Lent 2010

As we look around the world, we know that there is something not quite right. There seems to be an anger that grows deeper between and among nations, cultures, races, religions and individuals. There seems to be an increasing amount of violence and inhumane actions — the “Old West” as a synonym for violent acts still describes all too much of America and every nation on earth. With weapons of mass destruction widely available, man’s inhumanity to man is overwhelming in its evil possibilities.

As we look into our spiritual mirrors, we notice there is something not quite right with ourselves. We want peace, but often there is not peace of mind. We have so much, but we seem to enjoy so little. We have our moments, but happiness or joy seems so fleeting. We seem to focus on the secondary rather than the primary. In our quiet moments, we wonder what our mission is, whether God really is what we believe God to be, whether our decisions make any difference, whether our sacrifices really do pay off, whether we are fooling ourselves, and are we really who we say we are?

Yet, as we look around, the world is full of awe and grandeur. Even the wild white stuff of winter looked gorgeous during the quiet emergence of this past Wednesday morning. People are really good at heart, and love does dwell in the hearts of the overwhelming number of people we know. There is something very right about us and about life, for we have loved and the special people we know have made us feel loved.

Lent is that special time provided by the Church for us to get serious about our interior life and how we express it in our daily actions. Lent makes no sense if everything is right and okay. Lent rests on the assumption that all of us detect the need to correct, change, improve because not all is right or as it should be.

May I suggest that Lent’s premise is that we may be “missing the mark.” That is a definition of sin — “missing the mark.” Therefore, we have to make things right. This will require us to enter into Lent as a process for returning home, as it were, to God, to our roots and to the path of discipleship of Jesus. “Missing the Mark” means I need to “Return to God.”

Returning to God means:
— Coming face to face with the Creator

— Making every effort to live, to love, to serve, to give and to forgive in a manner that is consonant with that image

— Surrendering our false and distorted image of God— Welcoming God’s involvement in every part of our lives

— Going back to our sacred stories, becoming acquainted again with our roots

— Looking at the Gospels with a new sobering study

— Allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit, as Jesus was

In conclusion, let us look at this statement that offers a synthesis of our Lenten observance:
“Through this holy season of returning to God, to our story, to our roots, to Christ and to the Gospel, we will also have ample opportunity to return to one another. If we have become distant or estranged or if we have simply lost touch with someone whom God has given as gift in our life, now is the time for returning. If we have not said those words or done those things that assure the other that he/she is loved, and valued and appreciated, now is the time. Only God knows whether you or I will have another such opportunity to do so.”

Dividends For Life

This week, as a nation, as an Archdiocese, and as the School of Saint Patrick, we commemorate the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. The theme of this year’s celebration is: “Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life.” As part of this week- long celebration, students will be reflecting during morning prayer on what a difference a Saint Patrick High School Education has made in their lives. Let us continue to pray for all Catholic schools as they strive to persevere in the midst of adverse conditions at times. We at Saint Patrick remain strong in number and in spirit.

Among the treasures of the American church is our Catholic Schools. In the beginning, these schools of ours were vital in communicating the faith to immigrants’ children and in assisting them in a culture alien to them. Then the Catholic schools played a pivotal part in educating children to move up the socio-economic ladder as they assisted Catholic people in being competent and intellectually formidable in all areas of this society. More recently, our Catholic schools have been noted for offering a decided choice in education on the primary and secondary levels, they have been in the forefront of progressive attitudes regarding respect for life and how to shape a life in this global village, and in assisting in the spiritual formation of a new generation of believers in Christ.

Catholic Schools Week is a legitimate and time-honored celebration of this special treasure of our faith community. It is a short time that serves as kind of “pep rally” to mobilize support for our system of schools which truly enrich our community, and still gives us the best opportunity to form young people in faith and spiritual values. It is a time to thank those whose sacrifices on the part of Catholic schooling are remarkable, including those of faculty and staff, parents, benefactors, volunteers, and fellow parishioners.

The Catholic High School of Saint Patrick is a community of educators and learners that communicates truth, offers vision, and teaches skills that are essential in today’s times. It is about competency for the young, and commitment to them from adult mentors, but it is mostly about caring for the total person.

Saint Patrick is for our families. Your sons are most precious. It is a school that can make a world of difference in your son’s future.Finally, I thank in a special way all for your support of our invaluable Saint Patrick High School. And I ask that we all pray for both our local public schools and our Catholic schools that all of our educators will be successful in the development and education of every young person in our community, that all might grow “in wisdom, age and grace before God and humankind”. May the Lord bless all that work we do here and bring success to all our endeavors.