I have been doing a fair amount of reflecting on the value of a Catholic School education.  The occasion of this reflection has been the recent “Founders Award” that I received from Notre Dame de la Baie.  I was one of the founding board members of the school that formed from the former Premontre, St. Joseph’s Academy and Abbot Pennings High Schools.

When I was young, Catholic school education was taken for granted.  Most parishes had their own grade school, religious sisters taught there, and only a small minority of Catholic children attended public schools.  It was assumed that this was the major ministry of a parish, and the parish and its school was the center of community life.

How perspectives have changed over the years!  People today have so many “centers” of community life to choose from:  team sports, travel and cottages, work relationships, care of parents and grandparents, shopping, and of course, a home where both parents probably hold full-time jobs.

Bishop Ricken suggests that we look at our Catholic grade and high schools from a whole different perspective today.  Often they are the point of entry for families to become engaged in the faith.  From the healthy contact with the school-faith community, they then become involved in the parishes that support the schools.  Looking at our Catholic schools from this perspective, we see them as evangelizing communities— places where people see and experience dedicated faculty and staff who share their faith and knowledge with our children.  In the formation process that takes place, families experience the importance of their relationship with a faith community and then reach out to the parishes as their home.

The place where all this begins is often during the preparation that children have for celebration of the Sacraments:  First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation.  The preparation and celebration of these sacraments is parish-based and always involves the families.

I invite you to consider our Catholic Schools as a wonderful opportunity for your children to grow spiritually, intellectually, and as whole persons.  Many children of our parish attend the GRACE School nearest us:  Holy Family School: located on the campus of St. Agnes Parish.  A large contingent of high school students attend Notre Dame Academy.  There is financial aid available to help families afford these school systems and, as you know, school choice provides vouchers for people to attend private schools.

Often it is grandparents who encourage and financially support their grandchildren who wish to attend our Catholic Schools.  Our parish also subsidizes the GRACE system as well as Notre Dame Academy.  A major part of our budget is dedicated to these schools.  We would love to have more families consider sending their children to them.

Points of entry into the faith community are many.  Each have value.  Don’t minimize the window of opportunity that is provided by our Catholic Schools!

Christ is truly the Messiah for all peoples – everyone.

That is such a beautiful but difficult reality to make our own. In theory we all nod in agreement:  “Yes, Christ is for all people.”  But the reality of opening our minds and hearts to everyone, especially those who seem so different and distant from us, is indeed challenging.

I find myself too often making subconscious conclusions about persons and groups that don’t think, act, or believe similar to my upbringing. I certainly have been blessed by being raised in the Demuth household but have come to realize how this is not the only way.

When I open myself up to learn how other peoples are raised in another tradition, I am enriched. When I encounter folks whose upbringing is totally different than mine, I soon realize how amazing it is that God has worked through them and in them — unique to their history and culture.  It is in those moments that my prejudices begin to soften and melt.

O God, you are marvelous indeed!

You are the God of all peoples and

I praise you for them.

In their diversity, we are all enriched.

Glory and praise to you!

Dear Parishioners and friends,

Recently I had an experience that brought many layers of memories and emotions to the foreground. I presided at the funeral of one of my grade-school classmates.  We grew up together in the same neighborhood and our two families were very close to one another.

I have been gone from my home town since I was 14 years old, returning primarily for family visits. So, when I suddenly became immersed once again in the broader community due to the funeral, I was blown away as I was suddenly surrounded by old neighbors, grade-school classmates and friends from my childhood. Memories and emotions that had been held at bay for many decades came rushing back. I was amazed — and shook up — as I recalled the events of childhood and how much they were still with me.

The funeral was a wonderful send off for a dedicated woman who spent years in service of the church as a teacher, worship leader, singer, campus minister, and one who served those with special needs.  Often during her life she had faced severe health issues, including colorectal cancer that took her life in a very painful way. It was also good to spend time with her two siblings. It was a privilege to visit and pray with her during her final days of earthly life.

