Book of john

Sunday November 17, 2024: Building a Parish Team

So now that we are a part of the project called Parents & Families at the Center of Faith Formation, and you’ve helped make sure that we completed the Parent Survey, it’s time to move to our next phase, developing a team. Here we’ll discuss a little more about the project, and its aims, and what a parish team should ideally look like. As we briefly mentioned in our past write up, this project will be a 3 year period of self reflection, aimed at better meeting the needs of our families, and developing programs, structures, and resources to make our findings a reality. The scope of this undertaking will have us commit to improving formation for families with children who’ve just been born and baptized, all the way to High School graduation.

Our parish team will consist of parents of children and youth in all of those stages of life, educators, our pastor, and myself who will serve as project coordinator. Those asked to participate will be given the opportunity to serve for as long as they’d like during the three year process. While consistency is a good thing, we recognize that life circumstances change. So we’ll offer an offramp after each year. Hopefully we can have some consistency, however some turnover provides the opportunity for a diversity of opinion and experience. Our team of 4-10 members, will meet once monthly, either in person or virtually, and will participate in a limited number of in-person workshops hosted at the Archdiocesan Center. The first of these day long sessions will be held on January 11th. 

I’ve begun discussing this project with a few of our parishioners, however, if you think that you’d be interested in serving on this team, let’s have a conversation about it! Next week, we’ll discuss the Parent Cafes that we’ll be holding as we approach the January 11th session! Let’s pray for the success of this process, so that we can continue to grow as a community of faith! God Bless and have a wonderful week!

Sunday November 10, 2023: Entering a New Project for Faith Formation

Back in September, Immaculate Heart of Parish was invited by the Archdiocese of Newark, to be one of only 10 parishes to take part in a new national project called Parents & Families at the Center of Faith Formation. This project of the National Community of Catechetical Leaders is funded by an endowment of the Lilly Foundation. The main idea is to have a team of parents, educators, and ministry leaders from our parish (and the others participating) to come together to envision what is possible for the Family Model of faith formation in order to provide resources, and opportunities for families with children from Baptism all the way to Senior year in high school. What we can accomplish for our community will only be limited to our imaginations, and our ability to follow through!

There are three major steps we’ll need to take in the coming weeks and months to assure our success in this process. Today, I’ll take the opportunity to share the first step with you in some detail, and then I’ll dedicate the next two bulletins to elaborate on the other two. First, the ten parishes of our Archdiocese, and others across the nation who are participating in this process, have been asked to administer a survey to the parents and guardians of children in their parish baptism all the way to Senior year in high school. This anonymous  survey that will take a reasonable amount of thoughtfulness to complete was developed and will be interpreted by the NCCL.

The purpose the NCCL wishes to communicate about this survey:
The Catholic Family Survey will help your parish better understand your family and your life as a parent.The survey results are very important. They will be used to create a parish plan for supporting parents of children and young people, and for engaging the whole family in faith formation - from birth through high school graduation. The survey will only take 8-10 minutes to complete. We appreciate your time and contribution!

Please either complete this survey, or share it with your children and grandchildren who are involved with our parish, so that they can complete it by our deadline of November 15th https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NewarkNJParentSurvey.

In coming weeks we’ll be seeking to develop our team of 4-10 people. Then will follow a series of Parent Cafes where we’ll have listening sessions to better dial in our understanding of the needs of our community! God Bless and thanks in advance for your attention!

Sunday November 3, 2024: What’s in a Name?

At the 10:00 am Mass on Sunday, November 3rd our Year 1 Confirmation candidates participate in the Rite of Names. As they progress on their journey of faith, they prepare themselves to live the life of a mature Catholic. We all know that it matters deeply who we choose as our friends. It will dictate a lot about how we live. 

The young people, as we all have in the past, will select a special patron saint, or Saint friend to accompany them on their faith journey. The decision they make will be influenced by many things. For some it might be based on culture, the name of a beloved relative, or a personal interest. Whatever brings them to the Saint, they can be a great friend of faith. 

What does it mean to be a friend of faith? Well, as Catholics we believe in something called the Communion of Saints. Every believer who has gathered around the table of the Lord for the Sacrament of the Eucharist (or has been baptized in Christ) living and dead, belong together in the Body of Christ the Church. Those who have gone before us and those to come are united through the Mass. All believers can pray for each other, just like a friend we meet on the street. It is just that the Saints happen to be in the presence of God. So when they pray on our behalf, we have strong advocates. 

With Confirmation we have a tradition of taking on a new name. Whether we keep the name of our baptism, or take on the name of a Saint friend, this marks a new beginning in our lives. There are times in Scripture when God gives or changes the name of an individual, and that name reflects what they are called to. Just a few quick examples. A man named Abram was called by God to be a father of nations, and his name became Abraham. A teen girl in Nazareth was addressed by an angel, and that angel said Hail full of Grace, and that indicated that she would be the mother of our Lord. A simple fisherman named Simon, became a rock of the Church and was renamed Peter. A persecutor of the Christian movement named Saul, became a great evangelist named Paul. These conversions marked their mission. 

This week let’s pray for our wonderful young people who’ve begun to embrace their saint friends as great examples for their lives, so that they can bring the renewal to culture and society that is so badly needed. Pray for their families and our community that we can support them in their growth and life of faith. 

God Bless and have a wonderful week!

Sunday October 27, 2024: What is Death?

My son Elijah has been on a sort of kick, what is dying, what is death, dad are you getting old? In the culture we live in, the topic is taken pretty lightly. Heroes of all sorts ‘blast’ their enemies, vengeance is expected, and on any range of topics from abortion to immigration, to humanitarian crises in the Middle and Near East,  one side or another takes the death of those they don’t value to be trivial. It seems fitting to me that this time of year is when my son has taken on this topic. As we approach Halloween we see the spooky, macabre, and outright sadistic. It’s the way that our society addresses topics that we haven’t built our communication skills around. Almost everyone who exists, or has ever existed holds one singular thing in common, that we’ve either died or one day will die. 

If that was the final word on things, we’d be in a pretty bleak place. However, it is not the end. Halloween is actually the Church’s answer to the bleakness. Halloween, or more formally, All Hallows Eve, is a night, or rather observance where we look both forwards and backwards. On All Saints Day, or All Saints Eve, we consider the men and women of faith that have gone before us, that the Church does its best to certify are in fact in heaven, in the presence of our Triune God. 

Then to follow we have a feast that I consider to be even more important, as an aspiration, and as an assurance. We have the feast of All Souls. On this day, we remember the dearly departed, those that we have good faith, and hope that they are in Purgatory. A state of being destined for heaven, but in need of purgation, of purification. On All Souls Day, we are reminded to pray for All the Souls, known and those forgotten, to aid them on their sojourn to their final destination. I take great hope in this,  because let us face it, most of us aren’t getting it perfect. We lie, cheat, miss Mass, steal, gossip, and intentionally or unintentionally wrong others. Yet we also have great love for the Lord, and our neighbors. We are mixed bags, doing both good, and falling short. The idea that we might get our toes into heaven, before our heads and hearts are ready, is hopeful indeed. 

This week, let us pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, that they will one day know their final destination in eternal happiness, in the presence of Jesus Christ our Lord. We should pray for those we’ve lost, and especially those who are forgotten. God Bless, and try to have a wonderful, and potentially more uplifting week!

October 20, 2024: The Fall is a Time to Ready Ourselves

Ever look up at the trees during the Autumn? You get the beauty of the changing leaves initially, and then all fall off. As the weather changes, the trees start to harden, and even the weakest of the branches careen toward the ground. It is a time of preparation for those plants, so that a surprise storm, or early winter freeze doesn’t tumble them over the added weight. 

This Sunday, our families of faith preparing for First Reconciliation are gathering for a morning of reflection surrounding the sacrament. We’ll discuss how our families prepare us for the tougher seasons of life, by modeling forgiveness, and love in the home. Then in the deepest days of autumn, our young people will have their first opportunity to go to Confession with the priests. We prepare to receive the weight of glory of the sacraments. This prepares us to move forward on our faith journey towards even greater mysteries, such as the Eucharist.

During this season of autumn we also remember those who’ve gone before us to eternal life. On November 1st, and November 2nd we memorialize All Saints, and All Souls. During this interesting season of remembrance, and transition, let us all turn towards the sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession, to ready ourselves for the season of Advent, and new life. 

Also, with All Hallows Eve (Halloween) comes the fun and festivity of Trick-or- Treat. Be on the look out for more information about our Table or Treat event which will be held on October 27th following 10:00 am Mass! God Bless, and have a wonderful week.

October 13, 2024: Making Room for the Holy Spirit!

I’ve noticed that there is this trend in employment where corporate headquarters are demanding that employees return. While the employees are often contributing at levels that exceed pre-Covid 19 levels, they make a claim that it is good for the corporate culture for the return to occur. Many of those employees, who perhaps had started their careers during the Covid culture, beg to differ, but that’s a conversation for people much smarter and business savvy than I am. 

I bring this up to drill down into something I do know about. Our Parish community’s culture is harmed by the absence of those who have fallen away since Church shutdowns, reservations, and distancing that was caused by Covid-19. These children who aren’t receiving their sacraments, the parents who once gathered together, and those who used to be the most active or even inactive who fell out of the practice of coming, are all extremely missed. When churches shut down, in their very reasonable response to an international pandemic (that most targeted our largest demographic) it became easy to fall out of the practice of coming here. Perhaps when we were unable to be here the idea planted itself in our minds that gathering together as a community wasn’t as important as it truly is. Other things started to fill the space. Travel sports teams that practice all week and play games on Sundays, other social activities that are irreligious slunk in. People began to select other goods to fill their time. While these activities can and should coexist, demands are so high, that eternal life becomes a secondary concern, the welfare of our community of faith sloughed out of mind, and we began to put off the meal Jesus offered us, in communion.

If you have a friend,relative, or neighbor that no longer chooses to be in fellowship with our community, I want you to let them know that they are missed. Let them know that they are welcomed, wanted, and needed in our community, and we eagerly await them. You have to be the voice of the community because guess what, they aren’t reading my words, as eloquently as they are written. Send that welcoming message, and reiterate it from time to time, but don’t club them with it because guess what… We need to leave room for the Holy Spirit to do its works! Let’s pray for those who have trailed off since Covid-19 that their relationship with Jesus can continue to grow, even in their absence, and that one day they might rejoin His body the Church for a meal and fellowship.

God Bless and have a great week!

October 6, 2024: Getting in the Spirit for All Hallows Eve

On Sunday, October 27th following the 10:00 am Mass, we will be hosting one of my favorite Families of Faith Activities. What we used to call our Trunk or Treat has taken on a new identity, we will have our second annual Table or Treat in the Nazareth Center Gym. All youth of our parish, and community are invited to take part, whether they are enrolled in faith formation or not. If you have a grandkid in town, or a neighbor friend, all are welcome!

Children attending are encouraged to come to the 10:00 am Mass dressed in costume. We ask that the youth avoid scary costumes, but steer towards a costume of someone you admire! Yes, this could be a Saint, or angel, but you could think broader, to movie characters, favorite characters from a book, sports stars, pop stars, or other people that are an example of a well lived life! Additionally, during the 10:00 am Mass, we will have our second Children’s Liturgy of the Word!!!

If a parish ministry would like to sponsor a special treat, or refreshment, or host a game in the Nazareth Center on that day, they are also encouraged to reach out to see if we can make it happen! I’ve already gotten word that the Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring and serving Hot-Dogs for participating families!

One thing that we’ve realized is that setting up before Mass is a bit of a time crunch. We will be hosting a set-up party in the Nazareth Center Gym on Saturday, October 26th at 6:00 pm. We do ask interested families to sign-up to host a table and give out candy. We’ll be serving pizza and refreshment during the event, so we do need signups: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044DABA72AA5F49-51916184-table.

This week, and for the rest of the month, please spread the word! Invite friends and family, and pray that this will be an opportunity to reach families that we’ve never met, or haven’t seen in a long time. Community events like these help us to grow together in faith and fellowship! God Bless and have a wonderful week!

September 29, 2024: Revisiting the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit 

At this point, hopefully you are sick of hearing about the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, because that means that you are probably starting to memorize them, and hopefully practicing their use in your everyday life! This Saturday, at the 5:00 pm Mass the community is/ was joined by the Year 2 Confirmation cohort, for their Covenant Ceremony. 

During this Rite, we acknowledge the young people as candidates for Confirmation in their final months of preparation. This year especially, they will focus on their life of faith, and how they will continue their journey of faith, once they are empowered by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and Awe or Fear of the Lord. 

These gifts are, or at least should be present in the lives of mature (and maturing) Christians. We build them through prayer, practice, and by following the examples of the saints, and those with admiral virtue we witness in our lives. This year, we hope to encourage the second year Confirmation Candidates to become more involved in the life of our parish. However, this won’t happen out of nowhere, they need to see more of you giving the example of discipleship in action. This week, let’s pray for the young people who are standing before us in their preparation, their parents, mentors, friends, and support structure so that they can live exemplary lives of faith. God Bless and have an excellent week! 

September 22, 2024: Let’s Encourage Each Other 

In the coming weeks, we are going to see some amazing things happening. If you’ve got your head up you may have already! Between teens, children, and adults, a lot of new people are stepping up into important roles. Some parents and teens are now helping reinstate Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Newly Confirmed teens are moving into roles like lectors, and Confirmation mentors, and a range of teens and youth are stepping up to be altar servers as well. If you’ve been involved with anything outside of Mass at Church, you’ve seen a ministry or group led and driven by the motivation, desire, and love of volunteers. Few of the things that happen around here are done solely through the motivation of clergy or professional staff. If there is something that you are passionate about seeing happen here, guess what, that makes you the perfect person to drive that effort! Some things will take grand efforts, but others can be driven by compassion and human decency. 

Today I am going to offer two ways that you can evangelize, and make our parish an even better place to be. These two offerings will help to address 2 major issues that often come up in discussion. First, why don’t families come to Mass? Second, why don’t teens return after Confirmation? You see a family struggling with hyperactive young children, instead of judging, or doing your best to not be annoyed by any disruptions. You take initiative. You sit by the family, offer encouragement, and maybe even help calm the children. You thank them for coming, and tell them you hope to see them soon. What could have been an embarrassment that sent someone running, became a true experience of community. 

You see teens at Mass, they are there for their Confirmation preparation. They seem distracted by their friends, their hormones, or something else going on in their life. Maybe they are a little disruptive. Afterwards, you tell them it was great to see them there, and you hope to see them again. Perhaps you are involved with a ministry, and suggest they get involved in the future. When you see them at Church, or in the store, or around town, you smile and greet them.  You directly counter the feeling the young people aren’t welcome. Might not assure they come back after Confirmation, but maybe later? This week, let’s pray for all the people that God is calling to mission and ministry (so all of us) that we might heed the call, and live up to our full potential in faith.

