Rocco Calbretta: A Knight to Salute

“The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but he who does the will of God lives forever.”

- 1 John 2:17

A crowd of 250 mourners, 8 pallbearers and the Honor Guard of the Knights of Columbus gathered as Rocco Calabretta was buried in his Knight‘s uniform, having been a Knight for 36 years. When speaking of her husband‘s Christian Funeral Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday, May 21, Rose Calabretta joyfully remarked, “The funeral couldn’t have been better send-off even if it had even been for a pope!”

In 1951 Rocco graduated from Coraopolis High School with the reputation of being a fine football offensive tackle. He coached little league football and became the commissioner of the league. He served his country in the US Air Force for four years. Rocco and Rose were married 52 years. Rocco worked for 39 years as an ingot molder for Shenango Steel. He took under his wings neglected children from Holy Family Institute and cared for them. He was a daily communicant who greeted everyone at morning Mass with a "sunburst smile." Although the last several months of his journey were quite bumpy, it was a grace visit Rocco in hospitals and rehab centers and witness his undying faith. I recall that at my last visit with Rocco, he mentioned to me what a special and humbling privilege it was to distribute the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for over 35 years as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He noted that he never felt any higher or closer to God!

When I arrived to St. Joseph three years ago, Rocco was one of the first persons to invite me to breakfast after Mass. He told me then that he was here to help and support me in every possible way. He was a former parish council president. He had great respect for the bishops and priests in our Church and sometimes he even prayed four rosaries before Mass began at 8:30 AM. It was fitting that on the night of his funeral, the Knights of Columbus sponsored a "Knight at the Races" in our cafeteria and many of his brother Knights commented to me there that Rocco was their mentor, model and example. Near the end of his life he had to give up being the treasurer for the Knights; his treasure now is in heaven.

Rocco was a fixture and pillar of our faith community for a long time. Whether spinning the wheel for our festival, cooking burgers for our picnic, assisting his wife with visitation to the sick, organizing Christmas gifts for needy families, sharing his hobby of photography with new brides or repairing as a handy-man at Twin Oaks Manor Condominiums, his spirit and dedication was unprecedented. He loved his Eucharistic Adoration at his 10:30 AM slot on Wednesdays.

Rocco was born in Clarksburg, WV. And since my brother Dan‘s wife, Kelly, is from Beckley, WV, I felt a closer bond with Rocco in understanding his mountaineer language. It seemed more than coincidental that the day of Rocco‘s funeral was an "Easter-like" day amidst the stormy season of April and May. God called him home on the birthday of Blessed John Paul II, calling him by name at 7:00 PM at UPMC Passavan Hospital in McCandless.

Rocco Calabretta Jr, was born on October 23, 1932 and died May 18, 2011. He was buried at Resurrection Cemetery next to his parents Rocco, Sr. and Anna. I must admit that before his passing it was inspiring to see him carry his own oxygen to daily Mass; nothing would keep him back from the Eucharist. Perhaps at times I was hoping against hope that this constant figure who sat near the fifth station, where Simon helps Jesus carry the cross, would return back in his pew. However, God had other plans and He called him to the eternal banquet in His Kingdom.

The prayer which I said at the cemetery interment seemed fitting, "As Rocco was nourished with Christ’s Body and Blood Here on earth, may Christ grant him a place at His table in His heavenly Kingdom.”

Rocco was a "God-fearing" man. He had reverence for his God and respect for everyone else. Rocco was a like a rock. He was always there -- steady, faithful, reliable and trustworthy. He enjoyed mixing and mingling with others and his passion for the Church gave him such life.

Blessed Pope John Paul II wrote, "It is not possible to live and grow in the faith without the support of a group, of a Christian community. It is here that you will learn together to build a better world.” The tremendous outpouring of people both at funeral or calling hours was a testimony of the countless lives Rocco touched.

As Rocco labored to catch his breath on his last day on earth, I thought of the anointing words of St. Maximillian Kolbe, "You must be prepared for periods of darkness, anxiety, doubts, fears, and of temptations that are sometimes very, very insistent, of sufferings of the body and, what is 100-fold more painful, of the soul…. If there were no trials, there would be no struggle. Without a struggle, victory would be impossible. And without victory, there is no crown, no reward.”

