Of many things

     First and foremost, our prayers go out to all of those affected by the mega storm known as Sandy.  These past few days have been devastating to so many throughout a great portion of this country, as anyone with the ability to watch TV is aware.  The deaths, the destruction, the fear, the heroism and the power of nature is overwhelming and tragic.   To see the sights in New York City, the burned out neighborhood of Breezy Point in Queens, New Jersey and the coastal shore communities, and so much more was moving.

     We were relatively lucky in this area that the storm only brought lots of rain and some strong wind gusts throughout the night and day on Monday/Tuesday, but we did not lose power, and except for some tree branches down and localized flooding, we escaped the worst of the storm.  About forty minutes drive to the East and South of my location they had rain, snow and ice (my sister kept me informed).  A little further to the South in West Virginia they were buried in snow and drifts.  Two of our Southwestern Pennsylvania counties, I saw, had about 1,500 homes without power, but compared to the millions elsewhere, we were truly fortunate.  Keep everyone in your prayers, and if you can lend support in any way, please do so.

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     Yesterday, October 30th, marked the fourth anniversary of my arrival at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish.  These past four years have flown by, and I am truly blessed in this assignment.  I count my blessings every day!  For some reason, October saw two moves in my life.  In addition to moving to North Huntingdon in 2008, in 1986 I moved to All Saints in Masontown on October 28th, the feast of Saints Simon and Jude.  Our school principal at the time who has since gone to heaven, Sister Mildred Minosky, a Vincentian Sister of Charity, often remarked that with Saint Jude being the patron of hopeless cases, she was confused as to who the hopeless case in this situation was - the parish?  or me?  I assured her that is was ME!  We often laughed at the joke.

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     Today is All Hallows' Eve, or Halloween.  It is a day of fun for youngsters of every age.  Dressing up in costumes and going "trick or treating" in its harmless form is fun.  Obviously some get carried away, and some of the costumes are over the top, but if approached in the correct way, it is a fun time.  The local community parade was last Saturday, and as I was driving through town, I saw a family whose little boy was dressed in a great cowboy costume (reminded me of Woody or Howdy Doody) and the little girl was dressed like a ballerina.  It sure beats the scary creatures and vampires that we too often see.  I know that in a couple of the schools that I have been associated with, the Halloween gathering involved dressing as one of those you admire - a saint or policeman or nurse, or priest?, etc.  Our local "trick or treat" night was to be tonight, but because of the storm was moved to this Saturday (during our Mass time - I guess I'll have to eat the candy and treats!).  To those celebrating today, a safe and happy All Hallows' Eve!

The storm approaches

     Who knows what the winds will bring, if the forecast is accurate, if we are to be challenged and threatened by forces beyond ourselves?  All I know is that the dreariness of Winter has descended upon us.  It was only a few days ago that my sister, Janie, took this picture of her blooming flowers in her yard at home.

 

 

It does not look like that today

 

 

     We are hundreds and hundreds of miles from the Eastern shore, and yet we are experiencing rain and cold already, and they are predicting winds and flooding from this mega storm that everyone is concerned about.  There is nothing that we can do but prepare ourselves and hope that the reality is not as dire as the predictions.  To all in harms way, you are in our prayers.

 

 

     There are other storms approaching as well.  We within the Church face challenges that can take your breath away.  Changing demographics, declining number of clergy and Mass attendance (we just finished our "October Count" showing dwindling numbers), scandals within and outside of the Church that are constantly in our face, and even more devastating, a generation or two of laity that does know the Faith and who are not interested in things religious or spiritual.  We have a tremendous need for this "new evangelization" spoken of, not simply as a program but as a reality that touches lives and creates a renewed hunger for God.  We have the challenge of removing the blindness that afflicts us when it comes to seeing a revisioning of the face and structure of the Church with regard to clergy shortage, over abundance of Masses with less than vibrant liturgies, and an awakening within our lives that to belong is much more than having our name on the rolls, it involves life itself - sustained in this existence by the Church but rooted in our eternal existence.  Our souls depend upon our life with Christ.

