Jul 2009
From the Pastor
July/30/2009
The Knights of Columbus are back from Ak’Tenamit! It was an exciting nine day trip to our mission in Guatemala, and we came back quite healthy and with no broken bones, scorpion or snake bites (just mosquitoes – Florida’s state bird!) having accomplished quite a bit of work. During that time, the men built 10 picnic style tables with benches. Each will hold ten students for study periods outside of the classrooms of the school.
Additionally, several bunk beds were built for the efficient use of sleeping space in the boys’ dormitories, and we built a large cement outdoor basketball court. Though a bit tired each night from the long days’ work in the heat, the men were able to “kick back” a little after Mass and supper, and reminisce about each day’s activities. The food was good, the views were fantastic, and the people are very gracious. The weather was very cooperative – almost no rain in the “rain forest” that week – and the local people helped us on the various construction projects. There’s no question about it—the local population is very appreciative of our work with and among them, and they are getting to know us more each year that we return. They look forward to the visit as much as we do. We happily distributed over 1,000 Rosaries to the students and villagers we met, and celebrated Mass in one of the remote villages, crossing over the swampy lake edge via a quarter-mile long boardwalk.
The chapel was filled with people and beautiful singing in the local dialect, as I offered Mass in Spanish and had the homily translated on-the-spot by a local leader into their native Q’ek-chi. Obviously, the Catholic people were overjoyed that they could have one more Mass this year than the usual three times. Thank you for
your support of our efforts, through your prayers and sacrificial giving in the annual appeal for our Guatemalan mission, especially the parish council of the Knights of Columbus and the numerous people who provide annual sponsorships.
“School days, school days, good ol’ back to school days….” It’s not far off, and some of the excitement at our school begins with a new program called “SCRIP.” It’s a fundraising program that works while you shop. It really means “substitute money.” In other words, SCRIP will be the gift certificates from many national and local retail stores. They’re the same gift certificates that you buy at the store, only they will benefit St. Vincent School if you buy them through the SCRIP program. Some of the more popular retailers are Wal-Mart, Albertson’s, Winn-Dixie, Shell, Pizza Hut, JC Penney, The Gap and Red Lobster. There are many more, too!
Scrip-participating retailers agree to sell gift certificates to our school at a discount. Families, such as yours, buy the certificates for full-face value, then, redeem them for full-face value, and our school keeps the difference as revenue. Everybody wins in this program! The beauty of SCRIP is that you put your regular household shopping dollars to work for you and us. You earn money for our school and your family account without spending a single extra penny! The retailer gets cash “up front” and repeat business…. You get a powerful fundraising alternative that involves no selling….Our school gets a regular source of revenue, and will split it with you 50/50, which you can then turn around and use towards tuition, registration and/or fees. Our school will hold two brief informational meetings about our new SCRIP program, and we urge you to attend one of them: August 19 at the “Welcome Back Breakfast” (Kellaghan Hall) after drop-off, or September 1st at “Meet the Teacher Night.” We’ll go over all of the facts about SCRIP, provide enrollment forms and answer your questions. Get ready to earn money towards your child’s tuition as you shop for everyday necessities!
As we promised, we will have a special Mass and blessing of the numerous renovations that have taken place on our campus over the past three years. Bishop Barbarito will celebrate our 5:30 p.m. Mass on August 15th, and then bless the Crucifix over the main altar, the new stained-glass memorial side doors and the
Perpetual Adoration Chapel (and the new roof!) of our church. Then, he will bless the St. Peter, St. Paul and St. Mary houses, the Youth Center and the 2nd floor of the Old Convent (which houses the Diocese of Palm Beach Counseling Center and the Family Promise Program). This Mass will mark the beginning of the new
school year and our own new beginnings – signs that we are “moving ahead” after some difficult times that are now behind us.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
Additionally, several bunk beds were built for the efficient use of sleeping space in the boys’ dormitories, and we built a large cement outdoor basketball court. Though a bit tired each night from the long days’ work in the heat, the men were able to “kick back” a little after Mass and supper, and reminisce about each day’s activities. The food was good, the views were fantastic, and the people are very gracious. The weather was very cooperative – almost no rain in the “rain forest” that week – and the local people helped us on the various construction projects. There’s no question about it—the local population is very appreciative of our work with and among them, and they are getting to know us more each year that we return. They look forward to the visit as much as we do. We happily distributed over 1,000 Rosaries to the students and villagers we met, and celebrated Mass in one of the remote villages, crossing over the swampy lake edge via a quarter-mile long boardwalk.
