Nothing to be sad about!

"For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three" (Acts 22:30; 23:6-11).  When I was in the seminary, a monk was on the staff who had a great sense of humor.  He would say on occasions, "The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, that is why they are sadd-u-cee"!  Even though time has past, that is still a quote that I remember.  Of course, there is no reason to be sad because we believe in the resurrection and we know that Jesus is victorious over sin and death.  In the same passage from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul is told to have courage.  As he was a witness in Jerusalem, so he will be a witness in Rome.  We are called to be witnesses of the Lord's resurrection.  Belief in the resurrection is a major component of the faith and we are filled with hope and joy.  Yes, we experience sorrow and sadness in our lives but hopefully it does not take hold and let go because we have hope and joy.  Let us be those faithful witnesses in the world because we are truly a resurrection people.  God Bless You!!!

Saint Isidore!

My mom was born and raised on a farm in Northeast Oklahoma. Every year, my parents and I spent our vacation time with my grandmother, uncle and aunt on the farm. It was definitely a nice change of pace and being able to experience farm life on a daily basis was a wonderful experience. Serving in a rural diocese and in farming communities gives me a wonderful appreciation for what farmers and their families go through as they live their vocation. Farming takes a lot of faith and trust. The farmer can do their part by tilling the soil, planting the seed, and doing the jobs that need to be done, but when it comes to the weather and making sure everything falls right, that is up to God. Today, the Church in the United States celebrates the patron saint of farmers, Saint Isidore. As the biography states: "Isidore was a pious layman who would pray for long periods while guiding his plow. He often spent holidays on pilgrimage to local shrines. There are legends about angels assisting him in his farm labors. He was caring toward animals and generous to the poor. Isidore's wife, Maria de la Cabeza, is also a saint. He is patron of Madrid, of farmers, and of rural communities" (Magnificat, 198). Another source said that Isidore is the patron of the National Rural Life Council for the United States. We can say that Isidore is a tremendous example of stewardship because he took care of the gifts and resources that God gave to him. We are called to be good stewards of God's creation and bear fruit in everything that we do. May God bless our farmers, their families, all who work the land, and their crops. May God provide the weather and conditions needed to produce an abundant harvest. Saint Isidore, Pray for Us!!!

Saint Matthias

"Because he had been a witness to the Lord's resurrection, Saint Matthias was chosen by the other apostles to take the place of Judas. The Acts of the Apostles (1:15-26) tells of how he was numbered among the Twelve" (Magnificat, 184). There were two individuals to consider, Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. When the lots were cast they pointed in the direction of Matthias and so he became the next apostle. One of the other commentaries talked about how those early apostles cast lots for their new member and the College of Cardinals still have the Conclave to elect a new Pope. That commentator went on to write that we may never be appointed a bishop or elected to be pope, but we can be a witness like Saint Matthias. We don't aspire to great things, but its the small things that make the difference. In the gospel for today, John 15:9-17, Jesus gives us the commandment of love. If we love one another, then they will know that we are Christians and disciples. Let us go forth to be those witnesses of the Lord in the world and share the love of God with one another! Saint Matthias, Pray for Us!!!

Our Lady of Fatima

The Blessed Virgin Mary has many beautiful titles and today we celebrate one of them, Our Lady of Fatima.  This is truly a title for our time because Our Lady appeared to the three shepherd children during a period of months in 1917!  Two of the children, Jacinta and Francisco, died early, but Lucia, who became a nun lived until 2005.  She passed away several months before Blessed John Paul II.  Who can forget May 13, 1981, when Pope John Paul II was shot as he went around St. Peter's Square.  I was in grade school at the time and I remember the teacher bringing a television into the class room so we could see the coverage.  Thankfully, the Holy Father recovered, and he always thanked Our Lady of Fatima.  As he said, "It was a motherly hand that guided the bullet through his body."  Our Lady always takes care of us!  Mary is the Mother of God and the Mother of us all.  We have a great intercessor and today we can say, Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for Us!!!

Ascension Sunday!!!

Several provinces in the United States retained the holy day of Ascension on Thursday, while the other provinces transferred the feast to Sunday.  That rings true for us in the Diocese of Salina as we gather this weekend in our parishes to celebrate the Ascension of The Lord.  This is a solemnity that calls to mind our mission as disciples of Jesus.  The disciples went out to meet The Lord and has he blessed them he ascended into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of the Father.  The disciples still remained until the angel told them to go back into the city because Jesus will return.  We are witnesses of the resurrected and ascended Lord and we have work to do as we proclaim the Good News, not just with words, but with our lives!!!  Have a blessed Ascension and weekend!!!  Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!!!  God bless you all!!!!

A Faithful Resource!

As a gift to my parishioners, I purchased a subscription to the bulletin insert, "Growing in FAITH". The insert comes out monthly and I always try to put it in our bulletins the first of the month. The title reads very simply, "Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith." I used that title in my homily this morning as I spoke about Saint Damien of Molokai, whose memorial is celebrated today. Saint Damien is a saint for our time and a saint for the Year of Faith. He was beatified by Blessed John Paul II in 1995 and canonized a saint by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2009. Saint Damien came from Belgium to the United States, namely Hawaii, and ministered to people who had leprosy. As it states in "Growing in FAITH", "Horrified by the conditions, Fr. Damien built schools, churches, hospitals, and sanitation facilities. He bestowed dignity and hope and served until his death from the disease in 1889." Saint Damien is a faithful example for all of us. He truly brought the hope and joy of the risen Christ to those whom he ministered to! As a resurrection people and witnesses, we are called to bring hope and joy to all whom we meet. May Saint Damien intercede for us, that no matter what we encounter in life, we may have the grace and strength to proclaim the Good News to all peoples and in all situations! God Bless our journey!!!

Knights of Columbus

I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus for 20 years. I joined the Knights in June of 1993 while I was a seminarian and working at a parish in Manhattan, Kansas. Soon after ordination as a priest, I received the second and third degree of the Order. Then in 1999, I became a Fourth Degree Knight. It has been a wonderful journey and to be associated with some wonderful councils in the parishes I have served. In 2008, I was appointed State Chaplain for the Kansas State Council and served until 2010. From there I became the State Father Prior for the Columbian Squires and served until 2012! I have a great love and respect for the Knights of Columbus and still enjoy getting together for the State Convention. I was not able to attend the full convention this year but went to Overland Park for the golf tournament which was cold, windy, wet. We made it through six holes before calling it quits. I was able to see the state officers that evening and renew those friendships in person. For those men who read this blog and are not a member of the Knights of Columbus I would encourage you to join. Become part of the right arm of the Church and do what you can for the local church and community. If you are a Knight, consider attending the meetings and let us work to make our local councils active and involved as much as we can. Let us continue to seek the intercession of the founder of the Knights of Columbus, the Venerable Servant of God, Father Michael J. McGivney. May God soon raise him to the altars of sainthood. Vivat Jesus!!!!