The result of those days “back home” have caused me to reflect on those early influences of my life and especially of the totally “Catholic” atmosphere in which I grew up. I am sure that I am a priest today because of the influences, prayers, and support that I received as a child and young adolescent. The families, St. Paul’s Parish and School, and the close-knit relationships of the “Riverview neighborhood” formed me as much as my Mom and Dad and sister did. We are who we are, not of our own making, but because we were formed by the people and culture around us.

I share this with you because I am aware that not all children today are as fortunate as I was. There are many fractured families — dragged down by drug and alcohol abuse, growing up without close friends and support, facing unemployment and poverty in the family (or on the other hand totally spoiled with too much material stuff) which can result in young adults who feel very much alone and without good people to rely on.

And that’s where you and I come in. As blessed people of faith, we have a lot to offer folks who do not have strong role models. By reaching out to the neighborhood kid that is hurting, by volunteering to be big brothers or sisters, by being a grandmother or grandfather figure to someone without grandparents nearby, we can be the positive, faith-filled figure for those who crave for what I simply took for granted!

Thanks, Lord, for all those who surrounded me as a child. Thanks, too, for the opportunity to revisit the gifts that surrounded me and that I took for granted. May I—and we—be that for others.

“Silence . . . ”

Many times silence is really golden.  In quiet moments, we can listen to the voice of God within and foster a peace within ourselves that enables us to grow in wisdom and grace.

“Silence . . . ”

Sometimes silence can be deadly, especially when it means we fail to speak up for what is important.  “If only I had said something . . .”  All of us have moments of regret for not speaking up when someone is being hurt, a reputation is being ruined, statements of prejudice are being voiced, or harmful gossip is being spread.

Christ was truly compassionate toward those who were hurting or outcast.  But he was also not afraid to speak the truth and to correct.  Instances of this come to mind . . .

▪ To Peter, “Get behind me you Satan.”

▪ To the Pharisees, “You hypocrites.”

▪ To those ready to stone a women, “Let him without sin cast the first stone.”

▪ To all of us, “I have come to cast fire on the earth.”

John Quiñones in his television program “What Would You Do?” stages situations where ordinary people are filmed either speaking up or avoiding issues when someone should speak up on behalf of others.  “What would you do?” is a great question!

I challenge myself and all of you to pray for the gift of knowing when to keep silent and when to speak up.  When good people fail to speak up, more harm can be done than those who do evil.  Whether in our homes, at work, or at social events out in public, there are times for us to speak out for what is right and just.

 

The last thing the Acts of the Apostles tells us about St. Paul is that after his arrest and appeal to Rome, he began his journey to that city.  It is not surprising then that multiple legends arose over the first several centuries describing his last days before martyrdom. Our teachers brought us to multiple sites mostly related to St. Paul, his imprisonment, and death.

The first order of the day, however, was a ride to the Domitillan catacombs.  This is a huge underground cemetery outside Rome. According to Roman custom, all people who died had to be buried no matter how their death was caused.   Whereas the important Roman citizens had their tombs identified, the ordinary people and especially the poor were buried anonymously.  Christians, however, saw the value of every human being and so all Christians who died under any circumstance had their graves identified with their name. Upon entering the catacombs we went down a set of steps to a huge underground church. I vested there for Mass but soon our group of 20 were led further into the catacombs until we reached a small cave-like room with an altar.  It was the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist this day.  What an appropriate way to celebrate the deaths of so many Christians who are buried in the catacombs – – John being one of the first martyrs for Christ.

After Mass we drove to the Appian Way. This ancient Roman road is still in use, much like our biking and walking trails. Incredible to think that Paul, once arriving at the port city of Ostia, would have walked this same route to his Roman confinement.  Even though it was more than 90 degrees, we took a 30-minute walk in the footsteps of Paul.

Following that we drove to Tre Fontaine, site of a Benedictine monastery where legend has it that when Paul was beheaded, his head bounced three times with a spring of water bursting forth at each spot.  Obviously, it was just legend but it was still a very prayerful place.

Then came the highlight of the day: arrival at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

This is the 4^th Church in Rome that is designated as a place to walk through the Holy Doors – – and to think that I visited all four of those churches.

This large Basilica is an awesome sight.  Much simpler than St. Peter’s, it also attracts pilgrims who wish to see the place of martyrdom of the 2^nd to the great apostles.  Like St. Peter’s, the church has no pews but is rather an open gathering space for Christians to assemble and worship.

