Deacon Brian…
It is a time for new. New church year. New secular year. New start. New outlook. New angle on timeless wisdom and truth.
We are in the Christmas Season and will soon return briefly to Ordinary Time before we enter the Lenten Season. During this season in the Prayer of the Church, The Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Prayer presents a beautiful compact psalm prayer. It capsulizes this time of year, while looking ahead to the beauty and newness of the rest of our year…
Lord, you have renewed the face of the earth.
Your church sings you a new song, announcing your wonders to all.
Through a virgin, you have brought forth a new birth in our world;
Through your miracles, a new power;
Through your suffering, a new patience;
In your resurrection, a new hope; and
In your ascension, new majesty.
Everyone is welcome to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, particularly Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. It is easier than ever to join in the unified prayer of the church that rolls around the world. It fulfills our desire to pray without ceasing as a church. Free online websites and apps are readily available. In addition to the beautiful psalms, canticles, and the rhythm of hymns, prayers like the one above are waiting for you to stop, rest, and ponder. Take your time and savor each line.
Happy New Year!
Our Brian and our Maggie were young when Eric Clapton’s 1992 song was released describing his sorrow over loosing his toddler son Conor in a tragic accident. The song was playing on the radio in the car and I found myself explaining life, death, heaven, and hell to my 8 and and 6 year old without much preparation. Clapton poses a lot of questions to his departed son trying to find out what heaven is like. He implies Conor will be there, but maybe not dad. One thing he gets spot on: No more tears in heaven.
Current false societal messaging is: Evil is good and Good is evil. Also false belief: Road to Heaven is wide (just be a good person) and road to Hell is narrow (you have to do something really really really bad to go there). Just not true. During this Advent season, we think of our relatives that have gone before us…ones of whom we have fond warm Christmas memories. Not having them with us now makes us reflective, sorrowful. These, like Clapton’s, are treasured sorrows because they are founded firmly on love. We dream about being together with them some day. Author Ralph Martin looks to a doctor for help in this area…one of the few Doctors of the Church: the captivating St. Catherine of Siena…
[T]he union and love that we had for one another in this life [will be] gloriously manifested and perfected in heaven. The Father tells Catherine that the particular relationships we had on earth, insofar as they were in the Lord, will actually increase in depth of intimacy and love in heaven. Friendships, [parent-child relationships], and marriages that were lived in and with Jesus will be “saved” and indeed prove to be a love that is truly “forever.”…We will not only recognize one another in heaven, but know and love each other even more!…Not only do souls know and love each other even more fully in heaven, they [also] don’t stop knowing and loving people still here on earth. We are not alone. We are loved.*
Catherine’s special mission as Doctor of the Church is to teach the biblical worldview that is found in Scripture…she states that we choose our own destiny , that as each person dies he or she actually rushes to where they want to be* based on the life they have led. She does not pull punches, she lays it on the line: Heaven is the light of love with Jesus and our loved ones beyond our imagination; Hell is real and darkness followed in this world will lead to it; God is full of love and mercy, that’s why Purgatory exists…so the imperfect can become perfect and enter the incredible glory of heaven with the ones we love.
Heavy stuff. I know. Not your usual warm and fuzzy holiday muzak. But it is so right to reflect on this as we await the imminent arrival of the One who makes all things new. The One whose life we can live in…to get us to where we want to be…with whom we want to be. Suggestions: 1) COME TO KNOW JESUS INTIMATELY; 2) Pray for the souls in Purgatory daily…THEY NEED YOU; and 3) Love deeply.
Watch for Lord Teach Me to Pray sessions starting for men and women at St. Francis in late January 2019 to guide you to a depth and intimacy with Jesus you did not know possible.
*The above excerpts are from Fulfillment of All Desire, Ralph Martin, 2006 pp.58-61.
…Deacon Brian
This is a question a pastor posed to his congregation. He required all church ministries to pose to themselves at their meetings. He wanted to create some “divine discomfort” by forcing the faithful to really look at what they do…are they about making friends…or making disciples? He recognized that making friends to form community is critical to Christian ministry, but he went on to say if making disciples is not your #1 mission, disband your ministry. Sounds kinda harsh! Let’s take a closer look…
A clubhouse is where we go for social interaction, play cards/bingo, get ready or rest after golf or tennis, have a couple drinks/eat, laugh…all enjoyable things. A motherhouse is where we get fed and receive instructions before we go out to serve Christ. Mother Teresa would participate in Mass, silently pray in Adoration, eat with the sisters, dispense resources, and go out. Like Jesus, much more of her time was spent “on the road”. Jesus gave us a “twofer” when asked what is the greatest commandment: Love God and Love Neighbor. He sent the disciples out two by two. He gives us two affirmative instructions in the Gospels: “Do this (Eucharist) in memory of me” and “Go make disciples”. Many of us struggle with the second one…we feel unqualified. Here are some suggestions that may assist you:
Join a St. Francis Ministry – Our ministry fair recently showcased our many wonderful ministry opportunities. Join one! We estimate that less than 10% of our parishioners are actively part of a ministry…
Pray / Ask to Make Disciples – Start every ministry meeting (and your own personal day) with prayer. Off the cuff, Holy-Spirit-led prayers are welcome! Maybe that all that you think, say, and do are aimed to satisfy two desires: 1) for all ministry members to increase in holiness and 2) make disciples of Jesus Christ. Then ask yourselves when presented with your next ministry action or event: “How is this helping to make disciples?”
Change Your Name – Words and names are powerful. Consider changing the name of your ministry to project a more outward looking, proactive purpose. For example, the “Men’s Club” could be changed to “The Men of St. Francis” to identify less as an internal group and more as an external mission connected to a great saint.
Personally Ask Another to Join You – It’s easy to think we are effectively communicating by sending a group emails or making group appeal in a speech. Its also easy to hide from these group appeals. It’s known as the Bystander Effect which is our proven tendency to think someone else will do the work. Personally invite someone you see at Mass to join your ministry. Personally call someone and invite. Even a one-on-one personal voicemail can be effective. Here’s the thing: Deep down, they are waiting to be asked.
The most awesome event will soon take place. The birth of Our Savior. Our God will become one of us. As we come down the homestretch of this momentous, watchful, introspective time of the year, what will truly change in your life? Be a disciple. Go make disciples.
…from Deacon Tom
The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept His offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. *
I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting Him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.**
These are inspiring words by Pope Francis for this Advent season. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we must understand He was born both into our world 2000+ years ago and into our life the day we were reborn (baptized) into His Body.
To believe that the Son of God assumed our human flesh means that each human person has been taken up into the very heart of God. ***
Advent is an invitation to communion with God in Jesus.
So this Advent make a resolve to:
Be more Joyful – Knowing that God is closer to you than you are to yourself.
Pray more – Communicate constantly with the Source of your life and joy.
