This and That
My Final Column: Of Exits and Entrances
The car is packed; the driveway to the campus is clear. What has been the entrance to the grounds the past 15 years is now become for me the exit. The last two “projects” to what was envisioned as the plan for the parish included the entrance marquee and the courtyard fountain. With both completed, there’s a sense that what needed to be done has been done.
Over the past twelve months the questions that have occupied the attention of many of our people including our Parish Corporators, Pastoral Council, and Staff have been, “Who will be our new pastor?” “Will he be what Our Lady of Grace needs to continue growing in faith?” How pleased we are to have Archbishop O’Brien appoint Father Sam Young as our new pastor. He has now visited the parish several times and spent an entire day with the Pastoral Team preparing for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2010. He has visited teachers and students of our Catholic School. All have found him affable, caring and attentive to what was shared with him.
Six Challenges
There are some wonderful challenges ahead for Our Lady of Grace and include the following:
1. Blue Ribbon Report: Outcome of the Blue Ribbon Committee Report and how it affects the future of Catholic Schools and in particular Our Lady of Grace School will be worked on in the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010.
2. Capital Campaign: The Archdiocese will be mandating all parishes to participate with the Local Church of Baltimore’s Capital Campaign in two years. A new master plan will first be developed and a case made for what is needed to further enhance our ministries and service to people
3. Kneelers: Whenever it is decided that we need to refurbish the interior of the church that will be the time also to study the possibility of having kneelers.
4. Shifts in Responsibilities: Transitions of Dr. Jack Buchner to some of Sister Mary Therese’s responsibilities, Rick Gonzales to some of Elaine Hagner’s, and Elaine to some of Sister’s will allow Sister Mary Therese the opportunity to become part-time in the new fiscal year and depart in July 2011.
5. New Parishioner Registrations: Care will be given to the fact that registrations of new families have leveled off over the past three years. The budget will continue to increase only modestly based on these projections.
6. New Expenses: Two additional expenses for FY 2012 will be purchase of the new web-based parish data system called “Parish Soft” and increasing the support to the school as dictated in recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee.
Six Opportunities
1. Youth Programs: Programs for our youth are already strong and will continue to increase. Our young people are the future of the Church.
2. Annual Offertory Renewal: The fall Annual Renewal Program will take on some of the aspects of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal that have proven very successful.
3. Extra Efforts in Giving: Whenever we have been hit with unexpected expenses and decreased income such as happened during the three white out weekends of snow this year, our people always respond generously when asked. It is important to ask.
4. Loan Pay Off: Once our loan indebtedness to the Archdiocese is paid off in September 2012, an additional $7,000/month for worship, programs and services will be available.
5. Master Plan: The Parish Corporators have approved the creation of a new Master Plan for 2011. The last 10-Year Master Plan ended in 2007. The new plan will help us better address our needs in the years ahead and lay the groundwork for the Case Statement for new Capital Campaign. It will be a very exciting time to dream as a parish.
6. Our New Pastor: It will be very easy to get to know Father Sam, our new pastor. This will happen very quickly inasmuch as he is very open, affable and enjoys people.
A final word of thanks and gratitude to all who worked on the Testimonial Weekend: the dinner, the three receptions, the music, servers, ministers at the Masses – it was all more than I could have hoped for or expected. My “exit” from the campus today is not a farewell. I promise to visit and not be a stranger. I would ask you to pray for me as I begin my new ministries. Be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones. Our Lady of Grace will always be my home.
Love,
Father Nicholas
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Weekly HOMILY for June 27, 2010: The Wake We Leave in Life
13th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
June 27, 2010
The Wake We Leave in Life
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The Principle
A wise old priest was meeting with a young man who was feeling conflicted about the decisions confronting him. He felt pretty clear about the sort of material success he was after, but uncertain about everything else in his life.
So the priest asked him what he thought he was committed to. What path did he think he was on? Could he describe it?
He warned the old priest that he wasn’t going after some sappy religious fantasy. “Sappy or not,” the priest countered, “everyone has a religion of some sort.”
“Everyone functions from a grand operating principle whether or not they admit it,” he added.
“Mostly that principle can be inferred by the wake they leave behind as they pass through their lives,” he continued.
What the priest meant was that the tangible content of our commitments – what we spend our time on and the things we do – tells the tale for all of us, notwithstanding what we say. That’s true of each of us as individuals; that’s true of us as a parish.
The priest then suggested that the young man check out the wake he was currently leaving behind, or if he was brave, he might ask a couple of others what they saw there.
The question remained, “Did he want to hear the evidence of what his wake revealed?”
Our Individual Wakes
Jesus is asking that very question in today’s Gospel: What is our “grand operating principle” – what are the values that we live, not just talk about, as individuals and as a parish?
To realize your “true religion,” – that is, what you worship – look at what you leave in your wake, look at the harvest your life is reaping.
Think for a moment of what you love. (Pause after each for a moment of reflection)
Think of your disappointments. How is your wealth spent? In what areas are you poor? What can you say you have accomplished? And what do you still hope to do?
Now ask yourself, “Are you satisfied?” “Are you fulfilled?” “Are you happy?”
Our Parish Wake
In theology we say that gifts given and received make people what they are. Over our 15 years together, you have been a gift to me and my life and ministry have hopefully been a gift to you.
You have loved this parish and me as I have loved you who make it up. The marvelous reciprocity of grace – how love begets love, and zeal produces zeal, and that generosity over the years has engendered more giving – is evident.
Just look around at our relationships, our sense of welcome, our concern for those in need, and our campus.
I love being a priest and I have loved being your pastor these past 15 years. And reciprocally, I have felt your love for me. And yes, that has moved me to love you all the more.
Out of this give-and-take of love we have both reached even deeper and farther in our support of each other, for love feeds on love. That reaching and deepening is the mystery of what we celebrate on this altar each Sunday.
Farewell
But, the final act of service, as Jesus has taught us, is how to leave friends and faith family and by the very act of leaving send more spirit into the community you love.
The Ascension after all is followed by Pentecost. Jesus’ final ascent to the Father sends the Holy Spirit’s fresh descent on the Apostles.