Central to the church is a display case holding the nine links of the chains that are said to have bound St. Paul while in prison.  Below the altar is a shrine which tradition says is where St. Paul’s bones were buried after he was beheaded.  Similar to findings at St. Peter’s, analysis of the bones found under the altar go back to the 1^st century.  A good place to pray and reflect.

The windows of the church, rather than of stain glass, are made of alabaster sheets and let light through their opaque material.

Around the upper walls throughout the church are mosaics of every Pope from the time of St. Peter all the way up to our current beloved Pope Francis. His mosaic is spotlighted and stands out as a witness to his present servant leadership.

And thus our formal study time in Rome ended. In the evening, we walked to an outdoor restaurant where we feasted on the finest Italian foods before saying goodbye to one another.

 

One of our classes was spent examining the Gospel of Mark in the light of the audience to which it was written. Mark wrote his Gospel to the survivors of the great persecution of Nero. Christians were asking themselves what the future was in the light of all the people that had been killed. A fresh reading of the Gospel from this perspective gives a whole new level of appreciation to his passages of suffering and discipleship.  How appropriate for the vision and mission of our parish!

One evening we went to Piazza Venezia and climbed to the upper levels of the Victor Emmanuel monument. We stayed for part of a free choral concert that featured music of Verdi. We then searched out a small street-side café for a delightful evening meal.

After a week and a half of wonderful weather in the lower to mid 80s, the hot reputation of Rome suddenly appeared.  It hit 90 degrees and believe me it was hot as we walked through the city that day.  We first visited the church of Saint Peter in Chains.  This church contains the supposed chains in which Peter was held in prison (cf. Acts of the Apostles).  It also has one of Michelangelo’s more famous statues: that of Moses.  It is a magnificent piece, first intended for the Vatican, but by the time Michelangelo finished it – – after he painted the Sistine Chapel – – there was no room in the Vatican and so it was brought to this church.

But it was the visit to Saint Clement’s Church that was really surprising.  This 12^th century church was built over the 4^th century church which in the late 1800s was excavated.  But that early church was built over 1^st century Roman buildings.  As so often is the case, Christian holy sites were built over Roman pagan sites.

The cult of Mithra was housed in the buildings of this 1^st century community.  We were deep under the earth and yet we were told that the pavement we walked on actually was an open street and in one of the homes, a spring of water still surges right outside the home.  Our faith is literally built upon 20 centuries of history!

From there we took a tour of the coliseum, the place where so many people were forced into the games in which bloody murder and torture took place. While there is no external evidence that Christians were martyred there, it can be assumed that among those killed, many had to be Christians for they were considered criminals and outsiders.

 

The Jewish presence in the city of Rome goes back to the first century A.D.  Thus, when Peter and Paul arrived in Rome in the mid 60s, they were able to meet with the Jewish community there.  The Jewish Christians were seen as part of a sect of the Jews, and the Jewish community in Rome was aware of the negative publicity that surrounded the Christians. But we know from the Acts of the Apostles, that Paul met with the Jewish community and tried to show them the relationship of the prophecies to the now resurrected Christ.  Not many of the Jews, however, were convinced.

Over the centuries, the Church often interpreted passages like this in the scriptures as rationale for persecution of the Jews. It was, therefore, not surprising that our visit to the Jewish synagogue in Rome was an enlightening experience.  Our guide showed us the small ghetto in which the Jews were forced to live. She told of the very difficult existence of the Jewish community over the centuries. Saint Pope John Paul II’s visit to the synagogue of Rome in 1986 finally turned the page of the Church’s attitude toward our “brethren in the faith.” Since then both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have made historic visits to this synagogue.  You could tell how much those visits meant to our guide.  She was part of the preparation team for the visit of Pope Francis.

On the same day, we also visited two churches directly related to the life of Saints Peter and Paul – churches that tourists rarely, if ever, visit.  Unfortunately, both were locked but we still got a sense of the history.  The first was San Paolo alla Regola.  It is the traditional site where St. Paul lived while under house arrest after he arrived in Rome.  In that area of Rome, the Guild of Tanners were headquartered; Paul, a tent maker, felt very comfortable being there.  From this place he met with many people, preached to them, and wrote letters to other Christian churches he had formed earlier in his ministry.