God Bless and have a wonderful week!

September 15, 2024: What I Celebrate on Catechetical Sunday

There are some ways that we can be described as a unique parish community. We can see this in the kindness of our members. For instance, my family is currently facing a setback. My wife, her mother, and children were in a serious car accident, the last week of August, and many parishioners, especially leaders, lined up behind my family to support us in this difficult time. Whenever there is a call for support for a school supply drive, to support our food pantry, to show basic kindness to anyone in need, the people of IHM line up to help. In my experience, this hasn’t been limited to simple material support, it has expanded to include accompanying others, and offering support through prayer and continued service. 

Another way we are unique, is whether we formally acknowledge it or not, our whole community plays a catechetical role. In lay terms, that means we are all responsible for bringing up the children and youth of our community in their knowledge and practice of the faith. While there are special people who step up to teach at Summer Academy, Connie Boruch, Marielle Carroll, Heba Fortunato, Malissa Morabito, Alyssa Stumpf, Dorothy Klein, Steve Prato, Elaine Carman, Geraldine and Colm Keogh, the Leung-Rykowski family, Katie Wills, and so many teen volunteers, we all play a role. 

Sunday, September 15th is observed as Catechetical Sunday. Today most parishes would bring forward the catechists/ teachers who take over the responsibility for forming our children for a special blessing. That is a great thing, but you know what, I’m grateful that we as a parish are a team, where parents, parishioners, staff, clergy, and some volunteers form families of faith. So today when we have blessings at Masses, participate because you play a role as well. That’s why I like to think that our Hospitality Committee here is offering a free pancake breakfast today! Since they are also forming our community, I’d encourage a free will offering to help defray the costs so that they can continue doing such great things.

This week, let us pray that God continues to lead us in our faith journey, so that we can continue “To give praise and thanks to God, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and in imitation of our Blessed Mother Mary, lead all to an encounter and deepening relationship with Jesus Christ.”
God Bless, and have a wonderful Catechetical Sunday!

September 8, 2024: Ordinary Average Update?

I often try to use this space to tell you some story, or move forward a theological hobby horse. I try to keep relevant, and avoid ordinary average updates of our faith formation schedule or activities. I’m not going to go out of my way to do that this week, because things are about to heat up with our program, and I want you, yes specifically you, to know what that is going to look like. It’s for a simple reason. We often speak about parents as the primary catechists of their children. That kind of allows our community to let itself off of the hook. When young people don’t come back to Church after Confirmation, it allows the broader parish to ask the question, where are they? What did the parents do wrong? How did faith formation and our youth ministry fail to keep them engaged?

Letting ourselves off the hook, we never ask some incisive questions. How could we as a community make young people feel welcome? Did my treatment and scorn of fooling around make them feel unwelcome? How could my ministries have welcomed more involvement from families and young people? I’m focusing on a specific group, because we’re able to put our money (and our attitude) where our mouth is! The first activity for Families of Faith this year is our Covenant Ceremony for young people beginning their first year Confirmation Formation. This will take place today, this Sunday at 10:00 am in Church, followed by a mixer for the students and parents in the Nazareth Center. 

We live in a time, when it is very hard for candidates to find eligible sponsors for Confirmation. People marry outside of the Church, sever their bond with a parish community. There is a breakdown of a sort in the community, where not everyone can think of someone nearby that could help them walk the faith. If we grow to support them better, maybe just maybe that challenge will melt away.

Next week, September 15th, Families of Faith will attend the 10:00 am Mass. Then have orientation following where they will receive materials for the year and learn how to use them. To conclude the morning, they will partake in the pancake breakfast. I welcome you to join them, and enjoy the breakfast and this opportunity for community! This week, let’s pray for a year of growth for the youth, their families, and for the entire community of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. God Bless and have a great week!

September 1, 2024: I Didn’t Forget! The Sacrament of Holy Orders

We are all called to be a Nation of Priests, a Holy people, bringing the Good News of the Life, Death, Resurrection and Glory of Jesus Christ to all peoples whether they’ve known Him, or have yet to meet Him. This call began when the people of Israel were told in Exodus that they would be a kingdom of priests, a Holy Nation, and was reiterated when Isaiah was told that the people should be a Holy People and a Light to the Gentiles.

Jesus came to show us the way to live out the original mandates and covenants that the people of Israel had entered into with God. That is why He would bolster those original calls with the Great Commission. He called all disciples and apostles to spread the Good News and baptize in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While as Christians we are all called at baptism to be priests, prophets, and kings, any assortment of people living out an important vision or call require guidance. That is why Jesus left Saint Peter as the first leader or pope, and the apostles with him as the first bishops. By necessity this circle expanded. Disciples, and the followers of the Apostles received a share of the Holy Spirit, and became the next generation of bishops and leaders. One of the most notable of this generation is St. Paul, who had once been Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians. 

As the community grew, and the assembly of the people for Mass expanded we can read that this group of Bishops led to overseers, and presbyters to guide the people. These early ministers of the Church received authority through that first generation of Apostles, and acted in a sacramental ministry. They shared in the ministry of the Bishops like our priests do today. Out of another level of necessity, namely the mistreatment of Greek widows and orphans by the original Jewish Christians, another ministry arose, that of the Diaconate. Deacons at that time, and even today are servants who assist the priests in the care of the people, and today formally preach the Gospel. We often as Catholics can often get confused, we begin to believe that the ordained ministers are the Church. We forget that trifold call of the baptized and sit back. We can tend to set aside our call as disciples because of what the Church does or doesn’t do. We don’t diminish the importance of the ordained, yet a community that depends solely on their leadership to carry the weight is a Body of Christ, with only a head.

This week, let’s pray that many men discern Holy Orders, that women and men consider religious life, and that out of this true discernment, we also get many holy marriages  so that the whole body of the Church might be vital, healthy, and strong. God Bless and have a great week.

August 25, 2024: Loving is Hard Work

Anyone who has met me, wouldn’t be surprised to hear that my weight has been an issue for a good part of my life. There have been some times when it is better and worse, but it has always been a struggle, and it’s never been a walk in the park (though that might have been a good idea every now and then).

So, when a pushy young man in the mall locked eyes on me, and was chasing me down to buy some candy bars, it wasn’t a scene that I personally wanted to be a part of. When I firmly said no he muttered to himself (but not too well) “you looked like you might want some candy bars” I wasn’t thrilled, in fact I was angry because it brought back some not so fond memories. I angrily responded, and while I didn’t eat all of his candy bars, that altercation ate me up inside a bit. If I wasn’t dealing with diabetes, someone might have told me to eat a Snickers, because I wasn’t myself. I’m sharing this somewhat uncomfortable vignette with you for a reason! At that moment, I was dealing with another human being.

A young man with his own challenges, struggles, and issues. I don’t know his background, but I know mine, as a follower of Christ. What I, what we are called to is love. We are called to love our neighbors, love our enemies, love those who annoy us, and grate on us. That young man might have upset me, but I need to see him as a brother, made in the image and likeness of the Lord our God, and to act accordingly. This interaction is mildly frustrating, it was enough for me to remember a month out. However, it wasn’t by any means an extreme of what we can encounter on our path. We will face instances with individuals who hurt us more deeply than just a couple words. In those times, as challenging as it is, we are called to Love like Jesus. This week, I’m praying for that young man who was probably forced to sell candy bars by some adult in the shopping mall. I encourage you to think of someone who deeply annoys you, has wronged you in the past, or has rubbed you the wrong way, for their good, and your own good.

God Bless and have a great week.

August 18, 2024: Go an Make Disciples 

Most Churches, even, especially the Roman Catholic Church, takes on a pretty corporate structure. You have the Vatican, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Archdiocese of Newark (which has also appointed an auxiliary bishop over Union County). If you know the inside baseball, you know that there are even deaneries of nearby parishes in a territory. If we aren’t careful, it’s really easy to fall into the trap of looking at the parish as the local branch. That would make Father Mike the regional director, Gabe the Assistant to the Regional Director, Fr. Rob an experienced consultant, and the staff as marketing, finance, and programming directors. 

As much as it’s fun to imagine a parish as a remake of the series ‘the Office’, the product we sell is much more important than paper, it’s relationship with Jesus Christ, and parishioners aren’t merely consumers. We are all about the work of disciples, going out into the world and introducing others to Jesus Christ. Our baptismal call is to something greater than attending Mass, and doing some good deeds. It is a call to bring others to Jesus and ultimately eternal life in the beatific vision, present with God for all eternity. I know I am laying that on thick. It is a great responsibility, but guess what, it can start with one small step. Do you know any Catholic families that have been away, distracted, and distant from their faith? Well it is time to invite them back! Let them know why you come, and more importantly that you are here to accompany them (or even buy them lunch afterwards).

Here is my big ask. We’ve had a good number of families attend our summer academy program, and have a great experience. A more modest number have signed up to participate in Families of Faith for the Fall and Spring. The thing is, our numbers are short for the youngest grades (kindergarten and more importantly first grade). Why is that important? Children begin to prepare for First Eucharist in 1st grade. We’re also seeing a gradual decline in 7th and 8th grade formation numbers. While that may be consistent with demographics, we know that we have to be missing someone who should be with us. When we are missing families, our community cannot live up to its fullest potential. Invite the people we are missing to contact our parish. Pray for the return of others, and help us find and care for the lost sheep! This week let’s pray for all of the families that have been absent from our community, especially those who are away because of deep hurts. Pray that they can find healing and welcome today and always. God Bless and have a great week.

August 11, 2024: The Sacrament and Vocation of Holy Matrimony

Marriage has been a part of human society since well before Jesus Christ walked the earth. The societal norms relating that human practice differ from culture to culture, but were all generally a contract between a man and a woman for the sake of merging families for a number of social and practical purposes. Marriages occurred to bring peace between nations, stabilize the economic situation of a community, and in some cases provide some level of protection in a society where an unaccompanied woman (without spouse or male son) were without rights. 

There had always been some societal good in the contract, yet like all things, faith brought depth and new meaning to something practical. For instance, in Judaism there were already rites of cleansing and reparation yet through Confession or Reconciliation that became immediate, personal, and affective. Ritual meals had already existed such as the Passover Seder, yet through the Last Supper were were given the Bread of Life. 

In Holy Matrimony, what was once a practical contract, became a covenant between spouses, before God. Just as with Reconciliation and Holy Communion, Holy Matrimony offers particular grace to the partners. While it is not magic, this can see husband and wife through struggles and challenging situations well beyond their own means to overcome. It takes work for sure, all good things do.

This week every year, I write something about Holy Matrimony, because on August 12th 2017, my wife Emily and I were married at St. Paul Church in Princeton, NJ. While that day surrounded by family and friends was lovely, that day does not define our marriage. Every challenge, and joy that we have shared since, the love we’ve shared defines the marriage more than that one day. So this week, please pray for my wife and I, and even all of the young people who discern the vocation of marriage that we may all know the continued grace of God, especially in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. God Bless and have a wonderful week.

August 4, 2024: Grandparents Day and Sharers of the Word

Last Sunday was Grandparent’s Day throughout the Catholic World. This day of recognition of Grandparents and the Elderly occurs each year, and falls on the Sunday nearest to the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and therefore the grandparents of Jesus. I am a week late, but with the current atmosphere, I think you can cut me some slack. However, I did feel the need to circle back to this! Pope Francis set a theme for the observance it’s:

“Do not cast me off in my old age” (cf. Psalm 71:9)

The reality these days is that society does a terrible job caring for our elders. People aren’t getting ahead in the world like they used to be able to, retirement ages are pushed ever back, and agism does play in hiring. Someone who has given of themselves for their entire career, for instance, might be cast off in their old age because their skills and talents aren’t what they used to be. In a world where both husband and wife must work to get by, no one is in the home anymore to care for an elderly or ill parent. With all these things in mind, we as a Church and a culture must do better to uplift the spirits and situation, especially of those who languish in obscurity. We must honor the experiences, wisdom, and talents of those who have blazed the way in front of us. You know what though, human dignity should never be tied to a person’s utility. No, we should honor all people as our brothers and sisters made in the image and likeness of God (even if they sneer at our children for being loud in Church ;).)

Here is the challenge I am going to set out for our community. Do you know of someone who is lonely, ignored? Give them a call, take a visit for tea or coffee. See someone who always comes to Church alone? Ask to sit with them. For our grandparents who are far away from their grandchildren. I have a secret for you. Do you see a family with young children at Church? Guess what, if you were to sit with that family, and dote over their children, and offer them praises, I’m pretty sure there would be a lunch invitation for that Church grandparent!

Even as Grandparents’ Day has passed within the Church, let’s pray to God for the strength to do better, living out the life of Christians, and respecting the dignity of all people, no matter their status! God Bless and have a great week.

July 28, 2024: Princes, Powers, and Our One True God

If you’ve been reading my contributions to the bulletin for a while, you might know that one of my favorite pieces of scripture comes from the Psalm 146: 3-7
”Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.”

Public policy is very important. How we are governed affects our lives, and the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. So our participation in the system as voters, advocates, outspoken critics of injustices (even within the parties we belong to) is critical, and can even be considered a duty of ours as good citizens and Christians. So, I share this, because a few weekends ago, when something pretty scary happened, God gave me the grace of understanding something very important. In a part of my past that I don’t often speak about, I was studying political science, and by extension was very involved with the political process. As such, I’m apt to get over invested, and concerned with the process. In the past I would be apt to become too worried, and involved with the politics of the day. To the point where it would obscure my faith. 

During the weekend I mentioned, I had traveled with my wife and children to Mount Sacred Heart, the mother house for the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (You may recall I profiled this order during Keeping it Orderly). We were there for an important celebration, 5 women of faith were celebrating their 50th or 60th Jubilee (or anniversary since vows). Between that group of women, there were 320 years of service to the people of God. They had seen the rule of 6 popes, and the government of 12 different U.S. Presidents. Through their lives they’ve seen extreme swings of governance and culture. They have seen the funeral of popes and presidents alike. They’ve lived under reforms, policies, and have outlived plenty of government budgets, wars, and more than their share of social unrest. All those things aside, they have kept their eyes on Christ the King Ruler of the Universe, and His will over any partisan agenda. They live simply, love their neighbors/ enemies, and above all else love the Lord their God with all their hearts, strength and mind.

No matter how shaken we may be by these divisive times. No matter how skeptical we may be of the intentions of others, we should following the example of these brave women of faith, and love those God puts in our path. Let us pray for this nation, for a ceasing of violence and damaging rhetoric, and for the blessing of the Lord our God on our nation, and our community. God Bless, have a wonderful week.

