Pastor's Corner

“Deacons, married or single, are ordained as a sign that all the faithful are called to service.”
– Fr. Bill

New Deacon Class

The archdiocese has called for a new formation class to become a deacon. Aspirants should be men between the age of 30 and 56. Deacons, married or single, are ordained as a sign that all the faithful are called to service. Deacons have a special role of service to the liturgy, to the Gospel and to the works of charity.

Candidates should be:

– A man of prayer, who demonstrates this quality in his daily life, and in his full and active participation in the liturgy

– A Catholic who is fully initiated and in good standing with the Catholic Church

– Commitment to serving the needs of the Church, especially the poor and vulnerable

– A lifetime pattern of spiritual, pastoral, human and intellectual growth

– Solid moral character demonstrating the human virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance

– Humility, good listening skills and openness to conversion

– Empathy, constancy, sincerity, truthfulness, patience enabling good relationships with others

– Preparedness to understand, present and promote the teachings of the Church

As you read this description, does someone in the parish come to mind? Could you encourage that man to consider a call to the diaconate?

As we make our way through
COVID, let us strive to hold up the
value of work and find ways to
ensure work always adds to the
dignity of the human person.”
– Fr. Bill

Labor Day

As we celebrate Labor Day, it is good to remind ourselves that work is a fundamental right and a good for the human person. Work is an appropriate way for one to give expression to and enhance his or her human dignity. The Church teaches the value of work and comes from its nature as something necessary. Work is needed to form and maintain a family, to have a right to property, and to contribute to the common good of the human family.

The economic well-being of a country is not measured exclusively by the quantity of goods it produces but also by taking into account the manner in which they are produced and the level of equity in the distribution of income, which should allow everyone access to what is necessary for their personal development and growth.

Based on principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, this best takes place by people working together on the local level. The Church’s consistent teaching, since Rerum Navarum in 1891 supports the rights of workers to choose whether to organize, join unions and bargain collectively, and to exercise these rights without reprisal. Workers, owners, employers, and unions should work together to create decent jobs, build a more just economy, and advance the common good.

At their best, labor unions embody solidarity and subsidiarity, while advancing the common good. They help workers “not only have more, but above all be more. [and] realize their humanity more fully in every respect.”

COVID has certainly been a challenge for many workers and employers. Many have lost jobs; many have had to work from home; many struggle to balance the needs of family with the demands of work. While unemployment benefits have been a lifeline for many, they have discouraged some from returning to work. Difficulty in filling positions have resulted in a more just wage for may service providers. As we make our way through COVID, let us strive to hold up the value of work and find ways to ensure work always adds to the dignity of the human person.

“Participation in the hymn is not so much about
the quality of one’s voice but more the desire to
foster the unity of the Body of Christ.” – Fr. Bill

Beginning in September, we will be returning to congregational singing for the opening hymn and the first communion hymn. During the past two years, we have faced restriction on singing due to Covid. We had to let the liturgical music ministers move our hearts and spirits with their singing. Now we are able to let the Assembly take their rightful part in praising God with song.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states that the purpose of the opening hymn “is to open the celebration, foster unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical season or festivity, and accompany the procession of the priest and ministers” (#47). When you have a list of items in a liturgical document, the most important is listed first; the least important is listed last.

The entrance hymn begins the celebration. I think this entrance hymn should focus on praising God. My personal opinion is that too many modern hymns focus on us, rather than on God. Rather than singing about ourselves, let us sing about God, what God has done and continues to do for us. Since it starts a celebration, the music and song itself should instinctively get us to our feet. There should be no need for any instruction to stand.

Of second highest importance is that the entrance hymn expresses and fosters unity. Participation in the hymn is not so much about the quality of one’s voice but more the desire to foster the unity of the Body of Christ. Even if you feel you cannot sing, you can still mouth the words. You would still be participating. However, if you purposely choose to keep your mouth shut (except for possibly a medical condition) you may be impeding the intent of the liturgy. Knowing the hymn greatly helps in wanting to sing the hymn.  During Covid when we had to discourage singing, we suggested to our musicians that they sing new and
unfamiliar hymns. Now that we are increasing the Assembly’s singing we are asking that they select the most familiar hymns. Let our musicians know what your favorite hymns are. 

The opening hymn also serves as a pathway to deeper faith as it draws you into the meaning of the liturgical season or festivity or even some of the themes of the day’s Liturgy. Like good poetry, there is a power to the words and music that help us transcend ourselves. For this reason the instruction warns about omitting verses that would risk distorting the whole meaning of the piece. During Covid we often ended the entrance hymn as soon as the priest got to his chair. My sense is we should sing all the verses necessary to get the complete meaning of the hymn.

Finally, the opening hymn accompanies the procession. Note, you are not singing to greet the presider. The procession is a symbol of what it means to be Christian: following the Cross of Christ and the Word of God. The procession announces the presence of God in the Assembly as the Book of the Gospels is enthroned and the Cross placed next the Altar where the sacrifice of the Cross will once again be made present.

I am impressed with the talent and dedication of our parish liturgical ministers. They have a challenging ministry to lead us in ways that help us truly celebrate, foster unity, lead us more deeply into the mystery of faith being expressed in the Mass and accompany the liturgical action and highlight its meaning. The best way to affirm and support them – SING!