2019 Archived Pastor's Notes
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Come Home!
December 29, 2019
When I wrote a letter of farewell to my previous parish 4½ years ago, I was struck by the sense of love that prevailed and how truly difficult it was to say goodbye. While I am not saying goodbye, I do recall vividly some of the thoughts that were foremost in that letter; they just seem so applicable today that I want to share some of them with you.
I do want to convey how much each of you means to me. We read in Sacred Scriptures that the greatest gift God gives to any of us is the gift of love. Each of you have been a true blessing to me. When we see the strife, the scandals and difficulties our Church is facing, we must rely on one another and on the promises of Christ who says love never dies nor does it fade away. It is something that we can cherish forever.
One of the most important things we can do for one another is pray for each other. My prayer is that this parish will always be a Christ-centered parish of love and caring for each other, always be guided by the Holy Spirit and protected by our Blessed Mother.
Remember to pray for atonement, reconciliation, for world peace and to never be afraid of the truth…and above all never be afraid of God’s love and mercy in knowing we can come back to Him no matter what our past has been. Please do not let fear keep you from the love of the Lord. Stay close to the Sacraments and let God lead you through life.
Merry Christmas! Please Come Home!
Father Storey
Merry Christmas!
December 20, 2019
Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to His people on earth! This truly is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad! A special Christmas greeting to all members of our parish, and a warm welcome to family members and friends who are visiting. May all feel the true presence of Christ in this our home.
Welcome home to those who may not be able to join us each week due to work schedules, or just have gotten out of the habit of coming to Mass. I pray your hearts will journey back to be with us each week, for we truly yearn for your presence. If there is anything I can do to help you on your journey back, please do not hesitate to ask.
For people of faith, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Messiah, the Savior of the World. Christmas is also the birthday of Christ the Priest. A beautiful theology of the Church sees the womb of Mary, our Blessed Mother, as the splendid cathedral in which the Holy Spirit anointed Jesus as the Great High Priest.
Father Storey
Rejoice! Again!
December 15, 2019
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. (Philippians 4:4-5) This is the Entrance Antiphon for today, Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd Sunday in Advent. We are at the mid-point in our Advent journey of preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Together we rejoice because the Lord is near.
“Gaudete” is one of several Latin words that mean “rejoice.” On this Sunday the priest uses rose-colored vestments, and we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath. Rose is a softening of violet, the liturgical color normally used during Advent. It is a foretaste of good things to come; it anticipates the pure white that will be used at Christmas.
Advent was once considered a penitential time; now it is a time of preparation – preparing our hearts and our minds for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During Advent, the Gloria is not sung nor recited at Mass, waiting instead for the joyous peal of bells and the sounds that the angels made when proclaiming the good news on Christmas that Jesus Christ is born.
One of the best things we can do to prepare for the coming of Christ is to receive the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation). Curé of Ars’ Advent Penance Service will be today, Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3:00 p.m. Other Advent Penance Services throughout the Johnson County Region are posted elsewhere in this bulletin, and individual confessions times at Curé are listed on the front page. Rejoice in this beautiful sacrament given to us by Jesus Christ.
Today’s First Reading (Isaiah 35:1- 6a, 10) portrays hopeful visions. Isaiah tells us to trust: “Here is your God ... he comes to save you.” At an unknown time in the future, the Savior will bring new life to His people. These words from the prophet make us want to sing out like a Psalm from David.
The letter of St. James that we hear in the Second Reading comes from a collection of New Testament writings that are called the “Catholic Letters.” In this case, “catholic” means universal because they were addressed to early Christian believers in general. St. James tells them (and us) to be patient and firm of heart as we wait for the coming of the Lord.
Excitement heightens in the Gospel when Jesus tells the disciples of John the Baptist to return to John relating to him all that they have heard and seen: the blind see; the lame walk; lepers are cleansed; the deaf hear; the dead are raised; and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. All these signs indicate that, indeed, Jesus is the One Who is to come. Then Jesus explains to the crowd that even though John is the greatest of those “born of women,” “yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Now we today await the Second Coming of Jesus, with anticipation, with joy in our hearts, with a true sense of repentance.
Our message today rings loud and clear: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near. May God continue to bless each and every one of us!Father Storey
Hope and Harmony
December 8, 2019
Our readings today, the Second Sunday of Advent, revolve about the dual themes of hope and harmony. From the Israelites of the eighth century BC, to the Christian community at Rome, to the throngs seeking John the Baptist, the precursor who prepared “the way of the Lord,” we become one in spirit with those who waited for the promised Messiah. We know that He came to us over 2000 years ago; however we now await His second coming as He promised when He was here on earth. We too, urgently plead, “Hurry and don’t delay.”
God used the prophets of Old Testament times to relate His rules and desires to His chosen people. The prophet Isaiah was tasked with delivering a difficult message to the Israelites. They had stopped believing in the one, true God and were praying to false gods. Isaiah had to reprimand them and bring them back to trust in God and follow His laws. The kingly descendants of David and Jesse were weak, hence we hear them referred to as the “stump” of the tree of Jesse. Today’s first reading contains an extremely hopeful message in Isaiah’s vision of a new and glorious kingdom for the Israelites, “On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” Isaiah described the One who was to come as filled with wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge and fear of the Lord. Isaiah foretold a harmonious community not only of people, but of nature as well. The Israelites were filled with hope and prayed that the Messiah would “Hurry and not delay.”
We are presented with some highly unusual pairings that will occur with the coming of the Messiah. We learn that the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid. Picture these: the calf and young lion together, the cow and the bear, the lion eating hay like the ox. Isaiah visualizes all “with a little child to guide them.”
When St. Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans, Jews and Gentiles could not even eat together. There was much dissention in the Christian community in Rome. Paul tried several different methods to promote the desired harmony; among them were instruction, prayer and exhortation.
The opening verses of today’s Gospel present John the Baptist as the fulfillment of another vision of the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” People thought that John was the Messiah, but John quickly dispels that notion saying “I am baptizing you with water for repentance ... I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John presented a message full of hope to those awaiting the Messiah.
In these weeks of Advent, we again are waiting for the Messiah. We are waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ, God made man, who humbled Himself to become human like us. Jesus came to call all sinners, you and me, to repentance. As we prepare a way for the Lord, to make straight a highway, we must prepare our hearts and souls by removing guilt, shame, pain and sorrow, so that we can see the Lord for who He truly is. We must ask for the forgiveness He has promised us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Curé of Ars’ Advent Penance Service will be held next Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 pm. Dates and times for other Penance Services throughout the Johnson County Region can be found elsewhere in this bulletin.
Gaudete –Rejoice!
CONGRATULATIONS, FATHER TONY! Today Dec. 8, 2019, we have an extraordinary reason to say “Gaudete! Rejoice!” Sixty-five years ago today, Father Tony was ordained to the priesthood in Rome, Italy. As you know, this exceptional priest, at 91 years of age, is still working in priestly service for you and your souls. As you leave church today, please take a moment to wish Father Tony “Happy Anniversary” and thank him for his dedication to our parish. His has been a remarkable journey: from a farm boy in Eastern Kansas; to St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS; to attending seminary in Rome, Italy; to celebrating 65 years as a priest. I must say it again: Congratulations, Father Tony! May God bless you always!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER JULIE! We have another reason to say “Gaudete! Rejoice! Today is Sister Julie’s 90thbirthday. We are blessed to have her as a vital part of our parish. There will be a tea in the Father Burak Room this afternoon (Dec. 8) honoring Sister Julie. Please try to come and honor Sister Julie on this awesome occasion. Happy Birthday, Sister Julie! May you have many more!Father Storey
Hurry and Don’t Delay
December 1, 2019
Throughout the four weeks of Advent, we embark on a new leg of our journey, waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ, God made man, who humbled Himself to become human like us. In the Blessing of the Advent Wreath that concludes the prayer of the faithful today, we ask the Lord God to let His blessing come upon us as we wait for the coming of our Savior. We ask that the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise, and we urge “May He come quickly and not delay.” Throughout the ages, people have been praying “hurry and don’t delay.”
The Old Testament Readings throughout the Sundays of Advent in Year A are from the Prophet Isaiah who prophesied in the eighth century BC. His writings are rich in meaning and symbolism and have been the basis for many of our cherished Advent songs, traditions and decorations. In Isaiah’s time, mountains and high places were thought to be the dwelling place of gods; Jerusalem itself was built high on a hill. In today’s First Reading, Isaiah envisions an ideal Judah and Jerusalem, a future time of peace and security founded on the presence of the Lord on the mountain high above Jerusalem.
Isaiah writes that people will climb the Lord’s mountain to the “house of the God of Jacob,” so they may be instructed and walk in the Lord’s way, in His light. Having been promised a savior, we know their plea to the Lord had to be “Hurry and don’t delay.”
St. Paul sounds a note of urgency in the Second Reading: “For our salvation is nearer now ... let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light ... put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Now it is we who must hurry and not delay.
In the Gospel from Matthew, we hear Jesus talking to His disciples before His passion. He alludes to what happened in the days of Noah: people were casually going about their everyday lives, including very human behaviors, with no concern about what might lie ahead. They were caught unaware and carried away in the flood. Jesus makes the comparison between the flood of Noah’s day and the coming of the Son of Man. He goes on to explain that this same behavior will prevail. Jesus offers this contrast, “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. Jesus urges all “stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Again, we must hurry and not delay our appropriate, corrective actions.
As we reflect on all our Readings today, we see a twofold focus; they all look to the future, and all tell us how to live in the present. May we walk in the light of the Lord, put on the Lord Jesus Christ and stay awake and be prepared. We also urgently pray “Hurry and do not delay!”
Just a Note concerning next Sunday, December 8: In 2019, the Solemn Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, normally celebrated on December 8, is transferred to December 9 because the Feast is not of sufficiently high ranking to supersede a Sunday of Advent. It is a Holy Day, but not a Holy Day of Obligation. The Immaculate Conception is the belief that Mary was protected from Original Sin, and that the Blessed Mother did NOT have a sinful nature. She was, in fact, sinless from the moment of her conception in the womb of St. Anne, thus preparing her to become the Mother of God.
Father Storey
King of the UniverseNovember 24, 2019
Today we come to the end of the Church’s Liturgical Year as we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Christ is placed on His throne, our true King. We revel in the glory of His Kingship. Throughout history, nations, countries and other sovereignties have been ruled and led by kings. These entities are temporary and limited because they are here on earth. We acknowledge in our celebration that JESUS CHRIST IS KING OF THE UNIVERSE.
The second Book of Samuel (5:1-3) relates how David was anointed king of Israel. He was considered Israel’s greatest king. Jesus, being of the house and lineage of David, naturally was considered heir to David’s throne and title. St. Paul, in the Second Reading, Colossians 1:12-20, continues the statement of kingship, thanking the Father who “transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Then in the Gospel, in communication with the two thieves, Jesus affirmed His Kingship of the Universe by saying: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
We have spoken and written often about the Church’s Liturgical Year being like a great symphony of love with multiple movements, a variety of tempos, musical patterns and harmonizing. We find our symphony reaching many pinnacles in a grand flurry of sounds and rhythms. This next year, Cycle A, is influenced by the Gospel of Matthew, a tax collector, a publican who was despised by the general populace, because tax collectors usually collected more than was prescribed by law, and they retained the excess for themselves. Matthew repented and became an apostle of Christ. In his words we get a first-hand account of the life and actions of Jesus.
We all, as members of the Body of Christ, are part of the grand orchestra that is performing this symphony of love. We each bring our own personal perspective to the orchestra, and reap the benefits of our membership. We rehearse the words and music of this great artistic work and share in its many benefits.
The first movement of any symphony is usually fairly fast, weighty in content and feeling. The symphony of our Church Year begins perhaps with an Allegro con brio – lively with spirit – of Advent, and builds to a crescendo at Christmas. We experience the waiting of Advent and urgently pray that the Lord will hurry up and not delay. Those prayers are answered at Christmas with the Lord humbling Himself at the Incarnation, coming to us as God made Man. It is a time of glorious rejoicing and exhilaration.
