Dear Parishioners,
This past Holy Week was wonderful! The liturgies were all so beautiful and inspiring thanks to our musicians, lectors, altar servers, extra ordinary ministers of Holy Communion, decorators, sacristans, and you, our parishioners who came out to worship. In spite of the negative press the Church has been getting, our attendance remained steady – 1638 this year and 1637 last year. And again, our parishioners were just as generous as last year. My thanks to everybody.
Summer time is the time of personnel changes. We will be seeing a number of priests retiring and/or receiving new assignments, but thankfully, I will not be among them. However, there will be some changes here among the staff. Our Director of Religious Education, Katie Torrey—who has done such good work here—will be taking a position with the Archdiocese in Missionary Discipleship aka Faith Formation. We will miss her but know the Archdiocese will be fortunate to have her talents and make good use of them. Taking her place will be our current youth minister, Claire Horvath, who having worked with Katie the last 8 years, will bring continuity to the program along with energy and enthusiasm. Taking Claire’s place will be Melissa Boyle who had the Youth Ministry job when I arrived here 10 years ago before taking several high school teaching assignments. She, too, has a great deal of energy, enthusiasm, and experience in working with young people. We are blessed to have her back.
Finally, our organist/choir director, Marianne Gregory, is retiring to spend more time with her family. Having worked with her 9 years at my previous parish as well as the past 4 years here, I will miss her. Taking her place will be J.J. Klapa who brings a wealth of experience as an organist and choir director in several other parishes. I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.
Hopefully, things will settle down now and for the foreseeable future. May the rest of the Easter season be good to you and your families.
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, May 3, 2019
Friday, April 26, 2019
Love, Love, Love!
Dear Parishioners,
The theme for this Sunday is Divine Mercy. We reflect this day on God’s merciful nature. We know that the God of the universe is an all powerful being. Yet God holds this power in check and shows us at times His mercy. When He could crush us, He rather holds us gently in His hand. How easy it is for us to abuse our power, to push it to the limit and beyond. Yet God with His great power seeks to love us in our failings.
I have a story. First I want to thank all who have sent my wife and I cards and notes after the death of my wife’s sister. Thank you all. But let me point to God’s mercy in this. Laura was wracked with cancer and in her last days was on a morphine drip. She was in and out of consciousness and was at first agitated at this, her last, hospital stay. With all but one of her 8 siblings and others around her, she awoke and spoke to her stepdaughter of what Grandma Lena, long deceased, said about improving baking a cake. This was the first taste of something extraordinary going on. At a later time, she voiced how beautiful heaven was with “Wow!” Finally, after waiting for her brother to arrive, she spoke calmly of seeing the face of God and Him saying to her, “Love, love, love!” She passed away shortly afterward.
I submit to you that this is the mercy of God in action. God came to this dying woman and consoled her with visions of His heaven and spoke directly to her. He also gave a strong and beautiful message to her grieving family, that she would be ok and so would they.
This is the mercy of God.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
The theme for this Sunday is Divine Mercy. We reflect this day on God’s merciful nature. We know that the God of the universe is an all powerful being. Yet God holds this power in check and shows us at times His mercy. When He could crush us, He rather holds us gently in His hand. How easy it is for us to abuse our power, to push it to the limit and beyond. Yet God with His great power seeks to love us in our failings.
I have a story. First I want to thank all who have sent my wife and I cards and notes after the death of my wife’s sister. Thank you all. But let me point to God’s mercy in this. Laura was wracked with cancer and in her last days was on a morphine drip. She was in and out of consciousness and was at first agitated at this, her last, hospital stay. With all but one of her 8 siblings and others around her, she awoke and spoke to her stepdaughter of what Grandma Lena, long deceased, said about improving baking a cake. This was the first taste of something extraordinary going on. At a later time, she voiced how beautiful heaven was with “Wow!” Finally, after waiting for her brother to arrive, she spoke calmly of seeing the face of God and Him saying to her, “Love, love, love!” She passed away shortly afterward.
I submit to you that this is the mercy of God in action. God came to this dying woman and consoled her with visions of His heaven and spoke directly to her. He also gave a strong and beautiful message to her grieving family, that she would be ok and so would they.
