Listen to the homily here.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Amen! Our belief of the Trinity: Holy Trinity
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
Notes:
Holy Trinity
It is pretty cool as we have been in Ordinary time since last Sunday evening until now, but right after Easter we have some “desert”: Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi
Today, I would offer a few thoughts for God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit
· In one way, I would like to present two charisms that I spoke about last weekend: knowledge, wisdom and faith
· 1.) Knowledge and wisdom—as you listen to the readings, you can definitely learn both with the readings and Mass itself as many of the prayers and liturgy are from the Scriptures
· 2.) History
o The Creed—check it out, try it to sit down for a while and read it slowly
o Sometimes our society thinks that we—or at least the elite—are the smartest people on earth
o Jesus—God and Man, then the Holy Spirit, with brilliant philosophers as these individuals were not spending time on screen time 8 hours a day!
o And our belief took centuries
· 3.) Buying a field and in the middle of it is a fence. Why gut something out when it may be deeper than your knowledge?
o I consider that most of us pastors have been taught to wait one year before changing big things, so we can learn and grow why things are the way they are at their parishes?
Now, Faith
· 1.) Do you believe this paradox?
o Creed—we do proclaim this every weekend Mass
· 2.) Personally, I love to think, think, think and why not? But at the end of the day, faith is a supernatural virtue, believing something beyond our physical world
o But faith and reason couples each other
· 3.) Faith = believing what our Church has discerned for centuries
Finally, Scriptures
· 1.) I love experiencing the taste of encouraging my faith in the Scriptures
o Just soak in the first reading
o Proverbs: "When the Lord established the heavens I was there,
when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
when he made firm the skies above,
when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;
when he set for the sea its limit,
so that the waters should not transgress his command;
then was I beside him as his craftsman,
and I was his delight day by day,
playing before him all the while,
playing on the surface of his earth;
and I found delight in the human race."
when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
when he made firm the skies above,
when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;
when he set for the sea its limit,
so that the waters should not transgress his command;
then was I beside him as his craftsman,
and I was his delight day by day,
playing before him all the while,
playing on the surface of his earth;
and I found delight in the human race."
o Or the first verse in the whole Bible: Genesis 1:1-3: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light”
o Or in the Gospel according to John
§ Father, Son, and Spirit—throughout the book
o Finally, Matthew 28:18-20: “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three persons in one God: a paradox, and fun but also challenging to stretch our knowledge and faith beyond our world
Parish Bulletin Article: "Charisms and Gifts from the Holy Spirit": 6-16-19
Last weekend I preached about the charisms (the gifts) that the Holy Spirit has given each of us. I also mentioned that some of us have used Sherry A. Weddell’s book: “Called and Gifted.” We also filled out a personal inventory with questions that could tabulate and receive a first consideration what charisms we have. You could find both of these on Amazon.
First are the gifts that I spoke during my homily last week, then a few more tidbits in the Scriptures below. Here you go:
Administration: organization, planning, coordination; Celibacy: offering fruitfulness to God without being married; Craftsmanship: hands, building; Discernment of the Spirits: Knowing the gifts that others have; Encouragement: Supporting and being a channel of God’s love to others; Evangelism: a beacon of Jesus Christ; Faith: believing in God and our Catholic teachings; Giving: offering something to someone else; Healing: spiritually; Helps: support other brothers and sister; Hospitality: allow people into your house; Intercessory Prayer: Like we do at Mass; Knowledge: Learning; Leadership: Leading a group with vision; Mercy: compassion for those in difficult situations; Missionary: here or around the world; Music: Singing, piano, etc.; Pastoring: shepherd; Prophecy: preaching God’s Word; Service: volunteering at our school, parish and community; Teaching: showing others to learn; Voluntary Poverty: living without materialism; Wisdom: prudence and good decisions; Writing: putting thoughts on papers in which you enjoy
Also, the above came together through some smaller sections from St. Paul like these:
· Ephesians 4:11-12: “And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastorsand teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…”
· Romans 12:6-7: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
· 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spiritfor the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledgeaccording to the same Spirit, to another faithby the same Spirit, to another gifts of healingby the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”
You may definitely discern these types of charisms/gifts that the Holy Spirit has given you, especially this summer! Know that I could support you with this journey, or other family members or parishioners as often other people can “see” what you have received from God as sometimes other people know more about ourselves!
God Bless!
