Wednesday in Holy Week 2010

Holy Thursday is a special day for a priest. On Holy Thursday morning all priests join with their bishop to celebrate the Chrism Mass. It is at this Mass that the priests renew their commitment for priestly service. It is an awesome moment for the individual priest as well as the entire presbyterate.

This year's observance coincides with some not so happy news in the media. The terrible scandals of sexual abuse by clergy has made the headlines once again. The news from Ireland and Germany, to name a few, has reopened the same deep wounds here on stateside.

This is troubling to the priests who will renew their commitment on Thursday morning.
+ That something of this magnitude could even happen!
+ That the trust of our vocation could be so compromised and violated!
+ That the vessel of clay spoken of by Paul the Apostle could be so scratched and cracked!

Priests are not perfect men. They are penitents as well as confessors. They regularly go to confession as well as hear confessions. Pope John Paul II used to say that a good confessor is a good penitent.

But, no one ever thought that such misbehavior would happen. I certainly never did. I still remain jolted by the whole thing. Just when I think that I have heard it all, I am again surprised and disappointed.

I ask: "Why"?

I am disappointed by my colleagues. And frustration descends and muscles in on my prayer and reflection. I am careful not to condemn but I do not deny the need for penance and retribution.
The news is no better even when one considers that the cases reported are not recent. The fact is that they happened. My prayer is that there are no new cases. That sacrifice, penance, honest admission, holiness has purified the soul of the presbyterate.

Sincerely speaking, I pray for our Church, our damaged credibility. We are truly damaged goods seeking repair, to rebuild in an already sinful world.

Sometimes I hear it said that the Church must put this scandal behind us and move forward. Perhaps better said: we ought to deal with it head on and do so by both the leadership and the priests. Apologies only go so far. Often they have seemed empty and just full of nice words.

Maybe the Church and, also the clergy, became too comfortable within the structure of power. Power can corrupt and that is what we may have experienced. A corruption born out of privilege.

The Gospel calls us to return to a simpler way of life in all ways: for bishops, priests, religious, seminarians. Maybe we all need to be put into the brown robes of St. Francis, be given a cell and, fortified with the Holy Scriptures, "rebuild the Lord's Church."

I make my re-commitment on Thursday a troubled priest. Not because I am about to despair or lose hope but because I feel that we have distanced many of God's people from the message of the Christ of Faith. I am less concerned for the loyal Catholic than I am for the fence-sitter, the questioner, the young, the non-catholic christian, the outsider who wonders about what is happening on the inside.

I love my priesthood and after 37 years and (living through these last ten) my spirit and my zeal are no less en-kindled
+ Celebrating Mass is the high point of my day.
+ Hearing confessions continues to remind me that I am instrument of God's loving mercy.
+ Standing at a bedside with the Holy Oils reminds me that I have a lot to live up to - being an "alter Christus".

Pray for us priests.

Pax et Bonum
My Holy Thursday Thoughts for 2010

Monday of Holy Week 2010

More Catholic Holy Week "Word Nerd":
+ On Palm Sunday, the Western Church gives out palm branches. But what about your friends who are Byzantine or Ukrainian Catholics. What do they get?

+ The four Gospels give us four accounts of the Passion. Which do you think was the first written?

+ What name does Wednesday of Holy Week have? Not often used today.

+ At the Easter Vigil, the priest or deacon solemnly intones "Lumen Christi". What does it mean? How many times is it sung?

+ There is a fertility symbol used at the Easter Vigil. Anyone want to take a crack at this one?

+ When is Low Sunday?

I continue to pray for you during this week.

Pax et Bonum

Palm Sunday 2010
To borrow a term from the Catholic Radio Network, let's play a little "Catholic Holy Week Word Nerd". You will be coming to church, I hope, during Holy Week. Do you know the meaning of the many symbols that we will use? Here we go:

what is:
+ the respository
+ the ambry
+ humeral veil
+ urn
+ paschal candle
+ grains of incense
+ stylus
+ ciborium
+ ingrediente ???

Why does the priest kiss the altar, at the beginning and the end of Mass?
Is a cross or a crucifix the preferred liturgical symbol on Good friday?
Does the Liturgical directive indicate a number for the Washing of Feet?
Is there a Mass on Good Friday?
What time must the Easter Vigil begin? Not before____?
When does Lent end?
When does the Paschal Triduum begin and end?
What do we mean by the Octave of Easter?