This is the mercy of God.
Blessings,
Deacon Steve
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Alleluia!
Dear Parishioners,
“We need a little Christmas” is the title of a popular song in December leading up to the days of Our Lord’s birth. The days leading up to Christmas had been getting darker and darker, so it seemed right to yearn for some brightness in our lives.
As we trudged through Lent with our penitential practices, we have come from the dark days of winter into a brighter season of the year. Still, we need the brilliance of Easter to bring us into the light of Christ to lift up our hearts and spirits to experience what the resurrection bodes for us. For the world 2,000 years ago, it was the proof that Jesus conquered sin, death, and evil by obeying his Father’s will.
For us today, it is the sign that God will be with us in our struggles through life and that our faithfulness in their midst will lead us to share in the resurrection of our Lord.
Jesus Christ has risen—Alleluia!
So too shall we—Alleluia!
Fr. Carl
“We need a little Christmas” is the title of a popular song in December leading up to the days of Our Lord’s birth. The days leading up to Christmas had been getting darker and darker, so it seemed right to yearn for some brightness in our lives.
As we trudged through Lent with our penitential practices, we have come from the dark days of winter into a brighter season of the year. Still, we need the brilliance of Easter to bring us into the light of Christ to lift up our hearts and spirits to experience what the resurrection bodes for us. For the world 2,000 years ago, it was the proof that Jesus conquered sin, death, and evil by obeying his Father’s will.
For us today, it is the sign that God will be with us in our struggles through life and that our faithfulness in their midst will lead us to share in the resurrection of our Lord.
Jesus Christ has risen—Alleluia!
So too shall we—Alleluia!
Fr. Carl
Friday, April 12, 2019
The One Guarantee In Life
Dear Parishioners,
Back in late February, it seemed as though Lent would never begin. Now it is hard to believe that it is almost ended. We are headed down the home stretch as we celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend and launch into Holy Week. Palm (Passion) Sunday is a stark reminder of how life can change very, very quickly. Jesus enters Jerusalem as a hero to the acclaim and adulation of hundreds of people. But only a few days later these same people will turn on him and cry out for his death. But this wasn’t to be a normal form of execution but the cruelest most humiliating form known to man - crucifixion.
It is a reminder that bad things can happen to us even tragic events. There are no guaranties in life except for one. If we are faithful to God, he will raise us up after death. That’s what happened to Jesus and what is in store for us. If we put our trust in worldly treasures and success, we will ultimately find disappointment, but if we trust God, we will be happy now and forever.
Fr. Carl
Back in late February, it seemed as though Lent would never begin. Now it is hard to believe that it is almost ended. We are headed down the home stretch as we celebrate Palm Sunday this weekend and launch into Holy Week. Palm (Passion) Sunday is a stark reminder of how life can change very, very quickly. Jesus enters Jerusalem as a hero to the acclaim and adulation of hundreds of people. But only a few days later these same people will turn on him and cry out for his death. But this wasn’t to be a normal form of execution but the cruelest most humiliating form known to man - crucifixion.
It is a reminder that bad things can happen to us even tragic events. There are no guaranties in life except for one. If we are faithful to God, he will raise us up after death. That’s what happened to Jesus and what is in store for us. If we put our trust in worldly treasures and success, we will ultimately find disappointment, but if we trust God, we will be happy now and forever.
Fr. Carl
Friday, April 5, 2019
Our National Pastime: Rush To Judgement
Dear Parishioners,
Before I start my note to you– let me thank Atlantic Maintenance Group for the work they did on our grounds. Mary’s Garden looks wonderful as does all the rest of our landscaping. These generous folks donated a whole day of work to beautifying our campus—and we want them to know how much we appreciate it! As I write this, I am excited about attending opening day for the Baltimore Orioles. It’s something I last did over 60 years ago. Hopefully the Orioles will win and take another series from the Yankees.
Baseball, a game I used to play and still enjoy watching, used to be our national pastime. Years ago when TV coverage was rather limited, we would listen to the radio to the voices of Bailey Goss or Chuck Thompson in the living room, kitchen, the porch, or sometimes the garage, especially if there was a refrigerator with cold beverages.
