Dear Parishioners,
“Eat, drink, and be merry.” That’s an old saying I heard many years ago. It’s the philosophy of those seeking pleasure and an escape from the sometimes harsh reality of living a meaningful, productive life. As Catholics, we believe in the goodness of creation and the things of life. However, we believe in moderation as the Old Latin phrase wisely reminds us, “Omnia in moderatio”—all things in moderation. The created world is not the end, but rather a means to the end—namely God. Today’s second reading (1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20) points this out when St. Paul tells us, “The body is not for immorality; it is for the Lord.” St. Paul goes on to warn the Corinthians, who were known to have rather low morals with regard to sex, that sins against chastity are particularly offensive to Christ. The Holy Spirit inhabits our bodies as a Temple. Therefore, we should not desecrate our bodies through sexual sins, nor by immoderation of food, drink, and drugs. The Lord wants what is best for our souls, of course, but he also wants what is best for our bodily health as well.
- Father 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, January 16, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
Baptism of the Lord
Dear Parishioners,
This second Sunday in the season of Epiphany always finds us coming to the water as we remember and celebrate the baptism of the Lord (Mark 1:7-11). All four gospels tell us that Jesus came to John the Baptist at the Jordan River. And though John’s Gospel does not tell us of his baptism, we know from all the gospels that the Spirit descended on our Lord empowering him for his mission. It is the water, however, that seems to have some spiritually magnetic pull on our Lord and all of us. Jesus comes to the Jordan, drawn there by John’s preaching, to identify fully with our humanity. What if God is inviting us again to come to the water and rediscover the very basic realities of our faith? To come to the water, following our Lord, is to come again to who we are, born of God’s Spirit and made a child of God.
- Deacon Robert
This second Sunday in the season of Epiphany always finds us coming to the water as we remember and celebrate the baptism of the Lord (Mark 1:7-11). All four gospels tell us that Jesus came to John the Baptist at the Jordan River. And though John’s Gospel does not tell us of his baptism, we know from all the gospels that the Spirit descended on our Lord empowering him for his mission. It is the water, however, that seems to have some spiritually magnetic pull on our Lord and all of us. Jesus comes to the Jordan, drawn there by John’s preaching, to identify fully with our humanity. What if God is inviting us again to come to the water and rediscover the very basic realities of our faith? To come to the water, following our Lord, is to come again to who we are, born of God’s Spirit and made a child of God.
- Deacon Robert
“If we could only see the joy of our guardian angel
when he sees us fighting our temptations!”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars
Friday, January 2, 2015
A Star Is Born
Dear Parishioners,
“A Star Is Born” was a movie with Judy Garland and James Mason that came out in 1954. It was the story of a young girl getting into show business who was befriended and mentored by an aging star who was declining. He was tired, worn out, and had a drinking problem. At the end, the young girl became very popular and became a star as the aging actor faded away. Today, we have a celebration of the birth of another star 2,000 years ago (Matthew 2:1-12). The star that led the Magi to Bethlehem is no longer to be seen. However, the new star, Jesus Christ, looms as bright as ever, and he will never fade out of the picture. He may become dimmer in our hearts as the year and its happenings draw our attention to themselves. However, every year that star returns shining brilliantly as our hearts and souls are led by the story of the Wise Men and the star to Bethlehem. May the star of Jesus continue to burn in our hearts during the coming year. He will bring joy to our lives even in the midst of whatever dark problems come our way. God bless and Happy New Year!
- Father Carl
“A Star Is Born” was a movie with Judy Garland and James Mason that came out in 1954. It was the story of a young girl getting into show business who was befriended and mentored by an aging star who was declining. He was tired, worn out, and had a drinking problem. At the end, the young girl became very popular and became a star as the aging actor faded away. Today, we have a celebration of the birth of another star 2,000 years ago (Matthew 2:1-12). The star that led the Magi to Bethlehem is no longer to be seen. However, the new star, Jesus Christ, looms as bright as ever, and he will never fade out of the picture. He may become dimmer in our hearts as the year and its happenings draw our attention to themselves. However, every year that star returns shining brilliantly as our hearts and souls are led by the story of the Wise Men and the star to Bethlehem. May the star of Jesus continue to burn in our hearts during the coming year. He will bring joy to our lives even in the midst of whatever dark problems come our way. God bless and Happy New Year!
- Father Carl
“What happiness do we not feel in the
Presence of God, when we are alone at His
feet before the Sacred Tabernacle!…
Redouble your fervour; you are alone to adore
your God; His eyes rest upon you alone.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars
Friday, December 26, 2014
A Holy Family
Dear Parishioners,
Mary and Joseph began from the first day to provide for and guide the spiritual direction for Jesus while in their home. Before he could walk or talk, they brought him to the temple (Luke 2:22-40). They brought him there, because they knew to thank God for him and to ask God for help raising him to adulthood. They knew that Jesus was a special child, but I believe they would have done the same for any child, even if that child had not been specially conceived by the Holy Spirit. They are excellent role models for us to this very day. They knew, and we can know, the responsibility and great joys to raise children in the faith. Teaching our children about God in their lives will not only enable them to survive in the world, we will enable them to thrive in the world. How are you doing with your own holy family?
