Dear Parishioners,
“Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again. Rejoice!” these words of St. Paul in the second reading (Philippians 4:4-7) remind us that the underlying attitude of the Christians should be joy. Today, on Gaudete Sunday, the readings and prayers focus on joy. And so we light the rose (pink) colored candle and wear rose-colored vestments as a sign that we are called to be a people filled with joy. But how can we be that way when we see so much pain, suffering, and injustice in the world around us and even among our loved ones and even in our very own lives? The answer lies in God who never abandoned his people in spite of their rebelliousness toward Him.
As the prophet Zephaniah says today (Zephaniah 3:14-18a), “The Lord your God is in your midst a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his love…” And if God was with his people before Jesus, how much more is He with us now through the seven sacraments, especially the Blessed Sacrament? Finally, He comes to be with us in our parish community as we pray, socialize, and work together. As Jesus himself said, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.” It doesn’t get any better than that; therefore we must “Rejoice always.”
- Father Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Make ready the way of the Lord
Dear Parishioners,
It’s that time of the year again. No, I don’t mean Christmas shopping, decorating, buying trees, or mailing cards. No, it’s the time when John the Baptist makes his annual appearance (Luke 3:1-6). We need him and his annual reminder of repentance. Our lives become so very busy that we tend to drift away from God and into sin. John lived a very simple and austere life dining on locusts and wild honey. While his wild appearance may have attracted people at first, it was his life style that made people listen to his message, “Make ready the way of the Lord.” The best way for us to do that is the Sacrament of Penance whereby we level the mountains of our pride and arrogance and fill up the valley of our spiritual laziness.
Holy Trinity Parish will be having a penance service on Tuesday, December 11th at 7pm in its church. Of course, confessions are held here each Saturday from 3:30 – 4:30pm and also by appointment in the rectory.
I can’t think of a better way to prepare and put Christ into Christmas.
- Father Carl
It’s that time of the year again. No, I don’t mean Christmas shopping, decorating, buying trees, or mailing cards. No, it’s the time when John the Baptist makes his annual appearance (Luke 3:1-6). We need him and his annual reminder of repentance. Our lives become so very busy that we tend to drift away from God and into sin. John lived a very simple and austere life dining on locusts and wild honey. While his wild appearance may have attracted people at first, it was his life style that made people listen to his message, “Make ready the way of the Lord.” The best way for us to do that is the Sacrament of Penance whereby we level the mountains of our pride and arrogance and fill up the valley of our spiritual laziness.
Holy Trinity Parish will be having a penance service on Tuesday, December 11th at 7pm in its church. Of course, confessions are held here each Saturday from 3:30 – 4:30pm and also by appointment in the rectory.
I can’t think of a better way to prepare and put Christ into Christmas.
- Father Carl
Friday, November 30, 2012
Be on watch! Stay awake!
Dear Parishioners,
As my driver’s license was due to expire in a few weeks, I decided for once in my life, not to wait until the last minute. I heard MVA at Annapolis was quicker than Glen Burnie, so I went there. I discovered that if you go in late morning it’s going to be slow no matter where you go. So if you go, go early! As I waited, I paid attention to the numbers being called casually at first, because there were many others before mine. And as my number approached, I watched very intently as I didn’t want to miss my turn. I was very watchful, awake, and alert. In today’s gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36), Jesus reminds us to do the same “Be on watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come.” Of course, Jesus is talking about being ready for the coming of the Lord at the end of time or the end of our lives. If I had missed my number at the MVA, it would have been most annoying and inconvenient, but if I’m not ready when Jesus comes, it would be tragic. That’s why I go to the sacrament of Penance at least once a month and say my prayers every morning and night. I want to be ready. How about you?
- Father Carl
As my driver’s license was due to expire in a few weeks, I decided for once in my life, not to wait until the last minute. I heard MVA at Annapolis was quicker than Glen Burnie, so I went there. I discovered that if you go in late morning it’s going to be slow no matter where you go. So if you go, go early! As I waited, I paid attention to the numbers being called casually at first, because there were many others before mine. And as my number approached, I watched very intently as I didn’t want to miss my turn. I was very watchful, awake, and alert. In today’s gospel (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36), Jesus reminds us to do the same “Be on watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come.” Of course, Jesus is talking about being ready for the coming of the Lord at the end of time or the end of our lives. If I had missed my number at the MVA, it would have been most annoying and inconvenient, but if I’m not ready when Jesus comes, it would be tragic. That’s why I go to the sacrament of Penance at least once a month and say my prayers every morning and night. I want to be ready. How about you?
- Father Carl
Friday, November 23, 2012
The Feast of Christ the King
Dear Parishioners,
Christ the King is the crucified and risen Lord, our Savior and the One who is alive forever and ever. He holds the keys to life and death. In him, the most brutal suffering can be infused with meaning, unspeakable loneliness becomes companionship with God, and our fear of death is transformed into hope. The foundation for all Christian worship in every season of the year is knowing and being known by him who is Christ our King.
- Deacon Robert
Christ the King is the crucified and risen Lord, our Savior and the One who is alive forever and ever. He holds the keys to life and death. In him, the most brutal suffering can be infused with meaning, unspeakable loneliness becomes companionship with God, and our fear of death is transformed into hope. The foundation for all Christian worship in every season of the year is knowing and being known by him who is Christ our King.
