Take your candle and go light your world...

James 1:19-21

2012-02-15T10:01:00.002-05:00

"Know this, my dear brothers and sisters:
everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
for anger does not accomplish
the righteousness of God.
Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess
and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls."

Happy Ss. Cyril & Methodius Day!

2012-02-14T08:11:00.001-05:00

Christ is The Love we share. Yes, in our commercial world it is none other than Valentine's Day and if you are a Clevelander like me, you know how busy the drive thru booths at Malley's Chocolates will be today.

However, truthfully speaking, today is actually the feast day of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. Cyril a monk, and Methodius a bishop are brothers who ministered to the Slavic people and in particular in translating liturgical texts among other things they did.

My brothers and sisters, we know that when we share Christ with others, like Ss. Cyril and Methodius, we share Love. In the spirit and memory of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, while the world shares cards, chocolates, and roses may we share the Love of Christ which ministers to every human need, endures for all eternity, and is the fulfillment of our earthly desires and short comings as the Gospel relates to us today.

Prayer After Communion
O God, Father of all nations, who make us sharers in the one Bread and the one Spirit and heirs of the eternal banquet, grant in your kindness on this feast day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, that the multitude of your children, persevering in the same fatih, may be united in building up the Kingdom of justice and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

To learn more about Ss. Cyril and Methodius go to: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.aspx

Today's Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021412.cfm

Reading the Signs

2012-02-13T18:36:00.000-05:00

In today's Gospel the Pharisees seek a sign from Jesus and yet Jesus says no sign will be given this generation. Why? It is because Christ Himself is the sign and there is no need for another.

How often do we ask for a sign? Seek a sign from God? What is so important about signs? Well first, we are called to recognize the signs of God's presence in our lives but to seek a sign is another matter unto itself. For seeking a sign indicates we are seeking proof to validate a belief and/or a point whereas recognizing a sign is a matter of simply growing in an awareness of what God is revealing all around us, not that we seek it but it's that we grow in awareness.

What can we say about signs? When we talk about signs that help us recognize God's presence do we only look to the positive? A time when we had a warm fuzzy or someone reached out to us or did something for us unexpectedly? But! How about the negative?

For example when our faith and/or the practice of it is tested, like what is taking place in Congress and the the controversy over abortion and contraception, or we are being persecuted for our faith; when we persevere and conquer, is that not a sign too? A sign of strength?! A sign of courage?! A sign of a faith that is active and will not settle for that which is contrary to it?!

May we recognize the signs all around us, through the thick and thin, through the positive and challenging times.

Today's readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021312.cfm

Like a Pumpkin - an All Saints Day homily

2011-11-02T00:24:00.003-04:00

Readings: www.usccb.org

How does God see us? As scripture relates to us, we are His children. Let us not be mistaken about that we are indeed His children. One way of looking at this is with Halloween being this past Monday and Thanksgiving on the horizon is that in God's eye we are all pumpkins! Yes, in God's eyes we are all pumpkins. Okay so, before you think that I have had one too many pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks, just run with me on this for second.

If you think about it no two pumpkins are alike, they are all unique in their own way. Just like no two human beings are the same. Further, pumpkins are orange and nothing rhymes with orange, pointing to another aspect of uniqueness, and a sense of being set aside from the rest of creation just as humanity is. So, we like the pumpkin are created by God and like a pumpkin that is hollowed out, all the seeds and pulp are taken out, carved, and a candle place inside so too are we in Baptism. In baptism the Lord clears away the gunk of original sin and imprints the image of the cross upon us and places a light and the call to sainthood within us. It is then our job to make sure the light is kept burning brightly and to display the image placed upon us to the best of our ability just like a light displays the image carved on a jack-o-lantern.

How can we keep the light within us burning brightly? Well certainly through prayer, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, Scripture, putting our faith into action by helping others are all ways we can maintain the light. On this day, as we remember the saints, we also remember it is by way of following the teachings and examples of the saints that we can help fuel the fire within and allow the image placed upon in Baptism to shine brightly.

At St. Charles we have the images of the saints on the ceiling, not to drum up business for any chiropractors that may be in the parish but to remind us where the saints are because of their faithfulness and that they are indeed there to guide us, inspire, and pray for us.

For example, take St. Terese of Liseux who, although she passed away in her early 20's, taught us to do our everyday activities no matter how great or small, with great joy and love. In this way, through her simple way, St. Terese, the Little Flower, helps us to fuel the fire by helping us to see how everyday things can be "everyway" things that help us to live and embrace our faith. Take St. Francis of Assisi who taught us to preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary to use words, in other words to let our actions be a living example, a living proclamation of the faith we have within. Take Gianna Beretta Molla, after just celebrating the gift of life in October, we remember how she defied the opinion of doctors to abort her baby and became an advocate of life. Lastly, one who is a personal favorite of mine, and not simply because he is Polish but because of what he taught me as Pope and that is Blessed John Paul II the Great. As a JP2 Generation Priest, I am inspired by his affirmation of the youth, hence the reason I wore the vestment I received at World Youth Day this past summer in Madrid, and I am also encourage by his constant insistence to not be afraid to follow Christ. To never, ever be afraid to say Yes to the God and although we may face persecution like many believers before us, we too receive the reward of the Saints as the Gospel tells us: eternal life.

The saints they are our example and our inspiration and we honor them today, we also honor today our own call to sainthood. We are all called to be saints, to lead and inspire the next generation by our example, just as so many holy men and women have done for us.

Now I know some of you maybe thinking, well I'm just not worthy or, if you only knew what I've done or, that's not me. But who are we kidding, really?! Nothing could be further from the truth. We are called to sainthood! Think of it this way, as Sara, a friend of mine, reminds me all the time, that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Meaning that there are many saints who have a checkered past and yet because they found the way, they found Christ and turned their lives towards God, they became the saints we know today which by the same token means that we have tomorrow and we have the power to be the saint God calls us to be, to get back up and choose Christ.

The saints, help fuel the fire within, they help to keep the light of Christ burning brightly by their teaching and example. How will we, like the saints, respond in faith? How will we keep the image placed upon us a baptism by the "Master Carver," shining brightly? Which saints will we look to to guide us on our way, to inspire and encourage us, to help us become the saints of today that God calls us to be?! And lastly, what example will we set for further generations, how will we go forward to inspire the next generation of saints and honor the call of sainthood?

A Reflection of What's Within

2011-10-30T00:31:00.049-04:00

Am I a liar? Frustration. I have much work to do. I know I'm not perfect.

In reflection upon this week's Gospel, these are some of the thoughts that came to my mind. I share these thoughts not because of need for sympathy or pity but by way of honesty.

In a very direct and forward way, through an analysis of the Pharisees talks about the importance of practicing what we preach. However, is the our first reaction to think about the person in our life that does not practice what he or she preaches? The truth is that there are genuinely people that we encounter whose words and actions, whose words and faith, just don't seem to match up.

Sometimes though, when we are so inclined to point the finger, perhaps what we need to point to is ourselves. If we are honest with ourselves when we point to a fault of another person, could it really be a fault within that we are hitting upon or don't want to acknowledge ourselves?

Practicing what we preach, practicing the faith we profess, requires a sense of introspection. In other, words working to improve the short comings and points for improvement within; for the only person any of us can truly change is ourselves.

The pathway to change though, is not about creating a laundry list of what we don't like about ourselves or what we know to be a fault because I'm sure that if I passed out a paper and pen to everyone here, we could all make our own list of points of improvement. Although it is important to be aware of our points for growth in a real and honest way. The pathway of change Jesus calls us to is not by a list of changes but rather a change of heart. The Lord calls us to place ourselves at the service of others and to conduct ourselves with humility.

If we have a change of heart to infuse our lives with humility and place others before us, the changes that need to happen to bring our words, faith, and actions in accord with each other as one consistent entity, will fall into line automatically. A better way to look at this is to say, that we must take on the servant heart of Christ. To lead with the same servant leadership Jesus shows us in the Gospel.

We also know that when this change of heart takes place great potential for true and lasting change within ourselves and in our world increases all the more. For who among us has not or would not be touched, and in some way changed, by someone reaching out to us, helping us, or encouraging us? Would we not be different in some way?

Therefore, where is it that we are called to cultivate the servant heart of Christ? Where can we better place others before ourselves and allow the Lord's call to help our words, actions, and faith be of one accord?

Who is my neighbor?

2011-10-23T16:24:00.006-04:00

Imagine a neighbor from your street came to you asking for your help to feed his or her family. Would you help?

Imagine a neighbor from a few streets away came to you in need of someone to talk to. Would you be there to listen and to help?

Imagine a neighbor from the next town over asked you for some help in the yard. Would you help this neighbor?

Who is my neighbor?

In a very direct way the Lord puts before us the true testament of love as He tells us that not just some but the whole law and the prophets, in other words our very life, depends upon the commandments to love God with our whole being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our ability to dedicate ourselves and love God with our whole hearts, souls, and minds, may come easy to us, for all we have to do is drop to our knees or drop into Merici Chapel for some time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. But to love our neighbor as ourselves can challenge us. In this call to love we must go beyond ourselves, at times beyond our comfort zones, we must let our walls fall down and see things we’d rather not see, and recognize and respond to the needs of others on and beyond the corner of our street.

Four years ago I had an experience that helped me to gain a deeper realization of what it means to love my neighbor as myself. In June of 2007 I joined the CRS (Catholic Relief Services) Global Fellows program. Global Fellows is a program that trains priests and deacons to share the story and the way to new life for our neighbors around the world. After receiving training at Catholic Relief Services headquarters in Baltimore, I boarded a plane bound for Cambodia. Cambodia, is a nation of about 14.5 million people and the size of the state of Missouri that is struggling with poverty and illness due to years of civil unrest and dictatorship and yet a country whose future is bright and rich in possibility and potential.

