This week, I am continuing my journey on a Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St. Timothy and St. Paul. The day-by-day itinerary for this week is included for you to join us in spirit and in prayer.
Day 5: Sunday, October 23: Canakkale/Kusadasi
The most favored of the Seven Churches was Pergamum. Christianity reached the city very early and the Church was praised for its forbearance during hard times. In Pergamum, Rome executed the first Christians. Towering 1,000 feet above the town and commanding a spectacular Panorama is the fabled Acropolis. As we pass through the Royal Gates, we will enter one of the great centers of classic Greek culture. We will see the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Athena and the ruins of the Library, which once held 200 thousand parchment volumes. We will see the remains of the Temple of Trojan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium and the Health Center (Aesclepion). We will also catch a glimpse of a three-storey fountain built by Titus. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6: Monday, October 24: Kusadasi – A Banner Day!
Our Visit to St. Timothy’s See Drive to nearby Ephesus to visit the site of the Temple of Artemis. Paul spent two years in Ephesus and it was to this community that he might have written his Epistle to the Ephesians. Paul implored the Ephesians to cease their worship of Artemis and to turn to Christianity. Saint Timothy accompanied Paul in the second and third journey and was with him during his first imprisonment. Paul left him as Bishop of Ephesus. We will see the great theater where Paul addressed the crowds and visit the site of the scene of the riot from which Paul escaped. Visit the Temple of Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Visit the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Tomb of St. Luke. On August 18, 1961, Pope John XXII proclaimed the House of Mary at Ephesus to be sacred.
Day 7: Tuesday, October 25: Kusadasi/Patmos
Transfer to the pier at Kusadasi to embark on a three-day cruise of the beautiful Greek Isles. After setting sail from Kusadasi a few hours later, we will arrive at the island of Patmos, where St. John received the mystical Revelation, which forms the last book of the New Testament. You may wish to visit the island on your own or take an optional excursion to the Grotto of Revelation and the 11th century Monastery of St. John which houses the original script of the Gospel.
Day 8: Wednesday, October 26: Rhodes This morning, we will arrive at the island of Rhodes, which is characterized as the “Jewel” of the Dodecanese islands. It enjoys an exceptionally mild climate and receives by far the lion’s share of visitors. It combines all that is needed in a holiday island; beaches, nightlife, culture, scenery, greenery and comfort. The medieval Old Town of the City of Rhodes have been declared a World Heritage Site.
Day 9: Thursday, October 27: Heraklion, Crete/Santorini –
A Visit to the See of St. Titus
This morning, we arrive in the port of Heraklion on the island of Crete, the southernmost of the Greek Isles and the legendary birthplace of the Greek god, Zeus. Heraklion, the capital of Crete and its principal commercial port, is just three miles away from the fantastic ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered in 1899 by Sir Arthur Evans and partially reconstructed, the elaborate Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the seat of ancient Minoan culture. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion displays many of the treasures found during the excavations. After visiting Crete, we will set sail and arrive on the island of Santorini, one of the most beautiful islands on the Mediterranean. You’ll have your choice of several optional excursions, but, Santorini is easily done on your own. Take time to explore this gorgeous island and stroll through its quaint winding streets and whitewashed alleys and enjoy the local flavor of its many cafes and tavernas.
Day 10: Friday, October 28: Piraeus/Athens
This morning, we will dock in Piraeus and disembark from our cruise. Drive to nearby Athens and visit the world-renowned Acropolis and the ruins of the Parthenon and Ecrectheum. We will view Mars Hill where Paul was brought before the council so that they may hear more of the doctrine he preached. Then drive around the city of Athens to see the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Presidential Palace. Then head over to the National Archeological Museum for a guided tour of one of the world’s greatest museums. In the afternoon, we will drive along the scenic coastal road and follow fairly the same route that the St. Paul took to the ancient city of Corinth where he preached and lived for nearly two years. St. Timothy also came with Paul to Corinth to preach. Visit the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. We’ll celebrate Mass in Corinth before returning back to our hotel.
Day 11: Saturday, October 29: Athens
This morning will be free for personal activities. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic drive along the coastal road, which affords splendid views of the Saronic Gulf, passing through some of Athens’ most beautiful suburbs to Cape Sounion where you will visit the 5th Century B.C. Temple of Poseidon with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the world (on a clear day, you can see at least seven islands). This evening, there will be a special farewell dinner in one of the restaurants on the Plaka.
Day 12: Sunday, October 30: Athens/U.S.A.
Transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home.
Next weekend, as my pilgrim journey is ending, Fr. Bill Faustner will be assisted by Fr. G. William Fischer, OSFS, who is representing the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. This organization offers a concrete way to reach out to children an older adults around the world to help them experience a better life. Fr. Fischer will not be taking up a collection, but will make available materials that invite you to participate in the work of the Foundation.
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for His sake; but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works, but according to His own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our Savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed preacher and apostle and teacher. On this account I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. (II Timothy 1:6-12)
Faith is a gift from God. It is not something earned or won. It is pure gift. God is generous with this gift, but once it is received, it must be nurtured. St. Paul invites St. Timothy to “fan into flame” the gift he received. In this context, it is the gift of leadership bestowed on Timothy for the sake of the community, namely his ordination as priest and bishop, as well as his faith.