Those who are able to depart from what they love most know something special about Jesus and they inspire even more grace in their wake.
And, the grace for this community will come because of who you are and what gifts I am tangibly and intangibly leaving behind here in this marvelous parish.
“Remember such a one in time to come…” it says on my anniversary card. I count myself as one who will not forget you; please remember me, as well.
God bless you all.
Our Lady of Grace
June 27, 2010
The Wake We Leave in Life
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
The Principle
A wise old priest was meeting with a young man who was feeling conflicted about the decisions confronting him. He felt pretty clear about the sort of material success he was after, but uncertain about everything else in his life.
So the priest asked him what he thought he was committed to. What path did he think he was on? Could he describe it?
He warned the old priest that he wasn’t going after some sappy religious fantasy. “Sappy or not,” the priest countered, “everyone has a religion of some sort.”
“Everyone functions from a grand operating principle whether or not they admit it,” he added.
“Mostly that principle can be inferred by the wake they leave behind as they pass through their lives,” he continued.
What the priest meant was that the tangible content of our commitments – what we spend our time on and the things we do – tells the tale for all of us, notwithstanding what we say. That’s true of each of us as individuals; that’s true of us as a parish.
The priest then suggested that the young man check out the wake he was currently leaving behind, or if he was brave, he might ask a couple of others what they saw there.
The question remained, “Did he want to hear the evidence of what his wake revealed?”
Our Individual Wakes
Jesus is asking that very question in today’s Gospel: What is our “grand operating principle” – what are the values that we live, not just talk about, as individuals and as a parish?
To realize your “true religion,” – that is, what you worship – look at what you leave in your wake, look at the harvest your life is reaping.
Think for a moment of what you love. (Pause after each for a moment of reflection)
Think of your disappointments. How is your wealth spent? In what areas are you poor? What can you say you have accomplished? And what do you still hope to do?
Now ask yourself, “Are you satisfied?” “Are you fulfilled?” “Are you happy?”
Our Parish Wake
In theology we say that gifts given and received make people what they are. Over our 15 years together, you have been a gift to me and my life and ministry have hopefully been a gift to you.
You have loved this parish and me as I have loved you who make it up. The marvelous reciprocity of grace – how love begets love, and zeal produces zeal, and that generosity over the years has engendered more giving – is evident.
Just look around at our relationships, our sense of welcome, our concern for those in need, and our campus.
I love being a priest and I have loved being your pastor these past 15 years. And reciprocally, I have felt your love for me. And yes, that has moved me to love you all the more.
Out of this give-and-take of love we have both reached even deeper and farther in our support of each other, for love feeds on love. That reaching and deepening is the mystery of what we celebrate on this altar each Sunday.
Farewell
But, the final act of service, as Jesus has taught us, is how to leave friends and faith family and by the very act of leaving send more spirit into the community you love.
The Ascension after all is followed by Pentecost. Jesus’ final ascent to the Father sends the Holy Spirit’s fresh descent on the Apostles.
Those who are able to depart from what they love most know something special about Jesus and they inspire even more grace in their wake.
And, the grace for this community will come because of who you are and what gifts I am tangibly and intangibly leaving behind here in this marvelous parish.
“Remember such a one in time to come…” it says on my anniversary card. I count myself as one who will not forget you; please remember me, as well.
God bless you all.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Weekly THIS AND THAT for June 20, 2010: Vacation WITH God, not FROM God
This and That:
Vacation WITH God, Not FROM God
Now that school is out for the summer and there are less activities or meetings for children and adults, many people take on a different schedule for the summer. In a sense, it’s like the Jewish and Christian tradition of Sabbath, a time to rest from labors and to be rejuvenated.
Summer is actually a great time to renew or deepen our relationship with God. The beauty of nature inspires praise for our Creator. Longer days of daylight mean a little more time in the morning or evening to spend in prayer. I love summer evenings, and taking a 30 minute walk becomes a time of prayer.
If we have a little more leisure time, we can reflect on the past year and where we are in our lives since last summer. Don’t miss the opportunities for some moments of quiet prayer, whether to give thanks for blessings or to turn our troubles and challenges over to the Lord, asking for his help.
Without school work, summer is a great time to do some Bible study or read some books on spiritual topics. For children, lives of the Saints or Bible stories can be inspirational. For adults, there are many books on prayer, Scripture, and Christian living. Lots of people spend their time on the beach reading, so why not include a spiritual book on your summer reading list?
If you take a vacation as a family or as an individual, find a Catholic parish and attend Mass. It may be interesting to see how other parishes celebrate – what kind of music they sing, how the priest or deacon preaches, how they greet people or minister to children. We have often found good ideas for our parish through experiences from other parishes.
We notice that Mass attendance is lower once Religious Education classes are over for the year and Sacraments have been celebrated. We know that some of this is due to people being away on vacation different weekends. We also know that some folks take the summer “off” from church, and I think they may be missing spiritual nourishment that we all need so much.
On last exhortation – LISTEN for God’s messages to you – in the quiet of your own heart, in conversations with friends or family members while sipping a cool drink, and in the beautiful sounds of nature. Everyone is so “plugged in” these days – always listening to music on IPods or watching videos or television – and these are good things. However, sometimes we miss the beautiful sounds of nature – birds singing, crickets chirping, leaves swaying in the breeze, waves crashing on the shore. We need to be quiet to hear these sounds. Listening to them can be very calming and can connect us with our God, who created us to enjoy all of these other parts of creation.
So enjoy your summer vacation, whether at home or away. Spend some time being quiet each day and know that the Spirit of God dwells within your own heart. LISTEN – to your own thoughts and feelings, to God’s Word in Scripture and to the sounds of creation, and RESPOND as a disciple of Jesus Christ – sharing love, forgiveness, healing presence and joy with others.
Happy Summer!
Sister Mary Therese
Vacation WITH God, Not FROM God
Now that school is out for the summer and there are less activities or meetings for children and adults, many people take on a different schedule for the summer. In a sense, it’s like the Jewish and Christian tradition of Sabbath, a time to rest from labors and to be rejuvenated.
