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Lessons from the Magi

January 7, 2024

Feast of the Epiphany
By Fr. Victor Feltes

The city of Bethlehem was the birthplace and hometown of King David, the place where the sheep offered at the Temple were raised, a place whose name means “House of Bread.” There is where the Magi found Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Lamb of God, and the Bread that came down from heaven. The Magi came from the east, perhaps responding to some sign the Prophet Daniel had foretold centuries before during his Babylonian Captivity. They arrived in Jerusalem saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.”

King Herod and all of Jerusalem heard about this and Herod took the rumor seriously. He asked the chief priests and the scribes where the Christ (or Messiah) would be born. They answered with the prophesy of Micah: “in Bethlehem of Judea.” So King Herod sent the Magi to search there, using them as his unwitting spies. The Magi found the home of the Holy Family and showed homage to Jesus with his mother Mary, presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; gold for our King, frankincense for our Priest and God, and myrrh, an ancient-world embalming resin, for him who would die and rise again.

Now the town of Bethlehem is only a two hour walk from Jerusalem, but there is no record of any others who heard the rumor going there in search of the infant Christ. If they had gone and asked around, some locals would likely know the shepherds who had joyfully proclaimed the birth of the Messiah on Christmas night. “All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds,” so it would have left an impression. With a little grace, an encounter with Jesus and his Holy Family would have been found by anyone who had bothered to look. The Magi traveled hundreds of miles to find him yet many priests and scribes neglected to go a mere six miles. In your life, beware of practicing your Christian faith so feebly that you forego making the simplest sacrifices in service of Christ. Consider what simple steps—in prayer or with the sacraments, in penance or in study—you could take in this new year to draw closer to Jesus Christ.

Matthew’s gospel tells us that “having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the Magi] departed for their country by another way.” Recall again how Bethlehem was not far at all from Jerusalem or from Herod’s nearby palaces, so it seems the Magi had this dream before departing from the Holy Family. If the Magi had sensed that the Holy Family were in danger they would have warned them before embarking for home. The Magi either informed them, or — not sensing danger — did not.

Maybe they did warn the Holy Family of possible danger but Joseph and Mary simply did not know what to do next. Sometimes, even when trying our best, we won’t know what to do. Trust the Lord to guide your way. If the path you choose is important in God’s plan he will help you go in the right direction. Previously, when Joseph had been about to make a mistake by separating himself from Mary, God sent him an angelic message in a dream. Here again, “when [the Magi] had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, [and] flee to Egypt…’” God is supremely brilliant and resourceful. He can send you signs if you need them but, to receive God’s promptings, cultivating a heart which is open to God’s will (like St. Joseph’s was) is essential.

What if the Magi were told in the dream not to return to Herod, and perhaps even mentioned this to the Holy Family, without anyone perceiving the active threat which Herod posed? That too would contain a valuable lesson for us. If the Magi obeyed God before fully understanding his purposes, through trusting him and following his instructions their lives were saved from Herod’s sword and the Holy Family had time to escape.

Jesus Christ and his Church teach us many things about what we must or must not do, or what we should or should not do. People can be challenged by and may not yet fully understand Catholic teachings about the Sacraments, human sexuality, the beginning and end of human life, social justice, or other topics. There are good reasons behind all these teachings and it is good to explore them by researching and asking questions to understand them better, but there will be times in your life when you are called to be faithfully obedient even before you fully understand. The obedience of the Magi served Christ and likely saved their lives. Your obedience to God will bless you as well, and more than you may realize.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Epiphany, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Sacrifice, Sunday Homilies, The Magi | Leave a Comment »

Let Us Be Like the Magi

January 6, 2024

Feast of the Epiphany
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

Today we celebrate the feast of Epiphany. The word epiphany means revelation or manifestation. This feast is the revelation of God’s love for his people in the birth of Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel: God is with us. For centuries, the prophets had proclaimed God’s love for his people, and now that love has been revealed to his people. God himself has been born into the world as a human child. He is with us, close to us in each moment, sharing his life with us. Jesus came into our human condition to seek out what was lost, and to bring us back into union with God and to himself. This is the good news for everyone: no one is excluded. Today’s psalm makes this clear. “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”

In the gospel, we see two kinds of people. On the one hand, the Gentile ‘Magi from the East’ seek out the newborn king of the Jews to do him homage. On the other hand, Herod and his court seek the Messiah not to do him homage but to destroy him. Let us focus our attention on the Magi; the actions of the Magi in the presence of Jesus give us a beautiful example of divine worship. The Gospel tells us: “They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Their first gift was gold. Among ancient people, gold was regarded as the king of metals. It was therefore the ideal gift for a king. The Magi gave Jesus all their love as pure, solid, lasting, and purified from selfish motives. They wanted to love Jesus with all their heart and mind. Their love was sincere. The second gift was frankincense. Ancient people used incense in their religious worship. The aroma and smoke, spiraling upward to heaven, spoke to them of gods and divinity. The gift of incense, therefore, is a symbol of the divinity of Jesus. It tells us that Jesus always had the nature of God but became a man and appeared in human likeness. The magi adored Jesus as God. Even today, we use incense in the liturgy as a sign of worship. We incense the gospel in which Jesus is present, the altar representing Christ, and the gifts of bread and wine on the altar, which will become the Body and Blood of Christ. The third gift was myrrh. Myrrh was used to prepare the dead for burial. Later in the Gospel, we see that the women brought myrrh to the tomb of Jesus. This gift of the Magi made an ideal symbol of human vulnerability and foreshadowed the Lord’s death. Jesus experienced sorrows, joys, fears, frustrations, loneliness, and all human emotions. He was like us in all things but sin.

