The Prayer Garden

One of the particular blessings of my pastoral year is time to pray. Parish life can be busy, and does include meeting after meeting … I’m not “complaining,” just “explaining.” I enjoy the wonderful opportunity to connect with the people of Saint Robert’s in the various contexts: Adult Faith Formation, Liturgy, Religious Education, Small Faith Sharing, Building and Grounds, Respect Life, etc.

For me, however, each day continues to have time that I can dedicate to personal prayer, and one of my favorite places to have a conversation with God is the Prayer Garden, a beautiful space between the church building and the parish center, which is cared for by a parish gardening committee, and which is filled with colorful flowers, a fountain that is sometimes on (haven’t figured out the schedule for the fountain yet), several benches, and two statues. One “feature” I have found – considering I can get a sunburn looking at a postcard of a sunset – is that at any time during the day, at least one of the benches is in the shade.

The first statue, the Blessed Mother, has her holding the Infant Jesus, and has two small children at her feet, looking up at the Child. As I contemplated that statue during the course of the Rosary today, the Feast of the Assumption, I glanced over and noticed that St. Joseph was also mostly in the shadows, and is positioned in a place where he likely is partly in shadow most of the day. So my contemplative prayer today shifted from the Blessed Mother to considering “Saint Joseph of the Shadows.”

OK, I made up that title, but it is probably fair to say that in the hectic world in which we all live, Joseph probably gets left in the shadows a lot. And yet, he came into center stage earlier this week when several of us in the parish center were discussing his role as the patron of workers. Employment is a challenge for many, many people today. Some are underemployed, some are unhappy in cut-throat positions, and far too many are seeking a job, something that not too long ago was taken much more for granted.

We see the depiction of Joseph in religious art as usually serene, holding a lily as a sign of his peacefulness, and sometimes as the teacher of the young Jesus, guiding him in learning to be a carpenter. Something we don’t often consider – which I believe is a prominent feature of “Saint Joseph of the Shadows” – is that his hands were most likely calloused, probably arthritic, and likely had a number of scars from sharp hand tools that slipped from time-to-time, especially when he was tired. At least for me, when playing with my hobby of woodworking, it is when I am tired that the tools slip, and I have a few scars to measure those mistakes.

Scriptures say very little about St. Joseph, and yet it was he who probably first listened to Mary’s warning to be careful with Jesus in the shop, and not to let Him get hurt with the sharp tools. Both of them knew that one day, He would have more than His share of hurts – He would suffer all the hurts for the sinful world of all time that He redeemed in His death and resurrection. But I picture Joseph’s strong, calloused hand gently wrapped around Jesus’ small hand, working the plane or the saw to shape a chair, or a bowl in the shop. And then I think that Jesus, too, had callouses on His hands. Before he had the stigmata, Saint Francis of Assisi had callouses, too, from rebuilding the churches, stone upon stone.

Hard work goes into creating the world and our Church. As we pray for guidance while searching for work, or while trying to understand how to make the best of a difficult day at work, remember Saint Joseph of the Shadows; he is always there, gently speaking to Jesus about being careful with Creation. Invite Joseph to gently wrap his strong, rough, scarred hands around our own labors, to guide us, and to speak to His Son on our behalf. God’s creation continues to unfold in each of our lives; take the time to recognize and embrace the fact that we don’t work alone, but with heavenly guidance as we discern our role in the creation story of today.

Retreat: [ri-treet] The act of withdrawing, as into safety or privacy ... and into prayer!

Last week was one I really looked forward to: the annual retreat of the Diocese of Trenton seminarians. Given that we study in four different seminaries, this five-day gathering of more than thirty men aspiring to the priesthood becomes a great opportunity to catch up with each other’s lives, parish assignments, and generally chat about why we are on this journey. There was a comfortable feel to the retreat this year as I was no longer one of “the new guys.” That was driven home in a strange sort of way when I got to my room, and turning on my iPad to see if I could get to my e-mail, found that I was already connected to the wireless network; I had been here before, and was connected – in more ways than with a tablet!

For these few days, our paths intersect and merge, with the focal point of that intersection at Stella Maris Retreat Center in Long Branch. Others who were just starting with me last year spoke about returning to their seminaries early to help with this year’s “new student orientation” programs; like me, they were no longer the object of the orientation but had quickly emerged into roles of participating and leading within their various seminaries.