We then climbed up one of the hills of Rome (very steep and filled with curves) to San Pietro in Montorio.  It has the reputation of being one of the possible spots where Saint Peter was crucified. (Two days before we had visited the crypt of Saint Peter which claims the same martyrdom!) The reputation of the story of this place for martyrdom was especially popular in the 14th through 17th centuries.  Because it is so high up and overlooks the city, one can understand how tempting this place is for this claim to grow.

Mid-afternoon we stopped at an authentic Jewish restaurant and had a terrific lunch of artichokes, potatoes, and lamb. Magnifico!  And so after another long day of site study, we returned to the hotel for the evening.

On Sunday morning, a group from my class took a cab to the Gesu church downtown. We went to an Italian language Mass but because we read the Scriptures beforehand, we were pretty much able to follow everything – except the sermon!

We then toured the living space of Saint Ignatius Loyola during his last days before death. We had also prayed at his tomb in the church.  We visited St. Mary Major Church, one of the other primary churches in Rome designated with a Jubilee Holy Door.  It was less crowded and so it was easier to pray for all of you and your intentions.  Beautiful side chapels and shrines throughout the church called everyone to meditation and prayer.

After another tasty lunch, I returned to my hotel for a quiet evening before classes resumed on Monday morning.

On Saturday a group of us went back to the Vatican and waited for over an hour until the special audience with the pope occurred in the Square.  We had tickets this time so we were able to go into the central area of the Square and have a plastic seat to sit on.  A band played while we waited and there was time to pray and people watch. Announcements are made of those in attendance, and they included our group from Loyola University Chicago in those announcements!  Then the pope arrived in the Square and drove around twice so that the people could greet him with cheers, and he could smile and wave at them.  What a happy, charismatic pope we have!  It was hard to take pictures because of all the waving but I certainly got a wonderful view of him twice.   I tried to say “hello” from all of you but I’m not sure he heard me!  Once again he spoke of the unearned mercy which our loving God offers to all of us! Amen.

Greetings all! The days in the *Eternal City continue to be inspiring.

Friday morning began with Mass in the crypt of Saint Peter’s behind the wall of the place where Pope Paul VI was buried (the last Pope I saw in Rome decades ago).  I concelebrated with a newly ordained Jesuit from Dousman, Wisconsin.

Then we spent the day in two places: first, the **Scavi tour and then the Grand Church itself.

It has always been believed that Saint Peter was buried directly under the altar of Saint Peter’s Church. In the 1930s Pope Pius XII gave permission to do underground excavations.  They discovered the 4th century ruins of the church built by Constantine the Great, and underneath that a pillar of a shrine from about 100 A.D. that was directly above the place where Peter was buried.  Our guide was very knowledgeable and gave us time for prayer at the site of his tomb.

There is so much to see in the Vatican, the largest Catholic Church in the world. Statues of the Saints, especially of St. Peter dominate throughout.  Of course we saw the large altar in which the pope celebrates Mass, most of which are as large as our parish church!

Ah yes, and we did get to walk through the Holy Door of the Jubilee Mercy.  I remembered all of you as I prayed in the church and in the crypt Mass.

*The Eternal City is a nickname famously referring to the city of Rome.
**Scavi: The excavations of the underground necropolis under St. Peter’s Basilica.

Today the 14 of us in the class of Saints Peter and Paul spent time developing a timeline of the ministry of both of the apostles. We plotted each of their lives into what we knew about them in their life before Jesus,  their conversion, their ministries to Jews and Gentiles, and what we know from the writings that are not included in the Scriptures. These are called apocrypha and they run from 300 to 900 years after Jesus and were not included in the Scriptures. They contain many legends about the apostles from sermons about them to pius musings.

All of this was done in preparation for a full day tomorrow at the Vatican. I hope to write more later and include pictures.

My first full day in Rome was an exciting day of experimentation. On Monday evening, I went to dinner with four of the Green Bay seminarians who are studying at the North American College.  A great evening; four fine young men indeed.  If they persevere to ordination, they will be a great asset to the diocese.

