Fr. Ron's weekly letter to his parish 2002

Pastor’s notes: A few weeks ago there was a small meeting about liturgy. At that meeting a question I would like to have focused on for the coming year be "Does our liturgy give fitting praise to God?"

In the past some of the concerns centered on participation in the liturgy, hospitality, particular needs, music, etc. All of them are part of the whole. Jesus told us that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. The sense and spirit of worship includes meeting some of our needs… and one of our needs is to have a sense of having given to God appropriate thanksgiving and adoration. When your breath is taken away by the birth of your first child, or a glorious sunset or the appearance of a rainbow -–don't you have a sense that you want to thank someone for that? So much more reason when we realize all the blessings that are given to us each day, each hour, each minute, each second.

What constitutes fitting praise for the Catholic is most complete in the gathering of the community for the celebration of the Eucharist (the Mass).

"…the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the fountain from which all her power flows. For the goal of apostolic works is that all who are made children of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of His Church, to take part in her sacrifice, and to eat the Lord’s supper."

Document on the Liturgy, Vatican Council II

The Holy Spirit has guided the gradual process of the formation of the liturgy over the centuries. Among the elements that have been fashioned is the proclamation of the Holy Word of God, prayers and petitions to the Lord, the calling upon the Holy Spirit and the breaking and sharing of the Body and Blood of Christ. There is the constant interchange of dialogue between God and the community (e.g. the Word and the response, the consecration and the offering at Communion, etc.).

Each person’s inner makeup leads them to particular preferences in their prayer life. Some thrive on silence and others on highly expressive prayer and singing. Some prefer to unite their voices in prayer in a spoken manner and others in song. What the Church seeks is a balance of both. In truth, those who prefer one way need also to pray in another way (though often they do not know or understand this).

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1140) we are so instructed:

It is the whole Body of Christ united with its Head, that celebrates. "Liturgical services are not private functions but are celebrations of the Church which is ‘the sacrament of unity,’ namely, the holy people united and organized under the authority of the bishops. Therefore, liturgical services pertain to the whole Body of the Church. They manifest it, and have effects upon it. But they touch individual members of the Church in different ways, depending on their orders, their role in the liturgical services, and their actual participation in them." For this reason, "rites which are meant to be celebrated in common, with the faithful present and actively participating, should as far as possible be celebrated in that way rather than by an individual and quasi-privately.

The first step to fitting worship is what each of us brings to the praying community… and the most basic element of what we bring is our sheer presence. If you are missing then an important element is missing from the liturgy. You will never read this in any liturgical study – but each of us brings a certain elan or style to our prayer. I think it is a diversity that God is rather pleased with. A wealth of diversity dedicated to the common task of praising God and supporting each other – what beauty there is in that!

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August 2nd, 3rd, 2003

Pastor’s Notes: Over the past three weeks I have been writing about issues that are very much with us and won’t go away, viz. the issues of abortion, same sex marriage, and civil rights along with the concept of "the common good". In our country’s Declaration of Independence there are eloquent words about each person having inalienable rights (such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness) - and the Church speaks of the sacredness of life. How does one keep a proper balance between ‘rights’ and the ‘common good?’ Ideally, these ideals ought to complement one another.

How is the common good served by the reality of the, literally, millions of abortions each year? How is the common good served by changing the definition (commonly inferred and/or accepted) of marriage?

Such reflection must account for the dramatic shifts that will result in society when any changes are considered or established. The church’s witness to the sacredness of life from her very birth has not countenanced abortion. Yet, as the contemporary church condemns the act of abortion, she has always shown great care for the one who has an abortion.

As for the Catholic Church, she has always born witness that the family is the basis of all society. As the church will witness for the family and marriage between man and woman as the (only) model of union – she also speaks on behalf of protection of Civil Rights for the homosexual within that community.

The Canadian bishops have sent an appeal to the courts of that land to contest the June 10^th ruling allowing same-sex marriage. They will argue that the common good will not be served and will, in fact, be damaged. In a statement by Archbishop Marcel Gervais of Ottawa he writes: "A marriage between male and female is a unique bond. It transcends time, has common religious, cultural and social dimensions and is universally upheld. It is not something based on individual practices and choices. For centuries, the quality of the union between opposite sexes has been recognized as providing a richer and more stable environment for raising a family." From the other side there are arguments that inalienable rights are denied – and as such, there is civil discrimination. These seem to be the lines of argumentation that we will hear in our courtrooms.
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Now, on a very different note: I want to express a very sincere thank you for your response to our request for new carpeting throughout our building. I know that the economy has hit hard for many of you and that only makes me more grateful.

Among our many servers, I am especially happy to have senior high school people serve at the altar. More impressive still is the fact that most of them have been serving for eight years. When we (Fr. Jim and myself) are aware that one of them is serving their last Mass we like to make special note of it. But those who go to other Masses will not be aware. So we now thank the following: Matt Boucher, Matt Curley, Emily Devlin, Katie Emhof, Peter Fisher, Rachel Jordan, Matt Kazior, Dan Lookner, T.J. Podeszwa, Michael Ranbom, Peter Reineke, Aaron Vurgason, Michael Warren and Chris Ziegler.

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July 26th, 27th, 2003

Pastor’s notes: Continued…In the past two weeks I have presented the Church’s teaching about the idea of the Common Good. Last week I wrote about the possibility of expanding the dialogue and thinking of some social issues in terms of the Common Good as well as in terms of Rights or Privacy. They all come into play when discussing the issues of abortion, affirmative action, the death penalty and same sex marriages. Same sex marriages are now being debated on the floors of Legislative bodies in many states. The following testimony was recently given to the Connecticut State Legislature by Fr. Bob Washabough. I think it will be helpful in to you in your reflections and discussions. Much is at stake.

"…I come before you today , recognizing that I am a contradiction. I am a Roman Catholic priest…I strongly support the civil rights of gay and lesbian people and I deeply repent of the prejudice displayed by society in general and by members of my Church both in the past and the present. Yet, I am a contradiction because I come to express my deep reservations about the legislation you are considering.

I also recognize that I am an anachronism because I speak the language of religion. This is not in vogue in our secular age, but it is more important than we think. The type of discourse that we naturally carry on in our daily deliberations may be described as that of logic: reasoned thinking which tries to be clear, concrete, and focused on both the rights and responsibilities of both groups and individuals. The language of religion can sound out of place or out of fashion when placed next to modern discourse. Anachronistic. It is less clear, not subject to demonstration or proof, and concerned with questions that may not seem to have immediate importance to all. The language of religion, though less popular, is vitally important to us all, even to those who profess no religious beliefs. The language of religion is important because we have no other way to answer such vital questions such as: "how do we define a human being?"

I am opposed to the re-defining of marriage to include same-sex couples, not out of prejudice towards lesbian or gay individuals, but for the same reason that I am opposed to human cloning. In the case of cloning, by using technology to produce exact replicas of human beings, we thereby change our definition of the human being. We become the products of a manufacturing process. In the same way, a redefinition of marriage which excludes the possibility of reproduction through lovemaking introduces a sea-change, a sub-surface shift, if you will, in our self-definition, our religious, poetic, and mythic descriptions of what the human being is. Up to the present the question, "where do human beings come from?" receives the following answer. A man and a woman give themselves to one in a total way, physically and emotionally in an act of lovemaking. Thereby they become parents. Human beings are the products of human love. This, of course, is not always the case. Acts if violence and deceit, even self-deceit sometimes are the beginning of a life. Nonetheless, the normative description of where human beings come from is the act of lovemaking between husband and wife in the context of marriage. This belief, religious in a way, is, to a great extent the source of our conviction that we have transcendence, "souls" if you will, that we are valuable in ourselves, not ciphers, not disposable, not merely advanced, organic thinking-machines – all because we are the consequence of acts of love, not a manufacturing process. Loosen the connection between the deep human loving of man and woman and human reproduction, as one would do by redefining family to include same-sex unions, and one subtly, and I believe unhappily redefines the human being. One touches depths of soul and self-definition of which our pragmatic and scientifically a-religious age is barely aware.

