Yesterday turned out to be a most restful and refreshing day. I didn’t see a single soul after 7:30 a.m. until I saw my Pastor this morning about 7:30. It was wonderful!
It isn’t that I don’t like people, but from time to time I need to get away from everything and hiding in my suite yesterday proved to be just what I needed. It’s the curse – or the blessing – of the introvert.
Though I was in Effingham yet today and will be so tomorrow – though I considering a quick trip to St. Louis – I will largely remain in hiding.
Today I was able to work on the homily I will preach tomorrow for Coach K’s funeral. I worked on it before I met with his family this afternoon to talk about the services. They asked what I had in mind and were very happy with the thoughts I’ve put together. That came as a great relief because this will not be easy.
I enjoy celebrating funerals and find them rather peaceful. Perhaps it’s because I’ve encountered death many times over the course of my years. Death does not frighten me; I rather look forward to my own death. Still, tragedy still affects me and the shock of his death will likely return tomorrow evening.
The soccer team played a scrimmage match this evening against Effingham High School. Our boys played well, though they wore out easily. A number of our older players were unable to make the game. In the end, Effingham won 2-1, scoring the winning goal with a sweet shot. Even so, I think our boys had a good time.
21 June 2009
An unexpected change
This afternoon I received a call from one of those on their way to the work camp with the high school students.
The leader of our group called the co-sponsor of the camp on the way and apparently received permission for me to go up to the camp on Wednesday and stay through the conclusion.
I don't know why there has been this sudden and most unexpected change, but I will take advantage of it and hope for the best. If I get the impression I am not wanted, I simply find something else to do.
The kids have already heard the news and are excited to welcome me, and I'm happy to be able to share this experience with them.
The leader of our group called the co-sponsor of the camp on the way and apparently received permission for me to go up to the camp on Wednesday and stay through the conclusion.
I don't know why there has been this sudden and most unexpected change, but I will take advantage of it and hope for the best. If I get the impression I am not wanted, I simply find something else to do.
The kids have already heard the news and are excited to welcome me, and I'm happy to be able to share this experience with them.
A well played tournament
The boys played extremely well in this weekend’s soccer tournament at Effingham High School.
In their first game Friday afternoon against Altamont, the Bulldogs won 2-0.
In their morning game Saturday against Teutopolis, the boys won 1-0.
They lost their third game of the tournament Saturday afternoon against Effingham 1-0. As they played this match, I could tell they were very tired; nevertheless, they played well.
Naturally, the boys were very excited about the two victories and a bit upset about their loss. Nevertheless, they remarked, “We’ve already tied our record for last season.” It’s sad, but true. I think Coach K would be proud of them; I know I am.
It apparently poured down enough rain Friday night to soak the soccer field on which we played. The ground squished enough to soak through to your socks, which made me glad I chose to wear sandals or, as they call them in Hawaii, slippas.
Not a few times a player would give the ball a high kick and when it hit the field the players kept looking around for it circles, wondering where it went. Some of the puddles in the field were deep enough for the ball to float on the field! One of our boys took a bit of a forward tumble and landing face down on the field; his jersey was thoroughly soaked.
When returned from lunch for the second game, much of the water was now sitting on top of the grace.
Three of our alumni soccer players are back in Effingham for the summer and took on the coaching duties for the tournament and they’ll continue to coach the scrimmage games held through the summer. They enjoy the coaching, the boys like having them back, and I like not having to do something that I have no real knowledge about.
I brought my camera along with me to the tournament and took quite a few pictures during the games (Friday and Saturday).
In their first game Friday afternoon against Altamont, the Bulldogs won 2-0.
In their morning game Saturday against Teutopolis, the boys won 1-0.
They lost their third game of the tournament Saturday afternoon against Effingham 1-0. As they played this match, I could tell they were very tired; nevertheless, they played well.
Naturally, the boys were very excited about the two victories and a bit upset about their loss. Nevertheless, they remarked, “We’ve already tied our record for last season.” It’s sad, but true. I think Coach K would be proud of them; I know I am.
It apparently poured down enough rain Friday night to soak the soccer field on which we played. The ground squished enough to soak through to your socks, which made me glad I chose to wear sandals or, as they call them in Hawaii, slippas.
Not a few times a player would give the ball a high kick and when it hit the field the players kept looking around for it circles, wondering where it went. Some of the puddles in the field were deep enough for the ball to float on the field! One of our boys took a bit of a forward tumble and landing face down on the field; his jersey was thoroughly soaked.
When returned from lunch for the second game, much of the water was now sitting on top of the grace.
Three of our alumni soccer players are back in Effingham for the summer and took on the coaching duties for the tournament and they’ll continue to coach the scrimmage games held through the summer. They enjoy the coaching, the boys like having them back, and I like not having to do something that I have no real knowledge about.
I brought my camera along with me to the tournament and took quite a few pictures during the games (Friday and Saturday).
A day of rest much needed
Thanks to the generous help of our retired priest, I finally have a chance to reflect on the events of this past week following the sudden death of Coach K, who collapsed Wednesday evening on the soccer field toward the end of practice.
The days following have been extremely busy for me, filled largely with arrangements about the soccer program. There was much to be done and boys to be cared for.
Shortly after the boys left the church following the prayers for the dead, one of the players sent me a text message, saying, “Hey all the soccer players want to have this tournament don’t let em cancel it”. That was all I needed to know. They wanted to play in the tournament held this weekend in honor of Coach K. He was only their coach for about two weeks, but he taught them much.
I’ve slept precious little since Wednesday, but with each passing night I have slept a bit more (five hours last night). The shock of it all and the work to be done has largely kept me from reflecting on the events as I know I need too.
This morning I was to leave to with some of the high school students on a work camp. With Coach K’s services set for Tuesday, I knew I would have to stay behind and hoped to join them Wednesday evening and return with them on Saturday. For reasons that elude and baffle me, I am told it is not possible for me to arrive late. As frustrating as this is – and as much as it angers on me on account of the kids as they were very much looking forward to my being with them (some are still trying to convince to go so they can “sneak me in”) – it is also affording me, at long last, a couple of days to process what has occurred.
I stopped by to visit our retired priest Friday evening and explained the situation to him, asking him to take my Masses for the next few days as originally planned, even though I would remain in Effingham. I simply lacked the emotional, spiritual and physical strength to keep going as I had been. So much of my energy has been expended for others since Wednesday – especially for the soccer team – that until today I had spent little on myself. Friday I especially began to feel the weight of it all. I simply could not minister more to others until I gave the Lord the time to minister to me.
Our retired priest graciously agreed to celebrate the Masses as planned. May the Lord reward him for his goodness!
This has been a lesson well learned. My first instinct is always to give all that I have for others. In the future I must also remember to give some time for myself as well. If I know myself as well as I think I do, I will need to continually be reminded of this. Intellectually I know the truth of this need for me, but my heart would break if I didn’t care first for others.
Today and tomorrow I intend to keep a low profile in Effingham and I am even considering turning off the phones for the afternoon so I don’t have to answer questions about the evening Mass that we haven’t had here in nearly a decade. (If any emergencies arrive, those who would need me have my cell number.)
The quiet morning has already borne much fruit for me. It is very rare that a priest is able to take Sunday as a true day of rest, a special gift given me today. The Lord knows I needed it and in his love arranged it to be so.
I celebrated the evening Mass yesterday and preached from a quickly sketched outline. I may get around to typing it out more fully for you this afternoon, and I may not. Either way, you now know why a homily has not yet been posted this weekend.
The days following have been extremely busy for me, filled largely with arrangements about the soccer program. There was much to be done and boys to be cared for.
Shortly after the boys left the church following the prayers for the dead, one of the players sent me a text message, saying, “Hey all the soccer players want to have this tournament don’t let em cancel it”. That was all I needed to know. They wanted to play in the tournament held this weekend in honor of Coach K. He was only their coach for about two weeks, but he taught them much.
I’ve slept precious little since Wednesday, but with each passing night I have slept a bit more (five hours last night). The shock of it all and the work to be done has largely kept me from reflecting on the events as I know I need too.
This morning I was to leave to with some of the high school students on a work camp. With Coach K’s services set for Tuesday, I knew I would have to stay behind and hoped to join them Wednesday evening and return with them on Saturday. For reasons that elude and baffle me, I am told it is not possible for me to arrive late. As frustrating as this is – and as much as it angers on me on account of the kids as they were very much looking forward to my being with them (some are still trying to convince to go so they can “sneak me in”) – it is also affording me, at long last, a couple of days to process what has occurred.
I stopped by to visit our retired priest Friday evening and explained the situation to him, asking him to take my Masses for the next few days as originally planned, even though I would remain in Effingham. I simply lacked the emotional, spiritual and physical strength to keep going as I had been. So much of my energy has been expended for others since Wednesday – especially for the soccer team – that until today I had spent little on myself. Friday I especially began to feel the weight of it all. I simply could not minister more to others until I gave the Lord the time to minister to me.
Our retired priest graciously agreed to celebrate the Masses as planned. May the Lord reward him for his goodness!
This has been a lesson well learned. My first instinct is always to give all that I have for others. In the future I must also remember to give some time for myself as well. If I know myself as well as I think I do, I will need to continually be reminded of this. Intellectually I know the truth of this need for me, but my heart would break if I didn’t care first for others.
Today and tomorrow I intend to keep a low profile in Effingham and I am even considering turning off the phones for the afternoon so I don’t have to answer questions about the evening Mass that we haven’t had here in nearly a decade. (If any emergencies arrive, those who would need me have my cell number.)
The quiet morning has already borne much fruit for me. It is very rare that a priest is able to take Sunday as a true day of rest, a special gift given me today. The Lord knows I needed it and in his love arranged it to be so.
I celebrated the evening Mass yesterday and preached from a quickly sketched outline. I may get around to typing it out more fully for you this afternoon, and I may not. Either way, you now know why a homily has not yet been posted this weekend.
19 June 2009
A great way to start
I have just returned from the first game of this weekend's Effingham Tournament. The clouds came in after the game began and cooled the temperatures a bit. It is amazing how different 91 degrees feels under the sun and under the clouds. We also had a good, strong breeze throughout much of the game.
Before the game against Altamont began, we took a brief moment of silence in honor of Coach K.
I'm beyond delighted to say the boys played very well, better than I've seen them play in quite some time. The St. Anthony Bulldogs scored the only two points of the game. Congratulations, boys!
We had a good number of fans come out to support the team who commented that it looked as though we had enough coaches to field a time. Several of our alumni players came out to help the boys, and for their help - and the support of the fans - I'm truly grateful.
In just over an hour I will celebrate Mass for the De Colores community in the Effingham area and then begin working on Sunday's homily.
