Pastoral planning process means facing realities of the day
Thursday, February 02, 2012
11:07 AM
It seems an appropriate time to offer an update on our pastoral planning process. Three years ago I issued a Pastoral Letter entitled ”To Hold and to Teach the Catholic Faith that Comes to us from the Apostles.” It set forth the need for and the goals of our pastoral planning process as we look to the future while respectful of our past.
After regional meetings and other consultation what we desire to be as Church was identified. We wish to be Catholic, meaning people of deep prayer and ongoing conversion, fully embracing our Catholic identity and fulfilling appropriately our roles and responsibilities as clergy, religious and laity. We wish to be Eucharistic: meaning people with full, active and conscious participation in the Sacred Liturgy, the sacraments and devotions that are celebrated with reverence and according to liturgical norms.
We wish to be Faith-filled, meaning people grateful for the gift of life who know and witness each day the teachings of Christ and his Church. We wish to be Compassionate as Christ was compassionate, meaning people responding through acts of charity and justice to the human and spiritual needs of others, including sharing the faith with love and humility. And finally we wish to be United, meaning people who cooperate and collaborate within and among parishes, recognizing the divine connection with the universal church through the bishop and the diocese.
In order to work toward this vision we know we have to face the realities of our day. Identified were four realities that are significantly affecting us as the Catholic Church in Eastern South Dakota:
1. demographic shifts with most counties declining in numbers complemented with an aging of population, while some are growing in population;
2. fewer priests to serve our parishes;
3. lessening in attendance at Mass; and
4. fewer children. In adjusting to these realities, we also identified these expectations we would hope to assure:
1. regular access to the sacraments, especially the Most Holy Eucharist, throughout the diocese;
2. solid faith formation for all ages throughout the diocese,
3. the opportunity to gather as people of faith in vibrant and viable parishes – not an easy task these – while
4. doing what we can to assure the spiritual and physical health of priests. We are a Eucharistic Church and the role of the priest is essential.
In the last several years 14 area study groups have been meeting with a lay person representative from each parish. Over 80 meetings were facilitated at which the realities in each area were identified and the opportunity for suggestions on how to respond to a specific reduction in priests to serve each area was provided. Among the possible actions were: no change, additional linking or clustering or parishes (where several would not have a resident priest), merging of parishes, establishing new parishes, rotating Masses, team ministry, maintaining non-sacramental sites, closing of buildings and creative alternatives.
The last groups reported in October and I have now had the opportunity to review their consultation reports. As I have with every study area, I have also read all of the meeting notes and proposals presented and discussed during the meetings. I know that my approach has been frustrating to many who just want to know. I do take seriously however the importance of a Spirit guided response which requires prayer and reflection in addition to consultation. These decisions affect people’s lives now and in the future. My ultimate focus must be on the salvation of souls.
In the next few months I will be announcing my recommendations, then allow time for comment. Once decisions have been communicated, the process of implementation, which includes the participation of the affected parish communities, will begin.
Several important things I learned:
1. this process of consultation was invaluable but took a year longer than I had expected;
2. the need for adequate time for implementation of adjustments which must involve the input of the local faith communities is essential;
3. coping with canon and civil laws can be daunting;
4. dealing with the physical aspects of church buildings raises particular challenges, 5. the effects of the realities we have identified are moving faster than anticipated.
While there will be the merging of some parishes, there is not enough time to do so this year, though some will be announced before then. Any such mergers will take effect only when necessary and no earlier than July 2013, unless the parishes wish to do so earlier. There likely will be some additional linking or clustering during the priest assignment process later this year. I ask for your patience as together we respectfully consider each grouping of parishes.
As I noted in the pastoral letter: “This task is challenging for us all. The change necessary will deeply affect parishes including traditional practices, identity, convenience and patterns of social life. It will inevitably generate a mixture of emotions and responses including hope, hurt, possibilities, pain, energy and anxiety. Change in the face of the realities of our day is not a rejection or discounting of the present or the past. Our heritage of strong and resilient Catholic faith and life is to be honored, celebrated and serve as a guide as we move to the future with trust and hope. It will require sacrificial acts of faith guided by the Holy Spirit for the good of the greater church, of one another and especially of the young.” Yet with good will and trusting the Spirit we will emerge as a stronger church that is truly Catholic, Eucharistic, Faith-filled, Compassionate and United.
May Blessed Mary, our Mother, and St. Joseph, our patron, watch over and guide us.
