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A Fool's Hope

12/23/2019

Stake your eternal happiness on a Baby born in a stable, and laid to rest in feeding trough? That’s a fool’s hope, but it leads to the delight of heaven. The object of hope is a future good, difficult yet possible to obtain. In contrast to the common perception of our time, the entry to heaven is narrow and the going is hard. Yet if we welcome this Baby into our lives, what appears a fool’s hope is actually firm trust in the faithfulness of God-with-us: fear not…it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32). This Baby - Jesus Christ - wants to save us, and if we only allow ourselves to be suffused with His brilliance, our thoughts and deeds will be conformed to His, leading to an immortality of celebration in His company forever.

Staking our eternal happiness on the Christ Child seems a fool’s hope for what is a child but weak, defenseless, and vulnerable? Yet such is the way of God; His wisdom is not ours; His manner of saving us is not according to our presumptions. Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish? But to those who are called…Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength (1 Corinthians 1:20, 24-25).

The beauty of Christmas is that God approaches us in this disarming way so that we might not hesitate to draw near and allow ourselves to be transformed by His light. As we begin to undergo that reconfiguration of our person to His, making our thoughts and deeds His thoughts and deeds, our lives are made honorable. After a lifetime of virtuous living we become worthy of eternal union with Him.

Growth in virtue takes time and practice; this is how good habits are formed and possible only by hoping in Christ. He makes it easy for us to place our hope in Him, coming as He does in such a vulnerable way. Let us in turn be as vulnerable, and allow Him to work in and through us, bringing us to salvation.

Merry Christmas!

David J. Conrad

The Toughest Homework

12/23/2019

We covered Virtues at the Family Faith Formation Session this month and I was on the team to present it to junior high. When was the last time you considered living a life with Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance? Try treating others with Charity at all times. I had them in my mind the week prior and all I kept thinking was how I was failing at them constantly.

The point made for the students and parents was that we need to practice the virtues to get better at it. For a week, I was cognizant that I was failing. Then, one by one, I started working on them. In working with the teens, I identified which one needed the most effort and kept that in the front of my mind. It remains incredibly difficult for me, but I think I am improving. There was also a bonus. When I acted with virtue in mind, I often made decisions that led to me being happier. Imagine that. Good living and happiness go hand in hand. We are not going to improve if we don’t constantly practice. grumble. It is a tough job, but with heaven as the reward, we can’t grumble.

Paul Pyrkosz

Let the Lord Enter & The Lord Has Come

12/23/2019

Today (the Fourth Sunday of Advent) we hear St. Paul tell the Roman Christian community (and us), that through Christ “we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name…to all the beloved…who are called to be holy.” This Advent Season—and hopefully—every day, we have been preparing for the birth of Christ in our heart and working for holiness. This last and Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Responsorial Psalm says it all: “Let the Lord enter, he is king of glory.” Open your hearts to love!

For those of you looking at this Bulletin or our blog on Christmas (especially those who are visiting or have returned for these holy days)—Welcome! There are no strangers in the house of God.

One of the hymns we sing here at St. Aidan during Advent and Christmas is titled “Love Has Come” (JS 711). The refrain of this song says: “Word of God, enthroned, dwell in us forevermore. Love has come to show the way. Hallelujah, peace be with you us. Love has come to show the way.” Love has come to show the way—let the Lord enter! May you have a wonderful celebration for the birth of Christ with your dear ones! May Christ dwell in you forevermore; and may your New Year be peaceful and productive. Keep singing!

Just a Note: I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for all the effort behind the scenes to help create a wonderful Advent Pageant for our parish, and successful food and fundraiser for the poor. Many profuse thanks to Mr. Larry Turowski and his crew for the Christmas enhancements for our church—and the Snows and team for their assistance.

Many thanks to Mrs. Karyn Stoppa for all the angel props and decorations—and for all the help stage managing. Thank you to our tireless staff for your support—Jim Herrod giving us light by which to see; to the secretarial staff (Pat Allen, Deb Prost and Bette Kross) for printing our programs and other support; to David Conrad for his smart board enhancements, to Paul Pyrkosz and last (but not least) to Fr. Kevin for support of this project. There are always many wonderful people in the background making all the details happen in these and all the other church programs to augment any experience or event for our St. Aidan parishioners.

Special great thanks for all the hard work and dedication of the members of our St. Aidan Music Ministry—all the vocalists, soloists and instrumentalists who worked and practiced and rehearsed in order to sing God’s praises well. Crowns in heaven, people!