The Gospel brings hardship. Paul is clear that he is willing to bear his own troubles for the sake of the Gospel and he calls Timothy to take up his own burdens with a positive spirit and with trust in the strength that God supplies. Knowing his own place as Apostle, and his own experience of God’s grace and His faithfulness to those who proclaim the Gospel, Paul charges Timothy to be confident in his own response to the Lord.
As we become ever more aware of the Gospel in our own lives, we are invited to fan into flame the gift we have received and to put our trust in the Lord that He will strengthen us in our witness. Suffering and hardship are often our lot, but we know God has a purpose and that He will keep us safe. We know Him in Whom we have believed and we may be confident that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to us until the Day of the Lord.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
The Holy Sacrifice, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, is the heart of the Mass. All that comes before leads up to it, and everything that follows flows from it. The Gathering and the Hearing of the Word are intended to prepare us to enter into the Sacred Mysteries. Through the Eucharist, we have a living experience of the Incarnation, the Presence of God among us, and of the Paschal Mystery, the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of the Lord. The Risen Lord gives us Himself, under the species of bread and wine, and He leads us through His Passion to a taste of the Glory that is His in the Kingdom.
With the Preparation of the Gifts, we experience the presentation of our lives to the Lord, taking the form of the bread and wine brought forward along with the collection that represents our gift of self, our stewardship of the gifts we have received. We acknowledge the Sacrifice that takes place before us, our entry into the Mystery of Calvary through the Sacramental celebration that the Lord Himself established the night before He died.
The Preface Dialogue and the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) carry us into the Heavenly Worship that includes the Angels and Saints, drawing us into the Tabernacle not made by human hands. The Eucharistic Prayer proclaims the action of the Holy Spirit and of Jesus Christ Himself, which unites us in one solemn act of Worship of the Father.
The very Mystery of Faith is enacted before us on the earthly altar and we are made present through Christ at the Altar in Heaven. An exchange takes place: earthly forms take on the very reality of Eternity. The Risen Lord gives us Himself as Food. The Eucharist is Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, that is, in the fullness of His Person made incarnate and risen and ascended into Glory.
The Communion Rite prepares us to receive the Eucharist. We pray the prayer our Savior taught us, daring to call God Abba, Our Father. We seek reconciliation and express our unity in the Sign of Peace. We acknowledge our reliance on God Himself to make us worthy to receive Him. Then, we receive the Body and Blood of the Lord. Our Communion is a Communion in the Sacred Things. “Holy Things to the Holy!” Hymns of praise and meditation express the solemnity of the actions we perform at this moment. A time of silence allows us to unite our hearts, minds and souls to the Lord Who dwells in us through the Sacrament of Unity.
Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
Do you fast for an hour before you receive Holy Communion? Do you examine your heart to discover whether there may be sins that need to be confessed and forgiven through the Sacrament of Penance before presenting yourself to the Lord in the Eucharist?
Do you show the Eucharistic Lord the reverence He is due by genuflecting toward the Tabernacle as you enter the church? Do you keep an attitude of silence in church, before, during and after the celebration of Mass, remembering that the church is God’s sanctuary?
Do you participate in the Eucharistic action by uniting yourself with the gifts that are brought forward? Are you and your family returning to the Lord a portion of the treasure you receive through the collection? Do you act as a steward of all you have received, your time, talent and financial possessions? Do your join in the songs and responses of the Liturgy of the Eucharist with full voice?
Are you attentive to the action that takes place on the Altar during the Liturgy of the Eucharist? Do you unite yourself in spirit to the Lord Who sacrifices Himself for us, turning toward the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit, giving the Father praise and honor and glory? Are you caught up in awe by what the Lord accomplishes on the altar?
As you come forward to receive Holy Communion, do you ensure that your mouth is empty (no gum or candy or anything else being eaten)? Do you bow your head before receiving the Host or the Cup? If you receive the Host in the hand, do you create a throne and lift the Host reverently to your mouth?
Do you return to your seat and kneel or sit in the awareness that the Lord of Glory is now in your very body and in your fellow worshipers? Do you take the opportunity in silence to make an act of thanksgiving?
Are you or someone in your family called to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Mass or in service of the Sick and Homebound? Would you be able to assist in the service of the Altar in some way, as Altar Server, Sacristan, or in the care and cleaning of the church? Do you feed the hungry in body and spirit in response to the Lord’s gift of Himself as spiritual Food for you?
Monday, October 24, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Day By Day on my Pilgrimage
Friends:
To join our Pilgrim Group day by day, check out this link:
http://www.sttimothyparish.net/Bulletins/Day%20by%20Day%20and%20Scriptures%20to%20read.pdf
Blessings on all pilgrims!
To join our Pilgrim Group day by day, check out this link:
http://www.sttimothyparish.net/Bulletins/Day%20by%20Day%20and%20Scriptures%20to%20read.pdf
Blessings on all pilgrims!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor October 16
Dear Parishioners:
This week I will be departing on a Pilgrimage that is, for me, a special part of my preparation for our Parish Golden Jubilee. As Pastor of St. Timothy Church, I am carrying you with me in heart and mind to the See of Timothy, Ephesus, and on a pilgrim journey to the places where Our Heavenly Patron exercised his ministry at the side of St. Paul as Christianity was first beginning.