Jesus fulfilling salvation history with his love: Wednesday, June 12th, 2019
Listen to the homily here.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church: Monday, June 10th, 2019
Listen to the homily here.
FYI, Pope Francis offered this liturgy the day after Pentecost. Praise God!
FYI, Pope Francis offered this liturgy the day after Pentecost. Praise God!
Charisms and Gifts from the Holy Spirit: Pentecost
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
Notes:
“...we were all given to drink of one Spirit.”
o “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
o Pentecost: “strong driving wind tongues of fire and the wind”
o “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;”
there are different forms of service but the same Lord;”
All of us who have been baptized or confirmed, the Holy Spirit has given us charisms—gifts—for our mission
Sherry A. Weddell “Called and Gifted”
o Administration: organization, planning, coordination
o Celibacy: offering fruitfulness to God without being married
o Craftsmanship: hands, building
o Discernment of the Spirits: Knowing the gifts that others have
o Encouragement: Supporting and being a channel of God’s love to others
o Evangelism: a beacon of Jesus Christ
o Faith: believing in God and our Catholic teachings
o Giving: offering something to someone else
o Healing: spiritually
o Helps: support other brothers and sisters
o Hospitality: allow people into your house
o Intercessory Prayer: Like we do at Mass
o Knowledge: Learning
o Leadership: Leading a group with vision
o Mercy: compassion for those in difficult situations
o Missionary: here or around the world
o Music: Singing, piano, etc.
o Pastoring: shepherd
o Prophecy: preaching God’s Word
o Service: volunteering at our school, parish and community
o Teaching: showing others to learn
o Voluntary Poverty: living without materialism
o Wisdom: prudence and good decisions
o Writing: putting thoughts on papers in which you enjoy
I will put these in our bulletin for next weekend…also, Check out the book “Called and Gifted” as well as the Charisms that each of you have and you have more than one!
Monday, June 10, 2019
Parish Bulletin Article: "A Time to Heal": 6-9-19
A Time To Heal ...
The past few decades have been an extraordinarily difficult time the for Catholic Church - for its leadership, for its members, for the clergy, and particularly for the victims of clergy sexual abuse. As a Catholic priest, I can tell you that the subject of sexual abuse, especially at the hands of clergy, is truly gut-wrenching.
It is heart-breaking to think that I am a brother of deacons, priests, bishops and cardinals who have used their power and leadership to abuse adults and children, boys and girls. As tough as it is, it cannot be swept under the rug or hidden in the crevices. In addition, I feel that I must apologize for this abuse, as weak and insignificant as that apology (mea culpa) may sound, to these victims whose lives have been so much changed by these brutal acts.
I hope that we, the clergy, may open our doors to listen, to support, and to pray for our brothers and sisters who have experienced inhumane abuse. Our deacons, priests, bishops and cardinals must continue to seek justice and penance for all who have acted against God's children.
In this spirit, our local Catholic churches will be setting aside time and resources for a "Service of Prayer, Song and the Word" on Sunday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church, International Falls. Everyone is welcome to attend this service, especially sisters and brothers who have experienced a traumatic event in their lives: abuse of sexuality, emotional difficulties, violence or brain illness.
In sponsoring this service, we are joining with many other parishes in our diocese who have gathered together to help victims walk with God's love and compassion. Together, they go forward not only with our ordained ministers, but with parishioners, community members, and professional counselors who have expertise in assisting those who have been abused and who will be present and available on Sunday evening.
This event will offer music, readings from the scriptures, and a time for peaceful reflection and personal prayer, as well as an oppportunity for those gathered to share their stories, if they would like to. No names will be shared, and those who would like to speak with a counselor, a friend , or to me may do so anonymously in private, secured locations.
Please consider joining us as we take some time to support victims of sexual abuse from members of the clergy. In this way, we are opening the windows and the doors to clean up our house so that it may be purified and cleansed from God Himself.
God Bless.
Arrival and Departure: Ascension of Jesus Christ
Listen to the homily here.
