Was that a great weekend, or what? Whether you ran in Becca’s Run, polkaed at Oktoberfest, or got your face painted at the Fall Festival, you were having a great time when I saw you. Some did all three – and had three times the fun!
We had many guests for all the events last weekend, and all of them got to see what gives Saint Bernadette her distinctive character: her people. The warmth and joy that everyone showed sent the clear signal that this is community centered on Christ, reaching out in love.
Literally several hundred folks worked to make all the activities so much fun, and such a smooth success. All freely give of their time and talent to make these things happen, and each year the logistics get more complex, and the events more impressive. Each event has its standard-bearer too, taking the lead and putting in the extra work to make it happen. Amy Langevin coordinates with the Lilly family to drive Becca’s Run; Peter and Mary Zaudtke have the secret of bringing Bavaria to the ball field for Oktoberfest. And Mindy Sippel pulls together an amazing array to make the Fall Festival just so delightful.
My thanks and yours go to them, and to all the folks who took the time to take a turn and help it happen. To see how well and how generously everyone worked together is an inspiration.
It is a beautiful time of year to be here at Saint Bernadette. Maybe because I live here, wake up here every morning and go to bed here every night, I see the details of the parish more intensely than you can. But can you miss the spire outlined by the low autumnal light against the bright clear sky with its scudding Canadian clouds, coming to bring that cooler air our way? How the recent rains have once again made green the grass that had parched over the late summer drought? How the top of the first tree to change out along the back parking lot has long since started, and now here and there a burst of color is emerging?
The kids are used to being back at school, and come and go with the conviction that each day they are making progress in knowledge and understanding (would that we adults could say the same). The air carries more clearly the noise of the teams practicing and playing on the field, and the silence of a Sunday afternoon once the Mass goers have gone.
The slender crowds of summer are a distant memory as the church fills again each week, and the choirs lead the voices in proclaiming the glory of God. His love is revealed as we walk once more through the works and words of Christ, reminded of all He is doing so that we know His salvation. Truth, goodness, and beauty all conspire to reveal our source and our destination.
Speaking of numbers, you may notice people moving about the church with clipboards during Mass, usually during the homily. No, they’re not writing down who isn’t paying attention – they are counting heads. As regular as the change of leaves, it is the October Count, when every parish in the Archdiocese counts every soul who attends Sunday Mass each weekend this month. It helps us know how many folks love the festival, enjoy the beer, or can complete the run…. but know where to find what we are really about: God become Man and offered to us in His flesh, in the Holy Eucharist. Truth, goodness, and beauty you can touch and taste, the heart of every great weekend.
Monsignor Smith
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Parts and the Whole
It is going to be a wild weekend. Wait, let me change that – we are halfway through one wild weekend. There is so much going on this weekend, I would hate for you to miss anything. So I will give you something that you can enjoy whenever you have the time.
Enclosed find the annual report for the parish for the fiscal year that ended on June 30. The report includes a letter from the Finance Council, and the financial statistics as the Archdiocese requests that we present them to you. It is amazing how much comes…and goes through this parish, isn’t it?
Statistics not financial are also included, so don’t forget to look at the number of baptisms, funerals, registered families, and students. This reminds us that what we are about as a parish cannot be presented on a balance sheet. We exist as a church to bring ourselves and others to God, to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and to draw souls to the salvation that is achieved in Jesus Christ. That’s a little harder to quantify! The numbers only make sense if we remember who is Number One: Jesus.
So take the report and read it whenever you have time; keep it for your files, or on your desk for a while. If you have any question, feel free to ask any of the Finance Council members. They work very hard along with me and Delfina, our parish business manager, so they know the story behind the numbers. I am sure your gratitude for their work is proportional to my own.
Behind all numbers of the parish, there are people, and there are some changes among them lately as well. Mrs. Jane Baily, for sixteen years the Director of Religious Education here, has resigned. She assures me that much prayer and consideration went into her decision, so I am sure that her earnest prayers will lead neither her nor us away from the good that God intends.
