Blog Archives

There is going to be a stoning!

1/31/2020

I was the typical little brother in my family. Only I am named Paul and one of my older brothers was named Stephen. Oh, how delighted I was when I learned in grade school that my Patron Saint, then Saul, was present at the stoning of our first Martyr, Stephen. When I learned our upcoming Jr. High session talks about being strong in one’s faith despite age, of course my mind went to Stephen. Junior high students do not want to miss out on what will be an epic interactive session next week.

For the record, our “Stephen” will be wearing a helmet, and our stones will be wads of paper. And it should be mentioned that I have two older brothers, and in my adulthood, I have learned to appreciate them. I also employ the technique of reminding Stephen of some of the shenanigans that went on in my childhood when we are out and the bill is being brought to the table.

Paul Pyrkosz

Presentation of the Lord: Rest in Peace

1/31/2020

Today we hear the Gospel story of the infant Jesus being presented in the temple by his parents as Jewish law prescribes. They meet two prophets in the temple, elders who are filled with the Holy Spirit—Simeon and Anna—who speak of Jesus as God’s salvation, redemption, and “a light for revelation…” Simeon says that he may die in peace having seen Jesus: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace…”

This Friday past, we gathered to celebrate the life of Larry Turowski after he had suffered sudden and catastrophic medical emergencies that soon took him from us. I got to know Larry pretty well as he and I were often in the church at the same time together working for our different ministries—myself attending to the details of making music and he working his ministry of art and enhancements for our Parish. He loved the art of his work; and often we discussed the seasons and feasts and plans for enhancing our liturgies at St. Aidan. He had an incredible artistic eye; a wonderful work ethic, a great sense of humor and irony, and a passion for beauty. I got to thinking about the legacy we all leave behind—when the Master lets any one of us go in peace…

What do you hope people will say about you in your obit, or eulogy? What do we need to do to make things happen that will last, be effective and are remembered by our many Communities (whether family, friends, parishioners, co-workers, etc.)? We should all strive to work as Larry did: creating beauty to reveal God’s love and purpose, to work for the greater glory of God. How to do that? Set some goal, write it down, and make it happen.

There’s an old music joke about an orchestra director who was having a lot of trouble with one of his drummers. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but his performance didn't improve. Finally, in front of the whole orchestra, he said, “When a musician just can't handle his instrument and doesn't improve when given help, they take away the instrument, give him two sticks, and make him a drummer.” A whisper was heard from the percussion section: “And if he can't handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor.”

It is a biblical principle that if we are unable to handle the responsibility of the talent that God has given us, it can be taken away. Jesus said: “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29) You are the one responsible for using your many gifts and talents for the Kingdom of God.

Larry’s work for us at St. Aidan was a constant, visual reminder that all that has been given by God should be used for His glory—in the beauty he created we were reminded of God’s gracious and abundant love for us. God blesses us with many and varied opportunities for service and love in this field of souls. What are you doing with what God has given you? This is a question to be answered by action on your part—like Larry did. “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace…”

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Light for Dark Places

1/26/2020

We sometimes we hear people speak about being in a “dark place” of discouragement, hopelessness, or impasse in their lives. It is not uncommon to read or hear the language of “dark places” or a “dark night of the soul” where our children, our culture, or our world are concerned. In both ancient and modern literature, the metaphor of darkness for human error and its penalties is typical, though I believe that the so-called “dark night” experience is an essential, though difficult, part of our spiritual formation. All of us need the guiding light of Christ to bring us out of darkness, and the journey through has much to teach us.

I think that may be why the person and nature of God are described as light. “God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” He is sometimes called the “Father of lights” and we all understand that there is no darkness in God or His actions. God's entry into mortal flesh can even be described this way: Light has come to shine into all the world’s dark places. “I am the light of the world,” Jesus said. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Our challenge as a Disciple is to be as light in the world. Like candles on a stand, or shining cities on high hills, we are meant to be blessings to everyone.