Notes:
Notes:
One of my favorite movies was simply titled “Arrival”
· Yes, I enjoy movies with suspense, depth, corruption, and in this movie some sci-fi
· Around the globe, spacecrafts landed in the air
· The actor (Jeremy Renner) and actress (Amy Adams) were decided to learn how to communicate with these aliens to learn what their true purpose was: connection with us humans
· Now, some cool events took place
o In their spacecraft gravity was changed…their “world” was flipped as they could walk with gravity perpendicular to our world and they could be connected with these aliens between a glass wall, as they live in a different dimension
o And, at the end of the movie, their spacecrafts simply disappeared, not by flying away, but somehow absorbed into a different place
o Arrival and departure: Jesus conception on earth and his Ascension into heaven
Now why do I speak about this movie? Well, it’s the Ascension of our Lord
· When I was studying in the theology, our professor spoke about Jesus’ Ascension with some great questions: How did Jesus, as a person, go to the clouds? Was he wearing a rocket booster?
· How did Jesus Christ Ascend into heaven?
Well, let’s listen again to how the disciples experienced in the Gospel according to Luke and his second document, Acts of the Apostles
· “Then he led them out as far as Bethany,
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.”
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.”
· “When he had said this, as they were looking on,he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.They said, "Men of Galilee,why are you standing there looking at the sky?This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."”
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.They said, "Men of Galilee,why are you standing there looking at the sky?This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."”
Here is the point I would like to make today:
· We believe in the Ascension of Jesus Christ as he went back to where he came from: Heaven
· The author noticed that the disciples kept “looking up”
o Well, what is this “up” mean? I mean, the moon is probably below us now, the sun is not just up at this point in the day
o Personally, I think that he is in a totally different world, that we cannot physically see it…and how did Jesus “disappear” like the narratives in which he was able to enter a locked room, or was gone on in the Emmaus with bread
Finally, Jesus Christ who went back to heaven was ready to send the Holy Spirit
· Jesus did so to rise up (or in) heaven to support his disciples to send the Holy Spirit
“John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
· Buckle up for Pentecost next weekend!
Parish Bulletin Article: "Summertime and Four Goals": 6-2-19
Congratulations for each of you connected to our different Schools: St. Thomas Aquinas School, the Falls, Indus, Littlefork/Bigfalls and home schools. I am grateful for the students, parents, teachers, principals, administrators, secretaries, maintenance coordinators, cooks and volunteers. What a great time to rest, relax and spend some time to regenerate each of your call from God.
When I was a Deacon, I served in summertime at St. Joseph’s in Grand Rapids under Fr. Jerry Weiss. I remember two of his comments that I will never forget. The first: “Ben, as you are here, don’t overwork yourself. You will be a priest with a lot of work for the rest of your life! Rest.” The second: “Ben, never stop reading.”
I hope that each of you can receive this advice as well.
Now, I have a few goals in my mind for this season as the school year is kind of “off.”
First, I hope that we can have many more parishioners at daily Masses. I would love and encourage all teachers that are Catholic. Adding daily Masses will offer you more refreshment and peace as you will only grow closer to God. I also want to support our Eucharistic Ministers who serve our parishioners who are not able to make it to Mass. If you can make it to a daily Mass—or more—Mass would only support your mission. I would always encourage each of our employees, both at the Church and School for the same reasons above. Finally, continue to invite other brothers and sisters! I bet we could easily have 50 students for our daily Masses, both on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30am and Wednesday evening (and we will continue a conversation with you to discern the best time that would work for you).\
Second, I just mentioned about our Eucharistic Ministers above, and we need more volunteers to visit our friends and bring Jesus to them! Please call Les and Marge Veeder or me, and we will have time to teach how to do this job. And, I have mentioned this before, that we need to have a continual “list” of where our parishioners are located, who serves where, and continuously revise that list when people are home bounded, going into a hospital or nursing home, or have experienced illness and need help. Many of these individuals have been pillars for our parishes, and we must attend their needs with Jesus.
Third, I have been speaking with several people how crucial it is in our community for daycare or nurseries. At this point, we have two opportunities to offer places for these growing for our area: one in our school and another is confidential that I will convey this chance when I am able.
Finally, it would be a blast to see 70 students register for 2019-2020! (Do you remember that in the summer of 2014 we only had 19 students registered when I arrived?). So far we have in the mid-60s, and you can welcome more! Our best “advertisement” for our school is from you: parents whose students are in our school now, alumni’s, our teachers and employees. If you love this school, share your story and invite your loved ones and family members who are in our area. We have not sunk! Actually, we have made significant decisions each year to help our school flourish with happiness, faithfulness and a family sense.
Could I do this myself? Of course not! The more, the better and bring this to your prayers to succeed these goals as our family and friends to follow God’s will.
God Bless!
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