Sunday, June 28, 2009

"SACRAMENTO AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH", FATHER STEVEN AVELLA'S NEW BOOK.........

One of the extra special experiences working with Father Jerry Ryle at St. Philomene's the past two and a half years has been the opportunity to come to know and interact with Father Steven Avella, who like Jerry and I grew up in Sacramento and is a professor of Religion, American Life, and the West, at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In recent years Father Steve has spent appreciable time on breaks from the university doing priestly ministry in the Sacramento area parishes of St. Rose, Roseville; St. Lawrence, North Highlands; St. Christopher, Galt; St. Philomene, Arden-Arcade. A powerfully persuasive preacher, Father Steve is an avid student of the history of the Church of Sacramento. On June 12, Father Steve launched his latest book, "Sacramento And The Catholic Church : Shaping a Capital City". , at the Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center. A standing room only, overflow, group of Father Steve's friends and fans were in attendance that night. His book captures with vivid detail and copious research of historical records, the ways in which from the Gold Rush and the 1850's to the present, the City and the Church have interacted with one another in the development of Sacramento as an urban community. This book makes a very worthwhile contribution to a better understanding of the dynamics of the secular and religious values of Sacramento as the Capital City of California. When I say getting to know and interact with Father Steve is one of the special experiences of my life, I truly mean it. Whether it is reading his books, concelebrating Mass with him, or spending an evening at table feeding on his words, insights and depth of knowledge, about our local historical roots of faith, politics and culture, and how they have affected the development of Catholic-Christianity in the life of Sacramento, it is always joyfully rewarding.
I strongly recommend his book, "Sacramento And The Catholic Church", to everyone who wants a clearer, deeper, appreciation of Sacramento's history. And if or when, Father Steven Avella presides or preaches at Mass in your parish, savor the special experience it is, and know you and others present with him will be better for it.........Father Troy

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

TRANSITIONS IN PRIESTLY MINISTRY...IN HOMAGE TO FATHER JERRY RYLE.........

As the summer unfolds so do transitions in the priestly ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento. 14 parishes will be receiving new Pastors including the two parishes in which I have most recently served, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish and St. Philomene Parish, in the Arden -Arcade area of northeastern Sacramento. I would happily become Pastor of either of these two wonderful parish communities, but presently the kidney transplant I am awaiting blocks my being appointed to any parish. It is a personal disappointment and pastoral frustration for me not to be allowed to do the very work I I was ordained a priest to do. Please God, my transplant will take place soon and after the necessary convalescence I can resume full participation as a priest and pastor of the Church. The outgoing Pastor of Presentation Parish, Father Andrew is being transferred to Isleton / Walnut Grove. Father Jerry Ryle, like myself, a local grown, native vocation of Sacramento, is retiring from parish ministry after 41 years. But he will immediately have a very busy retirement as he becomes the Director of Campus Ministry at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Father Jerry will be truly missed by the People of God in the Sacramento Diocese, especially in the parishes he has served, including as Pastor over the past 23 years, St. Lawrence, North Highlands, St. Christopher, Galt, and St. Philomene, Arden-Arcade. Father Jerry's spirituality, theology, and liturgical prowess, are renowned. His love of God and the Church are undeniably evident in the manner in which he ministers and interacts with others. Possessing a forthrightness with and empathy for his parishioners and brother priests, Father Jerry has a natural intellectual curiosity about life from focusing on the depth of the daily news, to a personal insightful appreciation of the arts. Another of Father Jerry Ryle's many gifts is his stellar ability as a storyteller. His connection with others is often grounded in their stories and his ability to relay the stories he hears into pertinent and meaningful shared experiences with the community of believers. I am extremely grateful to Father Jerry for the friendship and fraternity he has extended to me the past two and a half years. We have worked collaboratively together quite well because our Sacramento roots and ecclesiolgy comfortably parallel one another. As we bid him farewell for now and wish him all the best in his new campus ministry in Connecticut I pray his personal pastoral spirit will continue to permeate the hearts and minds of the People of God here in the Sacramento Diocese and there on the East coast at Sacred Heart University. Thank you Reverend Father GERALD RYLE for your more than four decades of priestly ministry in Sacramento. May the Lord (God) continue to bless you and keep you, Amen. May the Lord make God's Face shine upon you and be gracious to you always, Amen. May the Lord God give you peace now and forever, Alleluia AMEN.........Father Troy David Powers

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

IN SEARCH OF POST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT CAREGIVERS.........

