“Never abandon an old friend; you will never find a new one who can take his place. Friendship is like wine; it gets better as it grows older.” -Sirach 9:10
Coming Back Home
Wow! Aha! Eureka! What a celebration! On Sunday, July 15, 2013, at 4:00 pm, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Hopewell Twp., I was the Celebrant of a Mass, with Bishop David A. Zubik serving as Presider, in honor of my 25th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. Our Lady of Fatima was my first priestly assignment and will always serve as “home plate.” It was nice to touch home again. Also in attendance was the Region III Episcopal Vicar, Fr. Samuel J. Esposito, as well as my classmates, also Jubilarians (Fr. Bud Murhammer, Fr. Howard Campbell, Fr. David Bonnar), along with Deacon Anthony J. Giordano, who proclaimed the Gospel and served at Table. Proclaiming the Word was my first niece, Emily Marie Wager, (in her 2nd year of college at Clemson University in South Carolina), my brother, Dr. Daniel B. Jones (a Dermatologist in Greensboro, NC), and my sister, Dr. Karen A.Wager (Asst. Dean at the Medical University of Charleston, SC.)
The Little Sisters of the Poor, in thanksgiving for the 8 years that Mom resided at the Little Sisters of the Poor Home, two sisters, Sr. Margaret Mary Jerousek, lsp, and Sr. Mary Ellen Losekamp, lsp brought the gifts forward at the Offertory time. The Cantors were Angela Evans and Tom Franzak, (composer and songwriter), who sang my favorite songs, “Come and Follow Me” as a prelude song and “Live On In My Love,” as a Communion song. The Adult and Teen Choirs were present to provide uplifting music, as well, under the direction of Ginny Ambrose, Director of Music, who also did the program booklets. Nicholas Barthen, Band Director at Moon Area High School played trumpet for the Mass. The Altar Servers were Natalie Ciccone, John Grimm, Christina Sabol, Nicol Truzzi, John Wojtechko and Matthew Wojtechko. Longtime friend and mentor, Fr. Victor Rocha offered the homily.
Every July, the Jones family gathered for a family reunion to celebrate Mom’s birthday, which is July 23. Her 90th birthday would have coincided with this 25th anniversary celebration, however, God called her home on January 11, 2013. She would have been filled with such great joy, to know that the circle of love has expanded to include the many guests (over 500 in attendance at Mass), who attended. I recall the many times that Mom would come from Greentree to Hopewell Twp., to attend the Masses I offered and in every successive assignment given to me by the bishop, until her declining health no longer allowed her. I told those in attendance, that on the weekend that we had sweltering temperatures in the 90’s, that my family came to fill the many rooms of the “St. Joseph Inn.” In mid-afternoon on Saturday, there was a power outage as a transformer was down in the area. With no power, that meant there would be no air-conditioning, no TV, no computer, no refrigeration, no lights. One would immediately think, “Oh no! What are we going to do?” Fear and anxiety arises. So the family went outside to the St. Joseph parking lot to play ball, hang out and share stories. The next door neighbor came over and said, “Father, did your power go out in your house?” I told her, “Yes, it did.” She commented that she was glad that we were in the same condition. I thought, “Oh yes! We are indeed in the human condition. There are ‘power outages’ in all our lives.” Jesus is the Light of the World and the power of those who believe. As a Christian, we are called to bring the grace of our faith to bear light on others’ paths. Time and time again, Jesus tells us the importance of being ‘neighbor’ to one another, which abolishes all boundaries, all divisions and all stereotypes.
On Wednesday, July 10, 2013, the day of the torrential down pours, and road closures in our area, I attended the funeral Mass for the Most Reverend Anthony G. Bosco, third Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg, PA. The Principal Celebrant was the Metropolitan Archbishop of Philadelphia, Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap. There were a total of 10 bishops in attendance, with about 80 priests concelebrating. There were 3 bishops from Pittsburgh in attendance, Bishop David A. Zubik, Bishop William J. Waltersheid, Bishop William J. Winter. The homilist was Msgr. Roger Statnick, who served as the right hand man of Bishop Bosco’s for many years. Bishop Bosco was born on the North Side of Pittsburgh and served as bishop for the Diocese of Greensburg, June 7, 1987 through January 2, 2004.
The one image that stuck in my mind from that funeral was when Msgr. Statnick noted, that at Bishop Bosco’s installation (June 7, 1987), he remarked, “I am a small man and this is a small diocese, it’s just small enough that I can put my arms around it.” The people of Latrobe, Monessen, Uniontown, Murraysville, Fairchance, Tarentum, New Kensington, Irwin, Connellsville comprise this small diocese, relatively small compared to the 306 diocese’s that make up the Church of the United States of America.
The Lord entrusts to each of us a small portion, to tend and cultivate, in which to honor Him, whether a diocese, a parish, a family, a school or institution, So, too, Mom was small, but her love was large. Bishop Bosco died watching a Pirate’s game, and they won that night. Now, he shares in the victory of the Risen Christ, and now, he touches “home plate!”
