Deacon John Juneau at the Cathedral Parish told me this story. I think it’s a great example of a modern day parable. After reading this, see if you can summarize its meaning in a single sentence.

A famous professor, known for her ability to engage her students, began the lecture one day by holding up a crisp new $20 bill. “Anyone who would like this piece of paper raise your hand.” All hands went up.

Next she crinkled the twenty into a little ball. “Who wants this piece of paper now?” Again all hands were raised. Unfolding the wadded twenty, she wiped it across the chalk board. “Still want this?” All hands raised.

On she went, grinding it with her shoe, slamming the door on it, finally dunking it into her morning coffee. “Who wants this now?” Everyone raised their hands wanting to get this filthy, soaking, ragged $20 bill.

Two questions:

So what’s the meaning? Try saying it in one sentence.
Do you see any lesson it might have for human beings? (Think about yours. Then see mine (upside down!)

My Answers:

Video Ministry

Holy Trinity Livestream

It was with great excitement that Holy Trinity broadcast our Sunday Mass to the internet (Livestream) this past weekend! You can view Mass live at the time of streaming, (Sunday’s at 10:30 am. and throughout the following week.

Livestream is a great option for those who are unable to come to Mass on a given Sunday or who would like to review Sunday’s Mass later in the week for the purposes of prayer.

If you are not someone who uses the internet on a regular basis, it can be intimidating.

So how do YOU get to enjoy this new feature at Holy Trinity?

Watching Livestream 101:

• You will need to have internet access via computer, tablet, smart phone or smart TV.
• Go to Holy Trinity’s website holytrinityweb.com.
• On the left side of the home page, click on the link that says “Watch Sunday Mass LIVE”. This will take you to the Livestream website.
• To start the video, simply press the “play arrow” in the center of the video.

If you have any questions, please contact Helen Sleeman hsleeman@dor.org / 265-1616 ext. 337.

There are many answers to this question. A couple simple ones come to mind:
–It’s a place that has a church building and a parking lot.
–It’s where I go to mass on Sunday.
–It’s where you belong, so when the time comes, you can get married or buried.

Canon Law (rules for church governance) says a parish is a geographical area in which baptized Catholics reside and are offered spiritual aid (religious education and the sacraments).

But this description is rather dry and formal. What is your description? . . . not just any parish but your parish . . . what describes the parish you want to belong to? Here’s mine.

I want my parish to be:

• A place where I can find peace in times of trouble.
• A people who try to do what Christ did.
• A place where I am welcomed just as I am.
• A place where I can learn and grow in my faith.
• A people who are humble and quick to know where we need to do better.
• A people who welcome and learn from the “newcomer”.
• Where I experience God in the liturgy.
• Where I see and hear about opportunities to help others.
• Where our children learn about Christ in a formative and compelling way.
• Where my faith finds practical and creative ways to aid the complex problems of the world.
• Where I can grow in my faith and knowledge of God.
• Where I can learn how to pray.
• Where I meet fun, happy, kind and gentle people.
• Where hope is renewed.
• Where I am continually invited and connected to effective social ministry.
• Where I learn how to bring Christ to others . . .

I could list about 50 more, but it would only bore you. Anyway these are my hopes for this parish . . . Holy Trinity. We are not perfect by any means . . . but we’re trying. I hope you find something of interest in the weekly bulletin/web site. Won’t you join us in trying to make a difference in this world for Jesus Christ?

If you are new to the parish and feel as if none of the things I’ve listed above have happened to you – – – call me. Or write to me . . fhoran@dor.org. Tell me how you’ve found things so far at Holy Trinity. I, or someone on the staff, will be in touch with you (if you wish) to further the conversation.

In the meantime . . . God bless your week.

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 love God and our neighbor as ourselves). 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 foots!), 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 methods, 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 in its existence 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.” Jesus tells us, “Obey my teaching and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Jn. 8:31

Freedom becomes like the air we breathe. In God’s plan freedom has a purpose – – to serve goodness and truth. It is responsible to its creator.

And here is the problem. All is not yet well. You see, this world, in spite of over 2000 yrs. 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.

Anyone over six years of age has experienced this strange and intoxicating desire. Most of us learn the hard way; we follow these impulses toward pleasure, excitement, and self-gratification till we discover that their promise of happiness was a lie.

So how do we get it right? The first thing we need to do (and if this doesn’t happen we’re lost!) is 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 our love for “bread and circuses” is real, and in the end, if left unimpeded, will take us to our spiritual death. St. Paul says we “become slaves/addicts of sin”.

