SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Last weekend, it was Chicago with our son Patrick and his fiancé Lauren. Near the University of Chicago, we passed a neighborhood called Kenwood, and I remembered from my law school days the 1924 “Crime of the Century.” Told the Middllers about Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two U of C graduate students, who lived with their very wealthy families in Kenwood; both geniuses, they thought themselves Nietzschian supermen. Told the Middlers how petty crimes one day turned to the murder of their teenage neighbor Bobby Franks and how the two had convinced themselves that they were too clever to be caught. But they were—by a couple of smart enough Chicago cops. Clarence Darrow, the best lawyer in the land, couldn’t get them off. All he could do was save them from the hangman’s noose. Loeb died in prison, and Leopold was paroled from his life plus 99 year sentence in 1958. Finally, I told the Middlers about another law school memory—Ephraim London, a professor of mine, who came to know Nathan Leopold in the last years of his life. He lived in Puerto Rico and worked as a nurse’s assistant and x-ray technician in a poor, rural hospital. Leopold said, “The worst punishment comes from inside me. It is the torment of my conscience . . . The only thing I have found in all these years that helped at all is to try to be useful to others.” Superman had changed his attitude.

This Sunday’s gospel appears to be about the cure of the paralytic. And it is. But it’s about something else—attitude. Jesus blessed the attitude of the paralytic’s friends—faith and confidence. He cursed the attitude of the Scribes—cynicism, condescension and disbelief. And what was even more troubling to Jesus was that the attitude of the Scribes was set in concrete, which would continue to harden into murder.
The Middlers sat quietly as we exposed the Blessed Sacrament and thought about our own “Superman” attitudes and how hard and unchanging they can be. And we prayed that Lent might be a time for changing those attitudes.

The Elementaries also spent quiet time before the Blessed Sacrament. We remembered how the paralytic and his friends couldn’t get close to Jesus and had to tear off the roof to get near him. And how blessed are we to be able to get off a school bus, walk into church and be right there next to Jesus. We prayed for family and friends who needed healing. And the kids gave us some amazing definitions of healing—“making people better,” “comforting people,” “caring for people and letting them know people care.” Not curing, but healing. Amazing!!!

Girl Scout Troop 1023

Don’t forget the Girl Scout Troop’s collection for the Food Bank for Westchester. Their box is still in the front hall of the Upper Church for needed items: pretzels, canned vegetables, lentils (bag), and canned tuna.

Enjoy the Winter Recess. When we return, there will be First Penance on February 28, 29 and March 1.

Love,

Deacon Charlie

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Mark Twain once said: “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” Maybe that’s why Jesus warned the leper he cures in today’s gospel to tell no one of the miracle. He worried that all kinds of lies would start flying around about a magician and his magic before the truth could be revealed that the “Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected . . . and be killed , and rise after three days.” It’s not that Jesus was trying to suppress good news, but to make sure that everything he said and everything he did was understood in the context of the Good News to come. If not, it meant nothing—a pretty good definition of a lie.

Sometimes, we still try to lie to ourselves that what Jesus says and does is magic. But there is no magic here. It’s making life rise out of suffering and death, which demands an everyday faithfulness to a lifelong commitment that with the Lord we will make this happen. And rejoice!

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Confessions continue for the upper grades and, if the schedule holds, we appear to be on track for First Penance in the last week of February.

Calendar Reminder

I am sure no one needs to be reminded because everyone is anticipating Winter Recess. During Winter Recess, there is no KidsRelig.

Girl Scout Troop 1023

Kaylie Eiden (Bell 7) is leading the effort of her Girl Scout Troop to collect needed food items for the Food Bank for Westchester. There is a box in the front hall of the Upper Church for donated items. All the kids in KidsRelig were asked to bring items during February to help fight hunger and support this good work of Girl Scout Troop 1023.

Needed Items

Pretzels

Canned Vegetables

Lentils—Bag

Canned Tuna

Our thanks goes out to the Girl Scouts and especially to Kaylie Eiden.

Love,

Deacon Charlie

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDIANRY TIME

This week’s gospel begins with a miracle—Jesus cures the mother-in-law of Simon Peter. Good stuff! The gospel ends with a pep talk from Jesus to his disciples: Let’s hit the road and spread the Good News. More good stuff! And right in the middle of the gospel—smack dab in the middle of all this good stuff, we catch a glimpse of Jesus praying. Unlike in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus will face some real bad stuff and we can eavesdrop on his conversation with the Father, we don’t hear what he says in this week’s early, morning prayer in a deserted place. All we know is this: whether Jesus has the strength to do good or to suffer what is bad, that strength is found in his relationship with the Father. And that relationship summons him into prayer, which is measured in its authenticity by the generosity of Jesus’ response to the Father’s call to action.