Read the Scriptures – Find your special place in the Word of God.
When Christmas comes and you sing with our choir “Joy To The World” it will be a confirmation of your Christianity and Jesus’ unconditional, eternal and joyful love of your entire being.
The Joy of the Gospel is Jesus.
The Joy of Jesus is you!
Deacon Tom Healy
Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium), Apostolic Exhortation
* Paragraph 1
** Paragraph 3
*** Paragraph 178
…from Sandy Pineault
Chairing this event and working towards a common goal with so many parishioners gave me a perfect opportunity to experience first hand what we at St. Francis are all about. The simplicity of St. Francis, as we pursued a common goal and strived to make it the best ever, and the loving heart of Jesus, which I see beats strong and clear in each of us through what we are to each other was clear.
I see how we have matured in our message making our worship home a sanctuary for all, newcomer and familiar faces both. One of our Parishioners says that each time she enters St. Francis she feels as if she is coming home. What a statement!!
I wish to deeply thank each of you who rose to the occasion bringing your craft and culinary skills to a higher level than you thought you could. I never heard the word “no” when asking for help in any way. Lyndan Maron’s graphic skills inspired our title and we helped sharpened our vision. We dreamed big and the Lord took us all the way to success. Three generations of one of our families created lovely jewelry providing an example of our family ministry. Another grandmother worked with her granddaughter to do other crafts. Our men provided more inspiration and the strength to lift heavy objects showing what we can do when we are more than one. Enthusiasm permeated everything we did and coffee and goodies from our bakers kept our hands and hearts nourished. One of our confirmation children made help-
ing us one of his volunteer ministries.
Many people coming to this event had never seen our St. Francis before and were touched by the simplicity and beauty of our building, and dare I say, our welcoming hearts. We were and are more than selling items to fund our parish, so much more.
Bless you crafters, everything we put forth was made by our hands and that included the beautiful wooden trees that were made just for us. Bless you, those who so beautifully created the table settings for those crafts. We amazed even ourselves. Bless all our volunteers. Bless you all for your patience as we tried new systems of organizing, procedures, and the like and for filling our evaluation forms now.
Thank you, Deacon Brian, for your touching benediction as we went forth. Thank you, Father Rafal, for your kind appreciation and the news that next year it is more than likely that our Christmas Vintage event will take place in our very own PAVILION! The proceeds of the event resulted in the first donation to that cause: $4,631.25!!!
Finally and so importantly, thank you Cathy McKnight, our Events Chairperson with whom I worked so closely to create something new that could be built upon each year. Blessings and gratitude to Pat Deacon, who has accepted the chair for 2019!! We continue to dream big, for the Lord and St. Francis – and us together – will make it happen.
I came back to my pew to pray my penance the other day at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Light streamed through the beautiful stained glass window showing Jesus revealing The Eucharist at the Last Supper. Soft Gregorian chant wafted up arches, columns, and transepts, deepening the searching examination of waiting penitents. I put down the heavy ancient kneeler, knelt, and my hand embraced the cool brass of a donor’s nameplate on top of the pew. The brass was so worn (and shiny) from decades of pilgrims, that I could not make out the name…no…wait…if I lean down and the light hits it just right…yea…I can barely made it out:
”Gertrude Lopez – Died April 20, 1935”
A lot went through my head. First, I thought of how our neighbor, energetic 81-year-old Gertrude B., tells us her story of being a 7-year-old displaced German citizen put in a refugee camp for two years. GET THIS: The knock on the front door would come every April 20th, Adolph Hitler’s birthday. The Nazis would enter and inspect each house to make sure every occupant had fresh flowers in front of Hitler’s picture which was required to be framed and posted in a place of honor throughout the year. Can you imagine!? Gertrude B. flies the American flag every day from her house across the street from ours and passionately assures us that we live in the greatest country on earth.
Next, I thought of my daughter Maggie’s religion teacher from years back: Father Richard Lopez. His dad was Cuban and his Mom was Irish (what a combo!) and Father Lopez grew up on East 86th Street in Manhattan. He had a priest uncle who was a “legend” at spreading the Catholic church out to the growing suburbs of Long Island. Sixty years later, Fr. Lopez went out to Long Island to see the many churches his uncle helped build and ask about his memory. But no one remember him. No one. Father Lopez then told us group of deacons in formation this: “In your ministry, you will be forgotten, but your impact on souls will be forever”. Wow. I will never forget this.
So, Gertrude Lopez, your name may soon be wiped entirely smooth from this Basilica pew nameplate, but your donation of treasure to help build this place of soaring stones to Heaven had eternal impact on me today. You gave me a sacred place 83 years after you left, for me to receive the grace of God’s mercy, cleanse my soul, and pray for your soul…
We have been blessed at St. Francis to be home to three weddings in the past year! Inquiries are increasing from couples seeking information about having their wedding here in our inviting worship space. The Sacrament of Matrimony is a sacred and special time in our church: A time for celebration, joy, and a time for us as a faith community to show our hospitality. It can be a key time through our show of this hospitality to welcome back wedding party and invited guests that have been away from the church or invite those of another denomination or faith to “take a look”. We do this through Truth and Beauty.
Many of you participated in Wedding Ministries at your former parishes and you know what at joy it is to calm the nerves of a jittery bride, invite the wedding party in to a deeper celebration through prayer, and make sure the processional flow and logistics are just right. Please come join us in this new ministry. Two Wedding Ministry members form a team to serve at each wedding to:
- WELCOME: Contact Couple Six Months Before Wedding to Warmly Welcome and Answer Initial Questions
- PLAN: Meet with Couple Two to Four Months Before Wedding to Discuss Plans for Ceremony: Readings, Flowers, Procession, Devotions
- REHEARSE: Be with Wedding Party at Rehearsal (usually evening before the wedding) to Walk through Ceremony Logistics with Priest or Deacon
- ASSIST: On the Wedding Day, Assist Church Set-up, Bride Preparation, Procession Flow, Flower Delivery, Photographer Positioning to Make a Beautiful Day!
Above all, the Wedding Ministry’s main job is to show the faces of Jesus and Mary to our guests here at St. Francis.
If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful new ministry, please contact me directly at deaconbrian@stfrancisyulee.org or 678.491.6646.
