Faith of our Fathers

In front of the 2nd St. Columbkille church in Papillion.

"Faith of our fathers, living still,

In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;

O how our hearts beat high with joy

Whenever we hear that glorious Word!

Refrain:

“Faith of our fathers, holy faith!

We will be true to thee till death."

Our faith has been handed down to us from ancient times, through numerous generations. It is amazing to think about how this precious gift was preserved, protected and lovingly given to us. In my case, a long line of Polish and Irish ancestors persevered and sacrificed for this gift of faith.

In their honor, I present a couple of traditional blessings that may have passed through their lips.

A Polish Blessing

May your hand be outstretched to all you meet.

And may all men say 'Brother' when they speak of you.

May the land be fertile beneath your feet.

May your days be gentle as the sun-kissed dew.

St. Patrick's Blessing:

May the strength of God pilot us;

May the wisdom of God instruct us,

May the hand of God protect us,

May the word of God direct us.

Be always ours this day and for evermore.

The faith was lived and remains alive in us. Now it's our turn to fan the flames in our hearts and keep the one, true faith burning for another generation. May this be part of our Lord's blessing for us.

Inspired by this Year of Faith we will be posting columns like this from Susan Szalewski about exploring and/or deepening our faith. Watch for it on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.

He Takes Flesh Among Us and In Us

"And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth."

- John 1:14

Christmas is the season to celebrate the mystery of God's Incarnation. And He continues to take flesh among us -- and in us.

We can imitate our Blessed Mother and become an Ark or a tabernacle for the Word of God when we consent to the will of God and let the Holy Spirit overshadow us. St. Patrick recognized how God's Word can come to life in us, now matter how lowly we may be, as a "letter written by God."

"We are a letter written by Christ for the salvation even of the remotest parts of the earth. Although this letter may not be refined it is very strong and true, written in your hearts not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. And again the Spirit bears witness that even the plainest things have been created by the Most High."

After Mass, in particular, you are sent forth into the world carrying the powerful Word of God. He is alive inside you to transform the world.

Praise be to God for allowing us to become part of His work of salvation!

Inspired by this Year of Faith we will be posting columns like this about exploring and/or deepening our faith. Watch for it on Thursdays.

Saints Parade

In celebration of All Saints' Day some students at St. Columbkille Catholic School made crowns to remember particular saints.

 

In First Grade students learned about two

Irish saints, St. Patrick and St. Columbkille.

For the Saints Parade students were armed with

noisemakers so everyone could hear the celebration.

St. Patrick

Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were living in Britian in charge of the colonies. In contrast, St. Columbkille was born in Ireland in 521 and brought the faith to Scotland.

As a boy of fourteen or so, Patrick was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote

"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." He began his studies for the priesthood and was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Irish culture centered around a rich tradition of oral legend and myth. When this is considered, it is no surprise that the story of Patrick's life became exaggerated over the centuries. Spinning exciting tales to remember history has always been a part of the Irish way of life.

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. God worked many miracles through him and Patrick wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.