This and That:
To Live in Christ
To Journey in the Footsteps of St. Paul
We began this past Friday as St. Paul did, on a journey; for us it was a journey of six Fridays and following his footsteps. Like him we too are sinners, oh we may not be persecuting Christians; it’s more likely a question of not knowing Christ fully or not living a life worthy of our calling. The same Spirit of Jesus Christ that struck St. Paul can strike us. The same Spirit of Jesus Christ that turned his life around can turn our lives around as well. Because it is all a function of the one receiving, it is up to us for the transformation to become a reality. The questions come down to: How much more do we want out of our life as believers? How much more peace, transformation, union with God, ability to handle stress and conflict? Be assured that any dissatisfaction regarding any of those areas is waiting to be filled by the risen Lord Jesus himself. You just have to want it enough. And be assured also that “the wanting it” is in itself the initial rumblings of God’s Spirit within you. Come then, join us for these sessions. Every Friday presentation is preceded by Mass at 6:30pm, Supper at 7:00 with the talk beginning at 7:30 and ending promptly at 8:30. Bring the kids, making it a family night and we’ll feed them and entertain them as well with age-appropriate activities.
To Live in Christ
This past Friday evening’s initial topic was “To Live in Christ.” We began the evening by asking, “What will it take to get into St. Paul’s skin? To get into his head? To actually go through a similar, though different, transformation?” It will take knowledge, grace, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit! A starting point for Paul’s Spirituality is 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 where he says, “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view (according to the flesh); even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation; everything old has passed away. See, everything has become new!”
What precisely does Paul mean by knowing someone from a “human point of view” (i.e. according to the flesh?) What’s the “new” point of view i.e. according to the Spirit? How did he know Jesus that way? How might we know Jesus that way?
Changing a Perspective
Through Baptism and grace everything can become new for us too. God is the principle actor and the cause of the effect in the believer. For St. Paul it was a dramatic encounter with the risen Lord. That experience on the road to Damascus empowered him to reorient his perspective. My guess is that we have all had an “Aha!” moment in which an insight helped us to rearrange how we thought about someone or something. The experience may have changed our seeing someone as an “enemy” into seeing him or her as a “friend.” Or the insight may have transformed what we previously saw as a “curse” like an illness into a “blessing.” What may have been an example in your own experience?
Now let’s look at an example of transformation that took place through grace in St. Paul. For it was grace that allowed him to “regard no one from a human point of view.” Even though we know insights have changed how we view others, even though we would like to believe that God’s grace could do in us what it did in St. Paul, we often hear a great deal of chatter going on in our heads that keep us from moving forward in God’s grace. Things like not being ready to surrender a past grievance, like holding on to past ways of looking at myself, like endless rationalizations justifying what I do or the stance I take, like a desire for quick results, an inability to forgive or an inability to believe that “being in Christ” can really make all things new.
Christ from a New Perspective
Each of us lives with a bit of a false identity. It is a façade that we construct about ourselves. It is the result of our struggles, emotions, fears and negative influences in our lives. At some point in living, our false identity can be challenged by a “force” around us. It comes as some experience of mercy, of unmerited love that cuts through my own ego selfishness. It may come from another person or directly from God, but in a moment’s flash, we find ourselves caring for “someone else for himself” rather than “someone who can meet my own needs.” Or it may come from finding our sacrificing time on a project that helps others in some way. Through such ways our identity begins to shift. Our self-centeredness is loosened and the stucco that covered who we really are begins to crumble from us. We still retain a strong sense of a separate self, but loving and more open divine and human relationships are now included as part of who we are. And in the process we begin to put on the “mind of Christ.” And our true self has moved to a relationship with God.
Work-shopping a New Perspective for Yourself
As a group we then began working on an area or two that needed transformation in our own lives. We asked, “What does Christ say to me in each situation and what grace is he offering me in that situation?” The grace being offered is to be so transformed that we no longer live in ourselves, but allow Christ to live in us, so that all we do and all we are reflect Christ to the world. The results of such a “living in Christ” was very clear to Paul. He no longer considered his former life as a Pharisee to count for anything, in comparison to what he had gained in Christ. To the Philippians he said, “Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…”
Goals for Our Time Together
The evening ended with sharing of the goal of the 6-Friday Series. Consider these weeks as God’s personal invitation to you. God seeks to be closer to you than you can imagine. God is aware that your life, as most others, is a bit of a jumble and not always headed in the right direction. A billboard in the South reads: “God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to leave you that way.” The invitation to joining us for Week 2 trough 6 will require leaving something behind and going to something quite new. But, as Paul experienced it, it is well worth the effort. Come join us on this journey of faith in the footsteps of St. Paul. Next week’s topic is “How are saved?”
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Weekly HOMILY for March 1, 2009: Lent: A Time to Be Driven into the Desert
1st Sunday of Lent, Cycle B
Our Lady of Grace
March 1, 2009
Lent: Time to Be Driven into the Desert
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Jesus in the Desert
The Gospel passage that we just heard says this: “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he … (was) tempted by Satan.”
A current author, Alan Simek, has written about his experience in the deserts of our own American Southwest. He says: “The desert offers the comfort of permanence, the promise of continuity in a world of change.
“But, it is a vast and lonely landscape. Even the best prepared may meet the unexpected, the freak storm, the slip or fall off a trail, the sudden strike of the rattlesnake.
“Only the fool thinks he can rely on his own strength and skill alone. In short, the desert escapes my control.
