Sunday, February 28, 2010

2ND SUNDAY OF LENT : THE TRANSFIGURATION - A FORESHADOWING OF JESUS' GLORIFICATION..........

Over a week and a half into the Springtime of the Church, we come to the 2nd Sunday of Lent. In the Sacred Scriptures today we hear from Genesis 15, of Abram, called by God to be Abraham, the Patriarch of God's Chosen People, and of the animal sacrifices he offers up to the Lord God; and from St. Paul reminding the Phillipians and all Christ's Disciples that our citizenship is both earrthly and heavenly, requiring our focus on the things to come in heaven, as well of being occupied with things here on earth; and the Gospel Proclamation from Luke 9:28b-36, shares the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountaintop in the presence of Peter, John, and James, which gives them a preview of His future glory. Our Lenten Repentance, Conversion, Sacrifice, and Self Denial, can also help transfigure us from sin and hopelessness, to the joy and the happiness of salvation. I have increasingly through the years preached on this blend of focuses for our Lenten observance. Not everyone agrees or is comfortable with the concepts of joy or happiness being preached or focused upon during the 40 Days of Lent, even though the official liturgical prayers, prefaces, and blessings in the Sacramentary we have celebrated Mass from since 1969, use them to describe our Lenten experiences, along with the penitential spirit of the season. And I point out to those who question me about it, that even if the former practices of the black fast and mortification were the sole focus, the Sundays of Lent, are still, "the First Day of the Week", the, "Day of the Resuurection", another "Little Easter Sunday", thus days of joy and happiness in the Lord. So let us be a Lenten People of God who value our Faith enough to do penance and change our lives, as much in heartfelt joy as in mortifying sorrow. With Paul and all true Disciples of Jesus Christ, let us live our citzenship on earth always remembering our citizenship in heaven, is God's desire for us. And during these 40 Days may we be transfigured with Christ, that is transformed in body and soul as believers in, and followers of, the Co-Eternal Son of God whose Transfiguration is a peek at the glorification, joy, and happiness, awaiting those who will experience the Resurrection..........May God Our Eternal Father, Who Is Our Light And Salvation, Keep Your Eyes Firmly Fixed On The Son Of God, Jesus The Christ, And The Everlasting Gift Of Citizenship In Heaven, Fr. Troy

Saturday, February 27, 2010

THE CALL TO CONTINUING CONVERSION : REGULAR OPPORTUNITY VS. ROTE OBLIGATION..........

**********THIS DAY IN SACRAMENTO CATHOLIC CHURCH HISTORY**********
The Most Reverend +Patrick Manogue, born in Reisk, Kilmanagh, County Kilkenny Ireland, who shared in the California Gold Rush more than a century and a half ago as a miner, then becoming a priest and going on to become the 1st Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, May 28, 1886; died one hundred and fifteen years ago today - February 27, 1895.....................................

Joined with the necessity of Repentance for our sins the Christian experience of Lent is also very much about believers choosing to answer the Call to Continuing Conversion. Our Catholic Christian Faith is not a magical formula that changes us into disciples. Rather, what we profess to believe and follow, are sacred mysteries of Scripture and Tradition, and Gospel values that shape our teachings, prayers, worship, and ministries, as we practice our discipleship of Jesus the Christ. As the Second Vatican Council affirmed four and a half decades ago, "the Source and Summit" of our Christian Faith and Discipleship, is, "the Eucharist". The Eucharist commemorates and renews the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, the Passion, Death, and Resurrection, He endured for the forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, the celebration of the Eucharist, at Catholic Mass, is the most sacred encounter of our lives and should be the first fruit of our Christian Discipleship and a universal priority of members of the Community of Believers. Yet the sad reality is fat too many of the 1.2 billion plus Catholics in the world, fail to attend Sunday Mass. In the Sacramento Diocese which currently shows a Catholic population of 950,000 persons, weekly Sunday Mass attendance last year was counted as being 140,000 Catholics, less than fifteen percent of the total number. So there is a very strong argument for evangelizing, forming, and inviting, Catholics to Come Home.....But the deficiency in the practice of Sunday Mass is not limited to the non-attending. Over the two dozen years of my ordained ministry and four and a half decades of attending Mass, I have been struck by the dozens of practicing Catholics each Sunday who nonchalantly arrive late, or unabashedly leave early, from Mass. And it is true in all eleven parishes I have ministered in and virtually all Catholic parishes. Why ? Are they so busy, impatient, pressed for time, or otherwise prioritized, that they give God, Faith, and the right and responsibility to Worship, the short shrift, taking it for granted ? Would those same Catholics treat appointments with a doctor, lawyer, or even a close friend, that way - by intentionally arriving late for a meeting, or walking out before it was finished ? Why then do they treat their relationship with God and the Community of Believers on Sunday, the Lord's Day, with such lesser respect ? In my eighteen years attending ecumenical events and Sunday Worship services in other Christian churches, I have not observed this occurrence, as most worshipers arrive several minutes before worship begins and only those with a ministry responsibility, such as fellowship and hospitality, leave the church building before the service ends. So are Protestants more attentive to making Sunday worship a priority ? Or are Catholics more obligation driven, and much less opportunity oriented, when it comes to being present and participating at Sunday Mass ? On the handful of occasions I have questioned those who were leaving Sunday Mass early, some as soon as at the praying of the Our Father or a sizable number who egregiously walk right out of the church from the Communion line after receiving the Eucharist, their sheepish responses when they responded at all, was to mumble an excuse, or shrug their shoulders, while others passed me by hurriedly, as though I was pricking their early departing conscience by merely standing there. And for what do they impoverish the Liturgy and their presence at Mass, but for several minutes of lazy time hurrying off to some other obviously, more important activity? Selfishly filling an obligation to attend without selflessly accepting the invitation to fulfill the opportunity to faithfully celebrate the prayerful and ministerial worship of God in the entirety of the Sunday Mass. A rote obligation, incompletely carried out is insufficient to truly being a wholehearted worshiper of God, or communicant with the Church. Authentic and sincere Catholic-Christians take the regular opportunity of Sunday Worship to fully enter into the Word of God and the Eucharist, as well as spend time in prayer, ministry, fellowship, and hospitality, with their fellow believers. Dashing in, or darting out, after the Sunday or Holyday Mass has begun, or before it concludes, is wrong and a sin of selfishness. Let us remember every Mass opens with the Sign of the Cross and closes with a final blessing in the Sign of the Cross. Anything less to our presence than that, is taking for granted the most precious and sacred mystery Faith, Creation, and Salvation History, have ever known..........
Praying That Catholics Will Truly And Fully Appreciate The Need To Be Unconditionally Present and Participating At The Whole Sunday Mass, Fr. Troy

POSTSCRIPT : After completing and publishing this blog column, I went over to the church to greet the 5:30 pm Massgoers. I arrived as Communion was being distributed and alas, at least two dozen persons, young, middle aged, elderly, were leaving Mass early. One man with his wife who were leaving actually said to me, "Standing here Father, to catch those of us sneaking out ?". I responded to him, "It is a Catholic disease we have to find a cure for".....