One day after traveling by jeep through bumpy dusty dirt roads which seemed to take forever, I encountered a health initiative project that trains volunteers from local villages to diagnose and treat tuberculosis and other illnesses. Because of this training many people who would otherwise die of disease are treated and survive and communities are strengthened. Also, I remember clearly one of the local health care volunteers saying that because of the training she received and what she now can do for her village that she sees her own self worth, she has experienced new purpose and meaning, she has a new life.

I am grateful to Catholic Relief Services because of not only what it taught me but what Catholic Relief Services does for our neighbors around the world. For us Catholics in the United States, Catholic Relief Services is our main outreach to those in need across the globe. CRS provides immediate aid in times of need, for example the earthquake in Haiti or most recently the famine in East Africa; but also the CRS difference is that it also helps people in the areas of healthcare, farming and food security, community building, fair trade, obtaining fair loans, advocacy for the poor, and many other areas that help our neighbors in this world to live to their fullest potential, which is something we all hope and long for and do our best to fulfill.

My time in Cambodia showed me, and demonstrates for all of us, what is possible when we challenge ourselves to open our eyes, recognize and respond to the needs of our neighbors both across our street and across the world.

This week may we challenge ourselves to recognize and love our neighbor as God has called us to.

For some of us that means reconciling what we allow to get in the way of loving others as ourselves. For someone of us that may mean pitching in and helping a neighbor with an immediate need. For some us this may mean encouraging a neighbor to use his or her gifts and talents to the best of their abilities, to live to their fullest potential. For some of us that means learning more about the needs of our neighbors that we cannot see. For example logging on to www.crs.org and becoming more informed or writing our representatives in congress to assist those most in need; because our voice must be heard, no matter how long it takes.

As Blessed John Paul II once said, "Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." As we seek to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind may we cast our nets to love all our neighbors as ourselves and in doing be caught up in arms of God's mercy and love.

LEARN MORE: http://www.crs.org/countries/cambodia

Readings: http://www.usccb.org/

A special word of thanks to Fr. Chris Trenta, a fellow CRS Global Fellow, and parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Wooster for his inspiration which made this homily possible.

pushing further... a discerning process

2011-10-06T16:17:00.001-04:00

Building upon "Give us this day, our daily bread," in today's gospel from Luke we hear:

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100611.cfm

What we are called to consider is that in being receptive to the food that sustains us, our daily bread, it is also a matter of discernment. What I mean is that, have you ever found yourself going back to prayer time and time again and it just seems like there are no answers, or maybe like your prayers are going unanswered or that maybe, just maybe God isn't listening? But then! You hit that point, the "Ah-ha" moment where things make sense, the light bulb goes on, and you realize what you really need or what God really is trying to say to you, something other than what you want and that you did not hear at first. At times it all becomes crystal clear.

This reminds us that as our lives change, what we need changes and as all this unfolds we must remember that as we ask, seek, and knock in order to find we must listen and discern. Listen and discern. Listen and discern.

This process takes time and will require much persistence and patience on our behalf because we all know full too well that God is not going to text us back right away. We need to invite that daily bread in - the scripture, the Eucharist, our daily prayer - allow it to nourish us, become one with us, and enlighten us or bring us a step further than where we were before.

May we be persistent and patient in cultivating a discerning heart.

Want or Need?

2011-10-05T07:57:00.006-04:00

"When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse"
-"Fix You" by Coldplay

This week we hear the story of Jonah play out in the daily Mass readings, http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100511.cfm. Today it seems in some ways, in his desire and his attempt to escape God's will, he got what he wanted but not what he needed, nothing quite worked out, and in the end he was no happier; perhaps stuck in reverse? Which brings us to the Gospel for today in which we hear St. Luke's account of Jesus instructing His disciples to pray which over time has became for us The Lord's Prayer or The Our Father, one of, if not the most common prayer amongst Christians.

When we think of, "Give us this day, our daily bread," what do we truly think of? In this request, this prayer of supplication to the Lord, do we assume this to mean what we think we want or do we acknowledge and humbly ask God to sustain us with what we truly need?

What we want and what we truly need can at times be two different things. Could it be that we can see the brush stroke but God sees the picture? I remember a field education assignment in the seminary some years back, it wasn't what I wanted and at first I was upset and frustrated but now on the flip side of that experience and some years later, it truly was what I needed. Sort of like, we want the burger and fries but really we need the fruits and veggies.

Today, may we humbly, openly, and honestly pray the Lord's Prayer and when we get to the line, "Give us this day, our daily bread," with love and trust, accept what the Lord gives to us to nourish and sustain us, knowing that is what we truly need.

The Hole

2011-09-24T14:17:00.002-04:00

The Hole Author: unknown
One
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in. I am lost ... I am helpless...
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Two
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place.
But it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Three
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I still fall in... it’s a habit...
But my eyes are open. I see it is there.
I know where I am. It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Four
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Five
I walk down a different street.

Trinity Sunday

2011-06-19T14:01:00.000-04:00

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, a celebration that draws us to examine, reflect, pray, and learn about our Triune God, 1 God 3 persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. On this day we can talk about different theological concepts or continue to go on and on about how we can't fully understand the Trinity but seriously folks, how often are we going to play that record?! Heck, how often do we not understand each other??? It doesn't mean we can't know someone nor does it mean we cannot know the Trinity either! So let's build a bridge and get over it already!

This Trinity Sunday, perhaps it is the case that we are called to approach the Trinity altogether differently. To go a step further, could it very well be that the celebration of the Trinity is more about us, than anything else? That is: we, and the world shall know the Trinity and it's existence not by facts and principles but rather, how we live it.

For example: In today's Gospel we hear the famous John 3:16 that we is so prominently displayed on posters at sports events, etc. For God so loved that world that He sent His only Son... In this we are reminded that when Christ came to earth, a real human face was put on the God we cannot see here on earth. Real flesh, real bone, real blood, really human. This should remind us that we are created in God's image and likeness and that if we are to be true to the image and likeness we have been created in, then we are to be the presence of God, the Trinity in this world.

We are called to love as the Father loves - unconditionally, full of mercy, abounding in forgiveness. We are called to love as the Son loves - walking with us, sacrificially, showing what true love is. We are called to love as the Holy Spirit loves - using our time, gifts and talents for the good of all, aware of the breath of life, the presence of God within.

Or put another way: Like St. Paul speaks of in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians do we ask ourselves: Am I the one who seeks to mend ways, forgive, not get stuck in the negative, learn and move on, or do I just wallow in the vortex of negativity? Do seek to meet people where they are or do I judge and criticize without understanding? Do I seek peace or my way alone?

This week may we grow in awareness of the image we have been created in and what that means for how we are to live. In prayer a way of doing this may simply be taking a mirror and taking a good hard look at ourselves and ask, what image of God am I bringing forth in the world? What do I see, what do others see in me... and by the same token what don't I or others see that should be?

May we note what we do well and be honest in challenging ourselves to grow. As we celebrate the Trinity may we live the image we have been created in and called to be. Amen.

READINGS: http://www.usccb.org/nab/061911.shtml

Feast of St. Anthony of Padua

2011-06-13T19:54:00.000-04:00

In his sermon notes, St. Anthony of Padua writes: "The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."

For more on St. Anthony: www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/default.aspx

Stories Are Gift - Christmas Homily 2010

2011-01-01T13:15:00.011-05:00

I hold in my hand what could be a hot commodity right now. After all the running around we've all done to prepare for Christ's coming. Could anybody go for a nice hot cup of Starbucks coffee?

If there is one thing you should know about me if you do not already is that Starbucks and I are pretty close. Not like me and Jesus close, but close. Starbucks could even be considered, dare I say, sacramental? JK! And so, to know me is to know that part of my personal story is that a good cup of coffee, Starbucks in particular, is part of my life.

One thing I have noticed over the past couple of months is the message that is printed on the sleeve, for the coffee cup. The sleeve, the thing that allows us to pick up a cup of peppermint mocha goodness worry free! Anyway, the message on the cup sleeve this holiday season is: "STORIES ARE GIFTS - SHARE"

Stories are gifts, share. Stories are gifts, share. As I reflected upon Christmas this year I kept coming back to this phrase. I kept wondering why? Well, I realized that if we are to truly make good about the mystery of this Christmas season, of Christ coming to earth and taking on flesh, then it is imperative that we share our Christmas story.

Now it would be easy for me to tell you to go home and along with your loved ones share stories of Christmas past. Stories of the hours you spent baking cookies or stringing popcorn, stories about family traditions, stories about a special gift you gave or received. It would even been easy for me to tell you to go home and tell the Christmas story that is near and dear to us Clevelanders, that of Ralphie and is quest for the Red Ryder BB gun!

We all have these kinds of Christmas stories. For example, just the other day I was helping my grandmother set up her nativity set and she was describing some of the scenery that go with her set, where some of the pieces came from, and part of her Christmas story that is now part of my own. Now,it would be easy for me to tell you, that as you pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie, to share these stories; but the reality is is that these are not the Christmas stories we are called to share.

You see if we want to make good on what this Feast and Season of Christmas is all about... If we really want to share the Christmas story of Christ taking on flesh... of God breaking into our humanity... of God being born in us... a mystery and a story that strikes to very core of our Christianity... of our humanity... then we are called to share a different kind of Christmas story.

