Fourth Sunday of Advent (Bulletin Column 201512120)

I have used this space during the Advent season to review the life of saints whose feast days are celebrated around this time period. It has given us the opportunity to explore these saints for traits that may help us prepare for the birth of Jesus. We first read about St. Andrew and his invitation to bring others to Jesus. Next St. Juan Diego taught us to help build up the Church established by Jesus and that our role is never too small or unimportant. Last week St. Stephen reminded us of the harsh realities of the world. Our role in the Church may not always be one that is easy. It may not be the journey we wish to take but it may be the one we are called to take.

Our final Saint to review is St. John Kanty who died in 1473.  His feast day is December 23.  Many of us have probably not celebrated or even heard of St. Kanty. Preparations for our very soon Christmas celebrations may have distracted us from John Kanty but I do not believe he would be upset. John was a very humble person who won over people by his sincerity and kindness.

John Karnty was a brilliant student at university of Kraków, Poland. He was ordained a priest and became a professor of theology. John was very popular with the students at the university which caused some to become envious of him. This resentment led to his being ousted by rivals and sent to be a parish priest at Olkusz. John Karnty was afraid of the responsibilities of a parish and this caused his parishioners not like him at first. He did win his parishioner’s hearts as they saw his genuine love and concern for them. John returned to Kraków after eight years and taught Scripture for the remainder of his life.

John was a serious man and yet humble. He was known to all the poor of Kraków for his kindness. He gave all his money to the poor except what was needed to support himself. John taught his students this philosophy; "Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love. Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause."

As Advent comes to a close recall the Saints we have reviewed. Know that everything you do is important to God and must be done with kindness and sincerity, no matter what the cost. Invite people not only into your lives but also into a new way of life. May this Christmas Season find you with a joyful heart, happiness in spirit and blessings for everyone you meet.

Third Sunday of Advent (Bulletin Column 20151213)

Today we will review the life of a Saint that I feel a special kinship to. He is found in the Acts of the Apostles. His feast day is December 26 and is considered the first martyr of the Church. He is also considered the first Deacon of the Church. His name is Saint Stephen. The Acts of Apostles state that Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders among the people.

The Apostles found that as the disciples of Jesus grew in number, they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor. So they ordained seven deacons. Stephen was one of seven deacons and is the most famous of them. Stephen spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of the people who heard him became followers of Jesus. Unable to stop Stephen's preaching, his opponents found men who were willing to lie about what Stephen taught. These opponents claimed that "they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God”. At his trial, Saint Stephen scolded the Sanhedrin for not believing in Jesus. This claim caused the Sanhedrin to rise up in great anger and scream at Stephen. Looking up to Heaven at this time Stephen said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. It is also noted in the Acts of the Apostles that the Sanhedrin, "looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel." These same men then proceeded to judge Stephen to be guilty of blasphemy. They dragged him outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. As he was dying St. Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.

Another fact about the stoning of Stephen should be noted. It is the presence of a man named Saul, who we read in Acts "was consenting to his death” and at whose feet "the witnesses laid down their garments.” This of course is Saul of Tarsus, who we know will become the great apostle Saint Paul.

The first week of Advent we learned to bring ourselves and others to Jesus through the example of St. Andrew. The second week of Advent we read about St. Juan Diego and how all are important to God. None are too insignificant to have a role in the Church. God has a vocation for each of us and through it we become an instrument for Him in the salvation of all.

St. Stephen reminds us today that the role we play in the Church may not always be one that is easy. It may not be the journey we wish to take but it may be the one we are called to take. Our belief in God and the practice of our faith will sometimes lead to ridicule, beatings and even death. Jesus has already overcome death through his sacrifice on the cross. Death holds no fear over us. Recall the words we read in today Responsorial Psalm: “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.” We have been invited by God to go and spread his good news of mercy and love. Let us confidently take up our call from God, unafraid with the knowledge that He is our savior.