The Magi also teach us how to proceed on our journey. They do not return the way they came, which would have taken them back to Herod. Their experience of being with Jesus has enlightened them. They have an inner light, a new gift of discernment and wisdom. When we meet Jesus and worship him, we do not have to return to Herod, back to the darkness, fear, and selfishness of our past and our sinful nature. The Lord gives us the grace to walk a new way. It is the way that is love: love of God and love of our neighbor.

Just as the Magi did, let us prostrate ourselves before the Lord, offering him our love, praise, and gratitude. Our “gold” is everything we have, all that we possess, and all that we consider most precious; we offer it all to him. Our “frankincense” is our prayer, devotion, zeal, contrition, thanksgiving, and all our petitions. Our “myrrh” is our sacrifices and sufferings which we offer in union with Jesus’ Passion, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. We know our gifts are imperfect and they certainly seem meager as we set them before him. However, his humility as he reveals himself before us as a poor, helpless infant strengthens our humility, and therefore makes us bold enough to give whatever we have, knowing that our every gift comes from his generosity to us.

Posted in Chrisitian Virtues, Christian Perfection, Epiphany, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Sunday Homilies, The Magi | Leave a Comment »

Family is the Gift of God

December 30, 2023

Feast of the Holy Family
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. By celebrating the Sunday following Christmas as the feast of the Holy family, the church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for inspiration, example, and encouragement. We know very little about the life of the Holy Family through the Scriptures. They speak of the early years of the Holy Family, including the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, the flight into Egypt, the finding of Jesus in the temple, and their life at Nazareth. However, we certainly know that they were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in human knowledge but also as a Child of God.

Every human family is in God’s Plan. We know that in the book of Genesis, from the time of creation, God did not want man to be alone but created the human race as a family. The readings of today also speak of the family as a gift of God. The book of Sirach tells us about the obligation of parents towards their children. It reminds us of the first parents who were created in the image and likeness of God. It explains the close bond that exists between God and man. It teaches that children must learn from their parents about the love of the Lord and the precepts received from God. Parents must set a good example to their children. In turn, children must carry out their duties to God, to their parents, and to their fellow human beings.

The Second reading of today reminds us of the centrality of love. We are the children of God. In addition to our own family, we also belong to God’s family. We are all brothers and sisters to each other of our common Father and we share his life. There is then an obligation for all of us to care for each other.

The Gospel today tells us how Mary and Joseph offered the Child Jesus in the temple and returned to Nazareth to live a life of poverty. The earnings of Joseph as a village carpenter may not have been high. They willingly accepted the simple ordinary life in a remote village, living in harmony, observing the laws prescribed, visiting the temple and synagogue, and living an exemplary life. They accepted God’s will and were ready to accept the suffering and pain that came along the way. They are for us a true example of what family life should be like here on Earth.

The feast of the Holy Family is not just about the Holy Family, but about our families too. The main purpose of the feast is to present the Holy Family as the model for all Christian families. It is a good time to remember the family unit and pray for our human and spiritual families. We also take this feast to reflect on the value and sanctity of the family unit and to evaluate our own family life. We must ask ourselves what we are doing to promote the family within our own cultures, neighborhoods, and communities.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Marriage and Family, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

God’s Holy Family of Saints

December 30, 2023

Feast of the Holy Family
By Deacon Dick Kostner

Today we celebrate the Holy Family the mentor of “Patience.” I like many Americans suffer from the illness I call “Patienitus” an illness that attacks those who demand results in conquering life struggles and challenges not tomorrow but rather right now- before any suffering can occur. Oh I know the rules of nature that God is not governed by “time” as we know it and you will hear me say “…remember God does not wear a watch like we wear” because God has no beginning nor end. But I also know that God has no limitations so God can speed things up or slow things down, if he so desires.

Today’s Gospel tells us the story about the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple as was required by the Law of Moses and two old people of faith Simeon and Anna who believed in the coming of Jesus and were awaiting his arrival to meet him before they died. They knew God is not governed by time but they also knew that their age was getting up there and I am sure they worried that they would die before they could meet Jesus and the Holy Family. They were beginning to show symptoms of coming down with “Patienitus.” But their faith held strong and they were finally blessed with meeting the Holy Family. Simeon and Anna knew the vaccination for not getting “Patienitus” was faith in God. God did not speed up their prayers to meet Jesus rather God just extended their life span so that they could witness their prayers being answered.

We live in troubled times. As a Parish family we continue to meet and offer our prayers to God together as a family asking for help for ourselves and help and direction for the welfare of our children and friends. But we sometimes wonder if God is really listening to our prayer petitions. The world needs divine help now not sometime in the future. We need Jesus to come to us now before we loose are freedoms, and before we just give up and that’s when we are most likely to become a disciple of the evil one who is working very hard to destroy our faith that God will always be there for us.

You have heard the saying, “Only death and taxes are certain.” Well I learned a new certainty at my Deacon Education session a few weeks ago. The priest speaker said it is a certainty that as followers of Christ we must experience suffering before we are able to be admitted into heaven. He also said that we all expect that maybe we can get a pass but that cannot happen. Even Jesus prayed that the cup of suffering might pass, but then he ended his prayer with saying “but not my will but the will of the Father be done.” We need to remember to include that phrase in all our prayers for relief from suffering. No one, not even Jesus or Mary escaped the certainty and need for suffering as a requirement to enter into the Kingdom of God.

This is when we need to ask for help from the saints like Simeon and Anna who were growing old waiting to see in person, the Redeemer of the world, who would bring light to the darkness we experience during our journey to join Jesus and the Saints in the land of light. Mary and Joseph did not know what their experience would be like raising the Son of Light before their trip to the Temple with Jesus. But, God gifted them with the presence of two special people who shared with them a look into the future by sharing communications they had received from God on what life would be like raising the Son of God in a very troubled world.