We are invited to incredible things when God touches our lives
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
3:08 PM
Below is an edited version of the homily given at the Mass of Thanksgiving for 100 years of the healing ministry provided by McKennan Hospital. Since then this ministry has grown into the Avera system which is present throughout the diocese and other similar ministries have been started. I offer it because the principles noted apply to all Catholic institutions which are at risk to secular forces seeking to diminish religious liberty. The Gospel was that of the Annunciation:
“One person wrote that Mary could say yes to God because she had a “hunch of faith”. In her heart she knew that God could be trusted, that the power of the most high would always embrace her even if she in her humanity did not always understand. When she asked the legitimate question "how can this be?," the angel spoke the key words of faith: “nothing will be impossible for God.” Her response was "I am the handmaid of the Lord," a declaration that she believed that. Do we?
We too ask the question: how can this be when our challenges come? Many are asking that this day with economic uncertainty, political unrest, natural calamities, injustice, heart-wrenching sickness and the emptiness of loved ones gone. "How can this be?" is our natural response.
Like Mary we are invited to incredible things when we allow God to touch our lives in His way. We too need to have a hunch of faith to believe that God the most high will embrace us, that God will give us the strength to meet the challenges we face. The angel said to Mary, do not be afraid. Neither need we be afraid.
It is that hunch of faith that has inspired Catholic health care over the years. And so it is a privilege to acknowledge by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass this the 100th anniversary of Catholic health care at McKennan Hospital now Avera McKennan Hospital.
It is important to recognize anniversaries such as this. We do so to honor and remember those who went before in whose legacy we live. They believed like Mary that nothing will be impossible with God. They did not have a business plan, but they had faith.
We recognize anniversaries also to ponder history and learn from it. While today is important because this is our time, history tells us that change is ever present, that time moves on, and that therefore we ought to take the longer view.
And we recognize anniversaries to remind us of the original mission that motivated the beginning, and to reflect on whether in the midst of the pressures of the day we are being true to that mission.
At the dedication of the hospital Bishop O’Gorman, a man of vision as this Cathedral attests, declared that “this hospital is as broad as the spirit of Christ.” The spirit of Christ encompasses being true to his teaching and the church he instituted, especially by being respectful of all life from natural conception to natural death and the years in between. That is the mission of Catholic health care. We are grateful to the doctors, nurses, sisters, priests, lay persons who have over these years maintained that vision by personal witness assuring that it is the spirit of Christ that permeates all that the healing ministry of McKennan did and does.
Throughout its history there have been on-going challenges including: adequate funding, quality staffing, adjusting to the changing demand in patient needs, and adapting to technological and scientific discoveries. Today there are special challenges resulting from the reduction in number of religious sisters who by their very presence witnessed to the mission. There is also the challenge of the intertwining of private, religious and government entities that can result in mandates in conflict with the spirit of Christ and therefore pose a threat to religious liberty and the financial stability of an institution.
A further challenge is religious indifference in our culture including among patients, professional staff and other employees in Catholic health care which encourages the weakening of ethical and moral standards to address immediate practical problems. These are topics for another day but ones we must candidly discuss. As we look to the next 100 years, we must recognize that the breadth of the spirit of Christ may need to be defended even at a cost. The tension between health care as a business and health care as a ministry is real and one I hope we can address together.
For today, let us remember with gratitude those who over these 100 years built, maintained and retained McKennan true to the original mission to be as broad as the spirit of Christ. We thank those of you who today embody that mission with great sacrifice and with great love. You like Mary are a model of witnessing the full spirit of Christ. The difference between Catholic health care and other institutions is that Christ and his church are at the center not only in word but in practice.”
Simplicity is always an amazing, beautiful and wonderful thing
Friday, December 02, 2011
12:00 AM
Having traveled for several weeks on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Rome, waiting in lines at half a dozen airports, enduring countless security checks in four countries, and battling fatigue as time zones kept changing, it is great to be back home. Having the privilege of celebrating Mass in beautiful and historic churches in the Holy Land and Rome, as well as with my brother bishops at our fall meeting in Baltimore, what a joy it is to do so in our Cathedral of St. Joseph and the parishes of our diocese.
A word that kept coming to mind during these travels was “simplicity”. While there rightly have been churches and chapels built at the sites where Jesus was born, taught, healed, suffered, died, was buried and rose, and where the Apostles and Popes have continued his ministry in this time of the Church, there is a simplicity about it all that can take the breath away.