The chapel was filled with people and beautiful singing in the local dialect, as I offered Mass in Spanish and had the homily translated on-the-spot by a local leader into their native Q’ek-chi. Obviously, the Catholic people were overjoyed that they could have one more Mass this year than the usual three times. Thank you for
your support of our efforts, through your prayers and sacrificial giving in the annual appeal for our Guatemalan mission, especially the parish council of the Knights of Columbus and the numerous people who provide annual sponsorships.
“School days, school days, good ol’ back to school days….” It’s not far off, and some of the excitement at our school begins with a new program called “SCRIP.” It’s a fundraising program that works while you shop. It really means “substitute money.” In other words, SCRIP will be the gift certificates from many national and local retail stores. They’re the same gift certificates that you buy at the store, only they will benefit St. Vincent School if you buy them through the SCRIP program. Some of the more popular retailers are Wal-Mart, Albertson’s, Winn-Dixie, Shell, Pizza Hut, JC Penney, The Gap and Red Lobster. There are many more, too!
Scrip-participating retailers agree to sell gift certificates to our school at a discount. Families, such as yours, buy the certificates for full-face value, then, redeem them for full-face value, and our school keeps the difference as revenue. Everybody wins in this program! The beauty of SCRIP is that you put your regular household shopping dollars to work for you and us. You earn money for our school and your family account without spending a single extra penny! The retailer gets cash “up front” and repeat business…. You get a powerful fundraising alternative that involves no selling….Our school gets a regular source of revenue, and will split it with you 50/50, which you can then turn around and use towards tuition, registration and/or fees. Our school will hold two brief informational meetings about our new SCRIP program, and we urge you to attend one of them: August 19 at the “Welcome Back Breakfast” (Kellaghan Hall) after drop-off, or September 1st at “Meet the Teacher Night.” We’ll go over all of the facts about SCRIP, provide enrollment forms and answer your questions. Get ready to earn money towards your child’s tuition as you shop for everyday necessities!
As we promised, we will have a special Mass and blessing of the numerous renovations that have taken place on our campus over the past three years. Bishop Barbarito will celebrate our 5:30 p.m. Mass on August 15th, and then bless the Crucifix over the main altar, the new stained-glass memorial side doors and the
Perpetual Adoration Chapel (and the new roof!) of our church. Then, he will bless the St. Peter, St. Paul and St. Mary houses, the Youth Center and the 2nd floor of the Old Convent (which houses the Diocese of Palm Beach Counseling Center and the Family Promise Program). This Mass will mark the beginning of the new
school year and our own new beginnings – signs that we are “moving ahead” after some difficult times that are now behind us.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
July/23/2009
The Dynamics of Celibacy (by a priest-friend and son of the Palm Beach Diocese, Fr. Tom Euteneuer)
(In this “Year for Priests,” we might reflect more deeply on the role of celibacy in the life of priests.) Some
recent high-profile priest scandals have put celibacy back in the limelight as a topic for the pagan world to
rage about, but rarely will you hear what the Catholic Church actually teaches about it. I hope that the following
insights will be a short-course in the dynamics of a marvelous life of grace: namely, celibate chastity. The
world needs to hear “the other side” of the story.
Number one: Celibacy is a gift to the world, not a rule imposed by the Church on a few seemingly-abnormal
men. Celibacy initiates men into a life of spiritual fatherhood in a strikingly positive way for others. We are
called “father” for a reason: we bring spiritual life to our people through the sacred mysteries which we handle,
and they thereby are drawn into a spiritual family. A truly dedicated priest has thousands of spiritual children
who sometimes make immense demands on him—I often wish I had only seven children like my father!
In an age where men have massively renounced their sacred duty to generate, protect and nurture families,
there are myriads of selfless, celibate men sacrificing themselves in a truly manly way for the sake of God’s
family and, indeed, even for the sake of many individual families. The fact that some priests fail at it does not
make the gift of celibacy anything less than a true blessing; in fact, its failures force us to reflect more deeply
on its quiet successes. It’s hypocritical to think that we should throw away the gift of celibacy (i.e., make it
“optional”) based upon a miniscule percentage of failures of its practitioners. We don’t say the same thing
about the much higher percentage of failures in marriage. Should we allow polygamy just because some married
men can’t stick to one woman? This is the time to reaffirm the genuine beauty and value of celibacy, not
change this immense gift to us.