The gift that God gave the Holy Family is also given to us as a member of the Holy Family, and that is the gift of faith. Faith that God has us covered even though things may seem hopeless, and time is running out for us to see in person our friend and redeemer, Jesus. Remember that Jesus has many faces and many bodies in people we call Saints who are members of the Holy Family who are living with and praying with us, and for us, every day.

No Jesus does not have a watch to keep track of time, but he does give us members of His Church to guide and support us here and now who will reveal to us our future life as Simeon and Anna did for Jesus and Mary. Let us remember today to give thanks to God for allowing us to become a member of the Holy Family and join them in prayer and thanksgiving celebrating our faith that Jesus is present with us for support and waiting for a hug from his brothers and sisters of faith.

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Marriage and Family, Patience, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

From Creation to this Cradle

December 24, 2023

Christmas, the Nativity of the Lord
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Before all time’s beginning,
before creation’s making,
was our Lord, who is living.

Omnipotent, all-knowing,
unlimited, all-loving,
the self-existent Being.

This eternal deity
was not solely unity,
but divine community.

Father and Son, self-giving,
Spirit from both, proceeding,
Trinity, ever-living.

Though God could not be more great,
goodness loves to propagate,
so he opted to create.

The Lord said, “Let there be light,”
“earth” and “sky” and “day” and “night,”
“man” and “woman” in his sight
and in each did he delight.

Blessing us was his concern,
gifting gifts we did not earn,
minds to know and hearts to yearn
so we’d love him in return.

Like all things, he made us good,
yet, as God, he understood
human beings sadly would
freely choose to sin;
distaining the divine,
disturbing our domain.

Dissolution, desolation.
Division and dismay.
Despair and death.

Behold how in our world and lives,
sins stab and slice and scar like knives.
But our Lord lowers his lifeline,
a long thread throughout our timeline.

After the Flood and Babel’s tower,
God’s plan was launched with Abraham.
Summoned by the Higher-Power,
he journeyed to the Holy Land.

God vowed to him to give that earth,
to bless all peoples through his name,
and cause his barren wife to birth
a boy who would extend his fame.

Isaac was that wondrous son,
received back as from the dead.
His sacrifice was left undone;
as God supplied a ram instead.

(Note in Abraham’s descendants,
the Messianic lineage,
persons presenting precedents
repeated on the Gospel page.)

Next, from Isaac, Jacob came,
and suffered much from sinful deeds.
To “Israel” God changed his name,
and through twelve sons a kingdom seeds.

This tribe then west to Egypt fled
and grew up becoming many,
until from slavery God led
to “the land of milk and honey.”

For this nation, God appointed
from Bethlehem to kingly throne,
shepherd David, God’s anointed,
one with a heart after his own.

He was betrayed, mistreated,
but overcame each enemy.
God pledged there’d always be seated
a true son of his dynasty.

King Solomon, the peaceful one,
built with wisdom beyond compare
God’s temple in Jerusalem
for everyone from everywhere.

Isaiah’s prophesies foretold
and his consoling words record
how every nation would behold
salvation from our bridegroom Lord.

Then Babylon’s empire came
and took the Jews captive by sword.
But God removed his people’s shame
when to their homeland he restored.

These ups and downs had set the stage
for one night prepped thousands of years.
Between the old and current age,
the Son of God on earth appears.

It’s simple for our little ones,
the way in which our Savior comes.

A stable full of yellow hay?
Kids see a perfect place to stay.

Tiny Jesus is in his box,
asleep beside the sheep and ox.

His mom and dad on Christmas day,
as still as statues, kneel and pray.

That manger scene lit by a star
draws friends to Christ from near and far.

Our children lack experience
but maintain pure, sweet innocence.

They see with awe and gentle joy
our God become a baby boy.

Now that you and I are older,
we recognize complexity;
what Christ’s parents had to shoulder,
the burdens of humanity.

Joseph and Mary were displeased
when turned away from that hotel
and then unpleasant odors breathed
while giving birth where livestock dwell.

Stress-filled was that nativity,
mixed with their joys, feelings of dread,
as they combatted poverty
and unseen forces wished them dead.

The way of Christianity
is not promised to be easy,
but life with Christ, our deity,
has mercy, grace, and great beauty.

Our little ones are right in this,
though much in our world is amiss,
it’s right and wise to reminisce
on Christmas Day and feel great bliss.

Now to conclude, let us review:
God’s great goodness is real and true,
an ancient love that’s ever new
and through Christ’s birth comes into view.

So come to Mass — yes, please do!
His family’s less when lacking you.

Posted in Creation, Feast Day Homilies, Holy Trinity, Homily, Incarnation, Jesus Christ, Joy, Nativity, O.T. Figures, Redemptive Suffering, Salvation History, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

The Divine Master Plan

December 23, 2023

4th Sunday of Advent
Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

On this last Sunday before Christmas, the Liturgical readings speak about the preparations that God made for His Son to be born among us, and one of us. We wait for his coming into the world and into our lives. During this advent, we have been thinking of Mary bearing Jesus in her womb. We remember Jesus growing silently and invisibly in Mary’s womb.

The first reading from the second Samuel, speaks of King David, the peace and comfort he had found in Jerusalem, and how he wanted to build a temple for the Ark of God. The Lord spoke to Nathan the prophet and told him that David did not need to be in charge of everything, but was reminded that God himself had been with him every step of the way to peace. God himself will take care of his house, like everything else that David had succeeded in doing. We too, are not in charge of our successes, we should let the Lord lead us and prepare us for the work in his house.

