Diocese of Paterson's Chrism Mass

I finally made it to the Diocese's Chrism Mass.  I borrowed a camera from work and got some pictures but most of them are fuzzy as either I or the priest was moving and the flash was off.  Oh well, it wasn't about taking pictures it was about the priesthood and good, holy priests.  The Mass was bilingual of course Bishop Serratelli preached in both Spanish and English, with the English portion getting the bulk of the homily, though I'm pretty sure that basically the same thing was said in either language.  As usual I don't remember much of what the Bishop said in his homily, but I do remember thinking as I sat way in the back of our Cathedral, "he's preaching to his priests."  He did not let his priests, himself or his people off the hook. He called all of us to be true to the Church, to not be afraid to be Catholic and to speak out.  He reminded his priests and his people, that the priests are called liked St. Peter and how much like St. Peter most begin their priesthood with enthusiasm and vigor and slowly they begin to ask questions, be it, where do I get the money for all our programs, our school, our buildings.  Bishop Serratelli went on to speak on how we need good holy men, like those there tonight and I couldn't help but think he's preaching to the choir, but our priests do need to hear thanks and good job because so often they are put down and ignored because they are speaking the truth.

The homily was geared towards the priests but that doesn't mean the lay person can't take anything away from it, as basically the priest is called to teach and defend Church Teaching as are the faithful members of the Church and Bishop Serratelli said as much.  At the end of the Mass we got the short "second homily" as Fr. Brian calls it or as most others would call it the comments before the close of Mass.  In this short but forceful commentary the good Bishop reminded the people that it was our duty to pray for and defend Church teaching especially now as the Freedom of religion is being challenged and how laws are against what we teach.  I remember actually saying "Rock on Serratelli!" as I stood at the back after Communion so I could position myself to take pictures of the priests and deacons walking out.

The Chrism Mass is one of those that is often said to be the priests' Mass as they are renewing their commitment to the priesthood and to the Diocese as is the Bishop.  One of my favorite parts of any con-celebrated Mass is when the priests all chant the "through Him, with Him and in Him" at the end of the Eucharistic prayer.  I don't know why but I have always liked that.  I also remember at the beginning of the Eucharistic prayer and I'm sure it's actually in the prayer but it was nice to hear "Holy Mother Church", and to have the Church referred to in the feminine pronouns.  

What also strikes me is how happy the priests are, I knew a good few of the men there, but the ones I know personally and with whom I still keep in contact with, Fathers Brando, Brian, Martin, George, Kevin, Geno and of course the Bishop all had smiles on their face.  Fr. George had his classic ear to ear grin on. Fr. Kevin was very happy to see me and actually waved to me which was odd, but Fr. Kevin actually me recently.  Fr. Brian and Fr. Martin see me all the time as they are my parish priests.  Fr. Geno was in classic Fr. Geno mode of just happy.  Fr. Brando was typical of himself, a huge smile to greet me along with the classic you look great comment, he will always be one of my favorites just for that.  ;)

I don't know if my parish priests saw me or not, but when I went to Mass on Tuesday Fr. Martin came back into the Church and said "Mary nice to see you" and gave me the usual kiss greeting. While not overly out of the ordinary it was not at all how he normally greets me, makes me wonder if either he's finally gotten used to the parish or if he actually saw me at the Chrism Mass but opted to not say anything.

Anyway Bishop Serratelli gave a wonderful homily and reminded us that we need to pray for and defend the Church now more than ever and that we need to give our children to the Church for vocations.  I've often said to myself and God, "you can have all my sons, just give me a good holy Catholic man to have some with."  God can have the girls too, but I've always felt like the sons should I have any would be priests.  Oh well, that's not happening anytime soon.

As usual the Chrism Mass was beautiful and a great way to start Holy Week.  Hopefully I can participate fully in the Triddumm this year and not just Friday and Saturday, but that's up to the Holy Spirit.

