18 Days and Counting

As I write this, my son and daughter-in-law are anticipating the birth of their first child, a girl.  Naturally they’re excited, as am I.  I’ve crocheted 2 blankets for the baby and I’ve done plenty of shopping.  We touch base regularly after she visits the doctor.  “How’s the baby? How much does the doctor think she weighs?  How are you feeling?”  The baby is due November 26 but the doctor said the baby will probably come sooner. I keep checking the calendar:  18 days and counting. . .   I’ve reminded my son at least twice in the past week or so:  Make sure you call me when you leave for the hospital. Don’t forget.

The first Sunday of Advent is right around the corner.  We are all aware that it is a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus.  But how many of us get really excited about this brief season of the liturgical calendar?  How many of us feel the excitement that I’m feeling over the impending birth of my first granddaughter?  Granted, the birth of a baby generates excitement for most people. Shouldn’t the birth of our Lord and Savior also generate excitement and anticipation?  I know we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, baking and the busy-ness of the season. Yet in the midst of our preparations are we feeling an element of joy and excitement as we think about the coming birth of Jesus or are we simply going through the paces so we can get it over and done with? 

This Advent, let’s take a deep breath and relax.  Christmas will come and go whether we bake 10 kinds of cookies or 2 kinds.  Christ’s birth will be celebrated regardless of how many gifts we can afford.  Take the time to gather with family and friends and celebrate the real reason for the season. The King is coming!  

By Judy Michaud

Breaking into the Ordinary

I just returned from ten amazing days in the Holy Land.  What an incredible blessing to walk in the places where Jesus Himself walked and pray in the places where He and his apostles prayed and kneel at the site where Redemption was won for the entire world.  It certainly makes the mysteries of our faith such as the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection come to life in a whole new way!  I’m overwhelmed with gratitude when I reflect upon all that I was blessed to experience.  A verse from the Gospel of Matthew has continued to resonate in the few weeks I’ve been back.   “Many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it and hear what you hear but did not hear it” (Matthew 13:17).  My life will never be the same because of all that I was blessed to see, hear, and experience in those ten days.

I was struck by so many things during my time in Israel that I think it’s going to take my whole life to contemplate and process all that I saw and experienced, but one of the very first things that struck me most was the ordinary-ness of the region of Galilee.  During the first half of our trip we stayed in Tiberias, literally right on western shore of the Sea of Galilee.  As I gazed across the sea in the days we were there, I was so struck by the fact that God entered human time and history in a very real, very tangible, very ordinary place.  There’s really nothing too astounding about the region of Galilee in Israel.  The Sea is certainly beautiful and surrounded by very unique desert-like mountains, but it is a very real place.  Standing there, I could just see Peter and the other apostles going about their daily work.  Seeing the physical places where Jesus worked miracles and called his disciples to follow him caused me to imagine what that would have been like for them.  What was it about Jesus that drew them to him?  What caused them to abandon all else to follow him?  How was it that he rocked their world?  Did they recognize that something was different about him?  Did they know that God was walking in their midst? 

There’s something so beautiful about this reality that God chose to enter time and history in a very simple, ordinary place.  It certainly shows the humility of our God and the simplicity with which he comes.  But it doesn’t stop there.  It points to the intimacy of the relationship he desires to have with each one of us.  Just as God touched down to human history in the womb of a virgin in a little place called Nazareth in the region of Galilee, so too does he desire to touch down into our lives in the ordinary circumstances we find ourselves in day after day.  He wants to break into human history each and every day by breaking into our hearts, by breaking into our lives.  And He often does so in very real, very ordinary ways.  I’m sure that there were many people living in Galilee at the time who did not let Jesus affect their lives, many who were either too busy to notice, or too cautious to care.  And some who simply did not recognize that God was walking in their midst.  How often do we fail to recognize the very simple, very ordinary ways that God comes to us, that he touches down to earth, hoping to break into our lives and into our hearts?  Let us not be like those who failed to notice, but rather let us be like the apostles whose lives became radically different when God broke into their lives, who in the midst of their ordinary lives were so drawn to him and to his presence in their midst that they abandoned all to follow him!



By Sarah Houde

Fraught with Danger?

In a couple of weeks, on the First Sunday of Advent, Catholic Churches in English-speaking countries will begin to use the New Roman Missal.  This impending change in the translation of the prayers at Mass has received much attention and  the efforts to prepare the faithful have been fairly comprehensive. Websites, articles, books and trainings have been numerous and easily available to priests, lay leaders and the laity alike.

