February 20 – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today in parishes throughout the Diocese of Joliet the Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA) is announced.  The theme of this year’s appeal is “Devoted to the works of the Lord.” This appeal funds the many ministries coordinated by the Diocese of Joliet that serve 545,000 Catholics through all our parishes in the seven county Diocese of Joliet as well as the administrative offices that are necessary to operate as a Diocese.  The works of the Lord enabled by your support of the CMAA include the many services available to those in need through Catholic Charities – like the mobile food pantry that we host monthly at OLM as well as other sites throughout the Diocese.  Over 19,000 nights of shelter and housing are provide to the homeless.  The Appeal helps fund Young Adult and Youth Ministry programs that serve approximately 25,500 of our youth and young adults.  The Diocesan Religious Education office provides oversight, guidance, support, training and services for our Directors of family evangelization and catechesis, Mary Jo and Dave. Funds from the CMAA also provide the funding to educate the future priests who will serve our parishes.  Right now, there are 26 seminarians being educated for priestly service in our diocese.  The CMAA also provide funding for our Diocesan Catholic Schools Office, which provides oversight, assistance and direction to the 51 elementary/high schools educating over 16,000 students in our Diocese.  Most importantly, by supporting the annual CMAA, you support the local Church.  We are all members of our parish and the Universal Church, which we support financially.  The Diocese of Joliet is our Local Church, which also needs your financial support.

Once again this year, I ask your support for the CMAA.  Our parish goal this year is $152,000.    Every year that I have been pastor of OLM, we have not only met our parish goal, but surpassed it and have received a rebate check from the Diocese.  Our rebate for last year’s appeal was $12,500.  This is my last time as a pastor to make an appeal for you to support the annual CMAA of the Diocese.  Wouldn’t it be nice to go over the goal again and provide the new pastor with some extra funds for ministry at OLM!

May I also ask for your prayerful support as I navigate my new cancer diagnosis.  As I shared with you last weekend at Mass, the kidney cancer I had six years ago, has returned and spread to my lungs.

Have a blessed week!

Father Don

February 13 – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

With retirement 136 days away, I have to start thinking about moving – again!  This will be the 8^th move in forty one years!  I am often frustrated by the amount of possessions I have accumulated over the years.  It is not only the things I have collected over the forty years of my priesthood, but also the things I brought with me each move.  When going through boxes, I find things that were once important and now have no meaning, or at least I have forgotten the meaning.  I must wonder why it was so special and why I felt the need to save it.  Once I have determined that I no longer want or need the object, I struggle with what to do next.  Were there times when those possessions came between me and God.  Now, over the years, I have received many religious nick-knacks as gifts from well-intentioned parishioners.  However, with a collection of 40 years I could easily open a religious good store! Of course, these religious items have enhanced my devotional and prayer life.  Psychologist Carl Jung said, “What is a normal goal to a young person becomes a neurotic hindrance in old age.”

In Luke’s gospel of the “beatitudes” today, we are reminded of our moral obligation to care for the marginalized.  We are taught that sin is when we make choices that separate us from God.  Hoarding wealth and ignoring the needs of those less fortunate also separates us from God.  Jesus makes it quite clear that it may keep us out of the kingdom.  He calls out the rich and preaches that they have received their kingdom on earth.  In their world, that have no need for God’s mercy because their needs are already being met by the “good life.”

But the psalmist reminds us that we can prosper if we chose to live a just life.  The rich are not locked out but must let their roots spread to others in kindness and generosity.  They can make a choice to hoard their wealth as the poor struggle to survive, or they can bear fruit and share with others.

So what shall I do with the over-abundance of possession that can hinder my relationship with God?  I must share them, donate them, or give them away freely so that others may use them.  The comfort we seek is found in the kingdom of God, not in wealth or possessions!  So, watch for our youth ministry garage sale this summer – several of my treasures just might end up there!

Have a blessed week!

Father Don

February 6 – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

There are many popular fishing shows on television and cable – “Deadliest Catch” and “Wicked Tuna” just to name a couple.  Many people enjoy fishing as a recreational hobby.  Just ask Fr. James to show you a picture of himself and the fish he caught while on vacation in Florida.  While fishing isn’t as widespread a career as it once was, “catching people” is a well-defined science.  Otherwise known as advertising, this art form is designed to hook consumers and take their money, their time and their energy.  Once caught, the consumers serve the advertisers’ goal.  Everyone is together in one net.  How many can’t resist the urge to get the latest upgrade of their wireless phone!

In today’s readings, Isiah, Peter and Paul demonstrate the moral character necessary to become “fishers of men (people).”  These wise men of God are brought to their knees by an encounter with the Divine.  Isaiah, Peter and Paul fish for people because God has first caught them.  Divine light reveals their unworthiness, and they respond appropriately.  “Woe is me,” exclaims Isaiah.  “I am a man of unclean lips.”  In the longer version of today’s second reading, Paul says that he is “the least of the apostles” and “unfit.”  Peter tells Jesus to leave him, “for I am a sinful man.”  But if you wish to be caught by God or to go fishing on God’s behalf, acknowledging your unworthiness is key.  Once Isaiah has announced his unworthiness, his unclean lips are cleansed; his guilt and sin are blotted out.  Once Peter is on his knees, he is ready to fish for people.  St. Paul says it best:  “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

Today’s readings invite us to become an advertisement for God.  Unlike our glossy counterparts in the secular world, we shine from within.  Hallowed out by unworthiness, we stand worthy.  Our brightness has nothing to do with color or design, money or power.  Our salvation history, our journey with the Divine attracts others.  This is our calling.