In only three weeks it will be Advent! It’s hard to believe this season will be here that fast! Question is…what season will it be for you? Advent is a time to get ready and be watchful. It’s not the time to celebrate. It’s a time to contemplate: The coming of our Lord in the flesh. The Incarnation. God becoming man. We hear this fact fairly often and it tends to just wash over us…become parish muzak. The reason why we really need the full 3 ½ weeks of Advent to prepare is because the subject matter is so literally awesome. Just think how mind-blowing it really is: God, the master of the universe, wanted to connect with us so badly that He became one of us. The Creator became the created. Christianity is the only religion in the world where God becomes one of us. Stop reading…just think about this…
The reason to think about how you want to spend your Advent so early is that if you don’t, the secular / material world will hijack Advent on you once again. You will arrive on Christmas day after being swept along by the tide of commercial blitzing, the flood of way-too-early celebrations, and the firehose of consumption. These are the exact things not to be doing to get ready for the arrival of the One who will save you. I’m not being a killjoy here, you should celebrate…after He arrives and continue celebrating during the following weeks of the Christmas season. When you gather before Christmas, it should be with exciting anticipation, like the best thing in your life is about to happen. It would like someone doing an end zone celebration…before the kickoff. Players don’t do that because they are focused and anticipating at the right time.
Our consumer society has us programmed to have the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Party and buy, buy, buy until Christmas. Then we deflate right when we are supposed to inflate and be joyful and triumphant! It takes a willful approach to resist the secular programming of Christmas imposed on us…to choose the grace-filled calendar Of God’s Church over the make-it-or-break-it calendar of the retail gods. That’s why we need to recognize right now is the “advent of Advent”. So we can “prepare for the Preparation” and “watch-out for threats to our Watch”. Think now how God desires you to spend the Advent season. Maybe get your Advent reflection booklet or online emails set up now. Fast…not the speed kind, the cutting back kind of fast. This is a downer to many, but a way the mystics of our Church would get ready for the King’s arrival. Fasting can be cutting back on food, internet viewing, shopping…anything that distracts our prayer. The world will want to fill you up in the coming weeks with its stuff…so there’s no room left. Consider choosing a life-giving alternative, one with eternal joy, not temporary pleasure. Get ready to empty out, get ready to prepare… a Baby is coming…the most amazing Person in your life…
We are profoundly grateful to our veterans for protecting us from harm and preserving our precious freedom. They are prepared, for us, to make the ultimate sacrifice of their human life so that we may live. Sound familiar? Our veterans are called to service for something greater, better, beyond self. From all of us at St. Francis, THANK YOU!
Our recent ministry fair presented us with ways that we can serve the greater good of our parish, the Catholic Church, and the world. Giving of one’s self to others helps others, yes, but it also gives the volunteer an opportunity to increase holiness. Sometimes we fall into the mindset that if I am a pretty good person, go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, and give (a little) to the church, I will be OK. We “punch our ticket” thinking that will get us to the Destination. The beauty and challenge of our faith is that it is about transformation. Transformation is continuous and filled with hope. Thank God! This transformation is not achieved alone or by some home study course. It is planted in pray and grown in community and out in the world. This transformation, our goal, is to become Christ-like with others.
We are blessed to have beautiful liturgies at St. Francis: reverent Masses, meaningful homilies, and inspiring music that inspires and deepens the Message. But then what? Do we just come to get fed…to feel good? Do we do anything with the power of this feeling and nourishment? Do we serve…go make disciples as Jesus urged? Or do we just punch our ticket and go home?
Many of us have this sense that we should be doing something more. Please pray…really take time and be still and quietly pray…whether you are being prompted by the Holy Spirit to do something for God’s kingdom here on earth. Don’t make it complicated. Consider this: Volunteer for one ministry, one hour a week, for one year. My guess is that you will feel less like you are getting your ticket punched. You will also meet some great people, know you are doing God’s work, and…be transformed.
We missed you all! Mary Pat and I just came back from a full month in France. We’ve always wanted to spend more time in a different country to soak in the language, cuisine, history and…culture. The French cherish their culture and protect it. That’s a good thing for us to have such beauty to experience and to strengthen our Catholic faith. Having Maureen, Mary Pat’s gracious sister, live in Paris, helped the budget! We spent weeks one and four in Paris and weeks two and three traveling: South to Provence (think…joie de vie markets in the center of Medieval villages), Southwest to Languedoc Roussilion (think…battles with church enemy the Cathars and picturesque landscapes), West to The Dordogne (think…duck and foie gras!), and Bordeaux (think…wine of course!). Writer Rick Steve’s describes traveling as “intensified living” since you experience so many new different things with heightened awareness. Having this much time away in a different beautiful place can help us discern our lives, sort things out, listen to God, or just plain empty out.
France is known as “the eldest sister” of the Catholic Church because it where the church first spread throughout Europe. France is now experiencing resurgence in church attendance and involvement, especially in main cities like Paris. It is noticeable to see the increase in young adults and families at Mass, as well as many new young French priests. The resurgence began in reaction to the legalization of same sex marriage. It was young adults, who are accepting of same sex attracted friends that made a distinction that the same sex marriage cannot be covenantal, not Biblical, and not consistent with French culture centered on the family. Interestingly, preservation of French culture is at the top of the list for the government also. While the government does not promote religion, it does provide huge tax incentives for married couples to have children. Incentives are substantial when families have four or more children, so…we saw many young families with four or more children!
Another Catholic resurgence was very visible: The restoration of the beautiful churches in Paris. Almost every church has been scrubbed to a gleaming luster or has the scaffolding embracing them in the process. Again, the government reasons it’s assisting the preservation of Frenchness by preserving not “churches”, but “cultural treasures”. The one picture here is the beautiful Eglise Sainte-Trinité, Holy Trinity Church, undergoing an ambitious renovation with the mayor of Paris” billboard in front proudly displaying the city’s funding of the project. Some believe the polishing of these immense bastions of Christian presence in every neighborhood is a counter to terrorist attack on the French way of life. He other picture is a poster in the narthyx of a smaller church saying “Each Day The Church Gives Without Counting” with a dad getting a special blessing as the savvy French daughter in the center draws you in…
It is always good to be back in the US. Back to this beautiful part of our great country, the United States of America. Back to our St. Francis family! I will miss those buttery croissants, cafe at the tabacs, baguettes to die for, creamy chocolate chaud, hearty tartare du boeuf avec frites, incredible museums, dreamy Impressionist paintings, sitting for hours at a sidewalk café slowly sipping a drink and just watching it all. Some of these cultural treasures I hope to continue here. The main take away I bring back is…Savor. Take time. Savor life. Take time. Savor our faith. Maybe that’s why the words “Savor” and “Savior” are so close…
Our Spirituality Ministry exists to provide you with direction in attaining the beatific vision. Our many resources take into consideration that each of us travels our own personal path of transformation.
Growing in holiness begins with recognizing a need for conversion on our part. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we seek forgiveness and “firmly resolve with the help of God’s grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin”.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Confession on a regular basis increases awareness of one’s sins, including venial, which need to progressively disappear for a more intimate relationship with God.
