Thursday, March 14, 2024

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

Brothers and Sisters,

How is your Lent going? Are we dying to self and bearing fruit? This week in the Gospel Jesus answers those who wish to see him with the secret to living a meaningful life, a life that he lived and calls each of us to live. Jesus says, “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” That’s his response to those who want to see him; to the Greeks, to you, and to me.

Seeing Jesus isn’t a spectator sport. It is a way to be followed, a truth to be embraced, and a life to be lived. It’s being a grain of wheat that falls into the ground and dies so that it might bear much fruit. That’s where we see him. It’s in the letting go, the emptying, the leaving behind, and the dying that makes space for new life to arise. That’s what Jesus calls us to embrace. Letting go is what allows us to be more authentically present to ourselves, to others, and to our Lord. It makes room for new life and new ways of being present to arise. Our letting go gives God something to work with. Why then would we continue to hold onto or cling to anything preventing us from truly seeing Jesus?

So, what are those things in your life today that needs to fall into the earth and die? What do you need to let go of and leave behind so that God can bear much fruit in your life? Is there anything blocking the fullness of life that we desire or God offers us? Yes, dying to self is where we can renew and change our life. And maybe that’s where we will see Jesus.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!

God Bless,
Deacon Howard

Friday, March 8, 2024

Drawing Toward Jesus And The Cross

Dear Friends,

JESUS SAVES! Perhaps the most referenced Bible verse that sports fans like to call attention to is in today’s Gospel, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” But what does it mean to “believe” in Jesus?

I’ve had good discussions with hundreds of our Protestant brothers and sisters (whom I love dearly), many of whom believe that “all you need to do is believe in Jesus and you’ll be saved.” “The Bible makes it plain and simple—just read John 3:16! We’re saved by faith alone!” What’s the problem with this (fundamentalist) Protestant perspective of salvation… of what it means to “believe” in Jesus? It’s easy to selectively pull a couple isolated Bible verses out of context, create a theology of salvation around them, and ignore the other 7,954 verses of the New Testament which contain many verses that contradict that theology. Rather, we begin to learn what it means to “believe” in Jesus from St. Paul who frames his letter to the Romans with the “obedience of faith” (Rom 1:5, 16:26), which is the Catholic perspective consistent with the entire Word of God.

It’s the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus on Peter the Rock and the apostles in 33 AD who gives a coherent and systematic presentation of faith and morals using over 4,100 references to Scripture and over 2,100 references to Church documents and the saints in one trustworthy, engaging, and easy-to-read book: The Catechism of the Catholic Church. If you do not have the Catechism, I encourage you to ask for one or buy yourself one as an Easter gift. By reading it, you’ll enable your Catholic faith in Jesus to come alive through it and the Bible.

The focus of today’s readings is Jesus, our Savior. Lent calls us to follow Jesus to the cross. In dying to ourselves, Jesus will raise us up. When we put our trust in him, he delivers us from the consequences of our limitations, weaknesses, and sin. Lent draws us toward Jesus and the Cross, who leads us to the Resurrection and eternal life.

Coming Easter Season, 2024… Seekers

SEEKERS is a 3-session series that provides an opportunity for people who feel spiritually disconnected in their relationship with the Catholic Church to ask questions, to seek answers in the hope of becoming reconnected.

SEEKERS focuses on questions that seekers bring with them, and prompts discussion from the Catechism to stimulate discussion on topics such as the desire for God, God’s loving Revelation, man’s response to God, and other topics. I hope to see you or someone you invite there. Especially consider inviting those coming to Easter Mass with you who do not typically go to weekly Mass. See today’s bulletin or Flocknote for details.

Peace in Christ,
Father Jim

Friday, March 1, 2024

Lenten Misson This Week!

Dear Friends of our Pastorate,

There are two options for our readings on this Third Sunday of Lent. This is because the Church celebrates special rites called the Scrutinies during the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent. These rites are celebrated with those who are to be baptized at the Easter Vigil, although many parishes also celebrate them with those who are going to be confirmed or enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. The regular Gospel for this Sunday is John’s version of Jesus’ Cleansing of the Temple, while the Gospel for the Scrutinies is the Samaritan Woman Jesus encounters at the well. Both are powerful Gospels that tell us much about Jesus’ mission and ministry. I would encourage you read and reflect upon them both this week.

Please plan to join us this week for our Pastorate Lenten Mission being offered by Fr. Jim. The theme for the mission this year is “Time for God” and is based on Fr. Jacques Philippe’s international bestselling book of the same name. The first talk will be offered on Monday, March 4th, at 7:00pm at Our Lady of the Chesapeake. The second talk will be offered on Tuesday, March 5th, at 7:00pm at St. Jane Frances. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered on Wednesday, March 6th, starting at 6:30pm at Our Lady of the Chesapeake. Please plan to join us!