Send in your answers today.
All those who do so will be specially remembered at Masses during the Easter Octave.

March 25
The Annunciation (occurring in the Fifth Week of Lent)

I just returned from taking the Sacraments to an elderly parishioner. She made a confession, received Holy Communion and the Anointing of the Sick, but before our Liturgical Rites, we talked. We talked about our parish, the parish that was and the parish that is. For an old person she was remarkably positive about both lives of this venerable parish on the Boulevard. She said: "Good people are moving into SMT Parish."

It was refreshing to hear such positive talk. Too many folks are stuck in the past refusing to recognize the present and all the work that needs to be done now. On this Feast of the Annunciation we are called to reply "yes" as Mary did. A "yes" that will continue to give conception and birth to the presence of Christ in our parish community.

One way that we can do this is by opening a Thrift Shop for those who could use such a service. Please pray that this goal can be realized. We will need some funds to do this and I hope that some generous person will come forth to help us. I am to meet with the owner on Saturday. The owner seems most open to our idea, but as always, it's money that often is the obstacle to getting things done.

I am praying and I am confident that some way, somehow, this will happen.
I petitioned the diocese for permission. We need their blessing as well.

... Get ready - Holy Week is coming! It's a great week. Chill out from your normal routines and participate in the rites of Holy Week.

Begin by coming to Confession on Monday night at 7:00 P.M.

Pax et Bonum

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

I have the greatest memories of my childhood and early teenage years. I was a kid enjoying the country that Bucks County was at that time. Our homes were surrounded with abundant woods and outdoors, canals, streams for fishing. Everything a boy could wish for. In the summer we ran through corn fields with stalks that towered over us kids. We camped out in the backyards of neighbors and our parents didn't have to worry. We were satisfied entertaining ourselves and just "being kids". Winter was a veritable winter olympics. There was plenty of space to ice skate, play hockey, go sledding and have non-violent snowball fights.

I was a paper boy. Remember that long-lost kid job. Arriving home from school, I changed, counted out my stash for accuracy, loaded up my bike and - off I went. Sometimes I got back home after dark. But, being a paper boy in the 1950's gave one a sense of entrepreneurial independence. There was a healthy competition between me and another neighborhood kid who had a paper route as well. Who could get the next customer? That paper route was passed on to each of my bro's. It was great being a kid back then.

Fast forward fifty years and the scene is quite different.
I am saddened this morning to read about a game that today's kids play called "catch and wreck". Children between ages 9 and 15 surrounding elderly folks in parks and homeless people and beating them. Young people of school age running wild in center city and causing havoc. I am unable to see the fun in all of this. From whence comes all the violence and violent behavior? Where is the fun in beating anyone, not to speak of a senior who loved children?

God help us, is all I can say.

I could go into all the reasons. But I will leave that up to your imagination. Two weeks ago one of our seniors left a parish meeting around 8:00 P.M. only to have his car surrounded by some young tuffs who pounded on his car and most definitely frightened the gentleman - and a gentle man he is.

God help us.

May these Lenten Days lead us to peace. That was the Risen Savior's wish on Easter Night.

Pax et Bonum.

Fifth Sunday of Lent
Formerly called: Passion Sunday

We often say that we are a faith of joy. Sometimes the term "Alleluia Christians" is even used. Well here's the thing. You ought to see some of the faces that I see from the altar or that I encounter at the door of the church. They say anything but joy.

Some church faces look positively ugly, uninviting, saying don't come here, why am I here, pain, gas, irregularity. Really, I'm not kidding.

As a celebrant I have the best seat in the house. I see it all. I see the faces. People goofing off in the pews. Reading the bulletin. Scratching areas of their bodies I shouldn't see them scratching. Catholics have never been great evangelists like other religions. You know - inviting people to church. Knocking on doors and telling others just how great it is to be "Catholic".

As we get close to Easter, It might be the time to look at yourself and ask if you are are a joyful Catholic. Does you face invite others to church?

Pax et bonum.

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
March 19, 2010
St. Joseph Day

A few years ago a movie came out during the Christmas Holidays entitled "The Nativity". I went to see it and subsequently bought a personal copy in DVD. Since then I have begun a ritual that happens sometime in Advent. I spend a night or two watching the movie.

Naturally, I know the Christmas Story as well as any Christian. But what I like most about this movie is the way that St. Joseph is portrayed. He comes across to me as a man, a younger man, a real protector both of Mary and the Baby Jesus.

