Marriage Minute Video episode 30: “Canada Has Recognized Gay Marriage for Many Years. What Has Occurred There?" from Minnesota for Marriage.
Examples of the negative consequences impacting Canada after its decision to redefine marriage are far-reaching—from pre-kindergarten students, to clerics, to private and public employees, no aspect of society has been left unaffected.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Pastor's Notes for July 29
Dear Parishioners,
Thank God for the beautiful rain this last week. I hope that we get what we need for your crops and gardens.
I realized that I have not written previously of my taking advantage of Spiritual Direction. About once a month, I go to a priest spiritual director. I have found this personal time as extremely valuable and needed. There are times that I have gone where an issue has weighed so heavy on my mind and heart that I cannot see the way, and he helps me find clarity. There are other times where I have gone overwhelmed by joy that he has helped me praise the Lord in a coherent manner. The time I spend is never wasted and as I leave his office, I know that I am 'centered' again on the Lord. Spiritual direction, along with priest support groups (which I am not a part of), form an integral support for priests. Without at least one of these, many have simply turned in on themselves, turning ministry into drudgery. I am profoundly thankful for the opportunity to go, and my current director is excellent. Because he is at the King's House in Buffalo, and the parish in Buffalo was my teaching parish while I was in seminary, I also usually take the evening to visit with those who accompanied me in my time there. This group has helped me, too, tremendously.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Thank God for the beautiful rain this last week. I hope that we get what we need for your crops and gardens.
I realized that I have not written previously of my taking advantage of Spiritual Direction. About once a month, I go to a priest spiritual director. I have found this personal time as extremely valuable and needed. There are times that I have gone where an issue has weighed so heavy on my mind and heart that I cannot see the way, and he helps me find clarity. There are other times where I have gone overwhelmed by joy that he has helped me praise the Lord in a coherent manner. The time I spend is never wasted and as I leave his office, I know that I am 'centered' again on the Lord. Spiritual direction, along with priest support groups (which I am not a part of), form an integral support for priests. Without at least one of these, many have simply turned in on themselves, turning ministry into drudgery. I am profoundly thankful for the opportunity to go, and my current director is excellent. Because he is at the King's House in Buffalo, and the parish in Buffalo was my teaching parish while I was in seminary, I also usually take the evening to visit with those who accompanied me in my time there. This group has helped me, too, tremendously.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Civility in America
For those interested in asking our politicians to be more civil to each other and honestly discuss the issues, the Knights of Columbus has started a petition called Civility in America. Go there to learn more about it.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Pastor's Notes for July 22
Dear Parishioners,
Our sympathy to the family and friends of Susie Fischer at the time of her passing, and to Rita Price family on the passing of Rita's brother Jerome Schunk. May they, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Congratulations to Kole David Knott, son of Ken and Shelley, and to Owen James Rohlik, son of Jessica and Clete Rohlik, who will be baptized this weekend and Wednesday respectively.
This Thursday is the Feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim - happy feast day to parishioners at St. Anne's! So little is certain of St. Anne and Joachim, and what is known seems mostly legendary. It is certain that they were a older couple, like Elizabeth and Zachariah after them, who longed for a child. God blessed them with the Blessed Mother, who was preserved from sin from the first moment of her conception by God's grace (the Immaculate Conception). There is a church that is built on the remains of a first century house north of the Temple which tradition holds was the Jerusalem home of St. Joachim and St. Anne, and the birthplace of Mary, though it is probable that the family moved to Nazareth after Joachim's service in the temple was completed. Joachim and Anne taught their daughter the Jewish faith and prayers, and enabled her to respond to God's call. Praise God for these two holy people who helped to prepare the world for the coming of Christ.
