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Pastor's Desk Articles -2009 |
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January
January 4, 2009
January 11, 2009
January 18, 2009
January 25, 2009 |
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May
May 3, 2009
May 10, 2009
May 17, 2009
May 24, 2009
May 31, 2009 |
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September
September 6, 2009
September
13, 2009
September
20, 2009
September
27, 2009
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February
February 1, 2009
February 8, 2009
February 15, 2009
February 22, 2009 |
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June
June 7, 2009
June 14, 2009
June 21, 2009
June 28, 2009 |
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October
October 4, 2009
October
11, 2009
October
18, 2009
October
25, 2009 |
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March
March 1, 2009
March 8, 2009
March 15, 2009
March 22, 2009
March 29, 2009 |
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July
July 5, 2009
July 12, 2009
July
19, 2009
July
26, 2009 |
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November
November
1, 2009
November
8, 2009
November
15, 2009
November
22, 2009
November
29 2009 |
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April
April 5, 2009
April 12, 2009
April 19, 2009
April 26, 2009 no Pastor's Desk Article this week |
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August
August
2, 2009
August,
9, 2009
August
16, 2009
August
23, 2009
August
30, 2009 |
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December
December
6, 2009
December
13, 2009
December
20, 2009
December
27, 2009 |
For past year's articles -
From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, January 4, 2009
The New Year is here
bringing us another opportunity to excel in the development and formation of our
lives as followers of Christ, Christians. There is a quote used in many
rehabilitation programs that says, “God, grant me the Serenity to accept the
things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom
to know the difference.” We find Serenity, Courage and Wisdom in the
development of our relationship with Christ.
It is in the serenity of
the church and in the quietness of prayer that we can clear our
minds and hearts to look at our life issues and separate them into
those issues I just cannot change, and, those issues I can change.
Once in that place, I can then clearly say to God, and myself
“alright, these are the things I can change and, with the grace of
the Holy Spirit (that special Confirmation gift) I use Gift of
Courage to change what needs to and can be changed.
The final part deals with
having the wisdom to know the difference between the things in life
I can change and those I cannot change. We spend a lot of time
trying to figure out how we can change other people in our lives who
may not want to change or just do not know how to change because of
the place in which they find themselves. We know what ought to be,
but not how to make it happen. We find ourselves frustrated and
often angry and instead of peace, we find all levels of the absence
of peace, anger, hatred, resentfulness, stubbornness, and a host of
other “not so nice” feelings and responses in thought, word and
deed.
Are you wondering where
and how wisdom fits into this picture? Do you have to wait until
you are “old and grey” to know the difference between what you can
and cannot change? Blessed Raymond Lull, a late 12th
Century layperson wrote, “Wisdom is a gift the Holy Spirit gives to
man, to enable him to understand and use wisely the good things
given by the grace of the Holy Spirit, …. Wisdom is a gift given to
the human intellect in a regulated way, and, consequently, a man
clothed with wisdom has regulated order in his will, his memory, and
in his lower potentials, which are the powers of: (1) sight, (2)
hearing, (3) smell, (4) taste, (5) touch (6) (voice), and (7)
imagination, with all their acts of (1) seeing, (2) hearing, (3)
smelling, (4) tasting, (5) touching, (6) voicing and (7) imagining;
as well as understanding, loving and remembering. And for this
reason, in a wise, orderly and well regulated person, ignorance and
stupidity can neither enter nor remain.” Have you ever heard the
expression, “I smell a rat” or “it smells fishy to me?” Or “it
leaves a bitter taste in my mouth” “what are you blind?” “Oh yeah,
I’ve heard that one before” or “it just doesn’t feel right.” This
is wisdom taking over when ignorance might otherwise reign. Wisdom
is taking time to see what is not being seen, hearing what is not
being heard, smelling what is not really perfume, tasting what is
really sour, feeling what someone refuses to feel, saying what
others don’t want to say, and imagining, as in, “oh yeah, I can just
imagine what will happen.
All
God asks of you is to trust in those instincts, feelings and senses
that He has given you to know what can and should, and what cannot
and should not be changed. Some things are better off left alone or
“to their own demise.” These are the working of the Holy Spirit.
We develop it as we draw closer to God and His Son, our brother,
Jesus Christ. Wisdom is sharpened and become keener as we become
more aware of God’s presence and His working in our lives. Make
this your only resolution and you will have wisdom beyond your
imagination and peace as you uncover and share the truth of life
that sets us free to find peace in this life. Happy New Year.
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, January 11, 2009
Today brings to a close
the Christmas Season as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. The
lights and decorations find their way back into the attic for
another year. Most of you had already returned to your ordinary
daily routines as the New Year began. The Church also returns to
Ordinary Time and we bring back green vestments as a sign of our
never-ending hope in Christ.
I wonder how many people
just move from moment to moment, season to season, both in the
Church liturgical cycle and in their ordinary secular life. I
believe that it is unfortunate that we do not put our lives into a
cyclical context to see the beauty of life as we pass from year to
year. In spite of all the problems and disappointments that our
ordinary life brings, there are special moments that come every year
for us, and that surround us every day. As 2009 begins, we will
celebrate new births and birthdays, new marriages and marriage
anniversaries. We will celebrate First Communions and Confirmations
and will do this all in the context of our ordinary lives. What we
all need to do is what the Church does, namely, it celebrates a year
of life in the context of God’s great love for us.
Life is ordinary, but
living faith makes it extra special. Our faith, which is shared
with us at Baptism makes every moment in time a special opportunity
to excel in our ability to become holy and rich in virtues. The
Liturgical Year parallels our ordinary lives. Advent brings
anticipation of the coming of Christ, a parallel to the expected
births of all our children. We cannot wait; we are filled with
expectations to see what this birth will bring us. Truly, the
celebration of Jesus’ birth makes our birthday celebrations even
more special because we can relate to Christ as one like ourselves.
The fact is, the spiritual life of the Church parallels the ordinary
life of the person and makes it so much more authentic.
The Sacraments of Baptism,
Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation (confession), Anointing
of the Sick and Dying, Holy Orders and Matrimony are Sacred Moments
in Time that parallel and fulfill our earthly needs. Through these
“Sacra Momentum” we encounter God on life’s journey and affirm a
covenant with God as He promised, “You will be my people, and I will
be your God.” Our Church Spiritual Life parallels what we want and
need in our secular human life. And that is, to belong to a family
we can trust (Baptism, the Church, the Family); to be filled with
spiritual gifts as we “confirm” our faith in living the
Spirit-filled life of Christ; to be nourished by the very Body and
Blood of Christ, as we fail to be nourished by our human life; to
know the forgiveness and reconciliation we hunger for when, through
sin, we walk away from God and leave others empty of our love; to
count on the support and strength of God when we are sick or dying
and feel alone even when our loved ones are near; to perpetuate the
human race and the mutual growth of spouses through God’s gift of
Sacred Love-making in Holy Marriage; and, to perpetuate the
spreading of the Gospel of Christ through the Sacramental
Priesthood, the Ministry of the Church.
When I arrived here at
OLPH I, once again, could not comprehend the absence of Christ from
the center of the visible place where God makes manifest these
Sacred Moments, the Sacraments of the Church. My dear people, God
is not to be a stranger any longer in our lives. We are not
“ordinary” in His eyes; we are splendid examples of His creative
handiwork. Though most, if not all, of us are still “incomplete
works of His hand” we are far from ordinary. Our lives and the life
of the Church go hand in hand to help make this incomplete human
being, complete when we return home to God, our heavenly Father.
In our church building, we
no longer see God as an “aside”. He too is not ordinary, He is
Extra-Ordinary in our hearts and minds as we enter and bend the knee
before Him. A reverent quiet must now be developed and maintained
by all.
On Saturday, February 21,
2009 at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, Bishop William Murphy will consecrate
our new Altar during a most exciting ceremony, which will conclude
with the celebration of Mass. More information will be in the
bulletin next month as we get our plans together.
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, January 18, 2009
Back in September of 2008
I wrote; "In our parish mission statement we state,…We accept the call to bring
all to a personal, Covenant relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior, to live
the Paschal Mystery and to promote the spiritual health and growth of everyone
in our parish community. Bringing this to fulfillment not only requires, but
demands a living faith on our part, a faith based on living the Word of God. It
also calls us to that deeper relationship with Christ in the Eucharist…." I
offered two steps to the development of our personal relationship with Christ:
Step One:
I ask you all to begin to pray for the grace to commit yourself to
one hour of prayer before the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed
Sacrament.
Step Two:
Start reading the Scriptures, but more specifically, start studying the Sacred
Scriptures.
Our beautiful new Altars
in the Sanctuary now make it so much easier to see and feel the Real Presence of
Christ not only present at the Altar of Sacrifice at Mass, but majestically
present to us in the Tabernacle resting proudly on the Altar of the Eucharist.
Many parishioners have remarked at not just the beauty, but how different it
"feels" when you come into the church and you immediately focus on the Sanctuary
and the Real Presence of Christ. One person remarked noting “how bright it is,"
which is exactly what we need to have in order to draw attention to the
importance of what is going on in the sanctuary. When we go to a stage
performance we expect that the lighting and focus will lead us to follow the
importance and character of the performers. The sanctuary is a stage, of sorts,
not where we perform, but where we are brought to hear God speak to us in the
Liturgy of the Word at the Pulpit or, more properly named, the Ambo, and, where
we offer worship at the Altar of Sacrifice and where, through the action and
ministry of the priest, we behold the bread and wine change into the Body and
Blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If these actions were performed in
dim light, then both the priest and the people would be in diminished faith,
where the light shines, but only dimly.
The results of Christ's
actions at Mass are proclaimed in Light as the light then floods the Tabernacle
before, during and after Mass bringing us into a realization that the Actions of
the Mass are central to our faith and to the constant Real Presence of Christ in
our Church and His desire to be a constant presence in our personal lives. Thus
we achieve the first part of our Mission, "We accept the call to bring
ourselves, first, to a personal, Covenant relationship with Jesus as Lord and
Savior."
As you know, our Lay
Eucharistic Ministers, bring Communion to the sick on a daily basis. They come
to the Tabernacle before or after Mass to retrieve the Sacred Host for the
sick. Now that the Tabernacle is in the sanctuary and they must "go up the
steps and stand before the Tabernacle" many have reported that they feel the
awesomeness of their ministry in a way they never felt at any other time in
their years as Eucharistic Ministers. They are "humbled" before the Lord. His
Presence is no longer and ordinary experience, it is and must be for them and
for all of us, an Extraordinary Experience of God's Real Presence.
In my many years of
service as a Naval Chaplain, I celebrated Mass, bringing the Real Presence of
Christ, in many and varied places, environs, times and experiences. In each of
these sacred moments, and they were always sacred to me, my greatest joy was to
see the depth of faith in the hearts and on the faces of the men and women who
came, not for me, but for He whom I was privileged to bring to them, Jesus
Christ, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. It was never the surroundings that
mattered, it was the Real Presence of Christ that mattered, which they eagerly
received, and, believe it or not, humbly refused until they "went to
Confession." It was the highlight of their time away from home, serving their
nation, when "the priest" arrived onboard, or in the field.
How blessed we are in our
parish with the daily opportunities to come to Mass, or make a visit to the
Blessed Sacrament. I hope you will take more advantage of this opportunity to
grow in your faith and in hour relationship with Christ. Are you taking
advantage of the Real Presence of Christ? When was the last time you just
stopped in for a cup of His Love and Kindness? I need you all to develop this
habit so that we can begin to develop our next step of Perpetual Adoration.
Remember, that takes a commitment of one hour on the part of many people. We
must pray and reflect before the Blessed Sacrament to come to the large
commitment we need to make this a reality. Come, visit, read the Scriptures and
pray to God, "Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven."
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, January 25, 2009
“…all men are created equal…endowed by their Creator with certain
inalienable rights, among
which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
I am not sure
that during the events of this past Inauguration Day I heard the
words “right to life” used even once. Watching the news on January
22nd I thought I would hear about the March for Life
taking place in Washington, DC, but the station I was watching (ABC
News at 11) did not mention that the event even happened. Once
again the issue of abortion and the right to life of the unborn is
ignored. Is it possible in a country founded on principles to
defend life could come to be so selfish that it forgets the life of
the child in the womb? Yes, it is not only possible, but it is
happening as you read these words.
John Paul II
was correct to label this as “the culture of death.” If we are in a
new era of “change” it seems that our work as Catholic Christians is
going to be even more important than ever in the area of the unborn
child’s right to life and our responsibility to promote the dignity
of life in the womb of our precious mothers. Our bishops have a
grave responsibility to continue to lead us in defense of life and
the protection of the innocent unborn. And we have the
responsibility to follow their leadership in support of all life
issues.
First of all
I call upon us as a Pro Life parish community to pray daily for the
protection of the unborn. I ask everyone to spend time before
Christ in the Blessed Sacrament by making a “Pro Life Visit” to
Christ at least once a week. I ask you to continue your most
generous support of the work of our Pro Life group in support of
Birthright and other Pro Life organizations. I also call your
attention to peaceful demonstrations that take place during the year
in our diocese to pray for life and the closure of abortion
clinics. Starting next week we will publish updates on Pro Life
events in our bulletin. Perhaps is each of us did a little more
visible peaceful witness, we might gain some more visible attention
to this most serious issue of life.
When we
celebrate Mass we offer the holiest of prayers that empower us with
the presence of Christ. When we conclude Mass we are instructed to
“Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” These are words of
action. When we respond “Thanks be to God” we are not just saying
“oh, okay Lord, thanks for everything, it was fun being here.” In
reality we are thanking God for the opportunity to be empowered by
His presence so that we can move boldly through another week to face
all of the “life” issues that we most assuredly come our way. The
right to life issue is always a part of that mission and we must
thanks God for allowing us the privilege to go out and spread the
Gospel of Life to everyone we meet who needs to know the truth about
the seriousness of this Pro Life movement for the unborn.
This is not
an easy task for any of us, but with the grace of God in the
Eucharist, our personal and communal prayer and our acceptance of a
call to action by Christ and His Church, we shall overcome this
culture of death and return to our fundamental right to live in a
culture of life. That is also why we say at the end of every Mass,
“St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle….”
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sometimes we just do not listen. Parents go crazy with
their children trying to get them to obey, to listen and to understand what and
why they have “house rules” or spiritual and moral guidelines. We go through
the same thing with God. We fight Him by not paying attention to Him. He gives
us a Church, a body of leaders, the Pope and Bishops, and instead of listening
to their individual and collective wisdom, people find reasons and ways to
criticize or even condemn their teachings, which, in fact, are the teachings of
Christ.
In her most recent writing for Catholic News Service, Sharon K.
Perkins writes, “My mom and dad, like many other parents, tried
during my childhood to teach me the wisdom of doing certain things:
eating my vegetables, putting money aside in savings, getting enough
sleep, caring for my belongings, etc. The repetition of their
instructions usually had limited effect, for even as I paid lip
service to them most of the time, I obeyed because they held a
position of authority, not because I recognized the truth in their
admonitions.
As I became more mature and less stubborn, I received those same
nuggets of parental advice more enthusiastically -- but mostly from
the mouths of other people with whom I didn't share the parent-child
relationship….”
“When Jesus taught in the synagogue, he repeated many of the words
that his ancestors had heard, but something about the way he
communicated them -- "a new teaching with authority" -- not only
drove out unclean spirits but jarred his hearers from their
complacency and opened them anew to the healing, yet challenging
presence of the living God in their midst. In Jesus, God not only
raised up the promised prophet "from among your own kin" and brought
a fresh voice to the ancient truths, he himself became living Word
among us.
