My Brothers and Sisters,
May the grace of our Lord remain with us always
Thank you to all of you who took one of the brochures for Sharing the Vision, Meeting the Challenge last weekend and also signed the take-home sheet. I am more than happy to tell you that all of the brochures were taken – which is a really great response for us: thank you!!
Each day, the work of the campaign continues. It is my hope to be personally in touch with every registered family in the parish either by a phone call; an email; or a personal visit. While at first blush you might think, “Father Jordan is calling, what do I say to Father about the campaign?”. My reaching out to you is not just about the campaign, it is an opportunity for us to talk, ask questions about the parish, and have the opportunity to check in with one another.
Questions from the Receptions
A parishioner contacted me after one of the Campaign Receptions and told me about three questions that were “floating in the air”, but the opportunity to ask these questions didn’t present itself. I would like to address these questions here.
1. “The Finances of the Parish haven’t been listed in the bulletin since late August. How are we doing and why isn’t this information being given?”
First, why isn’t this information being given?
Since the end of August, the Parish Office has been in great transition. Changing from one full-time person who did a very long list of things, to two part-time people with very specific areas of responsibility is a much greater transition than can be imagined. The Parish Accountant, Kathy Harrington, is in the Office each Wednesday. Kathy is doing excellent work, but is still getting things reoriented, and her time in the Office is very busy. Kathy and I have met about these creating these reports for the bulletin. Kathy is joyfully – punctilious! We are working on creating accurate and easily understood reports.
As far as the bottom line is concerned, we are marginally better. The return from the summer holidays is helping to increase the weekly offertory; more people are using electronic giving; and some parishioners have increased their weekly gift. We are able to pay our bills and meet salary, but there isn’t a great deal of margin for error or unexpected expenses. You will have a report soon; I give you my word!
2. “Are the Worship Programs necessary? If they are necessary, why?”
The temptation is to answer this question with one word, but please indulge me while I offer a fuller answer.
A. Using Worship Programs affords the Parish the opportunity to draw from the widest possible repertoire.
B. Using Worship Programs allows us to “sing the Mass” and not “sing at the Mass”. What does this mean? To sing the Mass is to use the prescribed texts in the Roman Missal for each Sunday, Solemnity, and Feast of the Church Year. These rich texts, often little more than a sentence, encapsulate our prayer, the thoughts deep in our hearts, and can remain with us as a way to remember God’s Presence and to carry the Liturgy with us. To sing at Mass is to choose songs that are “close enough” to what the texts reflect, but not exactly.
C. Using Worship Programs allows us to easily make changes in the way we pray for specific Liturgical Seasons.
D. The Ritual Song Hymnals do not have the new translation of the Mass, Mass settings, or any of the Introits or Communion Antiphons.
E. We print these in the rectory each week, so the cost is minimal, and the paper is recycled.
F. Will we get a new hymnal? I hope so. Deciding on a new hymnal is both a long process and an expensive expenditure.
Some parishioners have expressed thanks for the Worship Programs. I hope this helps to explain why we are currently using Worship Programs.
3. “Our works of Social Justice and care for the poor are decreasing.”
This comment was made at one of the Receptions, and after speaking with Karin Schrott, I would like to respond to this observation. Next to my column you will see the list of things that our Parish Outreach Committee has accomplished this year. You will also read my words, “The Parish Outreach Committee is a true jewel in the crown of our Parish.” I believe these words, I mean them, and I am committed to helping Karin Schrott and these dedicated men and women accomplish and what they inspire us to accomplish. The Committee operates on a financial shoestring, and the Parish would like to offer more funding but cannot.
In the list of mission opportunities, you will see a new initiative, “Homes for Christmas Advent Project”. Sponsored by Cross Catholic this initiative builds homes for the people of Haiti who are still homeless after the hurricanes that have plagued these poor people. Saint Sebastian has done so much to help educate the children of Haiti; this is an opportunity to help us house the people of Haiti. There will be a bake sale to raise funds for this project. But I would also suggest thinking of this as an Advent version of the Lenten Operation Rice Bowl. Throughout Advent, save your change or whatever money you might use for something that is nonessential and put it aside for Homes for Christmas.
If we go over goal in Sharing the Vision, Meeting the Challenge, we could consider ways that these additional funds could benefit our care for the poor, or with a renovated, up to code kitchen, prepare food for the poor. Do you have other ideas you would like to spearhead and explore?
Let’s pray for one another! We all need to be ambassadors of hope and joy!
Until we meet at the altar….
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!
In the Lord,
Father Jordan, O.P.
My Dear ones,
May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us!
