Archbishop Wilton Gregory's Installation Mass and Great Homily in DC

Now that Archbishop Wilton Gregory has been installed as the 7th Archbishop of Washington perhaps healing can begin after the confusion, disappointment and turmoil that archdiocese had to go through. Sin and evil cause chaos and disruption and no where is that more apparent than there.

  I loved Archbishop Gregory's homily and his delivery of it.  It was heartfelt, real, Christ-centered and touching. Everyone seemed to love it, there was clapping when he finished and the bishops in attendance seemed to rejoice in it as well. 

...."Pope Francis has now summoned the Church-and by that I mean all the baptized to leave our comfortable confines and to encounter and welcome the poor, the marginalized and the neglected and to place them at the very heart of Christ's Church. Beginning today that is my task here in the Archdiocese of Washington. 

He pledged his fraternal affection for Pope Francis, who has given the Archbishop a great call and opportunity. 

He had kind words for Archbishop Pierre (the Pope's representative in the U.S.)who he called a "friend to our nation and a brother to the bishops of the United States. " I heard Archbishop Pierre speak at the installation Mass of Bishop Richard Henning (Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre), which I attended,  and I was impressed with Archbishop Pierre as well. He seems genuine and likable. 

But my favorite part of the homily was when Archbishop Gregory spoke about the gospel. ....."He wisely chose his first disciples from among those who made their living on the sea, selecting individuals adept at handling their boats and nets certainly but also at using their wits....He recognized their fierce tenacity to get the job done and eventually redirect their focus from fish to families......"

He spoke about trusting in Jesus and how when the squalls came and the wind picked up, they became afraid, as we all would. 

"We too, like those frightened disciples tossed about by the wind and the waves have cried out, 'Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Jesus' questions to them are also meant for us: 'Why are you terrified/ Do you not yet have faith?'

This was the part I loved the most......."In their anxiety they had discounted that Jesus was literally in the boat with them. ...That very One was in the boat with them and in a breath, He calmed the wind and the sea and He restored their composure."

All good. I'm sure the Archbishop will be a blessing to that diocese. 

And the gospel singers were the best. I hope they put their songs on You Tube. The song at the end of the Mass left me uplifted and hopeful.

NJA

Keeping Eyes Fixed on Jesus-Newly Baptized in the Church-2019

Jesus, his message, his powerful words and actions continue to have great appeal into the 21st century.  I read with interest a hopeful religion article in the New York Times today titled, "Becoming Catholic as the Church Grapples With Scandal," by Rick Rojas. It tells about the thousands of newly baptized Catholics who entered the Church at the Easter Vigil this year and that's just in the Tri-State area. There are thousands more throughout the country. They were aware of the Church scandals and the horrific stories but they choose to look past that, to realize the Church and the teachings of Jesus are so much more than the failings, as horrific as they are.  They yearned for the beautiful rituals, the sacraments which can heal and help in this uncertain world, reverence for Mary, the Mother of God, the saints and their wisdom and witness and to be part of the Holy Roman Catholic Church founded by Christ.
Today in the gospel reading, Jesus proclaimed that He is in the Father, and those who saw him, saw the Father. Considered by some to be blasphemous talk in His time, he was laying the foundation for the knowledge and teaching of the Trinity, through Divine revelation. Three Divine persons in one God. The Trinity, the greatest mystery that has ever existed, was formulated over centuries by Church theologians, scholars and interpreters of Scripture.
People of every age yearn for truth, they yearn to be a part of something greater than themselves. The teachings of Jesus are timeless and can fill a great void, in one's life, as these newly baptized in the Church can attest to.  Also belonging to a faith community is a great gift.
May the Holy Spirit continue to guide them and give them Christian hope and love.  As Cardinal Tobin, archbishop of Newark told those who had entered into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass, "You'll always have a home here with us." Very powerful words indeed.
NJA

John 14:6-11
"Jesus said to Thomas, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know the Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.' Philip said to him, 'Master, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ' Show us the Father?' Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me or else believe because of the works themselves......."