Prayer—a generous response to an authentic relationship. No wonder St. Paul tells us to pray always.

Confessions

Confessions began this past week. We started with the 8th Grade in session #1 and 4th Grade in session #2. Given the different numbers in each grade and the Winter Recess soon to arrive, it is difficult to predict when we will be done and when First Penance will take place. But I am confident that we will have all confessions completed by the end of February.

First Communion News

The assignments to the two First Holy Communion Masses were distributed after all the classes this week and last. The list of assignments is also posted on the KidsRelig bulletin board.

Congratulations to the Children’s Choir

The Children’s Choir sang at 10:30 Mass this Sunday. I am certain they were glorious, having heard them in rehearsal for the past several weeks. Unfortunately, I am not there to celebrate with them because I am celebrating my grandson Hudson’s 5th Birthday in Alexaandria, VA.

Special Intention

Please pray for a special intention of KidsRelig.

Love,
Deacon Charlie

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

And this from a guy who barely passed high school physics!!!

The Middlers started with a mini-class in Newton’s theory of gravity. With the mathematical formula staring them down, the classical theory was taught in its classical simplicity: Every object (or mass of particles) in the universe attracts every other object in the universe along the line intersecting each object at its center point. This attractive force is proportional to the product of the two objects (or masses) and inversely proportional to the distance between them—squared.

Huh????!!!!

The teaching was clear. And yet, we didn’t become clear about the teaching until it was demonstrated. The stuff of it all was right there in front of us, but until we showed the stuff, we just couldn’t see it. So, with straws blowing balloons in the air, shoes and paper being dropped together from on high and a challenge to stand up (sitting in a straight-backed chair, arms crossed and feet flat on the floor—can’t be done!), we could see for ourselves what Newton was talking about.

In this week’s gospel, Jesus teaches in the synagogue. His teaching is clear. And yet, until he cures the man with the demon, the people aren’t clear about his teaching. It’s when he shows his stuff that they are really amazed.

In the very beginning of Mark’s gospel, we are alerted to keep our ears open to what Jesus says, but, more importantly, our eyes and hearts open to what he does. And we are challenged to do as Jesus does: once you say it, be ready to show it!

The Elementaries learned the Five Finger Prayer:

With your thumb next to your heart and your fingers extended away from you,

1. Thumb (closest): pray for those closest to you.
2.Index (pointer): pray for those who point you in the right direction.
3.Middle (tallest): pray for all the big people, the leaders of our church and country.
4. Ring (weakest): pray for the weakest, the sick, the poor, the hungry and homeless.
5. Pinky (smallest): pray for yourself, who should be the humblest of all, and if you are really humble, don’t worry—Jesus promises that the last shall be first.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Confessions start this Tuesday, January 31, during the regular KidsRelig sessions. We will begin with 8th Grade in the first sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, and 4th Grade in the second sessions on those days. We will continue each day we are in session with grades 8 down to 3. Then, we will conclude with the 2nd Grades, which will be their First Penance.

Calendar Reminder

No KidsRelig for Grafflin on this Wednesday, February 1st.

First Communion News

First Communion is Saturday, May 12th. There are two Masses: 9:30 am and 11:30 am. There will be 64 2nd Graders receiving First Holy Communion—32 at each Mass. The list of names for each Mass was distributed in hard copy after classes this past Wednesday and Thursday, and will be distributed this coming Tuesday. The list is also posted on the KidsRelig bulletin board near the entrance to Skelly Hall. A copy will also be emailed to 2nd grade parents and posted on the website.

Love,
Deacon Charlie

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Come, follow me, and they dropped everything they were doing and followed him.
The Middlers took a look at “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”--the last speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., before he died. It was April 3, 1968, and Martin was in Memphis, Tennessee, to stand with the public sanitation workers, who were striking against prejudice, discrimination, low wages and poor working conditions. There had been death threats. Martin told the crowd at the Mason Temple that there were some difficult days ahead, but he wasn’t concerned. “I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land.” (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated the next day, April 4, 1968.)
When Jesus says, “Follow me,” does he mean Go like me or Be like me? With the words of Dr. King echoing in the church, the MIddlers knew the answer. It’s not drop whatever you’re doing and get going; it’s leave yourself behind and be like Jesus, which promises difficult days ahead, but also the Promised Land.
The Elementaries got to the same place, but by a different route. We played Simon Says. And we all got it. Jesus, like Simon, wants us to follow him by being just like him.