By speaking this way, I do not see myself as upholder of old traditions for tradition’s sake. Even less do I want to maintain a system of prejudice and oppression which does harm to a significant part of our society. We ought to ensure that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters have the legal protection necessary to live with human dignity. We should not make it difficult for our brothers and sisters to form stable and sustaining relationships. However, in doing so, we should not redefine an institution which is enormously important to us all for other reasons, reasons which are barely noticed by our modern consciousness. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share these thoughts with you today.
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July 19th, 20th, 2003
Pastor’s notes (continued) In last week’s bulletin I quoted the teaching on the Common Good as it is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If you did not get last week’s bulletin you can find it on the parish web site. I noted that some issues facing our church and society have gotten so bogged down that there seems to be little chance of any real progress. Some of these issues are abortion, the death penalty, affirmative action and now, the issue of same sex marriages.

From Christianity Today (July 2003 issue) David Koyzis makes the following observation: "The whole of political discourse has been reduced to rights talk. And if you take refuge behind rights, that presumably trumps all other considerations.

Rights talk has only polarized the two sides on the abortion issue. If one side were to adopt a different kind of language, it might lessen the distance. For example, you could talk more about the common good. Does it contribute to the common good for society to countenance the large-scale ending of life in the womb?

It you would start asking that question, people might realize that there are other considerations. There are economic considerations – though we must never reduce life issues to economics. There are also considerations about the way that the vulnerable are treated. In Scripture, there are all sorts of commands about protecting the vulnerable. And there’s a real sense, not so much that the rights of the vulnerable are being violated, but that by abusing the vulnerable, we abuse God himself.

That makes for a society that’s cheapened human life, a me-centered society in which people are concerned only with getting what they can. In that kind of society, the powerful always end up winning."

Prior to the 1960’s, the teaching of the Catholic Church about marriage was clear and definite. The purpose of marriage was for the bringing of new life into the world, caring for and the education of the child(ren). All else was subsidiary or secondary (as good as other ends might be). This thought is reflected in the very name of the sacrament of marriage. It is entitled the Sacrament of Matrimony. Matrimony means "a call (or mission) to motherhood".

In the deliberations of the Second Vatican Council all the sacraments, the sources of our faith, the liturgy, the church’s stance towards the world, etc. was up for discussion. It was a time of renewal – and renewal we got, under and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The ends and the purpose of marriage were reaffirmed – with one not-so-minor addition. The addition was that the purpose of marriage is inclusive of and the enhancement of love – the love between the married couple. This is a statement to which all people would agree - but it was not always so. The idea that one marries for love is, over the centuries and in most societies – even in Western society, is a relatively new concept. Marriages were often arranged and love could come later. In the past it could be said "because I married you I love you." In our day the common wisdom is "I married you because I love you."

To the Western mind the matter of love is held up to high regard as to privacy and as a right. "If I love someone and they love me then you have no say in the matter!" A multitude of books and songs has focused on this issue, such as in mixed social standings, or different nationalities, etc. It seems to work with a male and female… but if the issue is male/male or female/female then we have "heat and flame", i.e. passions are aroused, and we come back to the issues of privacy, rights and the Common Good (and a whole set of other issues as well).

To be continued…
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July 12th, 13th, 2003
Pastor’s Notes: Certain issues confronting our society have been debated and argued (with protests and counter-protests) so long that their continuance seems ritualistic (i.e., pretty much the same and producing no further results). Such examples are the debates about abortion, affirmative action and the death penalty. The next issue is already upon us: the prospect of same sex marriage. Canada has just recently legalized it, Vermont has and it seems as though it will be debated in every state. You can be sure that the heat will be intense.
"Rights" and "privacy" are catch-words you will be sure to hear time and again in such debates. It is time, perhaps, to introduce (or re-introduce) a new element into the discussion. It is the element of the "common good." If you have a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church go to sections 1905 ff.

For those of you who can’t find your copy I am printing it here. Common Good is abbreviated as "CG".)

1897 – (it situates the status of authority) "Human society can be neither well-ordered nor prosperous unless it has some people invested with legitimate authority to preserve its institutions and to devote themselves as far as is necessary to work and care for the good of all."

By "authority" one means the quality by virtue of which persons or institutions make laws and give orders to men and expect obedience from them.

"1905 In keeping with the social nature of man, the good of each individual is necessarily related to the CG, which in turn can be defined only in reference to the human person:

Do not live entirely isolated, having retreated into yourselves, as if you were already justified, but gather instead to seek the common good together. (Ep. Barnabae)

1906 By CG is to be understood "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily." The CG concerns the life of all. It calls for prudence from each, and even more from those who exercise the office of authority. It consists of three essential elements.

1907 First, the CG presupposes, respect for the person as such. In the name of the CG, public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental and inalienable rights of the human person. Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his vocation, such as "the right to act according to a sound norm of conscience and to safeguard… privacy, and rightful freedom also in matters of religion."

1908 Second, the CG requires the social well being and development of the group itself. Development is the epitome of all social duties. Certainly, it is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of the CG, between various particular interests; but it should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life; food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on.

1909 Finally, the common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order. It presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its members. It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and collective defence (sic).

1910 Each human community possesses a CG which permits it to be recognized as such; it is in the political community that its most complete realization is found. It is the role of the state to defend and promote the CG of society, its citizens, and intermediate bodies.

1911 Human interdependence is increasing and gradually spreading throughout all the world. The unity of the human family, embracing people who enjoy equal dignity, implies a universal common good. This good calls for an organization of the community of nations able to "provide for the different needs of men; this will involve the sphere of social life to which belong questions of food, hygiene, education,… and certain situations arising here and there, as for example… alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout the world, and assisting immigrants and their families."

1912 The CG is always oriented towards the progress of persons: "The order of things must be subordinate to the order of persons, and not the other way around." This order is founded on truth, built up in justice and animated by love.

To be continued…
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July 5th, 6th, 2003

Pastor’s Notes: We are, all of us, citizens of the world. From space you cannot see lines of demarcation that define the limits of one country against another. Those lines exist only on maps and in our heads. Still, our lives and the blessings of God have a defined specificity, e.g. though Jesus is the Lord of all the earth he lived and moved about in a particular space at a particular time. Jesus’ travels did not span a great distance – perhaps only as much as 150 miles as you measure north and south and fewer from east to west.

This weekend, we celebrate the founding of our nation, USA, and thank God for specific blessings – both material and spiritual. God’s good gifts have come to us in this place and at this time of the ages. Those who seem to be most appreciative are those who have now alive and have migrated here and those who have been in the armed forces. That may be because they have seen with their own eyes and have experienced within their own lives the absence of the blessings we may, at times, so cavalierly accept and possibly abuse. This weekend is designed to let us be giddy about what is given to us… but also to recognize it is not so throughout the world. It has come at a high price and it demands from its citizens and leaders a great responsibility ("Those to whom much has been give, much will be demanded from them.")

Happy (207^th) Birthday, USA!
The following come from Centurymarks that have appeared in Christian Century Magazine.

Old debate resolved: Jewish author Isaac Singer was nonce asked whether he believed in free will or determinism. Singer responded: "That’s a very easy question. We have to believe in free will. We have no choice."

"The problem is not the we’ve tried faith and found it wanting, but that we’ve tried mammon and found it addictive, and as a result find following Christ inconvenient… We are human beings, not human havings. God loves us for who we are, not what we have."

Arthur Simon

Your tired, your poor, your skilled: Much of the world may resent the US, but people still want to come live here. About 800,000 a year, in fact, are illegally entering the country. James Ziglar, outgoing commissioner of the Immigration Service, thinks that American immigration policy is schizophrenic, torn between the extremes of the open-door policy and xenophobic exclusion. Although Ziglar’s tenure was brief (less than two years), he sparked a fresh look at policy. For instance, he recommended the formation of Immigration Education Centers to teach English and civics to immigrants. Without such a program, he argued, immigrants don’t assimilate into the main stream. He also proposed that longer-term immigrants should be encouraged to become naturalized. "Why not ask immigrants to make a permanent commitment to our country after some reasonable time?" he asked. Recognizing that corporate America needs immigrants for the labor force, he also proposed industry co-ops, based on a Canadian model. The co-ops would make a good-faith effort first to find American workers, but then would recruit and train foreign laborers, based on skills and needs. Ziglar will continue to promote his innovative perspectives on immigration as a fellow at Harvard’s JFK School of Government. (George Anne Geyer, Chicago Tribune, Feb. 25)

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June 14th, 15th, 2003

The word "role model" conjures up a variety of images. Sports heroes, Hollywood stars/starlets, and music stars are probably the most apparent… and the role modeling they exercise is not always edifying. We admire their talents but the other elements of their lives are not so edifying. That may sound schizophrenic - but if a there is a surgeon who is the most qualified to operate on us, that’s the one we want. We aren’t going to check to see if he has a good prayer life or goes to confession on a regular basis.