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, every time we share stories of when we've experienced the presence of God whether in good times or bad; when we name and claim these stories we become deeply aware of the presence, the grace of God at work in us and in doing so, we proclaim to the world the essence of the Christmas season... the story of Christ being born in us... the story of Emmanuel "God is with us!"

What is your Christmas story? Is it a story of the triumph? A story of how your faith has made a difference in your life? A story of how your faith has helped you or helped you to help another? A story of how even in struggle someone reached out to you? These stories are gifts that we are called to share because when we share these stories we open our eyes to the reality that Christmas is not a December 25th thing but an everyday thing! By sharing the stories of when we found ourselves on fire for God or even the times of struggle and someone reached out to us or we reached out to someone else; we share the Christmas story, the story of Christ being born in us, day in and day out.

It is important for us to share these Christmas stories because when we do this we proclaim to the world that our God is indeed alive! When we share these Christmas stories, these God experiences, we proclaim to the darkness, "you got nothin'!"

Stories are gifts, share. Our personal Christmas Stories are gifts, share.

And so I ask you my brothers and sisters, when you gather with family and friends, what Christmas story will you share? How will you proclaim, Emmanuel "God is with us." Will you share a story of triumph? A story of when your faith made all the difference? What Christmas story will you share?

Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter) homily

2010-04-13T14:48:00.005-04:00

This past weekend we just celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday instituted by our late Holy Father Pope John Paul The Great! This is a devotion that started to spread back in the 1930's based on the revelations given to St. Faustina Kowalska and for further information on Divine Mercy Sunday please visit: www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/index.htm

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY HOMILY:

You may recall, (if old enough), in the early 1980s there was this mystery illness that started to gain attention and caused medical professionals to take notice. No one really knew how it was spread, what caused it, who was vulnerable, what was the best course of treatment, was there even any treatment, etc. so needless to say, there was a lot of fear, questions, stigma, misjudgments, and mystery surrounding this illness we now know to be HIV/AIDS. As you continue to read, remember the cultural climate of this situation, if you cannot recall this time period or were not alive then, imagine the fears associated with H1N1 Flu; multiply that by at least 10x! At least with H1N1 we know it is a form of the flu, with HIV/AIDS in the early 1980s it was a complete unknown in almost every way shape and form.

At the same time, a true story mind you, there was a young Franciscan priest residing at a parish in New York City along with three other parochial vicars (a.k.a. associate pastor) and a very prim and proper Monsignor who was the pastor. The Monsignor was a very well kept person, not a hair out of place, cuff links, the whole nine yards.

One day at dinner the Monsignor informed the other priests that a parishioner had called explaining that her son was in a local hospital dying of this mystery illness and was wondering if someone would visit him. The Monsignor proceeded to ask the parochial vicars if they would be free to visit this gentleman. One by one however, they politely excused themselves, perhaps for legitimate reasons or perhaps motivated by fear, who knows. Then the Monsignor looked at the Franciscan priest in residence and asked him, if he would be interested in going. The young Franciscan priest didn't say no but did acknowledge that he wasn't sure what he would say. Then the Monsignor asked, "Will you go if I go with you?"

The next day the two priests departed for the hospital. Before they entered the hospital room of the dying man, shrouded in in the mystery of this illness, they shrouded themselves in all sorts of protective gear, gloves, masks, hazard suits, etc. Then upon entering the room, the Monsignor seeing the dying gentleman, did something very uncharacteristic. Despite all the fears and implications it could have for him and/or his future ministry he took off his protective gear, his hazard suit, mask, gloves, everything and hugged the dying man. At this the dying man was in tears explaining this was the first time in a long time that anyone had embraced him, period! The Monsignor was also in tears and very touched explained to the young Franciscan priest, "I have been able to be for someone what Jesus has been for me everyday."

The dying man in the story was bound by the circumstances of his situation. Sometimes we too are bound by the circumstances of our own life situations or by our sins, or by own judgments, struggles, or sense of worthlessness. Whatever the case is, let us be clear, that the God's Divine Mercy, and what we celebrate today is about much more than going to the sacraments of Reconciliation, receiving the Eucharist, and the other prescribed prayers of the devotion. Divine Mercy Sunday is about coming to a deeper realization of the presence of God's mercy and just how much in love and in mercy God is reaching out to us.

The celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday stands in testimony to the very fact that God is and continues to reach out to us. God reaches out to us despite our past short comings, despite what we may or may not think of ourselves, despite any sense of worthlessness; God is reaches out to us!

In the sacraments God give us His complete and total forgiveness in the sacrament of Reconciliation and reminds us how much he reaches out us in the Eucharist. It is the Eucharist that we understand how much God loves us. AND this is why it is so good to be Catholic! For it is all well and good to give praise to God, to read and reflect upon the Sacred Scripture, but it is so much more to receive our Lord in the Eucharist. For it is in the Eucharist that, as we receive our Lord, we become ONE WITH HIM. Our God reaches out to us and loves so much that it is not good enough for Him to just receive our praise and worship but He gives Himself to us in His Body and Blood so that we may become one with Him.

In the cross we see the Lord reaching out to us. Yes, Jesus' arms were stretched wide on the cross for obvious reasons due to the shape of the cross. However, let us be clear, Jesus' posture on the cross is not simply a matter of circumstance but a matter of LOVE. Jesus' stretched arms on the cross remind us that He is always there to embrace us with arms wide open.

In our brothers and sisters the Lord also makes His mercy known. In the case of the Monsignor the dying man was able to know God's mercy and love. In the way we receive the embrace of others we can experience God's mercy and the way in which we reach out to others we can extend that mercy too.

And as we look to the scriptures this Sunday and in particular the Gospel, (Jn. 20:19-31 ). In the Gospel we see that despite their circumstances and fears that even a locked door was not going to keep Jesus out of the lives of the disciples. Jesus came and reached out to them, and said, "Peace be with you," despite their uncertainty and anxieties. This tells us that nothing will or can keep Christ away from us not even the locked doors of our hearts. We only need to embrace the mercy God is extending to us.

Furthermore, even when we are rooted more in struggle and doubt than faith as was Thomas, we see in what Christ did for him that our Lord will never stop reaching out to us and never stop doing what it takes to reach out to us in Word, Sacrament, or deed. As if to say, 'fine, if it takes you putting your fingers in my hands and your hand into my side to know that I am here, to know that I am very much alive, and to know that I LOVE YOU, then do it!'

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this weekend we celebrate God's Divine Mercy, reminding us that God continually reaches out to us in love. Despite our circumstances or what we can or cannot see, God is reaching out to us. May we embrace His mercy and offer that others in return.

Easter Mission

2010-04-12T17:18:00.003-04:00

As we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday and throughout this Easter Season it is a time filled with joy, hope, and at times confusion. Yes, that's right, I said confusion. What do I mean by this???

Well, if we take a moment to think about it, how can we say that we believe in the resurrection which was meant to bring peace, joy, and hope and at the same time we see a world filled with violence, anger, famine, war, and other strife? While this negativity and certainly influence us or take the wind out of sails at times let us be clear that while down we are not down and out, while down we are not down for the count!!!

We always carry at least two things with us.

First is the hope we gain from the renewal of our baptismal promises. In this Easter Season we reclaim who we are, what we believe and what we are about!

Second is a sense of mission. Just as we were on a mission during our Lenten journey to grow closer to the Lord, we carry the same sense of mission into our Easter celebration. Armed with the faith we have renewed we are called to take that with us and share it everywhere we go!

Sort of like Kashi has 7 whole grains on a mission for a healthy life, WE the CHURCH have 7 Sacraments and 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit on a mission for the life of the world!

May we take the grace we receive by faith and the sacraments and bring that to where there is hatred, strife, despair, and by doing so, be the light and live the resurrection the world so desperately needs! By living out this Easter joy and taking it wherever we go we will help others to witness the resurrection in their midst!!! It will help others to take the resurrection from something that we not only believe but we experience too!

Peace be with you!

PICK UP THE BABY - A Christmas Homily

2010-01-26T17:17:00.002-05:00

About a month ago I had the opportunity to hold my cousin's new born daughter Madison. Holding a new born baby is in many was so awesome it is indescribable at least of which we know that it is a blessing beyond our wildest imaginations. For myself, it had been a while in my life since I had held a newborn and so in some ways I had forgotten this blessing. Since the moment I held Madison, I was inspired by the Spirit to think about the great feast of Christmas. I found myself marveling at the miracle of new life and what the future held for little Madison. I also thought about the similarities between holding Madison and the baby we all embrace at Christmas, Jesus our Lord, our Savior, our Brother.

The image of a baby, the newborn Jesus to some is considered a "weak" image but that view could not be further from the truth. In a newborn lies one of the most powerful images possible; an image capable of transcending so much. For in holding a newborn who isn't in awe of the miracle of life? Who is not thankful for new life? Who is not filled with hope? Who does not stop and ponder the future and possibilities ahead for this new one? Who doesn't for even just a moment, sense all is just as it should be in our world? Really, no matter what may come, above and beyond all within us, when we hold a baby this also this innate sense that it must protected, nurtured, and encouraged to grow to it's fullest potential. AND! Cannot all of what we just said of a newborn can be translated to our faith?

Our faith is life in Christ, our faith allows Christ to be incarnated within. Our faith too must be protected, nurtured, and fostered. In addition, we must also ponder the future and allow our faith to help us discern God's will!

