Is Not a Is Not A
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Monthly publication for the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls January 2018 BeingBeing nicenice isis notnot aa virtuevirtue living out the real virtues Bishop Paul The future is before us and we can help shape it Swain he beginning of a new year While I often encourage deepening prayer T by all who I encounter, among my New Year is often one of anticipation of a resolutions is to become better at prayer fresh start. There is excitement myself. about the possibilities of what Recently I changed my prayer routine because it had become just that, routine. It was becom- is to come but also for many a ing merely a check-list part of my day, some- relief that the diffi cult past year thing to be done rather than an opportunity to has ended. Most of us harbor experience the presence of God. both thoughts: anticipation and There is an old saying often used in sports, “He doesn’t have a prayer.” It suggests that relief. a person does not have much of a chance to The past is what it is and cannot be changed. achieve what is being sought. I am not sure The future is before us and we can help shape where that expression came from, but it is it. Of course we often wish the future was laid not true. Everyone has a prayer; we just don’t out clearly before us. always use it or use it well. We long for security, a safe voyage without It is true however that there are times when worry or pain. Deep down we know that is for one reason or another we may not be able not possible. We can set the best of plans, to achieve or receive whatever it is we might build the most useful of buildings, develop wish. I for instance will never experience a the most innovative programs, declare our full head of hair again. I can still pray for it sincerest resolutions and yet, in an instant, but I suspect God has already answered that our lives can be changed. Sickness, acci- prayer. dents, weather, reversals of many kinds and unexpected changes both positive and not so Sometimes He surprises us. I had a profes- happy can alter our plans and expectations. sor in seminary who suggested that I powder How can we balance the excitement of new my bald head to reduce the glare that might beginnings and our desire for serenity with distract people at Mass. God has taken care of the reality of the unknown yet to come? that. As a bishop I get to wear a zucchetto and mitre which reduce the glare. That was not in The answer as it is in all things is oneness response to a prayer of mine I can assure you. with Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Faith and trust in Christ We all have a prayer. In fact we have many roots us so that whatever storms come our prayers. Some are written such as the Liturgy way, self-imposed or random, they can be of the Hours or memorized over the years weathered because he is with us in every joy such as the Our Father. Some are spontaneous and every challenge. when we confront a particular situation for which we seek God’s counsel or consolation. The poet Minnie Louise Haskins wrote, “And Some are refl ective as when we contemplate I said to the man who stood at the gate of the the beauty of a rose, a moving passage of year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely scripture or our Lord in the Blessed Sacra- into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out ment. Some are in petition for the needs of into the darkness and put your hand into the others or ourselves, especially when someone Hand of God. That shall be to you better than close to us is suffering. Each is a beautiful light and safer than a known way.’” expression of our belief in a loving and merci- ful God. As we enter 2018 we as individuals and as the local church of Sioux Falls must through Over the years I have learned that no one prayer and refl ection place our hands and our prayer form is enough. I need them all. Some- future in the Hand of God who will provide times my mind is so active that quiet medita- the light and security we yearn for. tion is hard so I turn to written prayers or familiar ones like the rosary. Other times after 2 January 2018 - The Bishop’s Bulletin enduring the noisiness of our society, I need As recorded in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus the quiet of being alone with God in adora- prayed in the Garden, “Abba, Father, all Schedule tion or meditating on scripture or laying my things are possible to you. Take this cup January concerns before the Blessed Mother. Some- away from me, but not what I will but what 3 SD Catholic Conference times I need to vent a bit, and lay before God you will”. (Mk. 14:36) Meeting, Catholic Pastoral my fears, my sins, my needs and my hopes. I always need the highest form of prayer in If we approach God ready to discover what Center, Sioux Falls the Church, Holy Mass, to lift me beyond his will is for us we will always have a my self-focus, to remind me of God’s saving prayer that can be answered in a way that 6-12 Retreat, Bishops of Region love, and to invigorate me with the grace of allows us to cope with hope the challenges VIII, Santa Madre, CA the Holy Eucharist. that come our way. 14 1:30 Confi rmation, Holy Spirit, We all have different moods and moments. A man told a priest that he once had a hard Sioux Falls One of the treasures of the Church is the time praying. He said a friend told him that variety of prayer forms and spiritualities prayer was simply having a conversation 16 12:00 Pray at Planned Parenthood available to us. We must always be sure that with Jesus and suggested he place an empty they are truly prayers of the Church. There chair in front of him, imagine Jesus sitting 17 12:30 Bless March for Life pilgrims, are many so-called spiritualities in our culture there and then speak with him or simply rest that are not healthy and can lead us astray. If a with him. The man did and it became part of Cathedral of Saint Joseph, spirituality divides us or puts our wants ahead his life each day. Sioux Falls of our relationship with God, be wary. When he died his daughter found him not 20 4:00 Stational Mass, Cathedral of People have said to me that they tried prayer on his bed but with his head resting on the Saint Joseph, Sioux Falls but that it didn’t work or didn’t do any good. empty chair. He was resting in his Lord and We ought not approach God like a clerk at the Savior and with his friend and companion, 21 11:00 Confi rmation, St. Mary, Sioux store with our list of needs and expect instant Jesus Christ. Falls fulfi llment. Someone wrote that God is like a 2:00 Confi rmation, St. Michael, Father, not a grandfather. Like any good par- “Go out into the darkness and put your hand Sioux Falls ent who is gentle and yet demanding for their into the Hand of God. That shall be to you child’s good, Jesus is compassionate toward better than light and safer than a known us so great is his love for us, and He is de- way.” 23 11:30 Diocesan Investment manding of us, so great is his love for us. He Committee Meeting, Catholic never gives up on us though we may wander. Happy New Year. May 2018 be one fi lled Pastoral Center, Sioux Falls He prays for us still, forgives us when we ask, with joy, with peace and with Jesus Christ and he shows us the way. beside you. 27 4:00 Stational Mass, Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Sioux Falls 28 1:30 Confi rmation, Christ the King, St. Lambert and St. Therese, Prayer for the Diocese of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls at Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Sioux Falls Father of mercy, justice and hope, we the people of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, Jan. 29 – Feb. 3 with humble hearts, Catholic Schools Week acknowledge your gift of life, of creation, of the Church 29 9:00 Mass, Immaculate and commit ourselves to use Conception School, what you have given us well; with unworthy hearts, approach the Holy sacraments, especially our Lord in the Most Holy Watertown Eucharist and commit ourselves to reverence in liturgical prayer and sacred spaces; 31 1:30 Mass, Aberdeen Catholic with grateful hearts, remember those courageous and faith-fi lled men and women, clergy Schools and consecrated, native and immigrant, who nurtured and nourished the land and built the visible Church on February the prairie and 2 10:00 Sioux Falls Catholic Schools commit ourselves to honor them by being good stewards of their legacy; with loving hearts, recognize one another as brothers and All Schools Mass, Augustana sisters in Christ and commit ourselves Elmen Center, Sioux Falls to defending life from conception to natural death and serving those in need; and 3 4:00 Stational Mass, Cathedral of with contrite hearts, ask your forgiveness for the sins of Saint Joseph, Sioux Falls the past and for the sins of our day and commit ourselves to be people of reconciliation and peace.