27 August 2010, 1:18 pm
Today’s Gospel (August 27, 2010 -Friday, 21st Week in Ordinary Time) is a parable familiar to many, the Parable of the Ten Virgins. All ten came when they heard the bridegroom was coming. Five were well prepared and five were not. They all brought oil for the lamps but the five who were foolish did not bring enough oil. They thought it would be short and easy. Instead, they had a endure a time of waiting.
We are called to be persistent in our waiting. We pray for our needs but they will be answered in God’s time, not our own. Today we celebrate the feast of St. Monica. She was born in the fourth century to a Christian family but she was given in marriage to a non-Christian. Together they had four children. Monica kept her faith throughout her life. She prayed for the conversion of her husband and he became Christian a year before he died. She also prayed for her eldest son’s conversion. He tried other religions before turning his heart to the Catholic faith. Monica prayed for him for many years before he converted. He was St. Augustine, who became one of the great Catholic fathers of his time.
It took many years for him to convert but Monica remained faithful in praying for him. Are we persistent? Or do we give up?
You might also ask yourself if you are ready, ready for the great things that God will do for you.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
22 August 2010, 1:55 pm
I sit here thinking about what my ministry is really meant to be about. Of course, the obvious answer is Jesus. But that isn’t what I am trying to get at.
I work on lots of things like RCIA, baptismal preparation, both the parish website and my own website, this blog, Social Ministry, home and hospital visits, Stewardship, and liturgy to name a few. I do all these things to help the people know that Jesus is alive and well, and he loves us. I want to help people deepen their personal relationship with Jesus.
In doing so, not only do I help others deepen their relationship with God but it helps me deepen my own relationship with God. For instance, I like to read. Most of what I read is theology to help me ministry to others but it helps me learn more about God is active in our lives.
Sometimes I wonder how I am called to take what I learn and share it with others. Each of us is called to serve God is some way. I have been called to minister as an ordained priest celebrating the sacraments for the people. The sacraments are a special way of experiencing God’s love and grace; to receive his body and blood in the Eucharist, to receive his forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and healing grace in the Anointing of the Sick.
But my call to ministry is more than only celebrating the sacraments. I am called to break open the Word of God so that we all might know how to apply it in our lives. I believe this “education” is an important part of what I am called to do. For instance, I have had a significant involvement in Social Ministry. There are two sides to Social Ministry. The first is charity. This is directly helping people in need by giving them food, drink, clothing, or shelter. The second side is justice. This means to stand up against “policies” that make it difficult for people to get ahead. My own interest is in teaching the principles that help us understand who are called to help and the values we are called to stand up for.
This is a major factor of what being a priest means to me and how God calls me to serve. God has given you gifts and talents. How are you called to use them for the building up of God’s Kingdom?
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
20 August 2010, 3:20 pm
This has been one of those weeks that I have been busy with the same things as of late, the parish website (www.ourladyofthelakescc.org), working on some written materials to use for RCIA, CMA (our annual diocesan appeal that will begin in September), stewardship meeting on Tuesday evening, and a funeral today.
All of these are important items but they are all also things I have written about before here. I have been in a dry spell lately of items to write about here lately. Any suggestions? What would you like to hear about?
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
P.S. There is a story today on www.catholicnews.com that the New Roman Missal will officially go in to use on November 27, 2011 (the First Sunday of Advent).
13 August 2010, 3:26 pm
At Our Lady of the Lakes we are going to have our first meeting on stewardship in the parish this Tuesday (8/17/2010), which raises the question what is stewardship?
Stewardship is a word that is becoming more commonly used in Catholic Churches. Sometimes it is seen as just another way of asking people for money.
Stewardship efforts include money but stewardship is not just about money. Infoplease.com defines a steward as “A person who manages another’s property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others.”
Christian stewardship should be a natural part of living as God calls us. God created the world and gave us dominion over the world (Gen 1:26-31). God also gave us free will so we are free to do as we wish. If, as faithful Christians, we see God’s creation as a gift to us, then we can see ourselves as managing God’s property. As stewards of what belongs to God, we are called to make wise use of it.
This is not simply a question of what we do with our money. True stewardship includes time, talent, and treasure. The treasure includes our money but we also recognize that each of us has different talents (the things that we are good at). We could use all our time and talents just to benefit ourselves. We could, but that would not be Christian.
Our faith calls us to use wisely what God has given us to take care of our needs and then to help others.
For more on Stewardship check out the article “Christian Stewardship” that I wrote about five years ago.
How is God calling you to use your time, talent, and treasure for the building up of his Kingdom?
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
7 August 2010, 7:59 am
Well, I have been at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Community for five weeks now. I continue to become involved in more things as each week passes. This was probably my busiest week so far. Fr. Bob was away this week so I said some of the daily Masses that he normally would. I went to a Care of the Community Meeting at St. Theresa’s. I have been working on our RCIA program. We are trying to have more publicity this year to invite more people to become Catholic.
I met with a new community group forming in Penn Yan that helps people work their way out of poverty. It will provide training for families on things like budgeting. It will also help the families find the right agency to help with their needs. That meeting was Wednesday. On Thursday, I met with our parish social ministry leader to learn about all the social ministry activities that happen in the parish.
I have been reading up on Stewardship as we are beginning a stewardship committee here. For the last two weeks I have been redesigned the parish website (www.ourladyofthelakescc.org) and writing the material for many of the pages. The website still needs a lot of work but it is up and running now if you want to check it out.
So, life is pretty busy but I continue to enjoy being here at Our Lady of the Lakes.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
1 August 2010, 3:23 pm
I have finally finished the articles on baptism and original sin. The web addresses are
Baptism- http://www.renewaloffaith.org/ls/baptism.htm
Original Sin – http://www.renewaloffaith.org/basics/originalsin.htm
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
24 July 2010, 8:29 am
We are at the peak of our summer season. Today the forecast for here is a high of 88 degrees and hot, hazy, and humid.