I‘ll keep in my breviary in loving remembrance his prayer card from the funeral home. May Rocco‘s rock-like faith encourage us to live our faith. His prayer card reads:

I’m free

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

Of friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life‘s been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times,

A loved one‘s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;

Don‘t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

Honoring Mary, Mother of God

“Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it.”

- Hebrews 12:14

Prior to our "Evening in Honor of Mary" this past Monday, as I was getting a pizza at Anthony Junior's with some of the parish staff, I ran into a couple, Lisa and Joe, whom I married at Our Lady of Fatima in Hopewell Twp. As we were exchanging memories, I inquired how their daughter was doing. They mentioned she was a fifth grader at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School. They had asked her recently if she wanted to go to the public junior high school for sixth grade and the girl simply said, “Mom and Dad, I don’t want to go to a school where I can’t learn about Jesus and Mary.”

Last Saturday 45 couples came to our parish for our all-day pre-Cana marriage preparation. Six couples assisted me with the presentations. One couple who spoke on the subject of communications, Allen and Michelle Veeck, told the group that they live in Sewickley and travel 20 minutes to get to St. Joseph Parish. They begin the rosary in their driveway and complete it by the time they pull into the parking lot here at St. Joseph for church. Their four children believe that praying the rosary and attending Mass is the "complete package deal" for church on Sunday!

During the recent season of Lent, I gave a day of reflection at a parish in our diocese, and in gratitude, the priest gave me a large book on the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II. In that book a story is recounted of the Holy Father distributing rosaries to pilgrims visiting him. The Pope‘s aid inadvertently handed him two rosaries instead of the usual one, and as the person attempted to return one of the rosaries, the Pope joyfully and jokingly said, "You must need two!"

The above are just some of the stories I shared on Monday at our night to honor Mary, the Mother of God, in this month of May (though the weather felt more like the month of October, which is also a month that we honor the Blessed Mother). There were 100 people in attendance. The prelude music included "Czarna Madonno" (Polish), "Santa Vergine" (Italian) and "Ave Maria" (Latin) and other favorite Marian hymns. We prayed the evening prayer for the Blessed Mother antiphonally, left and right sides of the church taking turns, listened to the sung "Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary", heard a Gospel reading from John 19: 25-27, had a homily, and watched three second grade First Holy Communicants crown Mary, Queen of Us All.

I mentioned in my homily that on the second Sunday of every May (May 8th this year), we pause to celebrate the gift our earthly mothers on Mother‘s Day. And that evening we were pausing in May to honor Mary, the Mother of God and Mother of the Church, seeking her intercession for protection, counsel, wisdom, prudence, holiness, humility, obedience, trust, fidelity and love.

There is a special Sacramentary entitled "Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary." From this book a priest may choose to offer a Mass in honor of Mary from an amazing array of titles:

Advent Season

• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Chosen Daughter of Israel
• The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Annunciation of the Lord
• The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Christmas Season

• Holy Mary, Mother of God
• The Blessed Virgin of Mary, Mother of the Savior
• The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Epiphany of the Lord
• The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Presentation of the Lord
• Our Lady of Nazareth
• Our Lady of Cana

Lenten Season

• Holy Mary Disciple of the Lord
• The Blessed Virgin Mary at the Foot of the Cross, I & II
• The Commending of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Reconciliation

Easter Season

• The Blessed Virgin Mary and the Resurrection of the Lord
• Holy Mary, Fountain of Light and Life
• Our Lady of the Cenacle
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles

Ordinary Time

• Holy Mary, Mother of the Lord
• Holy Mary, the New Eve
• The Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holy Mary, Handmaid of the Lord
• The Blessed Virgin, Temple of the Lord
• The Blessed Virgin, Seat of Wisdom
• The Blessed Virgin, Image and Mother of the Church, I, II & III
• The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of All Creation
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Mediatrix of Grace
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Fountain of Salvation
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother and Teacher in the Spirit
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Good Counsel
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Cause of our Joy
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Pillar of Faith
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Fairest Love
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Hope
• Holy Mary, Mother of Unity
• Holy Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Divine Providence
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of All Consolation
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians
• Our Lady of Ransom
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Health of the Sick
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace
• The Blessed Virgin Mary, Gate of Heaven

One of my favorite speakers throughout my life is Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, TX. At every retreat he gives to priests, he always emphasizes the importance of the Eucharist, prayer, the Cross, repentance from sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit and devotion to Mary. It is his firm belief that we cannot live faithfully without these key ingredients. Mary our Mother and Model, pray for us!