Second Sunday of Advent (Bulletin Column 20151206)

On the first Sunday of Advent we took a short look at St. Andrew. We recalled that he is considered the first Apostle and was always inviting people to Jesus. We reflected on our own invitation to follow Jesus and on inviting others to do the same. This week we will look at another Saint for inspiration as we prepare for the birth of Jesus.

We have all heard of Our Lady of Guadalupe but have you heard of St. Juan Diego? Juan Diego was canonized on July 11, 2002 and his Feast day is on December 9. Juan Diego was of Indian descent and living as a conquered people. The Aztec people of Mexico had been conquered by the Spanish in 1521. This conquest signaled not only the end of an empire but also the end of a civilization and way of life. Juan Diego was not only poor but he struggled with a new life that included letting go of old ways and beliefs. He would have been in his fifties and be considered an old man back in December of 1531, the date he became forever linked to both the history of Mexico and the Catholic Church.

Juan Diego was living an obscure life when our Mother Mary appeared to him at Tepeyac hill on December 9, 1531. The most famous parts of the story of Juan Diego are usually associated with the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe which is celebrated on December 12. Our Mother Mary appeared to Juan Diego as he was on his way to daily Mass. He was instructed to talk to the local Bishop but his story of the appearance of Mary was not believed. The Bishop ask Juan to bring back evidence of the appearance of Mary. Juan was told by Mary to gather roses as proof of her appearance. The roses gathered were neither in season nor native to the area. He put the roses inside his tilma, a cloak, to protect them. Upon reaching the Bishop he opened his tilma and the roses fell out. Left on the surface of his tilma was an image of Mary. Today we celebrate this appearance of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Our Virgin Mother not only left an image of herself for the whole world to see, she talked to Juan in his native language and wore the clothes of an Aztec princess. These Marian apparitions sparked the conversion of millions of persons to the Catholic faith in just a few years. The tilma Juan wore and which holds the image of Mary has withstood time, scrutiny and attempted destruction. St. Juan Diego though has faded into history. Not much is known about him after these events. He is said to have lived at the shrine constructed at Tepeyac Hill and verbally taught the catechism until his death. We do not even know what St. Juan Diego looked like. The earliest images we have of him are paintings from the 17th century.

What is important to remember about St. Juan Diego is the example he is for us. We may feel insignificant in worldly events but God has a role for each of us in salvation history. We are to help build up the Church established by Jesus. This Advent let us look at the role we play in our own parish and the life of the Church. Whatever role God has for us in his Church is never too small and always important

First Sunday of Advent (Bulletin Column 20151129)

Advent Season is a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus. Reviewing the life of some of the saints whose feast days are celebrated during this time period may offer us some inspiration and guidance.

We will first look at St. Andrew, the Apostle whose feast day is celebrated on November 30th. On this day we remember the personal call of Andrew by Jesus to spread the good news of salvation. What little we know about St. Andrew is gleamed from the Bible. We know he and his brother were fishermen from Galilee. Andrew is considered the first Apostle of Jesus. He was originally a follower of John the Baptist. When John the Baptist sees Jesus he says: “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Andrew and another disciple of John the Baptist hear this and immediately began to follow Jesus. After spending the day with Jesus, Andrew goes to his brother, tells him “We have found the Messiah” and takes his brother to Jesus. Jesus looks at the brother of Andrew and says, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).”

Later, people begin to follow Jesus after they see him healing the sick. On one occasion there are about five thousand men and uncounted women and children who have followed Jesus. These people were hungry and needed to be feed. After Jesus asked the Apostle Phillip how these people were to be feed, it is Andrew who brings to Jesus a boy with five loaves of bread and two fish. This occasion has become known as the miracle of “The Multiplication of the Loaves”.

It was Andrew who during the Passover Feast brings a group of Greeks (Gentiles) to meet Jesus. This prompts Jesus to remark: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Yes, Jesus will meet the Greeks but not in the way Andrew or the Greeks expect. Jesus will meet all, from Jews and Greeks to those yet to come by his sacrifice on the cross. He will become the bread of life for all generations.