Friday, February 26, 2010

THIS WEEK WITH DISCIPLES ON THE JOURNEY..........

A decade or so ago, the Sacramento Diocese embarked on a Lenten ministry faith sharing experience called, "Disciples In Mission". Sacred Heart Parish, East Sacramento was one of many parishes throughout the Diocese. That small group faith sharing lenten experience continues here under the ministry known as, "Disciples On The Journey". Using faith sharing booklets for small groups with specific scriptural reflection materials for Lent 2010, Year C Sundays, and also the Scrutiny Sundays for the RCIA, that have been published by the Diocese of Victoria Texas, there are seven weekly DOTJ small groups gathering in parishioners' homes or at the parish school this Lent. I attended four of the seven groups gatherings this week, each with 6-10 participants present. After a brief opening prayer, a Commentary on the Word of God which includes a shared verbal reading of the Sunday Scriptures and / or, the prepared written Scriptural Reflection on those same Readings, interspersed with conversation about the texts, and concluding with a Memory Verse, there is then a number of Faith Sharing Questions for those present to discuss and then a Living As Disciples assignment for the week ahead of four or five recommendations to put the faith sharing in action. The gatherings conclude with all the participants gathered around a table with a large lit candle, a bible, and a crucifix, for the Closing Prayer and Ritual, preferably ending with a hymn, or by praying the Our Father and sharing a sign of peace.....This is, "Disciples On The Journey", our individual, interpersonal, and insightful, and inclusive, journey into the Lenten desert of faith sharing, with Prayer, the Scriptures, and Jesus to guide us..........Hoping Whoever,Wherever, You Are This Springtime Of The Church You To Are Having Such An Experience Of Spiritual Growth And Renewal, Fr. Troy

Thursday, February 25, 2010

THE 6 MONTH MARK AFTER MY AUGUST 25, 2009 KIDNEY TRANSPLANT..........

Today, Thursday February 25, 2010, it has been 6 months since my kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic Arizona, in Phoenix. And it is eight weeks today since my assignment In Residence at Sacred Heart Church. My apologies for not blogging since Sunday, but the Internet connection in the rectory was completely down from Tuesday morning until mid afternoon Thursday. I felt so out of touch with you my loyal friends and readers, and will do my best to make up for this three day lapse in blogging. This 6 months day, post transplant has been awesome. I celebrated the 8 am Mass which was for intentions of the members of the Sacred Heart Parish Altar Society, took my morning medications, which were minus the two anti-rejection drugs, Valcyte and Sulfa-Trim, which were removed from my daily drug regimen as scheduled at this point in my recovery, and went out to South Sacramento to have lunch with my donor, Victor Herrera and Msgrs. Kavanagh and Church. This week I have also been making my first visits to the 'Disciples On The Journey', Lenten small groups ministry in the homes of different SacHeart parishioners. We are discussing the Sacred Scriptures for the 2nd Sunday of Lent this coming weekend. They are being well conducted by lay leaders and responded as small faith sharing groups which I am blessed to be present for, and participate in. As I was checking my e-mail and Facebook messages and preparing to write this blog column in the 4 pm hour, while listening to, "All Things Considered", on National Public Radio, my friend Joe Gibson phoned inviting me to join him and his lady, Ruth for coffee at 'Peet's', one block up the street at 38th & J. As we sat there and got caught up after a month, over cups of coffee and tea, we decided to go across the street to the 'Thai Noodle' Restaurant, for dinner. So my day off, 6 months after transplant day, and my father Troy Doil Powers' 88th birthday anniversary, as well as the 72nd birthday anniversary of Msgr. Martin Joseph Campion, the late Rector and President of St. Kieran's College and Seminary, who recruited me to begin my priestly formation in Kilkenny, Ireland, has been a wonderful and memorable day. As Victor has taught me to say, "GOD IS GOOD"..........Thanks be to God, Victor, my living donor, the Mayo Clinic Transplant Team, Dr. Bhat, my chief neprhologist, and all my family, friends, fellow believers, and supporters, for your care, concern, prayers, presence, and spiritual and temporal good works and encouragement on my behalf. You and in my thoughts, prayers, and storytelling, each day, in remembrance and appreciation of the vital role you have played in my pre-transplant and are playing, in my and post-transplant experiences. God Bless You All, 30-60-100 fold.......... Gratefully and Prayerfully Yours,
Fr. Troy David Powers

Sunday, February 21, 2010

1ST SUNDAY OF LENT: FACING THE DESERT OF TEMPTATION WITH JESUS..........

The Gospel Proclamation for the First Sunday of Lent is the story of the Temptation of Jesus in the Desert by Satan, which in this Liturgical Year C, is taken from Luke 4:1-13. Satan's temptation of Jesus, who had fasted and prayed for 40 Days in the desert was threefold. The devil challenged Jesus, if He were the Son of God to turn a stone into bread. The devil showed Jesus all the worldly kingdoms and promised them to Him, if he would worship Satan. And the devil transported Jesus to the Temple parapet and dared Him to jump off. In each instance Jesus responded negatively to Satan and affirmed his relationship in fidelity to God the Father. He answered the devil directly and succinctly. "One does not live on bread alone". "You shall worship the Lord your God, and God alone you shall serve". "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test". Despite his great hunger and tiredness, Jesus remained faithful to His Heavenly Father not just because Christ is Divine but because he remained true to both the human and divine relationship He is graced to share with God the Father. We are only human and not divine. But as believers in God the Father and followers of Jesus the Christ, we are empowered by the grace of their Holy Spirit to resist the temptation to sin, by our faithfulness and fidelity to putting our relationship with God first, and joining Jesus in the Lenten desert of Repentance, Conversion, Sacrifice, and Self Denial. How do we achieve the repentance, conversion, sacrifice, and self denial, required of us as Catholic-Christian Disciples, but by being committed to the linchpins of Lent : Prayer; Fasting; Almsgiving. As we enter this 1st Week of Lent resolve to make time to Pray more - in the shower, or on your drive or walk to and from work or school, during your lunch break, while exercising, walking your dog, or in place of watching television, playing video games, or spending time on the internet. Fasting voluntary one or more days each week during Lent can be either a fast from food and drink, or giving up one of our social and personal pleasures. Almsgiving or charitable works, are also an essential experience of our journey into the lenten desert. Donating our time, talents, of financial contributions to parish, diocesan, or community charities are an excellent way to fulfill the third linchpin of Lent. Making the Stations of the Cross, and attending daily Mass during Lent once or more a week in addition to Sundays, is also a several centuries old Lenten practice. As you strive to overcome the temptation to sin this Lent acts of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving will concretize your personal repentance, conversion, sacrifice, and self denial, as you join your penitential practices with the Community of Believers and the Temptation of Jesus in the Desert..........A Happy and Productive Lent, Fr. Troy

Saturday, February 20, 2010

THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1925..........

