Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C - 2013

The readings today leave us three important lessons.

The first is simply that God has power over death.

Yes God is stronger than death.

Belief in the resurrection is one of  cornerstones on which everything rests.

If you don’t believe that God has power of death,

if you don’t believe that all of us will rise again,

then your time would be better spent elsewhere.

Stand up right now and head over to Josie’s for Breakfast and have some of their great homemade bread or go over to the Timberlin Golf course and play a round of golf.

The fact that God’s power over death puts our life in perspective.

In the first reading Eliajh raises a widow’s son from the dead.

In the Gospel Jesus does the same.

Most of the time our resurrection happens in the next world but these scriptures remind us that God can certainly raise a person from the dead even in this world.

I’ve been thinking a lot about death these last few months and of course there have been moments when I simply forgot that God is stronger than death,

Of course there have been moments of saddness as I mourn the my Mom’s loss.

The other day I walked into my Office saw my Mother’s purse laying there and the tears began to flow.

Yet, I know without a shadow of a doubt that Mom is in a better place. God loves her and she no longer has to struggle to breath.

She is no longer struggles to speak to us on the phone.

I understand that my tears are often more about me than about her.

And I believe that that’s ok

Time will heal.

love will endure, life will go one for me, and life has gone on for her an new and more beautiful life.

Holy Fr. Raymond drove this point home to me the day before his surgery.

I was with him in his hospital room and I was getting all emotional worried sick about him. He looked me in the eye without fear and without any trace of regret and simply said...

Robert if you gotta go you gotta go.

Yesterday he told me when he opened his eyes in the recovery room he said... "Oh I'm still here" and he started to laugh.

These scriptures and our eyes of faith teach us that Death has no real power over us.

It has no power...

Death is simply a door from one life to the next, a door through which all of us will one day pass.

The second lesson is as simple as the first.

Not only does God have power over death but He also has power over life if we let him in

St. Paul hated the followers of Jesus

He made it his mission to seek them out and prosecute them.

He did everything in his power to stomp out the little community of believers that was blossoming all over Palestine

and yet God reached down and and changed Paul’s hardened heart.

Just like God changed Pauls heart,

I have the consolation of knowing that

God can change my heart or God can change your heart.

God can free us from our prejudices.

He can help us save our marriages

He can challenge us to be better people.

He can free us from our addictions and our shame.

God can open our eyes to the needs of others.

God can forgive our sins.

He may have to knock us off our high horse like he did for Paul but He can change us for sure.

Yes, God is indeed powerful, powerful over death, and powerful over life.

Finally, the first reading and the Gospel illustrate so clearly for us the loving compassion of God.

Elijah and Jesus could just not bear to see those two widows mourn the loss of their sons.

During the time of Jesus a widow was the poorest of the poor with no rights and no way to sustain themselves.

Jesus and Elijah didn’t just say oh I’m sorry I’ll say a prayer for you.

The sprang into action and they turned to God for help.

We all need to be more compassionate people.

So often when we see a need we cop out and say oh that’s none of my business,who am I to get involved>

So often when poverty or suffering or hunger or whatever show their faces in our community we say to ourselves and our friends something like what a shame but what can I do?.

Yesterday as I was going to see Fr. Raymond during the driving rain there was a lady with a flat tire standing on the side 84 looking distraught.

By the time I could get off and get back on and get off again and get going in the right direction, there was already a man hunched over a jack changing the tire in the driving rain.

The lady told me he was just someone who stopped, she didn’t have a clue who he was, but there he was drenched to the bone changing her tire.

He was a compassionate man indeed.

With the incarnation our compassionate God jumped into all of our messes.

He didn’t just look on and say what a shame I’ll just stand by and see when they get it right.

No God pulled up His sleeves and started to help and for his efforts he was crucified.

The world would be such a different place if everyone showed  more compassion

Jesus did and so must we.

Let us begin to look at death confidently with the eyes of faith.

Let us trust that God can change our lives if we let him.

Like Jesus and Elijah let us be compassionate people willing to get involved in the lives of those who need.

Thanks you Lord for the gift and challenge of faith.

Amen

In the Bulletin - Weekend of June 9th

June 9, 2013 In the Bulleting

You Spoke, They Listened

For several weeks, we informed you that the state government was going to cut funding for Busing for our Catholic Schools.  Many people called from our parish.  We are happy to report that the Appropriations Committee  has made a decision.  Our school  kids will continue to have busing.  It just goes to show you  how important it is to advocate for just causes.  Thank you so much  for your response  in this important matter.  You spoke, they listened. Thanks be to God.

Fr. Raymond

As some of you may know,  Fr. Raymond went into the hospital unexpectedly on Monday and ended up having quadruple bypass surgery on his heart. The surgery lasted 5 hours, but we are happy to say everything went well. Fr. Raymond has a long recovery ahead of him; they tell us his recovery period may last 3-4 months. Please join us in thanking God for Fr. Raymond’s successful surgery.  I know we can count on your prayers.

The KGS Committee

The Committee met again last Monday and continued its review of possible site plans for our new property across the street. While the whole project will be very expensive, it will increase our campus by 60% and position us well for the future. Of course we all knew that the primary expense would be the abatement and demolition of the building.  Sadly,  it has simply deteriorated beyond repair.  When this project is complete, we will be leaving those who will follow us a very beautiful parish campus.

Our Eighth Grade

Our Eighth Grade graduated last week.  Some of them had attended Saint Paul School for 11 years, from Pre-K all the way through. We will miss the families as much as we will miss the kids. All of us know how successful Saint Paul School is, we have the national test results to prove it. Please say a little prayer for our eighth graders as they take the next step in their lives. I assure you they are well prepared. Also, please spread the word about the incredible success we are having at your parish school. It just goes to show you what differentiated instruction, dedicated families, great teachers and the support of a faith-based community can do for a bunch of terrific kids.

Pre-K

Word is out and there are only a few places left in our Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 programs. With the hiring of more staff and the addition of another classroom for Pre-K4,  we have significantly increased the size and scope of our very successful program. As soon as people heard that we were expanding, there was a rush to get their child’s name on the list. If you are interested in Pre-K at Saint Paul School, please make sure to call the school office ASAP. Spaces are very limited.

Summer Camp

Our parish summer camp is one of my favorite things we do here at St. Paul’s. It benefits everyone. The families who participate have the peace of mind knowing that their children are in a safe and fun place for the summer, for the week, or for the day. For stay at home Mom’s and Dad’s,  its a great place to put your kids for a week or two when you are running out of ideas on what to do for them. It gives you a breather and it gives them something different to do.  The program is staffed by young adults from our parish who have an incredible amount of energy and who seem to enjoy the campers presence as much as the campers enjoy theirs. This is the third year that the camp is under the able direction of Mrs. Scalora.  She and her return staff have really developed a great program.  Space is still available and we have a very flexible registration program to meet families’ needs. Please see the parish or school website for more information. Here’s a thought,  maybe Saint Paul Summer Camp could even be a gift that a Grandma and Grandpa could give their grandchildren over the summer. You could let them stay over at your house at night and go to camp during the day.

The Year of Faith Mass

Last week after our Masses, Sal, the Crenella’s and I took a small group of young people to the Cathedral of St. Joseph for the Year of Faith Mass. We arrived early because I was worried about parking (I’m my Mother’s son) so I had a chance to take our kids around the Cathedral and show them things particular to a Cathedral Church, like the Bishop’s chair or “cathedra” and the Oils which are blessed at the Chrism Mass.  In the early afternoon when the light pours through the windows of the Cathedral, it’s beautiful. After the Mass, I treated them to supper and a ride on some go karts. I took off my habit for the go kart ride, and I came in 4th.  Not bad for 58 years old. I even beat Sal.

The High School Youth Group

The High School Youth Group was packed last Monday night. The group had a great time doing what High School Youth groups do, and celebrating Sal’s Birthday. Sal stands out after each of the Masses and tries to greet people as they come out of Church. If you see him, please stop and thank him for the good work that he does with our youth.  I know you agree, that we have to do a better job at reaching out to the young people of our Church. The addition of our Youth Minister has been a huge step in the right direction.

It’s free and fun

The Family Life Committee is planning another Drive-in Movie Night.  Last year it was so beautiful to see families bring their kids and watch a movie together in our parking lot. The date is June 14th, and if you are looking for something fun and free to do with your kids, add the Saint Paul Movie night to your Summer bucket list. You won’t be disappointed.

The Census Update

Our census ladies are still hard at work updating our census. It is a huge task, but they are making progress. The pile of forms to be processed shrinks every week. It almost takes 20 minutes to fix a record and update everything. The volunteers promise me that they pray for every family they update. If you have not returned your census update form, please do so as soon as you can, so that we can keep this very important project moving forward.

Whew that’s enough for this week...

God bless you,

Fr. Robert

Pentecost–Year C 2013

The Disciples were filled with fear.

They were afraid of the Jewish and Roman Authorities .
They didn’t know what the future would hold for them or their families.

And some of them even feared that somehow they had been duped or tricked.

They doubted all of the incredible things that they had experiences with Jesus who they had thought was the Messiah.

And so they locked themselves in a room together and allowed their fears to paralyze  them.

Sometimes it seems that we have a lot to be afraid of too.

While the economy seems to be recovering so slowly many people have been left out and others are afraid to trust again. 

Our society seems stuck in fast forward or fast backward depending on how you look at it.

So many things are changing.

We seem almost cavalier when we throw away things we have believed for centuries, like our traditional understanding of Marriage.

Bishop Mansell warned the priests  at a recent Presbyteral Council Meeting that there are legislators who are advocating for assisted suicide in Connecticut. It was just approved in Vermont this week.

