Published on 4 days ago
Now that the Easter Season is closed with the great Feast of Pentecost and we've officially begun summer with our Nation's celebration of Memorial Day, I'd like to recap a little and look forward to what lies ahead in the next few months.
Easter, of course, is the high point of our Church's liturgical year. For both of our communities of St. Mary & St. Joseph it's the opportunity to pull out all the stops and shine. That we did. I am proud to say that our guests who come year after year and the first-timers comment to me on the joy, excitement and welcome they feel the moment they arrive. That in itself is a wonderful witness of who we are as a family of Faith. I'm not even going to try to mention and thank all those involved in making the entire Easter celebration which touches and deepens the faith of so many. God knows and does the thanking and rewarding. "Well done, good and faithful servants."
You may not have noticed...
The altar, ambo, and gift tablecloths at St. Mary are in the 1935 photo taken by Fr. Elmendorf of the interior of the church. I found them stuffed in a sacristy drawer when I first arrived and recognized them as the ones in the photo. We put them out only during the Christmas and Easter seasons and on Bazaar Day. They are then packed in archival paper and stored. Hopefully, they will last many more years for future generations.
St. Mary's Paschal Candle (the big 'Easter' candle) carried into the church on the solemn Easter Vigil and having its place next to the ambo (pulpit) all during Easter is very special. It was made by Marklin Candle Design in New Hampshire. I have bought Easter candles since Mark Marklin started his company in 1985. As a result, we have had every design he's offered through the years. For this Easter I contacted Mark and asked if he'd do a custom, one-of-a-kind Paschal Candle for St. Mary. I wanted it to be inspired by the artist Henri Matisse. He was thrilled. It is not only unique but absolutely beautiful. He told me he had shown it to some other pastors who wanted the same. He declined saying it was only made for one church, St. Mary/Plantersville. They're jealous... lol. Next year's candle will be inspired by the artist Vincent Van Gogh....and the following year the artist Frieda Kahlo. Yep, am optimistic. Ordering two years in advance. lol. St. Joseph's is not forgotten. Next year's candle will be inspired by the 'corn poppy', the national flower of Poland.
Notice that the baptismal fonts of our churches were especially decorated. Baptism. Our dying and rising with Christ to His new life is highlighted throughout the Easter season. St. Mary's baptismal font, originally from a church on the East Coast, had the dome cover removed, and a carved bowl of quartz positioned for baptisms. It was actually lit from beneath and encircled by an elaborate arrangement of flowers. The font at St. Joseph's, also originally from the East Coast, had a stunning arrangement of live greenery (life) and lilies, the Easter flower. Both fonts immediately caught one's attention, as they should all year, but especially during Easter.
Now that the Easter season is completed, we'll be entering into Ordinary Time. It's called 'ordinary' not because it's dull or common, but comes from the Latin word 'ordo', numbered, It's the counted time between the great Feasts of the liturgical year. The color changes. Easter 'white/gold' for joy, Pentecost 'red' for the Holy Spirit, now 'green' for hope, life of faith. The environment (decorations) is less elaborate. Ordinary Time might be seen a 'resting period' until the liturgical year changes pace: Ash Wednesday, Lent... Easter to Pentecost... Advent to Christmas.
St. Joseph's bazaar was blessed by an unexpectedly beautiful day (the forecast was dreadful). The crowd was given, as expected, a great feed and an enjoyable time of visiting and spending money to support the church.
Now we're beginning the planning for St. Mary's bazaar, the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. I want to make a special appeal to our new St. Mary's families: We need you to be part of the one event that showcases St. Mary's united, working together, enjoying each other, knowing each other better and witnessing to our Lord, Jesus. If you're new to the parish, if you're young and new to the parish, if you're new, young and have children, this is your opportunity to get involved. We pride ourselves as not being a parish where you go to church on Sundays and go home when Mass is over. We consider this our 'Faith Home'. It's so important for the young and children to see their parents involved, working at the church (even with them at their side). Never consider that 'well, they've got it all covered'. There is always room for more and more hands to make the work easier and go more quickly. Speaking for myself, it's getting a bit harder to life/pull/carry at 78...lol. We, as a parish family, have been so blessed. Those blessing come, I believe, from the Lord Who sees how we all work together for His honor and glory. When you hear the announcement about the upcoming Bazaar, don't tune out but hear the Lord speaking to you to do your part. Honestly, it's that working together that you get to know your fellow parishioners and how, honestly, I get to know you.
We're also preparing for our new year of handing on the faith to our youth and children. We have a dedicated and enthusiastic team, coordinating our CCE program. We also have a faithful, faith-filled, dedicated core of teachers and aides who re-enlist to continue witnessing and teaching the beliefs of our Catholic faith. But we need more to come forward and fill in those positions that need a teacher or aide for this new year. You'll be hearing about the needs of our CCE program. Again, hear not just the announcement but Christ reaching out to you and your gifts to do what is desperately needed today: teaching and leading our youth and children into the ways of our Catholic faith. There is news of this year's CCE in this bulletin. Sometimes I feel like we're begging for volunteers. Should we beg to find those willing to build up the Church for the present generation? Think about it. Christ may be calling you to use your gifts. He needs you. We need you.
Looking forward to the summer months when so many are traveling, sometimes our Sunday hospitality teams need a little fill in help or are anxious to add new team members. Appealing especially to newcomers and younger families...think about it. I am thrilled on Sunday mornings when I hear the laughter, camaraderie and bustling in the kitchen as guys and gals come in to prepare a feast for their fellow parishioners. Again, need I say? Want to get involved? Meet new friends/parishioners? Another opportunity. No experience required. On the job training. Who knows you might become a supervisor.
Time flies by so quickly. Before we know it, the summer will be over. I am thankful that as time flies by, I have this time to continue being pastor of our wonderful and active churches. But we all know that my clock is ticking...lol. But, until that ultimate day comes, we have a lot of work to do. I'm blessed that I can depend on all of you to continue to make my job 'like a cakewalk'. I've never felt like I have a heavy load to carry. Y'all make it easy. Why retire? I have it too good, thanks to all of you.