With the All-Star Game at City Field in New York, on Tuesday, July 16, I think of the illustrious 26 year baseball career of the flame-throwing Nolan Ryan. He would inevitably pop out of the dugout and scan the crowds behind home plate to look for his wife, Ruth. Once he would locate her face, he would grin at her, and snap his head up with a quick nod, as if to say, “There you are! I’m glad you’re here.” That simple gesture will never be recorded in the record books or the career summaries, or the Hall of Fame, but that’s what made him a champion.
My Mom was my biggest fan. And as I would scan the congregation at Masses, looking for her face, today, I now see Mom’s eyes gazing back at me through all of you! Thank you for sharing in this. All of you honored the Jones family by being present with us on this day. Your presence, friendship and prayers inspire my faith, in seeking to serve the Lord, with a joyful heart.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
Parish Festival—An Evangelization Moment
“The Lord of all is not afraid of anyone, no matter how great he is, He Himself made everyone, great and common alike, and He provides for all equally.”
-Wisdom 6:7
As the men were erecting the tents for our parish festival, with soaring temperatures and high humidity, they were parched with great thirst. I offered a gallon of water and several cups to quench their thirst. Their music was reverberating across the buildings with pulsating new generational music.
A dear friend, Sr. Melannie Svoboda, a great author, teacher, retreat master and inspirational writer from Chardon, OH journeyed 2 hours and 20 minutes to have lunch with the staff and visit me. We stood under one of the booths and recorded the weekly “Minute Message”. I conveyed to her that the parish festival is the single largest evangelization event each year in our parish. For it brings together Catholics and non-Catholics, former parishioners and new parishioners, young and old, neighbors and visitors, festival-hoppers and passers-by. It reminded me of the words of long-time parishioner, Mrs. Borden, “let the fun begin”!
Of course, the external motivation of having a festival is to increase revenue of the parish to help the budget and to pay bills. However, the interior motivation is most necessary, bringing people together, forging relationships, building community, serving one another, seeing and supporting one another along the journey and having fun.
Sr. Melannie relayed the story that in the early 80’s she was attending Duquesne University to study Spirituality of Human Formation under the direction of the late Fr. Adrian Van Kaam, CSSP and Dr. Susan Muto. She was residing with the Benedictine Sisters in West View at the time.
She is an avid Cleveland sports fan and it was difficult living in ‘enemy territory’ here in Pittsburgh. Thankfully she survived. Sr. Melannie gave us her blessing on the festival, but not on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It reminds me of the story of a sports fan in Cleveland who was strolling along the beach when he spotted a bottle floating in Lake Erie. He searched and fished for the bottle from the lake and suddenly opened it and lo and behold, a genie popped out. Now a genie is one in fables and stories who is confined to a lamp or bottle and grants the wishes of whoever releases him. The genie said “’Master’ you have released me from the bondage in this bottle, ask any three wishes and I will grant them to you.” So the man thought for a moment and remarked “I would like the following three things to happen this year: 1) The Cleveland Browns win the Super Bowl; 2) The Cleveland Indians win the World Series; 3) The Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA Title.” The genie then thought about this for a brief moment… and then jumped back into the bottle.
In Luke 10:1-12, Jesus sends out the 72, two-by-two, andin Luke 10: 17-20, the 72 return with great joy. It was 20 centuries ago that Jesus summons 72 committed people and sent them two-by-two to communicate God’s love: to bind up wounds and to be peacemakers in a troubled world. Through the gift of Baptism, we are all called to the universal call to embrace Jesus’ mission and ministry. As we listen carefully to the Holy Spirit, He will reveal His plan for our lives.
1. Travel light—less is best. We are freer and can go faster when life is uncluttered and unburdened.
2. Travel undistracted. Don’t have an overload or be overwhelmed. Just take what you really need.
3. Visit each person with “Shalom”, a greeting of peace. To be at peace with God, oneself and others and even to be at peace with one’s enemies. The goal of each day should be striving for peace.
4. Move purposely and with a sense of direction—The gold of life is in the goals that we set for ourselves. Sometimes we live with the illusion that the grass is greener on the other side, but there is still grass to cut there too.
5. Accept what is offered you—Be grateful, be content with the small acre that God has entrusted to you in your lifetime, be satisfied.
6. When rejected from one town or home, shake it off and let go. Let rejection and anger flee from us.
7. Above all, know that the Kingdom of God is near.
The mission of Jesus is dangerous and difficult, but the 72 returned, filled with joy and thanksgiving - a triumph of grace.
In May, 2013, Msgr. Steven J. Rossetti, a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, NY, gave the farewell address to the seminarians who were being ordained. He showed them a video on YouTube of a priest after a number of years whose life had crashed and bottomed out as he hit a wall. He told them so, too, that could be them if they don’t take the necessary measures to avoid being a workaholic which can cause burnout and disillusionment. He discussed the importance of preventative care by having a good balance, setting priorities, remaining focused on prayer, celebrating daily prayerful Mass and daily recitation of Breviary, drawing healthy boundaries, sustaining healthy friendships among colleagues, making time for family commitments, and being sure to take vacations and rest for they are essential to sustained long term life commitment of priestly service. For if one does not have good self care and nurturance, one cannot effectively care for others.