Peter left everything and followed Jesus.  We are to do the same.  Having a relationship with the Divine is not reserved for prophets and saints.  God wishes to connect with each of us.  Our stories may not be as dramatic as the biblical ones recounted today, but each of us has a unique salvation history.  Are we attentive to the way God moves in our lives?  Do we recognize our unworthiness and thereby become worthy?  Once caught and in communication with the Divine, we are each called to be a witness – an advertisement.  Our response needs to be clear concise and certain.  Five words suffice:  “Here I am. Send me.”

Have a blessed week!

Father Don

January 30 – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

If a survey were to be done about the most beloved or most used passages from Paul’s writing, the selection we heard today would win hands down.  A frequent choice for weddings, people often refer to it as Paul’s hymn to love.  Despite the way many interpret it today, Paul probably wrote this passage to critique the Corinthians and their cherished spiritual gifts.  He was elaborating on the idea that they had turned genuine religiosity inside out and made it a charade by doing what they did without love.  Paul is not criticizing the various gifts people in the community have received.  Gifts come from the Spirit – they are good in origin.  But unless the gifts are expressions and extensions of love, they are being perverted, and the people who exercise them are making themselves irrelevant at best or even enemies of the Christian cause at worst.

Pope Francis has called the whole church – the people of God – to use their gifts in loving service.  To this end, Pope Francis has convoked the Church of God in Synod.  Pope Francis has called the global Church to an extensive connection and intentional “listen tour” on the parish level and beyond, to get direct feedback and hear from the people who make up the church communities.

The aim of the Synod is to discern how we are “living the faith” and how, we as a Church, are achieving this together.  Synod is an ancient word in the Tradition of the Church whose meaning indicates the path along which the People of God walk together.  A fundamental aspect of the Synodal Process is to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church and by answering one fundamental question:  “How does this ‘journeying together’ take place today on different levels, allowing the Church to proclaim the Gospel and what steps is the Spirit inviting us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church. The Synod is not about problem solving, but about listening to each other and to the Holy Spirit.

We seek your input through an online questionnaire or by attending one of three in-person listening sessions.  These sessions are on: Saturday, February 5^th from 1:30pm – 3:30pm; Monday, February 7^th from 9:00am to 11:00am; Tuesday, February 8^th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm.  Please register online to attend one of these sessions.

It is important to remember that the point of this process is the dialogue itself, rather than any consensus or written conclusions.  Perhaps discussion will inspire the formation of a new ministry or a new approach to existing ministries.  These conversations may inspire a new way of thinking, act as an opportunity to hear new voices, or invite further discussion that extends far beyond the synod.  Come, voice your gift!

Have a blessed week!

Father Don

January 16, 2022 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

What was your New Year’s resolution(s)?  Deepen your spiritual life and relationship with God? Don’t get upset so easily?  Be more patient?  Stop smoking?  Eat more healthily?  Exercise and lose weight?  In case you haven’t made one yet, here is a resolution that could have a profound effect on the quality of your life… How about making a resolution to live from your strengths?

One of the splendors of creation is the extraordinary variety of life.  Every form of life has its unique role to play in God’s plan.  The great oaks, daffodils, elephants, canaries, dolphins and sharks each have their own design and purpose.  They achieve their destinies by being just what they are, and functioning according to the nature of their species.  However, human beings go one step better!  We differ from plants and animals, not only because we are of a different species, but because each one of us is unique – almost an individual species in ourself.  There is nobody else in the world exactly like us, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be.  It follows, therefore, that we will achieve our destiny by being just what we are, and functioning according to our uniqueness.

One of the most important steps we make in living effectively is to understand and respect our uniqueness.  Each of us has our own life to unfold and our own destiny to accomplish.  God has a plan, specific for each of us as individuals, to manifest God’s glory.  But accepting our uniqueness, with all that it implies, is not easy.  Many people don’t like themselves.  Millions are not happy with who they are or what they have.  It is unfortunate that many people spend their lives wallowing in envy of others.  Rather than accomplishing our own purposes, we waste time and energy complaining about our supposed deficiencies, and wishing we had someone else’s looks, personalities, talents, social advantages, and financial means.

All that we need to be happy and fulfilled in life we already have.  In his powerful letter to the Corinthians, Paul makes it clear that each of us possesses unique talents and gifts.  No one has exactly the same endowments and we have no right to expect it to be otherwise.  We must stop looking outside ourselves for reasons to be happy and successful.  All that we need is already within.  Each of us must discover what we have to offer to leave our mark on this world.  We need to keep in mind that God doesn’t make comparisons and neither should we.  In God’s eyes, no one is more appealing, more talented, more beautiful, or more perfect.  When we are unique, we are already perfect!  Because there really is no one else like us, there is no need for comparisons.  We need to see as God sees!

Have a blessed week!

Father Don