So what about this freedom that we have in Christ? It is to freely follow his way. Loving God and his commands and loving our neighbor as self. Simple. Not easy. We’re going to need some help here. We can’t heal our wounded spirit.

Here’s where the Holy Spirit comes in. “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 we will possess with Christ what God has kept for him.” “For there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in 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

I would like to share with you a bit of unfailing advice that was given to me some years ago by a holy and beloved priest friend. Like any helpful bit of wisdom it’s short and simple . . . God’s will for me is straight ahead.

Let me explain.

It is in our human nature to want to organize our lives in such a way that our choices would lead to happiness. Part of this “happiness” is to experience a freedom to choose, to direct, to pilot our own lives. Critical to this is having “options”. We don’t like it when we have no choice in what we do.

The problem comes when we start to see ourselves as “independent” operators. The temptation to want TOTAL freedom in directing our lives gives rise to some unhappy results. It creates an appetite that expects no restrictions; inconveniences or frustrations are the cause of anger and resentment. There’s no Co-pilot. I’m in charge, so things better obey me.

No. Our freedom is best exercised when it is done in “partnership” with the One who gave us our freedom in the first place . . . God of course. What does this partnership look and feel like?

It’s called THE PRESENT MOMENT. The right here, right now of our life. And here’s the trick (don’t miss this). Don’t go looking for God’s will “over there” or “later this year” or “when I graduate, get the job, get married, move out”.

No, God’s will is right NOW, in this moment. Do you want to know what you should do next to find the peace that comes in living in union with God? Look straight ahead. Here are some pointers:

• What promises have you made to people? Keep them.
• What obligation or duty do you carry as spouse, parent, employee, student, friend? Do your duty.
• What does your conscience tell you about the good to do or evil to avoid in this moment? Do that.
• What you wish people would do/be for you? . . . do that for them.
• Common sense is a great pointer to God’s will. Big test tomorrow? God’s will? Study!

Friends this is a recipe for happiness. A happiness different than the one offered by the world. This is one that comes with being right with God.

When we say “straight ahead” we mean no unnecessary delay (let’s wait until . . .). Also, no adding needless “what ifs?” or fears about failure; these only serve to keep us from giving ourselves wholeheartedly to the moment.

I remember getting to the point where if I didn’t call the Rector of the seminary now, I NEVER will. Too many other things were calling out to me from various side roads. What about this? What about that? Thank God I made the call. Straight ahead.

Surprisingly God’s will when we are younger is “to move”, “to go”, “to try out”. When we are older “straight ahead” more often means to stay where you are. To persevere in one’s duty. To embrace the daily grind. To finish the job.

And what are the signs that happen in us when we’ve done God’s will? St. Paul tells us in Galatians. “But the Spirit (God’s will for us) produces, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, humility, and self-control.” Gal. 5:22

So straight ahead. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you to see and feel what is right in front of you in this holy moment.

Bless your summer days.

Fr. Tim

I write this Monday, June 20, the first day of summer. I’ve just come back from a weekend of golf with some old college friends. We go back over forty years together.

We played a course about ten miles south of Jamestown in the beautiful hills looking into Pennsylvania. Guess what? We saw a bear! A big black bear. It was running across a fairway. It was very beautiful.

Later I wondered what the bear was thinking as he looked at all the orange and red shirted golfers . . . “hmmm. Hunters in shorts . . . no guns. Yummy!”

All this to say I intend to enjoy these brief summer weeks. I hope you will do the same. I hope to get back to Ohio a couple times midweek to see my sisters. Toward the end of the summer I’ll be celebrating mass at our fiftieth high school reunion (Class of ’66).

I want to read a couple books I’ve had on my desk for some months. I’m starting to carve out time at night to enjoy an old pleasure — reading. And golf, of course, will be a weekly occurrence.

So what are you doing these summer days? Please take time to savor this beautiful season. God was so kind and brilliant when he made us in such a way that we could enjoy stuff. When he gave us the ability to stand outside the moment to observe what is happening. Every time you say, “Wow, that was fun!”, you are experiencing God’s gift to the human being.

Think of it. Every other creature . . . just is. There are no weekends or vacations or road trips for that black bear. He just lives in the forest paying no mind to the golf balls that land in woods from time to time.

No, we’re the creature that can look around and see the wonder that is all around us. Read Psalm 8 for a great description of this moment of wonder.

“O Lord, your greatness is seen in all the world! Your praise reaches up to the heavens; it is sung by children and babes.

What is man, O Lord, that you think of him . . . that you care for him?