At the conclusion of my February 11, blog colum on World Day of Prayer for the Sick, I wished Msgr. Edward J. Kavanagh, a Happy 85th Birthday. This morning news came of he passing of another world famous 85 year old, General and former Secretary of State, Alexander Haig. And here in East Sacramento last week Mercy General Hospital celebrated its 85th anniversary at 40th and 'J' Streets. As I have been introducing myself to Sacred Heart parishioners the past fifty days, I have said, the place across the street was where I and my brothers and sisters were born, where my mother died and my father was diagnosed and received treatment before his passing. These three 85 year markings, caused me to think further of the year 1925. It was in the middle of what is called the, "Roaring Twenties". President Calvin Coolidge was in the White House, having just been elected in his own right after succeeding to the Presidency upon the death of Warren Harding. Pope Pius XI was in his fourth of seventeen years as the Vicar of Christ in 1925. It is also unique in American television talk show history for being the year Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, and Merv Griffin,were born. "Silent Cal" presided over the, "normalcy" and boom of the mid-1920's. Pius XI, reigning between the two major World Wars, is remembered for his encyclial, Quadragesimo Anno, (40 Years) on the fortieth anniversary of Pope Leo XIII;s 1891 encyclial on social justice and the dignity of human labor. Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show, The Mike Douglas Show and The Merv Griffin Show, provided thousands of hours of entertainment enjoyment in their adult lives for more than thirty years. And all of the above is linked to the Year 1925. So, as Mercy General Hospital celebrates 85 Years in East Sacramento, commendations to the Sisters, Doctors, Nurses, and Staff, for their excellence in medical care and service of the Sacramento community and for remembering in the words of their order's foundress, Sister Catherine McAuley, "Our Name is Mercy; Our Spirit is Compassion"..........In the Peace and Healing of Jesus the Christ, Fr. Troy

Thursday, February 18, 2010

IF YOU WERE IN SACRAMENTO 30 YEARS AGO,, WHAT WERE YOU DOING ON FEBRUARY 18, 1980 ?..............................

30 Years ago today, February 18, 1980, was a day of welcome and succession for the Catholic-Christian Church that comprises these twenty counties of the Diocese of Sacramento, as the faithful, prelates, priests, other dignitaries, and thousands of the people of God, gathered in Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium and Community Convention Center for the Episcopal Installation of the Most Reverend Francis Anthony Quinn, as the 7th Bishop of Sacramento. Born in Los Angeles on September 11, 1921, and growing up in Napa as a boy, young Francis Quinn attended seminary at St. Joseph's College, in Mountain View; and St. Patrick's Seminary, in Menlo Park; being ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, on June 15, 1946. As a young priest he completed higher studies at the Catholic University of America, in Washington D.C. Father Quinn served as a priest of the San Francisco Archdiocese for 32 years, including as Editor of, 'The Monitor', the archdiocesan newspaper; and as Pastor of St. Gabriel's Parish. He was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco on June 29, 1978, and was appointed 7th Bishop of Sacramento, on December 12, 1979, as the successor to Bishop Alden J. Bell. After being installed it was soon evident to all that Bishop Quinn is a masterful communicator, with a meaningful and insightful message for the young through to the old. And he effectively preached the Gospel not only in words, but by his humble, collegial, and collaborative, way of life. A faithful correspondent, it is said that the file cabinets in the Bishop's Office increased by more than ten fold, filled with his correspondence during his tenure here. Highlights of his fourteen years as the Chief Shepherd of the Church of Sacramento included : Pastoral Planning and a Ten Year Diocesan Plan that led to a Diocesan Convocation; (1982-1984) the Celebration of the Centennial of the Sacramento Diocese; (1986-1987) and the Spiritual Renewal Ministry, "RENEW"; (1988-1992). I am privileged to be one of the first three priests ordained by Bishop Quinn in the second century of our diocesan history, as Fathers Eduino Silveria, Paul Schloeder and I, were the Centennial Year ordinands on May 2, 1987. Bishop Quinn retired from the See of Sacramento in 1993, just months after appointing me Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish Yreka, in Siskiyou County on March 17, 1993. After being succeeded by Bishop William K. Weigand on January 27, 1994, Bishop-Emeritus Quinn continued his active ministry in Arizona among the Native American peoples. And he ministered to them not with the mini Le Car he had driven through these twenty counties of Northern California, but in a new RV he was given as a farewell retirement gift by the priests and parishes of the Sacramento Diocese. Returning to Sacramento to live in retirement following his 60th Anniversary as a Priest of Jesus Christ, he is presently my neighbor here in East Sacramento across the street from Sacred Heart Church and School, and Mercy General Hospital, in Mercy McMahon Terrace. It is a continuing joy to be able to visit with him during my time in residence at Sacred Heart. The Bishop who encouraged me to become a seminarian for our Diocese, who ordained me a priest, and appointed me to my first pastorate. As I think of, pray for, and visit with, Bishop Quinn today, it is my hope the vision he had of me 30 years ago as a Sacramento State graduate student and St. Rose's Parish, South Sacramento parishioner, when I was still discerning whether I would follow the political or priestly path as my vocation, has been borne out in my priestly ministry. HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY BISHOP QUINN AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND INSPIRATION TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD, JESUS OUR LORD HAS CALLED YOU TO SERVE.............................
Father Troy David Powers

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

ASH WEDNESDAY : "TURN AWAY FROM SIN AND BE FAITHFUL TO THE GOSPEL"..........