Before the game against Altamont began, we took a brief moment of silence in honor of Coach K.
I'm beyond delighted to say the boys played very well, better than I've seen them play in quite some time. The St. Anthony Bulldogs scored the only two points of the game. Congratulations, boys!
We had a good number of fans come out to support the team who commented that it looked as though we had enough coaches to field a time. Several of our alumni players came out to help the boys, and for their help - and the support of the fans - I'm truly grateful.
In just over an hour I will celebrate Mass for the De Colores community in the Effingham area and then begin working on Sunday's homily.
Who's in the mood for a good game?
If you're in the Effingham area - and even if you're not - consider yourself invited to the Effingham Tournament this weekend. Come on out and support our soccer team!We play at the field of Effingham High School Friday afternoon at 4:00, Saturday morning at 9:00, and Saturday afternoon at 12:30.
We'd be delighted to have a large fan base!
Public reception for Archbishop Lucas
From the Moderator of the Curia:
In honor of Archbishop George J. Lucas, I wish to invite all parishioners in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois to a farewell reception on Thursday, July 16, 2009.
The reception will be at Christ the King Parish, 1930 Barberry Drive , Springfield , Illinois .
We will have evening prayer at 6:30 p.m. in the Church and the reception following from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the parish hall.
A good read
His Emminence Justin Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia suggests that Pope Benedict XVI has called the Year for Priests to coincide with the sesquintennial of the death of Saint John Marie Vianney, the patron of parish priests, because "our Holy Father not only possesses intellectual knowledge but also knows the importance of holiness, especially for the priest."Be sure to read the rest of his thoughts.
Year for Priests
Today, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, begins the special Year for Priests called for by Pope Benedict XVI.
The Holy See has put together a page collecting the addresses and homilies the Holy Father has given to and about priests.
The Holy See has put together a page collecting the addresses and homilies the Holy Father has given to and about priests.
18 June 2009
A strange day
Times of grief are always very strange and disconcerting. Though much has changed, life must continue.
I slept very little last night – two hours at most, I think. I spent the night in prayer for Coach K and his family, but most of all for the soccer players. These twenty-four hours later, I am still stunned , really, at what has happened.
Fortunately, the little sleep I had last night came just before my alarm went off to prepare for the 6:30 a.m. Mass.
After Mass I prepared a bit for a radio interview at 7:40. It seemed very strange to be doing such a thing when a friend had just died only the night before, yet commitments were made and had to be kept. Grief usually seems to pull me in two separate directions: either toward duty or toward introspection. Today was spent mostly toward duty. I hope to be able to turn toward introspection tomorrow.
After the radio interview I had to at least pretend to take up the role as head soccer coach and see to some arrangements to prepare for the tournament this weekend and to do so I met with the athletic director. Together we were able to arrange a few things, but there is still much to be done tomorrow. I thought having to assume the role of pastor would be difficult; compared to having to take up that of head coach, being pastor seems simple.
Fr. Kyle Schnippel, the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Cincinnati and author of the blog Called By Name, stopped in this morning for a visit on his way to his brother’s. He’s much taller than I would have imagined. Either that, or I’m just short.
We had originally planned to visit with each other for a few hours over lunch, but with the circumstances of the day we were only able to visit for about an hour. I wish that we could have spent more time together and trust that the Lord will arrange such in the future. (Thanks for the stopping in, Fr. Kyle!)
One of the secretaries at the high school called me and asked that I come immediately. I wasn’t sure what to expect it and apologized to Fr. Kyle and asked him to excuse me. We hadn’t even lunch and I’d only shown him the parish center and the church. He was very gracious and understanding.
It turns one of the local television stations had apparently sent a reporter to the high school who would be arriving shortly and wanted to interview me. I think this was my second television news interview, the first having taken place in Sydney during the World Youth Day 2008.
Afterwards I spoke with a reporter for the Effingham Daily News for an article that I believe will be published tomorrow.
I then visited with the secretary and the athletic director before grabbing a bite to eat.
At 2:45 a parishioner stopped in (we had already arranged the time yesterday afternoon) to have my give a rough translation of a Latin document in his possession that came with a relic. It turns out he has a first class relic of Saint Thomas Aquinas; it is a piece of one of his bones.
Afterwards I saw to a few more soccer details before spending some time in prayer before going to soccer practice at 5:00.
One of our parishioners spoke briefly with the boys about grief and mourning and I reiterated some of what she said from my own experience.
I spent much a practice talking with our principal while two of our alumni took care of the light practice. These young men will help coach the tournament this weekend and will also help when they can throughout the summer. I am very grateful for their help!
This has reminded me that I am happy to do what I do well and only all to happy to hand over to others things I don’t do well. I can see to the organization of practices and to communication, but when it comes to leading a practice I’m very happy to have others to help who know what they’re doing.
After soccer practice I met with a few students and their parents to talk about the next World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011. Afterwards I visited with a few of them who have become good friends over the past year or so and arranged a time to visit with them and have dinner at one of their homes next weekend.
Tomorrow I have the early Mass again and a burial later in the morning of an Effingham native who died in Florida. Fortunately, the afternoon is free until the soccer game at 4:00. At 7:30 I will celebrate Mass at our mission parish for the De Colores community.
I don’t expect I’ll sleep much again tonight, though I certainly hope to do so.€
I slept very little last night – two hours at most, I think. I spent the night in prayer for Coach K and his family, but most of all for the soccer players. These twenty-four hours later, I am still stunned , really, at what has happened.
Fortunately, the little sleep I had last night came just before my alarm went off to prepare for the 6:30 a.m. Mass.
After Mass I prepared a bit for a radio interview at 7:40. It seemed very strange to be doing such a thing when a friend had just died only the night before, yet commitments were made and had to be kept. Grief usually seems to pull me in two separate directions: either toward duty or toward introspection. Today was spent mostly toward duty. I hope to be able to turn toward introspection tomorrow.
After the radio interview I had to at least pretend to take up the role as head soccer coach and see to some arrangements to prepare for the tournament this weekend and to do so I met with the athletic director. Together we were able to arrange a few things, but there is still much to be done tomorrow. I thought having to assume the role of pastor would be difficult; compared to having to take up that of head coach, being pastor seems simple.
Fr. Kyle Schnippel, the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Cincinnati and author of the blog Called By Name, stopped in this morning for a visit on his way to his brother’s. He’s much taller than I would have imagined. Either that, or I’m just short.
We had originally planned to visit with each other for a few hours over lunch, but with the circumstances of the day we were only able to visit for about an hour. I wish that we could have spent more time together and trust that the Lord will arrange such in the future. (Thanks for the stopping in, Fr. Kyle!)
One of the secretaries at the high school called me and asked that I come immediately. I wasn’t sure what to expect it and apologized to Fr. Kyle and asked him to excuse me. We hadn’t even lunch and I’d only shown him the parish center and the church. He was very gracious and understanding.
It turns one of the local television stations had apparently sent a reporter to the high school who would be arriving shortly and wanted to interview me. I think this was my second television news interview, the first having taken place in Sydney during the World Youth Day 2008.
Afterwards I spoke with a reporter for the Effingham Daily News for an article that I believe will be published tomorrow.
I then visited with the secretary and the athletic director before grabbing a bite to eat.
At 2:45 a parishioner stopped in (we had already arranged the time yesterday afternoon) to have my give a rough translation of a Latin document in his possession that came with a relic. It turns out he has a first class relic of Saint Thomas Aquinas; it is a piece of one of his bones.
Afterwards I saw to a few more soccer details before spending some time in prayer before going to soccer practice at 5:00.
One of our parishioners spoke briefly with the boys about grief and mourning and I reiterated some of what she said from my own experience.
I spent much a practice talking with our principal while two of our alumni took care of the light practice. These young men will help coach the tournament this weekend and will also help when they can throughout the summer. I am very grateful for their help!
This has reminded me that I am happy to do what I do well and only all to happy to hand over to others things I don’t do well. I can see to the organization of practices and to communication, but when it comes to leading a practice I’m very happy to have others to help who know what they’re doing.
After soccer practice I met with a few students and their parents to talk about the next World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011. Afterwards I visited with a few of them who have become good friends over the past year or so and arranged a time to visit with them and have dinner at one of their homes next weekend.
Tomorrow I have the early Mass again and a burial later in the morning of an Effingham native who died in Florida. Fortunately, the afternoon is free until the soccer game at 4:00. At 7:30 I will celebrate Mass at our mission parish for the De Colores community.
I don’t expect I’ll sleep much again tonight, though I certainly hope to do so.€
News updates on Coach K
WCIA TV has a brief story on the death of Coach K. The reporter and videographer came down this morning to interview me.
WAND TV has also a brief story.
You have to suffer through an advertisement prior to each.
WXEF radio has this story.
WAND TV has also a brief story.
You have to suffer through an advertisement prior to each.
WXEF radio has this story.
A most difficult day
I am very proud of our soccer team. Last night they experienced a great tragedy and responded appropriately and well.
To help prepare for a tournament this weekend we held an extra practice last night for those who could come. I left the field about 6:50 p.m. to have dinner with two parishioners with whom I will go on a mission work camp next week.
As I was just about to leave the rectory one of the boys called me and told me to come right back to the field; the coach had collapsed on the field a few minutes before and the paramedics were there.
I quickly drove to the field and there learned that two of the boys quickly began CPR as another called 911. The boys continued with CPR until the paramedics arrived.
When the paramedics arrived one of the boys looked through the recent calls on the coaches phone to contact his family. Once he did, one of the mom’s talked with his family members and worked on contacting others.
They reacted very well and just as they should have. I daresay they reacted better than I might have. I am very proud of them.
I anointed the coach as the paramedics brought him to the ambulance and then followed them to the emergency room, praying for him and the boys as the doctors and nurses worked on him.
At one point I was asked to step out of the room in the ER and talk with someone outside. I was surprised to see one of the boy’s mothers surrounded by a good number of the players who had come to the hospital to be with their coach. In fact, I think all of the boys who could came to the hospital. Not only was I surprised; I was impressed and very proud.
After some thirty minutes of work, the medical staff was unable to revive their coach; he died of heat exhaustion.
I spent some time with the coach’s son and his wife and prayed the prayers for the dead with them. When the pastoral ministry staff person arrived, I asked if they would mind if I went back to the boys to pray with them and tell them what happened; they agreed that I should go and be with the boys.
Word was quickly spread to the players who couldn’t be at the hospital and we gathered at 8:45 in the church to pray the prayers for the dead. Most of the boys came, as did a number of parents and alumni. I was again very proud of them.
