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True Home

9/15/2019

I wonder if we have grown so focused on making our home here in this present world, that we have lost sight of the world to come—that our passion isn’t heaven---but living the “good” life here on earth. There is so much around us that may keep us from “remembering” heaven: think of the constant noise of the world, the instant communication of so many sorts—but not the real, heart-to-heart, face–to-face kind. It seems sometimes that with the temptations of power and affluence, the constant blaring seductions of commercials selling some sort of dream, and our human desire to be like and to have what our neighbors have—we forget the truth that our true home is with God. (St. Paul reminds us that what is seen is transitory; what is unseen is eternal.)

The Gospel today is the story of the sinful Prodigal (wanting too much worldly stuff) who nowshould remind us of our true home, and of God’s unconditional love and welcome for us. Jesus told his first followers that they needed to make sure their treasure was in heaven, because their hearts would be where their treasure was. He told them that their true home wasn’t on earth and promised them that He was going to prepare a place for them—and then return to bring them to this place—their true home. He told them (and tells us!) that here on earth there will be many trials and sorrows and trouble---but have courage, take heart, because He has overcome the world! He will be with us through it all, we can do all things with God.

So, if our true home is in heaven and not here on earth, how should we live here, now? St. Paul tells Timothy today to teach people to live this way: They should be rich in good works, give generously to those in need, and to always be ready to share with others whatever God has given them. In doing this they will be storing up true treasure as a good foundation for the future—so that they may take hold of a life that is a true life.

True life! True life in our true home awaits us—and we can begin by practicing a true life right here and right now. Let's not get so distracted, derailed, diverted, spoiled, addicted and preoccupied by our current world and all its noise that we forget our time here is just preparation for the real one---the eternal one---our true home.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

The Challenge of Discipleship

9/9/2019

These last few weeks we have been hearing readings that speak of the cost of Discipleship in Christ. We have heard about the narrow gate and knocking at the door, hoping to be recognized by God for the use of our time, talent and treasure. We have heard about the storing of riches (better be ready for Christ’s return!), the first and the last places at the Lord’s table (about humility) and the seating at the heavenly banquet—and the Blessed Virgin Mary as the example of saying “yes” to God.

The Gospel stories in these last few weekends have been explicit in what is required of a Disciple of Christ: The Lord is first before all things (even our loved ones); we are asked to take up our cross and to take responsibility for “the particular unfolding of God’s Providence in our life, no matter what that may entail good or ill”; and lastly, to renounce possessions—false comfort in things. Wow! Add “forgiveness” and “love your enemies” into this “recipe” for Discipleship, and it is obvious how challenging every moment in a life of Christ may be!

The call (and our response) to Discipleship is an every day, lifelong goal and commitment—not a one-time decision. It is about our priorities in the use of our time, our talents and gifts, our treasure: all gifts from God! Now is the time to decide to change: one moment at a time, one step, one day, one ministry, one charity, one church project, but—begin!

Where to begin? Right here, right now─with your family, in your home, and in your St. Aidan Parish Community. Ask yourself how you spend your time. Do you have a particular talent that would be a gift for the Liturgy and our people? Search your heart and sign up!

The Music Ministry (Adult and Children’s Choirs) will begin soon preparing for the new season of singing for the glory of God. It is not (and never) too late to sign up. If you have a musical talent, come and see me. If you are interested in this ministry and are unsure of your abilities, come and see me. If you like to sing, come and see me, for as Scripture says: “you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Answer the call to Discipleship; the call to share your gifts!
And Keep Singing! (Or start!)

Elizabeth Dyc

20 Years Ago

8/19/2019

As I open up the resources for this year’s upcoming faith formation, I am looking back at the changes that have taken place in the span of just 20 years. In 1999 I was getting ready to share my faith with one of four classes filled with 7th grade students who met each week. I was being mentored by some veteran catechist who had been giving up their Monday or Tuesday nights for years. We were each armed with actual textbooks to teach a lesson every week and if you were brave, you brought the cart of Bibles to your room. Occasionally, we would come across a resource and photocopy it, in black and white.