Yet you have made him little less than a god. You have given him rule over the works of your hands, put all things at his feet. O Lord your greatness is seen in all the world.”

The work continues, of course. The Facilities Committee is looking into re-lamping the nave of the church with LED lighting. These lights were designed and arranged by Rambusch Inc. in 1968. Much has changed since then in the move from incandescent light to the cooler, longer lasting LED light. A part of the job will be to connect a dimmer system to the new lights which will do away with the breaker panel we’ve been using since 217 BC!

It’s going to cost a few dollars, but energy savings over three years will pay us back. I’ll keep you informed.

Lastly . . . watch this space . . . it’s gone. At least for the summertime. Horan’s front page article will go away. In it’s place will be day old bread. (Things we’ve read be- fore but are so important, I want you to read them again!!)

Have a wonderful Summer.

See you in church.

Fr. Tim

Remember back when we were kids and mom or dad would say “alright, bedtime”, or “One more time on the slide and it’s time to go.” And we would say, “Awwwhhh, mom/dad, do we have to??!!” That’s how things worked back then. There were things you had to do and things you didn’t have to do. You had to brush your teeth, do your homework, wash up before dinner, clean your room, pick up your clothes, and be home on time.

We had to do these things…..yes, because our parents said so….but more importantly, because they were good things to do. They made life liveable and more enjoyable. They were good for us. We see that now. We didn’t back then. That’s why these good things were backed by the authority of our parents “because I said so”. As adults we do these things on our own now (that’s a sign of being an adult). We do them because we know they are good to do.

So what about Mass on Sunday? A child would ask…”do we have to go?” And the Church (our mother in the faith) says… “if you need to ask, the answer is yes, you have to go.” “Why?”, the child asks. “Because the Lord said so.”, the Church responds. The third Commandment says it — “Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day”. Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.” Like any good parent, God only asks these things because they are good for us.

My hope for us is that by now we see the wonder and privilege it is to worship the Lord on Sunday. Why do we go to mass on Sundays?

An adult answer might be: “Because……

• I want to show God that I love Him.
• I need to thank God for the goodness I have received this week.
• My life is hard and I need God to help me. We talk about this (God and me) at Mass.
• Oftentimes I get something I didn’t know I needed.
• I believe in the Eucharist. This is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. God becomes my food.
• I need the people gathered with me on Sunday to experience more fully what it means to be members of the Body of Christ.
• It sets my whole week in the right direction.
• I get lost without Mass on Sunday.
• I’m all alone without this experience once a week.
• Sunday is the day Jesus rose from the dead.

Now I have hope of eternal life. I just have to pause and think about this on Sunday.

Going to mass is only the beginning of “keeping holy the Lord’s Day”. Sometimes we need to look at how we live our Sundays of the week. Do we make them special days of peace, family, rest and recreation? A real spiritual renewal and re-orientation toward God can happen on such a Sunday.

Why not try this? Set aside next Sunday – – all day. Plan only those things that will bring rest and relaxation and participation in the Sunday Mass..

God loves you always,

Fr. Tim

There was a beautiful “Prayer at The Foot of The Altar” at the beginning of mass some years ago. Translated from Latin it says, “I will go to the altar of God.” And the response of the altar server was, “To God, who restores the joy of my youth.”

There’s a lot in that phrase. 1. What is the joy of my youth? 2. What happened to it that it has to be restored? And 3, why do I have to go to God to get it back?

1. Think back. What were the times that best captured the unique happiness you had as a kid? I think of Christmas morning (just before the presents were opened). Something new always got us right? The first snow, a new ball glove, a doll, new shoes, a bike or a sled (wow!). Maybe it was a trip to a cool new place (Niagara Falls was amazing as a kid).

What defines “the joy of youth”? How is it different from middle age joy? I think it has something to do with the fact that there is nothing to temper it. A child has no accu- mulation of disappointing moments or fears of being tricked or laughed at. Happiness (like tears) comes quickly and sharply with no filters.

And one other thing (the best thing actually) . . . joy (in a young person’s head) will last forever. There’s been little experience of life’s hurts. So there has yet to develop that callus we all acquire to deaden feelings and expectations of happiness. Remember summer as a kid? It’s going to last forever!

2. Remember the youthful joy of Adam and Eve when they beheld each other for the first time? “At last!!” Adam cried out. Such joy they had in the Garden.

Contrast that with the British rock band, The Who. They sang “We Won’t Get Fooled Again” as the anthem of a disaffected generation. The Stones proceeded them with “Can’t Get No Satisfaction”.

