Tearing Down a Wall

 There was a lot of activity in the storage room yesterday.

To make more room, one of

 the walls was taken out.

Then the smashed bricks were hauled away.

Because the elevator will take away some of the room to store tables and chairs, it was important to first expand what we have,

Our Constellation

My mother, and her birthday Wednesday, reminded me of a spiritual truth: saints don’t go to heaven alone; they bring with them a “constellation.”

In a large universe, we all have our small worlds. We are surrounded by a unique group of people, our constellation. God gives us the people in our constellation. We influence them, and they influence us. We have the opportunity to bring Jesus to each other.

We have a special obligation to those closest to us, but our constellations include every person we come in contact with -- and more. Our influence should have a ripple effect, spreading through others to people we will never meet on earth and lasting generations. Think of how canonized saints still witness to us, even centuries after their deaths.

We may never be canonized, but we are all called to be saints. Everyone should have a constellation. My mother, and mothers in general, are naturals for this job. Loving mothers draw souls to Jesus in their nurturing, teaching and admonishing. Minds can be converted to Christ, but ultimately it’s hearts that matter. Mothers have special access to hearts.

My mom reminds me of other holy mothers. Like St. Monica, she prays relentlessly, besieging Heaven for the souls near to her.  She seems increasingly determined not to leave any souls behind as we all move closer to eternal life. Like Mary, our Blessed Mother, she leads to Christ those entrusted to her care.

I visit with my mother regularly, and somehow our conversations eventually turn to God. Both of my parents are not afraid to speak the truth and are willing to suffer for it. They see through the dark clouds of a confused culture. Faith allows us to see truth. Love insists that we follow it.

God has blessed me through my parents. Both are bright lights, shining stars, in my spiritual life. I thank God that I am part of their constellations. And I pray that I may shine for others in my own.

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.

2013 Spirit of St. Columbkille Award

The recipients of the 2013 Spirit of St. Columbkille Award have been named. They are:

The Stacy & Rick Denne Family

and

Margo & Mike Neuzil

Congratulations!

The awards will be presented by Fr. Damian at Columb's Ceili on Saturday, March 2nd 2013. Click here to make your reservation.

Liturgy BASICs

The focus of BASIC (Beginning Apologetic Studies In Catholicism) this year has been the Fruit of Vatican II. As part of the Year of Faith we have been encouraged to better understand the Second Vatican Council.

In the BASIC session on Friday Fr. Vogel explored liturgy. There are many misconceptions about Vatican II in general and in particular many of the liturgical ideas that it produced. This gave a chance to explore what the Council said and a few ideas that were wrongly attributed to it.

Fr. Vogel has posted many of his talks to the BASIC page.

Now We Get To Use It

At the 5 p.m. Mass Saturday, the Prayers of the Faithful finished with a blessing of the new tabernacle.

After the distribution of communion, a Eucharistic Procession was made around the sanctuary.

After the Eucharist was placed in the tabernacle, it was incensed. Then Fr. Damian temporarily moved the old tabernacle candle to the new one.

After Mass, the hanging tabernacle candle was lit.

Also after Mass, Fr. Damian placed a monstrance in the chapel side of the tabernacle for Eucharistic Exposition. Adoration is now being done in the chapel. From time to time Exposition will also be done in the chapel. Fr Damian is asking some groups when they think the best time for Exposition would be.

Raising the Standards

 As part of Catholic Schools Week,

 all of the doors were decorated.

Preparing

The baptismal font may not look any different from last weekend, but underneath the work is progressing. It should be ready for use on Wednesday.

Here's a little peek to give an indication of what the base will look like.

Today the doors of the tabernacle are open, anxious to receive the Eucharist for the first time.

After communion, there will be a Eucharistic Procession ending with the arrival of the Eucharist in this tabernacle.

That also means that the Adoration Chapel will soon be open for silent prayer.

8th Grade versus The Dream Team

During Catholic Schools Week, yesterday was the annual teachers versus 8th grade volleyball game.

In the end Fr. Vogel was almost toppled by adoring fans as the "Dream Team" won again.

We've Got Talent

Here's a few acts from the talent show yesterday:

Recycling Palms

If you have any palms from Palm Sunday, drop them off at the church to be burned. We'll use the ashes on Ash Wednesday.