 

     We hear the predictions, we see the forecast, but we ignore and turn a blind eye to the reality.  We would rather stay by the roadside begging than crying out to the Lord as did Bartimaeus in yesterday's gospel story.  He wanted to see ... and when he was given sight, the first thing he did was to follow Jesus, for he saw that without Him there is nothing else, there is no beauty or life.  The man was indeed wise.

 

     And there is also the storm that threatens our spiritual journey, a storm that come from dark forces, from evil itself.  That storm also demands preparedness, that we strengthen that which is vulnerable, that we stock the shelves with those graces that sustain life.  All of us must take the task of being prepared to heart.  Yesterday's scriptures were that reassuring word that even though the storms come, the Lord holds us in his arms, protects us, strengthens us and loves us.  We will survive ... in fact, we will flourish because we are one with him.   Reassuring words, indeed.

 

 

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     Yesterday in our parish we celebrated our annual Fall Anointing of the Sick in the afternoon.  As always, the opportunity to be an instrument of the Lord's love and healing embrace is such a gift.  As I was anointing, I saw the needs of God's People and the trust in God that each brought with them in their need.  We had somewhere near a hundred for the celebration.

 

     Following the Anointing of the Sick we also held what has become an annual buffet dinner for our Senior Members of the Parish as a way of the parish saying thank you for all that they have and continue to do for the local family.  A good time was had by all.  Again, about one hundred were in attendance.



Tracking the forecast

     For those of us in our neck of the woods, the weather is changing.  We have basked in a wonderful "Indian Summer" these last few days.  But now the temperature is cooling, the clouds have set in, and the potential storm approaches (some aspects of hurricane Sandy may come our way).

     Yesterday's Gospel passage from Luke has Jesus telling the crowds that when they see the cloud rising in the West, they know that it will rain. Or when the wind blows from the South it is going to be warm.  They see the signs, they know the indicators, they can track the weather, yet they cannot see or interpret the signs of the times, especially when it relates to our relationship with God.  In those circumstances we act like "blind fools", who deny the signs and who stumble about refusing the help and guidance that the one greater than ourselves offers.

     Watching the weather forecasts, we see a multitude of graphs that predict the possible direction of hurricane Sandy.  The graphs look like pasta strands, going in a variety of directions.  They are not sure where it will hit or when, what the damage will be done and to whom, yet they call all of us "to be prepared".  People are "stocking up", taking precautions, making sure that they are ready.
Preparedness is a good thing ... better to be safe than sorry.

     But as Jesus pointed out, we are hypocrites if we pay attention to this potential threat and danger while ignoring the greater signs of imminent danger and threat to our moral and spiritual welfare that confront us daily.  We are like blind fools that allow ourselves to be pushed and shoved in any and every direction rather than guided by the Way the Truth and the Life, Jesus.

     May the big storms of life not materialize.  May we be spared the brunt of the storm and delivered from danger.  But if they come, may our preparations first and foremost center upon our trust and reliance upon the Lord Jesus. 



A real milestone

     On a Friday in March of 2011 (the 11th of March), I sat down with friends, set up Journey Thoughts, and shared my first post.  Here is what I said:

GREETINGS

      As Lent begins, so does my entry into the world of blogging.  It has been my desire to share my thoughts through this medium for a while now.  Finally, on this first Friday of Lent, a good friend and fellow blogger, Michael Ripple, got me set up.  I am  grateful.  He and his son Isaac are visiting.

     I hope to share my thoughts on a variety of experiences and issues that touch my life.  I have always referred to our sojourn as a follower of Christ as a journey, truly a journey of a lifetime.  The Good news that speaks of God's blessings is too important to be kept quiet.  I will endeavor to share my blessings with you.  I hope that you find my posts challenging and inspiring.

     And on this Friday, October 26th, 2012 (595 days later), I am overjoyed to post this 500th post of Journey Thoughts.  I have found the experience to be refreshing and renewing.  I have attempted to be true to those words of March 11th, and am humbled by the response to this blog of a simple parish priest.

 

Yours truly at the office computer





     I have been blessed in these last thirty-nine years of priesthood with opportunities to preach and teach, to give talks and to share ideas, and through the media to provide a short weekly radio program for over ten years from the mid eighties thru the mid nineties called "That You May Believe", to share Scripture reflections on the Diocesan Web Site, and of course, Journey Thoughts.

