MONDAY DIARY - THE BEST WINE IS IN OLD WINESKINS

Yesterday one of my classmates was installed as pastor of the parish at which he has served as administrator over the past number of months. Still in residence is the former pastor Fr. Schleicher. He is a bit of a walking miracle. One day he is literally on his death bed and the next he is teeing off at a local golf course. He’s like that great old car that for some miraculous reason keeps starting and getting you there day after day.

Things are rough for him these days. As we prepared to celebrate this great occasion with Bishop Pevec – bustling about – giving last minute instructions and making introductions – Father comes in slowly and makes his way to a chair from which he will vest.

He looks feeble and sometimes people speak to him as though his mind is feeble also but it is as sharp as a tack. “Gads,” I say to him, “I wish I would have as much hair at your age.” “Well, you better start growing some hair then” he quips back.

Living with my first pastor I saw firsthand that there is such a thing as age discrimination. He too was an old war horse bound and determined to die with his stole on. We might both forget the same name (and he would usually come up with it before I ever would) but with me they would joke that it was a good thing I was a priest and could read rubrics to get along everyday whereas every instance of forgetfulness with my pastor was stored away as evidence by some that he was losing it in his old age.

Fr. Schleicher could not make it in the procession nor stand for long periods. During the Eucharistic prayer he was helped forward to a bar stool and kept a glass of water on the edge of the altar. He still prayed his section of the prayer in his trademark loud, gruff, masculine voice.

What is beauty? Is it that all of the priests and ministers stand up straight and tall and fall seamlessly into processions and can stand still with hands properly folded? Or is it a community standing and applauding the man who had been their spiritual father for decades, who was still true to his vocation, who made an effort to honor and give his approval to the Young Turk who was taking his place and the third pastor of the parish? Is not beautiful that a community does not simply throw out the old for the exciting new?

It is true that at times we wish for new leadership hoping that new life will come; new life that will bring a new spirit, new initiatives, new adventures. But we are not merely congregations that hire pastors. We are families united under our bishop and led by a man we call “father pastor.” To not honor them in their elder years is to bring disgrace to ourselves.

Mostly - or at least officially we are pretty good at this. Now we live in an odd age when younger and younger priests are taking over parishes - having to be more administrative rather than having the time to be creative in ministry. Sometimes right out of the seminary gate young men are taking over parishes - in the plural. There was a time when one was ordained in their twenties and would not become a pastor until they were well seasoned - at least in their 50s. It was a bit of talk when I was sent to Saint Sebastian in some circles - still being so young in priest years. (Priest years are the opposite of dig years - they are much longer.) And though we may benifit some from the energy of the younger pastor we will also miss out on some of the sage wisdom of the long experienced priest.

So kudos to Fr. Bline for giving so much of his day to honor one of the giants. God bless Fr. Schleicher and all of the men of service such as him out there.

FRIDAY POTPOURRI: A LITTLE DAB WILL DO YA

Often in older churches you will see a little brass door in the side of wall with the words, “Olea Sancta” or “Holy Oils.” It is called the Ambry or sometimes Aumbry. Here the holy oils that are blessed at the Chrism Mass are kept. Larger ambries also might hold the parish relics or even certain liturgical books.

In more recent times with tabernacles on side altars no longer housing the Blessed Sacrament many parishes have begun using one or the other as the ambry for the holy oils. It seems to become quite the thing to have a glass ambry made today and to store the oils in such a fashion so that they may always be seen by parishioners. This might be a good thing as it makes more people aware of the oils and their use. Often the ambry was not visible from the main body of the church.

There is one note of caution however. The oils are not meant to just be displayed but used in a sacramental manner. Often it seems a parish will obtain a very large quantity of oil and store them in glass stocks (the container used for storing oils) mostly for show purposes. In a far greater quantity than is ever expected to be used the oil is then purposefully wasted. The oil is not a show piece but a sacramental tool expected to be used. There then comes the problem of disposing of the old oils at the end of the year when they must be buried, burned, or otherwise properly disposed of.