“For this reason my mind is drawn quietly, naturally toward someone outside myself on whom I can lean. In the desert I think not so much of causes as of The Cause.
“The experience of the desert is … about recognizing God’s glory. And like Jesus, we may meet and be tempted by the Enemy in the desert.
“One thing is certain: If we come to the desert, we will change.”
We Need the Desert
My friends, I have come to believe strongly that we all need a desert and even more so as I continue in my studies in directing Contemplative Retreats.
I am not suggesting that we have to travel to our American Southwest as our author, or to the Judean Wilderness of our slides, as beautiful as they are. But I am saying that we need desert experiences, desert moments, and we need these regularly.
Such experiences are crucial and the Season of Lent beckons us to this. That is why we have this Gospel on the First Sunday of Lent every year.
Our Deserts
Surprisingly so, our own desert can be found in any experience of stillness.
It may be:
1) When we are lying in bed before getting up in the morning or
2) Driving to work alone with no news on or music playing. It may be
3) Sitting in a chair looking at a candle flame or gazing outside at the trees. It may be
4) Walking the NCR Trail or
5) Waiting for our doctor’s appointment. It may be
6) Sitting quietly, even with our eyes closed, here in church before Mass or in the chapel any day of the week. It may be in the
7) Parking lot after you’ve loaded the car with groceries and before you turn on the ignition.
All of these can be our desert experiences or desert moments. And in all these experiences, the key thing is stillness.
Please note; it is not so much an issue of reciting prayers or speaking words to God. It is more an issue of stillness, of being receptive.
In our desert experience, we are to listen to our inner core. We are to listen to God who often speaks to us from the very depths of our being, the very depths of ourselves as persons.
Temptations in Our Deserts
It is in these desert experiences that we almost immediately and naturally become aware of God. And we also become aware of ourselves.
The Gospel says that “Jesus was tempted by Satan” in the desert.
I think, for us, in our desert, we too will become aware:
1) Of our temptations and our sinfulness
2) Of our impatience and anger
3) Of our resentment or alienation from someone
4) Of our insensitivity to the poor and in our looking out only for ourselves
5) Of judging and thinking ill of others
6) Of our lack of trust or of entrusting ourselves to God.
So yes, in the desert, we are first aware of God and of Jesus. And then, we quickly become aware of ourselves – of our humanity and limitations, our temptations and sin.
As the Spirit drove Jesus into the Judean Wilderness, so the same Spirit is driving each of us into our own desert. Can you not feel the drive and need for this?
Know that there may be a desire to resist this being driven either (1) Because we are not ready to be that close to God or (2) Because we know instinctively that the desert will make us aware of ourselves in ways that we may not like.
Go to the Desert
It has been said that, “Reflection is the kind of inaction that alone makes action meaningful and focused on what is good.” Again, “Reflection is the kind of inaction that alone makes action both meaningful and focused on what is good.”
That, my friends, is what the desert will do for each of us. And so, I appeal to you to heed the call of this First Sunday of Lent.
Go to that place of stillness and simply “be” with your God.
By his grace he has planted the desire in you. And there he is awaiting you. What marvelous things can come from such a daily union!
Our Lady of Grace
March 1, 2009
Lent: Time to Be Driven into the Desert
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Jesus in the Desert
The Gospel passage that we just heard says this: “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he … (was) tempted by Satan.”
A current author, Alan Simek, has written about his experience in the deserts of our own American Southwest. He says: “The desert offers the comfort of permanence, the promise of continuity in a world of change.
“But, it is a vast and lonely landscape. Even the best prepared may meet the unexpected, the freak storm, the slip or fall off a trail, the sudden strike of the rattlesnake.
“Only the fool thinks he can rely on his own strength and skill alone. In short, the desert escapes my control.
“For this reason my mind is drawn quietly, naturally toward someone outside myself on whom I can lean. In the desert I think not so much of causes as of The Cause.
“The experience of the desert is … about recognizing God’s glory. And like Jesus, we may meet and be tempted by the Enemy in the desert.
“One thing is certain: If we come to the desert, we will change.”
We Need the Desert
My friends, I have come to believe strongly that we all need a desert and even more so as I continue in my studies in directing Contemplative Retreats.
I am not suggesting that we have to travel to our American Southwest as our author, or to the Judean Wilderness of our slides, as beautiful as they are. But I am saying that we need desert experiences, desert moments, and we need these regularly.
Such experiences are crucial and the Season of Lent beckons us to this. That is why we have this Gospel on the First Sunday of Lent every year.
Our Deserts
Surprisingly so, our own desert can be found in any experience of stillness.
It may be:
1) When we are lying in bed before getting up in the morning or
2) Driving to work alone with no news on or music playing. It may be
3) Sitting in a chair looking at a candle flame or gazing outside at the trees. It may be
4) Walking the NCR Trail or
5) Waiting for our doctor’s appointment. It may be
6) Sitting quietly, even with our eyes closed, here in church before Mass or in the chapel any day of the week. It may be in the
7) Parking lot after you’ve loaded the car with groceries and before you turn on the ignition.
All of these can be our desert experiences or desert moments. And in all these experiences, the key thing is stillness.
Please note; it is not so much an issue of reciting prayers or speaking words to God. It is more an issue of stillness, of being receptive.
In our desert experience, we are to listen to our inner core. We are to listen to God who often speaks to us from the very depths of our being, the very depths of ourselves as persons.
