Is Your Family Perfect?

At the family Christmas dinner, I shared the Polish custom of breaking bread with everyone at the table. The Oplatki looks like Holy Communion, but its rectangle in shape and it has a Christmas image like a picture of the holy family. The husband begins and offers his a piece of the bread and wishes her good health and happiness in the New Year and adds to forgive him for any hurts he caused in the past year. Immediately, my sister-in-law pipes up, don’t forget to ask for forgiveness for any failures in the New Year. The guests at the table go around and break a little piece of the wafer from one another and wish each other good health and happiness in the New Year. Again, my sister-in-law says to her husband “Well, aren’t you going to say anything to me?” Sometimes families can be a tad quirky.

I don’t know what a perfect first-century family looked like, but I’m certain that Joseph and Mary didn’t fit the ideal. Joseph had no money. He had no safe place for his wife to give birth and no plausible explanation for her pregnancy. How scared they must have been. Their family was turned upside down before it even began.

In our country, “unusual” families are everywhere. In increasing numbers, Afri­can Americans marry whites, atheists marry Christians, and men marry men. Demo­crats marry Republicans and single friends live together. We have blended families, same-sex families, adoptive families, and single parent families.

Whenever we insist that we are strong, nearly perfect, and able to make our own way, we hold God off at a distance. We don’t need him. He’s just a notion floating in the ether or a comfort arrested in the past. He isn’t someone we desperately need to lean on or collapse into. If we blindly believe that we are making it on our own, we will never become the person we were born to be. Our illusion of perfection, whether real or as fake all the Christmas advertising happiness, won’t allow God to come into our life.

It’s no coincidence that Christ was born into a shaky, uncertain family. God goes where he’s needed. Joseph and Mary find themselves trembling on December 24. Joseph and Mary are confused, baffled, and needy—and then they find God right in their laps. Right in the middle of their imperfection, as if their imperfection called out to him, “Come, we need you, come be born among us.”

Is your family imperfect? Take heart. So was Christ’s. In his humble family Christ learned to become humble. In his imperfect family Christ learned to be­come merciful. That’s what we do in our families. We hurt each other and then we forgive one another.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends in 2015 that are broken families. It may be the lucky family whose “imperfections” won’t let them deny that fact. that we need to lean on You more often. That’s quite OK!  It certainly the wise families who em­brace this desire, and call Your name: “O come, O come, Emmanuel, into all our holy families.”

Christ as Mentor

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Christmas decorations were done. I had redesigned the baskets and substituted the brown poinsettia for sparkling red. The tree has to be real in our home and instead of the usual Douglas or Concolor Fir, Doug, the Christmas tree specialist recommended a Korean Fir. If it was good enough to stand in Doug’s house, then it’s good enough for Fr. Matt’s home. One change for the tree, no glass ornaments this year because the kitties might get a little naughty so to prevent any problems we put up Christmas ornaments of birdies, horses, pigs and cows on the tree with little blue lights. I hung up the outdoors lights before the first big storm, so I guess I was ready for the season. We are hosting the family Christmas dinner today in our home. We planned the menu, the smoked ham had arrived FedEx, yesterday we made the butternut squash and mashed potatoes ahead of time, I finished making CD copies of our children giving presents to St. Nicholas for their parents to keep as memories of that beautiful day.

Then I remembered, do I have to write Christmas cards again this year? Many folks stopped this tradition years ago and the new generation sends emails in seconds with holiday greetings. I got out last year’s Christmas list and reviewed the names. On this list were some special people, an 88 year-old professor who is my spiritual mentor, a 76 year old aunt who prays for me daily, a former housekeeper at the Mercy Motherhouse who took care of me for ten years while I served as chaplain at Strong hospital, a farmer who taught me how to care for the land, a fire chief who keeps our tractor tuned and repaired, a retired priest in New Jersey who has become a champion senior archer, a geriatric doctor and his spouse who love music and chasing for moose in New Hampshire, an in-law in North Java who raised horses and Susan’s sisters who invited me to ride with them this summer on the trails in Varysburg with Mary our guitarist leading the way in her beautiful forest.

