in the parish gathered in the evening at 8:30 for the Service of Tenebrae, a great way to end the day. I had friends who joined us from Greensburg, as they do nearly every year.
Our Easter Vigil began at 8:30 pm on Saturday, and this year, for the first time since I have been a pastor, we did not do all nine readings. The reason was simple, my stamina was the culprit. But the readings that we chose, the three young people that I had the honor of baptizing, and our joyous Easter celebration provided a tremendous Easter experience.
Easter morning saw big crowds at the 8:30 & 11:00 Masses. If only it could be like that all of the time. By the time the afternoon arrived, I was ready for a nap, exhausted by happy, celebrating with the Church the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
I attended the Chrism Mass on Thursday morning at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg. It was the first for our new bishop, Bishop Ed Malesic, who with his usual prayerful yet personable style truly got into the celebration. The oils were blessed and distributed, the priests were gathered and affirmed in their priestly renewal before the people, the Word was broken open and we were inspired by the bishop's words (he spoke of many things, with one being an awareness of the sense of smell - Chrism has a distinctive smell to it which the bishop called a "churchy smell" - and spoke of a new priest in Harrisburg who was photographed smelling his newly anointed hands after ordination [the bishop posted the picture on his facebook]). We had a great turnout of priests and people, and another great celebration of the love of God for us all.
Later the evening we began the Triduum at the parish with the Mass of the Lord's Supper. I love this liturgy for its simplicity and beauty. Some of us travel by bus to a number of churches [St. Robert in East McKeesport and St. Coleman in Turtle Creek, both in the Pittsburgh Diocese] for visits to the altars of repose, and ended up for dessert before returning home. I must admit that I backed out of the trip this year because of the need to rest and regain my strength, but those who went were blessed.
The Good Friday Service was not one of my favorites for years, mainly because I was always concerned with time and getting things right. But for a number of years now I have resolved those issues and find it to be a powerful time of reflection and grace. I am especially moved by the veneration of the Cross by the people. We use a very large wooden Cross, and because of my mobility problems, I have four parishioners carry the Cross into the church for our veneration. Their reverence in procession, and watching the faces of those who come forward to kiss, touch, bow or genuflect before, or just gaze upon the Cross is inspiring.
We in the parish gathered in the evening at 8:30 for the Service of Tenebrae, a great way to end the day. I had friends who joined us from Greensburg, as they do nearly every year.
Our Easter Vigil began at 8:30 pm on Saturday, and this year, for the first time since I have been a pastor, we did not do all nine readings. The reason was simple, my stamina was the culprit. But the readings that we chose, the three young people that I had the honor of baptizing, and our joyous Easter celebration provided a tremendous Easter experience.
Easter morning saw big crowds at the 8:30 & 11:00 Masses. If only it could be like that all of the time. By the time the afternoon arrived, I was ready for a nap, exhausted by happy, celebrating with the Church the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
An early Mothers' Day
Yesterday afternoon a number of my brother priests from this area completed a week's worth of Lenten Penance Services as we ministered to the students of our Regional Catholic School - Queen of Angels. I am not a fan of "rounding up" the youngsters for these school penance services because I feel that it undermines their personal responsibility to receive the Sacrament. All too often they only "go" when we provide the convenience.
Having said that, I can attest that it was a blessed experience of faith and the mercy of God among his people. We hear in the auditorium of the school, and my "station" was on the stage. I began with the younger youngsters and graduated to the older kids as the time went on. Hearing kids confessions is interesting. Without revealing anything, I can attest that the vast majority of sins confessed reflected the goodness and the innocence of the boys and girls that came to me to confess disobeying mom and dad, or fighting with their siblings, or being mean to someone. And they came expectant - expecting forgiveness and love and assurance that they were okay. It was a joy to remind them that Jesus loves them, forgives them, and that, yes, indeed, they were okay. And that they need to try to do better with Jesus' help.
The title of this post comes from my "penance" of choice yesterday for the dozens of youngsters who came to me for confession. I asked them to do something nice for their mom later on that day to let her know that they loved her. I'm sure that there were some very curious moms who wondered if it was an early Mothers' Day.
