Achievable New Year's Resolutions for Catholics

Feel free to add your own. Just keep them achievable.

1. I will make sure that my cell phone is turned off before Mass starts.

2. I will go to confession at least once in the New Year.

3. I will make sure that my cell phone is turned off before I enter a church.

4. I will say the (5-decade) Rosary once during the month of May.

5. I will read one chapter of one of the Gospels during the New Year.

6. I will find out for myself what the Pope really said about (fill in topic of your choice).

7. I will read the section of the owner’s manual of my cell phone that explains how to turn it off. 

8. I will give alms at least once during Lent.

9. If any babies appear in my household or on my doorstep I will have them baptized before they reach the age of reason.

10. If my cell phone rings during Mass I will do something about it instead of just letting it ring.

11.    When receiving Holy Communion I will clearly telegraph my intentions regarding whether I will receive on the tongue or in the hand.

This is your church at 0500

School organ progress

The pipe organ in the school music room is now standing on its legs.

Words to Live By

"it is my conviction that theology is too serious to allow humans to think theologically without playfulness and irony. To try to be as serious as the subject would be arrogant, and could lead the hearer/reader to believe that I considered everything to be precisely as I describe it. Of late I have become even more convinced of the theological necessity of irony -- and of its nobler cousin humor--as a safeguard against idolatry."

Krister Stendahl, Paul Among Jews and Gentiles Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1976, viii.

The News is Out

"Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.'" (John 20:21).

   One of the many good things about being a Catholic priest is this: someone else tells you what your mission is. It's good to know that the mission you are on was determined by the needs of other people rather than by your own selfish motives. Seven years ago when Bishop Campbell asked me to become Pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr I said, "yes." Recently I heard from Bishop Campbell again. I learned that he had been in touch with various religious orders, asking them to send priests to work in the Diocese of Columbus. One of them was the Missionary Servants of the Word, the same congregation whose sisters are serving at our parish, and which will soon be sending three more sisters to Christ the King. The Missionary Servants of the Word informed Bishop Campbell that they were willing to send two priests, one of whom speaks both English and Spanish. Because these priests are members of a religious community, they need to be assigned to the same place. 

   And this is how it comes about that two new priests will be coming to St. Stephen the Martyr at the beginning of July. That's wonderful news!

   At the same time, the Bishop has asked me to take on a new mission as Pastor of St. Mary's Church in Marion, Ohio, effective July 9. St. Mary's has been without a pastor for a few months, after the previous pastor became ill with heart problems. As I did seven years ago, when the Bishop asked me to take up a mission, I said, "yes."

   Looking  back on seven years at St. Stephen, I am astounded and moved at how much we have been able to accomplish, with the help of God. And when I think about how much more could happen at the parish, now that it will be served by two full-time priests, I find it a very exciting prospect. St. Stephen has a very bright future. 

   There is no doubt that transitions of this kind are always a challenge. But I keep thinking back to something a wise layman told me many years ago: "When our leaders don't do what God is calling them to do, we all suffer." 

    Please pray for the two priests who will be coming to serve this parish. I know that you will welcome them and show them both affection and respect, because that is how you have treated me. And pray for the children and young people of our parish, that God inspire them to dedicate their lives to his holy service. 

Sincerely Yours in Christ, 

Fr. Thomas Buffer.       

We float!

S/V Vidi Aquam is afloat and operational.

When I retire my replacement will look like this

Typical new priest: 32-year-old cradle Catholic who prays Rosary, takes part in Eucharistic adoration : News Headlines - Cat...

Fiesta Cinco de Mayo

Party with us for a good cause this Friday at the Fiesta Cinco de Mayo. Click here to buy tickets.

http://todayparish.blogspot.com/2013/04/congratulations-felipe.html

Painted paneling progress

Might have a dining room before Pentecost.

Habemus papam

Working fast to get the bunting up.

Pope Comments on Council; some loss in translation.

The Pope's spontaneous remarks to the priests of the Diocese of Rome indicate that, despite the ravages of age, his mind is as sharp as ever.
It is regrettable that these important remarks suffered somewhat from a few mistakes in translation that, to my eye at least, suggest a competent but inexperienced translator, as well as an editor who was asleep at the switch.
A few corrections:
"vocations" not "the vocations"
"principles" not " principals of the intelligibility of the Liturgy "
And , especially unfortunate: "Sacredness ended up as profanity"
The pontiff was trying to say that what should have remained sacred (the liturgy) ended up as something profane. He did not mean to say that"liturgy" became a dirty word!

Pope to Rome’s priests: The Second Vatican Council, as I saw it - Radio Vaticana

We Need More Jokes Please