Lent workout

I finally started on my "giving up being lazy" thing for Lent. I've used my treadmill 2 times which is more than I have used it in quite sometime. The first time I used it was for 15 minutes and my right knee, which happens to the one with a repaired ACL was sore as Hell. I did go out for a walk on Sunday as I borrowed a camera from work to take pictures of the snow. I figured I did not need to use the treadmill as I was out for 2.5 hours. Tonight I opted, after watching Biggest Loser, to get my ass on the treadmill for a total of 17 minutes of which 5 total were running and the rest were walking, in total I ran over a 1/4 mile which was nice. Now the plan is to improve from there otherwise known as get back to what I used to be able to run and one day run the Disney Marathon.

Lent

Somethings I'm thinking of for Lent...

Give up being lazy when it comes to the treadmill as if it's for Lent I have a better shot at actually doing something.

Daily Mass which is more like weekly Mass as I can only go on Tuesdays.

Maybe a weekly Rosary for the unborn.

I do like Fr. Philip's idea of a holy hour and reminded us that it doesn't have to be adoration, but just simply sitting in the Church... I remember Bishop Serratelli saying that at one point.

that's a good start, lol.

blogging from me phone

Seeing how easy difficult it is to blog from my new droid eris. so far it does not seem too bad, but there is a lag in the touch keyboard.

Walk to Run take 2; day 1

Since I finally got that treadmill I've been asking for it's about time I make use of it. As I have mentioned before I have an iPod which I got for one simple reason to use with the Nike+ stuff. I am fully aware that Nike supports Planned Parenthood, but so do a lot of companies and while it annoys me that some of my money goes to PP, I know there are other ways to help the unborn.

Anyway, I have once again started the Nike+ coach plan titled walk to run, and I figure that if I have to upload the info to their page that I also might as well blog about it as it hold me accountable to whomever might actually read this. So day one, which was today went wall, then again walking 15mins isn't that bad.

The Walk to Run program is a 12 week program that is supposed to bring me from walking to running 30 minutes straight or 1.86 miles. My goal is to run in 2 races this coming Spring and Fall. The first one is the Dennis P. McHugh 5k walk/run in May. Though if it is on a Saturday, like I think it will be, I may not be able to participate as I usually work on Saturdays, but it's a goal none the less. My dad went to school with and worked with Dennis' (who was one of the 393 firefighters killed on Sept. 11th) father, so it would be nice to run in it for that reason alone. The second race I would like to partake in is the "Tunnel to Towers Run" This run retraces the steps of Firefighter Steven Siller who literally ran with his equipment on his back from the Brooklyn tunnel to the Twin Towers, who also is numbered in the 393. This race is on a Sunday, so it's doable. It's also in September so I have plenty of time to "train" for it.

So thus begins my journey to get my lazy ass running again. It's also a good excuse to start losing weight. Here's hoping I can stick with it this time around, being able to run and or walk inside the house will help alot with that.

Anyway, day 1 went well and we'll see what the rest of the program will bring with it. According to nike+.com I was supposed to walk .62 miles and I walked .83 miles, so I'm already ahead of their target for me. For those who care this the info as the iPod gives it:

Distance: 0.83 mi

Time: 15:13

Pace: 18:15 min/mile

Calories: 111

and the big number aka my weight is somewhere around 175lbs, I know I can't believe I actually admitted how much I weigh as well, lol.

There are slight discrepancies between the treadmill and the iPod, I'm following the iPod as it spells it out for me.

All Saints and All Souls (another late one)

I went to type and blog about this at the actual feasts of All Saints and All Souls, you know back in November, but for one reason or another I managed to forgot about it and am now revisiting it. I'm not editing it to fix the grammar to fit today's date, so I'm just going with what I have written.

Seeing as I wanted to blog about Fr. Brian's All Saints homily yesterday, and since we had our Mass of Remembrance tonight for All Souls I figured why not just blog about both. I look at All Saints as the celebration feast and All souls has the more somber remembrance feast. That being said I do like both celebrations but do realize that they are different yet very similar.