At the Church of the Annunciation there is a marked spot where the angel appeared to Mary and she responded let it be done to me as God wills. At the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born there is cave which requires bending to enter and which only a few can be in at a time. At the Church of the Beatitudes there is the hill on which people gathered and miracles happened with a splendid view of the Sea of Galilee. At the Church at Gethsemane there is a slab of stone on which Our Lord wept over Jerusalem. At the Church of the Holy Sepluchre there is a bit of Calvary hill where our Lord was crucified and a small tomb from which he rose. In the awesome Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome there are the simple tombs of St. Peter and Blessed John Paul II. The list could go on.
I noted to the pilgrims who journeyed with me that the sites we visited are holy because Our Lord made them holy. He used the simple sites of God’s creation and by his presence raised them up to help us raise our sight to him. Allow me to share three among many special moments.
On a beautiful day we were on a boat traversing the Sea of Galilee when we stopped, read Scripture and then sat in silent reflection gazing around at the countryside where Jesus walked, taught, healed and prayed. With awe and humility we felt the presence of the Lord there.
At the Church of St. Peter-in-Gallicantu (the cock’s crow), the site of the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas, there is a deep cistern or cellar where Jesus is said to have been imprisoned. Its starkness and high walls scream no escape. It is a part of his suffering during his Passion that I had not reflected on before. Our group climbed down into the dark and intimidating shell, stood elbow to elbow, read Scripture, sang solemnly “Were you there when they crucified our Lord” and stood in silent reflection. With awe and humility, we felt the presence of the Lord there.
The crowds were large wherever we went so it was not always possible to stop and pray quietly. Father Justin Wachs suggested that if we went to the Holy Selpuchre early in the morning before the tours began we might be able to do so. Many of us did arriving shortly after 4 a.m. It was one of the most overwhelming hours of prayer I have ever experienced, sitting within reach of the place of crucifixion with the empty tomb nearby. With awe and humility we felt the presence of the Lord there.
The sites are holy because Jesus made them so. He desires for us to grow in holiness as well. Yet we can get so caught up in the complexity of daily life and the demands of the secular celebration of Christmas that our focus is on the lesser things. The season of Advent is a call to simplicity. We put away the Gloria and reflect for a few days on the fact that our Lord came into time at Christmas for a purpose, that he will come again as judge at a time we know not, and that he remains with us as we seek to follow him through the Church he instituted. If we use these days of preparation well and simplify our lives, the true meaning of Christmas will be revealed once again: God the Father loved and loves us so much that he gave his only begotten son that we might have life and have it to the full.
A post note: Another highlight from our journey was to have the privilege to attend the Wednesday audience with the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. When the presence of pilgrims from the Diocese of Sioux Falls was announced a loud cheer was heard, from us of course. At audiences we bishops are invited to one by one be greeted by the Holy Father. It is always a challenge to decide what to say to him in the few seconds allowed. I said simply, “Holy Father, five years ago you appointed me Bishop of Sioux Falls. Thank you.” He smiled and said, “five years” as if to say, “how time flies.” I feel the same way. Thank you for your support, patience and forgiveness over these years. Give Praise to the Lord.
Prayerful remembrances, giving thanks and more in November
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
11:42 AM
November is a month of special remembrance especially for those who have died and thanksgiving for the blessings we have received.
Pray for the Faithful Departed
On November 1 we remember those saints, most unknown, who have been welcomed into the fullness of life in heaven; we thank God for their witness and their legacy, and ask for their prayers.
On November 2 we remember and pray for all the faithfully departed especially those souls in purgatory who are awaiting that welcome into the fullness of life in heaven. We also thank God for their witness and legacy and ask for their prayers. Many parishes have books of remembrance in which we can record the names of those who have died who have touched our lives in special ways, and whom we miss. Then as a community of faith we pray for them all month. In this Bishops Bulletin the names of those Catholics in the diocese who have died during this past year are noted. We pray for them in a special way. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
Give Thanks for our Blessings by Sharing Them
As a nation every year on the 4th Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, when we are asked to pause and reflect on our blessings and thank God for them. Sadly as the secular culture seeks to relegate God to the back room, the day has become more focused for too many on how much we can eat rather than sharing the meal with others as a way of celebrating these blessings.
This year there are more people and families in our diocese and state who are underfed in part because of the economic downturn. Food pantries and other helping hands often cannot serve all those who come to them. I would encourage all parishes either at a Thanksgiving Day Mass or on one of the nearby weekends to collect canned goods that can be delivered directly to those in need or to a reputable agency. We thank God for our blessings by sharing them with others.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Rome
When you read this, God willing, I will be in the Holy Land with over 80 other from our diocese on a thanksgiving pilgrimage in acknowledgement of the 5th anniversary of my becoming Bishop of Sioux Falls. When I first arrived five years ago I did not know what to expect. Ever since God has kept me guessing. I often joke that it is amazing that so many know what a bishop is supposed to do, to say and how to act, and yet I as bishop don’t have a clue. I try to be a man of prayer and to seek to assure that my will and God’s will are the same. I apologize for any times I have allowed my will to prevail over His. While challenges have and will continue to be present, I truly am grateful for the call of Christ through his vicar on earth, Pope Benedict XVI, to serve as your bishop. Thank you for the patience, support and forgiveness you have offered me over these years. Please pray for all the pilgrims as we will for you from where Jesus walked and where the Vicar of Christ guides us.
New Roman Missal
Some blessings are not appreciated at first. One may be the new Roman Missal which we will begin to use on the first weekend in Advent, November 26-27. We have been preparing for it as a diocese for over two years. Yet a recent national poll revealed that only 57% of Catholics who attend Mass once a week or more are aware of the change; 34% of those who attend at least once a month are aware; and only 9% of those who attend Mass a few times a year or less are aware. Hopefully it is greater in our diocese. Yet it is clear that there will be many surprised people at Christmas Masses this year. But isn’t that in part what Christmas is about, being surprised with a special gift, that of the child born in Bethlehem, a surprise to most people. It will take us a little while to become comfortable with the new responses and the differing language which better reflect the original source. But I am confident that in a few years we will give thanks to God for offering us through the Church this Missal because we are uplifted by the words and therefore more appreciative of the gift of our Lord of Himself at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The collect or opening prayer for the Mass for Thanksgiving Day in the new missal is a beautiful example. It is a prayer that can refocus us on what should be the purpose of that day, and every day:
Father all-powerful, your gifts of love are countless and your goodness infinite; as we come before you on Thanksgiving Day with gratitude for your kindness, open our hearts to have concern for every man, woman and child, so that we may share your gifts in loving service. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Keep on the right path toward holiness each and every day
Monday, October 03, 2011
9:33 AM
Have you ever been lost? Occasionally we hear an announcement at the mall about a lost child separated from parents. As adults sometimes we miss a turn while on a trip even with the guidance of GPS. Spiritually we can get lost by separating ourselves from God the Father or turning away from Christ in our moral choices.
To become lost spiritually can happen innocently when we are not paying attention to core values and allow less noble influences to lead us astray. It can happen casually when we are dazzled by the lure of the evil one through celebrity or technological images. It can happen intentionally when we become determined to get out from under the shackles of the faith that we feel constrain us. Ultimately we get lost when we focus down and in on ourselves and not up and out, beyond ourselves.
The Catholic convert Malcolm Muggeridge wrote, “The only ultimate disaster that can befall us is to feel ourselves to be at home on earth.” This world and we are passing. When we focus only on the immediate and me, it is then that we become lost.
Discovering that we are lost spiritually can take awhile. To find our way back usually must be done the old fashioned way; we must decide we want to and then work to find the healthier path. It requires conversion, which is turning around and heading in a new direction. God provides the grace when we sincerely seek to find our way to him.
I experienced that in my own life. Successful as a lawyer, engaged in the world, calling my own shots was not enough. Eventually I felt the emptiness, the lack of fulfillment, the yearning for something, really someone more.
Thank God the Good Shepherd continues to seek the lost sheep and rejoices when they are found. It is when we learn that oneness with Christ fills our emptiness and yearning that we recognize just how lost we were. For me it was discovering the mystery of his presence in the Holy Eucharist that opened my mind and heart and resulted in my conversion.
The better way is not to get lost in the first place. May I suggest seven assists that can help keep us on the right path toward holiness.
1. Be proud to be Catholic, not arrogantly but humbly. It is a privilege that should affect our attitude and responses to secular influences. As an adult convert I know what it is like to not be part of the church. There is a strength and rootedness in the one, holy catholic and apostolic church. And there is power in shared witness.
2. Maintain a sense of humor and don’t let others outside or inside the church get us down. The critics are many, hostility toward religion is strong, and the humanness in the Church is only too real. One of my fondest images is that of Pope John Paul I who served less than a month. His face was weathered with wrinkles yet etched with kind eyes and a warm smile. That is the church to me, weathered and wise from experience yet loving and therefore hopeful.
3. Pray regularly. One of the treasures of the church is its variety of healthy spiritualities. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, rosary, Liturgy of the Hours, small prayer groups, silence, Scripture study, the writings of the Church Fathers, and of course Holy Mass are only a few. Regular prayer lifts us above the hurts and pressures of the moment.
4. Learn history and thus gain perspective, of the Church, of the country, of our families, of ourselves. The old adage that the more things change the more they stay the same rings true. History reminds us that rarely are we the first to face the challenges we do and reassures us that they can be faced. Studying the saints is a wonderful way to do so.
5. Maintain a relationship with the Blessed Mother. She responded to God’s will with trust. Be it done to me as He says is hard for us who like to control. The Blessed Mother will intercede to help us live out her model of discipleship as best we can. Mary always leads us to her son.
6. Call on the Holy Spirit. We received the Holy Spirit at baptism and confirmation, as did the Church herself at Pentecost. As a result we are never alone. The Spirit is ever present but we need to call upon Him and take advantage of his gifts, especially courage.
7. Remember that our ultimate purpose is oneness with God forever. Let us not feel at home in the world, but rather live faithful lives each day with the certain hope of a better tomorrow.
Blessed Mother Theresa wrote: “True holiness consists of doing God’s will, with a smile.” When we do, we have a good chance of not getting lost but rather staying on the path that leads to greater holiness and ultimately to eternal life.
September 11: a time to reflect on the hope that comes from faith in Christ
Thursday, September 01, 2011
10:44 AM
In a few days we as a nation will recall the tenth anniversary of the shocking terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., now known simply as September 11. It changed the world and our lives in significant ways.
I recall Mass that following weekend. When it was announced that the closing song was not in the hymnal but that every one knew the words to God Bless America, a server sitting next to me said, “I don’t know the words.” His comment brought home to me the fact that for many of the youth and young adults the specter of war was unknown to them. Sadly, ten years later, the harshness of war is only too well known. We now face the reality of terror and hate every day in many ways, yet we can do so with the hope that comes from faith in Christ the Prince of Peace.
“There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.” Those reportedly were the last words of Betsie Ten Boom a Christian who died in a Nazi death camp, sent there for hiding Jews from sure death during the Holocaust of World War II. She encouraged that the horror of what evil men can do should not be the legacy we inherit. Rather what should be remembered and celebrated is the strength many show in overcoming tragedy and the forgiveness that is possible when Christ is at one’s core.
On this September 11 we will remember and pray not only for those who died that day ten years ago, but also for the courageous men and women who responded in sacrificial ways, especially the police, fire and rescue workers. We also remember and pray for all those who have died since in service to our country, and for those who are in the military today and for their families who serve by separation.
One of the beautiful gifts of our faith is that it lifts us beyond the moment and brings perspective. For instance, when we look at the crucifix we remember that God became man and experienced the horror of the cross, an act of violence, for our redemption. We remember Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, standing at the foot of the cross, weeping for her son. Yet when we celebrate holy Mass we recall that the cross was not the end, that Mary saw her son again resurrected, and that He remains with us until the end of time in the Blessed Sacrament and through his Church.
It is my prayer that the restored Cathedral of St. Joseph will serve as a reminder that hatred and violence will not win out, and that it will be a place of rest and consolation for those who are anxious or face loss. We do not know what tomorrow will bring and we cannot mould it to our liking. What we can do is live today with the hope that comes from our faith in a loving God who promises that life will overcome death, who offers light in the midst of darkness. We need to share that hope with one another, especially the young. There is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.
I was privileged to offer brief remarks at the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin the Sunday following September 11. These words still resonate with me ten years later:
“We come together this day as one family under God, a family of great diversity and yet of common creation and common purpose.
“As one family we grieve for the martyrs for freedom and compassion taken from us this week. We look to the sky and find stars missing. Haunting us is the question: why, why now, why in this way? Why we ask does God allow those filled with hate to steal the innocent and burst the dreams of those who remain?
“St. Augustine centuries ago wrote: ‘I sought whence evil comes and there was no solution.’ Over a millennium later there remains no solution which settles our anguished hearts. It is a mystery which, with humility, we must live, as have generations before us.
“We can do so with faith in the loving God who promises life will overcome death and who specially cradles the innocent. We will do so if we are mindful of the needs and dignity of each person gifted by God with life.
“May our leaders be granted the wisdom to discern that delicate balance of response which brings justice without fostering injustice. We pray for those men and women who will be in harm’s way in the days ahead, stars still glistening in our sky.