The bike rides that some of us took were really not about riding a bike or exercise … they were about talking among friends who were on a journey much bigger than the couple of miles we might pedal that afternoon.

For most of the men, this retreat fell at the point where their formal summer assignments were completed, and they had a few weeks to visit with family and friends before returning to their dorm rooms in late August. For myself, the retreat was but a momentary pause, as I will continue in my pastoral year assignment for the next ten months here at Saint Robert Bellarmine parish. A particular joy in this year is the level of involvement within my parish, possible because I am here for a longer period; I am given the chance by my pastor to be not an observer, but a participant in the daily life of a busy parish.

I seem to have a foot in two camps as well; since I am ministering full-time in a parish, albeit not yet a priest, my life has taken on the rhythm of rectory living and parish schedules. Along with my classmates who also just graduated and were ordained, we are adjusting to that rhythm: what does it mean to have your day off in the middle of the week when many of your family and friends are working? How do you find a time when six priest friends can get together? Who has Mass on Saturday? Who has Sunday night? Who has hospital duty on which day? We had a quorum for dinner a week or so ago on a Sunday evening, which I helped set up, only to realize that I had the 5 PM Mass that day; it really helps to look at the correct calendar!

Please keep me, our recently ordained priests, and all seminarians in your prayers; each of us will be adjusting to the chronos time and calendars in our parishes and schools, but at the same time need to remember that kairos time is spent with God. To quote my “friend,” Karl Rahner, whose book on prayer I re-read during retreat, life is filled with temptation and decisions; each moment – kairos – is an invitation to divine love, and our response is a life of prayer. May each of you experience lives of prayer each day.

Intercessory Prayer and the Fortnight for Freedom

     As a seminarian, with more than a little “academic” bent to my life, I am still surprised when people I meet in conversation will respond, “I didn’t know that!” to what I might consider basic tenets of our Church teaching.  Reflecting on this phenomena a bit, I realize that I shouldn’t be surprised, because I often say the same thing.

     A few days ago I had a conversation with a friend about annual appraisals, which sort of took me back to my past. After mentoring and managing people for more than 30 years in business, I recall that often, I and other managers would speak about the need for staff to take part in their own “self-directed education” in order to advance. That begs the question: in our Church life, how many of us actively pursue expanding our knowledge through self-directed learning? 
     This weekend, the Fortnight for Freedom began, running from June 21^st to July 4^th. On their website, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org) states: “The theme of this year's Fortnight will focus on the freedom to serve the poor and vulnerable in accord with human dignity and the Church's teaching.”

     That message seems, to me, to be so basic; if someone desires to help the poor and the marginalized, shouldn’t we all - including our civic leaders - cheer them on, and perhaps offer to help, too? But a simple review of the fact sheet the USCCB offers illustrates that for an organization such as the Catholic Church, there are multiple civil and legal attacks on the freedom to serve the poor.

     Most of my readers I expect continue to be aware and concerned about the US Department of Health and Human Services mandate that runs counter to our Church teaching on sterilization, contraception and abortion. But there is more to the focus of the Fortnight:

- Who would have guessed that Catholic foster care and adoption services have been driven out of business in places like Boston, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and the entire state of Illinois?

- Would you have guessed that the USCCB Migration and Refugee Services, offered for years while working with the federal government, had its contract changed because the government required them to refer people for contraceptive and abortion services in violation of our Catholic teaching?

     More examples could be cited, but it could be more effective for my blog readers to explore these limitations on our freedom yourselves. Type Fortnight4Freedom.org into your browser, and continue your “self-directed learning” about the threats to living out the Gospel; I hope and pray that you will be glad that you did.

     For my part, I found it interesting that the bishops mention the saints on our Roman Calendar during these next few days whose lives reflect a political dimension. From reading about their lives, we will better understand that this is not something new only in our 21^st century.

June 22^nd – Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, Martyrs

     Fisher, Bishop or Rochester, and More, Lord Chancellor, where both martyred for defending the teaching of the Church against King Henry VIII, especially in regard to the sanctity and permanence of marriage. Today, the same sanctity and permanence of marriage is being challenged from within our secular society that has reduced marriage to a commodity, governed more by popular media than centuries-old Church teaching.