As I sit to write this column there are a number of thoughts in my mind and heart. I ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten my mind that I may say the right words to you, and that you may receive them with an open heart.
The receptions for Sharing the Vision, Meeting the Challenge are completed. I am thankful to everyone who made the effort to be at one of these meetings, and for your sharing of ideas, challenges, and hopes.
One of the questions raised about some of the proposed remodeling projects was “why these projects; and is there a priority to the items on the list?” A good question that I hope to explain in the next several paragraphs. Another question raised was “how was this list developed?”.
The first objective of Sharing the Vision, Meeting the Challenge is to restore the money used from the Interparish Loan Fund for the restoration of the tower. We will repay the exact amount of $379,300.00, the final cost of the project. As we restore these funds we will need to spend approximately $13,000.00 to repair the handicapped ramp which is serious need of repair.
When the total amount taken from the Interparish Loan Fund has been repaid, we will begin to address other needs. Your input will be essential to the discernment and advice that will be given to me by the Parish and Finance Councils. The next few paragraphs begin to answer the “why” of this list.
Two items have a certain urgency: a. the bathrooms and b. the wiring of the Parish Hall and kitchen. First, the bathrooms. The bathrooms have toilets and wash basins that are so old that parts cannot be found to repair them. Our maintenance man, Paul Castaldi, recently repaired a toilet in the Ladies’ Room. Paul told me that if the unit breaks again we will need to replace the entire toilet. Paul was unable to get the parts needed, but with his talent, was able to jerry – rig a replacement that should work for quite a while. In addition, these bathrooms do not comply with ADA and when repairs are made, all repairs are to comply with the ADA.
As a result of the leakage from the Tower, the mis - pitched front stairs, and the unaddressed need for tuckpointing and the lack of regular gutter maintenance on the front of the Church and on the side of the Church closest to the Rectory, a great deal of water has seeped into the Men’s’ Room in the Church Hall. There has been so much leakage that there is a hole in the wall. The wire mesh and interior wall beams are exposed and a source for mold and other debris. Now that all of the leaks have been completely and successfully addressed, as soon as monies are available, the bathrooms need to be repaired.
Equally as important, and perhaps more challenging, is the wiring in the Parish Hall. Last winter, and immediately following Founders’ Day, there were serious electrical issues in the Hall. Last winter we spent slightly over $6,000.00 to address the repair of damaged sockets and removing all power from the old stage lights. The wiring of the stage lights has become defective, sporadically sparking and causing the wooden covers over the floor lights to smolder. Following Founders’ Day, there were a number of sockets that were inoperable, and the EXIT Signs were not illuminated. Some minor repairs were made so that the EXIT Signs operate; to correct the rest of the work I was told that Parish Hall must be totally rewired. I am waiting for estimates. Ultimately, when the ceiling and walls are torn apart for rewiring the question becomes, “what about the rest of the space?”.
Saint Sebastian needs to find additional avenues for substantial income. This need is why we have entered into a more equitable agreement with Montessori Children’s Home (MCH), for the use of the land behind the Church (which is being converted into a child friendly playground space) and MCH daily use of the Parish Hall for Creative Movement and Phys Ed Classes. In addition, we are receiving rental income from Opus Dei, Alcoholics Anonymous, Elmhurst Alumnae Association, and RICCO. When the electrical needs of the Parish Hall are addressed, refurbishing the Hall and the adjacent Kitchen, could be another avenue for new income for the Parish; i.e. the Parish could rent out the hall and kitchen for different events, creating another source of income, as well as improving the general environment of the Parish Hall – it is used for much more than a couple of potluck suppers. As the members of the Greatest Generation and Baby Boomers become fewer, Generation X, the Millennials, and even the “Nones” do not have the same giving abilities or cultures as their elders. Thus, there are both internal and external reasons to consider remodeling the Parish Hall.
How did this list happen? This list is the result of two things: my experience with our buildings; and the remarks/advice of the Parish and Finance Councils.
My experience: Much of my days are spent dealing with vendors about different issues that are part and parcel of a well-used, under cared for building like our Church. As different things break and need repair I see an ever-increasing list of needs – I also wonder where will the money come from? The list of possible repairs began as I learned about issue after issue concerning the Church building. As the Pastor, I am charged by the law of the Church and the Bishop to care for the patrimony of what has been entrusted to this community. Developing a list is part of my job, it is part of what I am supposed to do.
Remarks and advice: At meetings of the Finance Council, or later the Parish Council, I would bring the Council members up to date about the different needs of the building. The Councils supported investigating all of the repairs that needed to be addressed.
At a joint meeting of the Parish and Finance Councils and the Trustees of the Parish concerning Sharing the Vision, Meeting the Challenge, I was instructed to compile a list with costs of all that could possibly need to be addressed.