I have a patient who was searching for a “temp sponsor” as he said to help keep him sober. He admitted that he had been drinking a long time, like over 40 years. He admitted that he had no control over his drinking but when he wanted to stop in the past, he was not serious. I like to think that coming to church tonight, you might be searching for a “temp sponsor” to be your guide as you travel on this earth. My patient admitted that he was never sober for more than 41 days and on Thanksgiving this year, he had reached a new milestone. Monday was his 65th day of sobriety.

My friend shared that the reason he attends his AA meetings is because people do not judge. At first, he felt a little ashamed but that feeling has gone away because he believes that every meeting he attends that he is with family, a group of people like himself who accept him for who he is and trying to lead a healthy, sober life. Coming to the meetings is a reminder is that he needs this fellowship to keep him on track or he knows that he would go back to his destructive behavior. Even his wife is amazed at his transformation, she is still a little suspicion on how long he will keep his promise not to drink, but he likes the feeling that his spouse and children support him. Since he stopped drinking, he pays attention more to the people around him. His family has always loved him but he didn’t notice because he had spent most of the time away from them drinking. It’s a good feeling he has now about himself, actually it’s the feeling of peace. 

For many of us, we promise to do better in life but easily get distracted and off the track. Coming to church tonight, I like to think that you are searching for a mentor who can make a difference in your life. My friend goes to his AA meetings at least 5 days a week. I told him to keep it simple. He goes not to hear the stories about how other people got themselves into their messes, but he believes that something important happens at every meeting, he realizes that he is not alone struggling with his disease. Other people in the group understand where he was coming from, they were no better nor worse then him, just looking for support. No shame, no guilt, just a family of humble people who need someone in their life to lead them to a better life.

Coming to church, we get a chance tonight not simply to kneel before the Christmas manger, but allow God to touch our hearts because Jesus wants to be your mentor for life. He wants us to learn that the true meaning of happiness in life is compassion. The people of this faith community at Holy Family are very compassionate. Over the summer, they fed their neighbors while people where shopping at the Annual Java Garage Sale, later in the summer at the Wyoming County Fair they set up a booth to invite families to come and join us at our Sunday celebrations, but at that same fair the parish bid on a pig that weighed over 240 pounds and gave the money to a poor family in Wyoming County. Only two weeks ago, they were asked to help 40 families in the County and they returned in one week with over $4,000 worth of gifts and goods to help desperate families. You might ask yourself, why are these families so generous and forgiving?

The birth of Jesus means that God sent a mentor into the world to teach us the values that can make a difference on our lives. While we live everyday struggling with our jobs, paying our bills, searching for happiness, Jesus grew up and teaught about the true meaning of joy and comfort: “Blessed are you when you visit the sick, feed the prisoners, help the poor, work for justice for the meek shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.”

The families in this faith community are living the Christmas spirit that Jesus came to bring into our world. On this holy night, we learn that we are special people in the eyes of God; that all of us have meaning and a purpose. We have a choice to squander our gifts on what the world markets will makes us happy: more electronics, bigger trucks, time for selfies on Facebook and Twitter that lead to jealousy, greed and selfishness, or we can choose to come to a meeting every week where we learn how we can be the best person God created us to be: compassionate, generous, kind, thankful, and forgiving.

My sober friend shared that he attends the meetings and plans to do this for the rest of his life not to feel shame or failure for his life, but a reminder that he needs many mentors to keep him on track, sober and responsible and caring to his spouse, children, family and friends. It’s not all about him he realized in reading the Big Book and getting himself a “temp sponsor.” He needs the right tools to live the kind of life that will bring him comfort and joy and coming AA is part of his recovery and healing.

Coming to this refreshed church every week means that you will meet many families who really care about you and promise to help you find meaning in your life. The people of Holy Family are prayerful, compassionate, generous, kind and forgiving. I might add very friendly and fun. Did they not greet you at the door with a smile tonight? In the past year, I have heard people admit that they are so happy to be there, and it had seems so simple and easy. Why didn’t every church work this way?’