July 21, 2024: A Misunderstood Sacrament: Anointing of the Sick

Until the early 1970s, the sacrament of healing, referred to currently as Anointing of the Sick, was known as Last Rites, or extreme unction. This was because the sacrament was often administered only when an individual was nearing the end of life, or had good reason to believe that they would.

The sacrament is primarily meant to bring forgiveness of sins, and the spiritual gifts of peace and courage to an individual suffering the extremity of old age, chronic illness, or other significant physical, emotional, or spiritual suffering. In rare but no unheard of individuals will also experience physical healing. In reverting to the old use of the sacrament, we rob ourselves of the grace of this beautiful encounter with Christ in an often neglected sacrament. 

If you or someone you know and love is suffering any sort of illness, or challenges of aging, and you think that Anointing of the Sick would bring them comfort, there are two ways to experience it. You can call the parish to schedule an appointment for anointing, or the parish offers two Anointing Masses each year, generally in Advent and Lent. 

For your scriptural reflection I offer: Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. James 5:14-15

This week, let’s pray for everyone in need of any sort of healing in their life, that they can more fully experience Christ’s love in their lives and suffering.

God Bless and have a wonderful week!

July 14, 2024: Looking Back and Forward: Summer Academy 

What an amazing Summer Academy we had at IHM Parish! For the first time in the program, the nine days included two Sundays. We kicked off the first day with a family session on Discipleship with John Poitvent of Great Catholic. For a year now parish leadership has been working with John on the development of discipleship strategies and this was an invitation for our families to get more involved! We are called to discipleship through the seven sacraments. At baptism we become part of the body of Christ, and therefore are called to discipleship! Then all of the other sacraments help us on the journey. Reconciliation offers us forgiveness, Eucharist strength, Confirmation spiritual gifts, Anointing of the sick healing. The context for our faith is the family, so on Sunday, June 30th our parents were joined by Steve Serafin D.min who talked about communication in the family unit and tools for growing together as parents. This led us to our final days focused on the sacraments at the service of Communion, Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders.

This was a successful start to the formation year of our families, and there wouldn’t have been a program without our teachers and various volunteers, Connie, Marielle, Heba, Cecilia, Alissa, Malissa, Dorothy, Steve, Elaine, Colm, and Geraldine who led our classes. Amanda, Sophie, Rob, Nancy who made the art room such a success, and Katie, who led music. Our pastor Father Mike, and our priest in residence Father Rob preached at such a relatable level for our daily masses, and Janet Manfredonia assured us that all of the paperwork lined up just right.

Over 16 teen volunteers assured that things ran smoothly, and continued their growth as leaders of our community! Ferdie Nieva cleaned and maintained our facilities, and parish staff made sure everything ran smoothly. I could write another ten pages with names, and important people in this process, but would be remiss to mention our parents, and the children themselves who assure the programs are as wonderful as they are. Continue to grow for the spiritual growth of our community today and forever! God Bless, thank you, and have a wonderful week!

July 7, 2024: Independence from Sin

Over the last two weeks of Summer Academy, we learned about the seven sacraments and sought to plant the seeds of faith for our continuing journey. We ended on July 2nd, because that was most convenient for our teachers, and families. That offered us the opportunity to offer Sunday morning sessions, that allowed the parents, and maybe even older siblings the opportunity to get more involved in the journey of the younger children and teens of our parish. If we had continued through the Fourth of July, I would have selected the topic of Reconciliation for that Thursday. Why do you ask? Because on the Fourth of July we celebrate the Independence of our Nation from the tyranny of another nation that maintained control of our affairs, though it was so far away from us. 

When Jesus died on the Cross for us, He conquered the powers of sin and death, and provided us a path to eternal life. He picked us up, and distanced us from the tyranny of sin and death, just as our former nation was across an ocean from us. When we declared our independence it did not prevent that distant party from mustering its resources to cross the distance to assert its control and power both in the revolution and the war of 1812. Even though Jesus has distanced us from the power of Satan, as humans we continue to be tempted, and fall to that temptation to sin, to live a life less than what we deserve. So to gain our ultimate independence from the powers Jesus has defeated we need special tools. We need to avail ourselves of the healing power of confession (or reconciliation), the weekly reception of the Holy Eucharist, and recourse to the sacraments such as Anointing of the Sick when we so require it.

With Jesus’ sacrifice, and these fonts of grace that He has provided us, we can claim ultimate independence, as we seek out eternal life. This week, let us pray for a deeper connection to Christ through the sacraments, so that we can grow ever closer to Him. God Bless and have a wonderful week.

June 30, 2024: The Journey Continues

So the Summer Academy portion of Faith Formation will come to an end, and families, especially parents will have to make an important determination. How will we continue our faith journey together? How important is this to us, how will we ‘Go Make a Difference’ as Disciples of Jesus Christ and members of this faith community? If you hope for your family to grow in faith, and this hasn’t been checking a box, or living up to someone else’s expectations, our program includes a few opportunities that you should take advantage of. 

First, we challenge you to go to Mass every (or at least most weeks) at IHM or wherever you happen to be on vacation, or with your travel teams. Growing in faith requires a connection to that faith. Second, every Summer Academy child/ youth grades pre-k through grade seven will be provided with a series of resources called Pflaum Gospel weeklies. These will prepare you and your child for Sunday Mass every week, in a low effort, high reward way. Third, and maybe most importantly, we are asking all of our families participating in our Summer Academy to attend 3-10 Families of Faith activities during the year. That program is included in your registration, and will generally meet twice a month. These events will include fellowship, prayer, and service. We’ll also be inviting leaders of parish ministries to come be involved, so you can find other wonderful opportunities in the parish. 

Those preparing for sacraments should also be on the lookout for more information about preparation for Reconciliation/ Eucharist and Confirmation Preparation (in 8th and 9th grade). This week let’s pray for all of the families that are participating in faith formation now, and will in the future. We are called to gather as a faith community in support of the generations of Catholic children and teens that will bring us forward to our 100th anniversary! God Bless and have a great week.

June 23, 2024: Welcome Back for Summer Academy 2024

No matter what some preachers may tell you, Jesus won’t likely make you rich, or even materially wealthy. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “give us this day our daily bread” not “give us this month’s rent, let alone a mansion”. So it is very understandable that schooling, and things that will propel us to higher education, professions, and trades take a very high priority in our lives. Being successful in our lives, and supporting our families is important, and being the best, or really good at what we do, is important. It can even make it more possible to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because it puts us in places where people might be more interested in wealth, power, and success than salvation. 

This is really a long way around, to tell our Summer Academy families that we are very happy to have you back for our summer intensive program this year. There are many priorities for our families, so putting focus on faith is a wonderful gift to your family, and to the community. The hope and expectation is that this will be your entry into deeper participation in our parish community. Hopefully, our opening speaker empowers, and encourages you to grow as disciples, and attend Mass within the community consistently, and participate in Families of Faith activities such as prayer, fellowship, and service throughout the year. 

To aid you in your participation in the Mass, in September we will be providing each faith formation child Pre-K through Grade 7 with a series called Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. This helps whole families prepare for Sunday Mass, September through May. We ask that you watch for the release of those materials, pick them up, and utilize them to enter deeper into your faith. We ask the community to continue to pray for our families, that they can grow deeper in love with God, feel welcomed, and participate more fully in the faith of our community. God Bless and let’s have a great first week of Summer Academy!

June 16, 2024: A Fathers’ Day Message

This Fathers Day, I would like to share a story with you, about how I became a father. Because it is the very lens from which I see my ministry to the families of our parish. In late 2019, my wife and I sought medical assistance to try and have a child. My wife Emily had been told for most of her life that it would be nearly impossible without some assistance. 

So, before she could take medication, she needed to take a blood draw pregnancy test. Shockingly, it showed that Emily was already pregnant. That was a Friday, so at 5:00 am Monday, before work, we went to the OB for an ultrasound. We were shocked and amazed to see a fully formed spine, and skull. We were overjoyed and shocked to see our child was there, and far advanced, 4 months along. Emily is prone to be concerned, she feared at the possibility of loss of pregnancy (something indicated by her medical condition, but not at 4 months). Just as we left the consult, I was struck, as by lightning. “Your son will be fine, and his name is Elijah!” At that point the doctors were unable to declare gender, but from that day forward we knew. Beyond sharing something personal, this is my long way around to a point. There are so many things that can estrange us from our fathers. Death, disagreement, emotional distance, court orders surrounding divorce, physical or emotional abuse, and the decision of father or child to dissolve the familial bond. 

This is particularly damaging because a mother’s bond to a child is at least partially biological. The bond generally begins from an imperative and a physical bond. A father on the other hand, is the first person beyond the mother to meet the child, to embrace them, and makes the choice to love them. This is the first member of society to choose to love that child, and thus represents each time that decision will be made out in the world. Rejection is so very painful. Here’s the core of this message. Even before I knew Elijah, loved him, and accepted him, he and every child is known and loved by God the Father. Even when dad is present, we can relate to what God said at Jesus’ (and our baptism) Behold my dearly beloved Son, my dearly beloved daughter, who with I am well and truly pleased. 

This Fathers’ Day let’s pray for every father and father figure who have stepped up in the lives of the children (and adult children) in their lives. Pray for the fathers who have gone before us. Especially let us pray for the fathers who are absent, by their own fault, or by circumstance to heal the loss they may be incapable of feeling. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

June 9, 2024: A Sacramental Detour: The Initiation Process Formerly known as RCIA

So many of us have been raised Catholic, and especially for a certain age group it means that we were baptized as infants or children under the age of 7, attended CCD or Catholic School, and received all of our sacraments as an extension of all of that. This is a common experience, but it is not the only, or universal process. Every year, people who have chosen to become Catholic, either in adulthood, or because of circumstances that put off infant baptism, and traditional Catechesis, are welcomed to our Church at the Easter Vigil. God willing we’ll be a parish that welcomes newly initiated Catholics next spring! What we see, and what was behind it, are two different things. We may see them receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Vigil, but a lot of preparation goes into that moment (and hopefully leads to a continued journey of faith). I’ve made brief comments about the order that they receive the sacraments (in past submissions and videos) but here, I’m going to break down the process in brief. Keep in mind that no process is exactly the same, but they all hold these steps in common.

The first step is inquiry, you don’t become what you don’t know. Those approaching the faith will investigate, discern, and consider if they will commit to the faith, or at least formally enter the process! Then comes the Catechumenate, and the individual has decided, so they begin the process. Learning the faith and accepting it for themselves, they take ownership of their faith, particularly by sticking close to the lectionary, or readings of the Mass. 

Once you’ve decided to pursue the faith, and have entered the Catechumenate, you come to the point of choosing to formally enter. The Lent before your initiation you take part in more intense and focused formation, this period is called Purification and Preparation. There are special Rites of the Church at this time, and a community with those preparing will stick to Gospel Cycle A which throws people from their personal Missals, and closely relates to the process for those to be initiated. Only after these stages have occurred with the Catechumen be Initiated at the Easter Vigil! That’s it right? 

Wrong, as in our ancient tradition, these newly initiated are to be accompanied on their faith journey, mentored by other members of the community, and invited to live a fuller life with Christ. This period of the life of the faithful is called Mystagogy. Over time, we will see this process slowly transition to being called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. There will be enrichment of the process, but what will remain, is the age old process of growing as a community, and accompanying our newest members. This week, let’s pray for those who entered the Church this Easter, and for those who we look forward to welcoming to be initiated  next Easter Vigil in 2025. God Bless and have a great week!

June 2, 2024: Reconciliation or Confession

There was this movie, where a Spanish colonist and slave trader basically ran away to the Paraguayan jungle, in part out of shame because he slew his own brother who had run off with his fiance. He came across a priest to hear his confession, and refused to accept absolution because the penance he was given was to light. So this led the penitent played by Robert Deniero to throw a bunch of heavy armor down a steep hill and drag it up and throw it over and over. Eventually the ‘protagonist’ broke down in tears over the grace of the forgiveness he had received. I saw this movie over a decade ago, but it was seared in my memory for that scene. That moment of film resonated with me, because of the reality it presents. God through His priests offers us enduring mercy, freely given to those who seek it. Yet, out of pride, fear, shame, or in some cases self hatred, we are much harder on ourselves than God is. 

So a brief and lazy bit of research shows me that a decree on going to Confession annually did not occur until the Fourth Lateran Council in around 1215 AD. Yet a perusal of Scripture (your homework for the week) sets the foundation. Matthew 6:12 (from the Lord’s Prayer), 1 John 1:9), Matt 9:1-6,8 and John 21:20-23 shows the grounding of the sacrament. Then we can explore the Didache and the Church Fathers to see the importance of the sacrament well before 1215. If you are interested in diving deeper into these sources, check out this tract from Catholic Answers What the Early Church Believed: Confession | Catholic Answers Tract. 

A final thought on this topic, we often hear people say “why do I need a priest, why can’t I confess directly to God?” In the case of minor venial sins we can. However, our mortal sins harm more than our relationship with God. They harm us, causing us to live a less full life than we are called to. Sins also cause harm to the community. While representing Jesus in Confession, a priest also stand in the place of our neighbors, to offer the forgiveness of the community (and commensurate penances). So this week, let us pray for a deeper love of an often neglected sacrament, that we might grow in faith, and holiness as we seek to grow closer to Christ and our neighbors. God Bless, and Have a Wonderful week.

May 26, 2024: The Eucharist, a Poetic or Historical History of When We Receive

We live in a society that tends to hold higher esteem for more rare occurrences that happen later in life. For example, a doctorate is greater than a masters, than a bachelors, than a high school diploma, than a middle school graduation, than an elementary school completion, than a pre-k moving up ceremony. The older we are x the rarity of the accomplishment= greater value and prestige. I bring this up, because many of the dioceses in the United States, with few exceptions have made the age of Confirmation something that occurs later in life, therefore requires greater preparation. You must understand Confirmation at an 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade level, because that is when you will receive it. There are notable exceptions, but that’s not the point! 

Because Confirmation happens once in our life, generally at an older age, more value can be placed on it than Holy Communion. That of course happens in 2nd grade, and then an infinite amount of times following. This may seem strange considering Holy Communion, the Eucharist is the Source and Summit of Christian Life! As per the Catechism of the Catholic Church Paragraph 1324. 