As we rejoice in the newborn baby Jesus may we take time to pick up the baby. When anger takes hold may we lay it down and pick up the baby. When pride, jealousy, and envy weigh heavy on our hearts may we lay it down and pick up the baby. When we are filled with doubt, anxiety, and fear may we lay it down and pick up the baby. When we feel we are loosing hope and all patience, may we lay it down and pick up the baby. When the world rejects us because of our faith, may we pick up the baby.

In picking up the baby we become the heralds of God's profound love proclaiming great joy for all people. In picking up the baby we become light to those walking in darkness who tell of our God-Hero, Wonder-Counselor, Father-Forever, our Prince of Peace. In picking up the baby we draw ourselves to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately and justly as we await in blessed hope, the return of Jesus to earth.

May we: pick up the baby!

What shall we celebrate?

2010-01-26T16:54:00.002-05:00

What do you anticipate celebrating at Christmas? The joy of the birth of Christ? Joy of the season? The love of God, family, and friends? Christmas is a special time of the year which evokes many special things in all of us. One of the things that can get lost amidst the hustle and bustle of the season and often goes unsung is the celebration of the incarnation of Christ in all of us! With everything that goes on during the Christmas season, it is definitely hard to focus on the very fact that Christ is within us! The gospel of the 4th Sunday of Advent calls us to do just that; that is: to celebrate the incarnation of Christ within. However, it is at times, hard to take hold of this realization. In fact, sometimes it is easier to image far off sci-fy lands of Avatar then it is to increase an awareness of the Christ in each of us. Us who bear the image of Christ, who as Christians, are called to be little Christs!

The previous weeks of Advent have been preparing us to deepen our awareness of the incarnation Christ within; let us note the pattern! First week of Advent: Vigilance - cleaning out the junk in our lives, aware of what needs to change. Second week of Advent - make straight the paths, putting aside the twisted muck we place in our lives that draw us away from Christ. Third week of Advent: a renewal of the call to faith and duty as children of God that we called to fulfill daily! NOW, the 4th Sunday of Advent show us through Mary and Elizabeth that if we are completely open to God's will that God will work with us and be incarnated within. Mary by way of her yes literally incarnated Christ into her very being; we do spiritually. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit because of her openness.

If we desire the same for us then we too must seek to grow in giving ourselves completely to God and being completely open to His will. Amen.

Can you tell me what to do???

2009-12-18T16:46:00.006-05:00

Day by day - Day by day - Oh Dear Lord - Three things I pray - To see thee more clearly - Love thee more dearly - Follow thee more nearly - Day by day

Well, while I cannot answer the question in the title of this post is a specific manner for every one reading, I will respond in a general way. Oh, and yes, the Godspell kick continues.... LOL Ok, so, What should I do? is the question the people approached John the Baptist with as the Gospel continued from St. Luke during this 3rd week of Advent.

It is interesting, and maybe not so interesting, but anyway, that what John tells the people is not something over the top nor did he reinvent the wheel so to speak. Rather, John calls the people to take up and follow through with the things they have been called to originally and to stop wandering from that call. For example, those who have clothing or food to share and those in charge of money or authority to be honest and responsible. So we see the essential element here, is faithfulness to what we have been called to do in the first place. If we shed ourselves then of any dishonesty or other sinfulness and negativity that has crept into our lives and be about the business of responding faithfully to who and what we are called to be then indeed the paths will be straight within and we will be disposed to receiving God's grace properly.

Often though, many times we think we have to come up with some new random over the top solution to our problems or be really creative or unique. While sometimes there are situations that will call for a little more ingenuity than others, on the whole, if we are faithful to God's call and abandon our wandering then in turn we will experience the grace of God's always faithful love for us! Now onto Wicked!!! ...just like Elphaba sings: Like a ship blown from its mooring by a wind of the see we can drift and so it is then during this season of Advent to bring ourselves back to the dock, to stop the drifting and secure ourselves properly in doing God's will.

...and if we do this day by day then does not Christ grow within us all the more? Is Christ not then born in us again? And while yes we celebrate the birth of Christ which happened some 2000 years ago and anticipate His return, we also celebrate the Christ born in each of us day by day. Christmas, if you want to wrap it up in a bow is a time of thanksgiving, anticipation, and embracing Christ in us is what Christmas really draws us to rejoice in, hope in, and live in!!!

...to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly...

Point in the right DIRECTION

2009-12-13T15:56:00.011-05:00

On the 2nd Sunday of Advent we heard that we are to make straight the ways of Lord, so on and so forth, a familiar Advent message from the Gospel of Luke:

“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Lk. 3:4b-6)

Now while at first, you may, like myself, have the song Prepare Ye from the musical Godspell running through your head. Ok, so seriously now, the descriptive and metaphorical language of paths, mountains, valleys, hills, and the like are meant to draw us to a self examination of our own ways.

For how often is it that we tend to forsake the age old principle of the shortest distance from point A to point B is a straight line and make long and tangled roads in our lives? How often are we all too comfortable with letting good ol' "time"* solve our problems and allowing things to become drawn out and twisted as opposed to marching directly straight down the road to forgiveness and mercy?

The paths we are called to make straight and valleys we are called to fill are the ones in our own lives. The lack of love, charity, and so on, we are called to reconcile, make straight, and allow the grace of God to flow in us freely rather than with all the roadblocks can put up.

If we allow this grace to flow in us freely, we prepare the way of the Lord, and allow, through a renewal of our own discipleship, Christ to be born in us once again!!! Which reminds us that Christmas is not simply a celebration of what happened approximately 2,000 years ago, nor is it a celebration of anticipation of when Christ will come again, but it is also an ongoing event everyday. A process of letting Christ be born in us today and everyday by being vigilant towards our anxieties and drowsiness of heart and of making crooked ways straight is also what we rejoice in, and celebrate on December 25th.

Let us not over complicate things, make crooked ways, or devise ways to get from point A to point B that we hope or think are quicker!

*Like the saying, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people," the same is true of time. Time doesn't solve problems, people with the help of God solve problems.

Advent... time of vigilance

2009-12-03T14:52:00.006-05:00

As many Advents, or really all, let's be honest, do, the readings this past weekend spoke of anticipation and being on one's guard. Specifically Jesus said that we should be vigilant.

Now with this vigilance, and specifically when it comes to anticipating Christ or the end times, we must always decipher what we are focused on. What do I mean by this? Well, our culture has some O.C.D. going on surrounding end time events such as cosmic disasters, violence, famines, etc. as personified by the movie 2012, the history channel special The Nostradamus Effect, and a new facebook app I saw today about 2012, all of these teach us to be vigilant about big things that really do us no good.

While Jesus did elude to cosmic events taking place in the end times in the sky and such, he mentioned that we should be vigilant in preparing our hearts and shaking off the anxieties that weigh us down. Ultimate Jesus points to an interior focus regarding vigilance not an exterior one. In fact, think about it; has not all the hype of 2012, especially if you buy into it, cause more fear and distress and anxiety too rather than goodness and hope and spiritual growth? Furthermore, are we not lacking in faith and placing our trust in a false hope if we buy into the dooms-day 2012 predictions? Are we saying that the Mayans or Nostradamus know more or are more in charge then God? Let's just say there's going to be one big event that wipes us all out, wouldn't our time be better spent getting to know the God we will meet? And, lastly, not to sound shallow or anything but really, if the world were to end in 2012, isn't that God's job to take care, worry about, and handle, not ours?!

However, if we are vigilant about matters of the interior, i.e. of the heart, mind, and soul, such as, the virtues we struggle with or where we will strive to grow, don't we stand more to gain? Yes, we do!!! For if we are vigilant about shaking off needless anxieties and worries do we not gain the freedom that comes with that? If we concentrate and standing erect before the Lord and purifying our hearts, confronting our struggles, naming and claiming what we do well and where we need to grow, do we not stand to gain a whole bunch more? We do!!!

For if we strengthen what we do well as Christ's disciples and seek to improve where we are lacking, in our quest for growth, Christ is born again within us and amongst others we come into contact with.

While hype and vigilance in the uncertain seems so alluring, we can grow in God's grace which is assuring. While we can buy into hype about what 'might' happen some day, we can grow in God's grace today and everyday. In all of this, we need only to name and claim those areas of strength and growth, be specific and challenge ourselves to allow hope, to allow Christ to be born within us again and again. Should we not place our focus here?

PIE Mania!

2009-12-03T14:38:00.006-05:00

With the passing of Thanksgiving, the time for pie mania came and went too. I had a good Thanksgiving with my parish and immediate families. I also had a wonderful time baking Thanksgiving pies... yes, one of my hobbies includes baking pies... put me in a kitchen and I'll bake all day and be completely content. That is exactly what I did!!! While I don't mean to brag, all I can say is: "Bring it on!" Baker's Square and Marie Callendar!!!

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving found me baking 19 pies! And, I baked a 20th pie on the weekend, the final of the Thanksgiving pie season. With recipes based on basic recipes I've collected online and from other sources, I went to work. The Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving, with some help from my good friend Fr. Chris, I put together 22 crusts in preparation for the big baking day. Then after a good night's rest and some last minute shopping for the freshest ingredients possible, the baking commenced!

Wednesday saw the yield of 6 dutch caramel apple pies (my signature pie), 3 pumpkin pies, 3 french silk pies, 2 triple berry pies, 1 pecan pie, 1 chocolate pecan pie, 1 blueberry and cream pie, 1 strawberry and cream pie, 1 cherry pie, and a triple berry cream pie on Saturday. It was a full days work that concluded with making fresh whipped cream.