This is life after Adam and Eve ate the apple. We cover up, we hide our feelings, sarcasm becomes the adult form of humor. Being “on guard” is how we live now because “we won’t get fooled again”. And on guard we should be . . . there’s tough things out there.

3. So how does God, and only God, restore the joy of our youth? Quite simply God has provided the remedy for the dashed hopes of the human heart. The remedy does not turn us back into children hoping for a new pony. It points us to the original plan, the one we lost so long ago.

God redirects our longing toward Him. All the false joys and counterfeit happiness fades away in the intense light of what God has promised us in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ. Hear what St. Paul (the former cynic known as Saul) says of this new thing that God has done.

“We have peace now with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we boast of our afflictions, knowing that they produce endurance, and endurance proven character, and proven character, hope.”

Paul goes on . . . “And this hope does not disappoint, be- cause the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5:5

It is this Hope that restores the joy of our youth. It made Paul say elsewhere, “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rm 8:38

So the joy of our youth is restored. That’s right children; we’re going to be with God in His Kingdom . . . forever and ever. Yay!!!

Spread the good news.

Fr. Tim

Do you remember some of the things you used to do over and over as a kid? Little, personal and sometimes quirky activities that you’d do when things got boring or you started getting nervous?

My sister Maureen would suck her thumb . . . till she was about 12 actually. My buddy Terry used to bite his finger nails. My father and I battled cigarettes for years (I still struggle!). We call repeated actions habits; we do them without thinking. They relieve tension or anxiety.
They bring a mild pleasure or placebo effect.

Some habits are healthy and benefit people whenever they do them.

“That’s a good habit to get into,” we say. (Brush your teeth/eat your vegetables.) Other repeated actions can hurt us or others. These are bad habits. Some are bad (e.g. Lying) because the act itself is bad. We call these “sinful habits”. Others are bad because they go too far (“Too much” of anything is a bad habit) or not far enough (sloth, or carelessness) in doing the right thing.

So . . . what’s the point? It’s simple. Get in the habit of doing good things. How? Repetition. Doing something again and again will bring a certain ease of performance. A good thing, once rather hard to perform (choosing not to gossip) can, with repetition, become easier.

Our friends in the Fellowship tell us to “work the program” (doing the things that lead to sobriety/honest living). Don’t feel like it? That’s okay – – – “fake it till you make it.” Feelings will follow.

Our bodies themselves bear witness to this. Sit-ups/push-ups (yuk!) become easier with repetition. Fitness experts call this the “training effect” – – – ease in physical performance.

It’s really no different for our spiritual lives. Repetition makes for habit. Habit makes for virtue (an abiding strength). Virtue leads to happiness. Want to be happy? Keep on doing good. Simple, eh?

Let’s take matters of sexuality. I don’t think anyone of us is immune to the “sinful habit” that can develop in our thoughts or actions as we confront lustful images or impulses that exist within us and around us.

Our eyes (windows to the soul) by nature “want to see” . . . everything. And here’s the problem – some things ought not to be seen. “Impure” thoughts or glances really are “stealing” what doesn’t belong to you. It’s an invasion of privacy.

There is an old habit encouraged by spiritual directors and confessors as “custody of the eyes”. It refers to a mental readiness to turn away from seeing things that go beyond the intimacy we are permitted to have with that person. Repeated ways of acting we call “modest”, (the way we dress, speak, and look at one another), become habits leading to the virtue of “chastity” or “purity”.

The point here is to make clear these virtuous states don’t “just happen”. In fact, when left to nature, the opposite happens. Lust grows, not purity. Lies, not truth. Selfishness, not generosity. It’s part of our fallen human nature that this tendency exists.

It can only be remedied by “habits of love”, actions of reverence for others and ourselves motivated by the knowledge of who we are . . . God’s beloved children. By ourselves we can’t do this. But God’s grace is there to guide and strengthen us.

Every one of us; God’s Children – no exceptions. Bless your heart.

Fr. Tim

PS. A great habit? Morning prayer.

Can you remember what you had for dinner last Thursday? If I sat for a minute to look at my calendar and what I did that day, I might come close (though no guarantees) to remembering what it was I ate.

This doesn’t disturb me in the least. What I do know is that “I ate”. And it must have been quite sufficient be- cause I don’t remember any headache or weakness that happens when I don’t.

All this points to the fact that food serves a purpose . . . it keeps life strong. Remember that saying? “We eat to live. We don’t live to eat.” It’s enough to know we did eat and it did what food is supposed to do.