Over the next couple of weeks, I am sharing with you the day-by-day itinerary of the pilgrimage so that you can join me and my fellow pilgrims in spirit. You may want to read through the Acts of the Apostles with the sections about Timothy and Paul’s travels. The Letters to the Ephesians and I & II Timothy and the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation might also be texts that send you in spirit where we will be visiting in person.
Day 1 Wednesday, Oct. 19: Depart U.S.A.
Our spiritual pilgrimage begins as we depart on our transatlantic flight to Istanbul. We will fly to New York and then directly to Istanbul.
Day 2 Thursday, Oct. 20: Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul we will be met by our guide who will give us a brief orientation of the city before driving to our hotel.
Day 3 Friday, Oct. 21: Istanbul
Our morning begins with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This basilica dedicated to Divine Wisdom has a history dating back to the Fourth Century and we almost touch the birth of the Christian Church. Next visit the architecturally superb Sultan Ahmed’s famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Then in the afternoon visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, where we will view the Treasury and the world’s biggest emerald. Proceed to the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered market in the world where over 4,000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold.
Day 4 Saturday, Oct. 22: Istanbul / Canakkale
This morning we will visit some famous World War I sites along the Marmara Sea. We cross the Dardanelles and time permitting will visit ancient Troas or Troy. St. Timothy spent sometime here with Paul. Proceed to Canakkale for overnight.
Day 5 Sunday, Oct. 23: Canakkale / Kusadasi
The most favored of the Seven Churches was Pergamum. Christianity reached the city very early and the church was praised for its forbearance during hard times. In Pergamum, Rome executed the first Christians. Towering 1,000 feet above the town and commanding a spectacular Panorama is the fabled Acropolis. As we pass through the Royal Gates, we will enter one of the great centers of classic Greek culture. We will see the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Athena and the ruins of the Library, which once held 200 thousand parchment volumes. We will see the remains of the Temple of Trojan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium and the Health Center (Aesclepion). We will also catch a glimpse of a 3-storey fountain built by Titus. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Next weekend, in my absence, we welcome Fr. James Wehner, rector of the Josephinum to assist Fr. Bill Faustner with the weekend Masses. Be sure to give him a warm welcome, and don’t believe him if he tells you he is the new Pastor. Perhaps some of our young men from High School are ready to speak to him about the possibility of entering the Seminary for College. At least let him know that you are thinking about it!
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. (II Timothy 1:1-5)
Faith is best shared through the reality of family life. When we come to Faith through the witness of members of our own households, it is “written” into the very fibers of our being. As St. Paul opens his Second Letter to St. Timothy, he calls to mind the familial bonds that nurtured Timothy’s faith. Lois, his grandmother, and Eunice, his mother, were Jews who had opened to the understanding of Jesus as the Messiah, presumably through the preaching of St. Paul.
The affection Paul has for Timothy, and his touching account of the emotions shared when they were last together serve to offer a wonderful vision of the power of Faith to unite us as true members of a common family. Any who have ever been away from someone they love will recognize the longing Paul mentions. The sense of interior communion, expressed through the constant prayer, is a consolation during the time apart. The acknowledgment of shared Faith is also a source of solace. Hope for future opportunities to see one another in person provide a motivation to put Faith into practice.
The witness of Faith across the generations is needed in order for it to grow. Many families lack this cohesiveness. Note that Paul does not mention the Faith of Timothy’s father. From Acts of the Apostles, we know that Timothy’s father was Greek, that is, not Jewish. Whether he ever chose to embrace the Faith of his wife and son is not known. Nonetheless, the witness of Eunice and her mother Lois, along with the teaching and companionship of Paul, work together to give Timothy a solid foundation for his own Faith. Paul expresses his gratitude to God and claims Timothy as his own “dear child.”
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
The Word of God is spoken to us in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Liturgy of the Word is our act of Worship, hearing the Word proclaimed so as to bear fruit in our lives. In the context of the Mass, the Word of God, taken from the Sacred Scriptures, is presented to us in order to enliven the response of Faith. We hear and so we are able to believe. Believing, then, we are now made capable of living the Word.
The First Reading is taken through most of the year from the Old Testament, at certain times and on some feasts, from Acts of the Apostles or the Book of Revelation. The text is selected in most cases for its connection to the Gospel. The Responsorial Psalm is an adequate response to God’s Word, because it is taken from God’s Word in the Book of Psalms. The Second Reading is from the Letters of the Apostles. The Gospel follows a three-year cycle, in a continuous reading over the Sundays of the year, covering most of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, with John filling in some Sundays and special feasts.
The Homily is meant to bring the hearers to an understanding of the Word proclaimed and to evoke an attitude of praise, preparing for the Eucharistic Worship. The Profession of Faith or the Creed is a common expression of the content of Faith as it has been formulated by the Church. It puts on the lips of those who have just listened to the Word the Faith that is shared by believers throughout the centuries and throughout the world. The General Intercession or Petitions then present the needs of the Church, the World and the local community to God, with confidence that God hears our prayer.