My vision for Holy Family is that all people who worship and serve are “sponsors” and you who have come to this church tonight to celebrate with your family as our honored Guests. You are part of our family and they need your presence. Despite the fact that maybe this year you did not get all your decorating done, or you use an artificial tree, or you did not mail out Christmas cards this year, but made time in your busy schedules to come tonight looking for a community that treats you with respect and dignity for no one will judge you here, that is left up to God. Ask any person who attends Holy Family and you will learn that what makes them so happy is that they have found a purpose in their life. I believe that as our Guests you will feel refreshed and renewed when you leave this beautiful church tonight. Our doors are always open and our hearts want you to know that you are invited back next Sunday which is the Feast of Holy Family. We need more sponsors to let the world know that God is alive and well not only in North Java but in all our towns from where we come from tonight.

Let me share with you that in the past year, the “sponsors” in this church have reopened their old school and call it their “parish hall” and invite you to bring your families, your groups, your organizations and ideas.  They restored the abandoned rectory and sponsor a family of nine who live in the rectory while the children attend the local schools and make it a true home. Only three days ago, we brought up a birthday cake for Jesus into this sanctuary and the children sang “Happy Birthday Jesus.” But the best part was when their teacher asked the kids what gifts would they give to the baby Jesus and this is what some of them wrote: pajamas, lots of underware, trains and that baby Jesus would help people and police get along better together.

My fellow Sponsors and Guests, I am glad that you came tonight, despite our imperfections; we believe that Our Savior has come to be present not only on Christmas, but everyday so that we can experience God’s kindness, warmth, acceptance and love from one another.

Busy as we have been these past weeks, decorating, buying, making cookies, wrapping, visiting, and writing those Christmas cards, the presence of Christ is always with us. The Holy Spirit is eager to guide us in all the circumstances we encounter. Life’s decisions are often difficult, and indeed painful, if we are not able to lean on the Lord. He is our ready support and “sponsor” who is with us everyday in the year. May his coming this Christmas fill your hearts with joy, so that those we meet will truly experience the Christ in us. 

One of the Christmas cards I received had this message inside that read:“The magic of the season never ends and its greatest of gifts are family and friends.” Let me paraphrase this message as a Christmas Blessing:“May the love of God bring your soul a quiet peace and may you find a blessing in your family and friends.”

One final word to our Guests tonight, please come back often for a cup of coffee and pastries at our Sunday socials and experience the peace of Christ not just for one night but everyday. Welcome back to your old Saint Nicholas and may the refreshed Holy Family become an important meeting place that you plan to attend with your family throughout the New Year.

How Will I Get Through This?

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I wonder what Christmas gifts Joseph might have bought for Mary? If he’d paid attention to his girl, he might have shopped for the special bathrobe she pointed out to him. So he searched at Macy’s, Penny’s and Sear’s and bite the bullet and went to Eastview Mall and found s plush bathroom at Mon Amor. The sales girl told him that they would even alter the robe if it were too long and that they offered free gift-wrap. One item done. Mary was not much for jewelry since she could make her own. But for her birthday, Joseph bought her some poinsettia earrings and it would be nice if he could find a matching necklace, after searching many stores he got lucky and find her a string of green and purple stones on a silver necklace. Boy, will she be surprised!

Meanwhile back home, Mary was indeed surprised or more shocked when she got a home visit from the Archangel Gabriel. Initially you might think that receiving such a visit would be like winning the lottery: what a great thing to have happen to you! Except that throughout Scripture the people whom God takes the time personally to visit generally get set up for a pretty difficult life. Mary is no exception. Gabriel's greeting was like "Rejoice! You have found favor in God's sight!" That is good news, but Mary will discover soon enough that being the mother of God's Messiah will not be easy. She'll spend many years worrying herself sick about the odd things that her son ends up doing and saying. Ultimately, of course, she'll watch him die horribly in a public spectacle just outside Jerusalem.

