From Father Tim's Desk
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19: 20-21
November 20, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
Gratitude is a universal human response to kindness experienced or favors received. However, the meaning of “thank you” can vary significantly in different places or times. In the Middle Eastern culture of Jesus’ day, for instance, true gratitude was expressed by returning the favor and never by saying “thank you.” An ancient Arab proverb sums up what was implicitly understood: “Don’t thank me; you will repay me.” Some have even suggested that the infamous Mafia code of “I’ll scratch your back; you scratch mine” can be traced back to the ancient Mediterranean world where “thank you” essentially meant the termination of a mutually supportive relationship.
Perhaps we would do well in preparing for Thanksgiving Day by adopting a “Mafia-style” spirituality. Expressions of gratitude, both written and spoken, are certainly important and necessary in our modern-day world. But imagine if everybody also eagerly “scratched each other’s back” by looking for opportunities to return kindnesses and favors with kindnesses and favors.
This week could be a continual cycle of giving and receiving, of being indebted and paying back the debt. The real Godfather, to whom we all are indebted, would be pleased. Otherwise, an angel named Guido might be sent out to get us. (Just kidding, Mafia humor). Happy Thanksgiving!
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
Gratitude is a universal human response to kindness experienced or favors received. However, the meaning of “thank you” can vary significantly in different places or times. In the Middle Eastern culture of Jesus’ day, for instance, true gratitude was expressed by returning the favor and never by saying “thank you.” An ancient Arab proverb sums up what was implicitly understood: “Don’t thank me; you will repay me.” Some have even suggested that the infamous Mafia code of “I’ll scratch your back; you scratch mine” can be traced back to the ancient Mediterranean world where “thank you” essentially meant the termination of a mutually supportive relationship.
Perhaps we would do well in preparing for Thanksgiving Day by adopting a “Mafia-style” spirituality. Expressions of gratitude, both written and spoken, are certainly important and necessary in our modern-day world. But imagine if everybody also eagerly “scratched each other’s back” by looking for opportunities to return kindnesses and favors with kindnesses and favors.
This week could be a continual cycle of giving and receiving, of being indebted and paying back the debt. The real Godfather, to whom we all are indebted, would be pleased. Otherwise, an angel named Guido might be sent out to get us. (Just kidding, Mafia humor). Happy Thanksgiving!
Peace.
Father Tim
November 13, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
“There’s gold in them thar hills!” At least that’s what I believed when I was a teenager in Missouri. So one day, with my summer savings and dad’s help, I bought a Relco Pacesetter metal detector. It came with its own case and two different sized heads for adjustable detection depths. You might remember me mentioning a friend of mine who found four 1861 Confederate half-dollars with his metal detector and learned that just one of those coins was worth $450 at the time. As you can imagine, a few of us guys wanted our own metal detectors at that point, but I had the “Cadillac” of the of them all, or so I thought. To make a long story mercifully short, my metal detector was more like an “Edsel” than a “Cadillac.” I could not find anything other than a few old nails or bottle caps. I would even bury some of my own quarters, dimes, and nickels and the metal detector could not even locate those half the time. There is still money buried “in them thar hills” today because my overpriced metal detector was a dud. But I understand that same old Relco Pacesetter is considered an antique now and worth some money to collectors. Of course, I got rid of it a long, long time ago. This brings me to this week’s Gospel about the parable of the talents. The type of talent that Jesus is speaking about is not a coin but a weight. And depending upon the metal of the coin, such as copper, silver, or gold, would determine its worth. For example, a single talent of silver would be worth roughly fifteen to twenty years’ wages for a common laborer of that time. That’s a lot of money. I can therefore sympathize with a poor servant who would bury it and keep it safe. But remember, this parable is not ultimately about talents but rather the coming of God’s reign. And like the previous parable about the ten bridesmaids, we are expected to actively participate here and now in the eventual fulfillment of the Kingdom of Heaven. That means, in this case, not to bury the message of salvation entrusted to us but rather to share the Good News with others. Our Lord does not want us to give it back to Him unshared and unfruitful. We will have to give God an account of our actions or passivity. Besides, the real treasure to be found is not buried in the ground but stored up in heaven. As Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt 6:21).