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return"; "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel"; these are the liturgical words with which blessed ashes will be imposed on the foreheads of Catholic-Christians today, Ash Wednesday, the start of the penitential Season of Lent. Since the 4th Century of Christianity the Church has formally observed 40 Days of Repentance, Conversion, Sacrifice, Reconciliation, and Renewal, for the forgiveness of, and reparation for, sin... We need to repent for the sins we have committed, as all human beings are sinners due to our fallen human nature, the result of Original Sin. John the Baptist and all the Prophets who preceded him, as well as Jesus, preached Repentance. The Prophet Joel is the initial messenger of repentance in the First Reading today, Joel 2:12-18. And the repentance Joel proclaims is to "render our hearts", our interior beings, and not merely our external appearances... Lent also hearkens us to answer the call to continuing conversion, to clear away the clutter of sin, selfishness, greed, indifference, apathy, or self absorption, that separates us from God and others. The sacrificial aspect of these 40 Days is steeped in self denial. As Bishop Jaime Soto stated it in his Lenten letter of instruction for 2010, "To foster a spirit of penance and of reparation for sin, to encourage self denial, and to guide us in the footsteps of Jesus"... Our lenten self denial and sacrifice include the Church laws of Fasting and Abstinence. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, are days when Catholics 18-59, in good health are bound to fast. Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence (meatless meals) for all Catholics, 14 years old and above. Voluntary fasting and abstinence on other days of Lent are encouraged, and not just from food but all forms of pleasure and entertainment, i.e., alcoholic beverages, television, movies, the Internet, video games, texting, and other forms of social media...Lent is called the,"Spring-time of the Church", a time when we blossom forth in a spirit of reconciliation and renewal. Making time for more Prayer and attendance at Mass, the Stations of the Cross, as well as confessing our sins and celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, are four of the ways the faithful fulfill the need to be reconciled with God and others. St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; today's Second Reading, speaks to that reality... Almsgiving and charitable good works are also an essential practice of the Lenten Season. The Sacramento Diocesan Food Bowl, of which I was honored to be the Chairperson of from 1991-2001, is one very good way to complete this lenten linchpin, as are Parish Soup Suppers, or simple, inexpensive lenten meals at home, the savings from which you donate to a charity of your choice or persons in need... Jesus, in Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18; our Ash Wednesday Gospel Proclamation, perfectly sums up the means by which His Disciples, all who follow Him carry out the call to Fast, Pray, and Give Alms. We are to do them humbly, sincerely, untrumpeted, not as public displays of self-righteousness, but personal and communal acts of penance and caring, as we repair and renew our relationships with the Divine and other human beings. As we embark on this year's Lenten journey, what will you do to, "Turn Away From Sin And Be Faithful To The Gospel" ????????????????????????????????????????.......... Fr. Troy

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

DISCIPLES ON THE JOURNEY OF OUR FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP IN CHRIST..........

"INSIGHTS INTO LIFE AND FAITH" Blog Column # 250 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the 250th time since last April 19th, I am writing a blog column, so renewed thanks and appreciation to all who are reading my reflections on Catholic-Christianity and the interactions of living history we experience as both disciples of God's Kingdom and citizens of the World. I hope you will continue to be affirmed and challenged by them and will invite others you know to join us here..... @ troydavidpowers.blogspot.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Today is Mardi Gras, (Fat Tuesday) the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and New Orleans, Louisiana USA, to countless corners of the earth, people are being more animated and celebratory today as Christians prepare to enter the penitential and sacrificial practices of Lent tomorrow. An increased experience of Prayer, Fasting, Abstinence, and attendance at Mass, Stations of the Cross, and Soup Suppers, are staples of observing the 40 Days ahead, as is the custom of giving something up. Also doing good works are also strong encouraged.
One of the Lenten ministry experiences Sacred Heart Parish, like many other parishes, offers its members is the opportunity to participate in the ministry known as, "DISCIPLES ON THE JOURNEY", aka 'Disciples In Mission'. During the six weeks of Lent small groups of parishioners meet once a week in family homes or parish facilities, to do faith sharing together using prayer and scriptural reflections arranged around the themes of Lent. There are 7 groups of 'Disciples On the Journey' meeting at different times and locations, during the week, from February 15 - March 27. I will be attending and participating in at least one session of each of the seven groups, during the six weeks of Lent they are underway. Check with your parish church to discover what Disciples On the Journey / Disciples In Mission small group faith sharing opportunities are available and choose to take part. You will not only develop a keener insight into God's Word and Your Faith, but share a meaningful spiritual and social interpersonal relationship with your fellow believers. Lent is about more than just giving something up materially. The Call to Continuing Conversion is also about doing something pro-actively. This may just be the ministry for Lent that God is inviting you to share and the Church is inviting you to join, as we strengthen the bonds of the Community of Believers and build up the Coming of God's Kingdom. HAPPY MARDI. GRAS !!!.........Yours In the Discipleship of Jesus the Christ, Fr. Troy

Monday, February 15, 2010

PRESIDENT'S DAY 2010 : REMEMBERING THE 44 POTUS's WHO HAVE SERVED AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF OUR COUNTRY..........

GEORGE WASHINGTON, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, THOMAS JEFFERSON, ANDREW JACKSON, THEODORE ROOSEVELT, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, DWIGHT EISENHOWER, JOHN KENNEDY, RONALD REAGAN, BARACK OBAMA..........These are ten of the 44 men from 1789 to the present who have led our nation as President of the United States.(POTUS) Today we observe the federal holiday that since 1971, has been designated as, Presidents' Day, combining the former individual observances of Lincoln's Birthday, February 12th, and Washington's Birthday, February 22nd, together with a fuller focus on all our Presidents. In the 221 year history of the American Presidency, the voters of the United States have cast ballots in 56 Presidential Elections to choose the candidate for Chief Executive they prefer. The 44 POTUS's to date, have served from a minimum of 1 month,Wiliam Henry Harrison, the 9th President who served only 1 month, March 4, 1841-April 4, 1841; to a maximum of 12 years, 1 month, and 8 days, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, March 4, 1933 - April 12, 1945; a record that will never be reached or eclipsed, as Presidents can now only serve two 4 year elected terms, by constitutional amendment; or if they succeed to the Presidency due to death, incapacitation, impeachment and removal, or resignation, for a maximum of 10 years, (2 years unelected, 8 years elected). They have been the standardbearers of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, Whig, Democratic, and Republican, political parties, with the Republican and Democratic parties the only ones to win the White House since 1854, as the Federalists, Democratic-Republican party and the Whigs, all evolved, or faded away, by the mid 19th Century. So as we take time on this annual national holiday to honor the memory of those who presided in the founding years of our Union, in time of War, from the War of 1812 and the Civil War, to World War I, II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan Wars, and through years of economic prosperity, as well as recessions and the Great Depression and the current national and worldwide Economic Crisis; think about the Presidents who have played a memorable part in the American pageant, or perhaps those in your lifetime that stand out in your memory and why they do so. And let us remember the Presidency is more than just politics, the occupier of the Office of the President, whoever that person is, our Chief Executive and Commander in Chief, elected to govern and lead, and serves at the discretion of our electorate with a four year lease on The White House, that it is our constitutional right and citizenship privilege to renew or expire, by our votes..........As We Remember Our Presidents In God We Trust, Fr. Troy

Sunday, February 14, 2010

THE 6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - DOORWAY TO THE SPRINGTIME OF THE CHURCH..........