In the Second reading, St. Paul reminds us that each one of us is the temple of God. Through his teaching, God makes known to us His mysteries. God spiritually prepares the minds of the believers who hear the proclamation of Jesus. It is Jesus who revealed God’s mystery that was kept secret for centuries and which has now been revealed to His people.

In the Gospel, Mother Mary is described as “full of grace,” filled with God’s favor and graciousness, something which she has in no way earned. God prepared her to be a worthy dwelling place for His Son. At the same time, Mary exercises her right to freedom of choice. A request was made of her and she freely responded with a wholehearted “Yes!” “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.” Mother Mary’s “Yes” changed the world. Her obedience to God’s call changed the lives of all of us.

Obedience is not popular in today’s world. When people want to be independent, obedience is understood wrongly: the word obedience is associated with weakness. True obedience requires courage because it can involve going against social expectations. When Mary said yes and desired that God’s will be fulfilled in her, a great event took place in history. The Son of God took human nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin. The Angel had told her that it would be the savior of the world. He would be the King but the nature of kingship was not clear to her. However, she understood one thing clearly: the person whom she would carry in her womb would change the world.

With courage and generosity, we need to say “yes” to God. True obedience comes from the choice we make to follow God’s will. We need the courage to be obedient because sometimes it can go against social expectations. True obedience also aims at putting oneself in the service of God.

We need to learn God’s plan for our lives. The Good News in today’s Scripture message is not only that God is making provision for the salvation of His people, but also that He has a plan for each person. In many cases, our work for God seems rather ordinary, but each ordinary task that we carry out fits into God’s plan in a way that we cannot yet understand. God desires not only the skill of our hands and talents but also the love of our hearts. The Babe in the Manger reminds us of what God has done and is still doing for us. What are we doing for Him in return? Let us show our gratitude to God by living as true followers of Christ.

Posted in Blessed Virgin Mary, Christian Perfection, Homily, Sunday Homilies, Trust | Leave a Comment »

Do Whatever He Tells You

December 18, 2023

3rd Sunday of Advent
Dcn. Dick Kostner

Today we celebrate “Rejoice” Sunday Take notice of the pink candle on our Advent wreath. We are getting close to celebrating the birthday of Jesus the “Light” of the world. We celebrate this birthday by decorating a tree with bright lights overshadowing the darkness we experience in the world we live in. For this Deacon, the fact that I was called to preach on this Sunday, displays the fact that God does have a sense of humor for he knows how much I like to be vested in bright pink. Usually this happens only twice a year but this year I will be gifted with this color for four Masses instead of only two.

As people faith we are very much aware of how dark it is living in this world. How can we be joyful always as St. Paul calls us to do in our Second Reading? How can we be joyful when our loved ones are dying or seriously ill? Or joyful about the cost of living, or being laid off or fired from our job? Or joyful that crime is at an all time high with people not caring about the rights or feelings of others? Or, to put it bluntly, what is joyful about this world going to hell in a basket?

The answer is easy. Nothing! That’s the point of our readings this Sunday. There is nothing great about what our readings refer to as “darkness.” Darkness is a part of the world that we live in. No I am not saying that there is no good in this world and that God does not love this world. It was through the love of our Creator that we were gifted with the birth of a new King and a new world or Kingdom where “darkness” cannot exist. A world gifted with a light so bright that evil darkness cannot sneak in. One of the revelations I received while studying to get my masters degree in Pastoral Studies was that we do not have to wait for death to occur to witness and partake in the Kingdom of God for it shows its presence within our present world.

We are surrounded with darkness in this world, that is why Jesus made the statement that his Kingdom was not of this world. The new Kingdom, the new world of Jesus is a place of love and respect. It is a place where sin and darkness cannot exist. And guess what? All of us have been given an invitation to become a citizen of this new Kingdom by its King. All of us have been given the mission of being a light shinning in the darkness of a world heading for the dark city scripture calls “Gehenna”.

How do we get to shine bright and experience the new Kingdom of God? Well, we can’t shine if we are dirty so we need to get cleaned up. Jesus gives us the necessary soap and water to accomplish this task. He gives us Sacraments to not only clean us up but also also provide us with the battery power to make our light shine bright. Jesus also gives us the help and support of his faith family to help us not only get clean but to stay clean so that our light will maintain its brightness.

We only have a short time to get ready for the Christmas Party of light. We are called to be the lights of Christ which will decorate the tree of everlasting life and let the Kingdom shine through. We have in our Parish many mentors of light both living and deceased that will help us be a bright light so pray for their help. Are we ready? We might think we are not ready but that’s OK. Jesus himself maybe felt he was not ready for public ministry when his mother asked him to perform his first miracle of changing water into wine to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage for a young couple. But his mother knew better and he gave in to her wishes. It is here that Mary gives us the key to the Kingdom of God when she proclaims to the servants and to us “Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you.” St. Paul and St. Peter likewise also maybe felt they were not the right people to take on being the light of Christ, but they gave it a try, and look how bright the Kingdom of God got from their acceptance of the challenge to help light up the world.

It’s our time now to make a decision on whether we will join other parish family members this Christmas, on becoming one of the lights on the Christmas tree to present to Jesus on his birthday, of the tree of life in the Kingdom of God. It is a matter of life and death on how we will proceed as a follower of Jesus. The bottom line folks is for us to listen to the words of Mary, and “Do whatever he tells you.”

One of my most blessed gifts of ordination is when on a dark and scary night of darkness I, as a Deacon of Christ, am able to provide to my people of Bloomer at the Easter Vigil, the light of salvation, by proclaiming for all the parish to see “THE LIGHT OF CHRIST!”