Tuesday morning I took a long ride to the Rome train depot, found two new classmates who recognized me because I wore my Packer cap.  We then navigated the purchase of a ticket to Pompeii. We missed our designated train, but with some negotiating we were able to take a later train. The super transit traveled at 160 miles an hour from Rome to Naples! We got there in one hour and then transferred to a rickety train that took us to Pompeii. An Italian gave us a two-hour guided tour through the ruins caused by the Vesuvius eruption in 79 A.D.  After the tour, we came back to Rome and I enjoyed returning to my room for a good night’s sleep.

One of my first glances at the Vatican in Rome as seen through
the trees of the North American College.

Wednesday morning I ventured alone to walk from the North American College to the Vatican. With the help of a seminarian from Chad, whom I met on the street, I negotiated a tunnel, climbed stairs and found myself at the far side of the Vatican square. I soon realized that it was Wednesday morning – – the usual day for the Holy Father’s audience in the Square. There were probably 80,000+ people there, but by entering from the side, I was only about a football field away from him – – much closer than over half the people. The Gospel was being read in English as I entered and soon Pope Francis gave a reflection, in Italian, about the man Jesus healed from Jericho.  He spoke of the relationship between the man who is ill and discipleship. He often left his prepared text to speak spontaneously to us.  I could watch him from a remote TV screen very near me.

I was most moved when the Holy Father said he would pray for all of our family and loved ones, especially those who are ill. As we all prayed the Our Father together in Latin and he gave us his blessing, I remembered all of you and your many intentions. It was a very prayerful morning.

Tonight my formal two weeks of classes begin.

Hi all,

I just purchased a converter plug kit so that my computer and cell phone can be charged using Italian power.  I also have begun reading the material sent me for the course on the martyrdom of Ss. Peter and Paul.  So Rome, here we come!

I’ll fly out of Green Bay mid-afternoon on Sunday to Rome via Minneapolis and will arrive there at 10:10 am Rome time — that’s about 2 am our time.  A seminarian from our diocese who is studying in Rome, Matt Faucett, will happily meet me at the airport so I will get some initial help from him as we navigate the public transit system.   I’ll stay at the North American College in Rome with the sems for the first two nights before moving to the hotel near the John Felici Center where I’ll be staying during the two week course.

We’ll send you more after I’m in Rome for a few days.

Fr. Paul

Whenever folks come to our parish for the first time, their response is almost universally the same: What a beautiful setting for your church! When I show them the inside of the church, I tell them that our “stained glass windows” are the natural scenery of our woods. That was brought home to me last week Thursday at our early morning Mass in the Trinity Chapel. As I began my reflection after the Gospel, I was stopped in my tracks: “Oh my gosh, there’s a deer walking toward the door!” It was a beautiful sight! I’m sure that no one remembered what I said after that . . .
As that day progressed, the image of that deer kept a smile on my face. God certainly reveals himself through nature. As our days slowly warm up and the trees and plants let their foliage emerge, we know that the Easter season is placed at the right time of the year. “See, I make all things new!” Christ’s resurrected body, his appearance to the disciples, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the beginning of the Church through the preaching of the disciples all fit so well with the green growth of Spring.

People kidded me for planting pansies in the front of the rectory in the middle of April. I have to do this. It’s a tangible sign for me that Christ’s love blooms ever new. Hope is of the essence of faith. Joy and peace flow from the unity of nature and humans with our creating God.
I am not so naïve to believe that there is not still much pain in our world, our neighborhoods and in our families. I acknowledge that, too, but Spring helps me to understand that all the suffering and death of our lives can be transformed into new life if we but trust in the Lord and His message of forgiveness and mercy.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! It’s Spring.

On Monday night (February 22, 2016) of our recent parish mission, Bishop Morneau challenged you to memorize the following poem by Easter. He told you that if you can recite it without a mistake, I’ll give you a dollar. If you make an error, you owe me a quarter. It’s a deal! So start memorizing!!!

Prayer of St. Richard—a disciple’s prayer
Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits that Thou has given me,
for all the pains and insults that
Thou hast borne for me.
O most merciful Friend,
Redeemer, and Brother,
May I know Thee more clearly,
Love Thee more dearly,
And follow Thee more nearly.
For ever and ever.
Amen.

