January 28, 2007
Dear Friend,
I write you from warmer climes still enjoying the final day of my “Christmas Break.” It has been a week of reading, reflecting, sharing meals with priest friends and enjoying the sunshine.
One activity that has been central to the week is the preparation of three talks for our upcoming Lenten Family Fridays that begin at the end of February. The overall title that Sr. Mary Therese, our Assistant Pastor, and I have developed is, “ How What We Believe Can Make a Difference” – a daunting topic to say the least. It took me a few days of prayer and reflection, knowing that if the talks were to relate in any concrete way with the topic, my own faith would have to be challenged, that is “How does what I believe make a difference in my own life?”
I welcomed the challenge, and after much writing and rewriting, I was able to move my own thought on the subject forward. You will be the judge as to whether the talks may do the same for you. The talks will be the subject of the “This and That” columns cited each week.
To give you an overview of how we hope to look at belief and how it can make a difference in our daily living, the “chapter headings” of the six weeks will be as follows:
Session 1: “Is Jesus Believable?”
Session 2: “How Can I Deal with Suffering?”
Session 3: “The Story of Dry Bones: Yours and Ours”
Session 4: “Differences: Do They Divide or Unite?”
Session 5: “Say yes to God -- But Look Out!”
Session 6: “A Fountain of Youth for You?”
Hope you can join us here in our weekly posting, or live, at one of the Fridays of Lent. Each of the six Fridays will include Mass at 6:30pm, supper for the whole family at 7:00pm, and the talk at 7:30pm. While the talk is going on there will be age-appropriate activities for all the children and youth. And to think you will be out be 8:15!
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Weekly THIS AND THAT for January 28. 2007: Part 2 of Bishop Rozanski's Report on Our Lady of Grace
This and That:
Part 2 of Bishop Rozanski’s Report on Our Lady of Grace
The following is the second of five bulletin notes on the November 8, 2006, visit of Bishop Mitch Rozanski and his staff to our parish. The complete report is being shared in this column over five weeks. This second part deals with his commendations and recommendations regarding The Parish Community, The Pastor, and the Staff. All are invited to share their thoughts with members of the Pastoral Team or any members of the Pastoral Council. (They are the folks with the red ribbons around their necks each weekend at Sunday Mass.) Council members have an opportunity at the conclusion of each monthly meeting to share with the entire council comments, kudos, or concerns made be individual parishioners.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
THE PARISH COMMUNITY
Parishioners of Our Lady of Grace are commended for the following:
➢ Cultivating a welcoming, hospitable atmosphere that is inviting to visitors and new parishioners.
➢ Being intentional about inviting others into the ministries of the parish.
➢ Participating in “Why Catholic” program to the extent that a group meets everyday, either at the parish or in homes.
➢ Participating in the Lenten Family Fridays.
➢ Establishing Greeter families, who identify and welcome visitors.
➢ Supporting a sister parish—St. Cecilia
➢ Involvement in over 60 ministries, which are sustained by parishioners.
➢ The tremendous outreach sponsored by the parish, including Sarah’s House, St. Veronica Headstart, the Urgent Need Bulletin, St. Cecilia’s, and Our Daily Bread.
➢ The energy and vibrancy among parishioners that is evident to all who come to Our Lady of Grace.
➢ The obvious pride that parishioners take in their parish, its ministries and the Pastor and Staff.
Parishioners are asked to address the following recommendations:
1. Renewed efforts toward evangelization through participation in parish evangelization initiatives.
2. Commitment to Mass attendance and participation in the life of the parish.
THE PASTOR
The Pastor is commended for the following:
➢ His attention to providing celebrational and prayerful liturgies that inspire and deepen the faith life of parishioners.
➢ His meaningful, relational and well-prepared homilies.
➢ His “empowering” leadership style.
➢ His efforts to keep all informed through good communication networks, including a monthly newsletter.
➢ His strategic planning initiatives to end the parish debt by the year 2011.
➢ His initiation of shared reflections at the daily Eucharist.
➢ His involvement in interparish planning to address future needs.
➢ His initiation of the “Welcome Orientation” to new parishioners.
➢ His utilization of the gifts of parishioners by seeking out and inviting into ministry those who have the needed gifts and experience for specific ministries.
➢ His commitment to Catholic Education.
The Pastor is asked to address the following recommendations:
1. Finding creative ways to make the parish more visible to people in the area.
THE STAFF
The Staff is commended for the following:
➢ Commitment to Staff Meeting twice a month where future planning and visioning together take place.
➢ Participation in Staff Development, i.e. planning, in-service.
➢ Commitment to STAND training through the school under Sister Helen’s direction, with 90% of families completing training.
➢ Sense of community among staff who seem to work together well and respect the expertise and experience of each member of the staff.
➢ Level of dedication that staff members bring to their respective ministries characterized by doing more than is asked or required.
➢ The Staff for initiating the Welcome Orientation for visitors and new parishioners.
➢ The Staff for their responsiveness to grieving families through a variety of personal services including home cooked meals.
➢ The pastoral presence and dedicated service that Sister Mary Therese brings to the parish community and staff through her role as Assistant Pastor.
➢ The well-developed faith formation program administered by Judy Hvisc, the Director of Religious Education and Catechists.
➢ The extensive Youth Ministry programs and events developed and fostered by Deborah Webber, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry.
➢ The growth of Liturgical music through the efforts of Beth Pugliese, the Music Director.
➢ The efficiency and expertise of Elaine Hagner, the Administrator, for her excellence balancing all the entities that keep a parish running smoothly.
➢ The dedication and expertise of Debbie Kommiak, the Office Manager and Elizabeth Scholz, the Accounting Assistant that they bring to their support role in the administration of the parish.
➢ The vision, expertise and tireless service of Sister Helen Wiegmann which originated Our Lady of Grace School and her continued fostering of excellence in education.
The Staff is asked to address the following recommendations:
1. Plan and participate in a spiritual retreat or some type of spiritual enrichment for the staff at least annually.
2. Find ways to work with the Pastoral Council to develop efforts to reach those who are marginalize from the Church.
3. Discuss workloads with one another and explore ways to support and assistant in relieving the “crunch times” as a means to reduce stress. Explore ways to ensure balance.
4. Explore creative ways to deal with the current reality of many parishioners who have long workdays and long commutes, thus unable to attend evening meetings.
Part 2 of Bishop Rozanski’s Report on Our Lady of Grace
The following is the second of five bulletin notes on the November 8, 2006, visit of Bishop Mitch Rozanski and his staff to our parish. The complete report is being shared in this column over five weeks. This second part deals with his commendations and recommendations regarding The Parish Community, The Pastor, and the Staff. All are invited to share their thoughts with members of the Pastoral Team or any members of the Pastoral Council. (They are the folks with the red ribbons around their necks each weekend at Sunday Mass.) Council members have an opportunity at the conclusion of each monthly meeting to share with the entire council comments, kudos, or concerns made be individual parishioners.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
THE PARISH COMMUNITY
Parishioners of Our Lady of Grace are commended for the following:
➢ Cultivating a welcoming, hospitable atmosphere that is inviting to visitors and new parishioners.
➢ Being intentional about inviting others into the ministries of the parish.
➢ Participating in “Why Catholic” program to the extent that a group meets everyday, either at the parish or in homes.
➢ Participating in the Lenten Family Fridays.
➢ Establishing Greeter families, who identify and welcome visitors.
➢ Supporting a sister parish—St. Cecilia
➢ Involvement in over 60 ministries, which are sustained by parishioners.
➢ The tremendous outreach sponsored by the parish, including Sarah’s House, St. Veronica Headstart, the Urgent Need Bulletin, St. Cecilia’s, and Our Daily Bread.
➢ The energy and vibrancy among parishioners that is evident to all who come to Our Lady of Grace.
➢ The obvious pride that parishioners take in their parish, its ministries and the Pastor and Staff.
Parishioners are asked to address the following recommendations:
1. Renewed efforts toward evangelization through participation in parish evangelization initiatives.
2. Commitment to Mass attendance and participation in the life of the parish.
THE PASTOR
The Pastor is commended for the following:
➢ His attention to providing celebrational and prayerful liturgies that inspire and deepen the faith life of parishioners.
➢ His meaningful, relational and well-prepared homilies.
➢ His “empowering” leadership style.
➢ His efforts to keep all informed through good communication networks, including a monthly newsletter.
➢ His strategic planning initiatives to end the parish debt by the year 2011.
➢ His initiation of shared reflections at the daily Eucharist.
➢ His involvement in interparish planning to address future needs.
➢ His initiation of the “Welcome Orientation” to new parishioners.
➢ His utilization of the gifts of parishioners by seeking out and inviting into ministry those who have the needed gifts and experience for specific ministries.
➢ His commitment to Catholic Education.
The Pastor is asked to address the following recommendations:
1. Finding creative ways to make the parish more visible to people in the area.
THE STAFF
The Staff is commended for the following:
➢ Commitment to Staff Meeting twice a month where future planning and visioning together take place.
➢ Participation in Staff Development, i.e. planning, in-service.
➢ Commitment to STAND training through the school under Sister Helen’s direction, with 90% of families completing training.
➢ Sense of community among staff who seem to work together well and respect the expertise and experience of each member of the staff.
➢ Level of dedication that staff members bring to their respective ministries characterized by doing more than is asked or required.
➢ The Staff for initiating the Welcome Orientation for visitors and new parishioners.
➢ The Staff for their responsiveness to grieving families through a variety of personal services including home cooked meals.
➢ The pastoral presence and dedicated service that Sister Mary Therese brings to the parish community and staff through her role as Assistant Pastor.
➢ The well-developed faith formation program administered by Judy Hvisc, the Director of Religious Education and Catechists.
➢ The extensive Youth Ministry programs and events developed and fostered by Deborah Webber, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry.
➢ The growth of Liturgical music through the efforts of Beth Pugliese, the Music Director.
➢ The efficiency and expertise of Elaine Hagner, the Administrator, for her excellence balancing all the entities that keep a parish running smoothly.
➢ The dedication and expertise of Debbie Kommiak, the Office Manager and Elizabeth Scholz, the Accounting Assistant that they bring to their support role in the administration of the parish.
➢ The vision, expertise and tireless service of Sister Helen Wiegmann which originated Our Lady of Grace School and her continued fostering of excellence in education.
The Staff is asked to address the following recommendations:
1. Plan and participate in a spiritual retreat or some type of spiritual enrichment for the staff at least annually.
2. Find ways to work with the Pastoral Council to develop efforts to reach those who are marginalize from the Church.
3. Discuss workloads with one another and explore ways to support and assistant in relieving the “crunch times” as a means to reduce stress. Explore ways to ensure balance.
4. Explore creative ways to deal with the current reality of many parishioners who have long workdays and long commutes, thus unable to attend evening meetings.
Weekly HOMILY for January 28, 2007: Deacon Preaching Weekend
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
January 28, 2007
This Sunday Deacon Candidate John Koester will be preaching at Father Nick’s Masses. Father Nick’s homilies will resume next weekend.
Our Lady of Grace
January 28, 2007
This Sunday Deacon Candidate John Koester will be preaching at Father Nick’s Masses. Father Nick’s homilies will resume next weekend.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Weekly MESSAGE for January 21, 2007: Changing Rivals into Teammates
January 18, 2007
Dear Friend,
Spending some time at Borders Bookstore earlier this week browsing, I saw a new book out by Doris Kearns Goodwin entitled “Team of Rivals.” The jacket intrigued me.
Running a family, a work group, or a parish has something in common: you are usually confronted with the challenge of changing rivals into teammates. In the Church we call it the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In 1862 in the midst of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln faced a complicated crisis within his administration. His Secretary of State, William Seward, was the target of rumors blaming him for being a paralyzing influence on the military and the President. Actually, it was from within the Cabinet that the rumors originated in the person of Salmon Chase who was Secretary of the Treasury at the time. There were calls for Seward’s removal and a group of Senators demanded to meet with Lincoln. The heat was intense and Seward tendered his resignation.
Most individuals would find such a predicament paralyzing, but Goodwin notes in her book that Lincoln was a master of conciliation. He gathered together his cabinet, who pledged him their support. Then, in the presence of Chase, he met with the Committee of Senators and presented a united front. Chase, humbled to the core, offered to resign. Interestingly, in the end Lincoln kept two men on whom he relied: the newly secure Seward and the defanged Chase.
Conciliation and reconciliation have become somewhat of a lost art, yet they are at the core of who we are as Christians.
With several new books in tow – that’s why I happened to be at Borders – I will be away on “Christmas Break” this coming week. My next weekly message to you will be on Saturday, January 27, 2007. Have a good week.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Dear Friend,
Spending some time at Borders Bookstore earlier this week browsing, I saw a new book out by Doris Kearns Goodwin entitled “Team of Rivals.” The jacket intrigued me.