Last spring I attended one such training outside of my diocese.  It was, overall, fairly informative and hope-filled....until one speaker offered some concern about the new words that would be recited by the faithful.  The presenter opined that phrases like “through my fault, through my fault, through my own grievous fault” and the words “incarnation” and “consubstantial” were, and I quote, “fraught with danger.”

I am certain that this individual was well-intentioned and concerned that all those who are responsible for teaching the faith consider the importance of catechizing our children properly about the changes, but I still found the choice of words to be inconsistent with what should be seen as a blessed opportunity to teach or re-teach about the Mass and the Eucharist. In fact this is a hope-filled opportunity to move into a new chapter of teaching about the beauty of the Mass and the Eucharist - “the source and summit of the Christian life.”

In many ways our children and youth will be models of embracing these changes and appreciating the beauty of the words that will be heard, recited and sung.  At a recent retreat my office facilitated the nearly 300 youth and young adults who were gathered gave a standing ovation after two of our diocesan priests chanted the new “Gloria.” Rather than be worried about the “danger” that is supposedly lurking behind the “new” words  we should focus on simply getting our children and young people to Mass so that they can experience the richness of our faith and be nourished by the Word of God and Jesus’ Body and Blood.

It is my hope that parishes (and parents) will embrace this opportunity with passion and conviction. It is my hope that they offer ample opportunities in the months and years ahead, for all age groups, to help them grow in their knowledge and experience of the Mass. It is my hope that through these efforts a new generation of saints will fall in love with the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Because in the end not teaching about the Mass and Eucharist is what is truly “fraught with danger.”

By Michael Lavigne

P.S.  Our office has created a page at our website to highlight programs, videos, and other resources which can be used to supplement a parish’s catechetical efforts in teaching about the Mass and the Eucharist.  You can access this page at www.olffmaine.com/newromanmissalcatechesis

UPDATE: Another Miracle of Life

Back in September I wrote a post about my soon to be born daughter and the world in which she would grow up.  I am happy announce that our latest miracle of life, Julia Rose, was born on October 27.  Both mother and daughter are doing well and being enjoyed by the rest of the family!

Welcome to our world Julia.

 

By Michael Lavigne

On Being Judgemental

Recently I was having a conversation with a friend who was questioning my belief in moral absolutes. I quickly realized that he was confusing the judgment of a person with the judgment of an action. Upon further reaction, I thought of the many times I’ve been accused of being judgmental for my moral beliefs. However, people often fail to realize that a person can view certain actions to be wrong while still having compassion for people who choose these actions. As a canon lawyer, I frequently take calls from people angry about the Church because they feel the Church has no right to make moral judgments.

For example, the Church’s position against abortion is well known. What is unknown is the Church’s compassion and care for women who have undergone abortion. Think about it: Abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood do not offer support services for women who are struggling with the often devastating after effects of an abortion, which are extremely common (see this recent study: http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/199/3/180.abstract). Yet the Catholic Church offers caring and compassionate services to women who have had abortions such as counseling, retreats, and the Project Rachel program, not to mention the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Why? Because the Church recognizes the difference between the objective wrong that is abortion and the women who undergo abortions, and realizes the need to help women who have been through such an ordeal. Instead of punishing people who have taken an action we judge as wrong, the Church strives to help these women heal.

The same is true for another controversial issue: same-sex marriage. Recently Governor Cuomo of New York said that the only argument opponents of same-sex marriage have is “I want to discriminate against gay people,” and called opponents “anti-American.” This represents the same line of thinking: people who are opposed to same-sex marriage must judge and hate people who are gay. It completely overlooks the repeated message of the Catholic Church (along with many other faiths) that all people are made in the image of God, and as such, have an inestimable worth and dignity.

We live in a society where no one wants to be labeled “judgmental” and people are afraid of pushing their morality on another. I believe the only way to proceed in this culture is to hold fast to our beliefs, and let our actions toward people speak the truth of our deep respect for all people. For all the angry calls I receive in my work for the Tribunal, I occasionally am blessed to receive one from someone crying with gratitude at the healing, reconciliation, and grace they have received as a result of our work. These people were able to realize that the Church was not looking to place judgment or blame on them, but rather seeking to heal them of past wounds and move forward secure in the knowledge that the Church is merciful.

By Shannon Fossett, J.C.L.

Shannon is a Canonist for the Diocese of Portland.

It's the Little Things

We can easily say “I am a Christian” and sometimes it’s even easy to behave as a Christian: when we team or attend a retreat when we attend Mass, when we volunteer in the parish, etc.  These are times and places when it is easy to put on the mind of Christ.  But this is not the where we live and where we live is where the challenge is.  We live in and are exposed to places and situations that constantly bombard us with messages and behaviors that are contrary to Christ’s teachings.  Without pausing to think about it, I’m sure we can all name a couple of people who claim to be Christians but whose lives do not reflect that.   However, I want to challenge you to think about YOU and the areas in your life that may not exemplify Christ. 

