Uncategorized

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!

““Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” 

– Maya Angelou

 

Fr. Dave Rogerson will be with you this weekend while I am away on a week’s vacation.  Fr. Rogerson is one of our senior priests who continues to help in various parishes. I have known him since my high school years, which is a long time.

For vacation, I am planning on getting some projects around the house accomplished, some extra reading done, a few friends and family
visited, and enjoying these August days in the northwest.

I came across a couple of quotes about vacations. The poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, once said: “Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” The Turkish playwright, Mehmet Murat ildan said, “Neglecting vacation is neglecting success because every success needs an accumulated positive energy!”

I am not sure how much I will get done. It is never all I have planned. However, I hope I come back rested and energized. We have a full and exciting program year beginning. Hope you are also able to get summer rest and refreshment.

 

“During COVID, we may have
gotten use to letting others do
the singing for us. Now we
are called to reclaim this
important expression of faith.“
– Fr. Bill

 

Singing is the Sign of the Heart’s Joy
In the latest COVID guidelines, the Archdiocese is lifting restrictions on singing. Full congregational singing may return. We have been singing some of the shorter refrains and antiphons. Soon, the Assembly also will be invited to sing the entire Gloria, the entrance hymn, and the first Communion Hymn. Later we will reintroduce singing for the preparation of the gifts and the closing hymn.

“The Gloria is the ancient and venerable hymn in which the Church, assembled in the Holy Spirit, praises and entreats God the Father and the Lamb.”

Often referred to as “the angelic hymn,” the Gloria was first intoned by the angels from heaven for the birth of Christ on earth. The  loria is a true hymn. Its opening burst of praise overflows into a series of joyful cries addressed to the Father: “we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.” The hymn goes on to sing of the mercy of the Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
By singing Opening Hymn together, we “foster the unity of those who have been gathered.” It may introduce a particular theme of the day and begins our celebration by praising God.

Another expression of unity is joining in the Communion Hymn. “Participating in the Communion hymn while the congregation continues to process and receive Communion is another important form of worship and source of unity”. The priest is part of that communion procession. You may have noticed that I do not take communion until the communion hymn has begun. The Communion Hymn show we approach the Lord together.

During COVID, we may have gotten use to letting others do the singing for us. Now we are called to reclaim this important expression of faith. God dwells within each human heart, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever God’s people sing God’s praise.” St. Augustine says, “Singing is for the one who loves.” Song is therefore a sign of God’s love for us and of our love for God. We are without hymnals so, when you see those words on the screen: SING!

“A daily Mass gives you thirty
minutes of peace.”
– Fr. Bill

Come to One of Our Daily Masses

One Sunday, a little child asked me what I did during  the week since the church was open only on  Sundays. She was a little surprised to discover there  is Mass or prayer in the church every day of the  week. I also do a few more things than just preside at  Mass, though that might be the most important thing I  do.

Did you know that St. John the Baptist Parish has an  evening Mass at 6:30 PM on Thursday? I am  presuming it is not in the forefront of most  parishioners’  minds since only a handful of  parishioners attend. I did an informal survey of  evening weekday Masses in our South King County  Deanery. In our Deanery, there is an evening Mass  every weekday. At those other parishes, the lowest  attendance was 35; the highest attendance was 200  (that was a Mass in Spanish). We get an average of  five to eight at our Thursday evening Mass.

An evening Mass makes it possible for many who are  still working to attend a weekday Mass. The majority  of those attending our morning weekday Mass at 9:00  AM are retired, though we do get some stay at home  parents as well as those who work a swing shift.

A daily Mass gives you thirty minutes of peace.  Our  lives are noisy and not because they always have to be,  but because we have been conditioned to need constant  stimulation. Our phones, iPads, and televisions usually win  the battle for our eyes just about everywhere we go, even  at the dinner table. A weekday Mass is a chance to  unplug. Go to Mass and leave your phone in the car, you  won’t regret it.

Daily Mass gives us an opportunity to restructure our  prayer life. Going to Mass during the week regularly  exposes us to new forms and focuses of prayer. The Mass  can teach us that prayer has a lot to do with being  thankful, with celebrating God’s merciful love, and with  praying for others. Daily Mass can and will improve our  prayer habits if we let it.

“Letting others know that you are
Catholic and the positive influence
this is for may be one way of
helping others find Christ.”
– Fr. Bill

Have you invited anyone to church lately?

This past year was only the third time in my 39 years of priesthood that I experienced an Easter Vigil without any baptisms.

COVID may have played a role in that. On the other hand, maybe the invitation was never extended. That invitation often begins with the average Catholic in the pew. You are the ambassadors for the parish and for the Church. Others, who may be searching for God, might hear in your description of our faith community or see in your manner of life something that attracts their interest or awakens a longing in their hearts.

When talking with relatives, friends, or neighbors, is there a way to share something you value about our parish or about the Catholic Faith? It could be as simple as sharing the parish’s value of caring for the environment or engagement in issues of social justice and compassion. Perhaps it is the experience of being part of a community that is important to you or the style of Catholic worship. Letting others know that you are Catholic and the positive influence this is for may be one way of helping others find Christ.

Sometimes a direct invitation can work. “I’m going to church this weekend; would you like to join me?” “Have you ever thought about becoming a Catholic?” You may be the only way God has to draw someone to the faith. When you see someone moving into your neighborhood, as you welcome them to the local community, might you ask, “Do you have a church community? Are you looking for one?” If they already belong to another denomination, you could still help them find where that denomination is located.

You may be the invitation someone needs to draw closer to Christ. Being that invitation might help you draw closer to Christ as well.