Tradition has it that after Pentecost, Andrew travelled to Greece to spread the teachings of Jesus. It was in Greece where Andrew suffered death by crucifixion. Like his brother Peter, he did not deem himself worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Andrew was crucified on a diagonal or X-shaped cross which has become known as St. Andrew's cross.

St. Andrew also plays an important part in our Advent season. Most of us use Catholic calendars, quick Internet searches or wait for the Church to remind us in determining when the Advent season starts. Advent is actually defined as starting with the Sunday nearest to the Feast day of St. Andrew.

In this quick look at St. Andrew we find someone that is always bringing others to Jesus. Andrew introduces St. Peter to Jesus. He brings the boy with food to Jesus. Andrew brings Gentiles to Jesus, showing the salvation Jesus offers is for the whole world. Through his feast day, St. Andrew is bringing us to a chance for a new beginning with the start of the Advent Season.

Begin this Advent season as St. Andrew would. Bring someone to Jesus. Invite people to join you at the Mass. Share a meal with a person who may be eating alone. Listen to someone you consider a “Gentile” but needs your help and understanding? Jesus is calling all of us to be fishers of men. Let St. Andrew be our inspiration as we “abound in love for one another and for all.” (1 Thes 3:12)

A New Liturgical Year (Bulletin Column 20151115)

Many of us like to recognize special events in our lives and the lives of others. We will have parties for birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. We will celebrate promotions, retirements and many other things just too numerous to mention. One event that many people celebrate is New Year’s Eve. People will attend parties to “ring-in” the New Year. Others may enjoy a quiet evening by watching television with their family or friends. Regardless of how you bring in the New Year, you are probably with someone that is special to you.

Just as there is a calendar year that mark events in our life, the Church has a liturgical year that will mark events of both the life of Jesus and the Church.  These many events deserve recognition and celebration. By use of the liturgical calendar we are able to revisit the events annually. This gives us the opportunity to rediscover them as we grow in maturity and spirituality. Some yearly celebrations include the birth of Christ, his baptism, passion and resurrection. The calendar also includes the feast days of men and women who have played important roles in the growth of our faith. Through the use of Holy Days, the Church will call our attention to special events in the history of our faith that should be celebrated, remembered and prayed upon.

The liturgical year of the Catholic Church begins with the first Sunday of Advent. There are many things you will immediately notice on the first Sunday of a new liturgical year. The clergy will be wearing violet vestments and not the green color that has been worn since the end of the Easter season. The Church will begin a new cycle of readings. For many churches the most obvious change will be the displaying of an Advent wreath. The Advent wreath is used during the Advent season and will remain out until the beginning of the Christmas season.

The official end of the liturgical year is the last Saturday before the beginning of the Advent season. To properly celebrate the end of the liturgical year we must first consider what has happened during this concluding year. We used the liturgical year to recall the life of Christ here on earth. We heard readings at the Mass that are only read every three years. We celebrated important events in Church history. The Church ends each year in Ordinary time; giving us the opportunity to grow as we contemplated the teachings of Jesus anew.

The last Sunday of the liturgical year is the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. To “ring-out” the end of the liturgical year the Solemnity will mark the culmination of our spiritual growth and understanding for the ending year. Do not wait until the end of the calendar year to review your spiritual life. Review and resolve to make the changes that will bring you closer to God. Let us “ring-in” the new year proclaiming that Christ is our King.

Our call to Stewardship (Homily-32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time)

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's website under Stewardship states:

“As Christian stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.”

The Bible tells us that we all have received gifts from God to use for the good of others. In 1st Peter we read:

 “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

We all are called to use the gifts God has given us and thus glorify God by the proper use of them. The first examples of using gifts received from God are those given to the Church by Jesus. The most obvious gifts used by the Church are the sacraments. The Church celebrates Mass every day of the week, allowing all Catholics the daily opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. The Church makes sure our children are prepared for the reception of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Couples learn about love, grace and commitment when the church prepares them for the sacrament of marriage. Adult faith formation is offered to help adults continue their spiritual growth. The Church is investing its time, talent and treasures in its people.

