There is lots of attention paid to Halloween. I was shocked to read that $9 billion is spent in the U.S. this year alone on costumes, decorations, candy and greeting cards. In the hectic preparation of this event, we often lose the reason behind the existence of Halloween - the two feasts of All Saints and All Souls.
While celebrating all the Masses this past weekend I had an opportunity to watch the Stewardship video three times. I realized that it was only five years ago that we were still “under construction”; still renovating the church and that Deacon Joe was with us at the time and attending all three Masses. Seems like so very long ago.
I wish I had the wisdom and the know-how to help our 455 active families realize how very important it is for us all to activate our Catholic GPS. We set the direction for our future in our practice in the present. It is necessary for all households to Give, Pray, and Serve our parish community.
Several people e-mailed me in response to my letter regarding my experience with the 10:30 Mass on September 29th. Several more talked with me after each of the Masses this weekend. The same bottom-line question was asked, “What can we do?”
On Sunday, September 29th the 10:30 Mass was a nightmare for me personally. I was exhausted before Mass even began. Deacon Tom and I were in the sacristy seven minutes before Mass was to begin and we had one altar server and one reader. Yikes! Trying to get candles lit, organizing how all this will work without the ministers necessary for Sunday worship causes a lot of unnecessary anxiety for me personally as I prepare to lead in worship and preach the word of God.
As Catholics our lives center on the Eucharist, “communion” our common-union with each other. When we are in communion with each other no one lives in isolation but is surrounded by people who “have your back” and walk together in the faith journey of life. By deepening your involvement and participation in our community you will have the opportunity to meet others.
Can you even imagine what it is like to be homeless? Most of us can’t. The thought of living in a tent in the woods, sleeping in a bag or with blankets in some public doorway is difficult to fathom or imagine. Yet there are people in Milford and Hopedale that are in need of emergency shelter.
I am writing while sitting in Milford District Court waiting to be a character witness. I know only one side of this man’s story and can’t imagine how anyone in Hopedale/Milford or Massachusetts, or the U.S. feels to be in these circumstances. Is this Justice? Is this mercy and compassion?
The summer schedule has come to an end, and many activities are about to begin. Before we dust our feet from the 9:30 Mass I just want to talk about the Mass schedule. Some want to have a Mass with everyone together and longer tome together after Mass; others want an earlier Mass so they can get on with their day; you catch the drift. As Catholics we sometimes forget that Mass is about community (communion, our common-union with each other) not about convenience. I have no crystal ball that looks into the future, so I don’t know what our schedule needs will be for Masses down the road. I have no idea how many priests will be able to serve our parish, or how many parishes they will have to serve. What I want us to aware of is that “keeping Holy the Sabbath” as Catholics is not at all about our personal preferences and schedule, it is about gathering with the community.
Over these past many years we have engaged in major undertakings to enhance parish ministries, strive to be an active and vibrant parish in today’s very challenging times—for not just our faith but all faiths and religions. As we embark on a new endeavor, I want to just step back a bit and review where we have been and where we are going in the next to five to seven years.
There is a lot of lively exchange going on and good communication as we conclude this homily series on “Everyday heroes.” I am especially pleased with the questions asked of me from time to time. The feedback is great because we need to be discussing the word of God. It is wonderful to know people are listening and that sometimes I end up pushing people’s buttons and pushing the envelope. The Word of God needs to get under our skin if it is to take root.
This past weekend I spoke about the Gospel call by Jesus to be vigilant and faithful. As Catholics our worship at Mass (keeping Holy the Sabbath) means we are gathered (Two or more gathered in His name) and sent (go into the world and spread the good news!). Through prayer I believe we are called to enhance our presence in the world as faithful and vigilant disciples of Christ.
May 4th seems so very long ago, yet it is only 4 months since Bishop McManus was here to consecrate and dedicate our church and altar. Some of you may notice the white marble cover under the altar. That is where Bishop McManus placed the relics of Saint Gemma Galgani and St. Pius X. In the past the relics were placed on the altar; but since the relics of St. Peter are buried beneath the main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome it has now become the custom to do the same in newly consecrated church settings.
Three words have been key to Catholic Parish life since the revelations of abuse in our church: accountability, ownership and transparency. We have been making great strides in all three areas here at Sacred Heart. Being accountable, transparent and taking ownership are equally important to me as your pastor, that is why in my bulletin letter I sometimes address issues that may not be of a spiritual value, but of a temporal nature. I am careful with the monies we spend as a parish as if it were my own. And let me tell you, I am a careful spender.
It is not often that we hear the impressions of people visiting our parish. Having the impressions of someone who speaks at other parishes share their impressions of Sacred Heart helps to keep us focused. Following both Masses Carl Baniszewski shared how impressed he was by our welcome, and the participation of everyone at Mass. He also commented on how prepared we were to pray for their missionary work immediately after he spoke. This was also the first time he was blessed by the community he visited! How wonderful it is to receive such positive feedback as a community.
It’s Vacation Bible School week here at Sacred Heart! Monday through Friday, July 22-26 young people from our community will focus on fun activities that teach lessons of faith in a relaxing and exciting atmosphere. I am so pleased that we are letting it “Roar!” here in our parish. God is Good!
Every summer Catholic Parishes throughout the United States welcome missionaries through the Propagation of the Faith office to speak to us of their ministry and seek our support. Next weekend July 20-21 we will be receiving a visit from AIM USA; the United States Secretariat of the Alliance for International Monasticism. Carl Baniszewski will be here to talk to us about their work and seek our support. In this week’s bulletin you will find a flyer that describes their work and a prayer for their ministry. There will be a second collection to benefit their ministry.
At the end of last summer, the original air conditioning units (there are three) in the parish center breathed their last. With your continued support and contributions to our Endowment Fund we were able to ask the Operations Team to spring into action and get us up and running without seeking funds for this $30,000.00 project. The buildings and ground team sought three bids (required by the diocese for all projects over $10,000.00) and after careful examination of those bids they recommended that we have the installation done by All-Temp Systems Mechanical, Inc. of Milford.
Throughout our formative years, it was drilled into the depths of our very being that we were to be good Catholics and good citizens. That was taught not by words but by example. Each one of us was encouraged to be involved at church. Altar serving, ushering, and choir were the only options at the time, and all of us were involved. Then as we entered high school we helped out the sisters clean the church, train altar servers, and help whenever needed.