Now, if we are quite content to eat and later to forget what or where we ate, it seems we have more important things to be about, right? Like life.

So when we think of the meal we had at Mass last Sunday, what do we remember? Not much I bet. Certainly not the food we ate. The bread is flat and tasteless. (I can’t remember a single host I ever ate at Mass!) The cup of wine is no special vintage. Maybe we remember a thought or a prayer we prayed at the time, but probably not. Life has moved on and, as always, there are new issues or concerns that linger.

Why should we expect Mass to be any different than any other meal we eat and forget? Life has moved on and, as always, there are new issues or concerns that have our attention.

Is that okay? I mean this is no ordinary food we’re eating! It’s the Body and Blood of the Lord. Shouldn’t we remember each and every time we receive our Lord in Holy Communion? The simple answer is NO.

Why? Because the purpose of the Eucharist is to strength- en our union with Christ so that we GO FORTH into the world to bring his good news to others. And we deliver the news of Christ’s life by BEING that life for others, by laying our lives down as God asks each of us in our particular circumstances.

What if Jesus, after having eaten The Last Supper with his apostles, invited the boys to the drawing room for brandy and cigars?! “What a great meal Jesus. The lamb was just right. I’m stuffed!”

No. Rather . . . “They went forth . . .” Jesus changed the history of the world the next day by laying down his life in obedience to his Father’s will. (“Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” MT. 4:4)

Think if Jesus and the boys had stayed in the upper room that night. Let’s say they skipped the Crucifixion. What good would that meal have been? Just another forgettable Passover.

That meal, the first Eucharist, became the source of grace for all Christian life to follow. That is what the Eucharist needs to be for us at Holy Trinity. It is a strengthening of our union and life with Christ first and foremost . . . but then . . . we must “go forth to love and serve.”

Without our going into the world in the name of Christ, we are not doing what the Eucharist was meant to do in us.

One last thought. Just like that meal you had last week did what food is supposed to do in you, so the Mass and its spiritual food will accomplish its purpose in us. It’s a sure thing.

If we let it.

Fr. Tim

I’ve often wondered what it would be like to have a child. To have given life and existence to another human being. To know that dancing, singing, laughing, crying person there is my child, born from me, my flesh made theirs.

What does that do to you? I really don’t know. I leave it to you mother, to you father, to describe the wonder, joy, and fear(?) a child can bring. A phrase best describing one’s child? . . . “My Love”.

What I do know is what it’s like being someone’s child. It’s a bond unlike any other human relationship. Ultimately, a child looks upon a mother or father as the “Source of Life”. Good parent or bad parent, forever they are honored as the one who gave us life. In a real sense I owe them everything.

(I wonder if the marriage bond runs as deep as parent and child.).

But guess what? The relation of parent and child ain’t nothin compared to our relationship with God. Don’t be offended mom and dad, but your gift to your child of life in the body, as good as it is, ain’t nothin compared to what God has done in letting us be called Children of God.

Do you remember the day Jesus was preaching in a crowded synagogue and was told that his mother Mary was outside and wanted to see him? (Read Mt. 12:46-50). Remember what he said? “Who is my mother?”!!! (My dad would have smacked me for that as a kid.) “How dare you say that Jesus!”, says a mother’s heart. “I’m your mother.”

We don’t get it. There is a new personal relationship in the world – — deeper than all the others – – deeper than parent/child, deeper than husband /wife. It is our relationship with God the Father because of our union with His Son Jesus Christ.

“Who is my mother?” Jesus asks. “These are my mother and brothers, (pointing to his disciples) whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, my sister, and my mother.”

Whaaaat?! Yes. It blows the mind. St. John’s letter can hardly contain the excitement. “See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called Children of God. Yet that is what we are! We are God’s children now. What we shall later become has not yet been revealed. When it is revealed we shall become like him, for we will see him as he is.”(1 Jn. 3:1)

Let’s be clear here. It’s not because we deserve the status of God’s Children. In fact it is not natural that we be that. Its supernatural. God has “adopted” us. We’re like a branch grafted onto the vine of Christ.

Why do we have this wonderful privilege while an- gels look on us with amazement? It’s because that’s the way God’s love works. It’s totally God’s initiative, certainly nothing that we earned or deserved. The small and insignificant become his choice as his children. Amazing Grace!!

So back to Mary and Jesus . . . Jesus is saying, “Mom, look, all these are your children . . . because of me.” And to us he says, as he did to John (Jn. 19:27), “There is your mother.” God’s Family . . . all are welcome.

Hope you are well. Say your prayers.

Fr. Tim