BEST SELLER --- Christmas Gift Possibility??

Since its publication in July, 2006, the new "Catechism for Adults" has become a national best seller with more than 100,000 copies sold throughout the USA. It might be considered as a possible Christmas gift. The following is an excerpt from the USCCB's website and an article about the catechism.

The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults was the first official catechism produced by the Catholic bishops of the United States since the creation of the well-known Baltimore Catechism in the 19th century. Unlike the earlier catechism, with its questions and answers that became familiar to generations of Catholics, this catechism is in narrative format and does not require rote memorization. Instead, it promotes a command of Catholic faith and practice through a more accessible writing style and numerous new features. Each chapter opens with a story about a saint, a biblical figure, or an exemplary Catholic, most of them American, to invite reflection and to demonstrate the contribution of American Catholics to society. Although it is geared to adults, including college age and young adults, a number of youth ministry leaders have noted that it is proving to be a useful tool for older teenagers as well.

DAILY REFLECTION: Monday, December 11, 2006

Advent is our time of rejoicing! What? That's a new twist, isn't it? As we await the celebration of Christmas Day, are we not reminded throughout the season of Advent that the gift of God in the person of his son, Jesus Christ, is the gift of our redemption. So, indeed we should be rejoicing during these days of waiting and anticipation. Take the time today to recall this gift and thank the Lord. Try to remember, when you can, that the more frequently you align yourself with the Lord, the more you will find the joy and peace that is your gift.

Santa's Breakfast Visit to OLV School

We surely want to thank our neighbors on MacArthur Boulevard. The manager and owners added to the menu for us ... not seafood the waffle makers and the mix.

Tired of eating and waiting in line to speak to Santa Claus, some of the youngest who came to have a good and exciting time, receive some "artistic counseling" from one of our eighth graders.

One of your marvelous eighth graders who was helping the younger set in some craft work. Surely this is one of the gifts that our older students are to the younger students.

Yesterday was another special day at Our Lady of Victory School. Many of our students came back to school on Saturday to have breakfast with Santa. The food was terrific ... not too often that Santa can get waffles, bacon and eggs, muffins, doughnuts, fruits, juices etc. Many thanks to the parents and older students who helped make the day so very special for our younger students.

Sunday Homily: December 11, 2006

Second Sunday of Advent --- 2006

Today one of the major players in the pre-Christmas liturgies is put before us. God did not, He could not, have his Son, his holy love, come on the scene without some announcement. There was an Announcer: "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John" (Jn: 1:6). Has there ever been a world leader who arrived with a more compelling advance man? I think not. Here was the man, dressed like a caveman, a belly not from candies and cookies but from the fulness of grasshoppers and honey. Out of the desert came this man. To hear his words was to listen to a heart afire; to be challenged by a voice that echoed like a two-edge sword. Even his message was compelling: "Someone is coming. Someone is coming. Someone is coming." Remember Stephen Schwartz’s Godspell? "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." Maybe that tune will bounce through your heads for the remainder of the evening.

This is the real purpose of Advent: PREPARATION, EXPECTATION, ANTICIPATION. From last weekend until Christmas morning.

The story of John, baptizing and announcing, is very much what we should experience in Advent. It is a time of delaying, resting in the seasoning of reflection, quiet and prayer ... even in the midst of a busy "got a lot to do" mentality that dominates the days of Advent.

John’s call, however, was different. It was not "Get you cards done, get the gifts bought, wrap your treasures." Rather, John called out a simple word: Repent! John was trying to instill in the hearts of his listeners that the One coming would bring about a change in everything. Even some thoughts about who God is will be upset in his preaching. Of especial importance for John was that God was caring more than ever about how they lived their lives.

John’s call to repentance was indeed a call to change our way of living, a true metanoia. Repentance is more than contrition. Rather it is the act of stretching beyond the boundaries of what we normally think or feel to a new way of thinking. A true change of heart. A brother priest has explained repentance as "an invitation to a complete change of perspective, a ‘forward-looking’ vision of hope.

