No Room In The Inn

I thought I would share my thoughts about Christmas by posting the Homily I delivered on Christmas Morning at Church...Merry Christmas Everyone!!


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Throughout my life Christmas has always been a very special time of the year for me, largely because this Season brings back some of the happiest memories of my life. Those memories come not as much from my early childhood, but more from my teenage years.

When I was a teen I was very actively involved in my Church Youth Group. One of the biggest tasks that came along with membership in this group was the arduous task of decorating the Church for Christmas. Now you have to understand, the pastor of my home Parish growing up, Father Bert Richman, didn't believe that a few Trees, and a Manger was sufficient to celebrate the Season. In fact, our Church was known in the area as “The LaSalette of the East”. Every building was outlined in lights, every bush, tree, and handrail was illuminated. The inside of the Church was another story all together.

It was however while stapling Christmas Lights to the roof of the Church that I really began to come to understand God’s call in my heart to serve Him as a Priest.

You see at school I wasn't terribly popular; I wasn't good at sports, I struggled with academics, I was “average” looking at best, and I was super involved at Church. My best friend growing up however was the exact opposite. He was good at every sport, he got straight A’s in every class, every girl in school was in love with him (and I suspect some of the boys too), he was that kid who everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. What we held in common however was the youth group, and it was while kneeling in the snow stapling down those lights on the roof year after year, that we became the very best of friends. As a result of this, my understanding of the Church growing up, was that there were no outsiders, everyone was “a cool kid”, everyone had a place…and I wanted to provide that experience for every other kid out there who was just like me.

How appropriate that this incident happened while we were decorating for and celebrating the Solemnity of Christmas, because that’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus Christ- the eternal God, the Creator of the Universe – took human flesh, and came to live among us as a man. He left the glory of Heaven, and the King and Creator subjected Himself to His own creation; the parents that He had to obey, the animals that would now be a source of food, transportation, and clothing…indeed even the very sky beneath which He was born – were all the products of His creating word- yet now as a baby, He could not even speak. In fact so much was He now at the mercy of the world, that He was pushed into a dark, cold, stable upon His coming…because that creation of His told Him there was no room for Him in the Inn.

For Christ this was the beginning of a lifetime of being told there was no room for Him. When He grew older, this Son of God Himself would find there was no room for Him in the Organized Religion of His time. This King of Kings would find there was no room for Him in Politics either. As He went about His mission on Earth preaching, He would be driven out of well more than one place, because there was no room for His words of love, forgiveness, and peace.

When the Angels told the Shepherds the glorious news of Christmas, they said; “I bring you news of great joy, and it shall be for all the people.” … ALL the people...You see, you and I are the pieces of this manger for which there are no statues. Look at our beautiful Manger Scene; there are Shepherds; who were women and men who lived as nomads, and were the poorest of the poor. There are Kings, who came from the East, robed in resplendent garb, riding camels, with servants to tend to their needs, and bearing expensive gifts. There was a poor couple, who would provide for this child through manual labor, and whose love had been the topic of gossip and ridicule, because the society in which they lived did not understand their relationship. There may have been no room for Jesus in the Inn, but in His Stable it would seem there was room for every walk of life. He Himself came to be an Inn; a place of lodging, rest, and nourishment, for every weary traveler on the road;

for everyone who the world rejects and doesn't understand,

for the poor who have the hearts of nomads,

for the rich who want for nothing yet can’t find happiness,

for the family who labors only to make ends meet,

for you and I when we fit in any one of those categories on any given day…

There is room for anyone in the Stable…more than that, there is a place for everyone in the Stable.

I know that the people of our Parish believe very strongly in the values of that Stable. I know it because you welcome every single person who walks through that door with open arms. I know it because I know how you value our belief that “All Are Welcome”- gay or straight, rich or poor, happy or sad, married, divorced, single, or confused; All Are Welcome.

I know that you believe so strongly in the values of that Stable because on Sunday night I had the powerful and humbling experience of driving a pickup truck, with its entire bed chock full of the presents that you so generously gave to change the life of a family right here in Rhode Island. You provided for those children so much more then packages to open on Christmas morning; you gave them a place in the Stable. For the first time in their lives, when the kids are talking about what they got for Christmas they won’t feel left out of the conversation. For the first time in their lives, when they watch a television show or a movie about Christmas they won’t roll their eyes and think that it’s a bunch of nonsense, because they have been able to experience it for themselves. Thanks to you, Christmas has room for them this year.

You have sent Christmas Cards to the imprisoned.

You have given food to the hungry.

You have given clothes to the poor.

You have done everything in your power, to ensure that no one find themselves pushed out, and you do it – we do it – because we know that what’s in the Inn doesn't matter, but rather it’s what’s in the Stable that counts. May each and every one of us find our place in the Manger; weather you gaze in prayerful awe like Mary and Joseph, or kneel and feel as though you have nothing to offer like the shepherd…weather you stand with confidence and pride like a King, or look upon this scene with confusion like one of the animals... Let us gather around this newborn Christ Child, and take your place, that has been prepared for you…and may we join with the Angels in singing their song;

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, to those with whom His favor rests.”

We Need A Little Christmas

My Homily from this morning, the Fourth Sunday of Advent...

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In 1956, a new Broadway Show called Mame took the stage. It was set in New York City, and told the story of an eccentric woman named Mame Dennis. Mame was extremely wealthy and lived a fabulous metropolitan lifestyle in the Big Apple, until it is interrupted by the arrival of Patrick, her orphaned nephew. The show takes place across the span of the Great Depression, and World War II. When Mame looses all of her fortune in the Stock Market Crash of 1929, she decides that she, Patrick, and her two household servants need a little Christmas Cheer, and in the 1966 production of the show, Angela Lansbury performed the song “We Need a Little Christmas” for the very first time.

The song speaks of all the charming nuances that make Christmas so endearing- the holly, the trees, the stockings, the fruitcake, and the candles in the window. Toward the middle of the song we find the verse;

“For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older
We need a little Christmas now.”