Immediately our minds turn to the BIG things:  I’m faithful to my spouse; I go to Church once a week, sometimes more; I don’t swear; I volunteer; I haven’t committed murder; I’m not a thief, etc. Great!  That’s all great, no doubt about it.  But let’s look at the details, the little things of our lives that may speak loudest.  After all that is what St. Therese of the Child Jesus did.  She worked on the details of the picture more than the big picture itself.

Do we give our spouse and children the same courtesy and respect that we would give others such as please/thank-you or excuse me?  We would do that much for strangers, why not our family?  What about our language?  Do we clean up our language when we’re in public but resort to more colorful words with close friends/family? As Christians, we should not have one behavior at home and one out in the world.  We need to do our best to be Christian in our thoughts/words/actions all the time, everywhere.

Are we good stewards of what God has given us?  Do we waste food? Do we recycle?  Do we hoard the clothes that we no longer wear or worse yet, do we throw them out? Are we respectful of our property and the property of others? You’re getting a new set of dishes.  What do you do with the old one? Do you throw it away, store it, or do you donate it to the battered women’s shelter, the food kitchen, Good Will? Do we spend our money wisely? Are we honest in our treatment of others, even when no one else would know?  You have a second job (or your wife or teenager) but are paid under the table so it doesn’t have to be reported on your income tax.  The clerk at the store gave you change for a twenty but you gave her a ten.  We would be quick to point it out if she gave you too little change, but too much change? Would you even have to think about it before saying anything?

Do we place conditions on our commitment to Christ?  I’ll work at the food kitchen/pantry if it rains;  I’ll visit the sick if I can’t find a partner for golf; I clothe the naked if . . . I’ll be kind to my enemy if . . .  I’ll pray more after I retire; after the garden is in; after the kids are older.  First, I have to remodel this room; first I have to roof the garage . . . the kids are too young . . .  after that I’ll  get involved. We are not all called to become Mother Theresa.  We can’t all be great evangelists.  As St. Paul said in his first letter to the Corinthians, we are all parts of the same body and each part has its own function. Not every part is meant to be flamboyant. Not every part is going to be recognized for the work that it does but each part is required to do the best they can, right where they are, just as they are.  

As with St. Therese, it’s the little things that made a difference and it’s the little things that will help to keep us on the path and allow us to follow Jesus as we should.

By Judy Michaud

Slow Down!

The past several months I’ve found myself in a crazy whirlwind of activity.  A summer of transition, a big move for my family, a very blessed trip to World Youth Day, a great evening of worship with Jackie Francois and Patrick Coffin, and now I find myself busily preparing for more wonderful upcoming retreats including Journey 2011, the first ever Catholic Women’s Conference, and the annual March for Life Trip as well as a personal pilgrimage to the Holy Lands and my college roommate’s wedding.  It seems like there’s just been so much going on in all dimensions of my life that I’ve barely had time to breathe, sleep, or even think!  Don’t get me wrong…they’re all very good things – just a lot all at once. 

I was recently sharing with a friend all the great things I’ve been up to lately and made a comment that I just need to slow down so I can enjoy it!  His response: “No, you need to slow down so you can pray.”  Touché.  Without realizing it, in the midst of life’s busyness, my life and mentality shifted to the very thing that Jesus rebukes Martha for in the passage we recently heard in the Gospel at Mass.  “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.  Only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen the better part.”  Everything going on in my life had begun to become a burden and cause for anxiousness and worry rather than a cause for rejoicing and celebration of the good things that God is doing in my life and through my work.  I had become so busy doing the works of the Lord that I forgot about the Lord of the works!

These words that Jesus speaks to Mary penetrated straight to my heart.  “Mary has chosen the better part.”  What is it that we find Mary doing?  Sitting at the feet of Jesus.  If we are to be effective evangelizers in and through the work that we do, whether we work directly in ministry or answer the call to evangelize in the midst of our secular jobs and temporal affairs, we absolutely must spend time sitting at the feet of Jesus!  Soaking in His love, letting His gaze penetrate ours, and listening to His promptings so that the many things we find ourselves anxious and worried about can become instead causes for joy and opportunities for love.  Sitting at the feet of Jesus reminds us what is truly important and gives us strength to continue doing the work of bringing others to Him.

And so, if you find yourself like me, caught up in the craziness of the fall and a new school year, I challenge you to take some time to slow down…and pray.

By Sarah Houde