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
“There’s gold in them thar hills!” At least that’s what I believed when I was a teenager in Missouri. So one day, with my summer savings and dad’s help, I bought a Relco Pacesetter metal detector. It came with its own case and two different sized heads for adjustable detection depths. You might remember me mentioning a friend of mine who found four 1861 Confederate half-dollars with his metal detector and learned that just one of those coins was worth $450 at the time. As you can imagine, a few of us guys wanted our own metal detectors at that point, but I had the “Cadillac” of the of them all, or so I thought. To make a long story mercifully short, my metal detector was more like an “Edsel” than a “Cadillac.” I could not find anything other than a few old nails or bottle caps. I would even bury some of my own quarters, dimes, and nickels and the metal detector could not even locate those half the time. There is still money buried “in them thar hills” today because my overpriced metal detector was a dud. But I understand that same old Relco Pacesetter is considered an antique now and worth some money to collectors. Of course, I got rid of it a long, long time ago. This brings me to this week’s Gospel about the parable of the talents. The type of talent that Jesus is speaking about is not a coin but a weight. And depending upon the metal of the coin, such as copper, silver, or gold, would determine its worth. For example, a single talent of silver would be worth roughly fifteen to twenty years’ wages for a common laborer of that time. That’s a lot of money. I can therefore sympathize with a poor servant who would bury it and keep it safe. But remember, this parable is not ultimately about talents but rather the coming of God’s reign. And like the previous parable about the ten bridesmaids, we are expected to actively participate here and now in the eventual fulfillment of the Kingdom of Heaven. That means, in this case, not to bury the message of salvation entrusted to us but rather to share the Good News with others. Our Lord does not want us to give it back to Him unshared and unfruitful. We will have to give God an account of our actions or passivity. Besides, the real treasure to be found is not buried in the ground but stored up in heaven. As Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Mt 6:21).
Peace.
Father Tim
November 6
Dear Parishioners,
Widows of Africa’s Kavati tribe have a unique way of acquiring a new husband. Custom requires a widow to remain near her departed husband’s grave, screaming at the top of her lungs and drumming ceaselessly on the walls of the grave with a big stick. She keeps up this noisy display until some eligible male offers to marry her, thereby restoring peace and quiet. That sure gives a whole new meaning to the expression “marriage racket.”
It seems a few ladies were making some “racket” of their own in Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins, our Gospel reading this Sunday. Five of them were locked out of the wedding feast because they ran out of oil for their lamps and went off to buy some from the merchants. When they came back, the door was locked and they shouted, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” But the bridegroom basically said, “No, go away!” Perhaps they should have made some more noise, like the Kavati tribe women.
Once again, even though Jesus tells a story about a wedding feast, the parable is actually about the “kingdom of heaven.” Like the foolish virgins, there are times when we want to change something in our lifestyle, or say “I’m sorry” to someone we owe an apology, or to start praying regularly again. But we think we’ll get around to it some other time. That time may never come. Then, like the wise virgins, there are also times when we immediately respond to God’s grace and the world begins to illuminate, one small candle at a time, by the way we hear and live out the Gospel message. In those times, the arrival of the groom at last is not a surprise but rather a joy. May the light of God’s kingdom shine evermore brightly on earth from our wisdom, even as our foolishness is still being transformed.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
Widows of Africa’s Kavati tribe have a unique way of acquiring a new husband. Custom requires a widow to remain near her departed husband’s grave, screaming at the top of her lungs and drumming ceaselessly on the walls of the grave with a big stick. She keeps up this noisy display until some eligible male offers to marry her, thereby restoring peace and quiet. That sure gives a whole new meaning to the expression “marriage racket.”