From whenever God was, He created everything, everyone with an intention, even before it or they came to be. In the eternal mind of God we were intended by God to be what we are today. You, who might be reading these words on OLV Happenings, God intended for you to be what He has called you to be. We can live peacefully, joyfully in that realization and that intention or we can live in ways that call for repentance, for reconciliation with our creator God. We try to live each day with the hope that we are aligned with the God-intention that brought us into the world. Yet, aware of human weakness, we face our God seeking forgiveness, mindful of the redemptive gift of the Child of Christmas. That is our forward-looking vision of hope.

John had a major role in God’s plan for salvation. He was to be what we have come to know him to be. He was an announcer. He was something of a rebel ... challenging some of the established practices of Judaism to a new understanding of life and faith. Surely he could have lived differently. He accepted God’s call. He tried to live as God intended him to live.

Today, as we draw closer to the celebration of God’s gift to us, His redeeming gift of Jesus, our brother, we might take a few moments to reflect upon what we think it is that God intended for us. How was He using us to be His announcers in our reality? How do we announce the presence of God in the way we live?

That is the Lenten challenge for all of us. It is in a special way the challenge for the parishioners of our parish: How are you, a religious community in Washington, DC, how are you to announce the presence of God, His intention for Our Lady of Victory Parish?

Do you remember Ed McMahon? Johnny Carson’s announcer? "Heeeeeeeers Johnnnnnnnny." Everything you, as a parish, do for one another, for the community, especially for the marginalized in our society, is exactly the same: Your care for the poor, your openness to people of different faiths, to men and women of differing sexual orientations, to the people of different nationalities — all of this is your way of saying loudly and clearly and with genuine hope, Heeeeeeeers Jesus Christ, living among us today!

PM Blair and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor

After British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that Church leaders need to “face up to reality” regarding condoms and AIDS, the country’s ranking Catholic prelate has fired back.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor of Westminster told a BBC interviewer that the distribution of condoms has failed to stem the spread of AIDS in Africa. He disclosed that some African bishops have complained to him that “their dioceses are flooded with condoms,” yet the disease continues to spread.

In an earlier interview broadcast by MTV, Prime Minister Blair-- who is widely believed to be considering conversion to the Catholic Church-- said that it is “silly” to believe that moralistic solutions will curb the epidemic in Africa, and argued that, rather than “being prissy about it,” world leaders should encourage people who are sexually active to use condoms. That approach is endangered, he said, “if we have a sort of blanket ban from the religious hierarchy saying it’s wrong to do it.”

Celibacy: The Hardball Pitch That Continues

Celibacy. Celibacy. Celibacy. Today’s world of communications brings instant publication of statements. (Soon thoughts might not be safe!) The newly appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, Cardinal Claudio Hummes, landed in Rome having stirred the pot prior to his arrival. Albeit out of full context, let me post several of the statements His Eminence has had to make in the recent few weeks.

1] Dec 1st: "Celibacy is a discipline, not a dogma of the Church.... the absence of priestly vocations could cause the Church to discuss the ordination of married men." This statement was made in Brazil prior to the Cardinal’s departure for Rome and his new life ... and way of making statements.

2]Dec 4th: In Rome, the former Franciscan issued a "statement of clarification" through the Vatican press office: the norm of celibacy "is very ancient and based on solid tradition and strong reasoning–both of a theologico-spiritual and practical pastoral nature–which has been confirmed by the popes as well."

3] Before leaving Sao Paulo: "The Church is an institution that changes when it is necessary to change." At the same press conference with the local Folho de Sao Paulo, he indicated that priestly shortages might prompt Church leaders to "discuss whether it is necessary to reconsider the celibacy norm." He reiterated that the ban on priestly marriages is not a dogma issue, citing the fact that several of the Apostles were married men.

As you can imagine, zucettas (the "beany" that clerics can wear but seem to be the "sign" of episcopal presence) were spinning in Rome and elsewhere. The President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts (a council exists for almost every "hot spot") , Cardinal Julian Herranza, acknowledged that celibacy is not a "defined dogma" but that it is "a most ancient tradition, becoming law already in the early centuries" of the Church’s history. He also noted that the discipline was endorsed firmly by Vatican II documents.

