Do you know someone who is divorced and in need of an annulment?
This weekend on Friday and Saturday there is an Annulment Writing Workshop to help people get started on their annulment papers. The workshop will be held Friday, February 4 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Saturday, February 5 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm in the UB Newman Center, 495 Skinnersville Road (the traffic light just past Sweet Home High School) in Amherst. There is a $20 registration fee includes snacks, breakfast, lunch & a book. To register, call Barbara Wyse at 633-7786.
This is a great opportunity for someone who is divorced to begin the annulment process. The session Friday is an introduction and Saturday is a work session. People can attend on Saturday even if they can not attend on Friday.
Please help us spread the word.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Pastor's Sabbatical - Rome/Sicily
Journal entry 2 Feb 2011 Tuesday (Venerdi)
This is my first attempt to write to all of you. I have been in Italy only three and a half days and I am just getting settled in. The first couple of days were traveling. I landed in Rome on Saturday and stayed the night at the seminary where I will be staying for the sabbatical program starting on the fiftieth of February. The next two weeks I will spend taking Italian classes in Sicily. I arrived here renting a room from a family arranged through the school. It turns out she is a widower who speaks very little English and is very religious. Tonight she was reading at mass and led a couple of songs in singing.
My first couple of days have been very interesting. I was only in town a couple of hours and they had a special mass with the Arcbishop from Messina who was the main celebrant. They are celebrating the Feast of St John Bosco. My landlady Antonina Spadoni introduces me to the pastor and they ask me if I want to concelebrate, I agree and they dress me vestments as I meet a number of the priest who are waiting for the Archbishop to arrive. There are some younger servers that are there and they are working on their English as I am working on my Italian. I am not yet over my jet lag and I am in a church right out of a Fallini movie. It ends up being packed with altar servers sitting on the steps of the altar and a children's choir in the balcony. They introduce me at the beginning of the mass which are the only words I understand. I smile and nod approvingly, I wish you could be here, I think you would enjoy it if you have a sense of adventure. After mass is finished the archbishop leaves and they start a possession from the church of St Joseph to the Basilica a half mile down the narrow cobble stone street with banners flying overhead. You should see they statue of St John Bosco they carry down the from steps of the church to be a part of the procession, they put a wooded ornate canopy on top of the statue with lights and with the priest with a relic and a band they head down the street. I pinch myself that I am really here a part of it all. It is very powerful seeing all the people and the energy.
That was Sunday night, last night they had the second mass for the feast at the basilica which was packed again and I arrive just in time after class to concelebrate and some young people remember me from the night before and they usher me back to the sacristy, put me in vestments. I meet the main celebrant who is the head of the Salesian province in this area. He speaks English and we have a few words after mass. I realize they are introducing me at the beginning of mass because I hear Fr. Giuseppe, I smile and have it confirmed the next day at school because two of the secretaries where there at the mass. I don't know how I got so fortunate. During the mass they realize it is raining too hard to have the possession back to St Joseph so they postpone it for two days when the weather is suppose to be better. At this mass they have dignitaries from the community and some military people there as well. They are dressed very ornately and you can tell this is a very big celebration.
After talking with a few people I inquire of a good local place to have dinner, one lady tells me of a place just a few meters down the main road and I fine my way there. There is a birthday party for some children in the basement and a wood burring oven in the kitchen for pizza. I am happy, the place is warm and the waiters speak some English. I order some "pasta normale" which is the normal pasta of the area with eggplant and cheese. It is hot and tasty and I have that with "insalate mista", mixed salad and I am very happy! As I ask for check I am informed a man at the table next to mine has bought me dinner, he was at mass that night and remembers me. I give him my business card from the parish and he gives me his, he is the president of their local government council and he invites me to his office in a couple of days. I am still very happy!
I have regressed for a couple of days to get you up to some of my happenings. Tonight as I was mentioning, they had mass at 5:30 at the church of St Joseph. One of the priest from last night said he would be the main celebrant and invited me to join them. There ended up being three priest there and a few people from the congregation. They dressed me up and I smiled nicely, my land lady was there and she seemed pleased that I was concelebrating. I was greatly pleased just to be there.
After mass was over, I started wandering the street to find a place for dinner. You need to picture this, it is raining hard, few people are out and many of the restaurants are closed because this is not tourist season and they are on holiday. As I walk down the street there is an umbrella which as gotten away from its owner in the wind, I stop to pick it up to return it and it belongs to a restaurant owner who is trying to tape his sign up to a post in the rain. I hold the umbrella while he is working and he suggests that his restaurant is good place to eat. I know it is too early for the locals to eat, they usually eat around 8:30 or 9 o'clock but since it is raining and I have no other place to go, I venture up to get out of the rain.