How do we respond to the Gabriel’s in our own lives? How do we react when God suddenly knocks on our door to announce a change in plans?

When the doctor calls…

When the sun never seems to shine anymore…

When our jobs grow boring and exhausting…

When the customers won’t stop begging us for discounts…

When a child becomes ill…or a parent is bedridden…or the pregnancy results aren’t what you thought they’d be…or wanted them to be.

We may find ourselves brought up short by life.  We may feel disappointment, confusion, maybe even anger.  And we may ask those words that Mary asked so long ago, “How can this be?” How will I get through it?  How will I manage? The answer is the same today as it was 2,000 years ago. And that is what we cling to. It is possible. Because nothing is impossible with God.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are facing impossible situations the lack of sunshine, the lack of a friend, a more challenging job, a physical pain that won’t go away, people who are never satisfied, a change in our life plans. Let an angel come to their aid at this moment and breathe these words into their spirit: “Do not be afraid-because nothing is impossible with God.”

Holy Darkness

Darkness terrifies us, consumes us. Sometimes. But the right kind of darkness can give us peace. A night of good sleep, for instance.

Two monks agreed to climb all the way up the side of one of Maui’s volcanic mountains—with a guide and with friends, and then climb down into the crater itself. No one had mentioned the great dark cave at the other end of the crater floor. It was a “lava tube,” formed when a huge molten stream began to cool and harden on the outside while the inside continued to flow out, which left a tube.

The monks were ushered into this tube/cave, following trustingly. After a few curves and reverses, there was no morsel of natural light left in the cave, only one electric bulb, their salvation. They settled down on various rocks by its light. Then the guide clicked off the bulb. Yes. He warned the visitors ahead of time, very kindly and all, but the words “put out the light” did not sound comforting to their ears.

Deep, unrelieved darkness settled around them and around everything else. Eyes open, eyes closed, it was all the same. No light, no shadow, no least glow. Obviously they felt trapped and afraid, lost in a strange place, their eyes put out. But the result was just the opposite. Against all reason, they felt great: great rest, great peace. “I’ll turn the light back on now,” the guide whispered after several minutes, but everyone halted him. “No, no, leave it off. Give us more time.” The visitors sat, unseeing, united, consoled by the warmth and depth of absolute night. When the tiny little bulb did finally return, their eyesight surprised them. Seeing was like a memory that had slipped away. The dark had formed a resting place, it seems, in which their souls re-charged, their eyes recovered their innocence.

In this coming Sunday’s Gospel, the people hunger for light like this. “Are you the light?” they shout to John the Baptist. Will you “bring glad tidings to the poor, healing to the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and release the prisoners” I am only pointing you toward the light, the Baptist said. He will be here soon. Hold on to my arm. Have you found an arm to hold onto?

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are afraid of the darkness of their lives. When you have been deprived for a long, long time, even one speck of light will change everything. A tiny child might provide it on Chrsitmas Eve! Have you found an arm to hold onto?

Teaching Spirituality to Kids

A hot-button issue for many parents is how to teach their kids about spirituality.  For a significant number of Americans, "spirituality" and "religion" are synonymous; if you believe in one, you're automatically committed to the other and define yourself as a Catholic, Jew, Muslim, Protestant or member of another denomination. But the fact is, almost one in six Americans today is unaffiliated with any particular religion. Indeed, young adults under age 30—today's and tomorrow's parents, essentially—are the most likely to be living religion-free lives.

When it comes to spirituality, we parents are just our kids' ambassadors. We can show them around, but we don't need to know everything. And that exploration is well worth the effort. Research indicates that personal spirituality results in much more than just a nice warm, fuzzy feeling. Kids who develop a sense of a loving higher power or a guiding force—whether they call it God, creator, Allah or simply "loving universe"—are 80 percent less likely to suffer major depression and 50 percent less likely to suffer from substance abuse as teens. Similarly, a study from the University of British Columbia, in Canada, found that children who are spiritual (and researchers clearly separated "spirituality" from "attending church services" or "belonging to a church") tend to be significantly happier individuals overall. Having an understanding of something greater than themselves seems to enhance children's sense of personal meaning and purpose, and to reinforce their connections to their community and to other people. The big question, then, is how to do it? What are some ways to give your children the gifts of faith and hope?