It seems a few ladies were making some “racket” of their own in Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins, our Gospel reading this Sunday. Five of them were locked out of the wedding feast because they ran out of oil for their lamps and went off to buy some from the merchants. When they came back, the door was locked and they shouted, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” But the bridegroom basically said, “No, go away!” Perhaps they should have made some more noise, like the Kavati tribe women.
Once again, even though Jesus tells a story about a wedding feast, the parable is actually about the “kingdom of heaven.” Like the foolish virgins, there are times when we want to change something in our lifestyle, or say “I’m sorry” to someone we owe an apology, or to start praying regularly again. But we think we’ll get around to it some other time. That time may never come. Then, like the wise virgins, there are also times when we immediately respond to God’s grace and the world begins to illuminate, one small candle at a time, by the way we hear and live out the Gospel message. In those times, the arrival of the groom at last is not a surprise but rather a joy. May the light of God’s kingdom shine evermore brightly on earth from our wisdom, even as our foolishness is still being transformed.
Peace.
Father Tim
October 31, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
The Solemnity of All Saints is on Sunday this year. That does not happen too often; namely, that a Holy Day of obligation falls on a day when we have to be at church anyway. But then again, with the dispensation still in effect due to Covid-19, we don’t even get to enjoy this two-for-one discount. Oh well, better luck next time.
There are literally thousands of officially recognized saints in the Catholic Church. We only hear a small portion of their names, usually from the Church’s universal calendar. And those are mostly the big named saints that everybody knows. But on any given day of the liturgical year, there are listings of numerous saints and blesseds who have been canonized or beatified in the Church’s history and assigned that particular day. Most of those names we have never heard, but the Church remembers and honors their sanctity for the glory of God and to inspire us, by God’s grace, to emulate them. The Solemnity of All Saints is one of our oldest feast days, going back to the 4th century in the East and to the year 609 in the West. As the title suggests, this great and ancient solemnity celebrates all the saints of the Church, both the famous ones as well as the ones who may be unknown to us.
So let us be mindful of not only of the many “official” saints but also those who are unknown and who are not mentioned. Look around us among our own family members and friends to consider who might be an unofficial saint in our midst. Indeed, look at ourselves and realize that the Holy Hall of Fame that the Church has set up is meant for every one of us, including you and me. May our prayer today be that someday in the future this will be our feast day too.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
The Solemnity of All Saints is on Sunday this year. That does not happen too often; namely, that a Holy Day of obligation falls on a day when we have to be at church anyway. But then again, with the dispensation still in effect due to Covid-19, we don’t even get to enjoy this two-for-one discount. Oh well, better luck next time.
There are literally thousands of officially recognized saints in the Catholic Church. We only hear a small portion of their names, usually from the Church’s universal calendar. And those are mostly the big named saints that everybody knows. But on any given day of the liturgical year, there are listings of numerous saints and blesseds who have been canonized or beatified in the Church’s history and assigned that particular day. Most of those names we have never heard, but the Church remembers and honors their sanctity for the glory of God and to inspire us, by God’s grace, to emulate them. The Solemnity of All Saints is one of our oldest feast days, going back to the 4th century in the East and to the year 609 in the West. As the title suggests, this great and ancient solemnity celebrates all the saints of the Church, both the famous ones as well as the ones who may be unknown to us.
So let us be mindful of not only of the many “official” saints but also those who are unknown and who are not mentioned. Look around us among our own family members and friends to consider who might be an unofficial saint in our midst. Indeed, look at ourselves and realize that the Holy Hall of Fame that the Church has set up is meant for every one of us, including you and me. May our prayer today be that someday in the future this will be our feast day too.
Peace.
Father Tim
October 25, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
This week I will update you on some improvements and additions we have done in the church. Those of you who normally sit in the back section of the church will notice that the audio system sounds much better now. People often told me that they could not hear back there. That was because there were only two small speakers for voice. It was long overdue to correct that problem. And so, last week we installed 11 new ceiling speakers to cover that area and a new amplifier to handle the needed power. A 12th speaker was damaged during shipping and was reordered to be installed in the back southwest corner in a few weeks. This was a necessary investment to improve the worship space.