Mr. Neil Sloan, a parishioner and theologian, will graciously serve as Interim Director of Religious Education to ensure that the catechesis of our children in the School and weekend Religious Education Program continues. Over the remainder of this year, we will seek a qualified catechetical leader and administrator to develop our parish program to new levels of evangelization and service.
It is an exciting time for our Religious Education Program. It has grown significantly in numbers and family involvement over the past two years, and promises to continue to do so; and the Archbishop’s call to the New Evangelization brings with it new catechetical standards to be implemented in the coming year.
Also, you regulars of our 9:00 Mass may have noticed that when the Contemporary Choir returned from the spas and beaches of summer to sing with us again, one of them was missing. Mrs. JoAnn Parker, longtime accompanist of that choir, stepped down over the summer as well. She will still sometimes play for the school choir and events, and is still about the parish, so if you see her, thank her and assure her of your prayers.
So amidst all the excitement this weekend, the practicalities of the parish still receive the attention they deserve – and not only from the Pastor. Enjoy yourselves at our Festivals this weekend, and continue to pray for us as a parish, that each transition, each transaction, and every activity and action, bring us in joy by God’s providence to greater communion in Christ.
Monsignor Smith
Enclosed find the annual report for the parish for the fiscal year that ended on June 30. The report includes a letter from the Finance Council, and the financial statistics as the Archdiocese requests that we present them to you. It is amazing how much comes…and goes through this parish, isn’t it?
Statistics not financial are also included, so don’t forget to look at the number of baptisms, funerals, registered families, and students. This reminds us that what we are about as a parish cannot be presented on a balance sheet. We exist as a church to bring ourselves and others to God, to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and to draw souls to the salvation that is achieved in Jesus Christ. That’s a little harder to quantify! The numbers only make sense if we remember who is Number One: Jesus.
So take the report and read it whenever you have time; keep it for your files, or on your desk for a while. If you have any question, feel free to ask any of the Finance Council members. They work very hard along with me and Delfina, our parish business manager, so they know the story behind the numbers. I am sure your gratitude for their work is proportional to my own.
Behind all numbers of the parish, there are people, and there are some changes among them lately as well. Mrs. Jane Baily, for sixteen years the Director of Religious Education here, has resigned. She assures me that much prayer and consideration went into her decision, so I am sure that her earnest prayers will lead neither her nor us away from the good that God intends.
Mr. Neil Sloan, a parishioner and theologian, will graciously serve as Interim Director of Religious Education to ensure that the catechesis of our children in the School and weekend Religious Education Program continues. Over the remainder of this year, we will seek a qualified catechetical leader and administrator to develop our parish program to new levels of evangelization and service.
It is an exciting time for our Religious Education Program. It has grown significantly in numbers and family involvement over the past two years, and promises to continue to do so; and the Archbishop’s call to the New Evangelization brings with it new catechetical standards to be implemented in the coming year.
Also, you regulars of our 9:00 Mass may have noticed that when the Contemporary Choir returned from the spas and beaches of summer to sing with us again, one of them was missing. Mrs. JoAnn Parker, longtime accompanist of that choir, stepped down over the summer as well. She will still sometimes play for the school choir and events, and is still about the parish, so if you see her, thank her and assure her of your prayers.
So amidst all the excitement this weekend, the practicalities of the parish still receive the attention they deserve – and not only from the Pastor. Enjoy yourselves at our Festivals this weekend, and continue to pray for us as a parish, that each transition, each transaction, and every activity and action, bring us in joy by God’s providence to greater communion in Christ.
Monsignor Smith
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Life in Abundance
Do you remember this summer, when at the end of Mass there were no announcements? I think that happened three weeks in a row during the absolute doldrums. Well, that time is over -- and how!
This weekend, don’t forget to swing over to the convent and visit the newly renovated chapel. There will be an open house after all the Masses so you can see the good work done by our parishioners, and visit this beautiful sacred space that has been a well-kept secret too long. And on your walk over, admire the new downspouts, to replace the stolen ones. They’re not copper (too much of a temptation, alas), but they should work.