Good Shepherd, Faith Hero: Fr. Thomas F. Carey

“Share with all the Word of God you have received with joy. Believe what you read. Teach what you believe. Practice what you teach.”

- Rite of Ordination

Recently, after the Noon Mass on Mother's Day, I was speaking with grandparents who flew almost 1400 miles from Manitoba, Winnipeg to attend the First Holy Communion and celebration of their grandson. The grandfather said to me, “Father, keep feeding your sheep with His Word and continue to teach them by His example - guiding them to follow His way of life, with kindness, compassion and love.”

Traditionally the 4th Sunday of Easter is called “Good Shepherd Sunday." I am humbly grateful for the tremendous trust and call of Christ, the Good Shepherd, to serve as priest to His people. At the entrance of our church there hangs three pictures: Pope Benedict XVI (265th successor of St. Peter, universal pastor and father to Catholics around the globe -- 25% of the earth’s population), Bishop David Zubik (the 12th Bishop of Pittsburgh), and myself (the 12th pastor of St. Joseph Parish). Should you see these pictures in the narthex of the church, please say a prayer for pope, bishop and priest, that we can serve God’s people faithfully, joyfully and lovingly, in imitation of Christ the Good Shepherd. After all, our vocation as priests is a vocation of great love. May Christ the Good Shepherd, with St. John Vianney, patron of parish priests, assist all priests to never fail in leading the flock to Christ.

Sometimes I just want to shout that priesthood has to be kept the best-kept secret in the world! As a priest we must never lose sight of our priestly character and must not forget that we are not “laborers for hire” or “professionals pursuing a career” but that we are sharers in the very priesthood of Jesus Christ. In this third millennium of Christianity, I like how the recently beatified Blessed Pope John Paul II, in looking at the landscape of our world, called for a new springtime of evangelization with new tools and new instruments to fashion the mission of Christ. It is our duty to bring our world to Christ and Christ to our world.

At the start of Chrism Mass on April 20 of this year, Bishop Zubik invited those present to think of one priest in our journey of faith who has graced and blessed their lives. Immediately I thought of my long-time pastor of SS Simon and Jude, Fr. Thomas F. Carey, who baptized me, heard my first confession and was present for my first Mass (May 22, 1988, Pentecost), and who was called home to God on September 9, 1999. Fr. Carey was a faith-hero in my life. His style was unique. He was a paratrooper in the US Army and a chaplain for Mary’s Blue Army. He had his own vocabulary and characteristic way of expressing himself. Some of his favorite phrases were: “You birds better fly right!”, “Now dry up”, “I don’t want to hear from your trap when you’re in God’s house”, “When I’m at the pulpit, I roar like a lion, but when you meet me in the confessional, I’m as gentle as a lamb” and “Don’t forget to bring your children to confession; I’ll be looking for them!”

Fr. Carey walked the parish grounds and entered the classrooms, but his passion was looking out for the sick, the suffering and the dying. Every Tuesday, Mom and I attended the St. Jude Novena together and he would often then remark that the real “treasures” of the parish are the poor, those in difficulty, those suffering, the sick and all in whom the Holy Spirit has poured out His gifts. When Fr. Carey died, there were over a thousand people in attendance for his funeral. Fr. Carmen D’Amico delivered the homily and remarked that Fr. Carey was a God-fearing man, a dedicated and faithful priest, and a disciple who changed the world in which we live as he gave his heart to Christ the Good Shepherd each new day of the journey. So when Bishop Zubik asked us to think of that one special priest at the Mass of Chrism of 2011, Fr. Carey easily came to my mind. How appropriate to remember him at the Chrism Mass because during my eight years in the seminary, he would always pick me up to go with him to get the sacred chrism oils that would be used throughout the year as a sacramental sign to make God’s people holy.