The pre-teens we were mentoring, were growing up in an almost Catholic Bubble. Their peers were a bunch of familiar faces from church. Their parents hung out with friends from Church and it was a time that it was relatively safe to admit, you were Catholic. If you looked on their nightstand or near their bed, there was likely a religious item or even a Bible or prayer resource on display.

But, that was 20 years ago. Every poll from Pew Research will tell you of a decline, not only in Catholicism, but all religion. I like to think the change in direction St. Aidan took three years ago, to a family faith formation approach is the solution. However, it is just one part of the solution. While we have gone from black and white copies and texts to digital media and parent participation, we still have much more to do.

Consider this, in 1999 St. Aidan had almost 500 high school students. Today we have only 164 and next year, 20 less. Each of us, no matter who we are, are, by our baptism, called to witness the Good News. Have you ever invited someone to St. Aidan? When was the last time you shared a story of God working in your life? How is your own prayer life? Make a commitment to improve one thing this week to deepen your relationship with Christ and see if the results have you being a witness by the end of the week.

Paul Pyrkosz
Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Fiery Discipleship

8/19/2019

The Gospel Reading for this Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time contains a very difficult message to hear; Jesus says: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” He talks about His “baptism”—the cross—and His anguish until this “baptism” is accomplished. He speaks of the division that will be caused between (even) loved ones as a result of following in His path. Fire may kill; but it can generate life; and it can also purify and refine. Fire can transform—do you remember that we are tested by the fire of our trials and transformed by them? Jesus kicks us today in our complacency and self-contentment; we are confronted with decision and reckoning! We know that after a fire new life grows where the old was burned away; that fire is necessary for the new growth. (This is the pattern of salvation: death and resurrection!)

This summer’s readings from Luke on the practice of discipleship ignite a burning message in today’s Gospel. There is a cost to discipleship: there is suffering, division, and even rejection. These may be the cost for disciples who live the radical convictions and values of the kingdom of God in their family, workplace, parish, diocese—in their private and public lives.

Today we hear things spelled out: you cannot follow Christ without ‘skin in the game’; and you may not compromise or make excuses with your time, talent and treasure—for you have put on Christ! Your actions, decisions and priorities must show others that you take your Baptism seriously. It sure was easier to follow Him when He only wished us peace…

Jesus now wants to divide us— not from each other—but from those things that keep us from Him and true love. We are reminded today that the choices we must face as believers are difficult, sacrificial and sometimes very painful; yet the Psalm verses tell us that we are not alone in all our struggles—that like Jeremiah in the cistern—the Lord will hear our cries and deliver us.

Today is about the decision to let God start the fire in us—and that our passion for our faith will burn away the debris of sin—all the greed, pride, selfishness, lust and apathy. God, today, or any day, doesn’t advocate for lukewarm! He wants to send down His spiritual fire into our hearts that we may live with conviction, integrity, fervor and commitment for the Kingdom. We must pray to receive the grace of this fire and be willing to take up the fiery demands of discipleship: we have received the living God and must Lift High the Cross in order to build a City of God here and now.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Seeking a Heavenly Homeland

8/8/2019

There is an old hymn: “This World is Not My Home.” The first verse text goes this way:

“This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thru. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue; The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore. O Lord, You know I have no friend like you, If heaven’s not my home then Lord what will I do; The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” This old hymn reminds us that we live in a temporary tent here and now…

In the Second Reading this Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, St. Paul teaches the Hebrews and us about what faith is: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” In reading this Scripture passage about Abraham and his descendants (called by St. Paul “strangers and aliens on earth”), they show themselves as seeking a homeland. They all died in faith—not yet understanding salvation as we do—and yet they remain faithful. Things hoped for and yet not seen by them; but we have “seen” and we know what Jesus did for us.

This reading made me ponder as how we all tend to live here on earth thinking that this is IT, this is the destination for us, and yet in faith we know that this not so. All of us are on a journey to our heavenly homeland—something in the day to day we tend to forget. We are instructed to live in the joy of this journey back home to God—and to be ready—for we do not know when we will be called back home, arriving at our real and final destination. Remember last weekend: we heard how our lives may be demanded suddenly of us—not knowing when this will happen. The Gospel Acclamation verse today is: “Stay awake and be ready! For you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”

Jesus instructs us today to be faithful and prudent stewards while waiting for him to “punch our tickets” for home. He says: “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person with more.” This is the point from last weekend about storing up treasure only for yourself; and for this week: how you are known by what it is that you value. Last weekend Fr. Kevin spoke about how we are known and shaped by our choices—so what is your treasure?