For many Christians today, the Scriptures are widely accessible
through the printed page and repeated liturgical proclamation -- a
privilege so familiar and taken for granted that we become
impervious to their transforming power. By inviting Jesus, the
living Word of God, into our hearing and reading of Scripture, we
not only open ourselves to receive God's words anew in all their
richness, but we move beyond lip service to the loving relationship
that God longs to have with each of us.”
She goes on to offer this question, which I offer to you. “How have
your ears become deaf or your heart unresponsive to the words of
Scripture? How can an encounter with Jesus, the living Word, restore
freshness to your hearing and reading of Scripture?”
I believe all of us need to reflect on this as we pursue the development of our
spiritual lives here at OLPH. Now that Christ Presence is a more central focus
in the tabernacle of our church, we must spend time getting to know Him. The
best way to do that is not only to come before Him in prayer, but also to
discover the meaning of His life by reading the Holy Scriptures, the Sacred
Writings that reveal through Him and through the men of faith He called as
disciples the truths of how to live in this God given world.
I recommend that you start out by just reading a small section of the Gospel or
an Epistle. Read it with care and in a prayerful manner. Begin by asking the
Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart to hear and to listen to what you are
about to read. We do this every time we proclaim the Gospel and sign ourselves
on the forehead, the lips and the heart saying “May the Lord be on my lips and
in my heart that I may worthily proclaim (receive) Your Holy Word.
Take possession of the Word of God. Let God’s Word, in Christ, become the
foundation upon which your relationship with Christ takes root and gives life to
you and to all around you.
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
Return to Index
From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, February 8, 2009
The Amazing Life and Death
of Anastasia Trapani
Born Monday, February 2, 2009
and Died Wednesday, February 4, 2009
It was an incredible day as I went up to Connecticut to be with my nephew Joseph
and his wife, Angelica. Their daughter, Anastasia, was born premature after just
24 weeks in the womb. Complications demanded the birth and rather than choosing
to abort the child, which was never an issue. They chose to do all that the
doctors could do to give their daughter life.
The doctors, nurses and staff were wonderful. They
truly did all they could to create the right atmosphere and
nutrition to sustain Anastasia's life. Joe and Angel chose Life,
Anastasia came into the world fighting for life. Crying when she was
born, kicking and grasping at mom and dad's finger. Mom, Dad and
Daughter bonded from birth with their daughter speaking unspoken
words of thanksgiving for getting to know her parents. They saw,
felt, smelled her in what turned out to be under 48 hours.
The hospital chaplain said that she never met a couple filled with
so much love for each other and for their child under these circumstances...
they are an incredible couple. Anastasia died that morning after an incredible
fight to breathe, her lungs just not developed enough to sustain life any longer.
Joe and Angel held their daughter, kissed her, told her how much
they love her. Then, finally, Anastasia, dressed in her white little dress
(thanks to the nurses) was laid down after many tears mom and dad, and
grandparents said goodbye as she died... only to be picked up by Christ and
placed in His arms to be cradled for all eternity.
When I arrived at the hospital and saw my nephew and his wife, my
nephew showed me picture of Anastasia. He quickly said to me, “I don’t
understand how anyone could think of aborting a child. Look at her, Uncle Tony,
she’s a real person! We could never just let her die without giving her a
chance to live.” Later, when he returned from home, getting cleaned up a bit,
he told me how twice, since he left the hospital, once in the car, and once in a
store, he could smell her as clearly as when he held her. “It was so refreshing
and soothing, Uncle Tony!”
I know that many of us have had these experiences of sensing or
smelling something that is explicitly unique to someone who died and we feel
that person’s presence. These experiences are the essence of true love. They
are the bond of love that reaches beyond life, as we know it, and touches us to
let us know that “For those who believe, life is not ended, but changed.” The
power of life and love conquers all.
On Tuesday evening, we will gather in Connecticut for an evening
“Memorial Liturgy of the Word” before the burial on Wednesday. In addition, one
month from now, Angel and Joe asked me to have a Memorial Mass of the Angels
here at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
God +bless you Joe and Angel and welcome to heaven, our little
angel, Anastasia.
Please pray for Joe and Angel, their parents Pete, Connie, Rich,
Arlene and our families.
My dear parishioners, when it come to CHOICE, there is only ONE, and
that is LIFE. I beg you to make the right choice, to choose Life and the Moral
high ground in every decision you make. Our nation and our families are in
terrible times financially, emotionally, spiritually and morally. Only through
Christ, with Christ and in Christ as the life giving power of the Holy Spirit
can we hope to turn our lives, families and nation around.
Continue inviting those away from Church back to Christ, the
fountain of life. Let the Amazing Life and Death of my dear grand niece,
Anastasia, and the witness of her life and the love she has left her parents and
those around her be cause for Christ to touch you that you might love more.
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, February 15, 2009
Lent is only ten days away with Ash Wednesday on February 25, 2009. I would
like everyone to begin thinking about this Lent now, and ask you not to wait
until the last minute as we all unfortunately do. To that end I want to give
you a preview of this year’s Lenten Mission.
On Ash Wednesday, you will receive ashes on your forehead as an
initial reminder of our immortal nature. “Remember man that you are dust and to
dust you shall return.” You might also be reminded to “turn away from sin and be
faithful to the Gospel.” Whichever formula the priest uses our mission is
clear, this life we live is passing and while we are privileged to live it we
are challenged daily to live free from the bondage of sin and in fidelity to the
Word of God expressed in the Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
In addition to ashes, you will be given a plain nail to
carry with you on your Lenten Journey this year. This nail will be
a reminder, not only of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, but
also of the sacrifices you must do through prayer and fasting, and,
expressions of love of God and neighbor. I hope that on Good
Friday, you will lay the nail at the foot of the cross as a sign of
your having lived the passion of Christ this Lent.
Our Lenten Mission will be held on five (5) Wednesdays of Lent. I
am inviting you to join the priests of the parish on this Lenten journey. I ask
that on each Tuesday before the mission, you devote your day to prayerful
preparation to attend and hear God speak to you through the heart of one of our
priests. Then on Wednesday, the day of the mission talk, I invite you to spend
that day fasting in whatever way is physically possible and spiritually
nourishing. The priest will give the Mission Talk after the 1200 noon Mass and
after the 7:00 evening Mass. Priests will be available after each talk to hear
confessions.
The theme is “The Sorrowful Mysteries” in the Life of Christ".
Here is the schedule:
Wednesday, March 4th - “The Agony in the Garden”
Reflection: Why should we bring our sorrows and pain to God the
Father? Can we not spend one hour with the Father to gain the
strength to carry our crosses. Recognizing the meaning of Lent.
Wednesday, March 11th – “The Scourging at the Pillar”
Reflection – Why are people without God are so mean spirited and
cruel to each other? How sin affects the world. Naming the sins of
power over others.
Wednesday, March 18th – “The Crowning with Thorns”
Reflection – Why it is wrong to misuse, make fun of and mock the
dignity of the human person in each other. Naming the sins of
abuse.
Wednesday, March 25th – “The Carrying of the Cross”
Reflection – Living our daily lives with success. Why we need a
spiritual life and how do we develop it. Developing Self-control and
Self-denial.
Wednesday, April 1st – “The Crucifixion”
Reflection – “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The grace of confession in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Healing.
Understanding the need to say “I am sorry”, and hearing the words “I forgive
you.”
Start preparing now and set the time aside to join you fellow
parishioners to make this Lent a special time of blessing for you and your
families.
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, February 22, 2009
What follows is from our Diocesan Office of New Evangelization. Please use it
as a spring board to dive into Lent. This week reflect on these scriptures with
family or neighbors. Take a chance and gather together once or twice this
week. If you are new to this, start with ½ hour or even just 15 minutes.
Change your approach to prayer. Open your heart to reflecting on the Word of
God in Sacred Scripture.
ENCOUNTER: With the Lord Jesus
“Moving on from there, he went into their synagogue. And behold, there was a man
there who had a withered hand. They questioned him, “Is it lawful to cure on the
Sabbath?" so that they might accuse him. He said to them, "Which one of you who
has a sheep that falls into a pit on the Sabbath will not take hold of it and
lift it out? How much more valuable a person is than a sheep. So it is lawful to
do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He
stretched it out, and it was restored as sound as the other. But the Pharisees
went out and took counsel against him to put him to death. When Jesus realized
this, he withdrew from that place. Many (people) followed him, and he cured them
all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been
spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my
beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will
proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will
anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break a
smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in
his name the Gentiles will hope." Matthew 12: 9-21
For
your reflection:
I. In these verses, the man with the withered hand follows Jesus’ instruction
and is healed while the Pharisees confront the person of Jesus and plot to kill
Him. One course of action provides hope while the other destroys it. When you
encounter Christ, what is in your heart and mind?
II. Those who encounter the Lord find hope; those who avoid Him find themselves
empty. Do you actively seek the Lord or do you hide from Him?
III. What do these verses teach you about maintaining hope?
CONVERSION:
To the Way of the Lord
And, this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. I write you these things
about those who would deceive you. As for you, the anointing that you received
from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. However,
his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it
taught you,to remain in him. Now, children, remain in him, so that when he
appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming. If
you consider that he is righteous, you also know that he begets everyone who
acts in righteousness. See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may
be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know
us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we
shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall
be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on
him makes himself pure, as he is pure. 1John2: 25-3:3
For
your reflection:
I. We separate ourselves from God, and lose hope, when we stray from the Lord’s
teachings. Conversion
produces hope. What are ways we may use to keep us on the path of conversion of
life?
II. Conversion stems from the conviction that we are the beloved children of the
Father. Is your hope
in this truth or do you instead seek fulfillment in secular society's image of
the human person as not
in need of this Father?
III. Ultimately, all hope comes to us through Christ. In what ways during this
yeaar will you try to Him than sin?
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, March 1, 2009
We began Lent with the imposition of
ashes on Wednesday. Each priest spoke about prayer, fasting and
almsgiving and in some way relayed the importance of making Lent a
time to change our lives for the better. This week I offer you
another part of the evangelization program reflections. Once again,
if you are new to this, start with ½ hour or even just 15 minutes.
Change your approach to prayer. Open your heart to reflecting on
the Word of God in Sacred Scripture. All spiritual growth flows
from reflective prayer, that is, meditation.
HOLINESS: What does it mean
when the scriptures tell us, “So be perfect as your heavenly Father
is perfect.”
Therefore, pull your head together, live soberly,
and set your hopes completely on the grace that will come to you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance
with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be
holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, "Be holy
because I (am) holy." Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially
according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time
of your journey through life. Realize that you were ransomed from your useless
conduct, handed on by other generations, not with perishable things like silver
or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.
He was known before the foundation of the world, but revealed in the final time
for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave
him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
For your reflection:
I. Ignorance is not bliss! To know Christ is the
path to happiness and holiness. What is your knowledge of the Catholic Faith
compared to the knowledge you have of your favorite hobby, music, movie,
restaurant, recipe, sports team?
II. A holy life testifies to what your future
holds both here and after this life, not only to what is true now. Do you
maintain this hope for eternal life?
III. During this year, will you allow God to form
a new “you”; a person full of the knowledge and love of God, in Christ and hope
in His coming at the end of time to judge the living and the dead?
MISSION:
As you know, St. Paul was a persecutor of Christians, a loyal Pharisee of the
Jewish faith whose life changed drastically, once he surrendered himself to
Christ. Read carefully his defense of his faith in Christ to King Agrippa.
Keep in mind while reflecting that Paul’s mission is also yours and mine.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You may now speak on
your own behalf." Therefore, Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense.
"I count myself fortunate, King Agrippa that I am to defend myself before you
today against all the charges made against me by the Jews, especially since you
are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you
to listen patiently. My manner of living from my youth, a life spent from the
beginning among my people and in Jerusalem, all (the) Jews know. They have known
about me from the start, if they are willing to testify, that I have lived my
life as a Pharisee, the strictest party of our religion. But now, I am standing
trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors. Our twelve
tribes hope to attain to that promise as they fervently worship God day and
night; and because of this hope Jews, O king, accuse me. Why do you think it is
unbelievable that God raises the dead?
I. Paul’s self-defense before the King refers to
a “before” and “after” scenario that tells of his zeal. “Before”, his zeal
consisted of destroying Christians. “After”, it consisted of promoting
Christianity. The difference was his new hope in the resurrection of the dead.
Is this Easter message of victory over sin and death part of who we are as
Christians? Or have we reduced Christianity to a philosophy or set of moral
rules?
II. People not only ridiculed but also persecuted
Paul for this hope in the resurrection that he embraced wholeheartedly. Is your
living out of the Faith, your mission in life, able to withstand attacks, which
come from those who ridicule or persecute? Is your mission in life to be a
bearer of the hope that Christ’s promise of eternal life offers us?
III. In this year, will your hope come from
living out and witnessing your Faith to the full? Or, will you allow the despair
of the world to enter due to compromises? Will you remain lacking in knowledge
of our Catholic Faith, or bring light into your life by learning more through
studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, March 8, 2009
The “Observance of Lent” is a spiritual
exercise that ALL Catholics are expected to enter into on some level of fasting,
prayer and giving to the poor. The requirements are minimal, to fast, and
abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and, to abstain from meat on
all Fridays of Lent. I think you will agree with me when I say that Christ
deserves to see us doing “more” than the “minimal.” I hope you pass this on to
all in your family.
Our Lenten Mission began this past
week with the first presentation of the “Five Sorrowful Mysteries,”
“The Agony in the Garden. Like Christ in the Garden we must prepare
ourselves for the fact that suffering is an inevitable part of our
life and an ongoing reality in our world. The question is, how do I
deal with suffering? Does suffering or the though of it together
with its ‘pain’ cause me to change my life, to become my suffering,
or do I, like Jesus, hold dear to my identity, like Jesus and work
through suffering and pain to achieve change and resurrection to new
life for myself and the world? ”This week I offer you another part
of the evangelization program of reflections. Once again, if you
are new to this, start with ½ hour or even just 15 minutes. Change
your approach to prayer. Open your heart to reflecting on the Word
of God in Sacred Scripture. All spiritual growth flows from
reflective prayer, that is, meditation.
ENCOUNTER: With the Lord Jesus
For your reflection:
Two revolutionaries were crucified with
him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him,
shaking their heads and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it
in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, (and) come down from
the cross!" Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him
and said, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel!
Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in
God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, 'I am the Son of
God.'" The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in
the same way. Matthew 27: 38-44
I. Those around the cross encounter Jesus on the
cross. They not only see a man on a cross; they are forced to encounter Him and
the meaning of his cross. To them, this encounter provoked a deep reaction of
scorn and ridicule. What sentiments does the cross provoke in you?
II. The cross is often worn today as a piece of
jewelry. Some even wear it as they mock all that the Cross stands for. Why do
you wear or carry a cross on your person?
III. The cross is often ridiculed and
misunderstood when it is first encountered. When it is understood, it is
referred to as the tree of life. How has your encounter with Jesus on the cross
led to life for you?
