Epiphany of the Lord

“Happiness is to be found only in the home where God is loved and honored, where each one loves and helps and cares for others.”

- St. Theophane Venard

Recently a couple from Pueblo, Colorado spoke to me after a Sunday Mass. They told me they were in need of three things: a home, a job and a church, and that finding a church was the most important of the three. Happy at St. Joseph Parish, they informed me that their search for a "spiritual home" had ended; they trusted that the other two would fall into place in time.

In this Christmas season, as a priest, I find one of the greatest blessings in knowing that across the globe, the Church is the biggest family on earth. In the Votive Mass for the Church, the prayer reads, "God our Father, in all the churches scattered throughout the world you show forth the one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, through the Gospel and the Eucharist, you bring your people together through the Holy Spirit and guide us in your love. Make us a sign of your love for all people, and help us to show forth the living presence of Christ in the world."

Our Catholic family is spread across every country on the earth. There are 1.2 billion Catholics on the planet, which is approximately 17.5% of the world’s population. There are over 400,000 priests, 800,000 religious sisters, and 219,500 parishes. We are united to one another as brothers and sisters who are baptized into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

As James Joyce says of the Catholic Church, “Here comes everyone.” As members of the Catholic family world-wide, we have so much to celebrate. Our Diocese of Pittsburgh was established on August 8, 1843. It is composed of six counties in Southwestern PA: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington. The total population of these six counties is 1,908,721. This area of Pennsylvania is 3,753.9 square miles and has a Catholic population of 673,801, or 34.38% of the total population. There are 260 active priests within our Diocese, 15 serving outside the diocese, and 1 priest ministering in foreign missions. There are 111 retired priests and 41 permanent deacons, (45 in the class of June 2011, 23 in the class of 2013). There are 29 brothers serving in our diocese and 1,143 sisters. There are currently 38 seminarians.

I was ordained in the first ordination class of the now-Cardinal Donald Wuerl in 1988. In his homily, he reminded us that we did not arrive at God’s altar alone and we never leave it alone. The priesthood is the largest fraternity in the world, sprinkled with holy water. Cardinal Wuerl highlighted the importance that Christ entrusts us to be His light, His instrument, His mediator, as His priest to God’s holy family. As the seasons and years of my life continue to unfold, I hearken back to the blessing of being God’s servant, in leading God’s people in faith and prayer. He noted the importance of praying to love the Church more and more each day. Pope Benedict XVI said, “Produce beautiful things, but above all, make your lives places of beauty.”

The late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin described the parish family as “everybody’s home in the neighborhood.” I marvel to see the various people coming together to form God’s family to worship each Sunday. This "family of God" must continue to grow in holiness, forgiveness, gratitude, humility, truthfulness, faith, charity, witness, sacrifice, prayer and love.

G. Copeland writes in We Are Family, “Since before any of us were born, God planned for us to share our lives with each other. He knew exactly how our strengths and weaknesses would balance one another and the depth of love, understanding and commitment we would learn to fear. He knew that the richness of our separate characters would be developed through the hard times and that mutual trust and respect would be born as a result of overcoming the trials together. He knew that we would laugh together and cry together. He knew we needed each other… to hug, to help, to teach, to share… to love.”

I am grateful for the biggest family on earth in existence: the Catholic family of faith, (over 2,000 years); for our Diocesan family, the Church of Pittsburgh, (167 years); our St. Joseph family in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, (119 years); and for our family of origin. As we begin a new year I am grateful to be entrusted to the care of the parish family of St. Joseph’s here in Coraopolis. There are 1550 families and 3500 members in our congregation. In order to grow in wisdom, grace and holiness, we must seek to do Jesus’ will on earth through our Christian vocation. We are called by God’s grace to grow with one another through our commitment to service and love of each other. May we pray for our parish family and our natural family to grow in new ways the Year of Grace 2010.

Let us strive to mirror and link His divine image in every generation. May the Lord bless each person who has touched our lives in the past, the present and the future, both living and deceased with the blessing of faith, hope, and love. Each person counts.

For God, every day is New Year’s.
Every day the sun rises is His act of confidence that creation
continues.
Every baby born is His act of hope that humanity goes on.
Every marriage is His trust that love is stronger than hate.
Every morning brings a new chance.
Every prayer a new hope.
Every blocked path a new route.
Every sin repented a fresh burst of grace.
Every mistake a lesson learned.
Every death a new life.
We have a god who relishes fresh starts, new dreams, trying
again, resolutions made.
He is the Lord of second chances.
He never tires of giving us another opportunity.

- Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, New York
Doers of the Word: Putting Your Faith Into Practice

Holy Family

“Each and every one of us has one obligation, during the bewildered days of our pilgrimage here: the saving of his own soul, and secondarily and incidentally thereby effecting for good such other souls as come under our influence.”

—Kathleen Norris, (1880-1960)

Two weeks before Christmas, I got a “break in the action” from teaching the fourth grade at St. Joseph School since the children were practicing for their Christmas show. As the snow was falling outside my window, it set the mood for this holy season. I wish each and every one of you, near and far, family and friends, parishioners and visitors, a most Blessed Christmas! There were four beautiful Advent banners hanging in our church, representing the four weeks of Advent preparation. These banners perhaps offered the greatest "gifts‟ of the season: Love, Hope, Joy and Peace. My prayer for you in receiving this message is that these "gifts‟ will reign in our lives, families, communities, nation and world.

I have been serving here at St. Joseph Parish in Coraopolis, PA for two and a half years. There are 1,550 families in our parish. There are 3,500 members in our congregation. My Godmother, Aunt Jo, who turned 90 on the birthday of Mary, September 8, delights that I am at a parish after her namesake, St. Joseph, a Christmas saint! There is a statue of St. Joseph in each of the offices in our parish house. There is a candle in every window of our three-story rectory. The candle in the window is a symbol of welcome; all are welcome here to visit. There are 33 steps in 3 flights of stairs to get to my quarters in a house that was built over 100 years ago. I thoroughly enjoy the exercise! This home keeps me in shape.

Recently in speaking with my dentist, Dr. Andreas Mecs, who has served me for the past 36 years, I mentioned that I was having difficulty swallowing. He told me to take this seriously and got me an appointment with a gastroenterologist. After seeing this doctor, I was diagnosed with “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease” (GERD) on All Saints Day, November 1. This diagnosis has changed my diet: no pop, chewing gum, citrus fruits and juices, spicy foods, fatty foods, tomato products, caffeine and chocolate. The headboard of my bed even had to be elevated four inches. These alterations in my diet have allowed me to make changes for the good. My Kitchen-Aid blender allows me to make smoothies each day. I'm eating a lot of salads now, a diet with high fiber, and even enjoy eating fish. The doctor noted that my vocal cords were inflamed as I was having difficulty in singing and saying the four weekend Masses. The doctor believes that the esophagus should heal in several months. I guess as you near fifty, taking a pill serves to evaporate your pride! I am grateful to have my voice and singing back, especially in my vocation as a messenger, herald and spokesperson for the Lord.

In almost a quarter century of serving the Lord as a priest, I am filled with profound gratitude and happiness to share the greatest love story the world has ever known, that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Madeleine L'Engle once said, “There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation.” As I review, reflect, relish and respond to the countless ways God has sanctified my journey, I am filled with wonder, novelty and surprise. Sometimes as humans we have an all-too-human tendency to over-emphasize the negative dimensions of our lives and downplay the positive events. Some highlights I rejoice in: My family coming here in Pittsburgh in July to celebrate Mom's 87th birthday; what joy to see my nieces and nephews on the "Splash-Blast‟ adjacent to the rectory. All the priests of the Diocese of Pittsburgh gathering for fraternity, support, education, prayer and friendship at Olgebay in Wheeling, WV, this past September 27-30. Seeing people drive to remote Coraopolis every Monday to read God's word through our Bible Study; I am inspired by their faith and devotion. A new "Destiny Home," the Consol Energy Center, for my favorite sport team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. "The Winter Classic," January 1, when our Pittsburgh Penguins will play the Washington Capitals on New Year‟s Day on Heinz Field here in Pittsburgh. Parishioners taping my Sunday homilies so that they can be put on our web site each week. The 500 e-mail companions whom I send weekly reflections... Only a small sampling of God‟s blessings!

My dear friend Fr. John Cercero, SJ, professor of Psychology at Fordham University, would often quote the words of the late Father General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Pedro Arrupe: “Nothing is more practical than finding God; that is, falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide why you get out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love. Stay in love. And that will decide everything.” The bottom line of any vocation perhaps is best summed up in answering the question, “In what state of life can I love the most?”