As we enter into the Liturgy of the Word, we are called to open our hearts to the Lord as He reveals Himself to us. This is at once a personal act and a communal act. There is power in the Proclamation of the Word at Mass that is different from a personal, private reading the Scripture texts. This moment calls for an awareness that we are One Church, united across the ages and through the world, as servants of the Word. The fact that all Catholics (and some Protestant communions who make use of the Common Lectionary) are hearing the same Scriptures is a powerful reminder that One Lord speaks to His Church.
An effective celebration of the Liturgy of the Word comes from an adequate preparation for hearing the Word. Reading the texts before Mass, listening attentively, interiorly expressing the Faith and entering into the prayers that are made in the name of the whole Church are all part of a true Hearing of the Word.
The Scripture Readings for Mass are available online for each day of the year at the U.S. Bishops’ Website: http://www.usccb.org/bible/index.cfm.
Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
Do you prepare to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word by reading the Sunday Scriptures ahead of time? Do you discuss the readings that are proclaimed at Mass with your children and make sure that they understand?
How well do you and your family know the Scriptures? Do you make use of a personal Bible? Does your family have a formal Bible enthroned in a prominent in your home? Do you take time to pray with Scripture? Have you participated in a Bible Study?
At Mass, do you listen carefully to the Scriptures as they are proclaimed? Do you and your family make the responses and gestures that are assigned to the congregation? Have you explained to your children the significance and meaning of the liturgical gestures?
Do you listen to the Homily attentively? Are you able to keep your mind focused and receptive to the Lord’s message to you personally? Do say the Creed with understanding or is it only by rote? Do you bring your own needs and petitions to mind as the General Intercessions are read? Do you pray at home for the needs of the Church, the world and your own community?
Is God calling you or someone in your family serve as a Lector? Is it time for you to attend a Bible Study or to host a gathering of your fellow parishioners to read and share the Scripture together in your home? Is the Lord inviting you to be a Catechist in P.S.R. or R.C.I.A. to bring the Word of God to others?
This week I will be departing on a Pilgrimage that is, for me, a special part of my preparation for our Parish Golden Jubilee. As Pastor of St. Timothy Church, I am carrying you with me in heart and mind to the See of Timothy, Ephesus, and on a pilgrim journey to the places where Our Heavenly Patron exercised his ministry at the side of St. Paul as Christianity was first beginning.
Over the next couple of weeks, I am sharing with you the day-by-day itinerary of the pilgrimage so that you can join me and my fellow pilgrims in spirit. You may want to read through the Acts of the Apostles with the sections about Timothy and Paul’s travels. The Letters to the Ephesians and I & II Timothy and the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation might also be texts that send you in spirit where we will be visiting in person.
Day 1 Wednesday, Oct. 19: Depart U.S.A.
Our spiritual pilgrimage begins as we depart on our transatlantic flight to Istanbul. We will fly to New York and then directly to Istanbul.
Day 2 Thursday, Oct. 20: Istanbul
Upon arrival in Istanbul we will be met by our guide who will give us a brief orientation of the city before driving to our hotel.
Day 3 Friday, Oct. 21: Istanbul
Our morning begins with a visit to the Hagia Sophia, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This basilica dedicated to Divine Wisdom has a history dating back to the Fourth Century and we almost touch the birth of the Christian Church. Next visit the architecturally superb Sultan Ahmed’s famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. Then in the afternoon visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, where we will view the Treasury and the world’s biggest emerald. Proceed to the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered market in the world where over 4,000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold.
Day 4 Saturday, Oct. 22: Istanbul / Canakkale
This morning we will visit some famous World War I sites along the Marmara Sea. We cross the Dardanelles and time permitting will visit ancient Troas or Troy. St. Timothy spent sometime here with Paul. Proceed to Canakkale for overnight.
Day 5 Sunday, Oct. 23: Canakkale / Kusadasi
The most favored of the Seven Churches was Pergamum. Christianity reached the city very early and the church was praised for its forbearance during hard times. In Pergamum, Rome executed the first Christians. Towering 1,000 feet above the town and commanding a spectacular Panorama is the fabled Acropolis. As we pass through the Royal Gates, we will enter one of the great centers of classic Greek culture. We will see the foundations of the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Athena and the ruins of the Library, which once held 200 thousand parchment volumes. We will see the remains of the Temple of Trojan, the Grand Theatre, the Gymnasium and the Health Center (Aesclepion). We will also catch a glimpse of a 3-storey fountain built by Titus. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Next weekend, in my absence, we welcome Fr. James Wehner, rector of the Josephinum to assist Fr. Bill Faustner with the weekend Masses. Be sure to give him a warm welcome, and don’t believe him if he tells you he is the new Pastor. Perhaps some of our young men from High School are ready to speak to him about the possibility of entering the Seminary for College. At least let him know that you are thinking about it!
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God for the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my dear child: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God, whom I worship with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly in my prayers, night and day. I yearn to see you again, recalling your tears, so that I may be filled with joy, as I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you. (II Timothy 1:1-5)
Faith is best shared through the reality of family life. When we come to Faith through the witness of members of our own households, it is “written” into the very fibers of our being. As St. Paul opens his Second Letter to St. Timothy, he calls to mind the familial bonds that nurtured Timothy’s faith. Lois, his grandmother, and Eunice, his mother, were Jews who had opened to the understanding of Jesus as the Messiah, presumably through the preaching of St. Paul.