This Sunday evening, we do have one activity that continued through the summer: Eucharistic Adoration from six to ten. The men of the Holy Name Society commit to being present for that vigil, so that you can come at your convenience to rejoice and offer prayers before the living God who dwells among us.
Then, try to come this week to a special Mass we are offering for the intentions of our military personnel serving abroad, and in harm’s way. Wednesday, September 29, is the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, who wields a flaming sword, drove the rebel Lucifer from heaven, and battles the devil (successfully) in the Apocalypse. In uniting to call upon his aid for all who sacrifice and serve for us, and to unite our sacrifices to Christ’s own, we will acknowledge our need for heavenly help in this real, earthly struggle. Msgr. Thomas Olszyk, of the Military Archdiocese, will preach. All the details are in the box to the lower left.
On the foundation of all this prayer, next weekend will be the center of social activity this fall for the whole parish community. Plan to spend time up here every day!
Saturday morning, we host Becca’s Run, which is great chance to have fun, exercise, and contribute to good causes – including a scholarship fund for our school. I think you can still register if you have not yet.
Then, Saturday evening, beginning right after the Vigil Mass, there will be a veritable biergarten out on our own field. Come on over after Mass to Oktoberfest for dinner (the very best wurst), and then stay to enjoy the music (authentic oom-pah soundtrack) and excellent company into the evening.
Next Sunday afternoon, from one to five, will be our annual Fall Festival. This is an absolute blast for all who come, especially the kids. There will be live music, games, food, and everybody you want to spend time with – all there at the same time. Come on out with your whole family – but don’t stop at that! Invite some friends, or relatives, or co-workers, or your next-door neighbors. A couple of years ago I invited some of my friends from outside the parish, and right after Labor Day they started bugging me to know when the date was for the festival this year. You’ll be addicted, too.
How things change, eh? Just weeks ago, there were no activities to announce; now there are too many to try to mention from the pulpit! But it’s not too much for us to enjoy. I’ll see you there.
Monsignor Smith
This weekend, don’t forget to swing over to the convent and visit the newly renovated chapel. There will be an open house after all the Masses so you can see the good work done by our parishioners, and visit this beautiful sacred space that has been a well-kept secret too long. And on your walk over, admire the new downspouts, to replace the stolen ones. They’re not copper (too much of a temptation, alas), but they should work.
This Sunday evening, we do have one activity that continued through the summer: Eucharistic Adoration from six to ten. The men of the Holy Name Society commit to being present for that vigil, so that you can come at your convenience to rejoice and offer prayers before the living God who dwells among us.
Then, try to come this week to a special Mass we are offering for the intentions of our military personnel serving abroad, and in harm’s way. Wednesday, September 29, is the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, who wields a flaming sword, drove the rebel Lucifer from heaven, and battles the devil (successfully) in the Apocalypse. In uniting to call upon his aid for all who sacrifice and serve for us, and to unite our sacrifices to Christ’s own, we will acknowledge our need for heavenly help in this real, earthly struggle. Msgr. Thomas Olszyk, of the Military Archdiocese, will preach. All the details are in the box to the lower left.
On the foundation of all this prayer, next weekend will be the center of social activity this fall for the whole parish community. Plan to spend time up here every day!
Saturday morning, we host Becca’s Run, which is great chance to have fun, exercise, and contribute to good causes – including a scholarship fund for our school. I think you can still register if you have not yet.
Then, Saturday evening, beginning right after the Vigil Mass, there will be a veritable biergarten out on our own field. Come on over after Mass to Oktoberfest for dinner (the very best wurst), and then stay to enjoy the music (authentic oom-pah soundtrack) and excellent company into the evening.
Next Sunday afternoon, from one to five, will be our annual Fall Festival. This is an absolute blast for all who come, especially the kids. There will be live music, games, food, and everybody you want to spend time with – all there at the same time. Come on out with your whole family – but don’t stop at that! Invite some friends, or relatives, or co-workers, or your next-door neighbors. A couple of years ago I invited some of my friends from outside the parish, and right after Labor Day they started bugging me to know when the date was for the festival this year. You’ll be addicted, too.