You will also notice a new votive candle stand on both sides of the Blessed Mother statue. They are no longer electric but now use real candles that burn for approximately four hours. Lighting a votive candle has a very long and special history as a sacred practice within our Catholic Tradition. The lit candle is symbolic of our prayers that continue to stand vigil for us, whether that be before the throne of Christ or at the intercession of Mary or one of the saints. And those prayers come from real people with real needs and so the candle flame should be real too. My goal is to cover the costs of candles rather than to make a profit. A suggested amount will be visible on the stand. Just please be careful and don’t burn the church down.
Finally, some important liturgical solemnities are fast approaching and I noticed that we have only an old, beat-up thurible and no boat or stand. The thurible and boat, in case you don’t know, are official terms for the censer and the little container that holds the incense. Again, as an investment for the church, we bought a new thurible, boat, and stand. The stand will be particularly helpful for me whenever incense is needed but I have no servers to assist, like during this virus period. You should be able to see this new beautiful liturgical set behind the altar in the sanctuary.
A donor helped pay for the votive candle stands; but if you would like to help us with the costs of the ceiling speakers or the thurible, boat, and stand, we would be truly grateful. It’s not a great expense but it is an added one. Any little bit will help.
Well, so much for not making any changes in my first year. Mea culpa.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
This week I will update you on some improvements and additions we have done in the church. Those of you who normally sit in the back section of the church will notice that the audio system sounds much better now. People often told me that they could not hear back there. That was because there were only two small speakers for voice. It was long overdue to correct that problem. And so, last week we installed 11 new ceiling speakers to cover that area and a new amplifier to handle the needed power. A 12th speaker was damaged during shipping and was reordered to be installed in the back southwest corner in a few weeks. This was a necessary investment to improve the worship space.
You will also notice a new votive candle stand on both sides of the Blessed Mother statue. They are no longer electric but now use real candles that burn for approximately four hours. Lighting a votive candle has a very long and special history as a sacred practice within our Catholic Tradition. The lit candle is symbolic of our prayers that continue to stand vigil for us, whether that be before the throne of Christ or at the intercession of Mary or one of the saints. And those prayers come from real people with real needs and so the candle flame should be real too. My goal is to cover the costs of candles rather than to make a profit. A suggested amount will be visible on the stand. Just please be careful and don’t burn the church down.
Finally, some important liturgical solemnities are fast approaching and I noticed that we have only an old, beat-up thurible and no boat or stand. The thurible and boat, in case you don’t know, are official terms for the censer and the little container that holds the incense. Again, as an investment for the church, we bought a new thurible, boat, and stand. The stand will be particularly helpful for me whenever incense is needed but I have no servers to assist, like during this virus period. You should be able to see this new beautiful liturgical set behind the altar in the sanctuary.
A donor helped pay for the votive candle stands; but if you would like to help us with the costs of the ceiling speakers or the thurible, boat, and stand, we would be truly grateful. It’s not a great expense but it is an added one. Any little bit will help.
Well, so much for not making any changes in my first year. Mea culpa.
Peace.
Father Tim
October 17, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
After the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, rescue workers reported seeing the outline image of people on some of the walls that remained standing after the mushroom cloud explosion. Experts claim that the intense light and heat of the initial explosive burst was probably the cause. Some say that the image on the Shroud of Turin was also caused by an intense light of similar magnitude. What I find ironic is that light, clouds, and fire can be elements of destruction or they can be symbols that express the actions of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are full of references to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the form of light, clouds, and fire.
The “image” on the coin in this Sunday’s Gospel offers an indirect reference for our prayerful reflection. If the image on the coin indicates authority and ownership, and Caesar’s image on the coin implies the dominion of the empire, what bears God’s image and so indicates God’s ownership and dominion? We are created in God’s image and likeness! We can be likened to coins that are made and fashioned in God’s hands. It is God who imprints the seal of the Holy Spirit upon us, indicating that ownership and dominion is God’s alone.
