SHF Pastor's Blog

Today is Gaudete Sunday - REJOICING SUNDAY. St. John the Baptist announces the presence of Christ as St. Paul reminds us that in our constant rejoicing we announce our faith in Christ. The source of St. John's & St. Paul's joy was that they were constantly thankful for their favor in God's eyes. Participating in God's gift of salvation both knew joy, peace and blessing. They rejoiced cause they were saved. Being thankful makes us feel the closeness of God.

You and I have 13 days until we celebrate Christmas. Let us make it our work to be grateful each day for one blessing and rejoice always that we are divinely favored by an awesome God whose love never fails. In so doing the spirit of Christmas will fill all our days. Today I am thankful for my faith.

Come Holy Spirit! Fill the hearts of your faithful.

On this most holy solemnity of the Pentecost we celebrate the imparting of the Holy Spirit upon the Most Holy Church and all humankind in fulfillment of Christ's promise. God remains with us and we with God in an eternal covenant of love. Once again God reminds us that his greatest desire is to be one with us. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the sign of this desire. This Pentecost let us renew our love for the Lord and live joyfully in the presence of our God forever.

In these times of changes, which are never easy for any person, I would like to put forth my reason why I believe SHF is the best school.

1. An excellent academic record where the Iowa Basic Tests Scores consistently exceeds the median scores of the Archdiocese as a whole.
2. A positive, Catholic environment in which our children grow closer to the Lord Jesus and grow in a deeper understanding of our precious Catholic Faith.
3. A dedicated, outstanding, caring and committed faculty.
4. Membership in a warmly compassionate and caring community that cares for each other in all situations.
5. Outstanding athletic programs where our children learn good sportsmanship and life skills, and how to be a team player.
6. Numerous possibilities for parental involvement in the educational and social development of their children.
7. A safe and friendly environment that teaches our children to use their talents and gifts for the good of others.
8. The opportunity for our children to grow through the fine arts of music, art and foreign language classes.
9. A place where our children grow in their faith through religious, social and justice orientated activities.
10. Membership in a parish that continues a 775 year tradition of making our world a better place through prayer, love, hope and service.
I am sure that each of us can positively add more items to this list.

While I understand that any and all changes do produce uncertainty, if we are a people of faith, faith in the God whose love brings abundant blessings always, then we need to walk into the uncertainty with confident hope of God’s ever abiding presence. I am convinced that if each member of Seven Holy Founders parish community works together, placing our individual talents and gifts and the feet of God, for the collective good, our school will be open for the next twenty, forty, sixty or more years. If we harness our energy and faithfully trust our God all will be well. It is up to each and every one of us. I believe that the high merit of our educational program speaks for itself as the reason for sending children to our school. This is why I believe that Seven Holy Founders School is the best school for child(ren).

The Annual Parish Picnic was yesterday and it is was a grand event. The sun come out a bit, the booths were active with adventurers, the volunteers worked hard and the many revelers all seemed to have a great time. Parishioners, members of our neighborhood community and friends all gathered to have a fun time and to support the parish. In so many ways we shine as a parish community during this and many other times throughout the year. Such moments of being a community remind us of God's goodness that shines through us.

In the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah we are reminded that the Lord promises us a future full of hope (see Jeremiah 29:11). I truly believe that if we claim this promise from the Lord we will understand that the small stuff of life pale in comparison to the phenomenal blessings that God abundantly shines on us at all times. Keeping our lives focused on the blessings and not on the small stuff helps to give clear focus of what really is important. When we are community we live in the blessing. We did this yesterday at the picnic.

To all who helped in any and every way to make the Picnic a great success, thank you. The parish is grateful as am I. God bless all of us.

In the last couple of weeks I have been answering questions about priesthood from students at a local Catholic High School. The project helps them to better understand the Sacrament of Holy Orders and the role of the priest in the life of the Church and the parish. Answering these questions has been a moment of reflection for me, especially as I celebrate the 17th anniversary of my Ordination today.

Much can be said about the priesthood, but for me, my priesthood has offered me the profound opportunity of meeting God, face to face, in the wonderful people that I have met over these 17 years. Each day I get to stare Christ in the face of those whom I minister to. From the baby I am baptizing, to the kids I see in our school, to the people I anoint when they are ill, in each of these and many more situations I am touched by Christ whose very presence is experienced in each ministerial situation. With each experience I grow in my faith which I pray that I pass on to those I am so very privileged to serve. The grace of my priesthood is that I get the wonderful opportunity to be significantly involved at significant times in people’s lives where I can offer them the hope, consolation and peace of Christ. I am so very blessed.

Today, as I celebrate my anniversary, I am grateful for the following:
-my parents, whose love reflects God’s love to me,
-my siblings and in-laws, nieces and nephews, their love and support are a constant blessing,
-my extended family and friends, for the many lessons learned,
-for the people of Our Lady of the Ridge Parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, St. Domitilla Parish and Seven Holy Founders Parish; their faith blesses mine.
-the friars of my community: they are my mentors.

I am very blessed because I have the most exciting job in the world.