I must say it is quite a joy to know that others enjoy these pies and I'm thankful God has blessed me with this talent that I can share. I am also very thankful for the help I received in the kitchen from making the crust to two wonderful assistants who helped clean and prep utensils and ingredients on Wednesday. Now, it's on to including the eggnog pie on the Christmas list.

102.1 FM in Cleveland... it's too soon for Christmas music!

2009-11-20T17:14:00.002-05:00

Ok, so everyone I'm sure has an opinion on this and you may find that you disagree with me... I'll say it anyway!

102.1FM playing Christmas music today, it's just too soon! It only further enforces an idea of celebrating Christmas now and getting it over with! It isn't even Thanksgiving yet!!! I remember the days when Christmas music and other things did not start until the day after Thanksgiving, giving us a chance to be thankful, to celebrate and give the holiday of Thanksgiving due process and time, rather than turning it into "ThanksPreChristmasgiving Day" I'm not opposed to playing Christmas music after Thanksgiving Day but I am concerned about a danger in overdoing it!

By celebrating too soon, we end-up taking the celebrating out of the celebration. What I mean by this is that when Christmas day actually rolls around, the trees and other decorations are on the front lawn by the next day and no one seems to care. In the end we treat Christmas more like a time to get through and over rather than something sacred to be treasured. There is no time to cherish the gift of the birth of Christ, to really take to heart and ponder the deeper meaning of the Feast.

I hope that we take time to really engage the deeper meaning of each holiday and feast in it's proper time; we don't want the birth of Christ, the most important thing besides Jesus' death and resurrection, to become one more thing we just 'get through' because we're sick of it by December 25th. Let us not, miss the Christmas season which starts on December 25th... not today 102.1!!!

The wise shall shine...

2009-11-20T16:55:00.002-05:00

“But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
and those who lead the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever." (Dn 12:3)

This verse from our scriptures this past weekend speaks of wisdom leading to justice and those who seek the wisdom of the Lord and act upon it leading may to justice and in doing so shining brightly like stars. What is necessary to do this? If anything, in a world of moral relativism and wishy-washiness, to seek the wisdom necessary to lead others to justice really requires an uncompromising conviction of faith and moral values on each of our behalves. The sort of conviction I am thinking of reminds me of the character: Walt Kowalski from the movie Gran Torino.

In Gran Torino we find Walt, a retired Ford auto worker and Korean War Veteran whose wife has just died living in a neighborhood that has gone from great prosperity to despair. The neighborhood is not what it used to be, now mostly immigrants from Asia and infested by gangs, you could say Walt was out of place. Walt is also a person that tells you how it is, or at least speaks with an unfiltered mind, even saying to the young priest in the movie: “The problem is I think you're an overeducated, 27-year-old virgin who knows nothing about life or death and holds the hands of superstitious old women and promises them eternity."

What we also know about Walt is that he is bitter and crusty, and nothing ticks him off more than when people do not do the right thing, do not take care of themselves, do not take of each other, and do not take care of others. The selfishness of his grandaughter and the violence of the gangs drive him crazy. Now we could easily lable this as well, crude? But! Not to justify some of Walts less than admirable language or drinking, Walt does in the end have a point. For Walt was uncompromising in his values and in his convictions about right and wrong, about doing the right thing and standing up for what you believe in. This is the lesson we should take from Walt.

If we are to be the lights, the stars, the ones burning brightly leading others to justice, then we should have that same conviction of faith and values Walt Kowalski had. Walt's firm convictions helped neighborhood boy, Tao become a man rather than get sucked into the gang his cousins were in. Walt teaches Tao the value of an honest days work and about taking care of family and neighborhood - to stand up for what is right. Walt out of his firm convictions, also stood up for Tao's sister Sue. Lastly, Walt brought justice through his convictions to Tao and Sue and also their cousins in the gang. Walt in many was is a star. If we wish to be the same for others, then we too, again must have that same sense of conviction and fight for what is right, what is just.

Ultimately then, where do we find ourselves in relationship to justice? Are we burning brightly like stars in the Book of Daniel? Or do we find we need to get going on this?

Retreat

2009-11-12T21:36:00.003-05:00

WOW! The LORD does good work! (yeah, I know that but...)

Last weekend, St. Charles had it's annual high school youth group retreat and it's them was: Your Grace is Enough and of course, the awesome song by the same title by Matt Maher was our theme song! The talks were designed around using the word grace as an acronym as follows: G = growth, R = relationships, A = attitude, C = chastity, and E = empowerment. The idea is to see God's grace working through all these aspects of our lives.

As I may have mentioned in previous posts, leading up to the retreat Sr. Denise, myself, and the team encountered many hurdles and challenges right up to getting to the retreat. However, once the retreat started, it was quite evident just how much God's grace is indeed flowing in our lives. In a word, everything was: "perfect"! The witnesses really hit home, the video presentations really worked well, and the participation with the teens in singing, small group time, and prayer especially Confession and Adoration were amazing!!! Sr. Denise and I were and still are totally blown away!!! From start to finish I found myself marveling at the beauty of God's grace unfolding! When all was said and done, Sr. and I were quite tired but it was a good tired one of satisfaction and thankfulness.

I'm thankful God used all of us on the team in the way He did! Even in our brokeness and challengedness going into the retreat, God took what we had and with it, His will was done! I can't wait until the reunion this Sunday to hear how people's lives were changed! There were about 100 teens on the retreat and you can tell that everyone left with something and were changed in some way I'm sure of it!!!

Thank you God!

TRUSTING in the Holy Spirit

2009-11-02T15:40:00.002-05:00

This week I, along with the nun I work with, Sr. Denise Marie :), find ourselves just a few days away from our annual High School Youth Group Retreat. It always amazes me when this time comes around, how much work we have done and how much is yet to be done. Overall, in these sorts of times, I am reminded of how much we are called to trust in the Lord. Yeah, I know in some ways its simple, and I'm sure you and I hear this all the time, "just trust in the Lord." However, how seriously do we do this? It's easy for us to say this but to do it ourselves is another thing.

I am taking this time to renew my trust in God. This year for the retreat there still so much to do and we've faced new obstacles. However, I know that this retreat will happen the way God wants it to happen. I know the work that needs will get done. The goal is to remind myself in the moments I feel weak or faint in terms of trust, that I need to dig a little deeper and trust a little harder because ultimately God is in charge, I am not. I am an instrument of God's grace, not God's grace itself. It is trust in God and God working through us by way of the Holy Spirit that allows us to rely upon his grace and do the work we are called to do. This trust also allows us to be reassured that everything is going to not only work-out, but will happen the way God intended it to happen, not the way I or anybody else intended. I know if I do my part as a priest, God will indeed do His part, the Holy Spirit will flow through me, and use me to do what God wants.

How often do we take the opportunity to renew this trust in the Lord that we have? Keeping in mind of course, that to trust in the Lord implies we are also open to how God wants things to unfold, and we shouldn't be disappointed if the end product is different from our original vision.

So yes, trust in the Lord, allow God to use you, and do not be afraid to let God be in the driver's seat.

Saints, a summary of my Solemnity of All Saints homily

2009-11-01T15:22:00.004-05:00

There are so many ways, so many things we can say about the saints. By and large though, who are the saints? First, we can say they are people in heaven. But! To be more relatable, they are people like you and I who sought to live out their faith to the best of their ability. They are people who took their faith seriously, even those whose histories were at times somewhat checkered. As the saints took their faith seriously, they listened to what God called them to do with their lives and they made God's will theirs. Sort of like Bartimeus in the Gospel last week who when Jesus said to him, "Go on your way," chose to make his way, the way of Christ as Bartimeus with his new found sight, followed the Lord. For us in this day and age, faced with the fact that we are the saints of today, we are called to claim our own sense of sainthood in our lives. Contrary to the casual laxidaisical comment: I'm not worthy; nothing could be further from the truth. What makes us saints is if we, like those before us, seek to live out our faith to the best of our ability everyday in every way and follow where the Lord calls us to be. It is possible for each and everyone of us to do this, it simply comes down to a choice to do so. Dear Lord, who calls us to be the saints of today, help us be unwaivering witnesses to you, now and forever more. Amen!

Light

2008-10-28T15:22:00.005-04:00

I offer the following reflection on light on based St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians, proclaimed on the 30th Monday of Ordinary Time, year 2.

Brothers and sisters:

Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. So do not be associated with them. For you were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (Ephesians 4:32-5:8)

Light. What is so important about it? Why are we attracted to it? Why do children have a particular attraction to camp fires? Why are decorators so intrigued by lighting schemes, placement, fixtures, etc.? What difference does this all make? What purpose does light play in our lives? How are we ourselves light?

St. Paul is his letter to the Ephesians tells us to live as children of the light. We can look at this line and in an understanding sort of way, as if we truly 'get it,' say, "hmm... ok," and then having a sense of what that means and with a hint of determination - move on. But if that's all we do, then what good is that? So, if we are to live as children of light how do we strive to do that? Well, there are few ways or characteristics of light which describe how it is that we are to live as children of the light.

First, making present. One initial thing we can say about light is that it makes things present. When a lamp or another fixture illuminates a room, what is in the room becomes visible; i.e. made present. Now what is the light making present? This is the question! For example, designers strategically place lights in a room so that certain features or aspects of the room are highlighted or made present in a particular way. So it is with our spiritual lives. What are our lives making present? Things of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Are our lives making present God's presence? Or are our lives seeking to make present other things? Things of this world? Things lesser than what our God, our faith, our Church, or the image of God in which we have been made calls us to? For that matter, striving for the earthly life, is that even light? No, for darkness, blindness, and confusion can ensue. So, having said all this, to what extent are we being children of the light in that we are proclaiming God's presence with our lives?

