Dear Parishioners,
I wonder why there is such emphasis placed on New Year’s resolutions? I guess for some things, we need a reason to start or a deadline to begin. I don’t know. I am not good with these resolutions. But as far as improvement goes, I can always use some of that! I don’t need the calendar to tell me. Christ holds up such ideals and such wisdom. I can certainly pray more and pray better. There is such pain and suffering in the world, and just with the small group of people that I know. How about the larger society or the bigger world? My prayer could be more intense, too. How many times am I interrupted or my attention sways? They say that God knows what we ask for before we ask. But I think it helps to be on the same page. So, God help me to pray this year. I spend lots of time in the car in silence or with the radio on. Maybe I could do a rosary or listen to a religious CD? God, help me to use my time for you.
I enjoy my perspective of the Mass from the altar, especially at communion. People come to communion with all sorts of expressions and need. But I get distracted and worry about what I have to say or do. God, give me patience and true trust in you. I have done a lot of ministry. I have done retreats and work with men, youth, and couples. But am I present to others who need to hear God’s word or to feel God’s presence? Lord, give me the energy and focus to minister to your people in a way that is healing and faithful. And Lord, help me always to be open to your Spirit who teaches and enlivens and leads us to You! Well how’s that for 2019? I think I will have a busy year!
Blessing,
Deacon Steve
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. Kevin Farmer, Deacon Howard Klohr, Deacon Phil Snyder, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
Friday, December 28, 2018
Friday, December 21, 2018
Immitating our Blessed Mother
Dear Parishioners,
Advent draws to a close, it is fitting that we shift our attention from John the Baptist to Mary (Mi 5:1-4a; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45). Afterall, if Mary had not said “yes” to the Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38), there would be no Christmas. Mary has just learned that her cousin Elizabeth is pregnant also and in her sixth month. So she sets out in “haste” to visit and help her cousin. That journey was not easy. It took 4 days over the rugged hilly landscape. It goes to show how thoughtful and considerate Mary was to Elizabeth. But she is also that way to us if we call out to her for help.
Let us pray for God’s grace to reach out in compassion and haste to help those who need us as we strive to imitate our Blessed Mother and make her proud to call us her children.
Fr. Carl
Advent draws to a close, it is fitting that we shift our attention from John the Baptist to Mary (Mi 5:1-4a; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45). Afterall, if Mary had not said “yes” to the Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38), there would be no Christmas. Mary has just learned that her cousin Elizabeth is pregnant also and in her sixth month. So she sets out in “haste” to visit and help her cousin. That journey was not easy. It took 4 days over the rugged hilly landscape. It goes to show how thoughtful and considerate Mary was to Elizabeth. But she is also that way to us if we call out to her for help.
Let us pray for God’s grace to reach out in compassion and haste to help those who need us as we strive to imitate our Blessed Mother and make her proud to call us her children.
Fr. Carl
Friday, December 14, 2018
Advent… Get Excited About It!
Dear Parishioners,
The season of Advent is when we await the joyful presence of the Christ child. We have much to be thankful for and much to be joyful about. I know that joy is not a common experience these days. But we should be anxious with anticipation and preparation! Can we look at all this differently so we just don’t see the gifts, hectic shopping, food preparation and the family drama?
The God of the universe intentionally sent his Son to us human beings, because He wished to save us from our sinfulness. He transformed himself into a fully human being so that he might walk among us and share in our lives. He did this to teach us, to show us, to walk among us, to be gift, to let himself be known. We celebrate the fact that this really happened, and we are called to participate. We are among the shepherds who see the star. We are among the people at the inn who hear about the couple with child. We are among the people who see the family along the road. This is our Catholic story. This was done for our benefit. Let us get excited about it! Let us feel something beyond our ordinary feelings. Let us stand at the manger, there in front of the beautiful young mother, the firm father, and God’s seed of love, the Christ child; and offer them our thanks, our gratitude, our awe, and our love. In the quiet of the night, let us take in the sight of that young family embarking on a journey that will change our lives. Let us simply watch and take it in!
Let us also be joyful about Fr. Rob’s ordination. Congratulations Fr. Rob!
May God bless you in your vocation. May you minister well in the aura of light coming from the Christ child.
Blessings all for a beautiful and holy Advent,
Deacon Steve
The season of Advent is when we await the joyful presence of the Christ child. We have much to be thankful for and much to be joyful about. I know that joy is not a common experience these days. But we should be anxious with anticipation and preparation! Can we look at all this differently so we just don’t see the gifts, hectic shopping, food preparation and the family drama?