Number two: Celibacy is the personal renunciation of the legitimate goods of marriage and family as a fruitful
sacrifice for the kingdom of God. The astonishment of this generation that a perfectly normal, red-blooded
male could make that particular sacrifice is exactly the point of celibacy. The world needs to know that there
are some men walking around who are not bound either by the expectations of society or by the terms of our
fleshly human nature. They are bound by only one concern; that of a kingdom that is not of this world, and
they are willing to sacrifice everything for it. The presence in society of men who make this sacrifice is profoundly
challenging to a culture that wants to reduce everything in life to the pleasure principle. Such a total
renunciation is truly counter cultural: it’s like choosing to live with a permanent wound in the heart that never
heals but out of which flow “rivers of living water” (Jn. 7:38) that heal countless others. Celibacy is not easy
for anyone to live, in fact, it is a constant death to self; but it is enormously life-giving to others, and the
Church has not lost sight of that for two thousand years.
Number three: vows are vows. Married men make vows and so do priests. A vow is a promise before God of
fidelity to a particular person or state in life. From a spiritual point of view a vow in marriage has the same significance
as a vow of celibate chastity: it is permanently binding on the individual and requires total fidelity.
We all know that vows are broken by weak and fallible men, but we also know and have seen that vows can
be repaired, sins repented of, amends made and forgiveness granted to those who have offended others.
Who of us does not depend in some way on the Mercy of God and those we have hurt when we have fallen?
The return to fidelity breaks our pride and chastens our passions. What we must never do is make excuses or
justify our compromises with “pop cultural moral relativism.” For example, the fact of “falling in love” with
someone is no more an excuse to abandon the celibate priesthood than it is to abandon a wife and family for
another woman. I have known many married men who have had that experience and, then, in a more rational
moment, picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and returned to fidelity—sometimes at a great cost.
Thankfully, God gave us a rational will, in addition to our lower passions, so that we have something other
than whimsical feelings to govern our actions. Fidelity is always possible for those who desire to return to their
deepest commitments. Well, although a short article on celibacy isn’t enough to explain such a beautiful mystery,
it is just enough to witness to a very dynamic way of life whose adherents have given life to millions
throughout the centuries. In this time of great secular challenge to our faith, let us pray for the celibate men
and women who have served us so well in this life, and especially for those who are still trying to return to fidelity.
Sincerely,
Very Rev. Canon Tom
(In this “Year for Priests,” we might reflect more deeply on the role of celibacy in the life of priests.) Some
recent high-profile priest scandals have put celibacy back in the limelight as a topic for the pagan world to
rage about, but rarely will you hear what the Catholic Church actually teaches about it. I hope that the following
insights will be a short-course in the dynamics of a marvelous life of grace: namely, celibate chastity. The
world needs to hear “the other side” of the story.
Number one: Celibacy is a gift to the world, not a rule imposed by the Church on a few seemingly-abnormal
men. Celibacy initiates men into a life of spiritual fatherhood in a strikingly positive way for others. We are
called “father” for a reason: we bring spiritual life to our people through the sacred mysteries which we handle,
and they thereby are drawn into a spiritual family. A truly dedicated priest has thousands of spiritual children
who sometimes make immense demands on him—I often wish I had only seven children like my father!
In an age where men have massively renounced their sacred duty to generate, protect and nurture families,
there are myriads of selfless, celibate men sacrificing themselves in a truly manly way for the sake of God’s
family and, indeed, even for the sake of many individual families. The fact that some priests fail at it does not
make the gift of celibacy anything less than a true blessing; in fact, its failures force us to reflect more deeply
on its quiet successes. It’s hypocritical to think that we should throw away the gift of celibacy (i.e., make it
“optional”) based upon a miniscule percentage of failures of its practitioners. We don’t say the same thing
about the much higher percentage of failures in marriage. Should we allow polygamy just because some married
men can’t stick to one woman? This is the time to reaffirm the genuine beauty and value of celibacy, not
change this immense gift to us.