So, if the reception of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of Christian life, why does it happen when we don’t understand it as well? I’m going to offer two answers to that question. One will be poetic and theological, and the other will be true and historical. You be the judge. Jesus offered His body to the disciples at the Last Supper, and told them to do that whenever they gathered in remembrance of Him. Jesus then later told the same disciples He would have to ascend to the Father before the Paraclete, Advocate, Holy Spirit could be sent at Pentecost, so it follows that we receive Jesus before we are ready to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Alternatively, there was once a time when any baptized Christian would be Confirmed as soon as the local bishop could travel to a Parish. The number of Catholics, and the size of Dioceses grew, and transportation was primitive. The wait to see the Bishop became longer and longer. At that same time, the faithful wouldn’t receive Holy Communion until around 14. At that time, much like with RCIA/OCIA, the order of initiation was Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist. During this same time, around 1910 (surprisingly recently in the history of the Church) Pope Pius X, decreed in Quam Singulari that children deemed at the age of reason (around 7) should be admitted to receive the Eucharist. This was a return to the early church and seems fitting with what Jesus said, “let the little children come to me” Matthew 19:14. 

Lord, continue to strengthen our faith through the reception of Your Body and Blood in the Eucharist, and call those who have received strength from the Holy Spirit to continue union with you at your table.  God Bless and have a wonderful week. 

May 19, 2024: A Lesson on Confirmation

We very recently did a series here on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Council, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord (also known as awe or reverence). We spent that time because we believe that these gifts are imparted, not just symbolically, but in reality through the Rite of Confirmation. So practically what are the parts of the Rite? First the community presents the candidates to the Bishop or his representative. Presumably much like with converts at the Easter Vigil these candidates have discerned and were formed to live a Christian Life. The Bishop accepts the candidates and the sacrament continues. Then the Candidates renew their Baptismal vows. Most, if not all, were baptized as infants and were spitting up, drooling, or sleeping when their parents and godparents did this on their behalf the first time. While the faithful will do this at the Easter Vigil, it’s likely that this has been a first for those being confirmed. Then the Bishop recites a prayer and extends his arms over the group for the Laying on Of Hands. Traditionally (and in some cases still today) a Bishop would actually slap the young people (usually lightly). This was an old military gesture, and still today, tells the young people that they are in the fight for Jesus. 

The most recognizable aspect of the Rite is the Anointing with Oil. The Bishop or other appropriate minister will use Sacred Chrism, that was created at the Chrism Mass on Monday of Holy Week, to seal each candidate with the Holy Spirit. In the Eucharist we believe that the host is Christ and we receive Him. In Confirmation we look at Chrism as the presence of the Holy Spirit. After they are sealed each Candidate is called by their Confirmation name, and wished peace by the Bishop. At Confirmation, we continue what occurred at Pentecost. Jesus told His community that He had to ascend so that He could send the Advocate, the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit. When those followers gathered together in the Upper Room, they were empowered by the Holy Spirit, and went to spread the Gospel, cast out demons, heal the sick, and in some cases raise the dead. Because of that we have a Church today. 

We have good reason to believe that this anointing continues past that one gathering. A great example is St. Paul. While Pentecost was taking place, Saul known later as Paul was likely out persecuting Christians, and overseeing their stoning. Likely those followers were locked in that Upper Room avoiding what he would do. Yet he was converted, and did great wonders. It is quite possible that we, and especially the newly confirmed can do just the same today. This week, let us give thanks that God created us to be a community of Faith, and provided us with the sacraments to strengthen our faith, and guide us in His ways. God Bless and Have a wonderful week.

May 12, 2024: A Different take on Motherhood 

Very recently our parish celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation with the young people of our parish. Bishop Elias Lorenzo presided over the celebration. While he preached, to the families gathered, I was led to reflect on the Church as our mother. A mother who loves her children sacrifices a lot to bring up strong, confident, and self assured adults. This often takes a significant sacrifice from a mother, setting aside her own self-interests to provide for her children. This takes place from the moment of conception, to when they are launched into the world, and never truly ceases. 

The Church is not a building, it is not just the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Monsignors, Priests, Deacons, and lay employees who make up the Church, it is the entire community. While the laity may feel like the low women (and men) on the totem pole, in decision making terms, their attitude and practice make the most difference. How the body of the Church lives and moves in the world determines how effectively the Gospel can be spread. What we bring into our homes, communities, workplaces, and extracurriculars, will determine how widely received the Gospel will be. 

This weekend many will mourn their mothers because they passed this year, or decades ago. Some will mourn their estrangement from a mother they have fallen out with, or have never known. This week let us pray for all of the dispossessed, the lonely, and those who mourn a great loss so that they may know the embrace of their mother the Church. Additionally, as Bishop Elias says, “mothers and fathers, when you go home today, tell your children that you love them unconditionally, because that teaches them the most important lesson of faith, the unconditional love of God.” God Bless and have a wonderful week.

May 5, 2024: Easter: A Sacramental Season

A man, seemingly crazed, dressed in a way, dined in a way that made others uncomfortable, mainly on locusts and wild honey went out to a deserted place, and called out for repentance along the Jordan River. As odd as he seemed, the people were hungry for a new perspective, a change in the status quo. With this man John the Baptist they found a form of ritual cleansing, a baptism of repentance. Though He was like us in all things but sin, our Savior Jesus Christ sought out this voice in the desert, His cousin, to receive this baptism. While Christ was without sin, this was a critical moment (that we’ll revisit during our next installment on Confirmation). This ritual cleaning performed by John was a precursor to something greater, just as John himself was the forerunner of Christ. After Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection he spent time with His Apostles and Disciples, and commissioned them for ministry. They were being sent to go and make disciples Baptizing in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

This baptism was no longer for purely repentance, no those who experience baptism of our Lord receive new life in Christ whether they are infants, or adults. It is interesting to consider how the sacraments interplay with each other throughout their history. We consider Confirmation to be somewhat of a completion of this important rite. Even more interestingly, baptism is in fact for the forgiveness of sins. Earlier in our history, the sacrament of reconciliation hadn’t been developed, so some notable figures, emperors, notables, and ordinary people would hold off their baptism till later in life, because they feared sinning after the forgiveness of baptism. Baptism has always been a one shot deal, a dedication of one’s life to Christ. As such, even those who leave the faith later in life, are seen by Church law as still being Catholic. This week in particular, let’s pray for those who have been baptized and have strayed from the faith, and those who have never known Christ.

God Bless and have a great week!

April 28, 2024: Easter: A Sacramental Season

Traditionally, the season of Lent was a time where the Church refrained from celebrating the sacraments. With an absence of Holy Water, baptisms would not occur until the new Easter Waters were blessed at the Easter Vigil. Holy Matrimony would not take place during Lent (save for on Laetare Sunday).

During the Easter Vigil, those who have been preparing to enter the Church as adults or older children receive the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Our parish looks forward to celebrating these with three members of our community at the Vigil next year!

For these reasons, a character of the Easter season is one of joyfully celebrating the sacraments with the faithful at all stages of life. On Saturday, April 26th our parish celebrates First Communion with our families who have been preparing all year. On Monday, April 29th we rehearse for Confirmation, which will be celebrated on May 4th with Bishop Elias! To our candidates on May the Fourth we’ll be with you for that wonderful step in your faith journey!

As this is a season of sacraments, over the next several weeks, we’ll take the time to reflect on all seven sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Holy Matrimony. This will be the perfect series to lead us through Pentecost, and to our Summer Academy, which will focus on the Sacraments, Discipleship, and Family Life.

This week let’s pray for the continued Easter joy, as we prepare to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (May 19th). God Bless and have a wonderful week!

April 21, 2024: God’s Love is the Point

It is very easy to get caught up in what is expected of us as Christians. The Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, Corporal Works of Mercy, the golden rule. There are countless Papal Encyclicals, teachings about morality, justice, and how we should go about our lives in the modern world. When you focus on these things as restrictions, as opposed to guidelines for a fulfilled life, they become tedious and monotonous. Those things that can bring us abundant life, are overshadowed by a negative mindset.

If we relate fully to the suffering of Jesus’ passion and death, if we become fearful and nervous like our Lord's closest followers, and scatter, without considering the joy of the resurrection we become numb to the amazing gift that we have been given. If we get totally down on ourselves for Lent with abstinence and restriction, for the whole 40 days of Lent, and neglect the joy of Easter for the 50 days of the season, what have we gained? Overzealous seminarians are reminded to fast and feast with the Church!

For the remainder of the Easter Season let us joyfully recall the fact that God loved the world so much, that Jesus Christ took on flesh, taught and reinforced the most important guidance we can follow for a full life. Then only after doing this died on the Cross to provide us with the gift of salvation, then took a victory tour to restore His Community which would build up the Church we belong to today! This week let us pray that we can see the teaching of scripture and our tradition as the foundation of a full life in union with God and our neighbors. God Bless, Happy Easter, and have a wonderful week!

April 14, 2024: We are an Easter People

50 days of Easter continue moving forward, and we remain in the joy of the knowledge of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This singular event, and the thousands of years of salvation that led to that moment, should define who we are, and what we do from the very moment we had accepted Jesus Christ as our personal, and communal Lord and Savior. The question " Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior" might seem to have been trivialized in some circles, but maybe that question runs deeper than what it appears to mean. There is one thing to know and accept a fact of history, like that Jesus was born, ministered, then suffered, died, and was buried, and rose again on the third day. It is quite another to take that knowledge out into the world, and center our relationships on it.

Jesus defeated the power of sin and death over us. He opened the gates of heaven for us, to the point where in the passion narrative it says that the dead rose. So, what does that mean for our everyday life? With the knowledge of this great truth do we pray and have a relationship with God? Do we go out of our way to act good towards others, even when our human nature prompts us not to? Do we run into the fire of hostility to pull those who hate us, from the fire of their own deceit and hatred? Do we do even the simplest thing of receiving Jesus joyfully in the Eucharist, and then giving another person the right of way as we attempt to leave the parking lot. These are just some things to consider as we seek to live the joy of Easter, and reflect what it means to us in our daily lives. Let us pray for supernatural gifts of joy and understanding as we too bring the mission of Jesus Christ out into the world! God Bless and have a wonderful week!

April 7, 2024: It’s Still Easter

What did you give up for Lent? Was it chocolate, dairy products, meat, dessert, or streaming on your favorite platform? Did you fast from your favorite social media, or a specific genre of music or media that you absolutely love? If we gave up things that are generally healthy for us and did so that we could better focus on our relationship with God, that was great! That was a very commendable practice, and you should be very proud.

Now here’s an Easter Challenge for you. Is there a way that you could enjoy your favorite sweets in a way that draws you closer to God? Perhaps by sharing that treat with someone who is lonely? Could you indulge in a favorite food that you had given up, in a way that included someone who would otherwise do without? Can we show love for streaming material that excels in decency, and virtue? Could we share good music, fiction, and art with others who would benefit from discovering it? Could we use social media to promote the good, true, and beautiful instead of doom scrolling and comparing ourselves to others? 

I think the answer to all of these things is an emphatic yes! During this whole Easter Season, we could and should use the good things that we abstain from to grow closer to God, in relationship with Jesus Christ, use our Uno Reverso Card with them, and gain the same benefit from having them be a part of our life, in a mindful way! This week, let’s pray that we can keep the Easter Joy alive in our hearts, so that we can continue to grow closer to Jesus Christ, and our neighbor, especially as we await the reception of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Those gifts being understanding, wisdom, knowledge (or insight), counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord (otherwise known as awe). God Bless and a Wonderful Easter Season.

March 31, 2024: 50 > 40
We need to live our lives recognizing that fifty is greater than forty. It’s simple math, but we don’t tend to express it with our lives. We’ve just completed our forty days in the desert of Lent. It was a time of reflection, abstinence, and penance. If we had done it right, it was a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Now it is time for 50 days in the dessert, or rather the joy of Easter. Today, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the culmination of thousands of years of salvation history. Jesus in His Innocence laid Himself down in sacrifice, and destroyed the powers of sin and death. 

While one day our lives will end, we will one day know a new life, eternally. While in this life we know struggles with sin, illness, broken relationships, and even pain, we will enter our new life as sons and daughters of our Creator, and brothers and sisters of Christ our Lord and Savior. As such, we will ourselves experience unknown joy. When we were baptized we died, and raised up with Christ, so as we mark the joy of the resurrection, we will remember our baptism, and be sprinkled with the new Easter waters. So let’s put that joy into perspective. We’ve fasted and abstained with the Church for 40 days as we sought to prepare for this very day and season. So please, when you receive Jesus in the Eucharist do so joyfully, when you go out into the world afterwards do so joyfully, and when people ask you what has changed tell them of your salvation.

This Easter Season, let us pray for all of those who continue to suffer, who live in an eternal Lent, without the joy of Easter, so that they may know the love and peace of our Lord. God Bless, Happy Easter, and enjoy your time in the dessert!

March 24, 2024: The Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
General understanding: “The love of Christ impels us!” (2Cor 5:14). Up to this point in time, we’ve looked at orders, in which the founders were male saints, who founded orders initially or primarily for men. For our final look of this run, we’ll look at a community founded by a woman well on her way to sainthood, Blessed Mother Clelia Merloni, founder of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

The Apostles were founded on May 30, 1894 in Viareggio, Italy. Mother Clelia founded the order using her inheritance from her father who converted to Catholicism on his deathbed. The continued existence of her order today is a miraculous testament to her spirit though, as a priest assigned to manage her inheritance (at a time when women had fewer property rights) stole that inheritance, causing a contraction of the order. Please dig more deeply into this biography a place to start is with this video: Life, Work and Spirituality of Mother Clelia Merloni - English

What are the charisms of the Apostles? Reading their charism we learn that they seek to be Apostles like the original ones, that means spending time with Jesus in prayer, and then taking what they receive to those in need. They seek to be Apostles of Love through their care for those in need. Finally, they seek to be Apostles of Reparation, they seek to repair the Image of God in their most wounded brothers and sisters. The most defining characteristic of the order is Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by restoring the dignity of the children of God through mission and ministry. This order would be identified as a mendicant order. The sisters serve in educational ministries, pastoral and diocesan ministries, health ministries, and social services and human services ministries. The sisters are engaged in service across 5 continents. There are approximately 1205 sisters in Italy, Brazil, Latin America, and the United States.

March 17, 2024: Keeping it Orderly: The Salesians
As a guy with an Irish name, you might expect me to write about St. Patrick today. All I will say is that St. Patrick was a man from Roman Britain taken as a slave to Ireland. So the patron Saint of Ireland, in a sense is a missionary saint, who brought the Gospel to a new land, as a response to terrible life circumstances. Our topic of the day is an order founded by a man who sought to help young men in tough situations to thrive in life and faith. 

