Dear Parishioners,
Ritual offerings play a role in all the religions of the world. It has been that way from the beginning. However, for Israel it had a very different meaning. For Israel, it was a profession of faith of what God has done for God’s people (Dt 26:4-10; Rom 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13). Basically, offerings were an acknowledgment that everything we have, everything we are, is a gift from God. That was so different from the other religions. In them, offerings were a way of approaching a god or goddess to receive benefits which it alone kept in secret. In short, it was a contract for services to be provided at a later date or simply a bribe. In Israel, the meaning behind the offering is reversed; it is done as a sign or gesture of thanksgiving. It is an admission that everything comes from God, and without God we would have nothing. For Israel, it was away to remember and give thanks as the people gave back to God in sacrifice.
It should be that way for us as well. But all too often, we think of our financial offering to God at Mass as just one more obligation in a life full of obligations and bills. Actually, it’s an opportunity to show God—in a sacrificial way—our love and gratitude for all He has done in the past and will do in the future. After all, don’t we say at the Presentation and the Preparation of the Gifts: “Blessed are you Lord God of all creation for through your goodness we have received the bread/the wine we offer you…”?
Fr. 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, March 8, 2019
Friday, March 1, 2019
Leading Others
Dear Parishioners,
“Do as I say and not as I do.”
Sometimes we hear people in leadership roles say this to those they are leading. It might be said by a parent to a child when the young person points out the inconsistency between the parent’s lifestyle and correction of the child’s behavior.
We know that kind of leadership and teaching doesn’t work. The best kind of leadership and teaching is by example. Jesus makes this point in this week’s Gospel when he says, “No disciple is superior to the teacher, but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” (Lk 6:39-45)
We have had the good fortune to have Jesus as our teacher. He has shown us the way—leading a life of humility, obedience, and prayer along with detachment from power, pleasure, money, and material possessions. May God give us the grace to be good disciples so that we can lead others to Jesus.
Fr. Carl
“Do as I say and not as I do.”
Sometimes we hear people in leadership roles say this to those they are leading. It might be said by a parent to a child when the young person points out the inconsistency between the parent’s lifestyle and correction of the child’s behavior.
We know that kind of leadership and teaching doesn’t work. The best kind of leadership and teaching is by example. Jesus makes this point in this week’s Gospel when he says, “No disciple is superior to the teacher, but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” (Lk 6:39-45)
We have had the good fortune to have Jesus as our teacher. He has shown us the way—leading a life of humility, obedience, and prayer along with detachment from power, pleasure, money, and material possessions. May God give us the grace to be good disciples so that we can lead others to Jesus.
Fr. Carl
Friday, February 22, 2019
Courageous and Authentic Shepherds
Dear Parishioners,
I received a letter from St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana recently. This is the Benedictine monastery that is home to about 80 monks, priests, and brothers that organizes and administers the Permanent Deacon formation program from which I was ordained in 2012.
I expected that the letter would be a request for money. But it was a quite different letter. It was from Fr. Dennis Robinson, the colorful rector of the seminary. The letter acknowledges that the Church, “has been bruised by the sinful and abhorrent actions of men we trusted to lead us to Jesus Christ.” (It is a sign of this sad state that Cardinal McCarrick was recently defrocked and is no longer a priest.) He goes on to assure those served by the Archabbey that the next generation of priests, permanent deacons, and lay ministers will be “courageous and authentic shepherds” of the Church. It continues that the people of God deserve ministers of prayer, who are intelligent and willing to “pour out their lives at the altar of this world’s challenges.” He is filled with hope at the men and women who go through St. Meinrad proclaiming God’s reign, justice, and kingdom through their talent and courage. Finally, he notes that “if I have to drop dead doing it” priests, deacons and lay ministers will serve the Church well, provide the ministry it deserves, and represent the Church without compromise.