Our symphony builds into the low key, quiet Andante of Ordinary Time – the ordinary growth of Jesus, followed quickly by a movement that leads us into the Lenten season – a time of repentance. Holy Week is a symphony within a symphony. A frenzy of emotions begins with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem amid the waving of branches on Palm Sunday. We then experience the excitement of Holy Thursday, celebrating the institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Then come the mournful sounds of the dirge of Good Friday as Christ is crucified and placed in the tomb. Finally we have the triumphant elation of Easter Vigil and Easter when Christ rises from the dead. The next movement encompasses the days of the Easter Season, Ascension and Pentecost, followed by the Feasts of the Most Holy Trinity, and the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Our final movement of the symphony, a Minuet, takes us back to Ordinary Time. At its conclusion, once again we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
As we begin a new Liturgical Year let us join our voices in harmony with others and pray “May He come quickly and not delay.”Father Storey
Deacon's Reflection
The End TimesNovember 17, 2019
During the final few weeks of the Church’s Liturgical Year, our attention is drawn toward what is traditionally called The End Times - death, judgment, heaven, and hell. The Church has always invited us to reflect on our End Times so that we are not caught off guard, because none of us will escape death and judgment. This is not meant to be a gloomy practice but something that can help us live our daily lives with a clearer focus on our destiny. Remember, it was Jesus, Himself, who gave us hope and showed us the way through His death and Resurrection.
Death is inevitable for all of us. Many of us have a natural fear of dying; it is in our physical make-up. Mostly we fear the unknown and the pain and suffering that the dying process likely involves, and understandably we shy from this. Even Jesus in His human nature asked that the cup of suffering be taken from Him if possible.
We should cherish and appreciate life for what it is - a great gift from God. We should seek to love and serve Him for whatever length life He has willed for us. God calls each of us to seek Him, to know Him, to love Him and share in His blessed life. He gives us our time on earth for just that.
Unfortunately, we can get so caught up in the busyness of life, and our lives can get so comfortable that we lose our eternal perspective. We seek more the created things of this world than the Creator Himself; we desire more the gifts than the Giver of all gifts.
This is why prayerfully meditating on our death can help put things back in perspective. We can refocus on what is really important. The choices we make in this life will certainly affect how we spend our eternity. The importance of our love for God and neighbor becomes much clearer when we look at it from the perspective of our deathbed. At our death the time of preparation and trial is ended. Our love is either for God or for self as distinct from God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1021)
At the very instant the soul leaves the body, it is judged by almighty God (Heb 9:27). He illumines our soul so that we see ourselves as God sees us – as in a state of grace or of unrepented/unforgiven sin; as God-loving or God-rejecting – and we see our destiny in accordance with the perfect justice of God. It is the moment for which all our life on earth has been spent, towards which, hopefully, our life has been directed. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Cor 5:10)
Ultimately we are judged on how we loved. As St. John of the Cross wrote: “At the evening of life, we will be judged on our love.” Did we love God above all things or love ourselves? It is our choice and God won’t force us. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.”
Our hope and God’s desire is we choose Him and heaven. Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme definitive happiness. The absolute perfect eternal happiness of heaven will make the worst of our earthly trials and sufferings seem ridiculously trivial. For this we hope and long. To this end, our whole lives, all our decisions and choices should be directed.
Deacon Steve White
The Communion of SaintsNovember 10, 2019
We have just celebrated two significant Holy Days in the Church Calendar of Feasts: Nov. 1, the Feast of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation, and Nov. 2, All Souls Day.
As baptized Christians, we are part of a vast family known as the Communion of Saints. Each year the Church honors those who have gone before us in faith, especially those whose brave and unwavering witness to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has inspired us to live a life more committed to the Triune God.
To an outsider, it may seem like we Catholics pray to these men and women who have lived faith-filled lives while here on earth. Sometimes it may seem we bypass Jesus and center on one or two particular saints for all our needs. This could not be further from the truth. Catholics do not pray to these men and women; rather we pray through them. Almost every church believes in prayer partners – people praying for the needs of others. In our Catholic faith, these saints are our great prayer partners.
We believe that our final destiny is to be with the God who created us. When the soul unites with its Creator, only then will we be at true peace. The Church refers to this as the Beatific Vision: to be with God and to see Him face to face. The importance of being in this state is that one no longer has the need to pray that his soul be forgiven, or that it finds this true peace. In the present, the prayers of the Saints are for us, that we will come to know our Savior Jesus Christ, and not be afraid to conform our lives while here on earth to do the will of God. This is every Christian’s true vocation, to be saintly people.
Right now, there are three stages of the Kingdom, i.e. three stages of the Mystical Body of Christ, of His only Church:1. The Church Militant: We Christians who live on earth. We are not yet in heaven; therefore we pray that our souls will one day be there, and not be judged to hell.
2. The Church Triumphant: Our brothers and sisters who have died and whose souls are already in heaven for eternity. Their bodies will be resurrected gloriously and join their souls at the Second Coming of Christ. At present, the only ones in heaven with body and soul are Jesus and His Blessed Mother.
3. The Church Purifying: Christians who have died and are in purgatory. They will go to heaven after they have been totally purified.
Thus we have the Communion of Saints. All members of the three stages of the Church live in the same Body of Christ. Those in heaven already, the Angels and Saints, can help us. We are called to pray for our brothers and sisters in purgatory. Jesus told the good thief, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). And for sure, He is not alone in Heaven; Peter and Paul are with Him, and of course our Blessed Mother and millions of Saints. John wrote in the Book of Revelation: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb (Rev. 7:9).
As we celebrate these very Holy Days, we the Church Militant, ask for the Saints’ intercessions, and we assure those in the Church Purifying of our prayers. Together we are the Body of Christ.Father Storey
I Want to Stay at Your HouseNovember 3, 2019
What would you do if, very unexpectedly, someone came up and said to you, “I want to stay at your house?” In today’s Gospel for the 31 st Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear and see this scenario unfolding.
We hear the story of Zacchaeus, a Tax Collector – a man not well respected in his community. He was a man who really wanted to see Jesus. Zacchaeus did not care about his public image; rather he was willing to take a big risk and run to see Jesus. Although he was short in stature, Zacchaeus was not short in courage. His faith was so great that he was inspired to climb a sycamore tree, just to get a glimpse of Jesus – simply to be in His sight. The tree Zacchaeus climbed is a member of the nettle family, a fig tree. It grows only in the Jordan Valley and is very different from any sycamore tree found in North America. This one has very low limbs – growing so close to the ground that even a child could climb it easily.
Jesus sought a personal relationship. It began with His invitation to Zacchaeus to come down from the tree and to come forward.
Jesus’ response to outcasts of His day was consistently compassionate, whether they were tax collectors, prostitutes, Scribes or Pharisees. It made no difference, He always invited them to come to Him, and greeted them with openness and a non-judgmental demeanor. He always desired to establish a relationship.
As Jesus neared the tree, He looked up and saw Zacchaeus. Jesus said, “Come down quickly, Zacchaeus, for today I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus went from seeking only a glimpse of Jesus, to joyously welcoming Him into his home. In addition, Zacchaeus promised to give half his possessions to the poor and to repay four times over anything he had wrongfully gained through his position as a Tax Collector.
Jesus’ message is the same for each of us. He wants us to “come down quickly;” He wants to stay with us. Are we like Zacchaeus? Are we willing to take a risk and grow closer to Christ, in and through a personal relationship?
To do this, we must first look within ourselves and seek His help to remove sin; to see that in and through His love, we who have sinned can be forgiven. We are called to take a risk: to come out of our own tree and to see Christ face to face. He is loving, forgiving, and full of mercy. He is reaching out for you and for me. We, too, must say, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”
Jesus wants to come in and stay at our house. The house that He is referring to is our soul! We must seek forgiveness for our sins and invite Jesus to stay. What better way to do this than to make use of the beautiful Sacrament of Penance. Confessions at Curé of Ars are every Saturday 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. and on Sundays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Let us open the doors of our souls; let us invite Christ to enter and STAY!Father Storey
A Kaleidoscope
October 27, 2019
“We are many parts; we are all one body ... the living Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12). This is our identity: the WHO we are and the WHOSE we are. We each bring a special set of talents and gifts to the composite. We are a kaleidoscope. Each change in movement, twist, or turn produces yet another beautiful image.
Separately, we are nothing but shards ... broken bits of colored glass. Together we can become an awesome image created by mirrors and angled reflectors. Just as a kaleidoscope requires light and a focus to reveal its inner beauty, so too with us. We need the light of Christ shining on us, and we need Christ as our focal point. Then the mirrors and reflectors of love, acts of kindness, faith, trust, virtue, all things good, mesh together creating an exquisite image with Christ as our focus. Each part of the kaleidoscope is special and talented in its own way, but it is only in the unity of the Body of Christ that we can reach our full potential.
We have continued our journey in the Gospel of St. Luke in these waning weeks in Ordinary Time (Cycle C). We gain more insights into how we should live in order to achieve our final goal: heaven. Everything can be ours if only we keep our focus on Jesus Christ and trust in His leadership. Not everyone receives the same amount of faith, but God gives each of us the exact amount of faith we need to complete the journey.
Sometimes we are challenged with changes, but that is not a reason to be afraid. One of my instructors in seminary described change as a sign of life – not something to fear. Think of change as a new potential pattern in the kaleidoscope of our life. To cope, embrace change, and keep Christ as the focal point. Several years ago we faced a big change in the celebration of our Liturgies when the New Translation of the Roman Missal was first used beginning with Advent 2011. Now it is “old hat.” Even the word “consubstantial” rolls off our tongues with ease.
The Disciples often asked Jesus how to pray; He responded in actual words of prayer or sometimes parables about how God hears our prayers. In the Gospel for today, the 30 th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C), Jesus once again uses a parable. In the parable, He contrasts the attitudes of a Pharisee and a tax collector. Jesus praises the simplicity and humility of the prayer of the tax collector: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus proclaimed, “The latter went home justified ... for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
May humility and sincerity always be featured virtues in our kaleidoscope.Father Storey
EUI, an Acronym of FaithOctober 20, 2019
We are surrounded with acronyms – ways of saying things in just a few letters that would ordinarily take several words. Some examples: GPS, SRO, LOL, BLT. Today I want to propose another one: EUI – Evangelizing Under the Influence (of the Holy Spirit).
In today’s Second Reading (2 Tim 3:14-4:2) Paul exhorts Timothy, “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed ... I charge you to proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or not; ... encourage through all patience and teaching.” Paul wants his friend Timothy to preach and teach just as he himself evangelizes.
After Pentecost, the Apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, followed the directive given to them by Jesus Christ Himself: “Go out and make disciples of all.” In the 1 st century AD, Saul, a well educated man, a student and defender of the Jewish Law, became a persecutor of early converts. He was determined to stamp out anyone who, in his opinion, was a violator of the Jewish Law. On the road to Damascus in Syria, where he planned yet another persecution, he was struck blind by God. But in Damascus, Saul was cured, converted and baptized by Ananias. His name was changed to Paul. Paul became one of the most prolific preachers and teachers, making three major missionary journeys helping to establish the church in many new locations.
We too are commissioned to evangelize, to go out and preach the Good News. As St. Francis of Assisi so eloquently put it, “Preach always! Use words if necessary.” Do we have to do this on our own? Absolutely not. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us as well (EUI). Most frequently, our evangelization will not be preaching in words, but rather showing by the examples of our everyday lives that we are Christians. We want to be witnesses that we love God, we love one another, and we want to share God’s Good News with all whom we meet. Pope Francis in his treatise, Evangelii Gaudium enjoins all of us to be “Joyful Evangelists.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the Apostles that it is necessary for them to pray always without becoming weary. Then Jesus poses the question, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” What can we do to ensure that when the Son of Man comes, He will find a faith-filled people? We too can evangelize. Don’t worry or fret if you can not see results; you might never observe results. That does not mean that we should not continue to pray for others, to live our lives for one another, to lead by example. We should not grow weary.