We are very fortunate to have Paul Castaldi here who will able to do a great deal of this work and help to keep the costs as reasonable as possible.
A Matter of Vision and Hope
Are these possible renovations written in stone? NO. Are they a wish list? YES. However, these possible renovations ARE a matter of vision! If we do not look forward to making our parish more attractive and more comfortable; more joyful and more welcoming; more letting go of the past and embracing the future; more courageous and less fearful – our future will be short-lived.
The Church has consistently taught us and showed us that to experience beauty is to encounter God. Thus, the great treasury of art, architecture, music, ritual, vesture, and tradition that is all that is Roman Catholic. Our world, both physically and emotionally, is often deprived of beauty: may Saint Sebastian be a home where people always experience beauty and encounter God!
For our vision to truly flourish I invite us to develop a vision of communication. The efforts that have been made seem less than successful. I will do all I am able to do to keep you up to date and to seek your advice, but I need your response.
I hope this helps to explain the genesis of some of the items you see either on the poster in the vestibule or in the Campaign Brochure. As I have said to you before, Sharing the Vision, Meeting the Challenge is about much more than money and mortar: it is about our life and mission! Let us encourage one another that our Vision does meet the Challenge of our day!
Until we meet at the altar….
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!
In the Lord,
Father Jordan, O.P.
My Dear ones,
May the Grace of Our Lord be always with us!
Founders’ Day Celebration
I think there is agreement that the Founders’ Day celebration was great fun and a great success! There was a wonderful spirit through out the entire evening; and I think we all want to hire Chef Norbert for our personal chef! I am so grateful that Sister Marie Therese sent him to us!! J We are all grateful to Karin Schrott and her many helpers who transformed the Parish Hall and made it look so beautiful. Thank you also to Bob Short and James Wert who bravely took care of all the children so the parents could have a bit of free time to visit with friends and enjoy dinner. I am so grateful for all of you, and for the wonderful blessings we celebrated last Saturday evening.
Founders’ Day and Sharing the Vision, Meeting the Challenge
The celebration of Founders’ Day leads us into the active phase of the Capital Campaign: Sharing the Vision, Meeting the Challenge: Grateful for God’s Providence. As we remember the many gifts we have been given by those who came before us, we are called today to continue our heritage as we meet the challenge of articulating the Gospel-Vision for 2019 and beyond.
Two of the three receptions for the Campaign took place last Monday. Both receptions were nicely attended, both had great questions, and both had a wonderful spirit. Like Founders’ Day, the spirit of these receptions was very positive, thought provoking, and up beat – we even managed to laugh as we discussed the challenges before us! There is one more reception, and that reception will be held on Monday, October 28 at 6:30pm in the Parish Hall. There is a brief presentation by the consultants from Guidance and Giving, by myself, and time for questions and answers. Everyone is welcome to attend! In the meantime, I invite you to do these three things:
· Pray for the success of the Campaign – as I said last Sunday, this is about much more than money, bricks and motar;
· Be an ambassador for the campaign: allow your conversation center around the good we can accomplish, rather than negative rumors, or worse untruths;
· Challenge yourself to consider a sacrificial gift that will allow the Vision of Saint Sebastian meet the Challenge of our contemporary world.
Choirs for Christmas
Carole Graves is waiting and ready for singers in both the Children’s and Adult Choirs. If you are interested in singing, please speak with Carole. Carole is quite creative and has a lot of wonderful ideas! Please be willing to sacrifice some time so that our Liturgies may be even more beautiful.
All Saints and All Souls
Friday is November 1st, and that means:
This Friday is the Solemnity of All - a Holy Day of Obligation. The Mass schedules are:
* All Saints Day: 7am and 5:30pm.
And if Friday is All Saints’ Day, Saturday is All Souls’ Day. Mass for All Souls’ Day is at:
9:30am
The Mass on All Souls’ Day is the annual Mass for all of the faithful departed, with the reading of the names of those who have been buried from Saint Sebastian this year. A reception follows the Mass.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!
In the Lord,
Father Jordan, O.P.
My Brothers and Sisters,
May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us!
Last week I began to share with you information I learned at a panel discussion I attended recently, Empty Pews: The Future of Catholic Parishes? In my column, I introduced you to a “new faith”: the Nones. To refresh your memory Nones are between 25 and 40; they are not atheist; they qualify as spiritual, not religious; they believe in God and pray more than many church-going people; they believe that there is a morality by which we are to live, but they decided said morality; and institutions guilty of injustice are not worthy of their trust. I quote Archbishop Chaput “the Parish of the future, which is already here, must find a way of speaking into the minds and hearts of the young people who look at the reality of religion from this particular perspective.” The panel discussion began to talk about how to speak to the minds and hearts of these young people. There were several areas that were addressed:
Books could be written on each of these topics. For our purposes, let’s look and 1 and 2: the credibility of the Church, and the Mass and its celebration.