Parishes also have members who themselves who give time, talent and treasure to the Church. These volunteers help and support the many ministries of a church. Volunteers will share their gift of song by being part of the choir. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults will have volunteers that teach those catechumens and candidates who desire to join our faith. Churches will have volunteers that form a hospitality ministry so all visitors will feel welcomed.  CCD programs will have adults who volunteer their time in both preparation and teaching of your children as they continue to grow in their faith.

Many church volunteers are in the role of teacher or as they are called by the Church, catechist. A catechist is a person that passes on our faith.  The National Directory for Catechist says the call of a catechist is a vocation, an interior call, the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Church defines vocation as God’s invitation to love and serve him. By our creation we all are called to love and serve God. That love and service comes through the vocation God has given us.

Never to Late to Pray or to Post

I logged in to update my blog and was surprised to see how long it has been since my last post.  I know there is a cliché that goes Time flies when you're having fun but I wonder if there is one for when time flies because you are busy?  Maybe there is one but who has the time to search for it.  Sadly, there have been things I have written for the Cathedral that could have been posted.  Since I did not post them timely they are now dated and cannot be used.  I will try to start adding weekly updates even if the post are more personal in thought and nature.

Thinking about being busy has also made me reexamine my prayer life.  I will admit that some days I do not pray the evening prayers of the Liturgy of the Hours.  I never have trouble praying the morning prayers, it is always the evening prayers.  This tells me that I am not putting the proper emphasis on these prayers.   I should never be too busy to take a few minutes to recite my prayers. Praying the morning and evening prayers is part of my Diaconate and is something I should do every day.

Maybe now is a good time for all to examine their prayer life.  The new liturgical year will be starting soon and the Advent Season will be upon us.  A season of preparation for not only the birth of Christ but his second coming. Review your prayer life.  Make the proper changes now that will enhance your readiness for the coming of Christ.

Houston Astros and RCIA (Bulletin Column 20150808)

I am a lifelong fan of the Houston Astros, a professional baseball team. I grew up listening to them on the Radio and now through a cable or satellite box I can watch their games on television. I agonized over them when they were the worst team in baseball and now take joy from them as one of the better professional teams. They are so much better than in years past that people are starting to take notice of the Astros and wondering who this team is. The casual fan searches for more information on the team and about the players that make up the team. Attendance at the Astros baseball games is increasing as more people want to be part of the excitement.

Catholic are already part of an excitement.  We belong to a Church that is alive and active.  The Catholic Church takes an active role in its parish, community and world events.  We have leaders who defend our faith.  We had and still have writers that inspire us and guide us in the teachings of our Church.  We have clergy that help us understand the true meaning behind the words spoken by Jesus and comfort us during times of turmoil.  Most important is the faith we have in our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, who was crucified on a cross so that we may have eternal life.  All of these things bring us together as a community where we gather together in prayer, song and silence to praise God.

Some though are just discovering the excitement of the Catholic faith. They are hearing about the Sacraments that help us and guide us through the important moments in our life.  These inquirers are learning that we do have responsibilities that derive from the teachings of Jesus.  Responsibilities we gladly adhere to out of our love for God.  They are learning that it is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that creates an unbreakable covenant between God and his people.  The inquirers are hearing for the first time that through the celebration of the Mass, the bread has become the body Jesus and that the cup holds the blood of the new covenant.

The Rite of Christian Imitation of Adults (RCIA) is for those who have found the excitement of our Catholic faith.  They have heard the words Christ proclaimed and freely seek to understand the teachings of the Catholic Church.  Reach out to them.  You are the first representatives of the Catholic Church.  Welcome these inquirers and guide them toward the RCIA program in your parish.

