Holy Trinity Church

It’s scary sometimes how deeply we can feel anger or resentment toward someone or some situation. I’m not talking about being “annoyed” or “frustrated”, something you wish were different but “hey, we’ll deal with it.”

No this goes deeper. It surprises us with how hot it gets us; our reactions can be so strong that we say or do something that has devastating effects, sometimes for years.

Try this one out – – did this ever happen in your family? It did mine. I was a teenager (I’m guessing 13 or 14 yrs. old). I can’t even remember the issue now (some minor “no” to something I wanted to do); but I remember the flash of intense anger I felt and the words I spoke to my mother.

“I hate you!” I said. “I wish I had a different mother!” (I’m feeling the shame of those words as I type this). My mother of course, being the adult and knowing her son could be a spiteful boy, walked away from this awful moment (perhaps to cry).

I look back on this incident some 50 yrs. ago and wonder how my parents didn’t put me up for sale! How can anger be so strong? How does it completely overwhelm our reason and better instincts? I don’t know. It just does.

It may go back millennia to the fury we needed to survive in the hostile environment of the animal wilderness.

What I do know is . . . it is NOT God’s will that we act that way. Rather, “Get rid of all bitterness, passion and anger, no more hateful feelings. Instead, be kind and tenderhearted to one another, and forgive one another.” Ephesians 4:31.

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This is exactly what my mother did. And in doing this selfless act of parenting she saved her son. Years later I would recall that moment to her and how her sad but silent walking away showed how much she loved me.

I tell this story because I know some families who have allowed words (thoughtlessly spoken) to become a giant chasm between parent and child or brothers or sisters. For some it has been years since family members have spoken to each other. As I say, it’s frightening how one moment of heated exchange can cost a lifelong friendship or worse, a brother or sister or parent.

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This same toxic anger is afflicting our political conversation. Both sides are infected, Democrats and Republicans. Each sees the opposing side as not just wrong or “misguided”, but they are seen rather as the enemy whose heart is wicked and whose intentions are cruel.

So long as we see our opponents as lacking character or moral goodness, there is little hope we can work to solve our common problems.

New effort must be constantly put forth to repair or renew tattered relationships – – – no matter how many times it takes. This is hard work and requires a basic trust in our neighbor’s goodness.

Where do we get the will to start again with that “stupid Democrat” or “blind Republican” or “foul mouthed child”? It comes in knowing that, despite present appear- ances (!), this is a Child of God. Christ shed his blood for them and for me.

So as scripture tells us we now have peace through the blood of Christ. “With his own body (Christ) broke down the wall that kept them enemies.” Eph. 2:14. In other words he died for us all.

If he refuses no one his redeeming love, can we?

Lord help us to turn the other cheek. It is your beloved child who strikes us.

God bless your week.

Fr. Tim

So there’s a lull in a conversation with friends and someone you know, but not all that well, asks you, “Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?” Everything stops, doesn’t it? Like a sudden wind that knocks you off balance, you struggle to respond in some appropriate way but you really are at a loss for words.

Catholics especially find it hard to answer this question. “I THINK I HAVE” might be our answer. Pressed further as to when and where you accepted Jesus someone might say “Well, I go to mass on Sunday”, “I don’t cheat anybody.” “I give to the United Way.” “Oh I don’t know.”

I don’t think it’s through any lack of faith that one is left in confusion. It’s just that we show our religion and faith in a different way. Taking Holy Communion at mass is probably the premiere moment for Jesus and me in the week. Yes, THERE HE IS, my Lord and Savior!

(Chances are, our inquiring friend would not understand this answer.) . . . And just before that we turn to each other and say, “The Peace of Christ be with you!” and we smile at each other and somehow I feel Jesus is with us.

That’s it. That’s Jesus and me. And is He my Lord and Savior? Of course He is!

However. . . that’s not enough. You see our faith is a gift that is meant to be shared. Christianity is not just about “Jesus and me”, it’s about Jesus, you and me, all of us together. Why else would Jesus leave the 99 safe in the meadow to search out the lost sheep?

