Pastor's Corner, March 31, 2013

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The tomb is empty. The Lord is risen. Alleluia!

St. Paul tells, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” During this Year of Faith we recognize ever more deeply of the connection between the empty tomb and faith. Because the Lord is risen, our faith is not in vain. Because of the empty tomb our faith is very much alive because the Lord is alive.

How do I live my faith in the resurrection? Do others notice that my lifestyle, decisions, and views on contemporary issues are different than most of those around me in such a secular culture but nevertheless are authentic examples of Christ’s risen life working in me?

One way we can live Easter in our daily lives is to attract others to Christ. Next weekend we will be having a “Welcome Back Sunday” in which I am inviting all of the parishioners of the Cathedral Parish to find someone in their life who may have been away from Church and their Catholic faith but who they can invite back to their spiritual home. When they see the love and determination in your words and actions, hopefully they will be convinced that you and I truly believe that the tomb of Christ is empty.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Holy Thursday

On the first Holy Thursday Our Lord Jesus Christ loved "his own in the world and he loved them to the end" (John 13: 2). Tonight Bishop Barres celebrated the Mass of the Lord's Supper  and following the Mass the priests and deacon, following a long tradition, visited seven churches where the Blessed Sacrament was reserved for veneration. Tomorrow we commemorate Our Lord's Passion. The Easter Triduum has begun. 

Morning Call article

This morning in the Morning Call there is an Opinion article I wrote on same-sex marriage. I hope you get a chance to read it. Just click here: Opposition to same-sex marriage based on definition, not discrimination. You can even leave some of your thoughts either on the Morning Call website or here on the blog.

Pastor's Corner, 2013.03.24

March 24, 2013

The Pastor’s Corner:

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

If there is one thing we have all noticed about Pope Francis it is the fact that he is a humble man. The choice of the name “Francis” and the less than ostentatious way of dressing and acting (none of which means he is changing Catholic teaching) all point to the important virtue of humility.

Today, Palm Sunday, we hear the Gospel reading of Our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem. He rides on a donkey as a sign of his identity as King and Messiah. He also does so to teach the importance of humility in the Christian life. St. Augustine was once asked what the three most important virtues in Christianity were and he replied, “Humility, humility and humility.” The same saint also said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.”

This entire week is a prolonged meditation on humility – the humility of God. He loves us to the end. He lowers Himself for our sake. He suffers and dies in such a horrible manner so as to win our salvation.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Popes meet

Earlier today, for the first time in many centuries, two popes met one another. I think these pictures speak louder than words...

Palm Sunday

Tomorrow we begin the holiest of weeks of the Christian calendar. It begins with Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Palm branches will be blessed and we will commemorate Our Lord's entrance into the city of Jerusalem. It is a kingly entrance to the acclamation of the crowd. But where will the crowd be on Good Friday? They will be saying, "Crucify him!" This coming week we will be able to make reparation for all the times in which, through our sins, we have said, "Crucify him!"

Inaugural Mass

Dear parishioners and friends,

Pope Francis has now celebrated his inaugural Mass and continues to be an example, in word and deed, of great humility and pastoral skill. Beginning with the image of St. Joseph, the “protector”, the Pope stressed that the vocation to protect creation and humanity concerns everyone. He urged all to not be afraid of goodness or even of tenderness He said that, like St. Joseph, we all must be the "protector" of what God has given us.

Pastor's Corner, 2013.03.17

Dear parishioners and friends,

Habemus Papam! ("We have a Pope")

Pope Francis

Each Pope exercises what is called the “Petrine ministry;” that is, the ministry given to Peter by Christ to be the perpetual and visible principle of unity in faith and communion in the Church. He exercises a primacy of authority as Vicar of Christ and acts as the shepherd of the whole Church. Our Lord gave this ministry to Peter when He said, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church” (Matthew 16: 18) and he exhorted Peter after the Resurrection to “feed my lambs” and “tend my sheep” (John 21: 15-16).

The Petrine ministry does not guarantee freedom from all error or sin for the one who holds the office. He is only infallible when, acting as supreme pastor, he “proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine pertaining to faith or morals” (CCC, 891).

Pray for Pope Francis!

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker