Remembering Thoughtful Bishops

It's time for Confirmation in the local Oak Park Roman Catholic Parishes, which is an opportunity for episcopal presence.  A bishop comes to bestow the sacrament of Confirmation on the young people, connecting his role to the apostles who lay hands on the faithful to call down upon them the Holy Spirit.

I think particularly of two bishops who have come for Confirmations at Ascension who have since passed from this life to the next.

Bishop Manz demonstrated a strong pastoral heart, not just for the people in Vicariate IV of the Archdiocese of Chicago, but elsewhere in seeking to serve the needs of laborers.  And among his vestments, he wore a special medal of Our Lady of Guadalupe, reflecting his heritage.  At Confirmation Masses, he took time to show his care for the young people when they came before him for the individual anointing.

Bishop Birmingham didn't serve long as an auxiliary bishop before his passing.  He came to Ascension for Confirmation twice.  The first time, in February 2022, I recall that in his homily, he remarked that he made a visit to Ascension and was impressed by the ambo, wondering if anyone used it.  He was thrilled to ascend it at the Confirmation Mass.

The second time at Ascension, he gave such a thoughtful homily, using the metaphor of a kite.  The string may seem to hold us back, but really, it's what allows us to soar.  I pray that Bishop Birmingham is soaring high as his reward for faithfully serving God's people.

Not too far in the distant past is the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.  The one aspect about him that stands out to me is his gifted, scholarly mind.  His knowledge of God truly led him to be in a closer relationship with God.

A while back on The Cale Clarke Show on Relevant Radio, Cale shared portions of the homily he gave on his final birthday as Pope, back in 2012.  He noted that he was born on Holy Saturday in 1927 and baptized that very same day.  In his homily on April 16, 1927, he reflected on how life is a great gift, yet it finds even greater purpose when we enter into the divine life that we receive from God through baptism.

Perhaps that idea gives power to the words he spoke in his homily at his installation Mass.  "Each of is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary."  Indeed, we all have a purpose because God created us for it, and has loved us into creation so that we can all contribute our part to the world.

We give thanks to God for what these three Church leaders gave to us.

Circling Back into the Waters

April 28 is a day that takes me back to the start of my life as I celebrate the anniversary of my baptism.  It's special this year because April 28 is on a Sunday just like it was 33 years ago.  (I am furthermore reminded that today is also the ordination anniversary of Father Pacocha, who baptized me.)

At my baptism

At the same font in 2013

That spiritually significant number of 33 gives me further reason to ponder the nature of this occasion.

While I don't remember anything about my baptism, I fully acknowledge that it was the start of something important in my life.  I was chosen by God and set on a path to walk in His way.

I think about the question that Pope St. John Paul II posed to the French people during his 1980 visit to France, a question that he posed on other trips: "What have you done with your baptism?"

Since baptism is an initiation sacrament, it is certainly important for us to consider what it started and what has become of it.

My mind goes to the recent past as I recall the Confirmation Masses in Oak Park parishes during this month of April.  I spent a chunk of time at Ascension Church on April 13, a splendid spring day, to be present and support the Confirmation candidates, which represents how I had been present to them during the formation process at the monthly meetings, in addition to teaching those who were in my Religious Education (RE) classes this year and last year.  Additionally, it is an opportunity for me to rejoice in the connections I've made in the church community with my students and their families, particularly as I circle back to reconnect with former students whose younger siblings were confirmed this month.  I even think about how I reconnected with Kelly Good, who I taught with several years ago in RE, and whose son and nephew, both in my class last year, were confirmed this month.  As a sign of our good working relationship, she spontaneously invited me to join their family celebration after the Mass.

Bishop Casey celebrated both Masses at Ascension, and he used a story I heard him share the lats time he was at Ascension for Confirmation.  He described a time he went on a canoeing trip in Quetico Provincial Park and got to a cliff.  After much hesitation, he convinced himself to jump off it, which was an amazing experience.  He encouraged the young people to take the leap.  (One of my former students motioned to me when she started hearing this story and then asked if she was having a dej vu moment, and I confirmed it was the same story at her confirmation.)  For the rest of of us gathered there, he encouraged us to see each individual Confirmation as an encounter with God.