Temptations in Our Deserts
It is in these desert experiences that we almost immediately and naturally become aware of God. And we also become aware of ourselves.
The Gospel says that “Jesus was tempted by Satan” in the desert.
I think, for us, in our desert, we too will become aware:
1) Of our temptations and our sinfulness
2) Of our impatience and anger
3) Of our resentment or alienation from someone
4) Of our insensitivity to the poor and in our looking out only for ourselves
5) Of judging and thinking ill of others
6) Of our lack of trust or of entrusting ourselves to God.
So yes, in the desert, we are first aware of God and of Jesus. And then, we quickly become aware of ourselves – of our humanity and limitations, our temptations and sin.
As the Spirit drove Jesus into the Judean Wilderness, so the same Spirit is driving each of us into our own desert. Can you not feel the drive and need for this?
Know that there may be a desire to resist this being driven either (1) Because we are not ready to be that close to God or (2) Because we know instinctively that the desert will make us aware of ourselves in ways that we may not like.
Go to the Desert
It has been said that, “Reflection is the kind of inaction that alone makes action meaningful and focused on what is good.” Again, “Reflection is the kind of inaction that alone makes action both meaningful and focused on what is good.”
That, my friends, is what the desert will do for each of us. And so, I appeal to you to heed the call of this First Sunday of Lent.
Go to that place of stillness and simply “be” with your God.
By his grace he has planted the desire in you. And there he is awaiting you. What marvelous things can come from such a daily union!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Weekly THIS AND THAT for February 22, 2009: The Light Is On For You
This and That:
The Light Is On For You
Are you burdened with the same sin as you were a month, a year or two year ago? Would you like to be set free from guilt? Are you ready to stop a destructive pattern in your life? Do you believe that God’s mercy can empower you to change? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then we have an offer for you!
This year during Lent, our parish is participating in an Archdiocesan-wide reconciliation program initiated by Archbishop O’Brien called The Light is On for You. On five consecutive Wednesdays in Lent – March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1 – the sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered here at Our Lady of Grace from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. A priest will be in the Reconciliation Room during that 90 minute period.
Every Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will have confessions available on these five Wednesdays and we invite you to join us here for this sacrament. If you have been reluctant to come to the sacrament or have been away for some time or just found it difficult to get to a
Saturday afternoon confession time, this is a great opportunity to receive penance.
So where in the church is the Reconciliation Room? You are not alone – many people are not aware of the location. When you approach the church through the Courtyard, enter through the wooden doors on your left. Just past the second set of wooden entrance doors, there is a blue door on your left, before the water fountain. That is the door to the Reconciliation Room. If the door is open, the priest is available for confession and if it’s closed, another penitent is receiving the sacrament. Feel free to wait in the foyer or go into the chapel to pray while you are waiting.
We have simple pamphlets containing the steps in the rite of individual Penance, if you are unfamiliar with it. We will have these pamphlets available on a table in the foyer on Wednesday evenings, in case you want to review the rite before going into the Reconciliation Room. Feel free to take the pamphlet in with you. Also, there is a brochure in the bulletin this weekend to remind you about the parts of confession and the Act of Contrition.
In addition to the Wednesday evenings, we will have our Communal Penance Service for Lent on Monday, March 23rd at 7:30pm. Confessions will also continue to be available on Saturday afternoons from 4:00pm to 4:30pm, as they are throughout the year.
Many Catholics no longer have an appreciation for the benefits of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially if they do not commit any serious sin. We know that our sacraments give us a tangible experience of God’s presence through words, gestures and sensible elements such as bread, wine, oil and water. When we celebrate Reconciliation, what becomes tangible is God’s mercy extended to us through the ministry of the priest. We have the incredible experience of hearing the priest say, “I absolve you from your sins…” This experience of receiving absolution is the focus of the sacrament, more than the sins we confess.
Lent is the season of the church year in which we are called to do penance in preparation for renewing our Baptismal promises at Easter, when we will affirm that we reject the allurement of evil and we profess our belief in the God who saves us in Jesus.
Why not take advantage of one of the opportunities to experience God’s mercy during this season – by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a Wednesday evening, a Saturday afternoon or at our Lenten Penance Service on March 23rd? If you have questions about the sacrament, please feel free to contact me at the parish office.
Blessings,
Sister Mary Therese
The Light Is On For You
Are you burdened with the same sin as you were a month, a year or two year ago? Would you like to be set free from guilt? Are you ready to stop a destructive pattern in your life? Do you believe that God’s mercy can empower you to change? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, then we have an offer for you!
This year during Lent, our parish is participating in an Archdiocesan-wide reconciliation program initiated by Archbishop O’Brien called The Light is On for You. On five consecutive Wednesdays in Lent – March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1 – the sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered here at Our Lady of Grace from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. A priest will be in the Reconciliation Room during that 90 minute period.
Every Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore will have confessions available on these five Wednesdays and we invite you to join us here for this sacrament. If you have been reluctant to come to the sacrament or have been away for some time or just found it difficult to get to a
Saturday afternoon confession time, this is a great opportunity to receive penance.
So where in the church is the Reconciliation Room? You are not alone – many people are not aware of the location. When you approach the church through the Courtyard, enter through the wooden doors on your left. Just past the second set of wooden entrance doors, there is a blue door on your left, before the water fountain. That is the door to the Reconciliation Room. If the door is open, the priest is available for confession and if it’s closed, another penitent is receiving the sacrament. Feel free to wait in the foyer or go into the chapel to pray while you are waiting.