It would be an understatement of tremendous proportion to say that the Church has lost its credibility in contemporary society. Notwithstanding the scandals of the last twenty years, the Church has been increasingly marginalized as an institution that has a broken administrative structure, and whose leadership was never prepared to lead a post conciliar Church. Add the sexual revolution; a decaying family structure; and the postmodern person’s search for self-meaning to this brokenness, lack of preparation and ability and you have an institution that is singing a song that is difficult, if not impossible, for society to hear. Yet, the Church is not an institution limited by human ability and circumstance, but one which exists and flourishes by Divine Initiative and Purpose. This Divine Initiative and Purpose is simultaneously the catalyst and the reason that we need to find a way to speak to the Nones. We are fooling ourselves if we think the way to do this is to make everything easy and simple – we cannot “dumb it down”; we must offer them something to strive for; a richer, better, happier way of life – even if it is more challenging. How can the Church once again become credible? First, let’s acknowledge that not all bishops and priests have lost their credibility. There are many members of the clergy who have remained completely faithful to their vocation, their vows, and to serving rather than being served. Secondly, all priests and bishops need to return to a life of prayer and sacrifice; we need to take what we do seriously and realize that the salvation of souls, our own included are at stake if we do not. We need to be willing to enter into the difficult conversations with people concerning the Faith, the failures of the clergy, and in all the places where Catholicism appears out of step with contemporary society. Finally, we must be willing to teach the fullness of our Catholic Faith without compromise, but with tremendous understanding and charity.
For the Nones to come to Church it must be clear that the Liturgical Life of a given Parish is taken seriously. Like many other younger Catholics, for the Nones to experience beauty is to encounter God. Sloppy celebration, a priest trying to be a comedian, mediocre music, and pious preaching will not lead the Nones to fill our pews. They are searching for a celebration that will lead them to God and will help them deal with daily life.
For the Nones to join us, the New Evangelization becomes ever more urgent. Recall the definition of the New Evangelization, “The New Evangelization is a particular grace by which I encounter the Gospel as I never have before and seek to respond without compromise.”
May we respond: with zeal; with courage; with charity; and without compromise. Next week, fidelity to the Church’s teaching, and social outreach.
Until we meet at the altar… O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!
In the Lord,
Fr. Jordan, O.P.
My Brothers and Sisters Christ,
May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us!
Welcome to Saint Sebastian for another weekend of celebrating God’s Love; hear His Call to belong to Him; and to find JOY as we assemble as His People.
At all of the Masses this weekend we will begin to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to call forth brothers and sisters to help me guide and form our community for the next two years. If you are asked to stand for election, I urge to consider the request and to respond with generosity. Please remember that if you nominate someone to serve on the Council, they need to have agreed to be nominated. Let’s strive for a real cross section of the Parish!
Today at the 9am Mass we will commission our Catechists for the Children’s Liturgy of the Word and Religious Education for the coming year. May God bless the efforts and generosity of these women and men. The theme of the year is stay with us!, taken from the Gospel story of the risen Jesus and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Just as the hearts of the disciples burned within them as they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread and asked Him to stay, may our children know and accept the living presence of Christ in their midst.
Both of these occasions bring to mind a panel discussion I attended recently entitled “Empty Pews: The Future of Catholic Parishes?” The panelists hold chairs in communications, moral theology, and sacred music at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. Archbishop Charles Chaput, ofm.cap. moderated the discussion. As the Archbishop of Philadelphia, Archbishop Chaput has closed, clustered, or merged over 1/3 of the parishes of the Archdiocese. The Archbishop began the discussion with this question, “Having had to in act the Pastoral Plan of closing, clustering, and merging Parishes, the concern I bring to our discussion about the future of the parish is whether it is even going to exist!” I instantly thought of my ancestral parishes: Saint Bridget; Saint Monica, Saint Gabriel – what would it be like to see them shuttered and sold? Interrupting my thoughts came the Archbishop’s voice, “God will decide if parishes are to exist or not, but we have to be participants. The reason I am worried is because of church attendance.” Church attendance… my body was in Philadelphia, but my mind and heart were here in our Parish, our circle of influence and concern.