God forbid if assisted suicide is ever approved in Connecticut. Where it is the law of the land our poor and our sick and our elderly will be encouraged to end their lives because it is too expensive or burdensome to care for them. 

And even if no one encourages them to commit suicide some will feel guilty for even being sick and needing care.

Many especially in the Northeast of our Country only have the experience of what appears to be a diminishing Church. That’s easy to understand .

Since 1966 the Church going population here in the Archdiocese of Hartford has diminished by 1/2

Racked by scandals and empty churches there are those who are afraid that we really are becoming a post Christian / post religion culture.

And many of us face significant challenges in our own personal lives or in the lives of their loved ones.

I could probably keep on talking about our fears but you get the point.

What happened ?

What allowed the Disciples so consumed with fear to boldly step out into the world with the power of the Gospel?

What allowed the Church (that little community of frightened believers) to almost literally explode onto the world scene.

We find our answer...in today’s celebration of Pentecost

Somehow through God’s grace and mercy the Apostles were able to allow God’s spirit in their lives.

They opened their hearts to the Holy Spirit and they were never the same.

They realize that they were not alone.

They understood that their fears were not and could not be stronger than God’s love

With this realization they were finally able to accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit

Wisdom

Understanding

Council

Fortitude

Knowledge

Piety

and the fear of the lord

These gifts created them anew.

The feast of Pentacost  challenges us to accept the gifts of the sprit and recognize the presence of God in our live.

Yesterday 90 of our teenagers were confirmed by

When I spoke to them some of them understood what was happening and some of them didn’t

That’s OK God never takes back a gift which he has given.

I am convinced that when they seek the Holy Spirit will be there for them even if  they didn’t understand on the day of their confirmation.

So good people

What are we going to do ?

Stay locked in  the room our fears and insecurities  of our past failings and doubts,

or  are we going to let go of all of that stuff and welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives like the Apostles finally did.

As Jesus said in the Gospel Do not be afraid .

Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your love.

Amen

Seventh Sunday of Easter Year C - 2013

“That they might be one as We are one “

These words spoken by Jesus remind us that unity is part and parcel of being a follower of Jesus.

They remind us that working towards unity is an essential responsibility of all of us.

Jesus wants the best for us so he wants us to have...
unity in our families,
unity in our society.
and unity among all those who call themselves Christian.

God wants us and calls us to be of one mind and one heart.

We live in a very divided world.

That’s no surprise to anyone in this Church.

Washington is so divided that nothing gets done, our country is poorly served, and both sides blame each other.

Our society is becoming more and more polarized on all kinds of issues, important fundamental issue,s which mold and shape our society.

Even our Church often appears divided between liberals and conservatives.

Most sadly the Body of Christ itself  is divided into countless denominations which continually give up on building communion when they cannot find common ground on an issue.

I read on the internet that during the depression a man... went to Knoxville for some business and for the first time saw a refrigerator which made ice in the summer.

He returned to his little church in the hills of Appalachia and told his friends, some believed him and some didn’t and before you knew it the church split over the issue and a new Church was founded called the  “No Ice in the Summer Baptist Church.”

In a world so divided such as ours you can understand why people ask themselves if unity is possible.

Our faith teaches us that working for unity is indeed possible and important because God himself is one.

That’s what the word unity means to make things one.

And because God is one there is only one truth.

What’s true for you is true for me and what’s true for me is true for you.

We  don’t live in our own worlds with our own truths no matter what some would say.

Truth is not ours to create rather it is ours embrace.

This error is one of the biggest obstacles to the unity that God longs for us to have.

Many believe that truth depends not on God but on each and everyone’s personal opinions.

For them truth is not based on God’s will or on natural law but on what we believe.

Pope Benedict called this belief the dictatorship of relativism.

Those who subscribe to relativism believe everything is relative to themselves.

They posit that there is no common or ultimate truth.

This error goes against everything thing revealed to us by God and causes our society great harm.

Put simply We don’t make the truth... God does.

How can we work toward the unity  in a world so divided?

How can we make our homes, our families, our society, and our Church more united as God would have us do?

The first and most important thing we need to do is humbly seek to understand God’s truth and God’s will.

All of us have an obligation to read the scriptures and to study the living tradition of the Church and once we have done so to humbly submit to it.

After having tried to discern God’s will and surrender to it when differences arise we must listen to each other and respect each other.

Especially when different people see the same reality in different ways.

Unity is not something that just happens.

Sometimes, most of the time, in fact unity doesn’t just happen, it takes effort and patience and humility.

Experience has proved to us that friendship and relationships built on trust and respect are much more fertile grounds for unity that bitterness and discord.

Let’s put down our boxing gloves and let’s listen to each other

Let us respect those who look at things differently

Let us listen to them and patiently share our understanding God’s will and God’s truth with them.

Jesus knew that unity would not be easy to create so He gave his Body the Church the Ministry of Peter or his successor the Pope.