It can be said that Cardinal Hummes is discovering very quickly that there is no softball around the Piazza San Pietro. Hardball is the name of the game. There is an adage that most priests sometimes, laughingly, reiterate in circumstances that seem to work in some places and not others: "the farther you are from headquarters, the less care you use in choosing your words or actions." Perhaps Sao Paulo was far enough away. In Rome, do as the Romans!

An interesting thought or observations: this is not the first of the recent appointments by Pope Benedict XVI to find himself in "hot print." Even the renowned mind and mouth of the Pontiff himself, has stirred up much anger and protest from the Muslim world. A question comes to my feeble mind: Is the selection of the new leadership team of the Pope determined with the awareness of the "thinking" the new appointments bring with them? Conservatives has quietly groused that former CDF (Congregation for the Defense of the Faith) Prefect, Cardinal Ratzinger, has not been the hatchet man many expected. Can we ask if the new appointees are being brought to the Holy See with special expectations? Interesting ... at least for my mind.

DAILY REFLECTION: December 5, 2006

Isaiah (11:1-10) brings the root of Jesse image to us again. The picture is from a Google collection of images for Root of Jesse. In his writings, Isaiah puts before us the ideal king of Israel. This king would come from Jesse, the father of King David.

Ideal leadership is exercised by one who is open to the ever-creating Spirit of God. This kind of leader attracts followers because of his/her gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength and knowledge. Most specially, leadership of this magnitude is marked by the exercise of justice. It is the kind of justice that leads to the idyllic scene painted by Isaiah in the final verses of this reading: wolf and lamb, calf and young lion, cow and bear, baby and cobra --- these "natural enemies" shall live on the mountain of the Lord where this kind of leadership occurs.

So, for you and me, what can we take from this writing? Again, go back to the invitation of Sunday's readings. We are call, "Come, come to the mountain of the Lord." We are invited to be leaders in so many circumstances each day: at work, at home, at lunch, at dinner, with family, with friends, with colleagues. If we focus upon our relationship with the Lord during the days of Advent, we can open our horizons to the very ideals Isaiah puts forth for a good king: justice, peace and harmony. Is there anyone of us who could not incorporate more of each of these virtues into our interaction with colleages, family and friends?

DAILY REFLECTION: December 4, 2006

The word we need to keep in mind today: "come." It is a word of the Advent days. "Come to the Christmas party!" "Come by the house during the holidays!" In the Isaiah reading for today we read "Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob...." The word is one of invitation. So, I believe, we need to ask what the Lord is inviting us to this Advent season. Perhaps to our nation there is the invitation to turn our weapons of war into instruments of peace and growth ... especially in Iraq and Lebanon, in Palestine and Israel, in the various parts of Africa where there is great strife. Perhaps it is an invitation from God to right our own lives order is needed. Perhaps it is the invitation to deepen our relationship with our God, with Jesus. Perhaps it is an invitation to evaluate how we deal with those who are closest to us: spouses, children, relatives, employees or employers. Perhaps it is an invitation to consider how we respect those who have different points of view ... it is so easy to point fingers at nations who are involved in a large-scale conflict. How about how we deal with those around us, those we encounter every day? Yes, it is some much easier to fault the wrongs of those who are distant. I say to all, "Come, let us climb whatever mountain it is that Jesus is inviting you to climb during this season of Advent.

Prayers Answered

Yesterday, Friday, to my surprise, a gentleman who called me two weeks ago, came to speak about assuming the position of Maintenance Technician, succeeding Mr. Martin L'Etoile. After conversations with Mrs. Martinez, the principal of the parish school, and two other staff members, I was delighted to hear the gentleman, Mr. John Tomko, tell me he would like to accept our offer.

Mr. Tomko, lives in Maryland. He is dedicated to his faith. He is a man truly concerned for others. Usually, each Saturday, he works with a group of Sisters who have little help to maintain the convent they call home.

Mr. Tomko is a journeyman in the carpenter's union, is qualified in electrical and plumbing work. At one time in his life he worked with children on a Navajo reservation.

John will hit the deck, running, on Monday afternoon after fulfilling all the Archdiocesan requirements related to the Child Protection programs all employees and volunteers who are around our school children must complete.

Welcome, John. Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayers.

