Pope tells us to sing a bit more

During his January 28 daily homily in the chapel of the residence Santa Marta, the Pope encourages us to sing a bit louder in order to praise the Lord. Catholics are not known for their enthusiastic singing but I think with the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday, the Pope's words are very apropos: “You’re able to shout when your team scores a goal, and you are not able to sing praises to the Lord? To come out of your shell ever so slightly to sing (His praise)?” 

Pastor's Corner, January 26, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Today we begin Catholic Schools week. This is an annual celebration of Catholic education throughout the Church in the United States.

The Second Vatican Council says that “a Christian education does not merely strive for the maturing of a human person… but has as its principal purpose this goal: that the baptized, while they are gradually introduced the knowledge of the mystery of salvation, become ever more aware of the gift of Faith they have received” (Declaration on Christian Education, 2).

In a Catholic school students not only receive an excellent academic education but, more importantly, they learn about God and faith in an integral way; that is, the spiritual formation of children is incorporated in everything they learn and do. It is not just a matter of having religion class and saying prayers but that children learn about God and their faith in reading, math, science, through discipline, the charity of the teachers, etc. As the mission statement of St. John Vianney School puts it, “St. John Vianney Regional School is a Catholic community dedicated to living faith in Jesus Christ from Preschool through 8th Grade.”

Thank you to all our parishioners who are the greatest benefactors to our school.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Fr. Ezaki's Pro-life homily

Today we commemorate the tragedy of the Roe v. Wade decision of January 22, 1973 which legalized abortion in the United States.

Some of you may have heard Fr. Ezaki's pro-life homily this past Sunday but for those who didn't or for those who want to listen to it again, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-W5rOqwHlo&list=UU4FvlDbyi6g1Ve1CSk-XoVw&feature=c4-overview

Pastor's Corner, January 19, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: “Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I’m pregnant again. I don’t want kids so close together. I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.” The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: “I think I have a better solution for your problem. You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let’s kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we’re going to kill one of them, it doesn’t matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.” The lady was horrified and said: “No doctor! How terrible! It’s a crime to kill a child!” “I agree”, the doctor replied. “But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.” The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that’s already been born and one that’s still in the womb.

Abortion has been legal in our country since January 22, 1973.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Pastor's Corner, January 12, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Baptism is the basis for the entire Christian life. By Baptism we are freed from Original Sin, made children of God and become members of Christ’s Body, the Church.

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Why did Christ voluntarily submit to Baptism? First of all, the baptism Jesus received was the baptism of John the Baptist. It was not the Sacrament of Baptism but a baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus accepts this baptism because He wishes to show us that He has come as the Lamb of God to take upon Himself all the sins of humanity. Moreover, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, Jesus accepts John’s baptism as “a manifestation of his self-emptying” (CCC, 1224).

By Baptism we are all given the charge to evangelize. Here is what Pope Francis writes: “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt. 28:19). All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive recipients. The new evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the baptized” (The Joy of the Gospel, 120).

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Pastor's Corner, January 5, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. The Gospel of the Mass is from St. Matthew in which the evangelist describes the visit of the Magi from the east.

The Magi were probably members of a Persian priestly caste. We are not certain of their names but in the Latin Church from the seventh century we find the names of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The Scripture does not mention how many Magi came to adore Jesus. It only mentions that there were three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

If the Magi came from Persia, then they would have traveled between 1,000 and 1,200 miles to the city of Jerusalem. It might have taken between 3 to 12 months by camel which would have followed some time for preparation. The Magi probably didn’t arrive to Jerusalem until a year or more from the time of the appearance of the star.

Since Magi were the astrologers of their day, an appearance of a new and bright star suggested the birth of an important person. Some of the Fathers of the Church thought that the star was the fulfillment of the prophesy of Balaam, “A star shall come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24: 17).

I think the most important lesson we learn from the Magi is that wise men always adore Christ!

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker