Saint John Bosco

As we continue our observance of Catholic Schools Week, the Church gives us a wonderful example today in Saint John Bosco. His early years were the most difficult, so when he was ordained a priest, he dedicated himself to the education of the young, founding congregations which would instruct youth in both the arts and Christian life (Magnificat, 415-16). One commentary states, "Saint John Bosco devoted a great deal of attention to the question of how the young could be formed for a good, holy Christian life. He chose love rather than severity as his tool for teaching children to treasure God's will and promise" (413-14). We look to Jesus as our ultimate teaching example. Jesus says this in Mark's Gospel, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these"
(10:14). We are called to teach our young people the ways of faith. I remember clearly the last National Catholic Youth Convention that I went to in Kansas City in the late 1990's. An article in the daily paper published for the event talked about the youth being the future of the Church. Did the young people ever respond to that? They let everyone know that, yes, they are future leaders of the Church, but they are the Church of today. Yes, they are! As adults: parents, teachers, priests and religious, we have a duty to teach our young people. We need to keep them active in the faith today because that will help them in the future. The Church has a great responsibility when it comes to the teaching ministry. Let us always do our part and ask Saint John Bosco to intercede for us and may his prayers guide all of our teaching efforts. God Bless!!!

Teaching With Authority

A good topic as we begin the observance of Catholic Schools Week. Teaching our young people, whether in the Catholic School or Religious Education program, is a wonderful ministry. We are preparing the young people, who are the Church of today, to be our faithful leaders of tomorrow. All of us, whether parents; teachers; priests and religious, are called to pass on the faith to those who will come after us. It may be a challenge because of the world in which we live today and the voices of society that keep calling to our young people. However, we cannot give up in our mission to proclaim the Good News and keep handing on the faith. We have received much in the centuries since our Lord walked the earth and taught the people of his day. Now, we continue to write our chapters in salvation history as we live the mission entrusted to us. In the gospel for this weekend, Mark 1:21-28, Jesus taught in the synagogue and as Mark writes, "The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes." Jesus also drove out an unclean spirit, which also added to his teaching authority. See, Jesus not only taught with words but he also taught with actions. We know that our actions speak louder than words. When we teach, we need to do so with a faithful, loving, merciful, compassionate example. As this week unfolds, we can speak about the teaching ministry of the Church and be thankful for the example of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate example of teaching authority! Have a blessed weekend!!!

Ursuline Sisters

We remember in our prayers the Sisters of Saint Ursula, as we keep in memorial their foundress, Saint Angela Merici. I was blessed during my later grade school and junior high years to have Ursuline Sisters at the Catholic Grade School that I attended. I have a great appreciation for the sisters and for the time they gave us in teaching and instilling within us the Catholic Faith. As the biography says about Saint Angela: "She gave her companions a rule that included neither enclosure nor a multiplicity of devotions, but stressed the search for human contacts in prudence and charity" (Magnificat, 365-66). The Ursuline Sisters that I was in contact with followed those gifts very well. They were truly an example for us young people. Of course, clergy; religious; people of today continue the teaching ministry of the Church. Earlier this month, the Church celebrated the memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the foundress of the Catholic School system. We conclude this month with Saint Angela Merici, who had a hand in teaching our young people. Next week, we observe Catholic Schools Week, so we have two saints that will intercede for us and guide us in our ministry of teaching the Catholic Faith and being an example to our young people. May God Bless all of us as we continue the mission of the Church. Peace to You this day!!!

Conversion Process

The Conversion of Saint Paul has been celebrated but there is always time to talk about conversion. As I learned in the seminary, "Conversion is a lifelong process." We are continually growing in the ways of faith and holiness. What happened to Saint Paul can happen to any of us. Our conversion stories may not be as dramatic as his, but God always gets our attention and calls us to follow His will each day of our lives. I would encourage everyone to read that beautiful passage about Paul's conversion, Acts of the Apostles 22:3-16. Take time to allow the words to touch our lives in a special way and listen to the voice of the Lord. As this quote says, "Being converted is simply meeting yourself for the purpose of going to the very end of your being. Conversion means a willingness to see the truth of things and conform one's conduct to it" (A. Sertillanges). Along that line, we hear, "In the voice and the Light that Saul encounters on the road, he sees the truth of things and willingly conforms himself to Jesus Christ" (Magnificat, 339). We need to conform ourselves to be like Christ. We need to imitate Christ in all that we say, think, or do. When we receive the baptismal garment, we are told that we have put on Christ and are to become like him. It takes grace to conform to the person of Christ and that grace is there for the asking. We also need to live that conversion of mind and heart. That is why striving to become like Christ is truly a lifelong process, but hopefully a process that we begin now! Have a blessed day!!!