Charles Barkley was a basketball superstar and not adverse to letting people know his view on things. When it was suggested that he was not a good role model for children he stated that he was a basketball player and not a role model. That wasn’t his job – that’s the responsibility of others (such as family members).

Sooner or later we find that all our heroes have feet of clay. Sammy Sousa was one of the most popular sports figures in America – and then came the corked bat (mistakenly used or not) and now life is different for Sammy and his fans.

A mature mind is aware that "original sin" is, as always, too much with us. While role models can be wonderful diversions – we need something more in our lives. We need people of integrity and moral credibility… even if they have had their failings and failures (the history of many of our great political heroes are filled with such accountings). Yet, there is something about them that makes them stand above the rest of us. There are the elements of integrity and honesty, and wholeness that seem to shine through and are the foundations of their own lives. And they have the courage and the will to hold true to such virtues. We need them for more than their virtues we might want to imitate. These are people to whom trust and responsibility are given. What they say and do and the decisions they will have to make directly influence and affect the lives of others. It is more than their reputation that is at stake – it is the lives and welfare of others that are at stake.

It is a responsibility that is laid upon all of us. A mother and a father, despite all their limitations and failings ought to be such heroes. (Every once in a while at a funeral Mass a child will say exactly that about a deceased parent).

Here is one memory of such a hero. It is from the thoughts of Mario Cuomo, a former governor of NY state as he speaks of his father.

"I watched a small man with thick calluses on both hands work fifteen and sixteen hours a day. I saw him once literally bleed from the bottoms of his feet, a man who came here uneducated, alone, unable to speak the language, who taught me all I needed to know about faith and hard work by the simple eloquence of his example."

For those who strive to be such a hero, Bill Cosby offers the following advice:

"If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right."

"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!" Lydia M. Child

Happy Father’s Day!

If you might be interested in helping to plan children’s liturgies for grades 3 through 6 please let call me at the rectory.
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May 24th, 25th, 2003

Pastor’s notes: Jonathan Glover has written a book: Humanity: A Moral History of the Twentieth Century. In this book he claims that wars have killed an average of 120 people an hour in the 20^th century! (7/24/365/100) While many a general and soldier have claimed that "war is hell" – it is the widows who lead (figuratively and sometimes literally) the parades of remembrance.

I recently went to Washington, D.C. for a days and had seen our National Cemetery (in Arlington). There is a quiet and yet disturbing peace to the determined order of the simple tombstones. The peace is quiet because those who are buried there have found rest. Disturbing, because (most often) that rest came through the power and violence of armed conflict. I would guess that the average age of those buried there would be somewhere in the twenty’s. The nation celebrates a national day of remembrance for all such as these to say (and to remind us) that human desires such as freedom, peace, security, etc. have come at high cost… and most of those who lie buried did not live to enjoy them in their hoped-for future. Remembering is a way of expressing gratitude… a way of saying their lives given were not in vain… a way of urging us to seek out ways of peace that insure justice and security. For those who follow Christ we are reminded that true and lasting peace comes from the hands and the spirit of God. The cross may be heavy – but we carry it with Christ and in the power of Christ. Death may come along with it – but death cannot hold us down. We are celebrating a season of Easter… of resurrection. May they rest in peace!

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In America magazine (5/19/03) Fr. John Kavanaugh, S.J. writes that in war men and women often find themselves in an immoral matrix – and striving for moral integrity. "This is the area of jus in bello, justice within war… these warriors try not to kill civilians; they try to defend the defenseless and one another; they want only to help the Iraqi people." He goes on to say that it is foolish to say that all who go to war are heroes. But he does speak of "noble warriors". He quotes one such soldier (does not name him) who addressed his brigade (an Royal Irish regiment – 800 soldiers) with these words:

We are entering Iraq to free a people, and the only flag that will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them… It is a big step to take another human life. it is not to be done lightly. I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts. They live with the mark of Cain upon them… Iraq is steeped in history, it is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and of the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there. You will see things that no man could pay to see, and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. Don’t treat them as refugees, for they are in their own county.

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By the time you are reading this bulletin, Ryan Fesko will have been buried from our parish (5/23/2003). He was one of the young men who perished in a car crash on Rte 29 – a road on which everyone reading this bulletin must have traveled at one time or another. Of the five who died in that car accident only one may be able to survive it. The grief to so many cannot be measured and the length of the grieving may be without measure. I am sure you have done so already… but pray for those young men and pray for their families and their friends. Prayer is not without its power – and prayer is something we ought to be (and are) good at.

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I know my writings this week are "heavy". But these are elements of our human estate and are certainly current and visible to us in this time and in this place. Our faith is no stranger to such struggles – and our Lord does not abandon us. Draw close to the Lord and the Lord will draw close to you.

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May 17th, 18th, 2003
Recently we had our second parish conference regarding the child abuse situation within our church. About twelve people were in attendance – most of who were not able to make it to the first conference. An update was given on what was happening within the US. The bishops have established a national office for the protection of the young and an office of investigation to see if the bishops of their local diocese are following the norms set up within the past two years. An account of the results is to be made (public) by the end of the year. Dioceses are now going back to past records to discover past offences. There are a number of new cases coming forward – but they are not about priests who are currently working – but of those who are retired or who have died. Fifty years seem to be the general expanse of time that the investigations are centered on. There were some questions that could not be answered (e.g. the costs involved).

To go forward in our parish we are going to investigate and establish a child abuse prevention program within the parish. The program will involve parents and children and will be open to all the members of the community at large (i.e. not just to St. James parishioners). The funding for the program will come from the money that is returned to the parish from the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. I have been speaking with the superintendent of schools, Mr. Sopko, one of the principals of our schools, Mr. Dick Fitzpatrick, and with the head of CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) which has its main office in Lawrenceville. The conversation was to assure that we would not be duplicating efforts. I will keep you informed as progress is being made

Deacons: About 25 – 30 years ago, when the diaconate was re-introduced to Catholic Community, many priests were not too receptive to the idea. "What do they do?" "I don’t need them." "I can do all that stuff quite well, thank you." Were some comments that I would hear. On May 10^th, while vesting before the mass for ordination I was speaking with some priests. The comments I hear now are "Thank God for the deacons. I’d be dead without them."

Our deacons, Sam, Jim, Kevin, Dick and Moore handle much of the business end (finances), run the religious education program, work on social justice issues, care for family life, help prepare liturgies, run RCIA programs, prepare for baptisms and baptize, make sure that the Eucharist and some prayer life is in nursing homes, train servers at the altar, lead prayer at funeral vigils, go to the cemeteries, hospitals, chair parish dinners, visit the sick, proclaim the gospel and instruct within the liturgies and outside the liturgies, work in emergency situations for the homeless, the sick, and counsel in the rectory. These are but a few of the things they do. "How did we do without them?

The Easter collection this year totaled just a little bit over $40,000. This will help us meet some of our diocesan assessments and, of course, our normal course of expenses.

It has been noted that it seems that when we (pastors) speak about money it is either to ask for it (and we don’t do that well) or to lay out a guilt trip. Actually we do thank you for it as well and are extremely appreciative of your generosity.

Perhaps in the fall I might dedicate a few homilies on money. The good news will be that I won’t ask for or lay on a guilt trip. It is a difficult topic. The Lord Jesus spoke about it often (and did not always say to give it away). At one time it considered a sin to loan money and expect to get it back with interest. It was called "usury". But the way the world was progressing and the demands of growth made loans a necessity… and so the church changed. So – what to do with the money? You know I won’t give answers – but I can bring something to the table for you to reflect upon

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May 10th, 11th, 2003

"In those days, as the number of disciples grew, the ones who spoke Greek complained that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food, as compared with the widows of those who spoke Hebrew. The Twelve assembled the community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Look around among you own number, brothers, for seven men acknowledged to be deeply spiritual and prudent, and we shall appoint them to this task. This will permit us to concentrate on prayer and the ministry of the word.’ The proposal was unanimously accepted by the community. Following this they selected Stephen, a man filled faith and the Holy Spirit; Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus of Antioch, who had been a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who first prayed over them and then imposed hands upon them." (Acts 6: 1 – 6)

On May 10^th the Bishop of Trenton ordained William Moore Hank ("Moore") to the ministry of the Diaconate… and specifically to the service of the church at Pennington – St. James. Moore completed several years of study and training before he arrived at his day of ordination – but the process of discerning a response of a call from God to serve was a bit longer. In all those years his wife, Theresa, accompanied and assisted him. It could not, it ought not, be otherwise.