As the time for my kidney transplant nears, it is my all important responsibility to find and retain, 24 / 7 caregivers to help me in the first one to two months after the transplant surgery. My family members, personal friends, and parishioners are all acceptable caregivers. I will need at least two caregivers sharing a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for one to two months of my convalescence period after my transplant. A multiplicity of caregivers during that two month period will lighten the load and is also acceptable. Helping me for one day, several days of each week, one week's time, or for one month, or the entire two months will be very much appreciated. Even children and teenagers can help me, although they cannot be primary caregivers during my initial recovery period. The essential elements of my caregivers responsibilities will be : Providing me with transportation to Transplant Center , getting me to and from all medical appointments and accompanying me to all the follow-up appointments during the initial convalescence period; I will also need the caregivers to provide help with Taking the prescribed medications at the appropriate times, in the proper dosages, and also getting medications refilled; The caregivers will also monitor my blood pressure, temperature, weight, and blood sugar levels; Calling the Transplant Coordinator as instructed or needed; During those two months I will also need help with Cooking and preparing my meals; Dressing and bathing; doing my Laundry, as I will not be able to lift more than 5-10 lbs., for a month after leaving the hospital; assisting me in paying my bills; and providing me with companionship during my convalescence. I must have a 24/7 team of caregivers in place before the transplant can occur. My transplant will not take place if 24 / 7 caregivers are not put in place first. The caregivers must be able to go to Los Angeles or Phoenix, should my kidney transplant occur in either of those cities. I am supremely confident that my circle of friends and community of believers will step up in sufficent numbers to provide for my post transplant recovery and convalescence. Thank you for your interest or willingness to become my caregiver and support me in this important endeavor. If you are willing to be one of my caregivers please call me at Presentation Parish, 916-481-7441, ext. 12; or on my land-line, 916-485-1841. If I am not in when you call, leave a voice mail message with your name and telephone number. "May the Lord God bless you and keep you, May the Lord God make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you, May the Lord God grant you peace".........Father TROY DAVID POWERS

Sunday, June 14, 2009

THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST WE SHARE...THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST WE ARE...

Every Sunday of the year the Catholic-Christian community gathers to honor the declaration of Jesus the Christ to celebrate the Eucharist in His memory. From the beginning of Christianity 2,000 years ago when the earliest members of the Christian community met in house churches on Sundays where they celebrated the Liturgies of Word and Eucharist, and then joined in an Agape meal, Sunday Dinner. Thus Sunday, the first day of the week, has been commemorated for two milleniums as the Lord's Day, a day of rest, a day for family and friends. And the Holy Eucharist is at the center of Sunday. Since the 4th Century, Catholics have celebrated the Eucharist daily, as well as on Sundays. The Second Vatican Council, (1962-65), the latest ecumenical council in the history of the Church, proclaimed the Eucharist to be, "the source and summit" of our lives as Christ's Disciples. Therefore, one Sunday of the Liturgical Year in the United States also bears the title of the Eucharist under the designation, 'CORPUS CHRISTI', the Body and Blood of Christ. The Body and Blood of Christ is the sacrament of the Eucharist we celebrate and partake of at the Lord's Table. But the Body and Blood of Christ is also who and what we are when we participate in the Memorial of Jesus' Passion, Death, and Resurrection, His Paschal Mystery. On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi what outward sign of connectedness with the Eucharist are you exemplifying ? Your presence at, and participation in, Sunday Mass is the most concrete and complete way you show your commitment and fidelity to being a member of the Body of Christ in the community of believers and the wider world. Celebrating Mass so often throughout the year we must not take it for granted, or experience it as a rote ritual. Feasts such as Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ, fortify our faith and focus on the true meaning of the Eucharist in our lives : to share in the Paschal Mystery of the Risen Christ, by becoming full members of the Body and Blood of Christ we celebrate and receive. Alleluia ! Amen !.........Fr. Troy

Saturday, June 13, 2009

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT UPDATE : MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA, PART ONE.........