So how do we uptight Catholics begin to share our faith? It starts with an attitude of affection. We have to like our neighbor, to genuinely care how they are, to be hap- py when they are happy and sad when they are sad. Not that everyone is our best friend, but everyone can count on us to be in their corner.

We want goodness to find Once we have our neighbor fixed in our hearts as “brother” or “sister”, we can speak to them as to a friend – — because that’s what they are. (People just know it when someone approaches them in kindness.)

Next we need to check our memory bank for the times God has popped up in my life. These are moments of joy or sorrow, success or failure, where I cried out to God and He heard me, or a joy beyond all expectation filled my heart. These are my life’s faith stories, my God history. These things I know, not because I read about them, but because they happened to me personally. These are the things that Christ asks me to share with my neighbor when the Holy Spirit moves.

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Sooooo . . . . Sometime you might consider:

• Telling a friend or co-worker who’s facing sickness or sadness or some worry in life, “I will say a prayer for you each day this week.” And then do it!
• Telling a troubled teenager about a time in your own youth when things seemed impossible. But “You can do this. I’ll pray and God will help. I know because God has helped me.” 2 Cor. 1:4.
• Inviting a friend to come to mass with the promise of “breakfast on me” afterward.
• Sharing with someone what you have learned in life that relates to your faith. (Telling your story about: telling the truth, purity in relations, going out of your way to help, etc.)
• Let people see you make the sign of the cross, saying grace before meals, blessing your children.
• Do something for others. No expectations for a “thank you”, just a kindness that speaks all by itself.

You’ll know what to do. The Holy Spirit will whisper it to you.

Fr. Tim

The Parish Council has decided it will address an issue that has been with us for years. How can we as a parish reach out to our fellow Catholics who, for whatever reason, decide not to be a part of our worship and parish life?

In the past we thought to research “Why” people choose not to come. Maybe there was some past hurt or grievance they felt from the church. We wanted to find out and try to reconcile with them.

We thought of a census that would knock on every door within our parish boundary. “Are there any Catholics living in this household?”, we would ask. If so, “are you aware of living within the Holy Trinity parish boundaries? Would you like to enroll in our parish OR perhaps just take this bulletin with the mass times on it?”

We could do a saturation mailing asking three brief questions: Catholic? Registered? Care to join us? We’ve considered all these “outreach efforts”. But to each one, for various reasons, we’ve decided “no” (at least for the time being).

But now there’s something new and easier, and we think more effective. This Sunday you heard Council member, Bob Feeney, tell us how each of us with a simple touch on our smartphones can send a message to friends and family who follow you on your Facebook page.

Without repeating what you’ll find on the flyer in this week’s bulletin, I’ll just say “You can be a Holy Trinity mail deliverer.” That’s right. Holy Trinity is going to fill our Facebook feed with some inspirational messages, some videos, and news about Holy Trinity.

All you have to do is view them and pick out the stuff you like and then hit “share” and the message will go out to all your friends on Facebook. Think of it . . . watching Fr. Tim and Fr. John tell how they became priests AND STAYED PRIESTS. OR, hear a mother of three tell how she gets the kids to mass on Sunday. There’s tons of timely messages we can send to your friends who never join us at Holy Trinity.

BUT WE NEED YOU! This effort is only as good as you and your efforts to get our message and then share it with friends. You can do this sitting on your couch at home. It’s that simple.

Don’t have a Facebook page? We’ll help you. Stop by the Welcome desk after mass these next few weeks. Read the instructions we’ve put on the flyer in the bulletin.

Be a missionary to your friends who don’t know the blessings flowing from our Catholic Faith here at Holy Trinity.

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Last Sunday we had our first High School Sleep-In Sunday. Thirty-seven teens joined us for mass (done in a Youth Festival sort of way). We followed with food and then a Twitter start up for the high schoolers to go to their smart phones. (Teens: Check the bulletin this Sunday for instructions on how to get tweeted).

More events coming up. Stay tuned!

Fr. Tim

Visit the STAR Program page for detailed information.