Many spiritual traditions provide an excellent framework of values or principles to follow. Even kids as young as three or four understand something like “Our family believes in kindness, helping other people, caring for pets and reaching out to people who are alone.”

Kids benefit greatly from hearing out loud from their parents how we handle life's ups and downs, It could be as simple as saying to your child, 'I'm really worried about Grandpa today and my stomach hurts. I'm going to take a moment and pray that Grandpa feels better.” Research indicates that kids who have at least one parent who is openly spiritually incline tend to continue exploring spiritual issues on their own in adolescence and adulthood.

 

This weekend the parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Church in North Java are bringing clothes and toys requested by Angel Ministry to help children who are less fortunate. Teaching by example is the focus of inviting children this weekend to brings toys to Saint Nicholas so that he can give them to other children who would not receive any gifts this Christmas.

When a grandparent or a pet dies, when a natural disaster hits, when your child encounters something unfair—all of these are opportunities for your child to turn to God for comfort. In some families, they talk about angels when they are upset. Some parents teach their kids to ask their angels about problems they have and to trust their own 'inner ears' when the angels talk to them."

Many parents are struggling with how to approach their kids' spiritual education. The parents talk with their children about issues of faith when they come up in stories and movies; they broached the topics of heaven and an afterlife when the kids' grandparents died; and they attend Christmas Eve church services every year as a family holiday tradition. Some parents visit several different churches and taken the kids along. But as for actually joining a church—that's way too hard for them. Many parents still sort of fumbling around in the dark. And as with all aspects of parenting, fumbling is perfectly okay and expected,. Teaching kids about spirituality isn't about doing it perfectly or finding the "right" church. It's more about asking deeper questions with your children and letting them see people living out their lives with meaning, All parents can do that.

Molly Haungs, Holy Family’s childrens’ religious education teacher, has brought a wonderful sensitivity and creativity to help parents who are fumbling around to teach their children that there is a God who cares about them and loves them very much.

If you are a parent “on the fence” and struggling to help your children learn about the meaning of prayer, gratitude and kindness, let this be an invitation to bring your children this Sunday to North Java at the 10am Mass and join our “Kids’ Church” to meet Saint Nicholas and help other children this Christmas. On Sunday, December 21^st, the children are bringing a “birthday cake” and singing “Happy Birthday Jesus” and on Christmas Eve, December 24^th at 4:30 pm there will be a special Nativity Childrens’ Mass that will feature a childrens’ choir singing familiar Christmas chorals. Holy Family Catholic Church is located at 4316 Route 98 in North Java. The faith community’s mission statement reads: “Whether you area lifetime Catholic, a member of a different faith, a parent “on the fence” or new to exploring your spirituality, you will find a home at Holy Family.” 

 

A Gift for You

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Black Friday seems to start earlier every year, leaving people little time to enjoy what Thanksgiving is actually supposed to represent. The sales and promises of bounty may be hard to resist, but I like to offer these creative alternatives to your shopping agenda.

Skip Walmart and the malls and spend your day at one or more of these 7 spiritual alternatives:

1. A forest.

If you have access to wilderness, let yourself unplug for a hike or a meditation surrounded by the natural world. If you're in an urban setting, get yourself to a park and watch the squirrels and birds going about their merry business, completely indifferent to Christmas sales.

2. A museum.

Museums contain worlds of creativity and beauty to explore, and many stay open the day after Thanksgiving. Why look at toasters and electric razors when you could peer into the magical kingdoms of Picasso, Dalí or whatever artist you feel moved by?

3. A place to pray.

Your local church, mosque, temple or synagogue can offer infinitely more nourishment than Walmart or Target can. Light a candle for someone you love. Soak up the calm and stillness. Meditate on the things you're grateful for that can't be bought with money.