Summer is actually a great time to renew or deepen our relationship with God. The beauty of nature inspires praise for our Creator. Longer days of daylight mean a little more time in the morning or evening to spend in prayer. I love summer evenings, and taking a 30 minute walk becomes a time of prayer.
If we have a little more leisure time, we can reflect on the past year and where we are in our lives since last summer. Don’t miss the opportunities for some moments of quiet prayer, whether to give thanks for blessings or to turn our troubles and challenges over to the Lord, asking for his help.
Without school work, summer is a great time to do some Bible study or read some books on spiritual topics. For children, lives of the Saints or Bible stories can be inspirational. For adults, there are many books on prayer, Scripture, and Christian living. Lots of people spend their time on the beach reading, so why not include a spiritual book on your summer reading list?
If you take a vacation as a family or as an individual, find a Catholic parish and attend Mass. It may be interesting to see how other parishes celebrate – what kind of music they sing, how the priest or deacon preaches, how they greet people or minister to children. We have often found good ideas for our parish through experiences from other parishes.
We notice that Mass attendance is lower once Religious Education classes are over for the year and Sacraments have been celebrated. We know that some of this is due to people being away on vacation different weekends. We also know that some folks take the summer “off” from church, and I think they may be missing spiritual nourishment that we all need so much.
On last exhortation – LISTEN for God’s messages to you – in the quiet of your own heart, in conversations with friends or family members while sipping a cool drink, and in the beautiful sounds of nature. Everyone is so “plugged in” these days – always listening to music on IPods or watching videos or television – and these are good things. However, sometimes we miss the beautiful sounds of nature – birds singing, crickets chirping, leaves swaying in the breeze, waves crashing on the shore. We need to be quiet to hear these sounds. Listening to them can be very calming and can connect us with our God, who created us to enjoy all of these other parts of creation.
So enjoy your summer vacation, whether at home or away. Spend some time being quiet each day and know that the Spirit of God dwells within your own heart. LISTEN – to your own thoughts and feelings, to God’s Word in Scripture and to the sounds of creation, and RESPOND as a disciple of Jesus Christ – sharing love, forgiveness, healing presence and joy with others.
Happy Summer!
Sister Mary Therese
Weekly HOMILY for June 20, 2010: Who's Saved and Who Isn't?
12th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
June 20, 2010
Who’s Saved and Who Isn’t?
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
“Who do you say that I am?”
Last year, I participated in a gathering of about twenty-five ministers here in Northern Baltimore County.
I was the only Catholic pastor. The rest of the group was from some of the mainline Protestant denominations, but most of them were from Evangelical or Pentecostal churches.
I had been asked to lead the prayer and reflection for the day. I did not use today’s Gospel passage, but in my reflections I was really addressing Jesus’ question today.
“Who do you say that I am?” In effect, I was personally responding to the question: “Who do I say that Jesus is?”
The Savior…
I began my reflection by stating that Jesus is the full, complete revelation of God. He is the Word of God made flesh.
He is, as our Profession of Faith says, “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.”
Jesus is our way to the Father because he and the Father are one. He brings us an intimacy with God and a sharing in God’s life.
And it is in these ways that Jesus is our Savior:
➢ He saves us from a profound, existential loneliness
➢ He saves us from not knowing how to live
➢ He saves us from having our hunger for eternal life unsatisfied
Because of this, we obviously want everyone to come to know Jesus. We want to share Jesus – his person, his life, his message with everyone.
… But All Can Be Saved
At the same time, I also stated at that gathering of clergy that all people can still be saved. Those who have never heard of Jesus or those who follow some other religious tradition can still be saved.
Why? Because Jesus reveals the unlimited, unconditional, inclusive, universal love of God.
Jesus reveals that God is pure love – love itself! So in some way, all people must be able to be saved and to live with God in eternity.
God has revealed himself fully and completely in Jesus, but he has and is present in some way also in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and all religions of the world.
That fact is that all who sincerely seek God can be saved.
This wonderful insight does not in any way diminish who Jesus is. It recognizes who he is and also who God is and God’s mysterious love for all humanity.
Response
When I shared these thoughts at that clergy gathering, some ministers immediately nodded and agreed.
But several other ministers – they happened to be from the more fundamentalist churches – disagreed. They believe that only Christians, only those who have accepted Jesus and been baptized, could be saved.
This led me to recall that, when I was a child, we Catholics were often taught much the same thing. In fact, we were even taught that outside the Catholic Church, there is was no salvation.
The Second Vatican Council has taken us back to the Scripture and to the best of our theological tradition. It has helped us to see both the uniqueness of Jesus and the universal possibility of salvation.
I share all of this today because I feel so passionate about it. I feel concerned that the rather limited notion of God and of Jesus and the exclusivist idea of salvation still seem so alive.
Our Faith: Both/And
Perhaps at the root we need to realize that our faith is more of a “both/and” and not an “either/or.”
We can:
➢ Both believe in Jesus as God’s Son
And also allow the possibility of salvation for all peoples
➢ Both respect Catholicism and Christianity as the way
And also respect other religions or peoples of no religion who sincerely seek God
I sometimes wonder if there is not something in our human psyche, in our emotional or psychological make-up that we have to deal with here.
It’s something like:
➢ My “being okay” does not mean that I have to judge others as “not okay”
➢ My “being good” does not mean that I have to judge others as “bad”
➢ My being “included in God’s family” does not mean that I have to judge others as “excluded”
➢ And yes, my “being saved” does not mean that I have to judge others as “not saved”
God, who is love itself, God who is Jesus, does not seem to approach things this way at all – just read through the Gospels and that is so very clear.
Conclusion
So, “Who do I…” or “Who do you say that Jesus is?”
The answer is crucial.
Our Lady of Grace
June 20, 2010
Who’s Saved and Who Isn’t?
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
“Who do you say that I am?”
Last year, I participated in a gathering of about twenty-five ministers here in Northern Baltimore County.
I was the only Catholic pastor. The rest of the group was from some of the mainline Protestant denominations, but most of them were from Evangelical or Pentecostal churches.
