Dear Parishioners,
I left church today with a lot on my mind. I read a book in college that I have been thinking about called, “I and Thou.” It is by a Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber, written in the 1930s. It is profound in that it identifies the relationship that God has with us as a “Thou.” This means that we are seen from God's perspective as not to be things to be used by others. That is we are not just customers or consumers or seniors or voters or employees. We are deeper than that. We are an instance of God’s divine creativity, each endowed with dignity and value. Each of us is given gifts to develop. I think our world does not work like that. The world sees us for what it can get out of us. To some bosses, we are only looked at as 40 hours of work. To others, we are seen as someone to scam. To others, we are a paycheck or a ride or a good time. You know what I mean. God sees us as we are: truly miraculous living beings. We are not things to be used for some purpose or another. We have been given God’s gift of life and this is more precious than all the gold in Fort Knox! We are allowed to see and feel and move and love and have relationships and feel the warmth of the sun on a beach or hear the birds chirping in the morning on the deck. This life is a gift to explore and experience. God has made this so. He created this planet with its beauty and mystery to enthrall us. He gave us each other to love and enter into deep, caring, and committed relationships. All of this is gift, and we fit into it as God’s children whom he loves and cherishes. Let us open our eyes to this reality and thank God for his small miracles.
Blessings,
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. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Friday, January 18, 2019
Don’t You Need That?
Dear Parishioners,
You have been hearing a lot about Alpha lately. Let me tell you why. We are Catholic Christians. Because we claim the name “Christian,” we are called to follow Christ. Alpha, simply put, is to gain a greater love for Christ. Christ said many things in his short life. He brought people to himself and asked them to be his followers. He took them from their lives as fisherman and tax collectors, for instance, and gave them a new purpose and a new mission. They were to spread the Gospel of his human and divine life. They were to tell people about the miracles he did, the people he fed, the broken lives he healed. They were to talk about his wisdom, his humility, and his coming back from the dead after his brutal execution. Christ said that he is the vine, and we are the branches. He is the seed, and we are the soil. He is the poor, the hungry, the sick and in prison, and we are to visit and feed and heal. He said many things and did many things that, if we think about it, should lead us to a radical life of service and giving to one another.
If we are content and satisfied in our lives in the face of the suffering of our fellow human beings, and do nothing, then we haven't gotten His message. Alpha is a program that shares videos, discussion, and a meal to energize our love for Christ. If we are content, it is because of God; and if we are satisfied, it is because of God. In the light of God’s generosity, we are to share our time, talent, and treasure. Alpha is a way to relearn the basics of our faith. Alpha is to help us know that we are hungry for God’s love. It is to allow the Holy Spirit to come upon us and send us out into our lives with the fire of faith. Don’t you need that?
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
You have been hearing a lot about Alpha lately. Let me tell you why. We are Catholic Christians. Because we claim the name “Christian,” we are called to follow Christ. Alpha, simply put, is to gain a greater love for Christ. Christ said many things in his short life. He brought people to himself and asked them to be his followers. He took them from their lives as fisherman and tax collectors, for instance, and gave them a new purpose and a new mission. They were to spread the Gospel of his human and divine life. They were to tell people about the miracles he did, the people he fed, the broken lives he healed. They were to talk about his wisdom, his humility, and his coming back from the dead after his brutal execution. Christ said that he is the vine, and we are the branches. He is the seed, and we are the soil. He is the poor, the hungry, the sick and in prison, and we are to visit and feed and heal. He said many things and did many things that, if we think about it, should lead us to a radical life of service and giving to one another.
If we are content and satisfied in our lives in the face of the suffering of our fellow human beings, and do nothing, then we haven't gotten His message. Alpha is a program that shares videos, discussion, and a meal to energize our love for Christ. If we are content, it is because of God; and if we are satisfied, it is because of God. In the light of God’s generosity, we are to share our time, talent, and treasure. Alpha is a way to relearn the basics of our faith. Alpha is to help us know that we are hungry for God’s love. It is to allow the Holy Spirit to come upon us and send us out into our lives with the fire of faith. Don’t you need that?