I’m sure many of you have your own memories of priests in your walk of life. Below is a list of all the priests who have served St. Joseph Parish the past 120 years as pastor or parochial vicar/assistant. I feel as one small link in a small town with a long history for carrying the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ to God’s people. Last Sunday on Fr. Ron Lengwin’s “Amplify” radio show hosted on KDKA AM 1020, Fr. Albert Hasse, OFM Cap, was interviewed. Fr. Hasse mentioned that in September 2012, he will be going to St. Joseph Parish in Coraopolis to give a parish mission. It never ceases to amaze me how small the world is when you come to know the big name, “Jesus," the Savior of it all!

A Visit to the Bishop’s New Home

“Carry the Rosary with you everywhere, and it will carry you through anything.”

- Jason Evert

On Friday, April 29, I attended a get-together at Bishop Zubik‘s apartment at St. Paul‘s Seminary from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Six times per year the Bishop extends an invitation to his brother priests to visit his home. The attire was casual and the event was an informal gathering with hors d‘oeuvres. The only real agenda was to take time for relaxation and the pleasant enjoyment of one another‘s company. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the bonds of our priestly fraternity. As I meandered around his quarters, I saw his Episcopal motto, “Nothing is impossible with God,” everywhere (in case he might forget it)! I went into his private chapel and said a prayer. I thanked God that Bishop Zuibik, 12th Bishop of Pittsburgh, is so gung-ho for Jesus, zealous for His Gospel, humble as His servant, and joyful in all things. I then offered a prayer of gratitude that the Bishop sent me to serve this 120-year-old faith-filled community at St. Joseph in Coraopolis, an "old but good" treasure I have discovered here!

There were 23 priests in attendance that night in the Bishop‘s residence. It was good to exchange stories and get caught up with various brothers in this joyful time of Easter. And when I was ready to leave and say goodbye, Bishop Zubik offered to walk me to the door. At that point we had a tender and memorable exchange which reminded me of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (which means "warm-wells" and is seven miles from Jerusalem). I thanked Bishop Zubik for his pastoral leadership and spiritual care of the Church in Pittsburgh and for breathing the life of the Holy Spirit of Love in so many revealing ways through his dynamic spirit. I thanked him for his passionate love of the Church and his earnest desire for the unity of Christians — always avoiding complaint, criticism, gossip and any form of negativity that threatens the unity of the Church. I thanked him for his humor and truthfulness, even when he is the butt of his own jokes. I thanked him for his honesty in asking forgiveness if he has ever hurt us along the way. I thanked him for his prayerful spirit at every gathering he attends, whether a funeral, dedication of a church or celebration of a sacrament; he always seeks to unify those present by calling them to quiet themselves, be still and make prayer an offering to God. This heightens the religious experience of the celebration and connects our hearts to God and one another.

I treasure that special evening of togetherness. I am grateful that the Bishop opens his home and heart with such gracious hospitality. Before embracing him and departing, I commented that I am grateful for my 23 years of service as a priest to the Church of Pittsburgh this month and for a sense of mission and willingness of evangelization renewed through his presence. I reiterated to the Bishop the promise of obedience, that I will go and serve wherever he sends me.

In reflecting on this experience, I could see how it strengthened the bonds of our oneness, that together, as Bishop and priest, we are one in carrying the dying and rising of Christ. We are one in believing in the Good News. We are one in our commitment to serve one another. We are one in our sacrifice to spur others to greater holiness. We are one in our struggles and sorrows. We are one in making the dream of Jesus‘ Kingdom to come alive. We are one in walking together as twenty-first century witnesses, as the first centuries were witnesses to the Resurrection. We are one in breaking open God‘s timely and timeless Word, inviting people to conversion. We are one in the Breaking of the Bread as table-mates of the Lord we hunger for the Bread that strengthens our discipleship. And we are one as we walk this Emmaus journey together in faith, hope and love.