Shining Example

We celebrate the memorial of Saint Francis de Sales who is a shining example for all of us. After being ordained a priest, Saint Francis labored diligently for the restoration of Catholicism in his country. Once he was chosen bishop, he showed himself as a true pastor toward his clerics and the faithful, strengthening their faith by his writings, works, and example (Magnificat, 328-29). Those are important qualities to live and follow. When it comes to living our faith, we may not do much writing, but we can speak volumes by our works and example. Even as the Collect states, "Graciously grant that, following his example, we may always display the gentleness of your charity in service of our neighbor" (329). The Church holds up holy men and women for us to follow and to seek their intercession. We need to remember they were ordinary people like ourselves. As one quote says, "The saints were sinners who tried." We are sinners trying to be saints and we can be. We need to live that spirit of repentance. Turn away from sin and turn back to God. We need to live our faith to the fullest, not just with words, but with our lives. Always be an example to others because people do watch to see how we live our lives and our faith. Do not be afraid. Seek the divine assistance that is given to us. In a special way today, may Saint Francis de Sales intercede for us, as we follow his shining example! God Bless You!!!

The Gift of Human Life

Human Life is truly a beautiful and precious gift that God the Creator, the Author of Life has given to us. We know that this precious gift is under attack everyday and it is hard to comprehend why people would take the life of another, especially innocent, human beings in the wombs of their mothers. On this day when we mark the 39th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in our country, we pray that all of our efforts in promoting and defending life will bear fruit. We pray that God will change the hearts of those who believe in a culture of death, so that they will turn our society into a "Culture of Life." The Third Edition, Roman Missal, added a Mass for Human Life here in the United States. The Mass is appropriately titled, "For Giving Thanks To God For The Gift Of Human Life." The Entrance Antiphon for the Mass reads very simply, but powerfully, "For the sake of your name, O Lord, give me life." We pray for the sanctity of all human life every day! In closing, let me leave you with the Collect for the Mass of Human Life: "God our Creator, we give thanks to you, who alone have the power to impart the breath of life as you form each of us in our mother's womb; grant, we pray, that we, whom you have made stewards of creation, may remain faithful to this sacred trust and constant in safeguarding the dignity of every human life. 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. Amen" (Third Edition, Roman Missal, 1321). May God Bless us and our efforts for human life!!!

Repentance Re-Visited

Thank you for the prayers that you offered the priests of the Diocese of Salina while we were on our Clergy Renewal Days. They were very good days and very informative. In light of our readings for this weekend, it was appropriate for us, as priests, to have one day to focus on Reconciliation. We were looking at ways to get the faithful back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Good ideas were brainstormed so hopefully they can be implemented and work on the process to get people back to experience the sacrament in a very special and beautiful way. Of course, preaching is a good way to get the message out there. We look to Jonah in our first reading, Jonah 3:1-5,10. Jonah was sent by God to preach to the city of Nineveh the need for repentance. The prophet told the people, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed." The people did listen to Jonah and believed what God would do and they repented. In the gospel, Mark 1:14-20, Jesus came to Galilee and proclaimed this message, "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." That is the call for all of us, we need to turn away from sin, repent, and turn back to God. For us, as Catholics, we have the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation and that is where the faithful can find healing, forgiveness, and grace. Let us encourage one another to return to the sacrament and continue to proclaim the Good News that God loves us unconditionally! Have a blessed weekend!!!

Renewal Days Continued

Greetings from the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita, Kansas! The Clergy Renewal Days are going well. We concluded the talk on the New Evangelization yesterday and there is some good information to share,which will come at a later date. Our focus today has been on Reconciliation! That is an appropriate topic as we get close to Lent but realize the gift of reconciliation is ours everyday. The topic for Thursday will focus on the Mass and how things are going with the translations of the Third Edition, Roman Missal. Some good information will need to be covered in future blogs. That is why these days are good for prayer, learning, and fellowship. Keep the prayers coming and know that I am praying for you! God Bless You!!!

Clergy Renewal Days 2012

The priests of the Diocese of Salina, Kansas will be heading for the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita for our annual Clergy Renewal Days! The topics that will be featured are: the New Evangelization, the Mass, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I will have a laptop with me so I will see if I can get some blogs sent out while I am away. If not, please keep us in your prayers as we travel and as we spend these days in prayer, learning, and fellowship. Since our diocese is spread out over northwest and north central Kansas, we priests don't get to see each other that often, so it is nice when these days come around. I will be praying for you as you pray for me! God Bless You!!!

Listening!!!