Posted in Culture, Homily, Joy, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Silence in the Sacred Liturgy

December 18, 2023

3rd Sunday of Advent
Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

According to the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal,” which are guidelines on the celebration of the Holy Mass, it is recommended that silence be observed on five different occasions during Mass. Those moments are:

  • In the beginning and at the penitential rite
  • At the start of certain prayers when the priest says, “Let us pray”
  • After each of the Scripture readings
  • After the homily
  • After all have received Communion

Thirty seconds of silence would be an appropriate time for each of the above. Let us look at each of those times we are invited to be silent during the Mass.
First, we called to be silent before mass begins. We need some time to recollect ourselves to enter into prayer. The church encourages us to come to the church at least five to ten minutes before mass and sit in the presence of the Lord in silence, offering the family, near and dear ones in the hands of the Lord. During this time, the silence must be practiced in the church, in the sacristy, and the vesting room, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred celebration devoutly and fittingly. If we cultivate silence, we will hear the voice of the Lord.

The next place of silence is during the Penitential Rite. We all are invited to take a movement of silence to call to mind our sins. That is, we acknowledge our unworthiness to be in God’s holy presence. We prepare ourselves to take part in the Holy Eucharist before praying together to the Confiteor or the “Lord, have mercy.”

The words “Let us Pray” are followed by a period of silence. This prayer is commonly called the “Collect.” The priest “collects” the thoughts, intentions, petitions, and prayers of every one of us, who have been collected from our homes for this celebration of Mass. This moment of silence helps us to focus our worship on Christ. The priest is a mediator between God and man and brings all our petitions to God.

We are directed to have a brief movement of silence after readings. This allows all of us to ponder on the Word spoken so that the Word of God can seep into our being.

Once again, we are invited to be silent after the Homily, which is the time when a priest or deacon explains the readings and teaches us how to live in the light of the gospel. The readings and the homily contain advice, an exhortation, or an admonishment; we can ask the Lord how it applies to our lives. The period of silence is a time when the Lord can make alive and active the word of God in our hearts. We need only to ask him for this: “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

After Communion is another opportunity to be silent. It is a time to offer our prayers of Thanksgiving to the Lord for having fed us with his very self in the holy Eucharist. We can ask the Lord to fill us with his love, to help us love our brothers and sisters, to help us see the world as he does. We can give him thanks for the great blessings he has given us.

Finally, even after the Mass, we are invited to be silent inside the church out of respect for those of us who would like to pray after mass. Those of us who would like to talk with our friends and family members may kindly move the gathering area and spend our time there.

Specific periods of silence are recommended by the Catholic Church to encourage us to have internal and external silence for all the participants at Mass. It can be a challenge to be silent, internally and externally. Indeed, silence at mass is an active, not a passive disposition. Achieving this silence is worth the effort because it helps us to be fully attentive to the Holy Spirit.

Posted in Homily, Mass, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Repentance & Humility

December 10, 2023

2nd Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

The season of Advent is a time of grace for us. It is a time of grace given to us to prepare our hearts so that we are ready to receive Christ at Christmas. Advent is a time of grace to remind us that Jesus is the reason for Christmas. We have just heard the beginning of the Gospel of Mark, which reminded us of the prophecy of Isaiah fulfilled in John the Baptist. “Behold I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. The voice of one crying out in the desert. Prepare the way of the Lord make straight his paths.” (Mark 1:2-3)

The call to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord is urgent and strong. The voice of the prophets calls out to us today; make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God. We tend to avoid the message and the urgency of the prophets. For thousands of years, people have been saying that the Lord will come, but it has not happened. Why should I bother about his coming? St. Peter tells us why in our second reading today. What looks to us like “delay” is divine patience; He “delays” only because he sees our need for repentance. For Him, a thousand years are like one day. Whether He comes in one day or a thousand years, the prophetic message remains the same.

John the Baptist gives us two essential elements of our Advent preparation: repentance and humility. When he appears in the desert, his main message is the proclamation of “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. This shows us that sin is the main obstacle to a proper welcoming of the Lord. We cannot, on our own, do anything about the problem of sin, but when we repent, we deliberately turn away from sin and express our sorrow. This opens the way for the Lord to restore us. The great sacrament of repentance is Confession. In the season of Advent, we should prepare the way by making a thorough, thoughtful, prayerful examination of conscience and then make a worthy Confession.

Humility is the other lesson we learn from John the Baptist. A powerful preacher and forceful witness, he is at the same time an extraordinarily humble man, well aware that he was not worthy even to stoop before the Messiah and loosen the thongs of his sandals. We are even less worthy than John the Baptist and are called to humble ourselves before the Lord. When we do, we welcome the voice of the prophets who call us to repentance, and we open our hearts to the Lord’s power to heal us and care for us. When we acknowledge our dependence on God and dedicate time to be alone with him in prayer, He can speak to our hearts and change them from rough and rugged to smooth and open. As we continue to prepare for the Christmas festivities, let us prepare space in our hearts for the birth of our Savior by taking time in prayer and by repenting of our sins.

Since we are blessed with this Advent time of mercy, we should want to receive as much grace as we can from God. The Lord has no limits on what He can grant to us; it is we who put limits on what he wants to give us. The Lord is waiting to receive you in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to take you in his arms and hold you close to his heart.

Christmas will lack its full meaning if we do not prepare in our hearts a way for the Lord. It is in our hearts that we need to make a straight highway for God. It is the valleys of sin in our hearts that are to be filled with God’s mercy and healing, and the mountains and hills of pride in our hearts that are to become low.