Number two: Celibacy is the personal renunciation of the legitimate goods of marriage and family as a fruitful
sacrifice for the kingdom of God. The astonishment of this generation that a perfectly normal, red-blooded
male could make that particular sacrifice is exactly the point of celibacy. The world needs to know that there
are some men walking around who are not bound either by the expectations of society or by the terms of our
fleshly human nature. They are bound by only one concern; that of a kingdom that is not of this world, and
they are willing to sacrifice everything for it. The presence in society of men who make this sacrifice is profoundly
challenging to a culture that wants to reduce everything in life to the pleasure principle. Such a total
renunciation is truly counter cultural: it’s like choosing to live with a permanent wound in the heart that never
heals but out of which flow “rivers of living water” (Jn. 7:38) that heal countless others. Celibacy is not easy
for anyone to live, in fact, it is a constant death to self; but it is enormously life-giving to others, and the
Church has not lost sight of that for two thousand years.
Number three: vows are vows. Married men make vows and so do priests. A vow is a promise before God of
fidelity to a particular person or state in life. From a spiritual point of view a vow in marriage has the same significance
as a vow of celibate chastity: it is permanently binding on the individual and requires total fidelity.
We all know that vows are broken by weak and fallible men, but we also know and have seen that vows can
be repaired, sins repented of, amends made and forgiveness granted to those who have offended others.
Who of us does not depend in some way on the Mercy of God and those we have hurt when we have fallen?
The return to fidelity breaks our pride and chastens our passions. What we must never do is make excuses or
justify our compromises with “pop cultural moral relativism.” For example, the fact of “falling in love” with
someone is no more an excuse to abandon the celibate priesthood than it is to abandon a wife and family for
another woman. I have known many married men who have had that experience and, then, in a more rational
moment, picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and returned to fidelity—sometimes at a great cost.
Thankfully, God gave us a rational will, in addition to our lower passions, so that we have something other
than whimsical feelings to govern our actions. Fidelity is always possible for those who desire to return to their
deepest commitments. Well, although a short article on celibacy isn’t enough to explain such a beautiful mystery,
it is just enough to witness to a very dynamic way of life whose adherents have given life to millions
throughout the centuries. In this time of great secular challenge to our faith, let us pray for the celibate men
and women who have served us so well in this life, and especially for those who are still trying to return to fidelity.
Sincerely,
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
July/16/2009
As you read this article, twelve of us Knights of Columbus (some with sons) are making our way, once again, into the rain forest of eastern Guatemala. Among the numerous projects at our own mission in Ak’Tenamit, that will occupy our time and efforts, will be the building of study tables for the students, bunk beds for the dormitories, and repairs to some of the earliest projects built over ten years ago (various elements of that jungle environment have ways of gradually eroding some of the earliest efforts at establishing a permanent school and clinic in the jungle). Though it’s not an easy trip because of the climate, terrain and lack of some necessary materials, the men make the most of their time in that country, bringing the good will of our parish, the Catholic Church and this country to God’s people in this remote area.
Most of the men on the trip have been here before, and will note the progress that has been made by the local people even since our most recent foray into the wilderness. The mission’s school enrollment has gone up, and the Guatemalan government is encouraging Steve Dudenhoefer’s program to be replicated in several other areas of that country. This is a significant step, because previously, that nation’s constantly changing governments didn’t express much interest in Ak’Tenamit. The only real help came from a few groups, such as U.S. parishes, the Knights of Columbus, Rotary International and some organizations from foreign countries. Now that much attention on the success of this program has gone international, the Guatemalan leaders cannot ignore the significance of the Father Tom Moran Educational Center, and on the large region it serves. It’s encouraging to know that your support, both moral and financial, has helped to have a significant impact on our work and theirs. I thank you for your continued efforts to help the local people develop their own talents and resources to stay and serve the local community. Your gifts and sponsorships really do make a difference! May God bless you for your generosity, and may His hand protect us on our trip and prosper the work of our hands!
Though we are living in difficult economic times, I especially want to thank all those parishioners who have committed themselves to helping us draw closer to our parish goal in the annual DSA (Diocesan Services Appeal). The charitable network of our many diocesan agencies and organizations cannot function unless we are ready to assist them with our stewardship of God’s gifts to us. May He continue to bless those who make and honor their commitment!
On the weekend of August 1st and 2nd, Katie Bowie, a young parishioner, deeply involved in the Catholic based ministry called FOCUS (a Fellowship of Catholic University Students), that brings together Catholic
students on secular campuses of colleges and universities, will speak to us after Communion. She will tell us of the work of her stewardship in the organization, as well as the ways that we can assist in promoting that worthwhile work.