He is suggesting heavily that I try some seafood that he shows me telling me the fish is very fresh. I order that and some pasta as my first plate. I order gnocchi with eggplant, sauce, onions, mushrooms and squash. My condition for ordering is that I get to watch him cook, he doesn't seem to mind. I wanted to take a cooking class, I just didn't think it would be this way! I watch him make a great pasta dish and vegetables he cooks on the grill as well as the fish caked in sea salt. It is all wonderful. I realize in the process he is the owner, the waiter and the dish washer, it is the off season. I ask him he minds if I work at the table and he tells me I am like family and he is happy for the company. I did tell you it is the off season and it is now about two hours after I arrived and no one else has shown up. I am still working on my wine and water and listening to music. He asked me what I want to listen too, Italian of course! I still don't understand a word but it is fitting for the experience.
I am sorry for the rambling, but it has been a wonderful experience so far and I hope I can share some of it with you. As you can tell I have been in church a few times already and you have been in my prayers, please keep me in yours. Next time I will try to tell you about some of my classmates and classes, it is all very interesting to me. Also say a special prayer that I can find a part for my camera which is missing so that I can recharge the battery. It will take me a half hour train ride and some of the best Italian I can muster! Bono Notte!
*****
fifth Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/epVav4
fourth Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/eGqwHK
third Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/f2SW3P
second Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/fjOok3
this Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/e9U9eS
My first couple of days have been very interesting. I was only in town a couple of hours and they had a special mass with the Arcbishop from Messina who was the main celebrant. They are celebrating the Feast of St John Bosco. My landlady Antonina Spadoni introduces me to the pastor and they ask me if I want to concelebrate, I agree and they dress me vestments as I meet a number of the priest who are waiting for the Archbishop to arrive. There are some younger servers that are there and they are working on their English as I am working on my Italian. I am not yet over my jet lag and I am in a church right out of a Fallini movie. It ends up being packed with altar servers sitting on the steps of the altar and a children's choir in the balcony. They introduce me at the beginning of the mass which are the only words I understand. I smile and nod approvingly, I wish you could be here, I think you would enjoy it if you have a sense of adventure. After mass is finished the archbishop leaves and they start a possession from the church of St Joseph to the Basilica a half mile down the narrow cobble stone street with banners flying overhead. You should see they statue of St John Bosco they carry down the from steps of the church to be a part of the procession, they put a wooded ornate canopy on top of the statue with lights and with the priest with a relic and a band they head down the street. I pinch myself that I am really here a part of it all. It is very powerful seeing all the people and the energy.
That was Sunday night, last night they had the second mass for the feast at the basilica which was packed again and I arrive just in time after class to concelebrate and some young people remember me from the night before and they usher me back to the sacristy, put me in vestments. I meet the main celebrant who is the head of the Salesian province in this area. He speaks English and we have a few words after mass. I realize they are introducing me at the beginning of mass because I hear Fr. Giuseppe, I smile and have it confirmed the next day at school because two of the secretaries where there at the mass. I don't know how I got so fortunate. During the mass they realize it is raining too hard to have the possession back to St Joseph so they postpone it for two days when the weather is suppose to be better. At this mass they have dignitaries from the community and some military people there as well. They are dressed very ornately and you can tell this is a very big celebration.
After talking with a few people I inquire of a good local place to have dinner, one lady tells me of a place just a few meters down the main road and I fine my way there. There is a birthday party for some children in the basement and a wood burring oven in the kitchen for pizza. I am happy, the place is warm and the waiters speak some English. I order some "pasta normale" which is the normal pasta of the area with eggplant and cheese. It is hot and tasty and I have that with "insalate mista", mixed salad and I am very happy! As I ask for check I am informed a man at the table next to mine has bought me dinner, he was at mass that night and remembers me. I give him my business card from the parish and he gives me his, he is the president of their local government council and he invites me to his office in a couple of days. I am still very happy!
I have regressed for a couple of days to get you up to some of my happenings. Tonight as I was mentioning, they had mass at 5:30 at the church of St Joseph. One of the priest from last night said he would be the main celebrant and invited me to join them. There ended up being three priest there and a few people from the congregation. They dressed me up and I smiled nicely, my land lady was there and she seemed pleased that I was concelebrating. I was greatly pleased just to be there.
After mass was over, I started wandering the street to find a place for dinner. You need to picture this, it is raining hard, few people are out and many of the restaurants are closed because this is not tourist season and they are on holiday. As I walk down the street there is an umbrella which as gotten away from its owner in the wind, I stop to pick it up to return it and it belongs to a restaurant owner who is trying to tape his sign up to a post in the rain. I hold the umbrella while he is working and he suggests that his restaurant is good place to eat. I know it is too early for the locals to eat, they usually eat around 8:30 or 9 o'clock but since it is raining and I have no other place to go, I venture up to get out of the rain.
He is suggesting heavily that I try some seafood that he shows me telling me the fish is very fresh. I order that and some pasta as my first plate. I order gnocchi with eggplant, sauce, onions, mushrooms and squash. My condition for ordering is that I get to watch him cook, he doesn't seem to mind. I wanted to take a cooking class, I just didn't think it would be this way! I watch him make a great pasta dish and vegetables he cooks on the grill as well as the fish caked in sea salt. It is all wonderful. I realize in the process he is the owner, the waiter and the dish washer, it is the off season. I ask him he minds if I work at the table and he tells me I am like family and he is happy for the company. I did tell you it is the off season and it is now about two hours after I arrived and no one else has shown up. I am still working on my wine and water and listening to music. He asked me what I want to listen too, Italian of course! I still don't understand a word but it is fitting for the experience.
I am sorry for the rambling, but it has been a wonderful experience so far and I hope I can share some of it with you. As you can tell I have been in church a few times already and you have been in my prayers, please keep me in yours. Next time I will try to tell you about some of my classmates and classes, it is all very interesting to me. Also say a special prayer that I can find a part for my camera which is missing so that I can recharge the battery. It will take me a half hour train ride and some of the best Italian I can muster! Bono Notte!
*****
fifth Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/epVav4
fourth Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/eGqwHK
third Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/f2SW3P
second Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/fjOok3
this Sabbatical Blog post - http://bit.ly/e9U9eS
Sunday, January 23, 2011
St. Benedict School Open House
This Sunday
from 11 AM to 1 PM
Our School Children will be participating
in the 10 AM Mass
A Letter On The Influence of Catholic Schools which appeared in our bulletin this weekend
Catholic Schools Week
Sharing Our Family Story
Children love family stories. They will always remember the stories of their childhood - the good times shared with brothers and sisters… the funny stories from grandpa… the stories shared around a common table. Stories are how our kids remember us.
That’s why I love Catholic Schools. They are where we share our holy story with the next generation.
There is so much more to school than just learning “stuff.” Schools like St. Benedict’ give our children a broader, deeper, richer view of life. That’s because Catholic Schools focus on people. They foster an environment of caring and the common good. Every day, our Catholic Schools focus on the dignity of the human person because our schools focus on Christ.
I have many happy memories of my Catholic School days. I look back fondly on my time spent in the parish school I went to and at the Catholic High School I attended. My teachers – woman religious, priests and faithful lay persons – made a lasting impression on me. In fact, I met my wife in our Catholic elementary school! My vocation started in Catholic Schools, so did my love for learning. It is surely no accident that my career would lead me to become a Catholic School teacher. I am eternally grateful for my Catholic School experience.
Visit our school in person! Come and see how learning comes alive. You will experience the vitality that comes with a community that cares. Our academic performance is excellent, of course. We prepare our students well for the academic challenges of High School. Yet we do so much more. We form ladies and gentlemen. We give our students a Christian outlook on life. We teach them self-discipline, honor, respect and leadership. We nourish their budding spiritual sense and help them appreciate beauty, truth and goodness wherever they are found. We educate the whole person spiritually, academically, physically and socially. We hand on our Faith every day. We are a family of Faith here.
I encourage you to take another look at Catholic Education today. Tuition payment options are available because we recognize the sacrifice that parents make to send their sons and daughters to our school. Everyone is welcome at our school.
We want you to share our story too.
Pax Christi,
Deacon Bill+
Friday, January 21, 2011
Pray for the Unemployed
Prayer for those seeking work
O God who works wonders,
You created us in your image and likeness.
We imitate You by using our talents and strength.
Help us fill the world with Your beauty, truth and goodness.
Bless those seeking work.
Fill them with peace and security.
Do not let them grow weary as they strive to be like You,
the God who works wonders.
Help us all work to make Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
We ask this through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
It dawned on me today that we at St. Benedicts need to pray much more often and much more diligently for the unemployed and underemployed. After all, St. Benedict, our Patron Saint, summed up the lives of his monks quite simply - ora et labora - pray and work.
The Church has amassed a wealth of deep thinking on the inherent, God-given dignity of human work. I am thinking of Pope John Paul the Great's "On Human Work" just to name one example. Click here to read it -http://bit.ly/hPjYLe Our Catholic social teachings on the Common Good and the Dignity of the Human Person naturally lead Catholics to think deeply about work.