May God bless them and God’s light shine upon them!

Mother’s Day 2003

Anna M. Jarvis (1864-1948) is credited with originating our Mother's Day holiday. She never married and was extremely attached to her mother, Mrs. Anna Reese Jarvis. Mrs. Jarvis was a minister's daughter who for 20 years taught Sunday School in the Andrews Methodist Church of Grafton, West Virginia. Miss Jarvis graduated from the Female Seminary in Wheeling, West Virginia, and taught in Grafton before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the rest of her family.

Anna Reese Jarvis died in Philadelphia in May of 1905. Still unmarried and left alone with her blind sister Elsinore, Anna missed her mother greatly. Two years after her mother's death (1907) Anna Jarvis and her friends began a letter-writing campaign to gain the support of influential ministers, businessmen and congressmen in declaring a national Mother's Day holiday. She felt children often neglected to appreciate their mother enough while the mother was still alive. She hoped Mother's Day would increase respect for parents and strengthen family bonds.

THE FIRST MOTHER'S DAY

The first Mother's Day observance was a church service honoring Mrs. Anna Reese Jarvis, held at Anna Jarvis's request in Grafton, West Virginia, and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1908.

Carnations, her mother's favorite flowers, were supplied at that first service by Miss Jarvis. White carnations were chosen because they represented the sweetness, purity and endurance of mother love. Red carnations, in time, became the symbol of a living mother. White ones now signify that one's mother has died.

Happy Mother’s Day

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May 3rd, 4th, 2003;
On this coming Thursday evening, May 8, 7:30 p.m. at the church we will have an open discussion re: child abuse within the church. We will review what took place at the first meeting and continue our discussion: perhaps some planning for the future. All are invited.

The following poem was written by Madeleine L’Engle. She is a religious writer of some note and she composed the poem that follows: an appropriate beginning to a month in which Mary is honored in a special way.

Mary Speaks

O You who bear the pain of the whole earth, I bore you.

O You whose tears gave human tears their worth, I bore you.

You, who when your hem is touched, give power. I nourished you.

Who turns the day to night in this dark hour, Light – comes from you.

O You who hold the world in your embrace, I once carried you.

Whose arms encircled the world with your grace, I once held you.

O You who laughed and ate and walked the shore, I played with you.

And I, who with all others, you died for,

now I hold you.

May I be faithful to this final test, in this last time I hold my child, my son;

his body close enfolded to my breast;

The holder held,

the bearer borne.

mourning to joy,

darkness to morn,

open, my arms; your work is done.

* * * * * * * * *
Our community extends a special blessing and congratulations to our First Communicants this weekend. In Catholic churches one of the most pleasant and reoccurring Spring practices is that of First Communion. We always look forward to it and always come away from it with a glad heart. To our Religious Education staff, to the teachers, the parents and volunteers who assisted in the preparation (part of which is a First Communion Retreat) we extend our thanks and pray to God for good blessings upon you. And to the children: come to the table and come often. You will have special blessings from your Lord who has great love for you. Your presence is blessing to all – as will this community be to you.

* * * * * * * * *

Next Saturday, May 11^th, Mr. William Moore Hank will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. On that same day, at the 5:00 p.m. Mass there will be a Mass of Thanksgiving. Moore joins the company of our Deacons Sam Sciarrotta, Jim Palsir, Kevin Byrne and Dick Currie. We offer to God our thanksgiving and to Moore and his wife, Theresa, our prayers and good wishes. They have both worked long and hard for the arrival of this day. As one journey ends for them – another begins.

* * * * * * * * *
The Bishop’s Annual Appeal: St. James Church - Pennington, NJ has reached its goal of $55,000 and I want to thank all of you who contributed to the appeal… your generosity is a special blessing for me and then for those who will benefit from the funding of various programs.

For those who wish to contribute you still have time. This weekend is the final weekend of the drive. Please join us in this appeal.

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April 26th, 27th, 2003

Joined to the Body of Christ at the Easter Vigil were Doug and Rana Binder… Charlie _______ entered into full communion with the Catholic Church, Allie_________, Stephanie_________, and Rich and May Lee, with the others, were confirmed with Holy Spirit. We praise and thank God for the blessing of their lives and presence to this community of St. James.

A most heart-felt note of appreciation to the RCIA team, to the sponsors and instructors who stepped forward to meet the needs of those who sought out the Lord, Jesus. Without the proclamation, the hearing, the care from others there would be no nurturing of their faith. Blessed be God who worked through the members of His Body in this Church.

*****

The parish is very much indebted to and thankful for all those who prepared the liturgies, the music (a lot of work expended to give voice to the mysteries in which we engaged), the decorations, the other liturgical ministries such as hospitality, serving, sprucing up the church, or the deacons and staff, and so on. I want to assure you that your work 1) does not go unacknowledged or appreciated 2) that your efforts met with great success and 3) each according to its own grace drew us deeper into the life and love of our God.

*****

The Resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate victory of life over death, of God’s goodness over evil. Like you who are reading this bulletin, I try to involve myself as much as possible into the various mysteries we celebrate through Lent, Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is a pretty big day… and at the end of the day we can find ourselves asking: "now what?" The world pretty much looks the same. The television programming goes back to business as usual, the sports world keeps moving along as do the governments of the world, etc. Has the resurrection had its effect in the world?

By analogy there is something that can be said. I, for one, worked years in the seminary and prepared for and looked for the day of my ordination (in the same way that many couples approach their wedding day). Then came the ordination and the next day there was the Mass and, later in the day, Benediction (we did things differently in those days). Our "great events" have taken place but we realized that though we have "arrived" – we knew that it was just the beginning. Though the world continued along its path, we changed and our life circumstances changed and nothing will ever be quite the same again. Many paths of life were open to us – and we chose this path. In one of the gospel accounts of the Resurrection we sense that the Ascension occurred on the same day. And when Jesus ascended the messengers of God said to the disciples "What are you staring at? Let’s go. There’s a lot of work to be done."

Now our lives are "resurrection" lives. We live and move about in the world in a way that is dramatically different from those who neither met nor know Jesus. This path brings its own trials and rewards and it brings the ultimate reward of life with God – forever. Things may look the same – but they sure are different!

Resurrexit sicut dixit. Alleluia!

He is risen as he said. Alleluia!

On May 8^th, Thursday, 7:30 p.m., in the Church there will be a follow-up parish meeting on the topic of clergy sex abuse within the Catholic Church. If you were not able to get to the first meeting this will be opportunity offered again. A point of consideration will be "where do we go from here as a parish?" I hope to have more details in a future bulletin.

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April 20th, 2003 Easter Sunday 2003

Ask any Roman Catholic priest (or observe for yourself) at what times of the year do most people come for the Holy Liturgy (Prayer). They will tell you Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter.

Christmas centers on life and promise. Human life! Beautiful human life! - no matter how humble or messy the beginnings. With the birth of every child there is the promise of hope. What will this child be? What disappointments will he/she experience? How will they come through it? How will they be loved? How will they love? The beginning of the revelations or answers to these inquiries begins with the birth of Jesus. And that is worth celebrating.

Ash Wednesday looks both to the past and to the future. It looks to the past and makes us face the coming certainty of death. The ashes lead us to ask, "how are we doing?" "Am I getting this ‘life’ thing right?" "Is there a better way, a fuller way, of life? And if there is, then why am I not getting it?" Intuitively, or by reason, or in some other manner we sense we fall far short (is it our sin?) and we come for the ashes to say "I want to put aside the old and destructive and to walk on new pathways." And that is worth celebrating!

Palm Sunday is a shocker! We begin the Holy Liturgy by praising the earthly kingship of Jesus and before we even get to the homily (sermon) we have heard how Jesus, within a week, is arrested, falsely condemned, and put to death on a cross! Definitely two "bummers." We thought we got it right as we shouted our "hosannas". We were with Jesus all the way - until we found out the way led to the cross! Palm Sunday turns us upside down and spins us around. We become dizzy and we have to take time out to figure it all out. If suffering is a necessary part of the package deal of life; if earthly kingship is temporary (even the pope is warned as he accepts his new position: "sic transit gloria mundi" i.e.; "thus passes the glory of the world"): if earthly kingship is empty then what is there? It will take us time to figure this out – and so we enter into a "Holy Week" in order to engage Holy Mystery – and be led into a revelation that will forever change us. And that is worth celebrating!