Alas, no longer is baseball our national pastime. It has been replaced by a movement called “rush to judgement.” You see it all the time. There was the charge against Duke’s lacrosse team several years ago; it turned out to be false. There were charges against Justice Kavenaugh, but there was no proof, only an accusation. Recently, there was the Covington Catholic High School and Native American interaction where a student and the school were pictured as insulting to Native Americans. Additional videos showed the student and the school to be innocent.
Where will it all end? Perhaps Jesus has some guidance for us. In the Gospel (John 8:1-11), the woman was guilty of adultery; she was caught in the act, and there was no way for her to deny her sin. The Pharisees had already judged her and wanted Jesus to do the same. However, our Lord was not so quick. The Pharisees had to ask him twice before he answered and put them in their place. While we humans rush to judgement, God takes his time; He is patient, kind, merciful, and “slow to anger.” Jesus does not, however, let the woman off the hook. While he does not condemn her, he tells her to sin no more. How relieved that woman must have felt. It’s the same relief I feel whenever I meet Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance. You can have the same experience, too, in the sacrament the next time you go. And you should go soon.
Fr. Carl
Before I start my note to you– let me thank Atlantic Maintenance Group for the work they did on our grounds. Mary’s Garden looks wonderful as does all the rest of our landscaping. These generous folks donated a whole day of work to beautifying our campus—and we want them to know how much we appreciate it! As I write this, I am excited about attending opening day for the Baltimore Orioles. It’s something I last did over 60 years ago. Hopefully the Orioles will win and take another series from the Yankees.
Baseball, a game I used to play and still enjoy watching, used to be our national pastime. Years ago when TV coverage was rather limited, we would listen to the radio to the voices of Bailey Goss or Chuck Thompson in the living room, kitchen, the porch, or sometimes the garage, especially if there was a refrigerator with cold beverages.
Alas, no longer is baseball our national pastime. It has been replaced by a movement called “rush to judgement.” You see it all the time. There was the charge against Duke’s lacrosse team several years ago; it turned out to be false. There were charges against Justice Kavenaugh, but there was no proof, only an accusation. Recently, there was the Covington Catholic High School and Native American interaction where a student and the school were pictured as insulting to Native Americans. Additional videos showed the student and the school to be innocent.
Where will it all end? Perhaps Jesus has some guidance for us. In the Gospel (John 8:1-11), the woman was guilty of adultery; she was caught in the act, and there was no way for her to deny her sin. The Pharisees had already judged her and wanted Jesus to do the same. However, our Lord was not so quick. The Pharisees had to ask him twice before he answered and put them in their place. While we humans rush to judgement, God takes his time; He is patient, kind, merciful, and “slow to anger.” Jesus does not, however, let the woman off the hook. While he does not condemn her, he tells her to sin no more. How relieved that woman must have felt. It’s the same relief I feel whenever I meet Jesus in the Sacrament of Penance. You can have the same experience, too, in the sacrament the next time you go. And you should go soon.
Fr. Carl
Friday, March 29, 2019
Share Your Suffering
Dear Parishioners,
In the season of Lent, we are to give our lives over to penance, almsgiving and charity.
My wife just returned from visiting her ill sister, Laura, who is suffering from cancer. She spent some time sitting with her. According to Fr. Peter John Cameron who spoke at the recent Catholic Men’s Fellowship Conference, being present to suffering is the first step, and indeed a charitable step, in dealing with it. It is hard to sit with suffering for we feel so powerless, but it is most valuable for us and the person suffering. Second, we must share that suffering by not being silent about it. We should speak what many would like to hide or ignore. Not to seek pity but to acknowledge it, to put it into words. Finally, Father Cameron says we need to share the suffering with Christ which gives it meaning. This is the ultimate decision and perhaps the hardest.
We should give it over to Christ for he knows what suffering is about. He was incarnate and experienced the pain that resulted from the torment of his human flesh. He carried that pain and suffering and on the cross forgave his tormentors. His attitude perfects suffering and makes it meaningful. I am reminded how we watched as St. Pope John Paul II suffered to his death. He allowed us to bear witness to it. This Lent as we go about our Lenten rituals and devotions, let us pray for all who are suffering. Let us sit if we can with them and acknowledge their pain so that it may bring about greater meaning. Let us give it over to Christ who loves us and wishes to give us eternal life.