Coach K as he was called, coached our soccer team a few years back but had to resign the team four years ago, I think, because of his duties with work. He agreed to coach the boys through the summer this year and was awaiting word from his new employer to see if he would be allowed the time to coach the boys for the fall season. We were all hoping he could do so, and I know he was, too.
Soccer was his love and he truly enjoyed coaching our boys. Last season, whenever he could, he would come to the boys’ games to encourage them and offer a few pointers.
He was truly a good man and, though I only knew him a short time, I am grateful to have met him and worked with him. The boys and I both learned a lot from him over the last week and a half.
The boys are insistent that we play the tournament this weekend as planned, in honor of coach. A number of the alumni who are home for the summer will help me coach and their assistance is most welcome and necessary.
Where we go from here I cannot say. I expect they will want to continue with the summer practices and scrimmages as planned; I hope they do.
Please, keep the boys in your prayers, and coach and his family, as well. This will not be easy for the boys. Practice tonight will be a light one – Coach K had already planned it that way. I will talk with the boys a bit more at the beginning before we do a few drills.
My plans are currently be rearranged and are just about all in place. I was to be in Springfield Saturday for the ordination of a class of deacons. As much as I want to be there, I think at this time my presence with the soccer team is more important. I will keep the ordinandi and their families in my prayers.
I was to leave Sunday morning for the work mission camp in Wisconsin, but will now leave on Wednesday in order to attend the funeral. Six of the boys on the team are also going to the work camp. One of the moms kindly offered me the use of her van, which conveniently (?) seats seven people, with room for luggage. This way, at least, the boys will be able to stay for the funeral and still go to the work camp.
To help prepare for a tournament this weekend we held an extra practice last night for those who could come. I left the field about 6:50 p.m. to have dinner with two parishioners with whom I will go on a mission work camp next week.
As I was just about to leave the rectory one of the boys called me and told me to come right back to the field; the coach had collapsed on the field a few minutes before and the paramedics were there.
I quickly drove to the field and there learned that two of the boys quickly began CPR as another called 911. The boys continued with CPR until the paramedics arrived.
When the paramedics arrived one of the boys looked through the recent calls on the coaches phone to contact his family. Once he did, one of the mom’s talked with his family members and worked on contacting others.
They reacted very well and just as they should have. I daresay they reacted better than I might have. I am very proud of them.
I anointed the coach as the paramedics brought him to the ambulance and then followed them to the emergency room, praying for him and the boys as the doctors and nurses worked on him.
At one point I was asked to step out of the room in the ER and talk with someone outside. I was surprised to see one of the boy’s mothers surrounded by a good number of the players who had come to the hospital to be with their coach. In fact, I think all of the boys who could came to the hospital. Not only was I surprised; I was impressed and very proud.
After some thirty minutes of work, the medical staff was unable to revive their coach; he died of heat exhaustion.
I spent some time with the coach’s son and his wife and prayed the prayers for the dead with them. When the pastoral ministry staff person arrived, I asked if they would mind if I went back to the boys to pray with them and tell them what happened; they agreed that I should go and be with the boys.
Word was quickly spread to the players who couldn’t be at the hospital and we gathered at 8:45 in the church to pray the prayers for the dead. Most of the boys came, as did a number of parents and alumni. I was again very proud of them.
Coach K as he was called, coached our soccer team a few years back but had to resign the team four years ago, I think, because of his duties with work. He agreed to coach the boys through the summer this year and was awaiting word from his new employer to see if he would be allowed the time to coach the boys for the fall season. We were all hoping he could do so, and I know he was, too.
Soccer was his love and he truly enjoyed coaching our boys. Last season, whenever he could, he would come to the boys’ games to encourage them and offer a few pointers.
He was truly a good man and, though I only knew him a short time, I am grateful to have met him and worked with him. The boys and I both learned a lot from him over the last week and a half.
The boys are insistent that we play the tournament this weekend as planned, in honor of coach. A number of the alumni who are home for the summer will help me coach and their assistance is most welcome and necessary.
Where we go from here I cannot say. I expect they will want to continue with the summer practices and scrimmages as planned; I hope they do.
Please, keep the boys in your prayers, and coach and his family, as well. This will not be easy for the boys. Practice tonight will be a light one – Coach K had already planned it that way. I will talk with the boys a bit more at the beginning before we do a few drills.
My plans are currently be rearranged and are just about all in place. I was to be in Springfield Saturday for the ordination of a class of deacons. As much as I want to be there, I think at this time my presence with the soccer team is more important. I will keep the ordinandi and their families in my prayers.
I was to leave Sunday morning for the work mission camp in Wisconsin, but will now leave on Wednesday in order to attend the funeral. Six of the boys on the team are also going to the work camp. One of the moms kindly offered me the use of her van, which conveniently (?) seats seven people, with room for luggage. This way, at least, the boys will be able to stay for the funeral and still go to the work camp.
17 June 2009
Looking for a good book?
I do not read a lot fiction and when I do it is usually something along the lines of The Lord of the Rings. I only rarely read a work of fiction concerning the modern era (I have always preferred medieval-ish things).However, having heard a great deal about Piers Paul Read's new novel, The Death of a Pope, I decided to give it a read. And I am glad I did.
It took me about thirty-five pages to get into the book, as it were, but after that I was hooked. I had a quiet day yesterday and took advantage of it to read the book.
Read develops the plot and characters well, and keeps the twists coming in such a way that I did not want to put the book down for the last one hundred pages or so.
If you're looking for a good summer read, grab a copy of this book.
A busy day?
Today feels as though it will be a busy day, although I do not think it will be any busier than a normal day during the school year. Isn't strange how "busy" days in the summer aren't as busy as "busy" days in the rest of the year.
I have already celebrated Mass and now I have a few things to see to here in the office before the rest of the world gets to work.
At 9:00 a.m., I will meet with a couple whose wedding I will witness next month. They have a few questions to ask before all of their preparations will (I think) be complete.
Around 10:00 a.m., Father Davies Edassery, SAC will be visiting the parish with his religious superior.
At 10:30 a.m., I will celebrate Mass at an assisted living facility within the parish (the one I like to call the "St. Anthony of Padua Retirement Monastery") and receive a 78 year old women into the Church. Baptized 63 years ago she moved into this particular facility a few years ago and was so impressed by the faithful Catholics there who gather each day for prayer and fellowship that she wished to one of them. She is very excited about today. I am, too.
At 1:30 p.m., I will meet with a spiritual directee.
At 5:30 p.m., we have soccer practice to prepare for a tournament this weekend.
At 7:00 p.m., I will have dinner with a couple of parishioners. I will be with them next week and about 25 high school students on a mission work camp (more on this later).
At 9:00 p.m., I will meet with the Mom's Ministry group and talk with them about the virtues, namely what a virtue is and what virtues they should strive after as women and mothers.
You'll notice - most likely - that open space of time in the later part of the afternoon. If Father Edassery is still around I will visit with him. If he is not I will use that time for a bit of rest. The weather has been playing havoc lately with my arthritis. Humidity is nasty.
16 June 2009
You don't know me, but...
At the sound of those words a flurry of activity takes flight in my mind trying to determine what will next be said.
As a priest, I hear these words a lot and they can precede any number of scenarios, some good and others bad.
After Mass Sunday morning and before a Baptism a woman approached me saying these very words.
Apparently her son in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is a frequent reader of this blog and asked her to greet me.
And so to you in Fond du Lac, I greet you and thank you. Rest assured, this blog will continue in my new assignment.
As a priest, I hear these words a lot and they can precede any number of scenarios, some good and others bad.
After Mass Sunday morning and before a Baptism a woman approached me saying these very words.
Apparently her son in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is a frequent reader of this blog and asked her to greet me.
And so to you in Fond du Lac, I greet you and thank you. Rest assured, this blog will continue in my new assignment.
15 June 2009
A must have?
Flipping through a catalogue this morning I stumbled upon this story of Christmas stole. It is described as "a must for Children's Liturgies." I think not.Not only does it beg the question, "What color is it?," it does nothing to contribute the dignity of the Liturgy. Rather, it seems to lessen its dignity which only rarely increases faith.
Rest assured: if I receive one of these it will never see the light of day.
794 years ago...
Over the past few weeks - after receiving my Decree of Appointment - I have been considering how one piece of paper can change your life. Some papers change life only in small ways and others in large ways.Seven hundred and ninety-four years ago today the English King John acceded to the demands of his barons at Runnymede and placed his seal to the Magna Carta, a document that changed the world. It is one of those documents that everyone should read at least once.
If you wish to learn more about this document and its consequences, let me recommend to you the book 1215: The Year of Magna Carta, by Danny Danziger and John Gillingham. It is a readable work filled with marvelous and interesting tidbits.
Homily - 14 June 2009
Below is the homily I preached yesterday morning, a reworking of Saturday evening's homily.
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi (B)
“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me” (Psalm 116:12)? These words of the Psalmist have long resounded in my heart and soul.
My friends, do you know what it is that the Lord has done for you? We cannot come before him grateful hearts, we cannot fully unite ourselves with this Eucharist, with this act of thanksgiving, unless we have recognized the good deeds the Lord has done for us.
The passage from the Book of Exodus, which we heard a few moments ago, occurs after the Lord has given the law to Moses. In giving the law, the Lord gives us the path of life, the fullness of joy in his presence (cf. Psalm 16:11). He has given us these signposts, as it were, that lead to authentic freedom, joy and peace, so that we might always know the way that leads to him.
After giving the law, the Lord sealed his covenant with us by the sprinkling of blood, uniting the people to himself and giving them a means to atone for sins.
The reading from the Epistle to the Hebrews reminds us that the Lord Jesus has established a new covenant with us so that we might “receive the promised eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).
Saint Mark’s account of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper shows us how Jesus established this new covenant with us. In giving his own Body and Blood in the Eucharist the Lord sealed the new covenant with his own blood, “once for all” (Hebrews 7:27). He gave us the Eucharist as “a pledge of this love, in order never to depart from his own and to make them sharers in his Passover,” and as the memorial of his death and Resurrection so that the grace of his sacrifice might be offered to all people.[1] All of this he accomplished when he said to the Apostles, “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).
My life, as you know, has not always been easy – at times it has been almost unbearable – but I have always been certain of the Lord’s closeness to me. In times of profound grief, of grave illness, of uncertainty; in times of great joy and gladness and gratitude; I have always known the Lord’s abiding presence in the Eucharist. To the tabernacle I have often come seeking solace and strength, joy and peace, and this I have always found, never leaving disappointed. I have not always received the answers I sought, but I have always been calmed by his love.