Easter Sunday completes the circle and it brings us back to life. To beautiful human (and supernatural) life! It is about the fulfillment of human life and more – much more – no matter how humble or how messy the earthly ending! It states that God has a plan and if God has a plan then our life has a purpose! It says that love is greater than the power of death! It says that God’s ability to forgive is greater than our ability to sin! It calls to mind Jesus’ promise that where He is there we shall be also – and Jesus has the power to deliver on that promise! In fact, Jesus has delivered! Fear and death will not have the final say. And that is worth celebrating!

Go and read the various accounts of the Resurrection and the appearances of Jesus. You might end up asking: "is this any way to stage a resurrection?" No big crowd (only a few women and even they are afraid to speak about it), and then when spoken about – disbelief at the worse (with one or two exceptions) and skepticism at best. But the Word could not be held down! It was passed on, it picked up a power of its own and proclaimed throughout the lands and throughout the ages. Those who gather weekly to celebrate the Holy Mysteries are most responsible for the preservation of the Good News and for the proclamation of that same Good News. And that is worth celebrating!

From the lips of the one in white garments and at the tomb:

"Do not be afraid.

Jesus is not here

for He has been raised."

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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April 5th, 6th, 2003
(Apologies for all the "I’s" and "me’s" in these notes. I thought perhaps that some of my experiences might resonate with what is happening to you during Lent.) At the beginning of Lent I cautioned you that if we take upon ourselves a Lenten discipline which we think will, in the end, make us a better person, or a person with a greater love for Christ, etc., then prepare yourself for many failures. If there is no struggle, if there is no failure then perhaps we are wrestling with the "wrong demons". In fact, at the end of Lent we may find ourselves far short of any goal we may have set for ourselves. Do not take that as reason to lose heart. Victory may be in the fact that you fought the good fight (and continue to do so)… it seems that this is more often the case than being able to point to some arrival at perfection". If all this is true then I’m having a great lent! My attempts at discipline have crashed a number of times and my failures to keep even a small sense of order in my prayer life make me wonder if I will ever "turn the corner" - having even a little success.
All this being said, the Lenten season is far from being devoid of blessing(s). The attempts to work my Lenten disciplines I think have made me more attentive to other blessings that surround me.
It feels like a puzzle coming together. That puzzle won’t be completed until I see the other side of death, but each piece that fits in brings a particular kind of satisfaction or blessing.
I pray that your Lent is going well.

* * * There is a statue in north Jersey (Englewood, I think) that was designed by an artist named Charles Vukovitch. It is of a soldier. What makes it so special is that the soldier is in a slight crouching position, his arms are spread out and the palms of his hands are facing to the back… as if saying to the civilians to "stay behind me… I will protect you!" That was the intent of the artist – to see the soldier as a protector. I often thought how well the artist caught the spirit of the task of a soldier and how honorable it is. And we observe on TV how dishonorable it is when soldiers use civilians as shields or hide behind the mask of civilian clothes as a military tactic.

* * * For Us All * * *

I couldn’t figure out

How to avoid war,

So I did the dishes.

I couldn’t fathom

How to convert terrorism to peace,

So I took out the trash.

I couldn’t imagine

The depths of a victim’s suffering,

So I prayed…

For the victims,

For the terrorists,

For peace,

For us all.

Mary Hogan (NCR 3/28/03 p. 20)

Let this Church continue and persevere in prayer for peace – peace at all levels of the human experience.

Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete is learned and well-spoken priest. He is both scientist and theologian (with the degrees to verify it). He sometimes writes for the New Yorker magazine and has appeared on the Charlie Rose show several times. I picked up his book, God at the Ritz, after having read a short review. It is a book I will go back to again after I finish reading it. The book is small and the chapters are not long. They address the issues that our contemporaries and we talk about and wrestle with. The chapters may be short on words – but it may take a little longer to read them than you might imagine because you will want to stop and reflect on his words time and again. If you’re in a bookstore – pick it up and skim through a chapter in the middle. You will probably end up buying the book.
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March 29th, 30th 2003
A little insight into your pastor’s thinking (if that sort of thing interests you – if not, go to the next part of these notes). I pray for the safety of all combatants, or for their safe return or for peace – but for victory, as odd as it may seem, is of another nature. Jesus had a lot to do with that sort of thinking. What also influenced my mindset was the time I came across a short, very short, story written by one of America’s famous writers: Mark Twain. It is called The War Prayer. To find it go to your computer and go to one of the search engines (I used Google) and simply type in "Mark Twain war prayer". I want to warn you that it can be upsetting. And whether you agree with it or not it will make you think about how you pray and for what you pray.

* * * With a little poked at myself I thought you might enjoy the following. Garrison Kellior is best known and loved for his stories about the town of Lake Wobegon (fictional) on PNRadio. His radio talks are anecdotes that image a fairly accurate accounting of human behavior. He has a new book, Good Poems, and in a published interview he is asked about poetry and if the pastors of Lake Wobegon ever quote poetry in their sermons. The Lutheran minister, Pastor Ingqvist, he says, usually quotes from the psalms. But is it a good thing to quote poetry? His response is: "Probably not. Depends on what’s happening in the sermon, of course, but usually the quotation of poetry is a clear sign that the pastor has floundered and is trying to climb out of the soup. He’s grabbed for a few lines of poetry as a dramatic device, like holding up a sign that says ‘Profoundity Ahead’" "Later he goes on to say: "It’s all very innocent, the sermon. Very few people are listening because usually there is so little to listen to. So he could quote almost anybody and it wouldn’t matter. The doors of their attention slammed shut after the first humorous anecdote and the first reference to the scripture reading for the day. It’s like reciting poetry to trees: go ahead, it can’t hurt them."

* Later he turns his attention to poets and notes that he would have poets write true confessions. "True concession is extremely rare in poetry, as in life. when a poet pretends to confess, usually he does it in a pretty heroic manner: Forgive me, Lord, that I have foolishly bestowed love on these raving idiots. You seldom hear someone come to the real basic stuff: Forgive me, Lord, for being this self-righteous *%&#@ and walking around with a mirror held up in front of my face. Relieve me, Lord, of this stupid self-consciousness, this absolutely insufferable ego. God, it is making me miserable. I lust after recognition, I am desperate to win all the little merit badges and trinkets of my profession, and I am of less real use in this world than any good cleaning lady. I have written reams of high-falutin nonsense and it is nothing but fishwrap and a dog’s biffy. You don’t get this kind of honesty often from writers, and of course it ought to be encouraged.

Scripture tells us to confess our sins to each other, and I wish that the poets I know would do this more often. They could use a little more humility, frankly. We humorists can’t do the whole job alone."

Christian Century 3/22/03

Perhaps some (many?) of us can substitute our name where the word "poet" is written. Not a bad Lenten reflection!

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March 22nd, 23rd, 2003
Pastor’s notes: It is Monday and by time you have this bulletin in hand we may find ourselves in a stance of war in Iraq. I say "in" because that is where the battles will be waged. I refrain from saying "with Iraq" because the main point of contention is not with the Iraqi people – but with S. Hussein. In practice that distinction will mean little because Iraqi citizens and US soldiers will be harmed and destroyed. If this is the realpolitik (and not peace) then pray that it will be swift with as little harm as possible and resulting in what is best for the good people of that land and ours… and may God have mercy on us all.

* * * Fred Craddock writes in The Christian Century some food for thought.

"Lent carries in its bosom a seductive danger: excessive inwardness. The seduction is this: a season of prayer, repentance, and preparation for Good Friday and Easter necessarily involves trips to the heart, but tarry there too long and repentance can stall out as melancholy. The danger is this: self-examination may spawn attempts at self-improvement, with the result that looking at self replaces looking to God, and small measures of merit replace the immeasurable grace of God…"

* * * From America magazine comes this reflection on devotion that is making a comeback with catholic hearts, viz. a devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Christopher Ruddy (32 yrs.) writes: "…I did not grow up with any devotion to the Sacred Heart, and it is only in the last few years, as I have struggled with vocation and the demands of family life, that the practice has spoken to my own heart: the fearful heart that paralyzes me when I think of the future, rendering me unable to open myself in trust to God; the cramped heart that refuses to admit my wife and infant son, but clings to my own prerogatives, choosing to watch Peter out of the corner of my eye as I read the morning newspaper rather than get on the floor and play with him; the oblivious heart that holds forth at dinner on the recording history of The Beatles’ Abbey Road, but forgets to ask Deborah how her class went that afternoon. At times like these I wonder have I really let into my life those I love so much? Have I gone out to them? Are they part of my flesh or merely fellow travelers?