CONVERSION: To the Way Of The Lord
For your reflection:
Referring to Gentiles and Jews as one, Paul
writes: “Now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have become near in the
Blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the
dividing wall of hostility, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its
commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in
place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in
one body, through the cross, thereby bringing that hostility to an end. He came
and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for
through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2: 13-18
I. These verses highlight the divisions that is
a consequence of sin. The cross of Jesus reconciles all divisions and heals all
the effects of sin. What have been the effects of humanity's sinful condition in
your life, and in the lives of those you know and love?
II. Acknowledging the effects of sin, how is the
cross of Christ able to move people to conversion?
III. Christ’s cross led to reconciliation and
peace between God and all humanity. How might we share in His Cross so as to be
agents of peace and reconciliation?
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, March 15, 2009
Did you pass on what I said last week that the “Observance of Lent”
is a spiritual exercise that ALL Catholics are expected to fast,
pray and give to the poor? Like I also said, “The requirements are
minimal, to fast, and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good
Friday, and, to abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent. Christ
deserves to see us doing “more” than the “minimal.” What are you
doing for Lent? Are you using these reflections? I pray you are
doing so with family and friends.
Our Lenten Mission continued this past week with the second
presentation of the “Five Sorrowful Mysteries,” “The Scourging at
the Pillar. Beside the reflection on the wounds of Christ, Fr. Stan
spoke of those wound as indicative of the Seven Capital Sins: Pride
– Avarice (Greed) – Envy – Wrath (Anger) – Lust – Gluttony
(Overindulgence) – and Sloth (Laziness). As we now reflect on our
worthiness to receive Christ and our constant, desire to “be perfect
as our Heavenly Father is perfect, I ask us all to reflect on these
sins and how we allow them to overcome us in our daily life.
EUCHARIST: “ I Am Not Worthy To Receive You”
For your reflection:
Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ
Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard
equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied
himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and
found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to
death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted
him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on
earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I. This hymn contains the fullness of the Eucharistic mystery. The
root of the life-giving attitude of Christ is His acceptance of the
cross.
When you receive Holy Communion, do you do so with this same
attitude, which Jesus demonstrated in His entire life?
II. Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death; death on a
cross. This death offers the fullness of life. When you receive Holy
Communion, do you do so with such humility and obedience?
III. “… at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, …”- Before such
a great sacrifice, we need to bow low. After you receive Holy
Communion, do you promise Jesus that you will bow low with your life
by being lifted up on the cross with Him? Philippians 2: 5-11.
Do you genuflect when you come into Church and enter the pew?
HOLINESS: “So Be Perfect As Your
Heavenly Father Is Perfect”
For your reflection:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me
must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever
wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for
my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the
whole world and forfeit his life?
For your reflection:
I. Jesus connects holiness (“come after me”) with taking up the
cross. Do you make the same connection? Do you challenge yourself as
you reflect on the 7 Capital Sins listed above?
II. Society preaches the religion of the “self” and its fulfillment
achieved by absolute freedom. Yet holiness is attained through a
life of denial, the cross, and faithful discipleship. Do we follow
the religion of 21st century American life or the holiness preached
by Jesus?
III. Have your Lenten resolutions and acts of denial helped to make
you a more free, and therefore, holier person? Matthew 16:
24-26a and 1 Corinthians 1: 17-18 Have you decided to go to
confession and free yourself of all your sins?
You do not know what the
Seven Capital Sins are. Go to http://www.thesevencapitalsins.com
Find the Sins and find the
Remedies.
May God +bless you and yours,
now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, March 22, 2009
This past week Fr. Jim spoke on “The Crowning with Thorns.” In his
presentation, he spoke about the many ways people are abused and reenact the
sufferings of Christ on each other. However, I would like to speak briefly
about the abuse of Christ that continues to take place here in our own Church.
I am talking about the abuse of the Holy Eucharist. Yes, once again people have
found the consecrated Hosts on the floor, in the book racks and one usher tried
desperately, last week, to follow a man out of the church, whom he saw take Holy
Communion and place it in his pocket. Unfortunately, the man got into his car
and drove off before the usher could stop him.
Before I comment, and completely, I want to share with you these
words I found in a pamphlet offered by our Diocesan Office of
Worship about Holy Communion and our celebration of
Mass.
1. What is Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is the Real Presence of Jesus, under the appearances
of bread and wine. What a gift we are given—to be able to receive
the Word made flesh! Moreover, what a responsibility we take on in
receiving our Lord Jesus in this way! We must then promise to live,
act, and speak to give Christ to others through our good example.
That is why we pray together at Mass: “Lord, I am not worthy to
receive you…”
2. What is the meaning of Christ offering Himself to us in Holy
Communion?
We learn of Christ’s intent from his own words at the Last Supper on
the night before he died when he said, “Take this, all of you, and
eat it. This is my body, which is given up for you. Take this, all
of you, and drink from it, for this is the cup of my blood, which is
shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in
memory of me.” We do not receive Holy Communion merely to carry out
a religious ritual. We receive the Lord in this way for the
forgiveness of our sins and those of the whole world. Christ’s
Passover meal becomes the sacrifice that saved the human race. At
Mass, we are able to unite ourselves to the passion, death and
resurrection of the Lord. As Christ offers himself as the
sacrificial Lamb for the sins of humanity, we promise to offer
ourselves for this mission of redemption and salvation of the human
race.
3. “Why Keep Holy the Lord’s Day?” Why?
A family member who consistently excuses themselves from every
gathering of the family harms the unity of the family and themselves
as well. The same is true for Christ’s family which is His Body, the
Church. None of us is born by ourselves. We come into the world and
have life through God and others. To assert one’s total
independence, as if to deny even one’s membership in a family,
causes mortal wounds to all involved. We are “reborn” on Sundays,
the day of the Lord’s resurrection. We are bound to attend Mass on
Sunday, for this is the day of our birth and rebirth as Christians.
We are not able to be Christian without joining the Christian family
in worship of the Creator. Religion and spirituality may be a
personal matter of conscience but it cannot be a private one. We are
never just an “I”. We are daughters/sons, brothers/sisters,
husbands/wives. We are always in relationship to one another.
Therefore, on the Lord’s Day, Sunday, we place the basic
relationship of our lives, as children of God and brothers and
sisters of the Lord and each other, in first place. Our faith is
personal but never private!
4. What do we receive in receiving Holy Communion?
We receive a mission, i.e., a responsibility, a mandate from the
Lord. If the Lord comes to us in this way to be “food” for our
souls, to strengthen us, it is for the purpose of doing his work and
being his witness. Not to include this aspect of the Eucharist’s
meaning is to reduce the experience to a merely private one. “When
the Mass ends, the mission begins!” Our Lord’s sacrifice is oriented
to the salvation of souls. Therefore, our participation and
reception of Jesus is oriented not only to our own sanctification
but to that of all we meet, work with and live with. Blessed Mother
Teresa referred to this mission as being “a carrier of God’s love!”
Mary conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and gave birth
to the world’s Savior. We carry Jesus within us after we receive
Communion to bring him to our world today.
What continues to take
place in our church with the abuse of the consecrated hosts in Holy
Communion is, as I know you all agree, a disgrace to our Savior,
Jesus Christ, and to our Church. The Eucharist may not be received
by individual who are not baptized Catholics, by children who have
not received the Sacrament of First Eucharist, by people not in the
State of Grace (free from serious sin) or individuals who want to
share Communion with a friend, or bring Communion home to a sick
family member. I beg all of you to keep close guard and attention
on those around you who might even seem not to know what they are
doing when they have received Communion. From now on, as a first
step, I require EVERYONE to consume the Consecrated Host immediately
upon receiving it. I have instructed the priests to be aware and to
question anyone who may seem to be walking away with the host.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, March 29, 2009
Because of last week’s
announcement regarding the abuse and desecration of the Sacred Hosts, I became
even more aware of the extent of the problem. Individual parishioners shared
with me their witness of people not consuming the host. All indicated they
questioned people, making sure that they consume the sacred host, or consume it
themselves. I thank these people for their actions and I ask this to continue.
In addition, I must request that you let me know personally, when this happens
so that I can take appropriate actions to preserve the Sacred Body and Blood of
Christ. You may leave me a note, see me personally or call me at the rectory.
Lent continues around the world. Parishioners from
towns and villages across the nations in continents around the world
pause with us and we with them, to reflect, in every language, the
immense love of Christ as He surrenders His life to gain Salvation
for us all. Salvation is Christ delivering us from the power and
effects of sin. The power of sin is death. Sin has the power to
kill our very spirit. The spirit gives life to the body. The
spirit gives faith, hope, trust, love, compassion. Sin destroys
gradually, or immediately the life and spirit imbued in us from the
moment of our conception. This is the effect of sin. The power of
sin is the destruction of all that is holy in our lives. In sin, we
become weak to the unfolding of God’s plan for us, His desire for us
to become the best, using the gifts and talents He gives us by the
very fact of our existence. In sin we destroy our identity and our
dignity as sons and daughters of God the Father.
Christ, as He prepared to suffer death, rather than sin, tells us to
“Turn away from sin, and believe in the Good News.” Jesus is the Good News.
During Lent we need to reflect on the meaning of His life in the context of His
willingness to die to show us the importance of following His teachings, the
teachings of God, the Father, the teachings that would continue through Peter
and the Apostles, the first “Magisterium” of the Universal (Catholic) Church.
Imagine Christ, given a choice to change His teachings, to “adapt
them to the times,” says, “No!” “You would have no power, if it were not given
to you by my Father.” At the Last Supper, He says to Judas, “Go and do what you
must do, but do it fast (If you want to betray me, go get it over with). How
terrible it is to betray Jesus. This is what we do when we sin. We turn away
from everything that has meaning and choose some selfish way of life. Sin,
whether serious mortal sin, which kills or destroys our relationship with God or
venial sin, which distorts our relationship with God, is an act by which we
freely or by force of habit choose to be “without” God in our life. “Sin,” in
many languages, is the preposition for “without.” Think about it for a moment,
and you quickly realize what sin is when you think of the word “without.” With
every commission of an act that violates God’s Commandments in action, word or
thought, I choose an act, a thought or a word that brings me more pleasure or
satisfaction than God does.
The power and effect of sin is the destruction of all that ought to
be, and is, holy in thought, word and deed. Christ’s Passion and Death is His
way of making us see, with our own eyes, the power and effect sin has over
life. Sin leads people to reject God more and more. We are watching sin unfold
in our world every single day: abortion; physical, sexual, verbal and emotional
abuse; the destruction of the family; the alienation of men and women from their
proper roles in life as male and female creations with specific gifts, talents
and responsibilities for the development of life and love and the creation of
life in an unending cycle of God’s creative design. Sin and its effects led to
the classification of “The Seven Capital Sins:” Pride, Avarice (Greed), Envy,
Anger, Lust, Gluttony and Sloth (Laziness). When was the last time you thought
about these areas of sin? Think of how a nation and we as individuals have
come, because of greed, to think that we need so much material possessions in
order to say we have a “good life.” Think of how lust has created an
epidemic of internet pornographic abuse, all because people are convinced that
they need more sex, different sex, uncontrollable sexual expression. Our world
promotes anger by making violence the answer to all problems. We eat, as though
there were no tomorrow and this was our last meal. That is gluttony. We
become lazy, always putting off until tomorrow what we could and should be doing
today (even our prayer life). We live our lives based on what our neighbors
have and not on what we need or can afford. That is envy. In addition, we
compare ourselves to others, wanting to be someone who we are not, and that is
pride.
Christ’s life, even in death, is the example of humility,
generosity, love, kindness, self-control, temperance and zeal, the very virtues
through which we overcome those “deadly sins.” Christ chooses death to a life
of superficial existence. He says to us, I will give up my life as proof of the
importance of all that I teach you through my life, and through those I place in
authority over my Church. As Lent brings us to Holy Week, compare everything
you read in a newspaper, see on television, or hear on the radio to the Life of
Christ. See clearly how not only the nation must change, but how you must
change. This will be the change that lasts because it’s not a bailout; it’s a
change in the very fabric of life that God designed at the dawn of creation.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Palm Sunday, April 5, 2009
As we begin the journey of
Holy Week, I ask for your deep reflection on the matter of the
desecration of the Holy Eucharist. More cases were reported to me
of students leaving the church with the Blessed Sacrament in hand.
Fortunately, these hosts were retrieved. This week one of our
teachers found a host in a hymnal.
This is too serious a
situation to continue to be just cautious. It is time for action,
at least for a few months. Please read this Notice to Parishioners
IMPORTANT
NOTICE TO PARISHIONERS
Due to the
continued reports and discovery of the Consecrated Hosts in the
pages of hymnals and attempts to leave with the Blessed
Sacrament in hand or in pocket, EVERYONE MUST RECEIVE
COMMUNION ON THE TONGUE. COMMUNION IN THE HAND IS FORBIDDEN
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Christ died for our sins,
but sin continues to dominate the world. Pray this Holy Week for
the exposure of sin to those who are blind to its presence in their
lives and in the world. And through the passion of Christ, pray for
an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness.
In my opinion, based on
the experiences over the past two years regarding the mishandling of
the consecrated host, perhaps the privilege of receiving Holy
Communion in the hand has led to a lessening of the Reality of
Christ’s Presence, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, under the
appearance of bread and wine.
As a pastor I am compelled
to draw “everyone’s” attention to the Sacred Body and Blood of
Christ. By requiring “everyone” to receive only on the tongue, it is
my hope that “everyone” will reflect on where they stand, and how
they understand, the reception of Communion as the magnificent gift
from Christ, given to his apostles and those present at the Last
Supper and, through them, given to the Church, to you and to me.
This Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of Christ, no just bread
and wine. On the night He was betrayed, He took bread and gave
thanks to our heavenly Father and said, “This is my Body, which with
be given up for you.” “Take this all of you, and drink from it:
this is the cup of my Blood, the Blood of the new and everlasting
covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be
forgiven. Do this in memory of me.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter is here! Alleluia, Praise be to God, the Father of us all
who gave us His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He came to us with
a message of hope found in living a life determined to proclaim the
truth of the Father’s Commandments. He did this by dying for us,
rather than negate any part of His message of Life. He is risen,
just as He said he would and we, His people, live in the glory of
that Resurrection. What a wonderful faith is ours in the Catholic
Church. I join with Msgr. Hamilton and Fathers Jim, Bob, Stan and
Moise in prayers for God’s blessings on all of you this Easter
Season. May each of you and all of our families find new life in
Christ as together we work to bring this Easter joy into the hearts
of all who live in our Community of Lindenhurst and beyond. Happy
Easter!
As you know, we have resumed distributing Holy Communion in the
Hand. Sr. Sheila Brown in the Office of Worship sent the following
reflection issued by the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical
Commissions in 2003. I do not regret the action I took in response
to what we agreed were and are terrible abuses. I pray that the
attention brought to the matter of abuse of the Consecrated Host
will heighten everyone’s awareness and show the need for continual
education on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Take and Eat - Receiving Holy Communion in the Hand
When the Holy Father granted permission for the option of receiving Holy
Communion in the hand, he expressed concern that there be adequate instruction
of the faithful so that the practice will “strengthen their faith” and “increase
the sense of their dignity.” Communion in the hand is a return to traditional
practice. The Last Supper was a ritual meal, following the customs of the time.
The first Christians continued to celebrate the Eucharist as a sacred,
sacrificial meal. Communion in the hand was the universal practice then. Not
until the ninth century does it become, in scattered places, the “privilege” of
clerics. Nor did the gradual changeover to communion on the tongue arise from a
greater reverence for the Eucharist. The change in the shape of bread seems to
have been a greater factor, along with a false sense of unworthiness on the part
of the communicants. Communion in the hand can deepen our faith in the
dignity of every Christian as a member of the body of Christ, including our own
personal dignity.