It is through the Eucharist, which we celebrate today in a particular way on this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, that we see most clearly “all the good he has done for [us] (Psalm 116:12). The Eucharist is the Lord’s answer to suffering and pain; he does not simply erase it with a brush of his hand; such would be beneath his dignity and unworthy of his love. Rather, he does the inconceivable: he enters into suffering itself, to suffer with us and for us, to give his all for us. He redeems us with his own blood that we might live in and for him. This is true and authentic love; this is the love that is always present with us through the ministry of his priests who are configured to him in such a way as to act in his person; without their ministry there can be no celebration of the Eucharist.
“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” I knew that the Lord asked one thing of me; the gift of my life. Seeing how he had given himself so freely to me, how could I refuse to give myself freely to him?
In the Scriptures I read, “Follow me,” and, “Do this in remembrance of me.” It seemed as though he spoke directly to me. And so I said, “The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13). What is this cup of salvation?
It is the same chalice to which he referred when he said to the Apostles James and John, “The chalice that I drink you will drink” (Mark 10:39). Can it be any other than the chalice offered to Christ during his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (cf. Mark 14:36)? It is his cup of suffering, the cup of his blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It is the cup of his love, by which he anticipated his death on the Cross. It is this cup that I offered to take up, both for my own sanctification and for that of others, in keeping with his will.
I sensed that the Lord wanted to use me to make his presence known in the sacraments and there was no other response I could offer.
He continues to call men to share in his priestly ministry, to take up the cup of salvation, and, indeed, we need such priests. We need men of courage and faith to heed his command to make bring the Eucharist to every part of the world. If those whom he calls would answer in faith and offer themselves for his service, I daresay we would have no parish without a priest.
On Friday, Holy Mother Church will observe the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is intimately connected with the Eucharist. It is from his pierced heart that “blood and water” flowed, symbolizing Baptism and the Eucharist (John 19:34).
On the same day, Pope Benedict XVI will open a special Year for Priests, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. This special year, which is meant to encourage priests to strive for spiritual perfection, will conclude one year from Friday.
If you love the Eucharist, my friends, if you cherish this priceless treasure which the Lord has left to his Church, pray for your priests, that we might grow daily in holiness and allow the Lord to mold our hearts ever more closely to his own. Pray that we will recognize more and more that “God is the only treasure which ultimately people desire to find in a priest.”[2] Pray, then, that we will be holy and bring the Eucharist to you with reverence and love, that we will allows keep our vows to the Lord in the presence of his people (cf. Psalm 116:18).
Pray, too, that more young men will hear the call of the Lord and take up the cup of salvation in his service. Pray that young men will open their hearts to the Lord, recognize his goodness toward them and respond with generous hearts that his abiding presence may be brought to all people.
Let each of us approach our Eucharistic Lord this day with humble adoration, grateful for his goodness to us, that we might know the fullness of his life and love. Amen.
[1] The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1337; cf. 1363-1364.
[2] Pope Benedict XVI, Address to the Congregation for Clergy, 16 March 2009.
13 June 2009
Homily - 14 June 2009
Here is the homily I preached this evening. I'm not quite happy with it yet and I'm thinking of focusing more on the Psalm in the morning.
The readings present for us today two covenants, the first a foreshadowing and the second the fulfillment of the first. The first was sealed with the blood of bulls; the second with that of the Son of God. Why were these covenants sealed in this way?
It was on Mount Sinai, after the experience of the Exodus from Egypt and after receiving the law from the Lord, that the people answered Moses and the Lord, saying, “We will do everything that the Lord has told us” (Exodus 24:3). They remembered the good deeds he had done for them and responded in kind.
Moses then “took the blood and sprinkled it on the people saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words of his’” (Exodus 24:8). It was the blood that sealed the covenant between God and men.
The Lord then called Moses up the mountain and, after instructing him in the worship of God, gave him the tablets of the Ten Commandments “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18).
Why is this covenant sealed with the sprinkling of blood upon the altar and people? To Moses the Lord said, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life” (Leviticus 17:11).
Nothing more valuable could be given to God than blood, yet the blood of bulls and sheep lacked the power to fully atone for all sins and so had to be offered time and again.
It is against this background that the Lord Jesus gathered in the Upper Room with his Apostles to celebrate the Passover, the Exodus from Egypt. He gave the cup to them, saying, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many” (Mark 14:24). With his own blood he seals the new covenant, “once for all,” and gives himself to us that we “may receive the promised eternal inheritance (Hebrews 7:27; 9:15).
In giving us the Eucharist as our food and drink – his very own Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity – the Lord Jesus anticipated his death on the Cross and gave each of us a share in it, not only in his death but also in his resurrection. For this reason he says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51).
In the Eucharist, he has given us “a pledge of this love, in order never to depart from his own and to make them sharers in his Passover,” and as the memorial of his death and Resurrection so that the grace of his sacrifice might be offered to all people.[1] All of this he accomplished when he said to the Apostles, “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).
Recognizing all that the Lord had done for Israel through the Exodus, the Psalmist asked, “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me” (Psalm 116:12)? The Apostles, too, asked this question and answered, saying, “The cup of salvation I will take up and I will call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13).
The question of the Psalmist is one that has long resounded in my heart: “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” There is precious little I can offer in gratitude to the Lord that compares with his goodness.
My life has not always been easy – at times it has been almost unbearable – but I have always been certain of the Lord’s closeness to me. In times of profound grief, of grave illness, of uncertainty; in times of great joy and gladness and gratitude; I have always known the Lord’s abiding presence in the Eucharist. To the tabernacle I have often come seeking solace and strength, joy and peace, and this I have always found.
The Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar shows us the tremendous love of God. It is the Lord’s own answer to suffering and pain; he does not simply erase suffering with a brush of his hand; such would be beneath his dignity and unworthy of his love. Rather, he does the inconceivable: he enters into suffering itself, to suffer with us and for us, to give his all for us. He redeems us with his own blood that we might live in and for him. This is true and authentic love; this is the love that is always present with us through the ministry of his priests who are configured to him in such a way as to act in his person; without their ministry there can be no celebration of the Eucharist.
“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” I knew that the Lord asked one thing of me; the gift of my life. Seeing how he had given himself so freely to me, how could I refuse to give myself freely to him?
I heard him say, “Follow me” and “Do this in remembrance of me.” “The cup of salvation I will take up,” I said, “and I will call upon the name of the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13). I sensed that the Lord wanted to use me to make his presence known in the sacraments and there was no other response I could offer.
He continues to call men to share in his priestly ministry and, indeed, we need such priests. We need men of courage and faith to heed his command to make bring the Eucharist to every part of the world. If those whom he calls would answer in faith and offer themselves for his service, I daresay we would have no parish without a priest.
On Friday, Holy Mother Church will observe the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is intimately connected with the Eucharist. On the same day, Pope Benedict XVI will open a special Year for Priests, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. This special year, which is meant to encourage priests to strive for spiritual perfection, will conclude one year from Friday.
If you love the Eucharist, if you cherish this great treasure which the Lord has left to his Church, pray for your priests, that we might grow daily in holiness and allow the Lord to mold our hearts ever more closely to his own. Pray that we will recognize more and more that “God is the only treasure which ultimately people desire to find in a priest.” Pray, then, that we will be holy and bring the Eucharist to you with reverence and love, that we will allows keep our vows to the Lord in the presence of his people (cf. Psalm 116:18).
Pray, too, that more young men will hear the call of the Lord and take up the cup of salvation in his service. Pray that young men will open their hearts to the Lord, recognize his goodness toward them and respond with generous hearts.
Let each of us this day approach our Eucharistic Lord with humble adoration, grateful for his goodness to us, that we might know the fullness of life and love. Amen.
[1] The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1337; cf. 1363-1364.
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi (B)
The readings present for us today two covenants, the first a foreshadowing and the second the fulfillment of the first. The first was sealed with the blood of bulls; the second with that of the Son of God. Why were these covenants sealed in this way?
It was on Mount Sinai, after the experience of the Exodus from Egypt and after receiving the law from the Lord, that the people answered Moses and the Lord, saying, “We will do everything that the Lord has told us” (Exodus 24:3). They remembered the good deeds he had done for them and responded in kind.
Moses then “took the blood and sprinkled it on the people saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words of his’” (Exodus 24:8). It was the blood that sealed the covenant between God and men.
The Lord then called Moses up the mountain and, after instructing him in the worship of God, gave him the tablets of the Ten Commandments “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18).
Why is this covenant sealed with the sprinkling of blood upon the altar and people? To Moses the Lord said, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life” (Leviticus 17:11).
Nothing more valuable could be given to God than blood, yet the blood of bulls and sheep lacked the power to fully atone for all sins and so had to be offered time and again.
It is against this background that the Lord Jesus gathered in the Upper Room with his Apostles to celebrate the Passover, the Exodus from Egypt. He gave the cup to them, saying, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many” (Mark 14:24). With his own blood he seals the new covenant, “once for all,” and gives himself to us that we “may receive the promised eternal inheritance (Hebrews 7:27; 9:15).
In giving us the Eucharist as our food and drink – his very own Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity – the Lord Jesus anticipated his death on the Cross and gave each of us a share in it, not only in his death but also in his resurrection. For this reason he says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51).
In the Eucharist, he has given us “a pledge of this love, in order never to depart from his own and to make them sharers in his Passover,” and as the memorial of his death and Resurrection so that the grace of his sacrifice might be offered to all people.[1] All of this he accomplished when he said to the Apostles, “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).
Recognizing all that the Lord had done for Israel through the Exodus, the Psalmist asked, “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me” (Psalm 116:12)? The Apostles, too, asked this question and answered, saying, “The cup of salvation I will take up and I will call upon the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13).
The question of the Psalmist is one that has long resounded in my heart: “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” There is precious little I can offer in gratitude to the Lord that compares with his goodness.
My life has not always been easy – at times it has been almost unbearable – but I have always been certain of the Lord’s closeness to me. In times of profound grief, of grave illness, of uncertainty; in times of great joy and gladness and gratitude; I have always known the Lord’s abiding presence in the Eucharist. To the tabernacle I have often come seeking solace and strength, joy and peace, and this I have always found.
The Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar shows us the tremendous love of God. It is the Lord’s own answer to suffering and pain; he does not simply erase suffering with a brush of his hand; such would be beneath his dignity and unworthy of his love. Rather, he does the inconceivable: he enters into suffering itself, to suffer with us and for us, to give his all for us. He redeems us with his own blood that we might live in and for him. This is true and authentic love; this is the love that is always present with us through the ministry of his priests who are configured to him in such a way as to act in his person; without their ministry there can be no celebration of the Eucharist.
“How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” I knew that the Lord asked one thing of me; the gift of my life. Seeing how he had given himself so freely to me, how could I refuse to give myself freely to him?