Even here at St. Benedict's, a parish that has been blessed by God in so many ways, I know firsthand of the suffering many of our families go through due to unemployment or underemployment. It is often emotionally, economically, and socially devasting. I can remember the terror that gripped me when I was briefly between jobs at a point in my life. I want the unemployed and underemployed to know how much we are with them in their time of suffering. You are not forgotten.
Looking ahead - perhaps this is the time to begin thinking of practical things our parish can do to honor workers and to support the unemployed. It would be great if some of our wise lay people got together and developed a small scale program in this regard. Lay people are truly the geniuses in this area. St. Benedict's has so many businessmen and businesswomen, attorneys, bankers, and financial sector workers, maybe the time is ripe for us to develop a program to focus on the dignity of human work. Let's at a minimum start thinking in that direction a bit. We do so much on the charitable side, maybe we can begin thinking in terms of practical job-creation/training measures too.
Let me know your ideas.
St. Benedict, pray for us!
[ADDITION 4 FEBRUARY 2011]
The following information was provided to me by Ms. Kathy Heffern from the Diocese of Buffalo. It seems like a good first step for parishioners and others seeking work. Please contact them directly.
Contact: Katy Shafer, (716) 276-1117
e/mail: parachutegroup@gmail.com
http://www.parachutegroup.org/
Parachute Group Taps Talent of Former Members,
Area Professionals to Facilitate Job Search
For nearly four years the Parachute Group, a networking group for the un- or under-employed, has been conducting networking meetings at the Harlem Road Community Center at 4255 Harlem Road in Snyder, New York to help people in transition find an efficient path to area resources and, hopefully, to their next position.
The group was formed as a resource to address the needs of both downsized individuals and those seeking a career change. Says co-founder, Katy Shafer,“We started this group as a resource for people in transition. The message everywhere was ‘You have to network to find a job,’ but someone looking for work doesn’t always know where – or how -- to begin. The group was started as a volunteerism effort to provide a crucial networking forum and is also an opportunity to share ideas, contacts and resources. For almost four years, our group has provided a forum for hundreds of people.
“When people come to a Parachute Group meeting, they are free to take what they need from the group, so we find almost always they are willing to come back after they have found a position and talk to the group about their personal job-hunting experience. It’s can be very uplifting and helpful for those who are looking for a new position to hear the positive messages of those who have ‘landed.’”
The group provides participants with information on a variety of topics, including area programs designed to help find a job, information on subsidized health insurance and many other topics intended to help with the job search or ease the transition. Guest presenters are from the talented pool of professionals throughout the greater Buffalo area.
The Parachute Group is independent of any corporation, non-profit organization, governmental program or other affiliation. The group’s purpose is to provide a forum for networking, information and discussion. Anyone in transition is invited to participate. It is free and open to the public.
Meetings are held every Wednesday from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road (Community Room #1), Amherst, New York. Contact (716) 276-1117 for more information.
Out of work job seeker? Are you or is someone you know an out of work job seeker? Facing the challenge of being unemployed and working through this tough economy is tough enough. You don’t have to go it alone. Contact your Office of Family Life Ministries for your FREE packet containing practical resources, prayers, scripture support and programs designed to support you on your journey. Call 716-847-2210 or email familylife@buffalodiocese.org.
*****
Share this blog post - http://bit.ly/gaMOUn
O God who works wonders,
You created us in your image and likeness.
We imitate You by using our talents and strength.
Help us fill the world with Your beauty, truth and goodness.
Bless those seeking work.
Fill them with peace and security.
Do not let them grow weary as they strive to be like You,
the God who works wonders.
Help us all work to make Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
We ask this through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
It dawned on me today that we at St. Benedicts need to pray much more often and much more diligently for the unemployed and underemployed. After all, St. Benedict, our Patron Saint, summed up the lives of his monks quite simply - ora et labora - pray and work.
The Church has amassed a wealth of deep thinking on the inherent, God-given dignity of human work. I am thinking of Pope John Paul the Great's "On Human Work" just to name one example. Click here to read it -http://bit.ly/hPjYLe Our Catholic social teachings on the Common Good and the Dignity of the Human Person naturally lead Catholics to think deeply about work.
Even here at St. Benedict's, a parish that has been blessed by God in so many ways, I know firsthand of the suffering many of our families go through due to unemployment or underemployment. It is often emotionally, economically, and socially devasting. I can remember the terror that gripped me when I was briefly between jobs at a point in my life. I want the unemployed and underemployed to know how much we are with them in their time of suffering. You are not forgotten.