And that gave me an important idea, that as I see God encountering each candidate in the individual anointing, I consider how I have lived out my faith in teh world at large, even as I have brought it full circle by supporting those young people in Confirmation.

Father Carl, the pastor of the Oak Park parishes, has certainly caught wind of my high level of involvement, as evident a little more than a week ago when I was at St. Giles for the Confirmation Mass, which included a few students from Ascension.  A few days prior, the Archdiocese contacted the parish to say that Cardinal Cupich would celebrate the afternoon Mass.  When Cardinal Cupich was in the back of the church waiting for the opening procession, Father Carl insistently motioned to me, and then when I approached them, Father Carl introduced me to Cardinal Cupich as someone heavily involved in the formation of the young people.  I've seen it as a calling, an extraordinary opportunity to keep my faith fresh by handing it to the next generation, as I see faith as a great gift that I'm meant to put into action.

A fellow member of the congregation who's good with a digital camera got this photo of me with Bishop Casey following the afternoon Confirmation Mass at Ascension on April 13.

Here I am with Cardinal Cupich following teh afternoon Confirmation Mass at St. Giles.  The Master of Ceremonies, Devon Hezy, photographed me.

Father Rex photographed me following Mass today, April 28, as I mark the anniversary of my baptism.

Dear 1036: Lilies of the field

Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

One experience I enjoyed with my family over and over again was the movie Lilies of the Field.  60 years ago this month was the 1964 Academy Awards when Sidney Poitier became the first African-American awardee.

As a sign of the times of our family's years in you, we had that movie on a VHS tape.

Even though it was in black-and-white, I appreciated watching it as a kid.  It had a great story steeped in faith.  And the "Amen" song is so spirited, and demonstrates how Homer was able to connect with the nuns, including the strict Mother nun.  I like playing that song on YouTube, especially around the celebrations of the Nativity and the Resurrection.  It never gets old because the stories of Christ's life speak to our own experience of living by faith.

I watched the movie over and over with my family, and each time I had a sense that it drew us together as we appreciated the power of faith at work in the construction of the chapel.  Through the bumps in the road, the characters realized that returning to the power of faith helped them keep going until the chapel was complete.  It's a timeless message that speaks to us as we strive to live by faith in our own circumstances.

And this movie one of many timeless memories that will keep me connected with you, who are a great gift of God in my life.

With much gladness and gratitude for you, I declare that you shall never fade into the background, but remain deep in my heart, as we remain connected.

All my relations.

God's blessings,

Paul

2024 Annual Speeches Round-up

Over the past couple of months, elected officials have given important speeches.

On February 21, Governor Pritzker gave his 2024 State of the State and Budget Address for Illinois.  He offered an interesting story about the power of people coming together when schoolchildren raised money to buy a copy of the Gettysburg Address.

As has a consistent theme since he entered office, he's heavily focused on providing social services.  Tellingly, he hardly said anything about abortion, perhaps because a court overruled the law passed that would have punished pregnancy resource centers as "fake clinics".

I was impressed to hear Oak Park mentioned twice, and Berwyn once.  As part of his aim to address homelessness, he mentioned Housing Forward, which does so much good in helping assist those facing housing insecurity.  He also mentioned an Oak Park resident who opened her home to migrants.  Oak Park has certainly gotten attention for the efforts of its residents to help migrants.  When addressing maternal health, he mentioned a woman who works at a maternal health facility in Berwyn.

I hope that as much as he aims to enhance the government's social services he also empowers people themselves to take action to help their neighbors.

On March 7, President Biden gave his State of the Union Address.  He didn't have his usual mellow tone giving the speech, conveying a much more defiant tone, almost as if he was yelling during much of it.  Perhaps he felt a boost from the results of the Super Tuesday primaries two days prior, basically securing the nomination of the Democratic Party for the upcoming November presidential election.  He constantly referred to his disagreement with Donald Trump, simply addressing him as "my predecessor".  There was so much in his speech that contributed to a partisan, divisive feel, in contrast to what he said at his inaugural address with its aims to unify.  It's no wonder that the speech was interrupted multiple times by members of the audience who objected to some of his points.

