End of the Ordinary

Today Pope Benedict XVI ended the ordinary time with the announcement of his resignation.  The time between Christmas and Lent was short this year, yet, many events of an extraordinary nature occured. 

Among the extraordinary events at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta were three funerals.  For a small mission parish this is very unusual.  Each of these funerals represents various aspects of ministry and all demonstrate the grace of God working through our small church.

Loretta suffered from mental illness her entire life, yet loved her children and her husband very much.  After her husband passed away in the fall, the mission team assisted Loretta with rides to Mass, to the grocery store and to the doctors.  She was very lonely without her husband and I believe she died of a lonely heart.  Her funeral was a simple and beautiful celebration of her life with her children coming from around the world (literally) to honor her.

Three weeks later, Loretta's sister, Virginia passed away.  Now Virginia called the church frequently from the moment we opened the mission here.  For various reasons there were unresolved issues among her children and many of them are no longer practicing the faith.  Yet, Virginia had a very strong faith centered on devotions.  She suffered from cancer over the last few months of her life, but was delighted to return to the sacraments.  The last time I gave her communion she smiled, said a private prayer and was at peace.   Both of these woman would not have received the blessed sacrament as frequently without the new mission church being here, if at all.  Also, Br. Craig, Godfrey, and Fr. Aaron gave them a great deal of moral and spiritual support.  The entire community of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta found small ways to support them through prayer, visits and calls.

There funerals were also a witness of the Catholic Faith to the boarder community.  There were workers at the local food store who thanked us for helping Loretta shop for groceries and even gave the church a memorial gift in her name.



Because of snow, only few boy scouts made it for Scout Sunday.

The third funeral was Mr. Bob Freeh, one of my daily Mass goers.  His death effected the whole community more since they were very active from the very beginning of our foundation here.  The first major event I did once here was to celebrate his fiftith wedding anniversary.  Yet, the faith of him, his wife and adult daughter were evident with the peace and grace they accepted his cancer and its consequences.  Though he is missed by everyone at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, he was a wonderful witness of the power of prayer and the belief in the resurrection of Jesus and eternal life.  Now every Tuesday when we have adoration,  we will remember him as the new monstrance was purchased in his memory.


These deaths and encounters with the families, have been extraordinary events in this ordinary time.  So too, was last Sunday's reflection on marriage. Many couples stayed to reflect on their relationship and for some it is the first step towards receiving the sacrament of marriage.

Marriage Reflection Retreat

Sharing Scripture together

So as we thank Pope Benedict XVI for his eight years of extraordinary service, we end this ordinary time and launch into Lent with our Ash Wednesday services.

Moving forward

BTC YOUTH with Godfrey's T-shirt Gift

January 26 and January 27 at each of the four weekend Masses appreciation was shown to Godfrey Musabe, one of Glenmary's novices, for his five months of service here in Union and Grainger County.

Godfrey and Steve enjoying cake.

During his time here, he has been a fantastic presence and great help.  He will be deeply missed.  Among the many things he was engaged in, his work at Kingswood and Adult Day Care introduced our missionary presence into new areas.  Kingswood is a home for children from challenging home environments.  A positive male role model was a terrific asset.  I am hoping to find a way for us to stay connected with them in the near future.  At the Adult Day Care Center, through they are only a few Seniors present, but providing one on one time with them, listening to stories, sharing small joys made a huge difference.

JP II Youth being silly with Godfrey

Yet, one Godfrey's great gifts is a silent background worker.  He did many small jobs from being our sacristan, to filling in for any liturgical minister who was absent, to putting up letters on our outdoor announcement board.  He visited the sick, homebound and just ordinary families.  He was very present to our youth and filled in to teach a number of times.

Godfrey enjoy more food at JP II

Godfrey's final thank you's

During his thank you to the people, he highlighted how much the devotional life of the Spanish speaking people touched him.  I was very proud that he read the second reading at botj Spanish Masses in Spanish.  That was a great gift to them.  Of course his pronunciation was not perfect, but that he made the effort and practiced was an affirmation of them and a sign of love and respect.

