Year of St. Joseph

Dear Parishioners,

I got my first shot for the Covid 19 virus last week. After registering online and getting an appointment, I drove down to Anne Arundel Community College to the Cade Building, went in, and received my shot five minutes later. All was well organized, and I spent the majority of my time sitting for the required 15 minutes afterwards to make sure there were no side effects. If you haven’t registered yet, I encourage you to do so soon.

This weekend marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. This system of schools has done so much to prepare her students academically and spiritually to take their rightful place in society and the church. Sadly, we had to close our school last year due to a lack of students and financial resources. In its place, we opened up a preschool (PK2–PK4) in the hopes that our school can rise again. Please be generous in your support of our pre-school.

Several months ago, Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as Patron of the Universal Church. He did so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.” 

The Church will grant a plenary indulgence to Catholics who recite any approved prayer or act of piety in honor of St. Joseph especially on March 19th, the saint’s solemnity, and May 1st, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. The indulgence will also be offered on the 19th of each month and every Wednesday, a day dedicated to St. Joseph.

The three conditions necessary for receiving a plenary indulgence are sacramental confession, the reception of Holy Communion, and a prayer for the pope’s intentions.

Fr. Carl

Taking Chances

Dear Parishioners,

Today we have the incredible story of Christ’s call to the first disciples (Mk 1:14-20). It is extraordinary, because he asks them to follow, and they drop what they are doing, leave their jobs and family, and begin to follow him. This certainly says something about the power of Christ to have an impact on people. Whether it was his persuasive ability or the power of the Holy Spirit, the event is hard to take in. What would it take for you to leave all that you know and follow some person who makes an offer to you? What would you be willing to give up, and what would that offer have to be to give it up?

We don’t make such moves very often. I have moved to a different state for a job. I have packed all I owned in my little car to go to graduate school, moving several states west. My risk was so much less than the disciples. And the payoff so much less as well. They said “yes” to years of divine instruction in the wisdom and example of Jesus Christ. Little did they know that they were on a journey to change the world with the greatest teacher who ever existed. Little did they know that they were embarking on a path that would lead them to live with, eat with, sleep with, walk with the living God of Christ.

The impact they would have and the significance they would exert were probably beyond any of their imaginations. The dimensions of the life they acceded to, miracles they would witness, tragedy they would encounter, were but shadows in their awareness. Yet they took the chance. They said “yes.” And my, how the world has benefited from that yes. So let us say “yes,” let us impact the lives of others with Christ’s love and care as our guides. Let us exhibit even some small part of that yes, and allow Christ to impact our lives and those around us.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Prayer for Government

Dear Parishioners,

What a week! Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse in our country there was the turmoil at the Capitol Building in Washington. I understand from one of our parishioners who was there that it was mostly peaceful with a number of the demonstrators praying for our country and some even down on their knees. Unfortunately, a number of others protested in a violent way, and five people died. Archbishop Lori has asked us to pray for our country—the Prayer of St. Francis or the Rosary. Furthermore, the Archbishop has asked us to perform some act of penance on Friday the 15th. Since this day has come and gone, we could do it on the following Friday. Finally, the Archbishop suggests, on the eve of the Inauguration, January 19th, we pray Archbishop John Carroll’s Prayer for the government of the United States composed in 1791.

As we rebound from the unfortunate events in Washington, we might look to the example of Rev. Martin Luther King who called for some much needed change in our country. His method was one of non-violence and prayer. His way did so much good and helped improve conditions for so many of our African American brothers and sisters. While not all problems were solved, many were. Let us hope that dialogue will replace diatribe (bitter and abusive speech), for what we are doing now isn’t working. May the Lord help us make the sacrifices necessary to bring healing to our country.

 Fr. Carl

Happier New Year

Dear Parishioners,

One of the things I often say at a Baptism is that the baptism signifies a new beginning for the infant being baptized. We Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit enters the heart of the infant who undergoes this beautiful Sacrament of initiation. In scripture, this is represented by the dove who appears when Jesus comes out of the water after his baptism by St. John the Baptist. As we contemplate scripture and think about our own baptisms, let us open up our lives to those new things that God has in store for us. 

The past year has been very difficult, and the new will not be without struggle, but God is inviting us to a new awakening in the Spirit. How can your life be changed by God’s invitation? What areas are in need of repair, what parts of your life need renewal, where is God needed to fix some brokenness? We all have New Year’s resolutions, but this is a deeper, truer, and more profound change that we are being called to experience. I know that my life is not perfect and that I need God’s presence in order to live up to the holiness, reverence, and love that He calls me to. Can we trust the Holy Spirit to energize us to be more faithful followers of Christ? Can we let go of our control enough to give over to God the power of my being so that I may be a person in whom God’s Spirit resides? Where in my relationships is God’s peace and charity needed? How can my loving energy impact my family, work, community or church? 