We welcome Spring Transleau, long-time leader of our parish youth program, to her new role in forming
and directing our new Catholic Women’s Apostolate, a multi-dimensional ministry that promotes the social, educational and spiritual growth of women beyond high school years. We also welcome Heather Hackett in her new role as director of our parish youth ministry, including the EDGE and LIFE TEEN programs for Middle and High School-aged children. Both of these women will be seeking your assistance in their work in these ministries.
Our seminarians for the summer, Wesler Hilaire and Jude Jean-Pierre, have completed their English language courses at FAU, and are preparing to enter their respective seminaries for the Fall term. Wesler will enter St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, and Jude will enter St. Jean Vianney in Miami. We thank them for their service over the summer, and pray that God will bless their coming year with an abundance of grace to persevere in their calling. May God bless our diocese with an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life and diaconate. May He also inspire the young men and women of our parish to consider these, too.
This Sunday, after any of the first 3 morning Masses, i.e., from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., we invite you to have some coffee, donuts and fellowship. I thank our own parish Knights of Columbus for sponsoring this monthly get-together, and invite the men of our parish to consider becoming a Knight of Columbus. Congratulations to our new Grand Knight, Chris Grant, and his fellow officers who were just elected to their positions.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
Most of the men on the trip have been here before, and will note the progress that has been made by the local people even since our most recent foray into the wilderness. The mission’s school enrollment has gone up, and the Guatemalan government is encouraging Steve Dudenhoefer’s program to be replicated in several other areas of that country. This is a significant step, because previously, that nation’s constantly changing governments didn’t express much interest in Ak’Tenamit. The only real help came from a few groups, such as U.S. parishes, the Knights of Columbus, Rotary International and some organizations from foreign countries. Now that much attention on the success of this program has gone international, the Guatemalan leaders cannot ignore the significance of the Father Tom Moran Educational Center, and on the large region it serves. It’s encouraging to know that your support, both moral and financial, has helped to have a significant impact on our work and theirs. I thank you for your continued efforts to help the local people develop their own talents and resources to stay and serve the local community. Your gifts and sponsorships really do make a difference! May God bless you for your generosity, and may His hand protect us on our trip and prosper the work of our hands!
Though we are living in difficult economic times, I especially want to thank all those parishioners who have committed themselves to helping us draw closer to our parish goal in the annual DSA (Diocesan Services Appeal). The charitable network of our many diocesan agencies and organizations cannot function unless we are ready to assist them with our stewardship of God’s gifts to us. May He continue to bless those who make and honor their commitment!
On the weekend of August 1st and 2nd, Katie Bowie, a young parishioner, deeply involved in the Catholic based ministry called FOCUS (a Fellowship of Catholic University Students), that brings together Catholic
students on secular campuses of colleges and universities, will speak to us after Communion. She will tell us of the work of her stewardship in the organization, as well as the ways that we can assist in promoting that worthwhile work.
We welcome Spring Transleau, long-time leader of our parish youth program, to her new role in forming
and directing our new Catholic Women’s Apostolate, a multi-dimensional ministry that promotes the social, educational and spiritual growth of women beyond high school years. We also welcome Heather Hackett in her new role as director of our parish youth ministry, including the EDGE and LIFE TEEN programs for Middle and High School-aged children. Both of these women will be seeking your assistance in their work in these ministries.
Our seminarians for the summer, Wesler Hilaire and Jude Jean-Pierre, have completed their English language courses at FAU, and are preparing to enter their respective seminaries for the Fall term. Wesler will enter St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, and Jude will enter St. Jean Vianney in Miami. We thank them for their service over the summer, and pray that God will bless their coming year with an abundance of grace to persevere in their calling. May God bless our diocese with an increase in vocations to the priesthood, religious life and diaconate. May He also inspire the young men and women of our parish to consider these, too.
This Sunday, after any of the first 3 morning Masses, i.e., from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., we invite you to have some coffee, donuts and fellowship. I thank our own parish Knights of Columbus for sponsoring this monthly get-together, and invite the men of our parish to consider becoming a Knight of Columbus. Congratulations to our new Grand Knight, Chris Grant, and his fellow officers who were just elected to their positions.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
July/10/2009
The second part of our trip took us to Poland, where we visited Radom, and participated in the ceremonies marking the farewell of my friend, their former bishop, from his diocese in Radom. He now takes up his new position in heading one of the Vatican Pontifical Councils and receives the promotion the rank of archbishop. His two predecessors in this Council (both living) have received the red biretta of a cardinal, so we might expect to hear that he, too, will someday wear the same color biretta. The Sunday afternoon farewell at the cathedral began with an overpacked cathedral, and Mass concelebrated by over 350 bishops and priests. There were presentations from Church officials, religious communities, parishioners and government officials. In his seven years there, he had become endeared to the people, and a lot of emotion was shown in the faces of the people and their departing archbishop.