Irreverence of any kind must be avoided.
One of the abuses of our time is the automatic and routine reception of Holy
Communion at every Mass without prayerful involvement with the Lord or the
community. An exaggerated sense of unworthiness must give way to humble
gratitude. Communion in the hand can help remove disrespect for the human person
and more particularly, the human body, and does not imply that some parts of the
human body are less worthy than others. As a prayerful gesture, it can do much
to restore to adult Christians a sense of dignity, maturity and holiness.
How to take Communion in the hand -
This is how St. Cyril of Jerusalem instructed the newly-baptized during his
Easter sermon in the year 348: “When you approach Holy Communion, make the left
hand into a throne for the right, which will receive the King. With your hand
hollowed, receive the Body of Christ and answer ‘Amen’. Then consume it, taking
care not to lose any of it...”
The following steps might be helpful, always remembering that the first rule is
reverence.
1. Bow your head as a gesture of reverence before the sacrament.
2. Place one open palm on top of the other.
3. After you have replied “Amen” to “The Body of Christ,” the minister will
place the Host in your open hand.
4. Step aside to make room for the next communicant.
5. With your lower hand, take the Host and place it in your mouth. Only after
this return to your place. [Sr.
Sheila and I agree that steps 4 & 5 address the issue we have to prevent abuse].
Take and East
©1993, 2003 Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thank you to everyone who graced our church with your presence from
Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. The Sacred Triduum of Holy Thursday,
Good Friday and Holy Saturday were spiritually motivated and filled
with many graces and blessings for all. As your pastor, I was
please at the number of people participating during the Tridduum. I
want to make special note of the outstanding and excellent portrayal
of the Passion of Christ in the Stations of the Cross by all the
students from our Catholic School’s Eighth Grade. It was a truly
emotional hour and a perfect reflection of the Way of the Cross
Christ walked on that fateful day in his life. I also want to thank
Theresa, a longtime member of our parish family who shared with us
the incredibly cherished gift of a certified, authentic, 1st
Class Relic of the True Cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We were blessed to not only venerate the cross we used in the
Liturgy, but then, to venerate this Relic of the True Cross. Once
again, grace abounds from our faith-filled community.
“Just
as Jews remove unleavened bread from their households at Passover to
signify a new beginning, Christians should remove from their hearts
the ‘yeast of old sin,’ says Benedict XVI.” The Pope said this in
his homily for Easter Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, in which he
reflected on a passage of 1 Corinthians: "Christ, our Paschal lamb,
has been sacrificed." He said the passage "contains, in an
impressive synthesis, a full awareness of the newness of life in
Christ."
The
yeast of old sin is that which influences our lives from the world
around us. This yeast of old sin is the constant cry around our
nation to accept the sinful desires of the mind and body. Abortion,
gay marriages, assisted suicides, sexual, verbal, emotional and
physical abuse top the list of increasingly acceptable moral
patterns of behavior. Check you local newspaper or favorite TV News
or Talk Show Channel. Notice the absence or short supply of
attempts on the part of political leaders, talk show hosts and
commentators to even consider that maybe, just maybe the teachings
of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the word of Christ and the
non-prejudiced teachings of the Church, Synagogue, or Mosque on the
expected, positive moral behavior of Jews, Christians and Muslims
might be just the right answers to whether or not certain “rights”
or “laws” should be granted or legislated.
The
yeast that once was the source of decision making is no longer an
ingredient in lawmaking or determining the rights to life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness. However, as we all know, they
certainly should be the key ingredient in both the thought and
action process. Failure to do so results in pure humanism. What is
humanism? Be careful as you read this Wikipedia definition. To many
people, this sounds like “freedom,” but in reality, it is man and
woman’s uncontrolled response to self-centered, human thinking,
desires and decision-making.
“Humanism is a broad category of ethical philosophies that affirm
the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to
determine right and wrong by appealing to universal human qualities,
particularly rationality, without resorting to the supernatural
or alleged divine authority from religious texts. It is a
component of a variety of more specific philosophical systems.
Humanism can be considered as a process by which truth and
morality is sought through human investigation; as such, views
on morals can change when new knowledge and information is
discovered. In focusing on the capacity for self-determination,
humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as a dependence
on faith, the supernatural, or texts of allegedly divine origin.
Humanists endorse universal morality based on the commonality of the
human condition, suggesting that solutions to human social and
cultural problems cannot be parochial (narrow-minded)…. Humanism is
a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human
beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape
to their own lives.” [Respect for, or obedience to authority depends
on whether that authority agrees with the humanist.] …. It is
not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.
Next week, I will continue to explore the empty road of humanism,
and see why God makes so much more sense.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- May 3, 2009
Last weekend caught me by surprise. Before I knew it, I was more
than late for my deadline for “the Pastor’s Desk.” I hope the
insert was a good source of reflection on last Sunday and its
Scriptures. This week I would like to pick up where I left off
reflecting on how “humanism” has gradually invaded the leaven of our
Catholic Christian spirituality. As I cautioned you last time,
humanism appears to be a way of life that guarantees personal
freedom giving everyone the right to live in his or her own world of
personal freedom. Well, not only does it appear to do that, it does
exactly that. Remember hearing things like, "You are entitled to
your views, I am entitled to mine. It does not matter what you do,
as long as you don't hurt anyone. You do your thing, I will do
mine." These phrases echoed in what became known as “new age
theology”. It sounds, to many, like a fair way to look at life.
This is the present way of the world, influenced by political,
social, pseudospritual, pseudoethical and pseudomoral leaders found
in our nation and, dare I say, in cornors of our Church. This type
of thinking has led to the promotion and free reign of abortion,
gender absent and same sex life styles, assisted suicide, embryonic
stem cell research and a host of confused, twisted and morally
deprived legislation and business practices.
I
repeat what I wrote two weeks ago. “The yeast that once was the source of
decision making is no longer an ingredient in lawmaking or determining the
rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, as we all know,
they certainly should be the key ingredient in both the thought and action
process. Failure to do so results in pure humanism. What is humanism? It is
man and woman’s uncontrolled response to self-centered, human thinking, desires
and decision-making…
It is
not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality.”
My friends, I do not know
the future. I am neither clairvoyant nor a remote viewer. However, I will say
that it is time for everyone in our nation and world to wake up to what is
happening under our very noses. Legislators and legislations are gradually
removing all semblances of our Judeo-Christian religious, spiritual and ethical
beliefs. The spiritual beliefs and religious practices of people of all faiths
is in jeopardy if we don’t act now.
We must constantly renew
and strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, and,
our belief in Jesus having shed his blood for our sins. We here at OLPH are on
the road that will bring us a stronger relationship with Christ through his
Church and in His Most Holy Eucharist. This week I wept with joy a I carried
the Blessed Sacrament through our church with Fr. Rafael Chelo and Fr. Stan
during a Mass of Healing attended by about 500 members of the surrounding
Hispanic Community. What a life giving experience to see and feel the power of
Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit permeate every adult, teenager,
young child and infant. Every man and woman filled with the love of Christ,
renewing their commitment to speak and to be the Word of God in their homes, at
work, in school and in their normal daily lives. They recommitted themselves to
rid their lives of sin and from domination by the powers of the devil. I know
that the healing power of Christ, through the Holy Spirit touched the hearts,
minds and bodies of many that night.
How I pray that humanism
be seen for what it is, the work of the evil one. This is why I instituted the
recitation of the Prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel at the end of every
Mass. It certainly is not because I do not believe the Eucharist we celebrate
is not enough to rid the world of evil. It is because God sent us His Son and
sent us His Holy Angels to be our support, our strength and our defense. Ours
is a powerful and deep faith, with many powerful and deeply religious
practices. In the practice of our faith, the Holy Spirit comes and, if we are
open, this Spirit changes our lives. This Spirit rips out the evil and replaces
it with all that is good, wholesome, and healing.
Kneel before the Lord this
week, renounce humanism and embrace Christ in our Catholic Faith. The Spirit of
God heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- May 10, 2009
It is easy for men and
children to forget the most important person in their lives, Mom.
She is always there and expected to be there when needed.
Interestingly enough, people most often confess having “disobeyed
their mother. It is almost as though fathers do not enter the
picture of family life and discipline (that is a topic for another
writing). Perhaps this is because even though many women also have
fulltime or part time jobs, the expectations of Motherhood always
remain a woman’s full time responsibility. Women have been
mistreated for centuries. They have been used and abused, made to
feel inferior, unequal and inadequate. Of course, with the
exceptions being when it comes time for cooking, cleaning, washing
dirty clothes and dishes, cleaning filthy bedrooms and bathrooms,
and of course being responsible for every aspect of daily family
life as chief cook and bottle washer, chauffeur, nurse, personal
secretary… and the list goes on and on. [Now I know that many men
share these chores today, and so they should, but this is Mother’s
Day.]
In addition, of course,
having children was a joyful experience for everyone who did not
have to go through morning sickness, gaining weight, inability to
get up off a chair, and the excruciating pains of childbirth. The
scriptures tell us that a woman “gives joy at the birth of her
child, seeing that another person has been brought into the world.”
Personally, I think that anyone would be overjoyed to know that the
pain and discomfort is over. Then another life begins and a whole
other set of responsibilities. This is “Motherhood.”
Over the years many people
have reflected on Mothers, here are a few of them:
-
“No man is poor who has had a godly mother." - Abraham Lincoln
- "Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -
Lin Yü-tang
- "The mother is the most precious possessions of the nation, so
precious that society advances its highest well-being when it
protects the functions of the mother." - Ellen Key
- "The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you
will always find forgiveness." - Honore' de Balzac
- "Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; a
mother's secret hope outlives them all."- Oliver Wendell Holmes -
"Before becoming a mother I had a hundred theories on how to bring
up children. Now I have seven children and only one theory: love
them, especially when they least deserves to be loved." - Kate
Samperi
- "Making a decision to have a child -- it's momentous. It is to
decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your
body." - Elizabeth Stone
- “Adorable children are considered to be the general property of
the human race. Rude children belong to their mothers - Judith
Martin
- "The mother loves her child most divinely, not when she surrounds
him with comfort and anticipates his wants, but when she resolutely
holds him to the highest standards and is content with nothing less
than his best." - Hamilton Wright Mabie
- "Motherhood brings as much joy as ever, but it still brings
boredom, exhaustion, and sorrow too. Nothing else ever will make you
as happy or as sad, as proud or as tired, for nothing is quite as
hard as helping a person develop his own individuality especially
while you struggle to keep your own." -Marguerite Kelly and Elia
Parsons
- "A mother understands what a child does not say." - Jewish
Proverb
- "A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose
place no one else can take." - Cardinal Mermillod
- "Every mother is like Moses. She does not enter the Promised Land.
She prepares a world she will not see." - Pope Paul VI
Always be the Mother, God
has called you to be. Always love and show that love to the woman
who gave you life and the woman who gave life to your children.
Always love and show live to the woman has this most incredible gift
from God. For whether you are a born of this woman or her adopted
child, she is and will always be, your Mother. “Happy Mothers’
Day”.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- May 17, 2009
I would like to begin this week by writing to those “Anonymous”
individuals who enjoy sending letter to the Pastor but refuse to
sign and say that I “surely can understand the reason….”
May I begin by saying that
while on the one hand I do understand why someone would be
“anonymous” it usually has to do with confession of personal sins
where people seek more “anonymity” rather than being anonymous, or
in the case of those who want to be of positive service or
generosity to a person or cause. They are not looking for praise.
These people are usually of the belief, rightly so, that this is
their way of giving back to the community or to a person. This
person responds in thanksgiving for the many blessings they have in
their life. These persons I do understand and respect.
However, the “anonymous”
letters that I receive are from individuals who either do not have
the courage to show their face, or who are afraid that the facts
they present may or may not bear any resemblance to the truth. Most
content of such letters is “hearsay”, rumor, gossip, jaded,
misinformation or misguided loyalty. Fortunately, these letters are
few and eventually find their way into the circular or rectangular
file where they receive the treatment they deserve. Fortunately, I
have had some great teacher in the ways of leadership both in the
priesthood and in the Navy. I do not claim to be perfect, but I am
a pastor with a heart and soul that lives and dies each day to see
our Catholic Faith develop, grow and take root in the depth of every
person in this parish.
As those of you who are
parents and in leadership positions know, making decisions for the
betterment of your family or business is an awesome, daily
responsibility. Not everyone understands why you do things, and,
their trust in you as head of the family, business or parish is
essential. Individuals who want to micro manage or expect daily
details of your activity are destructive to the creative nature of a
leader and the ultimate growth of a family or institution.
I f you want to see the
affects of gossip, rumors, hearsay, jaded, misinformation and
misguided loyalty I ask you to take a feather pillow to the rooftop
and tear it open into the wind. Then proceed to collect all the
feathers. It is impossible to do because it is too late, the damage
is done and you cannot retrieve what you have put to the wind.
When I came to OLPH I
promised to challenge and to bring change. Right now, the
revelation of Christ as the center of our individual and parish
community life is both the challenge and the change in progress. I
continue to thank the many parishioners who respect my position as
pastor and that of my brother priests. I thank those who know and
appreciate all that my brother priests and I are doing to be good
priests and loyal sons of the Church teaching and living the faith
of Jesus Christ in word and in deed.
Changes that I have made
are for the present and future good of the parish family
spiritually, academically, economically and administratively. The
parish staff and I work closely in support the growth and
development of OLPH.
Thank you for your
prayers, keep them coming. Be assured of my daily prayers for all
of you, even for those who are anonymous.
My closing thoughts are
“if you cannot say something nice about someone then don’t say
anything.”…if someone claims to have “the inside scoop” or “juicy
information” about the parish, tell them to keep it to themselves
because they are just spreading rumors, untruths or distorted, out
of context information. In addition, for those of you who remember
this one… “Loose lips sink ships.”
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- May 24, 2009
Today we are celebrating
Mass in the light of the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. As
Christ was taken up to heaven, He clearly directed the Apostles to
go out and spread the Gospel, the Good News that He had given them
in the three most powerful years ever to be recorded in the annuls
of history. It was, and still is, a call to witness by word and
action. Our Catholic Christian Faith is strongly centered on the
family, where we have the image given to us by God in Christ. We
have the definition in the very life of our Savior, Jesus. We have
the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. A man and a woman, chosen
by God to create a unit of life called the family. Joseph does,
“what is right” and takes to himself, Mary, as his wife, who is with
child by the power of the Holy Spirit. In doing right he creates a
family for the Son who will be his Savior, Jesus…”and you shall call
Him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” The very
depth of creation cries out today as this fundamental unit of life,
the family, one man and one woman is challenged to at the least
“unimportance” and at the worst “virtual extinction.”
Keeping Marriage Between One Man and One Woman
Become Internet Smart to fight the good fight of this new age.
www.nyscatholic.org
We need your help to defend marriage, which is under attack in New York State.
On May 12, 2009, the State Assembly voted 89 to 52 to legalize marriage between
two people of the same sex. The bill now proceeds to the State Senate, where
indications are the vote will be very close. We urge you to contact your state
Senator and tell them to maintain society's understanding of marriage as between
one man and one woman.