The Importance of Religious Education for Children

The mission of the Church is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. One of the most important groups that share in the message of Jesus is our children. Parents are the first example of our Catholic faith that children receive. The Catholic Church addressed this at Vatican II. In the Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, Lumen Gentium, the Church states “In what might be regarded as the domestic church, the parents are to be the first preachers of the faith for their children by word and example.”

The way parents preach to their children is by the examples we give them. The examples are how we treat each other, our children, our neighbors and our prayer life. It is how we respond to conflict, rudeness and fulfill our responsibilities. Through the words and more importantly the tone we use, our children learn to respect others. Parents are called to teach their children the beliefs of our Catholic faith and the theology behind that faith. Just as we make sure our children receive the proper medical attention and education throughout their childhood, it is also our responsibility to insure they receive the proper spiritual tools as they grow.

While this may seem to be a great responsibility it is also an amazing gift. It is the gift of trust that God has shown us. He is entrusting us with a new creation, a gift from heaven. These spiritual tools our children need can come from other gifts God has given us. These gifts can be in the form of parents, grandparents, godparents and teachers. The spiritual tools children learn now will help them later in life as they respond to the joys, sorrows, challenges and opportunities that life will present to them. Besides word and example mentioned earlier, we can insure our children are ready to live a life acceptable to God by continuing their spiritual education. CCD or a parish religion program will help give your child the spiritual tools they need to grow into the adult God desires them to be. Child based religious programs prepare your child to receive the sacraments, teach them the Catholic faith and help them to understand the meaning behind the words spoken by Jesus.

Your child matures more and more each year of his life. Child based religious programs will delve deeper into the meaning of our Catholic faith each new year as our children grow older. No one year is more important than the other. Receiving a good religious foundation is important to your child every year not just the years they are to receive a sacrament. Make sure your child receives the spiritual tools to grow into the adult God and you want them to be.

Joyful Perseverance (Homily-14th Sunday Ordinary Tme)

I hope everyone is had a wonderful 4th of July Holiday. The holidays always bring about certain feelings and thoughts for me. Thanksgiving is a time to reminisce about past family members and to share our stories. Christmas is a time to be and share with our immediate families; our parents, spouses, siblings and children. Easter is a time to more closely examine our spiritual life as we look at the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Independence Day seems to be a time to review the state of affairs of our country and of the World. When we review the world in light of our faith, all does not seem well.

There is religious confrontation everywhere. Today, over 2000 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus, people are still be martyred for their belief in the Son of God. If you search the Internet for Catholic news and information you now find more and more conflict among those of the same faith. Comments and rebuttals are mean spirited and confrontational.

Just over a week ago we hear and read of the decision by the Supreme Court to redefine the definition of marriage. As a parent and grandparent, I cannot help but wonder that the rights and freedoms I now enjoy will be the same for my children and grandchildren. Will they be able to practice their faith as we do today or will their faith be governed by secular law.

The good things even remind us of how much change will be needed by the inhabitants of our world. Pope Francis recently released his encyclical on the environment. It is a very thought provoking document and is presented in words that are meant to inspire us not condemn us. I, as a parent and grandparent, cannot help but be anxious. I wonder what type of world we are leaving our children and grandchildren. Will the environment be one that is representative of the world God created for Adam and Eve or will it be one of heat and decay.

Evangelize Others by Directing them to RCIA

We are called to evangelize our Catholic faith to others. Most of the time this requires us to live our faith so others will see our faith in action and not words. This does not mean we never have the opportunity to speak of our faith to others. One way to speak our faith is to make sure those interested in the Catholic faith know where to turn when seeking more information.

This will happen! People will approach you about your faith especially if you are living a life that exemplifies your faith and not contradicts it. People are searching for fulfillment The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the desire for God is written in our hearts because God made us and we are continuously being drawn back to our maker. God is the only place where we will find true fulfillment of our desires for truth, love and happiness (CCC 27).