This is the key word for this weekend! Be sure and listen to the readings because that is where the discipline of listening comes from. Listen to the Mass and focus on everything it brings because the Mass is "our central act of worship!" The Eucharist is the "Source and Summit of our faith!" One of the things that I have told people before is that there is a difference between hearing and listening. When we hear, we have a tendency to let it go in one ear and out the other. When we listen, we truly take the words to heart and put them into practice. The first reading for Mass is a beautiful example of listening. I Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 presents to us Samuel who was in the temple of the Lord with Eli and the ark of God was present. The Lord called out to Samuel and each time he would run to Eli and say, "Here I am. You called me." Eli would respond by saying that it was not him that called so go back to sleep. After the second time, Eli knew it was the Lord calling the youth so he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." When the Lord called again, that is exactly what Samuel said. "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening." The servant wants to take the words of the Lord to heart and as the psalmist says, "Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will." We are being called to live the will of God in our lives. God speaks to us through the scriptures, prayer, the voices of others and the question is, Are we listening? Let us pray for the grace and discipline to listen because in speaking the Lord will change our lives! Have a blessed weekend!!!

Forgiveness of Sins

I took the suggestion for today and used the Mass for the Forgiveness of Sins in the Roman Missal. The prayers are beautifully written! I even used the Eucharist Prayer from Reconciliation I. Amazing how the prayers are definitive and have a beautiful sound to them. This suggestion was given because of the gospel for today, Mark 2:1-12, where Jesus heals the paralytic man who was lowered through the roof by his friends. We are told that when Jesus saw the faith of those involved he said to the man, "Child, your sins are forgiven." That did not set well with the scribes because on God can forgive sins. Jesus knew their thoughts so he ended up saying to the man, "Rise, pick up your mat, and go home." It would have been easier to say your sins are forgiven and that would be a beautiful moment. We have all experienced the beauty of forgiveness in our lives. When someone has hurt us and they approach to say they are sorry and will you forgive me, how can we not follow the example of Jesus? In some instances, forgiveness is a challenge for some people, and that is why we need to pray for grace so that we can reconcile with others and live in peace and harmony. For us, as Catholics, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a beautiful encounter with the love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness of God. We always pray that the grace of the sacrament will help us to do better and to always be a forgiving person. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. May we follow the example of our Lord and share that forgiveness with one another! God Bless You!!!

Becoming Clean!

Jesus continues his healing ministry in our gospel passage, Mark 1:40-45. A leper came to Jesus and said to him, "If you wish, you can make me clean." Jesus answered him by saying, "I do will it. Be made clean." The Lord heals us of our infirmities, our illnesses, our sickness, our sinfulness. From that, we are truly made clean, and we pray that we may have the grace to live the love and mercy of God. Another passage says, "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God" (Mt 5:8). The relating commentary goes on to say: "To be a disciple means to follow the Master. He ascended the hill of the cross and transformed it into the seat of glory, a holy place. Risen, he invites us to leave behind all worthless desires and seek him in holiness, that is, in love" (Magnificat, 158). A beautiful thought for us because God truly loves us and He showed how much He loves us by sending His only Son to be our Savior. Through Jesus' death on the cross, we have the forgiveness of our sins, and through his resurrection the hope of eternal life. Even though Jesus told the leper not to tell anyone about what happened, he did anyway. God's great love, mercy, and goodness is Good News that we need to share with others. Let us keep our focus on God and what He does in our lives because by following and listening to Him, we are truly made clean! Blessings to you!!!

Praying for the Sick

The Collect for Mass today is beautiful, that is, if you used the suggested Mass for the Sick. These prayers coincide with the gospel, Mark 1:29-39. Jesus entered the house of Simon and his mother-in-law was sick with a fever. The Lord healed her of the illness. Once evening came, the whole town was gathered at the door and Jesus healed all who were sick and possessed by demons. A beautiful example from the Divine Physician who cures all of our infirmities. Let us look at the Collect that is offered: "O God, who willed that our infirmities be borne by your Only Begotten Son to show the value of human suffering, listen in kindness to our prayers for our brothers and sisters who are sick; grant that all who are oppressed by pain, distress or other afflictions may know that they are chosen among those proclaimed blessed and are united to Christ in his suffering for the salvation of the world" (Magnificat, 149). Jesus took our suffering upon himself and when we are sick and suffering we unite ourselves with him who suffered willingly on the cross. When the Lord calls us to be his disciples he says that we must pick up our cross and follow him. He did not tell us what crosses we will carry, what sickness or suffering we may endure, but we take it all with patience and perseverance, knowing that the Lord is with us each step of the way. As the communion antiphon says, "In my flesh I am completing what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the Church" (Col 1:24). Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who are sick and may God bless all of us with the grace, healing, and strength that we need to carry our cross and continue the journey of faith! Peace Dear Friends!!!