Running a family, a work group, or a parish has something in common: you are usually confronted with the challenge of changing rivals into teammates. In the Church we call it the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In 1862 in the midst of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln faced a complicated crisis within his administration. His Secretary of State, William Seward, was the target of rumors blaming him for being a paralyzing influence on the military and the President. Actually, it was from within the Cabinet that the rumors originated in the person of Salmon Chase who was Secretary of the Treasury at the time. There were calls for Seward’s removal and a group of Senators demanded to meet with Lincoln. The heat was intense and Seward tendered his resignation.
Most individuals would find such a predicament paralyzing, but Goodwin notes in her book that Lincoln was a master of conciliation. He gathered together his cabinet, who pledged him their support. Then, in the presence of Chase, he met with the Committee of Senators and presented a united front. Chase, humbled to the core, offered to resign. Interestingly, in the end Lincoln kept two men on whom he relied: the newly secure Seward and the defanged Chase.
Conciliation and reconciliation have become somewhat of a lost art, yet they are at the core of who we are as Christians.
With several new books in tow – that’s why I happened to be at Borders – I will be away on “Christmas Break” this coming week. My next weekly message to you will be on Saturday, January 27, 2007. Have a good week.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Weekly THIS AND THAT for January 21, 2007: Five-Part Report on Bishop Rozanski’s Pastoral Visit to Our Lady of Grace
This and That:
Five-Part Report on Bishop Rozanski’s Pastoral Visit to Our Lady of Grace
On Tuesday, November 8, 2006, Bishop Mitch Rozanski and his staff spent the entire day at our parish. The itinerary for the day included morning Mass, reception for those at Mass, meetings with pastor and staff separately and then together, luncheon with pastoral team, meetings with those involved in parish and school finances, Parish Corporators, and an assembly with the children of our Catholic School. The Bishop then went on a tour of some of the more than 200 square miles that make up our parish, followed by some quiet time to begin a debrief with his staff. The very full day ended with a meeting of the Pastoral Council followed by dinner. In early January the Bishop published his report of the visitation. The complete report will be shared in this column over the next five weeks. All are invited to share their thoughts with members of the Pastoral Team by calling the or emailing the office or any members of the Pastoral Council. (They are the folks with the red ribbons around their necks each weekend at Sunday Mass.) Council members have an opportunity at the conclusion of each monthly meeting to share with the entire Council your comments, kudos, or concerns. It is a great way to have yourself represented to the leadership of the parish.
This first week’s installment addresses the areas of our History and Statistical Data.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
HISTORY
The parish of Our Lady of Grace traces its beginning to St. Joseph’s Church in Cockeysville. A number of parishioners asked the pastor of St. Joseph’s, Father John Hart to establish a mission to serve the needs of parishioners living in the northernmost part of Baltimore County. At the time, the nearest Catholic Church north of St. Joseph’s was in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. Father Hart was amenable and the Mission was established as the Hereford Mission. The first Mass was celebrated on October 6, 1968 in the auditorium of Hereford High School. 369 people attended the Mass.
By the end of 1968, the Hereford Mission established religious education classes and in early 1969, a high school religious education program began. Within a few years, the Mission was thriving . However, the Mission needed a building and needed a full-time priest. A building committee was formed and suitable land was sought. The committee recommended that the mission purchase a 10 acre tract of land on Middletown Road in the Parkton area, which was part of a larger tract of land already owned by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The land was acquired and plans began to erect a suitable multi-purpose building.
In 1974, Cardinal Shehan raised the mission to parish status and appointed Reverend Edward Lynch as its first pastor. The name for the new parish was left to Father Lynch who asked parishioners to choose a name for the parish. Parishioners chose the title of Our Lady of Grace. By August of 1974, Archbishop William Borders, the newly appointed Archbishop of Baltimore, granted permission for the parish to begin a capital campaign to raise funds for a building. On September 18, 1977 the community celebrated Mass in the new Community Building, the first Roman Catholic Church in northern Baltimore County. The community of Our Lady of Grace finally had a home to call its own.
Reverend Neil J. O’Donnell was appointed the second pastor in 1983. He began working immediately to explore the feasibility of a new building, since the Community Building was no longer adequate for the growing congregation. Several capital campaigns later, and setbacks due to rock formations that had to be blasted out of the ground, the church was completed and the first mass was celebrated on September 16, 1990.
Father O’Donnell, who had carried the parish through the turbulence of many setbacks during the fundraising and subsequent construction of the new church, died suddenly on Christmas Eve in 1994. Within a few months, Reverend Nicholas Amato was appointed as pastor to succeed Father O’Donnell.
Father Amato came to Our Lady of Grace with a vision to create a Catholic School to provide excellent academics and Christian values throughout the curriculum. He was tireless in his efforts, and the school was opened in September of 2000 with Sister Helen Wiegmann, SSJ as principal. Sister Helen came to Our Lady of Grace the year previous and worked with Father Amato and others to make the vision a reality. Today, the school has an enrollment of approximately 190 students in all eight grades. The parish complex sits on a hill with attractive landscaping. The buildings are impressive and beautiful—a tribute to the community and the vision of its three pastoral leaders.
STATISTICAL DATA
Currently, Our Lady of Grace has approximately 1360 registered families. Over 1000 of these families live within the boundaries of the parish. Another 300 come from outside the archdiocese, the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary’s and St. Mark’s. A few families come from other parishes in the archdiocese. Conversely, approximately 450 families living within the boundaries of Our Lady of Grace are registered elsewhere.
The last U.S. Census taken in 2000, indicated that the area of Parkton had grown approximately 14% since the 1990 census. Currently, the parish is in a high growth area with projected increase of population at between 10% to 20%. The southwest area of the parish which borders on St. Francis Xavier in Hunt Valley, has projected growth of over 50%. Although the population continues to increase and the parish registration has grown consistently, mass attendance has been in slight decline over the past three years.
Five-Part Report on Bishop Rozanski’s Pastoral Visit to Our Lady of Grace
On Tuesday, November 8, 2006, Bishop Mitch Rozanski and his staff spent the entire day at our parish. The itinerary for the day included morning Mass, reception for those at Mass, meetings with pastor and staff separately and then together, luncheon with pastoral team, meetings with those involved in parish and school finances, Parish Corporators, and an assembly with the children of our Catholic School. The Bishop then went on a tour of some of the more than 200 square miles that make up our parish, followed by some quiet time to begin a debrief with his staff. The very full day ended with a meeting of the Pastoral Council followed by dinner. In early January the Bishop published his report of the visitation. The complete report will be shared in this column over the next five weeks. All are invited to share their thoughts with members of the Pastoral Team by calling the or emailing the office or any members of the Pastoral Council. (They are the folks with the red ribbons around their necks each weekend at Sunday Mass.) Council members have an opportunity at the conclusion of each monthly meeting to share with the entire Council your comments, kudos, or concerns. It is a great way to have yourself represented to the leadership of the parish.