Some of us have even missed this point and have done incredible harm in His name. The call to be a light in the world is not militaristic, or a challenge to form a political party or lobbying movement for some commercial enterprise. People who have gone that route have given non-Christians a cause to indict all other Christians as unkind, judgmental, and merciless. They see a strident and angry activism that is a rational for bad behavior, and this makes them reject Jesus on account of the very people who profess to represent Him.

Think about what light is: light tends to be gentle, appealing, and positive in its presence. It clarifies the landscape and it makes life possible. Even if it is too bright and makes us flinch and shield our eyes at first, God's light typically doesn't come like the blast of a nuclear bomb. Consider this: do you think the world needs more caustic critics or more helping hands? Do we need more dark judgments and predictions or persons who model the light of Christ and the blessing of God's presence, encouragement, mercy, love and grace? We are to be beacons of faith in our world for those caught in darkness, despair and desolation. We have all confronted those moments in our lives of this darkness⎯but the light of Christ will illuminate your soul, and you will be like a lamp in the darkness.

There is a story that there was a shortage of hard currency in the British Empire during Oliver Cromwell's reign. Government agents searched for a supply of silver to meet that need. They searched in vain for silver that could be minted into coin. The report said that to their dismay, no silver was found except in the country's cathedrals where the statues of the saints are made of choice silver. “Then let's melt down the saints,” Cromwell said, “and put them into circulation.” In a world that needs light in its dark places, that's still a very good idea—putting saints in circulation...

Today we hear Isaiah quoted as saying that the people in darkness have seen a great light, that “anguish has taken wing—dispelled is the darkness.” The Responsorial Psalm this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is: “The Lord is my light and my salvation, of whom should I be afraid?” Like the two brothers Simon (Peter) and Andrew in the Gospel story today we are called to shine the light of Christ in this dark world, to shed light in dark places. Ask yourself: do you shine like Christ, or add to the dark? Food for thought….

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Becoming & Being a Citizen

1/19/2020

I was thinking recently about the fact that I am blessed by having been born here as a citizen of the United States. I have friends and know many people who went through the long process of becoming a citizen: there are many necessary forms, tests, making a pledge of loyalty to this country and paying the required fees. I did the same thing in a much simpler way: I was born a citizen. No forms (at least not filled out by me!), no tests, no pledge, no fees. All I did was be born in the right place. Some of these friends have dual citizenship—citizenship and loyalty to two countries.

They are not the only ones with dual citizenship, however. Even though I don't have the passport to prove it, I am also a citizen under another (and more important) jurisdiction. By my Baptism, I am a citizen of God's Kingdom. There is no earthly citizenship that can compare with my heavenly citizenship. No other secular citizenship will guarantee my future, make radically different people all part of the same family, or promise that we are heirs to all the blessings of our Father's house.

A primary allegiance to the Kingdom of God is above our allegiance to our country—along with a higher devotion to other Christians and all other human beings (all having been made in the likeness and image). Regardless of nationality, race, or ethnicity, our primary allegiance to God’s Kingdom rather than to our fellow national citizens is not strange: it is mandatory! When our national heritage, political future, or country's survival becomes more important than the welfare of all children of God, then something eternal has been broken inside of us.

Far from being unpatriotic, this understanding gives us a sense of our identity within our national culture. Honoring what is good in our nation's heritage is demanded. (See Romans 13.) Paying taxes (as we all need “skin” in the game), exercising our right to vote, and influencing our culture are all part of being light in the world's darkness and salt in the world's decay. These roles in our national culture are not optional; they are required. However, when we read the Old Testament promises about the people of God and re-interpret the Scriptures to make our nation the target of those promises—rather than the Kingdom of God—then we risk losing ourselves in self-serving nationalism, rather than following Christ and His call for us to be radically His and citizens of His Kingdom.