Catholics have the consolation of knowing that when all else fails, when a common understanding of truth cannot be found we can turn to Peter or his successor the Pope and  ask for his help.

Jesus said you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.

The Petrine ministry guarantees the unity of the Church

Peter has the final word.

As St. Ambrose said. “Where there is Peter, there is the Church

This is an incredible gift which keeps our Church from splitting over and over the again.

Let us not give up on building a united society.

Let us discern God’s will and God’s plan for ourselves and our Church and our world.

Let us humbly submit to God’s plan

Let us patiently refrain from hitting each other over the head when we don’t agree on things.

The challenge of unity, a communion of heart and mind, to work for.

For as we heard in the Scriptures Jesus longs for us to be one as He and the Father are one.

Happy Mother’s Day

Sixth Sunday of Easter Time Year C - 2013

And Jesus said to his disciples.
“Whoever loves me will keep my word”
Our world is filled with words. Words are the primary way we communicate with each other.
We use words to express our deepest hopes and our most sincere convictions. Think back to the first time you heard someone say “I love you” besides your Mother.
Those 3 words probably changed your life.
Words have the power to build up and to inspire. Sadly, they also have the power to destroy and alienate.
Because words are so powerful, because they can do so much harm, and so much good, it is very important that we must consider not only the meaning of the words spoken to us. but also the person who speaks them.
Only when we consider the source can we really understand how important words are.
For example, the media is a very powerful force in contemporary society. We all know it tries to guide our lives and shape public opinion. The media is famous for shaping the truth rather than simply reporting it.  So often there is a hidden agenda when people communicate with us.
We have continually to ask ourselves  whose words do we want to trust?
Whose words do we want to mold and shape the lives of our children?
Whose words do we want to shape the lives of our grandchildren?
Do we trust the New Testament or the New York Times?
If we want to keep God’s Word as Jesus asks us, it is important for us to do three things:
First, we have to listen to God’s Word with a pure heart.
We should never try and use God’s word for our purposes or our agenda.
Some are of the opinion the Church has to update what we preach or get with the times. They are of the opinion that we have conform God’s Word to our modern culture.
I’ve read that and heard it over and over again.
Lots of Churches have done this and most of them are empty.
When people say something like this, it becomes crystal clear to me that they don’t understand our responsibility is to respect God’s Word.
The moment we change it for our purpose, the moment it ceases being God’s Word and becomes our word.
The Word of God is not ours to rewrite, even when the culture changes or the tide of public opinion moves in one direction or the other.
We must be faithful to God’s word and God’s will in season and out of season no matter what the rest of the world thinks.
Second, We have to listen to it and allow it to prune and shape our lives.
This requires time, it requires a significant investment in time.
If we are to use to Word of God to shape our lives we have to be familiar with it.
God’s word has to be on our fingertips ready to guide us when questions arise.
Speaking frankly there is a lot of room for growth here in our Church.
Yes, we have a Scripture study that meets periodically in peoples’ homes but we have to do more in this area.
And it can’t always be from the top down.
It can’t always be the priest feeding the parish.   Every Catholic has the responsibility to step up and feed themselves.
Finally, if we want to keep God’s words we have to be willing to give it away, or proclaim it.
Our appreciation of God’s word can’t be a just a personal thing something we keep for ourselves.
We have to be willing to share its
It is the responsibility of the Church, and each one of us to proclaim the Words given to us by God and the truths they contain without fear and without compromise not matter what the cost.
Let us keep God’s Word  by being faithful to it .

Allowing it to change our hearts and proclaiming it without fear.

For Jesus said “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.”

Amen

Inspiring

4th Sunday of Easter Year C - 2013

Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice;

I know them, and they follow me.”

When I was growing up, our neighborhood was like a huge playground.

There were many young families with kids and the whole neighborhood was under watchful eye of stay at home moms.

If someone fell off their bike a mom would be there.

If there was a fight or should I say when there was a fight, a mom or a couple of moms would appear and break it up.

The cool moms wouldn’t even tell your mother.

Until High School the rule on our street  was when the first street light came on the game stopped and you went home.

All of the families enforced it equally.

The problem was getting us in for supper.

There there was even a system for that in our neighborhood.

The Cheektowaga moms would simply go out and scream.

“Rob / Greg supper time,” and we were supposed be listening for her, hear her and go home.

Mrs Bashnagle got so sick of yelling for her son Joey that she went out and got herself a bell.

Half of Cheektowaga heard when Joey had to go home.

We all hoped that our Mothers wouldn’t get a bell.

“My sheep hear my voice;

I know them, and they follow me.”

• Speaking frankly sometimes we heard our moms call and we didn’t go home.

• Sometimes we really didn't hear and one of the other moms  would come out and say Robert Schlageter you go home right now your mother has been calling you for 15 minutes.

• Sometimes we heard and did what we were supposed to do.