HOLY HOUR BATMAN

Alright Catholics – How many times have you heard that if you really want to improve your prayer life you need to start making a Holy Hour once a week? It’s advice that I both get and have received. Rarely however is there ever an explanation as to why. Why a Holy Hour?

There is nothing overly magical about it. It is common sense and you probably know the answer already. What is the purpose of prayer? Is it in order to get things? Well, not alone. We pray for the same reason we tweet, text, Email, call, and hang out with our friends. It is how you get to know somebody. When you want to get married you discovered that desire by spending time with that person. You came to know them and what is important to them. When time was short due to your busy schedule you made time for them. They knew through this that you loved them, you knew it, and so did everyone else. “Sorry, I’m spending time with my girlfriend that day.”

Holy Hours are not much different. You are spending some quality time with God. It is not a quick text message, “God, get me through this traffic,” or “God, get me through this and I swear I won’t do it again.” Who wants to be the friend that only makes contact when you need something and makes that contact at a minimum at that?

Wasting time with God is anything but a waste of time. That is what we do with the ones we love. It also gives us the opportunity to be quiet and listen. This type of prayer does not mean that all our prayers will be answered in the way we want them but carrying on this conversation with God may help us understand how God has decided to answer our prayer.


For some people an hour is way too difficult. Start with a holy half hour. Start with a holy 15 minutes! If your parish is not open to spend time with Jesus pray before a crucifix at home. Steal time! If it is absolutely impossible to do it at any other time do it on the subway ride home – do it in the bathroom – crawl up in the attic – take the dog for a walk – park your car in the park on the drive home and spend a few minutes with God. You can do it! You have done it to have some time with the one you love. Now do it with God.

You may not notice a difference after a day, a week, or maybe even a month. But one day everything will be different and you will look back and wonder at how things have changed.

But you have to start.

FIRSTS ANSWERS

Here are the answers to yesterday’s quiz:

1. Though our calendar is off it is meant to mark the years since Jesus’ birth. The reason, however, that we do not start counting the New Year on December 25th is because officially we do not have a Christmas Day. Like the Easter Octave we have a Christmas Octave; eight days on which celebrate Christmas. It is one giant celebration. The Christmas season continues afterward but the Christmas Octave which is counted as a single day is over. If you went to Mass during the Octave you would have noticed that the Gloria was sung each day, there was the Creed, and inserts for the Roman Canon. On the last day of the octave, January 1st, we begin the New Year.

2. The first saint and the only male saint whose complete set of relics were given to the Church in the United States is Saint Datian. His relics are enshrined in New York City.

3. The first and only female saint whose complete relics were given to the Church in the United States is Saint Christine. She is also the last saint whose complete relics were given to the U. S. She is enshrined in the cathedral church of the Diocese of Cleveland. The relics were presented to Archbishop Schrembs in 1928 by Pope Pius XI. Tradition says that Christina was a girl of 13 or14 who died for her faith around the year 300. She was buried in the catacombs of St. Pontianus outside Rome which catacombs were discovered in the 18th century. Along with her bones there is a vile of her blood (long turned to powder.)

4. & 5. The First United States Citizen to become a saint was St. Francis Xavior Cabrini who was born in Italy and came to the United States. The first native born citizen of the United States to become a saint was St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton, a convert from the Episcopal Church. And I made a mistake – I should have said native born citizen, not native American for as one of the commenters correctly pointed out Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha who is a native American is not canonized as of yet. For those who are interested, St. John Neumann, bishop of Philadelphia is also the first United States bishop to be canonized.

TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK CXXXVI

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND: “Absolutely every person, no matter how enmeshed in vice, ensnared by the allurements of pleasure, a captive in exile . . . fixed in mire . . . distracted by business, afflicted with sorrow . . . and counted with those who go down into hell – every soul, I say, standing thus under condemnation and without hope, has the power to turn and find it can not only breath the fresh air of the hope of mercy, but can also aspire to the nuptials of the Word.” St. Bernard of Clairvaux

QUOTE II: “Poverty does not mean perfection. It is a means to greater charity.” Fr. Zylla

IN OTHER NEWS:

We have not had a quiz in a very long time. Here is one for you entitled “Who’s On First?”