Let us all work through this crisis in the Church not by abandoning it, but with resolve, hope, and courage. This Church, the bride of Christ, the home of the people of God will not be so easily stopped. It has faced many significant challenges over the years. The Holy Spirit and the strong will of all of us who love the Church will persist.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
I received a letter from St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana recently. This is the Benedictine monastery that is home to about 80 monks, priests, and brothers that organizes and administers the Permanent Deacon formation program from which I was ordained in 2012.
I expected that the letter would be a request for money. But it was a quite different letter. It was from Fr. Dennis Robinson, the colorful rector of the seminary. The letter acknowledges that the Church, “has been bruised by the sinful and abhorrent actions of men we trusted to lead us to Jesus Christ.” (It is a sign of this sad state that Cardinal McCarrick was recently defrocked and is no longer a priest.) He goes on to assure those served by the Archabbey that the next generation of priests, permanent deacons, and lay ministers will be “courageous and authentic shepherds” of the Church. It continues that the people of God deserve ministers of prayer, who are intelligent and willing to “pour out their lives at the altar of this world’s challenges.” He is filled with hope at the men and women who go through St. Meinrad proclaiming God’s reign, justice, and kingdom through their talent and courage. Finally, he notes that “if I have to drop dead doing it” priests, deacons and lay ministers will serve the Church well, provide the ministry it deserves, and represent the Church without compromise.
Let us all work through this crisis in the Church not by abandoning it, but with resolve, hope, and courage. This Church, the bride of Christ, the home of the people of God will not be so easily stopped. It has faced many significant challenges over the years. The Holy Spirit and the strong will of all of us who love the Church will persist.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Friday, February 15, 2019
Counting Your Blessings
Dear Parishioners,
Sometimes it seems that some people in life are blessed and others are cursed. The motto of the latter group might well be: “If we didn’t have bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all.”
Those who seemed blessed have it all: money, popularity, good looks, successful careers, etc, while the cursed have none of those things and a multitude of problems as well. However, the scriptures today (Jer 17:5-8, 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20, Lk 6:17, 20-26) tell us this is an illusion; it is not real. Those who are blessed are those who trust and hope in the Lord, for that forms a relationship that will lead to an everlasting blessing in heaven. Whereas all the supposed earthly blessings will be left behind when we leave this world.
So when life is not treating us kindly, if we but trust and hope in the Lord, we should rejoice and be glad; our reward will be great in heaven.
Fr. Carl
Sometimes it seems that some people in life are blessed and others are cursed. The motto of the latter group might well be: “If we didn’t have bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all.”
Those who seemed blessed have it all: money, popularity, good looks, successful careers, etc, while the cursed have none of those things and a multitude of problems as well. However, the scriptures today (Jer 17:5-8, 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20, Lk 6:17, 20-26) tell us this is an illusion; it is not real. Those who are blessed are those who trust and hope in the Lord, for that forms a relationship that will lead to an everlasting blessing in heaven. Whereas all the supposed earthly blessings will be left behind when we leave this world.
So when life is not treating us kindly, if we but trust and hope in the Lord, we should rejoice and be glad; our reward will be great in heaven.
