Year of Faith

Year of Faith

The “door of faith” (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace. To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime.
Pope Benedict XVI, PORTA FIDEI

Pope Benedict has declared this year to be a “Year of Faith.” which is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta Fidei 6). In other words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him. The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.

Watch this space in the months that come for opportunities to celebrate our Year of Faith at Sacred Heart and Sts. Martha and Mary. In the meantime let us reflect upon the “door of faith” that is always open to us… Will you walk through that door?

Starting Simply -II

Starting Simply, Part II

Last week I talked about how we can see and honor God in our everyday lives in just a few minutes each day. We see Him in nature, in the faces of our children and in our private prayers.

This year Pope Benedict has declared a “Year of Faith.” He calls for us to deeply reflect upon our faith and calls us to act upon our faith- to be more proactive in our faith. Do you know enough about our faith to be able to be able to spread the Good News and share your faith? It is impossible to know all there is about our faith but there are a few simple steps we can take to set us on the right path.

Believe it or not, you have already taken the first step! You have taken the bulletin home and are reading it! Our bulletin provides not only the news and events of the parish but also strives to provide a starting point for at home discussions and reflections about our faith. The area below provides a listing of the daily readings and faith sharing questions. The faith sharing questions are based on the Sunday readings and are published in bulletins across the country.

Finding time to enhance our faith can be challenging in this day and age. Try to start with a few minutes at a time and soon it will become a habit. This week try to set aside time to reflect more on today’s readings. Perhaps at dinner time discuss the Faith Sharing Questions with your family. For a deeper challenge pick a day to read and reflect on one of the daily readings. (The daily and Sunday readings can be found online at: http://www.usccb.org). You will find that these few minutes everyday spent with God will be uplifting and a time to treasure. And… what a way to start off our Year of Faith.

God Bless, –Holly Clark

Starting Simply

Let’s Set the Church on Fire!

Starting Simply

“The desire for God is written in the human heart.” (CCC 27) We, as Catholics, have a duty to learn as much as we can about God and our faith. As I said last week we do not “graduate” after we are confirmed. Confirmation gives us the basic building blocks to begin our faith journey. Sacred Heart offers many opportunities to learn and enrich our faith with Generations of Faith, Why Catholic?, prayer ministries, etc. You may be saying to yourself that “I don’t have the time,” or “I’m too shy to share my faith.” So we’ll start off with some simple ideas to rekindle the fire of your faith.

We find God every day in our lives. The fall foliage is just beginning to change. This fall take a few minutes everyday to admire the changing colors and thank God for the beauty in nature. [Aren’t we blessed to live in New England?] We sometimes take for granted the colors of autumn or a beautiful sunset. We rarely take the time to gaze up at the night sky to admire the stars while listening to the crickets chirp. All of this is thanks to God. This week let us take just a few minutes each day and consider St. Augustine’s challenge to us:

“Question the beauty of the earth, question the beauty of the sea, question the beauty of the air distending and diffusing itself, question the beauty of the sky… question all these realities… Who made them if not the Beautiful One...” (CCC 32)

God Bless, Holly Clark

Setting the Chrch on Fire

Let’s Set the Church on Fire!

No, I am not advocating arson! Back in October of 2008 I began writing this column in response to a book I had read on pastoral planning and the renewal of parish life. I had written “In the very near future our diocese will be faced with a shortage of priests and we must start thinking now what this will mean to us and how we practice our faith.” This day has come. We are forming collaboratives with nearby parishes and reflecting upon better ways of “being Church.” We, the laity, people like you and me, need to rise to the challenge. God calls, we respond.

We have a good parish here at Sacred Heart. Are we content with being only good or do we want to “set the church on fire” with the Holy Spirit to become a truly great parish? Forming a great parish depends upon us, the parishioners. Jesus depended on His apostles, who were everyday people to form His Church and now we take up His call to discipleship. As we begin to form a collaboration with Lakeville, ask yourselves “Where does God need me? What can I do to help?” Please begin your reflection with prayer for the collaborative. We live in exciting times and Jesus needs our assistance to keep the enthusiasm going and growing!

Sacred Heart Parish offers many opportunities for worship and faith development. We do not “graduate” at confirmation and stop learning and growing in the faith. We are life-long learners. We are called to further our faith not only by attending Mass but by participation in adult faith enrichment programs such as Generations of Faith (not just for families), WINGS (Women in God’s Spirit), Why Catholic? and various prayer groups and ministries. We want to participate in these programs now because the day is here when we will each be called upon to spread the faith. Are we ready to heed God’s call? It is time to “set the church on fire” with the Holy Spirit and become a truly great parish and may God bless our collaboration with Sts. Martha & Mary in Lakeville.