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Friday, January 11, 2019
The “Food Place”
Dear Parishioners,
I go to NCEON every week on Wednesday to help move food. I am sure you have heard about NCEON. It is a food pantry that supports the needs of the poor in north Anne Arundel county. It stands for the North County Emergency Outreach Network. St. Jane Frances is one of the biggest supporters of the program. John Ena does a wonderful job of collecting and organizing food, and the parish is wonderful in its generous support. It is in a small building on the grounds of a small church in Glen Burnie. The place was closed over the holidays. I went back after New Years. I help in taking in and sorting food that is dropped off, and making it ready for people to take home. The first Wednesday back, we had a very busy day with numerous large drop offs.
The night before I was to go to NCEON, my granddaughter asked about the “food place.”
She told me that she had something for me to take. She comes up with a large box filled with cans and boxes of food items. She tells me that over the month of December, she put something in the box every day, that her mom said it was ok. Of course I was happy to take her donation and was also proud to tell the other NCEON workers about it. This represents her giving spirit that I think is placed there by the Holy Spirit. And certainly the generosity of a child underscores the great love that it represents.
Let us therefore, believe in each other and in the great God who created us. We have the task to take care of each other. This is basic to our religious DNA, to our faith, to the life of the person who died to save us. May we be generous of ourselves, our time, our talents, and our treasure.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
I go to NCEON every week on Wednesday to help move food. I am sure you have heard about NCEON. It is a food pantry that supports the needs of the poor in north Anne Arundel county. It stands for the North County Emergency Outreach Network. St. Jane Frances is one of the biggest supporters of the program. John Ena does a wonderful job of collecting and organizing food, and the parish is wonderful in its generous support. It is in a small building on the grounds of a small church in Glen Burnie. The place was closed over the holidays. I went back after New Years. I help in taking in and sorting food that is dropped off, and making it ready for people to take home. The first Wednesday back, we had a very busy day with numerous large drop offs.
The night before I was to go to NCEON, my granddaughter asked about the “food place.”
She told me that she had something for me to take. She comes up with a large box filled with cans and boxes of food items. She tells me that over the month of December, she put something in the box every day, that her mom said it was ok. Of course I was happy to take her donation and was also proud to tell the other NCEON workers about it. This represents her giving spirit that I think is placed there by the Holy Spirit. And certainly the generosity of a child underscores the great love that it represents.
Let us therefore, believe in each other and in the great God who created us. We have the task to take care of each other. This is basic to our religious DNA, to our faith, to the life of the person who died to save us. May we be generous of ourselves, our time, our talents, and our treasure.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Friday, January 4, 2019
Nobody Out Gives God!
Dear Parishioners,
I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas reconnecting with family and friends. I also hope you received some nice gifts as well.
However, we are still in the Christmas season for another week, and it is still a good time to offer gifts as we celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord when the three kings came to worship Jesus and bring him gifts (Mt 2:1-12). They were not cheap gifts but generous and expensive—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As we begin a new year, we might ask ourselves what gifts we can bring to the Lord today and throughout the year. What do we truly value, and how can we generously share it with God?
The most valuable possession is our time. Once we use it, we lose it. So how about resolving to spend more time with God in prayer and reading the bible? And certainly Jesus, who came to serve, appreciates our gift of serving others through the parish or volunteering in the wider community. Finally, he has a great affection for the poor and the needy, so he is gratified when we share some of our treasure with them.
Our God gave us the best gift ever in Jesus, and no matter what we give, we can never repay God. Yet the more we give to God, the more he gives to us in this world and in the world to come. Nobody out gives God!
Father Carl
I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas reconnecting with family and friends. I also hope you received some nice gifts as well.
However, we are still in the Christmas season for another week, and it is still a good time to offer gifts as we celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord when the three kings came to worship Jesus and bring him gifts (Mt 2:1-12). They were not cheap gifts but generous and expensive—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As we begin a new year, we might ask ourselves what gifts we can bring to the Lord today and throughout the year. What do we truly value, and how can we generously share it with God?
The most valuable possession is our time. Once we use it, we lose it. So how about resolving to spend more time with God in prayer and reading the bible? And certainly Jesus, who came to serve, appreciates our gift of serving others through the parish or volunteering in the wider community. Finally, he has a great affection for the poor and the needy, so he is gratified when we share some of our treasure with them.
Our God gave us the best gift ever in Jesus, and no matter what we give, we can never repay God. Yet the more we give to God, the more he gives to us in this world and in the world to come. Nobody out gives God!
Father Carl
Friday, December 28, 2018
The Best New Year’s Resolutions
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)