What the world needs most right now is NOT a political entity that sees itself as a Christian nation. Instead, our world needs Christians of every nation, language, tribe, and culture to pray for peace and to work together to glorify God. Our world needs God's people to show that barriers that normally separate people and incite war between nations can vanish when the Kingdom of God is our primary citizenship, and the salvation of all people is our hearts' desire. One day, as John saw in Revelation, the following promise will be true: “The Kingdom of the world now belongs to our Lord and his Anointed, and He will reign forever and ever.” For now, we need to be good citizens where God has placed us while we passionately remember that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven!

And how does one become (and remain) a good and true citizen of God's kingdom? First, we need to be born of water and the Spirit! When a believer in Jesus is baptized, he is buried under the water and comes out with a new life. If you want to become a citizen of God's kingdom, there are no tests to take, no forms to complete, no money to pay: the only way is to be born again and become a new creation by Baptism (even if you can’t remember it, it happened).

Being a citizen of the Kingdom has its’ obligations just as does our country. We must love God, feed and cloth the poor; visit the ill and imprisoned; bury the dead. We witness to God’s kingdom by loving all our neighbors as we love ourselves. We must follow the laws of our heavenly Kingdom spelled out clearly in Scripture—with Jesus’ “Love Law” (the Golden Rule) and following His example.

Today as we begin the new liturgical season of Ordinary Time, we hear in Scripture how we are God’s servants; how we volunteer to do His will; how we are called to be holy; and we hear about Baptism. Too many years ago I was born into this world, becoming a U.S. citizen. Almost 45 years later, I was born a second time when I was baptized in the Spirit at Confirmation, becoming a citizen of God's kingdom, with all its’ benefits and obligations. Despite my lack of a passport, my second citizenship is every bit as real as my first one and much more important. Long after all passports have turned to dust, I'll still hold my heavenly citizenship. Witness your citizenship in heaven!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

The Four Chaplains

1/12/2020

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 The Four Chaplains: a Catholic priest, Jewish rabbi, and two Protestant ministers serving together on a vessel in our country’s merchant marine. By their actions onboard the Dorchester as it quickly sank in the frigid waters of the arctic after being torpedoed - each simultaneously giving up their life jackets to sailors in need - these chaplains gave witness in a profound way to what Jesus did in today’s Gospel. Locked arm in arm, the four chaplains met their end in the frigid waters of the arctic, unequipped for the environment and yet choosing to do so for their shipmates. Whether they realized it or not, they followed the example of Jesus, who plunged into the waters of the Jordan, submitting to the baptism of John, and by doing so showed solidarity with us helpless humans in need of salvation. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” I don’t think it is a stretch to think God saying the same about the four chaplains as they willingly met their end so that others might live.

David J. Conrad

World War II was in its fifth year when United States Merchant Marine and United States Navy/Army troop carriers were sending war material and men over to the British Isles in the buildup to the eventual European invasion and the ultimate victory over Hitler’s Third Reich. They were opposed by the Nazi Wolf Packs, groups of submarines that hunted allied shipping engaged in The Battle of the Atlantic, which was the longest battle of WW II, lasting from the first day until the last. The cost was staggering. Over 36,000 U.S. sailors and 30,000 United States Merchant Marines were killed on the 3,500 merchant ships and 175 warships that were sunk by the German Navy. Merchant Marine losses were so great, President Franklin Roosevelt kept that information from the American public in order to keep a steady flow of volunteers.

On February 3, 1943, the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was one of three ships in a convoy, under steam in the Atlantic, sailing from Newfoundland to an American base in Greenland, en route to Great Britain. The Dorchester, a converted luxury liner, was crowded to capacity, carrying 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers. Included among them were four Army Chaplains--Lt. John P. Washington, a Catholic Priest; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Jewish Rabbi; Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist; and Lt. Clark V. Poling of the Dutch Reformed Church, all friends who had met in Chaplains’ school at Harvard University.