The affection Paul has for Timothy, and his touching account of the emotions shared when they were last together serve to offer a wonderful vision of the power of Faith to unite us as true members of a common family. Any who have ever been away from someone they love will recognize the longing Paul mentions. The sense of interior communion, expressed through the constant prayer, is a consolation during the time apart. The acknowledgment of shared Faith is also a source of solace. Hope for future opportunities to see one another in person provide a motivation to put Faith into practice.
The witness of Faith across the generations is needed in order for it to grow. Many families lack this cohesiveness. Note that Paul does not mention the Faith of Timothy’s father. From Acts of the Apostles, we know that Timothy’s father was Greek, that is, not Jewish. Whether he ever chose to embrace the Faith of his wife and son is not known. Nonetheless, the witness of Eunice and her mother Lois, along with the teaching and companionship of Paul, work together to give Timothy a solid foundation for his own Faith. Paul expresses his gratitude to God and claims Timothy as his own “dear child.”
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
The Word of God is spoken to us in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Liturgy of the Word is our act of Worship, hearing the Word proclaimed so as to bear fruit in our lives. In the context of the Mass, the Word of God, taken from the Sacred Scriptures, is presented to us in order to enliven the response of Faith. We hear and so we are able to believe. Believing, then, we are now made capable of living the Word.
The First Reading is taken through most of the year from the Old Testament, at certain times and on some feasts, from Acts of the Apostles or the Book of Revelation. The text is selected in most cases for its connection to the Gospel. The Responsorial Psalm is an adequate response to God’s Word, because it is taken from God’s Word in the Book of Psalms. The Second Reading is from the Letters of the Apostles. The Gospel follows a three-year cycle, in a continuous reading over the Sundays of the year, covering most of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, with John filling in some Sundays and special feasts.
The Homily is meant to bring the hearers to an understanding of the Word proclaimed and to evoke an attitude of praise, preparing for the Eucharistic Worship. The Profession of Faith or the Creed is a common expression of the content of Faith as it has been formulated by the Church. It puts on the lips of those who have just listened to the Word the Faith that is shared by believers throughout the centuries and throughout the world. The General Intercession or Petitions then present the needs of the Church, the World and the local community to God, with confidence that God hears our prayer.
As we enter into the Liturgy of the Word, we are called to open our hearts to the Lord as He reveals Himself to us. This is at once a personal act and a communal act. There is power in the Proclamation of the Word at Mass that is different from a personal, private reading the Scripture texts. This moment calls for an awareness that we are One Church, united across the ages and through the world, as servants of the Word. The fact that all Catholics (and some Protestant communions who make use of the Common Lectionary) are hearing the same Scriptures is a powerful reminder that One Lord speaks to His Church.
An effective celebration of the Liturgy of the Word comes from an adequate preparation for hearing the Word. Reading the texts before Mass, listening attentively, interiorly expressing the Faith and entering into the prayers that are made in the name of the whole Church are all part of a true Hearing of the Word.
The Scripture Readings for Mass are available online for each day of the year at the U.S. Bishops’ Website: http://www.usccb.org/bible/index.cfm.
Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
Do you prepare to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word by reading the Sunday Scriptures ahead of time? Do you discuss the readings that are proclaimed at Mass with your children and make sure that they understand?
How well do you and your family know the Scriptures? Do you make use of a personal Bible? Does your family have a formal Bible enthroned in a prominent in your home? Do you take time to pray with Scripture? Have you participated in a Bible Study?
At Mass, do you listen carefully to the Scriptures as they are proclaimed? Do you and your family make the responses and gestures that are assigned to the congregation? Have you explained to your children the significance and meaning of the liturgical gestures?
Do you listen to the Homily attentively? Are you able to keep your mind focused and receptive to the Lord’s message to you personally? Do say the Creed with understanding or is it only by rote? Do you bring your own needs and petitions to mind as the General Intercessions are read? Do you pray at home for the needs of the Church, the world and your own community?
Is God calling you or someone in your family serve as a Lector? Is it time for you to attend a Bible Study or to host a gathering of your fellow parishioners to read and share the Scripture together in your home? Is the Lord inviting you to be a Catechist in P.S.R. or R.C.I.A. to bring the Word of God to others?
Sunday, October 9, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor October 9
Dear Parishioners:
The Gospel is not a solitary game. Right from the start, Jesus sent out His disciples two-by-two, and any who tried to do it on their own were bound to fail. Involvement in the life of the Community of Believers is not an option. Our current culture treats Faith as if it is a “do-it-yourself” construction. Inevitably, we end up creating only a house of cards that will not stand when troubles come.
Those who identify themselves as Catholic are a substantial minority in our society at large, nearly 25%. According to some, the largest group after that is made up of those who identify themselves as former (non-practicing or fallen-away) Catholics. What is the difference? It is simple: involvement in the life of the Parish Community. When folks are involved, they are more likely going to attend Mass. And they are more likely going to be willing to study the Faith.