4. A friend's house.

Community is at the heart of so many spiritual traditions, and there is no better way to tap into that than by visiting a friend, family member or significant other. Spend time with the ones you love instead of worrying about what to buy them for the holidays.

5. A music performance.

Stevie Wonder once sang: "Music is a world within itself/With a language we all understand." Immerse yourself in the captivating world of music -- let it bring you closer to those around you and closer to the core of your being that doesn't really care about half-off sales. On Sunday, I will take my friend Penny to listen to her favorite Christmas music, “The Nutcracker.”

6. Your imagination.

How often do you exercise the power of your imagination? When is the last time you picked up a paintbrush, performed a skit or wrote a short story? There are infinite corners of your own imagination to explore and not a minute to lose.

7. An Advent Penance Service with Absolution

You read this correctly, what a grand opportunity to sit in silence with the Lord and a community of humble people and be invited down the aisle to receive a wonderful gift, God's mercy and peace. You can go on feeling guilty that you have not received this sacrament in decades, so why not skip the excuses and come to Holy Family this Sunday at the 10am Mass and receive an early Advent gift. God’s love for you will be wrapped with hands around your cheeks and and a tender voice that will say: "I miss you and love you very much." Please join us this Sunday.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have suffered many pains and sorrows during the past year. They might have lost their health, a job, a relationship, respect, but let them know that they can never lose Your LOVE for them. Come and celebrate God’s love for you in this memorable celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It will be the best gift you have ever received during the Advent Season.

Biblical Snowstorm

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Stranded in a snowstorm might change your attitude and being dumped with 5 to 7 feet of snow can be very humbling. Some regions like Cowesville received 88 inches of snow that’s over 7 feet. In Bethany, we received over five feet. Last Sunday afternoon, I was called out of town to respond to an accident that resulted in the death of a truck diver. While in Syracuse on Monday, I called the fire chief in Bethany to make sure Susan would be safe. Again on Tuesday in Syracuse, I learned that the first wave of the snowstorm produced over three feet of snow in our area and the roads in Genesee County were closed. I had called our parish deacon and asked him to initiate our parish phone tree to make sure everyone was safe. On Wednesday, back in Rochester, I learned that second wave of he snowstorm was headed for the same towns so I made it back to Bethany on Wednesday night. On Thursday, it took me 4 1/2 hours to plow out another foot of snow from our driveway and plowed the elderly neighbor’s driveway who lives alone.

On Friday morning, it took another three hours to plow another foot of snow from the second wave of the storm. Our total was over 60 inches. Sue and I took our neighbor’s and her cat, Scribbles, to the vet for some chronic eye problems. Our senior neighbor was embarrassed when the vet told her that Scribbles had herpes, not the sexual kind that caused the cat’s blindness. After the office visit, we took the neighbor to Wal-Mart for her medications and some groceries. On the news, the thruway was still closed, the National Guard had been called in to help and people were now worried about their roofs collapsing from the heavy snow. Now the fear is that the warm weather will bring flooding to homes.

I have been humbled by phone calls and emails from friends in New Hampshire, New Jersey, Brockport and Rochester curious about our situation. The best news is that I have a neighbor who plowed the first wave of snow, repaired the tractor tire and helped find a part for the snowplower.

In the storms of life, it might be a neighbor, family member or stranger who comes to our rescue to plow a driveway, provide the milk and bread, feed us in the convenience store and bring blankets for us to sleep in their home overnight. People who go beyond the call of duty deserve our gratitude and mirror the Christ’ of compassion and love.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends and those who survived this epic event. Exhausted, aching and weary, kindly pray for those courageous people who plowed the roads, the emergency responders and neighbors who helped one another during this biblical snowstorm of the century. On Thanksgiving Day, pause to remember the kind people who went beyond the call of duty to make safe those in distress and pray for the safety of our homes at risk for flooding.