I heard him say, “Follow me” and “Do this in remembrance of me.” “The cup of salvation I will take up,” I said, “and I will call upon the name of the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13). I sensed that the Lord wanted to use me to make his presence known in the sacraments and there was no other response I could offer.
He continues to call men to share in his priestly ministry and, indeed, we need such priests. We need men of courage and faith to heed his command to make bring the Eucharist to every part of the world. If those whom he calls would answer in faith and offer themselves for his service, I daresay we would have no parish without a priest.
On Friday, Holy Mother Church will observe the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is intimately connected with the Eucharist. On the same day, Pope Benedict XVI will open a special Year for Priests, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the death of Saint John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests. This special year, which is meant to encourage priests to strive for spiritual perfection, will conclude one year from Friday.
If you love the Eucharist, if you cherish this great treasure which the Lord has left to his Church, pray for your priests, that we might grow daily in holiness and allow the Lord to mold our hearts ever more closely to his own. Pray that we will recognize more and more that “God is the only treasure which ultimately people desire to find in a priest.” Pray, then, that we will be holy and bring the Eucharist to you with reverence and love, that we will allows keep our vows to the Lord in the presence of his people (cf. Psalm 116:18).
Pray, too, that more young men will hear the call of the Lord and take up the cup of salvation in his service. Pray that young men will open their hearts to the Lord, recognize his goodness toward them and respond with generous hearts.
Let each of us this day approach our Eucharistic Lord with humble adoration, grateful for his goodness to us, that we might know the fullness of life and love. Amen.
[1] The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1337; cf. 1363-1364.
In honor of the day
Fr. Jude Winkler, OFM Conv has discusses Saint Anthony of Padua and the Christ Child at the Word Among Us.
I have posted several homilies about Saint Anthony of Padua: with the Christ Child; and the Word of God; on his life; the song he sang at his death; the Responsory of St. Anthony; and the Eucharist; and another on his life.
I have posted several homilies about Saint Anthony of Padua: with the Christ Child; and the Word of God; on his life; the song he sang at his death; the Responsory of St. Anthony; and the Eucharist; and another on his life.
12 June 2009
An excellent project for the Year of the Priesthood
By now you certainly are aware that the Holy Father will inaugurate the Year of the Priesthood on Friday, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.
Patty Mitchell, of Word Among Us Press, recently contacted me about a new book WAU will publish to help celebrate this year. She said:
Patty Mitchell, of Word Among Us Press, recently contacted me about a new book WAU will publish to help celebrate this year. She said:
In commemoration of the upcoming Year of the Priesthood, The Word Among Us
Press is planning to publish a book of stories written by priests active in all types of ministries in the church. We want stories and testimonies that speak in a personal way of a priest’s call to his ministry and how his relationship with God sustains him and his work. We also want stories that describe the joys and challenges of everyday life as a priest.
We believe that such a book would show in concrete, real-life ways that the priesthood is a noble and worthy calling that serves God and the church. We hope that the book would also raise awareness among lay Catholics of the need to encourage and support vocations in their families and parishes. Our working
title is A Priest’s Life: The Calling, the Cost, the Joy.
We plan to solicit stories from priests serving parishes as well as those serving in a variety of ministries, including missionaries and chaplains in prison, military, hospital, and campus ministries. Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of Baltimore has agreed to write a preface for this book. We hope to publish the book in the spring of 2010.
We would like a testimony or story of approximately 1,000 words (five typewritten pages) that answers one or two of the following questions:
- How did you hear God call you to be a priest? How has that call deepened over the years? How has it sustained you?
- How has your relationship with the Lord grown during your years as a priest? How do you stay close to the Lord during your busy days?
- In what specific ways has God affirmed your call to the priesthood?
- Share one or two real-life experiences or situations in the past that has given meaning to your vocation as a priest. (Be descriptive and concrete.)
- Share a story of how you were able to care for someone pastorally. What
happened and how did you see God working through you?- What is the one thing you most look forward to in your day as a priest?
- What has been most challenging about advancing God’s kingdom? What has been most fulfilling?
- Was there anything that happened in your life as priest that marked a turning point in how you approached your ministry?
- In what ways have your brother priests encouraged and supported you?
We would be very excited if you would consider contributing to this effort with a story or witness. We will be editing each story for grammar and sentence structure, so the writing doesn’t have to be perfect, but we do want stories that are personal and compelling. If you can help advance this mission with us, we would be most grateful. And we would be happy to interview you by phone if you have a story to tell but don’t have the time to write it down. We are unable to pay you for your story, but we will give you ten free books when it is published.
If you have any questions or want to talk more about this project, please contact me at pmm@wau.org or by phone at 1-800-775-9673, extension 2109. I’d be delighted to speak to you. In order to publish this book during the Year of the Priesthood, which begins this month, we will need to have your witness or story by September 15, 2009.
Someone sent to her the story of how I was called to the priesthood and she requested permission to include it in this forthcoming book; I happily gave her permission to do so.
If you know the story of a priest and think others might be interested in reading it, why not pass this along to him or contact Ms. Mitchell?
If you haven't browsed WAU publications, you really should take a moment to do so. Last summer I called to request copies of their monthly publication to help our pilgrims with daily readings, reflections, etc. and they generously gave them to us free of charge.
Fr. Euteneur to celebrate closing Mass
The Effingham County Right to Life will offer everyone the opportunity to ask God's forgiveness for the millions of lives lost through abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia by hosting a day of prayer and Eucharistic adoration in St. Francis of Assisi parish in Teutopolis on June 24th.Father Thomas Euteneur, President of Human Life International, will celebrate the Holy Mass to close the day of prayer at 7:30 p.m. He will also preach the homily.
The day of prayer will begin with Mass at 8:00 a.m.
Parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua parish are asked to adore the Eucharistic Lord from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., but are also welcome throughout the day.
Area youth are asked to adore the Lord from 4:00 p.m. to 5:oo p.m., but are also welcome throughout the day.
Please, if you are able, stop by the church and ask our Lord for forgiveness and the grace of conversion for many. I will be unable to be present for the day of prayer because I will be at mission work camp with many of our youth.
11 June 2009
Around the blogosphere
Sandro Magister has a good article discussing the reason behind Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to announce the Year of Priests.
Over at Adam’s Ale, Father V. has an interesting reflection on the Collect (opening prayer) for the Mass of Corpus Christi.
Reader Jake sends along this interesting house that almost looks like a Hobbit hole. I want a Hobbit hole.
The Damien de Vuester blog carries an article about teaching Father Damien in the classroom.
Adoro is preparing to visit a Religious Order to discern her future with them and needs your help, both prayerful and financial. Please, if you have the means to do so, won’t you give her alms?
Carl Olson offers a reflection by Pope Benedict XVI on Corpus Christi.
Over at Adam’s Ale, Father V. has an interesting reflection on the Collect (opening prayer) for the Mass of Corpus Christi.
Reader Jake sends along this interesting house that almost looks like a Hobbit hole. I want a Hobbit hole.
The Damien de Vuester blog carries an article about teaching Father Damien in the classroom.
Adoro is preparing to visit a Religious Order to discern her future with them and needs your help, both prayerful and financial. Please, if you have the means to do so, won’t you give her alms?
Carl Olson offers a reflection by Pope Benedict XVI on Corpus Christi.
10 June 2009
Disappointing news from Springfield
You may recall a post sometime back in which I noted that Illinois State Representative David Reis (R) introduced House Resolution 417 which we remove State funding to Planned Parenthood of $5 million each year.
Yesterday I received a letter from Representative Reis (pronounced Rice) dated June 4th. He writes:
Keep up the good work, Mr. Reis!
Yesterday I received a letter from Representative Reis (pronounced Rice) dated June 4th. He writes:
I am pleased to inform you that, although there is still much work to be done in Springfield regarding our budget, the House was successful in preventing the abortion expansion bill, HB 2354 - otherwise misleadingly referred to as teh Reproductive Health and Access Act - from passing during this year's General Assembly Spring Session.
Thanks to vocal opposition from mindful citizens such as you, this legislation never garnered enough support to be called to a vote. In addition, reacting to th fiscal crisis that the democrats have placed in our state in, I filed House Resolution 417 asking the General Assembly to cease its funding of Planned Parenthood abortion clinics in Illinois which have received over $25 million from the state over the last five years.
While this resolution was blockd by the sponsor of HB 2354, majority leader Barbara Flynn Currie, I believe it sent a strong message that we should not and can not [sic] support immoral operations such as this while our friends and neighbors in need are being denied services. I am also continuing to fight to implement more stringent parental notification requirements that were passed in a 1995 bill but have since been stalled on technicalities....
Keep up the good work, Mr. Reis!
My replacement
One of Archbishop-Designate Lucas’ last acts as Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois saw the appointment of numerous Pastors, Parochial Administrators and Parochial Vicars. One of these Parochial Vicars is the priest who will replace me here at St. Anthony of Padua parish: Father Davies Edassery, SAC. His appointment begins the first of October.One of our parishioners asked what the SAC meant at the end of his name. A good question and one that I did not know straight away, but now do: Society of the Catholic Apostolate.
This apostolate includes the Pallotine Fathers, of which Fr. Edassery is a member.
09 June 2009
In honor of the day
It has been frequently asserted over the past several years Рperhaps even centuries, for all I know Рthat people listen to music for the beat and melody without paying heed to the lyrics. We hear this especially from the youth who claim the lyrics do not subconsciously shape their thoughts (which is often not the case).Be it naivet̩ or ignorance or simple refusal to admit it, I suspect it is a claim that has long been made, both by the young and the old. It is a claim that Saint Ephrem , whose memorial we celebrate today, knew to be false.
Born in Nisibis in Mesopotamia about 306, Ephrem was, in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, “a great composer, a musician.”
In his day, singing during the Liturgy was uncommon, though songs were frequently found on the lips of the heretics who knew well that little jingles long remain in the mind and are, at the very least, repeatedly hummed by those who hear them. With the passage of time the words that accompany the tunes begin to sink in, thus altering someone’s thoughts and beliefs or planting seeds of false doctrine in an uncatechized mind.
Ephrem, a Syriac deacon, recognized the danger here as he saw heretical beliefs grow so he took the tunes of the heretics and put his own lyrics to them, always remaining faithful to the true faith. He even organized a choir to sing his songs in the church and from there his good jingles took root in the people and slowly brought them back to the faith of the Church.
