Just two days into the new year I had the opportunity to welcome the sisters from Incarnation Convent to the rectory for a small Christmas Celebration. It was lovely. The sisters arrived punctually at 5PM and stayed until well after 9PM.
Father Auggie was also there as we shared stories, many of which had to do with the Incarnation Family as well as our own families. There were hors d'oeuves and great laughter that closed out with a wonderful meal and Christmas Cupcakes.
On Saturday, January 12 another crowd came to the rectory to celebrate at the tail end of Christmastide. I invited all the priests who celebrate the Sacraments with us throughout the year: Msgr. Arella, Msgr. Ryan, Fr. Kelly, Fr. Sweeney, Fr. Swartvagher all stopped by. Unfortunately, Msgr. Feldhaus, Fr. Fonti and Fr. Kuroly had other plans. Like with the sisters it was a wonderful evening of stories and laughter. I mentioned that I wish I could celebrate every Mass at Incarnation but this is not possible so I need help. I mentioned to those present that I invited them to celebrate Mass for us because I thought that they did so both reverently and enthusiastically. They also preach the Word of God well.
Like Christmas Eve it was a wonderful exchange of priestly fraternity. But the Saturday night before the Baptism of the Lord it was a lot less stressful as no one had Midnight Mass.
These two opportunities only highlight how we have such good people at Incarnation. I firmly believe that spirit is contagious.
Merry Christmas and now back to Ordinary Time
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Christmas
Yesterday we brought the Octave of Christmas to a close even as the Christmastide continues until January 13. It has been a wonderful Advent and Christmas so far. Wonderful and bittersweet.
As I get even closer to my sabbatical I was thinking how much fun I had approaching the Holidays. The enthusiasm of the Liturgy Committee as they came out, some with their children, under the cover of darkness on Sunday, December 23 to transform the Parish Church from Advent to Christmas. They did a wonderful job. It all worked so well that I have no fears that they will do an equally awesome job at Easter.
The Friday before Christmas some of the "Junior Staff"came to the rectory to decorate the Christmas tree. It was a great deal. All Fr. Auggie and I had to do was to spring for some pizza and soda to repay these "Christmasologists" as they transformed the Christmas tree and the room. Watching them work together reminded me once again how great a bunch of high school and college students we have here on staff.
The many Masses of Christmas were again memorable and moving. The prayers, readings, music and congregations for each Mass was different but the joy and the spirit was universal as we celebrated the Incarnation. The Living Nativity Pageant at the Family Mass, the Carols preparing for Midnight Mass, the trumpeter who joined us for our feast all helped as prayers of so many were raised to the heavens.
As I get even closer to my sabbatical I was thinking how much fun I had approaching the Holidays. The enthusiasm of the Liturgy Committee as they came out, some with their children, under the cover of darkness on Sunday, December 23 to transform the Parish Church from Advent to Christmas. They did a wonderful job. It all worked so well that I have no fears that they will do an equally awesome job at Easter.
The Friday before Christmas some of the "Junior Staff"came to the rectory to decorate the Christmas tree. It was a great deal. All Fr. Auggie and I had to do was to spring for some pizza and soda to repay these "Christmasologists" as they transformed the Christmas tree and the room. Watching them work together reminded me once again how great a bunch of high school and college students we have here on staff.
The many Masses of Christmas were again memorable and moving. The prayers, readings, music and congregations for each Mass was different but the joy and the spirit was universal as we celebrated the Incarnation. The Living Nativity Pageant at the Family Mass, the Carols preparing for Midnight Mass, the trumpeter who joined us for our feast all helped as prayers of so many were raised to the heavens.
The Christmas Season was brought to a close quietly Sunday night, after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. I will be honest it was a bitter-sweet season for me.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas was spectacular!
The Friday before Christmas our decorations arrived from the market and many of the "Junior Staff" under Stephanie's guidance came to put up the Christmas Tree in our Dinning Room. It was a great deal. Fr. Auggie (the chaplain from Creedmore who lives with me) and I bought them pizza-Gabby's, of course- and they decorated a gorgeous Christmas Tree. As they were working together, and their disposition, I was so proud of these young people and the fact that they were part of the Incarnation Staff.
