May 18, 2008

Dear friends in life and in ministry . . .

Compared to many weeks that are filled to the brim with activity, the past has been a relatively quiet. The weather had been predicted to be rainy all week, but until Friday's and this afternoon's downpours, the skies were clear and the sun bright.

On Thursday evening, we held a Service of Healing and Hope which was intended to be an invitation to people who were estranged or angry at the Church to begin the journey home. Parishes and planning groups throughout the Diocese of Rochester have held these gatherings as part of our diocesan wide "Spirit Alive!" faith initiative.

As sometimes happens, the evening did not attract the people for which it was intended but was nevertheless a graced time. I'll reflect on that in next week's column.

This week's column includes a reflection on the Trinity along with a few parish news tidbits.

Hope all is well with you and those you love.

Deacon Ray

This week's Column: May 18, 2008 - A Reflection on the Trinity

How often have we made the sign of the Cross and invoked the name of the triune God without thinking about what we were doing? In its original meaning the sign of the Cross was, each time it was made, a renewal of our Baptism, a repetition of the words by which we became Christians, and an assimilation into our personal life of what was given us in Baptism without any active contribution or reflection on our part. Water was poured over us and, at the same time, the words were spoken: "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

The Church makes us Christians by calling on the name of the Trinitarian God. From her beginning, she has expressed in this way what she regards as the truly definitive mark of our Christianity: faith in the triune God. . . [The Church's] proper orientation is not to our hopes, our fears, or our wishes, but to God, to his majesty and his power. . .We must, therefore, learn anew to take God as our starting point when we seek to understand the Christian existence. This existence is belief in his love and faith that he is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

From The God of Jesus Christ by Joseph Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI

"Christians are baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Before receiving the sacrament, they respond to a three-part question when asked to confess the Father, the Son and the Spirit: "I do." "The faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity."

Christians are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: not in their names, for there is only one God, the almighty Father, his only Son and the Holy Spirit: the Most Holy Trinity.

The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the "hierarchy of the truths of faith". The whole history of salvation is identical with the history of the way and the means by which the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reveals himself to men "and reconciles and unites with himself those who turn away from sin."
Catechism of the Catholic Church 232 - 234

Fr. Peter’s Farewell Dinner

Next weekend we bid farewell to our beloved priest and friend Father Peter Anglaaere. Remember to reserve your place at the dinner we’ve planned for Sunday, May 25 at 1:00 p.m. We’ll gather at 12:30 p.m. to socially and greet Fr. Peter when he returns from Mass at St. Gabriel’s. Call the office by Tuesday to reserve your ticket.

During the month of June, our weekend presider will be Father Dan Condon who is the Chancellor and head of legal services for the Diocese of Rochester.

Summer Schedule to Begin on June 1

It looked for a while that we would have to postpone our Summer Mass schedule until Fr. Jim Jaeger arrived during the last weekend of June. But, Fr. Dan (with on occasion the help of other area priests) has accepted the challenge of our summer schedule beginning on Memorial Day weekend (May 31/June 1). On that weekend, our 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass will move to 9:30 a.m. This will allow St. Gabriel’s to provide its Summer parishioners with Masses at 8 and 11 a.m.

Congratulations Deb!!

Congratulations to Deb Brinkhus who on May 8 was awarded a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from St. Bernard’s School of Ministry and Theology in Rochester. This is a remarkable accomplishment since for many years Deb has managed both her studies, full time work and volunteer lay ministry to the residents of Taylor Healthcare Facility, the Avoca Vets Home and Sunday Suppers. The graduation celebration took place at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Have a good week. Serve one another well.

Deacon Ray

Click image for printable document... (Adobe PDF file, plugin needed)   (Click Here For Sent To Serve Archives)

Bulletin: May 18th, 2008