1. I like this question because it never even occurred to me to ask it before until it was mailed in recently. If we count years based on the birth of Jesus Christ, then why do we start the New Year on January 1st and not December 25th?
2. This one is hard so give yourself points if you can name any information in connection with it. Name the first saint whose complete set of relics were given to the Church in the United States by Rome?
3. Who was the first female saint (the second saint and the last time this was ever done) whose complete set of relics were given to the Church in the United States?
4. Who was the first United States citizen to be canonized?
5. Who is the first Native American to be named a saint?

IN STILL OTHER NEWS:

My cousin sent this 4 minute song in for Christmas.


P. sent a couple of Christmas videos in:




IN YET STILL OTHER NEWS:

Are you interested in holy cards? A.M. sent this site in called Saints Unlimited. If you are interested in collecting holy cards this site is for you.

MONDAY DIARY: THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS

The reason I do not choose colors for painting a room is because things look much better in my head than they do in reality. There is a definite difference between how the world “looks” in my head than it does in reality. This story is an example of how this is true.

I came in from taking Sebastian from his morning walk. It was a beautiful winter day with lots of snow. Not just any kind of snow mind you, but great, thick packing snow. Sebastian got his morning treat and I my breakfast and we settled into the breakfast room. Fr. Pfeiffer was there reading the morning Diversions and made comment about one of the comics concerning some kids who got into their mother’s closet and used her clothes to dress their snowmen – er – make that snowwomen.

“Hey,” I said, “we have that old, tiny cassock downstairs. Why don’t we make a snowpriest?”

What a hoot it seemed it would be; our snowpriest standing in front of the rectory welcoming visitors and giving his benediction to passers by. So we dressed warmly, grabbed the cassock and Sebastian and went outside.

Slowly we built up the snow man. We couldn’t just roll giant snow balls because then it would be too fat to the cassock around. But the snow was perfect packing snow and we were able to build up a thin enough snow man to get its robes on. A head was stuck on top using left over, old, rock-hard brownies for eyes and nose. Branches acted as arms and held up the sleeves. Fr. P donated a hat. Fr. Snowman was done! We took a few steps back and said, “Well . . . hmmm . . . looks kind of creepy.”

A lady stopped us after Mass later in the day. “Um,” she began cautiously, “Did you build a snowman in your front yard?”

“Why yes. Yes we did.”

“It kind of looks like a witch. It kind of creeped me out.”

St. Sebastian rectory now has a bare, skinny pile of snow sticking up in front of the rectory.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May it be a year of blessings for you!

Hey Australia - Hope you enjoyed sleeping while we got to go to Mass today!

Pride cometh before the fall.

(Just looked at the post again - the above sentence is about the video - not Australians)

The Shelf - Short Film - watch more funny videos

If you can't view this video go here.

I LOVE YOU. WOULD YOU MIND CHANGING?

When I was ordained my cousin handed me a cook book in wrapping paper and said, “You are now becoming a public figure. The only place people will not have a say in what you do is in the WC and the kitchen. Learn how to cook.”

She was not entirely correct. There is always someone around giving input in kitchen affairs.

But in general she was a prophetess. Not the least of which is in the manner of dress. Priests can be just as caddy as anybody else especially when it comes to liturgical dress and I am just as guilty as anyone. “Are you going to wear THAT for the celebration of the Holy Mass?” I might say to someone about to go out into the sanctuary donned in what I would determine to be emasculating at best and slightly heretical at worse. (N.B. There is a bit of hyperbole here.)

The sword cuts both ways. A visiting priest began saying something about my choice of wearing a cincture – a lecture I have been given way too many times and I am afraid I might have been a little snarky in my cutting off of any further utterances on the matter. (I do defend myself in that if someone had something new and intelligent to say on the matter I might entertain the conversation if my pride radar were down and God gave me some extra grace.)