Same-Sex ‘Marriage’: The Catholic Position
Adapted from a 2008 statement of the New York State Bishops,
available in full at
www.nyscatholic.org
Recently, New York Governor David Paterson directed all state agencies to
recognize “same-sex marriages” performed in another state or country as valid
marriages. Given the Governor’s unilateral directive, it is appropriate to
outline briefly why the Catholic Church believes “samesex marriage to be wrong,
not only for religious reasons, but for society in general:
Marriage is a mutual personal gift that serves the man and woman in many ways,
allowing them to grow in love and, through that love, to bring forth children.
Just as importantly, this union also serves the larger society by providing a
stable family structure for the rearing of children. That is why civil society
through the ages has recognized its duty to foster and respect marriage between
a man and a woman. From the religious perspective, the joining of man and woman
in the bond of marriage is a constant and visible reminder of God’s goodness and
the beauty of the Divine plan for humankind.
Encouraging marriage between a man and a woman serves the state’s interests,
as well reared children who live with their mother and father are much more
likely to grow to be good citizens, thereby, creating wealth, stability and
security for the members of the society. There is no such state interest in
recognizing “same-sex marriage.”
Recognizing same sex unions will only serve to devalue marriage even more than
what has already occurred in recent years, furthering a societal disconnect
between procreation and marriage while promoting the notion that a
nontraditional family structure serves a child as well as a traditional one.
Our firm beliefs about marriage and against the governor’s proposal must not
be falsely portrayed as in any way a condemnation of homosexual people or an
attack on their human dignity. Our Church teaches that we must treat homosexual
men and women with dignity and love, as we would all God’s children. Where
unjust discrimination occurs, the state can address issues of benefits without
compromising marriage.
Action Steps
Join the Catholic Advocacy Network at www.nyscatholic.org. There, you can
easily:
Contact Governor David Paterson and tell him you oppose recognition of foreign
and out-of-state “same-sex marriages.”
Urge your Senator and Assembly Member to support traditional marriage.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper supporting traditional
marriage.
For twenty years I served
with some of the finest men and women of the nation who placed their
lives at risk every day to preserve the traditional families of the
world from hatred, terrorism and the destruction of the very thought
of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On this Memorial Day
weekend think of what our world would be like if moms and dads did
not have sons and daughters born into families who died for the
objective values presented by God and protected by the laws of this
great country.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- May 31, 2009
Congratulations to all of our Religious Education Students who will
receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this evening at the 5:00 pm
Life Teen Mass. Father Jim will be the celebrant of the Mass and
will be the confirming priest with permission of Bishop Murphy on
this Pentecost Sunday. I am blessed to be the homilist.
As
you can see the Church is decorated not only for this weekend of
Pentecost, but to honor our students who will be confirmed by Bishop
Murphy on Tuesday, June 2, 2009. May the Spirit fill you with His
Gifts.
I
pray that everyone attending Mass this weekend will renew themselves
in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Remember that you are called by
God, by virtue of your Baptism and confirmed at your Confirmation,
to live your life in the power of these gifts of Wisdom,
Understanding, Fortitude, Knowledge, Counsel, Pity and Fear of the
Lord. These are not just empty words. They are powerful abilities
and capabilities that you and I have to assist and enable us in our
everyday lives. Our decisions, our beliefs, our perspectives on
every issue in life depend on the use or non-use of these gifts.
The reason why we struggle with life is because these powerful gifts
lay dormant and stagnant within us. Your faith in God calls you to
believe in the power of these gifts.
Today
we need to be “Energized in the Spirit” and allow God, the Holy
Spirit, the third person of the Blessed Trinity to fill us with
renewed and infused Faith, Hope and Love.
Live
your Life in the Holy Spirit. Renew your faith, by studying the
Holy Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Renew
your hope, by believing in the incredible person that you are and
the incredible person that God is in His hope for you. Renew your
love, by becoming the love that is Jesus Christ, in the Holy
Eucharist.
This,
my people, is our Faith, this is the Faith of the Church, we are
proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Come
Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of you faithful people at OLPH and
enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and
they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- June 7, 2009
Let me begin this week with the official announcement of the
transfer of two of our priest and their two replacement priests.
Father Robert Kline will be transferred to the parish of St. John
the Evangelist in Center Moriches. Fr. Bob concludes his first five
years as a priest of the Diocese this year. His transfer reflects
the Personnel Policy of the diocese that limits a newly ordained
priest’s first assignment to a maximum of five years. This will
allow Fr. Bob the opportunity to develop his pastoral and priestly
skills with a new parish community.
Father Stan Wadowski will
be transferred to St. Killian in Farmingdale. Fr. Stan has been at
OLPH for three years as a first full assignment in the Diocese. Fr.
Stan has requested to be excardinated from his home Diocese in
Albania and to be incardinated into the Diocese of Rockville
Centre. This incardination process requires Fr. Stan to have a
second full time assignment in a parish within the diocese. In
order to meet that requirement and begin the process of
incardination, Fr. Stan will leave us this month.
A reception will be held
in the School Auditorium to honor Fathers Bob and Stan on Sunday,
June 21st following the 12:30 pm Mass. Parishioners are
invited to join us for the reception to thank these fine priests for
their priestly ministry and to wish them well in their new parishes.
I am pleased to report that both priests will be replaced to
continue the ministry here at OLPH. Their replacements are
Father Thomas Pers, from St. John the Evangelist, Center
Moriches and Father Augustine Oraka, from St. Patrick, Glen
Cove. The transfer date for all priests is Wednesday, June 24th
effective at 12:00 noon. Details will be published in “The Long
Island Catholic”, our Diocesan newspaper.
THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY TRINITY
- The Central Mystery of the Christian Faith - The mystery of
the Holy Trinity is the most fundamental and essential teaching of
the Christian faith. Our belief in the Holy Trinity is a “strict
mystery.” This means two things. First, it is something revealed to
us by God about God that we could never have come to know had God
not made it known to us. Second, we can never fully understand the
meaning of this truth about God. As the young boy said to Augustine,
“God is too big for your little mind.” We believe that Jesus Christ
revealed this truth about God’s identity to us. Because of our
faith in Jesus Christ and our trust in his Body, the Church, we
believe there is one God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—a Holy
Trinity.
Heart of Jesus’ Revelation of God’s Identity -
The first Christians who met Jesus came to believe that Jesus was
equal to God, that Jesus was indeed the Son of God dwelling among
us. We share that faith, which has been passed on to us by the
apostles. The first Christians also came to believe that this same
God was present with them in the Spirit that the Lord promised would
remain with them after his life on earth. This Advocate was poured
out on the disciples on Pentecost Sunday (Acts 2:1–4). We believe
this Spirit is with us today. Just as the apostles and first
believers in Jesus shared their faith, we share our faith and
welcome others into the Church in the name of God, who Jesus
revealed to us. We say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” We believe in the Holy
Trinity because Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life—teaches us
who God really is. The Father loves us so much that he sent the Son
and the Spirit to us. He invites us to share—in a mysterious way—the
very life and love of the Triune God, both here on earth and after
death in eternal life. This is the most wonderful thing that can
possibly happen to us. It is the heart of the good news!
One God, Three Persons -
Christians are baptized in the name of the Triune God: “in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In the
doxology, which concludes the Eucharistic Prayer, we also profess
our faith in the Holy Trinity. We pray “through him, with him, in
him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours,
almighty Father, forever and ever.”
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor's Desk
-
June 14, 2009
“The Solemnity of the Body of Christ”
On this glorious feast in which we acknowledge and celebrate the
Real Presence of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar
we must reflect on the needs of the Body of Christ as we see it the
lives of our parishioners. On this feast day I want to reflect on
the needs of the men of our parish family.
This past Wednesday evening I met with the men of our Holy Name Society at
their installation of new officers “pot luck” dinner. I accepted this
invitation as they begin a new year because I wanted to celebrate with them and
to toss out a challenge for the future of ministry to the men of OLPH parish.
What we presently have is a fraternal group of men who meet monthly in support
of the church and its needs, and in spiritual and social encouragement. The
challenge I offered and which the men accepted is one of change in their
mission. I want this group to bring together adult men of all ages for the
development and support of their personal and communal spiritual life. This is
ministry to men, under the title and history of the “Holy Name Society” whose
all encompassing mission is the evangelization of Catholic Christian men. This
will be part of a larger Diocesan effort.
In April, a “Catholic Men’s Ministry” conference was held at Holy
Trinity High School in Hicksville. Over 800 men from all over Long
Island came together, for the first time, to proclaim their faith in
Jesus Christ as Catholic men of Long Island. They listened to the
stories of men, from different walks of life, musician, singer,
athlete, Olympic winner, police officer, father, sons, professional,
and some now even priest. Together they prayed, sang, and
celebrated Mass, these men of God, men of faith, men with a longing
for a better life for themselves, their families, their communities,
their nation and the world. Does any of this sound familiar to
you? Is this something that you want for yourself, your son, your
male friends, and maybe even your neighbors? Then read on and get
involved now because this is what is going to happen right here in
your parish…very soon!
“The
Catholic Men’s Ministry of Long Island is a group of Catholic men, from all
vocations and walks of life, that have come together to make a difference in the
in the minds and hearts of the people of Long Island... and that difference, we
believe, begins with faith-filled men.
“Founded within the Catholic Church of the Diocese of Rockville Centre our
mission is to evangelize, encourage and strengthen Catholic men to live their
call to be powerful sons of God and to lead their families and others closer to
the Lord. Whether in the home, workplace or society, each man is called to
respond to the authentic image of masculinity found in Christ Jesus and examples
such as St. Joseph, patron of husbands and fathers, and St. Paul, the apostle to
the Gentiles. [The Holy Name Catholic Men's Society] will gather men in prayer
and fellowship to be inspired to go out into the world to fight for the dignity
of every human being and to protect those entrusted to their care.
“We will start with Christ and end with Christ. Everything we do is for His
Glory. We will work hard to create bonds between men that will allow them to
grow in their Catholic Christian faith and stand together during times of
adversity. We will not compromise on the true message of Jesus and His Church.
We understand that there is a spiritual battle taking place, and we are willing
to engage in this battle for our families, our faith and our country. Finally,
we are proud to be Catholic and think it our duty to share this wonderful gift
with other men.”
Ok men, now we need your help to work with the OLPH Holy Name Society to move
into this new direction as our response to the need among the men of our
parish. Here is the NEXT STEP after the 2009 Long Island Catholic Men’s
Ministry Conference.
We need a few interested young adult and adult men to join with Mr. Bob Little
and a few of our Holy Name men to attend an “Information and Exchange of Ideas”
meeting at St. Kilian’s Church, 485 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY on this
Wednesday, June 17th at 7:30 p.m. Would you be willing to work with
others from other parishes to start one for the men in our parish? If the
answer is “YES” then call the rectory and leave a message for Mr. Bob Little or
me. Just let us know if you will attend the meeting. If you need a ride, Bob
will work it out with you.
The group at St. Kilian’s will be presenting different formats and
ideas to bring back to OLPH. Men will share their successes, failures and
challenges that they have experienced. Join our Holy Name men to form this new
ministry to help men of our Parish and Diocese to become stronger, faith-filled
Catholic Men. Come and learn something, perhaps something you have been
thinking about, but have not acted upon just yet. You’re being called!
Therefore, it is good that you read this week’s “From the Pastor’s Desk” because
it was meant for you.
On this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, I pray that we may continue
to become “One Body, in Christ.”
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- June 21, 2009 “The
Solemnity of the Body of Christ”
Welcome back to Ordinary Time. It is good to celebrate all the
Solemnity and Feasts of the Church. Now is the time that we get to
put the graces of Pentecost, Trinity, and Corpus Christi together
with the Easter Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord into good use
in the ordinary time of our lives. The entire Liturgical Year
unfolds for us to be able to have the strength to deal with the
everyday personal and family issues that are part of our life. What
does it tell us? These Celebrations are constant reminders for us
of God’s ever present and never failing love for us. But we have to
believe in it. We have to trust in what we have celebrated. We
have to become what we believe.
I believe in Pentecost, in the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the
apostles and upon me at Baptism and Confirmation. My mission is to
become that Holy Spirit, to reflect that Spirit of wisdom,
understanding, fortitude, knowledge, counsel, piety and fear of the
Lord. Thus I must bear the fruits of meekness, patience, peace,
justice, kindness, mercy and compassion. I believe in the Holy
Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit… I must become their presence
in every action of my life. I must be father, son, daughter and
spirit of life and love to all around me. I believe in the Body and
Blood of Christ. I believe that it has been poured out for love of
me to reconcile me with God, the Father. I believe that the Blood
of Christ must fill me with joy of knowing that He, my Lord and my
God is truly present to me. I am never apart from Him as long as I
partake of His Sacred Body and Blood. He gives me LIFE!
I believe in the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. I believe I
was created to know, love and serve God, and to be happy with Him
forever in heaven. These celebrations clinch that reality for me.
And so, in the Ordinary Time of my life I continue to live in His
presence empowered by these reinforced realities of my great fortune
to have at my side, in my heart and in my mind the Creator of the
Universe, the Son of the Living God, the Spirit of Life and
Goodness.
We are getting close to summer (even though the weather would make
us think otherwise) and the temptation is to now take a break from
attending Church and celebrating Mass. We cannot do that my
friends. We must keep ourselves close to God in Christ all year
round. If we travel, consider it an opportunity to see the Church
alive in other parts of the Island, the State, the Country, or the
World. Experience the presence of Christ 24/7 and 365 days a year.
Stay close to the Lord and live the life of Christ even when you
travel. Bring your faith with you wherever you go and witness for
Christ in your thoughts, words and actions.
This past Friday, June 19th, the Feast of the Sacred
Heart, brought our Holy Father, Benedict XVI to inaugurate “The Year
of the Priest.” I have placed a picture of the Sacred Heart in the
Rectory to honor and draw our attention to the importance of praying
for priests. We dedicate our heart to the Heart of Christ. We must
become His Sacred Heart just as I have said above that we must
become the reality of the Solemnity and Feasts we celebrate. Ours
is the call, the vocation, to bring Christ to others.
As you live the life of Christ each day, pray for us priests. Be
sure to remember Fathers Bob Kline and Stan Wadowski as they move on
to serve God’s people in new parishes. Pray for Fathers Tom Pers
and Augustine Oraka who will be here this Wednesday to begin serving
this parish family. Pray for Monsignor Hamilton and Father Moise in
their ministry here in our parish and the diocese. Pray for Father
Jim, a most faithful son of God and His Church as he continues to
give himself in service of all her at OLPH. And finally, but not
least, pray for me, that I may continue to hear the voice of Christ
and respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to bring renewal
and conversion into peoples’ hearts and bring us all to fulfill our
mission… “Trusting in God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and,
motivated by Christ’s Life, Death and Resurrection, we, the people
of God, under the protection of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, accept
as our mission, the evangelization of our parishioners both active
and inactive…..We accept the call to bring all to a personal,
Covenant relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior, to live the
Paschal Mystery and to promote the spiritual health and growth of
everyone in our parish community.”
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- June 28, 2009
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- July 5, 2009
A Blessed Fourth of July to everyone. We must never forget
what God has done in the past for America. We must have our eyes
opened to see what God is doing for America in the present. Then we
must realize what God will do to America in the future. Only the
people of this nation, you and I, can make and keep this a great
nation.
What has God done for America? A look
at some historical facts and events.