Every life and every ministry is beset by trials, disappointments, failures and challenges. However, one cannot be stuck or give up during these times. Continue to persevere and trust that there will be a new breakthrough of a great new beginning. To share in Jesus’ mission fills us with untold joys and countless blessings.
-Wisdom 6:7
As the men were erecting the tents for our parish festival, with soaring temperatures and high humidity, they were parched with great thirst. I offered a gallon of water and several cups to quench their thirst. Their music was reverberating across the buildings with pulsating new generational music.
A dear friend, Sr. Melannie Svoboda, a great author, teacher, retreat master and inspirational writer from Chardon, OH journeyed 2 hours and 20 minutes to have lunch with the staff and visit me. We stood under one of the booths and recorded the weekly “Minute Message”. I conveyed to her that the parish festival is the single largest evangelization event each year in our parish. For it brings together Catholics and non-Catholics, former parishioners and new parishioners, young and old, neighbors and visitors, festival-hoppers and passers-by. It reminded me of the words of long-time parishioner, Mrs. Borden, “let the fun begin”!
Of course, the external motivation of having a festival is to increase revenue of the parish to help the budget and to pay bills. However, the interior motivation is most necessary, bringing people together, forging relationships, building community, serving one another, seeing and supporting one another along the journey and having fun.
Sr. Melannie relayed the story that in the early 80’s she was attending Duquesne University to study Spirituality of Human Formation under the direction of the late Fr. Adrian Van Kaam, CSSP and Dr. Susan Muto. She was residing with the Benedictine Sisters in West View at the time.
She is an avid Cleveland sports fan and it was difficult living in ‘enemy territory’ here in Pittsburgh. Thankfully she survived. Sr. Melannie gave us her blessing on the festival, but not on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It reminds me of the story of a sports fan in Cleveland who was strolling along the beach when he spotted a bottle floating in Lake Erie. He searched and fished for the bottle from the lake and suddenly opened it and lo and behold, a genie popped out. Now a genie is one in fables and stories who is confined to a lamp or bottle and grants the wishes of whoever releases him. The genie said “’Master’ you have released me from the bondage in this bottle, ask any three wishes and I will grant them to you.” So the man thought for a moment and remarked “I would like the following three things to happen this year: 1) The Cleveland Browns win the Super Bowl; 2) The Cleveland Indians win the World Series; 3) The Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA Title.” The genie then thought about this for a brief moment… and then jumped back into the bottle.
In Luke 10:1-12, Jesus sends out the 72, two-by-two, andin Luke 10: 17-20, the 72 return with great joy. It was 20 centuries ago that Jesus summons 72 committed people and sent them two-by-two to communicate God’s love: to bind up wounds and to be peacemakers in a troubled world. Through the gift of Baptism, we are all called to the universal call to embrace Jesus’ mission and ministry. As we listen carefully to the Holy Spirit, He will reveal His plan for our lives.
1. Travel light—less is best. We are freer and can go faster when life is uncluttered and unburdened.
2. Travel undistracted. Don’t have an overload or be overwhelmed. Just take what you really need.
3. Visit each person with “Shalom”, a greeting of peace. To be at peace with God, oneself and others and even to be at peace with one’s enemies. The goal of each day should be striving for peace.
4. Move purposely and with a sense of direction—The gold of life is in the goals that we set for ourselves. Sometimes we live with the illusion that the grass is greener on the other side, but there is still grass to cut there too.
5. Accept what is offered you—Be grateful, be content with the small acre that God has entrusted to you in your lifetime, be satisfied.
6. When rejected from one town or home, shake it off and let go. Let rejection and anger flee from us.
7. Above all, know that the Kingdom of God is near.
The mission of Jesus is dangerous and difficult, but the 72 returned, filled with joy and thanksgiving - a triumph of grace.
In May, 2013, Msgr. Steven J. Rossetti, a priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, NY, gave the farewell address to the seminarians who were being ordained. He showed them a video on YouTube of a priest after a number of years whose life had crashed and bottomed out as he hit a wall. He told them so, too, that could be them if they don’t take the necessary measures to avoid being a workaholic which can cause burnout and disillusionment. He discussed the importance of preventative care by having a good balance, setting priorities, remaining focused on prayer, celebrating daily prayerful Mass and daily recitation of Breviary, drawing healthy boundaries, sustaining healthy friendships among colleagues, making time for family commitments, and being sure to take vacations and rest for they are essential to sustained long term life commitment of priestly service. For if one does not have good self care and nurturance, one cannot effectively care for others.
Every life and every ministry is beset by trials, disappointments, failures and challenges. However, one cannot be stuck or give up during these times. Continue to persevere and trust that there will be a new breakthrough of a great new beginning. To share in Jesus’ mission fills us with untold joys and countless blessings.
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