May we always follow the “Light of the World,” that our hearts remain aflame with the fire of His love, and that the cloud of blessing always overshadow our daily lives. Furthermore, may the Divine Image-maker give us the grace to assist in being holy image-makers of the heavenly kingdom here on earth.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
After the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, rescue workers reported seeing the outline image of people on some of the walls that remained standing after the mushroom cloud explosion. Experts claim that the intense light and heat of the initial explosive burst was probably the cause. Some say that the image on the Shroud of Turin was also caused by an intense light of similar magnitude. What I find ironic is that light, clouds, and fire can be elements of destruction or they can be symbols that express the actions of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures are full of references to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the form of light, clouds, and fire.
The “image” on the coin in this Sunday’s Gospel offers an indirect reference for our prayerful reflection. If the image on the coin indicates authority and ownership, and Caesar’s image on the coin implies the dominion of the empire, what bears God’s image and so indicates God’s ownership and dominion? We are created in God’s image and likeness! We can be likened to coins that are made and fashioned in God’s hands. It is God who imprints the seal of the Holy Spirit upon us, indicating that ownership and dominion is God’s alone.
May we always follow the “Light of the World,” that our hearts remain aflame with the fire of His love, and that the cloud of blessing always overshadow our daily lives. Furthermore, may the Divine Image-maker give us the grace to assist in being holy image-makers of the heavenly kingdom here on earth.
Peace.
Father Tim
October 10, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
Last week in my homily I went back 500 years to learn what were the most important events of that time. I also learned about some interesting customs back then, like people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and were still smelling fairly good by June. Flowers were therefore used for a dual purpose at weddings, both as decoration and to mask the smell of body odor—including the bride. “Pew!”
Thankfully, personal hygiene habits have changed since those days. People spend a lot more time and money on soaps, shampoos, fragrant bath oils, skin creams, and so on. Perhaps the attitude today can even be summarized by the Hollywood slogan: “It’s not how you feel but how you look.” Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. The last thing I want is for people to come to church with bad body odor. With few coming as it is, that could close us down for sure.
But imagine what it would be like if we put as much time to grooming our soul as we do to our body. The result could be surprising. Indeed, saints have shown that the fragrant smell of a virtuous life can linger long after one is gone. May the Lord help us all to develop a daily hygiene routine for the soul as well as the body. Be sure to try to include such things as frequent reception of the sacraments, private and communal prayer, spiritual reading, and acts of charity.
St. Paul assures us in this Sunday’s second reading from his letter to the Philippians that “God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” I must say, however, that this assurance does not include any underarm deodorant. So don’t forget that either.
Peace.
Father Tim
Dear Parishioners,
Last week in my homily I went back 500 years to learn what were the most important events of that time. I also learned about some interesting customs back then, like people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and were still smelling fairly good by June. Flowers were therefore used for a dual purpose at weddings, both as decoration and to mask the smell of body odor—including the bride. “Pew!”
Thankfully, personal hygiene habits have changed since those days. People spend a lot more time and money on soaps, shampoos, fragrant bath oils, skin creams, and so on. Perhaps the attitude today can even be summarized by the Hollywood slogan: “It’s not how you feel but how you look.” Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. The last thing I want is for people to come to church with bad body odor. With few coming as it is, that could close us down for sure.
But imagine what it would be like if we put as much time to grooming our soul as we do to our body. The result could be surprising. Indeed, saints have shown that the fragrant smell of a virtuous life can linger long after one is gone. May the Lord help us all to develop a daily hygiene routine for the soul as well as the body. Be sure to try to include such things as frequent reception of the sacraments, private and communal prayer, spiritual reading, and acts of charity.