Last Sunday dear friends of mine, Peggy and Jim Lisiak, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Chartiers Country Club. One of the people at my table, former Judge of Hopewell Twp. Steve Mihalic, commented that he graduated from Ambridge High School with Bishop Zubik‘s mother Susan (Raskosky) Zubik in 1943. Judge Mihalic noted that Mrs. Zubik always had a smile on her face and faith flowed readily from her life. She died January 16, 2006. As we celebrate Mother's Day today on this second Sunday of May, we pause and give thanks to God for our special mothers and their life-giving vocation.

St. Theresa of Lisieux wrote, “The greatest masterpiece of God is the heart of a mother.” In the good and bad times of our lives, Mom‘s unconditional love and grace makes us feel secure, cherished and valued. A mother loves unconditionally, listens attentively, forgives easily, teaches wisely, suffers heroically, gives generously, forms patiently, prays unceasingly.

I am grateful to live nine miles away from my own mom (from the rectory of St. Joseph to the Little Sisters of the Poor Home on Benton Avenue on the North Side). It‘s my Emmaus excursion regularly to visit and just be with Mom. A special grace is conferred in her presence. Her simple room is filled with pictures and treasures of the family for which she spent her entire life. Just as the seasons of the year continue, so too, do the cycles of our life go on — birth and death, success and failure, sin and confession, joy and sorrow. However, in everything, the grace of God sees us through. I always treasure praying with Mom, especially now. Even with her Parkinson‘s Disease and dementia, she still clasps my hands and kisses them. She never wants me to leave her hand, her room or her home. I remind her that I love her and will always love her. Only God could bestow such a gift as my mom. Through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, may all mothers, and all women, be blessed and loved, today and always. Happy Mother's Day!

Holy Mother

Cradle us. Comfort us.

Nurture us. Teach us.

Protect us. Forgive us.

Counsel us. Celebrate us.

Sustain us. Love us.

- Fr. Edward Hays

Divine Mercy Sunday

“True holiness does not mean a flight from the world; rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in life — in the family, at school and at work, and in social and political involvement.”

- Bl. Pope John Paul II (1920-2005)

Perhaps one of the most memorable days in my life was January 6, 1986, when I met Pope John Paul II in a private audience. There were 43 of us who accompanied Fr. Donald W. Wuerl, now Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, for his consecration as a bishop. Not only did I see the Holy Father in a private audience with our group, but I also had the opportunity to receive Holy Communion from him. A picture hangs in my rectory office capturing that most memorable moment. At the time I was 23 years old and then-Father Wuerl told the Holy Father I was studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. With his sunburst smile and joyful spirit, the Pope said to me, “To study for the priesthood of Jesus Christ ... there is no greater vocation in all the world.” Those words stung my heart at that tender age, just two years before my ordination on May 21, 1988. (I must admit, I was a bit jealous of Fr. Tim Whalen, a priest of our Diocese of Pittsburgh, who could speak Polish. He got a longer conversation with the Holy Father!) Nonetheless, as history has written, John Paul II goes down as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.

Karol Jozef Wojtyla was born in Poland on May 18, 1920 (the same date we sold our Mom and Dad's house in 2004 — I attributed the sale to him!) By the time Karol was 12, he lost both his mother and his brother Edmund, who was his personal hero. By the age of 20, Karol also lost his father, Karol Wojtyla, Sr. The Pope would later tell writer, Andre Frossard, “At 20, I had already lost all the people I loved.” Karol became Pope John Paul II on October 16, 1978. He was the first non-Italian pope in 456 years and the youngest in 132 years. He was 58 years old when elected. For 26 years he exercised a world-wide ministry as Supreme Pastor of the Church, feeding his sheep and being the rock upon which the Church rests; his positive influence was felt around the globe. His appeal to the youth was unprecedented, especially in his World Youth Days which are held every 2 to 3 years. On May 13, 1981, while riding through St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II was shot by Mehmet Ali Agca. The Pope was hit in the abdomen, his right elbow and left index finger. He received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at Gemelll Hospital and surgery there saved his life. Later, Pope John Paul II personally met with and forgave his attacker. Though he lost his strength to Parkinson's Disease (triggered perhaps by a would-be assassin's bullet and arthritis), the Pope never displayed any resentment about his condition, but used his infirmity to teach the world the nobility of Christian suffering. Pope John Paul II died on Saturday, April 2, 2005, on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday, which we celebrate today and which he instituted fulfilling the request of fellow pole, St. Faustina Kowalska. Pope John Paul II was an actor, avid hiker, sportsman, poet and advocate for the poorest of the poor. He was pronounced “Venerable” in 2009 and will be given the title “Blessed” by Pope Benedict XVI at a beatification ceremony in Rome this Sunday, May 1.