But how a priest is dressed is not limited to other priests. The way a cleric clothes his body is open to considerable debate. I have been witness to priests being asked to dress in a more obviously clerical manner and have been invited out on a number of occasions and told to “be more comfortable” and not wear anything black. By “be more comfortable” I assume they mean for themselves as I am perfectly comfortable dressed in clerics. As long as I don’t look down I don’t even know the difference.

When I was a kid I remember someone writing to Ann Landers asking her how to gently tell a priest that the way he was dressing at the golf course was embarrassing. Used to only wearing black (how wrong can you go with that?) priests were showing up at the golf course dressed in horridly clashing plaids.

Now this attention to dress might be a cause of consternation for some priestly types. Indeed I have heard some declare, “How dare h/s tell ME how do dress! I don’t give h/h fashion notes!” But I offer a point to ponder. Take the clerical fashion police with a kind heart. It is great that such a person has such a great interest in you and more importantly in the priesthood.

It would be a far worse thing if others didn’t care what we wore at all!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

New Year's Day is a Holy Day of obligation.

Mary, Mother of God

Masses at St. Sebastian are: 6PM (vigil) 9AM & 7PM

Tell your friends!

Check your local listings for a Mass near you!

PASS THIS INFORMATION ALONG

The sacrament of confession is far from dead and its salvation oddly enough is high tech. No, you cannot Email your confession to your local parish and receive absolution by a return receipt. It is because our computers allow so many to sin “secretly” and in such ways that Christians are embarrassed to talk about it or seek help. So for the average Christian who has a conscience for such things but who is none-the-less addicted there is little help outside of prayer. At least for the Catholic, there is the sacrament of confession that is anonymous, the content of which can never be repeated, and help can be sought. And there is more! The following was put together by Bishop Robert Flynn:

A PRAYER IN A TIME OF TEMPTATION ~ Based on Hebrews 4:14-16
Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, you were tempted in every way we are and yet never sinned. Take me to the throne of Your grace to receive mercy, favor and help. Make me aware of Your presence. Strengthen me in my weakness.

Lead me through the temptations of this life to the love you share with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER OVER A NEW COMPUTER
Loving God and Father, source of all good and knowledge, we praise you for your loving kindness shown to us through your Son Jesus Christ who became flesh and dwelt among us and through your Holy Spirit poured forth into our hearts. Grant that this new computer may be used in service to you and all truth. May it be an instrument that serves to lift up and not to tear down. May pornography, hatred or any other such evil never appear on this screen. May I and all who use this computer do so with purity of heart and free from all evil. May my work on this computer serve to glorify your name and build up your kingdom. Lead us through this life to share in the perfect love and joy you share with Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

ANIMA CHRISTI (Soul of Christ)
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water flowing from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus hear me, in your wounds hide me
and never permit me to be separated from you.
From the evil enemy, defend me
In the hour of my death call me, and grant me to come to you
that with your saints I may praise you for ever and ever. Amen.


MEMORARE
Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary,
That never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee O Virgin of virgins, my mother.
To thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions
But in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

From the LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH
Joseph, chaste and just …
Joseph, prudent and brave …
Joseph, obedient and loyal …
Terror of evil spirits …
Protector of the Church, … Pray for us!
Almighty God, in your infinite wisdom and love
you chose Joseph to be the husband of Mary, the mother of Your Son.
As we enjoy his protection on earth, may we have the help of his prayers in heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL
St. Michael the Archangel , defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by divine power thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

PRAYER TO MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
Angel of God, my guardian dear; to whom God’s love commends me here: Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

A FEW RESOURCES

On-Line Resources

www.dads.org/strugglewithporn.asp is Steve Wood’s catholic website of St. Joseph Covenant keepers.

http://www.pornnomore.com/ is a Catholic site that includes information, prayers, witness talks and many other helpful resources.

http://www.porn-free.org/ is a similar Christian site with many resources.

http://www.nationalcoalition.org/ is the site for the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families. In addition to fighting pornography this organization does much to promote decency and family life.

