Clergy Bulletin Articles

This weekend, as we celebrate fathers, two men who are fathers in our parish will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate. Congratulations to Jason Imlay and Justin Reuter.

As I prepare to leave Prince of Peace for yet another priestly assignment, it is good for me and us to reflect on the priesthood and the Eucharist. Reflecting much over the past three months on both of these as we live through this pandemic, I have come to more greatly appreciate how the two are even more strangely connected in my experience and belief.

Sometimes our Catholic theology can be intense. Many times in trying to explain our beliefs we need to have knowledge that should propel us to know and find out more. Similar to other animal instincts, we humans - imprinted with the divine nature, should seek to know more about God and how we fit into His plan. If we are truly the glory of God and the highlight of His creation, why would we not desire to know and experience God more throughout our lives?

On this Pentecost Sunday, concluding this most unusual Easter season, we are breathed upon again and reminded of the great gift of the Holy Spirit.

As we don the red to remind ourselves of the flames of fire that appeared on the Apostles, hear the beautiful and unusual Sequence sung after the second reading and before the Alleluia at Mass, we hear the amazing story of that
first Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit.

A pastor, as the word itself signifies, is essentially a “shepherd” entrusted with the care of souls for those in his parish. The pastor’s responsibilities are laid out in Canon 528 of the church’s Code of Canon Law. They are multiple and include such things as: nourishing the faithful through the sacraments; preaching the word of God and the truths of the faith; providing for Catholic education, especially for children and young people; fostering charitable works and social justice; evangelizing the unchurched and those who have left the faith; and encouraging family prayer.

I looked up the definition of an orphan, and it said, “a child whose parents are dead.” And so in the Gospel for this weekend, our Lord Jesus states “I will not leave you orphaned; I will come to you."

I am sure when I was a youth that I went to my mother for many things — food, help with clothes, compassion when hurt, etc. WE all depend on our mothers for many things, from the moment we are conceived and for the rest of eternity. There can be many ways that our Blessed Mother Mary can help us as well and hopefully we depend on her for many things as well.

In light of the suspensions of public worship, may Catholics have asked, “Am I required to watch Mass?” in other words, is it a sin to not try to attend virtually, since it is impossible to go to Mass in person.

The first reading for this Second Sunday of Easter from St. Paul, is very appropriate for us during this time of pandemic. “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.