We have simple pamphlets containing the steps in the rite of individual Penance, if you are unfamiliar with it. We will have these pamphlets available on a table in the foyer on Wednesday evenings, in case you want to review the rite before going into the Reconciliation Room. Feel free to take the pamphlet in with you. Also, there is a brochure in the bulletin this weekend to remind you about the parts of confession and the Act of Contrition.
In addition to the Wednesday evenings, we will have our Communal Penance Service for Lent on Monday, March 23rd at 7:30pm. Confessions will also continue to be available on Saturday afternoons from 4:00pm to 4:30pm, as they are throughout the year.
Many Catholics no longer have an appreciation for the benefits of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially if they do not commit any serious sin. We know that our sacraments give us a tangible experience of God’s presence through words, gestures and sensible elements such as bread, wine, oil and water. When we celebrate Reconciliation, what becomes tangible is God’s mercy extended to us through the ministry of the priest. We have the incredible experience of hearing the priest say, “I absolve you from your sins…” This experience of receiving absolution is the focus of the sacrament, more than the sins we confess.
Lent is the season of the church year in which we are called to do penance in preparation for renewing our Baptismal promises at Easter, when we will affirm that we reject the allurement of evil and we profess our belief in the God who saves us in Jesus.
Why not take advantage of one of the opportunities to experience God’s mercy during this season – by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a Wednesday evening, a Saturday afternoon or at our Lenten Penance Service on March 23rd? If you have questions about the sacrament, please feel free to contact me at the parish office.
Blessings,
Sister Mary Therese
Weekly HOMILY for February 22, 2009: Deacon Preaching Weekend
Deacon Lee Benson preached at Father Nicholas' Masses this weekend. Father Nicholas will return next Sunday.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Weekly THIS AND THAT for February 15, 2009: Archbishop’s Appeal Benefits All, Including Our Parish
This and That:
Archbishop’s Appeal Benefits All, Including Our Parish
In last week’s column I introduced the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. I reviewed the purpose of the Appeal, that is, the programs, services, and ministries that it funds. The Appeal is an excellent opportunity for each of us to assist in making God’s work happen beyond the boundaries of our parish. It is an opportunity to work together as an Archdiocesan Church.
Each parish in the Archdiocese is given a dollar goal for this Appeal. The goals are set at approximately 9% of parish offertory income. Our goal here at Our Lady of Grace is $__,___. That sounds like and is a lot of money, but it is the same percentage as would be applied to parishes that are much smaller and with much less income. I suppose that the Lord’s words apply as we look at this: “From those to whom much has been given, much will be expected.” Our goal is just that: a goal. It is not a mandatory amount, although we will work hard to meet it. In the end, we give what we can.
While I shared last week all the various needs that this Appeal will meet, I did not share that 25% of what we as a parish give will come right back to us. Yes, you heard it correctly! Our Lady of Grace’s share will be 25% of our total contribution. So, if we achieve our goal of $__,___, we will receive $__,___ back. Each parish is asked to state what it will do with its 25% share. We have selected three purposes or uses:
➢ 1/3rd for Tuition Assistance for parishioners whose children attend Our Lady of Grace School. We do this especially because the Archdiocese is providing a match for what we designate for tuition assistance.
➢ 1/3rd to assist our sister parish, St. Cecilia’s in Baltimore City with some necessities that they cannot sustain.
➢ 1/3rd for Debt Reduction
We like this distribution of our parish share of Appeal funds because it provides some additional help to the Parish, to parishioners who are in special need, and to an Inner City Parish that does not have the funding base that we enjoy here at Our Lady of Grace.
How much should we contribute to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal? Ultimately, we all need to decide this for ourselves. Please be aware that the Archbishop does not want this to take the place of or interfere with our regular weekly Offertory giving to the Parish. Our contributions to the Parish do come first.
I would recommend as a possible guideline that we give 10% of what we give annually to the Parish Offertory. So, if you give $1,000 a year to the parish in the Weekly Offertory, you might consider a gift of $100 to this Appeal. Some of us may be unable to give as much as this 10%. Some have lost jobs and some are having their salary frozen. On the other hand, others may be able to give more than the 10% to help where others are not able to do so. I know of one family who is pledging to give 30% of what they give to the Offertory.
If we simply give according to our means and use what I am saying here as a rule of thumb, we as individuals and we as Our Lady of Grace Parish will be responding with appropriate generosity and should come very close to or meet our goal.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
Archbishop’s Appeal Benefits All, Including Our Parish
In last week’s column I introduced the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. I reviewed the purpose of the Appeal, that is, the programs, services, and ministries that it funds. The Appeal is an excellent opportunity for each of us to assist in making God’s work happen beyond the boundaries of our parish. It is an opportunity to work together as an Archdiocesan Church.
Each parish in the Archdiocese is given a dollar goal for this Appeal. The goals are set at approximately 9% of parish offertory income. Our goal here at Our Lady of Grace is $__,___. That sounds like and is a lot of money, but it is the same percentage as would be applied to parishes that are much smaller and with much less income. I suppose that the Lord’s words apply as we look at this: “From those to whom much has been given, much will be expected.” Our goal is just that: a goal. It is not a mandatory amount, although we will work hard to meet it. In the end, we give what we can.