We hear Jesus say today: “Where your treasure is, there your heart shall be.” I think that our treasure is in heaven—and that all we say and do on this journey back to God must reflect this. Are you actively seeking your heavenly homeland? You might pray today about your priorities and on what it is you truly value. Pray about where your heart is, and upon what you treasure. It may just be the way to find the path home that you need right now. Happy trails fellow travelers!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

What Matters to God?

8/4/2019

Today in the Gospel Jesus tells the parable of the rich man and his bountiful harvest. The man tears down his barns to build bigger ones with more space in order to store all his extra harvest for his future. Jesus goes on to tell how that night the man died before he could enjoy all his good things; and then He goes on to say: “Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.” So, we, as Disciples, need to ask ourselves: what matters to God?

In the reading from Ecclesiastes today we hear how nothing of this world remains, and that everything passes. Do you remember the story of King Midas and how his touch turned everything to gold? We see by that story that it is easy for the “possessor” to become the possessed… So ask yourself: Does God care about your bank balance? Only in so far as how you use it to further His Kingdom. Does God care about your position of power? Only in how you treat His other children. Does God care about all your treasure? Only in that you share your blessings.

Know this: treasure is not the actual wealth, power and stuff you are blessed to possess—you know: food, clothing, money, position, homes, transportation, a job—no, treasure is talent and ability and the priority for your time spent on earth. Even if you do not have the financial resources to throw your money at charities, (although that is better than nothing), how about lending a helping hand? What about the treasure of your time and talent? Remember: to those who are given much (earthly wealth, beauty, talent, ability, brains, etc.) much (more!) is expected. All the ‘treasure’ you have comes from God, and is a gift from God to be shared, developed and re-gifted for the Kingdom. That we know this, understand this, and live this, is what matters to God, I believe…

We all share in the Father’s legacy of salvation and creation. Any negligence, or compromise or greed or waste on our part jeopardizes our relationship with Him—as any sin does. Our lives cannot be made secure by stuff. Our life is in heaven and we do not enter heaven with stuff. The attendant attitude of the “wealthy” is one of false security and self-sufficiency. (Vanity of vanities!) There is that old joke about the funeral director who attaches a u-haul to a casket in order for the deceased to take his stuff with him…

Last week we heard about the importance of persistence in prayer; this week it might be wise to apply this persistence to ponder and pray about what really matters to God. I suspect His plans for us includes us growing rich in God’s sight: changing our selfish value systems, demanding economic justice for all, sharing God’s grace, mercy, love, tolerance, patience and forgiveness to all we encounter in our every day lives. Because you never know when your life might be demanded of you. Now is the time to reconcile ourselves to God’s purpose. To what really matters: this is the wisdom of God!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Strangers & Hospitality

7/24/2019

The First Reading and the Gospel today (the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time) speaks of hospitality: Mary and Martha’s hospitality to their beloved friend, Jesus; and Abram’s welcome to three strangers (a visitation by God). The custom in more “simple” societies was one of exaggerated care for any visitor—those known and those not known. This may be so because we all have been strangers in a strange land, and we know how difficult it is to be “new” somewhere; or maybe because of the ancient belief that the visitor may be God or Jesus in the form of other persons.

The idea of a visitation by God or His messengers is the archetypal basis of many old stories (remember “Beauty and the Beast?) and even in many of our own contemporary “urban legends.” The point is: we have been told that on Judgment Day we will be asked if we fed Jesus, clothed him, and visited him when he was sick or imprisoned. We know all should welcome and receive the living God⎯God Himself, or the God in all of us.

The ideal of hospitality is a great part of our St. Aidan Parish—people talk about how welcoming our parish is for visitors—many times they say so to Fr. Kevin while exiting the church. Fr. Rick Hartmann (a retired priest who assists at the 5:00pm mass once a month) always says at the final blessing and dismissal: “There are no strangers in the house of God.” Every week we gather together to share our stories, to share a meal, and when we are sent we are reminded of this by the Scripture readings today.

