From the Pastor's Desk

03 May 2009 07:00:00 EST

From the Pastor's Desk:

As I re-read The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen, I am encouraged by how his thoughts on unconditional love help me to look deeper into today’s gospel where Jesus calls himself the good shepherd. As the good shepherd he loves us unconditionally. It is one thing to understand and conceptualize unconditional love, it is quite another to experience it and let it change our lives. We are conditioned by our society to think that we have value as long as we are productive, helpful or advantageous to others. When we are hurt our first thought is not always loving forgiveness, but to protect ourselves, heal our wounds and then strike back with vengeance. But do we really believe that we are loved unconditionally? The second reading today from the first letter of St. John puts the unconditional love of God in terms we can easily identify with. “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” Who does not love a child unconditionally? What a joy to hold a baby and see the wonder of life. The joy continues as we see children grow and discover the wonder and beauty of life. Their innocence and simplicity is a call to see the goodness and beauty of the lives of people around us and the world we live in. I remember taking my nephew to the beach when he was four years old on a warm January day. There was no wind and the water was so clear you could see right down to the bottom. Appreciating the wonder of the moment he innocently asked, “Where is everybody else?” Where do we lose our sense of wonder and start to be burdened by the thought that if I am going to be loved and lovable, I must do something to earn that love. We do experience the unconditional love of others and God. In The Return of the Prodigal Son by Nouwen, in the second chapter entitled, “The younger son leaves,” Nouwen says, “At issue here is the question: “To whom do I belong? To God or to the world?” Many of my daily preoccupations suggest that I belong more to the world than to God. A little criticism makes me angry, and a little rejection makes me depressed. A little praise raises my spirits, and a little success excites me. It takes very little to raise me up or thrust me down. Often I am like a small boat on the ocean, completely at the mercy of its waves. All the time and energy I spend in keeping some kind of balance and preventing myself from being tipped over and drowning shows that my life is mostly a struggle for survival: not a holy struggle, but an anxious struggle resulting from the mistaken idea that it is the world that defines me.” Clearly, Jesus is the Savior who saves us from what keeps us from being fully alive. It is his unconditional love that nurtures us and raises us up. I saw a tremendous example of that a week and a half ago when I went with my friend who is a quadriplegic to a wheelchair basketball tournament. One of the players in the game was being pushed in his wheelchair by an aide. He had no hands or feet. His arms ended at the wrist and his legs at the ankle. On his face was an expression of great joy. He was simply happy to be alive and to experience the love of those who enabled him to participate in this tournament. Even with his handicaps he was able to score two baskets. Like his peers, he needs help with the most basic functions in life. But he was not depressed by what he cannot do and who he is not able to be. He, like my friend who took me to the tournament, was full of life and joy. Love gives life. Unconditional love, brings us to the fullness of life, both as the recipient and the giver. It is being loved for who we are, not what we can do or what we have achieved, that enables us to live life to the full, the very thing Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has come to give us. That fullness of life is expanded when we turn around and love God and others unconditionally.

Jesus tells us, “I know mine and mine know me.” Yes, he does know us better than we know ourselves. He knows our faults and weaknesses and even more our ability to love and be grateful. When we trust in his love humble gratitude empowers us to be what the world needs - children of God!

Grateful for what God has done for us we are also grateful for the things we do for one another. These past weeks in our parish I am grateful to all who helped to prepare the children who received their First Holy Communion. A lot of a time and love went into helping them get ready to experience the unconditional love of Jesus in this sacrament. I hope, pray and look forward to their presence at our Sunday Masses. I also thank those who worked with the young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past Thursday. These young people are at a critical point in their lives. I hope and pray they will open their minds and hearts to the presence of the Holy Spirit that they received in this sacrament. In particular I thank those in our Religious Education Office and those in our parish school who guided and worked with the children.

Last Sunday John Forlenza and his family brought in the money from the Car Show from the Sunday previous to that. Each year under his capable, dedicated and enthusiastic leadership, the Car Show has grown in size and income. This year we counted more than four hundred cars on display and took in $21,350. The first year we made $11,600, the second year $13,200, and the third year $18,800. As you can see this year we again made a sizable increase from the year before. I thank John and his family and all who worked so hard to make this year’s Car Show the success it was.

One of the people in the rectory gave me an editorial from last Sunday’s Newsday that addressed the Markey bill I have been writing about in past weeks. The author of the editorial decried the fact that this is a bad bill in that it targets the church and does not address the issue of past abuse in public institutions. The editorial supports the Lopez bill because it is good law. The Markey bill seeks to set aside the statute of limitations for one year for private institutions so those who have been abused can seek monetary compensation. The column said, “Rooted in ancient justice systems, such timetables (statute of limitations) are procedural framework for allowing our legal system to operate fairly and efficiently. They are designed to protect justice, not prevent it. Experience has taught that memories fade, witnesses die and evidence can’t be found. . . . . Revenge is not justice.”

Father Walden

03 May 2009 07:01:00 EST

2009 Lenten Project - Nigeria

Thank You!

Even during a time of economic uncertainty, your generosity never fails.This Lent, St. Patrick's parishioners looked to the needs of others, halfway around the world in Imeoha-Igbezue Community in Awgbu, Anambra State, Nigeria.The village is home to Fr. Anselm Okeke, a chaplain at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital and Nursing Home who resides here at St. Patrick's and assists with masses, confessions and other duties within our parish.During Lent, our parishioners were asked to contribute to a parish lenten project of bringing a potable water supply to the village.At present, villagers must carry buckets and clay pots to the nearest stream, three miles away, to fetch water.The approximate cost of drilling a well (and our goal for the project) was set at $25,000.Not only did we reach our goal, we surpassed it.The total amount contributed to our lenten project was: $26,812!

;A Note of Gratitude

You give but a little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

- Kahlil Gabran

Truly, you have given yourself, St. Patrick's. Gratefully, I acknowledge your lifesaving gift -- money for water for my community.Economically and medically too, I can say it is a lifeline for my people -- a practical love within the charity realm.Actually, the distance between New York and my village, Imeoha-Igbezue in Nigeria, is roughly 5,300 miles and you, St. Patrick's, have made the thousands of miles (also of about 11.5 hours flight duration) a within reach location where your generosity is enthroned as a rock of everlasting glory.

"He gives twice who gives quickly," says Publius Mimus, and there is no other picture than this.Still within the gripping bite of economic quagmire, you could not wait for recovery, but took the bull by the horns to bring to nonexistence my community's thirst.Amazingly too, little school kids/toddlers gave something.My community is overwhelmed receiving the good news through my dad and brother.And finally, I have started acting quickly, since you acted quickly - a valuable giving twice it seems, as my friend, Publius, stated above to arrange to see the borehole sunk within 1 1/2 months of its start, coming June, 2009, please God.

To Msgr. Walden, the pastor, for empathetically approving the borehole project this lenten season, and you, St. Patrick's Family, for making the benchmark with a plus ($27,462 is more than the $25,000) a reality; on behalf of my community I say "thank you!" May God be your inheritance.

Fr. Anselm

Thank you for your generosity!

03 May 2009 07:02:00 EST

Mother's Day Novena Begining on Sunday, May 10th

A Novena of Masses will be offered for all mothers, living and deceased, beginning on Mother's Day, May 10th. All names returned will be placed on the altar during the Novena. There are extra Mother's Day envelopes available at the door of the church.

St. Patrick Parish Upcoming Events

From the Pastor's Desk