Posted in Homily, Humility, Repentance, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

A Little Time Remains

December 10, 2023

2nd Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

Unlike the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Mark’s Gospel does not start with stories of Christ’s Nativity. This gospel begins with the ministry of St. John the Baptist. John’s mission was to “prepare the way of the Lord (and) make straight his paths.” In ancient times, before a king or emperor would journey to a region, his heralds or messengers would be sent out ahead of him to announce how people were to prepare for his coming. One practical part of these preparations was to improve and repair the roads; filling in the potholes and smoothing the ruts, clearing branches and removing rocks. Isaiah the Prophet speaks of a herald crying out in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together…”

Of course, this readying of the way for the Lord is not done with shovels and wheelbarrows on country roads. St. John the Baptist, the “voice of one crying out in the desert,” preaches conversion and washes people with a baptism of repentance as they confess and renounce their sins. The way of the Lord we must prepare passes through ourselves.

This Advent is a season to prepare for the God, but time is running short. Christmas is coming. Because December 25th falls on a Monday, this year’s Advent is the shortest-possible length of days. The good news is that now is not too late. An unfaithful life can still be reformed. A sacramental Confession can still be arranged. Delayed good deeds can still be done. A life of daily prayer can begin today. There is still some time remaining for you; before Christmas, before Christ’s Second Coming, and before the end of your earthly life.

This world and its people are broken and we can see many sins and evils. Imagine how much better our world would be if everyone sincerely turned to Jesus. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I doubt that everyone will do so, but the ongoing conversions of you and me to Christ can bless our families, friends, and neighbors, joyfully transforming the world around us for the better.

And here is some more good news… Even if not everyone turns to Christ, just as this Christmas, December 25th, is coming no matter what we do, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped. St. Peter writes of how our Lord’s patience, his wish that none should parish but all come to repentance, has permitted the world to continue to our day. God does not tire of waiting; since for him “a thousand years is like one day.” “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief… and the earth and everything done on it will be found out.”

We are encouraged to do our part to prepare a highway for God, lowering mountains and hills, smoothing rough lands and valleys, within ourselves and in our society. But Scriptures declare how at his coming “the mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.” (Psalm 97:5) “The eternal mountains are shattered, the age-old hills bow low, along his ancient ways.” (Habakkuk 3:6) “The mountains melt under him… like wax before the fire, like water poured down a slope.” (Micah 1:4) “The earth melts when he lifts his voice.” (Psalm 46:6)

Our returning Lord will not allow the sins of the world to go on forever. When his Kingdom fully comes, God’s will shall be fully done, on earth as it is in Heaven. So when you witness the many evils caused by misused human freedom, do not grieve as those who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Mourn as the blessed, whom Jesus promises will be consoled. (Matthew 5:4) “According to his promise, we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, (and always be) at peace.”

Posted in Christian Perfection, Culture, Homily, Jesus Christ, Last Judgment, Last Things, Repentance, Salvation History, Second Coming, St. John the Baptist, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

The Fearfulness & Faithfulness of Mary & Joseph

December 8, 2023

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
By Fr. Victor Feltes

After our first parents ate the forbidden fruit, when they heard the sound of God walking about in the Garden of Eden, they hid themselves among the trees. The Lord God called to Adam and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid myself.” Did Blessed Mary the New Eve or St. Joseph her husband ever feel afraid? Indeed, Scripture records several such occasions.

In today’s gospel, at the Annunciation the Archangel Gabriel comes to Mary saying, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you!” “But she was greatly troubled at what was said…” Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’”

Later, when Joseph learned of Mary’s unprecedented pregnancy, he either suspected her and feared she was unworthy of him, or he believed her and feared he himself was unworthy of her and this holy child. “Since (Joseph) was a righteous man and not wanting to expose her to shame, (he) decided to divorce her quietly.” Such was his intention when an angel appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.”

After the birth of Christ and the visit of the magi, Joseph was told by God’s angel in dream to flee with Mary and Jesus into Egypt. Once the murderous King Herod had died, the angel told Joseph in another dream to return to the land of Israel. “But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee” and resettled his Holy Family in the town of Nazareth.

In another episode from the Gospels, when Jesus was 12 years old Mary and Joseph lost track of him during their family pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover. They found him on the third day engaging with the religious teachers at the temple. When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.”

That’s four incidents of fearfulness in Mary, Joseph, or both, which are clearly referenced in the Gospels. What are we to make of this?

Jesus Christ had holy parents on earth. At this Mass we celebrate how Mary was sinless from the moment of her Immaculate Conception and full of grace throughout her life. Joseph her husband was a righteous and virtuous man. However, both Mary and Joseph sometimes experienced fear. This shows us that feeling fear is not the same as sin or lacking in faith.

Realize and remember that faith is not primarily a feeling. Though it is nice when our feelings line up with our beliefs, sometimes they won’t match. You can believe one thing while feeling something else and still choose to act faithfully. For example, you can believe that commercial air travel is safe. Perhaps you have seen the data showing that flying compared to other modes of ground-based travel is, mile-for-mile, safer by far. When the moment comes for you to board your important flight, you might feel natural anxiety. But if you get on that airplane anyway, your faith in flight is on display. You trust in the pilots, in the aircraft, and in what you know, and this trusting faith enables you to reach your good destination.

Mary had such trusting, loving faith in Joseph. One night, her husband woke from sleep and told her he had received another message from God’s angel in a dream; they were in danger from King Herod and must quickly escape to Egypt. Mary had not beheld Joseph’s dream, but whatever she was feeling she trusted him and took the flight with him into Egypt, and her acceptance of this hard thing enabled their salvation.

Mary also had trusting, loving faith in God. St. Elizabeth praises her faith at the Visitation. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth cries out, “Most blessed are you among women… Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled!” Years later, during Jesus’ public ministry, a woman in a crowd called out to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed!” Jesus replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” The Blessed Virgin Mary can be called “most blessed among women” because of her enduring faithfulness — she hears God’s word and keeps it.