http://www.freedomeveryday.org/ is sponsored by L.I.F.E. Ministries (Living in Freedom Everyday).

http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/ is a Christian based ministry addressing a number of addictions. Its resources are available in several languages.

http://www.cyberwidows.tripod.com/ is a resource for women whose husbands have problems with pornography. The information here would also be helpful for a husband whose wife is struggling with pornography.

http://www.obscenitycrimes.org/index.php not only has resources about pornography but includes information about fighting indecency.

http://www.sa.org/ is the web site for Sexaholics Anonymous. It shares information and Twelve Step Spirituality for those struggling with sexual addiction.

http://www.blogger.com/www.isafe.org is a site for internet safety and education.

http://www.filterreview.com/ provides a description and customer rating of different internet filters. It is a good single source to learn about many different products.

http://www.covenanteyes.com/ is not a filter but an accountability service. Users will designate two other individuals who will periodically receive reports of all the sites the user has visited. This can work well in conjunction with a filter.

www.archstl.org/prayer is a prayer resource sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. You may type in a request and eight communities of cloistered nuns will pray for your intentions.

Support and Counseling Services

The National Coalition has a toll-free service line at 1-800-583-2964. It is a resource both for those who struggle with pornography as well as for pastors and counselors. Phones are answered Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.

Reading

The Truth and meaning of Human Sexuality. Pontifical Council for the Family, 1995.
Married Love and the Gift of Life. Pro-Life Secretariat , United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Nov. 14, 2006 .

Many of the above listed web sites will list books that can be helpful. One short but helpful booklet is Breaking Free: 12 Steps to Sexual Purity for Men. It is by Stephen Wood and published by Family Life Center Publications. http://www.familylifecenter.net/

For other reading material regarding a Catholic understanding of human sexuality see Love and Responsibility by Karol Wojtyla and Theology of the Body by Pope John Paul II. The former is a more philosophical work while the latter is much more theological. Some popular secondary sources for these are: Theology of the Body for Beginners and Theology of the Body Explained both by Christopher West and Men and Women are From Eden by Mary Healy.

In 2002 the Pontifical Council for Social Communications issued two documents entitled “The Church and Internet” and “Ethics in Internet.” In 1989 the same council issued a document entitled, “Pornography and Violence in the Communications Media: A Pastoral Response.” These documents may be accessed at http://www.vatican.va/

In 1998 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a document entitled, “Renewing the Mind of the Media” and in 2000 another document entitled, “Your Family and Cyberspace.” Copies may be ordered by calling 1-800-235-8722.

Thanks to Fr. Martin Conner L.C. for sending in this information and to Bishop Robert Finn for pulling this information together.

TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK CXXXV

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND: “. . . Without denying the importance of these hot-button issues, their centrality in day-to-day Catholic life is often exaggerated. In truth, a good deal of the most creative energy in the Church comes from individuals and groups least invested in internal debates, whether one would conventionally describe these circles as liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between. To take just one example, the Community of Sant’Egidio has to rank among today’s most effective actors in the Catholic stage through its promotion of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, conflict resolution, poverty relief, and opposition to the death penalty. The community takes no position, however, on matters such as gay marriage or clerical celibacy.” from John Allen’s book, “The Future Church”

QUOTE II: “We make our friends; we make our enemies; but God makes our next door neighbor.” G. K. Chesterton

IN OTHER NEWS:

I hadn’t the slightest idea! Did you know there is talk about a movement for the canonization of our friend Gilbert!? And the Beacon Journal reported today that nothing good came from 2009! HA!

Adoro is getting a new dog! I told her she needs to have a caption contest for this picture!
If you want to listen to some good music Russell sent this video in. We sang it when I was in the seminary. What a great memory.



The Diocese of Cleveland Enewsletter sends this link to our bishop's Christmas message.

Neven sent this Email: "I am happy to share that I am now a Postulant of the Basilian Salvatorian Order, of the Catholic Byzantine Rite - located in Methuen, Massachusetts (as of October 3rd of this year.) Praise God!" Anyway, apparently he also a musician and invites you to listen to snippets of his work here.