This first week’s installment addresses the areas of our History and Statistical Data.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
HISTORY
The parish of Our Lady of Grace traces its beginning to St. Joseph’s Church in Cockeysville. A number of parishioners asked the pastor of St. Joseph’s, Father John Hart to establish a mission to serve the needs of parishioners living in the northernmost part of Baltimore County. At the time, the nearest Catholic Church north of St. Joseph’s was in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. Father Hart was amenable and the Mission was established as the Hereford Mission. The first Mass was celebrated on October 6, 1968 in the auditorium of Hereford High School. 369 people attended the Mass.
By the end of 1968, the Hereford Mission established religious education classes and in early 1969, a high school religious education program began. Within a few years, the Mission was thriving . However, the Mission needed a building and needed a full-time priest. A building committee was formed and suitable land was sought. The committee recommended that the mission purchase a 10 acre tract of land on Middletown Road in the Parkton area, which was part of a larger tract of land already owned by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The land was acquired and plans began to erect a suitable multi-purpose building.
In 1974, Cardinal Shehan raised the mission to parish status and appointed Reverend Edward Lynch as its first pastor. The name for the new parish was left to Father Lynch who asked parishioners to choose a name for the parish. Parishioners chose the title of Our Lady of Grace. By August of 1974, Archbishop William Borders, the newly appointed Archbishop of Baltimore, granted permission for the parish to begin a capital campaign to raise funds for a building. On September 18, 1977 the community celebrated Mass in the new Community Building, the first Roman Catholic Church in northern Baltimore County. The community of Our Lady of Grace finally had a home to call its own.
Reverend Neil J. O’Donnell was appointed the second pastor in 1983. He began working immediately to explore the feasibility of a new building, since the Community Building was no longer adequate for the growing congregation. Several capital campaigns later, and setbacks due to rock formations that had to be blasted out of the ground, the church was completed and the first mass was celebrated on September 16, 1990.
Father O’Donnell, who had carried the parish through the turbulence of many setbacks during the fundraising and subsequent construction of the new church, died suddenly on Christmas Eve in 1994. Within a few months, Reverend Nicholas Amato was appointed as pastor to succeed Father O’Donnell.
Father Amato came to Our Lady of Grace with a vision to create a Catholic School to provide excellent academics and Christian values throughout the curriculum. He was tireless in his efforts, and the school was opened in September of 2000 with Sister Helen Wiegmann, SSJ as principal. Sister Helen came to Our Lady of Grace the year previous and worked with Father Amato and others to make the vision a reality. Today, the school has an enrollment of approximately 190 students in all eight grades. The parish complex sits on a hill with attractive landscaping. The buildings are impressive and beautiful—a tribute to the community and the vision of its three pastoral leaders.
STATISTICAL DATA
Currently, Our Lady of Grace has approximately 1360 registered families. Over 1000 of these families live within the boundaries of the parish. Another 300 come from outside the archdiocese, the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary’s and St. Mark’s. A few families come from other parishes in the archdiocese. Conversely, approximately 450 families living within the boundaries of Our Lady of Grace are registered elsewhere.
The last U.S. Census taken in 2000, indicated that the area of Parkton had grown approximately 14% since the 1990 census. Currently, the parish is in a high growth area with projected increase of population at between 10% to 20%. The southwest area of the parish which borders on St. Francis Xavier in Hunt Valley, has projected growth of over 50%. Although the population continues to increase and the parish registration has grown consistently, mass attendance has been in slight decline over the past three years.
Weekly HOMILY for January 21, 2007: Fr. Nick Is on "Christmas Break"
3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
January 21, 2007
Father Nick is on “Christmas Break” this weekend.
Our Lady of Grace
January 21, 2007
Father Nick is on “Christmas Break” this weekend.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Weekly MESSAGE for January 14, 2007: Of Crypts and Corpses
January 14, 2007
Dear Friend,
Many have visited the Basilica of the Assumption downtown Baltimore. It has been completely restored to its original beauty. What marks its importance of course is that it is the first cathedral in the United States and that it was designed by Benjamin Latrobe who also designed the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
Beneath the main altar is the crypt and the burial place of former bishops and archbishops of Baltimore. Crypts are always located in such places. Perhaps the most famous crypt housing the body of a person is the one beneath the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. In it are the bones of St. Peter himself.
Last month Vatican officials identified a marble sarcophagus embedded in the foundations of a Rome basilica as the coffin believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul. The announcement was the latest chapter of an excavation campaign that has been under way since 2004 when Vatican archaeologists set out to locate the sarcophagus. The actual coffin remains buried beneath the main altar of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. There is little doubt, say officials, that the bones are authentic. On the marble slab are the words “St. Paul, Apostle” in Latin.
Archaeologists burrowed through more than 3 feet of plaster, mortar and brick to reach the fourth-century foundations of the basilica. The goal of the project is to bring the sarcophagus to light for pilgrims. One of the important archaeological finds was that the sarcophagus has a funnel-shaped hole in the top – later closed up with plaster – through which the faithful could stick pieces of cloth to create secondary relics. (A secondary relic is something that touches the remains of a saint. Those remains are considered primary relics.) The tomb has been revered from the beginning as that of St. Paul of Tarsus. According to tradition, Paul was taken to Rome during the Reign of the Emperor Nero and beheaded. His remains were later moved to a site outside the City’s ancient walls, where a church was erected in the fourth century to honor the martyr.
Our parish will be planning a trip to the Basilica here in Baltimore in a few months to capture some of the mystery and importance crypts continue to play in our Catholic churches. However, we won’t be drilling any holes for second class relics!
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Dear Friend,
Many have visited the Basilica of the Assumption downtown Baltimore. It has been completely restored to its original beauty. What marks its importance of course is that it is the first cathedral in the United States and that it was designed by Benjamin Latrobe who also designed the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
Beneath the main altar is the crypt and the burial place of former bishops and archbishops of Baltimore. Crypts are always located in such places. Perhaps the most famous crypt housing the body of a person is the one beneath the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. In it are the bones of St. Peter himself.
Last month Vatican officials identified a marble sarcophagus embedded in the foundations of a Rome basilica as the coffin believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul. The announcement was the latest chapter of an excavation campaign that has been under way since 2004 when Vatican archaeologists set out to locate the sarcophagus. The actual coffin remains buried beneath the main altar of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. There is little doubt, say officials, that the bones are authentic. On the marble slab are the words “St. Paul, Apostle” in Latin.