Baptism brings light to the world, renews the world, through the presence of the Holy Spirit. At this beginning of the new year, let us seek to spread this light of joy and peace.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Brighter Days Ahead

Dear Parishioners,

As you know, we are in the month of January of the New Year, hoping and praying that this new year will be very different from the old year 2020. January gets its name from the old Roman god Janus, the father of Zeus. Janus was a most unusual god as he had two faces—one in the front of his head and one in the back. So Janus was able to look forward and look back at the same time. In January, especially on New Year’s Eve and Day, we do the same thing. We remember the significant blessings as well as the difficulties of the past year that we and the world encountered, while we look forward to a brighter future. Only this year when we look back, the Covid-19 virus is going to overshadow all that happened—good or bad. However, as we look forward, the future—thanks to two vaccines—looks much brighter, and we can look forward to a brighter year.

Talking about bright, today we are reminded of the bright star that led the Magi/the 3 Kings/the 3 Wise Men to the infant Jesus. So how come King Herod and the people of Jerusalem failed to see the star? I believe the reason is they were not looking for it, nor were they looking for Jesus or even God the Father. Instead, they were focused on their own self interests: financial success, security, material goods, popularity, pleasure, etc. And so they missed the boat, or in this instance, the caravan.

As we look back on the past year, let us not forget our family or friends who succumbed to the virus, be grateful for our having survived, and pray for the rapid distribution of the vaccines in the months ahead.
May you and your families stay safe, healthy, and have a Happier New Year.

Fr. Carl

His Goodness Remains

Dear Parishioners,

As we sit in the glow of Christmas and approach the new year, let us reflect on our lives. The worst health crisis in a century continues to plague us with its invisible and invasive presence. The expiration date for Covid-19 however is in the works. We may not get back to normalcy for quite a while, but its tragic consequences may become significantly less. Hopefully at this writing, the election drama is over. Some political stability for me would be welcomed. I teach a class at Catholic University of America, and my grades are in and responsibilities fulfilled. 

I have experienced a different Christmas this year. Yes, there were gifts for the grandkids and new stuff for my wife. But as I write this, I am overcome by awareness of the true value of my family, friends, and church community. Simply put, God has been good! Our time has not been without great pain and difficulty. But God continues to be present and announces with the baby in the manger, the Eucharistic celebration, and the sacramental reminders that His goodness remains. His mercy continues to be offered. His love is still available. 

The truths of God have survived the near-death experience that was 2020! Our woes linger in our minds and hearts and touch our lives still. But God is bigger than all of these. He is a prayer away, and that is a prayer of thanksgiving for His glory. I pray for those I love, and those I know, and even those I don’t. And if I close my eyes, I can feel the warm love of God wrap me up. Like a warm bed on a cold night, God is there for us, eager to hold us in our fear, and anxiety, and doubt. He is there, present to us in our dark moments with His light of love and care. 

For me, I am sustained by the support of God who has walked with us most evidently, with that little baby and the manger, with the beautiful and sacrificing Mother Mary, full of Grace, and the great witnessing of Joseph. Let us fall into the arms of God who longs to hold us in his caring grasp.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

A Change In Plans

Dear Parishioners,

There’s an old saying that “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” God sometimes has other plans for us, and they take precedence. This we see with David and Mary in today’s readings. David’s kingdom is at peace (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16). He has subdued all his enemies on every side. So he thought he would do something nice for God. Certainly, it was a noble idea to try to please God, and we all should. However, if we really want to please Him, we should ask God what He wants. It’s like getting a present from someone who thinks they know what will please us. Only it doesn’t. In fact, it can be annoying as I have discovered; I am sure you have as well. What God wanted was to establish his kingdom through the House of David (the Church).

Mary, on the other hand, planned to live a quiet married life with her husband, Joseph (Luke 1:26-38). However, God had other plans for Mary as well. He wanted her, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to have a son to inherit the throne of David and rule forever. Fortunately, Mary said yes, “I am the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”

On a personal note, when I retired from the U.S. Navy at the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii, my plans were to return to Baltimore, serve in one parish until age 70, retire, move back to Hawaii, and help the church there. That didn’t happen as St. Jane’s is my third parish, and I turned 70 seven years ago. Even though my plan didn’t work as I thought, I couldn’t be happier. God’s plan allowed me to meet and serve so many wonderful people along the way. So if God changes our plans, it will work not only to God’s advantage but ours as well.

God bless & stay safe.
Fr. Carl