Then on night of the f
Fourth Sunday of Advent, the church was transformed by the members of the Liturgy Committee and or maintenance and sacristy staff. In three hours the church moved from Advent to Christmas. I know the flowers were a good crop this year but the efforts and team work of all present made our church so beautiful. It definitely takes away any fears I might have about the decorations for Holy Week while I am away on sabbatical.
Christmas got off to an unexpected start as I found myself cooking for nearby priests. Father Kuroly celebrated the Spanish Mass Christmas Eve and was to preach at the Midnight Mass so I invited him for Chinese Take-out. Then he told me another pastor was alone for Christmas Eve and I heard of another so I ended up cooking sausages and pasta for the lot of them. It was a great celebration of priesthood. Dinner began at 9PM and was done by 11:15 so everyone could return for Midnight Mass.
Don't get me wrong, Christmas was spectacular!
The Friday before Christmas our decorations arrived from the market and many of the "Junior Staff" under Stephanie's guidance came to put up the Christmas Tree in our Dinning Room. It was a great deal. Fr. Auggie (the chaplain from Creedmore who lives with me) and I bought them pizza-Gabby's, of course- and they decorated a gorgeous Christmas Tree. As they were working together, and their disposition, I was so proud of these young people and the fact that they were part of the Incarnation Staff.
Then on night of the f
Fourth Sunday of Advent, the church was transformed by the members of the Liturgy Committee and or maintenance and sacristy staff. In three hours the church moved from Advent to Christmas. I know the flowers were a good crop this year but the efforts and team work of all present made our church so beautiful. It definitely takes away any fears I might have about the decorations for Holy Week while I am away on sabbatical.
Christmas got off to an unexpected start as I found myself cooking for nearby priests. Father Kuroly celebrated the Spanish Mass Christmas Eve and was to preach at the Midnight Mass so I invited him for Chinese Take-out. Then he told me another pastor was alone for Christmas Eve and I heard of another so I ended up cooking sausages and pasta for the lot of them. It was a great celebration of priesthood. Dinner began at 9PM and was done by 11:15 so everyone could return for Midnight Mass.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
The Missions
I had the opportunity to visit San Francisco for the first time last week. I was blessed with wonderful weather and the company of a friend who was able to take me around sight-seeing one day. It's a beautifully vibrant city and the weather could not have been more perfect. My friend brought me to the Golden Gate Bridge and then outside the city to Muir Woods and Sauslito before seeing St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral and dinner, of course!
One place we didn't get to visit was Mision Dolores where the Mission Church of St. Francis is located. I woke up early the next day and walked for 40 minutes down Market Street to the little white church with the terracotta roof. It was founded by Blessed Junipero Serra on June 27, 1776. Its one of the 21 missions errected by the Franciscan Fathers that give the California 101 the echo of the Litany of the Saints from San Diego to San Francisco with Nuestra Signora de Los Angeles almost in the center.
Mission Dolores is one of the best preserved of the mission churches founded by the Franciscans. The adobe structure is over three feet thick. Ironically this church that predates our nation has withstood some exceptional earthquakes while the modern basilica that ajoins it has not faired as well. Mision Dolores is magnificent in it simplicity and I was excited to concelebrate the morning Mass with about 40 parishioners and then take the tour.
The nature of the Mission and its strength amist the earthquakes gave me pause for reflection. The Franciscans brought the Faith of Jesus Christ right up the West Coast settlement after settlement. Certainly it was a comfort to those who travelled up from Mexico with them but it also introduced the Gospel to the various native peoples of the land. My challenge and that of all Christians is to concretely bring the Faith to others I meet along the way. Father Serra and the others are very much patrons of the New Evangelization that can be emulated almost three centuries later. The solid structure of Mision Dolores is a reminder that my faith has to be firm against all rumblings of the world. These solid walls must always have Christ Jesus as foundation and capstone.
This visit to Mision Dolores foreshadows a greater journey as I look to the Camino Frances de Compostela. This will be measured not in minutes but in days. I hope to find Christ as the impetus, end and companion for the journey.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Let us Begin!
The blog is up up and running. I hope to share some new experiences in the coming months.
Procedamus in pace. . . In nomine Christi!
Procedamus in pace. . . In nomine Christi!
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