The Holy Father says of Ephrem:
Poetry enabled him to deepen his theological reflection through paradoxes and images. At the same time, his theology became liturgy, became music; indeed, he was a great composer, a musician. Theology, reflection on the faith, poetry, song and praise of god go together; and it is precisely in this liturgical character that the divine truth emerges clearly in Ephrem’s theology.Regretfully, this unity between theological reflection and song is somewhat lacking in much of contemporary “church” music. It is often bad enough that the melodies are trite, but much of the time the lyrics are banal if not downright false.
Certainly there is good music being composed today for use within the Liturgy, but not enough.
Commenting on Ephrem’s songs, Pope Benedict says that he
gives his poetry and liturgical hymns a didactic and catechetical genre: they are theological hymns yet at the same time suitable for recitation or liturgical song. On the occasion of liturgical feasts, Ephrem made use of these hymns to spread Church doctrine. Time has proven them to be an extremely effective catechetical instrument for the Christian community.Have you ever simply sat down with a contemporary hymnbook and simply read the lyrics on their own? Try it some time and see if the same be said for them as for Ephrem’s songs. I suspect not. Will our songs today really prove to be effective for catechesis? Let this be the aim for composers today.
In his own day Ephrem was called “the Harp of the Holy Spirit.” May he send us many more such harps in our own day.
A good visit
This morning after Mass I had the pleasure of visiting with one of the Sisters of Life.
Sister is a native of Teutopolis (just four miles away) who comes to our 8:30 a.m. Mass when she is visiting her family so she can sleep in a bit (I don't blame her!). I didn't have my camera handy, but maybe I'll be able to get a picture tomorrow.
We visited for about half an hour talking about both of our lives. Sister works in the Generalate of the Order.
The Sisters of Life were founded by Cardinal O'Conner in 1991 and already number 60 Sisters; they are expecting 6 to 12 postulants to soon enter.
These Sisters do tremendous work with women who are considering an abortion. Please keep these good Sisters and the women to whom they minister in your prayers.
Sister is a native of Teutopolis (just four miles away) who comes to our 8:30 a.m. Mass when she is visiting her family so she can sleep in a bit (I don't blame her!). I didn't have my camera handy, but maybe I'll be able to get a picture tomorrow.
We visited for about half an hour talking about both of our lives. Sister works in the Generalate of the Order.
The Sisters of Life were founded by Cardinal O'Conner in 1991 and already number 60 Sisters; they are expecting 6 to 12 postulants to soon enter.
These Sisters do tremendous work with women who are considering an abortion. Please keep these good Sisters and the women to whom they minister in your prayers.
08 June 2009
In honor of the day
There is an excellent reflection on today's Gospel at the blog of Abbot Cuthbert Johnson. Do have a read.
An oath have I taken
Before being entrusted with an ecclesiastical office, the law of the Church requires the one who is to receive the office to take the oath of fidelity.
I first took the oath shortly before I was ordained a deacon and I will soon take it again when I assume the office of Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Virden and of St. Patrick Parish in Girard.
The oath is taken in the presence of the Diocesan Bishop or Administrator, the Vicar General the Vicar for Clergy or the Vicar Forane (commonly called the Dean of a Deanery, at least here in our Diocese).
The one taking the oath places his hand upon the Gospels, recites the oath and signs it, where it is placed in his file.
His Excellency has directed me to take the oath on September 15th, or very soon after that date. That week the priests of the Diocese will be gathered for their annual convocation so I will have to take the oath away from my parishes, but it should then be easy to find the Diocesan Administrator.
The oath that I will take reads as follows:
I first took the oath shortly before I was ordained a deacon and I will soon take it again when I assume the office of Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Virden and of St. Patrick Parish in Girard.
The oath is taken in the presence of the Diocesan Bishop or Administrator, the Vicar General the Vicar for Clergy or the Vicar Forane (commonly called the Dean of a Deanery, at least here in our Diocese).
The one taking the oath places his hand upon the Gospels, recites the oath and signs it, where it is placed in his file.
His Excellency has directed me to take the oath on September 15th, or very soon after that date. That week the priests of the Diocese will be gathered for their annual convocation so I will have to take the oath away from my parishes, but it should then be easy to find the Diocesan Administrator.
The oath that I will take reads as follows:
Oath of Fidelity on Assuming an Office
to the Exercised in the Name of the ChurchI, Daren J. Zehnle, on assuming the office of pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Virden, Illinois, and of Saint Patrick Parish, Girard, Illinois, promise that I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church whether in the words in I speak or in the way I act.
With great care and fidelity I shall carry out the responsibilities by
which I am bound in relation both to the universal church and to the particular church in which I am called to exercise my service according to te requirements of the law.
In carrying out my charge, which is committed to me in the name of the
church, I shal preserve the deposit of faith in its entirety, hand it on
faithfully and make it shine forth. As a result, whatsoever teachings are
contrary I shall shun.
I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the whole church and
shall look after the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those which are contained in the Code of Canon Law.
With Christian obedience I shall associate myself with what is expressed by the holy shepherds as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith or established by them as the church's rulers. And I shall faithfully assist the diocesan bishops so that apostolic activity, to be exercised by the mandate and in the name of the church, is carried out in the communion of the same church.
May God help me in this way and the holy Gospels of God which I touch with my hands.
07 June 2009
Around the blogosphere
Here are a few links I've collected over the past several days:
Sister Mary Martha provides a concise history of Christianity.
Diogenes comments well on the White House statement that Judge Sotomayor attends Mass for “family celebrations and other important events.” Sadly, there are too many like her in this regard.
A Catholic Mom in Hawaii gives us several spiritual maxims from St. Alphonsus Ligouri for those who wish to be perfect.
Adoro passes on the sad news that a Protestant bishop in Phoenix has been sentenced to ten days in jail and three years probation because he rang the Cathedral bells.
Fr. Z. passes on the news that Catholic Answers has sued the Internal Revenue Service for intimidating churches.
The Decree of Appointment
Since Wednesday's unexpected announcement of Pope Benedict XVI's appointment of the Most Reverend George J. Lucas as the Archbishop of Omaha, many of the high school students have asked me a rather clever question.
Realizing His Excellency was no longer the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois but the Administrator, the students asked if I still had to leave the parish in September. Their affection for me and their desire to have me remain here is deeply humbling; I am continually baffled at the profound I seem to have had in their lives. I can only look back on these past four years with wonder and joy. Being here with them has truly been one of the greatest joys of my life and I am deeply grateful to God for the many blessings he has worked in my life through them and in their lives through me, as I am also grateful to the students themselves.
Even so, I accept this new assignment as the Lord's will for my life and am confident that it will be filled with many blessings and joys.
At any rate, the short answer to their question is yes.
In order for a transfer from one office to another to take effect - in this case from the office of Parochial Vicar to the office of Pastor - it "must be communicated in writing" (canon 190, 3). On the 26th of May, eight days before his appointment to the See of Omaha, then-Bishop Lucas signed the Decree of Appointment; I received it the next day. Because he was at that time the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, the Decree stands.
The decree reads as follows:
Realizing His Excellency was no longer the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois but the Administrator, the students asked if I still had to leave the parish in September. Their affection for me and their desire to have me remain here is deeply humbling; I am continually baffled at the profound I seem to have had in their lives. I can only look back on these past four years with wonder and joy. Being here with them has truly been one of the greatest joys of my life and I am deeply grateful to God for the many blessings he has worked in my life through them and in their lives through me, as I am also grateful to the students themselves.
Even so, I accept this new assignment as the Lord's will for my life and am confident that it will be filled with many blessings and joys.
At any rate, the short answer to their question is yes.
In order for a transfer from one office to another to take effect - in this case from the office of Parochial Vicar to the office of Pastor - it "must be communicated in writing" (canon 190, 3). On the 26th of May, eight days before his appointment to the See of Omaha, then-Bishop Lucas signed the Decree of Appointment; I received it the next day. Because he was at that time the Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, the Decree stands.
The decree reads as follows:
Decree of AppointmentBy this decree, I appointThe Reverend Daren J. Zehnleto be Pastor (c. 519) of Sacred Heart Parish, Virden, Illinois, and of Saint Patrick Parish, Girard, Illinois, from parochial vicar of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish, Effingham, Illinois, effective September 15, 2009.I dispense him from any partiular ritual of taking canonical possession of these parishes, and ask that he communicate this to the parishes (c. 527, 2).He is to return the completed oath of office (c. 833, 6) to me as soon as possible after the date of his appointment.
I think I will post the oath of office tomorrow.
It's a mystery
Such is the response often found on the lips of those offering religious instruction who don’t quite know how to respond to a question. It is also the response many atheists posit on the lips of believers they wish to portray as intellectually stunted.In the first instance such a response is unfortunate and often unhelpful; in the second it is unwarranted.
The Church refers to many mysteries, such as the mysteries of the rosary. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the foundational mystery of the Christian faith.
When we speak of a mystery it is clear that we do not mean a puzzle to be solved; within the Church we do not use the word as it is commonly used. What, then, do we mean when we speak of a mystery?
The word mystery comes from the Greek word mysterion, which has as its root the word muo, meaning to close or shut. The word mystery, then, means to shut the mouth. One of my professors put it this way: a mystery is that which can never be exhausted. Try as we might, we can never say all that there is to say. In the end, all we can do is gaze in awe with our mouths shut silent, or else gaping wide in wonder.
Legend has it that as Saint Augustine was preparing his monumental work on the Trinity he was walking along the sea pondering the mystery of the Godhead when he came upon a young boy. Augustine watched the boy repeatedly carry a bucket to the sea, fill it with water and empty it into a hole in the sand.
After some time the saint asked the boy what he was doing. “I’m going to empty the ocean into this hole,” came the reply.
Augustine told the boy he would never be able to do that, at which point the boy said to him, “And you, sir, will never fit the mystery of the Trinity in your mind.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us:
The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the “hierarchy of the truths of faith” (234).If you’re curious, I “recycled” a homily this weekend, preaching again the one I preached on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity two years ago. The parishioners liked it then and seemed to like it again.
The above image is from the church of St. Augustine by the Sea in Waikiki.
05 June 2009
In honor of the day
N.B.: The Medieval Sourcebook has a great collection of the correspondence of Saint Boniface, in addition to The Life of St. Boniface.
04 June 2009
This just occurred to me
With Archbishop-Designate Lucas' appointment to Omaha, not only will be unable to see the restoration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to its completion, he will also not be present to begin the Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations that he announced at the Chrism Mass.
Presuming we will not have a Diocesan Bishop before the beginning of December, I do hope the Diocesan Administrator, whomever he will be, will keep this plan.
Are you still praying your daily Hail Mary for vocations His Excellency asked us to pray?
Presuming we will not have a Diocesan Bishop before the beginning of December, I do hope the Diocesan Administrator, whomever he will be, will keep this plan.