The God of the universe intentionally sent his Son to us human beings, because He wished to save us from our sinfulness. He transformed himself into a fully human being so that he might walk among us and share in our lives. He did this to teach us, to show us, to walk among us, to be gift, to let himself be known. We celebrate the fact that this really happened, and we are called to participate. We are among the shepherds who see the star. We are among the people at the inn who hear about the couple with child. We are among the people who see the family along the road. This is our Catholic story. This was done for our benefit. Let us get excited about it! Let us feel something beyond our ordinary feelings. Let us stand at the manger, there in front of the beautiful young mother, the firm father, and God’s seed of love, the Christ child; and offer them our thanks, our gratitude, our awe, and our love. In the quiet of the night, let us take in the sight of that young family embarking on a journey that will change our lives. Let us simply watch and take it in!
Let us also be joyful about Fr. Rob’s ordination. Congratulations Fr. Rob!
May God bless you in your vocation. May you minister well in the aura of light coming from the Christ child.
Blessings all for a beautiful and holy Advent,
Deacon Steve
Friday, December 7, 2018
Prepare Your Heart For Christmas
Dear Parishioners,
This week and next, John the Baptist appears on the scene to prepare the people of his time for the coming of Christ (Luke 3:1-6). None of us needs much urging to prepare for Christ’s coming at Christmas. We shop, bake, decorate, and send cards. And while all of that helps put us in the right and generous mood for Christmas, more is required to prepare us for Christ. There are spiritual preparations called for by John the Baptist. We need to level the mountains of pride, arrogance, and greed in our hearts and fill in the valleys of spiritual laziness (sloth) and indifference to the needs of others.
Some ways to do this are through family prayer, attend an extra Mass during the week, giving alms or a gift to the poor and needy, or reading a short continuing section from the Gospel of Luke each night before bed. And certainly the most important thing as John proclaims is repentance for the forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Confession available each Saturday afternoon from 3:30-4:30pm or by making an appointment with Fr. Carl at the rectory.
May you have a blessed Advent which will lead to a truly Merry Christmas.
Fr. Carl
This week and next, John the Baptist appears on the scene to prepare the people of his time for the coming of Christ (Luke 3:1-6). None of us needs much urging to prepare for Christ’s coming at Christmas. We shop, bake, decorate, and send cards. And while all of that helps put us in the right and generous mood for Christmas, more is required to prepare us for Christ. There are spiritual preparations called for by John the Baptist. We need to level the mountains of pride, arrogance, and greed in our hearts and fill in the valleys of spiritual laziness (sloth) and indifference to the needs of others.
We are called to expand our hearts in generosity to God and neighbor.
Some ways to do this are through family prayer, attend an extra Mass during the week, giving alms or a gift to the poor and needy, or reading a short continuing section from the Gospel of Luke each night before bed. And certainly the most important thing as John proclaims is repentance for the forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Confession available each Saturday afternoon from 3:30-4:30pm or by making an appointment with Fr. Carl at the rectory.
May you have a blessed Advent which will lead to a truly Merry Christmas.
Fr. Carl
Friday, November 30, 2018
Happy Advent!
Dear Parishioners,
As we begin our journey through Advent, let us be mindful of the importance of the season. While the Old Testament demonstrates the revelation of God to his people, Advent represents the coming of Christ to us, his people. The birth of Christ is a significant event in our religious heritage. This great news was announced in Isaiah, spoken about by the prophets and prepared for us by the history of the Old Testament. In this beautiful event, God touches us with his presence in the form of a baby, brought about through the intercession of our virgin Mother Mary, with angels singing and shepherds in awe. Here we find our spiritual roots. Here we see our Christian beginnings. On that day of glorious birth, our joys and hopes are made real. This is the day when the heavens open up and the son of God is brought to us. In the utter poverty of a stable, the King of the Nations is born.
So let us prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Let us clear out the cobwebs of our weaknesses. Let us sweep clean our so-so lives with renewed practice and sacrifice. Let us wash our dusty homes of doubt and question. Let us pick up our prayer books and clasp our hands in much needed prayer. Christ is coming. Christ is the full revelation of God. Nothing needs to be added or should anything be subtracted. God has given us in Christ all we need to reach heaven. Let this season of Advent bring our faith to a heightened level of strength through love.
Happy Advent everyone,
Deacon Steve
As we begin our journey through Advent, let us be mindful of the importance of the season. While the Old Testament demonstrates the revelation of God to his people, Advent represents the coming of Christ to us, his people. The birth of Christ is a significant event in our religious heritage. This great news was announced in Isaiah, spoken about by the prophets and prepared for us by the history of the Old Testament. In this beautiful event, God touches us with his presence in the form of a baby, brought about through the intercession of our virgin Mother Mary, with angels singing and shepherds in awe. Here we find our spiritual roots. Here we see our Christian beginnings. On that day of glorious birth, our joys and hopes are made real. This is the day when the heavens open up and the son of God is brought to us. In the utter poverty of a stable, the King of the Nations is born.