This fulfillment is found in the Catholic Church. Jesus inaugurates his Church through the teachings he passed on to the Apostles and his sacrifice on the cross. It is in the Church that Christ fulfills the mystery that is God's plan for our salvation (CCC 772).
The Church announces, bears witness, makes present and spreads the mystery of the Holy Trinity (CCC 738, 766).

One can learn more about the fulfillment of their desire to know God through a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). The RCIA process should never pressure anyone to become Catholic but the process should give one the proper tools for discerning God's call to know Him. RCIA is for someone never baptized, someone baptized in another faith tradition or for a person baptized Catholic but who has not received their First Holy Communion and/or the sacrament of Confirmation. Some RCIA programs are year round while others are modeled after the school year. This is the perfect time to inquiry about the RCIA process. If you have an interest or know of someone who may be interested in the Catholic faith, contact your local parish for more information. This will insure the inquirer receives the information as it becomes available and you will be doing your Catholic duty of evangelizing to others.

Witness to the Risen Lord (Homily Excerpts-3rd Sunday Easter Season)

Most of you know I retired a little over one year ago from the Caddo Parish Clerk's Office.  For the first year or two as a deputy clerk, I would go to court.  I heard both domestic and civil cases.  I do not remember most of the cases I heard but one thing that will always stand out will be the witnesses.  I recall one case that dealt with a car wreck.  The case went to trial by judge to determine fault.  The witnesses were sequestered, which means they were not allowed to hear any testimony nor were they allowed to talk to the other witnesses.  When called to testify,  a deputy sheriff would bring that witness into the courtroom to give their testimony.

What made this case so interesting was not the trial but the witnesses.  They each saw different things.  Do not miss understand.  They all saw the wreck.  They were all witnesses to the wreck.  They also saw with their heart though.  One witness saw a mother worried about her child in the back seat.  Another witness saw the driver looking at the damage to the vehicles while another witness noticed how the people gathered around the wreck.  The final witness mentioned how some people offered to help.  The one fact not disputed was that the wreck happened.  Each witness saw the wreck and testified to it but they also mentioned what was important in their hearts and thus what they thought would be important to us.

Today’s Gospel reading is similar to the experience of those witnesses of the wreck.  First recall last Sunday’s Gospel from the Gospel of John.  The Apostles have locked themselves, out of fear, in the upper room.  Jesus appears to the Apostles and shows them the nail mark on his hands and feet.  He greets them with “Peace be with you” and he disciples rejoiced.

Today, in the Gospel of Luck, we hear of the same event but from another point of view, through the eyes of a different witness.  The Apostles have locked themselves in the upper room.  Two disciples in the room are telling of their encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus.  Jesus appears and greats them with “Peace be with you.”  In today’s Gospel Jesus not only shows the disciples his hands and feet but tells the disciples that “Ghost do not have flesh and bones.”  Jesus then asks for something to eat.  It is implied that if Jesus were a ghost he would have no need to eat.

Holy Week Celebrations (Bulletin Column 20150329

Today is the beginning of Holy Week. It commemorates Christ Passion starting with his messianic entrance into Jerusalem. On Palm Sunday we read the people crying out as Jesus enters the city, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” We move forward quickly to the Liturgy of the Word where we enter into the passion of our Lord. We will hear of the torture, pain and death Jesus endures for our salvation. The Gospel reading should remind us that we do not want to become part of the crowd screaming “Crucify him.”

The evening Mass on Holy Thursday will mark the beginning of the Paschal Triduum. On Holy Thursday the Mass readings take us away from the passion of Christ to the calmer time of Jesus celebrating the Passover meal with his Apostles. We recall what the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church has called the source and summit of Christian life. Jesus, in anticipation of his sacrifice on the cross, institutes the Holy Eucharist. He tells us the bread has become his body and that the cup holds the blood of the new covenant. Jesus has already told us that we must partake of his Body and Blood if we are to remain in him and him in us. He now commands us to “Do this in remembrance of me.”

We also hear of Jesus stooping down to wash the feet of each Apostle. He tells them “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another‘s feet.” Jesus is reminding his followers that a master always puts his servants first. We too must take on the role of servant to those who God loves the most; the poor and downtrodden.

