As January draws to a close, Deacon Anton, who has been stationed here at St. Thomas since last Ash Wednesday, transfers to St. Joseph Parish in New Britain for the final months before his ordination to the Priesthood on May 14. Deacon Anton has become part of the fabric of our Parish, and will be missed.
I can certainly understand his desire for another parish experience before ordination. I served in several parishes throughout my seminary formation, and found it beneficial to see different styles of pastoring, different parish dynamics, different 'cultures' that exist within the diverse communities in our Archdiocese.
St. Thomas was Deacon Anton's first and only parish experience, not only in our Archdiocese, but in our country. That has to be a difficult thing, to learn a new culture, a new way of life, and communicate in a language other than your native tongue. Deacon Anton accomplished that admirably, in addition to juggling the demands of his studies at Holy Apostles and the ever-present requests to assist the Archbishop at various diocesan functions. His new experience in New Britain will be alot different from what he experienced here, but that is a good thing. And I am happy for him.
However, I will miss him and his presence around the rectory. I will miss his eagerness to be of help, his quick laugh, his insightful thoughts, his willingness to learn. I will NOT miss his love of curry and other spicy foods! But I am happy to have made him a devoted UConn Women's basketball fan (he knows all the players by name) and a welcome addition to Red Sox Nation (his first trip to Fenway last year yielded a win)!
Please join me in praying daily for him and his classmates as their preparations for ordination enter the final months. He will make a wonderful priest and will be a fine addition to the Archdiocese of Hartford. I am honored and proud to have been a part of his journey.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
RCIA
After four hours of snowblowing/shoveling today to help dig out from the latest blast of winter weather, I gave a presentation this evening to the RCIA candidates. For those not sure of the meaning of the acronym, it stands for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Besides the RCIA team, two gentlemen who are seeking full initiation into our Catholic faith were present for their weekly Thursday evening study session. Tonight's topic was the Liturgy of the Word, the 1st of the 2 major parts of our Mass. We looked at the different parts of the Liturgy of the Word, and I shared some thoughts on the importance of spending even a few minutes during the preceding week reading and reflecting on the readings to be proclaimed at Sunday Mass.
Unfortunately, so many who attend Mass are hearing the readings proclaimed for the 1st time in a number of years. When this happens, there is less of a chance that those readings will have the desired impact of our lives. The Word of God is alive! By that, I mean the Lord can speak to us, here and now, through Sacred Scripture. But, and this is a big but, we have to give the Lord the time and the space and the quiet to speak to our hearts.
Sometimes, even when doing mundane tasks like shoveling snow, if we are not connected to an ipod or other such device, if we put our minds and hearts in an open disposition, the Lord will speak to us and we will be amazed at what He asks and where He leads. Especially in such a hectic and busy world in which we live, finding that quiet time, even five or ten minutes a day to read and reflect on His Word, is so vital to finding our way to His Kingdom of true and lasting peace.
Unfortunately, so many who attend Mass are hearing the readings proclaimed for the 1st time in a number of years. When this happens, there is less of a chance that those readings will have the desired impact of our lives. The Word of God is alive! By that, I mean the Lord can speak to us, here and now, through Sacred Scripture. But, and this is a big but, we have to give the Lord the time and the space and the quiet to speak to our hearts.
Sometimes, even when doing mundane tasks like shoveling snow, if we are not connected to an ipod or other such device, if we put our minds and hearts in an open disposition, the Lord will speak to us and we will be amazed at what He asks and where He leads. Especially in such a hectic and busy world in which we live, finding that quiet time, even five or ten minutes a day to read and reflect on His Word, is so vital to finding our way to His Kingdom of true and lasting peace.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
youth retreat
On Sunday evening I went to share in the retreat for our 9th grade confirmation candidates. Sean Forrest came to lead the evening for our students as well as those from Mary Our Queen and St. Matthew parishes. I had heard alot about him but had never heard him in person.
He certainly had a way with the kids. They responded well to him. He spoke from his personal experience, and also asked questions which showed that many were now where he had been at one point in his life. After much searching, Sean's journey took him to Protestant churches, the Buddhist religion and back to Catholicism. And he made it clear that so many Catholics know so little about their faith, and that is why many walk away or do not embrace it wholeheartedly.