Next weekend, our Parish will be holding a Ministries and Activities Fair. All the groups and organizations in the Parish and School have been invited to be present. As Pastor, I invite all of you to stop by and to claim your group. If you are already a member, an active participant, then stand by your group’s display and share what your involvement has meant to you. If you are not part of any of the groups or activities and want to be, then sign up. If it is not possible to join, then choose a group that is yours to support from sidelines.
One goal of this year will be to discern how we need to reach out beyond our Parish and School Community to assist others. Let the various Ministries and Activities we share among us lead us to a deeper knowledge and understanding of how we can make ourselves available in the name of the Lord. The responsibility of the Laity in the Church is to work to bring the Gospel into the secular world. We gather together to learn and then we are sent out to serve. How is the Lord calling you and your family to be involved in the work of the Kingdom?
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid profane babbling and the absurdities of so-called knowledge. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith. Grace be with all of you. (I Timothy 6:20-11)
The close of the First Letter of Timothy is a reminder to guard the “deposit of Faith.” It is entrusted to us to hold onto in good conscience and to make it available to the world. The babbling and absurdities of the first century are still present in our modern world. Deviation from the Faith happens all to easily when we fail to see the worth of the treasure that has been given to us in our Catholic Faith. God’s grace can help us to persevere in the Faith and to deepen our knowledge of it.
As those under the patronage of St. Timothy, who was charged to guard the Faith, may we all see the gift that has been entrusted to us!
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
The Gathering takes place as Mass begins. Ushers and Greeters are at the door, setting a tone of welcome. Ministers are signing in at the Sacristy so that we know that all the roles needed are covered. Altar Servers and Sacristans are seeing to the immediate preparation of the Altar and the credence table: the chalice and cups, bread, wine and water, and the other vessels needed, the candles and the books, etc., are all being placed where they belong. Musicians and Cantors are preparing to lead the Congregation in song.
The Assembly is gathering. The best way to attend to this part of the Liturgy is to arrive early. We have a habit of coming at the last minute or even five minutes to half an hour late. Although this may happen from time to time due to circumstances beyond our control, it ought not to be a weekly occurrence. The Gathering Rites are meant to form us as the People of God, united in mind and heart, ready for worship. The opening of Mass prepares us to receive the Word.
Entering the church, using Holy Water and making the Sign of the Cross, genuflecting toward the Tabernacle, and showing an attitude of welcome to “neighbors” in the pews are all acts that we can do consciously, rather than by rote.
The Opening Hymn expresses our unity as the Church, the Assembly called into being by God. The procession of the Priest and Ministers is our welcome to Christ in the various ministries and functions He Himself performs through us.
The Penitential Rite allows for an attitude of humility, acknowledgment of our awareness of our need for forgiveness and of the Lord’s Mercy. The Gloria, which is used on Sundays in Ordinary Time, Christmas and Easter, and on Feasts and Solemnities, is our joining with the Angels in their Eternal Song of Praise to the Holy Trinity. The Collect or the Opening Prayer allows for a moment of silence for the members of the Congregation to join their own spirits in the prayer of the whole Body, and then brings to expression the purpose and meaning of this particular Assembly.
Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
How do you ensure that you are ready for the celebration of Mass? Are you regularly on time? Have you considered the possibility of arriving early and developing a readiness by reflecting on the needs of your family, the Church and the world for which you will pray during Mass?
Do you call to mind your Baptism when you make use of the Holy Water at the door? Do you help your little children make the Sign of the Cross? As you enter the pew, do you make a full genuflection (unless you are unable to do so)? Do you commune in spirit with the Lord, Who is present in the Tabernacle?
When others come into church, do you make it possible for them to join you in the pew if there is room by moving toward the center? As the Mass begins, do you sing the Opening Song and participate with your voice in the parts of the Mass that belong to the People?
Have you begun to learn the new responses that will be used when Advent arrives? Are you prepared to practice them at home with your children?
Is the Lord calling you or someone in your family to the ministry of Usher/Greeter?
Ministry and Activities Fair October 15-16
We need your help. St. Timothy’s is a warm and welcoming parish at least in part because of our army of volunteers (you may have seen the army in action at Festival Time) but we can be even better with your help. Stop in after Mass on October 15 or 16 and have a cup of coffee and see what it’s all about. Bring the kids too, we have donut holes. For most of the ministries and activities, the time commitment can fit even the most busy schedule.
The Gospel is not a solitary game. Right from the start, Jesus sent out His disciples two-by-two, and any who tried to do it on their own were bound to fail. Involvement in the life of the Community of Believers is not an option. Our current culture treats Faith as if it is a “do-it-yourself” construction. Inevitably, we end up creating only a house of cards that will not stand when troubles come.
Those who identify themselves as Catholic are a substantial minority in our society at large, nearly 25%. According to some, the largest group after that is made up of those who identify themselves as former (non-practicing or fallen-away) Catholics. What is the difference? It is simple: involvement in the life of the Parish Community. When folks are involved, they are more likely going to attend Mass. And they are more likely going to be willing to study the Faith.
Next weekend, our Parish will be holding a Ministries and Activities Fair. All the groups and organizations in the Parish and School have been invited to be present. As Pastor, I invite all of you to stop by and to claim your group. If you are already a member, an active participant, then stand by your group’s display and share what your involvement has meant to you. If you are not part of any of the groups or activities and want to be, then sign up. If it is not possible to join, then choose a group that is yours to support from sidelines.