- Deacon Robert
Friday, November 16, 2012
In the Meantime
Dear Parishioners,
In the Meantime... So what does it mean to live in the meantime? It means many things, depending on where you are in life’s journey and what you believe life’s circumstances are calling from you. If we believe as Daniel and Jesus believed that heaven and earth will one day pass away (Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32); if we believe there is coming a day when days will be no more and God's Kingdom will be our great hope and home, then we believe what we do and how we live matters in the meantime.
Be of good courage. See with eyes of faith that God’s coming Kingdom is as certain as green leaves in the spring time opening up from tiny buds. And in the meantime, as we await that coming day, be a person celebrating life and living your faith. For when you do, you bear witness to this age that a new day is coming in God's Kingdom.
- Deacon Robert
In the Meantime... So what does it mean to live in the meantime? It means many things, depending on where you are in life’s journey and what you believe life’s circumstances are calling from you. If we believe as Daniel and Jesus believed that heaven and earth will one day pass away (Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32); if we believe there is coming a day when days will be no more and God's Kingdom will be our great hope and home, then we believe what we do and how we live matters in the meantime.
Be of good courage. See with eyes of faith that God’s coming Kingdom is as certain as green leaves in the spring time opening up from tiny buds. And in the meantime, as we await that coming day, be a person celebrating life and living your faith. For when you do, you bear witness to this age that a new day is coming in God's Kingdom.
- Deacon Robert
Friday, November 9, 2012
How Generous Have We Been?
Dear Parishioners,
What faith, what love, what sacrificial generosity we see in the two widows in today’s scripture readings (Mk 12:38-44). They had so little jet they gave so much; they gave their all. How many of us would have even come close to matching them? During this month, we celebrate Thanksgiving and the many blessings we enjoy in our wonderful country. We are the beneficiaries not only of our American forefathers, but also of the Catholic Church which nourishes our immortal souls. It is a good time to reflect on our response to God. Have we expressed our gratitude through prayer and worship? Have we given our family the time they need? Have we given God time in daily prayer and worship? How have we used our talents to benefit our families, our communities and the church? And finally, how have we shared our treasure with the poor, the needy, and the church? In short, how generous have we been?
- Fr. Carl
P.S. I would like to thank Cub Scout Pack 414 for raking and cleaning up the entrance areas in front of the church. They generously gave of their time and talent on a chilly and blustery Saturday morning to make our grounds more attractive. Thank you!
What faith, what love, what sacrificial generosity we see in the two widows in today’s scripture readings (Mk 12:38-44). They had so little jet they gave so much; they gave their all. How many of us would have even come close to matching them? During this month, we celebrate Thanksgiving and the many blessings we enjoy in our wonderful country. We are the beneficiaries not only of our American forefathers, but also of the Catholic Church which nourishes our immortal souls. It is a good time to reflect on our response to God. Have we expressed our gratitude through prayer and worship? Have we given our family the time they need? Have we given God time in daily prayer and worship? How have we used our talents to benefit our families, our communities and the church? And finally, how have we shared our treasure with the poor, the needy, and the church? In short, how generous have we been?
- Fr. Carl
P.S. I would like to thank Cub Scout Pack 414 for raking and cleaning up the entrance areas in front of the church. They generously gave of their time and talent on a chilly and blustery Saturday morning to make our grounds more attractive. Thank you!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Actually, That Is NOT A Fact
Dear Parishioners,
“The facts ma’am. Just the facts.” Those of you who remember the 1950’s TV show, Dragnet, remember Sgt. Joe Friday saying those words week after week. In the vice-presidential debate, the Democratic candidate said:
“With regard to the assault on the Catholic Church, let me make it absolutely clear. No religious institution – Catholic or otherwise, including Catholic social services, Georgetown Hospital, Mercy Hospital, any hospital - none has to either refer contraception, none has to pay for contraception, none has to be a vehicle to get contraception in any insurance policy they provide. That is a fact. That is a fact.”
Actually that is not a fact. The facts are these: Catholic institutions ranging from dioceses to Catholic Charities to Catholic hospitals – and non-Catholic institutions as well – are being forced to provide such coverage for their employees. When a company or institution like many dioceses are self- insured, it is being forced to pay for those services directly.
Those are the facts relating to the HHS legislation, and is the reason the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are against this part of the HHS initiative. It’s also the reason why so many suits have been brought into the courts by dioceses, hospitals, and individual companies.
Let us pray that healthcare may be improved, made more affordable and more available to all. However, pray that that part of the HHS which violates freedom of religion and freedom of conscience may be eliminated.
- Fr. Carl
“The facts ma’am. Just the facts.” Those of you who remember the 1950’s TV show, Dragnet, remember Sgt. Joe Friday saying those words week after week. In the vice-presidential debate, the Democratic candidate said:
“With regard to the assault on the Catholic Church, let me make it absolutely clear. No religious institution – Catholic or otherwise, including Catholic social services, Georgetown Hospital, Mercy Hospital, any hospital - none has to either refer contraception, none has to pay for contraception, none has to be a vehicle to get contraception in any insurance policy they provide. That is a fact. That is a fact.”
Actually that is not a fact. The facts are these: Catholic institutions ranging from dioceses to Catholic Charities to Catholic hospitals – and non-Catholic institutions as well – are being forced to provide such coverage for their employees. When a company or institution like many dioceses are self- insured, it is being forced to pay for those services directly.
Those are the facts relating to the HHS legislation, and is the reason the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are against this part of the HHS initiative. It’s also the reason why so many suits have been brought into the courts by dioceses, hospitals, and individual companies.
Let us pray that healthcare may be improved, made more affordable and more available to all. However, pray that that part of the HHS which violates freedom of religion and freedom of conscience may be eliminated.
- Fr. Carl
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)