Well, the school year has begun, and the life of the parish seems to back into full swing. The "lazy days of summer" seem to be quickly passing, and the routines that autumn bring seem to be with us once again.
Our faith and the practice of it should never take a break - even in the summer. Amidst the many activities that resume with the new school year, we need to remember to take time to come with the other members of the Body of Christ to worship our God and thank Him for all the blessings He has given to us. It's so important to remain connected to God, especially through our participation in the liturgy - for the reception of the sacraments and the gathering together as the Body of Christ is what truly sustains us in this life . . . and this life of faith.
Continue to be active in your parish family. Continue to know the love and the life that God offers to us through the sacraments, especially those of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. God is always calling each of us to a deeper relationship with Him. We simply need to respond.
Enjoy the journey . . .
16 September 2010
09 September 2010
Busy, busy, busy
Although I promised to post weekly, I quickly fell behind a little. My apologies!
But, in all honesty, it's been a busy time.
Coming into the priesthood, I knew that I would be rather busy, but it's in the unplanned events and activities that I find myself that I find my plans and intentions being side-tracked. In no way am I complaining . . . each unplanned moment has been a unique and grace-filled experience, and I would not trade those moments in for anything. Yet, when I would set aside time to blog, catch up on some correspondence or prepare for the classes that I'm teaching (beginning next week - YIKES!), those moments would be interrupted by someone visiting the parish offices, a phone call, a conversation between staff members, etc. Yet, while I look at the totality of these events - planned and unplanned - THIS IS WHY I ENTERED INTO THE ORDAINED MINISTRY!
Speaking of classes that I'm teaching, the two are coming up very fast. The first class, Understanding the Sunday Eucharist, begins next Wednesday. I feel rather comfortable in teaching this class, since this is one of the areas I worked in prior to entering the seminary. I have the classes outlined, and am just getting final preparations completed. The second class, The Spiritual and Moral Character of the Human Person, is still a bit of an enigma to me, for no one has yet taught the course. And so, I am pretty much building this one from the ground up. Again, no complaining, just a little frustration and a slight feeling of being overwhelmed when I first began to prepare. However, one of my former seminary professors pointed me to a few books, one of which seems solid enough in which to base the course off of. I'm excited to have this opportunity to pass my excitement (and whatever knowledge I may have) to those who sign up for the course.
One other exciting (small) project is writing two reflections on the readings of upcoming weeks for our diocesan newspaper. They're due by next Monday, so I should be finish them within the next few days. I'm also the guest homilist at a Eucharistic Day at my former seminary parish assignment of Sacred Heart, in the Shadyside / East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. It will be good to be back there.
Other than that, Madrid prep, a new year of Youth Ministry, hospital visits, anointings, school visits, active presence at the high school, and a life in ministry in general is what is going on. It's a life which is keeping me busy, busy, busy . . . but I am enjoying it overall.
Enjoy the journey . . .
But, in all honesty, it's been a busy time.
Coming into the priesthood, I knew that I would be rather busy, but it's in the unplanned events and activities that I find myself that I find my plans and intentions being side-tracked. In no way am I complaining . . . each unplanned moment has been a unique and grace-filled experience, and I would not trade those moments in for anything. Yet, when I would set aside time to blog, catch up on some correspondence or prepare for the classes that I'm teaching (beginning next week - YIKES!), those moments would be interrupted by someone visiting the parish offices, a phone call, a conversation between staff members, etc. Yet, while I look at the totality of these events - planned and unplanned - THIS IS WHY I ENTERED INTO THE ORDAINED MINISTRY!
Speaking of classes that I'm teaching, the two are coming up very fast. The first class, Understanding the Sunday Eucharist, begins next Wednesday. I feel rather comfortable in teaching this class, since this is one of the areas I worked in prior to entering the seminary. I have the classes outlined, and am just getting final preparations completed. The second class, The Spiritual and Moral Character of the Human Person, is still a bit of an enigma to me, for no one has yet taught the course. And so, I am pretty much building this one from the ground up. Again, no complaining, just a little frustration and a slight feeling of being overwhelmed when I first began to prepare. However, one of my former seminary professors pointed me to a few books, one of which seems solid enough in which to base the course off of. I'm excited to have this opportunity to pass my excitement (and whatever knowledge I may have) to those who sign up for the course.