I was Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at the 6pm Mass so I got to hear Fr. Brian's homily. It was a good homily filled with correct theology, as in he told us point blank many times during Mass that we are all to be saints and to live like the Saints. It is refreshing to hear someone say you'll be a saint and not oh you'll be an angel. No angels are creatures created by God to worship Him and praise Him.  Saints are awesome people who have gone before us and show us the way to get to Heaven.

So Fr. Brian's homily if I remember correctly has a few pointer in how to live like the Saints. He listed off ways to be a saint or things that the Saints have in common and those are joy, radiate the Light of God, being sinners, listening.  He went on to elaborate on each point, but I'm going to put my own spin on it as I don't remember fully what he said.  Fr. Brian spoke of how each saint is to have joy, that there are rules of engagement and that there's no cheating, I no longer remember what he was talking about; oops, but that is what happens when you let 2 months pass by without blogging.  He did speak about radiating the Light of God as in a happy marriage leads to a happy family or being a happy priests.  He spoke about how the saints are sinners, that they were not perfect and I think that most people forget that and stick Saints on a pedestal and expect them to be perfect, fact is that the Saints were human just like us and that means they were sinners just like us and made mistakes just like us too.  The only sinless people are Jesus and Mary, and I mean really how can anyone expect to be perfect.  ;)  I made a note on here that listening was mentioned twice, which means that was probably the point I needed to hear. The saints listened to God and tried to live out what He had planned for them, no matter what it cost them.

All Saints Day reminds us that we are all called to be saints, not angels or some other being, but a saint, who spends the rest of time with God in Heaven.


On All Souls day we had our annual Mass of Remembrance and I remember Fr. Martin, our pastor who normally isn't very fast with Mass. Which amuses me as in Ireland, where Fr. Martin is from, Mass is beyond fast.  Fr. Martin was very deliberate and slow with Mass, nothing was rushed, which is not to say that is what he normally does, it was just slower that his usual Masses.

I happened to serve as Extraordinary Minister as they needed more as we got a bigger crowd that expected, I was there as a member of the Hospitality Committee, as in I stood at a door and welcomed the people as they walked in; we also distributed the "Mass books" as in the handouts explaining what was going on . I don't remember much from the homily, but what I do remember was him saying the fest of All Souls is a happy occasion and the whole Mass at the graveyard and the blessing of the graves back in Ireland.  I found this strange as my mom earlier that morning that mentioned that as well.  Fr. Martin and my parents are from roughly the same part/section of Ireland, different counties but same area.  What has mainly stuck with me is that I could see the tears on his face when I went up as EMHC.  I didn't expect that as while our priests are allowed to show their emotions like most men (and some women) it's rare to actually see it.

Both feasts All Saints and All Souls are celebrations of life, life with God.  The saints are all (hopefully) where we hope to be; in Heaven with God. While the aspect of death can be scary it's nice to have something to look forward too.

Respect Life Sunday relfections

I started to work on this a while ago in October and just remembered that it was here in the edit pile, so I'm attempting to see what I remember out of it.

This past Sunday was Respect Life Sunday, it also happened to be the annual Communion Breakfast for the Rosary Society of which my mom is a member. So when she greeted me with, "but it's Fr. Geno" I couldn't really say no. Fr. Geno was the priest who ran the youth group while I was in high school and he has been quite influential in my life. FG, as he is more commonly known to me and others, happened to be saying the 8:30am Mass so I opted to go as breakfast followed Mass.

FG began Mass by talking about Msgr. Joseph Brestel, who served St. Anthony's as pastor and the Diocese on some level as well, though I am not 100% sure in what capacity he served on the Diocesan level. Msgr. Brestel who as Fr. Geno said "no matter how he felt or what his health was would get up and say Mass, this Mass each week." I had the privilege of becoming a reader and read at the 8:30 Mass and even in high school noticed how traditional Msgr. Brestel was, as in he was "old school" and said "pray brethren vs. pray my brothers and sisters" and even back then I liked that. Now I can see the graces that God gave me by placing this man in my life, and maybe I should start asking him for some prayers for the success of the new translations.