While I shared last week all the various needs that this Appeal will meet, I did not share that 25% of what we as a parish give will come right back to us. Yes, you heard it correctly! Our Lady of Grace’s share will be 25% of our total contribution. So, if we achieve our goal of $__,___, we will receive $__,___ back. Each parish is asked to state what it will do with its 25% share. We have selected three purposes or uses:
➢ 1/3rd for Tuition Assistance for parishioners whose children attend Our Lady of Grace School. We do this especially because the Archdiocese is providing a match for what we designate for tuition assistance.
➢ 1/3rd to assist our sister parish, St. Cecilia’s in Baltimore City with some necessities that they cannot sustain.
➢ 1/3rd for Debt Reduction
We like this distribution of our parish share of Appeal funds because it provides some additional help to the Parish, to parishioners who are in special need, and to an Inner City Parish that does not have the funding base that we enjoy here at Our Lady of Grace.
How much should we contribute to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal? Ultimately, we all need to decide this for ourselves. Please be aware that the Archbishop does not want this to take the place of or interfere with our regular weekly Offertory giving to the Parish. Our contributions to the Parish do come first.
I would recommend as a possible guideline that we give 10% of what we give annually to the Parish Offertory. So, if you give $1,000 a year to the parish in the Weekly Offertory, you might consider a gift of $100 to this Appeal. Some of us may be unable to give as much as this 10%. Some have lost jobs and some are having their salary frozen. On the other hand, others may be able to give more than the 10% to help where others are not able to do so. I know of one family who is pledging to give 30% of what they give to the Offertory.
If we simply give according to our means and use what I am saying here as a rule of thumb, we as individuals and we as Our Lady of Grace Parish will be responding with appropriate generosity and should come very close to or meet our goal.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
Weekly HOMILY for February 15, 2009: Archbishop's Annual Appeal / Commitment Weekend
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Our Lady of Grace
February15, 2009
Archbishop’s Annual Appeal / Commitment Weekend
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Introduction to Archbishop O’Brien’s Talk
Last weekend, at all Masses, we introduced the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.
As we said, the Appeal supports programs, services, and ministries that are offered on the Archdiocesan level. It calls us to look beyond the boundaries of our parish and to work together as an Archdiocesan Church.
Archbishop O’Brien wants the opportunity to speak with everyone around the Archdiocese. So today, we have a homily from him via a CD and we will now listen to that.
(Play the CD)
In-Pew Commitment
As Archbishop O’Brien just said, today we are asked to consider a commitment to this Annual Appeal and I am here to guide us through that with the help of Dee O’Donnell / Paul Ceribelli of our Appeal Committee.
Before beginning this, I want to review the question of how much should we consider contributing to the Appeal. As we said last week, our parish committee is recommending that we give an amount equal to 10% of what we give each year to the parish.
So, if we give $1000 a year to the parish in the offertory, the recommendation is to give $100 to the Appeal. We say this knowing that some of us, especially this year, cannot do this 10% and that is fine.
Some of us can do more than that. Our Catholic Marriage Encounter program has a practice of asking couples who do the Encounter weekend to give more than the actual cost if they can, as a way to provide a kind of scholarship for couples who cannot afford to pay the full cost.
Perhaps that spirit may apply here as well.
Tactics
With those thoughts, I would now ask one person from each household to look at the Appeal envelope that is in the pew (that was distributed to you when you entered).
Please take this even if you have already given to this year’s Appeal. If you do not have an envelope, please just raise your hand and Dee/Paul or one of the ushers will get one to you.
Again, we are asking one person from every household to complete this. You can indicate that you have already given, that you are making a commitment today, that you are making a pledge, or that you are unable to give this year.
Now, please open the flap of the envelope and find a pledge form and a pencil. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)
Please print your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address on the first five lines of the form. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)
On the next line, please write Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton. If you are a visitor from another parish, please write the name of your home parish. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)
If you have already given by mail, check the box that says “I have already given to the Annual Appeal through the mail.” Please do not indicate any additional financial information on this form. We do not want to double count your pledge.
I ask everyone else to look at the gift boxes on the right side of the form and check the amount that you wish to enter. You can make your gift as a pledge and be billed over ten months or longer if necessary. Also, there is no need to provide a down payment today unless you choose to do so.
If you want to contribute an amount other than the ones indicated, please check the “Other” box and indicate the full amount of your pledge on the blank line to the right. (Pause until about half the people are looking at you.)
Now, please look at the lines provided on the lower right-hand side of the pledge envelope. Indicate the total amount that you pledged on the first line. If you are making a down payment, write the amount of the down payment on the line that says Amount Enclosed. (Pause 5 seconds.)
Subtract the down payment from the full amount of your pledge and note the remaining “Pledge balance” on the line provided. (Pause 5 seconds.)
If you are not contributing, please check the box on the lower left side of the envelope, stating “I do not wish to make a gift to the Annual Appeal at this time.” (Pause 5 seconds.)
I will give another moment right now to complete credit card information, if you wish to use your credit card. Please note that you can use a box below the credit card information that will tell the Archdiocese to bill you in ten monthly installments or to process the full amount in a single payment. (Pause 25 seconds with music.)
Wrap Up
Please seal the envelope and be sure to keep the pencil separate.
Please mark the outside of the envelope if you have enclosed a check, cash, or credit card information. Mark the appropriate box in the lower right corner of the envelope cover.
If you have given through the mail, made a pledge without a payment, or decided not to give this year, please check “No payment enclosed/Other.”
Finally, please place these envelopes and the pencils in the basket that the ushers are passing around.
On behalf of Archbishop O’Brien, I thank you for your contribution to this Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.