In the midst of the uncertainty and cruelty among human beings today, the turmoil and confusion that exists when we ignore God, it is refreshing to see the goodness and the faith in these little ones.
Having said that, I can attest that it was a blessed experience of faith and the mercy of God among his people. We hear in the auditorium of the school, and my "station" was on the stage. I began with the younger youngsters and graduated to the older kids as the time went on. Hearing kids confessions is interesting. Without revealing anything, I can attest that the vast majority of sins confessed reflected the goodness and the innocence of the boys and girls that came to me to confess disobeying mom and dad, or fighting with their siblings, or being mean to someone. And they came expectant - expecting forgiveness and love and assurance that they were okay. It was a joy to remind them that Jesus loves them, forgives them, and that, yes, indeed, they were okay. And that they need to try to do better with Jesus' help.
The title of this post comes from my "penance" of choice yesterday for the dozens of youngsters who came to me for confession. I asked them to do something nice for their mom later on that day to let her know that they loved her. I'm sure that there were some very curious moms who wondered if it was an early Mothers' Day.
In the midst of the uncertainty and cruelty among human beings today, the turmoil and confusion that exists when we ignore God, it is refreshing to see the goodness and the faith in these little ones.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Old Friends
Recently PBS rebroadcast the Simon & Garfunkel concert from Central Park. I grew up on their music and love many of the songs. One of them that touches my heart is the song "Old Friends". Whenever I hear it sung, I reflect upon the countless friendships that I have been graced to have shared with "old" (rather longtime) friends, some of whom, like me, are getting older by the minute.
On Friday morning one of those "old friends" was laid to rest by her family and friends at a funeral liturgy at Saint Sebastian Church in Belle Vernon. Her name is Josephine "Jo" O'Hara and she was 96. I have known Jo since I first arrived in Belle Vernon in 1975, and she and I shared the same date of birth - May 30th.
Jo was a small but giant woman of faith and kindness. She was active at the parish of Saint Sebastian, singing in the funeral choir, faithfully praying the parish rosary at the time of a death, a member of the Valley of Hope Charismatic Prayer Group (where we worked together in leadership), the Third Order of Saint Francis, Friends of the Veterans, Meals on Wheels deliverer, Legion of Mary and Ladies Guild of the parish. She was a seamstress, rosary maker and great cook. And she was a kind and gentle soul.
When I arrived at Saint Sebastian forty years ago, a group of us formed the Valley of Hope Prayer Group, and Jo and her husband Bill were part of the leadership team. I spent many evening at their home with the core group praying and planning for the meetings ... and eating Jo's good cooking. I have fond memories of those days and the many encounters since. She was not only an acqaintance, but for me one of those special people that I call an "old friend".
Health and schedule kept me from joining with those who gathered, but I share my thoughts, prayers and gratitude with her family of two sons and a daughter and their families. May she rest in peace.
On Friday morning one of those "old friends" was laid to rest by her family and friends at a funeral liturgy at Saint Sebastian Church in Belle Vernon. Her name is Josephine "Jo" O'Hara and she was 96. I have known Jo since I first arrived in Belle Vernon in 1975, and she and I shared the same date of birth - May 30th.
Jo was a small but giant woman of faith and kindness. She was active at the parish of Saint Sebastian, singing in the funeral choir, faithfully praying the parish rosary at the time of a death, a member of the Valley of Hope Charismatic Prayer Group (where we worked together in leadership), the Third Order of Saint Francis, Friends of the Veterans, Meals on Wheels deliverer, Legion of Mary and Ladies Guild of the parish. She was a seamstress, rosary maker and great cook. And she was a kind and gentle soul.
When I arrived at Saint Sebastian forty years ago, a group of us formed the Valley of Hope Prayer Group, and Jo and her husband Bill were part of the leadership team. I spent many evening at their home with the core group praying and planning for the meetings ... and eating Jo's good cooking. I have fond memories of those days and the many encounters since. She was not only an acqaintance, but for me one of those special people that I call an "old friend".
Health and schedule kept me from joining with those who gathered, but I share my thoughts, prayers and gratitude with her family of two sons and a daughter and their families. May she rest in peace.
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