Fr. Paul Demuth
Pastor

Elizabeth Ann Bailey was born in New York City on August 28, 1774, and died in Emmittsburg, Maryland, on January 4, 1821.  She was canonized the first American-born saint by Pope Paul VI in 1975.  As a young woman, her only desire was to marry a handsome man, be a happy wife, and raise a pretty family.

She had adventures beyond her wildest dreams.  With each trial she faced, God revealed resources, strength, and courage she didn’t know she possessed.  To read more about her life, click here.  It’s a delightful story with a lesson for all of us: God does not work in straight lines, but, as she did, we seek to do God’s will in every circumstance. Enjoy the reading and say a prayer to Mother Seton!  ~Fr. Paul Demuth Pastor

Source:  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Crystal Lake, Illinois

Pope Francis has declared 2016 a special HOLY YEAR OF MERCY. In solidarity with this year of forgiveness and mercy, we have symbolically made the center doors of our Church “holy doors.” They are decorated and closed and will stay closed until December 8 when the Pope opens the doors to begin the Holy Year of Mercy.

All the four papal basilicas in Rome have what is known as a holy door. These doors are normally shut from the inside and cannot be easily opened; they are only opened during Jubilee years. Upon entering St. Peter’s Basilica, the last door to the right is the Holy Door. The door is bricked up on the inside. On the first day of the Holy Year (Jubilee Year), the pope strikes the brick wall with a hammer and then opens the door to let in the pilgrims who come to make the most of the indulgence. Once again, it is the pope himself who closes the door at the end of the Jubilee Year. The tradition of the opening and closing of the Holy Door can be traced back as far as the 15th Century.

According to the Roman Catholic Church, the Holy Door represents Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the gate of the sheep pen. The bible says in John 10:9 that “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me, will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture.” The Jubilee Year is celebrated every 25 years, meaning that the Holy Door is opened every 25 years. The Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica was last opened by Pope John Paul II on December 24, 1999, when he simplified the ceremony for the Jubilee Year in 2000.

Above St. Peter’s Basilica Holy Door, there are two marble memorial plates which commemorate the last two times when the door was opened. It is Pope John Paul II who opened the door during the last two celebrations of the Jubilee Year, thus both plates show that the door was opened and closed by him. The Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica was closed last on January 6, 2001.

Other churches besides St. Peter’s Basilica which have a Holy Door include: St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The Holy door was cast in bronze by Vico Consorti in 1950. Before that, the Holy Door used to be wooden. The Holy Door is 12 ft. by 7½ ft. This “Holy Door” is also known as “Door of the Great Pardon.” The door’s panels portray scenes of man’s sin and his redemption through the mercy of God:

• Jesus opens the door of new life to the woman who is sinful but can love.
• Jesus tells Peter that one must forgive seventy times seven times.
• Through baptism, Jesus permits us to join his people; he comes to seek us when we go astray, just as a shepherd goes to look for his lost sheep; he welcomes us at the door just as the father welcomes the prodigal son.

The Holy Door symbolizes redemption of man’s sins and starting a new life. Definitely a door that remains closed for more than 20 years is not an ordinary door.

Fr. Paul Demuth, Pastor

On several nights during vacation, I shared a motel room with my cousin. He’s a much earlier riser than I am – and he likes to surf channels. One morning, as I was slowly waking up, I heard snippets of at least a dozen channels most of which were infomercials.

“I look so much better since I lost 19 pounds in three weeks.”
“With this supplement, my energy level is way up.”
“Since I had this treatment, I look 10 years younger.”
“With this amazing program, I earned $23,000 in three months.”
And on and on . . .

I couldn’t help but reflect on how “I” centered all of those messages were. There was no “we” or “ours” much less anything about giving of ourselves for the good of others. No wonder many of us find ourselves thinking about life in individualistic terms! In contrast to this, the Jesus of the Gospels gives an entirely different story with messages like:

“Take up your cross daily and follow me.”
“I want you to be fishers of people.”
“If you want to save your life, you must lose it.”
“Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, so you do unto me.”