One other exciting (small) project is writing two reflections on the readings of upcoming weeks for our diocesan newspaper. They're due by next Monday, so I should be finish them within the next few days. I'm also the guest homilist at a Eucharistic Day at my former seminary parish assignment of Sacred Heart, in the Shadyside / East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. It will be good to be back there.
Other than that, Madrid prep, a new year of Youth Ministry, hospital visits, anointings, school visits, active presence at the high school, and a life in ministry in general is what is going on. It's a life which is keeping me busy, busy, busy . . . but I am enjoying it overall.
Enjoy the journey . . .
24 August 2010
Ponderings
I just returned from the 61st Annual Ordinandi Dinner where I and my two classmates were the guests of honor for being recently ordained. During the evening, the Bishop asked us to say a few words. One of my classmates talked about his experience of anointing a lady who was dying. That got me to thinking about the people who I have anointed since becoming a priest.
One anointing sticks in my mind well. Although it was after the surgery, I anointed a woman who was 102 years young. She was so grateful for my presence and prayer. I told her that even though she already had her surgery, we could pray for her continued healing. She liked that very much. She was a sweet woman, although she may have started to slip a little. (She repeated some information a few times in our conversation.) But I think that the experience of having someone so grateful for the opportunity to receive the sacrament was a gift in itself. That will be an experience that I will treasure for a while.
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I am looking forward to beginning my duties as a high school chaplain. It really won't take up too much of my time, but I think that I want to put some effort into it, outside of the set schedule that they've given me already. My first "official" act will be a week from Thursday when I celebrate the Mass for the Opening of the School Year. From then, I need to look at my schedule and try to figure out a few hours a week to simply be available to the students. Again, this is something that won't be too time consuming, but is something that I'm looking forward to.
Until then, enjoy the journey . . .
One anointing sticks in my mind well. Although it was after the surgery, I anointed a woman who was 102 years young. She was so grateful for my presence and prayer. I told her that even though she already had her surgery, we could pray for her continued healing. She liked that very much. She was a sweet woman, although she may have started to slip a little. (She repeated some information a few times in our conversation.) But I think that the experience of having someone so grateful for the opportunity to receive the sacrament was a gift in itself. That will be an experience that I will treasure for a while.
---------
I am looking forward to beginning my duties as a high school chaplain. It really won't take up too much of my time, but I think that I want to put some effort into it, outside of the set schedule that they've given me already. My first "official" act will be a week from Thursday when I celebrate the Mass for the Opening of the School Year. From then, I need to look at my schedule and try to figure out a few hours a week to simply be available to the students. Again, this is something that won't be too time consuming, but is something that I'm looking forward to.
Until then, enjoy the journey . . .
22 August 2010
New Beginnings
Well, here I am. Almost two months following my ordination to the priesthood, and it's still all so new.
I'm hoping that now that a rhythm is starting to set in, I'll be able to post a little more frequently. My goal is at least one post a week.
To fill in the blanks . . .
Following my ordination on June 26, the Bishop has assigned me as Parochial Vicar at Saint Alphonsus Parish and part-time chaplain at Mount Alvernia High School. Saint Alphonsus Parish is 170 years old, and is the first parish in the USA to bear the title of this particular saint. Saint Alphonsus was canonized in 1839, and the Redemptorist priests who began the parish - Saint John Neumann and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos (of whom I have a strong devotion to) - decided to name this parish after the founder of their order.
I'm not too sure about Mount Alvernia quite yet. I haven't had a chance to get to the school and meet everyone at this point. But I know that I will be soon.
Until then, enjoy the journey . . .
03 April 2010
Easter Note - 2010
ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA!
We celebrate today the fullness of the salvation that Christ has promised to us. We rejoice in the fullness of the hope of glory that has been revealed to us in the Resurrection. We welcome all those who have traveled in the RCIA process into the fullness of the Church. We meditate upon the fullness of life that is ours who bear the brand of the Cross in their flesh by the waters of baptism.