We also build our relationship with God through prayer. “Prayer and Christian life are inseparable (CCC 2757). Scripture tells us we are to “pray constantly” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “But we cannot pray ‘at all times’ if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it…” (CCC 2697)
Prayer at St. Francis of Assisi
The Mass * Eucharistic Adoration* The Rosary * Divine Mercy Chaplet Email Prayer Chain for Emergency Prayer Requests Personal, weekly, specific Prayer Hour for those named in our bulletin
Carter was diagnosed with Prune Belly Syndrome while in the womb. The doctor recommended the parent abort him. The parents refused and proceeded with the pregnancy. After birth, Carter was also diagnosed with
urinary problems and hydrocephalus, among other difficulties. He has had over 30 surgeries (including brain surgery) in his three short years, and through everyone’s prayers has improved after each surgery. He goes to
water exercises and has a wheel chair that he loves to spin around in..He’s almost the poster child for Prune Belly Syndrome because the doctors have learned so much about the illness by helping Carter improve. Right
now, he’s having his yearly evaluation. So far, he’s passed everything with flying colors. Carter’s family is very grateful for continued prayers.
Sandy Starek
…this gives us an excellent opportunity to sit quietly, pray for those needing prayers, and reflect on our relationship with God. In these busy times, we don’t do this enough and we welcome it. The up-lifting feeling after each hour is wonderful. We highly recommend it. Doug and Ellen Murray
Opportunities for Spiritual Growth
Men’s Bible Study * Faith Study * Women’s Book Club
I have been spiritually nourished and strengthened in faith by attending the studies that have been offered each winter and I feel truly blessed to have met such wonderful, faith-filled members of St. Francis’ parish family through this ministry. I look forward to returning in January. Marie Walter (part-time resident)
“Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ” St Jerome. In order to get to know Jesus and God better and to have a compass in my life to keep me on the right path, I think, I and we need to study scripture and read books by those who have a deeper understanding of theology, spirituality and faith. Lorraine Carson
Chapel Access for Personal Prayer
Access is provided for registered parishioners.
We invite you to participate in any of the above opportunities.
You are truly on the path to the beatific vision when your time, energy, and thoughts are centered on conforming your will to God’s will.
….from Ellen Harper.
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus asks the rich young man, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good.” There’s a two-fold message here.
First, if the young man truly believes that Jesus is good and that his teachings are good (and wasn’t merely trying to win him over with flattery), and if he has observed his miracles and sinless life, then it should be obvious to him that all this goodness is proof that Jesus is God.
Secondly, Christ’s question offers the young man an opportunity to become more humble. If he truly believes what Jesus says, then he should realize that since only God is good, no one else, including himself, obeys the commandments perfectly. Such a realization should have opened his heart to the truth that Jesus explains next:
“There’s only one thing keeping you from being holy like God: earthly attachments. To gain freedom from this world and possess only what belongs to the kingdom of God share your treasures.”
He’s saying this to all of us, but he’s not telling us to become destitute. To “give up” everything we possess means being willing to give it away. If it’s a good thing for us to have because it blesses us, God does want us to enjoy it, but true joy comes from being God’s partner as a distributor of his wealth. It’s the fullest way to live! And we are all called to live this way.
If we remain attached to earthly stuff, we distance ourselves from God and hurt those who would benefit from our generosity. However, to achieve complete freedom from attachments, we cannot rely only on our own efforts. It’s often very difficult to let go and become willing to share everything.
The good news is that Jesus made it possible by taking our sins to the cross and sharing with us his own Holy Spirit, who empowers us to do whatever he asks of us. Our lives on earth become more fulfilling when we dare to share. The more we give to others in a spirit of love, the more we receive the treasures of heaven. Indeed, we become one of heaven’s treasures!
© 2018 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources, www.catholicdr.com. Printed by permission.
…from Beth Jurovcik.
Can you imagine life without music? I can’t! What does music mean to you? What does music in the worship service mean to you? I live by this quote, “To Sing is to Pray Twice”. My thought is this. Music is a way to express yourself. It’s a way to connect with others and with God. Music is a universal language. It evokes an emotion. The choir has heard me say, “I pray that through our music and lyrics, we will reach at least one person today, to open their hearts and mind to receive you.”
So, what songs really touch your heart? What songs do you find your- self humming or singing? Any of these come to mind; “Amazing Grace”, “It is Well with My Soul”, “Jesus Loves Me”, “Kum Ba Yah” (Come by Here), “Holy Ground”, “Soon and Very Soon”, “Softly and Tenderly”, “Were You There”, “Sacred Silence”, “Sing to the Mountains”, “Canticle of the Sun”, “Go Make a Difference”, “Your Grace is Enough”, “Ave Maria”, “Be Not Afraid”, “How Can I keep from Singing”, “How Great Thou Art”, “On Eagle’s Wings”, “One Bread, One Body”, “Jesus, Remember Me”, “Your Words are Spirit and Life”…and so on. Did any of these songs resonate with you?
I would like to invite you to join us in leading worship through music. You are a singing congregation! And this is wonderful. I love playing and hearing your voices. I love playing “Sacred Silence” and hearing the children’s voices. I believe God has charged me to encourage people to sing and play their instruments to the Glory of God, to teach people how to worship through music, and to invite all into worship through music. So, with that said, I invite you to keep singing strong. If you want to join the music ministry, come rehearse with us.
Children’s Choir (PreK through Gr 7) meets on Sundays after the 9:30 am mass. Instrumentalists meet on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and the Choir, Gr 8 through adults (I really need to come up with more creative names for these groups) meets on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. If you would like to see something added to the music ministry, come talk with me and let me know how you are willing to help make that happen by getting involved. I hope to continue to see new faces joining us. You can always reach me via email at music@stfrancisyulee.org
“FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE”
…from Pat Janco.
St. Francis has a variety of opportunities for those wishing to share their time, talents or treasures with those in need. Charitable works are woven throughout the tapestry of our various ministries here at St. Francis. Anyone
interested can join in any of our group ministries and find a cause dear to their hearts. We welcome those interested in working on projects, those who have specific talents and those who prefer to donate food or material goods as well as financial donations. Here are a few of the charitable activities the Charity Ministry is involved in:
Gracie’s is an interfaith dinner network which provides hot meals to the homeless, single parents, senior citizens, military veterans, the disabled and low-wage workers. Every 2nd and 3rd Thursday (5-7:00 p.m.) our St. Francis team cleans, cooks and serves meals to over 200 guests. Meals are provided to those who choose to eat in our dining room or to those who transport meals to “shut-ins”, or additional family members who have no transportation.
Soles 4 Souls (located in Gracie’s dining room): This was started when one of our volunteers observed children without shoes and socks coming in to eat in Gracie’s dining room. Soon after, we were collecting donations of socks and flip flops of all sizes and genders for those in need. Men’s work socks are always needed.
Gracie’s Pet Corner – The Pet Corner began in an effort to encourage guests to eat their full dinners instead of taking part of their food home to feed their pets. With donations from our congregation, we are able to provide supplemental pet food for our guests’ dogs and cats.