Twice a year our church is SRO: at Christmas and at Easter. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this happened 52 weeks a year? What can be our role in this? We can act as true members of the Body of Christ. We can pray for each other and not grow weary. We can care for one another; perform the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Don’t be 1 hour a week Christians. Let’s be Christians 24/7. Not saying words, just acting like Christians. Let our love for God and for one another be manifest in all we do. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide and influence us.
Then we will truly be EUI. Let us make EUI our acronym of faith.
Father Storey
Lessons to Live By
October 13, 2019
In today’s Reading II, St. Paul writes from prison to his beloved friend, Timothy. Paul suffers greatly in shackles, but he uses this opportunity to contrast his situation to the word of God: “the word of God is not chained.” Paul exhorts Timothy to remember the Risen Lord, to persist and be faithful. “If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him.” (cf 2 Timothy 2:8-13)
The Gospel tells the familiar story of Jesus being met by ten persons who suffer from leprosy; they beg Him for mercy. When only one of the ten lepers, who had all been cured, came back praising God in a loud voice, Jesus asked, “Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God? Where are the other nine?” We can almost hear the note of disappointment in Jesus’ voice.
We need not disappoint Jesus; we can express our gratitude at each and every Mass. “Eucharist” is from a Greek verb used in the New Testament; it can be translated “to give thanks.” The Mass – the Eucharist – is the central act of our religion as Catholics. Every time we celebrate Mass, we acknowledge God as our Creator and give thanks to Him. Then we must go out and live our faith anew, acknowledging it, not being afraid to stand up for it, but to stand steadfast in the joy and love we have for Jesus Christ.
We have been given many blessings and good things in our lives. But we have also been given some burdens. When we are given crosses – some very heavy to carry – it is God who sees us through these times. I am inspired by this poem written in 1936 by Mary Stevenson.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was only one.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has been only one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.”Let us always remember to thank the Lord for the times He has carried us!
Father Storey
Attaining Championship Form
October 6, 2019
The message of the First Reading for the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C) is an anomaly, not what we would expect. It is not an easy one for us to hear and accept. It is not a “feel good” reading. Rather it is a warning. It is meant to stir us from our complacency. Have we become too used to feel good messages? Have we lost sight of the need to admit that we are sinners; that we need to repent, to seek forgiveness and to atone for our misdeeds?
Fall is a bumper season for sports. Sports on all levels surround us. Records are being set; projections of future champions are being made. Makes no difference if it is professional or amateur, high school or college. Baseball is heading into competition for the World Series. Football and soccer are in mid-season. Basketball is on the horizon; hockey not far behind. What do all these teams have in common; what is the trophy for which these teams are vying?
Each team is pursuing a goal – a championship of some type – and goes about the process in similar fashion. There are pre-season conditioning and practices; there are practice games before the actual season begins. The coaches of these teams have a regimen they instill in their players. The players are pushed in their practices to achieve at an ever higher level. They condition their bodies beyond the usual in order to excel in the upcoming competitions.
In the Second Reading, St. Paul assumes the role of our coach. He gives us a concise course of action that we can follow as we are conditioning our spiritual life. He tells us: “Compete well for the faith. Pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness.”
In the Gospel, we find another message that is not easy to hear, nor comforting to us. Jesus shakes the Pharisees from their complacency. He contrasts the fates of the rich man and Lazarus. The message is clear: Our God is merciful; He never tires of forgiving us. BUT WE MUST SEEK HIS FORGIVENESS. Do we need to stir ourselves from our complacency?
We must admit our sinfulness, the errors of our ways, and repent. We must humble ourselves and seek forgiveness. Have we gone outside our comfort zone to practice the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy – to condition our souls, to compete well for the faith? Only a few weeks remain before our Liturgical Year ends on November 24, the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. What shape are we in spiritually? Are we pre-season, mid-season, or are we reaching championship form?
Let the anomaly let us stir from our complacency, and motivate us to compete well for the faith. Let us project ourselves as champions for Christ by humbling ourselves and admitting that we are sinners, repenting and asking God’s forgiveness. May we follow the advice and example of our coach St. Paul. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can attain championship status: Heaven.
Father Storey
September 29, 2019
Deacon's ReflectionGrowing in True Wealth
September 22, 2019
We all naturally value financial security. We tend to get anxious when we think of not being able to have the means to buy the house we think we need, send our kids to the college they desire to go to, or to retire comfortably. Jesus gives us another parable this week to reflect on, this one involves our preparedness. In the parable of the dishonest steward, the master has discovered his steward has been cheating him and tells him to pack up and leave. The steward makes a last-minute effort to try and secure his financial future by reducing the amount his master’s debtors owe. Although cheated by the debt reduction, the master commends the dishonest steward, not for his dishonesty, but for his shrewdness in preparing for his future.
The key to understanding the message for us is Jesus’ words: “the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.” As Christians, followers of Jesus, we are the children of light. Jesus is calling us to be prudent in our preparedness for eternal life. We make great efforts to grow in our temporal welfare – but are we making the same kind of efforts (or greater) to grow in holiness, our spiritual welfare? Are we striving to grow in true wealth as Jesus called it? True wealth is the grace we receive in the sacraments. True wealth is our personal relationship with Jesus.
We can examine our efforts in this regard in terms of the priority of our time. Are we prioritizing getting to mass every Sunday and Holy Days? Is the Eucharist an important part of Sundays for our family? Receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is a most powerful source of spiritual wealth! Is that something my children know because we talk about it at home?
Do we make it a priority to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis, like monthly? We are all sinners and like the prodigal son in last weeks Gospel, when we repent, our heavenly Father awaits us with open arms, to pour out His mercy and forgiveness upon us in reconciliation.
Are we making time to meet Jesus in quiet prayer on a daily basis? Are we teaching our children and grandchildren how to pray? Jesus is constantly calling us to a deep friendship with Him. Like any friendship in order for it to grow we must spend time in conversation, present to the other person. I love what the Catechism says: “God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer.” We can ask ourselves, if we were to die this week, when we meet Jesus would it be like meeting a close friend? Or would it be like meeting someone we heard a lot about but don’t really know?
I encourage everyone, especially families to consider coming to The 177 Project this Saturday evening, September 28th at 7 pm in the church, for a time to be with Our Lord in adoration and deepen our friendship with Him!
Deacon Steve White
Words to Live and Die BySeptember 15, 2019
Reconciliation is an emphasis in the readings for today, the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C). This comes at a most appropriate time in our discussions about our journey back to our Father in Heaven. We know Jesus taught us that we must prepare for this journey. We must follow the Commandments, but if we stray we can and should seek forgiveness, reconciliation. Today we look for some words to live – and die – by.
With the help of our Travel Book, the Bible, and our Travel Guide, the Holy Spirit, we have been seeking answers to three major questions: 1) What is Heaven like? 2) How do we prepare for it? 3) How do we get there?
We have the example and influence of many people who have gone before us. Some saintly persons have expressed the notion that we should live each day as though it were our last. Then we have no need to change anything that we are doing when we are called to depart from this earth. We should live our lives just as Jesus instructed us to do, and remember that not only did He instruct us in words, but His actions spoke even louder.
Let us turn once again to our Travel Book and look at some key phrases and words of wisdom we find there.
There is no need to read through these quickly. Take time and meditate.-
Peace be with you
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Do not be afraid
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I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me
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Strive to enter (heaven) through the narrow gate
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You must be prepared for an hour you do not expect
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Guard against greed; one’s life does not consist of possessions
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Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing
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Go and take the lowest place; he who humbles himself will be exalted
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Here is how to pray: Our Father in heaven …
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Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened
We learn also from our parents and other family members. My own father was a very wise man. Even on his death bed, my father was guiding and teaching us his children. He said, “Even if only some of what we have been taught is true, I will be okay!”
I take solace in the words of my father. I trust in the words of my Heavenly Father. I am not afraid. We are not alone.
Father Storey
What is Heaven Like?September 8, 2019
Last week we described how we are on a life-long journey to get to Heaven. What is Heaven like? What do we need to do to get there? We suggested use of a spiritual Travel Book, the Bible, to get answers to these and many other questions we may have.
After the Fall of Adam and Eve (Original Sin), we humans were banished from Heaven, but God promised to send His Son to save us, to provide a means for us to return to the Father. In Advent we pray, “Hurry and do not delay.” Our prayers are answered as Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is born to a Virgin, Our Blessed Mother Mary. We rejoice with the angelic choir and sing “Glory to God in the Highest!”
As a youngster of age 12, Jesus taught us. He accompanied His mother Mary and her spouse Joseph to celebrate the Festival of Passover. Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth, but unknown to them, Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. They sought Him for several days. When at last they found Him in the temple courts listening to the teachers and asking questions, He chided Mary and Joseph, asking why they were worried. “Didn’t you know I had to be about my Father’s business?”
As a young man, Christ went into the desert to fast, meditate and pray. He then emerged to begin His public life, to teach, to preach, to mentor and to set an example for us all. He chose 12 apostles to carry on His work, and to spread the message of the Good News to all the world.
In His preaching and teaching, Jesus spoke often about Heaven. He used parables to describe what Heaven is like. In the parables, He would use common, every day images to which the people could relate to help them understand the complex concept of Heaven. Recall “the kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field” … “is like a mustard seed” … “is like a man who casts seeds upon the ground” … “is like a dragnet cast into the sea” … “is like a man who went out early to hire workers for his vineyard.”
Before He died, Jesus gave us the Perfect Gift of His own Body and Blood, food and refreshment for our journey here on earth. He also gave us the gift of Reconciliation. When we stray from the prescribed path, or fail to follow the Commandments, Jesus gives us a means of getting back on track. He asked His Father to send the Holy Spirit to guide us, to remain with us throughout time, so that we would not be alone. The Holy Spirit has become our GPS (Global Positioning System).
Yes, Heaven is real. We will die, but we have hope. When we are fearful, it is because we think we are on our own. In Heaven there will be no more suffering, no more death, no more fear. Heaven is a place of joy, peace and eternal happiness in which we will see God face-to-face. Let us trust in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. As we continue on our journey back to the Father, let us thank God for His Sacraments and for His wonderful Presence in our lives here on earth. We travel in trust, without fear. Next week we will look at some words and thoughts to live by (and die by).Father Storey
Planning a JourneySeptember 1, 2019
On this Labor Day weekend, we begin the last four months of our calendar year and the last 12 weeks of our Liturgical Year. We hear in the Gospels about many different topics: What is heaven like? How should we live? What should we do as we approach the end of our life? What should we do to get to heaven? Over the next few weeks, we will look at some of these questions.
When do we start on this journey to heaven? In reality our journey back to the Father began with our conception in the womb of our mother. It is a life long journey upon which we embark; many people and things will influence us.
Most of us have traveled at one time or another in our lives. On holiday weekends, many families try to take advantage of the extra time off work or school to make one last end-of-summer trip. Others have made extended trips throughout the year. No matter what our destination or the duration of the trip, we find ourselves going through some form of a familiar process. Our first step is to take time to plan and prepare for our trip. The more important the trip, the longer our planning process should be. Somewhere along the way, we might feel “I can’t believe we are really going!” Eventually, this emotion gets replaced with “Finally, we are on our way.”
What do we need for our trip? One item many people rely on is a good travel book – whether it be electronic or in print form, especially if we are planning foreign travel. We try to obtain as much information as possible about local attractions at our destination. We pack activity related equipment, such as fishing gear, hiking boots, sports items, maybe a good book to turn to in quiet times or to relax when desired. We arrange for lodging and for a local tour guide. Where will we find rest stops for refreshment and nourishment to sustain us?