Fr. Carl
Friday, February 8, 2019
Thank God For Life
Dear Parishioners,
Our family has been graced with another child! Little Harper Joy was born a week and a half ago to my daughter and her husband. She is, of course, very cute. Although it was getting tense around our house with a cranky pregnant lady, that has changed with the presence of this small and delicate infant. You forget how small they come. Her delicate hands that grasp your finger, her small mouth and nose, those sleepy eyes that reveal little blueish circles of color. Of course she has no hair as is our family manner! Is it not a miracle the whole process of conception, pregnancy and birth? How is it that God has given us so much responsibility in having children, so much need to take care of health and diet, so much grace in the glow and general joy of pregnancy (well most of the time), and so much hope and optimism in the starting of new life? We have been given such a gift by God in this process of renewal, generation and creation. How tenderly does a new mother hold her new born child. How loving is her voice. How caring is her touch. It is a great pleasure to behold and see the warmth and welcome that this little one has been given. How anyone could harm one such as this is beyond me. But life can become cruel in its suffering and turmoil. So thank you Lord for the powerful recognition of your generous gift of life that visits us with such joy and presence. Thank you for the witness of your creative power. Thank you for your smile upon our humble lives in the form of this small and precious being. We can only repay you by living rightly and joyfully. For all that is wrong about our world, there are still some things that call us to rest in the love of God.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Our family has been graced with another child! Little Harper Joy was born a week and a half ago to my daughter and her husband. She is, of course, very cute. Although it was getting tense around our house with a cranky pregnant lady, that has changed with the presence of this small and delicate infant. You forget how small they come. Her delicate hands that grasp your finger, her small mouth and nose, those sleepy eyes that reveal little blueish circles of color. Of course she has no hair as is our family manner! Is it not a miracle the whole process of conception, pregnancy and birth? How is it that God has given us so much responsibility in having children, so much need to take care of health and diet, so much grace in the glow and general joy of pregnancy (well most of the time), and so much hope and optimism in the starting of new life? We have been given such a gift by God in this process of renewal, generation and creation. How tenderly does a new mother hold her new born child. How loving is her voice. How caring is her touch. It is a great pleasure to behold and see the warmth and welcome that this little one has been given. How anyone could harm one such as this is beyond me. But life can become cruel in its suffering and turmoil. So thank you Lord for the powerful recognition of your generous gift of life that visits us with such joy and presence. Thank you for the witness of your creative power. Thank you for your smile upon our humble lives in the form of this small and precious being. We can only repay you by living rightly and joyfully. For all that is wrong about our world, there are still some things that call us to rest in the love of God.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Friday, February 1, 2019
Get More Out Of Mass
Dear Parishioners,
Congratulations to our young people who are receiving the sacrament of confirmation this weekend. They are receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit which they first received when they were baptized. They underwent a lengthy period of preparation for this big day, and the parish is proud of their perseverance and growth during the past year. We also look forward to their future involvement in the parish and the church.
As we begin a new year, I would like to share a few thoughts from the pope to help us get more out of Mass. “Mass is the highest form of prayer and not an appropriate moment for small talk,” Pope Francis said. At church, Catholics should spend their time in silence before Mass, preparing “to meet with Jesus” instead of engaging in “chit chat,” the pope said Nov. 15 during his weekly general audience. “We are not going to a show,” he said. “Silence prepares us and accompanies us.”
The pope continued his new series of audience talks on the Mass, reflecting on the Eucharist as a form of prayer that is “the highest, the most sublime and at the same time, the most concrete” way of encountering God’s love. “this is the greatest grace: to experience that the Eucharist is the privileged moment to be with Jesus and, through him, with God and with our brothers and sisters,” the pope said. (Catholic Review, Dec. 2017)
Fr. Carl
Congratulations to our young people who are receiving the sacrament of confirmation this weekend. They are receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit which they first received when they were baptized. They underwent a lengthy period of preparation for this big day, and the parish is proud of their perseverance and growth during the past year. We also look forward to their future involvement in the parish and the church.
As we begin a new year, I would like to share a few thoughts from the pope to help us get more out of Mass. “Mass is the highest form of prayer and not an appropriate moment for small talk,” Pope Francis said. At church, Catholics should spend their time in silence before Mass, preparing “to meet with Jesus” instead of engaging in “chit chat,” the pope said Nov. 15 during his weekly general audience. “We are not going to a show,” he said. “Silence prepares us and accompanies us.”
The pope continued his new series of audience talks on the Mass, reflecting on the Eucharist as a form of prayer that is “the highest, the most sublime and at the same time, the most concrete” way of encountering God’s love. “this is the greatest grace: to experience that the Eucharist is the privileged moment to be with Jesus and, through him, with God and with our brothers and sisters,” the pope said. (Catholic Review, Dec. 2017)
Fr. Carl
Friday, January 25, 2019
Life Is A Gift
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
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
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