So let us prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Let us clear out the cobwebs of our weaknesses. Let us sweep clean our so-so lives with renewed practice and sacrifice. Let us wash our dusty homes of doubt and question. Let us pick up our prayer books and clasp our hands in much needed prayer. Christ is coming. Christ is the full revelation of God. Nothing needs to be added or should anything be subtracted. God has given us in Christ all we need to reach heaven. Let this season of Advent bring our faith to a heightened level of strength through love.
Happy Advent everyone,
Deacon Steve
Friday, November 23, 2018
Christ the King
Dear Parishioners,
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. A recent celebration, it was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to counter several bad trends. First, there was an overly sentimental view of Jesus. The second trend was the idea or view that Jesus was irrelevant to this world. Religion was one thing; your politics and economics are another matter. Religion should not enter into the discussion. Third, it was a time when totalitarian governments were gaining ground—the Fascists in Italy under Mussolini, the Nazis in Germany, under Hitler, and the Communists in Russia under Lenin and Stalin. The people existed to serve the state and not the state to serve the people which is the way it should be.
Pope Pius XI placed the feast on the last Sunday of October. That was the Sunday closest to All Saints to show Jesus was the King of All Saints. When the liturgical calendar was reformed after the Second Vatican Council, it was moved to the last Sunday of the Church year. It serves as a reminder that at the end of our lives and at the end of the world, we will come before the throne of Jesus to be judged. “The feast is intended to proclaim in a striking and effective manner, Christ’s royalty over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations.” If we all understood this, how much better we and the world would all be. Let us do what we can do to recognize Jesus not just as the King of the World but also as the King of our lives.
Fr. Carl
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. A recent celebration, it was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to counter several bad trends. First, there was an overly sentimental view of Jesus. The second trend was the idea or view that Jesus was irrelevant to this world. Religion was one thing; your politics and economics are another matter. Religion should not enter into the discussion. Third, it was a time when totalitarian governments were gaining ground—the Fascists in Italy under Mussolini, the Nazis in Germany, under Hitler, and the Communists in Russia under Lenin and Stalin. The people existed to serve the state and not the state to serve the people which is the way it should be.
Pope Pius XI placed the feast on the last Sunday of October. That was the Sunday closest to All Saints to show Jesus was the King of All Saints. When the liturgical calendar was reformed after the Second Vatican Council, it was moved to the last Sunday of the Church year. It serves as a reminder that at the end of our lives and at the end of the world, we will come before the throne of Jesus to be judged. “The feast is intended to proclaim in a striking and effective manner, Christ’s royalty over individuals, families, society, governments, and nations.” If we all understood this, how much better we and the world would all be. Let us do what we can do to recognize Jesus not just as the King of the World but also as the King of our lives.
Fr. Carl
Friday, November 16, 2018
Sharing Our Time, Talent, and Treasure
Dear Parishioners,
This weekend’s readings deal with the end of the world and God’s judgment (Dn 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14,18; Mk 13:24-32). It’s a very sobering thought that all of us will be judged by God. For some, the news will be welcome; for others, not so much. As Daniel says about that time of judgment, “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise will shine brightly…”
Last week, the readings presented two women who shall live forever and shine brightly. These are the widows who generously, lovingly, and sacrificially gave to God and neighbor. They were good stewards. Last week, as we celebrated Veterans’ Day and the 100th anniversary of World War I, we also celebrated Stewardship Sunday. I talked about the gifts God has entrusted to us in this life—the gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure. Of course, they ultimately belong to God who has made us their stewards while we live. Like all stewards, we will be called to give an account of how we used them. Hopefully, we will be able to imitate the widows of last week in generously sharing these gifts with God and neighbor.
Fr. Carl
This weekend’s readings deal with the end of the world and God’s judgment (Dn 12:1-3; Heb 10:11-14,18; Mk 13:24-32). It’s a very sobering thought that all of us will be judged by God. For some, the news will be welcome; for others, not so much. As Daniel says about that time of judgment, “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise will shine brightly…”
Last week, the readings presented two women who shall live forever and shine brightly. These are the widows who generously, lovingly, and sacrificially gave to God and neighbor. They were good stewards. Last week, as we celebrated Veterans’ Day and the 100th anniversary of World War I, we also celebrated Stewardship Sunday. I talked about the gifts God has entrusted to us in this life—the gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure. Of course, they ultimately belong to God who has made us their stewards while we live. Like all stewards, we will be called to give an account of how we used them. Hopefully, we will be able to imitate the widows of last week in generously sharing these gifts with God and neighbor.
Fr. Carl
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