A reception followed at the new diocesan seminary, and we had a chance to spend some time with the archbishop before we left. The remaining days were spent visiting the famous icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, also popularly referred to as “The Black Madonna,” because of the darkness of the skin tones in the painting of our Lady and Jesus. These were caused by an attempt at burning the icon when some vandals tried to steal the painting. Two sword slashes also mar the picture, the results of other plunderers trying to steal the icon, which miraculously remained at the monastery because the horses would not pull the icon in the wagon. It was my privilege, again, to offer Mass before the miraculous image. Here, we climbed the famous bell tower of the monastery that dominates the entire countryside (300 steps up – no elevator!).
A side trip to Lublin took us to the only Catholic university that remained open in the former communist world, a tribute to the deep faith of the people of Poland, which today is sending forth many of its numerous priests to countries all over the world, in particular, France and Germany (no longer sources of vocations the way they once were). We took time to visit the infamous and stark Majdanek concentration camp, where tens of thousands of people, specifically Jews, were executed during the Second World War. We saw the crematoria there, and the vast
array of many of the possessions of the prisoners, objects which were not spirited away before the liberation of thebcamp. Surely, doubters of the Holocaust would have a hard time explaining away what our eyes beheld!
Krakow, the long-time residence of the late Pope John Paul II, is a very ancient and beautiful city, and here webvisited the famous Wieliczka salt mines, with entire chapels carved in the salt, several hundred feet below thebearth’s surface. National Geographic recently presented a special television feature on these mines and their fascinatingbhistory and legacy. Likewise, we visited the famous Marian Church of the Trumpeter of Krakow, then thebArchbishop’s Residence (once the dwelling of Pope John Paul II and now his successor and former secretary, CardinalbStanislaus Dziwisz) and came to a special shrine in nearby Lagiewniki district, the final resting place of St. Sister Faustina, the religious sister who fearlessly introduced the devotion of the Divine Mercy to a very skeptical world. The new, large basilica near her convent and grave can accommodate large numbers of pilgrims, and there, on two successive days, I included your intentions in the Masses I celebrated.
The last part of our trip to southern Poland included a visit to Wadowice, the home town and birth place of our previous pope, Karol (Charles) Wojtyla. The church where he was baptized, made his First Holy Communion and was confirmed sits along the beautiful main square of this small city. We were able to pray there, touch his baptismal font and view the papal thrones once used by the former pope and the present one on their visits to this lovely town. Many pilgrims and tourists find their way to this spiritual oasis while on journey to the Auschwitz concentration camp, not far away. Since we had already visited Majdanek, we were not ready to stomach any more scenes of “man’s inhumanity to man.” It was better to leave this region on a more positive note, and see the many wonderful roadside shrines dedicated to Our Lord or Our Lady that dot the Polish countryside in numbers that seem, at least to me, to be greater than any other in Europe. This is truly a testimony to the faith of a people that has been able to withstand many terrible invasions and treacheries upon the Catholicity of Poland. That is why Pope John Paul II, a man who made a real difference in the way he presented Catholicity in our lifetime, was well prepared to take on the task to which God called him.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
A reception followed at the new diocesan seminary, and we had a chance to spend some time with the archbishop before we left. The remaining days were spent visiting the famous icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, also popularly referred to as “The Black Madonna,” because of the darkness of the skin tones in the painting of our Lady and Jesus. These were caused by an attempt at burning the icon when some vandals tried to steal the painting. Two sword slashes also mar the picture, the results of other plunderers trying to steal the icon, which miraculously remained at the monastery because the horses would not pull the icon in the wagon. It was my privilege, again, to offer Mass before the miraculous image. Here, we climbed the famous bell tower of the monastery that dominates the entire countryside (300 steps up – no elevator!).