Happy Lent,
Deacon Steve
In the season of Lent, we are to give our lives over to penance, almsgiving and charity.
My wife just returned from visiting her ill sister, Laura, who is suffering from cancer. She spent some time sitting with her. According to Fr. Peter John Cameron who spoke at the recent Catholic Men’s Fellowship Conference, being present to suffering is the first step, and indeed a charitable step, in dealing with it. It is hard to sit with suffering for we feel so powerless, but it is most valuable for us and the person suffering. Second, we must share that suffering by not being silent about it. We should speak what many would like to hide or ignore. Not to seek pity but to acknowledge it, to put it into words. Finally, Father Cameron says we need to share the suffering with Christ which gives it meaning. This is the ultimate decision and perhaps the hardest.
We should give it over to Christ for he knows what suffering is about. He was incarnate and experienced the pain that resulted from the torment of his human flesh. He carried that pain and suffering and on the cross forgave his tormentors. His attitude perfects suffering and makes it meaningful. I am reminded how we watched as St. Pope John Paul II suffered to his death. He allowed us to bear witness to it. This Lent as we go about our Lenten rituals and devotions, let us pray for all who are suffering. Let us sit if we can with them and acknowledge their pain so that it may bring about greater meaning. Let us give it over to Christ who loves us and wishes to give us eternal life.
Happy Lent,
Deacon Steve
Friday, March 22, 2019
St. Patrick Bazaar… a Rousing Success!
Dear Parishioners,
If you missed the St. Patrick Bazaar held in our school Friday a week ago, you missed out on a great time. In the morning, the children joyfully participated in many games and won more than a few prizes as they indulged in cotton candy and popcorn. The afternoon and evening brought out our teens and adults as they socialized, fed on the excellent food from the kitchen, and enjoyed a glass or two in the adult beverage category. I even got involved in spinning the wheel at the “Fun in the Sun” booth.
As the afternoon turned to evening, Fr. Steve Hook, the pastor of Our Lady of the Chesapeake joined me for dinner and a tour of our activities. I think he was impressed, especially after he won a prize at the whiskey wheel—a prize he won’t be able to appreciate until Lent is ended. While it was gratifying to see young and old enjoying themselves and spending money to benefit the school, it was even more so to see our teachers, school staff, parents of current and former students, pitching in their talents in support.
Even more amazing was the clean-up effort afterwards. Volunteers started as soon as the bazaar ended. They worked late Friday evening and started early Saturday morning until finished. When I went in Sunday, I couldn’t believe that the bazaar had ever taken place. The floors were immaculate and the tables set up for lunch. Thanks, many thanks to all who worked so hard. It was a rousing success!
May God bless you all.
Fr. Carl
If you missed the St. Patrick Bazaar held in our school Friday a week ago, you missed out on a great time. In the morning, the children joyfully participated in many games and won more than a few prizes as they indulged in cotton candy and popcorn. The afternoon and evening brought out our teens and adults as they socialized, fed on the excellent food from the kitchen, and enjoyed a glass or two in the adult beverage category. I even got involved in spinning the wheel at the “Fun in the Sun” booth.
As the afternoon turned to evening, Fr. Steve Hook, the pastor of Our Lady of the Chesapeake joined me for dinner and a tour of our activities. I think he was impressed, especially after he won a prize at the whiskey wheel—a prize he won’t be able to appreciate until Lent is ended. While it was gratifying to see young and old enjoying themselves and spending money to benefit the school, it was even more so to see our teachers, school staff, parents of current and former students, pitching in their talents in support.
Even more amazing was the clean-up effort afterwards. Volunteers started as soon as the bazaar ended. They worked late Friday evening and started early Saturday morning until finished. When I went in Sunday, I couldn’t believe that the bazaar had ever taken place. The floors were immaculate and the tables set up for lunch. Thanks, many thanks to all who worked so hard. It was a rousing success!
May God bless you all.
Fr. Carl
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