After 22 ½ years in the priesthood I continue to believe and give thanks to God that the vocation to be a priest “makes a difference” in the world. It brings meaning and purpose in loving and serving God‟s family, the Church. Despite a highly scrutinizing and critical world, it is a "joy‟ to be a priest! (Joy is to possess Jesus; unhappiness is to lose Him.) I try to take my commitment seriously, but not take myself too seriously. I am amazed at the Lord‟s constant fidelity; God never lets me down. Despite when I stumble, or when I am too stubborn or when I am too self-absorbed to see His handiwork, God‟s grace, faithfulness and generous love find me.

I find this holiday time to be really to be “holy-times." Time together with family is really a special and sacred time. As we share stories, traditions, customs, memories, generations are blessed. May Christmas make us less selfish and more and self-less; less self-indulgent and more self-sacrificing; less self-centered and more self-transcendent. As we celebrate Christ's nativity, may we realize this is our greatest gift: Christ was born to save and love us forever! A Blessed Christmas!

Advent 4

“God is enough for me. Only in God do I have all.”

—St. Julian of Norwich

On December 7, in the “Your Life” section of USA Today, there was a poll asking the question, “Which best fits your holiday emotional state?” The responses were: 31% percent -- joyful, 27% -- stressed, 24% —- depressed, and 18% —- relaxed. I hope and pray that your emotional state falls in the book ends of these four categories, namely, joyful and relaxed, instead of stressed and depressed. As we approach this Christmas week, the pace of things speeds up and often our "spiritual side" tends to get lost or glossed over at best. It is easy to forget that Jesus is the true reason of this most holy season. Our fast-paced and stressed filled lives as Americans can erect roadblocks to living life gracefully and gratefully. Perhaps the best book that I read in the year 2010 was "The Gratitude Factor: Enhancing Your Life by Grateful Living," by Fr. Charles M. Shelton, a professor of Psychology at Regis University in Denver, CO and a licensed psychologist and Jesuit priest. Fr. Shelton has also written on other such topics as conscience development, pastoral ministry, spiritual formation and metal health issues.

In the book, he notes, “Psychologists rarely think much about what make people happy. They focus on their sadness or what makes them anxious. That is why psychology journals have published 45,000 articles in the last 30 years on depression, but only 400 on joy.” The Latin word gratia means “grace," “graciousness,” or “gratefulness”. In all world’s major religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, gratitude is highly praised and valued by believers. “Thankful," “thankfulness,” and “thanksgiving” appear more than 150 times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Gratitude was central in the Christian life as found in the writings of St. Paul. The Greek word for “grace” is charis which means “gift."

In almost a half-century of living and almost a quarter-century of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as His messenger and herald, I stand in wonderment, awe and thanksgiving of the countless people who have graced my faith journey. I value and treasure the relationships that have deepened and challenged my commitment to grow in love for the Lord and neighbor. I am often reminded of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s three-fold question in his spiritual exercises:

1) What have I done for Christ?
2) What am I doing for Christ?
3) What will I do for Christ?

No matter what age or place we are on the journey, at the close of a year and the opening of a new chapter of a year of grace, perhaps we could ponder and reflect on these questions. As human beings we all experience opportunities to grow in new ways. Despite the sufferings and difficulties in our lives, God is present to us. Despite the headaches and heartaches of our lives, God offers healing and love. Despite our forgetting and abandoning God, God never forgets or abandons us. Despite the crosses we must take up, resurrection is our constant, unfailing hope. Also in the December 7 publication of USA Today, Michelle Healy wrote an article entitled, “Happiness is having Friends at Church." Her report says that social connections really count. When we attend religious services regularly and make friends in our congregation, they are keys to a happier, more satisfying life. Our circle of friendships within a community make us stronger and more spiritually connected and alive in our personal identity and social well-being, along with our spiritual vitality. Never underestimate the importance of regular church attendance, prayer, spiritual reading, scriptural reading and meditation. This study was done for all Christian denominations as well as Jews and Mormons. The more we attend church regularly and faithfully, the more we make friends in the congregation, and thus, the result is our lives are more satisfying. Being connected and making connections with others is a gratifying and life-giving encounter.

St. Augustine in his Confessions XI: 27, said, “Time is a spiritual extension; remembrance of the past, attention to the present and expectation of the future.” Sometimes we do not realize the importance that presence and participation play in our spiritual, interpersonal and faith-development. We live in a world of wide-spread selfish behavior which results in living in godlessness, lawlessness and chaos. I feel blessed to have been raised in a devout family where faith was as natural as eating.

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, our fourth banner for the sanctuary of our church is raised. Each of these four banners bear a single word which is a gift of God and a light to bring to this world, namely: Love, Hope, Joy and Peace. As we approach this home-stretch for the Christmas preparation, I invite you specifically to do two things: First, attend our Christmas concert, “Promise Fulfilled” on Sunday evening, December 19, at 7:00 PM, featuring live music, dancing, costumes, singing and living Nativity. And second, come to our Penance Service on Monday, December 20, at 6:30 PM, where seven priests will serve confessors for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. May the following 10 Commandments of Forgiveness become for you the fruits of this Sacrament of Peace:

1. Forgiveness is not easy.
2. Forgiveness is not forgetting.
3. Forgiveness does not overlook evil.
4. Forgiveness is not indifference.
5. Forgiveness is not the same thing as approval.
6. Forgiveness recognizes that people are always bigger than their faults.
7. Forgiveness allows a person to start all over again.
8. Forgiveness recognizes the humanity of the wrongdoer.
9. Forgiveness surrenders the ’right’ to get even
10. Forgiveness wishes to the offender well.

— William Baush
Once Upon a Gospel: Inspiring Homilies and Insightful Reflections

Advent 3

“What are God’s servants but His minstrels, who must inspire the hearts of men and stir them to spiritual joy!”

- St. Francis of Assisi

On Thursday, December 2, the Jewish festival of Hanukkah began. On that day I traveled with our organist, Ginny Ambrose, to Swisshelm Park Studio owned and operated by Michael Mazzei, sound engineer and singer of the group, “The Interior Castle”. We recorded a 50 minute auidio CD entitled, “The Heart of Christmas… Christ’s Love: The Message, the Meaning and the Music of Christmas." I was given a set of earphones and instructed to wear them throughout the taping. I was also told to keep the “popping noises” down to a minimum as I spoke — meaning that every letter “B” and “P” would have to be minimized. It took close to three hours to record fifty minutes of material with little or no breaks in between. It was an exhausting effort. (Water never tasted so good!) Upon completion of this, Michael, the sound engineer said, “It’s time for Fr. Ron Lengwin to move over!” I don’t think I’m ready for “Amplify” which has aired on KDKA 1020 AM for the past thirty years.

I was inspired by Pope Benedict XVI in the year designated “The Year of the Priest” in which he encouraged priests to herald the message of the Good News through modern technologies. Sometimes in life it just takes an ounce of encouragement to set one’s life to be more inspirational. An upcoming reflection is scheduled to appear in the Pittsburgh Catholic, Friday, December 17, of an article I wrote entitled, “All I Want for Christmas." There will be an ad along with the article for anyone who may be interested in purchasing this new CD. It is the perfect Christmas gift; a gift for the soul and for the heart.

On the inside cover of the CD I wrote, “As a priest, I strive daily to keep God’s love at the center of my life. I try to be, ‘a lifelong learner’ and ground my life in good friendships, prayer and the sacraments, so that I might experience God’s love in my own faith journey and thus be able to share that love with others in all I say and do. God’s love is freely given to all of us despite our sinfulness and weakness. God’s love inspires us when things are good and keeps us going when times are rough. The wisdom of an early church father wrote, ‘To know ourselves has always been the greatest of all lessons. For, if we know ourselves, we will know God. And, in knowing God, we will become like God’ (Clement of Alexandria, 150-215). May 'The Message, Meaning and Music of Christmas' stir in us touching and tender graces. Let His love, hope, joy, and peace reign in our hearts and lives. Then we will reflect His presence and holiness through sharing His ‘marvelous’ love. May the ‘real’ spirit of Christmas fill your heart with His promises.”

These CDs can be purchased for $10 after all Masses in December or picked up at the rectory. For $12 they can be mailed. Call 412-264-6162 to order or for more information.

Advent 2

I recently came across two very worthy “clip-out” articles from the National Catholic Register on October 21, which I thought appropriate for this Advent season as we prepare our hearts in spiritual renewal. Mass and Reconciliation must be a priority for spiritual vitality. What better way to welcome Christ than to repent of our sins which weigh us down and embrace the Eucharist that gives us new strength to be His presence as gift to others.