Vocation Awareness!

With the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we also began the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week. By virtue of our baptismal call we are to continue the mission of the Church and vocations are a piece of the puzzle. God calls men and women to live a vocation in the Church, either as priests, deacons, brothers, and sisters. We need to do our part to pray for those men and women who are in formation or who are discerning their vocation in life. Our scriptures give us a foundation in which to build upon. For example, Mark 1:14-20, where Jesus passes by the Sea of Galilee and first calls Simon and Andrew. They were fishermen and Jesus' invitation to them was, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." A little while later, our Lord called James and his brother John, who were also fishermen. As we read these passages, it seems that there was no hesitation in their response. They immediately dropped everything and followed after the Lord. For many of us, it takes time, prayer, discernment, to decide what God is calling us to do in life. We need to pray for and encourage those who are discerning a vocation, especially one to the Church. My personal, pastoral advice is: do not give up and follow the will of God in your life, not your will. I learned that over the years, especially as I was discerning my vocation to the priesthood. A phrase that was common for me was: "Never say never!" Usually when we say that we are never going there or I am never going to do that, that is when God gets us because its not about our will, but His will! Listen to the voice of God in your lives and allow Him to guide you as you pray and discern because His call for us is always the best! God Bless You!!!

The Baptism of the Lord

Our Christmas Time concludes as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus gives us a beautiful example to follow because we know that he did not need to be baptized. He is the Son of God and is free of all sin but he chose to be baptized by John in the Jordan River. At our Lord's baptism we hear the voice of the Father say, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased" (Mark 1:11). As one commentary states, "Jesus listened with an open ear and an open heart to the voice of his Father. Listening, he obeyed. Let us, who have been baptized in him, listen to the voice that calls us beloved children and gives us a work to do, the work of the Gospel proclaimed and lived in love for God and neighbor" (Magnificat, 119). This is a beautiful day to renew our baptismal promises and renew our efforts to live the baptismal call that we have all received. Our baptismal call is to continue the mission of the Church by proclaiming the Good News and being active members. Let us pray for the grace to live our baptism, follow in the footsteps of our Lord, and be an example to others! Have a blessed day!!!

The Epiphany of the Lord

On Friday, two friends and myself, took a tour of churches in the area to see how they decorated for this Christmas Time and see if there is any ideas that we might try for Christmas of 2012. One of the things that we noticed in those parishes is that the Magi were making their way to the manger. Of course, the Magi will arrive at the manger as we gather this weekend for the Masses celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord. As Pope Benedict XVI said, "The Magi set out because of a deep desire which prompted them to leave everything and begin a journey. It was as though they had always been waiting for that star" (Magnificat, 109). The Epiphany is about the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God, the light coming into the world. It is also about the journey of the Magi and the gifts that they brought to the newborn King. Saint Odilo of Cluny states, "To offer gold is to proclaim Christ's kingship, to offer incense is to adore his Godhead, and to offer myrrh is to acknowledge his mortality" (109). We come this weekend as God's people to witness to the great joy of the Savior's birth and to bring our own gifts to him. Each one of us is called to live a stewardship way of life, the giving of our time, talent, and treasure. These are the gifts we bring, not just on the Epiphany, but everyday of our lives as we live as Jesus' disciples in the world and in our respective communities. We pray that the star, the light, which guided the Magi will guide us in our journey of life and faith and bring us safely to the joys of God's Heavenly Kingdom. Have a blessed weekend!!!

Saint Andre Bessette

The beauty of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal is that we have the prayers for our recent saints in the Church. Today is a wonderful example as we keep the memorial of Saint Andre Bessette. Saint Andre is a North American Saint and a saint of our own time period. "In 1982, Blessed John Paul II beatified Andre Alfred Bessette of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Canada. A man of prayer to whom people came for counsel, the humble 'Brother Andre' was the moving spirit behind the construction of the imposing basilica of Saint Joseph in Montreal. He was notable for his great devotion to Saint Joseph. He was canonized by Benedict XVI in 2010" (Magnificat, 84-85). Even in the Collect for Mass we hear, "Lord our God, friend of the lowly, who gave your servant, Saint Andre Bessette, a great devotion to Saint Joseph and a special commitment to the poor and afflicted, help us through his intercession to follow his example of prayer and love and so come to share with him in your glory" (85). We make that prayer our own as we strive to follow the example of the holy men and women who have gone before us. We pray that our devotion to Saint Joseph will also grow because that divine assistance is there for us at all times. Saint Andre Bessette, pray for us!!!