Second, a focal point. *Seen a candle lately? Noticed the flame? Sometimes this happens when you get closer to a candle and notice the flame in a deeper way. Or have you found yourself outside gazing up to the sky on a warm, quiet, starry night and fixated on a particular star. For a moment all is still and almost perfect as you are drawn into pondering the deeper mysteries of life. In both star and candle the light changes and flickers and has its own being and at the same time we focus in on it. If another person were to focus in on our lives what would that person see? A candle burning brightly or one that is dark and cold? Do we realize that as we live out our faith that we have the potential to become, 'focal points' ? Not for others to focus on us specifically, but so that others may focus on someone who is following Christ and through that be inspired to do the same?.

Third point: the way. Ok, so have you seen your favorite flashing arrow on the road indicating a lane change due to construction today? Pleasant, right? There is a truth here. Despite our apparent appreciation for the traffic arrows we cannot argue the fact that they do tells us where to go and point us in the right direction. So to do our lives do the same thing. As beacons of light we are able to point others to Christ. Through lives of discipleship, faithfulness, love, devotion, sacrifice, hope, generosity, courage, service, etc. we point to Christ. As we point to Christ we have the potential to steer others in the right direction.

May God bless you!

*technical answer to this question: "Yes, when I was at Church on Sunday!"

Congratulations & Vocations

2008-10-27T10:05:00.006-04:00

This weekend I had the opportunity to witness two important things.

First, I concelebrated at the ordination of 5 deacons who will be journeying toward priesthood ordination on May 16, 2009. Ordained this past weekend in the Diocese of Cleveland were: classmate Deacon Sean Ralph, good friend Deacon Chris Trenta (see "The Latest Adventures of Chris" in the blog list to the left), Deacon Anthony Suso, Deacon Matt Pfeiffer, and Deacon Kevin Estabrook. Congratulations brothers!

At the ordination I remember walking in the procession and seeing the smiling faces of the guys to be ordained. It was at that moment, although I had been excited beforehand, I was even more so filled with excitement, joy, and happiness for these guys that I have had the privilege to know over the past 8 years!

This Diaconate ordination caused me to the think of two things in particular. First, I started thinking back to my own Diaconate ordination (Nov. 4, 2007) and thinking: has it really been a year already??? Reflecting upon all the graces of the past year, I am reminded once again how great this vocation is!

Second, as I witnessed the joy on the faces of my deacon brothers, I was reminded of the great mystery of God's love that we enter into more deeply as we claim our vocations - no matter what that vocation is! When we say yes to the Lord, when we begin and officially claim our vocations, there is a certain inexplicable sense of the mystery of God's love - the Holy Spirit - that you experience! That you are entering into something greater than yourself and its in this context of God's love and the faith community that all things make sense and we see the experience the deeper meaning of life. The fire within burns brighter!

The second event I experienced this weekend was the vocation witness given at our parish Masses by one of our own seminarians: Tim Roth. Tim shared his story of coming to a maturity in his faith and making the decision to enter the seminary. Tim also shared the joys and challenges of being a seminarian and working toward the priesthood. Tim's witness reminded me once again of awesomeness of saying yes to the Lord and embracing one's vocation with that yes. Tim's words also were inspiring and it is my hope that his words planted seeds in the hearts of the young people at St. Charles, to consider a vocation to priesthood or religious life.

To conclude for this round - again I'd just like to say another word of congratulations to our new deacons, Sean, Chris, Anthony, Kevin, and Matt and also thank you to Tim for his wonderful witness.

Peace be with you!

Everything you hoped for?

2008-10-06T20:28:00.003-04:00

One of the common questions I have gotten in recent days, which I may have mentioned before, is: "Is it [priesthood] everything you hoped it would be?" Now, an easy answer to this question could be yes or no. However, I find that my response to this question is not as easy as a one word answer. As I entered priesthood and my first assignment I went in without any preconceived notions of how things 'should be' or hoping things would be like 'this' or 'that'. Rather, I entered this life just wondering and open to how the Spirit would unfold and what the lived experience of priesthood is like. I have found that any time in the past where I have anticipated, hoped, or longed for things to be a particular way I only ended up with egg on my face and found disappointment rather that fulfillment. So, I only came in with the common hopes, that this life would be fulfilling and life-giving.

I can say with certain confidence today that I look forward to how the spirit will unfold each day, what each day will bring and the challenges or joys or other interesting things that will happen. No one day is like another here and I love that about this life. Priesthood is diverse and full of variety and in the mix of all that, this life challenges you because you have to constantly be on your game.

I have been touched at how the Spirit has been unfolding at Mass, in the Confessional, and during the times I work with the youth group and witness young people strive to come to know the Lord. I have also had those times that required further discernment and I have also had those times that have struck me like, "Oh, so this is what it's like? Wow!"

So to answer to answer the original question: yes, things are going well, and the Spirit is certainly in many ways, making itself manifest and present and each day unfolding in new ways! I love what I do and I am fulfilled.

I would encourage anyone in any walk of life, to let themselves be surprised. Don't hope for many specific things but hope for the fulfillment and life sustaining Spirit of God that comes from doing His will. In addition be open and willing and attentive to the Spirit is unfolding and look forward to new adventures that can come with each passing day.

--------------------------------
I also wish to offer the following congratulations:

Congratulations to the 2nd Year theologians at St. Mary Seminary on being installed Lectors last Friday, October 3rd. - Congratulations to Peter, Gregg, and John!

Congratulations also to the 5th Year theologians who have been officially called to Holy Orders and will be ordained deacons on Saturday, October 25th at 10am at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Cleveland! Congratulations to Chris, Kevin, Anthony, Matt, and Sean!

Commitment and Faithfulness

2008-08-17T23:22:00.003-04:00

Two weeks ago I officiated/celebrated my first wedding which happened to be the wedding of my cousin Andrew and now cousin-in-law Kate. I was honored to be asked to celebrate the wedding, it was a joyous occasion on many accounts. I found it exciting and pure joy to see my cousin and his fiance get married. At the same time, on a more personal level, I found much joy and excitement, and yes some nervousness in celebrating a wedding for the first time. In addition, this was the first time some of my extended family saw me function in an official Church role, outside all the festivities of my ordination weekend a few months ago; and so yes that was equally neat in its own way.

While I, my cousin and new cousin-in-law have begun to live out our vocations it reinforced in me the level of commitment needed to live out one's vocation. Beyond all the glitz and glam of any big event marking the beginning of one's vocation, what will endure is the faithfulness and commitment which is necessary to live out the vocation one chooses. There are no magic wands that can make anyone's vocation "just happen" day-to-day; rather, there are choices we must make everyday to make our vocations as strong and committed as possible.

It is through my commitment and faithfulness to the priesthood that I can be an instrument of God's grace, a leader of prayer, guide, and other things that help to bring about the Kingdom on earth. So it is in marriage, it is only through commitment and faithfulness to the marriage covenant that a couple can continue to be a living image of God's love for humanity in this world.

Loving and gracious God, send your graces upon your people and increase our faithfulness to the vocations which we live so that in our faithfulness we may be beacons of your light, love, mercy on earth. Amen.

While you wait...

2008-08-01T15:24:00.004-04:00

Greetings! Yes, I know I've been a bit behind with a new post. Don't worry a new one will be coming soon, perhaps early part of next week. I've been somewhat busy with various parish activities and preparing for my first wedding on Saturday, my cousin Andrew and fiance Katie. And Sunday I'll be at The FEST for a good chunk of the day, so in the mean time check out these sites:

The FEST - Takes place this Sunday, August 3rd from 12noon-10pm: www.thefest.us

St. Mary Seminary (our major seminary/theologate in Cleveland): www.stmarysem.edu

Borromeo Seminary (undergrad seminary in Cleveland): www.borromeoseminary.org
**BRAND NEW SITE***

Vocation site for the Diocese of Cleveland: www.clevelandcatholicpriesthood.org

Enjoy & God Bless!!!

A man on the move...

2008-07-22T15:59:00.002-04:00

As you may have noticed, I haven't posted for a while. Things in ministry are still going well and at the same time busy. Just a couple weeks ago we had our Carnival (festival) at St. Charles and as I mentioned before in my previous post, I was slinging ice cream with the youth group!

Last week, St. Charles saw the passing of a good friend and priest. Fr. James Conry died on July 13th after a recurring battle with cancer. Amidst the end of the Carnival and Fr. Conry's passing, things around the parish were quite busy, especially because we were down 2 staff members (Fr. Steve and Sr. Denise) who were with members of our youth group in Sydney, Australia for World Youth Day.

For the first time, amidst all the business I experienced what I had long expected and always knew what would be part of ministry and priesthood. I would be called on, and all in ministry are called on, to roll with the punches, to be people on the move - responding to the situations you encounter and being ready to take on whatever is coming down the pike.

For much of the past couple of weeks I felt as though I was pushing myself to be more, live more, and love more as each challenge, twist, and turn presented itself. I'm not going to lie, I was tired at the end of each day and at times I felt like I was just doing my best to keep up and was wondering when the barrage was going to stop, but in the end it was a good sense of being tired and a deepening of that loving relationship a priest is to have with his people. In new ways I really sensed what it means to lay down your life for others. In all of this I felt my life being poured out so that others may live. The lived experience of this is quite different from being told about it or educated on it.

I have always said, I wanted to become a priest partly because each day was a new adventure and you never know what will happen. Now I have had some experience in the adventure and what it feels like to live it to a certain degree and I look forward to a lifetime of more adventures to come.

