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 . . .
24 August 2010
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 . . .
13 September 2009
A thought
Hopefully, this will be in my parish's bulletin this weekend.
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A Thought from Deacon Rob
Three weeks have come and gone since I’ve started my final year in seminary. Three weeks which have given me many reading assignments, typed / homework assignments, opportunities to re-connect with old friends and make new ones, and opportunities to exercise my diaconal ministry both at Saint Mary’s and at Saint Vincent’s.
Yet one of the most important lessons that I continue to learn is how central the Eucharist is in the life of a Catholic. I continue to learn that lesson daily, and in that lesson I find new depths in not only knowing the love of God, but also in deepening my relationship with Jesus Christ. I continue to explore and discover the vast riches that this Mystery holds in my life, and in the life of every Catholic.
At the seminary, we are given ample opportunities to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I try to make time everyday to spend at least 15 minutes in conversation with our Lord. And I believe that anyone with a serious commitment to the Gospel would try to spend some time before our Lord at some point during the week between Masses.
Recently, an article appeared in Catholic circles by a priest from a mid-West college who concluded the article saying that Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is “a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward”. This is such a sad statement! We have recently heard from Jesus himself for five weeks on how central His Body and Blood are to those who are His disciples. How can anyone who professes to be Catholic not want to spend some time with Him, to come to know Him and experience His love?!
We are called to come and sit at the feet of the Master. We are called upon time and again to “follow Him” (as we heard last week). To be in communion with Christ is to know what He says and to desire to live the way He lived. There is no better way in which we come to know Jesus than to spend time in conversation with Him who is Love itself . . . and the best way to do this is before His Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
I encourage all to come early or stay a little bit before or after the Mass you attend on the weekends to know Christ better. I would also encourage, if your time permits you, to visit the Christ during the day in the church. He quietly waits for you and me to visit Him. Come, let us adore.
Enjoy the journey . . .
-------------------------
A Thought from Deacon Rob
Three weeks have come and gone since I’ve started my final year in seminary. Three weeks which have given me many reading assignments, typed / homework assignments, opportunities to re-connect with old friends and make new ones, and opportunities to exercise my diaconal ministry both at Saint Mary’s and at Saint Vincent’s.
Yet one of the most important lessons that I continue to learn is how central the Eucharist is in the life of a Catholic. I continue to learn that lesson daily, and in that lesson I find new depths in not only knowing the love of God, but also in deepening my relationship with Jesus Christ. I continue to explore and discover the vast riches that this Mystery holds in my life, and in the life of every Catholic.
At the seminary, we are given ample opportunities to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I try to make time everyday to spend at least 15 minutes in conversation with our Lord. And I believe that anyone with a serious commitment to the Gospel would try to spend some time before our Lord at some point during the week between Masses.
Recently, an article appeared in Catholic circles by a priest from a mid-West college who concluded the article saying that Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is “a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward”. This is such a sad statement! We have recently heard from Jesus himself for five weeks on how central His Body and Blood are to those who are His disciples. How can anyone who professes to be Catholic not want to spend some time with Him, to come to know Him and experience His love?!
We are called to come and sit at the feet of the Master. We are called upon time and again to “follow Him” (as we heard last week). To be in communion with Christ is to know what He says and to desire to live the way He lived. There is no better way in which we come to know Jesus than to spend time in conversation with Him who is Love itself . . . and the best way to do this is before His Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
I encourage all to come early or stay a little bit before or after the Mass you attend on the weekends to know Christ better. I would also encourage, if your time permits you, to visit the Christ during the day in the church. He quietly waits for you and me to visit Him. Come, let us adore.
Enjoy the journey . . .
10 September 2009
Procrastinating
Taking a moment to break from some school work.
I'll be updating soon.
Enjoy the journey . . .
I'll be updating soon.
Enjoy the journey . . .
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