For instance, when asked how many believed that the Eucharist IS Jesus, most responded that it only represented Jesus. And he made it clear that what drew him back to Catholicism was the fact that WE have the real presence of Jesus in the Communion we receive. He also said something that I will certainly repeat many times in the years to come. When asked how many had been to Mass that day, he told those who did not raise their hands, 'Whatever it was that you missed Mass for is what you worship in your life!' And, whatever it is we worship, if it is not Almighty God, then we have real problems, because we think we have to go it alone through life.
I have heard much positive feedback from students and parents alike regarding that retreat evening. Hopefully it made an impact on most of the candidates.
He certainly had a way with the kids. They responded well to him. He spoke from his personal experience, and also asked questions which showed that many were now where he had been at one point in his life. After much searching, Sean's journey took him to Protestant churches, the Buddhist religion and back to Catholicism. And he made it clear that so many Catholics know so little about their faith, and that is why many walk away or do not embrace it wholeheartedly.
For instance, when asked how many believed that the Eucharist IS Jesus, most responded that it only represented Jesus. And he made it clear that what drew him back to Catholicism was the fact that WE have the real presence of Jesus in the Communion we receive. He also said something that I will certainly repeat many times in the years to come. When asked how many had been to Mass that day, he told those who did not raise their hands, 'Whatever it was that you missed Mass for is what you worship in your life!' And, whatever it is we worship, if it is not Almighty God, then we have real problems, because we think we have to go it alone through life.
I have heard much positive feedback from students and parents alike regarding that retreat evening. Hopefully it made an impact on most of the candidates.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Another virus
Unfortunately, this week I was not the only one affected by a virus. While I spent my days off in bed trying to shake this cold - and be able to breathe again - my computers also went down with their version of the virus. My desktop decided not to find Windows when I went to reboot, and my laptop spent 24 hours trying to download the latest updates from Microsoft. Neither was a good thing. So off we went to the computer doc who got me reconnected again. What DID we ever do before the computer age?!?!
This evening the Liturgy Committee of the parish met to begin planning for the implementation of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal on November the 27th. While that seems a long way away, it will be here before we know it. While the order of Mass will not change, and the prayers we pray will not change, the WORDING of many of the prayers WILL change. At first glance one may wonder why make some of these changes that don't seem all too important or major?
The answer lies in the name of our religion - CATHOLIC. Catholic means universal. All of the prayers of our church are initially written in Latin, and then translated into the various languages of the world. The 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal will have a more accurate translation of the Latin. The process we are beginning to plan will hopefully allow the average person to appreciate the differences, and be inspired by the beauty and meaning of the translation. I'm sure I'll be writing much more on this in the months to come. Meantime, stay healthy - that goes for your computer, too!
This evening the Liturgy Committee of the parish met to begin planning for the implementation of the 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal on November the 27th. While that seems a long way away, it will be here before we know it. While the order of Mass will not change, and the prayers we pray will not change, the WORDING of many of the prayers WILL change. At first glance one may wonder why make some of these changes that don't seem all too important or major?
The answer lies in the name of our religion - CATHOLIC. Catholic means universal. All of the prayers of our church are initially written in Latin, and then translated into the various languages of the world. The 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal will have a more accurate translation of the Latin. The process we are beginning to plan will hopefully allow the average person to appreciate the differences, and be inspired by the beauty and meaning of the translation. I'm sure I'll be writing much more on this in the months to come. Meantime, stay healthy - that goes for your computer, too!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Common Cold
So, some figure that just because I am a priest, I am immune to things like germs. Not true.
Case in point is this terrible winter head cold that struck on Friday and continues to rage. The hardest thing is not being able to 'call in sick' for things like weekend Masses. There just are not priests available to cover. In fact, in our neighboring parish, where the pastor died unexpectedly last month, a retired priest was asked to fill in until a replacement could be found. And considering retirement age is 75 years old, that is not a good thing. Another priest friend of mine took sick last month and again a retired priest is filling in while the pastor convalesces.
So, hopefully our guardian angels are working overtime looking over us priests, but when they take a break, it means we simply have to 'suck it up' and cross our fingers that our voices hold out for the duration. Luckily I can cut back on desk work and non-essential meetings, and try to get some extra rest and the needed bathroom breaks from the quarts of hot tea and AirBorn and other liquids with which I hope to flush my system.
Being sick is never fun, and I pray daily for all who are seriously ill. It is a difficult cross to bear. My common cold reminds me how fortunate I am to have generally good health!