On Thursday June 11, I was notified by my transplant coordinator at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, that their Transplant Team is all but ready to agree to list me as a kidney transplant candidate. The transplant surgeon wants me to complete one final set of vascular tests of my lower extremities to assure there are no obstacles to a successful transplant. Dr. Bhat, my chief nephrologist (kidney doctor) will order the vascular tests, hopefully soon. Then my prospective donor, Victor Herrera will return to Cedars-Sinai to complete his necessary testing. Tuesday June 9, and Thursday June 11, Victor and I attended part one of the Mayo Clinic Arizona, interview evaluation for a kidney transplant. It went quite well. Transplant team Dr. Raymond Heilman, with whom I met and who gave me a physical examination said, I am, "a very good candidate for a transplant". I also underwent a tb test, a bone mineral analysis test, an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, and an extensive set of fasting blood labs. Then Victor and I attended a Kidney Transplant Education Class, a Nutrition consultation, a Financial precertification meeting, and I had my photograph taken and received my tuberculosis test result back, which was negative. The Mayo Clinic has two locations in Phoenix/Scottsdale. The Clinic where the testing is done is in Scottsdale, about 8 miles from the other site. The Hospital where the educational component is held is in Phoenix. Fortunately, the Mayo operates a shuttle between the two sites. On Wednesday I did my dialysis treatment at the Fresenius Medical Clinic in North Scottsdale. To conclude our first three day visit to the Mayo Clinic Arizona, we dined with our three day taxi driver Rob, at a wonderful, family owned, Italian Restaurant in Phoenix, "ANDIAMO", where we had wonderful plates of spaghetti and meatballs and spaghetti bolognaise. As he did at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, Victor documented our visit by taking photographs which we will share with you soon. Returning to Sacramento for a wedding, a Portuguese community celebration in Bryte of St. Anthony's Day, and parish farewell celebrations for Fathers Jerry Ryle and Andrew Koziczuk, I will go back to Phoenix this Monday night to complete the interview evaluation process at the Mayo Clinic. My major homework in coming weeks will be to identify and retain a 24 / 7 caregiver to assist me in the months immediately after transplant. That person will be with me whether it is in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Phoenix, or elsewhere, to prepare meals, oversee the taking of medications, and providing daily hygiene needs, as well as being a companion during the initial convalescence period. Pray that I will find such a person soon. Thank you for your continuing prayers, care, concern, and support. I appreciate it very much...TO BE CONTINUED......Peace + Prayers,.........Fr. Troy

Monday, June 1, 2009

ETERNAL LIFE GRANT UNTO HIM O LORD.........

On Memorial Day evening May 25, at 5:40 p.m., Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in northeast Sacramento lost one of our core founding members with the death of ART HALLAGAN. Art and his family have been continuous members of this community of believers for the past 48 years. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame of which he was a lifelong devoted alumnus, Art always spoke his mind saying what he truly believed about all topics. Art was generous in sharing his time and talents as an athletic coach for the young in this community through these many decades, especially in a multitude of roles with the Del Paso Manor Little League. In the three years I have known Art here at Presentation, he always had a sparkle in his eyes as he talked with me and his fellow parishioners Sunday after Sunday, following celebration of the Eucharist, over cups of coffee and donut holes in the narthex or on the terrace at the front entrance to the church. Art will be missed but not forgotten. Our conversations will be diminished without his contributions to them, which were always exact. My sympathies and assurance of prayers to the entire Hallagan Family and all his loved ones in their bereavement. Eternal Life grant to his holy soul O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on him. ALLELUIA ! AMEN !!.........Fr. Troy

THE POWER OF THREE IN ONE : THE HOLY TRINITY AND HUMANKIND.........

On the first Sunday after the conclusion of the Easter Season, we celebrate as Catholic-Christians the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, perhaps the most complex doctrine in all of Christianity. It is a sacred mystery how one God can simultaneously be three Persons at the same time. All of the major Christian creeds proclaim belief in a monotheistic, supreme, living, and true, God and not a multiplicity of lesser gods. Yet, at the same time we also believe this one God is manifested in three distinct persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Striving to comprehend and explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity through the centuries has given us various examples of how one can be three and three can be one. Perhaps the most famous of these analogies is that of St. Patrick in the 4th century. Patrick taught the newly converted Irish of the 4th Century that the mystery of the Trinity is like a shamrock. A shamrock is comprised of one stem, but one stem with three separate contiguous leaves joined interdependently as a singular, wholistic, existence. The scientific sphere produces another concrete analogy defining the Holy Trinity. It is the example of H2O. H2O is the unity of one set of chemical elements, that is manifested in three distinct appearances. It can be liquid, as is water; and can be frozen, as is ice; and it can be a mist, as is steam. Again, three distinct occurrences, while remaining one specific constituent.
Another comparable, more lighthearted example of the three in one reality is neapolitan ice cream. Neapolitan is one kind of ice cream, but is constituted of three different flavors, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry. These are three examples that allow us to begin to discern the mystery of the Holy Trinity. The sacred mystery of the Trinity in Catholic-Christian Faith we can only begin to pierce in our human existence on earth. Only once we are in the eternal presence of God in the Kingdom of Heaven will we ever fully comprehend the certainty and the sublimnity of the Holy Trinity. As we renew our commemoration of the doctrine that God is one Being in three Persons, let us pray with renewed hearts and minds, that the power of the 3 in 1 may become ever more evident in your lives, just as are shamrocks, H2O, and neapolitan ice cream. For the manifestation of the Father, Son, and Spirit, is akin to the theological reality of Creation, Salvation, and Sanctification. They too, are three unique occurrences of the one Living and True God, in three individual movements in the redemptive history of humankind. May the power of the Holy Trinity reign supreme in your experiences this week and always.........Fr. Troy

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