Knowing it was Respect Life Sunday, I was interested to see what the priests were going to talk about. Fr. Geno surprised me as I was expecting the classic younger priest with a soft hitting homily, and that is not what I got. I don't know if it's because FG and I have gotten older or if I just pay attention more to what is said than I did in high school. Fr. Geno's homily did focus on marriage and that is between one man and one woman. I don't remember the homily anymore, that's what happens when you let 2 and a half months go by with out blogging.

I picked up a fellow young adult and brought her to the Rosary Society Communion Breakfast, we were a touch annoyed that seats were assigned so that we couldn't sit next to each other but we worked around that. Fr. Geno was the guest speaker and spoke of how looking around the room he was reminded of how many people had lost loved ones since he was last at St. Anthony's. He mentioned that it is always hard for a priest to come back to a parish he has been at, as you're worried about who will be offended if you show up to something or not show up to something. He spoke about his new project that Bishop Serratelli lined up for him. It was a good explanation of the vow of obedience. Long story short Papa Arty sent Fr. Geno over to Rome for his doctorate and now Fr. Geno is in charge of the Diocesan office of Evangelization and the first and only Catholic evangelization center St. Paul Inside the Walls, a nice play on St. Paul Outside the Walls.

During his speech Fr. Geno reminded me of why I was attracted to him and youth group in high school. He knows how to reach out and bring someone to the Church. Maybe not in the traditional manner, but it works. More on FG in a later blog.

I might have been on as Extraordinary Minister at the 6pm Mass so that could explain why I was back for a second Mass. At the 6pm Mass Fr. Brian gave an excellent homily and I told him as much after Mass too. Fr. Brian had typed his homily and did not seem like his normal self, but that didn't stop the usual homily. (i know now why, all I'm saying is say a prayer for his overall health, nothing major, just a few extra prayers. Said health issue has been resolved, but he could still do with some prayers.)

Fr. Brian focused more on the marriage aspect than respect because as you know with marriage brings kids. Both priests mentioned the two becoming one though I think Fr. Geno focused more on it than Fr. Brian did. Fr. Brian does win for best line: "it's like chocolate and peanut butter, you put two different things together and get a resses peanut butter cup... chocolate and chocolate is still chocolate, it doesn't change or make something new" I paraphrased, but you get the point. He gave a few other similar examples. I thanked him after Mass for his homily and said, it's nice to hear it from the pulpit. He responded with something that I can't remember now, but it was along the lines of being a heavy hitter with the truth vs. being soft.

What stayed with me is that Fr. Geno seemed stronger in his defense of the Church than I would have expected from him while I was part of youth group. Granted he was newly ordained back then and I wasn't nearly as don't mess with the Church as I am now. Fr. Brian has only been ordained 5 years or so to Fr. Geno's 16, but both are around the same age and maybe that's the difference. We're all older, I tend to pay attention to what the priest had to say and making sure it's correct. ;) Either way I was happy with what I heard on Respect Life Sunday. :)

Prayer for Priests

My parish handed this out a few weeks ago when the relic of St. John Vianney came to visit the parish. People have complained that it's too long, but I think it's fine and beautiful when you thing about what is being said.

Prayer for Priests

Father, we praise and bless Your Holy Name, for by Your Holy Spirit, You have anointed Your only Son, born of the Virgin Mary, our great High Priest of the new and eternal covenant.

In Your love, You graciously give to all the baptized a share in His one priesthood.

And, from these, Christ Your Son calls some men to share in His priesthood in a special way, making them stewards of the Mysteries of God.

We joyfully thank You for our priests who answer His call each day with their lives of generous service to all of Your children. They are a most precious gift of Your Divine Mercy.

Strengthen them in their ministry of Word and Sacrament. Lift them up when they are cast down. Forgive them when they fail.
Enlighten their minds with the Truth of the Gospel. Inflame their hearts with love for Your Holy Church, and fill them with the overflowing joy of Your Grace.