Its the same with our relationship with God.

Sometimes we just don’t hear God’s word and we need someone to help us hear it.

Sometimes we choose to ignore God’s word and refuse to follow.

Sometimes we hear God’s word and we integrate it into our lives and we follow it.

My sheep hear my voice; (or rather hear my word)

I know them, and they follow me.”

Yes sometimes people need our help and encouragement to understand God’s will and God’s Word.

There are so many people in our world who don’t know God.

They don’t know God’s word  and they never have the opportunity to hear it.

They don’t go to Church.

They are not surrounded by people with the consolation of faith.

It is very hard for them to change their hearts it's very hard for them to come to faith.

We are called to help people understand God’s word in their life.

Someone share God’s word with us, someone brought us to faith.

We are in this church right now because someone important to us proclaimed God’s word to us in a way which really motivated us.

Maybe it was what they said,

most probably it was their example, whatever the case we are here.

Who have we shared this most precious gift with?

Certainly sharing God’s word has to be done gently, humbly, tactfully, and above all compassionately.

If we are going to be arrogant or prideful when we try to share God’s word we are doomed to fail.

If we are angry or fed up or disappointed in someone sometimes It is better to keep our mouth shut until we calm down.

However,  God’s will, and God’s word and God’s love must be share truthfully, and completely, without fear and without compromise.

If we see someone making a mistake which puts them or their spiritual lives at risk we have an obligation to reach out.  

Catholics are not good at this.

We see the shipwreck coming but we simply choose not to do or say anything.

Once I heard a man talking about his friend’s marriage which had just ended horribly.

He said “I knew it wasn’t going to last. I saw all of their mistakes.”

I asked him, “did you pray for them... or fast for them, did you say anything to help them?

Did you try and stop the wreak?”

He looked at me sincerely and said “Who am I to say anything ?”

Jesus says, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

It’s not just the priest’s job to share God’s word... we will be judged by how many people we bring home with us to heaven.

Sometimes not only do we fail to share God’s word but we also just don’t listen ourselves

All of us have ignored God’s word on occasion.

There is a word for that, we call it sin.

We sin when we place ourselves above God’s word and God’s will.

As strange as it sounds somehow we convince ourselves that we know better than God.

The world is filled with people who have been given every opportunity to know God’s will but refuse to listen to it..

Just like we heard our parents’ call but refused to go.

You know the first time you sin, you feel guilty,

but the more compromises we make,

and the more sins we commit the easier it becomes.

There are lots of us who know what is right and wrong but still choose wrong.

Do we really think we know better than God ?

Do we really think that something can be good for us when it is clearly against God’s will or God’s law?

Experience has shown that  only loneliness and sadness and bitterness, anger and even violence accompany us when we trust in ourselves rather than God.

Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice;

I know them, and they follow me.”

I am convinced

If we dare to hear Gods word and follow it,

if we chose to lovingly give our lives away rather than to keep them for ourselves,

if we willingly  follow in the footsteps of Christ and pick up our cross,

we might not be the richest,

or the most successful people in the eyes of world,

but we will have peace, and enjoy the consolation of faith.

Our life will be better if we choose to follow the Good Shepherd.

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Amen

One more thing...

In light of the events in Boston. I want to read something that Cardinal O’Malley said..

This Patriots’ Day shakes us out of our complacency and indifference and calls us to focus on the task of building a civilization that is based on love, justice, truth and service.

We do not want to risk losing the legacy of those first patriots who were willing to lay down their lives for the common good.

We must overcome the culture of death by promoting a culture of life, a profound respect for each and every human being made in the image and likeness of God, and we must cultivate a desire to give our lives in the service of others.

Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice;

I know them, and they follow me.”

This Patriots’ Day shakes us out of our complacency and indifference and calls us to focus on the task of building a civilization that is based on love, justice, truth and service. We do not want to risk losing the legacy of those first patriots who were willing to lay down their lives for the common good. We must overcome the culture of death by promoting a culture of life, a profound respect for each and every human being made in the image and likeness of God, and we must cultivate a desire to give our lives in the service of others. - Cardinal O'Malley

The Baptism of the Lord 2012

Jesus was born in turbulent times.
The Romans occupied Israel.

There were always tensions between the occupiers and the occupied.
Some accommodated the Romans and their religious practice grew weak.

Others did their best to remain faithful and observe the tiniest letter of the law.

These were not easy times and many knew that they had drifted away from their Covenant with God.

The problem was they were not sure that they could be forgiven.
In this context....

John the Baptist inspired by the Holy Spirit appeared proclaiming a baptism of repentance.

His message was simple and direct, the forgiveness of sin is  possible...  come and be baptized.

Encouraged by the chance of a fresh start, people came in droves to be washed in the living waters of the Jordan and be forgiven.

When you think about it the symbolism is obvious, water has always been used to wash or purify something.

By stepping into the water and completely submerging oneself
a person was saying I am sorry for every possible sin I have committed.