In the Gospel Jesus tells us that the better part of hospitality is more than the service we are to give to the body of a person, it is about paying attention to that person him/herself. Yes, one feeds the body, but then one is most hospitable by listening. This is an acknowledgment of the divine within all of us. At mass, even before we eat (receiving Jesus in us), we listen to God’s Word, inviting God into our hearts and minds.

Taking this idea of God’s presence in us a step farther would mean we must extend that acknowledgement—to respect, accept and understand that God’s presence is in all things. Hospitality and service give way to stewardship and care, guardianship and responsibility. We must remember that in all persons God is present; and we may be judged on how we respond. We may not always recognize God in the “every day” of our lives; and that is our challenge as Disciples: to be hospitable to all that God puts in our path. We are called to respond in hospitality⎯with attention and respect, with love and mercy⎯to the presence of God in everyone and in all things. All Are Welcome!
Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Just a Note: We celebrated the life of Charles “Chuck” Mulka in a funeral mass here in our parish last Monday. You would remember Chuck: he was the guitarist who subbed for me when I was on vacation—and he was also very generous in sharing his gifts and talents with St. Aidan: accompanying the Adult Choir, and singing and playing as a member of our Contemporary Group. It was a sudden and unexpected death (he was only 65); and this has broken the hearts of all of us in the St. Aidan Music Ministry.

I think of the reading from the Book of Wisdom (4:7-15) sometimes used at funeral liturgies: “The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the honorable crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported—snatched away… Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fulness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord; therefore He sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account. Because grace and mercy are with His holy ones, and His care is with His elect.”

Chuck went too soon from us in our eyes. We will miss his humor, his generous spirit, his love for all things musical for the glory and praise of God. We will feel the loss of his playing, his musical insight and instinct, his Cat Stevens voice, his guitar quoting of Beatle Songs—and his spontaneous joy in just making music. As Fr. Kevin said last Monday: “We don’t know why you were taken from us—but we know why you were given.” Grace and mercy are with you, Chuck, you are in God’s care—just keep singing and playing.

Love is a Relationship History

7/18/2019

Love demands relationship. You can memorize a stack of facts and know a whole lot about someone; you could even develop a fairly accurate profile describing and explaining their personality and predict their future behavior—and yet still not develop a real and loving relationship with that person. Making the choice to love someone forces you to see beyond your private world, beyond your words, beyond yourself altogether. Love feeds on a shared history of affection, secrets, surprises, mysteries, generosity, moments and spontaneity. In a manner of speaking, you make history together.

Today in the Gospel we hear Jesus tell us the Luke version of the “Love Law”: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Have you thought about your own love affair with God, your own love history with Him?

Love is longing for the presence of your loved one—you think about that person throughout the day. Much more than words, this relationship is a new way to live life. Jesus' disciples learned it through experience. Toward the end of his life, St. John wrote this: “...let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”

Loving God means we feel His presence, we respond to His nudging, we see Him in others, we hear Him when He speaks, and we tell of His mighty wonders when He is silent. All the while He never leaves us, He understands us when we don't have the words to explain, He listens to us when no one else will, and He is constantly searching for ways to bring out the best in us. Sound familiar? Our human relationships should be all of this—and this should be the model for our relationship with God. God loves us. How do you know if you love him?

There is a song from the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” that has a message about loving in truth and action, with or without the actual words of love. The song is a conversation between Tevye (the long-suffering father) and Golde (the Mom). The two discuss the love of their daughter for a man, and in the midst of that discussion Tevye asks her if she loves him. Golde reminds him that for twenty-five years she has washed his clothes, cooked his meals, cleaned his house, given him children, and milked the cow. For twenty-five years she has lived with him, fought with him, starved with him, slept with him. In other words: love is action.