Looking ahead - perhaps this is the time to begin thinking of practical things our parish can do to honor workers and to support the unemployed. It would be great if some of our wise lay people got together and developed a small scale program in this regard. Lay people are truly the geniuses in this area. St. Benedict's has so many businessmen and businesswomen, attorneys, bankers, and financial sector workers, maybe the time is ripe for us to develop a program to focus on the dignity of human work. Let's at a minimum start thinking in that direction a bit. We do so much on the charitable side, maybe we can begin thinking in terms of practical job-creation/training measures too.
Let me know your ideas.
St. Benedict, pray for us!
[ADDITION 4 FEBRUARY 2011]
The following information was provided to me by Ms. Kathy Heffern from the Diocese of Buffalo. It seems like a good first step for parishioners and others seeking work. Please contact them directly.
Contact: Katy Shafer, (716) 276-1117
e/mail: parachutegroup@gmail.com
http://www.parachutegroup.org/
Parachute Group Taps Talent of Former Members,
Area Professionals to Facilitate Job Search
For nearly four years the Parachute Group, a networking group for the un- or under-employed, has been conducting networking meetings at the Harlem Road Community Center at 4255 Harlem Road in Snyder, New York to help people in transition find an efficient path to area resources and, hopefully, to their next position.
The group was formed as a resource to address the needs of both downsized individuals and those seeking a career change. Says co-founder, Katy Shafer,“We started this group as a resource for people in transition. The message everywhere was ‘You have to network to find a job,’ but someone looking for work doesn’t always know where – or how -- to begin. The group was started as a volunteerism effort to provide a crucial networking forum and is also an opportunity to share ideas, contacts and resources. For almost four years, our group has provided a forum for hundreds of people.
“When people come to a Parachute Group meeting, they are free to take what they need from the group, so we find almost always they are willing to come back after they have found a position and talk to the group about their personal job-hunting experience. It’s can be very uplifting and helpful for those who are looking for a new position to hear the positive messages of those who have ‘landed.’”
The group provides participants with information on a variety of topics, including area programs designed to help find a job, information on subsidized health insurance and many other topics intended to help with the job search or ease the transition. Guest presenters are from the talented pool of professionals throughout the greater Buffalo area.
The Parachute Group is independent of any corporation, non-profit organization, governmental program or other affiliation. The group’s purpose is to provide a forum for networking, information and discussion. Anyone in transition is invited to participate. It is free and open to the public.
Meetings are held every Wednesday from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road (Community Room #1), Amherst, New York. Contact (716) 276-1117 for more information.
_______________________________________________
*****
Share this blog post - http://bit.ly/gaMOUn
Monday, January 17, 2011
HELP! - Reaching Out 2 Africa
Can you help with our Southern Sudan Project?
We heard Fr. Ron Sajdak speak about the Clinic that is almost finished in Southern Sudan. It will be named for our former pastor, Fr. Gary Bagley and for Sr. Karen Klimczak. The final stages of building have begun and soon staffing and purchasing equipment will begin.
Your help is needed to complete this project. Please do what you can.
I especially ask our readers from across the globe to help us if they can. We have many readers throughout the world and this would be a great way for us to work together.
Please visit http://www.reachingout2africa.com/ for details.
Send us an email too, at rectory@saintbenedicts.com if you made a donation because of this blog article.
May God bless you abundantly for your generosity!
[ADDITION - 6 February 2011 - $6, 502.00 was raised in our collection.]
[ADDITION - 12 March 2011 - $9,028.30 has been raised to date.]
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
*****
Share this Blog Post - http://bit.ly/euOuO2
Your help is needed to complete this project. Please do what you can.
I especially ask our readers from across the globe to help us if they can. We have many readers throughout the world and this would be a great way for us to work together.
Please visit http://www.reachingout2africa.com/ for details.
Send us an email too, at rectory@saintbenedicts.com if you made a donation because of this blog article.
May God bless you abundantly for your generosity!
[ADDITION - 6 February 2011 - $6, 502.00 was raised in our collection.]
[ADDITION - 12 March 2011 - $9,028.30 has been raised to date.]
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
*****
Share this Blog Post - http://bit.ly/euOuO2
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Deacons needed!
Are you called to be a Deacon?
Deacons are servants.
While they are primarily "seen" in their liturgical ministry, deacons have other ministries too. Some work in soup kitchens, prisons, hospitals, etc. I teach religion to 11th graders during the day and work at the parish in the evenings and on weekends. I coordinate RCIA, Pre-Cana, Evangelization and other ministries at St. Ben's. It has been a rewarding ministry. I highly recommend it!
When we are ordained, deacons receive the Gospel book. The Bishop says:
BUFFALO -- St. Joseph-University, 3269 Main St. on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Community Room.
NORTH TONAWANDA -- St. Jude the Apostle, 800 Niagara Falls Blvd. on Sunday March 20, 2011 at 7:00pm in Msgr. Kreuzer Hall.
FREDONIA -- St. Joseph's, 145 East Main St. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Gathering Room.
EAST AURORA -- Christ the King Seminary, 711 Knox Rd. on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 9:00am in St. John Hall Conference Room.
BATAVIA -- Resurrection Parish [St. Mary's site], 18 Ellicott St. on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 9:00am in the Church Hall.
Attendance at one session is required for consideration for the inquiry class being formed to begin in the Fall of 2011. Call the diaconate office at 716-652-4308 to register and/or for further information. Wives of interested men are most welcome and encouraged to attend!
 |
| Advent 2010, courtesy of Fr. Paul Sabo |
While they are primarily "seen" in their liturgical ministry, deacons have other ministries too. Some work in soup kitchens, prisons, hospitals, etc. I teach religion to 11th graders during the day and work at the parish in the evenings and on weekends. I coordinate RCIA, Pre-Cana, Evangelization and other ministries at St. Ben's. It has been a rewarding ministry. I highly recommend it!
Receive the Gospel of Christ,
whose herald you now are.
Believe what you read,
teach what you believe,
and practice what you teach.
That is our diaconal calling. I encourage others to try it too.
Think deeply and pray about it. The Lord may be calling you to serve too; don't ignore His call!
The Diocese of Buffalo is currently holding information sessions for men interested in this vocation. In addition to attending one of the sessions below, please feel free to contact me anytime. Here is the official Diocesan announcement:
INQUIRY CLASS FOR PERMANENT DEACONS TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER 2011. Did you know that there are 124 men serving as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Buffalo? Every one of these men felt the desire to serve the Church in ways beyond their current service. Are you a man between 30 and 55 with this same prompting? God may be calling you to find out more about the Permanent Diaconate! Information Sessions are as follows:
BUFFALO -- St. Joseph-University, 3269 Main St. on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Community Room.
NORTH TONAWANDA -- St. Jude the Apostle, 800 Niagara Falls Blvd. on Sunday March 20, 2011 at 7:00pm in Msgr. Kreuzer Hall.
FREDONIA -- St. Joseph's, 145 East Main St. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 7:00pm in the Gathering Room.
EAST AURORA -- Christ the King Seminary, 711 Knox Rd. on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 9:00am in St. John Hall Conference Room.
BATAVIA -- Resurrection Parish [St. Mary's site], 18 Ellicott St. on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 9:00am in the Church Hall.
Attendance at one session is required for consideration for the inquiry class being formed to begin in the Fall of 2011. Call the diaconate office at 716-652-4308 to register and/or for further information. Wives of interested men are most welcome and encouraged to attend!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
National Migration Week 2-8 January
National Migration Week 2011
Immigration is not an easy issue to write about because it is so easy to be misunderstood or labelled politically.
Sometimes I find that my "conservative" friends think that talking compassionately about migrants is a "liberal" thing.
Of course, I get the opposite from my "liberal" friends who think that speaking about the moral depravity of procured abortion (as we will during the week of 22 January) is a "conservative" thing.
As Catholics, our positions do not easily fit political categories.
We Catholics defend, protect, and advocate for life in every situation, everywhere. Political labels like "liberal" or "conservative" sometimes get in the way. In fact, we Catholics, through our social teachings, know that the Church must inform the political order, not the other way round.
The United States Catholic Bishops have asked all people of good will to be more conscious of the needs of Migrants. They have asked the Church to commemorate National Migration Week from 2 through 8 January 2011 with the theme "Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice." You might want to check out their website on this - www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw/
Pope Benedict XVI has written often about Migrants (on World Migrant Days, for example); many popes have done so previously. It is certainly not something at the periphery of Catholic teaching. The Holy Family were migrants in Egypt, much like the Jewish People were before them. The Church, being Catholic, is concerned that we human beings treat one another justly as brothers and sisters.
We Catholic Americans in particular ought to be sensitive to this issue since so many of our families came, not too long ago, to this great country as immigrants. I think of Emma Lazarus' famous sonnet in this regard:
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
My family arrived here poor. Mine is the American story, not unique, but all the more profound because we share the story. My great grandparents came from Ireland and Germany and from Slovakia (then the Austrio-Hungarian Empire).
They passed the Statue of Liberty and thought of their future.