Archaeologists burrowed through more than 3 feet of plaster, mortar and brick to reach the fourth-century foundations of the basilica. The goal of the project is to bring the sarcophagus to light for pilgrims. One of the important archaeological finds was that the sarcophagus has a funnel-shaped hole in the top – later closed up with plaster – through which the faithful could stick pieces of cloth to create secondary relics. (A secondary relic is something that touches the remains of a saint. Those remains are considered primary relics.) The tomb has been revered from the beginning as that of St. Paul of Tarsus. According to tradition, Paul was taken to Rome during the Reign of the Emperor Nero and beheaded. His remains were later moved to a site outside the City’s ancient walls, where a church was erected in the fourth century to honor the martyr.
Our parish will be planning a trip to the Basilica here in Baltimore in a few months to capture some of the mystery and importance crypts continue to play in our Catholic churches. However, we won’t be drilling any holes for second class relics!
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Weekly THIS AND THAT for January 14, 2007: Some New Church Bulletin Bloopers
This and That:
Some New Church Bulletin Bloopers
Thank God for “Church Ladies” with keyboards. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight: ’Searching for Jesus.
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn't care much about you.
Don't let worry kill you off – let the Church help.
Miss Charlene Mason sang “I will not pass this way again,” giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
Barbara Caron remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Father Jack’s homilies.
The Pastor will preach his farewell homily after which the choir will sing: “Break Forth Into Joy.”
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be “What Is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered in Masses for November.
Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00pm – prayer and medication to follow.
The Ladies Guild of the Church has cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
This evening at 7:00pm there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10am. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Church Hall after the B. S. is done.
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7:00pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
Some New Church Bulletin Bloopers
Thank God for “Church Ladies” with keyboards. These sentences actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:
Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.
The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
The sermon this morning: “Jesus Walks on the Water.” The sermon tonight: ’Searching for Jesus.
Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King.
Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn't care much about you.
Don't let worry kill you off – let the Church help.
Miss Charlene Mason sang “I will not pass this way again,” giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
Barbara Caron remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests tapes of Father Jack’s homilies.
The Pastor will preach his farewell homily after which the choir will sing: “Break Forth Into Joy.”
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be “What Is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered in Masses for November.
Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch.
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00pm – prayer and medication to follow.
The Ladies Guild of the Church has cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
This evening at 7:00pm there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10am. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Church Hall after the B. S. is done.
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7:00pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
Weekly HOMILY for January 14, 2007: Bible Study of the Marriage at Cana
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
January 14, 2007
Bible Study of the Marriage at Cana
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
John’s Gospel
Our new projection system is used at the Sunday 5:00 Alive to project hymns instead of using worship aides. It helps us sing better and keeps our eyes up here on the action rather than buried in the program
A second purpose for which it was intended is in preaching, when that seems appropriate as I think it is for today’s Gospel.
Let me begin by asking, “How many of us have ever been to a Bible Study?”
The purpose of a Bible Study is to take a scripture passage apart, verse-by-verse, and work hard at understanding precisely what the writer is saying. Second, it’s to share how the passage applies to my life.
With the help of PowerPoint I’d like to try doing both of those things today.
Today’s Gospel passage (Slide 1) is taken from the Gospel of John. Now John’s Gospel is very different from the other three. Matthew, Mark and Luke – they are called the Synoptic Gospels because the parallel each rather closely – try to tell the story of Jesus as his life unfolds historically.
John does not so much do that. He is not “synoptic.” Instead, John organizes a lot of his Gospel around key events called “signs.”
Today, with the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana, John gives us the first of the “signs.” So, let us look at this passage carefully and see what it teaches us and how it calls us to transformation.
The Wedding: The Problem
(Slide 2) To begin with, John says that, “There was a wedding at Cana.” In the Old Testament, a wedding banquet was a sign or symbol of God’s presence.
It spoke of the coming of the Messiah or Savior. So, John is saying here (Slide 3) that God is present and the Savior is present to us in some way in this very event, in this very gathering.
(Slide 4) Next, Mary says to Jesus, ‘They have no wine.” Jesus’ mother could simply be concerned here about the embarrassment of the newly married couple in running out of wine.
But on another level, the level of sign, “They have no wine” also means that they – all of humanity – have no way to God. Our relationship with God has run dry.
Then, Jesus responds to his mother, (Slide 5) “`Woman, how does your concern affect me?’” Jesus’ response may sound a bit disrespectful, but there is another level of meaning here. Remember this is John, not Matthew, Mark and Luke.
The word “Woman” is the same word used in the Book of Genesis for Eve, the first woman in creation. So, Jesus is conveying that his mother, Mary is the new Eve, the first woman in the new creation that he is initiating.
Jesus quickly adds, “My hour has not yet come.” On one level, perhaps Jesus simply wants to relax and enjoy himself and not be bothered with anyone’s problems. We’ve all been there!
But in truth, Jesus’ words “my hour” mean the event of his suffering, dying and rising. So, Jesus knows here at Cana that as soon as he starts his divine mission, opposition and hardship will also begin and lead him to “his hour.”
The Wedding: The Solution
So, it appears that Jesus may be trying to dodge his mother’s request.
(Slide 6) However, Mary is undeterred and says to the waiters, “Do whatever he tells you.” So we see that Mary trusts in Jesus, even though she does not yet understand.
In her trust and faith, she gives the servers and us a directive. If were to, “Do whatever he tells us,” we too would experience the action of God in our own lives.
(Slide 7) John, in his Gospel then, carefully notes that there are 6 water jars. To his audience, this means 1 less than 7 – 1 less than the perfect number, 7, a sign of fulfillment or perfection.
For us, it would be getting a 90% on a test and not a perfect 100%. The idea here is that Jesus himself becomes the 7th jar; Jesus becomes the fulfillment or perfection io humanity’s relationship with God.
John also notes that these jars hold “20 to 30 gallons” each. So, there is a lot of water or wine here.
And so (Slide 8) he orders the 7 jars filled. This is a sign that in Jesus, there is an abundance of God’s life and love. There is salvation for everyone, with no one excluded.
(Slide 9) (Read from slide:) “Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
(Slide 10) (Read from slide:) And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom …”
(Slide 11) And then we have the great testimony of the headwaiter. “Everyone serves good wine first, but you have kept the good wine until now.”
On one level, the headwaiter voices the common sense practice of not holding the good wine until people are a bit tipsy and won’t appreciate it. On another level, these words also say that in Jesus, the best has been saved until last in our relationship with God.
The Wedding: The Sign
(Slide 12) Finally, John concludes this story by saying – and this is key for John – that “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs.”
So, Jesus’ actions are signs – signs of God’s presence in our lives; signs of God’s action in our lives. We Catholics especially are a people of signs.