The one area of concern that his partisan slant caused interference was immigration.  He clearly expressed his frustration that Donald Trump swayed some members of Congress to vote against a bipartisan legislative deal.  However, President Biden could show stronger leadership in addressing the immigration problem at the southern border.

One of his major talking points was upholding "reproductive health rights" including the "right" to an abortion.  Tellingly, Speaker Mike Johnson, seated right behind him, told the crowd at the March for Life 2024 that he was the result of an unplanned pregnancy, and his parents chose life.  It's unfortunate that President Biden has jumped on to the Democratic bandwagon that upholds abortion as something so nonnegotiable, and that he does little to address the needs of moms and how to support them in ways that don't involve abortion, especially when they're facing pressure to abort their children.  Abortion was just one example in the speech of his vision for this country that will take us down the wrong path.  Patrick Madrid hammered it home on social media, particularly when he showed an image of Mike Johnson's face, and wrote, "I feel your pain".  By the way, I don't even remember Speaker Johnson formally introducing President Biden.  From what I recall, President Biden got to the podium and started speaking immediately after the gavel.

Katie Britt gave the Republican response to the address, and overall, I felt she had some good rebuttal points and a largely down-to-earth way of conveying her message.  Some critics felt she shifted her tone in unusual ways multiple times, and I can see why, based on the fluctuations I noticed.  The way I see it, President Biden lacks solid leadership in multiple areas, and I feel that Katie Britt was effective in calling him out on where he needs improvement.

Still Walking in Her Footsteps

The beginning of March has two notable occasions:  Nebraska's Birthday/Statehood Day is on March 1.  Two days later on March 3 is the Feast of St. Mother Katharine Drexel, who founded St. Augustine Mission in Winnebago, NE. 

This mission was one of many institutions she helped start because of her heart to serve the needs of African Americans and Native Americans.

Among the most profound experiences of my life was going on a service trip to that mission during the Spring Break of my final year at ValpU.  It was the opportunity of a lifetime to walk in the footsteps of St. Katharine Drexel and help support the work of the mission.

Since I have had my own vehicle, I've had opportunities to return and reconnect with St. Augustine Mission.  March 2024 provided a great opportunity to walk again in the footsteps of St. Katharine Drexel on her Feast Day, which was on a Sunday this year, just as it was 11 years ago when I first went there.

Walking in St. Katharine's footsteps on the morning of Sunday, March 3, 2013, my group and I head to Mass at the St. Augustine Church.

Walking in the footsteps of St. Katharine at St. Augustine on the morning of March 3, 2024, on the way to Mass

I departed shortly before 11 AM on Friday, March 1, 2024, eager to get on the road and head west since I planned to arrive later that day in Nebraska on its Statehood Day.  (Please note that all times in this post are in CST.  And all photos are mine, unless otherwise stated.)

About an hour later, shortly after getting on I-80 westbound, my route for much of the drive, I saw a sign for Naf Naf Grill.  Figuring there would be good options for meatless Lenten Friday lunch there, unlike most other places along the interstates, I quickly changed my plan to have breakfast for lunch at Cracker Barrel and exited, heading straight for the Naf Naf Grill in the Love's Truck Stop near Morris--please see photo directly below.  I enjoyed the falafel pita wrap.

My falafel wrap

By 1 PM, I was back on I-80.  A couple of hours later, I reached Iowa, and I soon made a quick stop at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop to get some pins from their wonderful gift shop.  I did my best to tune in to Relevant Radio after that stop to join the daily Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer that airs Monday through Friday live from 3:00-3:30.

Upon reaching Des Moines, I followed the I-235 route and got a splendid view of the Iowa State Capitol awash in the late afternoon sun.  And I saw a spectacular sunset as I continued through western Iowa as the golden orange sphere of the sun dipped toward the top of the rolling hills.

The sunset

It was after 7 PM when I crossed the Missouri River into Nebraska.  When I reached Winnebago, I kept heading north to South Sioux City where I got dinner at the Crystal Cafe:  I had French toast, which is featured in the photo below.  