Saturday, October 27 at 10:00 am

One of the most debilitating things about sickness is not the pain, or the fatigue, or the fear (each of these are, of course, part of the cross sickness brings). No. One of the biggest sufferings is how illness separates us from those around us, our families, friends and community at large.

It may mean being confined to home or quarantined from those closest to us. It may mean being unable to participate in everyday activities that bring us together with others. Perhaps most upsetting is the feeling of being “set apart”, different from others. (The thought, “I’m sick.” Everybody else is “ok”.)

Holy Trinity Church has scheduled a Eucharistic Celebration with the Anointing of the Sick. This is the chance to bring some of your health concerns to the Lord in the context of mass and this faith community.

You are not alone! The Lord and Holy Trinity hold you dear to our hearts in prayer. There will be special seating for those who wish to be anointed that morning.

WHO SHOULD BE ANOINTED? The guidelines for the sacrament say “any persistent and serious concern for one’s health …..”is reason for someone to request the anointing.” Health concerns such as depression, anxiety, addiction, spiritual doubt and chronic pain are all sufficient to receive the anointing. There will be no questions asked. Simply indicate your wish to be anointed.

Come by yourself or better . . . bring a friend. Experience the healing and comforting Hand of God working through the Sacrament of the Sick and the care of this parish.

God bless you.

Fr. Tim

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Pet Blessing Results

Holy Trinity really went to the dogs last Sunday (about 30 of them!)
There were big ones and little ones and in between ones. Three cats showed up in their cages plus African Pygmy Hedgehog.

All (pets and people) were blessed and sprinkled with holy water. Fr. Tim got over his initial queasiness and was even seen petting one of them! Please enjoy the following photo’s which were supplied to Holy Trinity by Jackson Thomas.

High Schoolers . . . Stay in bed!!!

That’s right. Next Sunday morning (October 14) all high school students are encouraged to stay in bed. Just think of it – – – no, “Oh mom do I HAVE to go to mass?” No, “None of my friends have to go. Why do I?” Stay in your room and . . . sleep!

How long you sleep in is up to you. But if you want to make a really good impression on mom and dad you might think about making some toast and eggs to be waiting for them when they get home (from mass, hopefully).

So what’s the deal? Why no mass next Sunday morning?

BECAUSE THERE’S A SPECIAL MASS FOR ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS NEXT SUNDAY NIGHT AT 7 PM. (THAT’S THE ONE YOU NEED TO BE AT!!!!)

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So what’s so special about this mass? Well . . . you’ll be there and maybe you’ll bring a friend. There won’t be any adults except for Fr. Tim and two or three parents who helped make this get-together possible.

High schoolers are in charge. You’ll do the readings for mass, you’ll plan the music, you’ll do the petitions (Lord Hear our Prayer) . . . and . . . you’re going to have a chance to give your thoughts about the readings at homily time.

We hear every week what Fr. Tim or Fr. John thinks. Next week is your chance to say what YOU think.

So sleep in that morning and bring a friend that night to Church at 7 pm. Mass should last about 40 minutes.

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AFTER MASS —- PIZZA & CELL PHONES

What’s a teen gathering without food? Bring your appetite ’cause there will be pizza for everybody.

While we eat there’s going to be a start-up of a social media platform that’s just for the high school students at Holy Trinity. Bring your cell phone that night and be ready to get this new app up and running.

It’s going to be a twitter feed you can access to find a spiritual message for the day. There will be a prayer request section for any needs you want prayed for. There will be a place where you can ask Fr. Tim for advice or get clarification on some issue you want to learn more about.

We’re just beginning this new initiative, so we need you to give us your ideas of what would be a help for you and your friends.

So . . . . . see you next Sunday night, 7 pm in Church. We’ll get you back home by 8:30.

Parents. Share this post with your high schooler. Encourage them to attend. Let’s do something new and good.

The glorious season of autumn is about to happen. God bless you.

Fr. Tim

A wise and holy priest once told me that there were times when his only felt connection to God came in listening to his conscience. Prayer is dry and without feeling, the mass becomes “routine” with no inspiration, the Church seems terribly slow and out of touch with real life . . . . God seems so distant.