There is still time for the men of our Pastorate to sign up for the Catholic Men’s Fellowship conference being held at St. Philip Neri this Saturday, March 9th. To register, go to catholicmensfellowship.com.

Stations of the Cross and the Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry Fridays continue this Friday, March 1st at St. Jane Frances. Stop by for a delicious Lenten appropriate seafood meal at St. Jane Hall from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, then attend Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm in the Church. Eucharistic Adoration will take place during Stations.

We are still looking for volunteers and donations for the St. Patrick’s Day Bazaar on Friday, March 15th at St. Jane Hall and School. Gift cards, wine and liquor, and silent auction items can be dropped off at the office at either St. Jane Frances or Our Lady of the Chesapeake. This is a great family friendly event! Thank you for your support!

Thank you for keeping our Pastorate in your daily prayers!

Father Steve

Friday, February 23, 2024

How Is The Transfiguration Relevant To Me?

Dear Parishioners,

You might be saying to yourself, “How is the Transfiguration of Christ relevant to me? I cannot seem to
relate to it.” Here are three considerations. First, each of us can probably relate to at least one of the men present with Jesus: Moses and Peter did not initially want to answer God’s call, Elijah fell into despair, and Peter was sometimes double-minded and even denied Christ. They were human just like you and me, with strengths and weaknesses. Second, we can relate to the apostles’ experience of the presence of the transfigured Christ on the mountain when we receive the presence of the Christ in the Eucharistic at Mass—a real Communion with the living God in our midst. Just as Christ’s transfiguration strengthened Peter, James, and John to endure Jesus’ impending suffering and death, so Jesus in the Eucharist gives us grace to endure our trials and suffering while looking forward to the glory of the Resurrection. Third, each of those five men did not choose God, but God chose them first—just like He has called each of us, regardless of who we are or what we’ve done or not done, and has given each of us a particular mission He has not entrusted to another.

“Listen to him.” The context of the Transfiguration is also significant. It follows after Jesus had just
taught the apostles that he must suffer and die before rising from the dead, and that the apostles too must deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow him to their death… THIS message—the message of the cross before the resurrection—is what the Father reinforces by saying, “Listen to him.” The cross and glory belong together. Christ’s transfiguration also foreshadows the changing of our own bodies at Jesus’ Second Coming, when Paul says that Christ will “change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body” (Phil 3:21). Lastly, when we receive Jesus’ crucified and glorified Body and Blood in Holy Communion, we too hear the Father’s voice speaking to us in the depth of our hearts: “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”—a perfect segue to…

Our Pastorate Lenten Mission on March 4th and 5th will teach you how to listen to Him speak in the depth of your soul through what the saints have called “mental prayer.” Fr. Steve has asked me to present Fr. Jacques Philippe’s book on mental prayer, “Time for God”— a book that I’ve found invaluable in helping me find God “in solitude and silence …in order to enter into intimate, loving communication with Him” (page 1). This 2-part mission (each lasting only 1 hour) will summarize Fr. Jacques’ most important tips and include time to actually practice mental prayer using these tips. Day 1 is March 4 at 7 pm at OLC in the church; Day 2 is March 5 at 7 pm at SJF in the church.

Peace in Christ,
Father Jim

Friday, February 16, 2024

Pray, Fast, Give: 40 Days To Holiness

Dear Parishioners,

Wow, we’re in the first week of Lent already. Seems like we just finished the Christmas Season. Lent is the season to pray, fast, and give alms. All three practices need to be real and should lead us closer to Jesus. Every Christian needs to take these disciplines seriously. Everyone can pray, fast, and give alms in appropriate and meaningful ways. They are the ways to grow in holiness. Our goal this Lent should be to grow in holiness. Go to the desert with Christ through works of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In that desert, we will come to know Christ our Lord, and at Easter will emerge a more holy person. A great journey of faith during this Lenten season.

In Mark’s Gospel this week (Mark 1:12–15), we are told that Jesus went into the desert for 40 days immediately after his baptism, led by the Spirit. Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee begins after his temptation in the desert. The fact that Jesus spent 40 days in the desert is significant. This recalls the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert after being led from slavery in Egypt. The prophet Elijah also journeyed in the desert for 40 days and nights, making his way to Horeb, the mountain of God, where he was also attended to by an angel of the Lord. There are many other examples. The number 40 in scripture symbolizes testing and trial for spiritual preparation in growing closer to God. Remembering the significance of these events, we also set aside 40 days for the season of Lent. This is to prepare ourselves for new growth in holiness. We come out of the ashes into new life in Christ.

Don’t be afraid to be holy! Holiness is feeling the presence of Christ within your heart, and allowing that presence to guide, support, and inspire you to live a life that conforms with what God wants of you. Are you ready to go into the desert?

God Bless,
Deacon Howard

Friday, February 9, 2024

Here Comes Lent!