Priesthood is an adventure, you never know what will happen from day to day and at the same time you rely upon God and God's presence which is the constant known, a thread if you will, holding all things together.

Living for others

2008-07-14T08:57:00.002-04:00

Before I begin or get any further, I would ask for prayers for the repose of the soul of Fr. James Conry, who lost his battle with cancer yesterday. He was in his 80s, a beloved priest and friend to all. Words cannot express how much he will be missed. When he retired he came to St. Charles and was in residence here the past 11 years.

Sorry for the delay in updates! The Carnival (parish festival) just wrapped last night at St. Charles. Fun was had by all!!! For my part, well, I had 2 responsibilities: 1 pray for good weather & 2 work the ice cream booth with the youth group. The Carnival began last Wednesday with a parade and was open every night from 6:30-10:30pm.

I thank God for the amazing weather - not a single drop of rain during any of the hours the carnival was open!!! Even more so, I thank God for the awesome teens and young adults at St. Charles who put in long hours making the ice cream booth a success! I would especially like to mention the teens who were unable to go to WYD in Sydney and stayed behind to sling ice cream - they truly stepped up!!! I love our teens and echo what Sr. Denise says: "they're the best!"

Some of our youth group is currently in Australia for WYD '08. The group left last Friday and they are now in Australia having a wonderful time! This also meant that Sr. Denise and Fr. Steve were able to give me a two night crash course in managing and running the ice cream booth - Thank God I have some Dairy Queen experience in my past - LOL! But seriously - in terms of jumping in and helping run/manage the booth - again everything went so very well, our teens truly stepped up and it was great! My feet are a lil' sore but otherwise I'm doing well.

In stepping into the role of taking the lead with the youth group I must say I did feel like a proud parent or something like that! Also, I did sense an added sense of duty and responsibility - it was like: "I have to take care of my kids." I think in some way this is a revelation to the caring and nurturing aspect of being priesthood - the fatherhood part of it!

Even though I feel like I've been pulling 'all-nighters' the past 5 nights... sort of like finals week but more! I am still good to go and I love what I do - the adventure of priesthood is awesome! In some ways the experience of a very busy week plus the carnival last week taught me or helped me live out what it means to live for others in the parish context and what it means to give your life and to die to self. Priesthood - bud-ah bup-pah-pah I'm lovin' it!!!

Lonely? No... are you?...

2008-07-01T20:51:00.007-04:00

"You know as a priest you're going to be lonely and unhappy!" "It must be sad being a priest, you have no one to go home to." "You won't be happy until priests are able to get married." - These, and there have been others, have been some of the comments that myself and brother priests and seminarians have heard over many years. In some ways, these words can be discouraging and not necessarily for the reason(s) you might expect. I find these words to be discouraging not because they are negative but because, in my opinion, the people who have had the audacity to say such things come across like sheep without a shepherd! I don't mean this in a condescending way but rather, I say it with great honesty and Christian charity. Truly.

People who wish to express their discontent with celibacy and the lifestyle of a priest, using language in the company of the previous mentioned quotes, are quite confused. These statements that are, I guess, an attempt to pick away or jab at celibacy are logically inconsistent for at least two reasons, (and I'm sure there are other reasons too).

First, does anyone knowingly choose to be lonely? Honestly, who in their right mind would do that? Answer: No one! Therefore, how could anyone logically presuppose that some one is going to be lonely or would choose a lifestyle of loneliness? In what set of circumstances would choosing a 'lonely lifestyle' make sense?

Sidebar: Answering the call to priesthood is a choice, not a force of the hand or twist of the arm. Somehow over the years answering the call has become equated with being forced to do something against one's will for the Lord. In response to this somewhat pervasive negative view on answering the call, I have two words: not true!

Second, how does anyone know what makes another person happy? Again, I don't mean to be mean or condescending but an honest gut reaction I have is: "Who are you to say what makes me happy?" For when one says, 'you will be lonely and unhappy,' presupposes the one making the statement knows what will make the person whom he/she is talking about, happy or unhappy and quite frankly, how could anyone presuppose to know this of another person?

What has sparked my colorful, direct, and rawly honest commentary?

Today I concelebrated at the funeral of a brother priest, Fr. John Richards. As I was at the funeral I looked around I saw 60 plus brother priests from the other four fine men I was ordained with to the fine leadership of the Diocese of Cleveland. I saw multiple generations of brothers. Brothers, my family. Lonely? Nope!

Every Sunday, I look out from the sanctuary at Mass and I do not see a congregation, parishioners (even though technically they are), or members but rather, I see my family. I have more members in my family then John & Kate Plus 8, The Brady Bunch, and Cheaper by the Dozen (the Bakers), put together!!! Lonely? Nope!

I am priest and I am not lonely! I spend each day taking care of my family to the best of my ability and I walk with them in good times and in bad. My life is full of life. I am not alone nor lonely. In no other vocation could I possibly have a life as blessed as this with such a great depth of generation and diversity and a brotherhood that is a rock.

I have entered this vocation freely and without reservation to give myself to the Church in a particular way. I have chosen to honor my role as priest and my parish family for the rest of my life. I accept all the Lord has entrusted to me and will do my best to guide them and care for them according to the law of Christ and his Church. I promise to be true to those I serve in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love them and honor them all the days of my life, until death do us part.

What is loneliness then? Perhaps its an attitude or choice or perception, I'm not completely sure nor am I an expert. Some loneliness is tied to clinical depression and that's an entirely different matter. But what I do know is that loneliness is not rooted in a vocation. Just as a person is not 'incomplete' unless he/she is married; honestly, some of the loneliest people in the world are married. I have met some of them. The main point here is that you are complete on your own and lonely on your own too, not having a spouse in the sacrament of marriage does not equate to being lonely! If you are full of life then you will have life.

Saving the best for last: I have Christ. As a priest I strive to live my life in union with God and the Church. Is God not enough? More than enough!

I am not alone, priesthood is not lonely, period.

Pax!

A vital role.

2008-06-24T10:55:00.005-04:00

This past Sunday I was the celebrant for Baptism and welcomed 3 new members of St. Charles into the Church. The cornerstone to my homily that I give is the commitment of the parents and godparents, especially in terms of raising a child in the faith and being the first teacher of the faith. This is the cornerstone for two reasons.

First, because it is an awesome yet at the same time, important and big responsibility on the part of the parents and godparents to raise a child in the faith. This important responsibility requires dedication and commitment and therefore it is extremely important that parents and godparents take this commitment seriously and to be faithful to it.

Second, because I can firmly say that it was through the strength of my parent's faith that I found my vocation to priesthood. Catholicism was central in my upbringing and because a healthy practice of the faith was present, I found the freedom and interest to consider and eventually accept the call to priesthood. It is on this point that I say that a parent can never discount their witness to the faith or expect others to somehow fulfill their role as first teachers and guide.

Furthermore, not only does a family who prays together stay together but a family who has a strong sense of faith allows for their children to be ever more tuned into listening what vocation God is calling them to. Many young people search for purpose and meaning - their vocation - and many adults go through life in state of wondering if they are where God has called them to be. A strong sense of faith and vocation direction begins with the ones who point the direction out to us; parents!

To my brothers and sisters called to married life or who are married: please take this commitment to raising your child in the faith seriously and never give up! Also, do not be afraid!!! Passing on the faith can feel overwhelming at times but this does not mean that it cannot be done! Passing on the faith also does not require that one knows everything about the faith. For no one knows everything about the faith but everyone is growing in faith - even I am!!! The important emphasis is faithfulness. Be faithful and practice your faith to the best of your ability and God will work through you - you are not alone!

Truly: Take your candle and go light your world!!!

Peter the Rock

2008-06-19T13:28:00.002-04:00

Every priest is an alter Christus (another Christ). A priest lives out life being and fulfilling the call of an alter Christus and in doing so he is called to bring Christ, to be Christ, and is Christ for the faithful. At the same time, there is an element to priesthood that requires one to be the rock and while God the Father would be considered The Rock, the rock of which I speak is that of St. Peter. St. Peter, our first Pope and the rock upon whom the Lord built the Church.

I celebrated a funeral this morning for just the second time and as I worked with the family and helped them through this difficult period in their life, I sensed the rockiness. In being a Rock what I am saying is that a priest is a witness to the faith and Christ as Peter was. At the same time, the priest brings flesh to the situation. The priest is Christ in the flesh in midst of struggle and strife. The priest puts flesh on the spiritual bones of Christ. In doing so, the priest becomes Christ who people can reach out and touch, a physical witness to the faith, and a rock they can turn to in the midst of turmoil. And so there is this call, this goal to strive for - to be the rock. The one who is not God yet stands in and points to God with his entire being, his entire life.

I am ever more aware that people will look to me as a priest, to be a rock in times when they seek security and peace. And I know I am a rock for them and at the same time I, like St. Peter, am not perfect but I strive towards perfection. I know that there is much room for me to grow. I pray that the Lord continues to grace me with His Spirit, with wisdom, and the courage to endure and persevere along the path of growth.

A priest is an alter Christus and at the same time has the rockiness of St. Peter.

What else can I say other than for all young men, especially those considering the wonderful call to priesthood that this is part of what it means to be a priest. The people will look to you and you will lead them. As Christ you will lead them. As one who has much room to grow and at times are not perfect, people will see your witness and still you will lead them.

I may not be perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect (Mt 6), and I may feel more like Peter the Rock than The Rock and yet I know people will look to me and I will forge ahead and do the best, with God, that I can.