How things change, eh? Just weeks ago, there were no activities to announce; now there are too many to try to mention from the pulpit! But it’s not too much for us to enjoy. I’ll see you there.
Monsignor Smith
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Come and see
You’ve heard about it in the announcements, but have you ever seen it? “It” is the convent chapel, where we routinely hold First Friday Eucharistic adoration, and the Holy Name Society’s monthly Mass. I would be willing to bet that most who have not participated in those two activities have never seen it.
For those who don’t know, the convent is the building between the church and the school. Along with the original school building, it is one of the first constructions of the parish when it was new, built in 1946-47. It housed sixteen of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Glen Riddle who taught in our school for decades, until the last left in 1999.
The newest construction on the property, known poetically as the “connector,” in 2002 joined the original school building (three stories tall) and the Annex (four additional classrooms added in 1958) to the convent building, and added a new ground-level entrance for increased security and accessibility. Since then, the old convent building has housed the library, the computer classroom, school offices, the teachers’ break room, the copier room, and a conference room.
At that time, some work was done to improve the chapel. It was expanded into the adjoining parlor, and pews and carpeting added. New paint and improvements in the sacristy made it suitable for more people to use it for more functions. But to be honest, it was still pretty drab, and for years I had been hoping to make it more inviting.
Over the past six months, that has finally happened. With the new heating and cooling from Phase I of the school in there, the window-unit air conditioners and the radiators are gone. A new wood floor, new decorative windows, and a rich new paint scheme are only part of the story. Overall, the chapel is beautiful.
A lot of people helped make it that way. Parishioners donated their time, effort, expertise, and funding to make it possible. I learned a lot about what some people are really good at! I think you will be impressed, too.
Next weekend, after all the Masses, we will have an open house for everyone to visit the chapel. I will provide information on what was done in the two renovations, and on who provided what to make it possible. You will have a chance to admire all the work that went into making the place of prayer worthy or the Presence who dwells there. Come and see this precious parish resource!
Since the school is connected to the convent building now, the school kids can go to the chapel without going outside. By making the chapel more beautiful, it was my stated hope to make it more inviting, so they would want to pray there more often. The result has been that I want to pray there more often – as do Fr. Nick and Fr. DeRosa. We keep bumping into one another there, or coming or going to or from the chapel. That’s not a bad thing, surely.
It is my hope that more folks will have the same experience, and find the beauty, silence, and grace of the chapel calls them to pray there. So stop by next week, and make the first visit of what could turn into many. “It” may be just what you’ve been looking for!
Monsignor Smith
For those who don’t know, the convent is the building between the church and the school. Along with the original school building, it is one of the first constructions of the parish when it was new, built in 1946-47. It housed sixteen of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Glen Riddle who taught in our school for decades, until the last left in 1999.
The newest construction on the property, known poetically as the “connector,” in 2002 joined the original school building (three stories tall) and the Annex (four additional classrooms added in 1958) to the convent building, and added a new ground-level entrance for increased security and accessibility. Since then, the old convent building has housed the library, the computer classroom, school offices, the teachers’ break room, the copier room, and a conference room.
At that time, some work was done to improve the chapel. It was expanded into the adjoining parlor, and pews and carpeting added. New paint and improvements in the sacristy made it suitable for more people to use it for more functions. But to be honest, it was still pretty drab, and for years I had been hoping to make it more inviting.
Over the past six months, that has finally happened. With the new heating and cooling from Phase I of the school in there, the window-unit air conditioners and the radiators are gone. A new wood floor, new decorative windows, and a rich new paint scheme are only part of the story. Overall, the chapel is beautiful.
A lot of people helped make it that way. Parishioners donated their time, effort, expertise, and funding to make it possible. I learned a lot about what some people are really good at! I think you will be impressed, too.