Unrelated, this week has been declared NFP Awareness week by the US Bishops. Natural Family Planning (not the rhythm method which only rarely works) teaches couples the signs of fertility. If they have just reasons to delay conception. when both are fertile, they can morally choose to abstain from sexual relations during that joint fertile time. It is relatively easy, cheap, and completely open to life (there is no law that says a couple most be active all the time). It encourages communication, and best of all, when husband and wife express their love sexually, there is nothing that is being held back. For more information, see my posts on this blog for NFP.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Our sympathy to the family and friends of Susie Fischer at the time of her passing, and to Rita Price family on the passing of Rita's brother Jerome Schunk. May they, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Congratulations to Kole David Knott, son of Ken and Shelley, and to Owen James Rohlik, son of Jessica and Clete Rohlik, who will be baptized this weekend and Wednesday respectively.
This Thursday is the Feast of St. Anne and St. Joachim - happy feast day to parishioners at St. Anne's! So little is certain of St. Anne and Joachim, and what is known seems mostly legendary. It is certain that they were a older couple, like Elizabeth and Zachariah after them, who longed for a child. God blessed them with the Blessed Mother, who was preserved from sin from the first moment of her conception by God's grace (the Immaculate Conception). There is a church that is built on the remains of a first century house north of the Temple which tradition holds was the Jerusalem home of St. Joachim and St. Anne, and the birthplace of Mary, though it is probable that the family moved to Nazareth after Joachim's service in the temple was completed. Joachim and Anne taught their daughter the Jewish faith and prayers, and enabled her to respond to God's call. Praise God for these two holy people who helped to prepare the world for the coming of Christ.
Unrelated, this week has been declared NFP Awareness week by the US Bishops. Natural Family Planning (not the rhythm method which only rarely works) teaches couples the signs of fertility. If they have just reasons to delay conception. when both are fertile, they can morally choose to abstain from sexual relations during that joint fertile time. It is relatively easy, cheap, and completely open to life (there is no law that says a couple most be active all the time). It encourages communication, and best of all, when husband and wife express their love sexually, there is nothing that is being held back. For more information, see my posts on this blog for NFP.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
“What kind of issues would children face if marriage is redefined?"
New Marriage Minute Video Released: “What kind of issues would children face if marriage is redefined?" No. 28.
Experience shows that whenever same sex marriage becomes the law, children will be exposed to it as early as kindergarten. When same-sex marriage was imposed on Massachusetts, for example, second graders were taught in public schools that boys could marry other boys and parents who objected could not opt out of the instruction.
Experience shows that whenever same sex marriage becomes the law, children will be exposed to it as early as kindergarten. When same-sex marriage was imposed on Massachusetts, for example, second graders were taught in public schools that boys could marry other boys and parents who objected could not opt out of the instruction.
Friday, July 13, 2012
“What kind of issues would professionals face if marriage is redefined”
New Marriage Minute Video: “What kind of issues would professionals face if marriage is redefined” | Minnesota for Marriage | MinnesotaForMarriage.com episode 27.
Doctors, psychologists, social workers, counselors and other professionals who conscientiously object to same-sex marriage will face a range of potential consequences including license revocation and lawsuits leading to potential loss of their ability to make a living.
Doctors, psychologists, social workers, counselors and other professionals who conscientiously object to same-sex marriage will face a range of potential consequences including license revocation and lawsuits leading to potential loss of their ability to make a living.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Pastor's Notes for July 8
Dear parishioners,
Our sympathy to Brent Imker and family on the death of his mother. May she rest in peace.
Thank you to all who helped with Fr. Aaron's reception following his Mass of Thanksgiving, with setup, serving, cleanup, etc. The weekend was wonderful, and I am glad that so many were abel to attend the ordination and Mass of Thanksgiving. I hope that the next ordination from our AFC will be even better attended.
We have formally begun a new fiscal year. We have budgets set with very minimal changes. The largest items in the budgets of our parishes are the support of our school (whether it be one line in the budget as Subsidy, or a number of lines items as at St. Anne's like salaries and books). I am so thankful for your generous support in the education of our children. To help, we decided to raise the tuition $40 to $700 per student. We are still at the very bottom of the tuition range of the entire diocese. But the financial aspect of our school and parishes are only a little of the tale. We need to remember the main purpose of everything we do: to know, love and serve the Lord in this life so to be with Him for eternity. That means the entirety of our faith formation program (elementary after school and high school, as well as adult faith formation), continued care of good liturgy and liturgical space, and the other items needed to support such programs. Thank you for your support of all of these.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Our sympathy to Brent Imker and family on the death of his mother. May she rest in peace.
