Absolute Trust

Dear Parishioners,

The widow in today’s Gospel (Mark 12:38-44) is not an example or a parable or an illustration of something as much as she is a voice, a person longing to come to life in all of us. Like Bartimaeus of Jericho, this woman lives in you and me at the deepest level of meaning I know. We have seen her eyes in our dreams, and in our best moments, know how much we long for that kind of faith that we could give it all away and follow Jesus. Absolute trust. Impossible? A dream? Maybe. But then, maybe such trust is not a dream at all but a gift. Let this widow live in you. Give generously. Love unconditionally. Trust in Jesus absolutely, now and always.

- Deacon Robert

“One ought always to be ready to give up one’s
own will to do what God wants…”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Happy Feast Day!

Dear Parishioners,

Happy Feast Day! This greeting is often given to people on the feast of the saint after whom they have been named. For example, if your name were Patrick, people might say to you on March 17th, “Happy Feast Day.” Likewise, those named Lucy would hear that greeting on December 13th, as would a Joseph on March 19th, or a Monica on August 27th. Of course not everybody is named after a saint, so November 1st—the Feast of All Saints—is everybody’s “Feast Day.” After all, as the first reading reminds us, there is a multitude of saints in heaven (Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14). Hopefully, there is a multitude down here on earth. It’s very nice to be recognized here after your death as a saint, but it’s just as important to be an unrecognized saint when we die. That’s why we were all born into this world. When we die, it’s nice to leave behind a sense of accomplishments more so than our failures. However, as Mother Theresa said, “The only real failure in life is not to have become a saint.” Let us pray that we will cooperate with God’s grace so as to be admitted into the company of the saints.

- Fr. Carl

“Life is given us that we may learn to die well, and we
never think of it! To die well we must live well.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Stop the Parade

Dear Parishioners,

Who doesn’t love a parade? Marching bands, floats, men and women in costume, and crowds waving flags. It was parade day in Jericho when Jesus came to town. Word was passed south from Galilee to the oasis resort of Jericho just north of the Dead Sea. A man calls out, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:46-52)

Jesus stopped the parade and asked that someone bring the man to him. Helped to his feet, Bartimaeus was brought to Jesus who asked him, “what do you want me to do for you?” “My teacher, let me see again.” Go with me as we imagine that the Jericho parade that day might be a metaphor for our life.

The blind man in the story is a permanent resident along the parade route of our life. His blindness is not incidental to our reflection. We have a whole vocabulary for this phenomenon: blindsided, ignorance, and asking “Who could have known?” These are a few reminders of how blind we can be to the most important need in our life, which is… to see.

All of us are immersed into the parade of our lives. But along the way, off to the side, perhaps sitting in dust of our own making, is Bartimaeus. Let Jesus stop your parade today, let the blind man stand to his feet in your soul and receive the gift of sight only Jesus can give.

- Deacon Robert

“If when we are ill, our recovery will contribute to the
glory of God and the good of our soul, He who healed so
many when He was on earth, will certainly heal us. If, on
the contrary, the illness is more advantageous to us, He
will instead give us the strength to suffer.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

A Light Brightly Visible

Dear Parishioners,

Several months ago, Archbishop Lori wrote a pastoral letter entitled A Light Brightly Visible which he released this past Pentecost. It deals with the new evangelization and parish planning. Inspired by the thoughts of Pope Francis, Vatican Council II, and all the popes in between, it is an invitation to all of us to look at the Church today and what must be done for the Church of tomorrow in carrying out her mission. The pastoral letter is a good read and can be found here: A Light Brightly Visible. I encourage you to read it.

As part of the archdiocese’s planning for the future, the Archbishop would like to know your thoughts. As such, the Archbishop has asked us to take part in a survey about our experiences with our parishes. This can be done either on-line at www.bemissionarydisciples.org or by paper. The on-line survey can be done now; paper survey will be made available at a later date.

Thank you for taking the time to help.

- Fr. Carl

“O My God, I desire to love you more than all the angels
and all the saints put together. I adore you with them,
and unite my love with that which your Blessed Mother
had for you, when she was on earth.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Entitled

Dear Parishioners,

Ours is not an entitled existence but rather a gift that understands birth itself as a gift. Entitled? Not in the least. We are temporary, soon forgotten in the long reach of time and history, centuries and millennia. But there’s more to consider, isn’t there?

In the end, we have to face the troubling fact that only God can give us what God alone gives. This gift, call it grace, salvation, eternal life is ours not by right but by God’s generosity.

Some still believe and live as if we are entitled. “Come follow me” may be the most powerful words ever uttered on this earth. God offers us a gift. Receive the gift that God gives, follow the teachings of Jesus.

- Deacon Robert

“We are permitted to love our relations, our possessions,
our health, our reputation; but this love must be subordinate
to the love we should have for God, so that we may be
ready to make the sacrifice of it if He should require it.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Proud To Be Catholic!

Dear Parishioners,

What a great week it was to be a Catholic! Pope Francis was magnificent as the love of Jesus seemed to radiate from his very being. While I did not get to see the pope personally, I remember being in the presence of Pope St. John Paul II several times. Whether you were up close or far away in the crowd, you could feel something in the air that you never felt anywhere else. God was there in a very special way in the person of his vicar, the pope.

Each of the last three popes with whom the Church has been blessed has brought something unique to the papacy. St. John Paul II brought energy, charisma, and a dynamic yet prayerful personality. He was a great philosopher. Benedict XVI, a great theologian, brought a continuity of his predecessor’s missions along with a more reserved and shy manner. Pope Francis brings a wonderfully gentle humility along with a real concern for the poor around the globe. He speaks the truth with love on the important issues of the times: religious freedom, the sanctity of life, the environment, immigration, and the family. While he voices his concerns over these issues, he does so with encouragement, humility, gentleness, and confidence that people of good will can work together for solutions.

Let us pray for an end to the strident debates going on in our country, that different viewpoints will be aired with civility, and that solutions to our problems can be reached through negotiations and compromise that truly benefits our nation.

- Fr. Carl

“He who does not pray is like a hen or a turkey that cannot
rise into the air. He who prays is like an intrepid eagle!”
~Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars

Who’s With Us?

Dear Parishioners,

Jesus offers us a more inclusive way to view the world. He says, “Whoever is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9:38-43,45,47-48) What difference this perspective makes on the way we see the world and the way we interact with those around us! All of a sudden the world is filled with companions, friends, and actual or potential allies.

Who needs to belong to an exclusive club or circle of friends when we could have a great family of friends and companions to share our journey and our mission? Ask yourself, how much more optimistic and less judgmental is this way of life and service to our Lord?

- Deacon Robert

We ought to say to God: “I can do nothing of myself.
I can only give you my desire to love you. Here it is!
O my god, uphold me and do all yourself.”
~ Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars