The Sacrament of Confirmation

4-21-13

This coming week we will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation for Saints Martha & Mary Parish and Sacred Heart Parish. Very often Confirmation is treated as a rite of passage as if a candidate is becoming an adult in the Catholic faith. This leads people to believe that Confirmation is a “graduation” of sorts when in actuality it is a beginning of a lifetime faith journey.

The sacrament of Confirmation is really about strengthening our faith. It is a continuation of the work begun in Baptism. Confirmation should be thought of as a beginning rather than an ending (or graduation from religious ed). Confirmation brings the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to us so that we have the tools to learn in the faith, grow in the faith, and be members in the Body of Christ. In The Sacramental Mystery, author Paul Haffner believes that confirmation should be done before the teenage years (when most parishes confirm) so that they may use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to bring them through the tumultuous teenage years.

When examining the Rite of Confirmation, one will find no questions asking the candidate “Do you really want to be a Catholic?” Instead, from the very beginning, we see questions that are very familiar… such as “Do you reject Satan and all his works?” The questions in the rite are the same ones asked in the Rite of Baptism. In Confirmation the promises made at baptism are renewed and strengthened. Confirmation amplifies the graces received in Baptism.

Baptism and Confirmation are twin sacraments. They cannot be separated. When one is baptized it is expected that s/he will also be confirmed. Each sacrament fulfills its meaning in the other. This twinning is analogous to Easter and Pentecost. Pentecost completes the Easter message of hope and resurrection in Christ. The appearance of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost puts a seal on the Paschal Mystery; just as confirmation puts a seal on the baptized person when the bishop says “(name) be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Let us remember the confirmation candidates in prayer this week. Let us pray that they will see Confirmation as a beginning rather than an ending and let us ALL make a commitment to lifelong learning beyond confirmation so that we may grow closer to Jesus. God Bless… Holly Clark

Getting Lost With Jesus!

4-2-13

One of my favorite ways to pray is in my car while travelling from place to place. I often put on some music and invite Jesus to ride with me and talk with me. Last week, before Easter, I set out to do some Communion calls in Lakeville. This was my first time going out to see parishioners in Lakeville and I had my addresses programmed into my GPS and Jesus next to me in a pyx in the passenger’s seat. As I drove along the back roads of Lakeville I thought to myself—just how awesome it was to have the Real Presence next to me as my travelling companion. Jesus and I drove through some beautiful back roads and we conversed together all along the way. I found the first home easy enough and it was wonderful to be able to bring Jesus to a woman who cannot join us at the Sunday Table of our Lord. She, I and Jesus chatted for quite some time. So joyful was she when Jesus came to her home!

The next home I had a difficult time finding. My GPS “Lady” was telling me to go one way though instinct was telling me to go another way (and you all know we MUST “obey” our GPS!). I got terribly lost in the woods of Lakeville. As I tried finding my to this couple’s home I wondered what Jesus, next to me, was thinking? Was He enjoying the ride? Was He annoyed with me for being lost? But I recalled what He said to Martha and Mary when Martha was overly concerned about the details of hospitality rather than focusing on the presence of her guests. I found myself enjoying this private time with Jesus. Jesus reminded me that it is too easy to get caught up in the minute details of what we do and forget about simply enjoying the moment, finding the joy in the presence of Jesus and the people we are with.

Eventually I found the home that I was looking for. The elderly husband and wife greeted me warmly and assured me they were not annoyed I was late. As if prompted by Jesus the woman said to me “We do what we can, when we can… and not worry about the rest!” the perfect thought to end my day. I will always treasure my day bringing the Eucharist to homebound parishioners and getting lost with Jesus.
God Bless, Holly Clark

He is Risen!

Easter 2013

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Ps 118

This is indeed the day the Lord has made! On Easter we are blessed to have so many people worshipping with us today. Some are visiting with family, some are worshipping with us for the first time and still others come to pray with us a few times a year. You are all welcome to this house of worship! We have all come together today to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.

To those of us who come to Mass frequently let us seek out those whom you do not know and greet them as Jesus greeted all. To those who visit us a few times a year please feel welcome here. Don’t be shy! Introduce yourself to the person seated next to you! Let us meet and greet each other with open arms.

We have spent the past few weeks contemplating our lives and reflecting on our faith. We’ve prayed together, fasted together and gave to the poor and today we celebrate together. Today let us reflect on our Lenten sacrifices and the lessons learned during Lent. Let us try to live out some of those ideals well beyond Lent and into the Easter season. As the passage below states it is time to clear out our past (old yeast) and look forward to a new future (fresh dough), a future in Christ:

Brothers and sisters:
Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I Cor 5:6b-8

God Bless, Holly Clark

Resolutions for Lent

3-23-13


This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and anticipation of the Lord’s death and resurrection. We have spent the last few weeks reflecting upon our lives and how we can better live up to the ideals that Jesus has set forth for us. Did we learn anything about ourselves these past few weeks? What could we have done better? As we prepare this week to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection let us make some Lenten resolutions that will last us well beyond Lent:

Give up complaining - focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism - become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments - think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry - trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement - be full of hope.

Give up bitterness - turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred - return good for evil.

Give up negativism - be positive.

Give up anger - be more patient.

Give up pettiness - become mature.

Give up gloom - enjoy the beauty all around you.

Give up jealousy - pray for trust.

Give up gossiping - control your tongue.

Give up sin - turn to virtue.

Give up giving up - hang in there!*

We are on a faith journey that does not end at Holy Week. We should always take the time to reflect upon our faith and our lives. God Bless – Holly Clark



*http://www.appleseeds.org/lent-reflect_1.htm

What Challenges You?

Lent is often known as a season of “giving up.” Jesus suffered in the desert, He gave up food, water and had the devil on His shoulder promising an end to His suffering. We sympathize with Christ and we “give up” something for Lent. How often do you say to your Catholic neighbor “What are you giving up for Lent?” When I read Scripture, and about Jesus being led into the desert and being tempted by Satan, I find myself not thinking about what to give up for Lent but rather my thoughts go to the challenge of not giving up to the devil and his temptations. Jesus challenged Himself by facing Satan one-on-one and I ask myself what challenges the devil sends me to tempt me to the road to ruin? I know he sends me brownies I shouldn’t eat, annoyances that I shouldn’t be angry at, and situations where I find myself alone and wondering what life and living is all about.

Everyday we face challenges great and small. What devils do you have sitting on your shoulder? What challenges and temptations do you face? As we travel our Lenten journey we will fast, pray and give alms. Let us also consider taking up a challenge. Let us face our demons. Let us this Lent resolve to take up the devil’s challenges one by one and say “no thanks”! This will not be easy and we may become discouraged…But remember, Jesus is walking with us.

God Bless, Holly Clark

Lenten Prayer

2-17-13


Welcome to Lent!
Lent is one of my favorite seasons of the Church Year! We often think of Lent as being a time of calm as we walk and pray with Jesus over forty days and nights. It is a time of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. It is a time of quiet contemplation but yet it is also a time of spiritual enrichment.

When we fast (from food, from Internet, TV, cigarettes etc) we share Jesus’ suffering in the desert. When we give to the poor and needy we share in Jesus’ earthly mission to those less fortunate and when we pray we share our lives and our faith with our Lord and He, in turn, shares His understanding and love for us. It is through prayer that we learn about ourselves and God’s plan for us.

This Lent don’t just give up chocolate! Give up some of your time to pray or, if you do not know how, just dive in and learn! Praying with the Lord can be just as simple as saying, “Here I am, Lord I’ve come to do your will…” and then listen… listen carefully to the whisperings and gentle callings of the Spirit. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are speaking to you… can you hear them? Listening and hearing God in prayer isn’t easy at first. You will need to find a quiet place and time to still your mind. Go into the desert with Jesus this Lent and share His wisdom and His journey.

God Bless, Holly Clark

Do Not Be Afraid!

2-10-13

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Do not be afraid! As the saying goes the only things certain in life are death and taxes… but I would add change! We live in exciting times! Through careful and thoughtful pastoral planning we too can become fishers of men! When Jesus began His earthly ministry He proposed a lot of changes. Some of these changes were in how to live, how to worship and how to think in new ways. Jesus is asking us to do this again. How can we reach the people, the people of God who have fallen away?

As we go forward in bringing together the faith communities of Sts Martha and Mary and Sacred Heart, let us be the new fishers of men! We are so much more together than apart! I am enthused and filled with the spirit… just think of the possibilities! Jesus did and look where we are today! How will you be a fisher of men? God bless, Holly Clark

Got Talent?

1-20-2013


In our Church today, we find in our laity a huge reservoir of talent and expertise just waiting to be called on in the service of the Kingdom.

Theresa EE-Choi, Member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (Malaysia)

Do you have talents to offer? In this new millennium we are facing a culture of pastoral planning, to discover new ways of evangelizing and being Church. We each need to do a serious inventory of our gifts and talents and discover where we can put them to the best use in service to our Lord and our parish. You may say “I have no talent. I have nothing to offer…” Nonsense! Everyone has a talent for something! Even a baby can give away a smile. Today’s second reading suggests just some of the gifts we may have to offer.

A few years ago I was unemployed and feeling a bit worthless when I was at Mass one Sunday morning and saw a Stewardship form for volunteering time and talent. I thought as I was not working that I had plenty of time to offer and did an inventory of my talents. I filled out the form offering my graphic design skills. My first project was designing a bulletin board for CCD classes. Later projects included flyers, PowerPoint presentations and building the parish website. Through this stewardship of time and talent I found myself reawakened spiritually. I fell in love with ministry! Stewardship lit the flame of my heart and I decided to dedicate my life to ministry. (You never know what God has in mind for you!)

Today as we embark on the task of evangelization and pastoral planning, I would ask each of you to reflect upon your talents. Ask your friends and families where they think you are talented. I guarantee you there is spot here for you as Jesus puts us all to work in the vineyard!

Let us go forward in hope! A new millennium is opening before the Church like a vast ocean upon which we shall venture, relying on the help of Christ.

Novo Millennio Ineunte, Pope John Paul II, 2000

God bless, Holly Clark

2013 Anno Domini

1-13-13

2013 Anno Domini

In this new year, let us reflect back on the past year and ask ourselves: Where can we improve our spiritual life? How can we invite the Lord to be a part our life?

To begin with try out this “recipe”:

Recipe for a Happy New Year (anonymous)

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor.

In this new year, arise from your bed and resolve to make the Lord a member of your family. Talk with Him, Walk with Him and Pray with Him. Share your life with Him, the good and the bad, He will always listen. God bless, Holly Clark

Let Your Face Shine Upon Us

12-30-12


Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. You shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow. Isaiah 60:1, 5

The Christmas gifts have been bought, wrapped, opened and put away… The New Year is just around the corner and the winter months loom ahead… Resolutions are thought about and reflected upon… This is a good time for reflection. Where did you see the light of Christ this past Christmas? Was it in the Christmas lights on people’s houses, or on your own tree? Or perhaps you saw it in the glow of a needy young child’s face opening a much desired toy. Or… were you too busy shopping, preparing, cooking, cleaning-up, to notice the light of Christ around you?

Every year we get busier and busier. We try to do more and more at holiday time. The light of Christ surrounds us in everything we do. I was once asked by a parishioner: “Where is God? Why are so many in this world so needy? Why are there so many nasty people? I don’t know where to find joy.” I had no answers for her except to say that we need to seek out Christ’s light, find the goodness in people and if we cannot find it, then we must create it within ourselves and be Christ to those who need us. We need to be open to the goodness of the world and of God. We need to slow down and appreciate the life around us. Give the Lord a chance to shine His Light upon us. Let us take that Light and share with all those who need some sunshine in their lives. . -God Bless, Holly Clark