One goal of this year will be to discern how we need to reach out beyond our Parish and School Community to assist others. Let the various Ministries and Activities we share among us lead us to a deeper knowledge and understanding of how we can make ourselves available in the name of the Lord. The responsibility of the Laity in the Church is to work to bring the Gospel into the secular world. We gather together to learn and then we are sent out to serve. How is the Lord calling you and your family to be involved in the work of the Kingdom?
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid profane babbling and the absurdities of so-called knowledge. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith. Grace be with all of you. (I Timothy 6:20-11)
The close of the First Letter of Timothy is a reminder to guard the “deposit of Faith.” It is entrusted to us to hold onto in good conscience and to make it available to the world. The babbling and absurdities of the first century are still present in our modern world. Deviation from the Faith happens all to easily when we fail to see the worth of the treasure that has been given to us in our Catholic Faith. God’s grace can help us to persevere in the Faith and to deepen our knowledge of it.
As those under the patronage of St. Timothy, who was charged to guard the Faith, may we all see the gift that has been entrusted to us!
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
The Gathering takes place as Mass begins. Ushers and Greeters are at the door, setting a tone of welcome. Ministers are signing in at the Sacristy so that we know that all the roles needed are covered. Altar Servers and Sacristans are seeing to the immediate preparation of the Altar and the credence table: the chalice and cups, bread, wine and water, and the other vessels needed, the candles and the books, etc., are all being placed where they belong. Musicians and Cantors are preparing to lead the Congregation in song.
The Assembly is gathering. The best way to attend to this part of the Liturgy is to arrive early. We have a habit of coming at the last minute or even five minutes to half an hour late. Although this may happen from time to time due to circumstances beyond our control, it ought not to be a weekly occurrence. The Gathering Rites are meant to form us as the People of God, united in mind and heart, ready for worship. The opening of Mass prepares us to receive the Word.
Entering the church, using Holy Water and making the Sign of the Cross, genuflecting toward the Tabernacle, and showing an attitude of welcome to “neighbors” in the pews are all acts that we can do consciously, rather than by rote.
The Opening Hymn expresses our unity as the Church, the Assembly called into being by God. The procession of the Priest and Ministers is our welcome to Christ in the various ministries and functions He Himself performs through us.
The Penitential Rite allows for an attitude of humility, acknowledgment of our awareness of our need for forgiveness and of the Lord’s Mercy. The Gloria, which is used on Sundays in Ordinary Time, Christmas and Easter, and on Feasts and Solemnities, is our joining with the Angels in their Eternal Song of Praise to the Holy Trinity. The Collect or the Opening Prayer allows for a moment of silence for the members of the Congregation to join their own spirits in the prayer of the whole Body, and then brings to expression the purpose and meaning of this particular Assembly.
Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
How do you ensure that you are ready for the celebration of Mass? Are you regularly on time? Have you considered the possibility of arriving early and developing a readiness by reflecting on the needs of your family, the Church and the world for which you will pray during Mass?
Do you call to mind your Baptism when you make use of the Holy Water at the door? Do you help your little children make the Sign of the Cross? As you enter the pew, do you make a full genuflection (unless you are unable to do so)? Do you commune in spirit with the Lord, Who is present in the Tabernacle?
When others come into church, do you make it possible for them to join you in the pew if there is room by moving toward the center? As the Mass begins, do you sing the Opening Song and participate with your voice in the parts of the Mass that belong to the People?
Have you begun to learn the new responses that will be used when Advent arrives? Are you prepared to practice them at home with your children?
Is the Lord calling you or someone in your family to the ministry of Usher/Greeter?
Ministry and Activities Fair October 15-16
We need your help. St. Timothy’s is a warm and welcoming parish at least in part because of our army of volunteers (you may have seen the army in action at Festival Time) but we can be even better with your help. Stop in after Mass on October 15 or 16 and have a cup of coffee and see what it’s all about. Bring the kids too, we have donut holes. For most of the ministries and activities, the time commitment can fit even the most busy schedule.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
A Word from Your Pastor October 2
Dear Parishioners:
At the Wednesday School Masses, things seem to find their simplest expression. This past week, the readings taken from the feast for St. Wenceslaus included the admonition from the First Letter of Peter: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (I Peter 3:15) Our efforts to educate our children in the ways of Faith are for this purpose: to enable them to give the reason for their hope so they may be sustained in the practice of the Faith in the days ahead.
What are the Catholic reasons for Hope? From God’s perspective, there are two: Christmas and Easter, that is the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery. From the Church’s perspective there are one and seven: The Word of God in Sacred Scripture and the Seven Sacraments.
Can you articulate your reason for Hope? God is with us and He enables us to get through all our struggles. The life we share through hearing God’s Word and through the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders, gives us the certainty of Faith that we have the means required to enter into the Kingdom.
Our children need to learn this in School and PSR. But even more, they need to see it lived out by their parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches and friends of all ages. This means that all of us need to get our priorities straight: God first, and all our other interests secondary to the practice of our Faith in God.