Next weekend, after all the Masses, we will have an open house for everyone to visit the chapel. I will provide information on what was done in the two renovations, and on who provided what to make it possible. You will have a chance to admire all the work that went into making the place of prayer worthy or the Presence who dwells there. Come and see this precious parish resource!
Since the school is connected to the convent building now, the school kids can go to the chapel without going outside. By making the chapel more beautiful, it was my stated hope to make it more inviting, so they would want to pray there more often. The result has been that I want to pray there more often – as do Fr. Nick and Fr. DeRosa. We keep bumping into one another there, or coming or going to or from the chapel. That’s not a bad thing, surely.
It is my hope that more folks will have the same experience, and find the beauty, silence, and grace of the chapel calls them to pray there. So stop by next week, and make the first visit of what could turn into many. “It” may be just what you’ve been looking for!
Monsignor Smith
Sunday, September 12, 2010
What's New?
Have you ever heard someone say, I’ve heard it all? They may not mean it literally, but they are trying to say they have heard everything there is to say about a certain subject, and they have no need of hearing any more.
Sometimes we think that we have heard it all – or at least enough. We just don’t want to be bothered with any new input on a decision we have already made to our satisfaction.
That is not an unreasonable thing to say, or think, by any means – unless it is about God’s revelation and salvation in Jesus Christ, in which case one might reasonably admit not to have heard it all.
This past week, Archbishop Wuerl sent us Disciples of the Lord: Sharing the Vision – a Pastoral Letter on the New Evangelization. Inviting us to participate in the New Evangelization espoused by Pope John Paul II and furthered by Pope Benedict XVI, he is advocating not a new program, but a new way of interacting with the Good News, and with the world.
In a recent homily, Pope Benedict pointed out that this evangelization is "new" not in its content but in its inner thrust, open to the grace of the Holy Spirit which constitutes the force of the new law of the Gospel that always renews the Church; "new" in ways that correspond with the power of the Holy Spirit and which are suited to the times and situations; "new" because of being necessary even in countries that have already received the proclamation of the Gospel.
Archbishop Wuerl asks that Catholics reflect together on how we can renew the Gospel message and Christ’s love, first in our own hearts and then, having grown in our faith, by inviting others to hear once again, maybe all over again for the first time, the exciting invitation of Jesus: “Come, follow me.”
He continues, This is a fresh moment for the Church because it is a new moment in our world. In an increasingly secular and materialistic society, what gives true and lasting meaning and joy is Christ and his message. From the renewal of faith by individual Catholics to their invitation to others to share in the joy and excitement of Christ and His Church comes the possibility of a world transformed.
The Pope admitted that the Church needs, and intends, a renewed evangelization in the countries where the first proclamation of the faith has already resonated and where Churches with an ancient foundation exist but are experiencing the progressive secularization of society and a sort of "eclipse of the sense of God", which pose a challenge to finding appropriate (ways) to propose anew the perennial truth of Christ's Gospel.
If the Church can recognize that her most pressing need is to preach the Gospel to the lands, to the countries, to the cultures that were founded upon that very Gospel, perhaps you and I can allow the possibility that there is something that we need to engage more deeply, and share more broadly. The full text of the Archbishop’s letter is available online at our Archdiocesan web site, www.adw.org. Please take a chance that you might not have heard it all – and read it!
Monsignor Smith
Sometimes we think that we have heard it all – or at least enough. We just don’t want to be bothered with any new input on a decision we have already made to our satisfaction.
That is not an unreasonable thing to say, or think, by any means – unless it is about God’s revelation and salvation in Jesus Christ, in which case one might reasonably admit not to have heard it all.
This past week, Archbishop Wuerl sent us Disciples of the Lord: Sharing the Vision – a Pastoral Letter on the New Evangelization. Inviting us to participate in the New Evangelization espoused by Pope John Paul II and furthered by Pope Benedict XVI, he is advocating not a new program, but a new way of interacting with the Good News, and with the world.