God Bless – Holly Clark

Sunset Alert

Sunset Alert!

In my “previous life” as a medical technologist I worked in a hospital chemistry lab that was in a glass building. We were on the fourth floor with a wonderful view of the western sky. As the days grew shorter, and sunset occurred closer to 4:30-5:00 pm, very often someone in the lab would shout out “SUNSET ALERT!” At that point we would all stop working and congregate to the west side of the lab. We’d all make a special effort and take a few moments to silently admire God’s handiwork. No matter what our differences, faiths, stress levels at the moment, we’d come together for a few moments of peace, solitude, and camaraderie. These times were very special to me.

I find a sunset one of God’s most awesome works of nature. For me they always seem to come when I am in most need of cheering up or de-stressing. Who could remain upset or stressed after gazing at the pinks and oranges of a sunset?

The other day I was musing that sunsets remind me of Jesus’ resurrection. Daylight “dies” and a glorious colorful sky is born. About two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and when I underwent radiation therapy. I was totally exhausted mentally and physically. As I was driving along one day, during this period, I came across a beautiful sky, full of color, and silhouetted against the panorama was a church steeple and cross. I knew God was speaking to me. He was giving me hope and letting me know that I could lay down my troubles at His feet and he would bear the burden for me.

As we travel through life let us pause at beautiful sunsets and shout out “Sunset Alert” to those around us so that all may partake of God’s wonder.    God Bless, Holly Clark

 

Musings from the Seaside

Musings from the Seaside

Every summer I try to spend time sitting by the ocean contemplating God, life, and the mysteries of the universe. A while ago I sat on a beach in Yarmouth and watched the waves come crashing in and chase the skittering sandpipers back from the edge of the sea. As each wave would recede the sandpipers would instantly peck at what the sea had brought them only to be chased away by another wave. My mind regressed to my high school biology class as Mrs. Woodburn would tell us all about how the sea brings in nutrients to shore life. But as the waves crashed I wondered how life could exist in such turmoil. The turmoil is necessary, I realized, to bring nutrients to sea birds, clams, snails, barnacles, etc. Without the constant churning of the sea these organisms would perish. So to, it is with our lives.

Our lives are filled with turmoil, stress, bereavement for lost loved ones... How do you deal with the tumultuous times in your life? Do you drown in the crashing waves or do you see dark times as necessary to bring about new thoughts and new ways of living? Dark, turbulent times often bring us nutrients necessary to live. Jesus is our ultimate example. Jesus, through his life, and final agony and death on the cross, gave us the “nutrients” to live our lives better. He brought us new hope and life in His resurrection. This week let us share with Jesus our dark times and let Him help us to find our way through our inner turmoil to bring new life to ourselves and others. Let us remember always that God turns our “tears into dancing.” (Ps 30:11).

God Bless, Holly Clark

Travelling on the Highway to Heaven

Traveling on the Highway to Heaven

Last week my mom and I took a road trip to Boothbay Harbor Maine for a vacation. The trip from Middleborough to Boothbay is around 4 hours or so though we took our time stopping here and there along the way. During one particular straight stretch of highway my mind started to wander. We were traveling in the center lane of a three-laned highway and  I began to ponder the Trinity- each lane representing one person of the Trinity. I envisioned God, the Father, in the high-speed lane, powerful and mighty; the Holy Spirit in the slow lane, who gently guides us along life’s highways and byways; and Jesus steadfast in the middle lane, never wavering, always steady and nearby. I observed the cars and people around me… some speeding along, some just puttering along and others zipping in and out of all three lanes. Isn’t this just like life with the Holy Trinity? Sometimes we need God the Father for His strength; sometimes we seek the Holy Spirit for guidance; other times we ask Jesus to walk with us; and very often we may find ourselves zipping from lane to lane – from Father to Son to Holy Spirit and back again.

As I traveled my highway towards my vacation time in Boothbay, I gazed off into the horizon. I noticed where the heavenly sky meets our earthly road and I noticed that in the distance that visually all three lanes merged into one. How like the Trinity I mused! Three persons in one God!

While travelling your highway of life try to notice the workings of the Trinity around you. Each person of the Trinity has a specific job to do in your life. Take some time today to get to know them and see where they are working in your life.   God Bless, Holly Clark

The Works of God

“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”

In today’s Gospel the disciples ask Jesus “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus tells them to Believe… believe in Him. But what else can we do once we believe? What can we do to carry on with Christ’s Mission and accomplish the works of God? In these “lazy” days of summer we take time out for fun and rest from our daily lives. Now would be a very good time to sit in your backyard or by the hotel pool, or by the seashore and give over to God some of your time. Begin by asking “What can I do for you?”