“Tomorrow we do not know; it has always been so. We approach tomorrow with apprehension, yet with hope. This is a time when we must walk by faith, not by sight, as one nation under God, witnessing values worthy of the sacrifice of those we remember today.
“May they rest in peace.”
Do not allow pressures of the world to block our prayer life
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
9:33 AM
When you receive this month’s Bishops Bulletin we will have celebrated the restoration and re-opening of the Cathedral of St. Joseph and we will be preparing to celebrate the ordination of five fine men to the priesthood. These joyful occasions and beautiful liturgies take awhile, certainly more than two hours. Some in good fun make wagers with one another on how long they will take. How long is too long?
We live in an age of time pressures, when every minute counts and instant response is expected. I recall a few years ago being on a train and sitting near a man who was talking to himself, or so it seemed. We used to think that odd behavior. But he was simply taking advantage of hands free cell phone technology that allows talking with someone while doing something else such as working on a lap top computer. He shared with me and everyone nearby some testy talk as his hands worked the keyboard. I shared dinner with some young people recently and one of them spent most of the time with his hands under the table, texting. That goes on at Mass sometimes as well.
It raises the question of whether we bring to our prayer life the pressures and habits of the secular world.
For instance, ask yourself: how long should Mass “take”, an hour, forty five minutes? In many parishes the back pews empty long before the final blessing no matter how long Mass “takes”. It suggests that either we have limited time to give to the Lord or that spending time with the Lord is a lesser priority than – golf, brunch, you fill in the blank.
There are many aspects that can affect the length of Mass. They include the readings, the prayers, the music, the homily, the number receiving Holy Communion, a baptism, silence. Which of these is less worthy of our time? The homily is a frequent target.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen told the story of meeting a man who recalled having attended one of the bishop’s missions. He said, “That was a wonderful sermon. I enjoyed every minute of that hour and a half.” The bishop replied, “My good man, I have not talked an hour and a half in my life.” “Well,” said the man, “it seemed that long to me.” We clergy do need to be sensitive to how long is a reasonable person’s attention span. But the more significant question is why we are at Mass and what attitude we bring to it.
Someone noted that when a sporting event such as football goes into overtime we stay tuned with even greater attention, but when Mass goes into overtime we become anxious for it to end.
In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked his disciples to remain and keep watch while he went off to pray in anticipation of his Passion, his sacrifice for our redemption. When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter: ‘So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The Holy Spirit is willing to help us deal with our human weakness if we allow him.
With the season of Advent we will introduce the revised translations of the Roman Missal, what we pray and say at Mass. It will take some adjustment and some patience, and some time. In preparation we might reflect on how spiritually strong is our disposition at Mass now. Do we bring through the Church doors the pressures and habits of the secular world, or do we humbly come to worship Our Lord and to be nourished by his Word and His presence in the Holy Eucharist however long it “takes”.
When we impose the standards of the world on our prayer life, including Holy Mass, we may miss the powerful gift of the Spirit that will sustain us when we face the inevitable tests that come into our lives with which technology cannot help us cope. Sometimes to receive that grace that we need, it will take a little time. Can we keep the watch?
Holy Communion should be special each time we receive
Friday, July 01, 2011
10:15 AM
The story is told of an orphan named Joe who was taken to a doctor for a medical exam. When he returned to the orphanage, a nun asked him, “What did he say to you, Joe?” Sadly the little boy responded, “He said to me, what a miserable little specimen you are.” Then Joe added, “But Sister, I don’t think he knew I had made my first communion.”
Many little ones have made their first communion in recent weeks. What a joy it is to see them dressed up for the occasion, excited to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We recently celebrated the solemnity of Corpus Christi when we reflect on this mystery of faith in a profound way. This fall we will implement that new translation of the Roman Missal which will allow us to express wonder and awe at the incredible gift of our Lord of Himself.
As we do so, perhaps we might ask ourselves how joyful are we at Holy Mass? How dressed up are we when we receive Holy Communion? Each Holy Communion ought to be as precious for us as the first one. Familiarity and routine can diminish the special significance we have for what we do and who we receive.
I received my first communion at the age of 39, so I wasn’t one of those cute little boys. But I do know that if I am not careful it can become routine for me as it can become for us all. That we are free to receive the Holy Eucharist every week is a tremendous privilege. Not everyone is so blessed. Some have given their lives for the opportunity we sometimes take for granted. Yet fewer than 40% of registered Catholics in our diocese attend Mass regularly. During vacations we often dispense ourselves from the Sunday obligation. It is a self-inflicted loss with spiritual consequences.