We are on the most important journey of our life. We want to ensure that we have planned and prepared for this journey with utmost diligence. What do we need for the journey to heaven? Our perfect travel book is the Bible. We should read it often. It is here we will learn about local attractions and how to get there. Other resources include meditation material and books about saints.
Attending Mass – both Sunday obligation and weekday celebration – is a valued rest stop. We refresh and nourish our minds and souls with every celebration of the Mass. Priests and Deacons present homilies and offer us the Perfect Gift given to us by Jesus Christ Himself, that of His Most Precious Body and Blood. Yes, we are nourished and refreshed.
For equipment, may I suggest a Rosary? Our Blessed Mother Mary will intercede for us on this journey. As we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, we attest to the fact that she was assumed body and soul into heaven. What a wonderful advocate she will be for us on this journey. We don’t have to worry about lodging. We have the word of Jesus Himself (John 14:2), that there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house, and He, Jesus, would go before us to prepare a room for us. Our reservation has been made.
We need not fear anything on this journey. We are not alone. Our Tour Guide is the Holy Spirit. Jesus asked His Father to send us the Holy Spirit, and we have been accompanied throughout our lifetime by Him. We have been provided with Food for our journey; Christ gave us His own Body and Blood. We thank God, we are not alone!Father Storey
Deacon’s ReflectionEnter Via the Narrow Gate!
August 25, 2019
When people pursue a new business venture, they need to know the guidelines and regulations of that endeavor. What is the expected success rate, the chances of reaching their ultimate goal of making a profit? We Christians also are on a venture. We sometimes wonder about our chances of succeeding in reaching our ultimate goal: to enter the kingdom of Heaven, to see God face-to-face and be with Him for eternity.
We see an example of this in today’s Gospel. While Jesus was teaching in towns along His route to Jerusalem, someone in the crowd asked Him about the number of people who would be saved. This person was curious about his chances of entering the kingdom of God.
Jesus’ response was:“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.”
If we listen carefully to today’s Gospel Acclamation, we also hear Jesus giving us a road map, a travel guide to Heaven:
“I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14:6)
God created us out of love. He loves us and wants us to be with Him in His kingdom which is filled with joy, peace and eternal happiness. But our arrogance, our ego, our wickedness got in the way and we committed sins. We offended the Lord through our sinfulness. Like loving parents discipline and instruct their misbehaving children, the Lord disciplined us. The punishment was to separate us from heaven, His Kingdom.
Throughout history, the Lord has never stopped loving us. He wanted and waited for us to return to Him. He used the Prophets to send His messages of love, His guidelines and instructions to His children. Finally, He sent His only Son to die for our salvation. He wills for all to be saved.
Jesus does not try to scare us or make us afraid; instead He warns us that in order to be saved we must accept the challenge of that narrow gate.-
We must put forth our best efforts and stay true to our commitment.
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We must be strong and reject the wide gate that leads to destruction.
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We must be honest with ourselves, change our sinful ways and return to God.
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We must have the courage and discipline to practice and live our faith regardless of the judgment and opinions of others.
As we strive to enter the narrow gate, we ask God to strengthen our faith in trials and temptations. May we trust in His promises and recognize His guiding presence in our journey to reach our ultimate goal: Heaven. There we will be filled with joy, peace and eternal happiness.Deacon Phillip Nguyen
“Best at Loving Jesus”
An Interview with Father Colin HaganeyJuly 12, 2019
“I want to be remembered as a priest who did a good job of working hard, a better job at having fun and the best job at loving Jesus.”
This is how Father Colin Haganey (pronounced CAH-lin HAY-guh-nee), newly ordained priest for the Archdiocese, responded to a question posed to him near the end of this interview as to how he would want to be remembered when it was time for him to leave Curé of Ars for another parish. These characteristics are how some of us remember Fr. Haganey from his time in the parish during the summer of 2017. Fr. Haganey indicated that span of service in 2017 has been helpful in adjusting to being associate pastor in that he already knows some of the people, and he already knows the basic weekly schedule of the parish.
Born and raised in Leavenworth, KS, Fr. Haganey is the eldest of five children of Charlie and Jennifer Haganey. His younger siblings are Avery 25, Phoebe 20, Katie 16 and Chandler 14. His dad is a manager at a Walgreens Store and his mother is presently a stay at home mom. She has owned several businesses in downtown Leavenworth in the past.
Fr. Haganey attended Conception Seminary College in Conception, MO and then Kenrick School of Theology in St. Louis for graduate school. When asked who was most influential in his answering God’s call to the priesthood, Fr. Haganey spoke of two people – both now priests. Early in his seminary formation years, he relied on the example of a fellow seminarian, Anthony Saiki to learn how best to follow Jesus. In later years, it was the kindness and support of Father Richard Storey that sustained him especially when the going sometimes got rough in the seminary.
On an introspective note, Fr. Haganey identified public speaking as a God-given talent that would be valuable in performing his duties as a priest. He is hopeful this gift will translate well into giving good homilies.
When asked to describe his goals at Curé of Ars, he cited the advice often given to new priests: sit and look out the window the first year. Basically be there, listen and learn. In addition, he wants to be a happy and holy priest. Rather than set goals for himself, he wants to be open to what the Holy Spirit has planned for him, and he wants to help Fr. Storey in leading our parish closer to Jesus Christ.
The person whose traits he most admires and wants to emulate is Father Storey. He sees in Fr. Storey a priest who works hard, has fun and loves Jesus: “That should be the goal of every priest and I hope to be as successful at doing those things as Fr. Storey has.”
Fr. Haganey wants to thank Fr. Storey for being such a fantastic role model for himself and for all the encouragement and support over the last few years leading to ordination. He added, “It is truly a blessing to get to be the associate pastor for a priest for whom I have a deep respect and great friendship.” He also wants to thank his grandmother, Mary, who has been such a huge support leading to ordination. “If I ever needed ANYTHING, she made sure I had it. It would have been much more difficult financially getting through seminary if she was not around.”
Father Haganey offered the following advice to youngsters considering becoming a priest, brother or sister: If you are thinking about being a priest or religious just give it a go. You don’t sign away your life the second you go to the seminary or enter the novitiate, but these are the best places to determine if this is what you are called to do long term.
Welcome to Curé of Ars, Father Haganey. May your time here be filled with blessings for your hard work, joy in your fun-filled activities and success under the influence of the Holy Spirit in doing your best at loving Jesus.
A Journey in LearningJuly 7, 2019
We belong to the Triune God: the God who created us, the God who saved us and entrusts us with the great gift of the Church, the God who sanctifies and guides us. We belong to the Body of Christ. This is the whose we are. We are called to be one in Christ, to go forward on this journey to learn who we truly are and whose we truly are. These are key words: who we are and whose we are. When we know who we are, then we can do the works of the whose we are.
We are called to be children of God and to love as God loves. We express this love by living up to the gifts God gives each of us and to use these gifts for the good of the whole body of Christ. Knowing who we are is so very important. To know who we are is to know the talents that God has given to us. Knowing who we are is to acknowledge that we have certain limitations as well. I need to be comfortable with who I am: with both my gifts and equally my limitations!
Not all of us are going to have the same gifts. We are gifted with what we need, and with what God knows we need. Nor does everyone have the same limitations. I must know that there are certain things that I just am not gifted to do. It’s not a punishment, but a gift from God, to know that it takes us all to do what He is wanting this Body of Christ to do. Knowing our limitations and knowing our gifts allow us to know who we are.
The only way we truly can know who we are, and whose we are, is to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and not be afraid to be the real me. We continue our journey now in and through the Church. Even though the Church in history has sometimes caused us to question a loving God, it is the weakness of humanity and not knowing who you are, and priests not knowing who they are, or whose they are, that is the true problem.
This is not meant to be a political arena, nor a political agenda; however, with humanity, sometimes it does become just that. That’s when things get off centered. But when we give ourselves completely to Christ, acknowledging our gifts and accepting our limitations, we then can continue the journey. We can give ourselves entirely to the mission of Christ.
If He is calling us to be certain things in the Church, volunteering for different offices, giving our gifts of talent, our treasure, our time, it only makes the Church go on in a more easy, wonderful, beautifully calm sea, if you will.
So we cast our nets, but we do it the way Christ calls us to. We all know how to fish; but once we have faith, He tells us where to fish. He tells us, “Come up the mountain, but have faith when you do so.” He tells us to get in the boat and stay calm, to trust and have faith. And that yes, there will be waves, and the waves will come over the side. We’ll even get tossed around, but it’s staying in the boat that will lead us to the next shore of life. To prevail against the waves we must trust in God.Father Storey
God Bless America
Lyrics by Irving BerlinWhile the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam,
God bless America, My home sweet home.June 30, 2019
May God bless each and every man and woman who has served, and especially those who have given their lives, to help protect this country. May those who have died truly rest in the peace of Christ, and may those still serving return home safely.
Father Storey
We are Nourished and Satisfied
June 23, 2019
When a photographer wants to capture the very essence of a scene, he/she examines that scene in minute detail from multiple vantage points, then records the compelling image that rivets his/her attention. The Liturgy of the Word presents riveting images in each of the three Readings for this beautiful Feast Day of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. We commemorate the great Gift that Christ gives us – the Gift of His own Body and Blood.
The name Melchizedek is derived from two Hebrew words: melek, meaning king and selek, denoting just or righteous. In the First Reading, Melchizedek engages Abram in a religious ritual offering him bread and wine; then Melchizedek asks a two-fold blessing for Abram: first in thanksgiving for Abram’s recent victory over other kings, and also as an exclamation of praise to God Most High. Melchizedek himself is also a beneficiary of these two blessings. We recall how we offer our gifts of bread and wine in praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God.
In the Second Reading, St. Paul relates to the Corinthians how Jesus, at the Last Supper, took bread, broke it and gave it to the disciples saying,“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Then Jesus gave them the cup of wine: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
St. Paul is trying to counteract the factions and divisive behavior of the Corinthians. Earlier in this letter, Paul reminds them:
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (10:16).
The communion that Paul writes about is an unbreakable covenant bond with Christ and with one another. Paul revels in this double meaning of “body of Christ.” He seeks unity among the Corinthians: unity in the Body and Blood of Christ, and unity as members of the Body of Christ.
Today’s Gospel focuses on yet another aspect of the Eucharist. The disciples urge Jesus to send the large crowd away to find something to eat, but Jesus would not hear of that. Rather, He instructed the disciples, “Give them some food yourselves.” We know well how the story ends. From a meager five loaves and two fish, Jesus provided sufficient food for the gathering which numbered in excess of five thousand people; leftovers filled 12 baskets. St. Luke states, “They all ate and were satisfied.”
In the magnificence of the Eucharist, His Body and Blood, we offer praise and thanksgiving; we seek unity; we are nourished and renewed in Christ. We eat, we drink, and we are satisfied! He has given us the greatest Gift ever, the Gift of Himself in the Blessed Sacrament.
Father Storey
A Relationship of LoveJune 16, 2019
Today we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, three Divine Persons in one God. Every Mass, every sacramental rite we celebrate, begins with the Sign of the Cross:“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!”
The concept of the Holy Trinity is a profound mystery that we will never fully understand while we are here on earth. For centuries, theologians, philosophers, preachers and saints alike have attempted to explain this mystery.
Jesus Christ gave us a glimpse of the Trinitarian relationship. In John 14:7,11 Jesus says,“If you know me, you know my Father too. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me."
In John 14:16, He continues,
“I shall ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever, that Spirit of truth…you know him because he is with you, he is in you.”
This relationship is an exquisite interaction of love that exists within the Holy Trinity.