As a Parish, our attendance reflects the national norm for Sunday attendance: approximately 34% of people attend Mass weekly; another 33% attend Mass two or three times a month; and the remaining 33% are a mix between special occasions; the great Feasts of Christmas and Easter; and finally, those who are registered, but never attend. How can Saint Sebastian become a place that defies the national norm and draws more people to be very intentional about regular participation at Mass and in the Parish? Remember my suggested four hallmarks: Joy, Welcome, Mission and Belonging – I am convinced these will help us draw souls to God! Why? Each of these attributes reflect an authenticity that has been forged by facing the reality of life, wrestling with the difficult issues, and finding the ultimate answer in the practice of our Faith and a profound relationship with God.
Our joy, welcome, common mission, and sense of belonging will help contemporary people in a particular way. In the final 33% mentioned above, there is the growing population of which many people are aware; they may be perplexed by this new demographic and wonder “how did this happen”? Who is this growing 33%: the “Nones”? Those who qualify as Nones are between 25 and 40. A Nones is not an atheist; but qualify themselves as spiritual not religious; they believe in God; pray more than the average person; and many have studied the Bible. Nones are really a new faith rather than the loss of faith altogether. Normally, Nones believe that morality exists but they will decide what it is; as a result, institutions guilty of injustice as not worthy of their attention . The Parish of the future, a future, which is already here, must find a way of speaking into the minds and hearts of the young people who look at the reality of religion from this particular perspective. How do we enter into dialogue with the Nones?
Next week I will reflect upon three ways we can meet and welcome the Nones we might know.
August 25, 2019From Father Jordan My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us! May you be Peace Last weekend as the Masses were ending, I was asked a question about our Church, our faith, the Pro-Life teaching of the Church and the issues of immigration that bombard our discourse and attention at this time. Joseph Cardinal Bernadine used the phrase “seamless garment” towards the Church’s economic policies and the manner in which we, the Church, care for the poor. I would like to propose for your reflection that the metaphor of a “seamless garment” is also most applicable to what it means to be Pro-Life and to strive constantly for the promotion and protection of the dignity of the human person. If the Roman Catholic Church is truly Pro-Life, and we are, then neither our theology nor our praxis is allowed to destroy the seamless garment of safeguarding the dignity of human life from conception until natural death. Life in the womb is as precious as life outside of the womb, and both demand and deserve our vigilance, protection, and our advocacy. As Roman Catholics we are rightly concerned about recent legislation read into power throughout our country concerning abortion and especially late term abortion; we need to be similarly concerned about legislation concerning immigration and the treatment of immigrants. If you have toured Ellis Island, you know it was no paradise; and there were many tragedies on that island. When we view the conditions being endured in Texas, Ellis Island might look much better. It is this same concern that guides us to address the concerns that surround proper medical care and treatment, as well as end of life issues. I read recently poor Philadelphians are dying without insulin needed for the treatment of diabetes because of revised insurance copays and highly inflated costs of insulin. As governments legalize assisted suicide, every Roman Catholic needs to know what the Church teaches about “ordinary” and “extraordinary” means of caring for life and preserving the quality of life that God desires for us. I recommend to you the work of our Dominican Sisters of Peace for more information about what the Church is doing to address the immigration crisis. Please go to: oppeace.org/dominican-sisters-peace-immigration-reformcommittee/. I recall for you the words of Sister Barbara Kane published recently in these pages, “Above all, Jordan, I urge you to encourage your parishioners to pray for all immigrants and immigration reform. May you be Peace!” Back from Vacation Vacation is great, but wow…reentry! Before I came home, I learned of the death of Judge Shea: my first days home centered on the passing of this great Catholic-Icon for peace and justice. At his funeral, I was taking back by the high number of Catholic Judges in our state. As Judge Shea was eulogized for his deep and active faith, may all our Catholic Judges follow his example! I ask Mr. Bob and Ms. Kristen every day if there are more Religious Education, CGS, Confirmation Class, or RICA registrations. If you haven’t registered for any of the above and you need to, please do! And, here is where each one can reach one: who has a first grader that needs to start Religious Education; a student for Confirmation; a wee–one from 3 – 6 ready for Mr. Bob’s unbeatable CGS; or, that spouse, friend, or yourself who have thought about joining our faith, or have questions about it: On the Fence (RCIA) is for you! I am having some health challenges, not serious but concerning, and I ask your prayers. Until we meet at the altar…. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! In the Lord, Fr. Jordan, O.P. August 11, 2019From Father Jordan My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us! More Weekend Joy and Grace This past weekend, God continued to shower His Grace and His Joy upon us! First, the singing at 5pm Mass on Saturday was awesome! There was no organist, so “Unflappable Megan” skillfully led the congregation. But the response from the people!! At one point the congregation was singing in 3-part harmony!! It was wonderful to hear stories from the parishioners about their days in choir. Secondly, the crowd at the 9am Mass was much bigger than it has been since the summer began. So glad to see folks that been on holiday, and so grateful to God for more people in the pews!! Each one of you is the reason I am here; being accessible to you is why I live in the Rectory and not with my Dominican Brothers: I miss you when you are gone, and I thank God when you return. It was a joy for me to have Fr. Leo Checkai here while I played the organ. Finally, at the 11 o’clock Mass we welcomed Stanley William Finch to the Catholic Faith and to our Parish. Stanly, born on May 3, joins his Mom and Dad, Nate and Marta Finch (Majczak) and his big brother Peter. It was a great celebration, with a great gathering of family members Chicago and points closer to Providence. Witamy, Stashu! Faith and Violence Twenty years ago, I lived in Denver, Colorado. As I have told you before, I was part of the ministerial presence at Columbine High School in the days surrounding that horrific event. In the wake of the recent tragedies in Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton, memories of those days have flooded my heart, and filled my prayers. Our great shepherd and guide was Archbishop Charles Chaput, then Archbishop of Denver. In true form, the Archbishop is not silent about this latest horror. Recalling Columbine, Archbishop Chaput states: The real problem [of Columbine-like violence in our culture] is in here, in us … In the last four decades we’ve created a culture that markets violence in dozens of different ways, seven days a week…When the most dangerous place in the country is a mother’s womb and the unborn child can have his or her head crushed in an abortion, even in the process of being born, the body language of that message is that life isn’t sacred and may not be worth much at all… Certain kinds of killing we enshrine as rights and protect by law. When we live this kind of contradiction, why are we surprised at the results?... Only a fool can believe that “gun control” will solve the problem of mass violence. The people using the guns in these loathsome incidents are moral agents with twisted hearts… So I’ll say it again, 20 years later: Treating the symptoms in a culture of violence doesn’t work. We need to look deeper. Until we’re willing to do that, nothing fundamental will change… What do we do in the face of this perpetual tumult? I offer you two essential points: 1) My heart and yours must change…We cannot simply sit back and decry the state of our society, we must act. Our first action is prayer and penance. Consider saying one Hail Mary every day for the intention of peace; returning to presuming the good about another rather than anything negative or nasty. Consider “offering up” something for the well being of society and particularly our nation; e.g.: one less glass of wine with dinner one or two evenings a week; calling someone you would rather avoid; less TV and social media for family time and even --- family prayer! These simple acts will not change the world, but they WILL change US! 2) Besides the Heart of God, the primary place of healing is the family. How is your family and mine? Do we talk with one another? Do we pray together? Do we show unconditional love? Do we stand together or abandon one another? Do our children need to make an appointment for “Mommy and Daddy” time? Are we “snowplow parents”, or do we form our children to see the consequences of their actions? In the words of Pope Francis, “may every home be a school of human growth, love, and forgiveness”! Until we meet at the altar…. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! In the Lord, Fr. Jordan, O.P. August 4, 2019
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July 28, 2019From Father JordanMy Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us! Vacation Bible School Last week’s Vacation Bible School was a great success! The children had a great deal of fun; learned a great deal; and made some new friends. Look on our website for pictures chronicling the week and all its activities. Ms. Kristen and Mr. Bob were their consistent-100%-fantastic-homerun catechists! Looking forward to next year. Religious Education Survey All parents of currently registered Religious Education students as well as newly registered students, should have received a SurveyMonkey email from Mr. Bob about best times for Religious Education. If you have not received this survey/email, please contact Mr. Bob at ssricgs@gmail.com in order that one may be sent to you. If you have received the survey, but haven’t yet replied, please do so in order that we know what is best for your family. Financial Aid to Catholic School Students In today’s bulletin you will find information about Elementary School Tuition Assistance. Please use the FACTS Application at your earliest convenience in order that monies can be awarded as soon as possible. First Friday this Friday It is difficult to believe; Thursday of this week will mark the beginning of August. Friday is the First Friday of the month, with our usual set of devotions: 4:30: Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; 5:00: Confessions; 5:30: Mass I hope your schedules are more relaxed that you might be able to take advantage of this “mini-retreat day”: the holy silence of Adoration, Confession, and the Sacrifice of the Mass: a great 90 minutes of grace. Why First Friday? Our Lord says it best in His apparition to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque: · I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life. · I will establish peace in their families. · I will console them in all their troubles. · They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death. · I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings. · Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy. · Lukewarm souls shall become fervent. · Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection. · I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored. · I will give to devotees of My Heart the power of touching the most hardened hearts. · Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced. · The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour. Until we meet at the altar…. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! Fr. Jordan, OP July 21, 2019From Father Jordan My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us! The Good Samaritan, Immigration, and Tweets After my homily about the Good Samaritan and immigration last Sunday, several parishioners shared their thanks for hearing this message, but also their great concern about the conditions of those being detained at the border. A common thread throughout these conversations is the silence of the church, with a small “c”, and especially the silence of our Church about this atrocity. The Bishops have spoken about the need for immigration reform, but there has not been a great call to action. Throughout this week I have continued to investigate ways for us to send relief to those living in this fetid squalor. There are many requests to send financial aid, and that is one way of helping. But I think the more urgent need is to offer physical care and relief to those who are not able to brush their teeth or have clean water to drink. I continue to search for a way to send aid to our brothers and sisters who desire to be with their family, and to live in freedom and peace. But the lesson of the Good Samaritan and human dignity has again been brought before us this week as we are subjected to more hurtful and divisive tweets, this time not from a religious leader, but one in government. Again, putting all politics aside, but claiming our common dignity as people made in the image and likeness of God, as people of faith we cannot support or ignore such vitriol. Unless it is an objective matter of sin, anything that weakens or divides the union of people and the dignity of society is itself sinful. In all of the frustration that we experience about malignant tweeting or unjust detention, our language, our thoughts, can never stoop to a lower level. As followers of Christ we are called to take the high road. We take that high road when we pray for the unity of God’s People; we take that high road when we pray for an end to division and seek a way of unity; we take that high road when we pray for those with whom we disagree, and pray for the conversion of our hearts, living the Gospel, being ever more faithfully missionary-disciples of reconciliation and compassion. In the words of Cardinal Dougherty, “may we be found faithful!” Vacation Bible School Tomorrow morning twelve children will begin “Traveling Around the World with the Saints” led by Ms. Kristen and Mr. Bob. I hope you are as delighted as I am that we have had such a great response for this new initiative. Thanks to our advertisement in the Rhode Island Catholic, we also have two students from outside of the Parish. Please pray for the success of our children’s “pilgrimage” this week; and join me in grateful prayer for Bob and Kristen! Each One, Reach One You have heard me say this on a number of occasions, and it is not just a catchy slogan: it is our mission, a way to grow, and a way to remain a viable, joyful, life-giving Parish. We really do have a good thing going here at Saint Sebastian! There are times that we can accentuate what is wrong more than what is going well. When this happens our vision, and our conversation, can become clouded and depressing, and the devil is making his way in. Let’s send him running away! Let’s send him running and be grateful for the gifts we are given! Blessings that come to my mind are: we are blessed to be able to disagree and keep talking with one another; we are blessed to celebrate the Liturgy with love and devotion; we are blessed with people who are concerned for one another; we are blessed with new life, both through the miracle of babies that fill our Masses, and the gift of welcoming new parishioners. We are blessed with children to be formed in the faith; we are blessed with a loving concern for the poor and the marginalized; we are blessed with a beautiful physical plant, and a stunning Church; we are blessed! But most of all we are blessed by God’s abiding presence in Word, in Sacrament, in song, and in one another!! All of these blessings are a great invitation to invite others to join us to celebrate what we have seen, heard, and touched here at Saint Sebastian. Invite a friend to Church! Until we meet at the altar…. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! Fr. Jordan, OP July 14, 2019From Father Jordan My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, May the Grace of Our Lord remain always with us! It is difficult for me to believe that it is over month since I wrote a column for the bulletin! You heard from Father Bernard in my absence, and then there were the weeks with early deadlines, and my inability to type due to some minor hand surgery. I am grateful to write to you today. Summertime… and the living is easy These lyrics from George Gershwin’s classic “Porgy and Bess” seem apropos for our life together during these summer days. We all relax from the regular hectic pace of the fall, winter, and spring and we rush to have time away. Yes, I said rush to have time away. I’m with you as we all work in advance to be away and find ourselves rushing around to pack and to get to wherever we are going and…. collapse. If only the summertime was truly easy! A Spiritual Reality and a Perennial Call Do you remember our Lenten Introit: If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts…? I believe that these words also ring true in this vacation season! The Lord calls us to step back, be with our families, and breathe! We need to breathe the air of relaxation and peace; to breathe the air of being together and creating new memories; to breathe the air of reconnecting, forgiving, and recharging our batteries for the year to come. Lent in the midst of summer!?! Do you hear the Lord’s voice saying to you, “SLOW DOWN!”