At such moments the only light that shown in his darkness was the light of his conscience. Sometimes God lets this happen. So let’s look at “Conscience” to see how we might meet God.

First off conscience is “a judgement of reason” which moves a person to do good and avoid evil. “It recognizes the authority of truth” pointing to God, the Supreme Good. “When he listens to his conscience, the prudent man can hear God speaking.” (Catechism of The Catholic Church. P 438).

Think of a lantern you carry into a dark room. The light makes visible what is real and present. “Reason” is that light humans have in their very nature. It is our ability to swim in an ocean of truth.

Reason must be accompanied by freedom and will. Without these two an act has no responsibility (morality) attached to it. Without freedom an act is coerced. Without our will we haven’t chosen or “owned” the act; it is merely accidental or unintentional.

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So how does all this connect me to God? Well . . . following my conscience is to experience the “messenger of Him, who, speaks to us behind a veil.” (John Henry Cardinal Newman 1885).

The problem today is we lack the training to become sufficiently “present to ourselves”. There is a certain “interiority” required to hear and follow the voice of our conscience. It comes from prayer, quiet time with ourselves, good reading, virtuous friendships.

Kids especially need help putting down their iphones to listen to their own thoughts and feelings – – their own personhood. This quiet opens the door for the Holy Spirit with his gifts to present the knowledge and practice of the interior law.

Parents. You have the best seat in the house when it comes to teaching conscience. You are there to help your child “listen to that voice in your heart.” You are there to celebrate and praise the times your child “does the right thing” (thus adding to the voice of conscience that they just heard and followed).

You are also there when the voice of conscience went unheeded and dishonesty or meanness came forth. Parents, you need to sit and lovingly help your child “see and hear” that inner voice. Not every instance require this teaching moment but sometimes God just puts it on a platter for you. Use it! Share a suitable moment from your life when you listened (or didn’t) to your conscience. A true life story from mom and dad!

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In the end you are giving your child a compass, a tool that will guide them in moments of temptation and confusion. You give them a connection to their true selves and to God. “For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God . . . it is his most secret core and sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose vice echoes in his depths.” (Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes #16).

God’s got you . . . quit squirming!

Fr. Tim

It’s Monday and I’m sitting here trying to find something that interests me (and maybe you) to go on the front of the bulletin.

You probably know by now I write about stuff that interests me. Naturally I think it will interest you as well! Sometimes it does. One person might even say they read all of it. That’s success!

But enough about what interests me; time has come to ask you. What are you reading these days? What questions are running around your head? What topics/thoughts do you wrestle with at night?

We’re not talking about “finding peace in the Middle East or ending world hunger”. (Better, holier minds will help us with those). Let’s talk about things that touch our lives every day. Let’s see what these things become when we look at them with Faith.

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So send me your thoughts and questions. Give me your opinions on things. I promise never to use names or any details that people would know it was you. I also promise to write you back an email if you take the time to write to me. (Fr.Timothy.Horan@dor.org)

Of course I’ll pick and choose which thoughts to respond to in the bulletin. WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? Feel free to write me. I’ll do my best to share them in the bulletin and add my own to them as well.

And your summer? I hope these precious months brought time for family and recreation. I was able to get back to Ohio to see my sister Maureen – twice. My golf was as crummy as usual but fun. Read a few good books.

And now . . . the deluge! Religious education starts, RCIA kicks in, The CMA begins in a couple weeks. I’m so glad you are with us in our new pastoral year. Let’s do all things well . . . for Him.

Fr. Tim

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We thought you would like to see who won the Golf Tournament last weekend. It was a great time, and fun was had by all. Many thanks to the Vitale Family and all the volunteers for organizing this event.

Our winners, left to right: Mark DeBacco, Denny Long, Danny Angarano, and Jim Vitale.

In a previous parish I was part of a team of catechists that led the RCIA classes for people exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic. It was there I learned a rather humbling lesson in hospitality. You see each catechist was responsible for their particular class — the room set-up, handouts, any audio/video needs — each teacher did their own thing if you will.