Now, I think of them when I pass Lady Liberty.
I think of us too.
I think of this nation of poor immigrants.
I think of the Polish priests and nuns who taught me,
my Italian piano teacher,
my Colombian childhood friend
my Indian kindergarten classmate
my Korean high school student
my African-American colleague at Turner-Carroll
my many Irish relatives.
I think America is at its best when it embraces the poor immigrant family.
I think this is one of the reasons we are the greatest nation on earth.
But, of course, it is more than an American issue.
My German students often speak of the Turkish migrants in their country.
My time in Egypt made me aware of the numerous refugees from Sudan.
My French readings remind me of the many Algerian immigrants in Paris and Marseilles.
Teaching on the border between Thailand and Burma, I saw firsthand the everyday "migrations" of young students so they could simply go to school.
England is dealing with the many Pakistani immigrants in their nation.
Immigration is a global issue.
America is far from alone dealing with this issue.
The Immigration issue is fundamentally about human dignity.
Contrary to a lot of nonsense out there, no one is claiming that illegal immigration is to be encouraged. Quite the opposite. In fact, it is precisely here where the role of the Catholic Church on this issue can be most appreciated. It seeks to insure human rights while acknowledging the reality of national interests.
The Church looks at the systemic issues, not just the political "quick-fixes" that so often do more harm than good. The Church, this Mystical Body of Christ continuing Jesus' teaching in the modern world, seeks economic justice, human dignity and the common good -- EVERYWHERE and for EVERYONE. Remember - we are brothers and sisters regardless of race, creed, or nationality.
It is clear that there are no "easy" answers to the practical problems of migrants and immigrants; however; it is equally clear that it is sinful to think of the problem without thinking of the people.
It is clearly sinful to maltreat the poor, to ignore the hungry, or to deny the reality of international economic injustice. Human beings do not lose their right to life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness just because they don't carry the right "papers." They were endowed by their Creator with those rights.
Rational men and women can, and do, disagree about HOW to address the issues of migration / immigration. We need wise, educated, orthodox, conscientious, lay Catholic leaders in the political forum. While we wait, all American Catholics have a moral obligation to speak out clearly on this issue. We cannot simply stand by while some of our elected officials sweep this issue under the rug, or worse, suggest immoral solutions that treat poor people with disdain or contempt.
I encourage you to study the Church's substantial teachings on this subject. Let the Church inform you, not just TV news stations or talk radio. In fact, may I suggest that we spend as much time studying the Church's teaching as we do watching/listening to the "news." The "news" often accents problems over solutions, and extreme positions over moderate wisdom. This seems particularly true on the immigration issue because of the passions it engenders. Please let the Church's teaching inform your conscience.
The social teachings of the popes are available on http://www.vatican.va/. Also, please check out the United States Bishops' website - http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/ and note the common misconceptions section in particular.
Let us pray for migrants, for immigrants, and for wise political leadership, especially during this National Migration Week, 2011. Let us do more than pray...let us stand up for the poor and marginalized pilgrim people of God.
Immigration is not an easy issue to write about because it is so easy to be misunderstood or labelled politically.
Sometimes I find that my "conservative" friends think that talking compassionately about migrants is a "liberal" thing.
Of course, I get the opposite from my "liberal" friends who think that speaking about the moral depravity of procured abortion (as we will during the week of 22 January) is a "conservative" thing.
As Catholics, our positions do not easily fit political categories.
We Catholics defend, protect, and advocate for life in every situation, everywhere. Political labels like "liberal" or "conservative" sometimes get in the way. In fact, we Catholics, through our social teachings, know that the Church must inform the political order, not the other way round.
The United States Catholic Bishops have asked all people of good will to be more conscious of the needs of Migrants. They have asked the Church to commemorate National Migration Week from 2 through 8 January 2011 with the theme "Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice." You might want to check out their website on this - www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw/
Pope Benedict XVI has written often about Migrants (on World Migrant Days, for example); many popes have done so previously. It is certainly not something at the periphery of Catholic teaching. The Holy Family were migrants in Egypt, much like the Jewish People were before them. The Church, being Catholic, is concerned that we human beings treat one another justly as brothers and sisters.
We Catholic Americans in particular ought to be sensitive to this issue since so many of our families came, not too long ago, to this great country as immigrants. I think of Emma Lazarus' famous sonnet in this regard:
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
My family arrived here poor. Mine is the American story, not unique, but all the more profound because we share the story. My great grandparents came from Ireland and Germany and from Slovakia (then the Austrio-Hungarian Empire).
They passed the Statue of Liberty and thought of their future.