The concluding verses of St. Matthew’s Gospel (Matt 28:16-20) offer perhaps the clearest expression in the New Testament of the Triune relationship. Jesus directs the eleven disciples to convene on a mountain in Galilee, then tells them:“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
St. Patrick used a shamrock, a three-leafed clover, to help shed light on the mystery; others have used an equilateral triangle or a trefoil. I like to use the outline of a heart to describe the relationship of love that exists within the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The love emanates from the Father, arching and forming one side of a heart as He sends His Son to be our Redeemer. At the lower juncture of the sides of the heart, we think about how Jesus asks His Father to send another Advocate, the Spirit, to guide and lead us back to the Father, thus completing the image of the heart. We flourish in that love. Love never dies.
Father’s Day, June 16
Today is a special day to remember our fathers, both living and deceased. May every father cherish the great vocation to which he has been called and recognize his importance to his family and to our Church. I ask Almighty God to bless all our parish members, families and guests:
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!”
Father Storey
Pentecost – A Promise FulfilledJune 9, 2019
“Suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2: 2-3)
Thus was fulfilled Christ’s promise; this was the birth of the Church.
As we reflect on the Readings of the past few weeks, many scenarios unfold before us. We see Jesus, the Leader, the great Teacher, the One who loves us, the One who gives us hope. Jesus promised to be with us always. He asks us to relax and trust in Him. He said He would ask His Father to send the Spirit to us. He promised the disciples,“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
(John 14: 16)Just before He ascended to heaven, Jesus told His followers not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. He reminded them that John baptized with water, but soon they were to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
On the tenth day after His Ascension, the disciples along with the Blessed Mother gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish Pentecost, a tradition in which pilgrims would come from all over to thank God for the year’s harvest. Mary and the disciples were in the same room where the Last Supper had taken place. The Holy Spirit descended upon each of them to remind them of all that Jesus said and did, and to enable them to go forth in the name of the Lord to teach all nations. They were given the gift of tongues, so that each person who listened to them heard in his own native language.
The word Pentecost means 50. Fifty days after the Resurrection, we now celebrate Pentecost. It is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise; it is the birthday of the Church. We, too, have been given the Holy Spirit, through the Sacraments of Initiation. In our Baptism, we receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and new life in Christ. In our Confirmation, we are strengthened by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that we may share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ (Evangelization).
We should cherish the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been given to us: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel (right judgment), Fortitude (courage), Knowledge, Piety (reverence), Fear of the Lord (wonder and awe). As we celebrate Pentecost, we thank God for all His gifts and try to utilize them to the best of our abilities, to draw closer to the Father and to share the Good News with all those we encounter.Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us!
Father Storey
PromisesJune 2, 2019
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension. Traditionally it was celebrated on Thursday, 40 days after Easter. Because of its importance as a feast day, it was made a diocesan option in the United States to celebrate the Ascension on Thursday or on the following Sunday, as we do here in the Archdiocese.
Jesus appeared to His disciples several times during the forty days following His Resurrection. He spoke to them at length about the kingdom of God. Just before He ascended into heaven, He commissioned the disciples to go preach to all nations, to baptize and to live what He had taught them. In today’s First Reading, He tells them to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the promise of the Father because in a few days they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit; this would fortify them for their mission ahead. Then He was lifted up and taken from their sight.
In a scenario reminiscent of Easter Sunday morning, two men dressed in white garments appeared beside them and said,“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”
Feeling alone and distressed, the disciples returned to Jerusalem. They gathered as a community in an upper room to pray and to await the fulfillment of the Father’s promise. They were joined by some women including Mary, the mother of Jesus. They had to be recalling some of the many things Jesus had told them. Yes, He said He had to leave – but He let them down ever so easy.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.” Jesus explained, “I am going to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to myself. I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. I will not leave you orphans.”
His message for us, as well, is to trust in Him:
“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always.”
Now, we fast forward ten days. The disciples along with the Blessed Mother are gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost in the Jewish tradition.
“Suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2: 2-3).
This fulfilled the Father’s promise; this was the birth of the Church.
Next Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the Church – the promise fulfilled. We celebrate the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, fear of the Lord. Jesus has given us the greatest Gift ever, the gift of Himself, the gift of the Spirit, the gift of the Church.
Now we look forward with great anticipation to the other promise Jesus made:“I am going to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to myself. I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.”
Amen! Alleluia!
Father Storey
Love and PeaceMay 26, 2019
Periodically, we describe the Church’s Liturgical Year as a symphony – a Symphony of Love in C Major. We are nearing the end of the Fourth Movement of that symphony, one that embraces the days of the Easter Season including the surging emotions of the Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost, Feasts of the Holy Trinity and the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
During this time, instead of Readings from the Old Testament and Epistles from the New Testament, we often hear Readings from the Acts of the Apostles, written by St. Luke, and from the Book of Revelations authored by the beloved disciple, John.
In these Readings and Gospels, we see many facets of Jesus: Comforter, Advocate, Mentor, Teacher, Leader, Master, Shepherd and Friend. Had Jesus decided to write a book, what kind would it be? Self-help? Autobiographical? No matter what genre it would resemble, its title may have to be “Love and Peace.”
Last week we talked about three distinct types of love that are used in the New Testament: storge, philia and agape. Philia describes the powerful emotional bond seen in deep friendships; philia encompasses love for fellow humans, care, respect, and compassion for people in need. Jesus said philia would be an identifier of His followers: “By this everyone will know you are my disciples if you love one another.
Today’s Gospel is almost like paraphrasing an excerpt from Christ’s book. Jesus tells His disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” After reminding the disciples that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to help them understand all that had been revealed to them, Jesus continues: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Peace is the counterpart of love. Peace comes with love of God, love of family and love of oneself. When we greet each other at the Sign of Peace during Mass, let us reflect deeply and realize that we are quoting Christ’s own words: “Peace be with you!”
Where can we get a copy of Jesus’ masterpiece? You probably already have one in your own home, the Bible. The Bible is the first book ever printed on the Gutenberg Press. It’s the original self-help book; it’s a biography of Jesus. It could be your “go to” book for daily reading.Father Storey
As I Have Loved YouMay 19, 2019
In today’s Gospel (John 13:31-33a, 34-35), we are taken back to the Last Supper. Judas has been dismissed to pursue his heinous mission of betrayal. Jesus is instructing the rest of His disciples as to what is about to occur. He explains His upcoming Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection saying,“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him ... My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.”
Jesus is getting us ready; He is preparing to leave us the Church.
Then Jesus commands His disciples,“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”
This is the legacy of love that Jesus is giving us. He continues,
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Love has conveyed many different meanings throughout history. A significant portion of the Bible was written in Greek; the Greek language contains no less than six different words for love, each expressing a distinct type of love. Three of these words are used in the New Testament: storge, philia and agape.
Storge (pronounced: STOR-jay) describes family love, the affectionate bond that develops naturally between parents and children, and brothers and sisters. Philia (pronounced: FILL-ee-uh) is the type of intimate love in the Bible that most Christians practice toward each other. This term describes the powerful emotional bond seen in deep friendships. Philia is the most general type of love in Scripture, encompassing love for fellow humans, care, respect, and compassion for people in need. Jesus said philia would be an identifier of His followers:“By this everyone will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”
The greatest example of love is Jesus Himself. Agape (pronounced uh-GAH-pay) defines God’s immeasurable, incomparable love for humankind. Agape love is perfect, unconditional, sacrificial and pure. It is love without reservation. Jesus demonstrated this kind of divine love to His Father and to all humanity in the way He lived and died.
To understand the teaching of Christ, we must recognize that love underlies each and every rule from God. God so loved the world that He created all things and said it was good. Then He created humans and said this is very good, because He knew that we were the only ones of His creation to whom He gave the capability of love.
Love is in the here and now; it is not something that has happened only in the past or will be only in the future. It is the present. We were created by the love of God. We were saved through the love of God. Love never dies. It will carry us back to the Father, which is our ultimate goal. This is what sustains us: the love Jesus has for us, the love we have for Jesus, and the love we have for one another.“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.”
This will be the identifying mark of all Christians, their self-sacrificing love for each other.
Fr. Storey
"Our Three Mothers"May 12, 2019
For just over a century now, we have been celebrating Mother’s Day. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared that we should observe Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. Since then we have never failed, as a nation, to honor our mothers both living and deceased.
This is an excellent day to reflect on the three Mothers in our lives: Mary, the Mother of God; our Holy Mother Church; and, of course, the mothers with whom God has gifted our lives.
For over 700 years, the Catholic Church has had the custom of dedicating the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is the model for all mothers; she is also the model for the Church. At times you will hear people refer to the Church as “Holy Mother Church,” a most appropriate title because what Mary did for Jesus, the Church does for us.
Mary, like all mothers, carried her Baby in her womb, gave birth from her body, nourished Him, taught Him the customs of the Jewish faith, and taught Him about life. When Jesus began His public ministry, Mary was there as His faithful disciple. She was with Jesus and His disciples who had been invited to a wedding in Cana in Galilee. She witnessed His first miracle there in Cana.
She stood at the foot of the cross and watched her Son give over His body for our sins and for our forgiveness. She heard the words spoken by Jesus,“Woman, behold, your son.”
Then He addressed His beloved disciple,
“Behold, your mother” (John 19:26-27). As John states in the next verse, “From that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home.”
Not only did Jesus give Mary, His mother, to the beloved disciple, John, but He also gave her to us, His Church.
The early Church Fathers spoke of the baptismal font as the womb of the Church. In that font, the Church conceived and gave birth to us, the children of God, and brothers and sisters of one another in God’s family on this earth. The Church then nourishes us with the Word of God and the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, and teaches us how to love one another as He has loved us.
Mother’s Day dates back to the early 1900s. Our Catholic Mother’s Day dates back to the very beginning of our faith when Mary conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May God bless our mothers, both living and deceased, this day! May He keep each of you in His care. May you cherish the great vocation to which each of you has been called, and your importance not only to your children, but to the entire Church.Father Storey
"A New Direction"May 5, 2019
Throughout the Liturgical Year, we learn details of Jesus’ life and His relationship with His Apostles. For three years, the Apostles and other disciples followed Him. He lived with them, taught them, prepared them for the time He would return to His Father. The Apostles knew Him, yet they didn’t. After Jesus’ death, they were confused and floundered without the One they called Teacher and Master. They left and returned to their previous vocation as fishermen. When Jesus does appear to them, they do not recognize Him.
In today’s Gospel (John 21:1-19), Jesus revealed Himself to Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, Zebedee’s sons and two others of His disciples. They had been fishing all night, but had caught nothing. Early in the morning, they saw Jesus on the shore, but they did not recognize Him. When they answered His question, acknowledging that they had caught nothing, Jesus told them to cast the net again, but this time use the right side of the boat. The net became so full of fish, they could not pull it out of the water. Then, the beloved disciple John realized that it was Jesus speaking to them.
The disciples built a fire and prepared a meal from their bounteous catch. After they had eaten, Jesus addressed Peter. Twice Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me? Each time Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you, and Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” A third time, Jesus questioned, “Peter, son of John, do you love me?” Peter had to be hearing the voice of the girl in the courtyard and the crow of the cock, and knew that he was being given a second chance. Yet he was perturbed and blurted out, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Jesus, in His usual loving manner, calmly told Peter, “Feed my sheep.”
Peter, of course, was feeling guilt from having denied Jesus three times. Jesus does not want us to live with constant guilt. Instead He offers us forgiveness in return for our repentance, faith and love for Him.
Jesus asks us a similar question, “Do you love me?” How do we respond? Jesus is calling us to exchange our guilt feelings for feelings of love for Him. Even when we mess up and don’t always show our love for Jesus the way we should, He gives us endless chances.