Heart2Heart – This Ministry sends greeting cards to those who are ill, recovering from surgery, needing encouragement or just celebrating a milestone event. We have our own artists who create these special “one-of-a-kind” cards. Comforting messages which are included inside the cards have generated many grateful responses. If you know of someone who needs a card, please send their name, address (if you have it) along with the general reason for the card to charities@stfrancisyulee.org
Blood Drive – Our blood drive is held every 8 weeks in the St. Francis parking lot. Coordinators will be in the Narthex a few weeks prior to the drive to assist with registrations. Registration and blood drive dates will appear in the bulletin as well.
Other Ministries at St. Francis include the Men’s Club, Women’s Activities and Respect life and are all involved in a wide variety of charitable activities. Some activities are seasonal and others happen throughout the year and are combined within ministries. These activities offer an excellent opportunity to meet others and form social connections with volunteers. All donations are greatly appreciated. For your convenience, collection
boxes are provided in the Narthex as you enter the church.
Come and be a part of our Ministry Fair Weekend of October 20-21
All the ministries will be represented.
It’s true what I have heard for years. Being grandparents is a blast!
This is a picture of my grandson Rocco and my granddaughter Evey with Deacon Peepaw after Mass at St. Francis a few weeks ago. Evey is the “New Eve”, our Mother Mary. She feels deeply, and, as Scripture tells us about Our Lady, she “ponders many things in her heart”. I know we all think our grandkids are special, but Evey is special. She is funny, perceptive, compassionate, and very loving. I think she will be able to do most anything that she chooses, including the most important thing, being a great mom someday. Rocco is a little bull in a china shop. He careens off cabinets, runs into walls, and never stops moving. He’s already had a tooth knocked out, what a smile! Rocco is the Rock, Peter Headstrong, determined and loving, falls down and picks himself up. He leads the way with that smile. I am also now aware that the Feast of St. Rocco is August 16.
Jesus speaks to us in parables to help us more easily understand how to get to heaven. Probably the most powerful “prop” Jesus uses in teaching is in Matthew 18 when the disciples ask, “who is the greatest in heaven”? Jesus places a child in the midst of them. He then says unequivocally: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven, period!” More than innocence, Jesus is calling
us to have complete dependence and total trust in God, just like Rocco and Evey have for their Mama and Dada.
Jesus then moves from prop mode to direct blunt communication mode when he continues: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” This refers to little kids being corrupted, but also to you, me, seminarians, volunteers and all who are exploited in any way as we are seeking to follow Jesus. Sounds like Jesus is calling for zero tolerance to me.
This idea of being a little child was a focal point in Mother Teresa’s prayer life. Step 1 for Mother was always silence. Next step, was to be like a little child. Here’s her guidance to us: “How do you pray? You should go to God like a little child. A child has no difficulty expressing his or her mind in simple words that say so much. A child has not yet learned to tell lies, he or she will tell everything. This is what I mean by being childlike.” Rocco can’t wait to talk. He wants it so badly, and I can’t wait for Peter’s loyal words to come out of him. Evey is a testament of what Mother Teresa says is true. She speaks what is in her head and on her heart. No filter. Help me Jesus, to let them teach me to speak to you!
This reflection is an adaptation of Deacon Brian’s homily delivered two weeks ago.[spacer height=”-15px”]
Current scandals make it challenging to be a Catholic today. My immediate reaction to them was Anger. Then a member of our parish family helped get me get from Anger to Acceptance. And just so you know, Acceptance is not that you like or approve of terrible things that have happened. Acceptance is the clear recognition of what has happened, followed by a sincere attempt to be part of the solution. My friend asked me: “Where does Satan do his best work?” That’s when it clicked. Satan goes to the weakest where he can do the most damage; to the proudest with the most power where he can most destroy the good work of his archenemy Jesus Christ.
The current scandals are a diabolical masterpiece severely compromising what Pope Benedict called the 3 Great Tasks of our Church: Our Worship has been distracted, our Service to the Poor reduced due to billions in payouts, and our evangelization rejected.
Jesus tells us perfectly in Mark 7:21-23, how and where Evil operates. It doesn’t matter if it’s Pharisees, Cardinals, Bishops, Parishes, or our own homes. Satan attacks from within. That’s where he defiles from within our hearts and within the heart of our church. Jesus gives us a catalogue of moral violations, tailor fit to the current situation: evil thoughts, unchastity, adultery, greed, malice,
deceit, envy, arrogance, folly, and that big word licentiousness which Webster’s dictionary defines as perversion in sexual matters. You may ask, so what now?
Even if I get to this Acceptance, what can I do? Take your first cue from a soldier turned saint. St. Ignatius of Loyola, who urges you to “Pray like everything depends on God and Act like everything depends on you”.
Here are some suggested Dos and Don’ts.
Do make your voice heard. Take Bishop Estevez up on his invitation to you in his recent letter. He asked that you help him be accountable during this challenging time. Reach out to him and tell him you support the initiative he and his brother bishops are now considering, to set up an independent laity-led
team to get to investigate all these matters. This does 2 important things: 1) It will get to The Truth, the Truth will set us free, and 2) it will protect those who should be protected from false charges. Do follow the example of our patron St. Francis of Assisi. Our modern day portrayals make him soft, but make no mistake, he was a trouble-maker for the corrupt church power structure of his time! Hear now as he heard then, God’s plea: Rebuild my church! Do pray to the Holy Spirit especially for the victims whose lives have been damaged forever and to give an extra measure of strength for all good and dedicated priests and bishops who bless us every day.
Now for the don’ts. Don’t give up and don’t be passive. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing. Seize this moment. Now is not the time to leave, now is the time to lead! Don’t be disheartened, angry, or distracted by more damaging news sure to come. Passionately pursue the Truth and nothing but the Truth. Don’t lower the bar on your own response to God’s call to be holy. Holiness has always resided most in the laity!
Remember that Jesus is King and Mary is Queen Mother. These are not just “feel-good” regal titles. These are the titles of warrior leaders in our Spiritual battle. Sisters and brothers, right now, Mary is not weeping. Mary is sweeping! I urge you not to be passive, rise up to defeat The Enemy and clean
our home, the church.
One day, after celebrating Mass in 1886, the aged Pope Leo XIII was speaking with the Cardinals when suddenly he sank to the floor in a deep swoon. Physicians could find no trace of his pulse and thought he had died. The Pope soon came to and exclaimed: “Oh,what a horrible picture I have been permitted to see!” He had been shown a vision of evil spirits who had been released from Hell in their efforts to destroy the Church. But in the midst of this horror he also saw the archangel St. Michael cast Satan and his legions into hell. Pope Leo XIII composed the following prayer to St. Michael. Now seems to be a very good time for us to pray this original version.
O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel,defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan. Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already you have fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist you, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.
These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.