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl recently published a book entitled "The Gift of Blessed John Paul II: A Celebration of his Enduring Legacy" in which he summarizes 24 encyclicals and apostolic exhortations of this 264th successor of St. Peter. Having lived across the corridor of Bishop Wuerl's room during my seminary days, I admired the Bishop's practice of reading the lives of the popes. Each night he would spend an hour before retiring to bed studying his many books on the popes.

For over a quarter of a century, Pope John Paul II visited 133 countries around the world, traveling approximately 765,000 miles, to meet his flock across the face of the planet. It is estimated that 17 million people were present for his weekly audiences at St. Peter's square over the course of his pontificate. Noted as the pope to canonize more saints than any other, (a total of 482), it was fitting that the crowds at his funeral spontaneously chanted for him, “Santo! Santo!” (“A Saint! A Saint!”) and waved banners that read, “Santo subito!” (“Sainthood now!”). His message of hope will be forever remembered which he launched at his first public Mass when he encouraged us to “Open wide our hearts to Christ” and to put aside fear and “Be not afraid!”

Throughout our lives, we all need faith maps, faith models and faith mentors. As one who entered the seminary just two years after Pope John Paul II was elected, I feel eternally grateful and blessed to have had such a father-figure in my life. It was just one month before my natural father, David W. Jones, died on February 8, 1986, that I met Pope John Paul II. It was the last and perhaps the greatest gift my father shared with me -- in sending me to Rome to meet such a holy man.

This past week, at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, Bishop Zubik had us call to mind a priest who had a profound influence upon our lives. Immediately I thought of my home pastor, Fr. Thomas F. Carey, who died in 1999 at 87, and who reminded his flock to pray daily for the Holy Father, our bishop and our pastor, all unworthy servants of the great call, that they might fulfill their respectful offices. At the entrance of our church here at St. Joseph are 3 pictures: the pope, the bishop and the pastor, to remind the faithful to pray for us, that God would protect and guide us so that we may sanctify His holy people. Bishop Zubik at the Chrism Mass noted 3 titles which a priest bears: 1) husband -- married to Christ's bride, the Church 2) father -- instrument of giving “new life” 3) servant -- ”alter Christus” (other Christ) -- who pours out hearts and life for God‟s people. Blessed John Paul II, we love you!

Prayer for Asking Graces through the Intercession of Blessed Pope John Paul II

O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of Your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Holy Spirit to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.

P.S.  A heartfelt word of thanks for the Easter cards, goodies and gifts. And thanks to all who decorated the church so beautifully at Easter, to Ginny Ambrose, to the choirs and all ministers for the uplifting and inspiring liturgies.

Easter Sunday

“No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.”

- William Penn

Every Sunday of the year is the Sabbath, the Lord's Day, the Day of the Resurrection. And Mother Church considers each Sunday as a “Little Easter” as the Church celebrates the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Today we celebrate the “Big Easter." Easter is the Feast of feasts, the Solemnity of solemnities, the Church's holiest day of the year. Today, in a tradition of 20 centuries, the Church boldly announces to the world, “Christ Lives!” Easter is more than an annual feast in the Church's liturgical cycle; resurrection is a way of life. There are two sides of the Cross — in death lies the promise of life, and in life is the remembrance of death. A happy and peace-filled Easter to all of you!