It’s hard to recognize when Jesus is talking to us. Are we in harmony with God’s ways? Sometimes we must stop and listen to God; He just may be asking us to change ourselves. We, like the Apostles, can do what Christ asks us to do even though we may be set in our ways. We know that we “always” put the net this way, and it might be that we have to listen to God saying, “Try a different direction” -- one in which we listen to Him for daily guidance.Father Storey
First printed on Divine Mercy Sunday 2017."I Want to Be Like Him"
April 28, 2019
Have you ever heard a homily that was so eloquent and inspirational that you wished you had a recording device to capture those minutes so you could go back and hear it again and again? I had such an experience about six weeks ago, but I am getting ahead of myself. Let me recount what happened on March 12, the Second Sunday of Lent, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. I consider it an honor and a privilege when one of our Archbishops wants to celebrate Mass here at Curé of Ars. When Archbishop James Keleher mentioned that he was available on March 12, I gratefully accepted his offer and welcomed him to celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass that day.
As you may know, the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent is always about the Transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain. There, Jesus, with Moses and Elijah appearing alongside Him, was transfigured before them. God the Father proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The Transfiguration was a visualization of the meaning of the great Paschal Mystery. Jesus had first to suffer and die, and so come to the glory of His Resurrection.
Archbishop Keleher read the Gospel and then eased into his homily. He related how Jesus did some of His most important teaching from high on a mountain. This event was no exception. He selected three apostles to whom He felt closest to ascend the mountain with Him. Instead of interpreting the meaning of the Transfiguration and the presence of Elijah and Moses, Archbishop Keleher directed attention to the three witnesses. It was at this point that I really wished I had a recording device. Archbishop Keleher started to describe each of the apostles present:“Peter, chosen to be head of Christ’s Church on earth, would deny Him three times. Then he wept in sorrow and remorse. James, son of Zebedee and Salome, was the first apostle to go to Spain to evangelize. He was the first apostle to be martyred for his belief in Christ.”
Then Archbishop Keleher said he wanted to focus on John, the other son of Zebedee, and began to relate precious memories of John. “John was known as the beloved disciple. He became the protector of Mary. He wrote a Gospel and three beautiful letters that appear in the Bible. At the Last Supper before the Lord’s Passion, John sat to the left of Jesus; he leaned over and placed his head on the Sacred Heart. John alone stood at the foot of the cross along with the three women. He heard Jesus say to Mary, ‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then Jesus spoke to John, ‘Son, behold your mother.’ What was different about John? Like the other apostles, he was devoted to Jesus and respected Him; but the real difference was he developed a close friendship with Jesus.”
In concluding, Archbishop gave us a lasting visual:“He (John) is what I want to be: a beloved disciple. I pray for this. Only John saw Jesus as his dearest friend. There is no love greater than laying down one’s life for His friends. This is what I want to be, a friend of Christ.”
An awed silence filled the sanctuary as the Archbishop walked back to his chair to begin the Creed.
Today on Divine Mercy Sunday, we also pray for this special friendship with Jesus. May we too, someday, be able to place our heads upon His Sacred Heart.
Father Storey
"He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!"
April 21, 2019
I want to extend a warm welcome to all our parishioners, their families and guests, as we celebrate this most holy feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Our Lenten time machine makes a final journey. We land in a garden near Golgotha. On Friday, we saw the body of Jesus placed in a rocky, hewn tomb here. Two days later when we cautiously approach the tomb, we see that the stone that once covered the entrance has been rolled back. Much to our surprise, the tomb is empty! Two men standing nearby tell us that He Whom we are seeking is no longer there.
A woman has been there before us. The apostles Peter and John soon arrive. They also see nothing but an empty tomb. This is Easter Sunday morning! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! HE IS RISEN!
The story of Jesus, like every story, has a beginning, a middle and an end. In the beginning of the Scriptures we read of the conception and birth of Jesus, and so we celebrate Christmas Day! However, right away there is already some indication of how Christ’s life will end when we read of Herod’s threats. Herod threatens the life of Jesus almost immediately after Christ’s birth. To understand fully, we must continue to listen to the story unfold.
We come to the middle of the story. Like any good mystery, suspense starts to build. We know Jesus is innocent; however, many are unwilling to believe in His word. Christ starts to teach that He was born to suffer and die for all. This is brought to light as He prophesies that He will go into Jerusalem and suffer and eventually die. This is why, when we get to the part of the passion and death, we are not surprised.
Although this seems to be the climax of the story, and is the part we focus on in sorrow, we must remember the story goes on to offer great hope: He rises from the dead. Jesus had prophesied this His whole life long. He said He came “to suffer and to die, and then to rise from the dead.” He promised that all who come to believe that He is truly the Son of God, will also rise.
Each of us has our own story, and it begins the day we were baptized. We were presented to God and washed clean in the waters of Baptism and the Holy Spirit. We become a new creation and clothe ourselves in Christ; thus we become part of the Church, and eventually, inheritors of the kingdom of heaven.
Our lives will be filled with great joys, many sorrows, much pain and suffering, because we are truly part of the Body of Christ. It is in and through these moments of our lives – good or bad – that we come to know Christ more fully. Christ came to live, to die and now He comes to rise for each of us – making our lives so very blessed and so very important. We were once dead, and now we live because JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY RISEN TODAY!
May we rejoice in this glorious Easter Day!
Father Storey
"The Holiest of Weeks"April 14, 2019
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week in the Church’s Liturgical Year. Our Lenten Time Machine takes us to the very origin of Holy Week. We find ourselves in a huge crowd lining the road that leads to Jerusalem, waving palm branches as the man known as Jesus nears our location. He is riding on a colt that has never been sat on before. Loud cheers emanate from the crowd: “Hosanna in the highest!”Holy Week is a week of contrasts from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs. It is also a time of temptation and betrayal. It culminates in the three days we call the Triduum. Triduum begins at sundown on Holy Thursday and continues until sundown on Easter Sunday. These days are truly the great, holy days of our faith.
Today’s liturgy begins to unfold a series of events that God the Father planned, and that He guided by means of the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish our salvation. In the center of this divine drama stands, not an actor, but the Eternal Son of God. He is Jesus, the Savior. He is the Christ, the One anointed by God to be the Lamb Who takes away the sins of the world.
A few days after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, our Time Machine places us at the upper room in Jerusalem where Jesus has gathered His apostles to celebrate the Jewish feast of the Passover. On Thursday evening“Jesus realized that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had loved his own in this world, and would show his love for them to the end” (John 13:1).
The Greek word used by St. John for “end” means not only “until the termination of his life” but also “to the fullest extent.” Actually, Jesus would show the fullest love by sacrificing His life for us.
On that awe-inspiring night of the Last Supper, Jesus was thinking of His final act of love while on this earth: His death on the cross. So that His followers might be able to share in His sacrifice throughout all ages, He instituted the Sacrament of His Paschal Mystery, His Death and Resurrection. At His supper“under the appearances of bread and wine, Jesus offered his body and blood, gave them to his apostles to eat and drink and then commanded them to carry on this mystery” (Roman Missal, 55).
We follow Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane where He prays through the night, asking His Father to spare Him the ordeal ahead. We see Him betrayed by His disciple, Judas, who identified Christ to His captors by a kiss. The next day, in the courtyard of Pilate’s palace, we hear Peter deny Jesus three times. We hear loud jeers of the crowd as they demand: “Give us Barabbas!”
On Friday afternoon, Jesus offered the sacrifice of Himself which He had instituted as a Sacrament on the previous night. On Saturday, the second day of the Triduum, Jesus was in the tomb. It is the day of supreme quiet, the great silence of the liturgy. The liturgy invites us to remain at the tomb of Jesus, in peaceful expectation of a brilliant future.
On Easter Sunday Jesus broke the bonds of death. By dying He destroyed our death, and by rising He restored our life. Now in the Eucharistic celebration His Resurrection cannot be separated from His death; we witness once again, “We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.”
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to safeguard us from temptation and always keep us in the grace of God. May this week be truly holy for all of us.
Father Storey
"Will You Throw That Stone?"
April 7, 2019
A gauge on our Lenten time machine displays Mount of Olives, early 30s AD. We land near a mob of Scribes and Pharisees that has forced an adulterous woman to cower in the presence of the man we have come to know as Jesus. We wonder what He is expected to do with her. The crowd challenges Jesus, trying to trap him.
A spokesperson for the crowd reminds Jesus that, according to the Law of Moses, this woman should be stoned. If He agreed that the woman should be stoned, they could have accused Him of cruelty. If He declared that the woman should go free, they could accuse Him of violating the Law of Moses.
When they asked, “What do you have to say about the case?” Jesus in His usual way refused to answer the question. Instead He first dismissed their stance as completely inane, as insignificant as the scribbles He traced on the ground with His finger. When they persisted in their questioning, He looked down at the sins He had written on the ground and uttered His challenge: “Let the man among you who has no sin be the first to cast a stone at her.”
Of course they all walked away. Because He was sinless, Jesus could have met His own challenge and cast a stone. He preferred to offer the opportunity for conversion; He did not condone the sin the woman had committed. He granted her pardon. A look of relief and gratitude covered her face as she responded to Jesus’ inquiry regarding the whereabouts of her condemners.
Then He instructed her, “From now on, avoid this sin.” Jesus did not throw a stone at the woman, and He does not throw stones at us. God does not will the death of sinners. He wants only that they be converted and live.
We should emulate the adulterous woman and always thank God for His love and forgiveness. Looking at the stone in our hand, we think “what shall we do?” Will we throw that stone (judge) or follow in Jesus’ footsteps, drop the stone and offer love and forgiveness.
Today we witness a great example of God’s love and forgiveness. The message we carry in our hearts is that it is far better to love and forgive than to judge and throw stones.
Jesus offers us His unconditional love and forgiveness. All we have to do is ask for it. Our parish’s Lenten Penance Service will be today, April 7 th, at 3:00 p.m. Additional opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be Wednesday 6-7 p.m. and Saturday 2:30-3:30 p.m. Other Lenten Penance Services will be held throughout the Johnson County region all this week.
Father Storey
March 31, 2019
Today, the 4th Sunday in Lent, is known as Laetare Sunday. The name comes from the first word in the traditional Latin form of today’s Entrance Antiphon and means rejoice. The priest uses rose colored vestments, just as he does on Gaudete Sunday in Advent. Rose is a softening of violet, the liturgical color normally used during Lent and Advent. It is a foretaste of good things to come, and it anticipates the pure white that will be used at Easter.“He was Lost and has been Found”
It is early 30s AD. Our Lenten time machine hesitates slightly and then delivers us in the midst of a crowd where there is load jeering and antagonism.
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15: 3) These words, spoken in today’s Gospel by the Pharisees and scribes to condemn the actions of Christ, must be truly welcome sounds to our ears, our hearts, our souls and our minds. Jesus Christ does greet us with open arms and shares a meal with us.
Christ, in response to the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes, related the parable of the Prodigal Son. The younger son asked for his share of his father’s estate. He then took the inheritance, went far away and spent it on frivolous and wasteful living. After a famine hit that country, the young man was desperate. He vowed to return to his father and beg for his forgiveness. He admitted his unworthiness, and asked to be treated as a hired hand. But his father would hear nothing of the kind; the father welcomed him back, clothed him and feted him at a sumptuous banquet.
When the older son returned from the fields and saw all the festivities he became angry and confronted his father. However his father defended his actions and said “your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”
We, too, can sometimes stray. Especially during Lent, we want to have the courage to look deep within ourselves. We must say in an honest and up-front way: “Lord, a sinner am I.” More importantly, we want to proclaim: “To your name be glory!”
We have many opportunities for receiving the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) here at Curé of Ars: Saturdays 2:30 – 3:30 pm, Sundays 4:30 – 5:30 pm, First Saturday of the month after the 8:00 am Mass, Wednesdays during Lent 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Our Lenten Penance Service will be Sunday, April 7 at 3:00 pm. Times for other Lenten Penance Services throughout the Johnson County Region can be found elsewhere in this bulletin.
The Father will receive us with open arms; He will welcome us back to the family and prepare a banquet for us. The love of God is everlasting. He welcomes sinners and eats with them.