? May our hearts be soft and open to His call! Life at 67 Cole Avenue As summer ushers us into the time of vacation and renewal, life in the Rectory and in the Parish is also a little slower, but everything still keeps going. The summer offers the opportunity to plan for the coming year, as well as to catch up on work that may have slipped through the cracks during the year. Here are some highlights of plans for the coming year: · Bob Short and Kristen Gold are busy preparing Vacation Bible School which will be held from July 22 – 26. See the bulletin for more details. · Bob and Kristen will send a survey to all parents of students in Religious Education and CGS about the best times for classes. · The Fall also holds several social opportunities: Fall Festival in late September; Founder’s Day Mass and Dinner in October; and the Advent “Gaudete” Celebration. · During late September and October there will be parish-wide nominations and elections for the Parish Pastoral Council. Several current members will become officers, and other offices and interest areas (social, liturgy, buildings and grounds, etc. ) will be chosen from newly elected members. A great amount of my time is spent working on the budget to close the current fiscal year and prepare for the new fiscal year. The budget is a heavy responsibility and one that causes me tremendous concern. Although our income is ahead of projection, this has been a year of extraordinary and often emergent expenses. Our collections fluctuate in such a manner that it is difficult to budget a way to pay bills, make payroll, and put some money into savings. With the joint assistance of the Parish and Finance Councils in the Fall we must address the critical need for an increased offertory. Through the bulletin, you have received the facts and figures of what it takes to run the Parish; you have been shown the fixed expenses over which we have little or no control. Since Easter I have paid a number of bills from my personal money, and I am not taking a salary or receiving any benefits at this time. Your help is needed. No gift is too small, but we need to embrace the reality that this is not about equal gifts, but equal sacrifice. Please consider increasing your weekly/monthly gift. As you travel during the summer please remember Saint Sebastian still needs and depends upon your support. I am happy to talk with anyone about this or any parish issue. Until we meet at the altar…. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee! Fr. Jordan, OP |
Dear friends,
It’s been a joy to be with you this past week while Father Jordan has been away—thank you for the warm welcome!
When Father Jordan invited me to write a column for today’s parish bulletin, he suggested that you might like to know more about my ministry and
Dominican community life.
I live at Saint Patrick’s Priory in Columbus, Ohio, a house with seven Dominican priests and one
Dominican brother attached to St. Patrick’s Parish. Out of the eight of us, three priests work full-time in our parish, which is thriving. Really it’s a remarkable parish. Probably the first thing visitors notice is that on Sunday mornings the children at Mass
outnumber the adults! Of course this is how all
parishes used to be, but today it is exceptional and striking. The parish does not have a school any more, but we do have a large religious education (CCD) program, scouting groups for boys and girls, and an array of clubs, reading groups, prayer grounds, and active ministries for adults. Since we are in downtown Columbus, in the middle of the business district and just a few blocks from the State capital offices, we do have large crowds for weekday Masses and hours every day given to hearing
Confessions – so while we do have a lot of priests, the number of faithful Catholics means we’re kept busy!
What do the other five friars do? Well, our non-ordained Brother runs a soup kitchen that our parish helps support. Two priests are full-time itinerant preachers (meaning they travel all over the country to preach parish missions). And the last two of us are full-time professors at the Pontifical College Josephinum, a seminary in Columbus that draws its seminarians from all over the United States. I teach theology to the “major
seminarians” (i.e., the graduate students), and the other priest teaches courses at the undergraduate level.
By the time you’re reading these words, I’ll be driving back to Columbus. As I head back, I want to ask you to pray for all seminarians—and I’ve got three suggestions for making your prayers specific.
First, pray that these men, and others who are called to the priesthood, will receive from God the gift of magnanimity: this is the virtue, crucial for every Christian, by which we expect God to do great things in us; not things that the world considers “great” or “successful”, but truly great things. In other words, it’s the virtue by which we are opened to the way of real holiness and total self-surrender to God.
Second, please pray that your future priests be men of pastoral charity. This is the particular love for God and neighbor that the priesthood calls for, the love of the Good Shepherd Himself. We have plenty of priests who are “nice guys”, and this isn’t at all bad in itself, but I know you’ll agree we’d rather have nice guys who are also men of ardent love for souls.
Third, I’d suggest you pray that our seminarians
receive the Holy Spirit’s gift of Wisdom, to
understand the Faith profoundly and to see how to make progress—and how to help others make
progress—according to the designs of God.
Those are not the only three gifts seminarians need. They also need perseverance, courage, humility, and a love for hard work. Anyway, however you pray for them, do pray for them, if only out of self-interest! After all, today’s seminarians are going to be your priests and your children’s priests in just a few years!
Many thanks, again, for your warm welcome, and God bless you!
In Christ,
Fr. Bernard, O.P.