Just like there is not a dry spot on my body there is not an area of my life that I don’t want to clean.

And so the message of John the Baptist was look into your heart realize your faults and step into the water.

When people came to be baptized by John they acknowledged their brokenness and enjoyed God’s mercy and forgiveness.

The first step in being forgiven has to be admitting that you did something wrong.

Then all of a sudden Jesus came to be baptized...

Why did He who was without sin feel drawn to John the Baptist’s ministry of forgiveness?

There are lots of interpretations but the one I read the most was that with His Baptism Jesus took upon himself all of our sins.

Humanity washed away it’s sin in the Jordan but Jesus, God’s son took our sins upon himself.

In a sense the baptism of the Lord was a prefiguring of his sacrifice on the cross when He paid the price of our sins.

What does all of this have to do with us... we live in turbulent times.
Our world our country our communities are becoming more and more polarized and violent.

Many of us know that something has to change.

And it seems to have become a national pastime to look at others and point out what’s wrong with them.

It is so easy to point the finger at someone else and say they have to change.

Hardly any of us admit that we might have to change.

Hardly any of us admit that there are things in our lives which need to be healed or forgiven.

You know years ago when I was growing up we were taught everything was a sin and there was a lot of fear and anguish.

After the Council in reaction the pendulum swung to the other side and nothing was a sin.

And the Church contributed to this confusion... How could eating meat on Fridays be a sin and all of a sudden not be a sin?

Today for many or maybe even most the practice of confession has fallen away.

If John the Baptist came today very few would come to Jordan to be forgiven, because so many of us don’t understand that we need it.
Sometimes people come to confession and say gee it’s been several years.. and I can’t think of any sins...

How far the pendulum has swung.

The feast of the Baptism of our Lord and the Ministry of John the Baptist should remind us all that each and everyone of us needs forgiveness.

The feast of the Baptism of our Lord should also call us to deeper understanding of our own sinfulness and need for healing.
Today’s feast should remind us that forgiveness is indeed possible and challenge us to seek it out.

If we want the world to be a better place we have to start with ourselves.

Let’s stop pointing each other’s faults, lets examine our own conscience and walk to the Jordan seeking God’s mercy and God’s healing.

Jesus wants to forgive us.
With His baptism He shows us that He is willing to carry our brokenness and forgive our sins.

All we have to do is acknowledge our sins and confess them.
Amen

From the Bulletin 1/13/2013

We’re almost there!!!
We are almost there!   Our goal for the End of the Year Appeal is $ 74,000  and we have received $ 73,197.  Thank you for caring so much about our parish. Now that we are so close to our goal, we will review our bids and begin to work on all of the proposed safety projects listed in the appeal. I know that I will sleep a lot better knowing that our Church and everyone in it is protected by a state of the art Fire Alarm System and access control. The  new doors and access control in the Parish Center will also be a big improvement. I promise to stay within our budget. Any extra funds will be placed in reserve in case we need some security enhancements for our school in light of the Newtown Tragedy.

Stuff
Just so you know, the furnace in the Parish Center is giving us fits. The repairman has been out several times to fix it, but it keeps breaking.  I’m not sure where this is going to go, but I hope that for the time being they can keep it running.

A lot of you complimented our new snow removal crew.  They seemed to do a good job getting rid of the snow and the ice. However, one of our parishioners was very concerned and  pointed out to me that they also hit the playground fence and dug up the grass all over the place. I know, and I want to assure you we’re on it. When the ground is covered with snow, it’s hard to see what you are doing. Once the crew learns our property a little better, they have promised that these types of mistakes won’t happen. They have assured me they will fix everything when spring comes.

Chatty Kids
Last week I received a couple of polite emails (Thank You) concerning our confirmation students and their behavior at Mass. It seems that several of them forgot where they were and continually talked during Mass last week. The glances given by the adults around them did not seem to have any effect. I will speak to our kids and their teachers about behavior in Church. Experience has shown that perhaps a glance is not sufficient to get the point across that they should be quiet in Church. Maybe next time you should simply politely and calmly say, “Hey guys, can you be quiet in Church?”  Slow but sure...

First Confessions
Yesterday (Saturday) our Third Graders made their first confessions. It was beautiful. Most of them were very well prepared. I want to thank our catechists for all of their hard work. Hearing those beautiful little ones humbly confess their sins was like being stoned with cotton balls. Their good example should cause us all to reflect on how we appreciate and approach this most challenging but beautiful sacrament. If you don’t have any sins and don’t need to go to confession, come up and introduce yourself. I’d love to meet you.

More on our Kids
Our Youth Ministry is going well.  Sal and those who work with him are doing a good job. I am impressed by both the number attending our High School Youth Group and the consistency with which they attend. Sal and Chris are doing a great job at forming good healthy relationships with our High School kids. The experts tell us that good relationships are the key to a great youth ministry program.

