August 2010 - "I simply just want to go to Mass ......"
Post date: Aug 6, 2010 1:57:51 AM
There, I said it! And some days that is all I want to do as a Catholic. I simply want to go to Mass and that's it. I cannot handle all the rest of this "stuff that life is throwing at me"! Do you feel that way too? I'm sure that each of us have felt this way on occasion.
When we left our previous Parish and came to Old St. Patrick's, I left behind many good friends and some years of service in their "Men's Club". Coming here I was tired and told my wife Kathy that I "Just want to go to Mass". Well, so much for that! It is selfish of me to feel that way I think. Sure, we are in a crisis in our Church because the majority of Catholics are not attending Mass regularly. So, I suppose in contrast to some who call themselves "Catholic", one might think that I am in "pretty good shape" right? I mean, I'm going to Mass every Sunday, I say my prayers as often as I can, I go to Confession, I'm "getting my ticket punched" as they say. Well, I don't feel that way about myself. Jesus deserves more from me, He deserves the very best that I can give to Him.
But to "be sent" is what we are called to do as Catholics and it is at times, difficult work that we are called to do. But, we are called to do this work with love. As St. Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth in the 13th chapter of his first letter, if we engage in these works or if we journey through this life "without love", what are we really accomplishing? When we assist at Mass on Sundays and then return to the world, as you are well aware, we are called to carry Christ with us. Our order is named after Christopher Columbus and of course the name Christopher means "Christ bearer". Some of you may have heard the story of a saintly priest who had a problem with one of his devout parishioners who attended daily Mass but left immediately after Communion. He solved the problem by ordering two altar boys with lighted tapers to walk on either side of him as soon as he started to leave the church and accompany him all the way to his carriage.
When, after three days repeating this action, the somewhat flustered and embarrassed gentleman asked the priest for an explanation, he was told that since Christ was still present in him as he left the church, his presence had to be honored by lighted candles. Needless to say, he never left early again. Certainly I am not writing about leaving Mass early. I am sharing with you our duty to be Christ bearers to the world through prayer, penance, giving of alms and of course "work". I try to think of that image of altar servers walking beside us as we leave Mass (on time and not early of course), it helps me to remember that my work or service, my "Liturgy" is really beginning as we leave the church after Mass.
Such a dirty word that "work", I personally try to avoid it at any chance that I can. It is human nature to avoid work, we are fallen and sinful so you are in good company. But we are here in exile and Adam has left us this legacy to toil for what we need and for what others need. And I'm tired sometimes, both physically and spiritually and I know that many of us are most days as well. Some of you work very long hours and have wives and families who must come first. Some of your brothers are under-employed or unemployed altogether and need help. These are desperate times for some of us.
Perhaps some of you may recall a story about a very thick, strong rope used to lift heavy weights or pull heavy burdens. If you closely examine that rope, it is comprised of many small and seemingly insignificant and fragile fibers. Alone, a single strand of that rope is weak and will snap under the strain of such a heavy burden. But as you know when that strand combines it's seemingly insignificant contribution with the contributions of other strands, it becomes the strong rope that can lift and move things heavier than one could ever imagine. As you leave Mass, you carry Christ with you and yes, you are a single strand of what could be a rope. You need other other strands to surround yourself with and they need you.
We have some significant events coming up, we have our semi-annual audit finished and ready to be turned in to Supreme, we also have the Soccer Challenge and 50/50 raffle ticket sales that we will be working on during the Parish Festival. Later in September we have a Breakfast scheduled and there are many more things coming up on our calendar. Please visit the council web page calendar and take a look. It seems that being busy is never ending in this life, it keeps coming at us! When I get tired, I think of Blessed Mother Teresa, now she must have been tired! And look what she accomplished for God in her daily work. But remember, Mother Teresa always took time out for God to pray. Her prayer life anchored her and kept her moving forward to do God's will. So take time our for prayer each day. Pray for our Holy Father, pray for our Bishop Earl, pray for our Priest Father Gerald, pray for our Council and for your Brother Knights. And if you have time left, please pray for me. I pray for you every day during my morning Rosary.
Lastly, I am proud to announce that the Knight of the Month for July 2010 is: SK Matthew Wierzgac and that our Family for the Month of July 2010 is the Galbraith family. At last Month's meeting, Ken Criscio was the winner of the book from the Grand Knight's book of the Month Guild. The book selection was written by Fr. Larry Richards titled "Be a Man"! (Ignatius Press) I look forward to giving another book away this month at the General Meeting. I hope to see you there.
God Love you,
SK Frank Finch
Grand Knight
Council 10963
Old St. Patrick Parish
Whitmore Lake, MI