I don’t know about all of you, but I can sure relate to that song as I stand here today.
I think we all need a little Christmas.


As winter draws deeper and deeper, the temperature drops further and further, and the days get shorter and shorter…We look at our day to day lives around us, and we find the stress and headaches of challenges we wish we could defeat. Aggravation, bills, car payments, and the list goes on…and we grow a little colder…

We put on the news and all we can find is reminder after reminder of the horrifying tragedy that befell the town of Newton Connecticut last Friday…we hear about house fires, break ins, and local violence …and we grow a little sadder…

We look at the year that has passed us by, we look at the goals we set for ourselves in January. We look at the experiences of the last 12 months –both the good and the bad – and we realize that we have grown a little older…

We need a little Christmas.

We need a little Christmas because the joy and the love that comes on Christmas morning conquers all of these things. The Birth of Jesus brings hope to the world, because it’s the birth of our Salvation; a salvation for which the people of Israel had waited for centuries.

In this morning’s Gospel we heard the story of the Visitation. Mary- now carrying the Christ Child in her womb- travels several days out from Nazareth, to what Scripture calls the hill country, which is the city of Hebron. According to tradition, this ancient town rested over the remains of the founders of faith; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King David were all buried in this region. As all the pieces of history come together in this momentous visit, Elizabeth knows that Mary is the mother of God, “Blessed are you among woman, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Who am I that the mother of my Lord should visit me?” Centuries of Prophecy are on the cusp of coming to fulfillment.

Elizabeth had been raised in the Jewish Faith, and knew the Prophesies of their ancestors all too well. She knew of the Messiah that had been promised since Eden. The wife of a temple Priest, her faith was at the very core of her life. She was an older woman, thought by her community to be barren, a state in life that was shrouded in shame. With each passing day this woman grew a little older, grew a little sadder, grew a little colder.

Now here were all those answers, right there at her door. Here was the climax, the completion of her lifelong Advent, and the woman who was to bear it was her own cousin, Mary.  It says that the unborn John the Baptist leaps in Elizabeth’s womb for joy! It’s a moment when all those are “in the know” are united in a moment of joy beyond all telling.

They needed a little Christmas…they needed it right this very minute! Having waited for centuries as a nation, and all their lives as people, the time for waiting and preparing was over. The prophecies were about to be fulfilled, and every single one of them knew it. Now here we stand…we stand with Elizabeth and Mary in that doorway, and like Elizabeth the child within us jumps for joy…the child that in fact is us, the us from before life got colder, sadder, and older.

The anticipation and joy is everywhere...you can feel it in the air. One may think while in the mall that it's something entirely commercial, but that's not true...because deep down inside, no matter what is at the fore front of people's mind, no matter what we call the tree at City Hall, and no matter how many things have been bought, wrapped, or returned; The entirety of creation is on the brink of something marvelous...something so marvelous it will disturb the peace of heaven itself on a silent Bethlehem night.

So indeed, as the song says, let’s haul out the holly, put up the tree, and fill up the stockings – not because any of those things make Christmas, but because we are celebrating; celebrating that the wait is finally over! May that child within each and every one of us leap for joy – because prophecy is about to become fulfillment…

Is Work Prayer, Or Is Prayer Work?

Tomorrow the Church across the world celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints, a day where we are reminded of the reality of the Communion of Saints, and those who have stood as examples of heroes of faith to the Church for centuries; a number that is continually growing with each passing day.  This Solemnity commemorates not only those Saints after whom Churches are named, and Statues are erected; but also those countless women and men of every age, who as members of the baptized lived their lives working toward that goal of the Kingdom, and who made that Kingdom come alive on Earth. As members of the Baptized, we are members of that Communion, and Jesus calls us all to Sainthood.

The title of this blog was inspired by a memory from my days in the Seminary. A few of us had ventured out into the night on All Saints Day to continue our own festivities, and we began to talk about the Solemnity at hand, and the Priesthood…and how it had some particular implications for those in Holy Orders. We were pompous…we were immature in so many ways…and we thought that we could solve all the problems of the world, and of the Church, that very night before last call. We were right about one thing though; this Solemnity of All Saints calls us Priests to task.

As members of the Baptized we are all called to Sainthood, and that is without a doubt, a heavy call for anyone. As Priests however we are held to a particular duty as we strive to answer the call of Christ to Sainthood in our own lives. On the day of our Ordination, the Bishop handed us the Chalice and Paten, and said the words;

“Accept from the holy people of God, the gifts to be offered to Him. Know what you are doing, and imitate the mystery you celebrate; model your life on the mystery of the Lord’s Cross.”

With these words we find the most difficult charge issued to every Priest. It’s a call that we hold in common; Roman, Independent, “Old”, National – whatever kind of Catholic you identify yourself as…we are all charged to model our lives on the mystery of the Cross. If the people we Shepherd are striving to be Saints, then surely we must make that strive with all the more determination, because there is a lot at stake! Aren't we called to be not only Saints, but Martyrs?

The Sacrifice of the Cross that is made present on the Altar every time we celebrate Mass must be the absolute center of our Spiritual Journey.  If we are modeling our lives after the mystery of the Lord’s Cross, then we cannot help but look at the role of the Cross in the life of Christ Himself. In the current Liturgical Cycle we have been reading on Sundays from the Gospel of Mark. As we know from Biblical Criticism, the Markan account includes the “Messianic Secret”; Jesus’ command to those who would proclaim Him as the Messiah to be quiet about this revelation. Jesus didn't want to be known by His miracles, or His parables, but rather by His Passion. He wasn't a magician or a gifted storyteller, He was the Messiah. The Cross was not only how He defined Himself, but it was also the means by which He wanted the rest of the world to identify Him.

Are we as dedicated to the mystery of the Lord’s Cross. The challenge is particularly poignant to those of us who live our Priesthood in the Independent Catholic experience.  We go to a secular job everyday to support ourselves. We pay bills. We have romantic relationships. The challenge to constantly model our lives on the mystery of the Lord’s Cross is even more difficult, and at the same time, even easier to neglect.