St. Augustine says that we who are Christians should be an “Alleluia” from head to toe. Alleluia is a Hebrew cry of jubilation which means, “Praise the Lord!” The Lord lives with us and in us and is the very center of our lives. His story has become our story, our hope of glory. The word, “Alleluia” is ecstatic love, joy praise, adoration, gratitude — all rolled into one. “Alleluia” is the song of the Resurrection.!

Atop the city of Pittsburgh on Mt. Washington at St. Mary of the Mount Church is a powerful and breathtaking depiction of the Crucifixion, seen as one peers into the 24-hour chapel at the entrance. However, once inside the church, and upon walking out, one sees in the stained glass windows above the triumphant Jesus risen in glory. These images at the back and front of the church bring together both death and life. It is in the Lord's Death and Resurrection that our redemption lie. In Jesus' farewell address at the Last Supper he said to His disciples, “There is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friend” (John 15:13). Like Christ, we are called to lay down our lives to serve to others with generous and committed love.

Easter celebrates when Jesus “passed over” from death to new life. On the day of our Baptism we were incorporated into the Paschal Mystery of the dying and rising of Christ. Throughout our lives as Christians, we must die completely to self, to sin, to the flesh, to the world, and to earth, in order to rise through the grace of the Holy Spirit with the Risen Christ to freedom, peace, joy, love, hope, and new life. One of the highest points in my life as a priest is Sunday. (Some people think it's the only day priests work!) As I arise early in the morning to open the church, I always wonder who will enter into God's house this day — what challenges they face, what crosses they carry, what burdens they bear, what problems they wrestle with, what blessings they have received, what prayers they seek answered, and what graces will be shared in celebrating together. It is indeed a humble blessing to serve as a priest. It is a joy to share His story of love.

After 23 years of service to the Church in the Diocese of Pittsburgh this May, I've come to realize that priesthood is not just a position, title or function to fulfill, but instead is a unique calling from God to serve His people by accompanying and being with them as a companion on the journey.

One of my heroes from my first seminary days at St. Paul's in Crafton was Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979). In his autobiography, Treasure in Clay, he spoke of the “daily hour of power." That hour is a Holy Hour made in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, which he observed each day. The closer we experience the intimate love of Jesus in prayer, the more we desire to share that love with others. Archbishop Sheen said, “Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for Divine Love?”

My patron, St. Richard of Chichester (1197-1253), wrote:

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits and blessings
which You have given me,
for all the pains and insults
which You have borne for me.
Merciful Friend, Brother and Redeemer,
may I know You more clearly,
love You more dearly,
and follow You more nearly,
day by day.

At each Mass and at every prayer, we seal ourselves with the mark of faith, the Sign of the Cross. Carrying the cross is the daily occupation of the Christian. There are no shortcuts to discipleship. There are no shortcuts to Easter. There are no shortcuts to the Kingdom of God. Embracing, accepting and carrying the cross is necessary for following Jesus. One of the most powerful and dramatic times of the liturgical year is when we venerate the cross on Good Friday. The Bishop takes his ring off, and Christians bow, kiss, genuflect, touch, bless, pause in silence, or offer some gesture of love, in thanksgiving for the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us sinners. The Cross became the trophy of our salvation. Jesus' Cross is the bridge by which all humankind can traverse from sin to forgiveness, slavery to freedom, darkness to light, and death to life. It is through the redeeming love of our Savior Jesus Christ, who bore the weight of our sins, that we receive salvation. Jesus died and rose again, thus becoming our pledge of hope, of peace, and of our victory.

Bishop Bob Morneau, a long-time mentor and companion of mine, offers an Easter poem in Poems Thrown Into the Wind:

Is my soul an empty tomb,
cold, silent, dark,
devoid of life, the risen Lord?
Or is my soul a home,
warm, welcoming, filled with light,
a site of Love’s dwelling bright?
These Easter questions haunt me,
taunt me into major remodeling.
My architect -- the Holy Spirit --
whose cost is grace,
who transforms me into a Holy place.

Palm Sunday

“The last enemy to be defeated will be death.”