Most importantly, God Birthed America. The escape from oppression,
religious and otherwise led thousands upon thousands to journey
across the Oceans of the World in search of becoming part of a “New
Nation” and that journey ended and began on the shores of what is
now this great country, the United States of America. From some
researching I would share with you this Fourth of July weekend these
thoughts:
We sing, “My County Tis of Thee” and “God, Bless America.”
1. In one of the first colonies, Jamestown, Virginia, the first
community building was a church, the only building with wall still
standing.
2. Puritans first act at Plymouth Rock was to kneel, praise and
dedicate the new colony.
4. Lord Baltimore held church service in establishing Maryland.
5. As an illustration when you read their writings you see no doubt
that God birthed America.
6. Will Penn in writing government policies for Pennsylvania made
sure “all treasurers, judges, and all elected officials professed
faith in Christ.”
Our Founding Fathers consistently spoke of the need for
utilizing the Bible and Judeo-Christian values in defining and
preserving this nation:
* Twelve of the original 13 colonies incorporated the entire Ten
Commandments into their civil and criminal codes.
* President John Adams stated, "The law given from Sinai was a civil
and municipal code as well as a moral and religious code. These are
laws essential to the existence of men in society and most of which
have been enacted by every Nation which ever professed any code of
laws. Vain indeed would be the search among the writings of secular
history to find so broad, so complete and so solid a basis of
morality as the Ten Commandments lay down." (Note that the American
Bible Society was started by an act of Congress and John Adams, our
second president, served as its first leader.)
Our laws based on 10 commandments and Bible.
Supreme Court bldg - built 1935 – carved on front Moses and Ten
Commandments. House of Representatives - across speakers’ seat –
sculpture of Moses.
* President George Washington said, "It is impossible to govern the
world without God and the Bible. Of all dispositions and habits that
lead to political prosperity, our religion and morality are
indispensable supporters."
* In 1782, the U.S. Congress voted in favor of a resolution
recommending and approving the Bible for use in the schools.
* Henry Laurens, fourth president of the Continental Congress,
stated, "I had the honor of being one who framed the Constitution.
In order effectually to accomplish these great constitutional ends,
it is especially the duty of those who bear rule to promote and
encourage respect for God and virtue."
Patrick Henry, first governor of Virginia and a member
of the Continental Congress, stated, "It cannot be emphasized too
strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by
religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel
of Jesus Christ."
Our Constitution ends “in the year of our Lord.”…”Our
Nation’s Motto is “In God we trust”… and with hand in sharp Salute
or crossed over our heart, we Pledge “One nation under God.”
God birthed America and many have and still lay down
their lives for America. Pray this weekend before you eat that meal
and thank God for those who serve this great Nation, and pray that
we may all build our faith so we may defend the truths that set us
free and apart from all other nations of the world.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- July 12, 2009
Our
Holy Father, Benedict XVI has just issued an new encyclical, Caritas
In Veritate (Charity in Truth) which took two years to write. It is
a long document which is important and should be read by everyone.
The topic of Charity in the world of economics is not new to the
Church. A decline in moral and ethical standards brought us to
these economic times. It is time to reflect on these with a view on
bringing back a clear vision of charity in truth and peace in
justice.
The
Church has made moral judgments about economic and social matters,
"when the fundamental rights of the person or the salvation of souls
requires it." In earlier times the primary vehicle for Catholic
Social Teaching was the jurisprudence of canon law.
Here is a summary of the Church’s teachings on this topic.
The
social doctrine of the Church became the purview of papal
encyclicals during the nineteenth century when the Church struggled
with the rise of the modern industrial society with its new
structures for the production of consumer goods, with its new
concept of a just society, with the rise of the secular state, and
with the modern world's new forms of labor and ownership. These
writings are not political, they are documents that reflect the
moral and ethical foundation that truly expresses personal and world
freedom and integrity in which the rights of every human person is
seen as sacred and worthy of justice and peace.
Pope
Leo XIII wrote
Rerum Novarum: On the Condition of Workers:
Issued on the fifteenth of May 1891. Literally "Of New Things," on
capital and labor and the condition of the working class. This was
the most significant of all the encyclicals before or since.
Rerum Novarum broke down the barriers that separated the church
from the worker. Rarely had the Church spoken on social matters in
such an official and comprehensive fashion. **
Pope Pius XI wrote
Quadragesimo Anno:
On the Reconstruction of the Social Order: Issued May 15, 1931.
Literally "In forty Years," commemorating the fortieth anniversary
of Rerum Novarum. This encyclical repeated many of the themes
of Rerum Novarum: the dignity of labor, the rights of workers
to organize, etc. Quadragesimo anno also emphasized the
immorality of keeping economic control in the hands of a few. It
recognized the principle of subsidiarity, which held that
higher levels of authority should act only when lower levels cannot
deal with a problem. **
Pope
John XXIII wrote
Mater et Magistra:
Mother and Teacher:
Issued May 15, 1961. Literally "Mother and Teacher," on Christianity
and Social progress. This encyclical gave an updated interpretation
of the classic theme of private property and introduced the notion
of private initiative as an extension of private property. While
Rerum Novarum and Quadragesimo Anno left responsibility
for social justice with the individual, Mater et Magistra
placed some in the hands of the state. (this encyclical needs to be
read in conjunction with Pacem in Terris, literally "Peace on
Earth," Pope John XXIII's other great encycical.) **
Pope
Paul VI wrote
Populorum Progressio: On the Development of People:
Issued March 26, 1967. Literally "On the Progress of Peoples." As a
vigorous endorsement of Mater et Magistra, Populorum Progressio
presented Catholicism as a advocate of a pluralistic,
decentralized approach to economic problems. **
He
also wrote
Octogesima Adveniens: A Call to Action
(May 14, 1971) Issued for the Eightieth Anniversary of Rerum
Novarum
as a reinforcement “to extend the teaching of
our predecessors, in response to the new needs of a changing world.”
Pope
John Paul II wrote Laborem
Exercens: On Human Work:
Issued on September 14, 1981. Literally "On Human Work." Laborem
Exercens focused on the themes that work is central to the
social question and that work has potential not only to dehumanize
but also to be the means whereby the human person cooperates in
God's ongoing creation.
He also wrote
Sollicitudo Rei Socialis:
On the Twentieth Anniversary of Populorum Progressio
Issued on December 30, 1987.
Literally "On Social Concerns," commemorating the twentieth
anniversary of Populorum Progressio. Solicitudo Rei Socialis
presented an overview of modern social problems with some guidelines
for action. It dealt with authentic human development and adopted a
critical attitude toward both capitalism and communism.
Solicitudo Rei Socialis warned that economic development alone
may not set people free but only enslave them more. **
And, he also wrote
Centesimus Annus: The Hundredth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum
Issued on May 1, 1991. Literally,
"The Hundredth Year," commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of
Rerum Novarum. Centesimus Annus brought Rerum Novarum
up to date and tied it to "the preferential option for the poor"
done in the context of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe
and the Soviet Union, Centesimus Annus still criticized both
capitalism and communism. **
Like the Popes before him, Pope
Benedict XVI writes in an effort to bring hope to a world torn by
economic greed and suffering. He brings hope when he sees the
present economic struggle as a “time for discernment, in which to
shape a new vision for the future.”
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- July 19, 2009
Since the installation of our new Altars and refurbishing of the
Sanctuary you need only now to look around and see the extension of
that work in the Church, Rectory, School, Convent and the Grey
House.
In and around the Church:
A little at a time, the interior of the Church is being repainted,
even the interior of the Confessionals which are brighter and rid of
the dusty carpeting that was on the walls. The electricity and
lighting will be changed.
Termite damage was found around some of the doors = termite control measures and
repairs in progress. This is important for obvious reasons, but must be done
before installation of all new entrance doors at all five entrance ways. The
diocesan facilities office is working on a contract for new Etched Blue Glass
Doors to include an electronic handicap entrance on the north side.
The railings and spindles along the parapet of the church were scraped and
repainted and the bell tower refinished. (The wood panels at the base of the
tower were rotted and had to be replaced using plastic composite panels.)
Temporarily, and in lieu of a rather costly “new” bathroom we will update the
present one until next budget period. To do the job right, we need two
bathrooms: one regular and one handicap accessible.
In an effort to become more environmentally conscious, (GREEN), our facilities
manager has that attitude at the heart of all the work in progress.
In the Rectory:
As you can see it is being outfitted with AC/Heat pump units for more efficient
AC and winter heating at a projected significant savings in heat costs. The
office furniture and carpeting were recently updated and a front door security
camera and electronic key system installed for safety of our receptionists.
In the School:
The Annex roof was completely redone to solve some serious leaking. The roof on
the old School is also being repaired. New environmentally and cost efficient
windows are replacing those in the School Annex and Auditorium/Gym. New
lighting will also be installed in the auditorium/gym and other areas of the
school. The Pre-K classrooms are being renovated with new ceilings, floors and
paint job.
Safety fencing was installed around the window wells in the courtyard between
the School and Convent Center for the safety of our children.
In the Convent Center:
Thanks to the great cooperation of our Diocesan Insurance coverage we are able
to have water damage repairs, painting and carpet replacement and cleaning
done. After some renovation work, our Religious Education Offices will relocate
to the Convent Center before classes begin. We also brought doors up to code
for safety by changing door opening directions and installing panic bars in all
the basement rooms. Youth Ministry, Moms and Tots, CYO, CMSAA, Boy Scouts,
Parents Association all have new spaces in the Convent Center.
In the Grey House:
Lots of in-house and volunteer work is going into the refurbishing of the
building to prepare it, as soon as possible, to become the space of our “St.
Vincent DePaul Society Offices and Outreach Center.” The KofC is working with
us to make this happen.
The Parking Lot:
Minor repairs will be done
this summer and this project which requires re-paving and concrete repairs will
be put into the next budget period.
Everything that is being done is a combination of work by our maintenance staff,
volunteers, local and outside businesses. Our Business and Facilities Manager’s
research and contracting skills have allowed us to be good stewards of your
generous donations in the past and present. Thank you and enjoy the progress
being made to maintain and improve on the parish facilities for the use of all
our parish programs and organizations.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- July 26, 2009
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- August 2, 2009
Please click here to see the Pastor's Desk substitution for this
week.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- August 9, 2009
Please click here to see the Pastor's Desk substitution for this
week.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- August 16, 2009
It’s good to be back after a good couple of weeks of rest and
relaxation and a great three day retreat with 14 other priests and
Fr. Benedict Groeschel. It helps to regroup your thoughts and get
back to building and restoring this great parish of ours.
Our faith a Catholics is so important to us. It keeps us in tune
not only with God, but through Him with our personal needs, those of
our family and friends, and of our brothers and sisters in the
Lord. Each day I realize more and more how better equipped we need
to be in order to be aware of the moral implications of decisions in
legislations that are made by the leaders of government in areas of
Health Care and Health Care Benefits, Finances, Life and Death,
Family Life, Sexuality, Marriage, the Environment and a host of
other issues that affect the very core of our moral foundation.
I listen and watch as people, frustrated with these issues, begin to
boil and express their anger and fears at being tossed into a new
world that begins to erode the fundamental freedoms of life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness. Please join me in staying abreast of
these issues remembering that the moral and common good must be a
constant, not a variable in these issues. Life is either good for
all or for none, but never for only some. More importantly, join me
in praying for “peaceful” resolution to these issues. Anger and
hatred will achieve nothing if left unguarded and uncontrolled.
If our faith is focused on doing God’s will, and we know that God’s
will is to enhance the quality and dignity of the life of every
person and family then we must be firm in prayers, knowledge and
action.
The New York State Catholic Conference [nyscatholic.org] is a great
monitoring agency of the Catholic Church in New York State to help
keep up with the development of sound, moral and ethical programs
and legislation. In regard to family life and respect life they
remind us that… “In
the Catholic social vision, the human person is central, the
clearest reflection of God among us. The life of every human being,
from inception through each stage of development to natural death,
is sacred, deserving of respect and worthy of legal protection. As
we strive to achieve full legal protection for all human lives, we
support incremental legislative advances, such as those listed here,
as important steps toward this goal.
The Catholic tradition proclaims that the person is not only sacred,
but social. The God-given institutions of marriage and family are
the basic cells of society. We support policies that strengthen the
quality of family life, with particular attention to families with
special needs.”
Also in the area of Health Care (a rather hot issue these days)
their perspective is… “Equitable, accessible and ethical health care
is an essential safeguard of human life. Health care is a basic
human right, and genuine health care reform, recognizing the dignity
of persons and the unique needs of the poor, is a matter of
fundamental justice. The Catholic Conference remains committed to
the right of religious-affiliated organizations to provide health
care services according to their missions and to the provision of
not-for-profit health care services, the maintenance of
not-for-profit health systems, and the provision of services on a
charity care basis, consistent with available revenues and
responsible stewardship.
The Conference supports measures to expand health care access and
coverage for low- and moderate-income individuals; adequate funding
for appropriate Medicaid services for low-income New Yorkers and for
institutions that provide core health care services in poor and
underserved communities; the development of the full continuum of
health care services in non-institutional settings, including adult
care facilities, and community-based long-term care and home health
care services; and support for adequate reimbursement for providers,
including maintenance of economically sound reimbursement principles
and trend factor rate adjustments that adequately reflect costs of
health care services.”
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- August 23, 2009
Kathryn Jean Lopez is a notable editor for National Review Online
http:www.nationalreview.com. In a
recent article online she writes warning us of the behind the scenes efforts
involved in the development of so called “Health Care Reform”. She points out
that in all the discussions, the question of where abortion fits into this
reform is never asked. The fear and yet the belief is that if it is asked it
will be skirted by redirecting everyone’s attention to other issues and viewed,
as the President has already done, as a distraction to the work of developing
healthcare reform. We must begin to realize that just because the word
“abortion” is limited or perhaps even absent from written legislation, we must
require a clear, precise and detailed understanding of the term “reproductive
health.” Reproductive health includes abortion in all its forms.
My dear parishioners, abortion is not a distraction, and it cannot be hidden
behind, beneath, or intermingled with other perhaps important, but not as
fundamental an issue as the complete and total respect for all human life from
conception to natural death. I bring this, once again, to your attention
because I implore you to make every effort to stay on top of this issue. Get
online and go to websites such as The New York Catholic Conference (
nyscatholic.org ) Priest for Life ( priestsforlife.org ) Pro Life Long Island (
ProLifeLI.org ) and be sure to be informed of the FACTS not the “opinions” of
people who do not care about unborn children and see them as a waste of money
just as they see anyone who is seriously ill as a financial burden and a way to
“save money.”
We cannot be led to believe that anyone who says they believe in God has a
RIGHT given by our or any civil government to ignore or tamper with human life
as a disposable commodity. This past week the OLPH Catholic family mourned the
death of one of its children, 14 year old Ryan Barrett. We mourned his death by
celebrating his life in all its “Autistic Imperfection” and “Incredible
Life-giving Enthusiasm”. Likewise, I and the other priests here at OLPH attend
numerous wakes for elderly members of our families and there too we mourn by
celebrating their LIFE in all its marvelous, faithful and even sad moments. I
know that my nephew and his wife would not trade the two days of life they spent
with their “premature born” daughter, Ana, for anything. Ana was never a
“distraction” to the few hours of life she shared with our family. No matter
what the circumstances surrounding the conception, birth, life and dying of a
person we have a Divine Obligation to treat every moment with total attention,
dignity and respect.
Read, write, e-mail, sign petitions in person and electronically and remember
that the fundamental reason to do it is the Divine call you have from God to
defend and protect all life.