Now, I think of them when I pass Lady Liberty.
I think of us too.
I think of this nation of poor immigrants.
I think of the Polish priests and nuns who taught me,
my Italian piano teacher,
my Colombian childhood friend
my Indian kindergarten classmate
my Korean high school student
my African-American colleague at Turner-Carroll
my many Irish relatives.
I think America is at its best when it embraces the poor immigrant family.
I think this is one of the reasons we are the greatest nation on earth.
But, of course, it is more than an American issue.
My German students often speak of the Turkish migrants in their country.
My time in Egypt made me aware of the numerous refugees from Sudan.
My French readings remind me of the many Algerian immigrants in Paris and Marseilles.
Teaching on the border between Thailand and Burma, I saw firsthand the everyday "migrations" of young students so they could simply go to school.
England is dealing with the many Pakistani immigrants in their nation.
Immigration is a global issue.
America is far from alone dealing with this issue.
The Immigration issue is fundamentally about human dignity.
Contrary to a lot of nonsense out there, no one is claiming that illegal immigration is to be encouraged. Quite the opposite. In fact, it is precisely here where the role of the Catholic Church on this issue can be most appreciated. It seeks to insure human rights while acknowledging the reality of national interests.
The Church looks at the systemic issues, not just the political "quick-fixes" that so often do more harm than good. The Church, this Mystical Body of Christ continuing Jesus' teaching in the modern world, seeks economic justice, human dignity and the common good -- EVERYWHERE and for EVERYONE. Remember - we are brothers and sisters regardless of race, creed, or nationality.
It is clear that there are no "easy" answers to the practical problems of migrants and immigrants; however; it is equally clear that it is sinful to think of the problem without thinking of the people.
It is clearly sinful to maltreat the poor, to ignore the hungry, or to deny the reality of international economic injustice. Human beings do not lose their right to life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness just because they don't carry the right "papers." They were endowed by their Creator with those rights.
Rational men and women can, and do, disagree about HOW to address the issues of migration / immigration. We need wise, educated, orthodox, conscientious, lay Catholic leaders in the political forum. While we wait, all American Catholics have a moral obligation to speak out clearly on this issue. We cannot simply stand by while some of our elected officials sweep this issue under the rug, or worse, suggest immoral solutions that treat poor people with disdain or contempt.
I encourage you to study the Church's substantial teachings on this subject. Let the Church inform you, not just TV news stations or talk radio. In fact, may I suggest that we spend as much time studying the Church's teaching as we do watching/listening to the "news." The "news" often accents problems over solutions, and extreme positions over moderate wisdom. This seems particularly true on the immigration issue because of the passions it engenders. Please let the Church's teaching inform your conscience.
The social teachings of the popes are available on http://www.vatican.va/. Also, please check out the United States Bishops' website - http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/ and note the common misconceptions section in particular.
Let us pray for migrants, for immigrants, and for wise political leadership, especially during this National Migration Week, 2011. Let us do more than pray...let us stand up for the poor and marginalized pilgrim people of God.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Christmas Thoughts - Dn. Bill+
As you know, because of the Incarnational accent in my preaching, I often quote the Prologue of St. John's Gospel - "The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us."
That is Christmas in a nutshell. How appropriate that John's Prologue is read at Christmas morning Mass.
The Son of God, the Eternal Word, took flesh. He became one of us. He is like us in all things except sin. Jesus is truly God and truly man! He is God Incarnate.
I have been meditating and reading on this topic during Advent. I have been drawn particularly to understanding the Mass - Christ's Mass - in this regard.
At every Mass, the Word becomes Flesh and dwells among us. Christ's Mass is here all the time. All the worldly celebrations of Christmas pale in comparison to the Liturgy. Christ DOES come to us. It is all happening now. Christmas is not an historical celebration for us. Liturgy is our way of seeing as God sees.
The older I get and the more seriously I reflect on my faith, the more impressed I am with the depth of our Catholic Faith. Again and again I see that we Catholics do not just "talk" about Christ, but really see Him.
His Presence is not just a "feeling" in us (though it can be that too!), but real, true, and substantial in the Eucharist. I am understanding the essential unity of Bethlehem and Calvary, not to mention the essential unity of the liturgical year. This unity makes eternity more approachable for me.
After five years with you at St. Benedict's, I am grateful for all you have done for me. But one thing tops the list - You have helped me see Jesus in new ways.
I am reminded of a line by my favorite poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins. He wrote:
...Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men's faces.
Like the star of Bethlehem, you have brought me to Jesus.
I am honored to be your servant.
A Merry and Blessed Christ-mass to all!
deacon bill+
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