"On a particularly difficult afternoon last summer, I took Peter for a walk. We wound up at a church in our neighborhood, and, almost unable to bear the despair and self-loathing that was consuming me, I went in to pray. I lit a candle before Mary for my wife and one for myself before Joseph. Almost accidentally I stopped in front of a wood carving of the Sacred Heart. Caught somewhere between rage and tears, I looked up at the heart and, for the first time, saw beyond the barbed-wire crown of thorns encircling it, into its gentleness. A prayer rose up in me, "Jesus, give me a bigger heart." I looked at Peter in shame and in hope, and I went out into the day.

I remain irritable and irritating. I continue to struggle with a stoniness that shuts out so many. I know ever more clearly my deep sinfulness. But in continuing to pray to the Sacred heart, I have also come to know God’s still deeper mercy. I am strengthened by a heart pierced but unvanquished. I am welcomed by a heart that knows only tenderness and so makes me tender. I look on that pulsing, flesh heart: courageous and vulnerable, compact and capacious, never one without the other."

* * * If you haven’t yet done so I ask you to please make your contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal at your earliest convenience. And I want to thank those of have already pledged and contributed to Bishop Smith’s appeals to help.

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March 8th, 9th, 2003
The following comes from one of my liturgical resources.

"…Jesus is also the New Adam, and this Adam confronts the tempter, the dark and destructive forces of the world – and wins.

"We belong to this new Adam, to a new creation. But has it really made a difference? It is hard to believe that we have a kingdom hidden in our midst, and that the reign of God has begun. Jesus even says that ‘this is the time of fulfillment.’ The symbol of the kingdom, the most pervasive in the New Testament, has been interpreted many ways. One of them says that it is the presence of God and something of heaven in the midst of human life. it is a power capable, with our collaboration of transforming the earth. A beautiful definition. But once again, does that seem to be happening? Are we making progress, or just the opposite – are we going backwards? Is it not more honest, more realistic, if we call ourselves sinners, take a good look at our world and cultural values, and conclude that it is an unholy mess?

"When we see the malice in the world we try to find a cause. The easiest answer is to blame the devil and tell the old story of Adam and Eve. But it’s not that simple any more. We don’t think, now, of two people in a garden, much less of an apple and a tree, but we read this opening book of the Bible as a statement of the human condition, the goodness of God, and the essential goodness of all that God has made – including us. In our long, slow transition from beast to human, from living in caves to living in homes and cities, we have constantly abused the power of free choice which emerged with our ancestors. We know much misery in life has come from the abuse of freedom, from sin. But that doesn’t explain much of the evil that surrounds us.

There is a poem by Leonard Cohen that comes out on the side of optimism, although it certainly is the long-range view. Speaking for all of us, he says:

The fact is, I’m turning to gold, turning to gold.

It’s a long process, they say.

It happens in stages.

This is to inform you that I’ve already turned to clay.

The Bible, too, says that we are made of clay. The clay was shaped by the Masterful Creator, who breathed into us His/Her immortal spirit. We are turning to gold but this is a metaphor for the real thing. We are meant to turn into the sons and daughters of God. That is why St. Paul says patiently, ‘Christ died for sins once for all, so that he could lead us to God.’"

GOOD NEWS Vol. 30 pg. 101-102

First, there was the baptism of Jesus. Then Jesus exits immediately and goes into the desert (you would think that he should have gone right to work, wouldn’t you? Why did Jesus do that? Because the Spirit sent him there! We understand that the Spirit acts in strange ways but the Spirit is also loving and wise! This was the right call!

When the Spirit does something like that to us we need to understand that it is to prepare us to take up our task, our mission and meaningful work. That could mean simply growing up or to get on with our life.

Then something interrupts this work or seems to prevent from getting started. An injury, an illness, major distractions due to family or other relationship problems… an apparent setback of any kind. These things don’t feel good, and they usually seem unrelated to the basic job God has given us to do. But we have to trust, just as with the time Jesus spent in the desert, our desert time is actually a preparation for the work that lies ahead!

We have reached approximately 60% of our goal in the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. Many thanks and much gratitude to those already committed. Pledge envelopes are in the Gathering area of the church for others who wish to make a contribution or a pledge (and please consider participating).
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March 1st, 2nd, 2003
LENT starts this Wednesday. We make the Lenten season together. As personal as your practice of Lent may be – you do it with the entire church. The practice of lent with the community is strength given to you to progress in holiness.
Before this coming Wednesday I ask you to take some time and consider seriously how you will journey through the Lenten season. You might follow the ancient, traditional and effective practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If you say "yes" be specific as to how you will practice these disciplines, why you are doing it, and how you thin it will enhance your spiritual life.

You might benefit by choosing to read selected parts of the scripture: e.g. read two gospels and Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. Or get a book on spirituality (anything by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser would be great, especially his book "The Holy Longing…"). I am sensing that for a good part of our congregation the only time you get a chance to feed your spirit is when we gather for prayer on the weekends. I know that your schedules are hectic – but it is Lent: turn off the TV, read and reflect.

Join or form a prayer group for the season of Lent. You can contact Moore Hank at the rectory and he will be glad to assist you in this endeavor.

If you haven’t tried it – pray the rosary (how about the family praying the rosary together) and/or go to Mass every day. Our Masses are at 9 a.m. in the chapel – but that is not a good time for everyone. There are other churches nearby that do have earlier Masses. And there is the practice of "making the "stations of the cross" – you can do that individually or on Friday evenings (7:30 p.m.) at the chapel.

If you are not obligated to fast there is the practice of denying yourself something during the Lenten season. This is not an exercise in will power - you must define a purpose for the fasting (for conversions of sinners, for peace, for better understanding of those who are truly poor, etc.). You will discover that these are not "ends" of themselves but often they lead to deeper reflection and new conversions. That little discomfort you feel in even small denials of pleasure can be powerful reminders that you are a spiritual and physical being and there is more to life than what meets the eye.

You might want to make each week of Lent an opportunity to mend or strengthen relationships. One week you can take the time to write to someone you have not seen for a long time. Another week, give a call to someone you have been apart from for some time (even just an acquaintance). Another week, to take time to visit and spend time with others who would appreciate your company. Perhaps by the end of the Lenten season you will mend a broken relationship.

I would like to invite you, each day during the Lenten season, just before noon, to pray a short prayer for our parish community. It will remind us that we are connected together in the Lord. It will remind us that each person bears their own cross – but we are all united in the sufferings of Jesus – and ultimately in the victory of Jesus.

I would like to express my heart-felt appreciation to those who have made a pledge to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal. I know that some of you are wrestling with a lot of mixed feelings re the institutional church (with some merit). I think our diocese has done well. As I noted earlier, the good works still need to be supported. In the past the BAA has helped some programs that were running in the red. I have kept my pledge the same as in years past – it is one way to say that I think the campaign is solid and necessary. I am asking that each family consider making a pledge ($250?).
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February 22nd, 23rd, 2003
February 24^th is designated Muslim-Catholic dialogue day by a Vatican-Muslim Committee, commemorating the exact day when Pope John Paul II visited the Islamic University of Al-Azhar in Cairo in 1998. The following notes come from PRIEST magazine.

Catholics and Muslims (Islam is the name of the religion while a Muslim is the one who adheres to that religion) share many beliefs. We believe that there is One God – though the idea of a Trinity is not a teaching of Islam. We share the mutual value of fasting, integration of life and religion, not treating women as sexual objects, young people active in faith, shared life issues, family values and regular prayer.

In Islam there are neither sacraments nor a real clergy. The Muslims hold their religion to be a rational religion and a religion of the book (the Koran). Christians hold a belief that goes beyond the rational and into a belief placed in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. The resurrection and last judgment are invoked in the Koran. The good are rewarded and the evil are punished. There is a belief in paradise and hell. In the garden of paradise, the elect of God will have a right to all that man can hope for… and yes, that widespread belief that Allah will give the good "beautiful girls with large eyes" (surate 56, v. 36-37) "virgins and youthful" (surate 56, v. 36-37) who are at the disposition of the good man, but who will always remain virgins.

The practice of Islam rests on five fundamental obligations that are called pillars (arkan) of Islam. These obligations are clearly ritualistic but their formal practice does not suffice; it is indispensable to accompany them with a pure and sincere intention.