More happy folks

Now he is moving forward with his Novitiate.  He will head back to Cincinnati under the direction of Fr. Dan Dorsey and Fr. Tom Kirkendoll.  His classmate Ambrose will join him.  These next four months or so, will focus on intense prayer, learning more about the evangelical promises ... celibacy, obedience and poverty ---, and the final discernment around his personal call by the Lord to be a priest with the Glenmary Home Missioners.  We here at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed John Paul II will be praying for him. 

Who knows, maybe in ten years, Godfrey will return as the new pastor of these two missions.  That would be a blessing!

Cake designed by Spanish BTC community

Three times the love

BTC English Cake

The Showing of God

The weekend of the Epiphany, the showing of Christ to the world, opened into the complexities of leading a faith community.

JPII Nativity Play -- Godfrey is one of the Kings

We began Epiphany on January 5th at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission.  Our Parish Christmas party was scheduled to follow Mass which included our Nativity Play.  This also happened to be the same date as Fr. Aaron's birthday.  At about 2 o'clock I hear the director of the play cancelled the play for lack of practice.  Yet, the younger children, our shepherds, had never missed a practice and would have been greatly disappointed.  So .... we had the play anyway.   Actually it turned out pretty good and everyone was happy.   I am now known by one four year old as the "candy man" since I gave them all treats at the party.

Happy Birthday Fr. Aaron

Fr. Aaron's birthday was the draw for our teenagers, especially, the group of young ladies who are preparing to join the church.  They made a red velvet cake and it was terrific!!!!  God showed Himself in the love and generosity of the children, teenagers, and adults of both language groups.  The evening was a true showing of Christ to the world.

The next Sunday at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta took a different turn.  We cancelled both the 9 a.m. English Mass and the 11:00 a.m. Spanish Mass to hold a bilingual Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m.  At about 9 a.m. I receive a call that one of our parishioners suffering from stage 4 cancer was on his way to the intensive care unit.  Then a few minutes later Br. Craig comes to announce that the person he was to pick up for Mass was dead.  Br. Craig and Fr. Aaron waited at the house with the body of Loretta until the Sheriff office arrived.  These two sadness's are going on while everyone is gathering looking forward to the bilingual Mass and Brunch to follow.  As the Pastor one needs to control your emotions and even be a bit of an actor.  It is important to deal with the reality of these sufferings and to deal with the reality of the joy and celebration the children and folks are expecting.  All is part of the cycle of life.  God gave me the strength and the grace to be present to each need that day.

BTC Nativity Play

With the grace of God, the Mass was celebrated, the Nativity play happened and brunch was served (even through we had to make a dash to Food City for enough chicken.).

That afternoon Br. Craig drove to the hospital to inform Virginia about her sister's death.  Virginia was unable to attend the funeral since she is in the hospital with cancer as well. The  complexities of life are always near, but Christ shows himself in the simplicity of His innocent presence.

I thought to myself, what would have happened here a year ago without the Catholic Church?  Would these people not have received the pastoral care that Jesus and the church desires for them?  Glenmary does make a difference.

Reflect and Pray

So last week's ministry included the funeral for Miss Loretta whose two children both live out of state.  I hope they found a sense of peace through the Mass and the sharing of stories.  We also continue to visit three members of our parish who are all suffering with serious cancer.

In the midst of children's joy or the grief of children burying their mother or loved ones finding the strength to support those who are ill, Christ is shown to the world.  His love, his mercy and his presence are evident in every event.

Please pray for our folks suffering from cancer and their families.  Pray that their faith will support them, that healing may occur and that God's grace will show once again.

December Celebrations

I had hoped to blog several times during the month of December, but what can you expect from a priest still hoping to finish mailing his Christmas cards as he sits in front of his computer on the feast of the Holy Innocents?

Home Altar for Rosary in preparation for Guadalupe

December was a month full of joy and celebrations at both churches in both counties.  At Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission we began the joy of Advent with nine days of rosaries before the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Between 50 and 100 gathered every night until the 12 of December at various homes or in the church to pray and prepare for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Those who received people in their home also provided a meal for all who attended.