I asked God this question not too long ago and for a while, as I sat by the seashore, we conversed. Here are some of the things we came up with:

·         Smile and greet one another as friends

·         Forgive one another

·         Greet each day with joy as the first day of your life

·         Help someone each day

·         Give thanks for flowers, trees, the sky, etc.

·         Give thanks for puppies, and all our pets.

·         Call or visit someone who is ill

·         Do a random act of kindness

·         Pray with others (especially at Mass)

·         Pray for others

·         Call Mom and Dad or your kids

·         Hug Someone

In short spread the care, joy, and love Jesus showed us in His earthly ministry and in His love He shows us everyday in our hearts.

God Bless, Holly Clark

Assumption

Assumption:

What has the Almighty Done for You?

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior … the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name.”

Mary said yes to the Lord! For saying yes, she could have been stoned to death for being a pregnant, unmarried woman. If not executed, she certainly faced ridicule, and possible excommunication from her community. Joseph also faced excommunication as well if he stayed by Mary’s side. BUT… MARY SAID YES! Mary heard her Father’s voice and trusted in His great plans for her and her unborn Son.

Has the Lord called on you lately? Perhaps He wants you to take on an incredible burden, or unpleasant task, or perhaps a joyful one. Did you say yes? How often have you called on the Lord and He said yes? We need to be open to God’s voice. I once saw a video clip about William Wilberforce, the man who led the fight in Britain against slavery. Wilberforce had a personal encounter with God who asked him to work towards ending slavery in Britain… Wilberforce says to a friend, “I’ve just been talking with God and He has charged me with an impossible task. How inconvenient!” However inconvenient it was, and detrimental to his career, Wilberforce said YES to God’s plan for him, even if it meant death threats to him and his family.

This week take some time out to thank God for the great things He has done for you and take some quiet time to hear God’s voice. We are His hands and feet. He’s calling you to say YES. Say “Yes” to God and your life will be forever changed as will the people you love.

. . –God Bless, Holly Clark

Got Gifts?

Got Gifts?

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 as the number priests and religious decline drastically. 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.

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’s Gospel speaks of generosity. How are you generous towards others, toward God? I would ask each of you to reflect upon your gifts. Perhaps ask your friends and families where they think you are talented. I guarantee you there is spot here for you! Be brave! Walk into, or call, the church offices and say “YES! I am here to donate my time and talent!” If the church is to survive and thrive in the third millennium she will need ALL of us working together in communion with Christ.

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

What Kind of Rock are You?

What Kind of Rock are You?

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." Mark 6:31

In Today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to take ourselves out of our everyday busyness, find a quiet place and to simply rest. By telling us to go to a deserted place he would like us to be free of distractions and noise, free of any thing that will keep us from that rest. Finding a deserted place, or even true peace and quiet, in this day and age is difficult but we must work at it… because it is in the quiet of our surroundings and the stillness of our minds that we can truly hear God’s gentle whisperings to us.

A few weeks ago I went to a retreat house in Cohassett, on the edge of the ocean. When I am by the ocean I am closest to God and this is my favorite “deserted” place. On the shore of the retreat grounds, a prayer labyrinth is set up. I had never prayed within a labyrinth but thought I would give it try. When praying with a labyrinth one stands at the entrance, stills the mind and readies oneself to enter a conversation with God. As one walks to the center of the labyrinth and back, through many curves and twists one becomes aware of God’s presence.

I stood at the entrance of the labyrinth, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves upon the shore and stilled my mind. I asked God to help me with some issues I was having and asked for His guidance. I wasn’t expecting much since I’ve never prayed this way before but it turned out to be an awesome experience! As I walked I found myself not pondering my issues but focusing on the gravel beneath my feet, the round stones that lined my path, the boulders, bedrock and sand nearby. I gave up what I wanted to pray about and focused upon geology. When I came to the center of the labyrinth, I found a mound of rounded, sea-polished stones holding up a crucifix at its top. It then occurred to me that God was talking to me through the stones! We ARE the stones, the gravel, the bedrock, etc. Each of us has a role to play in this world—just like different types of rocks. The gravel creates a solid path, rounded stones along the way guide us on the path, bedrock supports the ground we walk on and sand provides us with filler. Rocks have many functions as do people… each important. We are like living stones building up a spiritual temple (cf 1 Peter 2:5). So I ask you what kind of living rock or living stone are you?