On Good Friday the Church takes us again to the Passion of Christ, but now it will have a new meaning. We see it through the eyes of having experienced the Last Supper on Holy Thursday. Good Friday also gives us the opportunity to venerate the cross. In the cross we will see the sacrifice of Jesus that reconciles us to God. We see how the Master has become the suffering servant. We will see Jesus as both the Priest and the sacrifice as he offers himself for our salvation.

The Triduum ends with the greatest celebration in the Church’s liturgical year, the Easter Vigil. On this day we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ and the completion of God’s plan of salvation. We will hold candles to experience in both a physical and spiritual way the burning away of the darkness of sin as we hear the chant “The light of Christ.” The elect in RCIA will share in the beauty of our faith as they join the Catholic Church and receive the Sacraments of Initiation. We will receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in thanksgiving that comes from the knowledge and understanding of the sacrifice that is the passion of Christ.

This is just a short overview of some of the celebrations that take place during Holy Week. We have not even the mentioned the Chrism Mass where the sacred oils are blessed and the Priest express their unity with our Bishop. Holy Week can be a powerful liturgical and spiritual event in our life. In this one holy week we experience the culmination of the earthly ministry of Jesus. Please plan to attend the Holy Week celebrations at the Cathedral. May this week give you many blessings and deepen your love of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Making our Marriages Strong (Homily Excerpts-5th Sunday Ordinary Time)

A few years back someone asked me about the success of my marriage.

• My first thought was that the word success was a good word to us. 
• A successful marriage takes works.
• Each Man and woman in a marriage are different.
• They bring different personalities and traits to a marriage.
• Marriage must be nurtured and cultivated to grow.
• Marriage is not a stagnant relationship.
• It is alive thus a marriage must grow as we grow in wisdom and maturity.

Married love is based on giving.

• Jesus gave of himself totally by his Passion.
• In marriage the gift to give then is the gift of one’s total self. 
• The gift of oneself is given without resentment, 
• It is to put the needs of someone else before your own.

When we discover what love truly is we become closer to Christ.

• Through our marriage we show the love of Christ for others.
• Married life witnesses the total love of God.
• The goal of marriage is eternal salvation for our spouse.

We do not live perfect lives or in a perfect world

•  Our marriage will not always be perfect.
• The Book of Job provides a sobering reminder .
• We cannot escape the sorrows and tribulations of this life.

Tears of Joy or Regret

On December 8, I assisted at the Mass of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. While I was distributing the Host, the body of Christ,  I had a vision and a thought.  I envisioned Holy Mary holding the body of Jesus.  It was in the form of the Pietà, the great sculpture by Michelangelo.  I felt a sense of awe, honor and humbleness as I realized I was holding the body of Jesus just as Mary held her Son so many times over His life.  This time it was different though.   As I distributed Holy Communion I could not stopping thinking that I was holding the risen Jesus in my hand.  The Jesus that became fully human then died for our sins so we might have salvation.  I could not fathom the pain Mary must have felt while holding her crucified son in her arms.  I know that Mary as the mother of Jesus had to suffer.  She had to suffer as only a parent does when their child dies.  I can imagine though the gentleness in which Mary held her Son as her tears washed over Him.

While assisting at the Christmas Mass during the Night, the image of Mary holding Jesus returned to me.  This time is was different.  I envisioned Mary holding her newborn baby.  There would be tears but they would be the tears of a mother’s joy at the birth of her Son.  While distributing Holy Communion I felt the great miracle that had taken place.  I felt the baby that was born in a world that had no room for him.  I felt the love that is shown through the sacrifice of the cross and I felt the presence of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.

Are we worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made for us?  Will the tears we shed at the end of our life be tears of joy or tears of regret?  Live every day of your life as if it is Christmas.  Be full of joy that a Savior has been born unto us.  May your final tears be those that come from the joy of knowing that by death you will be born into eternal salvation.