Thank you to all who helped with Fr. Aaron's reception following his Mass of Thanksgiving, with setup, serving, cleanup, etc. The weekend was wonderful, and I am glad that so many were abel to attend the ordination and Mass of Thanksgiving. I hope that the next ordination from our AFC will be even better attended.
We have formally begun a new fiscal year. We have budgets set with very minimal changes. The largest items in the budgets of our parishes are the support of our school (whether it be one line in the budget as Subsidy, or a number of lines items as at St. Anne's like salaries and books). I am so thankful for your generous support in the education of our children. To help, we decided to raise the tuition $40 to $700 per student. We are still at the very bottom of the tuition range of the entire diocese. But the financial aspect of our school and parishes are only a little of the tale. We need to remember the main purpose of everything we do: to know, love and serve the Lord in this life so to be with Him for eternity. That means the entirety of our faith formation program (elementary after school and high school, as well as adult faith formation), continued care of good liturgy and liturgical space, and the other items needed to support such programs. Thank you for your support of all of these.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
“What kind of issues would small business owners face if marriage is redefined?”
Minnesota for Marriage has posted another video “What kind of issues would small business owners face if marriage is redefined?” Video 26.
Short answer: Small business owners who conscientiously object to same-sex marriage will face a range of potential consequences including lawsuits, administrative actions and loss of governmental benefits and contracts.
Short answer: Small business owners who conscientiously object to same-sex marriage will face a range of potential consequences including lawsuits, administrative actions and loss of governmental benefits and contracts.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Pastor's notes for July 1
Dear Parishioners,
Congratulations to Isaiah and Abigail Thooft who are baptized this weekend at OLV. We are so grateful that the Lord lead them to Matt and Bernadette, and that Matt and Bernadette are helping them to find the Lord.
Congratulations to Fr. Aaron Johanneck! It is truly a great day for our diocese, our AFC, and for the Johanneck family. May the ministry he is about to begin bring him fulfillment and led him and many to God! Thank you, Fr. Aaron, for your response to the Lord's call, and to Tom and Connie for your generous gift to the Church of your son.
This last week, the Congregation for Education released a document on the promotion of vocations to the priesthood. The document highlights the need for all to be concerned with vocations - an integrated pastoral ministry - to work together in helping their sons discern a vocation. They write: "The family remains the primary community for the transmission of the Christian faith. It can be seen everywhere that many priestly vocations are born in families where the example of a Christian life in keeping with its calling and the practice of the evangelical virtues give rise to the desire for complete self-giving. Care for vocations presupposes, in reality, a strong family pastoral ministry." I find this as confirmation of the need for the book I have finished, as it is written for parents to know what they need to support their children in discerning a vocation.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Congratulations to Isaiah and Abigail Thooft who are baptized this weekend at OLV. We are so grateful that the Lord lead them to Matt and Bernadette, and that Matt and Bernadette are helping them to find the Lord.
Congratulations to Fr. Aaron Johanneck! It is truly a great day for our diocese, our AFC, and for the Johanneck family. May the ministry he is about to begin bring him fulfillment and led him and many to God! Thank you, Fr. Aaron, for your response to the Lord's call, and to Tom and Connie for your generous gift to the Church of your son.
This last week, the Congregation for Education released a document on the promotion of vocations to the priesthood. The document highlights the need for all to be concerned with vocations - an integrated pastoral ministry - to work together in helping their sons discern a vocation. They write: "The family remains the primary community for the transmission of the Christian faith. It can be seen everywhere that many priestly vocations are born in families where the example of a Christian life in keeping with its calling and the practice of the evangelical virtues give rise to the desire for complete self-giving. Care for vocations presupposes, in reality, a strong family pastoral ministry." I find this as confirmation of the need for the book I have finished, as it is written for parents to know what they need to support their children in discerning a vocation.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
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