I have always imagined St. Joseph much in the way that the movie shows him. He questioned, as any betrothed would, the condition of his wife-to-be. He does so with respect but not without the "human wondering" that had to go with it. He loved his engaged and wanted to protect her when the law of Moses called for stiff punishment. An adulteress was stoned.

The whole situation is worked out when Joseph is notified in a dream that it's okay. Mary is under a divine shadow. The Holy Spirit is at work. We call Joseph a man of faith. His faith is demonstrated as the story of the birth of Jesus is played out.

You see the strong Joseph who confronts danger head on.

One particularly touching scene shows the young husband exhausted at the end of a difficult day. Mary is talking to him as she is gently washing his feet with cool water until she realizes that Joseph is fast asleep - dead tired after the events of the day.

Sounds familiar to any good man doing his job of pater familias.

As we remember Joseph today, we remember and celebrate a model of manhood, of husbandhood, of faith, trust and love.

I strongly suggest the Movie.

Pax et Bonum

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
St. Patrick's Day
On this Day in honor of a great Saint and the patron of a great nation, I offer the following prayer:

Dear St. Patrick, forgive those who celebrate your day without moderation. Give us the zeal and passion for the Gospel that you had. May the Triune God, Father - Son - and Holy Spirit bless all those who celebrate your life and faith. Bless those of good religious spirit and bless those too filled with liquid spirit who have no idea about why this day is noted.
Dear Saint of the Emerald Isle, pray for us.

Pax et bonum

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Here is a quote that comes from today's Office of Readings (Levitucus) chapter 19):
"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not be so thorough that you reap the field to its very edge, nor shall you glean the stray ears of grain. Likewise, you shall not pick the vineyard bare, nor gather up the grapes that have fallen. These things you shall leave for the poor and the alien. I, the Lord, am your God."

This passage really needs no explanation. It becomes very clear that we must remain mindful of the poor and the downtrodden.

I have a dream. I think something important to the mission of our parish. I would like to open a Thrift Shoppe. It would assist people of lesser means with used clothing, furniture and the like. The poor we always have with us. Their very presence tugs at the heart TO DO SOMETHING. I have my eye on a rental very near our property. I am hoping that the owner will donate the space for "mission". I am hoping that someone may read this blog and say "I can help with the rent and with the care of the poor".

I am praying these days to my patron, St. Rita of Cascia, the patroness of tough cases.

Pax et Bonum

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Who is that Angel in the outfield?
+ He became the MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
+ The Oakland A's picked him in the second round of the 2007 amateur draft.

Who is that Angel in the outfield?
+ The only player in the entire minors with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases last season.
He batted .288 with 31 homers, 89 RBI's and 40 steals in 131 games in Stockton last year.
He hit.315 with a league-leading 11 home runs and 27 RBI's in 27 games this past fall.

Who is that Angel in the outfield?
+ The Big West Player of the Year at Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo ranked him as Oakland's #8 prospect by Baseball America.

Who is that Angel in the outfield?
He is Grant Desme, who recently announced that he was leaving baseball to enter the seminary and study for the priesthood. He intends to enter a seminary in Silverado, CA in August. His family has backed his decision and his general manager was understanding and supportive.

Says Desme: " I wasn't at peace where I was. It was time to get to the bottom of things." He is a lifelong Catholic and has been thinking of the priesthood for some time now.
He spoke humbly at a news conference.

Could God be calling you?

Pax et Bonum.

Laetare Sunday - Rejoice Sunday
...and the week of St. Patrick's Day.

The annual celebration of Ireland's great missionary and saint is nearly upon us. I am not Irish by descent and I am in fear and trembling as I write this blog. But I feel that I must for the sake of my good Irish friends and all Irish Folk of good will.

Dear friends: St. Patrick himself would be be distressed at the manner in which his memory is held...Pub Crawls, Drunken Behavior, being a Public Nuisance, etc. It seems that hoisting a beer, wearing a silly green hat and being loud and frisky have become synonymous with St. Patrick's Day.

Many of my Irish friends are quite put out over this behavior. Those who are old enough will recall a beautiful holy day in Ireland that began with Holy Mass and later in the day brought family together for a holiday meal. They remain puzzled by how the day has become so identified with raucous behavior. One would think that all Irish are drunks and ne'er do wells. I know this is not the case but my Irish friends are beginning to become quite insulted by these allusions.

