Pastor's Corner

For some time now, ordinary time will be celebrated on Sundays as well as during the week. “Ordinary” Time actually comes from ‘ordinal’ or ‘counted’, which points to the weeks are counted and not in preparation or in celebration of a major feast like Christmas or Easter.

But since there is no special emphasis during these counted days and week, outside of what the cycle of scripture readings will bring to us, it can become, well, ordinary. How do you stay involved and engaged when Sundays seem to run together and the next liturgical high point is weeks or months away? Not to mention the temptations that may have to take a vacation from their faith during the summer months. Here are six suggestions to help make Ordinary Time a little less ordinary.

1. Create your own novena. A novena, nine days of private or public prayer intended to obtain a special grace, favor or blessing has long been a part of the Church’s devotions. You can find novenas for about everything, but you can also create your own novena, for you to do privately or for your family to do together. E.g., create a birthday novena, choosing to do something special for the nine days like the Hail Mary or Our Father, but maybe also light a candle, read some scripture or plant a flower for a special grace to be given to the birthday person. Whatever you do, place yourself in the presence of God and offer your activity with your whole heart, mind and soul.

2. Keep a gratitude journal. Some studies have shown that people who regularly ‘count their blessings’ are happier than those who don’t. Often, we are so focused on the negatives in our lives we overlook the positives. So, take a small notebook and daily, write at least five things you are thankful for. Again, this can be done individually or as a family at dinner. After reading aloud each item in prayer, say “Thank you God”.

3. Focus of God’s abundance. Similar to the last suggestion but concentrate and emphasize the ways God has showed his providence in a tangible, practical manner and tell someone else about it. It might be finding a quarter on the sidewalk or something larger like receiving an unexpected gift from someone. It could be when a neighbor trimmed some bushes for you or let you borrow their mower. It could be a daily joy to see what new gift God has given you.

4. Act out. Faith can be more about ‘thinking’ instead of ‘doing’. So put your faith into action. You can act out in small or large ways. Jesus tells us if we had two coats we should share with those who had none. Since most of us have more than enough coats or clothes, paring down our collection could be a good beginning. As Mother Teresa said, we should “Live simply so that others may simply live”.

5. Read something with moral value. Have you ever ready, “The Confessions” by St. Augustine? “The Brothers Karamazov” by Dostoevsky? Or for more modern tastes “Mr. Blue” by Myles Connolly, “Fatherless” by Brian Gail, or just about anything by Peter Kreeft? It is good to read about God and morality rather than just worldly matters. We don’t have to agree with everything we read, but reading morally engaging literature is one of the best ways to keep our faith vital and vibrant.

6. Keep the Sabbath holy. Ordinary Time is suited to creating rituals that keep the Sabbath as a special day. Again, simple things can work such as stopping by the doughnut shop on the way home from Sunday Mass and letting everyone pick their favorite could become a ‘tradition’. Or re-institute a sit-down family breakfast or dinner, even if you are sitting to eat take-out. When on vacation, make sure to participate in Mass wherever you are and experience other Catholics in prayer. Remember to visit www.masstimes.org to find mass wherever you might travel. It’s still a serious obligation to attend Mass every Sunday, even when away from Nativity.

Ordinary Time is only ordinary if we think of it that way. If we consider these weeks, not as the long boring stretches between the good stuff, but as a time to try new things and refocus our energies on our spiritual growth, Ordinary Time can become a favorite, and most rewarding, time of theyear. 

God bless,

Fr. Jerry

On this Father's Day weekend, I am reminded of the great gift of a Godly man who is husband and father. A godly man is a man who places God first in his life and lives accordingly. So according to both scripture and the teachings of the Church, you could say a good Catholic man is like a good beef bourguignon. You might be able to list all of the ingredients: beef church, red wine, bacon, veggies, but the best taste comes with time wo that the taste is a blend. There should be a blend of many things for a good Catholic man, and it is a blending of relationships.

As an adult son, a man should gain a sense of wisdom that comes from living and give thanks for his parents and attempt to repay them for their many gifts and sacrifices. And in some cases, to accept and maybe even rise above their mistakes and shortcomings. This man realizes how important it has been to hear "I love you" as he comes to understand how it is equally important for him to say it, to say it now, because time is passing more and more quickly.

As a husband, a Godly man remembers he is a co-celebrant along with his wife in the sacrament of marriage. Modern society warns couples to "Watch out! Don't fall into the trap of giving more than you get." The Scriptures and the church teach that marriage is for giving, that it is for openness to love and to life. This means he does not want things just for him but knows it is "ours". What comes is just exactly what was in the vows he agreed to: good times and bad, sickness and health. What comes is a love that remains despite the badness and the sickness; a love that actually grows stronger through the obstacles and the crosses.

As a father, a Catholic man turns his heart and mind to God and calls Him Father and realizes that there are other humans who use the same title for him. They call to him and ask him for help and guidance and support and care. Fatherhood teaches a Catholic man about sacrifice. Giving up and going without are inseparable from being a dad. A Catholic dad knows his kids are watching. They may not always listen, but they never fail to see what he does and doesn’t do. And so, if he wants his children to be people of prayer who will be blessed with heaven, he must show them what it means to be a man of prayer. If he wants to be Catholic dad, he will make attending Mass a priority.

Finally, part of being a Catholic man is not just answering the call to married, single or religious life; it's answering what Mother Teresa has referred to as "the call within the call." In whatever profession, craft or trade he finds himself; a Catholic man has a set of criteria to measure success that often differs from those around him. The definition of success Christ taught (Mt 25: 14-46), the one the Church teaches, doesn't have to do with income, with fame or with power. The one who dies with the most toys does NOT win. The truly successful man is the one who had taken the

talent, that gift, however large or small it may be that God has given him, and has used it to the best of his ability in serving others.

The truly successful man serves Christ by serving others, at home, at work and in the community. We need more Godly men.

Happy Father's Day.

God bless!

Fr. Jerry