1st Sunday of Advent: Homily

Some have asked to have copies of my homilies. The following is what I have prepared as some of the thoughts I will attempt to express during the homilies at the 5:15 pm and the 10:30 am Masses this weekend.
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The peace of the Lord be with you. Once again we begin the season of Advent. Okay For you, I hope, this is indeed a special time, this season of Advent. I know for most of us it is a time of hustle and bustle that easily wears us now. To say that Advent can raise us up above the stress that December always brings may seem to you to be the statements of someone who isn’t raising children or managing a household. Today I would like to refute that belief. If we take just a little time, we can allow the specialness of the season of Advent to touch our hearts, to enliven our spirit and to bring us a genuine sense of calm and peace.
We know that Christmas day is a time for children as well as the child in each of our hearts. I think as well we might say that the season of the year we call Advent is a time for children. A sign of this reality is easily found in all of commercial publications we have been receiving in the mail recently. What is the first thing in those commercial publications? Of course it is the section about children’s toys and gifts. Even before Thanksgiving, to the chagrin of some, but to the great joy of young children the toy is and gifts of Christmas appear in department stores, on television commercials and in the catalogs that we received at home. Well can I remember spending most of December and the later part of November scanning the catalogs over and over again. It was an exciting time. It was a time when my heart and I’m sure the hearts of most of you were filled with great expectation and great hope. We had to have ready everything that was necessary for the arrival of old Saint Nick or, as we call him, Santa Claus.
And as we grew older, it was almost painful to realize that Santa Claus truly cared more for children than for us adults. Perhaps, as we grew older, we came to believe more than ever before those famous lines “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”
Take the time to talk with a young child about their thoughts these days. As soon as they begin to share their thoughts about the upcoming visit of Santa Claus, look at their face and eyes. Bright, wide and filled with excitement: this is what you see. Think back to your own childhood. Think back to the wishes and hopes that you held in your heart during these days of Advent. What is it that makes this month before Christmas so special? Was it not the experience of hoping and knowing that Santa Claus would come and visit you in the quiet and darkness of Christmas Eve, quietly sneaking into your home, eating the cookies and drinking the glass of milk, and hopefully leaving many, many presents. That Christmas Eve night could not come quickly enough. How difficult it was to sleep well the closer Christmas eve came.
Well then, what should Advent time be for us adults? How can this season of preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, be for us adults a time that can be as exciting and hope filled as it is for our children?
These days of Advent are actually a time for us to page through the catalogs that God sends to us every day. During these days of Advent we should be paging through the catalogs of all that God has done for us and told us that he does do for us through his son, Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We know that Jesus, the giver of the gift of new life, has come, some 2000 years ago. We know as well that he brings us the gift of new life every day.
With just a little effort I truly believe that we can stir up within our own hearts a similar excitement that our children experience awaiting the coming of Santa Claus. In the Gospel reading for today’s liturgy, we read thoughts that are perplexing and frightening. What Luke is seeking to teach us, what Jesus says time and time again, is so very simple. His message on December 25 is the same today, tomorrow, in January and February–every day of our lives: we are a blessed people because Jesus Christ is our Redeemer.
During a season when we think so often not only of ourselves but others who are unable to enjoy fully the season of Christmas, we should rejoice every day with the awareness that our salvation is God’s gift to us. It is a gift freely given time and time again. As adults, it is a challenge for us to unwrap that gift with the same excitement and enthusiasm as our children tear open the gifts of Christmas. Our salvation is not something we earn. We should want to unwrap that gift every day ... and we can do that. It is not difficult.
As you unwrap the gift of your salvation each day, it is a time to have serious talks with God about our lives. Advent is a time for us to put the God-presents in order. Advent is a time for us to bring ourselves to the sacrament of reconciliation, to gain for ourselves a genuine peace of soul.
The sacrament of reconciliation is for all of us a remarkable opportunity to remind ourselves that our lives have not always been perfect. As difficult as it may be, Advent is also a time for us to come before our God as sinners. Again, as we page through the divine catalogs that God sends us, we should be making ourselves ready to give God a special gift: the gift of accepting his call to us to be reconciled, to be forgiven.
Let us use the example of the excitement of our children during the pre-Christmas days to be the key that opens up for us the very positive experience that forgiveness can give to us.