Our Lady of Grace
February15, 2009
Archbishop’s Annual Appeal / Commitment Weekend
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Introduction to Archbishop O’Brien’s Talk
Last weekend, at all Masses, we introduced the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.
As we said, the Appeal supports programs, services, and ministries that are offered on the Archdiocesan level. It calls us to look beyond the boundaries of our parish and to work together as an Archdiocesan Church.
Archbishop O’Brien wants the opportunity to speak with everyone around the Archdiocese. So today, we have a homily from him via a CD and we will now listen to that.
(Play the CD)
In-Pew Commitment
As Archbishop O’Brien just said, today we are asked to consider a commitment to this Annual Appeal and I am here to guide us through that with the help of Dee O’Donnell / Paul Ceribelli of our Appeal Committee.
Before beginning this, I want to review the question of how much should we consider contributing to the Appeal. As we said last week, our parish committee is recommending that we give an amount equal to 10% of what we give each year to the parish.
So, if we give $1000 a year to the parish in the offertory, the recommendation is to give $100 to the Appeal. We say this knowing that some of us, especially this year, cannot do this 10% and that is fine.
Some of us can do more than that. Our Catholic Marriage Encounter program has a practice of asking couples who do the Encounter weekend to give more than the actual cost if they can, as a way to provide a kind of scholarship for couples who cannot afford to pay the full cost.
Perhaps that spirit may apply here as well.
Tactics
With those thoughts, I would now ask one person from each household to look at the Appeal envelope that is in the pew (that was distributed to you when you entered).
Please take this even if you have already given to this year’s Appeal. If you do not have an envelope, please just raise your hand and Dee/Paul or one of the ushers will get one to you.
Again, we are asking one person from every household to complete this. You can indicate that you have already given, that you are making a commitment today, that you are making a pledge, or that you are unable to give this year.
Now, please open the flap of the envelope and find a pledge form and a pencil. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)
Please print your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address on the first five lines of the form. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)
On the next line, please write Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton. If you are a visitor from another parish, please write the name of your home parish. (Pause until about half the people are looking up to you.)
If you have already given by mail, check the box that says “I have already given to the Annual Appeal through the mail.” Please do not indicate any additional financial information on this form. We do not want to double count your pledge.
I ask everyone else to look at the gift boxes on the right side of the form and check the amount that you wish to enter. You can make your gift as a pledge and be billed over ten months or longer if necessary. Also, there is no need to provide a down payment today unless you choose to do so.
If you want to contribute an amount other than the ones indicated, please check the “Other” box and indicate the full amount of your pledge on the blank line to the right. (Pause until about half the people are looking at you.)
Now, please look at the lines provided on the lower right-hand side of the pledge envelope. Indicate the total amount that you pledged on the first line. If you are making a down payment, write the amount of the down payment on the line that says Amount Enclosed. (Pause 5 seconds.)
Subtract the down payment from the full amount of your pledge and note the remaining “Pledge balance” on the line provided. (Pause 5 seconds.)
If you are not contributing, please check the box on the lower left side of the envelope, stating “I do not wish to make a gift to the Annual Appeal at this time.” (Pause 5 seconds.)
I will give another moment right now to complete credit card information, if you wish to use your credit card. Please note that you can use a box below the credit card information that will tell the Archdiocese to bill you in ten monthly installments or to process the full amount in a single payment. (Pause 25 seconds with music.)
Wrap Up
Please seal the envelope and be sure to keep the pencil separate.
Please mark the outside of the envelope if you have enclosed a check, cash, or credit card information. Mark the appropriate box in the lower right corner of the envelope cover.
If you have given through the mail, made a pledge without a payment, or decided not to give this year, please check “No payment enclosed/Other.”
Finally, please place these envelopes and the pencils in the basket that the ushers are passing around.
On behalf of Archbishop O’Brien, I thank you for your contribution to this Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Weekly THIS AND THAT for February 8, 2009: The Archbishop's Annual Appeal Begins
This and That:
The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal Begins
This weekend I am introducing the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. By now, many of us have received a mailing about this. I strongly endorse this Appeal and encourage all of us to make a financial gift. Because of that, I want to give you a thorough explanation of it.
First, as a clarification, for the past fifteen years or so we in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have participated in something called the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal. The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal we are presently in is the same thing, but with a different name. Why the change in name? Basically, because the major work of promoting this is now being done on the three weeks before the beginning of Lent and not during Lent. Also, in fact, the former Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal continued throughout much of the year, as many people fulfilled their pledges in monthly payments. Thus, it seems better to name it the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore, like most dioceses in the country, conducts this annual campaign to fund services, programs, and ministries that it provides to Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. Some of these are services that help Our Lady of Grace and all parishes. Some are programs that serve people in areas that are financially poor, but where we very much need our Catholic presence. Some are programs that individual parishes, like Our Lady of Grace cannot do alone and that we need to do together as an Archdiocesan Church. Here are some examples of what our gifts to Archbishop’s Annual Appeal fund:
• Youth Ministry grants and Inner City Youth Outreach
• Assistance to Religious Education and Vacation Bible School Programs
• Support for the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center located in our own parish
• Tuition Assistance Grants and Special Education Funding for Catholic schools
• Grants to Catholic High Schools for capital improvements
• Pro-Life Ministries including Project Rachel
• Hispanic Ministry and Outreach
• Grants to parishes for financial and capital emergencies
• Significant assistance to Associated Catholic Charities and its many services, programs, and institutions
• Assistance to the St. Vincent de Paul Society for its work with the needy
• Chaplaincies and Catholic Ministry for some non-Catholic hospitals
• Chaplaincies and Catholic Ministry for some prisons and Detention Centers
• Ministry to the Hearing Impaired, Camp GLOW for the developmentally challenged and disability access improvements to locations in need
I look upon this Appeal as our opportunity to express in a very real way (financial giving) our connectedness with the Church beyond our parish boundaries. It is our opportunity as an Archdiocesan Church to work together and to bring the love of the Lord to persons who might not otherwise experience this. I will say more about the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal next week.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal Begins
This weekend I am introducing the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. By now, many of us have received a mailing about this. I strongly endorse this Appeal and encourage all of us to make a financial gift. Because of that, I want to give you a thorough explanation of it.