In a recent homily, Pope Benedict pointed out that this evangelization is "new" not in its content but in its inner thrust, open to the grace of the Holy Spirit which constitutes the force of the new law of the Gospel that always renews the Church; "new" in ways that correspond with the power of the Holy Spirit and which are suited to the times and situations; "new" because of being necessary even in countries that have already received the proclamation of the Gospel.
Archbishop Wuerl asks that Catholics reflect together on how we can renew the Gospel message and Christ’s love, first in our own hearts and then, having grown in our faith, by inviting others to hear once again, maybe all over again for the first time, the exciting invitation of Jesus: “Come, follow me.”
He continues, This is a fresh moment for the Church because it is a new moment in our world. In an increasingly secular and materialistic society, what gives true and lasting meaning and joy is Christ and his message. From the renewal of faith by individual Catholics to their invitation to others to share in the joy and excitement of Christ and His Church comes the possibility of a world transformed.
The Pope admitted that the Church needs, and intends, a renewed evangelization in the countries where the first proclamation of the faith has already resonated and where Churches with an ancient foundation exist but are experiencing the progressive secularization of society and a sort of "eclipse of the sense of God", which pose a challenge to finding appropriate (ways) to propose anew the perennial truth of Christ's Gospel.
If the Church can recognize that her most pressing need is to preach the Gospel to the lands, to the countries, to the cultures that were founded upon that very Gospel, perhaps you and I can allow the possibility that there is something that we need to engage more deeply, and share more broadly. The full text of the Archbishop’s letter is available online at our Archdiocesan web site, www.adw.org. Please take a chance that you might not have heard it all – and read it!
Monsignor Smith
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Once more into the breach, dear friends
They’re baaa—ack!
The students, that is. Out of your homes and into mine, the kids came back to school this week. The kids took it right in stride for the most part. The parents, on the other hand, betrayed far more emotion. They fretted over details before, and paced about erratically after, the kids all marched resolutely to their fates, er, classrooms. Some parents even wept; others I could swear giggled and grinned as they drove away.
I am not sure how it looked where you were, but whatever the school, I would imagine there were similar scenes. Here, I have to admit I was happy to have the little darlings back on the property, even if it did signal the return to Business As Usual. The phones and doorbell were ringing at full tilt within minutes of the school bell. It is time to get serious, and pick it all up where we left off.
We have a phenomenal team running our school here, from Mrs. Wood the principal, to her two “wingmen,” Mr. Ewanciw and Mr. Lee, vice-principal and dean, respectively. We have been working together for three years now and are of one mind and heart on all the important things. The teachers similarly are united in their purpose and mutual support, providing an environment for growth and learning that is a source of wonder to me.
Speaking of environment, the middle school kids and teachers, (the top floor of our main school building) returned to air-conditioned comfort this year. Phase two of our four-year plan to replace the failing heating system and add cooling, this tangible sign of progress got everyone’s spirits up. I have yet to hear anyone say anything about the wireless network now available throughout the school, or the new computer lab. Nobody is going to notice, much less mention, the repointing on the bricks that was done over the summer, or the replaced carpeting. Some folks may notice how sparklingly clean the place is, but it won’t be the middle schoolers, I’ll wager.
Many of these improvements benefit our religious education kids, as well. I’ll not soon forget the Sunday morning when one of the parents whispered in my ear that A/C wasn’t working in the classrooms. There wasn’t any (yet), so it was impossible not to chuckle. Step by step, we’re getting there!
All this reminds me of another thing I accomplished this week, which was to sign a huge pile of checks. All this goodness does require payment, and it is astonishing what it costs to run a school even as lean as ours is. The tuition reflects those costs, and can be quite daunting for a lot of the folks who are really committed to providing the benefits of our Catholic school for their children.
This is the time of year when I mention that I, as Pastor, provide assistance to as many families as I can to help them reach that goal. This, in turn, allows the school to benefit not only from the presence of their families here, but also the tuition that they can contribute. Sometimes the boost of just ten or fifteen percent ($690 or $1035) makes it possible for them to enroll. If you want to help me help someone enjoy this blessed fruit of our strong parish school, I will be happy, and they will be grateful. Because it is good to come back.