Because we are a Sacramental Church, we have the signs of the 7 sacraments. The question for us today is: “Do we bring to these signs the basic trust that the first disciples bring in their witnessing to Jesus’ signs?”
Do we bring this trust to the signing with blessed oil in the Anointing of the Sick or when we say “Amen” to the words “The Body of Christ” before we receive the Eucharist?
We conclude today’s Gospel passage with the words, “his disciples began to believe in him.”
Are we really trying to follow Jesus, as those first disciples did, and bring at least a basic trust to the signs that he has given us? If we do, Jesus can also change water into wine for us and do great things in our lives.
Our Lady of Grace
January 14, 2007
Bible Study of the Marriage at Cana
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
John’s Gospel
Our new projection system is used at the Sunday 5:00 Alive to project hymns instead of using worship aides. It helps us sing better and keeps our eyes up here on the action rather than buried in the program
A second purpose for which it was intended is in preaching, when that seems appropriate as I think it is for today’s Gospel.
Let me begin by asking, “How many of us have ever been to a Bible Study?”
The purpose of a Bible Study is to take a scripture passage apart, verse-by-verse, and work hard at understanding precisely what the writer is saying. Second, it’s to share how the passage applies to my life.
With the help of PowerPoint I’d like to try doing both of those things today.
Today’s Gospel passage (Slide 1) is taken from the Gospel of John. Now John’s Gospel is very different from the other three. Matthew, Mark and Luke – they are called the Synoptic Gospels because the parallel each rather closely – try to tell the story of Jesus as his life unfolds historically.
John does not so much do that. He is not “synoptic.” Instead, John organizes a lot of his Gospel around key events called “signs.”
Today, with the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana, John gives us the first of the “signs.” So, let us look at this passage carefully and see what it teaches us and how it calls us to transformation.
The Wedding: The Problem
(Slide 2) To begin with, John says that, “There was a wedding at Cana.” In the Old Testament, a wedding banquet was a sign or symbol of God’s presence.
It spoke of the coming of the Messiah or Savior. So, John is saying here (Slide 3) that God is present and the Savior is present to us in some way in this very event, in this very gathering.
(Slide 4) Next, Mary says to Jesus, ‘They have no wine.” Jesus’ mother could simply be concerned here about the embarrassment of the newly married couple in running out of wine.
But on another level, the level of sign, “They have no wine” also means that they – all of humanity – have no way to God. Our relationship with God has run dry.
Then, Jesus responds to his mother, (Slide 5) “`Woman, how does your concern affect me?’” Jesus’ response may sound a bit disrespectful, but there is another level of meaning here. Remember this is John, not Matthew, Mark and Luke.
The word “Woman” is the same word used in the Book of Genesis for Eve, the first woman in creation. So, Jesus is conveying that his mother, Mary is the new Eve, the first woman in the new creation that he is initiating.
Jesus quickly adds, “My hour has not yet come.” On one level, perhaps Jesus simply wants to relax and enjoy himself and not be bothered with anyone’s problems. We’ve all been there!
But in truth, Jesus’ words “my hour” mean the event of his suffering, dying and rising. So, Jesus knows here at Cana that as soon as he starts his divine mission, opposition and hardship will also begin and lead him to “his hour.”
The Wedding: The Solution
So, it appears that Jesus may be trying to dodge his mother’s request.
(Slide 6) However, Mary is undeterred and says to the waiters, “Do whatever he tells you.” So we see that Mary trusts in Jesus, even though she does not yet understand.
In her trust and faith, she gives the servers and us a directive. If were to, “Do whatever he tells us,” we too would experience the action of God in our own lives.
(Slide 7) John, in his Gospel then, carefully notes that there are 6 water jars. To his audience, this means 1 less than 7 – 1 less than the perfect number, 7, a sign of fulfillment or perfection.
For us, it would be getting a 90% on a test and not a perfect 100%. The idea here is that Jesus himself becomes the 7th jar; Jesus becomes the fulfillment or perfection io humanity’s relationship with God.
John also notes that these jars hold “20 to 30 gallons” each. So, there is a lot of water or wine here.
And so (Slide 8) he orders the 7 jars filled. This is a sign that in Jesus, there is an abundance of God’s life and love. There is salvation for everyone, with no one excluded.
(Slide 9) (Read from slide:) “Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”
(Slide 10) (Read from slide:) And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom …”
(Slide 11) And then we have the great testimony of the headwaiter. “Everyone serves good wine first, but you have kept the good wine until now.”
On one level, the headwaiter voices the common sense practice of not holding the good wine until people are a bit tipsy and won’t appreciate it. On another level, these words also say that in Jesus, the best has been saved until last in our relationship with God.
The Wedding: The Sign
(Slide 12) Finally, John concludes this story by saying – and this is key for John – that “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs.”
So, Jesus’ actions are signs – signs of God’s presence in our lives; signs of God’s action in our lives. We Catholics especially are a people of signs.
Because we are a Sacramental Church, we have the signs of the 7 sacraments. The question for us today is: “Do we bring to these signs the basic trust that the first disciples bring in their witnessing to Jesus’ signs?”
Do we bring this trust to the signing with blessed oil in the Anointing of the Sick or when we say “Amen” to the words “The Body of Christ” before we receive the Eucharist?
We conclude today’s Gospel passage with the words, “his disciples began to believe in him.”
Are we really trying to follow Jesus, as those first disciples did, and bring at least a basic trust to the signs that he has given us? If we do, Jesus can also change water into wine for us and do great things in our lives.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Weekly THIS AND THAT for January 7, 2007: Faith and Reason
January 7, 2007
Dear Friend,
With Christmas and the old year behind us, and the Feast of the Epiphany and the New Year before us, we Christians find our selves in a unique position.
On the one hand, we’re giving thanks for the birth of a Savior into our lives and the blessings of a year that has come-and-gone, and, on the other, we find ourselves asking for the gifts of faith and intelligence to guide us through the New Year, even as the star guided the Magi on their journey. The two gifts – blessings of the old year and blessings of the new – are very different; and while very different, they are indeed compatible with each other.
Our Holy Father voiced the common Christian conviction when he said, “There is no competition of any kind between faith [in the old year and its blessings] and reason [in the new year to guide us].” The Pope has said that reason and faith collaborate in every aspect of human life and particularly in our individual search for God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi pursue a religious search. In their studies of the heavens, the Wise Men discover a new star. When they follow that beacon, they find in Bethlehem the child with his mother. In the gifts they offer, they acknowledged this child to be the mysterious king they have been seeking.