It is essential that we not only hear God’s word but also faithfully obey it. Jesus declares, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven.”

Mary and Joseph loved and trusted God and each other, and God loved and trusted them to raise our Lord. Their faithfulness on earth is now rewarded with heavenly glory. God has entrusted them with shares in the spiritual care of his people on earth today. St. Joseph is the patron and protector of the entire Church, and St. Mary is the spiritual mother of every Christian. Ask Mary and Joseph to pray for you and ask Jesus to give you his grace to be always faithful despite whatever you might feel. For faith in Christ is not so much about feelings but about loving and trusting Jesus enough to be faithful to him.

Posted in Adam and Eve, Blessed Virgin Mary, Chrisitian Virtues, Christian Perfection, Courage, Faith, Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Saintly People, St. Joseph | 1 Comment »

Watching & Waiting

December 3, 2023

1st Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

The season of Advent always calls us to a sense of hope, that God loves us, has sent his Son to redeem us, and that no one is excluded from God’s loving care and protection. That is the heart of our belief in God: He knows us by name, cares for us, and never abandons us. That does not negate the fact of our free will, the ability to choose what is right and good, to heed God’s voice and God’s grace in our lives. We are always free to choose the good, since God never forces us, but always lovingly invites us.

The first reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah, and the second reading from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthian Church, give us examples of looking forward in hope for the Lord’s coming. The people confessed their guilt and admitted that God was indeed right to punish them. They understand that they have given Yahweh their God plenty of reason to stay away. They feel that they are sinful, unclean, and full of guilt. And yet, for those who are awake and waiting in faith, the second coming is a joyful event.

In the gospel, Jesus encourages us to be prepared, to stay awake. If we fall asleep and forget the need to wait in hope, then we risk that the Lord comes at a time we do not expect. In that case, we would not be ready to welcome him and celebrate with him. (cf. Mt 15:1-13) The Lord uses the example of a man who leaves his servants in charge while he travels abroad. He warns the gatekeeper to stay on the watch because he does not know the day and hour of his master’s return. Jesus specifically mentions all four watches of the night. The Lord of the house may come in the evening, at midnight, at dawn (“cockcrow”), or in the morning.

Jesus is going to come in glory to judge all people and take the righteous to their reward. The first Sunday of Advent invites us to be ready to receive the Lord who is going to come. This is the time of waiting and we await the one who is certain to come to us. We must be ever alert and ready so that the coming of the Son does not find us unprepared. Advent is a season for us to renew our hope because of the coming of Christ. As we reflect upon the period of waiting for the first coming of Jesus at Bethlehem, and as we begin to prepare for his coming at Christmas, we also await his final coming into our lives.

In addition, the Readings remind us that while Heaven and Earth shall pass away, the Word of the Lord shall not pass away. Every promise that He has made shall be fulfilled. Thus, Jesus gives us the warning: The Christian who listens to the words of Jesus lives in permanent expectation of his coming and will welcome him as the long-awaited Master arrives from his journey. To be on watch is to be aware each day, through prayer and reflection, that the ‘today’ of salvation is here and now.

We should live in the living presence of Jesus every day waiting for his Second Coming. We can experience Christ’s living presence in the Holy Eucharist, in the Holy Bible, in our worshiping community in our parish, in our family, in our souls, and everyone around us. The early Christians experienced it, and that is why the mutual greeting among Christians was “Maran Atha” which means “Come, Lord Jesus.” This greeting acknowledged Jesus present in each of them and about to return. May God bless you and keep you ever-prepared for Christ’s second coming.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Second Coming, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

The Three Comings of Christ

December 3, 2023

1st Sunday of Advent
By Fr. Victor Feltes

During this Advent season, we are called to contemplate three distinct comings of Christ. The first is his coming in the past, twenty centuries ago at the first Christmas. Answering the Prophet Isaiah’s plea, our Lord rent the heavens and came down for the sake of his servants by assuming a human nature. Through the Incarnation, God wrought an awesome deed we could not have hoped for, something unheard of from of old. The Shepherd of Israel came down to save us. By his birth, the Lord let us see his face that we may be saved.

The second coming of Jesus Christ which we contemplate in Advent is literally called his Second Coming. Like a master leaving to travel abroad, our Lord has promised his servants he will return some unknown future day and hour. He will return in unveiled glory as both our King and Judge, so we must strive to be firm to the end, irreproachable for the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the upcoming weeks, when you hear St. John the Baptist preach about ‘making straight the way for the Lord,’ realize that these words are addressed to you. Now is the time to go to Confession and cast your sins away. You do not know when the Lord is coming. So be watchful and alert, lest our Lord come suddenly — on the Last Day of this world or the last day of your life — and find you unprepared.

So what is the third coming of Jesus Christ we should contemplate this Advent? The first is his coming in the past, the second is his coming in the future, and the third is his coming now. He comes to us now most marvelously in the Holy Eucharist, but he also comes to us during our ordinary days.

The master in Jesus’ parable “leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.” Each of us has work to do during this Advent season; some tasks which come as part of our regular duties and others which are particular to this time of year. Whatever your state in life, you will likely be busy this month. May you be occupied with the good work our Lord entrusts to you, rather than distracted and burdened by ill-chosen pursuits of your own. But amidst your daily tasks, whatever they may be, be watchful for our Lord.

Jesus concludes today’s parable declaring, “What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” Each of us is called to be on watch for him. And Jesus tells us on another occasion, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” So vigilantly keep watch for the Lord. The past has gone and the future is not yet here. The only time you can ever encounter our Lord is the present moment. So as you go throughout this Advent, contemplate his presence with you from moment to moment.