Where is our prayer? I remember when I was in the Seminary we had Adoration everyday in the Chapel, and the students were encouraged to make use of that time for private prayer. On well more than one occasion, I would take a book from Class to read during that prayer time. When I looked around the Chapel, I always noticed, I was not the only one…We were Seminarians, studying Theology!! Wasn't doing our homework a form of prayer? Was it really though? Or were we trying to kill two birds with one stone…

In the beginning days of Seminary that was acceptable. There were lots of responsibilities, stressors, and commitments that had to met. Now however, we are Priests. Now, in many ways it is even easier to think, “my work is my prayer”…now however, is also when that is no longer an excuse. You see the stress of Seminary is never going to go away. Life is always going to be filled with commitments, requirements, and deadlines; and all those things are always going to be in addition to Ministry. We cannot however effectively kill those multiple birds with one stone.

Prayer requires its own time, and its own attention.  It requires a vigilance that is arguably nearly impossible in the life of working clergy. How often do we turn our morning commute to work into an opportunity to pray? It’s a wonderful practice to be sure, but the moment we park the car, and walk into the office our attention shifts to the matters at hand; the files on the desk, the calls to return, the deadlines to be met.  Perhaps in the challenge of this very distraction we can begin our dedication to our vigilance.

Regardless of what we do for work, it is our employment that makes our life of ministry possible. Without income, we can’t live…and what kind of ministry can a dead person run? This is where we can accurately say that “our work is our prayer”. John of the Cross, in the very first Chapter of his work, “the Dark Night of the Soul”, speaks of that moment when a mother releases her child to walk on their own. The child no longer feeds at her breast, and no longer is carried around by her loving embrace. She lets them go; and that child takes those first few steps walking independently. Our relationship with God experiences something similar and with childlike joy the soul pursues all those comforting, and “warm” experiences of prayer, devotion, and pious practice. This stage of Spiritual development is only in Chapter One; it’s the very beginning of the journey towards what he calls the Dark Night, where we find that union with the Cross…Here the child is tempted to forget about the mother with those first few steps. Here the child is tempted to chase the excitement of the world around them, and fall while reaching for all it has to offer. Here the child may fall. When the door to our office opens at 9:00am for a days work, we become that child taking those steps from the arms of our mother. Here we run the risk of doing all the same things as that child. Here we make work our prayer, and remember constantly the ultimate purpose of our employment; so that we can be in Ministry.

But that prayer is not enough. That prayer is not what is going to lead us to union with Christ on the Cross. From 9-5 our work is prayer, but from 5-9 prayer is work. It takes work to set that time to spend growing in our relationship with God. It takes effort to schedule that time that we are going to dedicate to furthering that relationship with the mystery of the Cross. All relationships take work. They take work, faith, and honesty. Why would this relationship be any different?

How do we have a relationship with a mystery?

Perhaps one of the best verbal expressions of that mystery of the Lord’s Cross were the words spoken by Jesus Himself; “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?”  In this outcry from the Cross, Jesus expresses an abandonment and desolation that puts Him in complete solidarity with sinful humanity. His sacrifice on the Cross destroys the power of sin (which is itself separation from God), and experienced the very depth of that void of separation. It comes then as no surprise that at the core of a journey to find union with Jesus, we find that union in the Dark Night that John describes…in a feeling of abandonment.

The life of growing in that intimate relationship with Jesus Christ is not one that is full of warm and fuzzies to be certain.  It’s scary. It’s work. It’s near impossible for you and I in this life…and it in fact IS impossible, if we hope to reach it only by “offering up” the struggles of our day, and saying a Hail Mary before bed.  The charge given to us on the day of our Ordination makes this journey non-negotiable. We are charged to model our life after “the Mystery of the Lord’s Cross” – the Cross by which Jesus defined Himself, and we must do the same. We are charged to seek union with the Cross, and ultimately, union with the very depths of that Dark Night.

As we celebrate All Saints Day tomorrow, may we recommit ourselves to that task of our Ordination Day.  As we shepherd communities that are striving to be Saints, may we do so by laying down our own lives as martyrs; martyrs who are eager to embrace the Cross of Christ. Like the Saints and Martyrs who have gone before us, may we find eternal joy and fulfillment in the abandonment of the here and now. 

For You, and For All

I started writing this blog last week, and decided to just let it go. Tonight however, I feel that I just can’t let it go, and that in fact I have an obligation, as a Priest, to speak up and say something.

 In the last two weeks a few things have happened in the news.
- The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Newark told the faithful that they should not receive communion if they do not agree with the Roman Catholic “teaching about marriage” (being between a man and a woman).
- The Roman Catholic Bishop in San Francisco expressed his thoughts on gays receiving Communion, and then gave a hypocritical homily about “building up the kingdom of God”...while the Episcopal Bishop of the same Diocese was essentially dis-invited to the event due to his opposing opinion.
- The Pope reportedly thinks that gays are “underdeveloped”- a statement that I will not even begin to remotely comment on.

 Today however, I was pushed over the edge, when I read about how a Bishop in Minneapolis responded to a letter from a woman whose son is gay. The Archbishop said;

 “Those who do not [believe the teaching of the Church on this matter] cannot consider themselves to be Catholic and ought not to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

Indeed, some may find this a hard saying but many of Jesus’ teachings were likewise received as such. I urge you to reconsider the position that you expressed in your letter. Your eternal salvation may well depend upon a conversation of heart on this topic.” 

 A new day has dawned in the Religion vs LGBT debate, particularly the Roman Catholic Church vs LGBT debate. This is no longer a matter of the Church defending her view of marriage, now it is going so far as to say; that a mother who supports her gay son may not find salvation, just for being gay you shouldn't receive communion, and if you vote in favor of gay marriage you shouldn't participate in the Sacramental life of the Church.

 What the hell is going on??

 When I still practiced my Catholic faith in the Roman expression, I took solace in the fact that the Church only felt that gay “actions” were morally wrong (not just being gay). That was acceptable for many people, I think; after all, the Church feels the same way about heterosexual sex outside of marriage. “They just don’t like sex in general” I always thought, but given my background I understood the gist of these teachings. Sex has a value that is under appreciated in society, and it is an expression of intimacy that is being abused by acts that take place outside of love and commitment. I could accept that.

 For a long time I had no issue with the Roman Catholic Church’s stance on gay marriage. I told customers at the bar many times, whenever the discussion came up in fact; gays don’t want to march down the isle of a Cathedral and get married, they want the legal right to do it in a courtroom, what’s wrong with that. The Church defended their religious views, and the nation could battle over the politics…done deal.

 Now however this has been elevated to a new level. Now this activism that is sparking up in the Roman Church says something that should concern all people who identify as any kind of Catholic; gay or straight, Roman or Independent, democrat or republican.

 It affects everyone, gay and straight, because now it has been said that your participation in the Sacramental life of the Church (and indeed Salvation itself) is dependent upon your opinion of this issue. You don’t even have to be gay anymore; now you can just care about someone who is gay, or support someone who is gay, or vote for a candidate who supports gay marriage. To that mother, who the Archbishop said should worry about her eternal salvation if she continued to support her gay son; I would say just the opposite. There is a special place in heaven for parents of gay children, who are dealing with a revelation about their kids that they don’t understand. They are worried about their kids, and all they know about homosexuality is what the media has fed them, and what they hear from the pulpit. A parent who puts all that aside and wants to stand by their children is admirable, blessed, and should be applauded; especially considering 24% of kids (at least in Rhode Island), who “come out” at home find themselves homeless. Whose salvation is at risk there? Who is going to take the responsibility for that statistic?

 The Church is no longer standing by her teaching; they are instead turning into bigots. This is no longer about standing up for doctrine, it’s about giving themselves to fear; fear of something they don’t understand, something they don’t want to understand. Am I saying that if you don’t agree with same sex marriage you are a bigot? No, not at all. What I am saying is that these statements no longer are supportive of “the human dignity of the homosexual person”, that the Roman Church purports herself to protect – and when you defile the human dignity of another, based on a specific characteristic, you are in fact a bigot.

 It doesn't build, my (or anyone else’s) human dignity, to sit and listen to someone say that people can’t go to communion (even if they themselves are straight and happily married), if they hold a private opinion about legislation pertaining to my rights. It doesn't build human dignity to know that a woman is told she shouldn't receive communion if she supports her gay son.

 Why do I care? I’m not a Roman Catholic, so I shouldn't be effected…but I am still a Catholic. I am still, like it or not, united to that Church through the Eucharist; the Sacrament that has become a prize to be won, instead of a gift that has been given.

 I care because as a Priest and as someone who works in the Human Services/Social Work field, I have given my life to the building up of human dignity…and these statements are a direct attack on that dignity.

 I care because I think of the gay Priests out there, who serve under the Roman expression of our faith…and I feel for them. I feel for the ones who are gay, and faithful to their promises, and by virtue of all of these statements are only beaten into the ground. As I have said before, if this weren't a matter of bigotry…if the Church was truly simply defending their position on marriage…if the Church was true to their own teaching, then a gay Roman Catholic Priest who is true to his promise of celibacy should be able to be totally “out” as a homosexual.

I care because there are Roman Priests, who don’t care; who would rather live double lives then stand up for one side or the other.

 I care because it is about The Eucharist.

 The Eucharist is more than a welcoming hug, a sign of acceptance. The Eucharist is what unites us, and what makes us all Catholic - not our stance on homosexuality...to say otherwise is an offense to the Eucharist. The sacrifice of the Mass is the Sacrifice of the Cross; it’s Jesus Christ, giving His body for our Salvation. On the cross He handed His body over to sinful human kind and it was destroyed in a violent death; in the Eucharist He hands it over to sinful human kind so that we can become one with Him…so that we can be fed by Him…so that He can be with us at every moment of everyday, and grow in a personal and intimate relationship with Him. Saint Therese of Lisieux once said, when talking about the Eucharist; “It is not to remain in a golden ciborium that He comes down each day from Heaven, but rather to find another Heaven, the Heaven of our soul in which He takes delight.”

 Who is anyone of us, priest, Pope, or otherwise, to rob Jesus Christ of His delight?

 Someone asked me this week, “so your Church is like a Catholic Church?” No – it is a Catholic church, and I am not ashamed of it – but we are not a Roman Catholic Church – and I am not ashamed of that either! We are Independent Catholics…we are Old Catholics, and we make no excuses about it; and I give thanks to God daily that I have found a place where the Eucharist is what it is supposed to be…what it was given to us to be…and not where it is simply treated like an “I voted” sticker we receive when leaving the polls. Wherever you go to Mass, whoever you are, and whoever you love; take comfort in knowing that the primary concern of Jesus Christ, is you; you and your relationship with Him…because that's the only reason He came to us in the first place.

What Does My Faith Mean?

I had an interesting experience this week. I got to chatting with an African American woman who was inquiring about the Parish. She had a million questions about the Church, and what we stand for, and what makes “Old Catholics” different from “Roman Catholics”. She began asking specifically, about the “gay thing”. So I explained our philosophy of openness and acceptance to divorced people, LGBTQ people, etc.

She stopped me as I was talking and said;

 “I’m not Catholic, but I was raised Christian. To me this sounds like if I looked at the Klu Klux Klan, and said ‘hmm they don’t want me, maybe I’ll go and join the ‘Old’ Klu Klux Klan.’”

 At first I was completely horrified by her comparison. How could she possibly think that being Catholic and openly gay, was comparable to being African American, and in the Klu Klux Klan? She went on to ask; why not just become something completely different? She couldn’t understand how a form of Catholicism that accepted gays and lesbians could possibly exist, since adversity to that community is so much at the core of what it means to be a Catholic…as she understood Catholicism to be.