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Palm Sunday Liturgy of the Word With Children-2019/ Notre Dame Fire

On Palm Sunday I was a prayer leader for the Children's Liturgy in my parish. As we  processed around the church, with the pastor, altar servers, and lectors, holding palms, I was amazed at the simple ritual of processing and how it pleased everyone, because children were involved.
Afterwards, in the chapel, as I read the Passion gospel to the children and told them it was very serious so they would have to pay attention, as we were going to hear about Jesus' trial, they listened intently. It's such a violent story, but there is much they can learn from it.
Jesus was a victim of bullying and they could hear that and unfortunately some of them could relate to it. When I asked them if any of them had been innocent and been bullied by someone, they had examples. They shouldn't but they always do when I discuss that topic with them. One little girl said that her fish had died and when she discussed it at lunch, someone said to her, "I'm glad your fish died." Another boy shared that he had a rock collection and he was proud of it and another boy said to him, "Those rocks are useless." They had many examples, too many for young children.
But that's the way it is. Just as Jesus was lied about, mocked and treated harshly and was a victim of injustice, so too does it go on today, in different forms.
As we enter the sacred days and nights  of the Holy Triduum,  we have etched in our minds, the burning of Notre Dame Cathedral and the bizarre timing of that horrific event during Holy Week, From the ashes of Notre Dame will come rebuilding, renewal and hope and that is very good.  From the sacred days ahead will come the beauty, joy and hopefulness of Easter.
Blessings abound. Hope is essential to the life of a Christian. A fruitful Triduum and a Happy Easter.
NJA

Bishop Brennan Honors His Ancestors-He's A Gift To Ohio

Bishop Robert Brennan, the newly installed bishop of Columbus, Ohio will be missed on Long Island where he's from. His family still lives here so it is with a sacrificial attitude that he goes to Ohio, but the Catholics from Columbus are the lucky ones.
Since I live within the Diocese of Rockville Centre, on Long Island, where Bishop Brennan most recently served as an Auxiliary Bishop, I know firsthand he was very well liked and the few times I attended special events or Mass and heard him speak, I came away thinking he was a special priest. He's also kind. The people, schoolchildren, clergy and interfaith community there will soon find that out for themselves.
Thanks to the wonder of Catholic television I was able to watch the installation Mass on the Catholic Faith Network of Rockville Centre. Bishop Brennan's homily was great. I loved how he explained what his episcopal motto, "Thy will be done." meant to him and his family. That biblical phrase (and verse from the Our Father prayer) is etched on the tombstones of his grandfather and great-grandfather. His grandfather also had a prayer card he carried with him with that phrase. It seems God's will was to bring honor to the Brennan family for their faithfulness.  Bishop Brennan is 56 years old, fairly young for a bishop. He brings goodness, vitality and prayerfulness to his role as bishop.
Ohio doesn't have great weather in the winter, but they now have a rising star with their new bishop of Columbus.
NJA

Evil and Violence in Places of Worship

There are no words and much sadness when thinking of innocent people worshipping God in a house of worship being murdered. It's despicable. The latest atrocity that occurred in New Zealand of the massacre of innocents at two mosques makes me believe that God must be very sad with aspects of humanity. God certainly weeps. At this late stage of human existence, some sick people are so filled with hate that they would murder, even children in a religious, sacred space. It is just sickening.
But this happens in other places, to other religions. Christians are murdered in churches, in some parts of the world, Jewish people were murdered in their synagogue not too long ago in Pittsburgh and Muslims trying to pray and give honor and praise to God are gunned down in New Zealand.
Because we live in a fallen world, where evil exists and sometimes seems to rule the day, more precautions must be taken to protect worshippers.
There should be protection, someone in charge and given the responsibility of protecting people at prayer, against sick and evil people who wish to harm.
Something has to be done. Good and holy people trying to praise God should not have to fear in a place of worship.
Also religious tolereance and respect for all religions should be taught in schools, throughout the world. This madness has to stop.
NJA