So, we can imagine God asking, “do you love me?” Maybe you answer: “Yes, God, remember when we...? Yes, God, we have shared history. Yes, I do love you!” Maybe prayer for this week could be to reflect on, and then to tell at least one story of God's relationship with you in your life. Maybe contemplate how your love for God may translate into loving actions for those around you. Reflect on your love, tell about your love, then act on that love.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

A Life of Mission

7/8/2019

Christ relies on the witness of His disciples in the world—that’s us! We are called to carry on the sacred tradition of all the old prophets in preparing people for the next coming of Christ. By our baptism we have been commissioned like the Seventy-two in today’s Gospel who were sent out by Jesus. We are sent to manifest the presence of Christ by our mercy and love in all things, and we are transformed by this work and mission: changed because we do not live for ourselves now, but for God, who writes our name in heaven—this is mission! So… Have you filled out your yellow volunteer cards and turned them in? Have you joined any Ministry?

St. Paul reminds us today that we must be a new creation, “Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule…” Jesus in the Gospel gives us instruction for our mission and work in the kingdom: we are told what we are sent to do, how we are going to do it, and what we need to keep in mind in order to deal with what we will meet. But if you don’t believe you have a mission, then these instructions are academic—moot—and don’t relate to what is real and present and active in our lives right now.

You are “sent” to all the people you meet in the various places of your life: home, work, school, at play. You are sent to prepare others to receive His inspiration, comfort, mercy and love through you and your actions—and you are warned how difficult this can be—that sometimes you are sent like “a lamb among wolves.” You are not (never) to force anything; but to make peace, to respect what the other person is and has, to take them where you find them, to seek common ground as fellow beings, and to gratefully share the light and love of Christ—by being your authentic, Christian self.

Do you have a sense of God’s mission in your life? It’s not about accomplishing a head count, but about being glad you know Jesus and being glad if you can help someone else know Him a little too by witnessing the power of grace, love, peace and mercy. The Psalm for today is: “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.” If your life and choices show those around you that this is what you believe—that you indeed live in God’s joy and live for why you were sent—then you will live the mission with which you have been entrusted.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Imitating Peter in Following Jesus - the Highest Perfection

6/23/2019

El Greco. Saint Peter and Saint Paul. 1587.

No one can deny Jesus more than Peter did in the courtyard, and no one can follow Jesus more than Peter did, who was crucified on His account. On this Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29), we are reminded of the Catholic anthropological principle that even though we human beings are weak and sinful, Jesus calls us to pursue the highest perfection and follow Him. We also see that in the Church there is a clear distinction between office and person. Jesus chose Peter as His representative, which means that we can encounter Jesus even in unworthy human beings. Every man called to serve as pope, bishop, or priest is equally fit and unfit for the office.

At the Last Supper, Peter proudly boasted, ”Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” Even after Jesus warns Peter he would indeed weaken, Peter still insists, ”Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” Then the high priest’s courtyard and his triple denial of Jesus and a rooster crowing and bitter tears being shed…

When the Risen Jesus appeared to His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He asked Peter three times,”Do you love me?” With an aching heart, in sadness and sincerity Peter protested, ”Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus then entrusted Peter with shepherding His flock but warned him of his death: ”When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.

The Lord’s only direction for Peter’s future was, ”Follow me.”

As the story goes, years later (67 A.D.) in Rome during the persecution of Nero, Peter decided to flee the city. On the Via Appia – the Appian Way, he met Jesus heading in the opposite direction. “Domine, quo vadis?” Lord, where are you going?” Peter asked. “To be crucified again”, Jesus said. Then Peter understood he was fleeing his destiny, returned to Rome, was arrested and crucified in Nero’s stadium on Vatican Hill – now famous for the great basilica that marks his grave.

From Peter (and his successor, the pope) we learn how to pursue the highest perfection. We can even learn something from their shortcomings. In Peter’s case we have a man who - while a natural leader - was headstrong, proud and overconfident; a man who, when the going got tough, became cowardly and denied even knowing Jesus. When later in life matters were again challenging, Peter knew he would not deny His Lord again; that experience in the courtyard taught him an important lesson. May we also learn from our “courtyard experiences”!

Like Peter, we too are called to follow Jesus - the highest perfection - despite our inadequacies. And so, “Quo vadis?” We can’t deny Jesus more than Peter did, nor follow Jesus more than he did. Peter’s story ended in glory; ours can as well.

David J. Conrad

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Authors

David J. Conrad, M.A. Theology. Our Director of Faith Formation.

Paul Pyrkosz. Our Youth Minister & Bookkeeper.

Elizabeth Dyc. Our Director of Music Ministry.

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