Many abundant thanks for the generosity of our St. Aidan parishioners and friends who supported this program to help to re-fill our food bank in time for our parish Christmas Food Basket Project. May God bless you at Christmas and always!

Elizabeth Dyc

Gaudete Sunday, Rejoice!

12/18/2019

The Scripture readings this Third Sunday of Advent are readings filled with hope in the midst of hardship; and of joy in the midst of sorrow—a message we all need at various times in our lives. “Be strong, fear not!” says Isaiah, because God will save you—it doesn’t matter if you are blind or deaf or mute because “they (we) will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.” The poetic description of a parched land come to life, of people strengthened, is a wonderfully ‘alive’ picture of God’s grace and mercy for an oppressed people. John the Baptist is told today that Jesus is healing the people in the way that Isaiah predicted—back then and even today, too. This is a reason to rejoice!

The psalm today tells us that God keeps faith forever with us, and St. James reminds us to live patiently, without complaining. These are all good things to keep in mind, and good advice to follow.

Having arrived at Gaudete Sunday means we are halfway through Advent to Christmas! Yikes! Time is flying, and we all have lists and are checking them twice… It isn’t easy to keep the reason for the season front and center, but this is what we are called to do. Soon we will officially begin celebrating Christmas while the rest of the world is “done” by December 26th. You will have to do your part to impart the Christmas ideal while the rest of the world is doing New Year’s and looking toward St. Valentine’s Day… But, “Be strong, fear not!” This is today’s Advent message—given by a prophet so that we may also profess our belief in salvation, regardless of season—sacred or secular.

The following article/letter is again a reprint from my past writings—I thought it was worth reading/hearing some reminders about what our focus should be for this season as we approach the celebration of the birth of Jesus. No matter what—it may be food for thought in this busy time…

So remember: rejoice! And keep singing

Elizabeth Dyc

A Letter from Jesus

My Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival--although, I do appreciate being remembered any time.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't really care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that, let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did this there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any one of my beautiful trees. Decorate a grape vine if you wish. I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers far from home. Tell them you pray that war will end, and for their soon and safe return. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home—you don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the Story of My birth, and why I came to live with you here. Hold them and remind them that I love them.

4. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

5. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Maybe try giving everyone you meet a warm smile—it may make the difference.

6. Instead of worrying about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Maybe stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on Sunday, maybe they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

7. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary—especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

8. Here's a good on! There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to a charity—they will make the delivery for you. This will make a difference!

9. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions, by what you say and do, that you are one of mine. Remember—what you did to the least of these…

Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love; and remember me.

I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Christian De-Stressors (Re-worked)

12/8/2019

The First Reading today from the Prophet Isaiah is prophecy regarding Christ’s coming as Savior to His people. It is a poetic description of how life will be in the Kingdom. The Responsorial Psalm today is: “Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.” If you listen closely to the verses, they are also descriptive of life in the Kingdom.

St. Paul encourages us to live in hope (and harmony). His message today tells us that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. In this day and age it is difficult to keep our minds and hearts on God, especially at this time of the year when consumerism Christmas is in your face at every turn. We are bombarded with messages of buying into this societal ‘ideal’ and it is not easy to ignore, and it is so easy to be tempted!

John the Baptist reminds us in strong language today to “produce good fruit as evidence of repentance,” in order to prepare the way of the Lord to be born in us. It is so difficult in Advent to focus on a scriptural life and spiritual growth when the secular world has us twisting and turning about Christmas. It is hard to work toward peace, especially inner peace, in the midst of frenetic living. But; this is what we are called to do. So, how do we cope?

I have decided to reprint/rework a list of ‘Christian De-stressors’ that I shared with you a few years ago. It’s a lot to think about—but even doing one of them can make a change for the better for you, can make life and all the rest easier and give you a small taste of the Kingdom to come. Hope it helps!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Pray. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait!
Go to bed on time. Get enough rest.
Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed. Allow extra time to do things, to get to places.
Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or will compromise your mental health. 5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
Simplify, unclutter your life, less is more. Organize, everything has its place.
Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't do it all at once.
Take one day at a time. Do something for the Kid in You everyday. Slow down!
Separate worries from concerns. If a concern, ask God what to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
Eat right. Or even better. Fill up on plant-based food. Small changes in your diet will add up.
Get moving, even a little bit. Our bodies were made to move.
Every day, find some time to be alone—even a few moments—maybe for breath prayer.
Make friends with Godly people.
Live within your budget.
Have backups: an extra house or car key available when needed, an extra phone charger handy.
K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This advice can prevent enormous trouble. Talk less; listen more.
Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all. Sit on your ego.
Read the Bible while waiting in a line—carry one or download to your phone.
Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
Laugh. Then laugh some more!
Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe, God is.
Write down thoughts and inspirations.
Every night before you sleep, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. Sometimes he shortest bridge between despair and hope is a good “Thank you Jesus.”