If I were to have the ability to make a Christian infomercial, the messages would be entirely different from the ones I heard while waking up. Those infomercial testimonies would probably be almost impossible to create and visualize because of the quiet ways in which many go about giving of themselves. It would be more like this:

“I am blest to take care of my husband/father/mother as they deal with illness/dementia/disability.”
“A small group of us look forward to cooking meals for the homeless shelter each month.”
“Coaching soccer/football/baseball is such a great opportunity to see young people grow and mature while having fun.”
“Our neighbors get together once a month to read Scripture together and pray the rosary for people in need.”
“Since my friend and I started teaching religious education to the kids at our parish, our own faith has deepened.”

Through lives of self-giving instead of self-indulgence, we give witness to lives that have real value instead of concentrating on our own needs.  It is an inspiring witness by which some live as disciples and are the heart of Christ as they welcome, value and enrich their brothers and sisters!

Dear Parishioners and Guests,

Recently Pope Francis was asked what people should do in preparation for his visit to the USA. His answer was simple: Pray for me! A request we should all respond to. He has a great challenge ahead of him as he comes to our country.

Pope Francis readily admits that our world is broken. His writings and his talks speak of the horror of war, the poverty of so many, the struggles within the church, and the scars on mother earth. You would think that he would be weighed down in sorrow. But the opposite is true. He is a joyful person and insists that the joy of the Gospel is the necessary and available antidote to the ills of the world. How simple and profound! He tells us that believers in the Gospel have a special gift to give to all our brothers and sisters. Together we can lift up one another and become a peaceful, healing human community.

I want to share with you a few comments about some of the recent statements he has made regarding marriage and the sacredness of life.

You probably have heard that the Pope has declared a special Jubilee Year of Mercy beginning in December. During this year, the Holy Father has said that priests throughout the world are able to forgive the sin of abortion.

This is not something new for us. I am pleased to tell you that in our diocese – and many dioceses in our country – the Bishops have given us that ability for decades. Ever since I was a young priest, within the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), I have been able to offer the peace and forgiveness of Christ for those involved in abortion. This sacramental event is a wonderful moment of peace and forgiveness.

The Pope has also simplified the process for obtaining an annulment for a marriage that has ended in divorce. One of the stories that has been around is that an annulment is a very expensive process costing thousands of dollars.

In our diocese, there is a fee of less than $500 that helps pay for the administrative costs involved in this process. Pastors have the ability to waive that fee whenever it is a hardship for a person seeking an annulment. I have been able to offer that waiver when needed.

One of the misunderstandings that people have to work through when they seek an annulment is that, if they get an annulment, it means that there was no marriage and that the children of that relationship are considered illegitimate.

There is nothing farther from the truth. Obviously there was a wedding and a marriage and children may have resulted. That fact remains. The annulment process rather looks at the deeper sacramental level of the relationship that has failed and asks whether, because of circumstances, there was something basic missing from the beginning of the relationship.

A few weeks ago in the homily, I spoke of the four basic components of a sacramental marriage: permanence, faithfulness, intimacy and fruitfulness. If one of these are missing, the essence of what makes a marriage a sacrament is absent. That is what the process is all about. By examining a failed marriage, the Church helps people to find healing and peace. Is it hard? Yes! A person is looking back at a difficult part of their life. Is it worth pursuing? Yes! The result allows a person to move forward with their lives and, if they find another partner, to enter into a new sacramental marriage that has all four of the components that make up sacramental marriage.

I look forward to the Pope’s visit. May it be a healing and joy-filled faith event for all residents of our country.

Fr. Paul Demuth
Pastor

Celebrate an inspirational life.  Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s 241st Birthday Celebration is August 28.  Like many of us, she endured family loss, financial struggles and many other trials, but she faced each day with faith in God, looking forward to eternity.  She cared for orphans, widows and the poor and was a source of inspiration and encouragement to all who knew her.  Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life and legacy will continue to encourage and inspire as long as we continue to tell her story and promote her remarkable journey to future generations.  This year also commemorates Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s 40th anniversary as America’s first native-born saint.  Celebrate her birthday by helping to spread her messages of love, faith and service.

Adapted from: http://www.destinationgettysburg.com/event/details/9946