The profession of Faith: "I attest that there is no other God but Allah and that Mohammed is his prophet."
Prayer: this is a daily obligation – five times a day: at dawn, midday, at half the afternoon, at sunset and evening when night begins.
Obligatory Almsgiving: it is a legal almsgiving. Voluntary almsgiving that is spontaneous is called sadaka but Zadak is a sort of tax taken from the more favored to the benefit of the poor and of the community. It is a form of community solidarity that inspires this giving. "God withdraws his protection from a community in which is found a man who is hungry."
Fast during the Month of Ramadan: obligatory from puberty, it consists in eating nothing, nor drinking, smoking, no sexual activity from the rising of the sun until it sets during the whole month of Ramadan, the 9^th month of the lunar year. After the fasting of the day comes the joy of the night. The evening meal that must be sober is marked with conviviality.
Pilgrimage to Mecca (the haj): every Muslim should try once during his life to make a pilgrimage to Mecca… usually during the last month of the lunar year.

John Esposito’s book The Straight Path can provide excellent background reading (Oxford University Press).

The Bishop’s Annual Appeal begins this week. I am requesting that you contribute to this appeal --- especially if you have not done so in the past. Your contribution can be paid over a period of six months and every contribution helps. As a note, I will continue to renew my pledge as I have in the past. Please join with me in the BAA.
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February 8th, 9th 2003
No one can live on the edge of high intensity and expectation all the time. When for the first time you see a launch of a spacecraft you are highly excited, very much aware of the dangers, the risks, and the rewards of space exploration. When they occur time and again we protect ourselves, lessen the intensity and begin to take them as a matter of course. Last week’s tragic loss of the space shuttle and its passengers was seen not only as a national disaster but somehow, by many, felt as a personal loss. Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Salton Clark, and Ilan Ramon, as President Bush noted, are "not coming back home".

As with the 9/11/01 tragedy we discover (again) that the ordinary is not so ordinary. No space shot, no birth of a child, no going off to work, etc… no matter how normal it may seem is never really "normal" or "ordinary". Maybe it’s why the church makes such a big deal when it celebrates the Sundays of Ordinary Time. I have a friend, who every once in a while, reminds me that "tomorrow is promised to no one". I believe I noted that a few times in my notes.) It isn’t meant to scare, or lead to a philosophical sense of nihilism (meaning in the end there is nothing), nor meant to "party while you can." It is meant to help me be aware of the awesome-ness of the time given to me, to make good use of it, to thank God for it, and (if one is a Christian) to think of the things that lie beyond this life.

Every tragedy is highly personal and I suspect that no two people experience it in the same way. Alice Sebold’s book, The Lovely Bones, is about a young girl who is murdered. A friend asks Lindsey, a sister to the girl who was murdered, if she misses her sister. She said "yes" – and then to herself said "No one will ever know how much." Pray for the astronauts, their friends and their families. We will never know how much they will miss them – only that the pain is indescribable.

The following is a reflection on prayer that comes from Good News, a homiletic service.

"Rising early the next morning he (Jesus) went off to a lonely place in the desert; there he was absorbed in prayer."

When we pray there "is the fear which lays hold of some of us when we pray. Is anyone really there? Praying seems to help us. Even when we beg for things that do not materialize… we commonly tell ourselves it is God’s will and this is the prerequisite to all prayer. We feel that he has strengthened us to his purpose.

Isn’t that true? The skeptic still cannot be quiet; he suggests that prayer is a self-fulfilling activity; in other words, because we think prayer helps us, it does. It is all psychological; for him, the truth of the matter is that there is no one there.

And for us? We have one sure, swift answer. In the history of our humanity, Jesus was there. He was born, he lived. We came to believe that he was divine, that he is still alive, more alive than anyone who had ever lived. And during his life on earth he prayed. Today’s gospel is only one of the many times we are told that he prayed. That is reason enough for us to do likewise.

There is another reason which comes from Jesus’ own religious tradition. A latter-day teacher of Israel, Abraham Heschel said very simply: "Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living."

We cannot escape the impact of those words. They should drive us to our knees. Or to silence, wonder – and thanksgiving that we are, and the universe is. We are here. We have no reason in ourselves to exist, and to be the sole creatures in the cosmos who ponder the stars and the mystery of our own being. We pray, then, in response to the One who has brought this about, who has made himself known , the One we call our Father or Mother, the Creator, the eternal , Our God."

Just a quick note… Should you need to contact me - I will be away this wee: but back by the weekend.
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February 1st, 2nd, 2002
Many of you will know that this Sunday’s celebration, The Presentation, is one of the Joyful mysteries of the rosary. There is no other prayer quite like the rosary and one so identified with Catholicism. Before Vatican Council II and the renewal of the liturgy – the rosary was a "traveling companion" for most Catholics. Many, many years ago a priest, on his day off, was at Coney Island. While walking on the boardwalk in shirt and bathing suit he saw a man dressed up as a priest but he definitely knew he was not one. The man dressed as a priest was causing quite a stir on the boardwalk with some bizarre behavior. The priest in shirt and bathing suit went over to a police officer and informed him of the situation, told him he was a priest and that the other man was not. Now the officer wasn’t sure who was the priest and who wasn’t. The officer was reluctant to approach the "priest" and "collar" him (excuse the pun). He asked the man a few questions and found himself still in a quandary. Then he asked the "priest" if he had his rosary beads with him. And when the man said he did not the officer immediately took him in – for surely, no priest would ever be without his rosary beads.
Recently, Pope John Paul II has given the church the Luminous mysteries: The baptism in the Jordan; the wedding feast at Cana, the preaching of the Kingdom of God, the Transfiguration, and the institution of the Eucharist. Such a change has been suggested a number of times before; many have observed the gap in reflecting on the life of Christ. The pope, in his letter, acknowledges the primacy of the liturgy as the public prayer of the church and "indispensable font of the true Christian spirit." He then reminds one of the further need to develop time apart for personal prayer, and to keep the focus always on the mystery of Christ. He insists that the heart of the rosary is its meditation – not something rote or routine. You can find the letter on the web: www.rosary.com.

Barbara Brown Taylor, an Episcopalian priest, writes in Christian Century magazine:

"One of the most remarkable acts of Pope John Paul II in the 25^th year of his papacy has been to add Jesus’ life on earth to the praying of the rosary. For 900 years, Catholic Christians have used this devotion to contemplate three series of sacred mysteries: the Joyous mysteries (Christ is born), the Sorrowful mysteries (Christ is killed) and the Glorious mysteries (Christ reigns in heaven). Now, almost a millennium later, the pope is asking believers to contemplate the Luminous mysteries as well – the ministry and teachings of Christ on earth.

"While this new directive may sail right over the heads of most Protestant Christians, it will change the way that millions of people pray for peace every day. Short of amending the creed, it may be the most significant theological reform possible at this late date, for it suggests that Jesus’ life is as salvific as his death, and that the years he spent giving birth to love on earth are as full of light for us as the hours he spent dying on the cross… the Luminous mysteries affirm the truth that lit-up living is as much a part of the Christian way as sorrowful dying, and that love is the singular revelation of them both."

All of our choirs (folk, 9:45, children, and occasional) are always seeking more members to enhance their capabilities, the liturgy and your prayer as well. We have reorganized our music program at the 5 p.m. liturgy: the music will be lead by the folk choir and members of our CRASH club. They will set up and work on an alternating schedule. I am asking you to consider joining one of the groups. The styles and variety seem extensive enough to accommodate most preferences – now we need your commitment and voice. Feel free, at any time, to approach the leaders of music at one of the Masses with any questions you may have
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January 25th, 26th, 2003
Pastor’s notes: Last Sunday evening approximately forty of us gathered in the church to speak out and about the child abuse scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church in the USA. (One participant came from another parish about forty-five minutes from here). Bill Breslin and Maggie Klune and myself composed the panel . They are both counselors and Ms. Klune has had extensive experience in dealing with victims of abuse. The meeting lasted two hours – though it certainly did not seem that way.

There can be no adequate reporting in these notes that could do justice to the conversation that evening. However, there are some observations that can be made.

People have a great love for their church and they are not afraid to discuss and face the problems.

A majority are appalled at the way the bishops have handled their responsibil-ities and the bishops have lost a large reserve of moral authority.

The office of the bishop still holds great esteem – but not all the men who hold it. Is there a leader that speak to these concerns and be a reformer?