A side trip to Lublin took us to the only Catholic university that remained open in the former communist world, a tribute to the deep faith of the people of Poland, which today is sending forth many of its numerous priests to countries all over the world, in particular, France and Germany (no longer sources of vocations the way they once were). We took time to visit the infamous and stark Majdanek concentration camp, where tens of thousands of people, specifically Jews, were executed during the Second World War. We saw the crematoria there, and the vast
array of many of the possessions of the prisoners, objects which were not spirited away before the liberation of thebcamp. Surely, doubters of the Holocaust would have a hard time explaining away what our eyes beheld!
Krakow, the long-time residence of the late Pope John Paul II, is a very ancient and beautiful city, and here webvisited the famous Wieliczka salt mines, with entire chapels carved in the salt, several hundred feet below thebearth’s surface. National Geographic recently presented a special television feature on these mines and their fascinatingbhistory and legacy. Likewise, we visited the famous Marian Church of the Trumpeter of Krakow, then thebArchbishop’s Residence (once the dwelling of Pope John Paul II and now his successor and former secretary, CardinalbStanislaus Dziwisz) and came to a special shrine in nearby Lagiewniki district, the final resting place of St. Sister Faustina, the religious sister who fearlessly introduced the devotion of the Divine Mercy to a very skeptical world. The new, large basilica near her convent and grave can accommodate large numbers of pilgrims, and there, on two successive days, I included your intentions in the Masses I celebrated.
The last part of our trip to southern Poland included a visit to Wadowice, the home town and birth place of our previous pope, Karol (Charles) Wojtyla. The church where he was baptized, made his First Holy Communion and was confirmed sits along the beautiful main square of this small city. We were able to pray there, touch his baptismal font and view the papal thrones once used by the former pope and the present one on their visits to this lovely town. Many pilgrims and tourists find their way to this spiritual oasis while on journey to the Auschwitz concentration camp, not far away. Since we had already visited Majdanek, we were not ready to stomach any more scenes of “man’s inhumanity to man.” It was better to leave this region on a more positive note, and see the many wonderful roadside shrines dedicated to Our Lord or Our Lady that dot the Polish countryside in numbers that seem, at least to me, to be greater than any other in Europe. This is truly a testimony to the faith of a people that has been able to withstand many terrible invasions and treacheries upon the Catholicity of Poland. That is why Pope John Paul II, a man who made a real difference in the way he presented Catholicity in our lifetime, was well prepared to take on the task to which God called him.
Very Rev. Canon Tom
From the Pastor
July/02/2009
The past few weeks have allowed me a much needed rest while observing some very special feasts of the church. In our own parish, we had a very beautiful Corpus Christi celebration, with a traditional procession after the last Sunday morning Mass. The priests carried the Holy Eucharist from altar to altar erected on the grounds of our campus. This represented a somewhat smaller version of what takes place in some of the great Catholic countries of Europe, such as Italy and Poland, where the Holy Eucharist is processed through the local streets, stopping at magnificent altars set up in very public areas of the towns. In Krakow, Poland, diocese of the late Pope John Paul II, over twenty-thousand people annually participate in this celebration, which twists its way through the town for over a mile from the cathedral, on top of the Royal Castle Hill, to the main city square.
This year, I was able to partake in two such ceremonies. One was in the city of Orvieto, Italy, where the universal Feast of Corpus Christi was actually started as a result of a special Eucharistic miracle there centuries ago. Here, the townsfolk dressed in traditional medieval costumes, and were present for the Saturday afternoon Mass in the Cathedral. At the end of the observances, they exited the church in their finery to the enthusiastic applause of the crowd gathered on the main square of the city. On Sunday, beginning at Assisi’s cathedral, we processed with the Eucharist through the streets of the town, as we walked on roadways that had been artistically decorated that day with flower petals and seeds depicting scenes from Our Lord’s life. These beautiful portraits and geometric designs were not to be stepped on until the bishop carried the Blessed Sacrament over them. Though Assisi, the burial place of St. Francis and St. Clare, is only an hour from Orvieto, it took on its own flavor for these rituals. In each place, the people showed great reverence for the Holy Eucharist, acknowledging their belief in the Real Presence of Our Lord in the appearances of bread and wine.
Likewise, we had an opportunity to visit the famous abbey of Monte Cassino, rebuilt after being destroyed during the Second World War. It is the burial place of the founder of the Benedictines, St. Benedict, as well as his sister St. Scholastica, and is on top of a strategic mountain position between Rome and Naples. Nearby are the different national cemeteries for the troops involved in the battle at the abbey. It was at the beautiful Polish cemetery closest to the abbey that Pope Benedict recently made a special memorial visit. His path crossed again with us when he seemed to follow us to San Giovanni Rotondo, the burial place of St. Padre Pio. There we offered Mass at the altar where the saint had regularly celebrated Mass. An adjacent church now houses his incorrupt remains, which can be viewed through the glass casket; and a new, very contemporary basilica was just dedicated by our Holy Father to better serve the large number of pilgrims flocking there.