Be attentive to him in times of dedicated personal prayer, even if starting with just five or ten minutes a day. And converse with him, commune with him, throughout the tasks of your daily life. Jesus came to us first at Christmas. He will come again in glory on the Last Day. And he comes to us at any moment we watch for him.

Posted in Christian Perfection, Homily, Incarnation, Jesus Christ, Last Judgment, Repentance, Second Coming, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

Jesus Is The King

November 26, 2023

Solemnity of Christ the King
By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. When I say “the King” to you, I am sure several images and concepts will immediately come to your mind, among them: a throne, white robes, kingship, servants, and feasts. judgment, glory, and dominion. The King we are going to reflect on today is something different from other kings. “His Kingdom will be a Kingdom of truth and life, a Kingdom of holiness and grace, and a Kingdom of justice, love, and peace.”

The first reading today comes from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel and shows us God as a Shepherd. God himself will come personally to tend his sheep because the entrusted shepherds have not been found worthy of their charge. God will take care of the sick and weak sheep but will separate and punish those who have made themselves strong at the expense of the weak. This is the work of our king, something different from other kings. “I will seek the lost. I will bring back the strayed. I will bind up the injured. I will strengthen the weak.”

The kingship of Jesus is different from that of other kings. During His life on earth, Jesus was born in the royal Davidic family. In the annunciation narrative, we have the angel Gabriel bringing the good news to Mary in Nazareth, saying, “He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. His Kingdom will never end.” When the Magi came to Jerusalem, they asked, “Where is he who is born King of the Jews?”

Jesus preached the Kingdom of God and told the disciples to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. It means we must give first place in our lives to God. It means we must come under the rule of His kingship. We must confess that Jesus is the Lord and King. Yet, He called his disciples friends, not servants and bestowed on them a share in his priesthood and kingship. Though he died, unlike other kings, he died willingly to save his people, and his death was not a result of loss but of a glorious victory planned by his Father.

During his passion, he manifested that he was the King and died on the cross with the title that he was the King of the Jews. He was left alone to be mocked, insulted, beaten, humiliated, and finally to die a criminal’s death. His own disciples left him and ran away when he needed them the most. It was one of the thieves who was crucified with Him who recognized him as a king, and asked for a place in his Kingdom. Jesus promised him that place. The Lord’s death also shows that He is the king who came to serve all, even His enemies. He said: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” His life, teachings, and death spell out a Kingdom of justice. At the same time, we know that when our King judges the world, his just judgment is balanced with radical love, mercy, peace, and forgiveness.

As the followers of Jesus, we need to surrender our lives to Christ’s rule because He is our King. We must do his will by sharing His forgiving love with others around us. This is what asked his disciples to do. And so, this feast is an invitation to all those who have power or authority in the government, in public office, in educational institutions, and in the family, to reflect. Are we using the authority we have been given by Jesus in the way He used His authority? Are we using our God–given authority to serve others with love and compassion as Jesus did? As parents, are we using our God–given authority to train our children in Christian values?

Posted in Feast Day Homilies, Homily, Jesus Christ, Sunday Homilies | Leave a Comment »

He is in the Hands of God — Funeral Homily for David Dachel, 81

November 25, 2023

By Fr. Chinnappan Pelavendran

On behalf of the parish community of St. Paul’s, I would like to extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the members of David’s family. I would like to assure his children, grandchildren, and near and dear ones of my prayers.

We have heard in our first reading, “The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God.” (Wisdom 3:1) What better place could we go after death than into the hands of God? What a beautiful way to describe God’s care for us. Do you remember when you were small and your parents took you up in their arms? You felt safe in the arms of your parents. When we die, God takes us up in his hands. We are in the hands of God. We believe that God has taken David up into his hands. The reading ends beautifully, expressing the faith of someone who believes in God’s goodness and who therefore is not afraid to die.

“Those who trust in him will understand the truth,
  those who are faithful will live with him in love,
 for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.” (Wisdom 3:9)

David peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023. He married JoAnne Fanetti on February 27th, 1965, here at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. He was a simple and humble man, and friendly with everyone. He served his country in the National Guard and worked for Catalytic Combustion in Bloomer. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and cruising around town. He used to call his grandchildren “Doodlers.” He enjoyed the T.V. program “Judge Judy.” Above all he enjoyed driving around the city and saying hello to everyone he saw.

In the Gospel today Jesus invites us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Look at Jesus’ invitation; it is an open invitation to all of us, and no one is excluded. Life is full of struggles and hardships. It is easy to grow weary, it is normal to get discouraged. Jesus offers us rest. This is a free gift from Jesus, we do not have to earn it, but we need to respond to Jesus’ invitation.

Here is Jesus’ invitation for “rest.” It is not physical rest, nor mental rest; He is talking about a more important rest, a deeper rest. He is talking about spiritual rest – rest for our soul. Sometimes we are restless people. Our lives are often filled with hurts regrets, guilt, and so many distractions. For these moments, we try to turn on our music or television or various activities, but none of that cures the restlessness in our souls. None of that can make us whole again. St. Augustine says, “O Lord, you have formed us for yourself, and our souls are restless until they find their rest in you.” Now our brother David is resting in the hands of God.

When we die, God takes us up in his hands. Those who trust in God will understand the truth that people only appear to die; their leaving us seems like a disaster. But we can look forward to God’s love, grace, and mercy after death. Anything else is of our own making and we have time to repent and reform before our death. So we ask God to take our brother David up in his arms, to pour his love, grace, and mercy upon him.

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him
May he rest in peace! Amen.

Posted in Funeral Homilies, Homily | Leave a Comment »

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