General understanding
The Salesians of Don Bosco, originally called the Society of Saint Francis de Sales, was founded in what is now Turin Italy in 1859 By Father (Don) John Bosco. The order began as a movement to help poor and migrant boys during the industrial revolution. I’ve come to understand that the help for the poor actually came before the order or rule, and many early priests and members of the community came from those the Father Bosco sought to help. There are three pillars of life for the Salesians, A Universal Call to Holiness, because all are called to Holiness, that state must be accessible to all, and the order is called to Live the Gospel. While in seminary, I studied alongside several Salesians, who were already in ministry, teaching, leading sports activities, and doing their best to lead the youngsters they served towards holiness! 

Significant Saints to Look up on your own!
St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, St.  Aloysius Versiglia, Callixtus Caravario 

Carthusians on Prayer
Friend of the young, Teacher in the ways of God, Your dedication to empowering the needy inspires us still. Help me to work for a better world, where the young are given the chance to flourish, where the poor’s dream for justice can come true, and where God’s compassion is shown to be real. Intercede for me as I bring my needs to you and to our heavenly Mother, the Help of Christians. Saint John Bosco Pray for us!

Food and Drinks that Support the Community! 
Help support Salesian’s mission of providing food and other aid to those in need! WORLD FOOD DAY: Salesian Missions highlights feeding programs - Salesian Missions

Don Bosco on Formed.org
Saint John Bosco: Mission to Love - FORMED St. John Bosco: Mission of Love

March 10, 2024: Keeping it Orderly: The Carthusians
General understanding

The Cross is Steady While the World Turns- Stat crux dum volvitur orbis
This week we look at a completely different type of religious order in the Carthusians. Whereas, the Franciscans and others we’ve spoken of have been mendicant orders, that focus outwards in ministries the Carthusians are a contemplative order of monks and nuns. Those names mean something different than brothers or friars and sisters. They characterize these people as monastic religious. When thinking of the Carthusians there are two words we can consider. They are a cenobitic order, which means they live a community life, with a community rule. They also observe aspects of the eremitic life (as hermits) so solitude. The Carthusian Order was founded by  St. Bruno in 1084. The order takes part in a disciplined prayer life, marked by both solitude and self denial. The rule of the community is called the Statutes. 

Significant Saints to Look up on your own!
The most well known saint of this order is their founder St. Bruno. 

Carthusians on Prayer
https://chartreux.org/moines/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/A-Carthusian-Prayer-of-the-Heart.pdf 

Food and Drinks that Support the Community! 
Carthusian Chartreuse, a captivating liqueur crafted by Carthusian Monks in the French Chartreuse Mountains since 1737, is a true elixir steeped in history and mystery. Hope this has been a meaningful reflection on a spirituality that you might not have considered in the past. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

March 3, 2024: Keeping it Orderly: The Franciscans

General understanding
St. Francis of Assisi never said ‘preach the gospel always, when necessary use words’. No, Saint Francis did found a religious community in 1209 AD, he was ordained a deacon (but never a priest out of humility) and did great work to restore neglected churches. A way we reflect his life today is through our continued use of Nativity scenes! The order he founded still continues today, and branches of that community continue to grow, the most recent addition to that trunk that I am aware of is the Franciscans of the Renewal (C.F.R.) which some of our community may be acquainted with, founded in 1982. The four pillars of Franiciscan life are Spirituality, Formation, Fraternity, and Apostolate. For a layman’s understanding of this spirituality let's break it down. Friars or brothers living in community (fraternity) are called to communal and individual prayer as the center of their daily lives (spirituality). The result of brotherhood and prayer is that the members of the community share the Gospel, and material assistance to the communities in which they reside (apostolate). Finally, the integration of the pillars of spirituality, formation, and apostolate into the life and routine of the brothers is accomplished through ongoing (formation). 

Significant Saints to Look up on your own!
Saint Joseph Cupertino, Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Saint Benedict The Moor, Saint Bonaventure, Saint Claire of Assisi, Saint Marianne Cope, Saint Thomas More, Saint Junipero Serra and more! 

The Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master,Grant that I may not so much seekTo be consoled as to console; To be understood, as to understand; To be loved, as to love; For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.

Significant Franciscan Literature
Check out this amazing source for Franciscan writings and biography The Internet Guide to St. Francis of Assisi (franciscan-archive.org)

Food and Drinks that Support the Community! 
The Sisters of Saint Francis of the Providence of God sell a special Franciscan Blend of Coffee to support their community this can be purchased here: Franciscan Blend coffee - NOW IN FLAVORS! (arbucklesgourmetcoffee.com)

Hope this has been a meaningful reflection on a spirituality that you might not have considered in the past. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

February 25, 2024: Keeping it Orderly: The Return

Last February we offered a series of write ups on 4 religious communities, the Benedictines, Carmelites, Dominicans, and Jesuits. In that series we considered the foundational pillars, significant saints, a simple prayer, and specific writings of note that are significant to each order. Over the next four weeks, we’re going to revisit this format to consider the Franciscan order, Carthusians, Salesians (and what might be unique about that group). In our final week, we’ll consider an order of devout sisters called the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (the order my wife once belonged to). 

We’ll take breaks for any important parish news, but otherwise let’s strap in for an enlightening ride! Whenever possible, we’ll also try to highlight food products and drinks these specific communities may produce for their support, so that families can purposefully indulge in those things during the Easter Season, to make their joyful celebrations even more meaningful!

As individuals we all experience the love of God, and prayer in diverse ways. Perhaps as we consider these faithful communities, we can each take something away that will enrich, and deepen our experience of faith! This week, let us pray for all of the faithful men and women in the world that have devoted their life to the service of God, and in many cases their neighbors, in consecrated life. Let us pray that men and women continue to dedicate themselves to religious life, and other important vocations within the Church. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

February 18, 2024: Out of Order Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Pt. 7 Knowledge

As we conclude this series on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we remember something we heard in our youth (or at least relative youth) “Knowledge is Power”. I am not going to give you a drawn out philosophy lesson with this segment, but it’s helpful to dwell on the philosophical for a moment. Imagine this a super basic introduction to the philosophy of St. Thomas Aquinas (that my philosophy professors would probably want to cane me for). God is pure substance and being. Everything that exists, does because of, and through God. Everything that exists has to have a source,and that source is God. 

In this sense, all creation exists in and subject to God. Our best existence is one where we acknowledge God, and follow our best call to follow Him. Our greatest path to perfection is the one in which we live to our best potential. Knowledge helps us to know God, see His presence, and follow His will for us in our lives. Knowledge in concert with wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord is our best path to Eternal Life, but not without making the world a better place for our neighbors first! This week, let us pray for a revival in all of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, but especially in Knowledge that helps us to see God, and follow Him in all things. This concludes our brief series on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, watch here, to see what’s next! God Bless and have a wonderful week!

February 11, 2024: Out of Order Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Pt. 6 Fortitude

A young Steve Rogers, holds up a trash can lid, and guards himself from the blows of neighborhood bullies. At that time he had not grown to his full strength and potential, and yet he stood firm and said “I can do this all day”. While Mr. Rogers is a fictional character who would one day be called Captain America, he demonstrates this, one of the most commonly remembered gifts of the Holy Spirit, called fortitude. 

Fortitude can best be described as both courage and endurance. Think of that one high school student who stands up for a fellow student, the loner, the one others pick on or exclude. That young man or woman shows courage, in light of what might be a backlash. That young person continues to stand up for any outcast in spite of the consequences. They demonstrate fortitude. 

Another individual who showed great fortitude was St. Valentine. We like to celebrate him (or maybe the composite of 5 men and martyrs of that time), by trading little cards, flowers, and candies. We show tokens of affection to family, friends, spouses, perhaps even forgotten and lonely neighbors. These are great things to do. However, St. Valentine is believed to have been a priest at the time of one of the Roman persecutions, at a time when Christians were forbidden marriage. St. Valentine, is believed to have, out of love for God and the couples he ministered to, continued to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. He was ultimately martyred for his actions. This is fortitude. 

This week, let us pray that we can grow in the spiritual gift of fortitude, so that we can better stand against the tides of selfishness and individualism that cause disunity and disagreement when what the world truly needs is the strengthening and bolstering of the common good.

God Bless and have a wonderful week!

February 4, 2024: Out of Order Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Pt. 5 Counsel

In times of legal challenge we seek good counsel. When we are in school we seek the support and guidance of a counselor. We have an innate sense that our own judgment can serve us well, but that external perspectives are helpful if not necessary. 

We are all endowed with  a conscience; a sense of what is right and wrong. While we possess this sense of events, it is not inerrant. The conscience requires that we inform it, through our reading, the preaching we hear, and doing the spiritual work of shoring up our understanding or right and wrong. We need to have a firm grasp on moral philosophy and even theology to be a proper judge.

The spiritual gift of counsel informs and fortifies our sense of right and wrong. It takes good judgment and a well formed conscience to another level. Have you ever witnessed an individual with an amazing sense of social justice, who was pained to see wrong doing in the world? This person likely was endowed with a strong sense of the spiritual gift of counsel. These people tend to be excellent examples to others, and spiritual directors, because they are more in tune with the Mind of God. 

This week, let us pray that we can grow in the spiritual gift of counsel, so that we can better navigate a world that doesn’t always make sense, so that we can be and do better. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

January 28, 2024: Out of Order Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Pt. 4 Wisdom

When I hear the word wisdom, I immediately think of King Solomon. We may think back to an account of the king being approached by God in a dream. A question was posed, “what gift do you wish from me Solomon?” Most other worldly rulers may have asked for riches and fame, but Solomon requests the wisdom to judge what is important, meaningful, and purposeful to appropriately lead the people entrusted to him.

The discussion might also lead us to a few figures that are overtly or covertly people of faith, Aristotle, Socrates, St. Thomas Aquinas, or even Abraham Lincoln. These people through age, experience, or even supernatural gift could cut through frivolity and even self interest to find the true and beautiful, the path of wisdom.

Have you ever heard the phrase “wise beyond their years”. A great example of this statement is Blessed Carlo Acutis. A young man who loved sport, and video games but loved the Lord, specifically in the Eucharist, more than all else. He even created a website about miracles that you can still visit today, MIRACOLI EUCARISTICI - Mostra Internazionale Ideata e Realizzata da Carlo Acutis e Nicola Gori.

You may even have a young person in your life who works to employ this gift in their lives today. So let us all pray for a deeper connection with the gift of wisdom, and the Holy Spirit that grants this gift.

God Bless and have a wonderful week!

January 21, 2024: Out of Order Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Pt. 3 Piety

This is the Gift of the Holy Spirit that I always forget when I am trying to recall the seven gifts in a discussion with parents or youth. That’s probably because of my internal biases, and a misconception over what the gift is.

You see, when I think of piety, I think of a certain level of pompousness. When we envision the pious saint, they are the one dressed all in white, with their hands folded neatly, and an emotionless gaze to heaven. If that is what Piety is, I don’t want anything to do with it, at least that’s the internal, erred monologue.

Piety simply boils down to obeying God out of love instead of fear of hell and damnation. The gift of Piety is a gift of extraordinary love. Think back to the old canned Act of Contrition, ‘I have sinned against you who I should love above all things’. We can build piety by praying that line intentionally enough that it becomes a part of our being.

This gift helps us to mature in faith. For an adult to obey out of fear instead of love is childish (not child like). After all a pet or livestock can be made to obey commands out of fear. This gift of the Holy Spirit helps us to, and calls us to grow into a mature sense of faith.

To obey God out of love doesn’t have to be boring or sanitized. No it can call us to supernatural resolve, and love of our neighbors and those around us. To be on fire with this and the other gifts is to be fully alive in Christ.

This week, let's pray to, and seek to grow in piety, to love instead of fear the Lord, and that the young people preparing for Confirmation might begin to grow in this way as well! (N.B. Fear of the Lord, the other gift of the Holy Spirit does not negate this gift, because it can be better envisioned as Awe.)

God Bless and have a wonderful week!

January 14, 2024: Out of Order Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Pt. 2 Understanding

There are three gifts of the Holy Spirit that for the sake of memory can be grouped together (as long as you aren’t trying to recite in the traditional order. Those gifts are Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge. This week let’s focus on understanding. 

We can start by breaking down the word, it is a compound word after all! We have the words  under and standing. We literally are faced with what stands underneath the surface. So how can we break this down as a spiritual gift? Well, we can know about something without being able to know what makes it tick, or supports it. For instance, we can follow a celebrity on social media, in magazines, and see them act in a movie, participate in a high level sporting event. We may have secondary knowledge of their relationships, likes and dislikes, and the such, but we don’t know their deeper thoughts, dreams, and ambitions. We know but don’t understand. 

Another example, we can walk on a floor. We can appreciate it for what it is, depending on it every day. Yet, unless we are the builder, or architect, we don’t often think or have knowledge of the framing, or support structure that is underneath. This gets philosophical so you may want to check out but… God created everything. By virtue of existing everything participates in God’s substance. In other words, God the Creator and Architect is responsible for all creation, and therefore to understand all of Creation, we need the spiritual gift of Understanding. So this week, let’s pray for an increase in the gift of Understanding, for all of those who have been Confirmed, sealed in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and for all of those who are currently preparing to receive the sacrament! God Bless and have a wonderful week!

January 7, 2024: Out of Order Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Pt. 1 Fear of the Lord

If you are really advanced in your faith formation, or remember my reflection from last week, you might know that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Each year I meet with the families of 8th graders beginning their process of preparing for Confirmation, and I’ve asked the parents if they could name these gifts (because it would take the pressure off of me to remember them). 

I have a hard time remembering them all, many parents do, and most people who haven’t been in faith formation since they were in 7th grade struggle with them as well. No wonder people so easily look at Confirmation as a graduation. If we don’t frequently cultivate and intentionally use these gifts out in the world, how can we expect the young people to rise up and do better than us? 

We’re going to do this out of order. This week we’ll focus on Fear of the Lord, because it strikes us the most odd. It stands out on the list (especially if you know what Piety is). Otherwise known as Awe of the Lord, this gift is the farthest from what you experience at a horror movie. No, what we are talking about is like when Mary was approached by the Angel Gabriel. She was in awe of the magnificence of God’s Messenger. An experience of God with any of our senses is life changing. 

Fear of the Lord is the ability to distinguish what is magnificent from what is mundane. You may be able to appreciate the artistic design of a billboard on the side of the road. However, that won’t be life changing or earth shaking. Yet when you go to a famous gallery to witness a masterpiece like the Mona Lisa, Starry Night, or the statue of David, these stand apart from the everyday. Fear of the Lord is being able to distinguish creator from creation, and paying proper reverence.

This week, let’s pray that the young people preparing for Confirmation might be fully prepared to receive this gift, and that all of us who already have received the sacrament might also fully embrace the Fear of the Lord. God Bless and have a great week!

