Blog Archives

What's in a Name?

9/30/2019

Like last Sunday, the First Reading and the Gospel today (the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time) speak about the proper use of wealth. Two weeks ago we celebrated the prodigals’ father’s feast: compassion, mercy, tenderness and reconciliation. The self-absorbed rich of the readings today eat a banquet that consists of self-indulgence, carnality, oppression and injustice. Our lives as Disciples involve choices for the use of our time, talent and treasure!

At a Lenten Parish Mission in my former parish, St. Roch in Flat Rock, I once heard Fr. Hugh Burns talk about all the essences of the Kingdom of God. The letters of the word K.I.N.G.D.O.M stands for several things in acronym form—and the “N” meant now—as in we do not know when we will be called. Our lives must be lived with the urgency of our salvation. In the readings today we hear that after death it is too late. Salvation consists of heeding the Word of God now.

One of the most awful moments for me in today’s Gospel story of Lazarus and Dives, is how Dives (the rich man), knows Lazarus’ name. Dives knew the name of the man starving on his doorstep! Think about it: Dives knew him well enough to know his name, but did nothing to alleviate his suffering. We all know that a name may express the essence of a person—and in revealing our names to others we become accessible by inviting this intimacy. By our names we are known—and by our names we are called! Dives knew Lazarus’ name—yet was so self-absorbed he did not help him.

St. Paul says it clearly in his Letter to Timothy: “But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, patience and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life to which you were called…” What (or who) will convert the world to justice and to the Kingdom on earth? We will. We know that the lowly will be lifted up and the mighty put down from their thrones (that was the Blessed Virgin Mary’s song). We will accomplish this with the grace and help of God and each other. I guess the question is: Will God know your name at the final judgment? The answer is obvious: He will know you (and your name) by your works in faith and by your life lived according to the Gospel. Food for thought…

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Chaplains Courageous

9/21/2019

Fr. John Patrick Chidwick

This weekend we are blest with another guest article from two of our parishioners, Randal Hoyer and Michael Marihugh, professors at Madonna University here in Livonia. This is a good weekend to publish their article, for their subject is Father John P. Chidwick, only the third Catholic priest to serve as a chaplain in our country’s navy. By his actions onboard the USS Maine following its catastrophic explosion (1898), and after, in providing prayers and dignified burials for the victims, Father Chidwick gave witness in a profound way to what we hear we are called to do in this weekend’s second reading from the first letter of Timothy - to offer supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings…for everyone…[to] pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Answering the call with you,

David J. Conrad

Commander (Msgr.) John P. Chidwick was honored to be appointed as the third Catholic Chaplain in the U.S. Navy. A native New Yorker, he earned BA and MA degrees from Manhattan College. He later entered St. Joseph Seminary in Troy, NY, and was ordained a priest in 1887. After seven years at a New York parish, Fr. Chidwick was then appointed Chaplain in the U.S. Navy in 1895. His first assignment was to the battleship USS Maine, serving until March 1898.

Chaplain Chidwick quickly became well-liked by sailors whether Catholic or not. Late in the evening of February 15, 1898, while making a port visit to Havana, Cuba, a violent explosion racked the USS Maine. It happened while the people of Cuba were trying to throw off Spanish colonial rule. Despite the fact that no cause of the explosion has even been identified, Americans were sympathetic to the Cuban Independence Movement and tended to blame Spain for the disaster which killed 266 of its crew (only 89 survived). This led to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

Fr. Chidwick was saying the Holy Office of the Priesthood in his quarters when the explosion occurred on the USS Maine. When he went out on deck, he saw a horrible sight. The front of the ship was twisted and burning as the ship sank. Dead and wounded sailors were everywhere. He gave a general absolution and then, ignoring the threat of another explosion, Fr. Chidwick joined the rescue effort. He was all over the ship tending to the wounded and ministering to the dead and dying. Fr. Chidwick was one of the last to leave the ship. The Captain’s report to the Navy Department included the highest praise for the Chaplain. The Secretary of the Navy also sent a letter praising him.

As Chaplain, Chidwick wrote consoling letters to the relatives of those killed in the explosion of the USS Maine. He also conducted burial services for the sailors in Havana cemeteries. Later, he repeated the services when they were moved to Arlington National Cemetery. Since the ship was a hazard to navigation, in 1912 it was raised from Havana Harbor and then sunk again in deeper water. Fr. Chidwick conducted burial services then, and again at Arlington, for three sailors whose remains were recovered during the raising of the ship.

Fr. Chidwick continued to serve in the Navy, achieving the rank of Commander before resigning his Commission in 1903. He served as a priest in New York for about 30 more years during which time he was appointed a Monsignor. In addition to parish service, he was Chaplain for both the NYPD and the Spanish-American Veteran’s organization. He also had academic appointments as President of his old seminary and of the College of New Rochelle.

Father John Chidwick died on January 13, 1935, and was buried with all military honors and rights. Veterans of the Spanish-American War erected a plaque in his memory at New York’s Columbus Circle.

Never forgotten.

By:
Randal L. Hoyer, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Michael W. Marihugh, MA, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of History
Madonna University - A Catholic, Franciscan University

Stewardship and the Slippery Slope

9/21/2019

In my articles the last several weeks, I have written about the scriptural perspective of our use of our “time, talent and treasure.” We are judged in our stewardship of God’s gifts: our priorities of time, our sharing of resources, assets and means. In the readings this Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear very clearly God’s standpoint regarding the use and abuse of wealth and position.

The Old Testament reading is clear: it is bad enough to not defend and help those who are weaker, but to exploit them is about as evil and odious as it can get. (Something to think about whenever you vote…) The New Testament reading is about praying for those in charge of our communal wealth and well-being, something we should do every Sunday in our Prayers of the Faithful, and every day in our personal prayers.

The Gospel story today is the parable of “the unjust steward.” The words of Jesus at the end of the story are the crux of the idea of good stewardship: “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones.” I always think of this piece of Scripture as a commentary on the “slippery slope.” You remember that ‘slope’; it starts with little ‘cut corners’ and then you find yourself lost and on a totally different street!

We are charged with the competent stewardship of all we are given: the gifts, the accountability for ourselves, our responsibility for others (as baptized persons, parents, teachers, ministers, doctors, civil servants, etc.), and of God’s Creation itself. We must persevere in the daily practice of our faith given us by God and say “No!” to the slippery slope, even in small things like: “tell them I’m not at home” or letting the water run as you brush your teeth. The small, every day we things we do matters and adds up—and may lead us down that slippery slope. We must witness our faith in all we say and do, in our priorities, with all our gifts, talents and treasures, hearts, minds and spirits. This is how we build the Kingdom on earth.

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

JUST A NOTE: It is not (and never) too late to join a ministry. If you enjoy singing or you play an instrument, please see me about getting involved in our St. Aidan Music Ministry. I am looking for all voice parts (children, men and women) and a variety of instrumentalists (especially the bass) for our various ensembles. Come and see me after any Mass, or email me at: ejdyc@att.net.

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

What's in a Name?

Chaplains Courageous

Stewardship and the Slippery Slope

True Home

The Challenge of Discipleship

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