     There is one thing of note that has changed ... I am now using a larger font (which has nothing to do with age or eyesight!).   I pledge to continue, and I thank those who have checked Journey Thoughts out, and many thanks to my loyal followers.  Blessings to you all!

Daunting challenges

    This past Monday evening I attended a meeting of our Regional Council, made up of the pastors and two representatives from the Pastoral Councils of each of the twelve parishes in our geographic area.  There are two priests who each serve two parishes, with one parish having a Parochial Vicar and one a resident helper.  Those twelve parishes are presently served by twelve priests, but forty years ago when I was ordained, there were about twenty-three priests serving that same group of parishes.   The purpose of our meeting was to discuss the desire of three of those priests/parishes to adapt their Mass schedules.  Back in 2008 we went through a major change in number and times of Masses in response to the October Count needs (we have been "counting heads" at all Masses during the month of October since 2001), seating capacities and clergy limitations.

     One of the parishes would like to reinstate on a Sunday a third weekend Mass because of the drop-off of people since the times were changed in 2008.  Another has two Saturday eve Masses and two on Sunday between two parishes a short distance from each other, and would like to drop a Saturday eve Mass (despite the fear of losing people).  A third has a Sunday eve Mass and would like to regionalize that Mass since presently he has four Masses on the weekend.  They presented their cases, a lively discussion followed, and greater issues surfaced.

     For those not from the area, we in the Northeast are an older Church, facing changing demographics, often dealing with an abundance of ethnic and Nationality parishes, and definitely spoiled.  The complacency of our parish communities and an unwillingness to compromise or adapt is rampant.  A number of the laity at the meeting spoke of that fact.  As they said, they see the need and the challenge, but the average person in the pew has not listened and will not recognize the need to see things differently than what they were.  Rather than the essential importance of gathering for Eucharist, they hold on to the greater desire for convenience.  It is a real dilemma that will only be getting worse.

     At the meeting, our Dean (the bishop's representative to the area) shared that at a meeting recently they were presented with some staggering statistics.  In our Diocese in the next five years, there are twenty-two of our seventy some men in active ministry that will reach the early retirement age of seventy, with most of those indicating an intention to retire.  We will, God willing, have three men ordained this Spring, and we recently welcomed three additional priests from the Philippines into our ranks for a term, joining with the two that presently share our ministry.  But six from twenty-two still leaves a noticeable shortage.  And that shortage will demand sacrifices and change on many levels, for the work of the Faith continues to be our primary concern, and a new vision must arise quickly.  What it will be, I have no idea.  Thank God that this is His Church, and that he pledged to always be with us.  Pray for us ... pray for vision ... pray for vocations.

Catching up

     I have been a little lax this past week, but there was much happening.  No excuse!

     As I mentioned a few posts ago, the first part of last week was taken up with our annual Priests Convocation.  One remaining picture from that gathering is the one of the clergy of the Diocese of Greensburg taken after our Tuesday Mass at Saints Simon and Jude Church.  There were a few of the men who were absent because of health, including the pastor of the host parish in Blairsville, Father Chester Raimer, who was in the hospital.  There were also a few of the guys who could not join us for the Mass.  But this is the group, along with Bishop Brandt.  Yours truly is at the end in the third row on the right in the picture.

 

 

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     On Thursday of last week I concelebrated and preached at the invitation of the deceased the funeral of a young lady from my former parish of Saint John the Baptist in Scottdale.  Her name is Linda Koval, and she was just shy of reaching her forty-first birthday.  She died of breast cancer complications.  I remember before I was transferred four years ago that she and her Mom and Dad and sister would ask me before Mass to pray (for test results, for diagnosis, for strength and healing).  She kept her struggle pretty much to herself and family, and co-workers and parishioners were even more surprised and grieved by her passing.  I spoke in my homily of the qualities that allowed me and those who knew her to say that she was a truly good woman.  I saw many heads bobbing in agreement.  Her co-workers from the Westmoreland County fiscal accounts office formed an honor guard at the doors of the church that was extremely moving.   I was honored to be asked to preach the funeral, and very grateful for the graciousness of Father George Saletrik, the pastor.  May Linda rest in peace.