Upgrade Your Image

I had a recent visit from a friend who serves as my photography mentor. His images are sheer genius and he reviewed my computer software and discovered that it was long overdue for an upgrade.

There are many stories in Scripture that might need an upgrade to understand why Jesus told the story. This past Sunday, we learn about a rich man who goes on a journey and who entrusted his possessions to his servants. Take note this master is not a God figure. After the master praises

the financial effort of two servants who double his money, his words to the third servant who buried his money and earned no interest was the remark: "Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside...." The master’s actions hardly fit the image of the merciful God Jesus has been proclaiming.

Jesus’ world wasn’t like our capitalistic system that increases wealth by investment. Jesus’ contemporaries had a different perspective. For them, the world had only limited goods and wealth. If someone increased their wealth they were, in effect, “stealing from another.” A peasant strived to have enough to care for his family and that was enough. So, the people we often admire for their success and wealth would have been considered wicked thieves among Jesus’ hearers, taking from the limited supply of the world’s resources.

In the light of this new upgrade in our understanding, who then might be the admirable figure in the parable? Not the master, nor the two servants, but the third who did not cooperate with his master’s greedy ventures, His actions were punished as are those people who oppose the unjust and powerful who make profits at the expense of the poor.

When the Lord comes with judgment do we fear that we will be thrown out into the darkness? Are we playing it cautious in our service to the Lord? Do we fear failure and do not take the chances our discipleship requires? It seems the parable encourages bold, even risky action.

I shared with my photography mentor that for every 1,000 shots, I edit down to the best 10 images. I discovered that with the proper tools and upgraded software I can take these ten images and make them stunning!

So how do we make our spiritual life more stunning? I suggest that we upgrade and take a lesson to become bolder and take the risks.

The Lords prays for us as we reflect: “Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that serve in their faith communities. Give them the courage to speak out against injustice and boldly proclaim the message of acceptance and understanding.

You Are Invited

Recently, the stories in church have been about invitations to attend a wedding and the invited guests chose not to attend with lots of excuses.  Did you ever wonder why people don't come to church?

Some useful facts:
82% of the unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited.
Only 2% of church members invite an unchurched person to church.
A study of Americans revealed that 63% are willing to receive information about a local church from a family ember and 56% are willing to receive it from a friend.

How to invite a person to church:
Most people come to church because of a personal invitation and 70% say email would be useless in getting them to visit.
7 out of 10 unchurch people have never been invited to church in their whole lives. 

What to say:
It can be hard talking with family and friends about coming back to the faith, especially when they have not been part of the church for a long time. Often the more time goes by, the easier it is to "let it slide."
Don't give up. Perisistence is really important so just keep trying. For example, Holy family has a new 2015 Church Calendar that shows pictures at an ice creme social, babies being baptized and people voluntering at the North java Yard sale and Spaghetti Dinner. This shows people that you really enjoy coming to church.
You want share why you come to your church. To pray and lean about the ways of jesus, to keep in touch with neighbors and bring comfort and warm coats to people in need.
Simply say, "Would you like to join me fopr Mass this weekend? We could have a cup of coffee after Mass. Mass is under an hour and Fr. Matt always starts with a joke and keeps its interesting. We just keep it simple. But this experience recharges me like nothing else.

The number one reason people decide to attend church is that they believe that the people of their church really make a difference in the community.

Let me add after I wrote this reflection in the parish bulletin last Sunday, there is no doubt in my mind, that the people of Holy Family make a difference in bringing Christ into the homes of their families and friends.

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that they discover a faith community that will warm their hearts and bring them peace of mind and soul. You are always welcomed to come and pray and worship with us at Holy Family in North Java. see you soon! Fr. Matt

Day of the Dead

NORTH JAVA —Today means all things Halloween throughout the nation.

But this weekend has rather different meaning for people with Mexican ancestry. And it’s why area farm laborers and their families are invited to “Day of the Dead” celebration Sunday at Holy Family Church.

Or as the church terms it in Spanish, “una misa para todos en Celebracion de Diea de los Santos.”