Are you still praying your daily Hail Mary for vocations His Excellency asked us to pray?
Soccer returns
This summer, a former coach of our soccer team is hosting practices for our soccer players each Tuesday and Thursday evening through July and the team will also play in several pick up games. Our first practice was held just two days ago.
Prior to practice the weathered seemed threatening but we had practice nonetheless, with about a dozen players in attendance. Halfway through practice the rain began to fall, so we simply continued in the rain. I found it rather enjoyable.
Toward the end of practice, the coach had the boys practice their guarding skills and, since we had an odd number of players, had me guard one of the boys, an incoming freshman less than half my age.
As I ran about trying to keep up with him (many times I just gave up) I couldn't help but think the situation rather unfair. Then the coach had me switch to guard one of our visiting players who graduated two years ago. And who as a member of the team that made it to the sweet sixteen. That certainly was unfair, but much fun.
At one point as I ran toward the ball I received a good push from behind and missed the ball. I turned to the player who gave the push and said, "You're not supposed to shove the priest!" He answered something to the effect of, "Father, this is the soccer field; that doesn't matter here." Fair enough.
As the grass was very wet yesterday and I was in tennis shoes I was sliding about all over the place. I fully expect the coach to me to more such use as the summer progresses so a short while ago I went out and bought a pair of cleats. Now I'm ready for practice in two hours.
Prior to practice the weathered seemed threatening but we had practice nonetheless, with about a dozen players in attendance. Halfway through practice the rain began to fall, so we simply continued in the rain. I found it rather enjoyable.
Toward the end of practice, the coach had the boys practice their guarding skills and, since we had an odd number of players, had me guard one of the boys, an incoming freshman less than half my age.
As I ran about trying to keep up with him (many times I just gave up) I couldn't help but think the situation rather unfair. Then the coach had me switch to guard one of our visiting players who graduated two years ago. And who as a member of the team that made it to the sweet sixteen. That certainly was unfair, but much fun.
At one point as I ran toward the ball I received a good push from behind and missed the ball. I turned to the player who gave the push and said, "You're not supposed to shove the priest!" He answered something to the effect of, "Father, this is the soccer field; that doesn't matter here." Fair enough.
As the grass was very wet yesterday and I was in tennis shoes I was sliding about all over the place. I fully expect the coach to me to more such use as the summer progresses so a short while ago I went out and bought a pair of cleats. Now I'm ready for practice in two hours.
An unprecedented figure
Yesterday's announcement of His Excellency the Most Reverend George J. Lucas as Archbishop of Omaha brought an unprecedented number of visitors to these humble pages: 976.
For many Catholic blogs, this is but a small number, but for this blog, which typically sees between 250 and 300 hits a day, it is quite a figure.
A warm welcome to all, and many returns!
For many Catholic blogs, this is but a small number, but for this blog, which typically sees between 250 and 300 hits a day, it is quite a figure.
A warm welcome to all, and many returns!
A response to a comment
Today the Springfield State Journal-Register notes “Catholics recall Lucas’ calming influence.” Responding to this story, commenter St. Elsewhere – whom I do not believe I know and with whom I have had no contact regarding this story - seems to suggest that I feel a sense of “betrayal” by Archbishop-Designate Lucas over the closing of my home parish, citing my post “My home is gone.”
What I said in that post were the honest feelings of my heart, but I do not recall feeling betrayed by then-Bishop Lucas. On the contrary, I did, in point of fact, feel calmed by him. With many Catholics in Quincy, I did feel a sense of betrayal, not from then-Bishop Lucas, but from another individual whom I will not here name.
The Reverend Monsignor George J. Lucas, then the Rector of Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, was appointed the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and was ordained a Bishop on 19 December 1999. Nearly ten years later, the Most Reverend Father has been named the Archbishop of Omaha.
I was a senior history major at Quincy University when His Excellency first came to our Diocese and it was he who accepted me as a seminarian. It was Archbishop-Designate Lucas who received me into the ministry of Acolyte and who ordained me a Deacon and a Priest. Consequently, he is intimately connected with my life.
Throughout my seminary days I was filled with profound respect for him, a respect which continues to this day. He is a calm and gentle man, filled with a sense of purpose and a quiet personality. His humor often catches you by surprise and is of the witty strand, most enjoyable.
Prior to the official closing of my home parish, I twice wrote to His Excellency clearly expressing my thoughts and concerns regarding the planned closing and merger. I was blunt, honest and direct in these letters and His Excellency twice responded kindly in writing.
During a conversation at a Diocesan event, he personally invited me to come speak with him, if I so desired. We arranged a meeting the next week.
His Excellency showed his great concern and compassion not only in this invitation – which he did not have to give – but also in his willingness to listen to me. I arrived at his office about twenty minutes late because of unexpected traffic on the highways, but this did not bother him at all. I thought the meeting would last about thirty minutes; I spent an hour and a half with him. He listened again to my concerns and hurts and for this I remain grateful and indebted to him. He already knew my thoughts and he must have known what I would say to him in person, yet he offered to meet with me nonetheless. That shows a courageous, humble and compassionate man.
I do not share the sense of betrayal felt by St. Elsewhere, though I do sympathize with him or her. The pain of the closing of my home parish still is deep, but I do not feel betrayed.
My admiration for Archbishop-Designate Lucas continues today and in no small measure because of our differences. I am certain that his ministry in Omaha will bear much fruit.
What I said in that post were the honest feelings of my heart, but I do not recall feeling betrayed by then-Bishop Lucas. On the contrary, I did, in point of fact, feel calmed by him. With many Catholics in Quincy, I did feel a sense of betrayal, not from then-Bishop Lucas, but from another individual whom I will not here name.
The Reverend Monsignor George J. Lucas, then the Rector of Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, was appointed the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and was ordained a Bishop on 19 December 1999. Nearly ten years later, the Most Reverend Father has been named the Archbishop of Omaha.
I was a senior history major at Quincy University when His Excellency first came to our Diocese and it was he who accepted me as a seminarian. It was Archbishop-Designate Lucas who received me into the ministry of Acolyte and who ordained me a Deacon and a Priest. Consequently, he is intimately connected with my life.
Throughout my seminary days I was filled with profound respect for him, a respect which continues to this day. He is a calm and gentle man, filled with a sense of purpose and a quiet personality. His humor often catches you by surprise and is of the witty strand, most enjoyable.
Prior to the official closing of my home parish, I twice wrote to His Excellency clearly expressing my thoughts and concerns regarding the planned closing and merger. I was blunt, honest and direct in these letters and His Excellency twice responded kindly in writing.
During a conversation at a Diocesan event, he personally invited me to come speak with him, if I so desired. We arranged a meeting the next week.
His Excellency showed his great concern and compassion not only in this invitation – which he did not have to give – but also in his willingness to listen to me. I arrived at his office about twenty minutes late because of unexpected traffic on the highways, but this did not bother him at all. I thought the meeting would last about thirty minutes; I spent an hour and a half with him. He listened again to my concerns and hurts and for this I remain grateful and indebted to him. He already knew my thoughts and he must have known what I would say to him in person, yet he offered to meet with me nonetheless. That shows a courageous, humble and compassionate man.
I do not share the sense of betrayal felt by St. Elsewhere, though I do sympathize with him or her. The pain of the closing of my home parish still is deep, but I do not feel betrayed.
My admiration for Archbishop-Designate Lucas continues today and in no small measure because of our differences. I am certain that his ministry in Omaha will bear much fruit.
03 June 2009
Parish to host classical music series
Each month this summer St. Anthony of Padua parish will host a Classical Music Series featuring various musical compositions and instruments.
The first such event will be held this Sunday, June 7th, at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Pianist Robyn Wells will give a 75 minute concert featuring the music of Schubert, Faure, Mozart, Chopin, Saint-Saens and others.
All are welcome to attend. A free will offering will be taken.
The first such event will be held this Sunday, June 7th, at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Pianist Robyn Wells will give a 75 minute concert featuring the music of Schubert, Faure, Mozart, Chopin, Saint-Saens and others.
All are welcome to attend. A free will offering will be taken.
Live streaming of press conference
The press conference held by Archbishop-designate Lucas will be live streamed.
Press Release
The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has issued the following press release concerning the appointment of Archbishop-designate Lucas to the Archdiocese of Omaha:
SPRINGFIELD — Pope Benedict XVI has named Bishop George J. Lucas of the
Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois to succeed Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss as the Catholic Archbishop of Omaha, Neb. The appointment was announced
Wednesday, June 3, in Washington, D.C., by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic
nuncio to the United States.
In Omaha, the announcement was made June 3 during a 10 a.m. news conference
at the St. Cecilia Cathedral Center.
“It is humbling to be given such responsibility by the Vicar of Christ, and I thank the Holy Father for this privilege,” Archbishop-elect Lucas said during the news conference. “I look forward to learning about all of the ways in which the Gospel is preached and lived in the Archdiocese of Omaha. I have a great deal to learn, and you all have much to teach me.”Archbishop-elect Lucas said he looked forward to collaboration and asked for the help of the lay faithful, those in consecrated life, deacons, and especially the diocesan and religious priests serving in the diocese.
Archbishop-elect Lucas was ordained bishop of the Springfield Catholic diocese on Dec. 14, 1999 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.
In a communication June 3 to priests and curia employees of the Springfield
diocese, Archbishop-elect Lucas said, “Of course, accepting this new appointment
means that I will be leaving the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, which has been my home for nearly 10 years. The joy of being able to say yes to the pope without hesitation is tempered by the sadness I feel at the prospect of leaving this diocese and all of you. It has been a blessing and an honor for me to serve as your bishop.”Archbishop-elect Lucas will be installed as 10th bishop and fifth archbishop of Omaha on Wednesday, July 22. Until then, he will act as administrator of the Springfield diocese.
After the installation in Omaha, the college of consultors for the Springfield diocese will meet to name an administrator to handle the day-to-day operations of the diocese until a new bishop is ordained or installed.A native of St. Louis, Archbishop-elect Lucas is the first of four children born to the late George J. and Mary Catherine Kelly Lucas. He graduated from St. Louis Preparatory Seminary South in 1967; Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis in 1971, with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy; and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis in 1975. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis on May 24, 1975, and named Honorary Prelate of His Holiness (Monsignor) on Sept. 5, 1994..In the St. Louis archdiocese, he served as associate pastor at St. Justin, Martyr Parish in Sunset Hills from 1975 to 1980; St. Dismas Parish in Florissant from 1980 to 1981; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in St. Louis from 1981 to 1984; Ascension Parish in Normandy from 1984 to 1986; St. Ann Parish in Normandy from 1986 to1989; and St. Peter Parish in Kirkwood from 1989 to 1990. He completed his graduate studies at St Louis University and received a master’s degree in history in 1986.