 My heart broke. How did we come to this point? How did we manage to find our way to a place where society thinks that in order to be Catholic, we have to have certain negative feelings? In all fairness, I don’t think that her summation of the situation is accurate. I don’t think that the Roman Catholic Church hates anyone, but I do obviously think that the translation of some teachings needs to be evaluated.

 Regardless, we have to ask ourselves, how did we get to this point? How did we get to a point where our Religion is defined (by the external observer at least), by what we hate, and not how we love? When did being a Catholic – or anything else for that matter – become defined not by what we believe, but by what we don’t believe?

To me, being a Catholic means that I believe in the Seven Sacraments, and at their core, the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It means I believe in One God, who is Three Persons. I believe that my God came to Earth in the form of a man; that the Word was made flesh. I believe that He was crucified, died, was buried, and three days later rose triumphantly from the dead. I believe that the Resurrection has made it possible for me to achieve life with Him after death, and that one day He will come again so that I too can share fully in the Resurrection.

 Being a Catholic means that I believe that Mary, my Mother, is in Heaven praying for me every day, and guiding me closer to the heart of Her Divine Son. I believe that through the Sacraments I am united with the Communion of Saints; and I am united with my sisters and brothers who gather together as a family of faith, to share in the Eucharist. I believe that the Community of the Church is here to strengthen me, to support me, and to grow with me as I go through my life’s journey.

 That’s what it means to me to be a Catholic.

This weekend the First Reading opens with the words, “woe to the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture.” These are powerful words to be sure! Our Faith is not meant to divide, to hurt, or to hate…our Faith is meant to love, to strengthen, and to build hope.

Part of the horror of organizations like the Westboro Baptist Church is that they are a “Religion” that is built on hate. If asked what they believe they tell you how their tenants are about all the people who they believe that God “doesn’t like”. They gather not to share the love of Christ, but instead on sidewalks, with protest signs, that blame homosexuals for everything that is wrong with the world. They gather to share in their common hatred, not their common love.

That’s not the Church that I grew up in. At least that’s not the experience of faith that I had in my heart when I was a kid discovering the faith. I had a Parish Priest who was an engaging, dynamic, and happy man. His life was completely and totally defined by joy; joy in his Priesthood, joy in his Church (even though he didn’t always agree with everything), and joy in the love of God that he experienced so wonderfully in the Sacraments.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says;

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. 


 Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” -Matthew 7:15-20 

I would never dare to say that Roman Catholicism (or any other form of Religion) is a “rotten tree” as a whole; however we cannot help but look at this fruit. Whether it’s what the Church “technically” teaches or not; here you have a good and faithful Christian woman, who believes that in order to be Catholic you must be adverse to individuals who identify as LGBT. That’s a problem…that’s a rotten fruit.

Let’s be honest with ourselves, this general atmosphere of distaste for homosexuality, is not something that only this one individual woman has misunderstood. There is a general attitude in society, even within certain Churches, that is extremely negative toward the LGBT community. As I have said elsewhere in this blog, if there weren’t such an attitude, then there would be no scandal whatsoever in a celibate, Roman Catholic Priest, being openly gay…check the fruit. The chasm between being Gay and being Catholic is a battle on both sides. I have often wondered is it more difficult to be Catholic, and "come out" as Gay...or to be Gay, and "come out" as Catholic? 


What is the call then to us, who live our daily lives according to whatever faith tradition we identify with? What is the lesson to be learned? I think it’s simple really: We are called to live what we believe, not what we don’t believe. 


Living a life that is focused on what we believe will make us people of conviction, love, and acceptance. Living life that is focused on assaulting that which we do not believe, will make us people of anger, bitterness, and resentment. Look at the world that we live in; it’s all violence, hatred, anger, pain, and suffering every time we turn on the news. Shouldn't we live a faith that is defined by values of hope and joy? There’s an old Church tune called, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”…that’s certainly how I want the world to recognize that I’m a Christian; by my capacity to love, not my capacity to hate.

Gave Proof Through The Night...

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday – bar none, but it hasn’t achieved that place in my life without earning it.

 My dad’s birthday is the fifth, and my best friend’s birthday is the third. We usually had a family cookout somewhere near the day, and did the whole fireworks thing. My best friend would have his Birthday Party every year, and the Fourth of July burned itself into my memory as a time of celebration.

In the summer after my first year of Seminary, Father Bert Richman - my Pastor, inspiration, and very dear friend - was called home to the God who made him. He closed his eyes to this world, on July 3, the same day as that friend’s birthday (who was also good friends with Fr. Bert). For me, in that moment, the Fourth of July stopped being a cause to celebrate.

The next year, life began to take it’s course. My Seminary journey became more intense, and along the way I made friends with someone new, who introduced me to the world of the Fourth of July…Bristol style. He allowed me a glimpse each year on July 3rd and 4th into a world of nonstop cookouts, the Parade, Fireworks, and the town of Bristol (which during the Fourth is a whole different world) in a whole new light. The Fourth of July had again become a testimony to celebration!

After leaving Seminary I found myself once again growing further and further away from the world I knew. That individual who had “re-invented the Fourth” for me, and I, found ourselves living in two very different worlds…worlds that were so different they were unable to meld. That parting of ways was difficult for me, and the Fourth of July became empty again. It returned to being a reminder of things like; loss, resentment, and regret.

Today I look at life in general through a different lens, and as a result I can’t help but feel once again a deep love for the Fourth, but now it means something entirely different.  Every year I go and watch the fireworks, and it makes me feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I think about all the things about the Fourth that I have loved through the years, and all the people that made it so special. Although those things and people have come and gone they have contributed to who I am today. Maybe that’s why we as Americans relate so well to the Fourth of July. It’s the epitome of American optimism.