Would you like to see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher but do not have the funds at the moment to pop over and see it? Jim sends in this site where you can take 360 degree views of it. It's kind of fun. Give it a shot.

Russell also sent in this one and a half minute video of pure sugar entitled Ukulele Boy.

I don't really understand Wiis not having any experience with one though it seems everyone else in the known universe has. Apparently you can make up avatars. M. W. sent this one that his kids did known as Fr. V. ROFL. I love it - er - I love Jesus - I really like it.

MONDAY DIARY: NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING? mUST NOT HAVE BEEN A CATHOLIC CREATURE

This second Christmas at Saint Sebastian was quite a treat. After a year and half the parish and I seem to be getting used to each other. It also helped having a parochial vicar to help carry the load. It is one thing to have a priest come in to take a Mass, it is quite another to have one help you with all of the preparations too! So ready were we that I had time to do things that usually get thrown off the list for want of time – even to shining my shoes.

The confessions the night before went about an hour longer than we had anticipated. Even with three priests it took us that long to provide the sacrament for everybody. Christmas Eve started with morning Mass – one of the few in the area. Fr. Pfeiffer was the celebrant but I was up and wired already and so I concelebrated. There was a surprising turn out for this too.

The rest of the day was spent preparing the church, having rehearsals, and making last minute tweaks on homilies. By three o’clock there was already a respectable crowd for the 4 o’clock Mass. Behind the scenes we began preparing for the Mass: organizing ministers, getting all of the vessels and books ready, making sure seating was provided in the sanctuary, coordinating vestments, setting out the homily, making last minute notes to servers, finally saying a prayer and heading to the back of the church for the procession. At that point it is just time to trust that everyone has their roles down and everything will be taken care of since you have little control over anything at that point anyway.

At the back of the church the procession is organized and incense is placed in the thurible and blessed. The deacon with an atomic wristwatch signals the organist that it is exactly and precisely 4:00! The announcement of the opening hymn is made and we process down the aisle.

This will happen two more times that night alone. There is a short break after this Mass and the whole process starts over again. After that Mass there is time to eat dinner, take a break, and try to relax. But soon enough it is time to rouse oneself up again for the midnight hour quickly approaches. Midnight Mass is the crowning jewel of our Christmas celebrations of which Cecil B. DeMill would have been proud.

When it is all done and the lingerers left and the church was darkened we wandered through the church by the light of the Christmas trees locking doors and putting hymnals and kneelers in their upright and locked position. Back in the rectory we try to relax and recount the pageantry and praise of the day. Then it was time to go to bed. The rest of the morning Masses were starting in a few hours.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

Here is the Christmas Eve Children's homily:

Twas the vigil for Christmas and all through the rectory
The priest types were stirring, Frs. Valencheck, Pfeiffer, and Swirski
The altar was set – candles lit with care
In hopes the Babe Jesus soon would be there.

The children all gathered way up in the loft
Silent Night they sang so sweetly and soft
Mrs. Frey at the organ; the deacon was dressed
A server rang the bell to start 4 o’clock Mass.

When through the stained glass there came such a light
I ran outside to see what lit up the night
Out to Mull Avenue I ran at a dash
And a saw a great star twinkle and flash

The star on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave luster of mid-day to objects below
Then what to my wondering eyes should appear
But shepherds and angles with news of good cheer

There was a new Babe who left all so awed
I knew in a moment twas the Son of God
Angles announced each one who came
They sang and they trumpeted and called each one by name.

Hail Mary! Oh Joseph! Come sages with boxes!
Here’s shepherds with sheepses and asses and oxes!
From the height of the sky they announced God’s birth,
“To God be all glory – to men peace on earth!”

It was hard to believe as hard as I’d try
The shepherds on the lawn – the star in the sky
It was right out those doors – I know it is true
The manger is out there on Mull Avenue

The camels will help us and give us some proof
In the snow are their pawings of each giant hoof.
The kings coming forward dressed in crowns and fur
Left presents of frankincense, bright gold, and myrrh.