“I invited parishioners to find photos of their loved ones to set up an altar and bring a personal item that identifies this person,” said Rev. Matt Kawiak. “I will offer a children’s liturgy that will teach this beautiful tradition to our area children and welcome all parents to join our faith community for the celebration.

“Our hope is that the Mexican community will also respond by joining our parish and share their personal stories on how they celebrate this special celebration of life.”

Day of the Dead is an important part of Mexican culture, as families there mark All Souls’ Day, said Sylvia Davis, a migrant outreach worker.

Families put up altars to remember loved ones who have passed away — sometimes simple, and sometimes more elaborate.

Marigolds, incense and a special “bread of the dead” are also part of the altars, along with offerings the loved ones would have appreciated, such as favorite foods or other treats, Davis said.

They also celebrate a Mass, and offer well-loved items at relative’s grave site. And it carries important personal and familial meaning.

It’s believed the deceased loved ones follow the aroma to the altar and visit.

“If you think about it, everybody wants to remember their loved ones,” Davis said. “Everybody has somebody. I lost my brother who’s a year older than me, and I miss him every day. And to have the chance every year to think about what this person meant to you and remember that, it’s very special. It’s very nice, I think.”

The Day of the Dead Mass at Holy Family will be modified slightly, Kawiak said. It won’t feature some of the stronger skull motifs, with more of a focus on loved ones.

A side altar has been set up inside the church, featuring photos and loved ones’ belongings — in Kawiak’s case, a Raggedy Ann doll which belonged to his mother. Instead of being scary like Halloween, it’s a celebration of a loved ones, along with togetherness and community.

The Mass starts 10 a.m. at Holy Family Polish National Catholic Church on 4316 Route 98.

The Lord prays for us as we reflect on Psalm 23:8: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long."

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends and all our Mexican friends who celebrate this feast day of All Souls with grace and reverence. May we join them this weekend in remembering the best of those who have gone before us into heaven.

Sick of this Disease

I have a friend who feels drained everyday from her chronic disease. In her own words, she is “sick of her disease.” Despite her complaining, she has the best doctors in town. Compassionate and caring and in her words ”super smart.” But she wishes that she did not have to be the one “to cope” with this miserable disease that she has carried for almost three decades.

She would love to host a party in her home for her friends. But cleaning her house, setting the perfect table and cooking gourmet meals are impossible with legs that feel like “leg irons.”

So to be honest, the Martha Stewart home with all the nice trimmings would be impossible to pull off. If she tried to vacuum, she would fall on her face or feel overwhelmed by all the planning. I like to offer that there are other ways to invite people into friendship, others ways to find support.

Sometimes it is a phone call. A quick five minutes of checking in. It could be an invitation to take someone to your favorite restaurant. A prayer. A chance to invite someone to your home for a cup of tea. Showing love might be as simple as sending a card of thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.

What about all the books weighing down your shelves? Maybe there is one you know that would be perfect to pass along to a friend. Better yet, you could call your friends and tell them that Barry Manilow is performing on QVC. What’s that idea all about? It’s knowing that Barry is her favorite recording artist despite his poor facelift that she believe he should have left alone. “He would look better with all his wrinkles.”

Maybe what someone needs who cannot get around much anymore is a note that she can hang on her refrigerator. Why not try to download this photo of the autumn leaves that are changing and send it to her over email, or better yet, make a card and give her a compliment.

Whatever you are good at, that special talent that God has blessed you with, it might be useful to give to a person who needs a lift because any disease can make us resentful and bitter.

A spiritual writer in giving wisdom to those who carry heavy loads teaches that we must learn to surrender the suffering, that which we bring from the past that holds our hearts in prison. We cannot escape the pains of the past, but we do have a choice to let go and let God.

The Lord prays for us as we reflect: “ A gift opens doors; it gives access to the great.” (Proverbs 18:16).

Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who endure the misery of chronic illness, help them to surrender their suffering and seek the comfort of those who bears gifts of friendship and love.