vis-a-vis

God Calling… by Teresa R. Albright, Pastoral Associate Throughout the month of July, the church memorializes the lives of several saints who were either founders of or pioneers in their respective religious communities. On July 11, we remember St. Benedict , founder of the Benedictines and father of Western monasticism. On July 15, we remember St. Bonaventure , a pioneer and reconciler among the Franciscans. On July 16, we celebrate Our Lady of Mount Carmel , the patron of the Carmelite Order that brought us Doctors of the Church such as Saints John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and Therese of Lisieux. On July 23, we remember St. Bridget of Sweden who worked against corrupt papacies and founded the Order of the Most Holy Savior, known as the Bridgettines. And on July 31, we remember St. Ignatius Loyola , founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, who have taught and formed so many Visitation families. I remember being around thirteen years old when I told my moth...

Hello Everyone,               This is my first appearance on “the blog.”   I think “the blog” was conceived as a way for the parish staff to electronically communicate with you.   The rest of the staff seemed sort of unsure about penning a Fourth of July message, so I said I would give it a shot (pun intended).   I am comparatively well fixed to do it because I just finished reading a 660 page book on the American Revolution.   It was among the better books I have read in recent months.   I decided to navigate it because my heart needs a diversion from its intensely melancholy habits and I should know more about the American Revolution.               They tell me “the blog” will not admit of long discourses, so let me leap to the point:   The peculiar thing about the 4 th of July is that it is not the day the Declaration of ...

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...