St. Paul assures us in this Sunday’s second reading from his letter to the Philippians that “God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” I must say, however, that this assurance does not include any underarm deodorant. So don’t forget that either.
Peace.
Father Tim
October 4, 2020
This week I will use my column to discuss a decision that was made regarding the Sunday Mass schedule. The parish has had for years a seasonal 7:30 AM Mass from November 1st until the end of April. That Mass will not resume this year or in the foreseeable future. This was not an easy decision, but it was a necessary and reasonable one.
Simply put, our low attendance numbers do not warrant an additional Mass. A parish weekend Mass schedule should be based mostly by need. And at this point, we neither need nor can we afford more than three Masses. The pandemic, in part, has created a number of complications and challenges for St. Brendan’s. For one, we have a worrisome decline in our weekly offertory collection. Adding a fourth Mass for a handful of people would canonically require me to find another priest (if I can), and getting outside help is not cheap. Plus, that does not include all the other expenses incurred, like sanitizing, electric, music, sacristan, etc. Then we have several of our ministers and lectors, like lots of our parishioners in general, who are still not comfortable with coming to church yet. And many seasonal residents have decided to stay up north due to the virus. Three Masses more than covers the needs of our parish.
But I cannot put this blame solely on the coronavirus pandemic. St. Brendan parish has had a steady decline in the number of its active registered families for the last eleven years. In 2009, this parish was nearly twice the size that it is now. We currently have 311 active registered households. That is one of smallest parishes in the Diocese. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with being a small parish. I grew up in a small, wonderful parish. Small parishes can provide a certain charm and appeal that large parishes can only dream of offering. What I am saying is that if we were 604 registered families today, like in 2009, I would see the need for a fourth Mass.
We will likely always be a small parish, and I will not speculate in this column on the reasons for our parish’s declining numbers. Rather, my focus for the future will be to look at ways to slowly draw people back and to hopefully be a “one-stop-service” parish. That’s a tall order, but with God all things are possible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Remember that you are the ones who provide that “charm and appeal” to our small, but wonderfully unique, parish by the sea. May God bless you all.
Peace.
Father Tim
This week I will use my column to discuss a decision that was made regarding the Sunday Mass schedule. The parish has had for years a seasonal 7:30 AM Mass from November 1st until the end of April. That Mass will not resume this year or in the foreseeable future. This was not an easy decision, but it was a necessary and reasonable one.
Simply put, our low attendance numbers do not warrant an additional Mass. A parish weekend Mass schedule should be based mostly by need. And at this point, we neither need nor can we afford more than three Masses. The pandemic, in part, has created a number of complications and challenges for St. Brendan’s. For one, we have a worrisome decline in our weekly offertory collection. Adding a fourth Mass for a handful of people would canonically require me to find another priest (if I can), and getting outside help is not cheap. Plus, that does not include all the other expenses incurred, like sanitizing, electric, music, sacristan, etc. Then we have several of our ministers and lectors, like lots of our parishioners in general, who are still not comfortable with coming to church yet. And many seasonal residents have decided to stay up north due to the virus. Three Masses more than covers the needs of our parish.
But I cannot put this blame solely on the coronavirus pandemic. St. Brendan parish has had a steady decline in the number of its active registered families for the last eleven years. In 2009, this parish was nearly twice the size that it is now. We currently have 311 active registered households. That is one of smallest parishes in the Diocese. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with being a small parish. I grew up in a small, wonderful parish. Small parishes can provide a certain charm and appeal that large parishes can only dream of offering. What I am saying is that if we were 604 registered families today, like in 2009, I would see the need for a fourth Mass.
We will likely always be a small parish, and I will not speculate in this column on the reasons for our parish’s declining numbers. Rather, my focus for the future will be to look at ways to slowly draw people back and to hopefully be a “one-stop-service” parish. That’s a tall order, but with God all things are possible.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Remember that you are the ones who provide that “charm and appeal” to our small, but wonderfully unique, parish by the sea. May God bless you all.
Peace.
Father Tim