Father Storey
"Repent"March 24, 2018
On this, the Third Sunday of Lent, our Time Machine brings us to an event taking place in the early 30’s AD. We see Jesus surrounded by a number of townsfolk. They are confronting Him with examples of suffering and pain that had been endured by different people. They cite a widely held belief that bad things are supposed to happen to bad people, but can’t reconcile how or why bad things happen to good people.
Jesus refutes the notion that those who suffer are greater sinners than others; He lets the people know that misfortune is not a sign of God’s disfavor. Twice in today’s Gospel, Luke 13:1-9, Jesus tells the people that they should seek forgiveness, “If you do not repent, you will perish...” Then to reinforce His stance, He tells them the Parable of the Fig Tree.
There was a fig tree that stood in the orchard of a land owner. The owner had looked for fruit on this fig tree for three years now. Still finding no fruit, the land owner ordered his gardener to cut down this fig tree that was just taking up space in the orchard. The gardener pleaded with the land owner to spare the tree; if after a year the tree still had not produced fruit, the gardener conceded, they would cut it down.
In this parable, the fig tree represents all of us humans. God is both Land Owner and Gardener. God, the Land Owner gives us life and expects good fruit in return. When we, the fig tree, failed to produce fruit, God the Gardener asks for patience and resources to improve the lot of the fig tree. He promises to cultivate and fertilize, to give us a chance to repent and convert. He pleads for our redemption – one last chance.
God, the Creator of all things, created each of us “fig trees.” He gives us life; He gives us the saving waters of Baptism. He cultivates us through His sacraments. He weeds out sin, and gives us His forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance). He guards us “fig trees” from predators.
He nourishes us with His own Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. He fertilizes us and protects us through the other sacraments. We can also gain His grace by doing good acts and performing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
In this Lenten season, let us thank God for all that we have been given. In this one last chance, let us undergo conversion and repent. Let us pray for forgiveness, as well as for help from the Holy Spirit to forgive others.
Father Storey
"Transformation"March 17, 2019
Mountains always have been an integral part of our salvation history. On Mount Sinai, Moses met with God and came away with a luminous face radiating the presence of the Lord. Today our Time Machine delivers us to the foot of Mount Tabor. A magnificent bright light is shining on us and we hear a Voice saying “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” Luke 9:35. We realize we are in the presence of Something extraordinary. We are in the presence of God, and He is speaking to us.
Jesus, in the Gospel this Sunday, reveals the great Lenten theme of transformation. He begins to reveal the Paschal Mystery. He went up the mountain to pray. There He became transfigured. His face changed and His garments became dazzling white. This manifestation prefigured the glory that would come to Him through His death and Resurrection. It helps to understand that it pleased God to lead His Son through suffering to joy, through humiliation to exaltation, and through death to life. That is the transformation which is at the heart of Lent.
God’s plan for us is to share in the Paschal Mystery. We began our sharing through Baptism. With Christ, we died to sin, so that we could begin a new life; it is a transformation for us. In Baptism, we were given a white garment to symbolize that we had become like Jesus in His transfiguration. As the transfiguration for Jesus was but a prelude to His Resurrection, so Baptism directs us to a future event. That event is our sharing in the glory of Christ’s Resurrection.
God created all things, and He created this world in which we live. He brought us into the world, but we humans, in the persons of Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation and thought we were better than God. We turned our backs on Him. He promised us He would be with us even until the end of time. God sent His Son to guide us, to show us the way back to Him. Life is not always easy. All of us experience great pain at some point in our lives. For example, we lose loved ones; we lose our securities, job, monies, etc. Some of us may have lost a relationship – be it through divorce, a friend moving away or even people betraying us. “Why pain, suffering and death?” are questions many of us have for God.
If we choose to meditate on our pain and suffering as part of our Lenten activities, we will find a partial answer here on earth. We can pray that the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to transform our pain and suffering into Lenten gifts to God.
Father Storey
"Take Each Day One at a Time"March 10, 2019
On this the First Sunday of Lent, we take advantage of our Time Machine to get an up-close, personal look at what happened almost 2000 years ago. This experience will give us some new insights into Lent. The control panel display shows 30 AD. We have landed at the edge of a desert near the Jordan River. We see people clad in garments of the time. Our clothing changes to match theirs.
We observe someone going into the desert. We recognize Him as the One who recently was baptized by John in the River Jordan; we remember seeing the descending dove and hearing the Voice from the cloud proclaiming, “This is my beloved Son!” This is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, human and Divine. During these next six weeks, we will trace His footsteps in a very special way.
Our Ash Wednesday liturgy sets the tone for all of Lent. We are told to perform good deeds, to give alms, to pray and to fast. Jesus also tells us to do all this privately, in secret, hidden from where people may see our deeds and praise us for them. He says, “And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”
In today’s Gospel, Luke 4:1-13, we hear what Jesus did following His baptism by John in the Jordan River. St. Luke tells us, “Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days.” We can take a cue from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and let the Holy Spirit, Whom we received in our own Baptism, guide us as we enter into our Lenten journey.
Temptation has always been a part of our heritage. We can learn from Jesus as He dealt with temptation in the desert. Jesus faced temptation not by giving in to the torments of the devil, rather He stood steadfast in His trust and love of His Father. Jesus was facing temptation alone in the desert.
When we are tempted, our best path is to ask the Holy Spirit to give us the strength to overcome those temptations. We can pray and meditate; we can give alms and repent; we can place our trust in God.
A three-day trip begins with one day; a week-long trip begins with one day. Our forty days journey through Lent begins with one day. Take each day – one at a time – and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit make it the best day that you can. Have faith, pray a little, hope a little, and love a lot. “For the greatest of these is love.”Father Storey
"Come Time Travel with Me?"March 3, 2019
Imagine with me, for the next few minutes, that I have made an extraordinary discovery. I have found a state of the art Time Machine. It can transport me and as many of my friends and relatives as I desire approximately 2000 years into the future or the past. I ponder my options: Do I want to see what life would be like up to 2000 years in the future? Or do I want to travel back in time to visit places like Galilee, Samaria, Decapolis or Judea when Jesus was there?
As fascinating as seeing what the future would be, I opt instead for the past. I am drawn to the awesome possibility of seeing God face-to-face. I set the controls for 33 AD. We will be looking for a Jewish man of medium build and height, approximately 33 years of age. I have been told He is often found in the company of a certain 12 persons, and many other people as well.
Can you imagine what it would be like to live, to walk, to learn in the homeland of Jesus Christ? Will you join me on this journey over the next 6 weeks? Leave your passports at home. Just bring open hearts and minds. We will embark on Ash Wednesday, March 6. Our trek will feature almsgiving, fasting, meditation and repentance.
What do we need to pack? Christ told us to do our penitence in private so as not to derive earthly benefits from it; sack cloth and ashes definitely are not recommended. Do bring your rosary and a meditative brochure on the Mysteries of the Rosary. Traveling companions are always welcome; recall what Jesus explained to us: “Wherever two or more of you are gathered in my name, there also am I.”
Before we enter the Time Machine, we will celebrate Mass and Distribution of Ashes on Wednesday, March 6, at 6:30, 8:15, and 12:10 and 6:00 p.m.
Communal Penance Service will be celebrated Sunday, April 7 at Curé. In addition to our standard Saturday and Sunday schedules, Confessions will also be heard Wednesdays during Lent, except for Ash Wednesday, at 6 p.m. in the church.
Our Time Machine awaits. Will you embark on this 6 week trip with me? More importantly, will you embark on this trip with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? RSVP to our Lord during your next prayer or meditation.
Welcome aboard the Time Machine to 33 AD. Let your heart guide your feet in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.Father Storey
"Pain or Pane
on the Plain"February 24, 2019
Today’s Gospel, Luke 6:27-38, is sometimes called the Discourse on the Plain; it follows immediately after last week’s passage in which Jesus gave us the Beatitudes, a blueprint for living our lives in imitation of God. Today He continues with how we should treat one another, especially those who present a particular challenge.
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you... “ Jesus tells His disciples. Jesus continues describing attributes and actions of those whom we may consider a “royal pain.” Then He adds what we have come to know as the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
I think it is fairly safe to say that we all know what a “pain” is. What and why a pane? A pain can bring us agitation and dread; a pane can offer a clear translucence through which we might view that “pain” in a completely different light. With the right perspective, “pain” could become a true blessing in disguise.
Jesus Christ had His share of “pains” with whom He had to deal. Just a few short verses earlier in Luke 6:1-5, we see some Pharisees accusing Jesus and His disciples of doing something that was forbidden on the Sabbath: picking ears of corn and rubbing them in their hands in order to have something to eat. Jesus reminded the Pharisees what David did when he and his followers were hungry: they went into the house of God and took loaves of bread that only the priests were allowed to eat. Then Jesus told the Pharisees: “The Son of Man is master of the Sabbath.”
Luke 6:6-10 relates how Jesus was in the synagogue preaching on a Sabbath when He was approached by a man with a withered hand. Jesus cured the man and was subjected to severe criticism by the Pharisees for doing so on the Sabbath. Then Jesus said to them, “Is it against the law on the Sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?”
Jesus mastered both of these occasions. He used His own “pane,” to convert them into teaching moments and show that He was the Son of Man who was master of the Sabbath.
How do we treat someone whom we perceive as a pain? Why do we think these people are pains? Can we alter how we view them through our personal pane and find the good in them? Can we look at their undesirable attributes through another light and find something different to value in them? Can we use them as teaching moments for ourselves?
Jesus tells us: “Love one another as I have loved you,” and “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.”
We must recall that we can be masters of our pains; we can look at our pains through our panes in a new light and gain new insights into our fellow members of the Body of Christ. Together we should aim to reflect the love, goodness and mercy of God. Let us take actions toward being a pane not a pain. For that is surely how God wants us to live: as panes through which His light can shine.Father Storey
"Embrace Poverty"February 17, 2019
“Blessed are the poor in spirit; theirs is the Kingdom of heaven!” Thus begins a relating of the Beatitudes. We have long heard that there were eight beatitudes that were taught by Jesus Christ in His Sermon on the Mount. Christ mentions each of several deplorable conditions, followed by a remedy inspired by trust in God.
In today’s Gospel for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Luke mentions only four beatitudes before going on to list four “bad-attitudes:” “Woe to you who are rich, who are filled now, who laugh now, or all speak well of you.” The prophet Jeremiah helps us to understand the way we should follow Christ. He writes: “Blessed, that is happy, is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.”
A quick glance at the Gospels of Luke and Matthew may give us the mistaken impression that one or the other evangelist really “missed the boat” in this retelling of what happened on Mount Sinai. A closer examination will reveal that there is a great similarity between the narratives of Matthew that are used in Liturgical Year A and those of Luke that are used in Liturgical Year C. Both evangelists actively promote the observance of the Ten Commandments and the practicing of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. They both craft a blueprint for living our lives in imitation of Christ and His works and mercies. The details may differ, but the overriding thought comes through clearly: trust in God.
After Jesus descends the mountain in the company of His apostles, He finds a level spot to address the crowd that has gathered at the foot of the mountain by Lake Gennesaret. He speaks to all who suffer misfortunes. The Reign of God transforms human reality, but it also implies a change of status for those who reject it. Jesus does not curse those who reject, rather He laments their lot in life.
We must remember God is with us every step of the way. As with the fishermen, He starts us on the shallow end; we start slowly. Then as our trust in Him develops, He tells us to go deeper. His message is “I am with you.” Also he tells us that faith will make it possible. He doesn’t say it will be easy.
We must not worry about tomorrow; we must learn to trust. We must learn how to say, “Here I am Lord.” So embrace poverty, hunger, grief, and sorrow; embrace persecution. Your reward will not be of a worldly nature – it will be the reward of the all-merciful God. Yours is the Kingdom of heaven.
Father Storey
"How Will You Answer His Call?"February 10, 2019
Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we see many occasions of the Lord calling people to Himself. All three Readings for today, the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, are enlightening examples of that calling.