- 1 Corinthians 15: 26

Last Saturday, April 9, 2011, I attended the 6th Annual Men's Conference of spirituality at the A. J. Palumbo Center at Duquesne University. They had such inspiring, motivating, dynamic, captivating and faith-changing speakers as: Matthew Kelly, Msgr. Jim Lisante, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Scott Seethaler. Matthew Kelly challenged the men to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation once per month for one year and then see how they felt -- if good, then to do it for the rest of their lives. Msgr. Lisante challenged the men to live deeper lives of love that can only flourish through God's redeeming love and forgiveness of sins. Dr. Scott Hahn, who has written over 40 books, spoke of his conversion to the Catholic faith after serving as a Presbyterian minister. Fr. Scott's story telling, humor and joy brought hope to the assembly.

There were perhaps 2,000 men in attendance and my friend, Pat Molyneaux, noted that over 1,000 men went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The theme of the conference was, “Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you when you firmly professed your faith before many witnesses” (1 Tim 6:12).

As I climbed the bleachers to listen to confessions for over two hours up in the rafters of the gymnasium, the men had to be in pretty good shape to get to my location. Some were holding on to the wall, some were climbing one step at a time. I must say it was inspirational to see their “panting desire” for God's merciful forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As one man made it to the heights of my bleachers, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, “I just had heart surgery. And now I seek a new heart in the Sacrament of Penance.”

Today is the beginning of the most spiritually moving, powerful and prayerful week on the Church's calendar. Of the 52 weeks of the year, only one week is called “Holy Week” in our Western church, and “The Great Week” in the Eastern church. Everything that Jesus said, did and lived while on earth led up to this week, to the moment of the Cross, the climax of God's plan for saving humanity. I believe that this week would be incomplete without experiencing the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Both as a confessor and a penitent, I love hearing those beautiful and profound words of absolution that are pronounced, “God the Father of Mercies, through the death and Resurrection of His Son, has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church, may God grant you pardon and peace. And I absolve you of your sins, in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York wrote a pastoral letter on the Sacrament of Penance that was released on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, in which he exhorted the entire archdiocese of New York, “Experience the joy of forgiveness! Experience liberation from sin! Keep those confessionals busy! Keep your priests busy about the great work of dispensing the Lord’s Mercy! Keep the sacrament of Penance at the heart of Catholic life!“

He went on to say that in the early Church Confession was seen as “the second conversion in tears” and continued, “I encourage you to make a good confession before Easter. Even if it has been a long time. Come home to our Father! Be reconciled to God through the ministry of His Church! Don’t wait to change your life! You can hope in the Father’s mercy. You can trust in His pledge of grace to help you lead a better life.”

Bishop Zubik, at the Men's Conference, mentioned that his greatest sorrow of the day was not being able to lift up the monstrance (weighing 80 lbs) holding the Eucharist for the crowd, due to his back surgery and lack of strength. But going to a deeper level, the Bishop humbly, sorrowfully and gracefully admitted his own personal weakness and sinfulness in failing to lift Christ up to the world as a bishop, priest, leader brother, disciple, companion and friend. I thought his image was a powerful one for us to meditate and reflect upon as we approach Holy Week. How do we lift up Christ to others? Let us lift Christ up to others by serving faithfully, by suffering sacrificially and by loving unconditionally.

A long-time mentor and spiritual companion, Sr. Joyce Rupp, wrote the book Fragments of Your Ancient Name: 365 Glimpses of the Divine for Daily Meditation. Addressing God, she says:

You are Love like no other:

Love so large you contain our smallness;

Love so deep You accept our shallowness;

Love so strong you carry our weakness;

Love so wide you enclose our wandering;

Love so tender you experience our hurting;

Love so tolerable You outlive our apathy;

Love so ardent You thaw our coldness;

Love so true, you endure our betrayals;

Love so patient, You wait for our returning.

Recently Bishop Bullock, the retired bishop of Madison, WI passed away. His Episcopal motto was simply three words, “Grace, Mercy, Peace.” My prayer for all of you is that during this Holy Week we will experience God's grace, encounter God‟s mercy and share Easter Peace.