Cast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Drama

Dancers from St. Mary's during the Procession

 On December 7th a unique situation happened:  We celebrated three titles of Mary at one Mass.  We  held the vigil for the Immaculate Conception, we held the rosary for Our Lady of Guadalupe, and it was the night to remember the the Virgen of Juquila, important to the people of Oaxaca, Mexico.  We anticipated the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe with a full celebration the Sunday before,  and held our first Mananitas on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Blessed John Paul II and the Mass was held at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in Maynardville.


Dance of los viejos at BTC

Live display of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe at BTC

After Guadalupe, we moved into our advent communal soup and penance services and the nine days of the posadas.  Soup and Penance has been a terrific experience at both churches.  Coming together to enjoy savory soups, fresh bread and fellowship before reconciling ourselves to one another and God is fast becoming a new tradition.  The Posadas again took place for nine days in various homes and in the churches prior to Christmas.

Fr. Aaron and friends at Soup and Penance

The two highlights of the Posadas was on the 19th in Maynardville and the 23 at Blessed John Paul II in Rutledge.  On the 19th one group of folks went out caroling and another stayed at the church for the Las Posadas.  The Posadas is a Latino tradition where one sings an ancient song about Mary and Joseph trying to find a place to stay.   On the final verse they enter into the final home.  We pray the rosary and then there are treats for everyone and candy for the kids.  At Blessed Teresa of Calcutta we concluded with the pinata and at Blessed John  Paul II on the 23 we held a Nativity play.

Godfrey and others in the cast of the Nativity Play at JP II

Christmas celebrations were filled with joy.  With the help of Fr. Aaron, we held Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses in both places.   All Masses were well attended, but we were surprised by 102 folks to celebrate the birth of our Lord for the Christmas Eve Mass at Blessed Teresa in Maynardville.

Fr. Steve with this year's "baby Jesus"

So as we approach the New Year with one more Sunday of joy in  2012, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every reader.  May your December end with as many blessings as I have witnessed every day this month.  As Tiny Tim would say, "God Bless you, everyone."

Godfrey, Fr. Steve, Fr. Bruce and Fr. Aaron wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

A child shall lead them ...

Fr. Aaron signing Amanda and McKenzie

On the feast of Christ the King, five individuals between the ages of 12 -17 where signed with the cross in making their pledge to prepare for initiation into the Catholic Church.  On the first Sunday of Advent three children recieved the grace of the sacrament of Baptism.  Therefore, we closed the liturgical year and opened the new one with signs of new life for Blessed John Paul II and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Missions.

Fr. Steve blessing the two new catechumens

What is happening with the two individuals in Rutledge at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission is unique and amazing.  Last Lent during our first youth retreat, McKenzie and her grandmother stopped by surprised to find a Catholic Church in Rutledge.  It had been a number of years since her grandmother had been to church.  So while I spoke to her grandmother, McKenzie joined the youth retreat.  When I had finished visiting with her grandmother, McKenzie asked to stay for the day.  At the end of the day she asked about becoming baptized as a Catholic.  This fall, with the arrival of Fr. Aaron as youth minister and director of faith formation, McKenzie began bringing friends to the church and to classes.  On the last Sunday of November, the feast of Christ the King, McKenzie and Amanda, both 17 years old, took the next step towards Baptism.  Amanda's sister is also very interested in joining as is another teenager.  All of these individuals grew up in Grainger county as well as their families.  This is a wonderful blessing.

Welcoming Alonzo into the Catechuminate

In Maynardville at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission, Alonzo, whose father as a Baptist desires his children to be older before making their decision on religion, and Lydia and Houston, whose grandmother is a member of our church, are also preparing to be recieved into the church at the Easter Vigil.  Along with these three youth, two spouses of Catholics will also be confirmed into the Catholic Faith.  What great gifts of faith we are recieving here in our small missions.

Welcoming Lydia and Houston

Finally, on the first Sunday of Easter three children were baptized as their parents have recently returned to active practice of their faith. 

Our Three New Members and their families

All of this reminds me of the Isaiah verse used so often during Advent: 

"Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together with a little child to guide them"(Is 11:6).

Cycle of Life

On Tuesday, Jessie, an older man was buried and on Wednesday, Riley, now five months old, came home from the hospital since his premature birth at six months.  The cycle of life is always flowing in the missions of Eastern Tennessee.