Arise then, Oh, invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate you as their protector and patron; in you holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to you has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do you again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
The recent shock of sex abuse findings and cover-ups in Pennsylvania and the systematic sexual violations of seminarians and priests by Theodore McCarrick really, really rocked me. How was this missed the first time around? How did this man in such high church power pull this off? Maybe I just answered my own question. Get ready, more to come.
I went through five years of diaconate formation not too long after the first scandal. We were the ones taking the continued bullets and cutting remarks from family and strangers on our “pedophile church”. I had the responses: “The Catholic Church is the big target everyone wants to hit”; “It’s no different than any other church or institution”; “It’s only a few bad apples”. That may have been valid the first scandal, but they don’t cut the mustard the second time. Admittedly, many good controls were put in place during the last 15 years and the instances of abuse have dramatically decreased. We emerging deacons were ready to take the bullets because we felt that we were part of the renewal. Along with holy veteran priests and good seasoned deacons, along with incredibly good young men coming out of the seminary, we were called to proclaim the new evangelization and bring people back to Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.
I was recently reminded of the five stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. Thinking about these helped me understand my reactions to the devastating scandal news. I went right to Anger mode and am still, quite frankly, in it when I am not drifting into Depression. Some of you know that I have been struggling and have been kind and patient in understanding my emotions. Thank you. I seem to be stuck in them and I don’t like it because I am a solution oriented person.
Some Deny that these scandals are a big deal. They say that it is just people looking for money or that it will pass in time. That reaction is OK to start, but if you stay there, I think you become part of the cover up. I think this is our 9/11 and the world will change forever. I hope so. My anger is appropriate I am told. It’s personal. After all, someone attacked my body, our body! The Body of Christ! You attacked and violated my loved one! Bargaining occurs when we say it’s not that bad, or these were old cases, or that I am leaving, or that I am going to stop giving money, or… Depression is real and valid and we pray that we don’t lose hope. I know that I have to get to Acceptance to move on and be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Accepting doesn’t mean I approve or like what happened; it means I recognize that these evil acts were planned and destroyed innocent people where they should have been loved most. Now, move on and serve. These grief stages are not linear, we can experience
them in different orders, and there is no time min/max time in any of them.
It’s time to take care of Our Body. The Body. Our bishop is committed and has asked that we keep him accountable. Let’s take him up on this! Jesus tells us in the Gospel today that “All these evils come from within and defile”. Well, let’s dig deep within and cleanse, pray, and love again. The five stages mentioned above usually apply to loss in death, but they can help us identify and cope with the Bodily pain we are now in and remember: He’s alive!
There is no better way to finish out our August, John 6 gospel accounts of Jesus truly present in the Eucharist than this 1955 letter from the gifted and feisty Catholic American writer Flannery O’Connor: “I was once, five or six years ago, taken by some friends to have dinner with Mary McCarthy and her husband, Mr. Broadwater. (She just wrote that book, A Charmed Life). She departed the Church at the age of 15 and is a Big Intellectual. We went at eight. I hadn’t opened my mouth once, there being nothing for me in such company to say.
The people who took me were Robert Lowell and his now wife, Elizabeth Hardwick. Having me there was like having a dog present that had been trained to say a few words but overcome with inadequacy had forgotten them. Well, the conversation turned on the Eucharist, which I, being the Catholic, was obviously supposed to defend. Mrs. Broadwater said when she was a child and received the Host, she thought of it as the Holy Ghost, He being the ‘most portable’ person of the Trinity; now she thought of it as a symbol and implied that it was a pretty good one. I then said, in a very shaky voice, ‘Well, if it’s a symbol, to hell with it!’
That was all the defense I was capable of, but I realize now that this is all I will ever be able to say about it, outside of a story, except that it is the center of existence for me; all the rest of life is expendable.” Thank you Flannery. I couldn’t have said it better!
When an organization goes through change (and they all do), many dynamics occur. Some organizations (business, family, churches) see the change coming, embrace it, and get ahead of it to prepare for a smooth-as-possible transition. Or they deny the change is coming or here, hope it goes away, and are knocked on their heels later on. People affected by organizational change generally do one of three things: 1) they become a part of the solution by being part of the change, 2) they quit, or 3) they quit and stay. The third choice is the most toxic and detrimental since the person who hangs around but hides and does not contribute to the life of an organization, helps kill it.
In our Gospel, Jesus reveals His True Presence today. He presents this fact in clear unequivocal language. The disciples are hearing this Truth for the first time. We will see in next week’s Gospel that they choose to stay and be a part of the solution by evangelizing. We will also see next week, others quit. The Gospel says “they returned to their former way of life” or “they scattered”. They just couldn’t take this “change” in the message they were hearing. Is it so neatly either/or when it comes to belief in Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist? That it falls into just two camps…everyone who comes to Mass either believes or doesn’t? I don’t think so.
Periodic studies always show some surprising percentage of Catholics who do not believe in Jesus’ Real Presence. For the ones who do not believe, but come to Mass, have they quit (trying to believe) and stayed? Some have. But there is another person that does not fit neatly into the organizational change buckets mentioned above. That’s the faithful person who wants (sometimes badly) to believe but just can’t seem to make the leap. What kind of encouragement can we give this person? Fake it until you make it? Bring the body and the mind will follow? These seem like hollow self-help slogans not fitting…No, I think speaking to another person about our personal experience with Jesus in the Eucharist is what helps transform them. That when the priest raises the Host…in an instant we see the Upper Room, Calvary, the Gates of Hell Opened, and the Open Tomb. That we look up above the altar and see All the Angels and Saints peer down on the altar at that moment. We experience that the church always gets extraordinarily quiet (ever notice, even babies get quiet?) and that we feel both part of His Family assembled and like His Only Child at the same time. As I take His Body into my body, I get to physically embrace Jesus. Jesus, as you pass my heart, heal me. Jesus, as you pass my heart, change me. Share with others something like that…
This is the line that would precede my parent’ s course of action when one of us eight kids did something“ unacceptable”. Not sure if any of us really saw it as a true learning experience, but it always did the trick…we would change our behavior so as not to have another “lesson”.
In the four Sunday Gospels in August, Jesus teaches us a lesson of His Real Presence in John 6. As Catholics, we should be ready to lovingly walk bible-based Christians and searching Catholics through John 6 to help them understand why Jesus is truly physically present in The Eucharist. Scripture is our common language and its conclusion is unequivocal.
Apologetics is the study of Bible passages, early church fathers’ writings, and The Catechism of the Catholic Church to help present a reason and/or defense for our faith. For many years, Catholics relied on learning Scripture by hearing it at Mass. We really didn’t study it. That has definitely changed. There are more Catholic bible study groups (here at St. Francis!) than ever before. Even better, more Catholics are in ecumenical bible studies with other Christians to share and deepen our common faith.