- Deacon Robert
Mary and Joseph began from the first day to provide for and guide the spiritual direction for Jesus while in their home. Before he could walk or talk, they brought him to the temple (Luke 2:22-40). They brought him there, because they knew to thank God for him and to ask God for help raising him to adulthood. They knew that Jesus was a special child, but I believe they would have done the same for any child, even if that child had not been specially conceived by the Holy Spirit. They are excellent role models for us to this very day. They knew, and we can know, the responsibility and great joys to raise children in the faith. Teaching our children about God in their lives will not only enable them to survive in the world, we will enable them to thrive in the world. How are you doing with your own holy family?
- Deacon Robert
“When we pray with attention and humility of
mind and heart, we quit the earth and rise to Heaven.
We reach the outstretched arms of God. We talk with
the angels and the saints.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars
Friday, December 19, 2014
What’s The Plan?
Dear Parishioners,
Sometimes life doesn’t go as we plan. Problems, difficulties, and unforeseen situations appear out of nowhere and challenge us. Mary had planned on a virginal marriage to Joseph, but the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary a different divine plan (Luke 1:26-38). God asked her to change her plans, and she readily agreed. There is a lesson in that for us. When problems and difficulties arise, they might be a challenge to persevere in pursuing our objectives in life. However, they might be an invitation from God to change our plans and follow a new plan He has for us. No matter what, we should always bring it to God in prayer to discern His plan in life for us. If we do as Mary did, God will lead us to eternal happiness.
- Father Carl
Sometimes life doesn’t go as we plan. Problems, difficulties, and unforeseen situations appear out of nowhere and challenge us. Mary had planned on a virginal marriage to Joseph, but the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary a different divine plan (Luke 1:26-38). God asked her to change her plans, and she readily agreed. There is a lesson in that for us. When problems and difficulties arise, they might be a challenge to persevere in pursuing our objectives in life. However, they might be an invitation from God to change our plans and follow a new plan He has for us. No matter what, we should always bring it to God in prayer to discern His plan in life for us. If we do as Mary did, God will lead us to eternal happiness.
- Father Carl
“God only gave men ten Commandments,
and one of the ten has for its sole object the
reverence due to His name… Yet is there
anything nowadays that is treated with less respect
than the Sacred Name?”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars
Friday, December 12, 2014
Could It Be That Good?
Dear Parishioners,
God’s kingdom is as good as Isaiah and Paul and John describe (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11;1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28), and even more when it comes alive in the likes of us. How does that happen? What can God call from us today that would take us through the rest of this Advent journey and beyond with renewed joy and deeper faith?
Here is a simple suggestion: Invite God to free you from whatever is oppressing your soul. For some, it could be guilt over something you did or failed to do. Perhaps you let down a friend or disappointed a parent or hurt your spouse. The Kingdom is so good that God longs for every one of his children to know grace that forgives and restores and liberates. Whatever else you think you have to do between now and Christmas, let God set you free to know deep in your soul how very good this Christian life can be.
- Deacon Robert
God’s kingdom is as good as Isaiah and Paul and John describe (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11;1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28), and even more when it comes alive in the likes of us. How does that happen? What can God call from us today that would take us through the rest of this Advent journey and beyond with renewed joy and deeper faith?
Here is a simple suggestion: Invite God to free you from whatever is oppressing your soul. For some, it could be guilt over something you did or failed to do. Perhaps you let down a friend or disappointed a parent or hurt your spouse. The Kingdom is so good that God longs for every one of his children to know grace that forgives and restores and liberates. Whatever else you think you have to do between now and Christmas, let God set you free to know deep in your soul how very good this Christian life can be.
- Deacon Robert
“NOTHING is so contrary to charity as pride.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars
Friday, December 5, 2014
Consolation, Reparation and Jubilation
Dear Parishioners,
Consolation, reparation, jubilation. These are the three ideas I see in today’s reading from Isaiah (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). The setting is toward the end of the Babylonian exile. Remember God’s people had not been faithful to Him who allowed Jerusalem to be conquered by the Babylonians and the people led into exile and slavery. Now they were being liberated and allowed to return home. God now offers comfort and consolation to an oppressed and weary people. However, they must now make reparation for their sins. They have to lower the mountains of pride in their hearts and fill in the valleys of spiritual laziness (sloth). If they do this, not only will they find consolation, but also joy and jubilation.
God offers us consolation, comfort, and jubilation provided we are willing to undergo reparation (the sacrament of Penance) for our sins.
- Father Carl
Consolation, reparation, jubilation. These are the three ideas I see in today’s reading from Isaiah (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). The setting is toward the end of the Babylonian exile. Remember God’s people had not been faithful to Him who allowed Jerusalem to be conquered by the Babylonians and the people led into exile and slavery. Now they were being liberated and allowed to return home. God now offers comfort and consolation to an oppressed and weary people. However, they must now make reparation for their sins. They have to lower the mountains of pride in their hearts and fill in the valleys of spiritual laziness (sloth). If they do this, not only will they find consolation, but also joy and jubilation.
God offers us consolation, comfort, and jubilation provided we are willing to undergo reparation (the sacrament of Penance) for our sins.
- Father Carl
“God makes greater speed to pardon a penitent
sinner than a mother to snatch her child out of the fire.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars
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