2023

December 31, 2023: A Resolution to Use our Gifts

Have you set a New Year’s Resolution? How has that worked in the past? Have you ever set a resolution that has absolutely changed your life for the better? Sometimes we set goals for our health or personal wellbeing. Maybe we’ve lost some weight, or taken on counseling to address some trauma or unresolved issues in our lives or relationships.

New Year's resolutions can be meaningful, but more often than not those gym memberships go unused (or underused), the summons of chocolate, confections, or special drinks overpowers us, or that counseling relationship falls to the wayside, maybe even before February, or March if we’re lucky.

Not trying to throw a wrench into any of our planning, but I am going to suggest running our resolutions through a new level of scrutiny. We ask, how does my resolution help me to love the Lord our God with all my heart, mind, and strength, and my neighbor as myself? My guess is that if the answer is that the resolution doesn’t, it probably won’t last until the end of January, and more importantly won’t significantly change our lives.

For extra points, we can focus on something even more proactive. As adults in the Church most of us have received Confirmation. If that is the case, we’ve all received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. This week let us pray for a successful year of growing in faith and love of the Lord as a community of believers. God Bless and Have a Wonderful New Year!

December 24, 2023: The Greatest Gift 

Thousands of years. We seem to forget that people had waited thousands of years for the Messiah. They were judges, kings, prophets, common people, and the thing that they had in common was struggle under empires. There were the Assyrians, Babylonians, and finally the Romans. I think we would have to think back to childhood to even begin to conceive what that must have felt like. Remember waiting for Christmas as a child? We were waiting for Santa, and it felt like forever, even though it was only ever 1 month of Advent. What we were waiting for was presents. They were waiting for freedom from oppressors. What did they get when the Messiah finally came? Imagine as a child, you wanted a video game console. You wrote to Santa hundreds of times. You dreamt of it when you went to sleep. Then on Christmas day to open your gift, there was a trust worth billions of dollars under the tree. You would be confused, and wouldn’t know the value of that trust, or what it meant. The people of Israel awaited a great general to free them from oppressing empires, and Jesus freed them from the powers of sin and death. The Incarnation of Christ our Lord, Savior and Messiah is an amazing gift beyond what we could ever expect, or think to ask for! We still try to understand the depth of this today, thousands of years after thousands of years of salvation history came to fruition! Prayer for a joyful, and peaceful Christmas season for you and your families. Let us pray for those of us who are facing challenges, loneliness, sorrow, and pain in these otherwise joyful times, that they may receive the comfort of our Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ. God Bless us Everyone, have a wonderful Christmas Season. Don’t take down your decorations in two days!

December 17, 2023: My Favorite Christmas Story

One of my favorite pieces of media that I like to watch every Advent, in preparation for Christmas is the literary classic, directed by Bob Clark, based on stories by Jean Shepherd, A Christmas Story. Leg lamp, frozen tongue, rabbit suit and all. Such a classic, it came out just a month before I did, when it was released on the big screen in November 1983. Now you can find it on a cable channel playing 12 times over a 24 hour period. Amazing. If you were shocked by this declaration, take heart, that was intentional. As amazing as it would be to try and do a deep dive into the advent messages of that movie, that is not the story I’ll be reflecting on.

Our Catholic faith is quite unique in the fact that it calls us to participate in the past. Every year we celebrate the birth of Jesus as if it were just happening. We are reminded to live in the present as we show love for those who are hurting around us. We are also led to wait in joyful hope for Christ as He comes again. Ebenezer Scrooge was shocked into conversion by three ghosts. One representing Christmas Past, one Christmas Present, and the final Christmas Future. Just as pretending that A Christmas Story was a great advent story, this man needed to be knocked out of his status quo to do the work of Advent.

So without the need of ghosts, let’s use the concluding days of Advent as an opportunity to reflect on our past, and the miracle of the birth of Jesus. Reflect on our present, on how we can grow, and do a better job of loving those around us, and how we show Christ’s love to others. Then prepare our hearts for a future in which we come face to face with our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as in that great Christmas tale, let us pray that we never shoot our eyes out. That we might find true conversion of our own hearts, and like the ghosts of Christmas lead others to do the same. God Bless and have a meaningful conclusion to your Advent Season.

December 10, 2023: Who are You Waiting For?

Who are you spending more time preparing for this Advent, for the coming of Christ our Lord or Santa Claus? I think this second week of Advent, that is the most important question to ask. Making way for either of these people takes a certain level of devotion, and preparation. While there is some overlap, There are distinct differences. Preparing to welcome Santa Claus is somewhat external. Trim the tree, set the table, bake the cookies, and shop, shop, shop for the gifts. Parents harry themselves, and children are called to behave, lest they receive coal for the fireplace. The modern concept of Santa is applied to instill a sense of wonder, but also compliance. Listen to your parents, teachers, and authorities, or there won’t be gifts (though Santa almost always seems to come through ;) Preparing for the coming of Jesus requires much more. Our Lord requires transformation over compliance. We are called to change our hearts to love, and not just those who are easy to love. Rend your hearts for those who already break them. Prepare your hearts, not just your homes. Care for those who are hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, and sick. Then you are ready for Jesus. So, even as we prepare for Santa, let’s spend some extra time in prayer and action, to ready our hearts for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, both in His birth celebrated at Christmas, but also as He comes again! God Bless and have a wonderful Advent.

December 3, 2023: Goats, Sheep, and President Xi

A group of Iowan farmers welcomed a seemingly insignificant agriculture minister from a foreign country into their homes, and community. They brought him on tours of corporate farms, to sites significant to Mark Twain, an author he was enamored with, and were generally kind to him. To this day this man and the farmers and families are in contact, and friendly. What none of them could have known was that they were welcoming someone that would be one of the most powerful leaders in the world, President Xi of China.

They didn’t extend welcome to this stranger because of fear or reverence, but because they were being decent to another human being. I bring this up today because we are beginning Advent. A time of preparation for our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming. A commemoration of His coming as a child, and preparing for when He comes again to judge the living and the dead. The word Advent hearkens to when a town would welcome a conquering Emperor after victory. We see trappings of this in the use of regal purple vestments. Yet I like this anecdote about Pres. Xi, because it seems more fitting for this season than the entrance of a conquering emperor. Jesus told us how we would see Him in the world. Think of the story of the sheep and the goats. The sheep fed the down and out, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, visited the sick and the imprisoned. They did so because those people were in need. The goats might have done this, if they saw Jesus in His glory, but ignored those destitute, lonely, or socially insignificant.

This Advent, let us pray that we may act as the sheep, or to extend the analogy of these Iowan farmers. Welcoming those in need of hospitality, because we acknowledge their inherent dignity, and thus perhaps find ourselves favored by Jesus Christ, Our Lord, King of the Universe. God Bless and have a blessed Advent.

November 26, 2023: Who is The King of the Universe?

Today as we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we have to recognize that we as Catholics are called to live in seeming paradoxes. We acknowledge our savior Jesus Christ as the King of the Universe. Yet, how many kings do you know who would die for their subjects? In the time of feudal lords and kings, these leaders would press their people into service as serfs and slaves, and all that they did would benefit their ‘lord’. The ruler wants more property, more commodities, or more people to rule? They rouse the people below them to suit up for war, and send them. In this scenario lesser‘nobles’ and servants would be an afterthought for the nobles, even as they suffered incapacitation and death on the battlefield.

As long as the king of that realm got what they desired, no level of sacrifice would be out of the question. Jesus Christ our King, flipped this around. To serve, and not to be served. To identify Himself with the starving, thirsty, exposed, lonely, and imprisoned. Instead of sending others to die on His behalf, He claimed His throne through suffering brutality, and laying down His own life. Jesus’ sacrifice transformed the world. Because He flipped the script on what it means to be a King, His reign continues, even as over the thousands of years, all of the great empires have fallen. Jesus calls us to live a new sense of royalty.

Through Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, and the sacraments we are to be transformed into the family of Christ. We take whatwe receive and we model the love He has for us to the whole world. As we prepare for Advent let us pray that this can be a time of growth, renewal and a closer following of Jesus Christ. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

November 19, 2023: Thanksgiving the Secular Eucharist

Give thanks to the Lord for he is God, His Love is Everlasting. Psalm 136

As we prepare this week for Thanksgiving, I feel inclined to provide you with a deep theological dive into the meaning of the word Eucharist, spoiler alert, it means giving thanks. The sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist) is the evolution of the shared meal of Judaism. There was a blessing for the bread, and a blessing for the wine. Part of that blessing was giving thanks to God for those elements, and Jesus quite literally Christened that practice at the Last Supper. That isn’t what I’m going to focus on today! You’re welcome! We as Catholics, or Christians in general, often feel that our faith is imposed upon by modern society. Morality involves in ways that can benefit people, but often sacrifices the dignity of those taking the actions. It can feel dire at times. Yet we can have some cause for hope, even in a culture antithetical or our faith because there are in fact breadcrumbs of hope.

One such breadcrumb, or perhaps dressing of hope is the national feast of Thanksgiving. While this day too has its imperfections (black friday sales, low waged workers forced to be away from their families, and questions about the treatment of indigenous populations). In practice this day finds families of diverse backgrounds, ideologies, and faiths, gathering together around a meal, and giving thanks. It is the closest thing to a secular Eucharist that we have. So, this week, while gathering with family, even those who sometimes irk us with their political hot takes, questioning about how many kids we do or do not have yet, and who makes a better pie: just remember that disciples are called to love unconditionally, and our ability to do so comes directly from Christ and His Body the Eucharist! I pray for you and your families, God Bless and have a wonderful week!

November 12, 2023: Reframing Reconciliation 

How many of us think that our sin angers God? When we sin we have to go to confession because God the creator of the universe is angry with us, and if we don’t make reparations, this all-mighty being will smite us? Whether we will admit it or not, I think many of us got this impression when we were children in CCD or faith formation. Our sin hurts and angers God, so we have to make things right! What is amazing to me, is how easy it is to believe in this way, and the audacity we have to believe it.

God’s love is infinite, to degrees well beyond earthly mother and father. God is not angry or distancing from us, but we put up our own barriers as a response to sin as the result of shame, pride, or embarrassment. Recently I looked back at the story of the Garden of Eden. Specifically at when God banished Adam and Eve, and I had noticed something that had seemed inconsequential in the past. Before banishing Adam and Eve, God remarks: “Then the LORD God said: See! The man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil! Now, what if he also reaches out his hand to take fruit from the tree of life, and eats of it and lives forever?” Genesis 3:22

For context, Adam and Eve begin to know shame, are cursed to toil, and suffer in childbirth as a result of taking the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If they were to remain in Eden, and eat of the fruit of the tree of life, they would be subject to debasement for eternity, not just until death, and salvation would be out of reach. This upcoming week the young people of our parish preparing for First Reconciliation will take part in the Potter’s retreat where they will get to reflect on the power of Confession. This week let’s pray for those children and their families, and begin to reflect on how Confession can better and further our life of prayer and communion. God Bless and have a great week!

November 5, 2023: Inspired by Saints, Spectators to Participants

When I was Confirmed, we had to select a saint and write a paper on them. I chose John the Baptist, because I was inspired by his outsider status, his wildness, and the fact that he made way for our Lord. I also selected him because documentation was scarce, and I couldn’t be expected to know any important dates, or less spiritual information. When we were Confirmed, the Saints felt like just another box to check, another paper to write.

At our parish, there is a brief form to complete, not a paper, but we ask the young people why this person inspires them. Then this selection process culminates in the Rite of Names, which we intentionally paired with the week of All Souls and All Saints. These people are meant to be an inspiration for us, as we seek to live a life united with Christ. As we hear a Litany of Saints at the 10:00 am Mass we should think about how these holy women and men went before us, and spread the Good News, and how they are present with us in the celebration of the Eucharist. Over the past weeks we’ve been considering the Eucharist as the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Have considered the training needed to make such a great climb. I’ve hinted at the fact that we can serve as guides to friends, family, and neighbors. This is accomplished through invitation and accompaniment.

We are called to be more than spectators of the Mass, after we reach the summit, we are called to also lead others up the mountain. However, to do that, we first need guides and examples. These can be friends and relatives who are members of the Church today, the clergy, and others in our community. However, we can also look to the saints in heaven. At each Mass we unite with the communion of Saints as we worship Jesus in the Sacrifice of the Altar. Then as the saints we are called to lead others in the same direction. This week let’s pray for our Confirmation Candidates, their families, and all the members of our community that we might follow the example of the saints, and find fellowship with them and other members of our community. God Bless and have a great week.

October 29, 2023: Summit Series- Communion and Community

We must all take the time to consider how we represent our faith in the community, and ask “what does that say about our faith?”. At times colleagues in my field, and I’m not an exception, fall into the trap of taking ourselves, and our roles too seriously. “If I don’t do this well enough, this family will never know the fullness of their faith” or, “if I don’t make sure these families are going to Mass, I’ve failed as a faith formation leader”. These concerns have a foundation in truth, but so do all temptations to a lack of faith. The reality is that it is the work of the whole community to form the young people, and the families of our community. The whole community includes clergy, professional staff, volunteers, parents, and the community at large.

When someone in my position, or anyone in the church takes their personal role too seriously, it can put us all at risk of becoming dour and dire, and falling into the trap of becoming doom and gloom all the time. When this happens we do a poor job of showing our joy in Christ, and in this light why would anyone want to get on board with us? That is why our community is setting aside a morning of programming to hold a Trunk or Treat following the 10:00 am Mass. This is an opportunity for our families and parishioners in general to joyfully gather in community. To socialize, and invite others into the joy of our community. There will be a brief lesson on all Saints Day, and the example of Saints to follow, however, that only takes place following a joyful social experience.

Hope to see you there, make sure to have a joyful wonderful week! Maybe even have and share some candy!

October 22, 2023: Summit Series- Mature Faith- Seeking Reconciliation

What are the ways that we can prepare ourselves to reach the source and summit of our faith? How can we properly approach the mystery of the Eucharist, in its fullest expression, the communal celebration of the Mass? Those who are preparing their hearts and minds to receive Jesus, have to first come to terms with their flaws, sins, and how they have fallen short. Because First Reconciliation usually takes place in 2nd grade, we make the mistake of thinking that it is a childish thing.

However, it is not until we are older, wiser, and more worldly that we can truly begin to grasp the momentous grace available to us, when we approach Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This week, our young people are meeting to ramp up their training to climb the mountain of our Lord. Their basecamp will be preparation for Reconciliation. Pray for our parents, that they may find the beauty and relevance of this sacrament while accompanying their children, and that the children of our parish may more fully experience the love of our Lord, and His forgiveness. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

October 15, 2023: Summit Series- Are We Ready to Climb?