Since my last blog, this cycle of life has been witnessed in various ways.  Fr. Aaron celebrated his first baptisms; we had our first Quinceanera (15th birthday for Latina women) at Blessed John Paul II and we had one newborn presented in church.  At the same time, we have had the sad news of two parishioners being diagnosed with cancer.  One for the first time and one discovering her cancer has spread despite treatment.  This cycle of life beginning and life ending is the norm of parish life.  Yet, going back to Jessie and Riley, we discover the "Glenmary factor" at work here.

Flowers presented at Quinceanera

Jessie, originally from New Orleans, never entered our church, not even his body upon his death.  Br. Craig met Jessie in the Nursing Home during his weekly visits.  He mentioned that Jessie would like to see a priest.  Then we discover that Jessie is in a coma in the hospital.  Fr. Aaron and Br. Craig went up to see him and anoint him.  They both visited frequently and came to know his friend Patricia.  Jessie and Patricia were not married but shared life for a number of years.  Upon his death, again Br. Craig and Fr. Aaron, accompanied Patricia through her grief.  As they planned the funeral they discovered that that no one would be Catholic attending the funeral, yet she knew that Jessie would like to have a funeral Mass.  Thus a number of parishioners took time out for their Thanksgiving preparations to attend the funeral which was held in the funeral home.  Who knows what the impact of this Christian witness and strong loving support will do to help people grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.  Yet, this is the heart of Glenmary evangelization, ministering to everyone in the county regardless if they have faith or no faith.

Similarly, the story of young Riley, is another example.  Here just under five months ago, Br. Craig and I drove to Knoxville just before midnight to anoint Riley's mother before the emergency delivery with her just entering her sixth month of pregnancy.  Two days later, I was there to bless little Riley who was born 1 pound and 10 ounces.  At that time, I gave them a Padre Pio medal that I purchased at his shrine in Italy and that was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI which they placed at the foot of his bed.  Yesterday, I enjoyed my Thanksgiving day meal with his extended family.  His father, Chris, who is not Catholic, assured me as I blessed Riley again, that the Padre Pio medal I gave him remains at the end of his bed where it has been since I gave it to them.  The depth of Catholic devotion in miracles through the intercession of the Saints has become meaningful to this young man.  God moves in His own way at His own pace.  We just respond where grace, hope and mercy are needed.

Community Thanksgiving service in Rutledge

Thus, at the ecumenical Thanksgiving gatherings I participated in, I was able to offer genuine thanks for the Glenmary mission team that the Lord as sent here and the opportunity to introduce the Catholic way of life in Union and Grainger County, especially where inactive Catholic and non Catholics life intersect.

Happy Anniversary

Our newest members, Janet and Chuck

November 1 and November 4 each  marked the first Anniversary of  worship in our rental spaces for both Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed John Paul II.  In between we had some other special moments as well.

Alls Saints Day Altar, BTC

The feast of All Saints Day marked the first anniversary of worship in the storefront building for Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission Maynardville, TN.  This year we created a little All Saints Day altar.  Included were our patroness Blessed Teresa and the primary patrons of Glenmary, the North American  Martyrs.

Prior to this Feast Day, we held a Trunk or Treat which was a true joy and a wonderful outreach to the boarder community. 

Those happy tricksters

Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission marked its first anniversary of offering Mass every Sunday on November 4th.  We marked this anniversary in the best way possible --- we added two new members.  Chuck and Janet were members of the Anglican Church, but became dissatisfied over decisions about the qualifications of Bishops.  After attending our little mission, they found a great welcome and peace.  They joined the choir and now they are full members of the Roman Catholic Church. 

Inviting the Holy Spirit



All Soul's Day Altar

Of course, prior to that we did celebrate our first All Soul's Day and had a small altar with photos of our deceased loved ones to remember those who have gone before us.  Every Sunday during the month of November a small book with the names of the faithfully departed will be placed on the altar.










Congratulations

So despite the cold weather setting in, we find ourselves warmed by the love of one another, gratitude for one year in our worship space, and the Love of Jesus through His Blessed Sacraments.