45 Days into the Year of Our Lord 2010, we come to the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It's more than ordinary however as societally it is St. Valentine's Day and culturally it is the Chinese Lunar New Year. Our Sacred Scriptures as Catholic-Christians today are from Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15: 12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26;. The Prophet Jeremiah was frustrated with the king, the priests and the people in today's 1st Reading not only because they had first ignored him, then persecuted him, and finally abused him tortuously almost to the point of death, but especially because they had turned away from the Lord God and broken their relationship with the Divine. Thus he prophetically and courageously called them back from their sinful and selfish ways and to their core existence as servants of the Living and True God. Preoccuppation with false idols of self consideration do not adhere to the Truth that our hope and trust does not rely on ourselves or our possessions, but on God. Paul in writing to the Church of Corinth after returning from his missionary journey to them, admonishes the Corinthians to be heartfelt and brave in continuing to faithfully believe in the Resurrection of Jesus,despite the doubts they may encounter. Christ has truly been raised from the dead and that Truth sets us free and renews us. Luke's Gospel proclamation on this 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, is his versio of the Beatitudes, the so described, "Pearls of Christian Wisdom". Scripture scholarship refers to this passage in Luke as the, 'Sermon on the Plain', for it's opening words describe Jesus delivering His message to "Twelve, as well as the many "Disciples" of Jesus and a goodly number who had come to "Hear Him Speak", who were curious about what Jesus had to say, but were not Hisfollowers on level ground, not on a mountaintop, as in Matthew's Gospel. The other notable difference in Luke's proclamation of the Beatitudes is, he mentions only 4, not Matthew's 8.
Luke's read, "Blessed are you Poor; Blessed are you who Hunger; Blessed are you who Weep; Blessed are you who are Hated, Excluded, Insulted; stating the counter cultural reality of God's Love for them and serious disappointment with those who are the opposite of them. The otherwise self absorbed and sleek of the world will be very dismayed in eternity, for the broken and downtrodden will rejoice and be fulfilled in God's Kingdom, while the sinful and selfishly rich and mighty will suffer, as God's Justice reverses the temporal order of those who had and were ungenerous and gives to those who had not and were overlooked and underserved by those who were self absorbed an indifferent to them while in the world.
And so as you mark this abbreviated 3 day week of Ordinary Time that becomes Lent this Wednesday - which is Ash Wednesday; ask yourself what act of kindness or generosity can you complete to keep the spirit and truth of the Beatitudes alive in your hearts and minds ? Who will you respond to in a generous way, so as to be less self centered and more Love of God and Neighbor centered. The Beatitudes challenge us to do exactly that. To BE of an ATTITUDE that is caring, sharing, selfless, in building up the Kingdom of God here and now..........In The Love of Jesus the Christ Whose Kingdon Comes In All Of Us, Fr. Troy

Saturday, February 13, 2010

ST. VALENTINE, MARDI GRAS, PRESIDENTS' DAY, LUNAR NEW YEAR,..........

These middle days of February, that are the last days of Ordinary Time until completion of the Easter Season in May, there are ample reasons to celebrate. Tomorrow is the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, but more popularly known as Valentine's Day. It is actually St. Valentine's Day, and there are at least four St. Valentine's recognized by the Church. The St. Valentine of our consideration was a Roman priest in 270 A.D., who was known for officiating at the marriages of Christian couples, although it was unlawful to do so, because married men were exempt from serving in the Roman army. Valentine also assisted other Christians being persecuted by Emperor Claudius II. He was imprisoned and brought before the Emperor, asked to renounce his faith and refused, despite being seriously tortured, and was sentenced to a martyr's death. The response of the faithful was to send him flowers and gifts, the precursor to the practice that has come down to us to this day, of giving our beloved flowers and gifts on St. Valentine's Day. St. Valentine healed the blind daughter of his jailer and sent her a farewell note he signed, "from your Valentine". Canonized two centuries after his martyrdom, Valentine became a very popular saint, especially in England and France. Somehow in time, the focus on his sainthood was detached from the wider observance of this day as a romantic holiday, that is actually named for a celibate priest !!.....Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) which has become an elongated pre-Lenten carnival-like celebration, popularized by extravagant observances in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - actually is rooted in the preparation for fasting and abstinence during Lent. Formerly, the 40 Days of Lent were marked by a, "black fast and total abstinence" from all meat and meat by-products. Thus on Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday, families used up all their foodstuffs, such as eggs, milk, butter, cheese, as well as meat, so as to keep their Lenten fast while abstaining from all the foods derived from meat or an animal generated source. During my two years as a seminarian in Ireland I became acquainted with Mardi Gras pancakes. Not just the ordinary breakfast pancakes we eat, but fancy, pastry-like, pancakes, similar to a donut or a fritter, that is eaten while being held in the hand and flavored with jam, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. The black fast and total abstinence during Lent is no more, although fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays of Lent, and on any of the 40 Days you choose to do so, are still the Catholic penitential and sacrificial Lenten practice.....As Americans we are celebrating a three day federal holiday weekend, Presidents' Day, which we observe on Monday. It is the comprehensively combined commemoration of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and their 42 successors and predecessors as President of the United States. Being a lifelong student of the American Presidency, which was my undergraduate concentration, as a Political Science / Government major, with a History minor, I encourage you to remember and commemorate the 221 year experience we as citizens of the United States are privileged to participate in choosing the Chief Executives who preside over our government.....This weekend of merged observances also includes the Chinese Lunar New Year, which begins on Sunday. To our Chinese brothers and sisters and Chinese citizens around the world, Blessings be yours as you celebrate the beginning of the Lunar New Year.....And so, as we wrap-up the first part of Ordinary Time 2010, we have a minimum of four reasons to celebrate Saturday - Tuesday either in the spirit of St. Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, President's Day, or the Chinese New Year. Whether it be one or all four of the occasions, do something during these next four days to celebrate and express the joy of our humanity and God's Love for us..........Be My Valentine...Fat Tuesday Fun...Hail to the Chiefs... Year of the Tiger...In the Peace + Prayers of Jesus the Lord,
Fr. Troy

Friday, February 12, 2010

16TH UNITED STATES PRESIDENT LINCOLN - EMANICIPATOR; 1ST BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT MANDELA - EMANICIPATED;..........