Sal met with some great Middle School parents last week and it went well. The Middle School Youth Group starts tonight. In the future, it is our hope to have Open Gym Nights for Middle School students on Sunday Nights after the youth group. We’ll keep you posted.

I want you to know that Fr. Peter, Sal and I regularly visit our Religious Education classes to try and get to know our kids.  This week, Sal will be adding a regularly scheduled presence in our school during the school day.  It has always been clear to me that this parish is most concerned about our youth. A couple of years ago, it was the number one concern. As you can see, we are working very hard with time and resources to address this concern. Yes, our children are the future of the Church.

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year

May the Peace Christ Reign in our hearts,

Once upon a time I asked a young man what he wanted most in life, and how he would know if he had made it.

He responded immediately without hesitation by saying “ I want the 4 P’s “

When  he saw the confused look on my face he elaborated,

Property
Power
Prosperity
Prestige

Then he said “When I have the 4 P’s I will know that I made it.

That’s is success for me. “

I said, “you sure had that list on the tip of your tongue” and he told me “I think about it alot.”

Prosperity and Property involved physical assets

Power and Prestige are more concerned about how people saw him.

I was saddened because he never mentioned love or companionship or caring for others at all.

For this young man success was all about having more..and sadly success was all about him.

We all know that power and prosperity, property and prestige don’t make a person happy.

Just look around... at people like Michael Jackson, and Lindsay Lohan, in fact it’s hard to find someone in the entertainment world that is happy and lives a fulfilling life

Even if they have an abundance of property, power, prestige and prosperity often they still have lives that resemble a train wreck.

Today’s Gospel shows us that the Apostles were not immune to the glitter or temptation of the 4 p’s

When Jesus was sharing with them  his future passion and death. Instead of listening and trying to comfort him they were arguing about who had the greatest prestige.

Jesus knew he had to make them understand once more that happiness was not about how much property they had,

or how much money they had,

or what people thought of them

or how much influence they had over others.

You know today we treasure Children, but this was not always the case.

During the time of Jesus Children were insignificant.

A father could simply refuse to accept a child and it would be put outside to die in neglect.

Children were the poorest of the poor with no rights and with no means to repay any kindness.

So Jesus took a little child and told His Apostles success is welcoming and caring for them he was saying success is welcoming and caring for someone who can never pay you back.

For a follower of Christ…

Success is giving without expecting anything in return.

Success is a life poured out in loving service.

Success is letting go rather than holding on.

Success is caring about others more than you care about yourself.

I never heard what happened to that kid but I will always remember his determination to have his property, power, prestige and prosperity.

Sadly some people never get it.

I once visited a lonely old lady.

She lived in a huge house and every time we spoke she told me that someone was after her money.

The people that were living in her home and caring for her kept changing because after awhile she would convince herself that they were after her money and fire them.

She had no contact with her family.

You know the story she was sure that they wanted her money.

I went to see her once a month and listened to her and tried to help her understand the people actually cared about her. Sometimes I was this close to getting through to her

But she never really believed me and could not accept that they were not just after her money.

Then one day her helper called and said you don’t have to come tomorrow father.

I immediately asked if she was OK or if she had take ill.

The helper responded candidly Father. She thinks you are after her money.

So much for the four p’s

What do we think about success ?

And Jesus said….

"If anyone wishes to be first,

he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."

Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst,

and putting his arms around it, he said to them,

"Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;

and whoever receives me,

receives not me but the One who sent me."

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Year–B - 2012

Recently while I was walking down Hart Street I saw a bunch of kids over by Papergoods Pond and some of them looked familiar.

So I mustered up my courage and I walked right up to them.

I had it in my mind to walk by if none of them said hello or gave any sign that they recognized me.

All of a sudden one of the kids who was confirmed last year looked up and said Hi fr. Robert and the door was opened for me to strike up a conversation.

We bantered for a while about a bunch of stuff, then we got into a rather heated discussion about football and if Berlin could beat Xavier.

Then the conversation took another turn when out of the blue the Confirmation Kid said “I know I haven’t been to Church for a while.”

“A while” I said with a chuckle “I haven’t seen you since Confirmation…”

He nodded with a sheepish grin and responded, “Isn’t it enough to be a good person?  I’m a good person I don’t hurt anyone.”

I told him I knew he was a good person and that’s very important but that God wants more for him.

God’s law says keep holy Sabbath.

Catholic do that by going to Mass..

I went on to explain that we can’t change God’s law.

We can’t add to it nor can we subtract from it.

All we can do is discern God’s law and follow it.

That’s exactly what the first reading is speaking about today.

God gave the Israelites His law so that they could take possession of the land… for the Jewish People that was the promised land and let me tell you it looked good after 40 years in the desert.

For us the promised land is heaven.

The Law, God’s law guides us to heaven.

That’s the purpose of God’s law.

It is not to enslave us, or take away our fun.

It  is not so God can win and have his way.