The joy we express today cannot be summed up in candy, eggs, festive dinners or the enjoyment of those things which we gave up for forty days. Rather, the joy we feel and express as the Body of Christ is felt within each member, in our hearts and souls, and fully expressed in the celebration of the Paschal Mystery – the celebration of the Mass.
This is our day . . . this is our day in which we gain a glimpse of what has been promised to us by Christ. This is our day to truly share in the foretaste of the heavenly banquet. This is our day to know the Risen Christ in ways that are too profound and too intimate for words. This is our day to celebrate. “This is THE DAY the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!”
RESURREXIT, SICUT DIXIT! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
We celebrate today the fullness of the salvation that Christ has promised to us. We rejoice in the fullness of the hope of glory that has been revealed to us in the Resurrection. We welcome all those who have traveled in the RCIA process into the fullness of the Church. We meditate upon the fullness of life that is ours who bear the brand of the Cross in their flesh by the waters of baptism.
The joy we express today cannot be summed up in candy, eggs, festive dinners or the enjoyment of those things which we gave up for forty days. Rather, the joy we feel and express as the Body of Christ is felt within each member, in our hearts and souls, and fully expressed in the celebration of the Paschal Mystery – the celebration of the Mass.
This is our day . . . this is our day in which we gain a glimpse of what has been promised to us by Christ. This is our day to truly share in the foretaste of the heavenly banquet. This is our day to know the Risen Christ in ways that are too profound and too intimate for words. This is our day to celebrate. “This is THE DAY the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!”
RESURREXIT, SICUT DIXIT! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
24 October 2009
From the bulletin
I placed this in my assignment parish's bulletin last weekend . . . Just a thought.
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On the front porch of the seminary residence at Saint Vincent’s are four columns, each with a letter – I, O, G, D. These four letters are the abbreviation of the phrase In Omnibus Glorificatur Deus, “In all things, may God be glorified”. This phrase reminds not only the Benedictines of the Archabbey and the men in the seminary, but in fact all of us, that all our actions need to be ordered to the glory of God.
Jesus calls us to share in His glory. Yet, like James and John in this week’s Gospel, we often seek after the glory that is measured in human standards. The glory that Jesus urges us to seek is found by drinking from the cup that He has received from the Father and accepting the baptism with which He had been baptized. Namely, the glory of the Lord is ours when we live out the Paschal Mystery of Christ: His Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Our dying to self to give life to others gives glory to God because, through this, we are not simply acting on our behalf. Rather, our words and actions are focused on building up the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God. Our entrance into the Paschal Mystery of Jesus allows us to fulfill the mission given to us at our baptism, which is to bring others to Christ. This is not often an easy task, and many of us shy away from “being Christ” to others. However, if we allow ourselves to focus our actions so that in omnibus glorificatur Deus, we see beyond ourselves and our human understanding, and the Holy Spirit opens us up to see, speak, and act in ways which bring glory to God and others to Christ.
James and John were ready to drink the cup and be baptized with Christ’s radical baptism without fully comprehending what that would entail: the ultimate sacrifice of one’s life for the Gospel message. For us who live in 2009, we know the Gospel message. But do we allow it to transform us so that we may live the Paschal Mystery faithfully so that in omnibus glorificatur Deus?
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, we are given the means in which we can transform our actions so that they bring glory to God. It is through the Holy Spirit alone that we can fully enter into the Paschal Mystery so that others may come to know Christ and His Gospel. And so, we must really ask ourselves that, in and through our words and actions, who is really receiving the glory? Are we acting for only ourselves, or are we acting for the glory of God?
-------------------
On the front porch of the seminary residence at Saint Vincent’s are four columns, each with a letter – I, O, G, D. These four letters are the abbreviation of the phrase In Omnibus Glorificatur Deus, “In all things, may God be glorified”. This phrase reminds not only the Benedictines of the Archabbey and the men in the seminary, but in fact all of us, that all our actions need to be ordered to the glory of God.
Jesus calls us to share in His glory. Yet, like James and John in this week’s Gospel, we often seek after the glory that is measured in human standards. The glory that Jesus urges us to seek is found by drinking from the cup that He has received from the Father and accepting the baptism with which He had been baptized. Namely, the glory of the Lord is ours when we live out the Paschal Mystery of Christ: His Passion, Death and Resurrection.