Lent- 2019- Striving for Goodness and Holiness Again

It's Lent once more. Here we go again, striving to be better, to get it right, to grow closer to God and more like Jesus.  I went to Mass on Ash Wednesday in Southwest Florida and the parish I attended had many changes since last Lent. A beautiful new parish center and gym was built and opened which includes a restaurant and beautiful meeting rooms. There is also beautiful outdoor space. It's called the the Pulte Family Life Center, and as you can tell from the name, Mr. Pulte, the builder, gave a very large donation to help build the center. He was a very generous man, who died last year.
What was sad about the whole thing was not only did Mr. Pulte not live to see the building come to life and be completed but the pastor whose vision it was, mysteriously left the priesthood before he had a chance to see the building finished and dedicated. To say the parish family was shocked is an understatement. He had just celebrated 20 years as a priest the year before and now he is seeking laicization.
Since the pastor (who I will leave unnamed) is leaving the priesthood and disappointing thousands of parishioners, as he was greatly loved, one wonders where all this chaos in the church is going.
It's not easy to live the Christian life to its fullest. It's not easy to grow in holiness and find out what God's will is for your life.  Of course holiness is attainable and we've seen many examples of holy lives in our lifetime. I think of St. Mother Teresa,   Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis.
We all know what to do by now, and between religious books, the lives of the saints, Catholic television shows, bible study classes, parish retreats and programs and religious you tube videos and DVD's and all the devotions Catholics have at their disposal, and Mass, if you give enough time to spiritual growth, you can absolutely grow in holiness.
 I heard Fr. Donald Haggerty, a priest of the Archdiocese of NY, who was interviewed on EWTN recently, say that just visiting a Church everyday, even for 10  minutes, (if you can't attend daily Mass), when its quiet and still inside is a good and simple way to grow in holiness. I've done that often, during the week and I would agree. But its a good suggestion so I'll do it more.
There are so many distractions in the modern world, so many things pulling us away from what's really important. It takes discipline to stay the course, to keep focused on Jesus.  I hope you have a good and holy Lent.
Amen to that.
NJA

The Early Universe,The Big Bang and God

I watched an amazing TV science show on the Science channel,  about the early Universe and the Big Bang.  It's fascinating how scientists, astronomers, cosmologists and astrophysicists with incredible scientific instruments and telescopes and huge super computers are trying to find out what happened before the Big Bang and the seconds following it. It's all very scientific and the scientists have done amazing things and discoveries in tracing what happened in the early Universe, before stars and galaxies and atoms,  but of course they can't figure it out completely. There is dark matter they have to contend with, which makes up a lot of the Universe and cosmic fog and singularities and places they've discovered back in time, billions of years ago, where physics does not apply. There is so much they are learning but still so much they do not know. They admit, mathematics are "incomplete." Their telescopes are incredible and what they can learn from them, with the help of super computers is itself a miracle of sorts. Naturally, these extremely smart scientists,  never mention God (God forbid!) or Divine design, Divine initiative, or God's imprint in the planning of the Universe. By studying light from distance galaxies, it was determined our Universe keeps expanding and the infant Universe before the Big Bang was very, very small and very, very hot.
Trying to understand the early Universe before the Big Bang and seconds afterward, I believe can never be fully understood without accepting the existence of a super-intelligent Supreme Being who set everything into motion and keeps everything in existence. The earliest moments of the Universe won't be solved until scientists accept that God the Creator ("the Super-Force") had a "hand" in creation and set it all in motion. God's mathematical equations and divine design are just perfect, no super computers needed. One scientist said it seems like "the Universe came out of nowhere"......I don't think so! The early Universe grew so fast, so much energy, so much matter, just enough gravity ........a miracle like no other!
NJA