Again I Say Rejoice!

Dear Parishioners,

Several weeks ago we encouraged you to sign up for on-line giving. Instead of having to remember your envelopes or writing checks each week, your bank or credit card would automatically do that for you. A number of you did, so thank you. By the way, this week, on the front page of the Sun newspaper, there was an article about how more churches and parishioners are making their contributions through on-line banking. You might want to read it—very interesting. If you would like more information, please call Gina at the parish office.

As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, the warmth of the summer sun becomes a faded memory, and winter storms frequently make their way across the country with snow, ice, and freezing rain, it’s easy to become a little gloomy or depressed. We need a little joy in our lives. And so we celebrate Gaudete Sunday this weekend. The antiphon before Mass from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Phil 4:4-8) tells us:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.”

And we do so as we remember our Lord’s coming into the world 2000 years ago, his promise to return at the end of time, and his continuing coming into us in word and sacrament. Furthermore, he promises us to come along on our journey through life and encourage us during whatever difficulties we encounter along the way.

In the first reading (Is 35:1-6a, 10), the Israelites have lost Jerusalem, been carted off to Babylon, and been living in captivity for a number of years. Their discouragement leads God to show them the future through the prophecy of Isaiah. They will return and experience blind eyes being opened, deaf ears being cleared, mute tongues singing, and the lame leaping like stags. This is what Jesus is doing in the gospel (Matt 11:2-11). The Messiah has come to bring the joy of the kingdom.

So let us too rejoice!
Fr. Carl

Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord

Dear Parishioners,

We hear today of the announcement of John the Baptist (Is 11:1-10; Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12) to prepare the way of the Lord. I am reminded of the song in Godspell that goes, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”

This is a crucial action. We are not in ordinary times here. We are about to be visited by the Son of God, and that is special. His way must be prepared. For me, this means opening my heart to all that God gives. It means to be open in my mind to the world around me and to take in all that God has created. It means to pray that God will send forth his love and grace to those in need this season. It means for me to give generously of my time and resources. We are asked to love one another, and so we must be agents of care to those around us. We are to be mindful of the great pain and suffering in the world. The birth of Christ is a joyous event that heralds also God becoming human and like us in every way but sin. This child represents the embodiment of God’s love and care for us. His son has come to save us and to open us up to God’s loving presence in our lives. Certainly we have gifts to buy, ornaments to put on the tree, and the bringing out of our special Christmas things that make our homes warm and festive. (Like my wife’s 40 Santa Clauses!) But let us not forget that this season is meant for our rebirth, for our mental and spiritual refresh, for us to realize again the presence of Christ made new by the manger.

Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make clear his path to your heart, mind and life.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Go To The Lord’s House Rejoicing

Dear Parishioners,

As we embark upon a new liturgical year this First Sunday of Advent, my thoughts are on our sister parish in Haiti, St. Guillaume (William). The people there need our financial help to assist in feeding their school children. And we have the money to help but are unable to send it there. We have written the checks, but our messengers can’t take them into the country due to the civil unrest and violence in the capital, Por-au-Prince. Let us pray for a peaceful solution to Haiti’s problems and St. Guillaume.

This week and two weeks ago, the readings called our attention to the end times when God will come again. The earlier readings were a bit more threatening to the evil doers; this week they are more up-beat as they talk about going to the Lord’s house rejoicing (Is 2:1-5; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44). Nevertheless, we are called to be mindful and live honorably and keeping watch so as to be allowed into the house of the Lord. Besides it just feels better to live that way knowing we are on God’s right side.

Fr. Carl

Thank God, It’s Thanksgiving!

Dear Parishioners,

I was a Marriage and Family therapist when I had a practice several years ago. It was a very lively and interesting part of my career. From the couple who took two minutes to work up to yelling at each other to the family struggling with the issues of a distraught teenager to the kid who refused to eat anything but macaroni and cheese, the cases I encountered of family struggles were always challenging. I enjoyed being in there with them! Maybe that says something about my craziness!

But from the varied experience of my own family, I know that family is such an essential and basic aspect of our growing up. It is the place where we learn how to be human beings and how to socialize and communicate. It is where we learn about work, self worth, authority and of course, love. With Thanksgiving upon us, most of us will share some family time this week. How should we approach it?