Our dying to self to give life to others gives glory to God because, through this, we are not simply acting on our behalf. Rather, our words and actions are focused on building up the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God. Our entrance into the Paschal Mystery of Jesus allows us to fulfill the mission given to us at our baptism, which is to bring others to Christ. This is not often an easy task, and many of us shy away from “being Christ” to others. However, if we allow ourselves to focus our actions so that in omnibus glorificatur Deus, we see beyond ourselves and our human understanding, and the Holy Spirit opens us up to see, speak, and act in ways which bring glory to God and others to Christ.
James and John were ready to drink the cup and be baptized with Christ’s radical baptism without fully comprehending what that would entail: the ultimate sacrifice of one’s life for the Gospel message. For us who live in 2009, we know the Gospel message. But do we allow it to transform us so that we may live the Paschal Mystery faithfully so that in omnibus glorificatur Deus?
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, we are given the means in which we can transform our actions so that they bring glory to God. It is through the Holy Spirit alone that we can fully enter into the Paschal Mystery so that others may come to know Christ and His Gospel. And so, we must really ask ourselves that, in and through our words and actions, who is really receiving the glory? Are we acting for only ourselves, or are we acting for the glory of God?
23 October 2009
Flying time
Time has been flying . . . We're a few days to T-8 months until priesthood ordinations -- God willing.
A big portion of my time recently has been split between school / school work and parish / parish life. I can feel the pull of being (back) in the parish full-time: it's something I love, and has been a part of me for many years. I'm enjoying my time at the parish, overall. Yes, there have been some challenges and decisions made in which I didn't fully agree with. However, I'm there to learn (through active and passive participation), and I feel that I am learning.
Things here at the seminary are going well. I have let go of many of the responsibilities that I have held here over the past few years. I needed to let them go, and better I do it now while I am around to answer questions than leave the poor guys grasping for answers. I still play a small parts around here, but am glad for learning how to let go . . . even though part of me would still like to be doing more.
I've begun to see a change in myself. Most of the time I believe this to be a good thing, but sometimes not. I guess I'm noticing myself in a different light: Life as an ordained man changes you - not completely . . . but I guess I'm taking some things more seriously (as I should), and allowing the things that would completely bug me to simply go to the side. (Not everything that bugs me, however. I've been holding on to some frustrations that I know I need to cool down, but every time I encounter them, I just become frustrated again. Patience is a virtue!) But no matter how I view them, I know that I am changing. I'm not the man who I was when I entered the seminary, nor am I the man who I was just prior to ordination. And while, for the most part, I am who I always have been, I continue to change as I continue to configure my life to that of Christ's. It's not always an easy thing to do, but it's what I'm called to do.
Well, I need to finish a few things to prepare to go to the parish in the morning.
Enjoy the journey . . .
A big portion of my time recently has been split between school / school work and parish / parish life. I can feel the pull of being (back) in the parish full-time: it's something I love, and has been a part of me for many years. I'm enjoying my time at the parish, overall. Yes, there have been some challenges and decisions made in which I didn't fully agree with. However, I'm there to learn (through active and passive participation), and I feel that I am learning.
Things here at the seminary are going well. I have let go of many of the responsibilities that I have held here over the past few years. I needed to let them go, and better I do it now while I am around to answer questions than leave the poor guys grasping for answers. I still play a small parts around here, but am glad for learning how to let go . . . even though part of me would still like to be doing more.
I've begun to see a change in myself. Most of the time I believe this to be a good thing, but sometimes not. I guess I'm noticing myself in a different light: Life as an ordained man changes you - not completely . . . but I guess I'm taking some things more seriously (as I should), and allowing the things that would completely bug me to simply go to the side. (Not everything that bugs me, however. I've been holding on to some frustrations that I know I need to cool down, but every time I encounter them, I just become frustrated again. Patience is a virtue!) But no matter how I view them, I know that I am changing. I'm not the man who I was when I entered the seminary, nor am I the man who I was just prior to ordination. And while, for the most part, I am who I always have been, I continue to change as I continue to configure my life to that of Christ's. It's not always an easy thing to do, but it's what I'm called to do.
Well, I need to finish a few things to prepare to go to the parish in the morning.
Enjoy the journey . . .
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