 

     Later that day I was part of a budgetary discussion meeting with our Diocesan Offices (Schools, Finance and Vicar General) and our Queen of Angels Administration, School Advisory Council members, the five sending pastors, business managers and representatives of Finance Councils of the five sending parishes.  It took place at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.  It was very productive and allowed us to present concerns, have questions answered, and share the hard work that goes into the financial end of running a school.

 

     That evening I celebrated Mass for the reception of new members to our Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers (our ladies group).  Three new members joined the group, who in addition to the goal of spiritual growth continues to support the parish.

 

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     Friday following Mass my sister, Janie, along with Sammy the pup, and I drove to near Meadville to visit with our cousin and her husband.  We had a great visit, and even Sammy got to visit with his "cousin", their pup, who is a year younger than Sammy.  It made for a long but satisfying day, and helped bring Janie's vacation week to an end.

 

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    Saturday saw confessions and evening Mass and yesterday saw the two morning Masses and four baptisms following the 11:00 am Mass (two girls and two boys - Kelsey Ann, Audrey Elizabeth, Noah Michael and Zachary Paul).  With four to be baptized, our crowd was large, and very enthusiastic.  There was only one very surprising occurrence on my part ... there was only one who cried when I poured the water over their heads, and guess who?  Noah!  With a name like that you would think that he would be used to water!

 

     The afternoon was taken up with a Fall Festival Event sponsored by Brush Creek Faith in Action, a local  entity of United Way that provides a variety of services by volunteers to area residents.  Presently the group services 148 recipients with 68 volunteers giving of their time and talent.  The afternoon included a Basket Bingo, Car Cruise, DJ, a Veteran's Display, Flea Market and good food.  Hopefully they did well financially, for those that gathered seemed to enjoy themselves.   Well, that has been the last few days ... I hope that I did not bore you too badly.  I also hope that life will get back to some notion of the routine and ordinary, but that rarely happens.



Men of inspiration

     As I mentioned yesterday, I hope to share a few stories of the deceased priests of our diocese who have touched my life in significant ways.  Today I would like to focus upon two men who had kind and gentle spirits and an unassuming way about them.

     One such person was Father Ernest P. Kish who died in November of 1975.  Ernie was the Assistant at the Newman Center at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in Indiana, PA during my assignment there for a five month internship as a deacon in the Spring of 1973.  The then Father Ray Spatti was the pastor.  Ernie was a tall, quiet, gentle man who brought Christ, through that gentleness, to the students and faculty of the university.  He never needed to make himself known in situations, he was just there.  His warmth and personality with everyone he met brought acceptance and a trust that served his ministry well.

     He went on to become a pastor at the small parish of Saint Ambrose in Avonmore, where on a November evening in 1975 he was killed in a head on accident by a drunk driver.  I remember his funeral for the people present, but also for the number of priests, locally and nationally, who were present.  Ernie was involved in the National Federation of Priests Councils (NFPC) on a national level, and those attending his funeral spoke highly of his qualities and commitment to ministry and priesthood.

     The other priest that I want to speak of was Father Vincent J. Rocco.  Vince was in residence at Saint Sebastian Church in Belle Vernon when I was an Assistant there.  In fact, we were together there when we heard the news of Ernie's death.  I mention Vince not only because he was a great guy and good priest, but because of a program that he developed and oversaw that helped those in prison.  This program provided skilled training for the inmates at the State Facility in Greensburg.  Vince would find projects for non-profits - building and renovations - and work with the prison officials to provide, under proper supervision and with training, a work force of inmates.  They would be paid a nominal amount, learn a skill, be of service to those who needed help, and help the community.  Vince would find sponsors and coordinate this program.  While I was at Saint Paul in Greensburg they erected a picnic pavillion on the church grounds for the parish.  Vince did this work, as well as minister in his priestly roles, with a quiet yet determined enthusiasm that was inspiring.  Father Vince Rocco died in July of 1982.

     I was truly blessed in knowing these men, working with them, and finding in them a multitude of reasons to be inspired.  May they rest in peace.