The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Eucharist is “The source and summit of all Christian life. In the Eucharist the sanctifying action of God in our regard and our worship reach their high point. It contains the whole spiritual good of the church.” (274)The restored Cathedral of St. Joseph will reflect this truth in beautiful sacred art.
The Sacred Liturgy powerfully conveys the engagement we ought to have. Those who are able are asked to process to the altar with reverence. The Bishop’s Committee on the Liturgy a few years ago wrote that the procession “expresses the humble patience of the poor moving forward to be fed, the alert expectancy of God’s people sharing the paschal meal in readiness for their journey, the joyful confidence of God’s people on march toward the promised land.” All that is symbolized by our coming forward not in a line but in procession to receive Holy Communion before his altar.
Then the most powerful moment arrives. The consecrated Host is held before us and the words spoken with conviction: the Body of Christ. The consecrated wine may be offered to us with the words: the Blood of Christ. We are asked to slightly bow with respect and to respond with faith: “Amen.” That means I believe, yes it is true that our Lord is present body and blood, soul and divinity in what I am about to receive. It is a declaration of faith and an acknowledgement of a truth that can change us if we are open to the fullness of the moment.
I have heard people say that they do not get anything out of Mass, usually referring to the preaching and the music. We come to Mass to worship our loving and merciful God. But we do “get something” out of it, our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist and the grace that flows from him.
We get at Holy Mass what we need most, the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation which can satisfy our spiritual hunger and empower us to become who we receive, to become more Christ-like. Now that is something to get dressed up for and be excited about the first time and every time.
We are on the verge of something holy, beautiful and special
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
10:35 AM
Two years ago we celebrated Solemn Vespers in St. Joseph Cathedral, transferred in procession the Blessed Sacrament from the Tabernacle and closed the main part of the Cathedral in readiness for the immense project to preserve, beautify and restore our Mother Church. We committed to a project that would respect the legacy of those who sacrificially left this great architectural treasure in our care and highlight the extraordinary art work. Planning for this had been on going for years before. We committed to a fundraising goal of $16.2 million and to take advantage of the catechetical opportunity for all of us to understand better who we are as Catholics as reflected in the signs and symbols of the Cathedral.
Now in less than two months we will celebrate the re-opening of this spiritual and community landmark. We will begin with an event to which all are welcome, the Blessing and Opening of the Doors on Monday evening, July 25. We will celebrate the first Holy Mass in the restored Cathedral on Tuesday, July 26 at which we will dedicate the new altar. Because of limited space, it will need to be a ticketed event. Each parish will be invited to send representatives. This liturgy will be shown live on television by KELO-TV. Other events yet to be announced will follow.
How well have we succeeded in our goals and tasks? That is a judgment to be made after some time has passed. What we do know is that we will now have a Cathedral that has up to date infrastructure, including electrical and lighting, heating and air conditioning, and an improved sound system. It will also have the unique art highlighted in a tapestry of colors. These will be enhanced by some new art reflecting Scriptural teachings. We have also tried to respect the intentions of Bishop Thomas O’Gorman and Emmanuel Masquarrey, the noted architect who designed the Cathedral.
With a grateful heart I can report that as of this writing because of the generosity of so many we have collected or have commitments for over $15.5 million toward our goal; less than $700,000 is yet to be raised. Thank you also to those who have participated with your prayers. They too are a great treasure.
What have I learned from this project? It was a more massive effort than anticipated which required hundreds of decisions for which I was not prepared in seminary.
With the glimpses that have been shown in person or displayed on the webpage
stjosephcathedral.net, it is clear that many will approve of the changes and decisions, and some will not. Art in all of its forms is subject to personal preferences. There also are differing theological preferences for church forms and settings. The Cathedral has undergone at least four major renovations over the years. Restoration brings forth different images depending on ones age and experience of the Cathedral.
What we have tried to do is to be respectful of the architectural integrity of this 93 year old building; we could not afford to build it today. We have also tried to be respectful of the liturgical norms of our day. Achieving this balance has not been an easy task either. Yet, I am satisfied that what has been accomplished by the artisans and technicians is worthy and impressive.
In an Address to Artists last November, Pope Benedict XVI wrote: “An essential function of genuine beauty . . . is that it gives man a healthy ‘shock’, it draws him out of himself, wrenches him away from resignation and from being content with the humdrum – it even makes him suffer, piercing him like a dart, but in so doing it ‘reawakens’ him, opening afresh the eyes of his heart and mind, giving him wings, carrying him aloft.”