Then I headed back south, and by 9:30, I pulled up at the St. Augustine rectory where I greeted Father Mark and celebrated Nebraska by opening a Kool-Aid to drink before settling down for the night.

Father Mark took this photo of me as I pose with Kool-Aid.

The next morning, Saturday, March 2, I was on my way by 8:30 or so for a day that would take me all around eastern Nebraska.

After driving for a little more than an hour through eastern Nebraska fields, I arrived at the Immaculata Monastery and Spirituality Center in Norfolk right about 10 AM, in time for the start of a Day of Prayer.  It's a motherhouse for Benedictine sisters.  A few days before my trip, I got an e-mail from them with an invitation to attend this Day of Prayer.  It was led by Sisters Hilda and Michael Mary.  They offered some reflections on prayer and how to live a quiet life, including the idea of benevolent glancing.  We then had time to reflect on a small display at our spaces at the table and then about half an hour of quiet prayer in the building.  I ended up over in the chapel.

The adoration chapel

I was drawn to this image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The table top display

We returned to our meeting room to reflect on our prayer time, and then went to the Chapel and joined the sisters for the midday prayer.  Afterward, we gathered back in our room for lunch, which featured sloppy jo sandwiches, as is shown in the photo below.  It was a great time to continue the fellowship in our wonderful group.

By 1:30, I was on the way southeastward toward Omaha, largely driving US Route 275.  I drove through fields, like in the photo below, and periodically entered a town.  

Around 3:15, I stopped at a Love's Truck Stop, and I discovered some wonderful postcards there that I bought to send.

By 4 PM, I had arrived at St. Peter and Paul Church in south Omaha.  I made a point to visit and pray for Cardinal Cupich, since he would turn 75 later in the month on March 19, and he attended this church while growing up.

The sanctuary of St. Peter and Paul Church

Following a quick stop at the South Omaha Library, I went to Sacred Heart Church on the North Side of Omaha to attend Mass celebrated by Father Dave.  I was so pleased to see his flute-playing as we spent time reflecting on a question he posed before Mass started, about how we've seen God's grace in our lives--I think that was the gist of it, and I recall it was related to the story of the woman at the well in John 4.

Toward the end of Mass, at announcement time, Father Dave specifically singled me out and asked me to stand as he introduced me to the congregation and told the back story of how we met at St. Augustine Mission.  I was glad for his sense of hospitality in introducing me to the congregation.  It was nice afterward to chat with him.

A fellow parishioner took this photo of me on Father Dave's iPhone following Mass.

Rounding the top of the sanctuary, it reads, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."

Looking toward the altar inside Sacred Heart Parish

Father Dave's flute

The evening was so pleasant out as I gazed west at the sunset.  

Outside Sacred Heart Parish in the light of the sunset, shown above and below

Before leaving Omaha, I made it my business to enjoy a Nebraska specialty, a Runza sandwich, featured in the photo below.

I was majorly delayed getting back because Avila's back right tire blew out.  I was grateful for an Iowa state patrol officer who did her best to help me, and then for an auto repair person who arrived after a long wait, during which Roy kept me company and I admired the night sky full of stars in western Iowa.

The next morning, Father Mark offered to take me out to breakfast at the Crystal Cafe while Avila got a new tire.  I enjoyed a pancake with a piece of ham and an English muffin, shown in the photo directly below.  It was great catching up with Father Mark.  The tire work was done just as we were about ready to get up from our table.

I rested before 11 AM Mass.  It was a full crowd because a group was there that weekend for a Hispanic retreat.  St. Katharine's photo was featured prominently near the front of the church.  Father Mark noted at the end of Mass that only God could bring together a crowd like the one present.  He specifically mentioned the Hispanic group--and even gave a short homily in English and Spanish.  He also singled me out as someone who came from Illinois.  During Mass, I thought back to how special it was to be there for her Feast Day 11 years ago, which powerfully set the tone for our week of service.  At the end of Mass, it was profound to pray the prayer for the canonization of Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, a Lakota man who served as a catechist.