First, as a clarification, for the past fifteen years or so we in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have participated in something called the Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal. The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal we are presently in is the same thing, but with a different name. Why the change in name? Basically, because the major work of promoting this is now being done on the three weeks before the beginning of Lent and not during Lent. Also, in fact, the former Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal continued throughout much of the year, as many people fulfilled their pledges in monthly payments. Thus, it seems better to name it the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore, like most dioceses in the country, conducts this annual campaign to fund services, programs, and ministries that it provides to Catholics and non-Catholics throughout the Archdiocese. Some of these are services that help Our Lady of Grace and all parishes. Some are programs that serve people in areas that are financially poor, but where we very much need our Catholic presence. Some are programs that individual parishes, like Our Lady of Grace cannot do alone and that we need to do together as an Archdiocesan Church. Here are some examples of what our gifts to Archbishop’s Annual Appeal fund:
• Youth Ministry grants and Inner City Youth Outreach
• Assistance to Religious Education and Vacation Bible School Programs
• Support for the Archdiocesan Youth Retreat Center located in our own parish
• Tuition Assistance Grants and Special Education Funding for Catholic schools
• Grants to Catholic High Schools for capital improvements
• Pro-Life Ministries including Project Rachel
• Hispanic Ministry and Outreach
• Grants to parishes for financial and capital emergencies
• Significant assistance to Associated Catholic Charities and its many services, programs, and institutions
• Assistance to the St. Vincent de Paul Society for its work with the needy
• Chaplaincies and Catholic Ministry for some non-Catholic hospitals
• Chaplaincies and Catholic Ministry for some prisons and Detention Centers
• Ministry to the Hearing Impaired, Camp GLOW for the developmentally challenged and disability access improvements to locations in need
I look upon this Appeal as our opportunity to express in a very real way (financial giving) our connectedness with the Church beyond our parish boundaries. It is our opportunity as an Archdiocesan Church to work together and to bring the love of the Lord to persons who might not otherwise experience this. I will say more about the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal next week.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
Weekly HOMILY for February 8, 2009: The Annual Archbishop's Appeal
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Our Lady of Grace
February 8, 2009
The Annual Archbishop’s Appeal
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Nine Winners
There is a wonderful story from the Seattle Special Olympics several years ago.
Nine runners – all physically or mentally handicapped – are assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the sound of the starter’s gun, they all take off, not exactly in a dash, but eager to finish the race and win.
All, that is, except one boy who stumbles, tumbles over, and begins to cry. The other eight runners hear the boy crying and slow down to see what has happened.
Then they all turn around and run back to the boy. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bends down and whispers to him, “This will make it better” and she kisses him on the cheek.
All nine runners link arms and walk together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stands up and cheers for the winners – all nine of them.
What They Saw
That day those children in the Seattle Special Olympics saw the truth about each other.
They saw each other first and foremost as persons, not as competitors. They were not so carried away with the desire to win that they forgot the core of who we are – that we are all one.
They saw the child who fell as a person in need. They realized that it is better for all of us to win than for one or some of us to win, while others lose in the game of life itself.
This, I believe, is the insight that Saint Paul has in our second reading today. He is absorbed with care for all persons as his brothers and sisters in need of Christ’s presence.
Paul wants to bring the Gospel to everyone and to do so he even says: “I have become all things to all.” We have to imagine that Paul would also have been there for that one child who stumbled and fell in the Special Olympics.
Archbishop’s Annual Appeal
I see this as the basis of something that our parish and all the parishes in the Archdiocese are asked to do this month.
We are all taking part in what we call “The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal” – formerly “The Lenten Appeal.” We have been participating in this Appeal for about fifteen years and it invites us to look beyond the boundaries of our parish.
The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal invites us to support and be part of the programs, services, and ministries that are offered on the Archdiocesan level. Some of these programs serve people in areas that are financially poor and where our Catholic presence is clearly needed.
Some are services that individual parishes, like Our Lady of Grace cannot do alone and that we need to do together as an Archdiocesan Church. For example, the Appeal provides some support to Catholic Education and Religious Education Programs in needy areas.
It supports the Youth Retreat Center right here in Sparks. It supports the programs and institutions of Catholic Charities – the largest private provider of social services in the entire State of Maryland.
You can see a fuller listing of what the Appeal supports in my bulletin column today. We can be very proud of all that we do as a Local Church.
What to Give
Many of us have contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal in the past and some of us have already given this year.
On behalf of the Archbishop, I thank you very much. I have asked myself, “How much should I give?” “What is an appropriate amount?” Well, I do want to say that our giving to Our Lady of Grace comes first.
