Yesterday as I visited the funeral home for the mother of Bishop Leonard Blair I was reminded of one of the great gifts of our lifestyle as priests and sisters. I was privileged to be welcomed into the Blair family and experience this moment in their history in a unique way because of my ministry with Bishop Blair. And I was not alone. I watched as former parishioners and priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit came to pray and support the family. I also knew that a large number of priests and members of the Toledo Diocese had been there before us and more were still to come. Certainly, our call to celibacy means that we don't marry and have a biological family of our own. When I look at the lives impacted by Bishop Blair during his priestly ministry and the people he brings into relationship with his family, I thank God for the "extended family" that our lifestyle makes possible. While I will not give physical birth to children, I've introduced my mother and other family members to so many people who are part of my life. Perhaps this is something of the "hundredfold" that Jesus promised: "Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life" (Matt. 19: 29).
This Easter season seems to be an appropriate time to experience a number of dying and risings — even in the world of technology! We believe the difficulty facing some of our readers who tried to post comments has been resolved. The options to either post a comment or email the author should now be up and running. We are grateful for your interest and look forward to hearing from you soon. Alleluia!
I had the awesome experience yesterday of visiting one of our Sisters at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. The highlight of the day was participating in the Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with a packed Church of students and parishioners. The neophytes (those newly received into the Church last week) were there and looking radiant. I couldn't help but thank God for the new life they bring to the Church and for the vibrant community of faith the rest of the assembly offers them. May each of us be renewed in our celebration of Easter joy and commitment!
On Thursday, April 6, Pope Benedict XVI met with young people from Rome for prayer and reflection. Part of the gathering included the Holy Father answering the questions of five young people. The question of one young man dealt with the topic of vocation: Question of 20 year old Vittorio: I am convinced that many of us here or among those at home who are watching us this evening on television, are thinking of following Jesus in a life of special consecration, but it is not always easy to understand if this is the right path. Can you tell us how you yourself came to understand your vocation? Can you give us some advice so that we can really understand whether the Lord is calling us to follow him in the consecrated or priestly life?Excerpts from the Holy Father's response: -- This contrast (Nazi philosophy vs. the Catholic Church), the sight of that anti-human culture, confirmed my conviction that the Lord, the Gospel and the faith were pointing out the right path, and that we were bound to commit ourselves to ensuring that this path survives.
-- I had discovered the beauty of the Liturgy, and I came to love it more and more because I felt that divine beauty appears in it and that Heaven unfolds before us.
The second element was the discovery of the beauty of knowledge, of knowing God and Sacred Scripture, thanks to which it is possible to enter into that great adventure of dialogue with God which is theology.
It is necessary to enter into real friendship with Jesus in a personal relationship with him and not to know who Jesus is only from others or from books, but to live an ever deeper personal relationship with Jesus, where we can begin to understand what he is asking of us.
Of course, this is always a great adventure, but life can be successful only if we have the courage to be adventurous, trusting that the Lord will never leave me alone, that the Lord will go with me and help me.
On Easter Sunday night, A&E premiered the first of a five-part series entitled “God or the Girl”. The reality show format is as shallow as the title promises. We follow around four Catholic men who describe themselves as candidates for the priesthood. What could have been an impressive and substantial presentation of the priesthood and spiritual formation quickly gives way to sensationalism and superficiality. The candidates – who are not seminarians – are quite self-absorbed and sadly embark upon trivial pursuits that have more with feeling flights of fancy rather than genuine discernment of God’s Plan. Cheap gimmicks and shallow aims are commonplace in secular programming. With this series however the profane seeks to soil the sacred and I for one am deeply disturbed by the gross intrusion. Furthermore, I am perplexed that the US Conference of Bishops along with several dioceses are listed proudly as contributors to the project. I look forward with great interest to hearing explanations about their association, especially since their influence was undetectable to me. The clarion call for priestly life and ministry is sounded by Christ Jesus. God decides our Christian vocation and the Church serves to confirm it. Forget chasing after signs; seek Jesus. For a more complete analysis, I invite you to read an article I was asked to write for a nationwide journal: Heaven Help Us The peace of the Risen Lord be with you.
In one of the many Resurrection appearances for which we have an account in the Gospel of John, Simon Peter and John make their way to the tomb. Mary Magdalene has informed them that the stone to the entrance of the tomb has been removed and they run to see for themselves, not knowing what they will find (John 20: 1-9). How often we gloss over the words relating John?s experience, ?He saw and believed.? Upon further reflection, we realize he saw nothing. Jesus was not there. Our own experiences of prayer, in daily life and in times of decision making, often find us in a similar place. We seek Jesus and often can feel as though we see nothing. The challenge is to recognize and accept a new form of His presence in our lives, perhaps less tangible although no less real. At these times when prayer may be dry and God may seem absent, can we respond to the call to ?see (nothing) and still believe??
Pope Benedict XVI's inaugural Easter message is short and to the point (a mere two pages in length!). The miracle of the resurrection of Jesus stands to be relived today -- mind you, not happily remembered, but truly experienced. We are challenged to open our minds and hearts to the Risen Lord Jesus, to let Him give us the peace and happiness we so deeply desire. The violence and corruption that marks our age can make it especially difficult for some people to believe that Jesus is now alive. The truth is that the Risen Lord Jesus walks with us now just as He accompanied His disciples immediately after His resurrection from the dead. Look for Him and expect to be encountered by Him. For the full text: Pope Benedict XVI’s inaugural Easter message How will you be encountered by the Risen Lord Jesus?
As I participated in the Chrism Mass at Rosary Cathedral this morning, I was renewed in my gratitude for the gift of Church. In his homily, Bishop Blair spoke of our call to participate in the mission of Jesus. Looking around the Cathedral at that point, it was apparent to me that no one of us embraces this mission alone. The depiction of the Communion of Saints on the ceiling of the apse and the procession of parish members from around the Diocese presenting the oils for blessing reminded me that I am in good company. The presence of these faithful companions, as well as God’s gifts of the
The holiest week of the year is underway. This morning, I concelebrated Mass with Bishop Blair along with two other priests at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral. His homily emphasized the purposeful agony of Jesus that we can access in these profound days of prayer and penance. Against the perfect blue sky the clay tile roof of the Romanesque cathedral glistened like rubies. The resplendent red hue accented beautifully Our Lord’s passion (from the Greek passio, meaning to suffer).
Driving the expressways in the Toledo area, one is repeatedly reminded that the season of construction is upon us. Signs indicating Road Construction Ahead- Expect Long Delays appear frequently. The message is clear: find an alternate route, allow additional time for travel, and adopt a stance of patient endurance.
Signs along our spiritual journey direct us as well. People
and events, as well as moments in prayer may call us to shift the direction in which we are heading. Necessary inner construction or conversion requires time and patience and may take us in directions we would otherwise not go. The challenge before us is to keep our sights on the destination (growing in likeness to Jesus Christ) and enjoy the journey. Even at those times when it seems unclear where we are going in life, God reassures us of His love and care, I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope (Jeremiah 29: 11).
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