How (and Why) to Return to Sunday Mass

1. It’s your way to relive the Last Supper.
2. When was the last time you prayed too much?
3. If you want to spend eternity with Christ, you need to get to know Him now.
4. It’s the central, necessary activity of Christian worship (Luke 22:14-23; John 6:53; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
5. It’s your best way to identify yourself with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
6. Some of the greatest people in history were Mass-goers (St. Francis, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pope John Paul II).
7. Wise people invest money for the future. How much more should we invest in eternal life?
8. It has to be better for you than TV.
9. If you’ve been to confession, you get to receive Jesus Christ. If you find a better deal, do that instead.
10. If you knew Jesus would be somewhere, wouldn’t you go see Him?
11. Guaranteed Bible readings. Countless lives have been changed by Scripture. Might yours?
12. Statistics say that people who go to church are less stressed.
13. It’s the best way to pray for your family and friends -- and to cope with troubled times.
14. One out of Ten Commandments asks us to go to Mass every Sunday.
15. You’ll become a better person at Mass. The more you are a part of God’s life, the better you’ll be.
16. Life is complicated. Get directions that work -- from the One who created life.
17. It’s your way to go most directly through Jesus Christ to God the Father by the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer.
18. Is an hour too much to give to God? How many do you spend on other priorities?

How (and Why) to Return to Confession

1. The presence of sin can easily lead to depression and anxiety.
2. You shower to show respect for those around you. Cleansing your soul makes you better to be around, too!
3. Mortal sin, un-confessed, “causes exclusion from Christ’s Kingdom and the eternal death of hell, for our freedom has the power to make choices forever, with no turning back” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1861).

4. As they leave the confessional, people smile a smile of freedom.
5. Because love means having to say you are sorry to the one you love.
6. You will grow in humility, sincerity and self-knowledge.
7. Blessed Mother Teresa went. Frequently.
8. Hoping to convert on your deathbed? That’s not very likely. Most likely, you will die as you lived.
9. It is itself a serious sin to go to Communion if you have serious sin on your soul and have not asked for forgiveness in confession.
10. Don’t be scared to death of confession. Be scared of death without confession.
11. Be strong. Face your sins; deal with them and move on.
12. Make sure there are no unpleasant surprises at your particular judgment or at the Final Judgment.
13. The priest will listen to your sins and will never tell a soul on pain of losing his soul. Priests even learn to forget what they hear.

Advent 1

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936), an English Christian writer, was asked 100 years ago in 1910 by the London Times to write an editorial answering the question, “What’s wrong with the world today?” He humbly and simply responded, “I am.” Chesterton refused to blame any institution or government, nor any system or school, nor any church or family upbringing for the world’s travails and woes. Chesterton clearly knew that the sinful heart is at the root of all the "disorders" and "chaos" in one’s life. Perhaps this is a good lesson for our times - to learn in a culture that is often times looking "outside" for the answers rather than "inside" oneself.

"Disordered living" is certainly contrary to God’s plan and God’s will: addictive behaviors, lustful passions, unruly obsessions, impetuous compulsions, etc. These undermine our calling as Christians to responsible and integral living, wherein peace and joy of the Christian life abound.

Many of the prophets speak of the "Day of the Lord." Their stark message was meant as a warning to sinners and as an encouragement to the just. For those who persist in evil doing, the "Day of the Lord" will be a "Day of Judgment." But for those who are upright and just, it will be a "Day of Salvation!"

The prophets speak of a cataclysmic purgation where nothing will be left in the wake of the vaporizing heat of God’s judgment. Advent is a time to wait and be awake in vigilant watchfulness of that coming day. We must contribute our fair share by being faithful to the work that Christ has entrusted to us. Our work should attach us to God, not cause alienation from the Lord. Each Christian should strive to correspond to this great calling as we prepare for the coming of the Lord by sanctifying our work. We should also help others to think about their eternal destiny. We must make the best of our circumstances, time, resources, and gifts for the greater honor and glory of God.

Recently I visited a funeral home. I spoke with a man there who was aglow as he spoke about his father-in-law. He commented that he was a barber for over 60 years and worked until his death at the age of 87. He treasured all the relationships and stories through the years. He loved sharing his humble gifts with others. He took pride in making them feel like a million dollars!

Jesus didn’t hold back in telling his followers that things at times would be difficult. When he spoke about the world, He was quite realistic. The apocalyptic literature of the eschaton "end times" speaks of wars, and revolutions, insurrections, earthquakes, plagues, famines, natural disasters, persecutions, imprisonments, betrayals, hatreds, and killings, which would come to pass. Faith flourishes and thrives in adversity. When the "chips are down," we must stay the course through the tough times. Perseverance, grace, tenacity, reverence, responsibility are certainly deserving of our applause.

"Perseverance" is an essential quality that must shape our character to prepare the soul to deal with the trials and tribulations that inevitably come into every life. We must stay the course in believing that the Lord is near! In spite of the calamities, upheavals and tribulations in the world we must take responsibility for our own choices which effect others either positively or negatively.

Jesus not only "forewarns" us, but "fore-arms" us in saying that we will need God’s wisdom so as not to be deceived! We need God’s courage so as not to be fearful or afraid! We need God’s staying power and endurance so as not to give up or quit! He will see to it that we will triumph in the end, provided that we remain faithful, loyal and committed to extending His Kingdom.

God gives us the daily strength to hold our ground and His grace sustains us in the belief that good will triumph over evil. Even in the midst of turmoil and trials in one’s life, joy can be ours because we know that God is with us. He helps us to cope with the challenges and struggles of our lives. God is still in charge and therefore joy will overcome grief, life will conquer death, and the chains of sin will be shattered.

Recently a long-time neighbor from my hometown parish of SS Simon and Jude passed away at age 86 with a brain aneurysm. He sang in the choir for over 50 years. (That’s a miracle in the Catholic Church!) It was wonderful to see familiar faces and share updates with many at his funeral. An 83 year old man and his 78 year old wife told me they pray the Rosary everyday after Mass and remember the vocations from that parish and all the priests who have served there. It was nice to hear I was remembered in their daily prayers and I thanked them - as prayer is the staying power of faith.

Perhaps from the beginning of time, the question has been asked, “What’s wrong with the world?” Chesterton makes us look within our own lives and our own stories to answer it truthfully, humbly, and honestly. Bishop David Zubik often notes that skepticism, criticism, and negativity cipher faith out of the world and our hearts. Only we can answer this question with our Christian faith, action and lifestyle.

Advent calls us to be prepared to embrace what comes with a blessed assurance that God’s grace is always available to help us. God is faithful and true to all His promises every step of the way. It is in times of darkness that light is most needed. It is in times of falsehood that truth is most needed. It is in times of hatred that love is most needed. It is in times of war that peace is most needed. As we observe and celebrate these weeks of Advent let us keep vigilant. May faith, hope, and love grow in our hearts and lives these special days

Christ the King

“Loving Savior, let my heart be united with Yours. Let my will be conformed to Yours in all things. May Your will be the rule of all my desires and actions.”

- St. Gertrude the Great

Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, the culmination of the liturgical year. It was instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI to reassert Christ’s sovereignty over all. Let us reflect if Christ the King reigns in my heart, mind, conscience, soul, spirit, will, actions, body and entire being. I recently read Fr. Thomas D. Williams’ marvelous book, A Heart Like His. He notes 30 qualities of Jesus’ Heart that should attract us to becoming more like Jesus— more human and more holy:

1. A Humble Heart — “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart” (Mt 11:29) Humility is being down-to-earth: a commoner, grounded, not on a pedestal.
2. A Thirsty Heart — “Give me to drink” (Jn 4:7) Jesus’ Heart thirsts for souls and love which is the Father’s joy. We hunger for ‘insatiable things’ but Jesus’ greatest thirst is for our conversion.
3. An Undivided Heart — “You cannot serve 2 masters” (Lk 16:13) Jesus had no secret vices, skeletons, attachments, crutches or double life. Disordered desires are contrary to God’s plan.
4. A Trusting Heart — “I know you always hear me” (Jn 11:42) Jesus had full confidence and trust in the Father’s love and fidelity that could see Him through all.
5. A Compassionate Heart — “I have compassion for the crowd.” (Mk 8:2) Jesus had compassion, meaning the ability to walk in someone else’s moccasins and share others’ suffering by seeking to alleviate it.
6. A Passionate Heart — “Zeal for Your house consumes me” (Jn 2:17) Jesus was passionate about His mission, the salvation of souls, the Father’s glory, freeing the downtrodden and everything He did in life.