Archbishop O’Brien does not want this Appeal to hurt parish giving or parish ministries. Each parish is assigned a goal for the Appeal that equals 9% of its Annual Offertory Collection.
Our Lady of Grace’s goal is $42,000. This is a goal, a target, but in the end, we give what we can give.
Our Parish Committee working on this and I are recommending that we as individuals or families contribute 10% of what we give to the parish each year. So, if you give $1,000 a year in the Offertory, we ask you to consider a gift of $100 to the Appeal.
These gifts can be made as pledges and spread out over ten months. Some of us are unable to give 10% and others are able to give more.
The important thing is that we think and pray about this and do what we can. I ask you to reflect on this during the coming week.
Conclusion
Before I conclude, it is important to add this.
Each parish will receive back 25% of what it gives. So, 25% of Our Lady of Grace’s contribution to the Appeal will be our share for special needs that we have designated.
Our parish leadership has decided to use our share for three purposes. 1/3rd for Tuition Assistance for parishioners going to Our Lady of Grace School; this is important since the Archdiocese will match what we designate for this.
1/3rd will go toward our Debt Reduction. And 1/3rd will go to our Sister Parish of St. Cecilia’s in Baltimore City.
In closing, I would ask you to approach this Appeal with the spirit of those children in the Special Olympics – joining hands to help one another so that all can be winners.
Please read my bulletin column on the Archbishop’s Appeal, reflect and pray about this, and try to come to Mass next weekend prepared with your decision about a commitment.
Our Lady of Grace
February 8, 2009
The Annual Archbishop’s Appeal
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
Nine Winners
There is a wonderful story from the Seattle Special Olympics several years ago.
Nine runners – all physically or mentally handicapped – are assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the sound of the starter’s gun, they all take off, not exactly in a dash, but eager to finish the race and win.
All, that is, except one boy who stumbles, tumbles over, and begins to cry. The other eight runners hear the boy crying and slow down to see what has happened.
Then they all turn around and run back to the boy. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bends down and whispers to him, “This will make it better” and she kisses him on the cheek.
All nine runners link arms and walk together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium stands up and cheers for the winners – all nine of them.
What They Saw
That day those children in the Seattle Special Olympics saw the truth about each other.
They saw each other first and foremost as persons, not as competitors. They were not so carried away with the desire to win that they forgot the core of who we are – that we are all one.
They saw the child who fell as a person in need. They realized that it is better for all of us to win than for one or some of us to win, while others lose in the game of life itself.
This, I believe, is the insight that Saint Paul has in our second reading today. He is absorbed with care for all persons as his brothers and sisters in need of Christ’s presence.
Paul wants to bring the Gospel to everyone and to do so he even says: “I have become all things to all.” We have to imagine that Paul would also have been there for that one child who stumbled and fell in the Special Olympics.
Archbishop’s Annual Appeal
I see this as the basis of something that our parish and all the parishes in the Archdiocese are asked to do this month.
We are all taking part in what we call “The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal” – formerly “The Lenten Appeal.” We have been participating in this Appeal for about fifteen years and it invites us to look beyond the boundaries of our parish.
The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal invites us to support and be part of the programs, services, and ministries that are offered on the Archdiocesan level. Some of these programs serve people in areas that are financially poor and where our Catholic presence is clearly needed.
Some are services that individual parishes, like Our Lady of Grace cannot do alone and that we need to do together as an Archdiocesan Church. For example, the Appeal provides some support to Catholic Education and Religious Education Programs in needy areas.
It supports the Youth Retreat Center right here in Sparks. It supports the programs and institutions of Catholic Charities – the largest private provider of social services in the entire State of Maryland.
You can see a fuller listing of what the Appeal supports in my bulletin column today. We can be very proud of all that we do as a Local Church.
What to Give
Many of us have contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal in the past and some of us have already given this year.
On behalf of the Archbishop, I thank you very much. I have asked myself, “How much should I give?” “What is an appropriate amount?” Well, I do want to say that our giving to Our Lady of Grace comes first.
Archbishop O’Brien does not want this Appeal to hurt parish giving or parish ministries. Each parish is assigned a goal for the Appeal that equals 9% of its Annual Offertory Collection.
Our Lady of Grace’s goal is $42,000. This is a goal, a target, but in the end, we give what we can give.
Our Parish Committee working on this and I are recommending that we as individuals or families contribute 10% of what we give to the parish each year. So, if you give $1,000 a year in the Offertory, we ask you to consider a gift of $100 to the Appeal.
These gifts can be made as pledges and spread out over ten months. Some of us are unable to give 10% and others are able to give more.
The important thing is that we think and pray about this and do what we can. I ask you to reflect on this during the coming week.
Conclusion
Before I conclude, it is important to add this.
Each parish will receive back 25% of what it gives. So, 25% of Our Lady of Grace’s contribution to the Appeal will be our share for special needs that we have designated.
Our parish leadership has decided to use our share for three purposes. 1/3rd for Tuition Assistance for parishioners going to Our Lady of Grace School; this is important since the Archdiocese will match what we designate for this.
1/3rd will go toward our Debt Reduction. And 1/3rd will go to our Sister Parish of St. Cecilia’s in Baltimore City.
In closing, I would ask you to approach this Appeal with the spirit of those children in the Special Olympics – joining hands to help one another so that all can be winners.
Please read my bulletin column on the Archbishop’s Appeal, reflect and pray about this, and try to come to Mass next weekend prepared with your decision about a commitment.
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