Monsignor Smith
The students, that is. Out of your homes and into mine, the kids came back to school this week. The kids took it right in stride for the most part. The parents, on the other hand, betrayed far more emotion. They fretted over details before, and paced about erratically after, the kids all marched resolutely to their fates, er, classrooms. Some parents even wept; others I could swear giggled and grinned as they drove away.
I am not sure how it looked where you were, but whatever the school, I would imagine there were similar scenes. Here, I have to admit I was happy to have the little darlings back on the property, even if it did signal the return to Business As Usual. The phones and doorbell were ringing at full tilt within minutes of the school bell. It is time to get serious, and pick it all up where we left off.
We have a phenomenal team running our school here, from Mrs. Wood the principal, to her two “wingmen,” Mr. Ewanciw and Mr. Lee, vice-principal and dean, respectively. We have been working together for three years now and are of one mind and heart on all the important things. The teachers similarly are united in their purpose and mutual support, providing an environment for growth and learning that is a source of wonder to me.
Speaking of environment, the middle school kids and teachers, (the top floor of our main school building) returned to air-conditioned comfort this year. Phase two of our four-year plan to replace the failing heating system and add cooling, this tangible sign of progress got everyone’s spirits up. I have yet to hear anyone say anything about the wireless network now available throughout the school, or the new computer lab. Nobody is going to notice, much less mention, the repointing on the bricks that was done over the summer, or the replaced carpeting. Some folks may notice how sparklingly clean the place is, but it won’t be the middle schoolers, I’ll wager.
Many of these improvements benefit our religious education kids, as well. I’ll not soon forget the Sunday morning when one of the parents whispered in my ear that A/C wasn’t working in the classrooms. There wasn’t any (yet), so it was impossible not to chuckle. Step by step, we’re getting there!
All this reminds me of another thing I accomplished this week, which was to sign a huge pile of checks. All this goodness does require payment, and it is astonishing what it costs to run a school even as lean as ours is. The tuition reflects those costs, and can be quite daunting for a lot of the folks who are really committed to providing the benefits of our Catholic school for their children.
This is the time of year when I mention that I, as Pastor, provide assistance to as many families as I can to help them reach that goal. This, in turn, allows the school to benefit not only from the presence of their families here, but also the tuition that they can contribute. Sometimes the boost of just ten or fifteen percent ($690 or $1035) makes it possible for them to enroll. If you want to help me help someone enjoy this blessed fruit of our strong parish school, I will be happy, and they will be grateful. Because it is good to come back.
Monsignor Smith
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Good as new
Because my home is also my office, and because both of them are here at the heart of the life of the parish, there is a certain fishbowl element. That’s fine with me, but it does make me wonder sometimes about what people see me doing. Perhaps I get too self-conscious about it, but I feel like I need to explain about my washing my car.
It is something I really enjoy doing. Most recently, a parishioner ribbed me about doing it on a Sunday, and I had to explain that it is nearly pure recreation for me. I almost always do it while I am on vacation at the family cottage. I took a few days after Easter to go to Birmingham, and while I was there washed and detailed all of my parents’ cars, including the one Dad had just bought and the one he was about to sell. My idea of fun, I tell you. Oh, I visited with my family, too.
I have always enjoyed washing cars, back to when I was a kid. Not only did I enjoy getting my dad’s tomato-red Fiat roadster (124 Sport Spider, 1974) as clean as it had ever been, but even the family station wagon got the full treatment (Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, 1978). When living in a dorm and apartment, I had to wash the car with just a bucket, without benefit of a hose. When I was secretary, the Cardinal’s car was always clean. About the only time I didn’t wash my car much was when I was downtown at St. Mary’s, with only outdoor parking. It got dirty after an hour or two just sitting there.
Nowadays, washing my car is especially therapeutic, because unlike most of what I spend my time doing, it has immediate, tangible results. It is very satisfying to step back and see what I have done, especially when it doesn’t rain for a few days.