The Dorchester was 150 miles from Greenland when shortly after midnight the German submarine U223 spotted it. The Dorchester’s Captain was aware of U-Boat activity in the area so he ordered all personnel to sleep dressed and in life jackets. In the hot, crowded conditions many ignored the order. The submarine fired a spread of three deadly torpedoes, one striking the ship below the water line. The initial blast killed dozens of men and seriously wounded many more. Those still alive on the ship were stunned by the explosions, which knocked out the electrical system and left them groping in darkness. Panic and chaos took over the green troops and personnel. Men were yelling, crying and frantically trying to get off the ship and into lifeboats. The ship sank rapidly, going down in around twenty-three minutes.

Through the chaos, the four Army Chaplains calmly and deliberately spread out among the soldiers--calming the frightened, tending the wounded and guiding the disoriented toward safety. Fighting the bitter cold winds howling down from the Arctic, Father Washington was also administering last rites to the dying men. Quickly and quietly the Chaplains, seeming to be everywhere, worked to bring calm to the men. As soldiers began to find their way to the upper deck of the ship, many were underdressed. There they were confronted by the bitter Arctic wind. The Chaplains opened storage lockers that held the ship’s life jackets and passed them out to the men until they ran out. Then the Ship Engineer, Grady Clark, witnessed an astonishing sight. He later said, “When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the Chaplains simultaneously removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. When giving their life jackets, Rabbi Goode did not call out for a Jew, Father Washington did not call out for a Catholic, and Pastors Fox or Poling did not call out for a Protestant. They simply gave their life jackets to the next in line.” One survivor who witnessed their act would later say, “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven.” The Four Chaplains had no chance of surviving the sinking of the Dorchester. In those latitudes in winter, a man in the water would freeze to death in less than ten minutes. They went down with over 600 other men for whom there were inadequate lifeboats.

As the transport slipped under the cold Atlantic Ocean survivors in nearby rafts could see the four Chaplains – arms linked and braced against the tilting deck. Their voices could be heard praying as they met their deaths in the brutal North Atlantic Ocean. Only 230 men survived out of the 902.

All four Chaplains were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart. A posthumous Special Medal for Heroism was authorized by Congress and awarded by the President on January 18, 1961. The medal was intended to be equal to the Medal of Honor. The award read, “They gave up their life jackets on a sinking Army transport in the North Atlantic so that others might live.” The medal was never given before and will never be given again.
Never forget.

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

A New Season

1/12/2020

Today’s Christmas Season Feast of The Baptism of the Lord (the last feast of the season) actually forms a liturgical bridge between the Christmas Season and the next season of our liturgical calendar: it is both the culmination of Christmas and the beginning of Ordinary Time—and at the same time it is both an ending and a beginning. As always, our lives are filled with endings and beginnings that overlap—this is a part of the pattern of God’s creation for us. It is always so bitter and sweet, both at once: not wanting to see something we enjoy or are just used to ending; and yet in something new, we feel anticipation, some anxiety and some trepidation. We always tend to fear the unknown; and yet as believers “something new” is a scriptural reference to which we should and must pay attention!

With the end of the Christmas season today we are still singing things of Christmas, and at the same time also celebrating Jesus’ baptism and remembering our own baptismal promises as prophesied in Isaiah: “the victory of justice…a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind…” Today ends the story of the Nativity of Jesus—a little sad, because we love this story so (and all that comes with it)—and yet today begins Jesus’ ministry story told in scripture: the story that leads to our salvation! Bitter-sweet; for we know what lies ahead for Jesus…

This last Sunday of the Christmas Season I would again like to take the opportunity to thank those in the Music Ministry (the young and the youthful) for their dedication and service to the Parish of St. Aidan. The long rehearsals, the extra rehearsals and the private practice are a huge commitment and sacrifice of time, talent and treasure. (But oh so rewarding!) Please hug any age Choir/Music Ministry member today and thank them for all the time and effort spent to serve the Parish well!