I had been asked to lead the prayer and reflection for the day. I did not use today’s Gospel passage, but in my reflections I was really addressing Jesus’ question today.
“Who do you say that I am?” In effect, I was personally responding to the question: “Who do I say that Jesus is?”
The Savior…
I began my reflection by stating that Jesus is the full, complete revelation of God. He is the Word of God made flesh.
He is, as our Profession of Faith says, “God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God.”
Jesus is our way to the Father because he and the Father are one. He brings us an intimacy with God and a sharing in God’s life.
And it is in these ways that Jesus is our Savior:
➢ He saves us from a profound, existential loneliness
➢ He saves us from not knowing how to live
➢ He saves us from having our hunger for eternal life unsatisfied
Because of this, we obviously want everyone to come to know Jesus. We want to share Jesus – his person, his life, his message with everyone.
… But All Can Be Saved
At the same time, I also stated at that gathering of clergy that all people can still be saved. Those who have never heard of Jesus or those who follow some other religious tradition can still be saved.
Why? Because Jesus reveals the unlimited, unconditional, inclusive, universal love of God.
Jesus reveals that God is pure love – love itself! So in some way, all people must be able to be saved and to live with God in eternity.
God has revealed himself fully and completely in Jesus, but he has and is present in some way also in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and all religions of the world.
That fact is that all who sincerely seek God can be saved.
This wonderful insight does not in any way diminish who Jesus is. It recognizes who he is and also who God is and God’s mysterious love for all humanity.
Response
When I shared these thoughts at that clergy gathering, some ministers immediately nodded and agreed.
But several other ministers – they happened to be from the more fundamentalist churches – disagreed. They believe that only Christians, only those who have accepted Jesus and been baptized, could be saved.
This led me to recall that, when I was a child, we Catholics were often taught much the same thing. In fact, we were even taught that outside the Catholic Church, there is was no salvation.
The Second Vatican Council has taken us back to the Scripture and to the best of our theological tradition. It has helped us to see both the uniqueness of Jesus and the universal possibility of salvation.
I share all of this today because I feel so passionate about it. I feel concerned that the rather limited notion of God and of Jesus and the exclusivist idea of salvation still seem so alive.
Our Faith: Both/And
Perhaps at the root we need to realize that our faith is more of a “both/and” and not an “either/or.”
We can:
➢ Both believe in Jesus as God’s Son
And also allow the possibility of salvation for all peoples
➢ Both respect Catholicism and Christianity as the way
And also respect other religions or peoples of no religion who sincerely seek God
I sometimes wonder if there is not something in our human psyche, in our emotional or psychological make-up that we have to deal with here.
It’s something like:
➢ My “being okay” does not mean that I have to judge others as “not okay”
➢ My “being good” does not mean that I have to judge others as “bad”
➢ My being “included in God’s family” does not mean that I have to judge others as “excluded”
➢ And yes, my “being saved” does not mean that I have to judge others as “not saved”
God, who is love itself, God who is Jesus, does not seem to approach things this way at all – just read through the Gospels and that is so very clear.
Conclusion
So, “Who do I…” or “Who do you say that Jesus is?”
The answer is crucial.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Weekly THIS AND THAT for June 13, 2010: Catholic Evangelization
This and That:
Catholic Evangelization
The document “Go and Make Disciples” is a national plan and strategy for Catholic evangelization in the U. S., written by our national council of Catholic bishops. The bishops note that the simplest way to say what evangelization means is to follow Pope Paul, who wrote in the encyclical “On evangelization in the Modern World,” that “evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.” Too, the bishops write that evangelization must always be directly connected to the Lord, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, there is no evangelization without conversion. Conversion is the change in our lives that comes about through the power of the Holy Spirit. All who accept the Gospel undergo change as we continually put on the mind of Christ by rejecting sin and becoming more faithful disciples in His Church. Unless we undergo conversion, we have not truly accepted the Gospel. So, conversion is crucial: we must be converted – and we must continue to be converted.
But faith is not something that only happens to each of us individually. The Gospel also speaks to society itself, with its values, goals, and systems. The Gospel must overflow from each heart until the presence of God transforms all human existence. The fruit of evangelization, then, is changed lives and a changed world – holiness, spiritually, and peace.
The Bishops speak of three goals of evangelization:
1. To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.
2. To invite all people to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith.
3. To foster Gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of family, and the common good of out society.
This fall at Our Lady of Grace, we will implement goal one in two ways. On the Tuesday mornings of October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th at 9:30am, we will do an adult bible study on the Psalms, Jesus’ prayer book. Secondly, we will look at the role and significance of the sacraments in our daily lives on the Sunday mornings of September 26th and October 3rd, and on Thursday night, October 7th. We will ask the parents of ALL sacrament candidates in 2010-11, to come to one of these sessions, but, most certainly, these sessions are open to ALL adult parishioners.
We will implement goal two in three ways this fall. One, we will continue to offer the RCIA for all non- Catholics who wish to become Catholic, and for all Catholic adults who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation, or both. Too, we will offer the “Welcome Back” ministry for all Catholics currently inactive in the practice of the faith, but seek help in returning to an active practice. Please send me the names and addresses of your loved ones and friends to whom you would like me to send a kind note of invitation to this program, which will be held on the Tuesdays of September 14th, 21st and 28th at 7:00pm.
Goal two will also be addressed through the St. Monica Ministry. This ministry is intended to facilitate the healing of parents whose loved ones are no longer active in the practice of the faith. This ministry will be held on the Mondays of September 13th, 20th and 27th at 7:00pm.
We will look to help transform society through the power of the sacraments and gospel by inviting parishioners from other parishes to join with us for any of our faith enrichment opportunities.
Please do not forget to get me the names and addresses of those to whom you’d like me to send a personal letter of invitation to Welcome Back.