June 24^th – The Birth of Saint John the Baptist, Martyr

     Jesus’ cousin was martyred for speaking out against the marriage of Herod to his brother’s wife, Herodias. We find here one of the earliest martyrdoms in our Church history where the defense of marriage was one of the charges held against the Saint.

June 28^th – Saint Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr

     This 2^nd century bishop and martyr is known for his defense of Christianity, including his early creed that served as the precursor of the Nicaea formula of faith to be promulgated a century after Irenaeus taught – and died in 202 A.D. – for the Christian faith against tyrannical Rome, under Emperor Septimus Severus' persecutions.

June 29^th – Saints Peter and Paul Apostles and Martyrs

     Both Peter and Paul would be put to death for their leadership of the emerging Christian faith. Each wrote for us some of the strongest texts about standing firm in faith in the face of any trials and attacks. Consider spending some time reflecting on 1 Cor 16:13 or 1 Peter 5:8-10.

July 1^st – Blessed Junipero Serra

     Serra was the 18^th century Franciscan whose passion for the faith led him, on his missionary journey, to found missions along the Pacific coast, nine throughout California. We find in Blessed Serra that foundation of faith upon which our country has been founded.

     As you consider the prayers of the Church during this Fortnight of Freedom, please reflect on the many saints whose lives offered complete witness to the Gospel … for many, unto their martyr’s death. We have them to thank, and to intercede for us during this critical time in our country.

 (From the USCCB Prayer for the Fortnight of Freedom)

Looking Forward to my Pastoral Year

I’m Back!

Sorry to those faithful readers, many of whom I have met and spoken too over the past few months as you asked, “Are you still going to write your vocation blog?”

The answer is “Yes,” coupled with the caveat from last summer that if I didn’t post an entry for a while, it was because the semester workload was a priority. This spring semester, the workload of seven courses won out over blog posts. Sorry … but it might happen again sometimes, so thanks for your understanding and continued prayers.

A quick update for friends and family, of things that can be checked off:

• Completed my academic program at Immaculate Conception, and graduated with my second M.A. in theology on May 15^th.

• Sold my home in Mount Laurel, so Sea Isle City is now “home” when I am not in my parish.

• Completed by diaconate assignment at OLPH/Saint Agnes, having formed some wonderful friendships with Father Bill, Father Michael, and the great parishioners who call Atlantic Highlands and the Highlands “home.”

• Moved out of Seton Hall, and moved into Saint Robert Bellarmine in Freehold, NJ, as my “home” for this next “pastoral year.”

Some have asked me, “What is a pastoral year?” For my continued formation to the priesthood, a pastoral year is one that is spent full-time in a parish, gaining experience in all that makes up the rhythm of parish life. So far, that has included participation in various parish committee meetings, and some particular projects as outlined by my pastor, Monsignor Sam. I am excited about the experiences that will become part of my formation in the coming twelve months for a few reasons.

First, it is extremely valuable to experience life in a parish outside of weekend liturgies. Through my decade of service as a deacon, I have a sense of those duties, both liturgical and pastoral, such as marriage preparation and bereavement services. My experience of the administrative side of the parish has been limited, and this year will offer me a depth of experience in this area. Saint Robert Bellarmine is a busy, large parish community, so there will be varied experiences of many types in the weeks ahead.

Second, I am extremely fortunate to be connected once again with an old friend (or should that be “long-time” friend?) Monsignor Sam and I first met in 1984 when he was a newly ordained priest, serving his initial assignment at Our Lady of Good Counsel parish in Moorestown. We had the opportunity to work together three decades ago, and I am now to be the beneficiary of those three decades of priestly experience during this pastoral year. Along with Father Ed, our parochial vicar, I am truly blessed to have these men share their life’s experience in ministry with me. If these first two weeks are any indicator, I will be profoundly wiser in twelve months in regard to the everyday life of a parish priest.

Third, I have been welcomed to Freehold, NJ, by another friend, Deacon Rolf, who is both the parish manager here at Saint Robert's and a classmate from my diaconate class of 2004. In just a few days, Freehold has already begun to feel like "my neighborhood" through the welcome of these old friends and new acquaintances among the parish.

Please keep me, and all my brother seminarians in your prayers, along with all the priests, bishops and faculty members who continue to prepare us to serve God’s People. I promise that you will see more regular posts in the months ahead, now that the academic schedule is in the rear-view mirror.