God Bless, Holly Clark

Evangelization

Evangelization

He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two… Mark 6:7

When we Catholics hear the word Evangelization we often think of Jehova Witnesses, or other denomination, going door-to-door and asking “are you saved?” We say to ourselves “We don’t do that! We go to Mass not door-to-door!” What do you think of when you hear the word evangelization? Do you think it is for Protestants only? How do you evangelize and spread the faith?

Today’s Gospel from Mark shows us the birth of evangelization- Jesus summoned the twelve and sent them out into the world to proclaim the Gospel and spread the faith. When we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit we are given the same mission… to go out and not only to live the Gospel but to also to proclaim and spread the Good News. Every week, especially in the summer, we look around at Mass, shake our heads and wonder where all the people have gone. Have you ever tried inviting someone in to your faith (or back to the faith if lapsed)?

Jesus suggests that we go out and talk with people and share our faith with them. We do not have to be annoying or “in-your-face” but we can be subtle. Evangelization can happen in many different ways—sharing faith over a cup of coffee, praying with an ill friend or loved one, inviting a lapsed Catholic back to the Faith. Don’t be afraid to share your love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If someone doesn’t want to hear the message, say a prayer and, as Jesus tells us, “shake the dust off your feet” and move on. Jesus is walking with us but he needs our hands and our voice to carry on with His mission.

Today, after Mass, give some thought to how you will live out the Gospel and how you will share your joy in your love of the faith. Begin with looking inside your heart and asking Jesus to be your guide…

God bless, Holly Clark

 

 

Simple Pleasures

Simple Pleasures

Today, as I took a walk about the church grounds on my lunch break, I stopped to look at some flowers. I sat down on a bench and started thinking of all the simple things in life we take for granted and do not notice until they are gone: a pretty flower, a beautiful sunset, a baby’s smile, sharing an ice cream cone with your child, a father’s love… How often do we get caught up in saying, “Tomorrow I will go for a walk, tomorrow I’ll visit my grandmother, tomorrow, I will take time to help a friend in need.” And then tomorrow never seems to appear and we are left with regrets.

A flower appears but briefly in our lives. First it is sown, then it is fed by the fertile soil until it blossoms with divine effervescence, and then it fades away into nothingness. Today I ask you to pick up a flower, a leaf, or a blade of grass and gaze into its essence. Ask yourselves, “By what miracle did this plant come to be?” Recall doing the same, when as a child everything seemed new and fresh and a flower was a simple pleasure to bring home to Mom.

I challenge you to take time this week in simple pleasures… pick up a flower and give it to a loved one, tell a friend or relative what they mean to you. Each person we meet is a flower that we must embrace and cherish before he/she fades away into the sunset and into our Lord’s arms in Heaven. Do not toil for fame, fortune and possessions like the rich man in the parable but rather do what Paul asks us to do Corinthians 3 and “put on a new self.” And let this new self be mindful of all the simple gifts God has given us.

God Bless, Holly Clark

Retreating

Retreating

Last weekend I spent four glorious, faith-filled days on the shores of Cohasset at the St. Joseph Retreat Center in a silent retreat. From time-to-time God calls us to still our minds, to rest, to listen to his soft whisperings. He wants us to be still and know Him… be still and know… be still… be.

So often our daily lives are caught up with running here and there; doing this and that; worrying and stressing out about everything. We constantly ask ourselves is this what life is about? Is this what God wants for me? For that matter, you might be asking yourself where is God in my life? As I got comfy in my lounge chair, looking out over the ocean-- relishing in the near silence with only the birds chirping and the waves lapping the shore—I asked God “What do you want for me? What is your plan for me?” Of course, God, being God, does not answer right away or in the way I expect. So very often He will give us clues to what He wants to tell us, but we have to be ready to listen and perhaps His answers will take us to the unexpected.

 

By the end of my retreat I was full of joy! God and I talked every day. I stilled my mind so I could listen to His voice. He did let me in on what He wants for me, albeit in very unexpected ways. God is always ready to converse with us and guide us. We need, must, go on a retreat from time to time, even if it is just for a few hours. This week be still your mind, relax and listen to what God wants to say to you, it will be time well spent… just be still and listen!          God Bless and happy retreating, Holly

Why Worry?

Why Worry?

Can any of you by worrying add
a single moment to your life-span? Mt 6:27

I came across this scripture verse one day a couple of weeks ago, and it seems very appropriate as we venture forth in our lives. How much of our time is spent worrying? Worrying about finances, getting a good grade or job performance review, or the health of a loved one? When you ask people why they worry, often the response is so I can prepare for the worst that can happen (which often does not happen!). Think of how much energy is wasted preparing and worrying for things that do not happen! I am fond of saying “worrying about the future ruins the present!” The answer to the above question is a resounding NO!