Our Catholic faith puts family as a cornerstone of our lives. In our marital relationship, our sibling relationship, our relationship with our parents, or our relationship with our children, family is a pivotal place where God’s command to love is carried out. If those relations are good, please send off a prayer of Thanksgiving, and let your family know how much they are loved. Put into words your appreciation. Thank God for the joy that he gives us in loving others who matter to us. If the relations are conflicted, pray nonetheless. Pray for God’s grace to accept, to make amends, to forgive, or to ask for forgiveness. Ask for God to enter into your heart and mend the brokenness, the frayed edges, the worries, the anger, the loss. Make a resolution, if possible, to learn how to endure the burden of family, however it occurs in your life. And know that you are a child of God, loved by God, who wants for you to know your dignity and value. May the holidays be a time of grace and appreciation for God’s presence in our lives.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

The End Times

Dear Parishioners,

Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on the end times (Mal 3:19-20a; 2 Thes 3:7-12; Lk 21:5-19).
In the first reading from the Book of Malachi (Mal 3:19-20), the prophet warns of the ruin of evil doers and the healing and restoration of the first. St. Paul, in his Second Letter to the Thessalonians (2 Thes 3:7-12), encourages perseverance through “toil and drudgery”—and not being busybodies.

In St. Luke’s gospel (Lk 21:5-19), Jesus speaks of natural disasters, including earthquakes, famines, and plagues as well as wars and persecutions, before His second coming.

Deepening our discipleship in Christ leads to a more deeper and personal relationship with Him and strengthens us. Pray daily, go to confession regularly, and attend Mass frequently to receive Christ’s strength through the Eucharist during difficult times. As Jesus says at the end of today’s gospel, “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”

Fr. Carl

Attitude Of Gratitude

Dear Parishioners,

I like the prayer of the faithful during Mass where we ask to have a prayerful “attitude of gratitude.” Gratitude seems to be in short supply these days. The common feeling I encounter is more like that of entitlement or a sense of pride. I grew up in a home that had few privileges. I wasn’t one to feel better than others. Thus, it is easy for me to be thankful for the many things that I have received from God.

I have a strong faith and believe that God has blessed me beyond measure. I have been blessed with a good education and a fulfilling and useful career. My health has been good, and even though I can get the senior discount, I am thankful for being upright. I have been married for 44 years to a wonderful woman who is gentle and caring and certainly one who has to put up more from me than I from her! My children and grandchildren have carried us on some interesting paths, but the trip has made life a joy, filled with a fullness of love that leaves me smiling. God opened my eyes to the diaconate and showed me a life of service and giving. I have been brought here to St. Jane through several parishes and shown the great good that is the Church. I have failed many times to live up to the model of Christ, but his grace has always been with me, even when I failed to listen. I cannot hesitate to manifest an attitude of gratitude. I cannot respond to the saving love of Christ without an attitude of gratitude. I cannot look to my life without thanking God for the abundance of his gifts.

During this month of Thanksgiving, this month of stewardship, this month of gratitude, let us loudly proclaim our thankfulness for all the good that God has given us.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

November: Month of All Souls

Dear Parishioners,

November 2nd is All Soul’s Day when we not only remember our deceased relatives and friends, but also pray for them. We do so because they might not yet be in heaven but in purgatory. If so, our prayers, sacrifices, and almsgiving can expedite their entry into heaven. Going to Mass on November 2nd is a great help, but also going to any cemetery on the 2nd and the next 8 days to pray for them is a big help as well. Since November is the Month of All Souls in Purgatory, it would be good to pray daily for these souls and encourage all family members—especially our children—to do so as well.

While our thoughts are on the dead, it might be wise to ensure that we are prepared for our entry into the next life. Is our Will up to date? Do we have a power of attorney prepared? How about advanced medical directives? When someone dies, a funeral director is usually contacted, who then calls the church and then meets with the family. The Church’s preference is that Catholics be buried in consecrated ground of a Catholic cemetery, but other cemeteries may be chosen. Cremation is allowed, but the Church recommends burial over cremation. If cremation is chosen, cremation should take place after the funeral Mass, and cremains must also be interred in the ground or columbarium or a vault. They should not be kept at home, scattered, or divided among family members. They should be given the same respect as a deceased body. A centuries-old custom is to celebrate a Mass for the deceased on the one month anniversary of their death, called a Month’s Mind Mass. And it is customary to arrange for Mass intentions for the deceased, perhaps on their birthday, anniversary, or death date.

Finally, why not check the bulletin for the Masses honoring the Souls, and come and pray for them. Hopefully, when our time comes, they will be praying for us!

Fr. Carl