We are gearing up for another school year at OLPH Catholic School. Thanks to
the generosity of some businesses and parishioners we are able to support seven
families who are experiencing financial hardships. The School Board and
Parents’ Association will continue to build our special “Angel Guardian Program”
for this purpose. Youth Ministry is growing and had a productive summer.
Religious Education is preparing to move its offices to the Convent building
which will now be called the “OLPH Faith Formation Center”. Our Deacons also
have office space for RCIA and Sacramental Preparation Programs. CYO, CCMSA,
Boy Scouts now have office space in the Center as does the OLPH School Parents
Association.
I am looking forward to another productive year as we continue to focus our
efforts to build the faith community of OLPH with the Holy Eucharist as the
focal point and food for the journey. We are about to continue the work of
“Restoring God’s Glory.”
From the Pastor’s Desk
- August 30, 2009
The summer comes quickly to a close. Where did it go? I pray that
everyone had some time to relax in the sun and perhaps even walk in
the rain. Time with family and friends is what it is all about when
it comes to vacation. Whether a day, a weekend or just a couple of
day or a week, it is important to rest and relax and regroup our
thoughts and rejuvenate our bodies. Even the Holy Father, Benedict
XVI relaxed, even with a broken wrist, and this week reflected on
the beauty of creation and how respect for and enjoyment of the
environment is intimately connected with our respect for all human
life and all living creatures of God.
At his Wednesday greeting from his vacation residence, the Holy
Father writes, “The
earth is a precious gift of the Creator, who has designed its
intrinsic order, thus giving us guidelines to which we must hold
ourselves as stewards of his creation. From this awareness, the
Church considers questions linked to the environment and its
safeguarding as profoundly linked with the topic of integral human
development. I referred to these questions several times in my last
encyclical "Caritas in Veritate," reminding of the pressing moral
need for renewed solidarity" (49) not only in relations between
countries, but also between individuals, as the natural environment
is given by God to everyone, and its use entails a personal
responsibility towards the whole of humanity, in particular, towards
the poor and future generations (Cf. 48).
Experiencing the shared responsibility for creation (Cf. 51), the
Church is not only committed to the promotion of the defense of the
earth, of water and of air, given by the Creator to everyone, but
above all is committed to protect man from the destruction of
himself. In fact, "when 'human ecology' is respected in society,
environmental ecology also benefits" (ibid). Is it not true that
inconsiderate use of creation begins where God is marginalized or
also where existence is is denied? If the human creature's
relationship with the Creator weakens, matter is reduced to egoistic
possession, man becomes the "final authority," and the objective of
existence is reduced to a feverish race to possess the most
possible….” (Translation of Benedict XVI's address at this
Wednesday's general audience, which gathered pilgrims in the
courtyard of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.)
Some
may find it interesting that the Holy Father would write on such a
subject, and might even struggle to see how it fits into his role as
spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. We need to realize that
knowledge and love of God and the desire to do His Will demand that
we be morally in sync with all of God’s Creation. The environment
is overarching element in Chapter 1 of Genesis, account of creation
which concludes when God says, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill
the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea
and over the bird of the air and over every living thing that moves
upon the earth.”
Then others might say, “…he’s at his summer residence, why talk
about creation? Until we read on in Genesis, the beginning of
Chapter 2 and there we read, “Thus the heavens and the earth were
finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God
finished his work which he had done, and rested on the seventh day
from all his work which he had done. So God blessed the seventh day
and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all his work which he
had done in creation.”
There is still time to rest, but no matter what, make sure that this
day, Sunday, remains, at the very least, a day of rest. Enjoy it as
you celebrate Sunday Worship in the Liturgies of the Word and
Eucharist. And, as we end a summer and begin a new work year and
school year, let us all be thankful for all creation, for the beauty
of the earth, for the glory of the sky, for our family, our friends
and our faith that calls us to see it all as one gift to be
cherished and enjoyed and thanked for today and every day.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- September 6, 2009
Well many of our Lindenhurst youth are off to Colleges and
Universities. A whole new world opens for them and it is a world
where they will be challenged not only academically but spiritually.
This is the time when we see the effectiveness of the faith we have
shared with our children. We pray that they will remain faithful to
Christ and His Church and that they will continue to attend Mass and
make prayer a part of their daily life. We pray that they will hold
on to the moral values that are the foundation of our faith and
listen to God speak to their hearts when others speak to or whisper
temptation in their ears.
Here are some prayers that you might say each day or share with your
children at school. As we know, prayer is a great weapon and source
of strength and protection. God does listen and will answer our
requests.
“Lord be with us and help us to know your will and shape the future
in accordance with it. Fill our hearts and minds with a love of
learning and a desire to face the world and its challenges with
courage and passion. Dear Lord, please guide all of us in making
choices that please you and serve your will. In the name of The
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Jesus, Friend of a lonely heart, You are my haven. You are my
peace. You are my salvation. You are my serenity in moments of
struggle and amidst an ocean of doubts. Amen.”
“Heavenly Father, please guide and protect our youth and young
adults as they consider different paths for life; may they be open
to the calling of Your Holy Spirit; may they desire to serve You in
all their ways. May they like Jesus, grow in wisdom and stature and
favor before God and man. Amen.”
“Loving God, we come before you today and thank you for your many
blessings in our lives and in particular for the blessing of wisdom.
Lord, we lift up the intentions for all who are entering the early
stages of adulthood, that they may find their way in the world and
be led by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit to find the vocation
and the calling you have prepared especially for each one. Lord, the
challenges for young adults are enormous in this day and the
competition for their attention and their time is fierce. Please
help each one of these young people to find their calling in
whatever future plan you have for their life, be it college, work,
the religious life, or many other possibilities. Please also help
each one to keep a firm foundation in their lives through prayer and
love for your people, and through love of You, O Lord. Please
comfort and bless all who care for, provide for, and lead these
young people during these formative times, that we might speak and
share Your words and Your plans in the way You would have us do for
each of these young people.
We pray in the name of your beloved son Jesus, empowered by your
Holy Spirit, who lives and reigns with You, now and forever. Amen.”
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD. Difficult moments, SEEK GOD. Quiet
moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD. Every moment, THANK GOD.
I ask all of us to keep our young people in our prayers each day. I
know they will appreciate it and hope that our example will
encourage them to make the sacrifices and time to pray and attend
Mass no matter where they are away at school or at home.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- September 13, 2009 (image of World Trade Center appeared
behind text)
This week I attended the opening
celebration of the Feast of San Gennaro. He was the the bishop of
Benevento, Italy, and died a martyr in 305 A.D. during the persecution
spearheaded by Emperor Diocletian. In the traditional picture of the
saint, the artist depicts Mt. Vesuvius in its smoking active volcano state… and…
a fishing boat out for a day’s work on the Bay of Naples. In his homily to
the people, the pastor mentioned this in that piece of art as in many depictions
of the saints there are objects or items that are placed there for us to look
beyond the saint for a message about his or her life and ours. In this
saint’s case Vesuvius was a reminder for the people of Naples that danger always
lies in the world around them, but like the fishing boat, they must move on with
their daily lives. The Saint calls them to ongoing holiness and fidelity
to their faith in God and his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. An so the people
live to very day always aware of their mortality and always vigilant to work
hard and never forget that God is there to help them in good times and in bad.
What is behind the word that I type? What do you see?
The glorious Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
A vigil is being held Friday night at UF's Plaza of the Americas, where students
set up a memorial with 2,977 American flags for each victim of 9-11. Event
organizer Jean Morrow, 21, said students were particularly affected by an event
that took place in their formative years. "For my generation, it's like
Dec. 7, 1941, for older generations," she said, referring to the Pearl Harbor
attack. "It's something that's burned in memory and I think these
individuals should never be forgotten," she added.
When we think of the loss of life that day, it’s
easy to get angry with the enemy and then to transfer it onto God.
Remember how packed the church was that day? God was there to comfort us,
to give us strength and courage to deal with the sorrow and suffering, but also
to assist us in moving forward with our lives. It saddens me, however,
that so many of those who ran to church that day, never returned once the shock
wore off.
Like the picture of Mt. Vesuvius in the
background we must never forget that tragedy is often lurking right by us and
can happen at a moment’s notice. And while I’m talking about the reality
of 9/11, I’m also talking about the realities of today. How many times do
we take advantage of family members, we presume they are there and always going
to be around and so we take advantage and forget them, or ignore them.
Same is true with our health, we take it for granted, presume… wrongly… “I’m
healthy, that won’t happen to me”… and so we ignore our health or the health of
a spouse.
It should not take a 9/11 to remind us of how
important we are to each other. It should, however, remind us to be alert
about the world around us and to keep our awareness of God at the forefront of
our daily lives. The people of Naples were being persecuted because of
their Christian beliefs. St. Gennaro was murdered, along with his
companions, because he would not abandon his people and brought Christ to them
in spite of the warning of the emperor. The people lived to see their
faith renewed and the persecutions ended, but they continued to stay close to
Christ and the Church.
Let us pray today for all who lost their lives on
9/11, for their families who still suffer. Let us pray for our great
nation, the United States of America, that we will, with God’s presence and
help, remain vigilant to the sacredness of all of God’s people in this country
and in the world. May our lives be enriched as we remember.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- September 20, 2009
Do you believe in Divine Intervention that God can and does
intervene through influence in our lives? I believe we do, but I’m
not sure if we realize that “Intervention” or “coming in between” is
always understood clearly. I think people often wait for God to put
his hand out and physically stop that car being driven by a drunk
driver or catch that bullet in his sacred hand before it hits that
person in the head. That’s not the kind of intervention that exists
between us and God. Could He do it? Absolutely! Will He do it?
He doesn’t usually, except, perhaps, in those miraculous moments
that are meant to teach us of the reality of His Divine Presence
with the hope and expectation, on His part, that we will see and
believe and change.
The rest of the time He ask us to pay attention to the
influences and impulses that come to us which are positive moments
for us to respond, take hold of, and use to our personal benefit
and/or that of others. Whatever you desire in life, it will take on
new meaning, significance and appeal for you when you allow that
tremendously powerful force we call “inspiration” take over command
of our life. I don’t believe people respond to God enough and
that’s frustrating to me because I often see the potential in
people, I see the influences and impulses present for people to take
hold of and run with, and they don’t respond. I’ve ministered to so
many people who just do not trust or believe in themselves. “I
can’t do it.” “I’ll never be successful in life.” “I’m too
stupid.” These and many other phrases like them are powerful,
negative influences and impulses that destroy people’s lives every
day.
God gives us all special and unique gifts. The first
gift is the gift of yourself. I always tell people, especially
couples, but it applies to each individual, that there never has
been, is not, and never will be a couple, or individual, like
yourself. Each of us is a unique and specially handcrafted person,
with our own personality and abilities. And each of us was created
with inherent goodness and with inherent gifts, abilities and
talents that are meant for some particularly special purpose to
enhance the quality of life on this planet.
Each day, God sends us impulses to do good things. God
tells us, “...be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and conquer
it….” He calls us to be a productive influence on all of His
creation. God sends someone into our life who says, “You’re really
good at that” or “Give it a try… I know you can do it.” “Go ahead,
just give it your best.” “You can’t be faulted for trying… who
know… you might find out it’s the best decision you ever made.
This message is inspired by a burning desire to kindle
in your heart the spark of realization that you can achieve anything
your mind conceives… if you will only follow through on your
creative imagination with intelligent effort. You have to trust
yourself and your intuition, your inspiration. When you do, you
will be trusting God who wants you to explore your deepest dreams to
make them your most rewarding realities. Actually, there is very
little difference between what you are now and what you would like
to be. The very moment you add just a little plus value to what you
already have, you will move ahead of the crowd to become yourself.
I once read that “The $25,000.00 – a – year man doesn’t
need nor possess then times the ability of the $2,500,00 a year
man. As little as a ten percent edge often accounts for the
difference. The answer lies in the fact that one man is inspired to
do better, while the other drifts along in complacent satisfaction
to be ‘just average.’”
We all need to be inspired, and that’s what God does for
all of us. That’s why Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God established
the Church. The Church exists to inspire YOU and ME to greatness.
The Church challenges us in our sinfulness because sin keeps us from
being and becoming the great persons of God’s creative plan. The
strength that lies within you, when properly stimulated by a desire
to listen to God and achieve certain goals, will create a new record
for your acquisition of peace, love, friendship, advancement
substantial and lasting success and security. Believe in yourself
by believing that “with God, all things are possible.” Right now,
you are better and smarter than you think you are! Determine this
very minute what you want most out of life. Ten start out after
it! Listen to the influences, impulses and interventions of God.
Become what you are meant to be… be the person God has made you.
Put your creative imagination to work. Make a definite decision to
improve both the quantity and quality of your efforts, TODAY. Put
YOUR gifts to work. Make a definite decision to improve both the
quantity and quality of your efforts, TODAY. Arouse those
slumbering talents…accept only the very best life has to offer.
This is God’s intervention. Go for it!
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- September 27, 2009
This week’s “From the Pastor’s Desk” will address FAQ’S we
received through Questionnaires and Interviews during the Capital
Campaign Feasibility Study.
-
Why is the parish looking to conduct a capital campaign
considering the economic situation?
It is very easy to use the
current economy as a reason or an excuse not to raise money.
Moreover, doing nothing is seldom the answer. However, the parish
plant faces necessary repairs and renovations that must be addressed
in order to preserve the structural integrity of our buildings.
Furthermore, the longer we wait to address these needs the buildings
will sustain more damage and it will cost the parish even more
money.
-
Is there any other way to raise the funds that are necessary for
the capital improvements?
A capital campaign, which
allows for the opportunity to make a contribution over a 3 year time
frame, is the most effective way to raise the capital necessary to
repair, renovate and restore the parish facilities. The weekly
offertory as well as the various fundraisers throughout the year are
a part of the operating budget of the parish and are not enough
money to meet the current capital needs.
-
How come we can’t use the money that is in our reserves for the
proposed capital projects?
There was money in the
parish reserves which were used for: Repairing leaks in the church,
school and faith formation center (former convent) Converting the
convent into necessary office space for CCD, Adult Faith Formation,
Youth Ministries and various other ministries as well as partial
upgrading of the HVAC system in the rectory and major window
replacements for school annex and auditorium for immediate energy
efficiency. We have used our money in the parish reserves to
address items that were necessary at the time. Our parish now faces
new challenges and the money we have in our reserves will not be
enough to cover the costs of the necessary capital improvements.
-
How was the cost
of the Altars and moving the Tabernacle to the center of the
Sanctuary covered?
The new Altars were
donated by a group of parishioners. Additionally, moving the
Tabernacle to the center of the sanctuary was a part of the money
donated by the parishioners. Therefore, the renovations to the
sanctuary space as well as moving the tabernacle into the center of
the space were not done by using the money in the parish reserves.
-
How come we have not had the Feast?
The Feast was not held
because of the amount of work involved, difficulties with staffing
and the relatively poor profit made on the feast due to high
expenses. The lack of volunteer participation and spirit
necessitated the hiring of outside vendors for most of the major
elements. The task of running the feast for the five days was left
to the Feast Chairs and Committee Leaders who did the best they
could with a minimum amount of help. This item has previously been
addressed in the Pastor’s Desk Bulletin Column.
-
Is there a plan besides upgrading the school to retain
enrollment and improve the academics?