How often is a climber's first summit Mount Everest? Do many quarterbacks throw their first ever touchdown pass in a Super Bowl? How many actors skip commercials and tv movies to star in a blockbuster movie (no, I don’t mean a straight to video movie we might have rented from a Blockbuster in the 90’s). Either by law or the markets, almost no one gets to that level immediately. The Eucharist, and therefore the Mass are the source and summit of Catholic life and theology. Yet, when we seek to introduce someone to Catholicism, or bring them back what do we usually think of as a first step? Come to Mass with me. We bring them to the rarified place, where the air might be too thin to breathe, or where they won’t have context or appreciation for what is going on. Before they get their grip strength, before they have their initial hours of climbing in, we feel inclined to bring them to Mount Everest. Will they reach the summit, or will they never return.

There is a reason children attend first grade, and second grade religious education before they approach the altar for the first time. They become part of the community before they are further initiated. This doesn’t mean to abandon all hope of bringing family and friends to Catholicism, or the Eucharist. No, this is just a caution, that we should attempt other methods of introduction. Christmas is a time that we try to bring people back. Here are two ideas.

Find a Christmas Concert to attend with someone you care about who is away. Our parish will hold one with St. Helen’s again this year. Also on December 10th following the 10:00 am Mass we’ll once again have the Living Nativity, a vendors fair, and pictures with Santa. There will be members of parish staff, ministry leaders, and enthusiastic parishioners around to offer welcome, information, and invitation! So, this week, let’s pray for all who are away from the Church, or who have yet to embrace Christ, and those who seek to aid them find that relationship. Pray that as a community we might create encounters with Christ as we grow to be disciples of Christ. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

October 8, 2023: Let's Create a Community of Parents

Catholic parents have to do a better job of building community, and that isn’t the job of priests to do. The thing is, we do not live in an insular society. We are not called to seclude ourselves from the world we live in. Jesus told us to be in the world, but not of the world. That didn’t mean that we were supposed to hold ourselves above others around us, but that we are to be examples of following Christ. This can be extremely demoralizing if we’re doing this alone. In our families and friend groups, we are very likely to come in contact with morality directly in conflict with what we believe in. Wildly non-traditional relationships, weird mysticism and Eastern Philosophies, deception, and a lack of reconciliation in time of deep hurts. We as followers of Christ are called to do better, heal a broken world, and again be a light to others. How can we do this alone? How can we find joy in our faith? Through developing deeper Catholic/ Christian friendships and support. This doesn’t mean isolating ourselves from all that we encounter. I’d actually say the opposite. Having stronger relationships with those who follow Christ is a way to empower us to face what we encounter more gracefully. I bring this up, because I lead the family faith formation of our parish. So often when I say that, someone envisions CCD. Children sitting in a classroom being talked at for 45 minutes to an hour. That is slowly fading away. What I find my personal ministry to be is a Family Ministry. So parents, that raises an important question. How can our parish staff develop deeper connections among the families in our parish? What needs are currently not being met? How can we grow together? This week, pray that there can be an increase in fellowship among Catholic families, that we can better go about the building of the kingdom of heaven. God Bless and have a good week.

October 1, 2023: A Lifelong Journey 

How long do we spend in our lives being educated? To work gainfully in this world, for anyone short of a savant or an entrepreneur/inventor we might need to go as far as a Master’s Degree or Doctorate for employment. Whatever degree we receive will get us in the door, and perhaps allow us to provide for our families (at least after we clear the educational debt). Then when we have that career, especially a profession, we sometimes grudgingly continue on with continuing education to keep on top of our field. If you’d believe it, I’m constantly doing programs with the Archdiocese and outside organizations to make sure that my thought processes are in line with current thought and the needs of our community. Fr. Mike, just as many other dedicated priests, will do this as well. When it comes to education, and employment, we devote an awful lot of time to maintaining a career. That employment might last us 40-60 years, but we should keep in mind that that will one day come to an end. All of our work and toil will end in retirement, or eternal rest. That is the reality that we face.

That is a long path to my next question. How do we prepare our souls for our eternity? How do we learn about our soul, our callings, and our Lord? We spend so much time focused on what we need to do to succeed in our finite life, which isn’t a bad thing, but often neglect consideration of our eternal, infinite life. In October and November, we will commemorate All Saints, and All Souls. This is the perfect time to begin to think of our own mortality, and reflect on how we can seek God more intentionally! This week, let us pray for deeper clarity, and for a better orientation towards what is everlasting. God Bless and have a great week!

September 24, 2023: An Intro to Families of Faith 2023

It is so wonderful to kick off another year of family programming at IHM Parish. Just last week, our Families of Faith gathered together for orientation, Mass, and a delicious pancake breakfast sponsored by the Pastoral Council Hospitality Committee.

Keep on the lookout for some exciting opportunities to grow in faith with our families. For instance, on select Sundays when Families of Faith gathers, parish youth and their families will be invited to sing in a family choir. This is available for our Summer Academy, and Fall/Spring tracks of Families of Faith!

We are beginning to recruit for a Parent Formation team. The purpose of this group will be to direct our programming to be a Family Ministry more than an old school CCD type program! Keep tuned in to hear about new programming, which might include a father’s group, mother’s group, parent’s night out for prayer and fellowship, and brief weekly prayer opportunities!

September 23rd at the 5:00 PM Mass is/was our Covenant Ceremony. Young people in year 2 of their Confirmation Preparation stand up, and claim their participation in their formation, and declare that they desire to be fully initiated in our Church. Parishioners are asked to take it upon themselves to pray for, and support these young people in their journeys of faith! If there are any left, please take a cross with the name of a young person preparing, to remind you to pray for them! These will be available at the church doors. Lots of great things to come! God Bless and Have a great week!

September 17, 2023: Creating a Sense of Welcome

This is the time of year where we all begin to settle back into our routines, and daily lives. The Third Sunday of September is always celebrated by the Catholic Church in the United States as Catechetical Sunday. It is a day where we honor all of the parents, volunteers, staff, and clergy who work to form our children as disciples of Christ. You may notice that there are more families than normal in attendance, that is because we are beginning our formal programming for Families of Faith! This week, please welcome a family you haven’t seen in a while, and pray that they might delve more deeply into their faith journey.

God Bless and have a great week!

September 10, 2023: Rite of Promise and a New Curriculum

This Sunday, September 10th, at the 10:00 am Mass, many young people preparing for Confirmation were in attendance for the Rite of Promise. This event is the first time that these young men and women, many in 8th grade, stood forward, and declared their intention to prepare for Confirmation. Please pray for them as they embark on this faith journey. As has been outlined through email blasts and all of our calendars, next Sunday will be the orientation for Families of Faith. Our families will gather for the 10:00 am Mass, attend the parish pancake breakfast, and receive a new resource called Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. Whether they were enrolled in Summer Academy, or are joining us to begin in the Fall, all faith formation families will be provided with this new resource. Each week families will bond over preparing for Sunday Mass with this new resource that will guide them through each week’s Gospel, introducing amazing saints, public figures, and concepts from scripture that will make what they hear during Sunday Mass all the more relevant to their modern lives! I look forward to seeing all of our families for orientation next week. Please pray for all of the young families in our parish, that they might continue to grow in faith, hope, and love through their family expressions of Faith and Community!

God Bless and have a great week!

Through that act, we are called to participate more fully in the divinity of Christ. So, I guess in summation, God doesn’t much mind these trophies, in fact, he gives them out to us on a daily basis. This week, our First Eucharist families gathered together to participate in Jesus Day, an opportunity to grow in relationship with our Lord, and prepare for the Sacrament they will receive April 29th. This week please pray for our families preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and for our whole community that we might all better participate in God’s plan for our lives. God Bless and have a great week!

This week, and always, please pray for our candidates, and their sponsors, that they might all, through their relationship and faith community grow ever closer to our Lord. God Bless and have a great week.

March 12, 2023: Bedlam: When Learning Ends
Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear or awe of the Lord. How many of us felt compelled (or were compelled to memorize) the gifts of the Holy Spirit to speak them back to the Bishop? These are the gifts that those gathered in the Upper Room received, and took out to all of the corners of the Earth. They are also the gifts we all receive at Confirmation. This weekend is our Confirmation retreat for our candidates who await their celebration of the sacrament on May 20th. They may feel like they are moving quickly towards something like a graduation. I think we all may have felt that way when the time came for us. 

What I would like to challenge them to, is to imagine a world, where we stopped learning math, science, literature, composition, or basic life skills, when we completed freshman year in High School. The world would cease to function, and we would never learn anything deep, or interesting.

If we cease to engage with our faith at Confirmation, if we give up on our curiosity, we will never grow to understand a small portion of the mysteries of our faith. Even worse, it will make our church a less vibrant, more boring place, if we are to go on without the presence of our newly Confirmed. So please, those to be Confirmed, dwell on those gifts that you are about to receive in your Confirmation. Pray, and reflect on how you can use them to better our Church Community through your presence, and how you can make an impact on your world in general.

This week, let us pray for our candidates who are so close to their Confirmation, and for all of us gathered as a community, that we can be an example for them, in living out our own call to holiness. God Bless and have a great week.

Saints of Note from the Carmelite Order: St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Jesus (of Avila), St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), and St. Simon Stock (of Scapular fame).

Some notable writings: The Rule of St. Albert, Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross, Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Jesus.

Some writings to dig deeper: St. Ignatius of Loyola,The Spiritual Exercises , John O’Malley, S.J., The First Jesuits, Harvard University Press, 1993. James Martin, S.J., The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life, HarperOne, 2010.

A Simple Prayer

May Christ our Risen Lord, Open our minds and Strengthen our hearts, To follow Him, All our days.

Amen

A Short Prayer to St. Benedict:

Admirable Saint and Doctor of Humility, you practiced what you taught, assiduously praying for God's glory and lovingly fulfilling all work for God and the benefit of all human beings. You know the many physical dangers that surround us today often caused or occasioned by human inventions. Guard us against poisoning of the body as well as of mind and soul, and thus be truly a "Blessed" one for us. Amen.

For those following along at home, let’s pray for the gift of mindfulness, that we might better meditate on the Word of God in Scripture, and in our own prayer. God Bless and have a wonderful week.

The 4 pillars of the life and spirituality of the Dominican Order are study, prayer, common life, and preaching. It is easy to remember these if you think of them as a progression. You love what you do not know, so you study. Knowledge alone does not form a heart connection, so you pray. God exists in community, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and Jesus ministered with and through His apostles and disciples, so you share a common life. You cannot give what you do not have, so through study, prayer, common life, you have a foundation for your preaching. If you would like to learn more about these pillars, check out this website: The Four Pillars of Dominican Spirituality | Dominican Friars (opcentral.org)

This week, let us pray for the intercession of St. Dominic the founder of the Dominican Order, that we may find it in us to study the Scripture and our world, devote more time to prayer, live a life in common with our families and neighbors, and preach the Good News! God Bless and have a wonderful week!

Please check out our website for a list of interesting Dominican Saints, Dominican Prayers, and for suggestions for Dominican writings. Maybe you will find something to nourish your faith life!

Saints to get to know: St Dominic de Guzman (Founder), St. Albert the Great (Helped develop modern science in relationship to faith and Doctor of the Church), St. Catherine of Siena (Church Reformer and Doctor of the Church), St. Thomas Aquinas (great scholar and Doctor of the Church who studied theology through the lens of Aristotelian Logic and metaphysics).

Dominican Prayers: The Rosary (St. Dominic is associated with the spreading of the Rosary as a Devotion) The O Lumen Prayer (Prayer to St. Dominic) and Litany to Dominican Saints. For a deeper dive, check out this website: Dominican Prayer Life – Lay Dominicans.

Dominican Writings of Note: Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas, The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena, True Devotion to Mary: with Preparation for Total Consecration by St. Louis de Montfort.

It just takes the time to set the shopping list, and build the diet that will best nourish you. Are you the intellectual type, who finds joy in academic pursuits, and knowledge? You may do well to sample from the Dominican tradition of our Church and scholasticism. Do you thrive within structure, and a dedicated rule of life? Benedictine or Jesuit spirituality might fit your tastes. Do you find yourself contemplating, and reflecting on every aspect of your life? Perhaps you would be drawn to Carmelite spirituality.

The truth is that there are tons of books, movies, recordings, practices, and other resources out there that can help you to nourish your faith. One such resource is Formed.org which the parish has gifted to everyone in our parish. It is a Catholic library containing all sorts of content for your entertainment and edification. Cartoons and comics for the kids, dramas, biographies, audio dramas, and books for the whole family.

This week, let’s pray that we can find ways to better nourish our bodies and souls. Then maybe afterwards we can catch an episode of the new Night Court, because we can always make room for dessert. God Bless and have a great week.

Jesus may have ascended into Heaven over 2000 years ago, but guess what, there are still ways that we can know and love Him, but it takes a commitment much stronger than attending for two weeks in the Summer, or gathering twice a month. The families that have the best chances of remaining fully engaged in their faiths, are the ones who make a fuller commitment to know and love Jesus. Here are a few ways that we can move in that direction. First, commit to attending Sunday Mass weekly. Come to your parish. If you happen to be away, go where you are vacationing, or after that travel sporting event.

Consider setting aside a time for family prayer and meals. A few times a week sit down for a homemade or take-out dinner, and pray a prayer of thanksgiving. Spending even a little time as a family considering blessings, and struggles as a family brings you closer to Jesus. Commit to unmandated service. Work at a soup kitchen, or at our food pantry. Visit a nursing home or a lonely neighbor. Bring gift cards with you when you visit the city, and provide the homeless with access to a warm meal. When we serve the most down and out people in our community, we see Jesus in them. This week, let us pray for a revival of faith within our own families, and the strength to be a guiding light for those who have gone astray. Also pray that Jesus’ casual fans, or insta followers can be led to truly know and love Him. God Bless and have a wonderful week.

2022

December 25, 2022
Merry Christmas to you and your family from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, especially from the faith formation staff. If you recall, even before Halloween in October, and Thanksgiving in November, the stores began to roll out Christmas decorations, candies, and gifts. Even before we could enter into the season of preparation, Advent, we could see the trappings of Christmas.

I am the last one to complain about this, because it is a last vestige of secular society honoring the season in its own way. However, what I do have a gripe with, is that our neighbors will often start dismantling Christmas on December 26th. The feasts are done, the gifts are open, and everyone just moves on from the celebration. We spend four weeks of preparation through Advent, and then all of a sudden, after 1 or 2 days Christmas is over? No, Catholic tradition and some other Christians celebrate 12 days of Christmas. So please do not feel pressured by neighbors or an HOA to end the festivities!