Going into the three day Presidents' Day weekend, in which we celebrate George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and the 42 others who have served as President of the United States of America, today is Lincoln's Birthday, the two hundred and first anniversary of his birth. It is also the day after the twentieth anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela, from prison in South Africa. Abraham Linciln, who was born in a Kentucky log cabin was elected in 1860, the 16th President of the United States and governed during the Civil War, a four year battle between South and North, primarily over the ownership of black slaves and the right to secede from the national union; and Nelson Mandela, born in South Africa more than fifty years after our Civil War in America, when it was still a British colony, but into a segregated society of blacks fro whites, which evolved into, "apartheid", the enforced separation of the races. President Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War, and facing uncertain re-election the next year, signed, The Emanicipation Proclamation, in November 1863, freeing the American slaves. It would take another century of transition, struggles, civil rights protests, and national legislation, to bring Lincoln's vision of emanicipation and equality to blacks and other peoples of color in the United States of America, the great country of freedom and liberty we are; Citizen activist and apartheid protester, Mandela, was imprisoned at age 44, in 1962, and remained in prison for the crime of seeking equal rights and opportunity for South African blacks for twenty eight years, until his release as an elderly, 72 year old, in February 1990. The necessary transition from apartheid to freedom and equal opportunity for all South Africans, regardless of their race had begun and would not be reversed. Four years later, this former prisoner for justice was elected President of South Africa and President Mandela served for five years until he was 81. Now 91, he continues to inspire people around the world for his determined leadership, courage, and effectiveness, in vanquishing an undignified and discriminatory political system and as a trailblazer of an integrated nation of South Africans, black and white. Both the abolition of American slavery and South African apartheid, also held a spiritual dimension. The Emanicipation Proclamation was promulgated by President Lincoln, just days before ThanksGiving, our national day for celebrating our gratitude for all God's blessings. While imprisoned for more than a quarter of a century the future President Mandela, had as one of his surrogates, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Reverend Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a fierce advocate for social justice and the end of apartheid in South Africa. Prayer, perseverance, patience, were practiced in both instances and made a difference in bringing about overdue change. Not everyone is called or chosen to be a Lincoln, or a Mandela, but we too can make a difference in our society and the world, by answering God's Call to our rightful vocation and fulfilling the responsibilities and opportunities we are chosen and capable of fulfilling..........
Peace + Justice In The Emanicipation and Equality of All Peoples In The World, Fr. Troy

Thursday, February 11, 2010

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES - WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE SICK..........

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes we commemorate today, is linked to the dogma of the Immaculate Conception which was infallibly proclaimed as a truth of our Catholic-Christianity in 1854, by Pope Pius IX. The visionary, St. Bernadette, who received an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes, France in 1858, said the Virgin proclaimed herself, "The Immaculate Conception". The teaching of the Immaculate Conception decrees their was no stain of sin involved in the birth of the child Jesus as Mary was preserved from Original Sin from the moment of her own conception. The dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are the only two Catholic teachings to be papally promulgated infallibly in the history of the Church. And the official dogma in each of the two instances was preceded by many centuries of belief and practice by the faithful in the truth of these teachings, which is called, "sensus fidelium". So as we observe the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, we not only remember the history of this commemoration and the intercession of the Blessed Mother, but we join our faith belief to that of Catholic-Christians through the ages.....Since 1992, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes has been designated by the late Pope John Paul II, as World Day of Prayer For The Sick. We are asked on this day to include, "a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one's suffering for the good of the Church". We are encouraged to do this to remind ourselves, "to see in our sick brothers and sisters the face of Christ, who by suffering, dying, and rising, achieved the salvation of humankind". ( from the Letter Instituting World Day of the Sick, May 13, 1992) From my own struggle with health problems the past 5-8 years, I know the generosity and power of prayers offered by others for my healing and recovery. Family, friends, and fellow believers, in Sacramento and throughout the Diocese and in Ireland, have faithfully offered prayers for my surgeries, treatments, and the transplant, I have undergone since May 2002, due to my diabetes and kidney failure. The parishes where I served and lived were especially generous in their prayers and support. And in one instance, a woman began daily prayers at Mass for me eight years ago learning of my health problems from a mutual friend. She continued those prayers for four years before she met me in 2006, when I was assigned to Presentation Parish in Arden-Arcade, where she is a parishioner. Mary Hopkins is her name, and she has continued praying for and supporting me, as have so MANY others !!!!!!!!!! On this World Day of Prayer For The Sick, I thank and pray for all who have strengthened and sustained me by their prayers. Know that I think and pray for you everyday in thanksgiving for your spiritual and temporal support. Let us today and everyday share prayers and support for the sick, suffering, ill, infirm, diseased, disabled, marginalized, or alienated, who need healing, grace, strength, and sustenance. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Lourdes, may we come to more fully experience the healing and wholeness of salvation the Immaculate Conception made possible in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus the Christ..........
Peace + Prayers in Our Healing and Loving God, Fr. Troy David Powers
Happy Birthday to Rev. Msgr. EDWARD J. KAVANAGH, who is 85 Years young today.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

PRESENTING THE THEMES OF LENT TO THE RCIA AND FIRST RECONCILIATION TO SACRED HEART'S STUDENTS..........

With Mardi Gras still a week away, I have been asked to be the presenter at the RCIA session tonight, speaking on the themes of the Season of Lent. I will also be meeting with the First Reconciliation / First Eucharist Religious Education class this afternoon, to discuss their first sacramental Confession on Thursday night, and will team up with Msgr. Walton today to meet the 2nd Grade students in Sacred Heart Parish School, in preparation for their First Reconciliation, as well. The necessity of reconciliation between ouselves and God and the forgiveness of our sins, are at the crux of the Season of Lent we are nearing. In the coming days of Lent I will blog more extensively on the Lenten themes of Repentance, Conversion, Self-Sacrifice, Reconciliation and Renewal, and the linchpins of Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving. As you enjoy these last days of Ordinary Time before Lent and the spirit of Mardi Gras, remember to be ready for the renewal that the springtime of the Church, the 40 Days of Lent will bring to our lives..........Speaking of 40 Days of Lent, Catholic-Christians in the Sacramento Diocese will also be observing the, "40 Days Of Life", from Feb. 17 - Mar. 28. The 40 Days Of Life, are organized as a prayerful, peaceful, personal, communal, and ecumenical, witness to the sanctity of life in the womb and the violation to life caused by abortion. Violence of any kind has no place in this, or any other Catholic-Christian Witnessing to being Pro-Life. The recent trial in Kansas of the perpetrator of the abortion doctor killing underscores the dangerous disconnect that can otherwise occur. Trying to justify or rationalize the direct killing of another person, can cause as in this particular case, an otherwise good person to become an unbridled, irrational, zealot, whose morality is compromised so seriously that he or she can commit murder and attempt to explain it away. Our 40 Days Of Life, like the Season of Lent, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, are about repentance and renewal. As you give thought to what this means for you, discern and discover a way to pro-actively and productively become the true person in Christ, God is Calling YOU to be..........In The Spirit Of Reconciliation And Return To Our Authentic Witness To God And To Life, Fr. Troy

Sunday, February 7, 2010

5TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME : WHAT MISSION IS YOUR CATHOLIC-CHRISTIAN VOCATION CALLING YOU TO FULFILL ?..........