Saint John Neumann

This week, we are celebrating a series of saints for the United States. Yesterday we kept the memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and today we remember Saint John Neumann. He was born in Bohemia but had a desire to work and minister in the American Missions. Saint John came to the United States and was ordained in New York in 1836. In 1840, he joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) and ministered in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. He was consecrated the bishop of Philadelphia in 1852. Saint John established Catholic Schools and parishes that ministered to immigrants. He died on January 5, 1860; was beatified in 1963; and canonized a saint in 1977 (Magnificat, 69). Saint John is truly a saint for America and a saint for this Christmas Time. He gave of himself to minister to those brothers and sisters who came to America from other countries, just as he did. As one commentary states, "Saint John Neumann lived in poverty in order to preach the Gospel without hindrance. His concern was not for his own comfort but fo the religious and educational needs of those he had left his homeland to serve, especially those who, like himself, were immigrants to the United States" (Magnificat, 66). Like Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint John Neumann followed not his will, but the will of God. He came to America to minister and preach. We are called to do the same, to reach out to our brothers and sisters, to preach the Good News to them, and share with them God's great love. May Saint John Neumann intercede for us so that we may be faithful disciples of our Lord and evangelizers of the gospel! Blessings to you!!!

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

A beautiful memorial that the United States celebrates during this Christmas Time, remembering Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. As I told our Catholic School students and teachers, she is a wonderful example for us and the ministry we carry out because she established Catholic Schools and a religious community of teaching sisters. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton is also a Christmas Time saint because of how she gave herself to the will of God. We think about our Blessed Mother during this time because she said "Yes" to being the mother of God's only Son. We also think about those holy men and women who said "Yes," like St. Elizabeth Seton. One commentary states, "Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton's path took many unexpected turnings because she followed God's will rather than her own. What matters most is that the path God chose took her to him. In her obedience lay the source of the wisdom with which she taught others to follow in God's way" (Magnificat, 55-56). That statement should also matter to us because it is a way of life. We need to follow God's will in our lives for He knows what is best for us. Like our Lord said, "I have come to do, not my will, but the will of the One who sent me." The will of God is very important and it continues to unfold as we live our lives of faith, holiness, and prayer. We pray that Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will intercede for us, help us in our faith and ministries, and guide us to always be open to the will of God in our lives. Have a blessed day!!!

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

The beautiful feast that we celebrate goes back to apostolic times where Saint Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, "At the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (2:10-11). The Church's veneration of the name of Jesus flourished through the teaching of the Franciscan Saint Bernadine of Siena. It was in 1721 that the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was mandated for the universal Church, and has now been restored by Blessed Pope John Paul II (Magnificat, 49). This feast was originally associated with the Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In the General Roman Calendar given to the church by Pope Paul VI in 1969, following the Second Vatican Council, reads, "1 January, the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, and also the commemoration of the conferral of the Most Holy Name of Jesus" (No. 35, The Priest, Dec. 2011). That came from Sunday's gospel, Luke 2:16-21, where at the time of his circumcision, the name given to the child was Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Mother. As we read, this feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus has been restored and it is a great feast to celebrate because we know the power that comes in Jesus' name. We thank God for the gift of His Son and that his name will praised at all times! Have a blessed day!!!

Early Beginnings!

As a young boy, I always enjoyed building things out of wood. I had buildings, factories, and whatever else I could think of. One day, I thought it would be neat to build a church. That was my early interest in the Catholic faith and the thought of being a priest. The first church that I built was small and not furnished. Eventually, I would build larger churches and have them furnished with all the items you would find in a Catholic Church. Of course, there had to be a name. The first church that I built was named, "Mary, Mother of God!" I found that name by looking at a church calendar and since it was on January 1, how appropriate. Now, I would have to change that name to, "Mary, the Holy Mother of God." Those churches no longer exist but the memories are there forever of that early beginning in learning and living the faith. The title, "Mother of God" comes from the word, "Theotokos," meaning God-bearer. As one source says, "This established her not only as the mother of Jesus, but affirmed Jesus as the Son of God" (Today's Liturgy, 2012). There is also a prayer that establishes the title, "Holy Mother of God." This prayer is from the 11th Century Latin: "Under thy protection we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God; despise not our petitions in our needs, but from all dangers deliver us always, Virgin Glorious and Blessed" (Today's Liturgy, 2012). We thank God for the gift of Mary, our Blessed Mother. Even though the 1st of January is past, we can still rejoice in the gift of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, because her presence and intercession are with us each day! God Bless You!!!