The Baby was wrapped from head to foot
In the swaddling clothes in which He was put
There were no toys no crib for His head
But a feed stall in which ox and asses are fed

Yet how joyous it was and how so merry
No one was nervous, confused, or wary
The history of Man was changing now
As before the New Born we did bow.

He moved not an inch nor word from Him broke
But filled our hearts with wonder and hope
We knew this child was destined to be
The Messiah who came to set all men free.

The most important thing to remember and I’ll say it in prose
About this Jesus Who from David’s line arose

Is to remember that this day is not about anything
But about a person
Jesus – our Savoir – Who was born this day.
And from all that He has done for us
He wants only one thing from you –
And that is that you develop a friendship with Him.
And there is only one way to do that
Prayer – Every day. All the time.
And to come to the sacraments.
That is the best present you can give Jesus Who gives you so much.

Well . . .

Then the Church bells rang it was time to start Mass
The manger’s still out there – the vision will last
And the message He gave ‘neath that star so bright:
“A Blessed Christmas to all on this Holy Night.”

Here are couple more vidoes recently sent in:

This one is from Tim: (If not for the performers would there have been anyone there?)


And one more from P.

GRACE AINT CHEAP

GUEST BLOGGER TODAY! THANK YOU CK FOR GIVING ME A DAY OFF OF BLOGGING DURING THESE BUSY DAYS. IT IS A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT.

I’ll never understand those types of people who want supernatural signs from God. I’m with the Blessed Mother on this one: if you see and angel, the proper reaction is fear! What could a supernatural experience from God mean except that He’s got important work for you to do and it’s going to cost you.

Grace can’t be bought, but it appears that it still needs to be paid for. When you look at the lives of St. Bernadette, St. Pio, St. Faustina, or the children of Fatima you see how much their special graces cost them. Every one of them knew poverty, abuse, rejection, illness, and darkness of soul. And that is in addition to the prayer, penance, and work that they voluntarily took on.

Everyone has those long stretches of suffering in life: a family member is sick or self-destructive, we are spiritually desolate, we are rejected by our peers, a big sin won’t stop tempting us, or we are physically or mentally ill. It is only when I have emerged from the end of such tunnels that I realized how much grace was bought with these sufferings.

In hindsight I can see the precious fruits of such pain. Rejection gives us humility to use our gifts to console others who suffer rather than to puff up our own egos. Our traumas toughen our spiritual muscles to help lift the heavy crosses of others that would make the less initiated turn away in fear. When we experience pain or ignorance firsthand, God tattoos His lessons on our hearts in a way that no amount of study could teach us. God has personally taught me spiritual empathy, the meaning of sin, and the power of the rosary, but only at the end of many years of pulling my hair out and crying, “Why me?!”

I remember someone speculating that the reason Jesus emitted a groan when He healed someone was because he was engaging in some redemptive suffering right on the spot. If someone comes to me with a terrible problem and I do what I can to comfort the person, I am shocked at the number of times that the person says, “Wow, I feel so much better!”, but I end up depressed for a couple days. It’s like that grace is being paid for.

I always try to remember that God is not a divine vending machine. If I have an intention, I try to remember that I have to put my heart into that request. I have to invest the prayer and sacrifice, or even have to bear whatever involuntary sufferings he has in store for me. My personally experience has always been that God surpasses all expectations in generosity.

IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS

Here is a Christmas present suggestion.

You will not to whom you give it.

The person you give it to will not know that they are getting it.

But you and they will benefit from it.

The first is to determine who will receive you gift. Who do you wish to have in your life? A spiritual director? A new friend? A girl or boy friend? Start praying for them especially if you do not know who the person may be as of yet.

Pray to God that such a person might come into your life and then offer a prayer for that person. Maybe even pray that you will readily recognize this person when he or she appears.

That way when you meet and a relationship starts you can say, “I’ve been praying for you for a long time already.”