Unclean lips, Denial, Persecution, these are the initial responses of selfish sinfulness that Isaiah, Simon, and Saul, committed against the Lord God and the person of Jesus the Christ. Yet God did not punish them, but gave them each a mission to complete in cooperation with the Divine Plan of Salvation History. Isaiah, who admitted in today's First Reading from Is. 6:1-2a,-3-8; that he had spoken of the Lord God with, "unclean lips", and as coming from, "a people of unclean lips", is permitted to see the glory of God in the Temple and called to be a prophetic voice to God's People, becoming one of the greatest Prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures. Simon the fisherman, who Jesus the Christ called to be an Apostle, confessed that he was a sinful man and yet even after becoming a Disciple sinned by denying Jesus three times in one day before His Death and Resurrection. Yet again, Jesus forgave him and entrusted him with the mission of being the primary leader of the Christian Church, the 1st Pope, so to speak. Saul, who became Paul, a devout Jew and learned Pharisee was first a persecutor of the early followers of Christ. Even carrying out his persecutions to the point of death, as chronicled in the Christian Scriptures by Saul's presence at the stoning death of St. Stephen the Deacon and First Martyr of the Church. But God did not cast off Saul or condemn him, but powerfully converted Paul to Christ and unfolded through him a mission of evangelization that made him the most prolific of writers of the Christian Scriptures. Each of these three Isaiah the Prophet, Peter the Apostle, Paul the Evangelist, had a vocation, a Calling from the Divine to share in the mission and ministry of God's People. We too, as the baptized have a vocation, a Call placed in our lives by God as Disciples of Jesus the Christ. Catholic-Christians tend to think of vocations as a call to the Priesthood or Religious Life. But Marriage and the Single Life are also vocations most people are called to answer. How will you commit or renew your lives in answer to the Call God is inviting you to embrace ? And what share in the mission and ministry of the Community of Believers and the wider World will you serve ? That is the lesson and the message the Sacred Scriptures on this 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time summons you to hear and respond to. Do not be afraid of the deep waters or the leap of faith it may require you to negotiate, as you respond to the Divine Plan for your lives and produce meaningful things for God's glory and the Common good..........Peace + Prayers in the Prophetic Voice of God Calling YOU, Fr. Troy

Saturday, February 6, 2010

WORLD MARRIAGE DAY AND THE SACRAMENT OF LOVE..........

Like many, if not most of you reading my blog, I was fortunate to be born and raised in a family where my parents and grandparents were married until parting at death. My parents Josephine Virginia, and Troy Doil, were married for more than 32 years when my mother died in 1982, at age 60. My maternal grandparents, Manuel Lawrence, and Claudia Frances, were married for 71 years, when my grandfather died at age 95, in 1986. In each instance, they weathered the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the successes and the struggles, of love, marriage, and family life, as "Mom" Corey said on their 70th Anniversary, "because love conquers all things"...
This weekend we affirm the unconditional love of Catholic-Christian Marriage in the celebration of World Marriage Day. The dignity and primacy of Marriage in Christian Marriage is elevated in the Community of Believers to be included among the Seven Sacraments of the Church. For Catholic-Christians Marriage is entered into as a Covenant relationship between God and the spouses, an unbreakable bond of pure love that is, Unitive and Creative. Catholic-Christianity teaches that, "what God joins together, no one must divide". The Sacrament of Marriage is intended to bond husbands and wives together for life. How that is and can be achieved in a society where temporary commitments and disposable relationships are increasingly prevalent requires that couples choosing to be wed, be fully prepared to accept the obligations and responsibilities of Christian Marriage. I believe as a priest who has officiated at 151 marriages, and assisted with the preparation of hundreds more, that a great degree of maturity and life experience must first be attained by persons seeking to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage. In my experience that translates to women and men in their mid twenties or older, to know themselves, their intended spouse, and the seriousness of the covenant relationship commitment they are entering in Christian Marriage. A solid foundation of faith, education, work, dating, and love, and family life, are indispensable components of a successful and lasting Catholic-Christian marriage. A quality Marriage Preparation course, which in the Sacramento Diocese includes, 'Evenings for the Engaged', 'Engaged Encounter', and 'Pre-Cana' conferences. I strongly recommend the Evenings for the Engaged and Engaged Encounter experiences, for their effectiveness in making the marriage preparation more than a condensed, one day, requirement filler. And to that extent, I meet an additional number of times with those couples I am preparing, to unpack the teaching they receive with those who do the Pre Cana conference, so as to maximize their understanding of the information they receive. I also share with my couples a copy of Rev. Fr. Joseph Champlin's bestselling book of forty years, "Together For Life", to supplement their marriage preparation and assist them in planning their Wedding celebration. As we mark this World Marriage Day weekend, Bishop Jaime Soto will be presiding at the 5 pm Mass in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento, tonight, Sat. Feb. 6, at which he will renew vows with couples married 10, 25, 50 years.....Whatever the number of years of your sacramental marriage, or the sacramental marriage you are preparing for, may the Grace, Peace, Love, and Covenant of Jesus Christ, be with you all your days..........May You Be Together For Life In The Bond Of Pure And Unconditional LOVE, Fr. Troy

Friday, February 5, 2010

REST IN PEACE, ICONS, RCIA, & CATHOLICS COME HOME..........