7. A Personal Heart — “I know my own and my own know Me” (Jn 10:14) Jesus did not distinguish between important people and unimportant ones. All were of infinite worth to Him.
8. A Pious Heart — “Ask and you will receive” (Lk. 11:9) In asking, seeking, knocking, Jesus promises we will be heard and answered.
9. A Pure Heart — “Blessed are the Pure in Heart” (Mt. 5:8) Purity means "authenticity" - nothing artificial, phony or contrived. A heart that is free and filled with love for God and neighbor.
10. A Merciful Heart — “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Mt. 9:13) In the cross both justice and mercy kiss; love triumphs! Sin is misery, mercy is paradise.
11. An Honest Heart — “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Mt. 12:34) Dishonesty, hypocrisy and duplicity have no place in Jesus’ Heart. They deceive.
12. A Poor Heart — “No where to lay His Head” (Lk 9:58). Jesus was born in poverty; lived in poverty of spirit; and died rich in forgiveness on the cross.
13. A Disciplined Heart — “Long before dawn…” (Mt 11:29) Jesus’ Heart was well ordered: disciplined by love, urged by love and compelled by love.
14. An Unpretentious Heart — “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Mt 6:3) Jesus did not care whether people praised or censured Him.
15. A Prayerful Heart — “Abba, Father!” (Mt 14:36) Jesus wants our friendship, intimacy, trust and company. We must make a daily "prayer-appointment."
16. A Radical Heart — “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mt 16:23) Jesus doesn’t beat-around-the-bush or mince words. He doesn’t compromise His convictions and principles. It is right or it is wrong.
17. A Realistic Heart — “What does it profit a man?” (Mk 14:36) All the treasures of earth that we pile up can never possibly equal heaven. All the sorrows endured on earth, could never outweigh God’s glory.
18. A Simple Heart — “Let the little children come to me” (Mt 19:14) No special titles, no degrees, no rank, no VIPs; let us live simply so that others can simply live.
19. A Grateful Heart — “I love you, Father” (Mt. 11:25) Gratitude pleases the Heart of Christ. The humbler we are, the more we are aware of our own unworthiness of the many gifts we daily receive.
20. A Joyful Heart — “That my joy may be in you” (Jn 15:11) St. Teresa of Avila said, “A sad saint is a sorry saint.” Be a joyous and contagious carrier of serene grace.
21. A Reassuring Heart — “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (Jn 14:1) Jesus feels a desire to protect us, gather us and take care of us. He will not abandon or ever forget us.
22. A Courageous Heart — “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51) Courage is inner strength to undertake difficult tasks and patiently bear suffering.

23. An Obedient Heart — “Whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise” (Jn 5:19) One obeys not because it is easy, desirable or sensible, but because it is right, even at the cost of one’s owns dreams, wealth or relationships.
24. A Universal Heart — “Everyone is searching for you!” (Mk 1:37) A heart that includes all and excludes none.
25. A Magnanimous Heart — “Love your enemies” (Lk 6:27) Whenever cheated, betrayed or let down by anyone, we have the opportunity to “love our enemies."
26. A Eucharistic Heart — “This is my Body” (Lk 22:19) The truest essence of love is complete self donation.
27. A Peaceful Heart — “My peace I give you” (Jn 14:27) The Hebrew greeting “Shalom” signifies the fullness of being, the presence of everything good—wholeness, health and prosperity.
28. A Patient Heart — “Put your finger in my side” (Jn 20:27) We all have defects, limitations and human failings yet Jesus is great in patience with us.
29. A Heavenly Heart — “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be” (Lk 12: 34) Jesus and His kingdom must be seen each day.
30. A Wise Heart — “Man does not live by bread alone” (Lk 4:4) Wisdom is to seek what really matters: God’s will.

A great danger is to have big heads and small hearts. Instead, let us mirror Christ the King’s Heart as Mary did through purity, holiness, faithfulness, humility and love. From my heart to all, with prayers and love ... happy Thanksgiving!

Ordinary Time 33

“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received ... but only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.”

- St. Francis of Assisi

On Tuesday, November 9, I returned to my home parish of Sts. Simon and Jude in Scott Twp. for the funeral of a long time neighbor, John Angelo Palamides, 86 years old. I grew up on the same street of Allender Avenue with the Palamides family. John was married to Gloria Bolla for 57 years. They had four sons and five grandchildren. He was the eldest of three siblings. I received a phone call from his son Tom from Southern California on Friday, November 5, informing me that his father had died. He had a brain aneurism the day before and suddenly and unexpectedly, like a "thief in the night," his life ended. I conveyed my sympathy to my friend Tom who attended Sts. Simon and Jude Grade School, Bishop Canevin High School and Duquesne University with me. Tom has a twin brother, Tim. I got to church a half hour before in order to spend quiet time in prayer. As I sought God’s comfort, I prayed that the family would be consoled by all who came, near and far, for his funeral. While kneeling before the Blessed Mother and a beautiful banner of the patron saints of the church, Sts. Simon and Jude, I asked the patron of impossible cases, St. Jude, to turn this darkness into victory.

John served in the US Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theater (VMSB 333 Marine Scout Bombing Squadron). Mr. Palamides was educated in the Pittsburgh public schools and was a former city of Pittsburgh police officer of 23 years. He pioneered the “Officer-Friendly” program that promoted child safety and awareness at home and in the community. After retirement as a police officer, he transitioned to VP of Mellon Bank for 14 years. John was an enthusiastic trombone player and an original member of the Pittsburgh Police and Firemen Band, who also joined the Western Pennsylvania Branch 84 Letter Carriers Band — performing in parades and community events for over 35 years. John loved life and people: his family, his country, his community, his parish, his neighborhood, and he carried a heart as big as his trombone bell. He was a "long-time" member of Sts. Simon and Jude and sang in their choir for over 50 years.

There were approximately 250 people in attendance for his funeral. It was wonderful to be back home and see so many familiar faces in my hometown. The twin sons read. From the book of Revelation 21:1-5 we heard, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be His people. And God Himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.’ The One who sat on the throne said, ’Behold, I make all things new.’” And in the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans 14:7-9, “None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” The Gospel reading was of the Last Judgment of Jesus’ Eschatological Discourse which reads, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit them upon His glorious throne ... and He will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” (Matthew 25:31-34).

Jesus gives us a preview of the “final exam” in this passage. For when I was hungry, when I was thirsty, naked, ill, in prison ... you served and cared for others and poured your life out in loving service for others’ sake. When you did these things out of love for Me, you furthered my reign. John Palamides’ devotion and service touched countless lives.

One of the sons, Tom, gave a farewell remembrance (eulogy) in offering remarks at the close of the Mass. Tom said such things as:

• Thank you, Dad, for being our Dad. What a special gift from God you are to us!
• Thank you, Dad, for changing our diapers. Although we did not know at that young age, your tenderness and care, we came to know it through our lives. (By the way, none of us never suffered from diaper rash!)
• Thank you, Dad, for teaching us right from wrong. When I left my tricycle on the sidewalk and it was run over by the bakery truck and smashed to a pretzel, I learned the lesson to obey my parents more clearly.
• I thank you Dad for teaching us how to ride a bicycle and a motorcycle which taught us the key lesson of life—to have a balance. Otherwise, we fall.
• Thank you, Dad, for your passion for music. In teaching us to play an instrument, we grew stronger as a family to play in the parades together. I can still hear Dad’s trombone sound off in the distance.
• Thank you, Dad, for providing us with a Catholic education, the foundation and framework of our lives --the beliefs, the values and the lessons Mom and you taught have not been in vain.
• Thank you, Dad, for taking us to the library. It opened the horizons of our minds to the dreams of what we were called to be in this life.
• Thank you, Dad, for taking us fishing at Conneaut Lake. Although we did not catch many fish, we had the comfort of being together.
• Thank you, Dad, for taking us to church and singing in the choir. Teaching us to feed on the grace of the sacraments and to live lives centered around the Lord and His plan for us, and His will for us, that we can hope hat we shall reign with him in everlasting glory!
• Thank you, Dad, for having been our Dad. God chose you to teach us to love Him. Dad, we love you!

Ordinary Time 32

“No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor has the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

- 1 Corinthians 2:9

As we gathered on Tuesday, November 2, Election Day, my thoughts went beyond the “election of new officials” in government, to the “elect” who are “citizens of heaven” with the Lord. On November 2 we also commemorated All Souls Day in which families came from near and far to remember, to celebrate and to pray for our beloved deceased. Whether one’s life is marked by brevity or longevity, it is a sacred journey we make. During the transfer of the body from funeral home to church, Psalm 121:8 is read, “The Lord guards our coming in and going out. May God be with us today as we make this journey with our brother/sister.”