This is not a call for nonstop feasts, or  multiple days of gifts, instead this is an invitation to find some way to honor Jesus, and celebrate His coming in some way. This might manifest as continued feasting and snacks, singing of Christmas Carols, and watching your favorite Christmas movies. How you keep it is up to you and your family, but just to keep it will add balance to your life of faith. Why should someone spend four weeks preparing for a holiday that only lasts one day? We are called to fast and feast as the Church does.

This week, let us pray for those who are lonely on Christmas, for those who have yet to find Christ, and for those who struggle to find the joy of Christ with family and friends. God bless us every one. Merry Christmas and have a happy healthy New Year!

December 18, 2022
How has your Advent been going for you? Did you make plans for how you would have liked it to go? Was there a goal for your faith life that you set that you accomplished? Was there something that did not receive the attention you hoped it would?

If the season was so busy for you, that it got away from you, I have some good news. We have one week left until Christmas. You may have to reevaluate your goals, make them more realistic or attainable, but there is still time. Even better news, if one of the unmet goals you set was to experience the sacrament of Reconciliation, there is one more opportunity.

On Monday, December 19th, at 7 pm, there will be a Penance Service, with the opportunity for individual Confession. Are you feeling a little rusty on the procedures for celebrating the sacrament? Great news, you can use the free Formed.org membership the parish has provided you with, to watch a few episodes of the Forgiven Series! Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession - FORMED.

Living an intentional faith life can be challenging, and there are many barriers to living up to even our own expectations. That is why we are lucky to belong to a faith of new beginnings, constant conversion, and a yearly liturgical calendar. Do the best with the time that you have this year, and if you didn’t accomplish your goals, they can always be revisited.

This week, let’s pray for the insight to evaluate our goals, and reset them as needed, to accept the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and to grow ever more faithful in the days to come. God Bless and have a great last week of Lent.

December 11, 2022
An alias in witness protection, a pledge name in a sorority or fraternity, nickname in a friend group, or just how you are referred to by your loved ones, what do these all have in common? Given or chosen, these names indicate something about who we are, or are perceived to be by those around us. This Sunday, at the 10:00 am Mass the first year of Confirmation Preparation assembled for the Rite of Names, where they were called by the names they have chosen for themselves, from the Saints, and stood to be recognized with others who share that name. Names have power, what we are called is important. Throughout Scripture, which I am sure we are all familiar with, there are many occasions where someone is given a name that corresponds to what they are called to. Early on in salvation history, there was a man called Abram, who was called by God to be the patriarch of a great people. As a sign of what God had called him to, his name was changed to Abraham, and that means super father, or father of a multitude, indicated what he had been called to. In the New Testament, there are two individuals who received a name indicating their calling. First there is Simon, who became Peter. He was called to be the foundation of the Church by Jesus. Then Saul the persecutor was called to be the Apostle of the Gentiles, and became Paul. The young people preparing for Confirmation are selecting names that hopefully indicate something about the faith lives they are aspiring to live. This week let’s pray for them, that they have a long and fulfilling life journey ahead of them. God Bless and have a great week!

December 4, 2022

December 3, 2022 will hopefully be a day to remember for over a dozen of our young people, because that is the day when they received their First Reconciliation. These children, and their parents experienced Jesus’ love in a special way, as through the function of the priest, they heard Our Lord’s forgiveness poured out upon them. I would go out on a limb, and make the claim that none of the children who attended their First Reconciliation were guilty of a mortal sin. However, the experience of going to confession at an early age, and doing so somewhat consistently, builds an attitude of receiving the grace of God, and empowers young people, especially as they face greater trials and challenges in their lives. I say this out of love and not judgment, but parents, at every opportunity that I have made Reconciliation available to young people, particularly during Summer programs, or Confirmation retreats, they have told me two things. First, they were nervous because they hadn’t gone since their First Reconciliation in second grade. Second, the opportunity to go, and unburden themselves, was one of the most meaningful experiences of the program. 

Here is what it comes down to, if we want children to embrace their faith, especially what is unique to their faith, our parents, and entire community, have to build a culture that exemplifies that aspect of our faith. The children have to have access to the sacrament, see their parents approach it, and even see other adult members of the community approach it. We need to topple any barriers that keep us from it, because this is one way we can truly approach Jesus! Let’s pray for the children of our parish who have just experienced this sacrament, their parents, and our whole community that we can build an atmosphere of reconciliation, and forgiveness. God Bless and have a great week!

November 27, 2022

Imagine a grand victorious parade was gathering, and would soon pass by your house. Who is in that parade you might ask? The army assembled with an array of vehicles, horses, and soldiers? No, keep guessing!

The parade that will pass through your community is that of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. He does not stand victoriously at the head of an army, or a championship squad, Jesus has Conquered the powers of Sin and Death, not for a nation or a city, but for the entire universe.

Did you know that the word Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus, which means coming. This word was most readily applied to reference the arrival of the Emperor or a victorious army into a city in the Roman Empire.

While we often rightfully think of Advent as a time of preparation for the coming of and celebration of Jesus’ birth, what we often miss is that it is also a time of preparation for the Second Coming. If you knew that Jesus was coming back this Christmas, how would you spend this season preparing for this coming?

While it is great to purchase gifts for family and friends, and to prepare our homes for celebrations, let us make sure that this can be a time of preparing our hearts and families for the greater reality of what is to come. No one knows the day or the hour of the return of Jesus, or our own time. This week, let us pray for God’s guidance in our preparations and festivities. God bless and have a wonderful week.

November 20, 2022

On the fourth Thursday of every November we celebrate a national feast called Thanksgiving. What is served at that feast is determined by each family, and their personal traditions. However, one thing is generally held in common, that we all give thanks for our blessings. The idea of sharing a meal and giving thanks is by no means an invention of the New World. During the Passover Seder, Jewish people take part in the thousands of years old meal giving thanks for God’s saving actions to free their people from Israel. I won’t go too deep into the details, but at this meal the people gather together, share a meal, and give thanks for God’s saving actions. What is unique to this practice is they do not simply remember the first Passover, they participate in it. 

It might be surprising to consider this, but the Last Supper would have been a Seder meal. Jesus with His followers shared a meal, and gave thanks. As they shared the meal together, they would have an understanding that they were taking part in the original Passover meal. So when Jesus said to continue this meal in His memory, the people He was addressing would draw the connection to the Passover meal. So whenever we gather for Mass for a weekday, Sunday, or Holy Day of Obligation, we are sharing a meal, giving thanks, and participating in the same sacrifice that Jesus had shared with His Disciples. Every Eucharist is a meal and offering of thanks, that truly connects us with Jesus in the same way that He did with His early followers. 

So while we can enjoy the celebration of Thanksgiving with our family, and should, we acknowledge that our greatest giving thanks or Eucharist takes place in Church, and is shared with our even larger family, the Church that first gathered for the Eucharist at the Last Supper and continues to do so today. This week, as we prepare to celebrate with our families, let us give thanks for the great sacrament of the Altar the Eucharist. God Bless and have a wonderful holiday.

November 13, 2022

The expectation of our Families of Faith participants is that they should be attending Mass every week during the year. It is important to learn about the faith through texts, and conversations, and special events, but separated from our broader community, something is lacking from the experience of faith formation.

That is why I appreciate when members of our community are particularly welcoming of our families when they do make it back for Mass. It is much easier to fall out of a good pattern, than it is to develop a new one. When we become self conscious about missing Mass or going to confession, the shame surrounding that can really put up a barrier to resuming that good practice.

Next Sunday, November 20th, no matter what Mass they normally attend, we are making a big push for Summer Families of Faith and Fall/Spring Families of Faith to attend the 10:00 am Mass, followed by a formation experience. In a special way, I would like to ask you to be particularly welcoming, and positive with people that you see there, that you don’t see every week.

As a community, it is all of our responsibility to act as a community for each other. To evangelize each other, and to be a Church family. When we see the parish as a place for prayer, socialization, and service, it becomes a more important part of our lives.

This week, I would like to ask you to pray for our Families of Faith, that they might continue to participate, and grow even closer to Jesus. You might be surprised with how this practice, and the presence of our families, might just help you to grow in faith, and how their spiritual gifts might uplift our entire community. God Bless and have a great week.

November 6, 2022

It feels like just yesterday we were gathering back together for all of the early fall festivities. Families of Faith had just kicked off, prayer groups reconvened, and those who were away for most of the summer returned. Now, the holiday season is underway. The starter pistol sounded, and all the runners got in place as we celebrated Halloween and All Saints Day.

This weekend, we are having our Thanksgiving Food Drive, and hopefully, our family festivities will look more like November and December 2019, than those of 2020. As we can hopefully return, we have to be aware of an insidious danger. Can you guess what that is?

You’ve got it, getting wrapped up in the busyness of the holidays, and neglecting the holiness of the holidays. Sumptuous feasts, Christmas cards, original and thoughtful gifts go a long way to make the upcoming season special. However, it is very important to take the time to make a plan as a family, of how to make Advent and Christmas a spiritually meaningful opportunity to better love God and neighbors.

One activity to help our families get started will be on Friday, December 2nd from 6:45 pm- 8:45 pm. We will gather in Church for a Family Advent Service, and conclude with a service project in the Nazareth Center. We will discuss a fun family activity (a reverse Advent Calendar), and a liturgical calendar will be available for all families in attendance!

This week, let us pray for an eventful, and meaningful Advent, and Christmas season for our families, and the continued success of collections in support of our food pantry, especially as the holidays approach. God Bless and have a wonderful week.

October 30, 2022

I have always found autumn to be a particularly appropriate season to observe the holidays of All Saints, and All Souls Day. Have you ever taken the time to reflect on what happens during the autumn? The days grow shorter, and the air grows crisp. The leaves begin to change color, and eventually fall.

This happens with the trees because they have to prepare for winter. If the leaves were to remain on the trees, and the limbs failed to quicken with the drop in temperature, those trees would be crushed by the weight of snow, ice, and winter conditions.

This is a great analogy for the interplay between All Saints and All Souls Day. On All Souls Day, we acknowledge all of the souls in purgatory. We are reminded to pray for the anonymous deceased who have gone before us, and await the day when the weight of their transgressions have been purged, so like the trees, they can be prepared for the unbearable love and light of Jesus Christ in Heaven. Our prayer prepared them to be in Jesus' presence.

When we celebrate All Saints Day, we acknowledge that many more than those officially acknowledged by the Church are in Heaven. All the anonymous souls that have moved from purgatory to eternity are in joy and peace with Jesus. Beyond the named saints, we have reason to believe that plenty of our family and friends, and historical figures that loved and professed Jesus’ name are in Heaven, and ready to intercede for us! This is a great sign of hope for all of us who seek sanctity, and redemption.

This week, let us pray for all of the souls in purgatory, and to the anonymous saints in Heaven, for the peace of all those who have gone before us. God Bless and have a wonderful week!

October 23, 2022

As I have been settling in with the parish, my main focus has been on providing formation, support, and programming for families with children ages kindergarten through 9th grade, and offering programmatic assistance to the high schoolers in youth ministry. This is by default because a parish normally will focus a great deal of its attention on those preparing for sacraments and getting started with their journey.

However, Faith Formation isn’t just for growing families. It is a lifelong process that we should engage in throughout our lives. Here at IHM we’ve got some great opportunities for growth, and for those at different stages of their life. Alpha is great for seekers, and those returning to more active faith. Rosary and Altar Society, Knights of Columbus, and Men’s and Women’s prayer groups offer a place for those more established in their faith.

While these groups are happy to welcome younger members, there is a group, an age level that often does not find its niche within a parish community. Those are members of the faith from say 21-40, who are either young parents, newly married, or single.

Let's face the facts, making adult friends after college, especially in the age of remote work and bar/restaurant closures is difficult, and it is even more challenging to find people of a similar faith and belief system to connect with. I know that my wife and I have felt somewhat isolated as newish parents during Covid-19 with family and friends far-a-field, and that probably isn’t a unique situation to be in.

I do not currently have a solution to this issue, and I know one answer does not fit all. So, here is what I am asking, if you are, or know someone in the age group post college, to early 40’s who is trying to find their place in the Catholic Church, put them in touch with me. I am open to having conversations, meetings, and brainstorms with everyone interested.

This week, let us pray for re-engagement within our parish community, especially for those who feel that they are isolated, or do not fit in. That they might connect with, or create ministries that help to meet their needs, and strengthen our community, and our shared faith. God Bless, and have a great week.

October 16, 2022

I am not working with any empirical data, but I think it is safe to say that Confession or Reconciliation is the most underrated and underused sacraments amongst practicing, and casually involved Catholics.

It would be really easy for me to start drawing connections between the importance of visiting a doctor for a yearly physical examination,or taking advantage of counseling. In fact, in my last parish these were my go to analogies. To be honest, those are only tangentially helpful. The truth is a lot more powerful. 

When we go to Confession in preparation for an important moment in our lives, or as a part of our ordinary spiritual practices, we are sitting in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sure we could pray to Jesus any time, in any place, but when we sit with Jesus through the priest in this sacrament, He is able to offer us a verbal answer, and forgiveness in the name of both God and the community. The priest truly represents the Body of Christ the Church, and therefore our community.

What instigated this conversation, is some wonderful news. On Sunday, October 23rd from 8:45 am- 12:15 pm, we’ll be holding our first formation retreat, for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the young people preparing for this sacrament and their parents. We’ll be learning about the meaning of the sacrament, working on adopting new attitudes about it, joining together in Mass as a community, and then sharing a wonderful brunch!

If you happen to have the time, even as you are reading this, please take a moment to pray about and reflect on your own attitude about the sacrament of Reconciliation, and for the families that are actively preparing to celebrate this important moment of their faith, in early December. God Bless and have a wonderful week.

October 2, 2022

Dear Parish Families,

Over the past few years, Covid 19 has made life more difficult. Even the things that we would prioritize or call non-negotiables had to be put to the side. Tough decisions have had to be made to assure the health and well-being of our families. This has caused some families to be sidetracked in the areas of faith formation, and life in the church in general. Be assured it is never too late to come back.

Traditionally preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and Holy Communion begins by participating in faith formation for first grade. Then in second grade, they would take part in both faith formation and sacramental preparation that leads to the reception of Holy Communion during the Easter season.

We invite those of you with first or second grade students to join us in our formation process. If your child has yet to be enrolled in faith formation in first or second grade, or an older student who has yet to receive First Eucharist, please contact the Office of Faith Formation at faithformation@ihmparish.net. We will work with you, or the family, to create a plan appropriate for the needs of your family. We would also invite you to share this information with other family members who might find themselves in this situation. Deferred, displaced, or out of the groove, we want to welcome you back to faith formation.

Peace,

Fr. Mike: Pastor IHM Parish

John McGuire: Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation1ST EUCHARIST INVITATION

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