With summertime, many people are taking vacations. I took some vacation time at the end of June before I began my new assignment. Lately, I haven’t been writing much here but that is because I am working on a couple of articles on baptism and original sin for my website. Hopefully, I will be able to finish them soon.
Until then, I just want to remind you that as you take your vacation, God is always at work. Sunday Mass continues as usual. If you are travelling and need help finding a church check out www.masstimes.org.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
15 July 2010, 11:39 am
Well, I have being at my new parish assignment for just over two weeks now. The physical moving and unpacking is completely done. Of the five churches, I have celebrated Sunday Masses at St. Januarius in Naples and St. Patrick’s in Prattsburgh. I have celebrated Weekday Masses at St. Januarius in Naples, St. Michael’s Penn Yan, and St. Mary’s in Rushville leaving St. Theresa’s in Stanley. I will be celebrating the Sunday Mass there this weekend and next weekend (July 25th) I will celebrating the Sunday Masses for St. Michael’s completing my first visits to each church.
I am pleased to say the people are very welcoming and there is always a parishioner willing to help show me where everything is. I have met all the staff now who are very helpful and kind. I am beginning to meet some of the parishioners who coordinate some of the various ministries. There is much to get to know and do. One of the areas I have been happy to begin with is meeting some of our parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes. I went with one of our parishioners to visit several of them last week and will visit three more tomorrow with more to follow. I am happy to be able to visit these people so soon after my arrival to make sure that they know I care about them even though I don’t get to see them in church.
So what else will I be doing?
The ministry of a priest always begins with the celebration of the Sacraments but it does not end there. There are visits to the homebound, nursing homes, and hospitals. I will be involved in the Baptismal Preparation for parents preparing to have their children baptized. I’m meeting with the Social Ministry chairperson next week. I will make some visits to the parish school. There may be some stewardship ministry for me and RCIA. These fall under what I will call “direct ministry” meaning working face-to-face with the people. They do not need a priest to be involved in all of their ministry but I do feel called to be part of them, working as partners with the parishioners and staff.
There are also what I will call “support activities.” The first that comes to mind is the Diocesan Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA). This is the yearly fundraising for the diocese so it might not seem like ministry but it is essential for the diocese to carry on its ministry. It is done to raise money but not to make money. The money is not “profit.” It is used to buy materials, to pay the staff, and to pay building and utility costs necessary to bring the Gospel message with Christ’s love to the world. So, I see it as a vital part of making possible what we do as a church.
The last area I might mention is the parish website. The parish has had a website (www.ourladyofthelakescc.org) for several years. We do have a parishioner who generously maintains the website for us. Yet, it is time to update the website and begin using it as a regular means of communication (the weekly bulletin is already there). Some of what will be on the website will be communication about the ministries that happen at Our Lady of the Lakes. As such, it will help make people aware of what we have to offer them and how they might be part of it. I also see the website as a way to reach out to people who haven’t been to church in a while or ever. We need to make the gospel message known and a parish website is one means of doing just that.
There is always much ministry to do. What is God calling you to?
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
8 July 2010, 9:03 am
It’s time to think about RCIA but first what is RCIA?
RCIA stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.
RCIA is the process by which a person joins the Catholic Church. There are two general groups of people here. First, those who have never been baptized in any Christian Church and, secondly, those who were baptized in a Christian (but not Catholic) Church. A third category may be seen in many parishes. This group of people were baptized in the Catholic Church but never received any religious education or any other sacraments. These people are often included in RCIA to receive the religious education.
RCIA is not a one-time thing. It is a process. Most parishes begin the process in September (some run year round) and continue until the Easter Vigil when the person is baptized (if not already), confirmed, and/or received into the Catholic Church, and receives their first Communion.
Throughout the process, generally there are weekly gatherings where the participants learn about the Catholic Church and what we believe. Some people begin the process knowing for sure they want to be baptized or received into the Catholic Church. Others aren’t sure. You don’t have to commit to the whole process at the first session. Part of the process is for the person to learn what it means to be Catholic and to discern if now is the time to do so.
People joining RCIA come from various backgrounds. Some are married to or dating a Catholic. Others may have friends who are Catholic who inspire them with their faith. Still others may have found out about the Catholic Church on TV or on their own. All are welcome.
If you are interested check the bulletin in your local Catholic Church for more information or call the parish office and ask to speak to whoever is in charge of the RCIA program. Or if you know someone who may be interested share this with them. Maybe it will be just the encouragement they need.
Peace,
Fr. Jeff
6 July 2010, 3:14 pm
As I was reflecting on the readings for this coming Sunday this morning, I read something that caught my eye. The second reading comes from the Letter of Paul to the Colossians. From seminary, I always remembered that the only letter that Paul wrote to a community that he had not visited was his letter to the Romans.
Today, I read in the scripture commentaries that Paul had not visited the Colossians! So my mind immediately said, “wait a minute, how can that be?” So, I dug a little deeper but at first I could not find anything to explain this “discrepancy” but what I remembered and what I read today. Finally, this afternoon I found something. Paul himself visited the general area where the Colossians lived but did not visit the city of Colossae itself. One of his disciples did. It is a small distinction (visiting the area but not the city itself) but that is not the point I want to make here.
How often do we assume we know exactly what we are talking about, only to discover maybe what we thought wasn’t quite right. How often do we choose not to worry about the little discrepancies? As adults, I think we learn best when we notice something that doesn’t seem quite right and ask questions.
What questions have you had that you never asked or bothered to try and find an answer to?
Peace,
Fr. Jeff