In 1981, he was appointed to the faculty of St. Louis Preparatory Seminary-North, and then served on the faculty of St. Louis Preparatory Seminary from 1987 to 1990. He served as chancellor of the Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1990 to 1994 and was vicar general in 1994/1995. He was appointed rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in 1995 and served there until appointed by Pope John Paul II on Oct. 19, 1999, to succeed Bishop Daniel L. Ryan as bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
As bishop of the Springfield diocese for almost 10 years, Archbishop-elect Lucas guided the diocese through the Jubilee Year 2000 and also Jubilee 2003, the yearlong celebration of the 150th anniversary of the diocese’s founding. A
highlight of Jubilee 2003 was the daylong Jubilee Celebration June 28, 2003, at
the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, where then-Bishop Lucas presided
at a Mass at the Grandstand for more than 15,000 Catholics from throughout the
28 counties of the diocese.
During his tenure, the diocese conducted the Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope campaign in conjunction with the diocesan sesquicentennial celebration. The campaign raised over $22.1 million in pledges, which was used to establish
endowments supporting Catholic education and educators, the works of Catholic
Charities, formation for seminarians and deacon candidates and care for retired
priests of the diocese.
In 2002 then-Bishop Lucas implemented the first permanent diaconate formation process in the history of the diocese. The first class of 17 deacons was ordained in June 2007 and the second class of 11 candidates will be ordained for the diocese on June 20.
In February 2008, then-Bishop Lucas announced an $11 million restoration/renewal program called Built on Faith, Renewed in Hope for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Built in 1928, the mother church of the diocese had no substantial improvements in its 80-year history. After more than a year of extensive labor, the restored Cathedral is scheduled to re-open in late 2009.
As the new leader of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Archbishop-elect Lucas becomes chief shepherd for the church in 23 northeast Nebraska counties with an area of 14,051 square miles. The general population of the area is over 880,000 people and Catholics number about 221,000. There are 148 parishes and missions in the archdiocese.
Serving in the archdiocese are 287 priests, 250 deacons 297 religious sisters and 23 brothers. Nearly 23,000 students attend two Catholic universities, 58 elementary schools and 18 high schools in the archdiocese.
Archbishop Curtiss, who has led the archdiocese for 16 years, was ordained a bishop and installed as Bishop of Helena (Montana) on April 28, 1976. He served the Diocese of Helena 17 years. On May 4, 1993, he was appointed Archbishop of Omaha. On June 16, 2007, Archbishop Curtiss turned 75 years old and submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI. Before his resignation was accepted by the pope, he was the oldest active diocesan bishop in the United States.
Archbishop-elect Lucas said he will do his best to fulfill commitments in the Springfield diocese until he leaves for his installation. “I will also look for the opportunity to thank you more properly for your prayers and support,” he said. “Keep the prayers coming and be assured of my prayers for you during this time of transition for all of us.”
On the grade school demolition
WICS ABC 20 out of Springfield, ran a news story on the demolition of our old grade school building. You can watch the video here.
Appointment news
I will try to update this post with news stories regarding the appointment of Archbishop-designate Lucas to the Archdiocese of Omaha.
If you know of stories not included here, please let me know of them.
If you know of stories not included here, please let me know of them.
- The American Papist: "As speculated, Bp. George Lucas named Archbishop of Omaha"
- Whispers in the Loggia: "For Omaha, a Priest-Maker: Springfield's Lucas heads to 'Paris'"
- Vatican Radio: "Pope Appoints George Lucas Archbishop of Omaha"
- State Journal-Register: "Springfield bishop to become Omaha archbishop"
- WAND-TV: "Springfield bishop to become Omaha archbishop"
- Journal Star: "Illinois bishop named archbishop of Omaha"
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois Press Release
- Archdiocese of Omaha Press Release
- KETV7: "Pope Names New Omaha Archbishop"
- WOWT: "New Omaha Catholic Archbishop Named"
- Catholic News Agency: "Bishop George Lucas appointed to Archdiocese of Omaha"
- USCCB: "Pope Accepts Resignation of Omaha Archbishop, Appoints Bishop Lucas of Springfield, Illinois as Successor"
- The Curt Jester: "Archbishop George Lucas"
- WGEM: "Bishop Lucas named Archbishop in Omaha, Neb."
- State Journal-Register: "Catholics recall Lucas' calming influence"
- State Journal-Register: "Lucas says he 'leaves with mixed emotions'"
- Catholic Times: "Bishop Lucas named to head Archdiocese of Omaha"
A message from the Archbishop-designate
Archbishop-designate Lucas's secretary sent the following message to the priests, deacons and staff of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois this morning:
I can only imagine the thoughts swirling in His Excellency's mind. Please, keep him in your prayers in the days to come.
Today, Pope Benedict XVI has appointed me Archbishop of Omaha. It is humbling to be given this new responsibility by the Vicar of Christ, and I thank the Holy Father for his confidence in me.
Of course, accepting this new appointment means that I will be leaving the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois which has been my home for nearly ten years. The joy of being
able to say yes to the pope without hesitation is tempered by the sadness I feel at the prospect of leaving this diocese and all of you. It has been a blessing and an honor for me to serve as your bishop. With our focus on Jesus Christ, we have been able to cooperate with grace to build up His church in significant ways.
My installation as Archbishop of Omaha is being planned for July 22. Until then I remain administrator of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois . Soon after my installation in Omaha , the diocesan College of Consultors will meet to elect an administrator to govern this diocese until a new diocesan bishop is named by the Holy Father.
I will do my best to fulfill the commitments I have made until I leave. I will also look for the opportunity to thank you more properly for your prayers and support. Keep the prayers coming and be assured of my prayers for you during this time of transition for all of us. God bless you.
+George Lucas
I can only imagine the thoughts swirling in His Excellency's mind. Please, keep him in your prayers in the days to come.
The eminent and humble teacher
Pope Benedict's love of teacher - and his great gift for it - is no secret. One might well say that he is a teacher.
He has shown this over the years through his numerous books, homilies and addresses and, as the Bishop of Rome, in his many Q&A sessions, with children, young adults and priests.
The Holy Father recently spoke again with a group of children, taking three questions from them and giving impromptu answers. Sandro Magister provides us with the text and a good commentary.
Letizia asked Pope Benedict if, when he was a boy, if he ever thought about becoming Pope. His answer reveals his humble heart:
He has shown this over the years through his numerous books, homilies and addresses and, as the Bishop of Rome, in his many Q&A sessions, with children, young adults and priests.
The Holy Father recently spoke again with a group of children, taking three questions from them and giving impromptu answers. Sandro Magister provides us with the text and a good commentary.
Letizia asked Pope Benedict if, when he was a boy, if he ever thought about becoming Pope. His answer reveals his humble heart:
And I must say that even today, it is hard for me to understand how the
Lord could have thought of me, how he could have destined me for this ministry.
But I accept it from his hands, even if it is a surprising thing and seems to me
to be far beyond my power. But the Lord helps me.
Breaking News
This morning His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed the Most Reverend George J. Lucas, unto now Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, the fifth Archbishop of Omaha. Congratulations, Archbishop-Designate Lucas!
The Archdiocesan web site has a bit of information. More as it comes in.
Update: His Excellency will be installed in the Cathedral of St. Cecelia at 2:00 p.m. on July 22nd. A press conference in Omaha is scheduled this morning for 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Cultural Center.
The Archdiocesan web site has a bit of information. More as it comes in.
Update: His Excellency will be installed in the Cathedral of St. Cecelia at 2:00 p.m. on July 22nd. A press conference in Omaha is scheduled this morning for 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Cultural Center.
02 June 2009
A little recap
You might have noticed that I have not been blogging much over the past few days. This is due both in part to business and to laziness (it is summer after all, and parish life all but comes to screeching halt).
Sunday evening a couple of our recent high school graduates decided to make dinner for the "rectory household," which - at the time - included me, the Pastor, his father, and our seminarian.
It was a delicious meal of tilapia, pork loin, bread, carrots, corn, sweet potatoes and cake:
Since it was a beautiful evening - it reminded me of Hawaiian evenings - we ate outside.
Yesterday I made the whirlwind drive to Quincy and back to visit my grandmother. On Friday she apparently fainted for maybe 30 seconds when they were getting her up out of her wheelchair to her walker (she's still building up strength from her broken ankle). Her eyes glazed over but she never lost consciousness or hearing.
The nurse maybe over-reacted (but given Grandma's heart history, who can blame her?) and sent her to the emergency room and she was admitted. Yesterday was largely free so I decided to go and see her, though I could only stay for about an hour.
Four days later the doctors have no answers or explanations as to why she fainted (everything seems normal), so they released her yesterday afternoon. I can only imagine Grandma's frustrations. She was very happy to see me and I to see her. Today, though, I'm quite worn out from the drive; my arthritis simply can't do that very often.
I had been pondering another trip to Quincy on Friday to have dinner with friends, but I may have to push that back until next Friday (I'm not sure I can do it twice in one week) when I don't have the early morning Mass on Saturday; then again, maybe the Pastor and I can switch Saturdays... We'll see.
On the way to Quincy and back I decided to go through the area of my coming pastorate to investigate ways to get from Virden to Quincy and to see if there might be a shortcut from Effingham. It doesn't seem there is, nor does there seem to be a terribly direct way to get between Virden and Quincy without heading up to Springfield. We need a few more bridges crossing Illinois River.
At any rate, on the way back from Quincy I stumbled upon the second parish church of which I will soon be Pastor, St. Patrick's in Girard. The doors were locked but the grounds are well kept.
Back in Effingham, yesterday marked the first of three days set aside for the demolition of our old grade school building since the new building is nearly ready. Kenda, of The Schuette Zoo, who lives just down the street posted some great pictures of the first day.
Throughout the summer we will be having practices and workouts for the soccer team on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as a few pick up games and today is the first day for the practices.
On my way back from checking on the field to be sure it was mowed I stopped by to chat with a few of the bystanders watching the demolition of the grade school. It's good and cheap entertainment for many of the grade school students.
While there, I couldn't help but wonder about this sign:
Notice, if you will, that although the sign only mentions the right lane it is placed in the middle of the street. I suppose, technically, it is correct, though it isn't very precise. I'm a stickler for such details and find such things humorous.In just a short time I'm going to have lunch with one of our high school teachers and then begin training one of our servers to be a "super server" of sorts and a Master of Ceremonies.
Does God exist?
This short video relates an episode in the life of the great physicist, Albert Einstein:
Capello tip to Patrick Madrid.
Capello tip to Patrick Madrid.
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