God bless,
Dr. Jack Buchner
Catholic Evangelization
The document “Go and Make Disciples” is a national plan and strategy for Catholic evangelization in the U. S., written by our national council of Catholic bishops. The bishops note that the simplest way to say what evangelization means is to follow Pope Paul, who wrote in the encyclical “On evangelization in the Modern World,” that “evangelizing means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.” Too, the bishops write that evangelization must always be directly connected to the Lord, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, there is no evangelization without conversion. Conversion is the change in our lives that comes about through the power of the Holy Spirit. All who accept the Gospel undergo change as we continually put on the mind of Christ by rejecting sin and becoming more faithful disciples in His Church. Unless we undergo conversion, we have not truly accepted the Gospel. So, conversion is crucial: we must be converted – and we must continue to be converted.
But faith is not something that only happens to each of us individually. The Gospel also speaks to society itself, with its values, goals, and systems. The Gospel must overflow from each heart until the presence of God transforms all human existence. The fruit of evangelization, then, is changed lives and a changed world – holiness, spiritually, and peace.
The Bishops speak of three goals of evangelization:
1. To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.
2. To invite all people to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith.
3. To foster Gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of family, and the common good of out society.
This fall at Our Lady of Grace, we will implement goal one in two ways. On the Tuesday mornings of October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th at 9:30am, we will do an adult bible study on the Psalms, Jesus’ prayer book. Secondly, we will look at the role and significance of the sacraments in our daily lives on the Sunday mornings of September 26th and October 3rd, and on Thursday night, October 7th. We will ask the parents of ALL sacrament candidates in 2010-11, to come to one of these sessions, but, most certainly, these sessions are open to ALL adult parishioners.
We will implement goal two in three ways this fall. One, we will continue to offer the RCIA for all non- Catholics who wish to become Catholic, and for all Catholic adults who have not yet received Eucharist or Confirmation, or both. Too, we will offer the “Welcome Back” ministry for all Catholics currently inactive in the practice of the faith, but seek help in returning to an active practice. Please send me the names and addresses of your loved ones and friends to whom you would like me to send a kind note of invitation to this program, which will be held on the Tuesdays of September 14th, 21st and 28th at 7:00pm.
Goal two will also be addressed through the St. Monica Ministry. This ministry is intended to facilitate the healing of parents whose loved ones are no longer active in the practice of the faith. This ministry will be held on the Mondays of September 13th, 20th and 27th at 7:00pm.
We will look to help transform society through the power of the sacraments and gospel by inviting parishioners from other parishes to join with us for any of our faith enrichment opportunities.
Please do not forget to get me the names and addresses of those to whom you’d like me to send a personal letter of invitation to Welcome Back.
God bless,
Dr. Jack Buchner
Weekly HOMILY for June 13, 2010: Our Shadows Have a Lesson to Teach
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Testimonial Weekend
Our Lady of Grace
June 13, 2010
Our Shadows Have a Lesson to Teach
By Nicholas P. Amato
Shadow As Metaphor
This evening’s/morning’s readings have a very powerful lesson to teach us about forgiveness and to get us to those lessons, let us think for a moment about shadows.
Imagine with me the shadow you were casting just this afternoon (or the last sunny day.) If I stand with my back to the sun (gesture sun=forward; shadow=behind) I am definitely going to see my shadow as it is cast by the sun.
However, if a stand facing the sun, my shadow will be behind me.
Oh, it is still very much there, but I simply do not see it and after a while, I am not even aware of it.
Our Shadows and God
Now, let us identify our physical shadow with something in our lives that we are not proud of. Perhaps it is something we have done or a negative personality trait that pops up from time to time or even a hidden secret sin I have never shared with anyone.
And then, let us identify the sun as Jesus who has been known as “The light of the world.”
Notice: I only see my shadow when I have my back turned to Christ, the Sun. When I do that, I am focused on my shadow and in some cases even living out of it.
Today’s Scripture
I believe that this is a good way to understand today’s readings and especially the Gospel we just heard.
The woman in the Gospel has come to terms with her shadow – she knows she is a sinner and so does most of the town – yet, she has turned herself toward Christ.
Yes, her shadow remains part of her past, part of her life, but it is in a real sense put behind her.
She experiences God’s forgiveness and has been able to move beyond her shadow, if you will, into the light that is Christ.
I can see three important lessons about our shadows here.
Lesson #1: All Have Shadows
The first lesson is that we all have shadows – from the most saintly of Popes to the most sinful of sinners.
Jesus tells the story about the creditor and the debtors and how the individual who has been forgiven much will be able to love more.
Simon misses the point completely and instead disdains this unnamed, so-called sinful woman.
An underlying message here is that we all have something that needs forgiveness. The worse or sinful the act, trait, or imperfection is, the greater love that person will have toward the one forgiving.
The sins, little or great, are there and imaged (look over shoulder) as our shadow.
This is the core truth of life and of our relationship with God.
Lesson #2: Face God the Son
The second lesson is that we all need to turn and face God, who is represented by the sun or the light.
We can do this turning only by entrusting ourselves to the power of God. We can do this by prayer, by feeding on the Eucharist, and especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In this turning through the grace of God, God is then able to forgive us of the thing or the trait that make up our shadow, in much the same way that Jesus has done with the woman in the Gospel.
God first draws us into his light and then God empowers us to live in him.
Make no mistake about it, our shadow is still there, but it is, in a sense, behind us. It no longer has to determine what we do or who we are. We don’t have to live out of it.
Lesson 3: Don’t Look at Others’ Shadows
The third and final lesson drawn from this shadow and light image is that we need to be careful not to get focused on the shadows of others.
When we are facing God – the light, the sun – we can still see the shadows of others. The caution here is not to get focused on their shadows.
This is what the Pharisee named Simon is doing in the Gospel. He thinks he is facing God, but he is really focused on the woman’s shadow and he is feeling very self-righteous and condescending.
Amazingly, in focusing on the shadow of the woman, Simon is really in his own shadow without even knowing it. So, a telltale sign of living in our own shadow, even when we think we are facing God, is when we get focused on the shadows of others.
We, as individuals, can easily slide into this with one another. And quite honestly, we as a Church, can get into this in the way we talk about or treat others whom we think are not facing God fully, such as some politicians.
Far better to make sure that we ourselves are facing the Lord, the light! And far better for us to invite others to do this respectfully and positively!
Conclusion
So, some extremely powerful lessons to us about our shadows and what they have to tell us this evening/morning!