The school is in need of
repairs, restoration and upgrading to the facility in order to lower
the operational cost and improve the quality of the school
environment. Academically, our school was recently accredited by
the Middle States School Association on Elementary and Secondary
Schools. We will continue to increase the quality and diversity of
education at our Catholic School. Most of our students perform
academically well upon entrance into Catholic and Public High
Schools. The present decrease in enrollment is the result of the
necessary increase in tuition, personal economic decisions of
families (outside the use of available grants from Tomorrow’s Hope
Foundation and our own Guardian Angel Fund), and individual
dissatisfaction with the downsizing of the school (one of each
class) in order to obtain a balanced budget for the first time in
years. The school has been operating at a deficit which the parish
continues to cover, however, with the assistance of our School
Board, Parents Association and the Diocesan Education Department we
are addressing positive ways to market and advance the enrollment
and financial stability of our Catholic School.
-
What is the plan for the Faith Formation Center (former
Convent)?
Renovation of the Faith
Formation Center has begun on an “as needed” basis. Offices have
been made for the Religious Education Department as well as Life
Teen and Edge Youth Ministries, CYO, CMSSA, Scouting and Parents’
Assoc. A large meeting area has been provided for our teens as well
as an area for early childhood activities such as “Moms and Tots”.
Space has been designated for Adult Faith Formation including RCIA
and Baptism Preparation. Offices will be prepared for our deacons
who are principally engaged in these ministries. Meeting space is
being prepared to include a Faith Formation Library, a large
meeting/classroom to be equipped with audio visual aids, as well as
smaller conference and classrooms. We plan to add air conditioning
to the building and a general restoration of the chapel with the
goal of having it available for Adoration, prayer experiences, and
other small liturgical functions for both parish and school.
Additional office and meeting space will be addressed as the needs
of the parish demand. At this time an extensive top to bottom
overhaul of this building is not anticipated.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- October 4, 2009
Once again I am using this week’s “From the Pastor’s Desk” to
address further FAQ’S we received through Questionnaires and
Interviews during the Capital Campaign Feasibility Study.
These have been most helpful to the study and to our determining the
priorities and the extent of the work we need to accomplish as a
result of this campaign.
-
How will the projects, in the case statement, be addressed?
The projects that have been outlined in the case statement include a significant
number of physical improvements to our facilities. These projects will be
prioritized according to what is most currently necessary.
-
What if I still want to make a pledge to the campaign even if I agree with
only parts of the case statement
You can still make your pledge and indicate on your pledge card that you want
your gift to be put towards a specific item on the case statement. This is
called restricted funds. You can still participate in the campaign and have your
gift applied towards certain aspects of the project.
-
What is the timeframe for the capital campaign?
There will be a 3-4 month active phase. Following this phase will then be a 36
month redemption period which consists of the pledges being fulfilled. Those
parishioners who wish to make a pledge will be able to do so, on a Monthly,
Quarterly or an Annual basis. However, if you would like to make a
pledge in any other way or if you would like to make a one time gift you may do
so based on what is convenient for you.
-
How much of the money that is pledged is usually redeemed?
On average, 95% of the money that is pledged is usually received over a 36 month
time frame.
-
Will the local business be asked to support this campaign effort?
The local businesses in the community will be appealed to. However, since a lot
of these local businesses support the church throughout the year in other
capacities (i.e. Bulletin Ads, Donating Services) they will not provide the
majority of the support we need to reach our goal.
-
Is my pledge tax deductible?
Any payment, made towards a pledge, is 100% tax deductible for that current tax
year.
-
Is my pledge legally binding?
If in the unfortunate event that you cannot fulfill your pledge you can notify
the rectory and your pledge will be held. Then, in the future if you are in a
position to complete that pledge you may do so. Additionally, no person, family
member or entity will be held responsible to fulfill your pledge in the case of
an accident or death.
Restoring God’s Glory is a
campaign we are pleased to take on because it is good stewardship. Through the
hard work and sacrifices of the many parishioners whose donations built these
buildings, God has blessed us. Now, as good stewards of these gifts we must
keep them in a constant state of repair and update to meet the ongoing needs of
the ever growing and multifaceted call to evangelization. Thank you for your
input and be assured that everything you have to say is being discussed and will
be a part of the final plan as it unfolds.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- October 11, 2009
Dear Parishioners,
As a result of
the positive response to the Feasibility Study conducted by Lynch
Development we will now begin our Capital Campaign project which we
have titled “Restoring God’s Glory.” Also, after speaking with many
parishioners we have modified the goal initially presented and will
be pursuing a goal of 1.5 million dollars. As people become more
aware of our needs and see them from the perspective of the upkeep,
repair, replacement and maintenance requirements of any home owner
there is a greater willingness to sacrifice for what people know is
important to the Church and good Stewardship on all our parts.
I have already
had a generous response from a parishioner, who for the moment must
remain anonymous, whom I had the privilege to meet with and discuss
the needs of the church and school and who will give our parish a
gift of an as of yet to be determined amount. He was very excited
about this opportunity and God has blessed our work at the early
stage of the campaign with his generous response during the
feasibility phase.
I pray that
all of you will spread the good word as we move forward. I ask
everyone who is part of our parish family to respond to this
important challenge to keep the Church and other facilities alive,
developing and growing to the Greater Glory of God. We will
continue to give you updates and to answer questions as they surface
from parishioners.
Frequently
Asked Questions
1.
Why was the Eucharist moved?
The Tabernacle was moved
to the center of the Sanctuary in order to return it to its place of
prominence in the church itself and also in the spiritual life of
the parish and each of its members. Over the years, the Bishops,
with the Holy Father, have reflected on this matter as it became an
issue which caused a continued decrease in the awareness of and
belief in Christ’s presence in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
The movement to the side or to an “out of the way” place led to a
mentality of “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” which has been extremely
detrimental to this most sacred gift of Christ to his Church. The
reality and importance of Christ’s presence in our lives as Catholic
Christians is crucial to the acceptance of all the teachings of
Christ and his Church. Moving the tabernacle back to the center of
the sanctuary was received with overwhelming joy and acceptance by
members of the OLPH parish family as well as our Bishop, William
Murphy, his Assistant Bishops and the Office of Worship.
2.
Is it possible to raise $1.5 Million
dollars with the current economic environment?
Yes. Our parish is capable
of raising $2.0-$2.5 Million over a three year period. However, we
have reduced our capability based on the feedback from the
feasibility study, to ensure a successful campaign. During the
capital campaign we will be appealing to the entire parish with the
intention of having each parishioners individual sacrifice come
together to achieve one common goal.
3.
How are we going to go about raising
the money for the proposed projects?
We plan to conduct a 3-4
month capital appeal, which will be considered our active phase.
During this phase through a series of receptions, pulpit appeals and
an effort headed by our parishioners we hope to answer everyone’s
questions and reach out to everyone. Once the active phase is over
we will fulfill these pledges over the next 36 months.
4.
Will I be able to make a pledge or
gift through the use of my credit card or automatic debit from my
checking account?
Yes. This option will be
available for all those who wish to use this method of pledging.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- October 18, 2009
Dear Parishioners,
By now you
have all had an opportunity to review the initial materials you received
regarding the upcoming Capital Campaign and “Feasibility Study” conducted by
Lynch Associates. When you look at the materials you begin to realize how
serious it is for us to take care of God’s house and all our facilities just as
we must do the same with our own homes. In a couple of weeks we will formally
announce the beginning of the “Capital Campaign” once we get all the pieces in
place and gather the necessary help and materials needed to start.
I want
everyone to realize that when you read the materials and look around at our
parish facilities what you see are not just buildings, worship space, offices,
classrooms and activity rooms, but the gift of SACRIFICES of many men and women,
families and individuals for something greater than themselves. Sacrifice means
“make-holy”. When you sacrifice for your church, you sacrifice for God, you
“make holy” your desire to serve by helping to maintain and improve the very
foundations not only of facilities, but of the faith used to develop in the
hearts and minds of present and future generations. As you decide to make a
donation, to give to this or any cause, you must think of what you are about to
give and make it holy, make it a “sacrifice.”
Allow me to share with you some thought of writer, Chris Lancaster,
who wrote this for “Initiative for Change - International, an organization that
forges networks of peoples of different cultures and religions. He says,
“THE
WORD ‘SACRIFICE’ is used in many different ways—often to mean ‘giving up
something’. So people ‘sacrifice’ their time, or their money, or even their
lives as martyrs for a religion or cause. People of faith have often thought in
terms of sacrificing one’s life for God’s purposes. For some it has meant
putting aside cherished plans for study and careers. For others it has meant
spending years far from their homelands and their families and friends. For many
it has involved living with little financial security. But how else might we
understand the idea of sacrifice? The word’s Latin derivation means ‘to make
holy, to make sacred’. This changes the perspective.
“We are
called not so much to give up what means most to us, but to make it sacred, to
transform it. So we sacrifice our time by using it for the highest purpose, not
squandering it on worthless things. We sacrifice our money—this might mean
parting with it! And we sacrifice our lives for the service of others. We are
not called to lay aside who we most deeply are, in order to devote our time and
energy to something which is supposedly more worthy. Rather, we are called to
‘sacrifice’ who we most deeply are—by embracing it and living it out for the
good of the world around us.
“If you
are a politician, then sacrifice that position: through what it gives to
society. If you are a teacher, then sacrifice that position: in the way that it
affirms the life and worth of every child. If you are an artist, then sacrifice
it: in the way that your art touches the deepest truth of what it is to be
human. Once we move away from the notion of giving something up, we are freed to
realize that none of these things—our time, our resources and our very
lives—were ever ours to ‘give up’ in the first place. The only things we can and
must give up are those that prevent us from faithfully sacrificing all of who we
are: our self-centered fears, desires, prejudices and insecurities. This is our
opportunity to live the freedom for which we were created.”
Isn’t this powerful? You see, I believe this is the type of
sacrifice my mom and dad made for me and their children and that families around
the world made for Christ through and in the Church. The people of our parish
made this ground holy by their sacrifices of time, talent and treasure. It’s
time to join the parishioners of this and past “sacrificial generations” in
keeping the church flourishing here in Lindenhurst. What a great faith we have
as “Catholics”. How will you sacrifice? Our world needs to restore God’s glory
and we need to make it happen.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- October 25, 2009
Please click on the following link to view the 10/25/09 Pastor's
Desk Article.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk
- November 1, 2009
I was once told that “Opportunity knocks only one,” but
no fact or truth to that old fallacy. In fact, opportunity is ever
present and the real secret or truth is that you must be ready for
opportunity when it does knock.
The individual, who continually tastes of success in all
things, has learned that we must make our opportunities. That
constant vigilance in watching for opportunity… tact and courage in
seizing it… force and persistence in pushing opportunity to its
extreme possible accomplishment… these are the instruments which
carve out your monument of success.
We can commit no greater error than to loll along life’s
highway waiting for someone to come along and encourage us to ride
with them to riches and fame. I cannot count the number of times
I’ve been told, “Father, I have friends back home who have all sorts
of jobs lined up for me.” The classic of my ministry is the young
Lance Corporal riding with me in the vehicle that turned to me and
made the brilliant statement, “I want a job that pays a lot of money
where I don’t have to go to school to learn anything.” Now isn’t
that Mr. Opportunity just knocking and wondering why no one
answers. For all I know, he’s still in Mexicali waiting for his
non-existent job, poor. This is sad, but true.
It is very tragic to watch the yearning of some
individuals… yearning for opportunity to overwhelm and carry them
off to some distant throne of gold and influence… when the little
things close at hand could frequently lead them to the
accomplishment of highly important and very profitable ventures.
There are people in our parish who are out of work, yet they keep
moving forward. They work where and when they can and they keep
knocking on doors, going for interviews and like the persistent
woman of the scriptures, will eventually get what is needed. But
without persistence we achieve nothing.
You have many chances and suitable moments to develop
into anything you most desire. You must train yourself to be ready
when the real chance confronts you.
If you want to enjoy the finest of life’s offerings, you
cannot handle opportunities as children handle sand at their
playground, filling their hands with it and letting the grains slide
through their fingers, one by one, until they are all gone.
The progressively wise individual will make more
opportunities than he finds. It is well to remember that
opportunities always look bigger going than coming. Don’t look with
overly critical eyes at any opportunities… no matter how trivial
they may appear.
Several centuries ago, William Shakespeare wrote, “There
is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on
to fortune; omitted, all the voyages of their life is bound in
shallows and in miseries; and we must take the current when it
serves, or lose our ventures.” So, pay attention to all
opportunities that come your way. They are a gift from God, who
loves you and wants the best for you. Pray contently for guidance
by the Holy Spirit that you might not miss opportunities for growth
and have to courage to grab hold of them and ride the tide to
happiness and success.
To the wise, one word is sufficient. To others there
aren’t words enough to convince them of the extremely important
significance of “Time and Tide wait for “no” man.”
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk - November 8, 2009
Please click on the following link to view the 11/08/09 Pastor's
Desk Article.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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From the Pastor’s Desk - November 15, 2009
The Campaign continues to move
forward with more pledges coming in and I want to thank everyone who
is taking the time to be prayerful, reflective and sacrificial in
their pledges. I know God will bless you abundantly for your
sacrifices.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
This past Wednesday was “Veteran’s Day” and I
must say that there was a very shallow turnout at the Wellwood Avenue monument
for the Veterans Ceremony and placing of the wreath. While I honestly don’t
know how well advertized it was, I do know that, as a veteran myself, it was sad
for the men who were there. These are all older men, and women, who served this
country well in times of war. Why would they continue such a ceremony? The
answer is simply, they don’t want men and women who serve our country in the
military, especially in times of war, to be forgotten. The last words the
Commander said to his group of aging veterans were “hopefully, if we’re still
around, we’ll see you all next year.”
It is important for us to remember our military
veterans not only those who died in battle, but those who survive the ravages of
war to come home to become strong and faith filled citizens of a grateful
nation. To the question, who are these men and women of the military, why are
they here; the answer is found in this prayer:
“Who are we, Lord…? Why are we here…? We are
American fighting men [and women]… we stand vigil over the free world. We are
held together by a common bond… our love of life and liberty for ourselves and
our loved ones… and our right to worship you without fear of oppression.
Whatever is said about us and our ship [platoon, company, regiment, base or
station] when the chips are down, we pull together. It is this that makes us a
team set apart… we are a fortress of men and women and of machines, striving to
make the world a better place. Keep us aware of our heritage. Amen.”
And this prayer:
“There is always a soldier who lies in the field,
and once he defended his country.
There are those who have worn the military uniform, and still carry in their
heart the spirit of patriotism.
There are those who stand tall to salute their flag.
And their hearts beat with glory and greatness.
There are those who are always ready to carry arms to defend their country.
There are many people who would stand to greet them when they pass by.
We are proud of those soldiers who have stood with courage to protect liberty,
justice and equal opportunity
for all.
There are many soldiers who are proud to see their country great among all
nations.
The greatness of a nation and people are a gift of the Lord to those who know
him at all times.
The Lord brings his people out of war in victory to live in love, honor and
peace.
Let us honor all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guard, men and women,
with respect and appreciation, and proud before all nations. Amen.” (From the
book of prayers for US Navy Chaplains)
It’s never too late to thank a Veteran, both old
and young. Extend a hand or give a salute… so we never forget and always
remember to give thanks and offer daily prayers for those serving our nation at
home and abroad. And may God grant blessings to the deceased and the living of
Fort Hood, Texas.
May God + bless you, and yours, now and forever.
Father Anthony
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