I remember when it was my turn to teach I took quite seriously the proper preparation of class room content. As for the room we would spend the next 90 minutes in, it was adequately prepared if the heat was on and the lights worked.

In contrast to this were the lessons taught by Sr. Anne Marie, our Pastoral Associate. Not only were her classes impeccably prepared but the room in which we would meet would always have something beautiful greeting us when we arrived. One week perhaps a burning candle safely placed in a nest of autumn leaves, another time perhaps a picture of some natural beauty or some person of nobility or dignity would greet us. And always there would be some small token of food and drink over which we would pause to eat and converse. You just felt good to be there. You felt appreciated.

I always thought, “Gee Sister this is really nice but you didn’t have to go to all the trouble.” She would only smile at me and keep up these special efforts. I am embarrassed to say that only now do I get it. Sr. Anne Marie was practicing the virtue of hospitality. And the power of this virtue does not lie in the donut holes or coffee served, rather it was in the care poured out upon those who would join her that day.

She was showing us by example how to honor people, how to create an environment that brings comfort and peace . . . why?. . . because you are a Child of God and her brother or sister in Christ. And believe me, you really felt it in her presence.

This is hospitality — treating one another as another Christ. And the wonderful thing about this virtue is that most often and most effective are the small things done out of love.

Things like:
** Smiling at the person in your pew as you take your seat. Giving a warm “hello” as we greet those around us at the beginning of mass. (They are there for the same reason you are . . . to try to find God in their life).

** Sing. Yes you. Sing. Do you recite the Happy Birth- day song at birthday parties? Of course not, you sing them. Should we give less than that to God and our neighbor? Do you see that not singing is in a way holding yourself back from joining the celebration?

** Learning someone’s name — even if you’ve failed 10 times before. What better way to honor someone than to know their name?

** Just showing up. You may not know this but people miss you when you aren’t there. Really! I’ve been asked many times by parishioners have you seen “so and so”? “I haven’t seen them in a few weeks. I hope they are well.”

** Join our greeter ministry. Welcome people at the doors of the church. It’s easy! (Stop at the Welcome Desk to find out how.)

** Being patient and understanding of a mother or father trying to calm a fussy child.

You are a good person. You know what to do. God bless you and have a wonderful week ahead.

Fr. Tim

PS. Coming to the picnic next Sunday?

My God, How Great Thou Art.

I think one of the chief reasons people have difficulty in hearing the gospel message about God is the “upstairs-downstairs” image of God in heaven and we humans on earth. It just doesn’t describe the universe as we experience it in the modern world.

The bible image of God showed him “up” in heaven looking “down” on us. The rains fell from the heavens at his command. Somewhere there was a “throne” on which God sat while a “choir of angels” sang his praises.

Copernicus (1473-1543) sent the religious world reeling when he discovered the sun, not the earth, as the center of our solar system . Galileo, a century later, proved those same findings in spite of vigorous Church protests.

All kinds of things got shaken up. The immense size of the universe, seen through that new gizmo (the telescope) threw out the notion of “up” or “down”. Later still, Charles Darwin proposed a new law of nature —- the evolution of the species (including humans!!). The Garden of Paradise (seen as a real garden somewhere in the Middle East), where Adam and Eve lived an idyllic life, was now consigned to “religious myth”.

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It’s not so much the modern mind finds the existence of a Supreme Being unreasonable, rather, it’s the image of God, living much like an earthly king in a penthouse high above the created world, that can make many reject religion.

What is needed is a new way to image the unfathomable mystery of the Divine. Theology is working to find new ways to: 1. articulate the truths already revealed about God and humanity in the bible; and 2. Develop a way of talking about God where the actual findings of science can help us to better speak of God to the modern mind.

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One of the chief insights of the last eighty years has been to see God as “participating” in the story of an unfolding, still evolving creation. Teilhard de Chardin S.J. proposes we see God as the love that pushes creation to its fulfillment.

