Pastor's Corner, June 8, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Today, at St. Patrick’s Church in Pottsville, the now newly ordained priest – Fr. Kevin Lonergan – will celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving. He will return to the Cathedral next Sunday and celebrate the 10:30 a.m. Mass. All are welcome. Please remember him in your prayers that he may be a holy priest and that he will always be faithful to his vocation.

Today we also celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room on the Feast of Pentecost. The word “Pentecost” comes from a Greek word meaning “fifty.” Greek-speaking Jews used the word to describe the Jewish feast of Shavuot which in Hebrew refers to the Festival of Weeks. In Leviticus 23: 16 the Israelites are instructed to count seven weeks or “fifty days” from the end of Passover and then make a special offering to the Lord. It was originally a harvest festival but it eventually became known as a celebration of the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

It was on this day that the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and the Blessed Mother and it is consider the “birthday” of the Church. It was on this day that the Holy Spirit empowered them for their mission of proclaiming the Gospel throughout the world and baptizing all who believed in the Good News.

Veni Sancte Spiritus. Come Holy Spirit.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Pastor's Corner, June 1, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Since today is Sunday we do not celebrate the saint whose feast day falls on this date – St. Justin Martyr. Around the year 155 this philosopher who converted to Christianity wrote one of the earliest descriptions of the Mass:

“On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place. The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read… When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things. Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves… and for all others, wherever they may be... When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss. Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren. He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts. When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: ‘Amen.’ When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the ‘eucharisted’ bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.”

It is amazing to compare this almost 2,000 year old description of the Mass and compare it with today.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Pastor's Corner, May 25, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Memorial Day originated after the Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day and I think we all owe a huge debt of gratitude for all the fine young men and women in the arm forces who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe and who promote peace around the world. In a particular way on Memorial Day we honor, remember and pray for those who have made the greatest sacrifice – that of their lives – for the noble ideals of peace and democracy.

It is on such a day that we reaffirm and live our belief in the Communion of Saints. We believe that death does not break the bonds forged at our baptism. “The communion of the saints is the Church,” as the Catechism of the Catholic Church says (946). The Church is not only the baptized on this earth but she also includes those who have died and are being purified in purgatory or who are now enjoying the contemplation of the Blessed Trinity in heaven.

We can and should pray for those who have died, especially those who have served our country so well.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Federal judge redefines marriage in Pennsylvania

Here is the latest news on same sex marriage in Pennsylvania and the Church's reaction to it:

HARRISBURG - The legislative arm of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania on Tuesday decried a federal judge's ruling striking down the state's ban on gay marriage as a redefinition of God's law. Speaking on behalf of the Harrisburg Diocese's newly appointed Bishop Ronald Gainer, the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference furthermore objected that U.S. Middle District Judge John Jones, in overturning the state's 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, had trumped a law approved by democratically-elected officials.

For the statement from the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference go to:

http://www.hbgdiocese.org/2014/05/20/statement-on-marriage-ruling/

For some convincing arguments in favor of the Church's teaching in a question and answer format, please go to:

http://www.pacatholic.org/bishops-statements/human-sexuality-marriage-and-same-sex-unions/

Pastor's Corner, May 18, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Just yesterday Bishop Barres ordained two young men to the Order of Deacon. They are preparing for their ordination to the priesthood and so we use the term “transitional” deacon to distinguish them from the permanent deacons who remain deacons and who can be married. The diaconate is a distinct and unique ministry and not merely a step along the way to the priesthood.

Scripture tells us that the first seven deacons were ordained to help with the distribution of food so that the apostles could devote themselves “to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6: 4). Their service was centered on charity and they assisted the first bishops.

The diaconate is the third degree of the hierarchy of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. A deacon is ordained not to priesthood but for ministry and service. A deacon assists the bishop and priests, especially at the Holy Eucharist. He is an ordinary minister of Holy Communion, he proclaims the Gospel, he can give the homily, and his activity in the Church centers on service (the Greek word for service is “diakonia”) and works of charity just as it was from the beginning of the Church.

We are blessed at the Cathedral to have the service of two permanent deacons – Deacons Bill Hassler and Rob Snyder. We have also had many transitional deacons here as well. May the Lord continue to show His face of charity through their ministry.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Pastor's Corner, May 11, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends, 

Congratulations to all mothers on Mother’s Day!

When I was in Rome for the canonization of Pope Saint John Paul II and Pope Saint John XXIII, I thought a lot about how these two popes captivated so many people with their inspired preaching and teaching.

Saint John Paul II was a great advocate of women. In 1995 he wrote a Letter to Women in which he said, “Thank you, women who are mothers! You have sheltered human beings within yourselves in a unique experience of joy and travail. This experience makes you become God’s own smile upon the newborn child, the one who guides your child’s first steps, who helps it to grow, and who is the anchor as the child makes its way along the journey of life.”

It is indeed a great privilege to be a mother, whether physically or spiritually. All of us have been touch by “God’s own smile” through the love of our physical mother, who gave us birth, helped us to mature and loved us unconditionally. We have also had several spiritual mothers, such as relatives, friends and particularly religious sisters, who have exercised their feminine genius in fostering the growth of the spiritual life in us.

We thank God for all of our mothers and we ask His divine blessing upon them.

In Christ,

Msgr. Baker

Pastor's Corner, May 4, 2014

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Just yesterday out second graders received their First Holy Communion. 
I am always in awe of the purity and joy with which they receive the Lord in the Holy Eucharist. It humbles me and makes me think, "If only I would receive Jesus with the same purity, humility and devotion with which these little ones receive Him."
This would be a good examination for all of us. Are we well disposed to receive the Lord whenever we come forward for Holy Communion? Do I realize that just one mortal sin separates me from God and so soils my soul that I would commit another mortal sin of sacrilege if I would receive the Eucharist in such a state? Do I fully believe that "under the consecrated species of bread and wine Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: his Body and his Blood, with his soul and his divinity" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1413)?
What a great gift the Eucharist is for all of us!
In Christ,
Msgr. Baker