The spiritual realm, toward which my efforts are mostly directed, does not offer such tangible evidence of progress. There are exceptions to that, I guess. Even spiritually, there are certain benefits to periodic cleansing. Maybe that’s why I also regularly go to confession.
It is satisfying to know that whatever sins you bring to the Lord in the Sacrament, are rightly and truly forgiven. And if you bring all of them – even the ones you’ve forgotten – they are all forgiven. Unlike me and my car, Jesus’ forgiveness will never “miss a spot.” The only thing His forgiveness can’t reach are the things we withhold by not mentioning, whether because we are embarrassed, or refuse to admit that they are sinful, even after we have been told that they are. Everything else is wiped away, and assuming we held nothing back, we are as spotless as on the day we were baptized.
I wash my car at certain times of the year more than others. Similarly, certain times of the year are great for the Sacrament of Penance. In addition to Advent and Lent, I recommend gong to the Sacrament on your birthday or wedding anniversary. I discovered that by accident a few years ago – nothing focuses the mind so well as a lifetime milestone.
I also recommend right now – the end of summer. Halfway between Easter and Christmas, it is also when we shift gears and get serious after the summer’s fun. Go now, when we are putting aside our flip-flops and getting out our wingtips and school shoes. Clean up after the summer’s mess now, so your notebooks – and your car – won’t be the only thing that’s clean and ready for fall.
Monsignor Smith
It is something I really enjoy doing. Most recently, a parishioner ribbed me about doing it on a Sunday, and I had to explain that it is nearly pure recreation for me. I almost always do it while I am on vacation at the family cottage. I took a few days after Easter to go to Birmingham, and while I was there washed and detailed all of my parents’ cars, including the one Dad had just bought and the one he was about to sell. My idea of fun, I tell you. Oh, I visited with my family, too.
I have always enjoyed washing cars, back to when I was a kid. Not only did I enjoy getting my dad’s tomato-red Fiat roadster (124 Sport Spider, 1974) as clean as it had ever been, but even the family station wagon got the full treatment (Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, 1978). When living in a dorm and apartment, I had to wash the car with just a bucket, without benefit of a hose. When I was secretary, the Cardinal’s car was always clean. About the only time I didn’t wash my car much was when I was downtown at St. Mary’s, with only outdoor parking. It got dirty after an hour or two just sitting there.
Nowadays, washing my car is especially therapeutic, because unlike most of what I spend my time doing, it has immediate, tangible results. It is very satisfying to step back and see what I have done, especially when it doesn’t rain for a few days.
The spiritual realm, toward which my efforts are mostly directed, does not offer such tangible evidence of progress. There are exceptions to that, I guess. Even spiritually, there are certain benefits to periodic cleansing. Maybe that’s why I also regularly go to confession.
It is satisfying to know that whatever sins you bring to the Lord in the Sacrament, are rightly and truly forgiven. And if you bring all of them – even the ones you’ve forgotten – they are all forgiven. Unlike me and my car, Jesus’ forgiveness will never “miss a spot.” The only thing His forgiveness can’t reach are the things we withhold by not mentioning, whether because we are embarrassed, or refuse to admit that they are sinful, even after we have been told that they are. Everything else is wiped away, and assuming we held nothing back, we are as spotless as on the day we were baptized.
I wash my car at certain times of the year more than others. Similarly, certain times of the year are great for the Sacrament of Penance. In addition to Advent and Lent, I recommend gong to the Sacrament on your birthday or wedding anniversary. I discovered that by accident a few years ago – nothing focuses the mind so well as a lifetime milestone.
I also recommend right now – the end of summer. Halfway between Easter and Christmas, it is also when we shift gears and get serious after the summer’s fun. Go now, when we are putting aside our flip-flops and getting out our wingtips and school shoes. Clean up after the summer’s mess now, so your notebooks – and your car – won’t be the only thing that’s clean and ready for fall.
Monsignor Smith
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