vis-a-vis

MORAL OBLIGATION? CIVIC DUTY? NEITHER . . . I’M A CHRISTIAN! by Megan Burdolski, Director of Stewardship I’d be lying if I said that I’m enjoying life amidst the pandemic. I’m not. I doubt that very many people are. I was disappointed that my youngest child didn’t get a “normal” high school senior experience – prom, honors night, graduation. I am heartbroken for my cousin’s wife who did not get to celebrate her 85 th birthday with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren because she lives in a senior living center that does not allow visitors in nor her to leave. I am sad for those who’ve had to delay weddings or funerals or other celebrations because they cannot hold them in the fashion they intended. But I’m also a rule follower. I wouldn’t have wanted those things to happen in any way that could promote the spread of Covid-19. I am a mask wearer – I’ve been hyper-vigilant about doing so. I even put my mask on (alone in my car) when I’m picking up my curbside Target...

I Have Your Back by Karen Miller, Pastoral Associate I watched the video of George Floyd’s murder.   I watched the video of Amy Cooper falsely accusing a black man of assault. I watched the video of Ahmaud Arbery jogging through a neighborhood and being chased and shot. I watched the videos, and on all accounts, I was sickened and stunned.   I thought of my “family” member, Darryl, whose skin is as black as night.   This man that my family considers our own, who would always have my back, our back, in any situation. This man who was never willing to take a bus to our house because, as he said, “walking up your street would cause the neighbors to worry.”    After years of accepting his statement without question or challenge, I realize now I need to take a closer look at my heart and my actions.   This time, I feel like I cannot ignore “it,” meaning the conviction I feel for my past apathy.   Phrases like, “I don’t see color” or “I am not racist” ...

Out of Season Fruit: The Nativity of John the Baptist By Teresa R. Albright, Pastoral Associate Today the church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist , which tradition tells us occurred in the ancient village of Ein Karem just outside Jerusalem a few months before Jesus was born. As the birthplace of John the Baptist, Ein Karem is also remembered as the place where a young woman named Mary once visited her kinswoman Elizabeth. A few months into that familial trip, with the Son of God already growing inside her, the Blessed Virgin would assist in the birth of John, a prophet and herald of the coming Messiah.   The gospel according to Luke tells us that John was the son of Zechariah  and Elizabeth, an older couple from the priestly class. Because they had no children of their own, Zechariah  and Elizabeth worried about who would inherit the important duties they held at the Temple in Jerusalem after they were gone. God answered their pray...

A Father’s Love by Chris Sanders, Pastoral Associate A child’s hand is engulfed in the palm of his tall father’s. The grip is secure, firm, loving and gentle, not tight and restraining. The gait of the two were synchronized in both their steps and the sway of their shoulders. There was a tender care taken by the man for the child as they crossed the street in a melodic stroll, a reverent dance or a sacred space moment. Anyone who noticed could witness the love. Words flowed from the child’s lips quickly as the low roar of laughter escaped his father. The hands never released even when reaching their destination. Both were comfortable, affectionate and loving. Is this how our loving Father is? Dads come in a wide variety. They can be providers, loving, giving, nurturing, biological, adopted, fatherly role models, mentors, trustworthy, resilient, hope-filled and our best coaches in life. But sometimes they are absent, broken or limited. We all have one, yet our experiences and relation...

Truth in Aphorisms by Msgr. Bradley S. Offutt, Pastor (transcribed from the Class of 2020 Graduation Mass homily given June 11, 2020) Down through the years, we receive wise sayings, you know, aphorisms they are sometimes called. It’s good to learn some of them. They’re pithy and they can contain a lot of truth, like Benjamin Franklin: “A fool and his money are soon parted.” Man, there’s a lot of truth in that. I think sometimes of that one by Lord Acton, what was he an 18 th century Englishman? “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts. Absolutely.” That’s a good one to bear in mind. I think my favorite aphorism is from Old Testament wisdom literature – it says it in different ways in different places and it goes like this: “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” Man, I like that. “If you want make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” That’s easy to remember and it is so true! It just quickly gets to the heart of human life and divine potential. “If you want make God laug...

An Attitude of the Heart by Megan Burdolski, Director of Stewardship “Listening is an attitude of the heart, a genuine desire to be with another which both attracts and heals.”   - L. J. Isham Listening well is a talent that not all of us possess. I think about those people I’ve known in my life that have perfected the art of listening and I am genuinely inspired by the way in which they make someone feel heard . . . important . . . relevant . . . loved . Listening takes practice. I know that I am a better listener now than I was thirty years ago but I am still not as accomplished in this skill as I’d like to be. Listening requires attentiveness, patience, empathy and a willingness understand, among other things. Jesus was a wonderful listener, an active listener. I found this acrostic of the word LISTEN online describing some of the key elements of active listening as modeled by Jesus: L – Love – Jesus listened without prejudice. Love must form the way we listen. I – Inq...