There were 100 families this year, 2010, both within our parish and outside our parish, with whom I experienced the reality of death. Death is a harsh and sad reality of life. However, death is the gateway of the promise of a new life in Christ. When I preach at funerals I remind the mourners that we come seeking God’s comfort, healing and peace, as well as to be comforted by those who mourn the loss of their beloved. I often remind people that in the face of death words fail us; emotions fill us; time stands still; families unite, bringing us back to our roots; friends accompany us to soothe our sorrows; and the Christian community gathers in faith and prayer to uplift our loved ones to God.

The symbols of a funeral are so simple yet powerful. The sprinkling of the casket at the entrance of the church is tied to our Baptism, which initiated our earthly journey as children of God — this journey, now ending, looks toward the promised future glory in heaven. The pall that adorns the body is a symbol of our Baptismal garment marking our Christian dignity, innocence and holiness — this white garment is a clothing of the mantle of God’s eternal glory. As the priest incenses the body, the human body is honored as the temple of the Holy Spirit, the sacred shrine of our living God. At death, even though the soul has left the body, we still venerate that body by incensing it. As the fragrant aroma of the incense rises to heaven, so too, our lives, which have been anointed by this faith-companion whom we remember in love and prayer, rise like incense to God. The Easter Candle, or the Paschal Candle, is a reminder that Christ is the “Light of the World” and He has conquered and overcome sin by His death on the Cross, His shattering of the tomb and His victorious rising — this Paschal path is a Christian mystery. Through Baptism we are called to be a Christian — a “Christ Bearer” and “Christ Bringer” of His light to the world.

The playwright, George Bernard Shaw wrote pointedly, “I am convinced that my life belongs to the whole community; and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in the life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before turning it over to future generations.”

The month of November is a month of remembrance, thanksgiving and harvest time. We are encouraged to remember and pray for the faithful departed, those members of our families and dearly beloved who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. As Christians we are people who live in hope.

On this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time and as we come to the close of the liturgical year, the Church’s core message of our Christian faith is a notion of the resurrection from the dead. Resurrection was not always a part of the ancient Jewish theology. The Sadducees, an upper-class, powerful group holding the major seats of the Sanhedrin from 150 BC–70 AD, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Their beliefs could be summarized in four statements: 1) they were extremely self-sufficient, even denying God’s involvement in everyday life 2) they denied any resurrection of the dead 3) they denied any afterlife 4) they denied the reality of angels and demons. Of course these four beliefs of the Sadducees are in opposition to our beliefs as Christians in which we hold that: 1) through the gift of prayer, we open our hearts to seek God’s strength and grace to do His will daily 2) the promise of our Christian hope is in the glory of the Resurrection 3) heaven is our long-awaited dwelling with God and the saints forever—as we profess each Sunday in the last line of the Creed that “...we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come," and 4) in our daily battles and temptations of life, the Lord sends us angels and messengers to keep us faithful from the devil’s darkness.

The newly beatified John Cardinal Henry Newman (1801-1890) wrote in his prayer for happy death:

O, my Lord and Savior, support me
in that hour, in the strong arms of Thy Sacraments,
and by Thy fresh fragrance of Thy consolations.
Let the absolving words be said over me,
and the holy oils sign and seal me,
and Thy own Body be my Food,
and Thy Blood my sprinkling;
and let my sweet Mother, Mary, breath on me
and my Angel whisper peace to me,
and my glorious Saints...smile upon me;
that in them all, and through them all,
I may receive the gift of perseverance,
and die, as I desire to live,
in Thy Faith, in Thy Church,
in Thy Service, and in Thy Love. Amen.

As Mother Nature yields to the death of winter, our human nature yields our own mortality. It is only in dying that we are born to a new and eternal life. No life is exempt or immune from death. Death is the great equalizer of life. None of us escape death’s grasp. Faith’s hold gives us strength, courage and hope of that most perfect dawning day! In the words of Martha Mary Keane, let us pray, “Dear Jesus, bless each person who has touched my life in the past, the present, and in the future, whether they are living or deceased.”

Ordinary Time 31

“Follow the saints, because those who follow them will become saints.”

- Pope Clement I

How To Be A Saint

A third grader got it right.
“A saint is someone that
the light shines through.”

She was looking at a stained glass window,
the one St. Francis inhabits.
Every morning the light comes
and Francis lets the light pass through.

Saints are bearers of the light
and love
and life.

Just ask any third grader.

- Robert Morneau
"A New Heart: Eleven Qualities of Holiness"

Today is Priesthood Sunday. My heart’s desire is to be a holy priest. While in the seminary studying to be a priest my favorite three subjects were 1) Sacred Scripture - study of God’s Word; 2) Hagiography - study of the saints; 3) Homiletics — study of oratorical speaking. All of my elective courses in the seminary drew me to taking further Scripture classes, studying more of the lives of the saints, and fine-tuning the art of preaching.

The Church honors on Monday, November 1, All Saints' Day (note this year it is not a Holy Day of Obligation though Mass will be at 8:30 AM). On Tuesday, November 2, we celebrate All Souls’ Day, commemorating and praying for our beloved dead. (There will be a Memorial Mass at 7:00 PM only that evening.) The Church encourages our participation in the celebration of these observances.

Outside one of the lecture halls at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary is a plaque quoting Daniel 12:3, “Those who teach others in the ways of God will shine like the stars for all eternity.” Msgr. James Mulligan, who was a long-time professor for three decades at the Mount, would often say that single verse from Scripture gave him the daily inspiration to teach us to strive to be saints. The goal of the Christian life is to be holy — more pleasing in the sight of God and more graceful in the sight of one’s neighbor. I’m sure all of our lives have been blessed by certain people whose presence made us feel God’s grace alive — parents, spouses, teachers, mentors, friends, colleagues, neighbors, or fellow parishioners. A couple from our parish came to have their car blessed this past Wednesday before moving to Florida, and with tears and sadness they mentioned how much they will miss St. Joseph Parish — the place and its people. One must find his/her salvation in the time, place and people in which we live. Sometimes the best conditions for discipleship lie simply in embracing and accepting sufferings, challenges and obstacles as opportunities of new growth.

Today on the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time we read of the encounter of Jesus and Zacchaeus, the story of the "little man" who climbed a tall sycamore tree to go out on a limb in order to get Jesus’ attention. Perhaps we can visualize Jesus walking along a dusty road through Jericho (the City of Palms) attracting a large crowd as he goes. There must have been a great excitement about his presence. Jesus had the reputation for being a miracle worker. Zacchaeus was a short man, a despised and hated tax collector. His curiosity led him up a tree in order to have a better vantage point. Jesus gazed upward and saw the sight of little Zacchaeus swinging from a branch and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." St. Augustine said, “Zacchaeus had given so much importance to seeing Jesus pass by that he earned the pleasure of Jesus’ company at home.” Jesus read his heart and had mercy for him. Zacchaeus is a figure who teaches us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Jesus has compassion on everyone and invites us to a new life in seeking out and saving the lost. St. Ambrose wrote, “Of all people to choose from, he singled out the chief of the tax collectors. Who can lose hope for themselves when even such a man attained salvation?” God’s mercy and forgiveness is always within reach if we seek it. Repentance is always an on-going process and a life-long decision to seek God. It is when we turn away from sin and evil and seek to grow in holiness that we are lifted up.

The story of Zacchaeus inspires us to deeper conversion by acknowledging our weakness and sinfulness to encounter the Lord’s forgiveness. For when we reject sin and invite the Lord into our homes — our heart and our soul — we, too, experience His great love. As we walk the path of salvation we are ever mindful that we can wander to "ungodly paths." Jesus summons Zacchaeus and each of us to holiness and salvation. Zacchaeus in Hebrew means “clean, pure or innocent." Once Jesus comes in, we are made clean, pure and innocent. Do we go "out on a limb" for those who are "lost?" Do we feel guilty and unworthy of God’s holy presence? Do we allow the murmurings and criticisms and complaints of others to distract us from our goal of seeking Jesus? Do we turn to the saints to ask their intercession to help us on our journey? Do we look to Jesus in prayer to bless the "little ones?" Does God’s mercy and compassion fill our hearts?

This week I’m happy to have two "little ones" come to my house in the rectory: Alex 4, and Daniel Patrick 7, my nephews, along with my brother Dan from Greensboro, NC, for a special Halloween treat. We will take in the Penguins-Flyers game at the new Consol Energy Center. The little ones noted, “It’s a boys’ weekend in Pittsburgh ... plus Grandma!” As we visit her at the Little Sisters of the Poor, we see a home which is half-way to heaven.

I ask for your prayers as I have an endoscopy test on All Saints’ Day at 11:00 AM.

Ordinary Time 30

“Until you are convinced that prayer is the best use of your time, you will not find time for prayer.”