There is a call for greater openness by the hierarchy and for more participation and say within the church by the laity. Secrecy ought certainly to be minimized if not done away with in any form. (Our bishop has a review board composed of clergy and laity – but they are not made known to the public. The bishop thinks it is necessary to keep it that way because he believes it allows them to discuss and advise without any pressures being exerted on them. Most wanted to know who is on the board, its make-up, and its role. To my mind, since it is advisory I can be comfortable with the "secrecy" – if it were determinative, than that would change the picture for me.)

Who is ultimately responsible for the way things are handled? What is reported and how it is reported? Along with this some would like to hear the bishop (and his priests) speak out more and more clearly about the present scandal.

What are the reassurances that reform will take place? In-house accountability and promises don’t "hold water" much in these times.

To hold faith in God is one thing – to hold faith in the church (small "c") is being severely tested for some.

We want to do something but are not quite sure which way to go? I. e., how can authority to which so much is entrusted be held accountable? Are the laity helpless in having their voice mean something and have its effect? If the problem is systemic then how can it be changed? How can the children be protected? Are child abuse prevention programs in our schools or local communities?

How can we help those who were not only the victims but also those who were the abusers? (Most seemed to understand that many abusers themselves were victimized.)

There is a possibility of a future meeting as a follow-up. It seems as though the MONITOR (our diocesan newspaper) might be getting a few letters soon. This, I think, to encourage other priests to speak with their congregation and, more importantly, to listen to them.

If I have left out anything of great importance I think it will be reported to me and I will note it in future notes.

I am very appreciative of the opportunity to listen and learn… and perhaps, change.

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January 18th, 19th, 2003
Pastor’s notes: In Commonweal magazine several months ago there was an article that started off with a little illustration. In the illustration there was an editor of a small newspaper in a New England fishing village who would write about shark attacks. If a shark attack took place anywhere in the world he would report it in the paper. Well, there were an awful lot of attacks reported (many on the front page)… often several weeks or several days in a row. After a while the people became so concerned about the number of reported attacks they started to stay away from the water. Their perception changed and they became frightened and forbade anyone in the family to go out on a boat, etc.

In last week’s NY TIMES (front page, above the fold and to the left) there was an extensive article on child abuse by priests of the US over the past fifty or so years. The article was devastating and the outlook was gloomy. No one can deny or does deny the serious mistakes or harm that has been done. The article does not "go down" easily. And the story is far from over… that is foreboding.

It is not right to compare the numbers of offenders in one profession to those of another… that seems only to be an effort to lessen responsibility. I noted long ago that one cannot blame the media for the news – they are reporting what is there. What is disappointing (and alarming) to me is that I have seen no articles or anything approaching serious discussion of pedophilia and epophilia in the media or society as a whole. It is something akin to domestic violence… it is there and it is a serious problem but it is not being addressed as a problem that crosses all social boundaries and is more extensive than you might imagine. For some, it does make the media seem as though it is only interested in the Catholic Church and her sins or crimes. I’ve seen several tv presentations about the crimes of the priests but I don’t remember any specials or articles about causes of child-abuse, treatments, recidivism, or how widespread it is. I thought some good might come out of it if only people’s consciousness was raised. I suspect it has been (somewhat) but more could have be done… could the terrible things that happened to the three children in Newark have been avoided if people were made more aware?

However, our church has some serious problems and this Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the church there will be a small panel to talk about it and you will have a chance to ask some questions and express your thoughts on the matter as well... and yes, there will be some prayer. The panel will be myself, Maggie Klune and Bill Brennan. I hope you find some time to be there.

PRAYERS FOR PEACE: This Sunday from 3 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday the Presbyterian Church on Main Street will have a 24 hour vigil for prayer. Anyone and everyone is invited to stop in the church to pray for peace.

January 23^rd at 8:00 p.m. we will have a prayer service at St. James Church - Pennington, NJ in the Church. It will last approximately one hour. We do this now before the report by the arms inspectors in Iraq are presented to the UN assembly. Please make any effort you can to be there.

A case of irony: at the Catholic Trivia Soup and Study last Sunday there were four teams. They were the Angels, the Prophets, the Saints and the Sinners. The Sinners won this, at times, hotly contested quiz game.

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January 11th, 12th, 2003
These are just random notes today and some are updates and housekeeping news.

We have recently installed new safety door locks in the family center. All the doors in the family center that did not have crash bars (you just push the bars to exit) were equipped with electronic locks. As you walk to the door an electric eye picks up your movement and unlocks the door for you. If you do not exit immediately the door will lock again – but there is small green button that you simply push to open the doors again. In the case of a fire and the alarm goes off – all the electronically locked doors in the family center will automatically open. This allows anyone to exit the building without having to worry if the doors will open for them – especially beneficial for children who may be in class at the time.

Though the collection for the Retired Religious was down from last year (a little over 20%). I am grateful for your generosity to that collection: $11, 213. And as of the most recent count the Christmas collection totaled $53,213 (about 15% less than last year). And again, truly, I am grateful for your generosity.

Last week I made note about priests we were losing and priests who are to be ordained, etc. I may have given a wrong impression. I was thinking from my mindset as the Priest Personnel Director for the Diocese. Those priests will be at the service to the diocese – and St. James will not be getting another priest. This leads me to another point: viz. that I am not a full-time pastor at St. James… nor am I a full-time Director. But I do hold both positions. Both jobs are necessary and both should be full-time… but priests in our diocese and others are being stretched out in such a way. This is not a registered complaint. Priests are ordained for the diocese and serve as best we can. I have no complaints (serious ones, anyway) and have been very happy in my work over the length of my years as a priest.

As a reminder: next Sunday, January 19^th, at 7:30 p.m. in the church there will be a forum to discuss and share thoughts about child sexual-abuse by priests. If you have any questions or viewpoints that you would like to bring forward that would be an opportune time. If you want to submit some areas of discussion beforehand please contact me through the parish e-mail (address is on the inside of the bulletin cover – just to your left). Bill Brennan is a counselor and familiar figure to the parish and Maggie Klune is a counselor who has worked with abuse victims and has given a number of workshops on this matter.
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January 4th, 5th, 2002
One of the greatest opening sentences of writing comes from "A Tale of Two Cities": "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…" Most years may have reason to claim such a thought as appropriate to itself.
Our Catholic Church is still reeling from the abuse scandals. Though we are bombarded in the press – I fear that had it not come to light the abuse would have continued (if continued for even more day that would have been a crime)… and that makes the bad news good news. Then there is the contrast of those who no longer gather to be at prayer on Sunday to those whose faith and hope are strong and continue to gather for prayer. It is true that contributions have fallen – and it is true that the church, through it charitable organizations and small groups – continue work for the poor, for peace, for housing, for caring and counseling the distressed.

In May of this year the bishop will ordain five men to the priesthood and we will have another priest come to work in the diocese. Just recently a retired priest (from another diocese) has stepped in to help in a leadership role as administrator in one of our parishes. On the other hand, since May of last year we have lost seven pastors (2 were abuse- related) by illness, retirement, etc. The accumulation and sculpting of pastoral skills is no small matter. The demands of a pastor, though possibly no less stressful, are certainly more demanding than ever. God has blessed the church with a greater awareness of the ministry and priesthood of all the baptized and so many people have responded to that call. I can’t think of a parish without lectors, ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, adult leaders in matters of education and social justice, the care and education of children and young people (and this is only naming a few. I refer you to the parish resource book that we sent out in August – over 60 ministries at St. James.

We are the Church is more than a motto. All this said, the pastor is still the most visible person and is seen as "the keeper of the faith" – and usually sets the tone of the parish. His ability to encourage, to co-ordinate, to facilitate, etc. is critical. The vocational crisis you have been hearing about is very much with us in the Diocese of Trenton.

On January 19^th, 7:30 p.m., there will be a panel discussion of the priest child-abuse situation. It will be in the church. If you have any questions or ideas on this subject this would be opportunity to discuss them. For myself, the object of the discussion is to bring light to the subject – not heat. But perhaps the heat is needed.

A special note of gratitude for all of you (young and old) who prepared the church for the holy days and for the members of the community; for those who ministered in so many ways in the liturgy; for gift-giving to those you do not know; for visiting the sick and bringing them the Eucharist; for singing and serving; putting up and taking down; for giving so generously of your financial resources; for the cards and gifts you sent to priest and staff; for loud praise and deep prayer; for returnees from the services, schools, those young who are "out on their own"; for wishes of peace and joy and hugs and kisses; and for all of those things you do so quietly and out of sight that only God can see! We are all the richer for these things.

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email to stjames1@bellatlantic.net

	St. James Parish
Fr. Ron Bacovin