August is back to school month! In John 6, Jesus is our teacher. You are invited to read the Gospels (and all other readings and psalm) ahead of Mass. Keep these messages in mind as you sit in the classroom of silence and listen to Him:
August 4th – 5th: John 6:24-35. “MORE THAN MANNA”
August 11th -12th: John 6:41-51. “MURMUR MURMUR”
August 22nd -23rd: John 6:51-58. “IT’S REALLY ME”
August 29th – 30th: John 6:60-69. “SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?”
You can easily access all readings at the USCCB website if you wish. We are all called to continually learn our beautiful faith. Be the ready student…because when the student is ready, The Teacher will appear…
The original plan was for my son, Brian, and his wife,Lauren, to drive the 8 ½ hours from their home in New Orleans to drop off our grandson, Warren, for us to babysit for ten days while they went to Seattle for a combination training/fifth anniversary trip. (The picture of Warren is at Engineer, John Kennedy’s house, as they worked on the railroad together!) Lauren is graced to be pregnant with their second child…praise God! She has difficulty with long rides, so we decided to meet half-way on I-10 to pick up Warren. I got to thinking how half-way can be a solution, sometimes, but not always…
A problem shared is a problem halved. Old Proverb. I still wait way too long to share my problems with others. I don’t want to burden them or I think I should be able to do everything myself. It’s amazing how much lighter I feel, and what great feedback I get toward a solution, when I just share.
Half loaf is better than none. Old Proverb. I say this to people who don’t want to come late or leave a meeting late. Sometimes we get caught up in an “all or nothing” perfectionism and it can severely limit us. It’s always good to come before Mass starts and leave after the recessional hymn. Sometimes it’s impossible. If late, respectfully come in and sit down in between the readings and psalm, so as not to disturb those listening to God’s Word, and take your rightful place in our community!
Half measures availed us nothing. Alcoholic Anonymous p.59. When it comes to addiction and any unhealthy attachment, there is no almost or partial. The substance or attachment must be given up 100% for us to begin to heal.
Marriage is not a 50-50 partnership. Deacon Brian. It is 100-100. Once we start keeping a ledger in a sacred relationship, we are doomed. God gives us the grace in this beautiful sacrament; love sacrificially. This is what I share with couples preparing for marriage.
A lie can travel halfway around the world while truth is still putting its shoes on. Mark Twain. This is pronounced today with “subjective” self-defined truths about
one’s identity that have replaced objective God-given truths.
Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t and the other half is people who have nothing to say and keep saying it. Robert Frost. Can think about this quote for a while in many ways…
Half-truth is often a great lie. Ben Franklin. “… I have greatly sinned…in my…words…and in what I have failed to do…”
To be prepared is half the victory. Cervantes. The noted theologian Rabbi Abraham Heschel said “There is a day just as important as the Sabbath; it is the day before when we prepare for the Sabbath”. Prepare for and set your Sundays apart.
Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical. Yogi Berra. What can I say…?
If a man could have half his wishes, he would double his troubles. Ben Franklin. Watch what you pray for, you might get it. “Sufficient for today is its own evil”.
Mt 6:34
Why is there a “T” on the front of our ambo? It’s a cross that is usually made of wood and is often worn by Franciscan friars. Tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and was used symbolically in the Old Testament. “The Lord said to him, ‘Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over the abominations…’” Ez. 9:4. The Tau was the sign placed upon the foreheads of the poor of Israel to save them from extermination.
It was then adopted by the very first Christians for two reasons:
Omega: As the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Tau prophesied the Last Day and had the same function as the Greek letter Omega as it appears in the Book of Revelation: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life.” Rev. 21:6;22:13.
Cross: The Christians adopted the Tau because its form reminded them of the Cross on which Christ was sacrificed for the salvation of the world.
Because of the Tau’s resemblance to the cross, it was very dear to St. Francis of Assisi; it occupied an important place in his life and his gestures. In him, this ancient prophetic sign was actualized. It regained its saving power in him and expressed the beatitude of poverty, which is an essential element of the Franciscan way of life. St. Francis marked with the Tau seal the letters he sent. He began all of his actions with it. The Tau was his seal, the telltale sign of a deep spiritual conviction that the salvation of every man is only in the Cross of Christ. The Tau is backed by a solid biblical and Christian tradition. St. Francis took hold of this sign so completely and intensely that, at the end of his life and through the stigmata impressed in his flesh, he became the living image of the Tau that he had so often contemplated. The Tau Cross is made of wood because it is a simple and flexible material to reflect that we, as the children of God, are called to live simply and in poverty of spirit. Mt.5:3. Wood is a material that is easily crafted…as baptized Christians, we should strive to be shaped in everyday life by the Word of God. Get one and wear it around Yulee…it will help you to “preach the Gospel always, and when necessary, use words”.
One of my great joys in coming to St. Francis is meeting so many faithful current military personnel and veterans. Their love of God and faith in Him is so entwined with their love of our great country. A good friend of mine recently informed me that the only flag permitted to legally fly above the US flag aboard a Navy ship is the flag of Christ. See below. Proud of this information, I let another good veteran friend know that I was aware of this inspirational fact. He resolutely informed me that it is the only flag permitted to fly above the universe. Amen! St. Phillip Neri was a contemporary of St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 1500s. They both were soldiers in their hearts. They both yearned to travel…to be in the mission field and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. But they both had physical infirmities that impeded their ability to travel. Both were “stuck” in “desk jobs” in their religious orders in Rome and discerned this is where God was calling them to evangelize…and they did it with their full hearts. My friends’ inspirational comments about the flag of Christ flying above the US flag reminded me of the 10 ways to pursue sainthood by St. Phillip Neri…[spacer height=”-15px”]
The true servant of God acknowledges no other country but heaven.
The enemy, the devil, who fights to vanquish us, seeks to disunite us in our homes.
He who continues in anger, strife, and bitter spirit has a taste of the air of hell.
One of the most efficient ways of keeping ourselves sinless is to have compassion for those who fall.
There is nothing more dangerous to the spiritual life than to rule ourselves after our own way of thinking.
Hate no one. God never comes where there is no love of neighbors.
Be often reading the lives of saints for inspiration and instruction.
We mortify the flesh but we must also mortify the brain, which is the chief way we become sinners or saints.
Obtain humility through sincere and frequent confession.
A most excellent way to learn to pray is to say we are unworthy to pray and place our efforts entirely in the hands of the Lord.
Pro Deo et Patria
Many Catholics today view reality directly opposite to what Jesus taught us: They think the way to heaven is broad and many of us are cruising on the way to it; the road to hell is a really narrow path (if it exists at all) and hardly anyone is on it. Not so. Jesus clearly tells us that “the gate is wide the road is broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many. How narrow and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few”. Matthew 7:13-14
It’s always a good time for a basic review! The meaning of sin is not made up. It does not change with the times. It is defined by God and communicated to us through His Word and clarified by His Church. Just because times change, secular temptations increase, and public opinion lowers the bar on moral behavior, does not change what is and is not a sin. That is the beauty of Truth!
Inside and Outside. Jesus taught us sin can be both interior (choice of will alone) or exterior (choice of will carried into action), an example could be even looking at a woman lustfully. Matthew 5:28. A person who willfully desires to fornicate, steal, or murder has already seriously offended God by choosing interiorly what God has prohibited.
Mortal sins are the knowing and willful violation of God’s law in a serious matter. For example: idolatry, adultery, murder, or slander. These actions are gravely contrary to our loving God and, because of His creation, our neighbor. They are called mortal because they cause the spiritual death of the soul. They separate our soul from God—like the figure above shows. If we die without repenting, we lose Him for eternity. That’s where the incredible truth, beauty, and power of the Sacrament of Penance comes in. By humbly turning our hearts back to Him and receiving His Grace, we are restored to His friendship. See State of Grace above. We are not allowed to receive Communion if we have unconfessed mortal sins. We must be reconciled first, then fed.
Venial sins are slight sins. They injure, but do not break, our friendship with God. See above. They are acts of disobedience to the law of God in slight matters. If we gossip and destroy a person’s reputation, it’s a mortal sin. If we gossip about trivial matters, it’s a venial sin. Something that is otherwise a mortal sin (e.g., slander) may be only a venial sin in a particular case. The person may have been without reflection or acted under force of habit in need of correction. Because they did not fully intend the action, their guilt before God is reduced.
For those who are trying to be faithful, but sometimes fall, remember for a mortal sin to occur:
1) the act must be a serious matter
2) the person must know it is serious
3) the person must freely commit it.
All three
If you have not received the great Grace of Penance in a long while, come soon…God can’t wait to see you!
And remember: When we shoot for Heaven, God’s love and mercy provides us Purgatory should we fall short. When we live our lives shooting for Purgatory, the back up plan is not so good…
I know I am dating myself big time, but as a kid I couldn’t wait every week for actor Peter Graves to press the play button on the tape player and hear: “Good morning Mr. Phelps…” I’d listen to the intrigue for the upcoming episode of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE unfold. I’m not talking Tom Cruise movies; I’m talking vintage 1966-1973 television series stuff—cliff hanger drama starting off every week with the lighting of a fuse!
We have been talking lately about coming up with a new parish prayer. I think it is a great idea. Words are powerful and said together they are unifying. Think of the words of Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A group of words we tend not to say together that we should, maybe is our Mission Statement. Many church mission statements ramble and lose me. When I arrived at St. Francis I was very impressed with our mission statement.
Short. Meaningful. Easy to memorize and repeat. Yet, I am sure most of us would be hard pressed to state it off the top of our heads.
Here it is broken down into three easy to remember phrases:[spacer height=”-15px”]
We are brothers and sisters in Christ Who gather to worship God and To witness our Catholic faith by serving the community.[spacer height=”-15px”]
We are brothers and sisters in Christ… We are brothers and sisters! We love each other, watch out for each other, we are related, we get on each other’s nerves, we tease each other in a good natured way, and we do anything for each other. In Christ… Being brothers and sisters in Christ is a St Paul biggie. He tells us by our faith we are grafted right into Jesus’ family tree. Jew or Gentile. Irish or Mexican. Yulee or New York. We are injected with His DNA. No world religion claims that their moral teacher is God, except ours! Certainly none are invited to call God brother. So this is where we start at St. Francis. Clear. Connective. Divine. Family. What a great place to start![spacer height=”-15px”]
…Who gather to worship God. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. The mountain and the fountain. Alpha and Omega. Our liturgy is so beautiful. Ever ancient. Ever new. It is essentially the same as it was 2000 years ago! That is why we seek so lovingly to preserve its integrity. Some say we need updating. But you know what? Studies show that searching young people don’t want new, they want genuine. They are attracted to the Mass and the Catholic faith. They are moved by its other worldliness…the beauty. Scripture, smells, bells, colors, art, architecture all conspiring to express our praise and worship to the one true God. Deep down the faithful pilgrim knows that Christians need to be challenged to transform us to be Christ-like. And remember, a sense of humor is a key consideration for becoming a saint![spacer height=”-15px”]
…and Witness our Catholic faith by serving the community. This is very true to our patron saint, Francis. It’s Franciscan. We have devoted ministries here at St Francis, but being a growing mission church, we don’t have the full array of a larger parish. This is actually a good thing. It moves us to go out in the community and get involved in service work. We get to bring our Catholic faith to charities and teach others about our beautiful faith. Many times, people were misguided early in life about our faith. When we go out into the community and get involved, we perform the corporal Acts of Mercy, evangelize others, and find peace as we grow closer to the Lord. A spiritual trifecta!
Maybe while we come up with a new parish prayer, we could recite and learn our Mission Statement by heart…
“Your mission, if you decide to accept it…”
As we Americans celebrate our independence from a foreign ruler this coming week, we Christians are called to live out our dependence on our Creator every day. Proclaim a Spiritual Declaration of Dependence on God that is downright revolutionary!
There is a false understanding of freedom today. It is defined as the right to do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want, however I want, with whomever I want. Our culture has lost the true understanding of freedom, which is the liberty to do what we ought. Today, its about “freeing” oneself from any sense of obedience to God, His revelation, and the basic code of right and wrong He has engraved upon our human hearts. The Ten Commandments become a list of suggestions, the Eight Beatitudes a set of nice ideas, the Bible mere literature,the Church unnecessary, religion a crutch for the unenlightened, objective truth an outmoded oppression.
By adopting this distorted mindset, we elevate ourselves to the level of gods. This is evident in today’s culture, which claims dominion over life in matters such as abortion, euthanasia, and embryonic stem cell research. Focused on consumption and convenience, our culture presumes to redefine marriage and family as it sees fit, and revels in violence in its movies and music. The very culture declaring itself independent of God and morality has become terribly dependent on money, alcohol, food, shopping, pornography, lust, gambling, and drugs.
This false sense of freedom is in direct contrast with the true independence that the founders of America fought so adamantly to gain. The patriots who won independence for us in 1776 had no trouble at all acknowledging their total dependence upon God. All of our beloved country’s founding documents are based on the existence of a providential God, objective truth, moral duty, and the right to life itself. This acknowledgment of total dependence on God is something we must speak openly about to preserve. We must boldly admit to the world that every breath we take, each day we have, every opportunity we are given, come from an omnipotent God. We should bask in the fact that we are totally dependent upon Him. He is sovereign, He is Lord, He has power and dominion.
A great way to start is to take seriously the words we pray together at every Sunday Mass: We believe in God, the Father Almighty…this is perhaps the most revolutionary statement we can make these days!
Some ideas inspired by Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York article written July 4, 2010