- Fr. Hillary Ottensmeyer, OSB

Recently I was happy to read that my alma mater Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD is filled to capacity. There are 164 seminarians studying for the priesthood. While I was there in 1988 there were two priests from the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ; one was the Rector, Msgr. Richard McGuinness and the other was the Spiritual Director was Fr. Anthony Manocchio. Each Thursday night at 6:30 there was either a Rector’s conference or a spiritual direction meeting. When the Rector spoke, we met in a lecture hall; when the Spiritual Director spoke, we met in the chapel. However, the one thing I’ll always remember is both Msgr. McGuinness and Fr. Manocchio would both comment that there was never a time, morning, afternoon, evening or night, that they did not find at least one seminarian praying in the chapel. That witness always inflamed their commitment to the importance of prayer in our Christian formation.

On this 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate World Mission Sunday. In the Gospel, there are two very different men who prayed in the Temple in Jerusalem. One is a Pharisee, a Jewish religious leader, and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee considers himself a "model of prayer," however, he trumpets his own "self-importance" and his prayer is an exercise in "self-congratulations." He is so impressed with himself that he actually thanks God that he is not like other people -- namely, that he is not like those “thieves, rogues and adulterers, or even worse, the tax collectors." He even comments that his piety exceeds the requirement of fasting; he fasts twice a week when only one day per year was necessary, the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. His prayer revolves around himself, that he is "holier than thou," "better than thou," "greater than thou" and "more important than thou." Pride makes one feel superior to others and it blinds us to our own faults which separate from God. Self-adulation, self-flattery and self important stances only make one to be a braggart. This Pharisee is full of himself, puffed with pride, conceit, judgment of others, arrogance, lack of compassion and contempt. There is no ounce of humility in him and he shows no awareness for the need of God’s mercy.

The tax collector on the other hand, is depicted as one who is empty of himself, sorrowful, repentant, ever aware of his shortcomings and filled with the beautiful truth of humility. He is fully aware of his need for God’s mercy and seeks God’s forgiveness and love. I’d imagine that there is a little bit of both the Pharisee and tax collector in each of us. How easy it is to focus our prayer around ourselves, our problems, our perspectives, our plans and our projects without ever acknowledging God’s presence and others’ importance. When one is humble, we are raised to a new height of holiness, but self-conceit plunges us into an abyss of sinfulness.

Upon learning of his terminal cancer and before his death in 1999, Cardinal Basil Hume, the Archbishop of Westminster, England, said to his friend Bishop John Crowley, “If only ... I could start all over again, I would be a much better monk, a much better abbot, a much better bishop. But then I thought how much better if I could come before God when I die -- not to say thank you that I was such a good monk, good abbot, good bishop, but rather, "God be merciful to me, a sinner. For, if I come empty handed, then I will be ready to receive God’s gift.” Jesus challenges us to embrace the humble, God-centered faith of the tax collector and not the self-centered, selfimportant claims of the Pharisee. Humility is the recognition that no matter what our accomplishments in life are, we need God’s help each day. Blessed Pope John XXIII wrote, “True peace is borne of doing the will of God and bearing with patience the sufferings of this life, and does not come from following one’s own whim or selfish desire, for this always brings, not peace and serenity, but disorder and discontent.” Let us not display false piety and false virtue which are attitudes of proud people ever ready to criticize the conduct of others. Rather, let us embrace the wisdom of St. Augustine who wrote in addressing God, “My God, teach me to know myself, for what I am, and I shall have no need of anything else to cover me with confusion and scorn for myself.”

By honestly going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly we can dispose ourselves of having a "heart of contrition." The Sacrament of Reconciliation gives us the opportunity to unburden our hearts and receive the amazing graces of God’s forgiveness, mercy and love. I mentioned in Bible Study this week that Confession is the best medicine for our soul, though our reputation takes a hit. There is no better prescription for spiritual health than to admit that we are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness. Through sincerity, humility and truthfulness we grow in holiness to which we are called. St. Francis of Assisi noted, “I am what I am before God. Nothing else. Nothing more. Nothing less.” Whenever Francis’ friars were downcast or glum he would recommend them to make a good confession. Sin festers shame and guilt; forgiveness heals through mercy and love.

Last Sunday morning I went to visit the religious education classes and reminded the students of the importance of praying and going to Mass and receiving the sacraments. In today’s times we can’t pre-suppose these essential and fundamental marks of discipleship. St. Peter Julian Eymard wrote, “Going to Mass will prosper the whole day. All your duties will be performed the better for it and your soul will be stronger to bear its daily cross. The Mass is the most holy act of religion; you can do nothing that can give greater glory to God or be more profitable for your soul.”

In the words of my patron saint, Richard of Chichester, “Day by day, day by day, oh dear Lord, three things I pray: to see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly. Day by day.”

Ordinary Time 29

“Though perseverance does not come from our power, yet it comes within our power.”

- St. Francis de Sales

Last Saturday at 6:00 AM, a group from St. Joseph departed for our diocesan pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, DC, returning home at 11:00 PM. We spent 11 hours on the bus and 6 hours in DC with lunch at the Shrine, Live Carillon Concert by Dr. Robert Grogan, tours of the church, Holy Hour with exposition, adoration and benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, a celebration of Penance, a presentation of “A Tour of Faith," a choral concert, and a beautiful Liturgy celebrated by Bishop David Zubik before departing home for Pittsburgh. We were provided with a booklet for the pilgrimage that included Morning Prayer, the Rosary and Evening Prayer, and through our diocesan choir under the direction of Fr. James Chepponis, we were provided with beautiful music. The pilgrimage to our nation’s capital was approximately 300 miles each way and all the pilgrims were delighted to greet the Bishop as we arrived and bid him farewell outside the magnificent basilica as we departed. It certainly was a full day, to say the least, but our spirits were renewed and soaring.

For the past twenty years our diocese has made this pilgrimage every other year. This year there were 13 buses, 13 priests, 24 seminarians and approximately 500 pilgrims. The Bishop blessed our religious articles at the end of Mass as all in the assembly held them up. I got a new pair of wooden rosaries, olive wood from Jerusalem, along with four books purchased in their bookstore. The books were "The Sermons of the Cure of Ars" (St. John Vianney), "The Virtues of Holiness -- the Basics of Spiritual Struggle" by Fr. Juan Louis Lorda, "Mysteries of the Virgin Mary -- Living Our Lady’s Graces" by Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP (editor of the Magnificat monthly prayerbook), and St. Joseph: Patron of the Home and Home Sellers, in thanksgiving for the gift of the Parish of St. Joseph that I now serve. What a memorable, meaningful and picture perfect day God certainly gave us!

I woke up the following morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, to celebrate the three Masses at St. Joseph, after which I met a friend at The Café in Sewickley for lunch. As I opened the door of The Café, there seated before us was Mario Lemieux and his wife Natalie! Mario, the icon of Pittsburgh hockey and the architect who saved our Penguins and whose picture hangs above my computer. I had to seize the opportunity to greet him. It was fitting that I had my Penguin jacket and clerics on —looking like a true Penguin fan— and I wished him a belated Happy Birthday, (October 5) and told him that no one played hockey more gracefully than he did. His humble and kind smile and warmth said it all. So, one day I got to see the seventh largest church in the world at the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington DC, and the next day I got to meet the icon of Pittsburgh hockey, Mario Lemieux. It doesn’t get any better than that! It was almost heaven.

It may seem strange to interpose Bishop Zubik and Mario Lemieux in the same article, but to me, both represent ordinary, down-to-earth, humble human beings, using their talents very well for their appointed tasks and duties. God blesses each person with certain talents and abilities in their lives. In his book, "Talent is Never Enough," Dr. John C. Maxwell explains that there are 13 key choices that can help maximize any person’s talent:

• Belief lifts your talent.
• Passion energizes your talent.
• Initiative activates your talent.
• Focus directs your talent.
• Preparation positions your talent.
• Practice sharpens your talent.
• Perseverance sustains your talent.
• Courage tests your talent.
• Teachability expands your talent.
• Character protects your talent.
• Relationships influence your talent.
• Responsibility strengthens your talent.
• Teamwork multiplies your talent.
  