“Authentic beauty,” he continued, “unlocks the yearning of the human heart, the profound desire to know, to love, to go towards the Other, to reach for the Beyond. If we acknowledge that beauty touches us intimately, that it wounds us, that it opens our eyes, then we rediscover the joy of seeing, of being able to grasp the profound meaning of our existence, the Mystery of which we are a part; from this Mystery we can draw fullness, happiness, the passion to engage with it every day.”
There is so much sadness and worry in the world these days natural and manmade - earthquakes, floods, tornados, wars, terror, economic uncertainty, and disease, so often inappropriately called ‘acts of God’. We can suffer from compassion fatigue and wonder about the future. We need a counter weight that highlights what are real acts of God, the beauty manifested in nature and expressed through human hands. Both will be present in the restored Cathedral.
If the Cathedral of St. Joseph “reawakens us”, “gives us wings” and “carries us aloft” if only for a few moments, if it brings perspective and gives us hope, it will be worth the effort and sacrifice of so many of you. For then we will have been drawn to the Other, reflected in the crucifix and the altar of sacrifice. It will remind us of the sacrificial love of Christ, His presence with us every day, and the beauty which is our ultimate goal, oneness with Him for all eternity.
Prayer is essential for each of us everyday
Monday, May 02, 2011
9:22 AM
When I was rector of St. Raphael Cathedral in the Diocese of Madison in Wisconsin, my practice was to hear confessions immediately before the 5 p.m. daily Mass, except on Holy Days when additional preparation for the Mass was needed. At the time I was the only priest assigned to three parishes. A notice was posted on the confessional which read: “No Confessions Today” to remind the faithful and not inconvenience anyone. Someone decided to improve this notice; it then read, “No Confessions Today BECAUSE YOU ARE LAZY”.
My first reaction was to be taken aback, followed by this person really needs the sacrament.
But then I wondered if God was sending me a message.
Dictionary.com gives three definitions to lazy: 1. disinclined to action or exertion, adverse to labor, idle, shirking work; 2. inactive, slothful, slow, sluggish; 3. wicked, vicious.
Some one thought that of me? Could it be true? Sometimes we can be lazy by being busy. That is why regular prayer is so essential.
In my examination of conscience each day, I often use the capital sins as a source of evaluation. Among them is sloth or acedia. I ask myself if this day I have been shirking from or sluggish in my prayer life which sustains the rest of my life.
The Catechism describes prayer as a battle. The Compendium of the Catechism tells us why:
“Prayer is a gift of grace but it always presupposes a determined response on our part because those who pray ‘battle’ against themselves, their surroundings, and especially the Tempter who does all he can to turn them away from prayer. The battle of prayer is inseparable from progress in the spiritual life. We pray as we live because we live as we pray. (572)
“Distraction is a habitual difficulty in our prayer. It takes attention away for God and can also reveal what we are attached to. Our heart therefore must humbly turn to the Lord. Prayer is often affected by dryness. Overcoming this difficulty allows us to cling to the Lord in faith, even without any feeling of consolation. Acedia is a form of spiritual laziness due to relaxed vigilance and a lack of custody of the heart." (574)
I must admit that on occasion I suffer from all three of those difficulties in prayer; I am engaged in the battle, especially while living in a culture that is so filled with activity, noise, judgmentalism and the tendency to compartmentalize our spiritual from our workaday world. Maintaining our relationship with Christ is a 24 hour mission.
St. John Chrysostom wrote: “It is possible to offer frequent and fervent prayer even at the market place or strolling alone. It is possible also in your place of business, while buying or selling, or even while cooking.” It is true if we choose to do so. The antidote to spiritual sloth or laziness is faith, regularity in one’s prayer life and vigilance concerning what guides our thoughts and actions.
St. Therese of Lisieux put it so simply, as was her way, and so beautifully: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”
She also wrote a moving poem entitled My Song of Today which includes these truthful and challenging verses which offer humbling perspective:
“My life’s a jot of time, an hour that comes and goes; my life – this moment; now – escapes and runs away. To give You while on earth, O God, the love one owes, I’ve got . . . only today.” And so do we.
As this long winter comes to an end and the busyness of the world surrounds and entices us, may we recall the model of Jesus in prayer and the example of His sacrificial love about which this Easter season reminds us to encourage us to give the love one owes Him today.
That person who edited the notice on the confessional got my attention. I am grateful for it. In response, I began to hear confessions after Mass.
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