“Let those who have ears, hear.”
Testimonial Weekend
Our Lady of Grace
June 13, 2010
Our Shadows Have a Lesson to Teach
By Nicholas P. Amato
Shadow As Metaphor
This evening’s/morning’s readings have a very powerful lesson to teach us about forgiveness and to get us to those lessons, let us think for a moment about shadows.
Imagine with me the shadow you were casting just this afternoon (or the last sunny day.) If I stand with my back to the sun (gesture sun=forward; shadow=behind) I am definitely going to see my shadow as it is cast by the sun.
However, if a stand facing the sun, my shadow will be behind me.
Oh, it is still very much there, but I simply do not see it and after a while, I am not even aware of it.
Our Shadows and God
Now, let us identify our physical shadow with something in our lives that we are not proud of. Perhaps it is something we have done or a negative personality trait that pops up from time to time or even a hidden secret sin I have never shared with anyone.
And then, let us identify the sun as Jesus who has been known as “The light of the world.”
Notice: I only see my shadow when I have my back turned to Christ, the Sun. When I do that, I am focused on my shadow and in some cases even living out of it.
Today’s Scripture
I believe that this is a good way to understand today’s readings and especially the Gospel we just heard.
The woman in the Gospel has come to terms with her shadow – she knows she is a sinner and so does most of the town – yet, she has turned herself toward Christ.
Yes, her shadow remains part of her past, part of her life, but it is in a real sense put behind her.
She experiences God’s forgiveness and has been able to move beyond her shadow, if you will, into the light that is Christ.
I can see three important lessons about our shadows here.
Lesson #1: All Have Shadows
The first lesson is that we all have shadows – from the most saintly of Popes to the most sinful of sinners.
Jesus tells the story about the creditor and the debtors and how the individual who has been forgiven much will be able to love more.
Simon misses the point completely and instead disdains this unnamed, so-called sinful woman.
An underlying message here is that we all have something that needs forgiveness. The worse or sinful the act, trait, or imperfection is, the greater love that person will have toward the one forgiving.
The sins, little or great, are there and imaged (look over shoulder) as our shadow.
This is the core truth of life and of our relationship with God.
Lesson #2: Face God the Son
The second lesson is that we all need to turn and face God, who is represented by the sun or the light.
We can do this turning only by entrusting ourselves to the power of God. We can do this by prayer, by feeding on the Eucharist, and especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In this turning through the grace of God, God is then able to forgive us of the thing or the trait that make up our shadow, in much the same way that Jesus has done with the woman in the Gospel.
God first draws us into his light and then God empowers us to live in him.
Make no mistake about it, our shadow is still there, but it is, in a sense, behind us. It no longer has to determine what we do or who we are. We don’t have to live out of it.
Lesson 3: Don’t Look at Others’ Shadows
The third and final lesson drawn from this shadow and light image is that we need to be careful not to get focused on the shadows of others.
When we are facing God – the light, the sun – we can still see the shadows of others. The caution here is not to get focused on their shadows.
This is what the Pharisee named Simon is doing in the Gospel. He thinks he is facing God, but he is really focused on the woman’s shadow and he is feeling very self-righteous and condescending.
Amazingly, in focusing on the shadow of the woman, Simon is really in his own shadow without even knowing it. So, a telltale sign of living in our own shadow, even when we think we are facing God, is when we get focused on the shadows of others.
We, as individuals, can easily slide into this with one another. And quite honestly, we as a Church, can get into this in the way we talk about or treat others whom we think are not facing God fully, such as some politicians.
Far better to make sure that we ourselves are facing the Lord, the light! And far better for us to invite others to do this respectfully and positively!
Conclusion
So, some extremely powerful lessons to us about our shadows and what they have to tell us this evening/morning!
“Let those who have ears, hear.”
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Weekly THIS AND THAT for June 6, 2010: What Would I Tell an Individual Considering the Priesthood Today?
This and That:
What Would I Tell an Individual Considering the Priesthood Today?
The vast parking lot of St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park was empty as I drove up for my monthly Clergy Support Group meeting. The seminarians had come in September and had now gone home to their respective dioceses for the summer and with them went our own Deacon Chris Ballard. I began thinking what does an old geezer celebrating his 40th ordination anniversary tell a young man like Chris about being a priest?
As I parked my car in the deserted lot, I quickly jotted down the ideas that were swirling in my head. It was easy writing as I pictured sharing my thoughts with Deacon Chris.
Joy of Being a Priest
I have never regretted not being able to marry or be the father of children. Both marriage and fathering do find an expression in the life of a priest. People will often ask, “Are you going home for Christmas or Thanksgiving?” and my response is always, “I am home.” After God, there is no close second to my parish as my family. As for children, the constant calling “Father Nicholas” and trying to realize what the title really means is very compelling. I am reminded of the teen who asked me what cologne I was wearing. When I asked why, she said she wanted to buy it for her father because we wears “old man’s cologne.” There are a multitude of such connections where our children are my children.
The other joy of being a priest has been to celebrate the Sacraments. It is an extraordinary experience to glimpse from time to time what I am really doing at the Mass and in Jesus’ name to say, “This is my body…this is my blood” and have what I say become the fact! In each of the sacraments there is something: what a joy it is to see the relief in the eyes of the penitent, the peace in the one anointed before surgery, the excitement in the signing of the hymn at Mass, or the thrill of raising that little bambino at baptism and have you all applaud!
Sadness of Being a Priest
Being a priest does have a “heavy” side, particularly in the sexual abuse scandals of last 20 years. What heartbreak to see so many children abused at the hands of a beloved and trusted priest or to see the failure in leadership of bishops not dealing with the issues more responsibly or to know priests themselves who were part of our “Band of Brothers” in such profound trouble.
A second sadness has to do with the legion of cases where, in pastoral care of our people, the law or teaching of the Church is considered more important than the individual in anguish or pain. Among such people are the divorced and remarried, persons with same-sex attraction, and women who have had abortions. I often think that people know what the Church’s teachings are; what they do not often receive is the Church’s compassion.
Challenges of the Priesthood
I have always liked the distinction of the Church as being both human and divine. As divine, it is the Body of Christ in our world. As human, it is the sinful spouse, the weak and unfaithful disciple. Thank God the “greats” like Peter and Paul had their own faults and failings. In their changes of heart there is hope for all of us. I have found that it helps others, as well as myself, for me to recognize my own sins and failings. When we are able to admit that, people see us as real and the mercy of God becomes more tangible.
A second challenge has to do with the things we lament in our lives as a Church. Unfortunately, we all think that the challenges and crises are unique to our own lifetime. History is such an aid in seeing that parents have complained about children from the dawn of creation. We need to honestly admit that perhaps there were never any real “good old days.” Oh, I know we think there were, but we often fail to see the problems experienced then and, as our lives become past memories, we tend to romanticize them. That is all to say that “this too shall pass away” and when the journey gets tough, just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
Response to One’s Call to Priesthood
As I sat in the car, I searched for the ways I had been able to better experience the joys, carry the sadness, and confront the challenges of the past 40 years. First and foremost has been the acquiring of the habit of prayer as a way to remain regularly in Christ’s presence from one day to the next. It is that presence that gives one the ability to hope, to endure, and to stay motivated.
Finally, as choices and opportunities of all sorts presented themselves, it has helped to simply reiterate the popular saying many teens have on their wristbands, “What would Jesus do?” If you have put on the mind of Jesus Christ through prayer, then the answer and the grace to know and to follow would flow more easily. I suddenly realized I needed to get into the Seminary to my brother priests. And with that thought, my little parked car reflection quickly drew to a close.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
What Would I Tell an Individual Considering the Priesthood Today?
The vast parking lot of St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park was empty as I drove up for my monthly Clergy Support Group meeting. The seminarians had come in September and had now gone home to their respective dioceses for the summer and with them went our own Deacon Chris Ballard. I began thinking what does an old geezer celebrating his 40th ordination anniversary tell a young man like Chris about being a priest?
As I parked my car in the deserted lot, I quickly jotted down the ideas that were swirling in my head. It was easy writing as I pictured sharing my thoughts with Deacon Chris.
Joy of Being a Priest
I have never regretted not being able to marry or be the father of children. Both marriage and fathering do find an expression in the life of a priest. People will often ask, “Are you going home for Christmas or Thanksgiving?” and my response is always, “I am home.” After God, there is no close second to my parish as my family. As for children, the constant calling “Father Nicholas” and trying to realize what the title really means is very compelling. I am reminded of the teen who asked me what cologne I was wearing. When I asked why, she said she wanted to buy it for her father because we wears “old man’s cologne.” There are a multitude of such connections where our children are my children.
The other joy of being a priest has been to celebrate the Sacraments. It is an extraordinary experience to glimpse from time to time what I am really doing at the Mass and in Jesus’ name to say, “This is my body…this is my blood” and have what I say become the fact! In each of the sacraments there is something: what a joy it is to see the relief in the eyes of the penitent, the peace in the one anointed before surgery, the excitement in the signing of the hymn at Mass, or the thrill of raising that little bambino at baptism and have you all applaud!
Sadness of Being a Priest
Being a priest does have a “heavy” side, particularly in the sexual abuse scandals of last 20 years. What heartbreak to see so many children abused at the hands of a beloved and trusted priest or to see the failure in leadership of bishops not dealing with the issues more responsibly or to know priests themselves who were part of our “Band of Brothers” in such profound trouble.
A second sadness has to do with the legion of cases where, in pastoral care of our people, the law or teaching of the Church is considered more important than the individual in anguish or pain. Among such people are the divorced and remarried, persons with same-sex attraction, and women who have had abortions. I often think that people know what the Church’s teachings are; what they do not often receive is the Church’s compassion.
Challenges of the Priesthood
I have always liked the distinction of the Church as being both human and divine. As divine, it is the Body of Christ in our world. As human, it is the sinful spouse, the weak and unfaithful disciple. Thank God the “greats” like Peter and Paul had their own faults and failings. In their changes of heart there is hope for all of us. I have found that it helps others, as well as myself, for me to recognize my own sins and failings. When we are able to admit that, people see us as real and the mercy of God becomes more tangible.
A second challenge has to do with the things we lament in our lives as a Church. Unfortunately, we all think that the challenges and crises are unique to our own lifetime. History is such an aid in seeing that parents have complained about children from the dawn of creation. We need to honestly admit that perhaps there were never any real “good old days.” Oh, I know we think there were, but we often fail to see the problems experienced then and, as our lives become past memories, we tend to romanticize them. That is all to say that “this too shall pass away” and when the journey gets tough, just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
Response to One’s Call to Priesthood
As I sat in the car, I searched for the ways I had been able to better experience the joys, carry the sadness, and confront the challenges of the past 40 years. First and foremost has been the acquiring of the habit of prayer as a way to remain regularly in Christ’s presence from one day to the next. It is that presence that gives one the ability to hope, to endure, and to stay motivated.
Finally, as choices and opportunities of all sorts presented themselves, it has helped to simply reiterate the popular saying many teens have on their wristbands, “What would Jesus do?” If you have put on the mind of Jesus Christ through prayer, then the answer and the grace to know and to follow would flow more easily. I suddenly realized I needed to get into the Seminary to my brother priests. And with that thought, my little parked car reflection quickly drew to a close.
Fondly,
Father Nicholas
Weekly HOMILY for June 6, 2010: "Give Them Something to Eat Yourselves"
Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
June 6, 2010
“Give Them Something to Eat Yourselves”
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
“Aren’t They All Our Children”
This past week, I recalled a newspaper article that I read about fifteen years ago.
A reporter was in Sarajevo covering the Balkan War. He reported on his experience of seeing a little girl get shot by a sniper.
Immediately another man and the reporter ran to the little girl. Together they got this six-year-old into the reporter’s car and started racing to the hospital.
The reporter was driving and in the back seat the other man cradled the child in his arms. He pleaded, “Hurry, my child is still alive.”
A moment later, he said again, “Hurry, my friend, my child is still breathing.” After a few more minutes, he said again, “Hurry, my child is still warm.”
Finally, he moaned, “Hurry, Oh dear God, my child is getting cold.” When they finally arrived at the hospital, the little girl was pronounced dead.
The unknown man turned to the reporter and said, “This is terrible. Now I must go and tell her father that his daughter is dead.”
The reporter was stunned and said to the grieving man, “But I thought she was your child.” The man responded, “No, but aren’t they all our children?”
The Body of Christ
What a touching, poignant story!
It helps us to appreciate what today’s liturgy is all about. There are two essential aspects to this celebration that honors of the Body and Blood of Christ.
On the one hand, we are celebrating the sacramental Body of Christ. Our faith assures us that this is special, unique, sacred food.
We believe that Jesus is really present here and that we receive him in this bread and wine. We believe that Jesus nourishes and strengthens us for the journey of life with this sacramental food.
On the other hand, we are also celebrating the living Body of Christ. In a way, the idea is simple.
We who eat the sacramental Body are to become the living, visible Body of Christ in our families, our community and our world. Since Christ is our food, we are challenged to be the real presence of Christ especially to those who are hungry and undernourished in our world.
And we need to see one another – indeed all persons – as part of this living Body of Christ.
That man in Sarajevo understood this so clearly when he cared for that little girl as his own child and said, “Aren’t they all our children?” Yes, they are!
The Word of God
Today’s Scripture readings beautifully express both of these dimensions of the Body of Christ.
Saint Paul recalls what Jesus gave us at the Last Supper. Jesus takes bread and says, “This is my body,” and then he takes wine and says, “This is my blood.”
Jesus gives us his sacramental Body and Blood in the bread and wine. Then, in today’s Gospel story, we hear of the feeding of the five thousand.
Notice the words that Luke uses to describe this miracle. “Jesus took the bread…blessed it…broke it…and gave it...”
The exact same words used at the Last Supper! The Gospel writer carefully uses these same words to help us realize the connection between the sacramental body and the living body of Christ.
He wants us to realize that Jesus’ sacramental body must lead us to be his living Body.
We live in a world where 13,600 people will die of hunger today every day and where over a billion of the world’s people – about one of every six people in the world – are undernourished.
We need to heed Jesus’ response when the disciples ask him to send the hungry people away: “Give them something to eat yourselves.” We need to be his living Body.
Conclusion
And so, both dimensions of the Body of Christ are essential.
Without the sacramental Body of Christ, we will lack the motivation, energy, and purpose to continue being the living Body of Christ.
And without our becoming the living Body of Christ for one another, our sharing in the sacramental Body can become merely self-centered.
That is the full message of today’s celebration. That is the two-fold invitation of this feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.
“Give them something to eat yourselves,” Jesus tells us.
Our Lady of Grace
June 6, 2010
“Give Them Something to Eat Yourselves”
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato
“Aren’t They All Our Children”
This past week, I recalled a newspaper article that I read about fifteen years ago.
A reporter was in Sarajevo covering the Balkan War. He reported on his experience of seeing a little girl get shot by a sniper.
Immediately another man and the reporter ran to the little girl. Together they got this six-year-old into the reporter’s car and started racing to the hospital.
The reporter was driving and in the back seat the other man cradled the child in his arms. He pleaded, “Hurry, my child is still alive.”
A moment later, he said again, “Hurry, my friend, my child is still breathing.” After a few more minutes, he said again, “Hurry, my child is still warm.”
Finally, he moaned, “Hurry, Oh dear God, my child is getting cold.” When they finally arrived at the hospital, the little girl was pronounced dead.
The unknown man turned to the reporter and said, “This is terrible. Now I must go and tell her father that his daughter is dead.”
The reporter was stunned and said to the grieving man, “But I thought she was your child.” The man responded, “No, but aren’t they all our children?”
The Body of Christ
What a touching, poignant story!
It helps us to appreciate what today’s liturgy is all about. There are two essential aspects to this celebration that honors of the Body and Blood of Christ.
On the one hand, we are celebrating the sacramental Body of Christ. Our faith assures us that this is special, unique, sacred food.
We believe that Jesus is really present here and that we receive him in this bread and wine. We believe that Jesus nourishes and strengthens us for the journey of life with this sacramental food.
On the other hand, we are also celebrating the living Body of Christ. In a way, the idea is simple.
We who eat the sacramental Body are to become the living, visible Body of Christ in our families, our community and our world. Since Christ is our food, we are challenged to be the real presence of Christ especially to those who are hungry and undernourished in our world.
And we need to see one another – indeed all persons – as part of this living Body of Christ.
That man in Sarajevo understood this so clearly when he cared for that little girl as his own child and said, “Aren’t they all our children?” Yes, they are!
The Word of God
Today’s Scripture readings beautifully express both of these dimensions of the Body of Christ.
Saint Paul recalls what Jesus gave us at the Last Supper. Jesus takes bread and says, “This is my body,” and then he takes wine and says, “This is my blood.”
Jesus gives us his sacramental Body and Blood in the bread and wine. Then, in today’s Gospel story, we hear of the feeding of the five thousand.
Notice the words that Luke uses to describe this miracle. “Jesus took the bread…blessed it…broke it…and gave it...”
The exact same words used at the Last Supper! The Gospel writer carefully uses these same words to help us realize the connection between the sacramental body and the living body of Christ.
He wants us to realize that Jesus’ sacramental body must lead us to be his living Body.
We live in a world where 13,600 people will die of hunger today every day and where over a billion of the world’s people – about one of every six people in the world – are undernourished.
We need to heed Jesus’ response when the disciples ask him to send the hungry people away: “Give them something to eat yourselves.” We need to be his living Body.
Conclusion
And so, both dimensions of the Body of Christ are essential.
Without the sacramental Body of Christ, we will lack the motivation, energy, and purpose to continue being the living Body of Christ.
And without our becoming the living Body of Christ for one another, our sharing in the sacramental Body can become merely self-centered.
That is the full message of today’s celebration. That is the two-fold invitation of this feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.
“Give them something to eat yourselves,” Jesus tells us.
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