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Father Barry's December 2010 Pastor Pages
As Christians we believe that Jesus is the Savior sent by God. One of Jesus' titles is the "Prince of Peace." He is given this title because he is the source
of our peace. Through Him all things in heaven and on earth were reconciled to God when Jesus made peace by his death on the cross. Jesus shares His own peace
with his disciples, telling them "Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried
and upset; do not be afraid" (John 14:27). The world's version of peace is merely the absence of war and conflict. The peace Jesus speaks about is based on
justice and being in right relationship with one another. Pope John XXIII (in a document entitled Peace on Earth) wrote that true peace is always
more than the absence of war. True peace flourishes in a social order which is founded on truth, built on justice, enlivened by love and refined in freedom.
What does this mean for us today in our lives? The peace Christ offers to us does not appear automatically, accidently or magically in our lives. Jesus empowers
his disciples and friends to be ministers of reconciliation (2 Corin. 5:19-20). As his disciples we are to be a people who make the peace of God visible
through lives characterized by forgiveness and love. This means it is by forgiving those who have hurt us and seeking the forgiveness of those who we have
injured that we begin to experience peace. It is also through the love that we share with others particularly those most in need that we open our lives
to Christ's peace. In other words, peace comes as a result of sacrifice...Sacrificing for love, reconciliation, justice and to promote what is right, good and true.
In God's reign, the poor are given the kingdom, the gentle inherit the earth, mourners are comforted, those who hunger and thirst for what is right are
satisfied, the merciful know mercy, the pure see God, peacemakers are called children of God (Matthew 5:3-10). Jesus' words and actions indicate that forgiveness
and love characterize God's reign but his message cost Jesus his life. Jesus invites us to share in his life and peace by joining our sacrifice to his.
In his book entitled "Troubled Catholics," Bishop Norbert Gaughan states "the second largest denomination in the United States is composed of fallen
away Catholics." Many of us can probably relate to such a declaration since many of us are acquainted with at least one person (probably more) who no
longer actively practice their Catholic faith. Some of these people are our family members.
Studies reveal there are many reasons why individuals become inactive in the first place. One study conducted by Dean Hoge of the Catholic University of
America cataloged responses from hundreds of Catholics who were recent converts, dropouts, and returnees. Hoge suggests in his study that 42% of all Catholics
dropout of the Church sometime during their lives; he defines "dropout" as a baptized Catholic who attends Church not more than two times a year and has been
away from regular church attendance within the past three years. Hoge's study revealed that there is not just one reason but a variety of reasons why Catholics
become inactive in the Church. This same study also provided reasons why people return to the Church and become active again. I believe it is very revealing
to note that the main reason given for returning to the Church was the influence of other persons (spouse, relatives, friendns, neighbors);
44% of returnees cited this as the main influence for their return to the active practice of hte Faith. Another 41% returned because they feel a void
or emptiness in their life.
Sometimes as a parish we can be a bit schizophrenic regarding those who have grown lapse in the Faith. On one hand we talk about how we are desirous of
welcoming back those who have 'fallen away.' On the other hand there is a negative and judgmental attitude towards those who have grown lax in the Faith.
On Friday we will be celebrating Christmas eve Mass which means there will be a whole gaggle of 'lapse' Catholics returning to church. The welcome or
lack of welcome we give them through our kind words and simple actions of hospitality will either ben an invitation to return or just another reason
to stay away. Small impressions can make all the difference. Christmas is an opportunity for evangelization that we often overlook. A simple look of
recognition, gesture and word of welcome can breakdown years of alienation.
The first part of the Advent season focuses on the Second Coming of Christ and for this reason one of the major themes of this holy season is waiting.