Case in point is this terrible winter head cold that struck on Friday and continues to rage. The hardest thing is not being able to 'call in sick' for things like weekend Masses. There just are not priests available to cover. In fact, in our neighboring parish, where the pastor died unexpectedly last month, a retired priest was asked to fill in until a replacement could be found. And considering retirement age is 75 years old, that is not a good thing. Another priest friend of mine took sick last month and again a retired priest is filling in while the pastor convalesces.
So, hopefully our guardian angels are working overtime looking over us priests, but when they take a break, it means we simply have to 'suck it up' and cross our fingers that our voices hold out for the duration. Luckily I can cut back on desk work and non-essential meetings, and try to get some extra rest and the needed bathroom breaks from the quarts of hot tea and AirBorn and other liquids with which I hope to flush my system.
Being sick is never fun, and I pray daily for all who are seriously ill. It is a difficult cross to bear. My common cold reminds me how fortunate I am to have generally good health!
Friday, January 14, 2011
money
One of the things that piqued my interest in starting a blog was the suggestion to think about all those questions I had before I became a priest about what a priest does. What goes into his day? And one of the things I like about this vocation is how each day can be vastly different from the day before.
One of the things I like least about being a pastor is the worries about where money will come from to pay the bills. As with any non-profit organization, this is a prime concern for any church. We depend solely on the generosity of people.
Last night the Parish Finance Council met for over an hour and a half to review the 2010 profit/loss and prepare the 2011 budget. It's always fun to try to guess how much the cost of things will escalate in the coming year - electricity, heating oil, insurance, etc. I am fortunate to have an excellent business manager who prepares most of this, but now I need to go to the parishioners with our Annual Report and ask that they consider increasing their weekly giving by $1. I hate to ask for money, but it is a necessary thing. Fortunately, my experience is that people rise to the occasion, and if a legitimate need is presented, they respond. And for that I am truly grateful.
Tonight I meet with a couple looking to get married this year. That will be a more enjoyable meeting to be sure!
One of the things I like least about being a pastor is the worries about where money will come from to pay the bills. As with any non-profit organization, this is a prime concern for any church. We depend solely on the generosity of people.
Last night the Parish Finance Council met for over an hour and a half to review the 2010 profit/loss and prepare the 2011 budget. It's always fun to try to guess how much the cost of things will escalate in the coming year - electricity, heating oil, insurance, etc. I am fortunate to have an excellent business manager who prepares most of this, but now I need to go to the parishioners with our Annual Report and ask that they consider increasing their weekly giving by $1. I hate to ask for money, but it is a necessary thing. Fortunately, my experience is that people rise to the occasion, and if a legitimate need is presented, they respond. And for that I am truly grateful.
Tonight I meet with a couple looking to get married this year. That will be a more enjoyable meeting to be sure!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Ordinary Time
We celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, and so it is with some sadness that the Christmas season is over and we enter into Ordinary Time. And yet, as the Ordo suggests, Ordinary Time is anything but ordinary. It is what identifies the Chrsitian community - how we live out our faith in the everyday, mundane tasks that fill our days and weeks.
And so, as I put away my Christmas decorations this week, I remind myself that Jesus needs me to be faithful to the same mission he undertook - building the Fahter's Kingdom of true and lasting peace.
Friday, January 7, 2011
First Time
I recently attended a workshop for clergy on using electronic medium for evangelization. I broached this subject to our parish council and our web master is investigating possibilities for our parish. Meantime, I came across an article in Today's Parish magazine that suggested that pastors should blog. And so, here I am, trying my hand at it, figuring since it is a New Year, why not?
Today I concelebrated the funeral of a priest I have known since I was a child. He was a pastor in a neighboring parish, someone who always seemed genuinely concerned about me and my family, in my early days in seminary and after ordination as well. At our priest Christmas gathering this past Sunday, the Archbishop mentioned the failing health of this priest, that he was in paliative care. And, as it turned out, he went to his eternal reward that very night, the Feast of the Epiphany. How appropriate. He had followed the Light, which is Christ, all his life and now shares in the glories of the Resurrection. May he rest in peace!
Today I concelebrated the funeral of a priest I have known since I was a child. He was a pastor in a neighboring parish, someone who always seemed genuinely concerned about me and my family, in my early days in seminary and after ordination as well. At our priest Christmas gathering this past Sunday, the Archbishop mentioned the failing health of this priest, that he was in paliative care. And, as it turned out, he went to his eternal reward that very night, the Feast of the Epiphany. How appropriate. He had followed the Light, which is Christ, all his life and now shares in the glories of the Resurrection. May he rest in peace!
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