It is not to give the priests or the Church power over us.

God’s law was given to us so that we might live a good and holy life and when our time on earth is finished end up in heaven.

Pure and simple

But then one of the other kids piped up and said what about all those people who go to church every Sunday but just go through the motions.

And I told him that he had a good question.

While it’s very important to follow God’s law it’s not enough to go through the motions.

There also has to be a change of heart.

When we surrender ourselves to God’s law it has to change our heart.

That’s what Jesus was talking about in today’s Gospel.

Sometimes people who just go through the motions of following God’s Law do more damage than those who don't follow it at tall

The Pharisees observed the letter of the law and all the minute prescriptions but they never changed their hearts… they were still angry, bitter, merciless people.

At another place in the Gospel Jesus compares them to whitened sepulcures beautiful on the outside but rotten on the inside.

In the end even though they followed all of the prescriptions of the law and washed their dishes the right way, the pride, jealousy, and anger of the Pharisees pushed them to plot against Jesus

My conversation with the kids at Papergoods Pond ended on a cordial note and I moved on..

I have seen  them a couple of times since roaming around town.

A couple of days ago a whole bunch of them were sitting outside of Stop and Shop on those picnic tables and they waved to me before I waved to them...

How often do we ask the same questions as those kids.

One day a woman was said to me “come on fr. Robert the Church has to get with the times you guys gotta be more open and change all those rules.” as if God’s law is ours to change.

There’s a name for Catholics like that they are called them cafeteria Catholics… picking and choosing what they feel is important or convenient and leaving out the rest.

Let me assure you Robert’s law will not get you into heaven nor will it give you a better quality of life.

Only God’s law so us the way to the promised land only God’s Law.

How often do we allow ourselves to sit back on our laurels and say things like..

I keep the law.

I go to Mass

I don’t hurt anyone,

but still allow ourselves to be angry or bitter or to think we are better than other people just like the Pharisees.

No God’s law is not ours to change the only thing that we can and must change is our lives and our hearts.

When it comes to God’s law our only choice is to be faithful… no matter what the rest of the world is doing.

Help us love and help us live your Law O Lord

Amen

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year B - 2102

Once upon a time… a couple came to me and It was obvious that they were not happy.

When they came in the door they would not even look at each other.

It took them a while even to talk.

After I welcomed them for a long time we sat there in very uncomfortable silence.

Finally she said I simply can’t take it anymore. I can’t take it.

He just can’t accept that I love him or even worse he is manipulating me to get what he wants.

Over and over, day in and day out he asks me to prove my love for him by doing something

And no matter what I do or no matter what I say it is never enough for him never enough.

There is always another request he always wants more.

I don’t know how the story ended. After a few more words he simply got up and left and after a while I drove her home.

I never heard from them again.

The crowd in today’s Gospel witnessed an incredible miracle.

Jesus fed 5000 families with a few loaves and a few fish and there was an abundance of leftovers.

They all saw the little he had and they all knew that they had eaten well

They all say that there was even an abundance of leftovers.

But they missed the point of the whole experience

They did not recognize this miracle as a sign of God’s Presence or God’s  love

They did not understand that the miracle was that the Messiah, God’s chosen one was in their midst.

The miracle was the revelation that God himself was in their midst.

They simply wanted more bread and they thought they had found a way to get as much bread as they wanted and fill their empty stomachs

That was the reason they sought out Jesus and requested another sign.

They simply wanted more bread to eat.

How often is Jesus asked for a sign?

How often do the people of the Gospel say things like give us a sign and we will believe.

Frequently in the Gospel people ask him for a sign right after one has been given to them.

This Sunday the question each and everyone of us need to ask ourselves is; 

How often do we relate to God in the very same way

If I had a nickel for every time that someone said to me I pray and pray and pray and God doesn’t give me what I want. This would be a very rich parish indeed.

Prayer which only requests prayer which wnats

Prayer which demands a sign (“give me prayers” as one of our senior citizens calls they) betray a faith which only seeks or only wants.

I’ll love I’ll trust you as long as you give me what I want or what I think I want.

Sometimes, infact most to the time we pray As if God doesn’t know what we need and when we need it.

Yes Jesus said ask and your shall receive and seek and you shall find.

But if all we do is ask

If our prayers always start with phrases like I want, show me, prove to me.

Then there is something drastically wrong with our relationship with God just like there was something terribly wrong with the relationship between that sad young couple who came to my door one day.

In the most difficult of situations maybe our prayer could be Jesus I trust you

Or Jesus show me the way you would have me act.

May we pray to understand God’s will and live it to the best of our ability.

May we pray for the gift of self surrender

Let’s not work for things that perish, that rust, wear out or go stale

Let’s not pray and work for things that we have to throw away when the smell in the refigerator

Let us work instead for a life giving relationship with the God.

Jesus said to them,
"I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

Only God understands our hunger and only a relationship with God can satisfy it.

Amen