The Irish, were for many years, the bedrock of Catholicism in our our newly-found nation as well as in the Emerald Isle. Being Irish meant being a hard worker, a believer, a family man/woman, a promoter of justice and fairness. The present celebration of St. Patty's Day (vs. St. Patrick's Day) is an insult to the great Saint and the great Man that he was.

If I were Irish, and I am not, I would not be amused by the manner in which the day is invoked.
May St. Patrick live long in the hearts of the Irish who suffered much for the faith and may he bless the Irish People and all People who are of good will and peace.

St. Patrick, pray for us.

Pax et Bonum

Thursday/Friday of the Third Week of Lent

I found a quote this morning as I was reading and praying the Liturgy of the Hours (Office of Readings). It comes from Tertullian:

Prayer cleanses from sin, drives away temptations, stamps out persecutions, comforts the fainthearted, gives new strength to the courageous, brings travelers safely home, calms the waves, confounds robbers, feeds the poor, overrules the rich, lifts up the fallen, supports those who are falling, sustains those who stand firm.

Never stop praying.

Pax et bonum.

Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

Are you a parent, a teacher, a coach, a supervisor, a leader?
if you are, here is some good advice:

1) Never insult an underling personally. Correct the performance, not the person.
2) When handing out praise, do so within earshot of others.
3) Know when to let up.

Pax et Bonum.

Third Sunday of Lent
Monday of the Third Week of Lent

The Gospel today for the "A" cycle, The Woman at the Well, gives us much to think about. I want to offer one thought. Lent invites us to change, to a conversion. We all need to change, myself included. St. John presents us with a scene that calls for change and, indeed, there is change.
The Samaritan Woman encounters Christ at the well. There is a conversation that does not need to be repeated here. But her being with Jesus is what brings about a change, a conversion. The same is true for us. Spend some time with Jesus. Hanging out with Christ means only one thing - we will change. Conversion will happen.
As we begin the Third Week of Lent, the challenge to change, is front and center. It can only happen if you "hang out with Christ". Resolve to take some time to be with JC this week. It can only be a positive experience.

Pax et Bonum

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
The Psalm for today: "The Lord is kind and merciful".
Have you ever given thought to that: our God is kind and merciful. He is not out to punish or to beat us down for our irregularities. The Lord is kind, compassionate, merciful. He is a Father with arms outstretched.
On this very sunny day we have a sunny thought. God is life-giving. God never seeks the death of the sinner. God waits patiently for us to say "I'm sorry".
Say the Act of Contrition today with care.
Resolve to return to the old practice of reciting the Act of Contrition at night before getting into bed.

Pax et bonum

Thursday/ Friday of the Second Week of Lent
Pope John Paul II once said somewhere that if a priest is a good penitent he will be a good confessor. The priest, a vessel of clay, is equally in need of the mercy and peace of Christ in the Sacrament of Penance. This penitent and confessor has learned over these 37 years that frequent use of the Sacrament of Penance is a sure anti-dote to sin.
We are all in need of forgiveness. The Gospel of the first Sunday of Lent tells of the power of a temptation. To stand tough in the face of evil requires the Grace of this Sacrament.
Confession is good for the soul.

Pax et Bonum

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
For Philadelphians, today is a special day - it is the Feast of St. Katherine Drexel. This local heiress used her wealth and her talents to Evangelize the People of God, specifically the African Americans and the Native Americans.
Two things for our Lenten Day and Lenten Journey:
1) How well are you evangelizing? Remember that you can do so by word and example. By their works the rest shall know them.
2) Consider a "pilgrimage" for Lent by visiting the Shrine of St. Katherine Drexel in Bensalem, Pa. Exit 95 at Woodhaven Rd. and go north on 13 a short distance.

Pax et Bonum

Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
Read and pray Psalm 50 (51) today.
Then, resolve to go to confession within the next 7 days.

Pax et Bonum.

Monday of the Second Week of Lent
Something to think about today:
A recent poll by the Knights of Columbus reveals the following about Catholics between the ages of 18 and 29:

+ 82% see morals as "relative"
+ 65% see themselves as more "spiritual" than "religious".
+ 80% see religion as at least "somewhat important" in their lives
+ 65% are very or somewhat interested in learning more about their faith.

The poll shows that there are challenges as well as reasons for hope as we move forward.
By the way Catholics between the ages of 18 and 29 are called MILLENIALS.

Pax et Bonum