It is not waiting in dread but in joyful expectation for the healing and restoration of our lives and all of creation. Also, this waiting for Christ's
return in glory is not something that is done passively. Rather, Sacred Scripture and Jesus' own words tell us we are to be active and engaged in doing
God's will as we wait the fulfillment of our salvation. Jesus proclaimed to us that the Kingdom of God is coming about in our midst and we are invited
to be active participants in God's work. This ancient prayer of Advent expresses what we are waiting for in the fulfillment of Christ's promises to us:
Above the clamor of our violence,
your word of truth resounds,
O God of majesty and power.
Over nations enshrouded in despair
your justice dawns.
Grant your household
a discerning spirit and a watchful eye
to perceive the hour in which we live.
Hasten the advent of that day
when the weapons of war shall be banished,
our deeds of darkness cast off,
and all your scattered children gathered into one.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
This prayer reminds us that Christ comes to us as both a gift and a promise. His first coming was God's gift of love that reveals to us
'the way, the truth and the life.' The second coming of Christ is the promise - The promise of justice, peace, unity and salvation. The promise is
reflected in this ancient prayer mentioned above. In the midst of the "holiday crush," it is this gift and promise that can give a renewed perspective
and strengthen our hope when the burdens and anxieties of the season threaten to overwhelm us. Advent stands as a reminder of what we are striving
to become and what we will be by God's grace and love.
The theme of the first-ever capital campaign in our Diocese is "Yesterday, Today, and Forever." The goals for this campaign recognize the sacrifices
of those who preceded us (Yesterday), to acknowledge our present responsibilities (Today), and to prepare for a hopeful future (Forever). Over the past six
weeks you have been reading and hearing about the capital campaign through homilies, bulletin announcements and diocesan newspaper articles. This campaign
addresses several important needs in our diocese, namely:
(1) The need for financial resources to assure the future education and formation of seminarians, future priests for our diocese. The funds raised will be
placed in an endowment and the interest it generates will provide a steady stream of income for seminarian education well into the future.
(2) The care of elderly and infirmed priests. Retired priests receive a small monthly stipend from the diocese. The campaign addresses the urgent need to
bolster the priests' retirement fund. Without further resources this fund will be depleted in 5 years. The funds raised will be placed in an endowment
and the interest it generates will help fund the stipends our retired diocesan priests receive. We currently have 22 retired priests in the diocese whose
combined service amounts to 800+ years.
(3) The campaign addresses the needs of Catholic Charities in our diocese. Catholic Charities helps us to respond to the needs of the marginalized and the
suffering in northcentral and northwest Kansas.
(4) The campaign will help to fund our new diocesan pastoral plan entitled "Stewards of Hope." This plan will allow the diocese to provide more ministries
which will serve the needs that exist in parishes.
I am happy to announce that our parish has exceeded its monetary goal by $56,269! Our parish monetary goal was $293,231 and as of last week, parishioners
had pledged $349,500. However, our participatory goal we did not meet. Our goal was to have 50% of parishioners participating and to date we have a little
over 27% of parishioners participating. THANK YOU to all those who made pledges, no matter how big or small, to this campaign. Your
contribution will assist our Church to address those urgent needs mentioned above. There is still time to participate in the capital campaign. This week
commitment forms are attached to all the parish bulletins in the event someone has had second thoughts about participating or lost their original commitment
form. I personally appreciate all the members of parish pastoral and finance councils who made personal contacts to help make the campaign a success in our
parish. Their time and effort helped inform and encourage parishioners to participate in this effort to strengthen our Church.
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Pastor Pages Archives
Capital Campaign a Success in Our Parish 12/5/10
Advent Waiting 12/12/10
Christmas Hospitallity 12/19/10
Christmas Peace 12/26/10
Reflections on the Birth of the Savior 12/27/09
February 2010 Pastor Pages
March 2010 Pastor Pages
April 2010 Pastor Pages
May 2010 Pastor Pages
June 2010 Pastor Pages
July 2010 Pastor Pages
August 2010 Pastor Pages
September 2010 Pastor Pages
October 2010 Pastor Pages
November 2010 Pastor Pages
Current Pastor Pages
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