The Star Spangled Banner tells the story of the American Flag flying proud the day after a long battle. We can certainly relate to that…many times life feels like a battle. We do the best we can with what we have. We try to pay the bills, keep our friends and loved ones satisfied, meet the expectations that are upon us, and all the while try to improve ourselves in life’s ongoing “self improvement project.” We try to keep our head above water, and when Summer comes we grasp at the opportunity to embrace a well deserved rest. We deserve it because in so many ways we too can proudly say; “the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, but the flag was still there.” That’s one of the many reasons the Flag is so meaningful a symbol; because we too somehow make it through all the nights, the battles, the bombs and the rockets with “red glare”.

Living this “American Dream” is stressful, and challenging. Our founding fathers established for us a Nation to thrive and grow bathed in freedom and liberty. This Fourth of July, let’s not only celebrate the freedom, but also the thriving and the growing! Let’s give thanks to the Lord for all the challenges we’ve survived, because they have contributed to who we are today…and prepared us for whatever else may come! After all, America isn’t just the land of the free, it’s also the home of the brave!!

God Bless America!

I Have Neither Silver Nor Gold

"I have neither silver nor gold,

but what I do have I give you:

in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean,

rise and walk”

The above words are taken from the First Reading of today’s Mass, as Peter and John are approaching the temple gate, and they come upon a crippled man who is there begging for alms. His pleas are the norm for the gate, as he is there daily looking for some financial help. Peter and John are taken by the man, and Peter heal him with the above words.

Such powerful words for this Easter Season; just this past Sunday we celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus, with a full Chapel. The Liturgy was spirited (to say the least), and quite uplifting. I have spent the last few days processing the events we experienced as a Parish Community, and I have to say…I feel like the richest man alive.

At the Parish House, the third floor Sitting Room is finally almost complete, and I sank into the easy chair yesterday, with “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” blaring on the surround sound system. As I allowed myself to drown in the words to the music, I lost myself in the meaning of what we have commemorated. The full Chapel, the lively spirit, the music, the flowers; it is all a testimony to the wonder and majesty of the Resurrection. I have neither silver nor gold, but I do have the news of the Resurrection!

As an Easter people, that really is all that we have. That’s the whole point! The Resurrection is the victory of heaven over the bonds of the world. It’s victory of eternal life over eternal death. It’s the victory of true glory that results from true sacrifice. Silver and gold are meaningless, in the face of such riches.

In the days that followed the death of Jesus the Disciples were scared for their lives. They were scared that the same authorities who had put Jesus to death would next pursue His followers. Crippled by this fear, they locked themselves in the Upper Room, there to commiserate and determine their next course of action. This man who they had left everything to follow was now dead, and the hope He had given them had died with Him. Mary Magdalene comes to the Upper Room with news of an empty tomb, and it is Peter and John who run to the grave to see what has happened. They had neither silver or gold…they were so bound by their fear and sorrow they had gone into seclusion, yet this news about Jesus’ empty tomb not only inspired them to rise and walk – but in fact, to rise and run.

In the coming weeks we will hear from the Gospel the many accounts of the Resurrection, and the events that immediately followed. We will hear about the Disciples who met the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus, who didn’t recognize Him until they broke bread together. We will hear about Thomas, and his doubting of the Resurrection. We will hear how Jesus appears at the Sea of Galilee as the Disciples are fishing, and not only facilitates a miraculous catch, but then entrusts the care of His infant Church to Peter and the Apostles.

Over and over again we will hear the story of the Disciples who are looking for different worldly things; assurance, success, gossip…but they only find fulfillment in the Resurrection of Christ. It’s time tested proof that we have not silver or gold, we have not worldly things, but we have the news of Easter, which is infinitely more rewarding, and fills our heart with far greater joy.

And so my dear friends, may the joy of the Resurrections truly fill all of our hearts with the fullest “Alleluias” we can muster! My the sweet scent of Lilies, and the grand swell of Pipe Organs, be only a fraction of the majestic love of our God that sustains us over these 50 days of Easter! We are truly an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song! We have not silver and joy, but we have the news of Jesus Christ the Nazorean; who has risen from the dead!

The Very Stones Would Cry Out

The Easter Morning Homily:

___________________________________________

The story is told, and I know that many of you have heard this before, of the three folks who died and arrived at the pearly gates of Heaven. St. Peter tells them that they can enter the gates if they can answer one simple question. So he asks the first person, "What is Easter?" The fellow replies, "Oh, that's easy! It's the holiday in November when everyone gets together, eats turkey, and are thankful..." "Wrong!," St. Peter replies with annoyance, and proceeds to ask the second man the same question, "What is Easter?" The second one replies, "Easter is the holiday in December when we put up a nice tree, exchange presents, and celebrate the birth of Jesus." St. Peter looks at the second man, shakes his head in deeper frustration and peers over his glasses at the third man and asks, "What is Easter?" The third man smiles confidently and looks St. Peter in the eyes, "I know what Easter is." "Oh?" says St. Peter, incredulously. "Easter is the Christian holiday that coincides with the Jewish celebration of Passover. Jesus and his disciples were eating at the last supper and Jesus was later deceived and turned over to the Romans by one of his disciples. "The Romans took him to be crucified and he was stabbed in the side, made to wear a crown of thorns, and was hung on a cross with nails through his hands. He was buried in a nearby cave which was sealed off by a large boulder." St. Peter smiles broadly with delight. Then he continues, "Every year the boulder is moved aside so that Jesus can come out...and, if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter."

The man from the anecdote was certainly so close to hitting the nail on the head, as to what Easter is all about. He was right about how Jesus had dinner with His friends, and was deceived and handed over to be crucified. He was right about He suffered and died on the Cross. He was right about how His body was laid in a tomb and sealed with a heavy stone. The rest of course leaves a bit to be desired.