The cry of the heart I have heard most as a priest is that of grandparents whose adult children are not practicing their Faith. They wonder about their efforts to teach the Faith by sending them to Catholic School or CCD and all the sacrifices they made while their children were young. They are most concerned about their grandchildren, whose parents may be consenting to their attending a Catholic School or participation in PSR, but whose lives do not teach that God is first.
As a community of Faith, we need to find a way to invite those who are lax in their practice of the Faith to re-discover its meaning and truth. We also ought to be comfortable with speaking about our Faith to those who have never heard about Christ and His Church. How are you preparing yourself to give an explanation of the reasons for your hope?
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life. (I Timothy 6:17-19)
The world changes through the ages, but human nature remains rather constant. What is considered “wealth” has had different forms, but in every age, attachment to earthly possessions is a distraction from what is most real. We are certainly permitted to enjoy the good things of the world, but a generous spirit and a willingness to share has to be part of that enjoyment, or we have only this world in mind.
The life that is true life is the Life to Come, that is, the Kingdom of God, Life Eternal in the heart of the Trinity, but it is also a life that we can begin to live in Time. We are meant to be rich in our understanding of Who God IS and the treasure of Faith that is ours through the life of the Church.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
Preparation before Mass begins starts at home and, in fact, during the week before. Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
How do you plan your participation in the Mass? Are you obedient to God’s Command to worship Him every week (one of His Top Ten!) and the Church’s precept that you participate in the Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation (one of the Six Precepts of the Church). Do your children know that Mass is a serious obligation by how you commit to fulfilling your responsibility to attend? Do they realize that for a Catholic Family Sunday Mass is not “optional”?
Do you and your family have a “usual” Mass that you attend? Is your Sunday structured with God in mind first, or do you arrange your choice of Mass around your own schedule? Do you let someone else set your agenda for Sunday, or do you give God primary attention? What is your reason for coming to Mass?
At the Wednesday School Masses, things seem to find their simplest expression. This past week, the readings taken from the feast for St. Wenceslaus included the admonition from the First Letter of Peter: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (I Peter 3:15) Our efforts to educate our children in the ways of Faith are for this purpose: to enable them to give the reason for their hope so they may be sustained in the practice of the Faith in the days ahead.
What are the Catholic reasons for Hope? From God’s perspective, there are two: Christmas and Easter, that is the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery. From the Church’s perspective there are one and seven: The Word of God in Sacred Scripture and the Seven Sacraments.
Can you articulate your reason for Hope? God is with us and He enables us to get through all our struggles. The life we share through hearing God’s Word and through the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders, gives us the certainty of Faith that we have the means required to enter into the Kingdom.
Our children need to learn this in School and PSR. But even more, they need to see it lived out by their parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches and friends of all ages. This means that all of us need to get our priorities straight: God first, and all our other interests secondary to the practice of our Faith in God.
The cry of the heart I have heard most as a priest is that of grandparents whose adult children are not practicing their Faith. They wonder about their efforts to teach the Faith by sending them to Catholic School or CCD and all the sacrifices they made while their children were young. They are most concerned about their grandchildren, whose parents may be consenting to their attending a Catholic School or participation in PSR, but whose lives do not teach that God is first.
As a community of Faith, we need to find a way to invite those who are lax in their practice of the Faith to re-discover its meaning and truth. We also ought to be comfortable with speaking about our Faith to those who have never heard about Christ and His Church. How are you preparing yourself to give an explanation of the reasons for your hope?
Countdown to our Golden Jubilee: Getting to know Saint Timothy.
Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life. (I Timothy 6:17-19)
The world changes through the ages, but human nature remains rather constant. What is considered “wealth” has had different forms, but in every age, attachment to earthly possessions is a distraction from what is most real. We are certainly permitted to enjoy the good things of the world, but a generous spirit and a willingness to share has to be part of that enjoyment, or we have only this world in mind.
The life that is true life is the Life to Come, that is, the Kingdom of God, Life Eternal in the heart of the Trinity, but it is also a life that we can begin to live in Time. We are meant to be rich in our understanding of Who God IS and the treasure of Faith that is ours through the life of the Church.
Reflections on the Liturgy:
As we enter into immediate preparation for the transition to the new English form of the Mass, it is good to take the opportunity to renew our understanding about what is happening in the Liturgy and our own part in it. We are called to full, conscious, active participation. Each person present has a role and a responsibility even if there is no particular ministry or function being exercised.
The Mass has four primary “movements”: Gathering, Hearing the Word, the Sacrifice, and the Sending Forth. Our final reflections are meant to highlight aspects of each of these parts of the Liturgy. All of us would do well to review our own practice and to become more conscious of the meaning of what we are doing.
Preparation before Mass begins starts at home and, in fact, during the week before. Do an examination of your family conscience with these questions:
How do you plan your participation in the Mass? Are you obedient to God’s Command to worship Him every week (one of His Top Ten!) and the Church’s precept that you participate in the Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation (one of the Six Precepts of the Church). Do your children know that Mass is a serious obligation by how you commit to fulfilling your responsibility to attend? Do they realize that for a Catholic Family Sunday Mass is not “optional”?
Do you and your family have a “usual” Mass that you attend? Is your Sunday structured with God in mind first, or do you arrange your choice of Mass around your own schedule? Do you let someone else set your agenda for Sunday, or do you give God primary attention? What is your reason for coming to Mass?
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