Some searchers are led to God by philosophical reasoning. For others a vivid awareness of God’s presence has meant more than dialogue, discussion, and reflection. However you lay hold of the presence of your God, by blessing or by reason, cling to that presence and experience a past year of blessing and a new one of great hope.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Dear Friend,
With Christmas and the old year behind us, and the Feast of the Epiphany and the New Year before us, we Christians find our selves in a unique position.
On the one hand, we’re giving thanks for the birth of a Savior into our lives and the blessings of a year that has come-and-gone, and, on the other, we find ourselves asking for the gifts of faith and intelligence to guide us through the New Year, even as the star guided the Magi on their journey. The two gifts – blessings of the old year and blessings of the new – are very different; and while very different, they are indeed compatible with each other.
Our Holy Father voiced the common Christian conviction when he said, “There is no competition of any kind between faith [in the old year and its blessings] and reason [in the new year to guide us].” The Pope has said that reason and faith collaborate in every aspect of human life and particularly in our individual search for God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi pursue a religious search. In their studies of the heavens, the Wise Men discover a new star. When they follow that beacon, they find in Bethlehem the child with his mother. In the gifts they offer, they acknowledged this child to be the mysterious king they have been seeking.
Some searchers are led to God by philosophical reasoning. For others a vivid awareness of God’s presence has meant more than dialogue, discussion, and reflection. However you lay hold of the presence of your God, by blessing or by reason, cling to that presence and experience a past year of blessing and a new one of great hope.
Fondly,
Father Nick Amato
Weekly THIS AND THAT for January 7, 2007: A Lot of “Faith-filled” People Doing a Lot of Good “Works”
This and That:
A Lot of “Faith-filled” People Doing a Lot of Good “Works”
Last week I had a little chat with Pat Schafer, the chair of our Outreach Committee. She was up to her eyeballs in filling large plastic bags with gifts for families, boxing food, and loading her SUV full to the brim for trips to our shelters and outreach centers. As I always say to her, “There goes God’s lover of the poor. No purgatory for you, Pat, you’re going to go straight to heaven.” This time she quipped, “Father, it’s too bad we’re not saved by works.” A very interesting statement, I’d say. I quickly retorted, “No, we’re saved by faith,” harkening back to the whole reason for the Protestant Reformation.
Regarding how “faith” and “good works” each play a part in our salvation, we Catholics take the words of the Letter to James quite literally. “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Demonstrate \your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. (James 2:14-18) The writer of the Epistle gets it right. “Demonstrating our faith from our works” is the exemplary thing to do.
Over the past month, you, the people of Our Lady of Grace have come across still again with a tremendous outpouring of “works” that flow from our “faith” as a community. As of 4:00pm Monday afternoon Dec 18th, the Outreach Committee had received some 1,500 wrapped gifts, filled 200 stockings to the brim, received 460 crackers (favors the go “snap”) from the Prime-timers, and loads of groceries from the Christmas Musical and individual donations.
The following is a breakdown of where your many contributions went:
➢ Gifts and stockings delivered to the Franciscan Center
➢ Gifts and stockings delivered to the middle school children attending the Franciscan Youth Center
➢ Gifts and stockings delivered to children and new parents at St. Benedict’s parish in Baltimore City
➢ 12 families “adopted” by Our Lady of Grace from the Head Start program at St Veronica’s plus a carload of Christmas gifts
➢ 100 gifts and a large quantity of food donated to St Cecilia’s parish
➢ Several car loads of supplies and Christmas gifts delivered to Sarah’s Hope Homeless Shelter and nine people “adopted” and cared for with personal gifts and items
➢ Many gifts donated to “New Life for Girls” and 8 individuals “adopted” as well
➢ Furnishing of gifts, food, and gift certificates to many local area families
In addition, the following is a list of the non-perishable food the cast brought to rehearsals and the funds collected after each performance for perishables such as meat and produce.
o Hereford Food Bank and Pine Grove Food Bank each received $600+ in Giant Food gift cards and shared in the over 50 boxes of non-perishable food items
o Our Daily Bread: received $600+
o Sarah’s Hope: received $600+
o The proceeds of the Bake Sale allowed for the donation of several packs of children’s socks, underwear, and craft items to Sarah’s Hope
The total distribution of funds collected from theatergoers was $2,531.79. Amazing isn’t it!
What a tremendous “demonstration of our faith from our works.” God bless all those who helped us help those in need.
A Lot of “Faith-filled” People Doing a Lot of Good “Works”
Last week I had a little chat with Pat Schafer, the chair of our Outreach Committee. She was up to her eyeballs in filling large plastic bags with gifts for families, boxing food, and loading her SUV full to the brim for trips to our shelters and outreach centers. As I always say to her, “There goes God’s lover of the poor. No purgatory for you, Pat, you’re going to go straight to heaven.” This time she quipped, “Father, it’s too bad we’re not saved by works.” A very interesting statement, I’d say. I quickly retorted, “No, we’re saved by faith,” harkening back to the whole reason for the Protestant Reformation.
Regarding how “faith” and “good works” each play a part in our salvation, we Catholics take the words of the Letter to James quite literally. “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone might say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Demonstrate \your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. (James 2:14-18) The writer of the Epistle gets it right. “Demonstrating our faith from our works” is the exemplary thing to do.
Over the past month, you, the people of Our Lady of Grace have come across still again with a tremendous outpouring of “works” that flow from our “faith” as a community. As of 4:00pm Monday afternoon Dec 18th, the Outreach Committee had received some 1,500 wrapped gifts, filled 200 stockings to the brim, received 460 crackers (favors the go “snap”) from the Prime-timers, and loads of groceries from the Christmas Musical and individual donations.
The following is a breakdown of where your many contributions went:
➢ Gifts and stockings delivered to the Franciscan Center
➢ Gifts and stockings delivered to the middle school children attending the Franciscan Youth Center
➢ Gifts and stockings delivered to children and new parents at St. Benedict’s parish in Baltimore City
➢ 12 families “adopted” by Our Lady of Grace from the Head Start program at St Veronica’s plus a carload of Christmas gifts
➢ 100 gifts and a large quantity of food donated to St Cecilia’s parish
➢ Several car loads of supplies and Christmas gifts delivered to Sarah’s Hope Homeless Shelter and nine people “adopted” and cared for with personal gifts and items
➢ Many gifts donated to “New Life for Girls” and 8 individuals “adopted” as well
➢ Furnishing of gifts, food, and gift certificates to many local area families
In addition, the following is a list of the non-perishable food the cast brought to rehearsals and the funds collected after each performance for perishables such as meat and produce.
o Hereford Food Bank and Pine Grove Food Bank each received $600+ in Giant Food gift cards and shared in the over 50 boxes of non-perishable food items
o Our Daily Bread: received $600+
o Sarah’s Hope: received $600+
o The proceeds of the Bake Sale allowed for the donation of several packs of children’s socks, underwear, and craft items to Sarah’s Hope
The total distribution of funds collected from theatergoers was $2,531.79. Amazing isn’t it!