The greatest praise of God is a person fully alive! - St. Irenaeus

2008-06-14T09:41:00.011-04:00

Yesterday, today, and in the days to come the political world and in many ways the United States will experience, mourn, and cope with the loss of Tim Russert; and perhaps especially in November during the Presidential Election where his presence in the political world will surely be missed. Although I do not know a great deal about him, I do know that for me he came across as a voice of objective reason and responsible reporting in politics in Washington D.C., in a time when such a thing is hard to find. Even more so, any time I watched Meet the Press or heard Tim speak, I always sensed that I was hearing a truly authentic person. Tim reminds me time and time again of the passion and enthusiasm we must all have in life - for faith, family, and others. Tim was not afraid to be himself, he was truly himself through and through, there was no TV-face or TV-personality - you got The Tim Russert on and off the camera, period! He was a strong Catholic and made no apologies for it. He was not afraid to proceed in his own ethical way and he also took the examples and learned from others to become better at his craft. He took his God given talents and made no waste of them. St. Irenaeus, a saint who lived in the 2nd century said, "The greatest praise of God is a man fully alive." Tim gave the greatest praise to God; his enthusiasm was beyond compare.

For us perhaps there are these lessons: be fully alive! Harvest the talents God has given you, learn from those who have gone before you - parents, mentors, collegues, etc. - and strive always to better yourself in every aspect of our life. Don't settle for anything which is less than your best self!

Tim's death coincides in many ways with the messages we heard in the Gospel from Matthew this week in the Sermon on the Mount. In particular Thursday's passage (Mt. 5:20-26) in which Jesus tells us that our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees. Which reminds us that while we must observe the Commandments of the Lord, we cannot do them in a perfunctory way but rather, the Commandments of the Lord must draw us into deeper conversion - we must be authentic persons inside and out. We cannot do the right things exteriorly while we lack love, hope, and faith - the right things - interiorly.

The passing of Tim Russert causes me to pause for two reasons: first, because my parents are the same age. Second, in October of 2006 I experienced the loss of a dear friend from high school in a tragic car accident and all of these things remind me how precious and fragile life is. That being said, I wonder, what am I holding back and what more can I do to be fully alive?

How's it going? Do you like it?

2008-06-12T22:02:00.003-04:00

How's it going? Do you like it [St. Charles]? These are two questions that I have heard frequently over the past several days. To begin with, my new life as a parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo in Parma, OH, I don't like it... I LOVE IT!!! I enjoy what I do as a priest more than I ever thought I would. Even in the times when I have felt stress or confusion during my beginning days here, the Lord has brought me through it and carried me and allowed me to experience His grace in ways unimaginable!

My first weekend at St. Charles I found myself at every Mass giving the traditional introductory speech or the "Hi, my name is talk" as it may be more affectionately called! LOL! All the Masses went well this weekend and the reception into the St. Charles family is more than I could have asked for. I have never quite experienced a parish community where people have such a close bond with the Church and not just individual families but generations of families! I found a spirit here that I have not quite experienced before! Overall, I have sensed that I am home!

This week has been fun! I did celebrated my first funeral on Monday - even in death there is grace. On Tuesday I had Mass with the school, the last one on the last day of school - pure fun! I truly love what I do and I think both events again taught me of the vital role of the priest in the lives of others - the comfort for those in pain and the leader for the leaders of tomorrow. Priesthood isn't what I thought it would be... it's better than that!

Now that many of the 'firsts' have take place, it's on to more of sinking into the routine and flow of this place in the best way possible. What adventures will take place tomorrow, next week, next month, next year? I couldn't tell you... and I can't wait!

Take your candle and go light your world...

Lord You alone can heal me...

2008-06-08T08:29:00.004-04:00

The seminary is an interesting place... for many reasons... one of the interesting experiences that I had as a seminarian was to study and practice celebrating the sacraments, and in regards to the basic principles of celebrating the sacraments, rubrics, etc. I am prepared and competent to minister. However, over the past week-and-a-half I have experienced things the seminary did not, nor could it ever have prepared me for... when I actually entered into celebrating Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, and Communion calls as a priest I felt and sensed God's presence and witnessed God's presence in ways I never have before and never thought possible... but it happened... and I am grateful... and profoundly touched in some supernatural unexplainable way... blown away if you will by experiencing God's grace, healing, and mercy in new ways.

When I celebrated the Anointing of the Sick first with my grandfather (my first time and truly a special moment) and assisted at an Anointing Mass at my home parish, St. Bede the Venerable in Mentor, OH (see websites/links) I was captivated by two things. First, the thought that I can bring God's healing presence to another person, and that God's grace works through me (and my brother priests) in a unique way such as this floors me... who am I that God called me to do this special thing... the words of Jesus in Matthew's Gospel this weekend, "Follow me," come to mind and these two simple but profound words have taken on new meaning for me... talk about entering into the Mystery! It feels like God is reaching down from the Supernatural into our natural world and I'm at the tip of His fingers helping to communicate His grace. It is not me but God working through me... working through me... ... ...wow!

Second, I have been profoundly touched by how people have sought the Lord in time of need and sorrow. To see the tears in my brother's and sister's eyes as they receive the grace of God's healing sacraments has caused me to me to wonder at times how anyone could doubt God's presence... I do not know... yes there are tragic things that take place in our lives and in this world that are not in the world to come... and yes, these sort of events can shake, rattle, and roll one's faith I'm sure... but to see my brothers and sisters lean in and receive the grace of God reaching out to them - yes, God is real, God is, was, and always will be alive, and yes God is present even when we think He may not be. Christ: yesterday, today, and forever!!!

To conclude my thoughts this time around, I know I've only been a priest for only just under a month, I don't have the greatness of years of experience of my brother priests, but even in my short time I have experienced the greatness of God, it has been awesome and I hunger for more. This life is truly grace filled! If you've considered a vocation in the Church, pray over Jesus' words in Matthew's Gospel today: "Follow me," hear Jesus speaking to you, ask what this means for you, accept where God is calling you, and let these words resonate within you once again, and lastly: FOLLOW HIM.

Take your candle and go light your world...

What was it like for the Apostles?

2008-06-03T20:36:00.008-04:00

Well my friends, with much anticipation and joy the first day came and the first day went, the second day... Last night was only about 82.2736549% full of sound sleeping - I was excited about the first day at St. Charles. What would happen? What would God have in store for me? What adventures were about to transpire?

Overall, today was quiet but in a good way - this doesn't mean I didn't do anything, either! So don't even go there!!! LOL!

Today started by first packing the last of the necessities at my parent's house and making the drive to St. Charles. I have to admit at the end of 9 years in seminary formation I had no idea I had accumalated so much stuff in my seminary room! I must admit, I see new wisdom to only taking a walking stick, sandles, and 1 tunic!!! It has occured to me that these next four years will certainly involve a renewal of simplicity of life! I guess it's true what 'they' say: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid).

Although I must admit that over the past week one prevailing thought that has been somewhat at the forefront of my mind: what was it like for the Apostles when they first started out? For myself, although there are some uncertainties as I start out and priesthood fleshes itself out in my life - my uncertainties must be pretty small in comparison to those of the Apostles. I consider myself venturing into uncharted yet charted territory. The Apostles had to work most everything out from celebration to articulation of the faith. At least for myself, I have history, liturgical documents, scriptural commentary, Canon Law and other policies, the wisdom and examples of those who have gone before me, and the vision and direction of a good bishop - all of which aid me in ministry in ways unlike the Apostles. I may not know what will happen next but I walk into the unknown with arsenal. The Apostles really didn't have the same sort of blueprints did they? I'm sure, as I've said before, any uncertainties or queries I may have about how to get started or begin the ministry God has entrusted to me, must be nothing in comparison to the Apostles. At the same time, there is a part of me that resonates with the experience, and feels like I'm entering into their experience in my own way.

Day one of entering into this experience found me as I said packing the last few things and arriving, but then I found myself getting to the usual stuff I suppose anyone would do on their first day - arranging my calendar with different things that will be coming up soon and future weddings and at the same time asking a billion and a half first day questions: where is ____, what is ____, how do I ____, what do I need to know about ___, etc. and so on! But as I sit here, it is joy, and tomorrow is another day, another day filled with opportunities to take my candle and light the world.

Take your candle and go light your world...

Pax te cum!

Greetings! My direction & intention for this blog:

2008-05-24T23:19:00.007-04:00

Greetings!

Inspired by a very good brother I have decided to give this whole blog thing a shot, I've never really blogged before so, this is my first crack at it so we'll see how it goes - posts may come daily or periodically, who knows?!

One thing is clear: the direction of this blog is to offer reflections on my vocation as a priest, ministry, Scripture, topics related to Catholicism, and other relevant things. The reflections are based on my experiences while at the same time, I will protecting the privacy of those involved and remain consistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church. The entries may also include theological and/or scriptural reflection as well as offering a Catholic perspective on various current events. ABOVE AND BEYOND ALL: The sole intention of this blog is to be tool for evangelization so that I may offer others, especially those considering priesthood or religious life, insight into my experiences in hopes that they may have the confidence to answer 'the call' and so others called to other vocations may gain insight into priesthood. This blog DOES NOT in any way, shape, or form, speak for or express the opinions of the Diocese of Cleveland (of which I am a member), or it's leadership.

Now that the ground rules are set, so to speak, I must say these are certainly exciting times! I along with my classmates were just ordained priests in the Diocese of Cleveland on May 10, 2008!!! I am currently gearing up to start my first assignment as a parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo parish in Parma, OH! I can't wait to get there!!!

Peace be with you!

Father Ed