Display for St. Mother Katharine Drexel inside the St. Augustine sanctuary

During the afternoon, I had a light lunch, rested, and took a short drive to Rosalie to reconnect with the profound experience of the sweat lodge ceremony in the backyard of Nathan's house.  He came out front at one point while I walked along the street and I chatted with him briefly.

Road into Rosalie

At 6 PM, I was back at the St. Augustine Church for the weekly Ecumenical Lenten Prayer liturgy, bringing together congregations from the various churches in eastern Thurston County.  Father Mark used a penance/examination of conscience liturgy for our time of prayer.  In his message, he reflected on how we're sinners in need of God's grace, and God seeks after us to restore us.  Afterward, we went to the lower level of the church to enjoy fellowship over a large variety of desserts, as is shown in the photo below.

Around 8 PM, I returned to the rectory to have a light dinner and then settle down for the night.  I also made a point to admire the vast array of stars in the night sky.

I was up early the next morning to attend 6:30 Mass, celebrated by Father Mark Bridgman, the associate priest, joining the Benedictine sisters.  

The St. Augustine Church in the early morning light on Monday

Then I returned to the rectory for breakfast and one final chat with Father Mark before I got everything together in Avila and began my journey back east.

I stopped to mail some postcards at the post office in downtown Winnebago, and then made another stop at the Earth Lodge Scenic Overlook to admire the view of the Missouri River before crossing it into Iowa. 

Looking toward the Missouri River

Path toward the Earth Lodge Observation shelter

Along I-29, I stopped at rest stops to get photos of the Loess Hills, and then again along I-880, where I also could see the Omaha skyline in the distance.

Looking east along I-880

Looking toward the northeast near I-880, with the rolling hills going into the background

The skyline of Omaha is in the distance

Upon reaching the Des Moines Metro Area shortly after noon, I stopped in Clive for lunch at Cracker Barrel.  Because I had signed up recently for the Pegs Reward program, I got beignets as a welcome treat.

I got the hamburger steak as my entree with mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, and biscuits. The beignets are to the left.

It was a fine time enjoying the views of the wide open Iowa fields as I continued east, while finishing an audiobook about Andy Griffith and Don Knotts that I had been playing throughout my trip.  Conditions were clear when I entered Illinois, and remained so as I neared the outskirts of Chicagoland, even with storms nearby.  Soon after getting off I-55, I stopped at Novi's in Berwyn to get an Italian style beef sandwich to celebrate the City Charter of Chicago on March 4, 1837, which I had for dinner when I arrived back at homebase.

Final mileage upon arriving back at homebase

The one aspect of my St. Augustine Mission experience that resonates with me so deeply is connectedness, which is an integral part of Native American spirituality, and Roman Catholic spirituality, too.  We are connected with all the holy men and women of faith who strove to be faithful to God in their lives, and now intercede for us in the realm beyond this earth.  The Native Americans acknowledge a sense of connectedness with the seven generations before and after them.

Being at St. Augustine for a week of service inspired me in faith in conjunction with my participation in the community of St. Teresa's during college.  I've carried the impact of renewed zeal for faith throughout my post-college years.  As I continue seeking to live with purpose, going back to St. Augustine reacquaints me with the strong sense of purpose I gained there, and I rekindle it in my life at present.

Each visit back has been an opportunity to reconnect with some aspect of the original experience.  This trip was a chance to reconnect with my experience at St. Augustine and St. Mother Katharine Drexel.  She has an incredible life story, and motivated by her heart to meet the needs of others, she sought to put faith into action.  It was fitting to have this trip during Lent, a time when we focus more deeply on our relationship with God and how we can be renewed in it and this trip was truly steeped in a sense of spirituality, especially with all the faith activities I did, visiting various churches and the day of prayer at the Benedictine motherhouse.  In light of the spirit of St. Augustine Mission, I am reminded of the importance of my mission in life to serve in the name of God as a way of life.  This way of life keeps me connected with God, His Church, and the world at large.

All my relations.

Father Mark photographed me by St. Katharine Drexel's image in the St. Augustine sanctuary on her feast day.