What a tremendous “demonstration of our faith from our works.” God bless all those who helped us help those in need.
Weekly HOMILY for January 7, 2007: Jesus As Polaris, the North Star
Epiphany, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
January 7, 2007
Jesus As Polaris, the North Star
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The North Star
I am sure that all of us know about the North Star or Polaris as it is called.
Even if we have hardly any knowledge of the plants and stars, we have heard of the North Star.
For centuries, navigators have charted their course by the light of this star.
While the stars that make up the constellations move during the hours of night, the North Star remains constant.
Between summer and winter, it rises and falls a few degrees above the horizon, but it still remains directly above the earth’s North Pole.
This is why the North Star has been so important to sailors and travelers.
While the many lights of the heavens change their position, the North Star remains constant.
Jesus: Our Constant Light
The North Star is a helpful image for us this morning.
Today’s Gospel tells us that these Wise Men followed the light of a star and find the newborn Jesus.
In truth, the light of the star leads then to the Light.
Jesus is our North Star – that fixed, constant, steady light
As the Light, Jesus enlightens or sheds light for us on (1) God, (2) On ourselves, and (3) On human life.
Light on God
First, Jesus enlightens us or sheds light on God.
Jesus reveals to us precisely who God is and what God is like.
Our Profession of Faith that we will say in a few minutes speaks of this beautifully and profoundly.
In it, we say that Jesus is “God for God, Light from Light, true God from true God.”
God is Light and Jesus is God or Light who has taken on our humanity.
Jesus enlightens us that God is completely love, loving and completely giving of himself for our well-being.
After all, is that not the very nature of light – to be outgoing and giving of itself?
Jesus enlightens us that God wants only the best for us and so attracts us to himself.
In fact, the Light-from-Light that Jesus is for us the way to the fullness of Light.
Light on Ourselves
In doing this, Jesus also enlightens or sheds light for us on ourselves.
Jesus enlightens us that we are not God, that we ourselves are not the Light.
And so, we need to do as these Wise Men today do.
We need to give homage to God.
For us, giving homage means that we speak the words of the Creed or Profession of Faith with an awareness of the greatness of God and of our dependence on God.
It means that we worship together and pray in solitude as a way to draw on the strength of God.
It means that we worship together and pray in solitude as a way to draw on the strength of God.
Giving homage means that we seek our enlightenment and meaning and purpose from the One who is Light itself.
Light on Human Life
And finally, in connection with this, Jesus enlightens or sheds light on human life itself.
Jesus enlightens us that our life takes its cue, again, from the Wise Men.
It is a journey; we are on a journey that is never complete until we personally meet the One who is Light itself.
Yes, Jesus lays down the broad strokes and plan for human life but we still have to journey to apply his Light to our personal circumstances.
And we have to bring his Light to the scientific discoveries and technological opportunities and challenge of this day and age.
Jesus also enlightens us that we personally are on a journey and are never finished or perfect products.
We need the openness of the Wise Men – to grow and learn, again, until we meet the One who is Light itself.
Conclusion
So, the North Star – Polaris – that fixed, constant light for navigators and travelers is present to us as well.
Jesus – the first constant Light-from Light for all of us travelers on this earth – enlightening us about God and ourselves and human life itself.
That is who Jesus is and what we celebrate on this Feast any.
Our Lady of Grace
January 7, 2007
Jesus As Polaris, the North Star
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The North Star
I am sure that all of us know about the North Star or Polaris as it is called.
Even if we have hardly any knowledge of the plants and stars, we have heard of the North Star.
For centuries, navigators have charted their course by the light of this star.
While the stars that make up the constellations move during the hours of night, the North Star remains constant.
Between summer and winter, it rises and falls a few degrees above the horizon, but it still remains directly above the earth’s North Pole.
This is why the North Star has been so important to sailors and travelers.
While the many lights of the heavens change their position, the North Star remains constant.
Jesus: Our Constant Light
The North Star is a helpful image for us this morning.
Today’s Gospel tells us that these Wise Men followed the light of a star and find the newborn Jesus.
In truth, the light of the star leads then to the Light.
Jesus is our North Star – that fixed, constant, steady light
As the Light, Jesus enlightens or sheds light for us on (1) God, (2) On ourselves, and (3) On human life.
Light on God
First, Jesus enlightens us or sheds light on God.
Jesus reveals to us precisely who God is and what God is like.
Our Profession of Faith that we will say in a few minutes speaks of this beautifully and profoundly.
In it, we say that Jesus is “God for God, Light from Light, true God from true God.”
God is Light and Jesus is God or Light who has taken on our humanity.
Jesus enlightens us that God is completely love, loving and completely giving of himself for our well-being.
After all, is that not the very nature of light – to be outgoing and giving of itself?
Jesus enlightens us that God wants only the best for us and so attracts us to himself.
In fact, the Light-from-Light that Jesus is for us the way to the fullness of Light.
Light on Ourselves
In doing this, Jesus also enlightens or sheds light for us on ourselves.
Jesus enlightens us that we are not God, that we ourselves are not the Light.
And so, we need to do as these Wise Men today do.
We need to give homage to God.
For us, giving homage means that we speak the words of the Creed or Profession of Faith with an awareness of the greatness of God and of our dependence on God.
It means that we worship together and pray in solitude as a way to draw on the strength of God.
It means that we worship together and pray in solitude as a way to draw on the strength of God.
Giving homage means that we seek our enlightenment and meaning and purpose from the One who is Light itself.
Light on Human Life
And finally, in connection with this, Jesus enlightens or sheds light on human life itself.
Jesus enlightens us that our life takes its cue, again, from the Wise Men.
It is a journey; we are on a journey that is never complete until we personally meet the One who is Light itself.
Yes, Jesus lays down the broad strokes and plan for human life but we still have to journey to apply his Light to our personal circumstances.
And we have to bring his Light to the scientific discoveries and technological opportunities and challenge of this day and age.
Jesus also enlightens us that we personally are on a journey and are never finished or perfect products.
We need the openness of the Wise Men – to grow and learn, again, until we meet the One who is Light itself.
Conclusion
So, the North Star – Polaris – that fixed, constant light for navigators and travelers is present to us as well.
Jesus – the first constant Light-from Light for all of us travelers on this earth – enlightening us about God and ourselves and human life itself.
That is who Jesus is and what we celebrate on this Feast any.
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