Dear Friends of our Pastorate,

Our readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time remind us once again of the healing power of Jesus Christ on those who are afflicted with illness and disease. A leper approaches Jesus, begging him to make him clean. Immediately Jesus is moved with pity and heals him. In Jesus’ day, this disease would have caused this person to be isolated and removed from the community. Now through this encounter with Jesus, he is made whole again and can be welcomed back. Jesus can do the same for each one of us as well. When we approach Jesus with our “illnesses” and “diseases” that isolate us from others, and ask him to heal us, he can and will do it! God’s mercy and compassion for us is endless, if only we approach the Lord with humility and trust.

A great church season that helps us to do this is Lent, which happens to begin this week, on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14th. Please join us for Masses at 8:30am and 7:00pm at both parishes. Ashes will be distributed at all Masses. Dedicate yourself to “turning away from sin and being faithful to the Gospel” during this Lenten Season. As a reminder, Ash Wednesday is one of the Church’s special penitential days of fasting and abstaining from meat—a small sacrifice to make in response to our Lord’s sacrifice for us.

We have a couple of Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras celebrations this week on Feb. 13th. Join Scout Troop 414 at St. Jane Frances Parish Hall for the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. In addition, join Fr. Steve as he “guest bartends” from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Rumor Meal on Mountain Rd. for our Mardi Gras celebration. A percentage of all proceeds that evening (4:00pm–9:00pm) from dine in or carry out will benefit OLC.

Stations of the Cross and the Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry Fridays begin this Friday, Feb. 16th at St. Jane Frances. Stop by for dinner at St. Jane Parish Hall from 4:00pm to 7:00pm for a delicious Lenten appropriate seafood meal, then stop by the Church at 7:00pm for Stations of the Cross.

The 2024 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries is in full swing! This year’s theme is “Faith in Action—Transforming Lives, Impacting Communities.” Many of us have received information about the appeal in the mail and have responded by making a donation. This weekend, all of us will have an opportunity to make our pledge and commitment to the Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries. Your donations serve people throughout the Archdiocese, including our local pastorate parishes. The parish goal for St. Jane Frances is $62,158 and for Our Lady of the Chesapeake, it is $60,290. All monies raised through the Annual Appeal are considered restricted gifts and will go to support the Church’s many outreach programs, educational needs, and social services including the essential works of Catholic Charities. Please be as generous as you can and support the 2024 Annual Appeal for Catholic Ministries.

And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the St. Patrick’s Day Bazaar on Friday, March 15th at St. Jane Hall and School. This is a great family friendly event!

Thank you for keeping our Pastorate in your daily prayers!

Father Steve

Friday, February 2, 2024

Everyone Is Looking For You, Jesus!

Dear Friends,

“Everyone is looking for you, Jesus!” In today’s gospel from Mark (Mk 1:29-39), in the early morning Simon Peter hunts down Jesus, eagerly looking to find Him after the whole town of Capernaum had been at Peter’s door the night before when Jesus had cured the sick and cast out demons, His first public healing service. When Peter finally found Jesus in a deserted place, praying, he said, “Everyone is looking for you!” Although everyone knows that it is Jesus who heals, Jesus chooses to heal others not solo but with his disciples present, telling Peter, “Let’s go to the nearby villages.”

Today, everyone is still looking for Jesus, whether they know it or not. Pope Benedict XVI put it this way: “We cannot keep to ourselves the words of eternal life given to us in our encounter with Jesus Christ: they are meant for everyone, for every man and woman. Everyone today, whether he or she knows it or not, needs this message. It is our responsibility to pass on what, by God’s grace, we ourselves have received.” [VERBUM DOMINI (The Word of the Lord), #91. 2010]. Just as Jesus wanted his disciples to accompany Him in His ministry of healing and proclamation of the gospel in Galilee, He also wants us to accompany Him in His work today by healing and proclaiming through us. And why is Jesus’ healing ministry and our involvement in it so important?

The answer lies in the deeper meaning we discover by discerning how the 1st reading (Jb 7:1-4, 6-7) connects to the gospel reading. Here we find Job—who represents every human person who suffers, ie, all of us—despondent in the midst of his suffering: “I shall not see happiness again.” (Job 7:7). But 12 chapters later Job proclaims, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at last he will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25). Job, in his desire for healing prophetically, points hundreds of years later to Jesus in the gospel beginning his healing ministry in Capernaum. The deeper meaning of today’s readings, reflected in our Responsorial Psalm, is this: “(God) heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. The LORD sustains the lowly. Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.” (Psalm 147).

God ALWAYS brings good from suffering: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.” (Romans 8:28). In these early weeks of Ordinary time, early in Jesus’ ministry, let us have the faith of Job, confident that Jesus heals and restores in His perfect timing. Our Redeemer lives and is present to us on earth in our trials and suffering—most directly in His sacraments, and also in the loving care of others, and when we seek Him in prayer.

Peace in Christ,
Father Jim