Instead let us try to live in the present. The eternal now. Do not let yourself be burdened by worry. When you find worrying thoughts creeping into your mind give them over to Jesus and let Him do your worrying for you. Put your worries and your life into His hands. He will guide you in your journey. This passage from Philippians (4:6-7) says it best:

 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

. . –God Bless and Don’t Worry…, Holly Clark

Don’t Worry!

"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."

Mark 6:31

 I always feel when God puts this piece of scripture before me he is trying to tell me something! It is the perfect message for the summer as we travel to far off places or maybe just seek solitude in our own backyards. It is a reminder that we all need to slow down and reflect upon our lives.

I often retreat to the ocean when I feel the need to find solitude. We all need to find that special place where we can be alone with our thoughts and invite the Lord to listen in. Not long ago I was sitting on the beach, watching the tide go out and pondering life. The beach was pretty much deserted as it was a rather chilly day. The hymn “All That is Hidden” kept running through my mind. The tide slowly ebbed away and revealed the hidden shoreline. Concealed treasures soon became revealed and life to me suddenly became clear: It is with time that all things become known.

 God is telling us to be patient. He does not want us to be concerned with all that we don’t know or worrying about our futures. The Lord knows our future and will take care of us. When we are uncertain about what lies ahead we can put our trust in the Lord and know that whatever is invisible to us now will, in time, be revealed. By worrying about tomorrow we ruin the today. Life is a journey and we must savor every bit of it.

- God Bless, Holly Clark

Exciting Times

Changing Times,

Exciting Times

This week we embark on a new path. We welcome our new Pastor, Fr. Paul Aveni, to our parish family; and we also welcome the parishioners of Sts. Martha and Mary as our new collaborative of the two parishes and St. Rose travel on a new road together. We live in changing times, but yet exciting times. Change can be very frightening and very energizing. Do not be afraid! We are creating a new way of being Church, being one in Christ. There will be new opportunities to volunteer and share your gifts, new friends to meet, and Christ will still be with us every step of the way; guiding us together to build up His Church.

This week let us pray for Fr. Aveni as he begins his ministry with us. Let us open our minds and hearts to new ways of being Church- and let us all come together in the Mystical Body of Christ. Let us pray:

 

O Faithful God, as your people,

we cherish our memories

and our history as a sacred gift.

We ask you to guide us in our time of transition.

We need your wisdom, that we might be receptive

to change, conversion and growth.

We need your grace to redirect our hearts

That we may be willing to offer ourselves

In joyful service,

Do not allow fear, ignorance or pride

To limit the work of your Spirit,

Nor custom to prevent

The creativity within us from bearing fruit.

Open our hearts to the call of the Gospel.

Give us courage and renewed hope,

That we may meet the challenge of being

The church of our time.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

            (from the Buffalo Diocese)

 

God Bless, Holly Clark

 

With Me (and you) Always!

And behold, I am with you always,
until the end of the age. Mt 28:20

Wow! What a powerful statement Jesus gives us today: “I am with you always!” Wherever we are in life and whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, Jesus is with us. He is with us in our darkest moments and in our brightest joys. He shares our pains and delights? He listens to our deepest thoughts and guides us along the path of life. Jesus asks for nothing in return except to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” How do we accomplish this in our everyday lives? How do you spread the Word? How do you live out Christ’s mission as one of His disciples?

Ite, missa est! You do not have to go to Africa or Latin America to be a disciple and missionary of Christ. You can begin right here, in your home and town, with family, friends and the everyday people you meet. Use the Sunday Mass as a starting point. Come into Mass with an open heart and mind; listen to God’s Word; pray and sing with all your heart; partake of the Eucharist with your fellow parishioners; listen for the dismissal with words such as Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord. The Latin is “ite missa est” and originally meant “the dismissal”, however, in the early Church, as the rituals of the Mass came together, the phrase came to mean “the missioning.” At Mass we are given the tools to go into the world to carry out Christ’s mission and we are empowered to go forth and make disciples of all nations. As we leave Mass, Jesus walks into the parking lot with us and comes home with us. He is ready to guide us in His mission. And we are ready! We remember His teachings and practice them in our everyday lives. Jesus taught by example and so do we-- this is how we will make disciples of all nations-- beginning one person at a time- knowing Jesus is with us, always and forever.

God Bless, Holly Clark