On this First Friday of February, as I prepare to celebrate Benediction at the conclusion of Sacred Heart's morning Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the 12 noon Mass, I am reflecting on the moments and ministries I have interacted with during this week. Yesterday word came that my priestly colleague and friend, Rev. Fr. Eric Lofgren's brother, Dwayne Bleecker, died after being ill since ThanksGiving. He was 50 years old. Fr. Eric is currently Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Lincoln, and I have known him and his family since 1984, when he was a first year seminarian. He did his seminary pastoral year internship with Fr. Bill Kinane and I, at St. John the Baptist Parish in 1989-90, which was when I met his brother Dwayne. I plan to concelebrate his Funeral Mass Saturday morning at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Del Paso Heights / Rio Linda. My sympathies and prayers go out to Fr. Eric, his mother Pat, and all their family. May Dwayne's soul Rest in Peace.....Monday night's presentation by Sister Anne Sekul, RSM, on Iconography, was an insightful and beautifully wonderful 90 minutes of exploring her work as an icongrapher and the spiritual and physical processes involved in creating icon art, which she accurately described as, "writing icons". She overviewed a dozen or more of the icons she herself has written, as well as detailed Eastern Orthodox iconography, which is the foundation of the Icon tradition. One of Sister Anne's icons on permanent display in Sacramento, is of St. Robert, and can be seen in St. Robert's Church, 2243 Irvin Way, in South Sacramento.....On Tuesday evening I attended the weekly meeting of Sacred Heart's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, RCIA ministry. Parishioner Tom Slakey was the presenter, speaking on the 7th, 10th, and 8th Commandments. I will be attending the weekly RCIA meetings for the rest of my time at SacHeart, and will be the presenter next Tuesday on the topic of, 'The Themes of Lent'. On the Sundays I preside at the 8 & 11 am Masses, I will also join the group for their Breaking of the Word gatherings at the 9:30 am Mass.....Thursday night I capped my day off, with attendance at the, "Catholics Come Home" ministry session, which was an hour and a half powerpoint presentation by team member Don Scnell on the History of the Catholic Church. Being historically minded, I was very pleased with the primer on Catholic-Christianity's 2,000 year history he gave the group of returning Catholics who were present.....It is time for me to go over to the church for Benediction and Mass. I hope that gives you a feel for the priestly ministry I am doing In Residence at Sacred Heart. Parish in East Sacramento.........Love + Peace in the Sacred Heart
of Jesus, Fr. Troy

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

ST. BLAISE - BISHOP ANND MARTYR, AND THE BLESSING OF THROATS..........

Our past is again our present, whenever we remember and give life to a memorable moment in our history. Today the Church memorializes St. Blaise, a bishop and martyr of 4th Century Christianity, which was a crystalizing time for the blossoming of the Faith, despite the ongoing persecutions of the Roman Empire. Blaise was a bishop in Sebaste, Armenia and was martyred during the persecutions of Emperor Licinius. He is one of the saints venerated by the Eastern Orthodox Church. And St. Blaise is also the patron saint of diseases of the throat, so that it is customary on this date to bless the throats of the faithful who present them, that through the intercession of St. Blaise, they will be, "healed of every disease of the the throat and every other illness. At the 8 am Mass this morning, following the homily I blessed the throats of 42 parishioners who were present at Mass. May you too, be spared and or, healed of throat disease and all other illnesses.....My primary parish ministry focus beyond Masses and the Sacraments, during these months of transition at Sacred Heart is, Adult Faith Formation, I attended the RCIA, (Rite of Christian of Adults) session last night which I will do weekly from here on out, at the invitation of the Parish RCIA Director, Rita Spillane. The topic for the evening was the 7th, 8th, and 10th Commandments, and it was both an interesting presentation and lively large group discussion of their meaning and practice in our contemporary lives.....Also yesterday, I had one of my fraternal visits with Bishop Emeritus Francis Anthony Quinn, at Mercy McMahon, which is always a joy.....After five weeks at SacHeart, I am finally unpacking, as it was not determined until this week which set of rooms I will be residing in for my duration here. I will be staying in the rooms at the top of the stairs, next to the guest room, I have been using since New Year's Eve, as the bigger associate suite has developed a heating problem. The parish janitor / handyman, helped me move and shift the heavy lifting items this morning, leaving multiple boxes big and small to unpack, arrange, and squeeze into, this space and I only have about 10% or so, of my 1,500 books with me and about half my clothes, the rest of both, being in a jampacked storage unit the past 4-5 years.....I had an early, pre 8 am Mass, breakfast, and after the work-out of beginning to organize my rectory quarters, I just finished an early lunch. After locking up the church at 1 o'clock I will take an afternoon nap and then go out for my daily neighborhood walk.....Have A Wonderful Day In The Sun / Son..........Peace + Prayers, Fr. Troy

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

.....FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD.....CHRIST IS OUR LIGHT..........

Last night Mercy Sister Anne Sekul, RSM, a native Religious vocation of Sacred Heart Parish, who has served as Principal of Sacred Heart and St. Robert Parish Schools, and who is an iconographer, gave a wonderful 90 minute presentation in the SacHeart Parish Hall, on iconography and her, "writing" of icons. More about this later in the week in another blog column..........Today is the fortieth day after Christmas Day and is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This liturgical feast commemorates the fidelity of Mary and Joseph in fulfilling the precept of the Mosaic Law to present their infant son Jesus to God in the Temple, as a rite of purification. But even as Joseph and Mary fulfilled their obligation, the Presentation of the infant Jesus, unfolded an affirmation of his Divine Lordship in the prophetic presence and interaction with Anna, the elderly widow constantly praying in the Temple day and night, and Simeon, a faithful believer in God's Promise of the sending a Messiah. Their awaiting anticipation and acknowledgement of the One they discovered in the infant Jesus, denoted the mission of redemption He would bring to pass for all God's People. Catholic Christianity also celebrates the Presentation of the Lord as, "Candlemas Day", when we bless the liturgical candles we will use in the Church throughout the year. We bless candles today that they may represent the Light of Christ in our presence as we pray, worship, and minister, in God's House, the sanctuaries of our church edifices. We believe Jesus Christ to be the Light of the World, the Light of the Nations, who enlightens our lives in the building up of God's Kingdom. This Feast of the Lord we know as, The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, originated in 4th Century Jerusalem, and was known as the, "Feast of the Meeting". At the Presentation Event, the prophetic Anna and Simeon, met the Anointed One of God, the Messiah, they had long awaited and whose Coming God's Chosen People had anticipated with hope filled expectation for many centuries. It has been celebrated in Rome since the mid 5th Century, from whence it has come down to us in the Universal Church around the world today. As Jesus is presented in the temple of our hearts what purification from sin and selfishness do we need to purge from our lives, to acclaim and bear witness to his Messiahship ? Pray, Ponder, Prophetically Proclaim, Jesus the Christ who is presenting Himself to you and me, and inviting us to discover the fulfillment of our Faith in God Who Saves Us..........May the Lord God Bless You And Keep You As Christ Our Light Is Presented To You, Today, Yesterday, Forever, Fr. Troy

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