Through the intercession of St. John Vianney, patron of all priests, we humbly ask You to make our priests true shepherd, each one willing to lay down his life for his flock after the example of Your own Divine Son who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli

September 11th

The above picture is one I took at the St. Patrick's day parade in March of 2009. It's at an odd angle as I was trying to take the picture of all the flags, which never really happens. Each year I tend to blog about the same thing, my memories of Sept. 11, 2001 and the days that followed afterwards. This years brings some interesting memories along with it. 10 years ago we all getting ready for my brother's wedding, as he decided that since 9-1-1 was a Saturday, it would be silly and no one would forget their anniversary; 8 years ago in August my family and I were in Ireland. This year we are preparing to celebrate my brother and sister-in-law's 10th anniversary, and this past August my family and I returned from a vacation to Ireland.

I remember 8 years ago flying to Rome in May for a class with Seton Hall and then flying in August for the vacation to Ireland, my gradfather was 90 years old that August, while I was happy to with friends and family, I couldn't stand being on the plane or flying. That was not like me I never had any issues flying or being on a plane. I could never place my finger on why I was so nervous about flying, but I got my answer looking back, somehow, someway I had a feeling deep down that something bad was going to happen.

Sept 11, 2001 went like this:
I was in my last semester at Seton Hall, long story short I was 12 credits short for graduating in May of 2001 like I was supposed to, so I had an added semester of classes, which became me just showing up for classes as I was commuting. So that's how 9-11 begins, I was at home sleeping like most college students would have been, when my mom came in to say " a place hit the twin towers." I thought what dumbass hits a building, assuming it was a little plane, not a jumbo jet. So I took my time getting up and decided to wash my car. What I think really happened was the Holy Spirit took me away from the tv, so I didn't have to see the towers fall, I've watched the replays and it always makes me cringe and cry. I turned on the radio in the car and turned on WPLJ. Scott and Todd, who are the morning DJs, were very somber in their broadcast, normally they are goofballs trying to help the drivers cope with their commutes. I will not forget how somber and solemn they were, it was strange and not normal. While I was washing my car, PLJ allowed ABC to break in and the news that a second plane hit was given. Almost every one in America and probably around the world saw that place hit, I can see the tv coverage in my head as I type this. My neighbor came out shortly afterwards and said, "one of the towers collapsed." That was it, I went inside, watched tv, tried to get on the internet to find my friends, of whom most were at Seton Hall.

Most of my family lived in NY at the time, and my father worked in the Bronx and my brother in Manhattan, both no where near the towers. It would take my dad nearly 4 hours to come home, as the George Washington Bridge was closed, so he had to figure out a way to get home. I don't remember how my brother got home as he usually took the train in. Thoughts ran through our heads as to who worked where and wondering if they were ok. All the family members were fine, and eventually we learned of friends of the family that had near misses that day, and eventually we heard that John and Dennis were among those that had died. More on them later. ;)

I remember finding my "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do" shirt. Again a prompting of the Holy Spirit. My parish had a prayer service that night as we found out one of our parishioners had died in the Towers. I remember my mom and I walked over and I remember sitting in one of the pews, and watching Fr. Kevin go to a few people asking them to read, each said no. Before Fr. Kevin could get over to me, my mom said, "you're next, don't say no." Honestly, being a lector and having read in public quite a few times, I said yes, and I also thought, well at least people will read my shirt. What was done was an evil act, but those men were lead to believe that what they were doing was correct, it is not my place to judge them and yes we are called to forgive. Anyway I read at our service and eventually went home.

The next few days played out in a normal manner of going to school, retreat meetings, and other such things.

Driving to Kearny from SHU, prayer service, John's Mass, Dennis's wake.. all these things are to come, but alas I must get some sleep as I have to work in the morning.

Obama's speech

My issue is not with the president giving a speech, it was attaching lesson plans to it. Seriously, was there a mention of saving the babies, yes if kids stay in school they will learn, but what are they learning. My mom thinks I'm crazy when I say I don't want my kids, if I have any in public school and I don't want them in a Catholic school that doesn't know how to be Catholic. Oh and Obama probably did change his speech, but hey if he simply said "stay in school." so be it.