Consider what has happened over these 17 billion years of the universe. We’ve gone from the primitive elements of matter combining in ever greater complexity to the appearance of living beings!

These living beings become the evermore complex life of plants and (billions of years later) animals.

From this animal life – – – don’t get nervous here, this is wonderful! – – – comes intelligent life (humanity). Life can now begin to understand itself! The power “to know” coming from dust, just incredible!

And then from the ability to know, there comes the ability to love. Over these billions of years creation has learned how to love. Where does the universe give evidence of love? In the human being (“And God said, let us make man in our image and likeness. In the divine image he made him.” Gen.2)

No other creature loves its young for their entire lives – buries their dead, cries tears of tenderness, sacrifices for the poor, celebrates birthdays, and makes dolls for children to play with. If you’re a creature from outer space and you’re looking for this amazing occurrence called LOVE . . . you’ll have to visit the human beings.

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So what now? Where is God? What’s he waiting for? “In the fullness of time, God sent his only son. He came as the son of a human mother . . . so that we might become God’s children.” Galatians 4:4.

Jesus is God’s full entrance into the long story of creation and life. God is not sitting on a throne in the penthouse of heaven. He is the power of love working through the process of evolution. Jesus is God’s love made visible – the human person leading creation back to God.

But the job is not done. God’s love continues through nature and human history to bring all creation into its divine fullness. That’s “when everything is placed under Christ’s rule, then the Son himself will place himself under God: and God will then be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15: 24-28 – read the whole passage. Amazing!).

What a long and breathtaking story. God is love beyond all telling and he’s chosen to show himself in the love of Christ . . . in which we have a share and by God’s grace are invited into the divine Body of Christ.

Dear God . . . how great thou art.

Fr. Tim

Christianity is the single most important event in human history. It has given us an understanding of who we are as human beings and the gift of freedom that is the essence of our nature.

Think of it. First, through its older sister, Judaism, Christianity has come to know that there is one God. This one God has created the world as a reflection of his goodness. The man and the woman are the Crown of that creation and bear a resemblance to the Creator like no other creature in the universe.

In Jesus Christ we come to know our purpose in life here on earth (to live as Christ). And by his Resurrection we know that in Christ we are called to be with God forever.

This astounding fact has set us FREE. The chains of the primeval world are broken. Previous powers such as idolatry, superstition (no more rabbit’s foot!), and magic have been shown for what they are – – shadows.

The accomplishments of Christianity have changed the world; giving birth to such things as democracy, universities, science and scientific method, medicine, modern art, farming, and charity toward the poor.

All these human developments come from two pillars of Christian faith: 1. The world is good and dependable as its existence comes from God. And 2. It all finds its meaning in love.

So full of this awareness was St. Augustine that he told his students, “love . . . . then do as you want.” And true love submits itself to what is good. Jesus tells us, “Obey my teaching and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Jn. 8:31

In God’s plan freedom and love have a purpose – – to cooperate in the building up of the world in the name of Christ. Freedom is a joyful responsibility to give glory to God through our love.

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But there is a problem. All is not yet well. You see, this world, in spite of over 2000 years of Christianity, is still in process. The wound dealt to God’s creation by the free disobedience of the human race continues to affect every one of us.

And the wound? A hunger for autonomy from God, a desire to be free from any norm that requires my obedience. We all have this. Call it what you want, “my bad self”, “selfishness”, “the rebel in me”. Faith calls it “sin” . . . in you and me and the world.

So how do we get it right? The first thing needed (and if this doesn’t happen we’re lost!) is to realize we have this rebel in us. (Please tell me you’ve met this part of yourself, right? That rebel . . . you!) We need to realize the love for self-indulgence is powerful, and in the end, if left unimpeded, will take us to our spiritual death. St. Paul says we “become slaves/addicts of sin”.

We’re going to need some help here. We can’t heal our wounded spirit.

Here’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. It gives us a new center of being. “The Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God’s children . . . and since we are his children . . . there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:17, 39.)

Is this life of Christian Faith amazing or what?!! So be free . . . and behave yourselves.

Fr. Tim