However, he is not alone in his confusion, as Peter and John in this morning’s Gospel seemingly got just as far in the Easter story before they too reached a bit of a mix up. You see, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb in the morning, and finds it open, empty, and in a state of disarray. So she runs and tells the Disciples, and Peter and John race to the tomb to see for themselves. The author even takes the liberty of pointing out that the other Disciple ran faster then Peter. Two men who were scolded on Thursday evening for falling asleep while Jesus prayed in the Garden, were now far from sleep, and are totally energized. Something inside them has ignited a fire that has launched them into motion.

They aren’t motivated by the Resurrection, as Scripture says they did not yet understand that He had risen from the dead. They were running in such a panic because Jesus’ body was missing. It’s that natural, human, impulsive response. What good would this race to the grave do? It wouldn’t bring the body back. It wasn’t going to answer any questions. It was the only response they could think of – to run, and see for themselves.

My dear friends on this Easter morning we do the very same thing. We come to Church today, and run to see for ourselves the empty tomb. We may not understand what has happened completely, we may not be able to explain it to a non believer. We may not be able to wrap our minds around the mystery of how this has been accomplished…but we know it’s worth running. We know it’s a day that we come to Church. We know it’s a day that we dress up. We know it’s a day that we gather for a meal with loved ones, and wish others a good day with the greeting of “Happy Easter”. If we do not fully understand the mystery of the Resurrection then how do we know all these things? It’s Natural. . . we have been waiting for it in the depth of our souls.

Previously in the Gospels, in Luke’s to be precise, Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday the Disciples join the crowds in hailing Jesus as King. The Pharisee’s ask Jesus why He doesn’t silence them, and He responds, “if I told them to be silent, the very stones would cry out.”

All of creation, even the very stones, have waited since it’s fall in the Garden of Eden for this day to come. Every person, plant, rock, and speck of dust has waited with a collective eagerness for the day when the eternal God would complete the work of Redemption. Now it has been accomplished, and even the stones cry out.

What stone cried the loudest? I would say the one that first saw His glory. The boulder that sealed the entrance to the Tomb; in a moment where the ultimate climax of the power of God was made manifest, it rolled aside like a marble across the floor. As the man talking to Saint Peter at the pearly gates said, it has moved so that Jesus can come out…not to check for His shadow…but rather to find us looking for Him. He comes out to find Peter, the other Disciple, and you and I; who have run from our everyday lives, from our usual stress and aggravation, to see what has happened.

What has happened is victory.

That’s the message of the stones that cry out; that no stone is too big, no obstacle too great, to stop the love of our God for us…because that’s what Easter is…it’s the victory of love. It’s the victory of the power of God’s love over the power of the world. It’s the victory of God’s love over the boulder that blocked the entrance to Paradise. It’s the victory of God’s love over every single boulder that rolls across our way.

The broken body hanging on the Cross, which yielded such broken hearts, has now risen triumphantly; leaving behind a broken tomb. May Alleluia’s ring from each and every one of our hearts, and may our very souls swell with the eternal glory that is now ours to share forever!

Let's Call It What It Is

I’m not going to lie, as I write this, I am aggravated.

No, I take that back…I’m angry. I’m angry and insulted.

This evening I read Bishop Tobin’s latest argument against Gay Marriage in the local Roman Catholic Newspaper. You may be surprised to learn however why it is that I am angry. I’m not angry about his beliefs, nor am I angry about the fact that he defends those beliefs. Nationwide surveys have demonstrated that more than half of practicing Roman Catholics, support same sex marriage…if anything I would give him credit for standing up for his understanding of Church teaching in the face of such adversity within his own flock. What does anger me, is what this is really about, and the fact that we continue to dance around it.

The Bishop offers a number of arguments to support his defense of the Roman Catholic position on gay marriage. He offers five in fact, which can be found clearly demonstrated in his article, here.

I am so tired of reading and hearing the same arguments over and over again. I’m tired of responding with the same arguments over and over again. I’m tired of hearing the lame one liner from he and others, like the one in this article where he laments that he is but a martyr in the name of the truth;

“We’ve already seen that if you oppose same-sex marriage, even for personal or religious principles, you’ll quickly be labeled an intolerant bigot.”

Well, the reference to “attempted homosexual marriage” as a “social experiment, the consequences of which may not be realized for years to come” certainly can sound intolerant when taken at face value. Particularly with the argument left as is. What’s the experiment? Gays and Lesbians will get married, and start families. Organizations like N.O.M. (who tag their name to the Roman Catholic Church without debate), would certainly agree that such a thing is horrendous. Their website blatantly says that a family is meant to have; one father, and one mother. What about children that come from a single parent household? More than that, what about children that come from a two parent household…and they had to still raise themselves? What about all those families out there that find at it’s base a mother and a father, and the product is children that are still filled with anger, hate, and other unchristian values? The people that have been the biggest threat to society in history, were the children of heterosexual parents. We would never condemn heterosexual families for raising children that turned out to be wretched, so why would we simply assume that a homosexual couple would be incapable of raising children that could be Saints?

That sounds like an intolerant bigot to me.

The Bishop goes on, as you can see in the article;

“our opposition to this legislative initiative, to same-sex marriage, should not be construed as an attack on or rejection of individuals with same-sex attraction. Homosexual persons are children of God who possess the same human dignity as every other human being. That affirmation, however, doesn’t mean that their sexual activity needs to be accepted and celebrated.”

Why isn’t heterosexual marriage reduced to simply “the acceptance of, and celebration of, their sexual activity?” If it is truly held that the LGBTQ Community are all children of God who possess the same human dignity as every other human being, then this conversation would be about human beings. It would not be about “accepting and celebrating sexual acts.”

The Bishop points out that if the fight for same sex marriage were really about Civil Rights, the LGBTQ Community should be happy with Civil Unions;

“And be very clear about this – same-sex marriage isn’t about procuring civil rights for beleaguered homosexual persons. The recently adopted civil-unions legislation, as ill-advised as it was, it provided the legal protections activists have been lobbying for, but the opportunity has been widely ignored. Same-sex marriage legislation is about distorting a venerable institution – not about civil rights.”