On the 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we read from the book of Exodus which presents the Chosen Israelite People in battle with the Amalekites at Rephidem. As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage in the fight. But when his hands were down and rested, Amalek had the upper hand. Moses was supported with the aid of his brother Aaron and Hur as his arms were lifted by them on each side. Moses kept praying to God until sunset, and with the edge of the sword, Joshua cut down Amalek and his people. None of us will win the battles of life without the support of prayer, friendships and the spirit of perseverance in life’s trials and challenges. A lesson we must take from this is to have the resolve to pray as Moses did with perseverance, trust, endurance and faith. In Deuteronomy 20: 3-4 it states, "Men of Israel, listen! Today you are going into battle. Do not be afraid of your enemies or lose courage or panic. The Lord your God is going with you, and he will give you victory." What battles are we facing in life? Medical issues, financial challenges, faithfulness in relationships, family strife, unemployment, addictions, poor attitudes, low self esteem, lack of serenity, weight problems, grief through a loss of loved one, the scars of a past abuse, the wounds of betrayal, etc. There are many things in life that leave us down and defeated. In today’s Gospel, we hear the parable of the persistent widow who will not take no for an answer. As she faces her formidable foe in the unjust judge who neither fears God nor man, her tactics teach us an invaluable lesson. The figure of the widow is the ancient symbol for a "defenseless, voiceless" and "right-less person" -- "a nobody." However, through tireless perseverance and ceaseless petitions and in the face of many refusals, the weaker party triumphs as the judge finally relents. Simply said, the little person gave the powerful one "a black eye" through profound tenacity. She would not quit; she would not give up. Her "stick-to-it-iveness" teaches us victory and to heed the words of Exodus 14:4: “The Lord will fight for you; all you have to do is keep still.”

Ordinary Time 28

“Let the dwelling-place of our hearts be cleansed from sin, and filled with virtue; closed to the devil and open to Christ.”

- St. Augustine

Although Thanksgiving is more than a month away, today’s readings speak of the importance of gratitude in one’s life. Gratitude is not just for a day or a moment, but it is a way of life. Gratitude is the mother of all virtues. Each day, each experience, each encounter, each moment of life, gratitude restores us to sanity when we find deep satisfaction and contentment with who we are and what we have been given. We should keep a gratitude journal in order to write down the blessings we receive from God each week. Perhaps we could examine our gifts as a spiritual exercise by asking the question, “How has God been laboring for me today?”

The more we appreciate life the more grateful we become in our walk of life. I thought I would share some thoughts of gratitude in my gratitude journal this week:

• I am grateful to have gathered with my brother priests along with Bishop Zubik at Oglebay in Wheeling, WV from September 27-30. As one priest noted, coming to Oglebay is like being a kid on Christmas Day. It’s good to see, enjoy and give thanks for one another. The Bishop focused on three aspects that we must all share in seeing his vision for the Church Alive: Respect, Trust, and Dream.
• I am happy to have viewed National Geographic photographer Dewitt-Jones’ inspirational video entitled, “Celebrate What’s Right with the World." I showed this video to the 5th-8th grade children in Healy Hall and used it for the Parish Pastoral Council and Bible Study on Monday night. Celebrating what’s right in the world gives us more energy, better perspective and higher vision. When one has a sense of passion and purpose, creativity is abundant. We must not only know our trade, profession, or subjects in life, but more importantly, God’s will and ourselves. We need to know ourselves — who I am — and be comfortable with this. We are called not to be the best in the world but the best for the world. We must transform the ordinary into extraordinary moments of possibilities. Whatever we are by trade, whether photographer, pharmacist, baker, nurse, electrician, doctor, it is the lens of our perspective which gives vision to each new day. It is important that we strive not so much to be a success but to make a significant difference. It is through discipline, grace and lack of ego that we help celebrate the best in the world.
• I am grateful that on Monday, October 4, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals, God’s people and creatures came together for a special blessing of pets. After the prayer service each “participant” received a goodie: pet-treats for the cats and dogs and animal crackers for the humans!
• I am grateful for our new Pastoral Parish Council members here at St. Joseph to implement Bishop Zubik’s “One Body, One Mission" -- Peggy Clayton, Elaine Crable, Gelsey Delpercio, Marisa Dinunno, Tim Fiedler, Anthony Grano, Tim Gregorius, Helen Manna, Ginny McCloskey, Irene Pendel, Dr. Dan Mangine and Jim Crable (staff liason).
• I’m grateful that my brother Dan from Greensboro, NC will be coming to Pittsburgh to visit Mom and I with his two sons, Daniel Patrick (7) and Alex (4) on October 28.
• I’m thankful for Joe Cala, his son Patsy, Jim Lisiak and Tom Valenty for constructing a new single garage on our carport (with the winter months upon us) and extending the garden in the front of the rectory. It is wonderful to see them work together.
• I am grateful to the Monday night Bible Study people who come each week to open their hearts to God’s Living Word and share together in the rectory with desserts and coffee. This week there were five delicious pies and cakes brought—take nothing for granted!
• I am grateful for my friend Fr. John Jordan who visits me every Tuesday on my day off. We have lunch together, sharing in friendship both our blessings as well as difficulties and challenges. I’m sure you’re getting to know Fr. John as he helps at a Mass each weekend. Thanks for your welcoming spirit for his presence with us.
• I’m grateful that our staff comes together the first Thursday of each month to make sure we are bonding, blending and building God’s Church together as a Pastoral Care Team here at St. Joseph through the virtues of affectivity and effectivity.
• I am grateful for those who video and post my homilies on YouTube and our web site.
• I’m grateful to travel to Washington, DC on our diocesan pilgrimage to the National Shrine for Mass, prayer, reconciliation and a tour of the Basilica.
• I’m grateful for the extra you give in the second collection whether for Mission Appeal, Catholic Charities, or school. I’m inspired by your tremendous generosity and support.
• I am grateful that the Penguins are back for the beginning of their new season for their home opener with the Philadelphia Flyers on October 7!

When I reflect upon my gratitude journal in this one week, I find it impossible to be deficient in thankfulness. Today’s Gospel features the famous story of the ten lepers. All ten are healed yet only one renders thanks. Mom always taught us that every gift has a giver and we must return a word of thanks for the gift we have been given. I’m grateful for Sr. Melanie Svoboda, SND -- a great mentor and companion. She writes in "Traits of a Healthy Spirituality" the following:

THANK YOU, GOD. Thank you, God, for everything. Let me take nothing for granted. May I, like the lone leper in the gospel, have the sense to realize that I’ve been healed—and by you. Help me to see connections everywhere between gift and giver. May I trace all my blessings back to their ultimate source: you. Help me to realize it is not enough for me to fall at your feet and say my thanks to you. I must do my thanks too. I must use my gifts in the loving service of others. And finally, God, help me to be grateful for my entire life, for light and shadow, joy and sorrow, gain and loss, knowing full well that you are at work in the whole of my life. I thank you, God. How lucky I am to know: I’m very lucky! Amen.

Ordinary Time 26

“... to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.”

- Jesse Owens

Following the 10:00 AM Mass on Catechetical Sunday last week, a catechist asked me if I was going to run in the Great Race this Sunday, September 26. The Great Race was established in 1977 as a 10K stretch by the late Mayor Richard Caliguiri. Reflecting on the over 14,000 participants, both runners and walkers, who will take to the streets of Pittsburgh, I remembered 15 years ago at the age of 33 when I ran my first (and only) marathon on May 7, 1995. I recalled taking instruction to run the 26.2 mile marathon with the proper conditioning, clothing, diet and accessories. Our instructor exhorted us that no matter where we were on the course, to take whatever is offered on any mile mark — whether water, Gatorade, banana, orange, popsicle or ice — because this will keep fuel in the tank and give energy to get to the end. In my office I have a small picture of that most memorable day -- I finished! I also have a large picture in my office of a solitary athlete running on an autumn morning with the caption:

“THE ESSENCE OF RUNNING — Running is a road to self-awareness and self-reliance. You can push yourself to extremes and learn the harsh reality of your physical and mental limitations, or coast quietly down a solitary path watching the earth spin beneath your feet. But when you are through, exhilarated and exhausted, and at least for a moment, everything seems right with the world.”

Although I will not participate in the Great Race, I do plan to run in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia as the priests of the Diocese of Pittsburgh are away from September 27-30 at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, WV. The theme for this triennial convocation is "Co-Responsible for Communion and Mission." 85% of the active priests in our diocese will attend. It is a wonderful time to be away in the autumn setting of West Virginia, called together by Bishop Zubik along with our brother priests to strengthen the bonds of fraternity, support, encouragement and prayer. We have the opportunity to rest and relax (physically), to recollect and regenerate (intellectually), to renew and recommit (spiritually) through a methodology of appreciative inquiry and dialogue, (a growth in human formation). Keynote speakers include:

• Fr. John Cecero, SJ, Associate Professor in Psychology at Fordham University, Rector of the Jesuit Community and Director of the Center for Spirituality and Mental Health speaking on “Flourishing in the Priesthood” and “Shepherding in Communion”
• Bishop Richard Malone of Portland, Maine, speaking on “Pastoral Co-Responsibility”
• Kerry A. Robinson, Executive Director of the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management, speaking on “Living in the World of Possibility”

There also will be various workshops on Parish Pastoral Councils, Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Charisms of the Holy Spirit, NFP & Marriage Ministry and Financial Planning for Retirement. There are sessions for priests to share their personal life-experiences in small groups. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, a Holy Hour and an open forum with Bishop Zubik along with uplifting prayer services and invigorating Liturgies will be shared. A new priest photo book will be compiled as well.