The Prophet Isaiah emphasizes his sense of unworthiness to be called by the Lord: “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips.” But God purifies Isaiah’s mouth by the action of the seraphim who touched Isaiah’s lips with a burning ember from the altar of sacrifice. Then Isaiah’s response to the Lord’s query, “Whom shall I send?” is “Here I am. Send me!” We see here the contrast between God’s holiness and human smallness as exemplified by the youth who accepts being overwhelmed by God and receiving a mission.
Similarly, in Reading II, Paul laments his unworthiness to be called, saying “I am not fit to be called an apostle. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace to me has not been ineffective.” Paul was overwhelmed and cleansed of his wickedness when he encountered the grace of God on the road to Damascus. Paul, also, was chosen for a special mission.
The Gospel portrays a scene by the Lake of Gennesaret. In the evening after many hours of work on the water, fishermen are washing their nets. Jesus entered the boat belonging to Simon and asked Simon to go out a short distance so that He (Jesus) could teach the crowd that had gathered. After Jesus had spoke to the crowd, He asked Simon to go out to deep water and lower the nets. Simon was reluctant because they had worked all night and had caught nothing, but He did as Jesus requested.
Imagine Simon’s astonishment when they caught so many fish that the nets were bursting and the other boat had to be called in to assist. Simon and the other fishermen were overwhelmed at the sight of the miraculous catch of fish. Then Jesus issued His call: “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” These fishermen had a mission: they were to become Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Who does Jesus call and how does He call us? Each and every one of us is called to follow Christ through our Baptism. He gives us His grace, and we begin our mission to live for the salvation of humanity. Like Simon Peter, Isaiah and Paul, we have a new identity when we encounter Christ. Is this the only call we receive?
No, far from it. We can be called anytime, anywhere, by any means. The call can take many ways, shapes or forms. I vividly remember receiving a call to change the direction I had been following, and accepting the grace and mission offered by God.
Pray always that you will be open to the call of God. It could very well be a completely different direction from that you have been following. It might not always be easy, but the rewards are great!
Father Storey
"The Most Beautiful Work of Art"February 3, 2019
I often hear people say they miss the architecture of the old churches. These people will continue by saying they find our “modern” day structures somewhat bare and lacking traditional beauty. On the other hand, there are those who object that the older style churches are too elaborate.
These contrasting view points lead us to closely examine the Second Reading from last week, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. St. Paul tells us in his First Letter to the Corinthians that, rather than considering the structure and how elaborate or bare a church is, we should focus on what really matters – the people. They are truly what make the churches in which we worship so beautiful.
With the eyes of our Catholic faith, we are called to see why each and every church is so beautiful and to see the diversity of our community. Yes, we are many parts of one body, and it is truly Christ who is the Head. Within each person is the face of Christ, the Head of the Church and the Head of the body. That gleam shines forth only for those whose eyes are enlightened by the truth that the people of the Church are truly the body of Christ.
If you were asked to name the most beautiful art in any church, what would it be? Would it be a work by Michelangelo? Leonardo Da Vinci? As wonderful as their works are, neither choice is correct. We, the people of God, are the most beautiful art in the Church, and God is the Great Artist! It was He who created each of us: He created each of us differently, yet the same, and we revel in that diversity and sameness.
Within each person is a special and particular beauty. Would it not be wonderful if we all had spiritual x-ray vision allowing us to see this beauty in each person? We would certainly see people who are struggling in their marriage, those who are praying for the well being of their sick children, those who are praying for the soul of a loved one who has been called forth from this world marked with the sign of faith. We would see those who have been fighting addictions, those who are struggling in their prayer life or those struggling to feel God’s grace and forgiveness.
St. Paul reflects on the union of Christ with the people of His Church. He writes, “The body of Christ has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body, and so it is with Christ.” At Mass, the words of St. Paul are fulfilled among us. Please take the time to look around you today and always. Yes, behold the body of Christ, the real beauty of the Church! We are the art treasure that makes up the Church. To this great truth, give a zealous “AMEN!”
Father Storey
"Proclaim His Holy Word"January 27, 2019
A central theme of today’s readings winds its way throughout the First Reading and the Gospel: the proclamation of scripture should not leave people unmoved.
The scribe Ezra, seeking to unify refugees returning from exile in Babylon, exhorts the weeping people: “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep...for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength.”
In his Gospel, St. Luke recounts how Jesus has returned to Galilee to His home town of Nazareth and entered the synagogue there on the Sabbath. He reads a passage from the prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
The people are roused to a great joy, and after a brief pause, Jesus proclaims to those in attendance that He, Jesus, is the fulfillment of that prophecy.
The Gospel for today ends “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” This final sentence also is the opening statement for next week’s Gospel. We see in these words, inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by St. Luke, how Jesus Christ is the link and fulfillment from the Old Testament to the New.
The words of Isaiah, as presented by our Lord, gives us joyous news. He offers us His forgiveness, frees us from the oppression of our sins, and leads us on a path that will result in our seeing the face of God. We, too, should listen well, for this Scripture passage is still being fulfilled: Jesus is still here among us.
In the second reading, St. Paul points out some crucial themes. He describes for us what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ:“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.”
Each of us is a different person with different talents, each with a different role in the spiritual entity that is the Body of Christ. As a reflection of Christ’s love for us, we should show love for one another. We should utilize our time, our talents and treasure for the betterment of our community, the Body of Christ. One way we can do this is by participating in the Archbishop’s Call to Share.
When we reflect on the four categories that make up the funded areas of the Archbishop’s Call to Share: Pastoral Needs, Education, Charity, and Clergy, we see a high correlation between Call to Share and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. By participating in Call to Share, we are performing multiple Works of Mercy.
I encourage all of us to embrace the opportunities to participate, to the extent possible, in the Archbishop’s Call to Share, and to strive to develop a deeper relationship with Christ and His Church.
Father Storey
"The New and Eternal Covenant"January 20, 2019
As we progress into Ordinary Time, the ‘second movement’ of the great Symphony of Love that is the Church’s Liturgical Year, we see Christ’s ordinary life, observe His ordinary miracles, and witness His ordinary acts of mercy.
In today’s Gospel we hear about two young people who were wed at Cana. Though nameless, they have been immortalized in the Gospel because Jesus was a guest at their wedding. Any couple might be envious of them. Yet the story, as told by St. John and proclaimed to us in the liturgy, has a wider meaning than just the union of that Jewish man and woman some twenty centuries ago.
The first reading from Isaiah prepares us for this wider meaning. It is based on a favorite image of God in the Old Testament as the spouse of His people. The prophet says:
“As a young man marries a virgin, your Builder shall marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you.”
The story of Cana relies on this imagery and symbolically manifests the new, everlasting covenant between God and His people.
In secular society, marriage is considered a contract which is binding by law. In God’s view, marriage is a covenant which is binding by love. The setting of today’s Gospel should make us think of God’s covenant with us as one of faithful love – like that of dedicated spouses.
The detail of the Gospel story reveals that God’s love is generous and abundant. At hand were six stone water jars, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus directed that they be filled to the brim. Cana was a small town. Perhaps there were at most fifty guests, including some disciples of Jesus. When Jesus changed the water into wine the guests had much more than enough – some 150 gallons. God’s love is abundant like that. Theologically Cana is related to the Epiphany. The meaning of the Epiphany is that Gentiles as well as Jews are called to be disciples of Jesus. God’s love is abundant enough to include everyone in His new covenant.
The new wine at Cana was not only abundant, it was excellent. The waiter in charge observed to the groom, “You have kept the good wine until now." God, too, has reserved for us in the Christian era the abundant, choice wine of His new covenant.
We renew our relationship of love in the Eucharist celebration. At Cana Jesus transformed water into wine. In the Eucharistic celebration, He transforms bread and wine into His Body and Blood as the living memorial of His death and Resurrection. In the voice of the priest, we hear the words of Christ:
“This is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many...”
Since that beautiful day in Cana every wedding should remind us of God’s abundant love for us. Every dedicated couple should make us think of God’s fidelity. And above all, we should remember that in the Eucharist we celebrate the new covenant, our union with God and one another in the Church.
Father Storey
Deacon's Reflection
"The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord"
January 13, 2019
Today’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord closes the Christmas season; tomorrow we begin the first week in Ordinary Time. We might be asking ourselves why did Jesus, the sinless Son of God, submit Himself to baptism? In Matthew’s gospel John the Baptist asked Jesus basically the same question and He answered, “it is fitting to fulfill all righteousness.” In other words, it is in the Father’s providential plan, so Jesus does so to fulfill His Father’s will. Okay, but still we ask, why? The scriptures and the Catechism (paragraphs 535-537) give us some further insights.
First, Jesus is sinless and has no need for John’s baptism but does so to identify Himself with sinful humanity. He shows Himself to be in solidarity with His fellow Israelites by entering the same waters as the repentant crowds have been entering. Secondly, His very presence lends credibility to John and his mission.
A third reason is alluded to by the voice of the Father from heaven in our Gospel today, “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased.” Any first-century Jew hearing those words would understand their meaning. They allude to two Old Testament passages. “You are my son,” from Psalm 2:7. Psalm 2 is an important messianic psalm, where God addresses the newly anointed king as His son. And, “with you I am well pleased” from Isaiah 42:1, the first verse of a series of “songs” about a figure called the Lord’s servant from Isaiah 42-53. This servant will bring salvation to the ends of the earth, accomplishing this through suffering as he offers his life for sin. These words reveal Jesus as the suffering servant foretold by Isaiah and the messiah king anticipated by Israel.
Finally, we see a revelation of the Blessed Trinity – the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends as a dove.
It is important to remember that the baptism of John signified the need for inner purity but did not affect this in a sacramental way. It was a prefiguring Christian Baptism which most of us received as infants. When we received this, the first of the Sacraments, we were cleansed of original sin and our souls were filled with sanctifying grace, the Divine life of God. The virtues of faith, hope and love were infused into our soul and God the Father adopted us as His beloved child. We became members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. As you entered the church today you probably dipped your fingers in the holy water and made the sign of the cross. We do this as a reminder of our Baptism, that it is through the waters of Baptism that we first entered the Church! Today let us recall and give thanks to God for our own Baptism!
Deacon Steve White
Deacon’s Reflections
"Be A Light"
January 6, 2019
Today, as we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we learn how God revealed Himself to all people of all nations, not just a chosen few. Our readings focus on light:
“Rise up in splendor Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon
you. ...Nations shall walk by your light.” Is 60:1-3.The beginning of the second chapter of Matthew’s Gospel announces the arrival of the three Magi in Jerusalem, seeking the newborn king of the Jews. These three men were astronomers by vocation, and for many years they had been studying the stars in the firmament. When this unusual new star rose, they knew that an extraordinary event had to have taken place. They were determined to find the cause of this star.
Led only by the light of this new star, they then set out on their trek. Their journey had to have been uncertain and perilous. After all, they had no maps, no one to guide them, only the light of this star. We can only imagine how they must have felt when the star disappeared from their sight in Jerusalem. They began to ask around, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?”
King Herod met secretly with the Magi to find out what they knew. Herod then sent them to Bethlehem and instructed them to return to him after they had seen the child. Amazingly after they left Herod’s palace, the star reappeared to guide them, to lead them to the place where Jesus was. When they entered the house,“They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Mt 2:11.
Like the Magi opened themselves to the revelation of God through the guidance of the star, so too, we can open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to reveal His plan for each of us. He can help us recognize that God’s plan may not be our plan. His method of leading us to peace and happiness is straight and narrow. It may require us to let go of worldly distractions, change our bad habits, and fight temptations.
We praise and thank the Lord for the revelation of His love and mercy through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. May we be faithful witnesses to His light. May our lives “shine as light in the world.” Phil 2:15.
May we always follow the light that shines from God, and may we reflect that light to all that we meet.Deacon Phillip Nguyen
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