But, of all the beautiful celebrations we had, the one I found most moving was the chance to offer Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the day which began the universal celebration of the Year of the Priest, recently proclaimed by Pope Benedict. This Mass was offered by the tomb of Pope John Paul II, not far from the tomb of St. Peter. What additionally was special was that, as I looked upon the faces in attendance at that Mass,“what to my wandering eyes should appear but” Sister Dorothy, our Kindergarten teacher at St. Vincent’s. She was there marking her Silver Jubilee (25 years) as a religious sister. May God grant her and her fellow sisters many years of loving service in religious life!
As the music provided by those in attendance echoed throughout the chambers of the crypt, and gave a special touch to the observance, my thoughts were filled with gratitude for the great example of priestly witness given us by the late Pope John Paul II. He had certainly inspired me in my vocation. My intentions that day included you and your family, and I was filled with a feeling of hope that this next year will be a special one for all of us, as we pray for ALL priests, beseeching Almighty God to strengthen them in their vocation, and to grace them with the wisdom and fortitude to preach and live the Word of God,“whether in season or out of season.”
Very Rev. Canon Tom
This year, I was able to partake in two such ceremonies. One was in the city of Orvieto, Italy, where the universal Feast of Corpus Christi was actually started as a result of a special Eucharistic miracle there centuries ago. Here, the townsfolk dressed in traditional medieval costumes, and were present for the Saturday afternoon Mass in the Cathedral. At the end of the observances, they exited the church in their finery to the enthusiastic applause of the crowd gathered on the main square of the city. On Sunday, beginning at Assisi’s cathedral, we processed with the Eucharist through the streets of the town, as we walked on roadways that had been artistically decorated that day with flower petals and seeds depicting scenes from Our Lord’s life. These beautiful portraits and geometric designs were not to be stepped on until the bishop carried the Blessed Sacrament over them. Though Assisi, the burial place of St. Francis and St. Clare, is only an hour from Orvieto, it took on its own flavor for these rituals. In each place, the people showed great reverence for the Holy Eucharist, acknowledging their belief in the Real Presence of Our Lord in the appearances of bread and wine.
Likewise, we had an opportunity to visit the famous abbey of Monte Cassino, rebuilt after being destroyed during the Second World War. It is the burial place of the founder of the Benedictines, St. Benedict, as well as his sister St. Scholastica, and is on top of a strategic mountain position between Rome and Naples. Nearby are the different national cemeteries for the troops involved in the battle at the abbey. It was at the beautiful Polish cemetery closest to the abbey that Pope Benedict recently made a special memorial visit. His path crossed again with us when he seemed to follow us to San Giovanni Rotondo, the burial place of St. Padre Pio. There we offered Mass at the altar where the saint had regularly celebrated Mass. An adjacent church now houses his incorrupt remains, which can be viewed through the glass casket; and a new, very contemporary basilica was just dedicated by our Holy Father to better serve the large number of pilgrims flocking there.
But, of all the beautiful celebrations we had, the one I found most moving was the chance to offer Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the day which began the universal celebration of the Year of the Priest, recently proclaimed by Pope Benedict. This Mass was offered by the tomb of Pope John Paul II, not far from the tomb of St. Peter. What additionally was special was that, as I looked upon the faces in attendance at that Mass,“what to my wandering eyes should appear but” Sister Dorothy, our Kindergarten teacher at St. Vincent’s. She was there marking her Silver Jubilee (25 years) as a religious sister. May God grant her and her fellow sisters many years of loving service in religious life!
As the music provided by those in attendance echoed throughout the chambers of the crypt, and gave a special touch to the observance, my thoughts were filled with gratitude for the great example of priestly witness given us by the late Pope John Paul II. He had certainly inspired me in my vocation. My intentions that day included you and your family, and I was filled with a feeling of hope that this next year will be a special one for all of us, as we pray for ALL priests, beseeching Almighty God to strengthen them in their vocation, and to grace them with the wisdom and fortitude to preach and live the Word of God,“whether in season or out of season.”
Very Rev. Canon Tom