This is the 7th multi-day convocation. It is a great water-hole to gather every three years as an entire presbyterate to reflect on making the Church Alive in Pittsburgh. The previous convocation topics in Oglebay were

• 1992 - A Shepherd’s Care
• 1995 - Called by Name
• 1998 - As One Who Serves: Leadership in the Church Today
• 2001 - Called to Proclaim the Gospel to All: Renewing Sunday Preaching
• 2004 - The Many Dimensions of Priestly Ministry: A Healthy and Holy Priesthood
• 2007 - The Priest as Evangelist and the Evangelizing Parish

I am at mile 22.5 marker in my priesthood. I am grateful for these Oglebay experiences that always bring new promise and possibilities to serving God’s people. The greatest gift we can bestow on another is seeking and striving to be happy, healthy and holy. St. Paul spurs us every step of the journey as He writes in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have done my best in the race. I have run the full distance. And I have kept the Faith.”

Prayer for the Success of the Clergy Convocation

Heavenly Father, Your Son, Jesus Christ, came among us as one who serves and taught us how to serve one another in the Church and in the world. Our Lord Jesus Christ, as Head of the Church, in turn instituted the ordained priesthood so that certain men might serve in his name and in his person in the midst of the community. We are grateful for the many gifts our priests bring to us; for drawing us together in worship, visiting us in our home, comforting us in sickness, showing us compassion, blessing our marriage, baptizing our children, supporting us in bereavement, challenging us to grow in our Catholic faith, motivating us to take the initiative to reach out and support the poor, and encouraging us to work for the salvation of souls and the building up of the kingdom of God.

Bless Bishop Zubik and all our priests as they begin the triennial multi-day convocation. Open their hearts and minds to the important theme they are reflecting upon. Advance our priests’ appreciation for the communion between laity and priests, and deepen our unity and complementarity in service to the Church’s mission of reconciliation. Help these, our brothers in Christ, to cherish their time away together in the peaceful and pastoral setting of Oglebay, West Virginia.

God our Father, we ask you to bless our priests and confirm them in their calling. Give them the gifts they need to continue to respond with generosity and a joyful heart. We offer this prayer for our priests through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ordinary Time 25

“Children not only get their names, their food and clothing from their parents; they get their characters, their morals and their habits.”

- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1979

On Saturday, September 11, I had a Christian funeral Liturgy of Thanksgiving for Brigid "Marie" Burke who was born on January 29, 1912 and died in her own home on September 7 -- just shy of 99! When we went to our St. Joseph Cemetery after the Liturgy, her son John asked if her grandson Chad from Florida could offer a few words. I thought his sincere, humble, real and kind words were most memorable. He said:

I thank you Grandma, for walking me through the rain, ice and snow and holding on to my hand as you took me to St. Joseph School. I thank you for taking me to church and making sure I received the sacraments to help me along in my faith. I thank you for taking the time to say prayers with me that focused me on God in my daily life. I thank you for helping to raise me and teach me right from wrong. And even when my life would take a bad turn I know your steady, tender and compassionate ways would see me through. I thank you for teaching me the greatest lessons in life: to always be honest, truthful, respectful, appreciative and faithful.

As he extended his right hand over her casket in profound gratitude, the mourners were deeply touched and comforted through this gracious gesture of goodness. It was fitting that the Irish blessing was on her prayer card from the funeral home which read:

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Amen.

This Sunday, we celebrate Catechetical Sunday and I extend my generous thanks and prayers for all who serve the Church as catechists. I thank most especially all grandparents, Godparents and parents whose irreplaceable example is the foundation of later knowledge, virtue and holiness. I’m grateful for all my brother priests and deacons and all religious sisters whose dedication to the service of the Church has served as a banner of hope for others’ lives. I am grateful to our dedicated teachers here at St. Joseph Catholic School and to the catechists of our religious education and sacramental preparation programs -- for your loving faith, example, devotion and commitment. I pray that your own faith will be strengthened and increased by sharing it with others as we celebrate this year’s theme for Catechetical Sunday, “Marriage, Sacrament of Enduring Love."

My parents were married at St. George Church in Lisbon, OH on August 3, 1946 and Dad was called home to the Lord on February 8, 1986. My father was Presbyterian and attended First Presbyterian Church downtown near the former Gimbels on Sixth Street for fifty years. A month prior to his death he converted to the Catholic faith and asked for the pastor of St. Simon and Jude Church in Scott Twp., Fr. Thomas F. Carey, to hear his confession and anoint him. Dad wanted his death to unite the family, not divide it. I feel so deeply blessed and grateful to have such mentor and model parents along my faith journey. Dad would often remark that his grandfather was a religious man. A little over six years ago I placed Mom into the Little Sisters of the Poor Home on Benton Avenue in the North Side. I recall a question asked in the interviewing process, “What is your greatest accomplishment in life?” And Mom humbly and simply said, “Raising a family of seven children and teaching second graders to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion for 27 years.” Faith examples make a big difference in one’s life and are never forgotten.

Catechist’s Prayer

Great Teacher, how can it be September already?
It seems just yesterday that my last class ended.
You know how busy and filled with rush my days are,
How often I run without remembering your nearness.
Keep me more faithful to those quiet times with you
And more alert to your presence amid my activities.

As I anticipate teaching another class this year,
There’s a part of me that’s fearful and anxious,
Doubting that I’ve faith enough to be the one to share it.
Take that doubt, Companion of Love, and change it.
Help me to see that I do believe, that my faith is deep,
If I but take the time to touch it with prayerful reflection.

There’s a part of me that’s uncertain and concerned,
Wondering if my hard work will be worth the effort.
How will I know if my ministry has made a difference?
Take this concern from my troubled heart, Peaceful One.
Help me to recognize that you never leave me.
It is your compassionate presence dwelling within me
That will call to young hearts and lead them home to you.
You will do so in a way that may never be known to me.

Divine Life-Giver, when I become tired and drained,
Be the energy and aliveness that I need.
Grant me the grace of enthusiasm,
So the love I have for you will shine through me.
Most of all, Sacred Echo of Happiness, be joy in me.
Do not let me give in to the demon of discouragement.
Rather, remind me often that I am your instrument,
Blessed with the gift of wanting to share my faith
And privileged to be in communion with your loved ones.

I need only to open my shaky heart to you.
I need only to surrender my spirit in trust.
I need only to cry out to you in prayer.
You will be there, you will hear my needs.
You will walk with me each step of the way,
Touching all those who are entrusted to my care.

- Sr. Joyce Rupp, "Out of the Ordinary"

A View From The Pew

(The following is a guest post from Ginny Ambrose, Director of Music Ministries at St. Joseph.)

Recently I had the opportunity to visit a beach community for vacation. Since my time away included a weekend, I naturally sought out the nearest Catholic church to attend Sunday Mass. I was in luck! Just around the corner from where I was staying was a beautiful church with an architecture that reflected a Spanish mission style. I was excited to enter such a beautiful building and couldn’t wait for the 10:00 AM Mass to begin. The organ swelled, the people stood and the procession began toward the altar. I picked up my hymnal and began to sing as well as my morning voice could. To my surprise not many sang around me. In fact, some even turned to stare. Bashful, and now embarrassed, I felt my voice quiver, and losing all confidence, I ceased my singing. Even though I’d always thought of myself as an active participant in the Mass, the stares were just too much for me to endure. The Mass went on much the same way, with little or no participation from the pews.

I looked around at the gorgeous stained glass, the burning candles, the wonderful homilist and wondered where the life was in this building. I thought about the verse in the song, Christ Be Our Light: “...make us your building, sheltering others, walls made of living stone.”

Maybe it was the fact that the congregation may have been vacationers, maybe strangers to this church themselves…. Whatever the reason, they had decided to remain spectators rather than participants. I thought about our dear parish of St. Joseph. I’ve always thought our congregation was such an alive one -- singing and praying their hearts out! I wondered if any of you ever had an experience like I had, even in our own pews. It made me think about the courage it must take to proclaim the faith even though those around us may not be so inspired. My "view from the pew" was a learning experience for me. There are those who hide their faith from the rest of the world and there are those who proudly proclaim it, praying and singing no matter how they sound. Which are you?