Christ is Coming. Run!

12/1/2019

The question is, in which direction: toward Christ, or away from Him? With the Advent season upon us, we have the opportunity to get pointed in the right direction and meet “Christ with righteous deeds at his coming.” Such resolve will make us “worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom.”

The spiritual life is like an athletic competition. Just as training the body is a necessary part of the quest for excellence in sports, as Christ’s disciples we are to exert great effort in the battle against selfishness through the rigorous disciplining of our souls. Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it (1 Corinthians 9:24). Exercising spiritual self-control is all the more necessary since the stakes of the Christian life are far higher than any athletic competition: to be disqualified from this race means to forfeit the prize of heaven itself (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Hence the blessing of this Advent season. When Christ comes, in what condition will He find us? By recalling each year His first coming over two-thousand years ago, we are conditioning ourselves to be able to meet Him at His Second Coming. Will we have shown that we “love the things of heaven”, or will we have succumbed to selfishness, loving the “passing things” that we walk amidst? This is the challenge of the spiritual life and if we are resolved to run toward Christ and present Him with righteous deeds, do this:

Reflect upon all God has done for us in salvation history (catholicexchange.com/gods-outline-salvation-history), giving thanks for all His blessings;
Show our thanks by being of service to others, for by doing that in imitation of Christ, room is made in our hearts and lives for Him to be with us;
Deepen our relationship with Christ through the development of a robust prayer life, and the regular celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the worthy reception of Holy Communion.

Or, we could run away from Christ. But that is folly, for only He can provide us that which endures.

David J. Conrad

When the Morning Dawns

12/1/2019

You probably get discouraged about events in the news too: like any kind of terrorism, fear, family violence, greed, and unemployment. Some of the scary news may even be closer to home than the newspaper: health problems, damaged personal relationships, and even friction among people in your church. It can be discouraging and dis-heartening.

And just whose responsibility is it to make things better? If your first thought is God, I would not correct you necessarily—but I would only remind you that God usually acts in this world nowadays through us human agents. Jesus came among us to teach us how to value, affirm, and love one another.

There is an old Hasidic story about a rabbi and his students. As they walked along one day, the rabbi asked, “How can we know the hour of dawn--the time at which the night ends and the day begins?” No one ventured an immediate answer, so they continued to walk. Then one of the rabbi's disciples offered something. “Is it when you can look from some distance and distinguish between a wolf and a sheep?” “No,” said the rabbi. And they continued to walk. “Is it when there is light enough to distinguish between a grapevine and a thorn bush?” ventured another student. “No,” said the rabbi. There was a long silence.

“Please tell us the answer to your question,” said one. “How is it possible to know the precise time at which the dawn has broken?” “The dawn comes for each of us,” said the wise old teacher, “when we can look into the face of another human being and—by virtue of the light that comes from within us—recognize that even a stranger is our brother or sister. Until then, it is night. Until then, the night is still with us.”

Last week in my “Sing Praise” article I asked the questions: How will you be remembered, and how do you want to be remembered? Self-centered lives are cramped, provincial, lonely and ultimately forlorn. It is only those souls large enough to live for others that are full of joy and bright with love. Love is, in fact, the only spiritual power great enough to overcome the selfishness, sin, fear and greed that seems to be instinctive to being alive.

As believers, we know that the central part of the Christian message is that Jesus came among us to teach us how to value, affirm, and love one another. He taught us to love God by loving one another. He wanted us to learn that giving is better than getting. This new season of Advent gives us the opportunity to reflect on our lives and our choices and priorities. There is too much darkness in this world. Le us pray together for the dawn to come quickly. As the Psalm today says: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

A Fool's Hope

The Toughest Homework

Let the Lord Enter & The Lord Has Come

Gaudete Sunday, Rejoice!

Christian De-Stressors (Re-worked)

Christ is Coming. Run!

When the Morning Dawns

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