Next weekend we will see changes in the liturgy reflecting the beginning of the new season of Ordinary Time: the Gloria and Eucharistic Acclamations will change, there will be no post-Gospel Acclamation, and we will speak our response to the Prayers of the Faithful. Today ends the Christmas Season and we begin a new season—our liturgical ‘countdown’ that leads us to Lent and beyond. A new season begins!

Keep Singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Just a Note: Have you ever considered becoming a member of the St. Aidan Music Ministry? Do you love music and singing God’s praises? Now is the time to join in for the second half of this year’s 2019-2020 schedule—in order to sing the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord—and participate in Lent/Holy Week/Easter. We are looking to expand our membership in all our choirs (Adults, Men and Women and Children). If you love to sing, come and see me after any mass! Or contact me at: [email protected]

Bless Your Home on Epiphany

1/3/2020

The Church has a custom of blessing homes on the Feast of the Epiphany and the week following. Family and friends gather to ask God’s blessing on their homes and those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows, and a protection against evil.

A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk blessed during the Epiphany Liturgy and write above the entryway of the home: 20 + C + M + B + 20. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words: Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the Cross, and 2020 is the year. Chalk is used to inscribe the entryway of our homes because it is a product of clay, which recalls the human nature taken by the Word of God in the womb of the Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Following all the Masses this weekend, obtain your blessed chalk and the prayers of blessing in the atrium. If you eventually need to dispose of your chalk, please do so reverently, for once blessed it is a sacramental. Either dissolve the chalk in water and pour the water on the soil, or bury the chalk in the soil.

Let us together bring our Catholic Faith into the daily rhythm of our lives!

David J. Conrad

The Work of Christmas

1/3/2020

Epiphany is always described as an unanticipated understanding; it is a light of comprehension that shines in the dark of unknowing. It is an astonishing and unpredicted perception and discerning. An epiphany is a sudden and unexpected consciousness, awareness and insight. It is a leap of understanding, of knowledge, and of faith. It is our true conversion in Christ!

Isaiah today tells us to raise our eyes to look about, then you shall be radiant at what you see, “your heart shall throb and overflow…” You will ‘get’ it! When you ‘get’ something, when that grace of understanding is given, it feels like that, doesn’t it? Our hearts throb and overflow because we recognize that a personal epiphany is a gift, an actual grace from God. In those moments of conversion and transformation, when we all experience our personal epiphanies, our own personal stars come to rest over us. A light shines upon us and in us!

As we near the end of our Christmas Season and prepare to start a new liturgical season (next week we finish with The Baptism of the Lord), I would first like to share a text of a choral piece our Adult Choir sang this season. It is called: The Work of Christmas by Dan Forest, text by Howard Thurman (1899-1981). This text set to Forrest’s music gives us great food for thought as we are starting to end this season and start the New Year.

The Work of Christmas

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry, To release the pris’ner,
To rebuild the nations: To bring peace among brothers,
To make music, music, make music from the heart.
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins.

We know all the things that God came to earth to be for us—to exemplify and witness for us: hope, strength, peace, wisdom and joy; a love that renews and light for our eyes to see (understand). In the Christmas season in our readings we name God for all the things that God is: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, God of Mercy, Justice and Love, Healer Spirit and Light of the World. If Christ is truly all these things for you, celebrating Epiphany: the manifestation and presence of God on earth and in our hearts makes so much sense, and is all the sweeter. May God bless you with the grace of epiphany. But remember: He came, was born, and did what He did for us. So now that Christmas is ending, the work of Christmas begins for God’s people.

Keep Singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

There is going to be a stoning!

Presentation of the Lord: Rest in Peace

Light for Dark Places

Becoming & Being a Citizen

The Four Chaplains

A New Season

Bless Your Home on Epiphany

The Work of Christmas

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