FIRST COMMUNION
Saturday
MAY 12TH
9:30 and 11:30 AM

The Sacrament of Reconciliation
&
First Penance

This year, we will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to our kids in grades 3 through 8 starting Tuesday, January 31. We will continue with the celebration of the sacrament everyday until all of the kids in those grades have had the opportunity to receive the sacrament. When this is complete, our Second Grade First Communion Kids will celebrate their First Penance in the same way, i.e., during their regular KidsRelig session. Unlike in years past, we will not have a Saturday First Penance Service with parents in attendance.

Why the change? As much as the Sacrament of Reconciliation should be a joy, we have discovered that the Saturday First Penance Service creates some anxiety for our kids. It becomes an event to worry about. We thought that if the Second Graders see that their First Penance is like that of their upper class brothers, sisters and friends and part of the everyday life of the Church, it may not be as intimidating. The Second Grade Teachers, who are preparing them for the sacrament, will be with them as they receive, and parents are not expected to attend. Of course, if you think your child needs some extra support and it would be helpful for you to be there, please let me know.

Love,
Deacon Charlie

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Nonsense that challenges our sense of commonsense!

KidsRelig paid a visit this week to Alice in Wonderland. From Mad Hatters and March Hares at tea parties to lobsters dancing quadrilles, from white rabbits running out the clock to caterpillars puffing out advice—all the time swimming through nonsense and asking, “With what porpoise?” And, finally, to the trial of the Knave of Hearts charged with stealing tarts baked by the Queen of Hearts.

Nonsense that challenges our sense of commonsense!

Then, there’s this Sunday’s gospel: There’s the Lamb . . . What are you looking for . . . Where are you staying . . . Come and you will see . . . Hello, I’m going to change your name.

Nonsense that challenges our sense of commonsense! And as we begin our journey this week through Galilee to Jerusalem to Calvary’s cross to the garden’s empty tomb to the mountain of Ascension and beyond, St. John warns us that our journey’s story will seem like nonsense. But it is the only commonsense that will save us.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

&

First Penance

This year, we will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to our kids in grades 3 through 8 starting Tuesday, January 31. We will continue with the celebration of the sacrament everyday until all of the kids in those grades have had the opportunity to receive the sacrament. When this is complete, our Second Grade First Communion Kids will celebrate their First Penance in the same way, i.e., during their regular KidsRelig session. Unlike in years past, we will not have a Saturday First Penance Service with parents in attendance.

Why the change? As much as the Sacrament of Reconciliation should be a joy, we have discovered that the Saturday First Penance Service creates some anxiety for our kids. It becomes an event to worry about. We thought that if the Second Graders see that their First Penance is like that of their upper class brothers, sisters and friends and part of the everyday life of the Church, it may not be as intimidating. The Second Grade Teachers, who are preparing them for the sacrament, will be with them as they receive, and parents are not expected to attend. Of course, if you think your child needs some extra support and it would be helpful for you to be there, please let me know.

Love,

Deacon Charlie

EPIPHANY

The saddest week of the year! Down to the cookie jar for one more Christmas cookie—crumbs! In to water the tree—dry needles all over the floor! And then off to church to pack up the Christmas Pageant—lambs and halos wrapped and labeled, Mary and Joseph’s costumes neatly tucked away, handbells laid to rest. The saddest week of the year!

But Christmas was great. Our Choir Kids sang their hearts out. Our Pageant Kids were the best of God’s storytellers. Our Readers proclaimed the Word as it has never been proclaimed. And our Altar Servers did us proud. We thanked them all for helping us all welcome the Newborn King.

Told the kids about my own great Christmas with the grandkids, and especially, with our grandson Hudson and Peter Pan at MSG. How he sat on the edge of his seat as Peter flew off with Wendy, John and Michael to Neverland, led by Tinkerbell’s twinkle. How he froze when Captain Hook appeared and hissed at his evil plotting and jumped out of his skin when swords went flying and the tick-tock croc finally did Hook in. And how he clapped (Oh, how he clapped!) when Peter begged us all to BELIEVE. And then when Wendy and the kids brought that belief home, only to pass it on to Jane, who would fly off again with Peter to Neverland.

Led by a light to a far off land, where they only venture to go because a very special person draws them there. And when they arrive, uncertain and unsure, they encounter evil, which they are intent upon defeating. How? By their belief in that very special person, who drew them to himself through all that made them uncertain and unsure. And that’s the belief they brought home with them—to pass it on, even to this very day. The Magi—a story as magical as Peter Pan, but no fairytale.

First Communion News

Second Grade Parents, watch your inbox within the next week for the beginning of all the news about First Holy Communion.

Love,

Deacon Charlie