Civil Unions have not been taken advantage of because there is no advantage to getting one! In the State of Rhode Island, even if a couple posses a Civil Union, institutions have the right to ignore that legal status in the name of beliefs and morals. The very existence of Civil Unions gives acknowledgment to same sex relationships. By their very nature they prove that these relationships have worth and value. However, this legislation also blatantly demonstrates that value to be less then marriage. There is no dignity in introducing someone as, “the other half of my civil union.”

I’ll be blunt; to legalize same sex marriage would grant too much human dignity to homosexual persons. In a way, it would make it a matter of law to respect a homosexual person in the same way as a heterosexual person. Such a thing would force the Roman Catholic Church to think outside of the box, a box that has sat comfortably for too many years. The Hierarchy of the Church would find itself without the justification of a social stigma to back its bigotry. Make no mistake about it…they need that backing.

Think about it; what would happen if the world became a place where same sex relationships were deemed “ok” by the legalization of same sex marriage? How would Priests who are gay and living closeted gay lifestyles then feel? How would all the gays who are employed by the Church feel? How would gays in the pews feel? The Church would be forced to face its worst nightmare: acknowledging homosexuals as equals.

Let’s just be honest - that is really what’s at stake here. If this were in fact about protecting marriage, and the sanctity of marriage, the Church would issue a statement every other time Marriage is “marred” in public view. When CNN reports about another celebrity who has further mocked this sacred institution, there would be a statement from the Bishop. If there was an ounce of concern about the “Dignity of the Homosexual Person,” a statement would be made in defense of the 26 percent of young people in this State who “come out”, and as a result get thrown out of their house. If the issue here is really marriage, and the Church truly defends the dignity of the homosexual person, then why can’t a Roman Catholic Priest be openly gay, and “out” so long as he is still true to his Ordination promises? Why isn’t the Roman Catholic Church the loudest opponents to homophobic language in the hallways of high schools?

That’s what makes me mad. It makes me mad that the Hierarchy of the Roman Church justifies its bigotry in the name of “defending marriage”. Well, keep right on “defending”; and in the process drive away souls who thirst for Christ. Drive away young people who will forever have a bad taste in their mouth for the Church who seemingly rejects them. Drive away families who are trying to raise their children with values of honesty, love, and respect…even though the Church would say that family is built on immorality, because they have two parents of the same sex.

Bishop, you are right about one thing indeed; “The general public will continue to be divided over this emotional issue with accusations and angry rhetoric sure to follow. Do we need that again here and now?” The answer is, no we don’t.

However, it is in fact going to continue, because there are two battles going on here;

One battle is in the State House, and it’s over same sex marriage.

The other is between Chanceries and human hearts, and it is rooted in fear.

Our Highest Aspirations

From my "Pastor's Desk" Column on the Parish Website.

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Today in Holyoke, Massachusetts history was made as Alex Morse was sworn in as the youngest mayor the city has ever elected. I haven’t followed his campaign very closely, since its outcome doesn’t really affect me in any way, but I, like many, was fascinated by the idea of a 22 year old man running for such a position.

In his remarks at the Inauguration today he said, “We have all heard those who say that Holyoke’s best days are long past. We have heard that Holyoke’s best bet is for us to just settle, and to resign ourselves to a future that is beneath our highest aspirations.” He goes on to talk about how for the citizens of Holyoke, today is a new day. His youth filled zeal is inspiring as he speaks of his hope for so many brighter tomorrows for his fellow citizens.

What a wonderful thought as we move into this New Year. I think that many of us have at times in our lives found ourselves of the same mindset that Mayor Morse describes in his word above. We have all reached points along the way where we may feel that our best days have passed, or that it is now time to settle for where we are, and that our dreams are a bit too farfetched. What a travesty! Such a thought could not be further from the truth!

In the last week the New Years Spirit has been strong. Thanks to Social Media like Facebook and Twitter, it seems stronger than ever. We can click online at anytime and see the posts about diets, quitting smoking, and drinking less. At the gym there is a noticeable increase in activity, at AA there has been an influx of people…it would seem that everywhere we look people are working on bettering themselves, everyone is working on reaching goals, on finding that future of our highest aspirations.

You see my friends in all of this self improvement that we find ourselves doing; at the end of the day we are working on the same goal – to improve the self. For all of us, the “self” is different. We all have different vices, we all have different ways that we want to improve, and we all have different pictures of what that “highest aspiration” looks like.

At Christmas we celebrated the birth of Our Lord, who came to us; as we are, who we are, and where we are. I spoke at the Christmas Masses about who we are is something sacred, because God Himself has been made one of us. All of those things are very true, but it would be a shame for us to think that we cannot grow. These events all took place in the humility of the Stable, among a diverse cast of characters. However, the encounter with Jesus in the Stable affected everyone present;

The Shepherds return to their homeland glorifying God, and telling everyone they meet of this wondrous news that has forever changed the world. The Kings make their way to Bethlehem asking questions, following a Star and their faith. They leave Bethlehem with solid answers, and even return home via a different route to avoid Herod, and not fall into his ploy. Joseph is strengthened in his faith, and through it all Mary “keeps all these things, and reflects on them in her heart.”(LK 2:19)

Jesus comes to each of them “as they are”…and that encounter inspires them to do even better. It inspires them to do things like ponder the Lord, trust in Him, tell others about Him, and protect Him from those who would otherwise seek to harm Him. The Shepherds are still Shepherds, and the Magi are still Magi, but they leave Bethlehem looking at life, and living life, through a new lens. They realize that the best days are not those that have passed, and that to “just settle” simply will not work. They have experienced Emmanuel, God with us, and as a result their highest aspirations are actually attainable.

May all of our New Year’s Resolutions be directed ultimately towards reaching our highest aspirations. May God in His goodness continue to bless us, encourage us, and strengthen us as we continue in our own journeys to be the best we can be; because God has given us everything we need to each our highest aspirations.

God Bless You!

See you at Church!

Fr. Dave