Fr. John's Corner — Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Father John’s Corner

December 8, 2024

JMJ CHS

Radiation/chemo ended on Friday. Yay. After a few weeks of recuperation, I should be able to participate to some degree in the Christmas celebrations.

The nine month novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe ends on her feast day, next Thursday. Yay. Whew, that was a long one. I think I did quite well but I’m curious to see if the Blessed Mother will offer any type of healing for me. hmmm.

In January I’m scheduled to go to Mayo Clinic for a few more tests and an all-important visit with the doctor. An interesting coincidence is that that day, the 10th, is the birthday of St. Philomena, my special friend who introduced herself to me many years ago on that particular day. I plan to say the Mass of a virgin-martyr that morning at the hospital. We’ll see if she will offer any type of healing for me. hmmm.

That’s two big friends-in- high-places interceding for me. As a matter of fact, a good novena prayer leading up to her first day goes like this: “Hail O St. Philomena, whom we recognize, after Mary, as our main advocate with the Divine Spouse, intercede for us now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.” It’s typically said as a chaplet on 13 beads representing the years of her short life. It will begin on January 2 (which represents the one-year anniversary of the beginnings of my health issue) so as to end on her feast day. Will you join me in praying it? All you will need is 13 fingers

I’m beginning to think about a Fr. John Garage Sale. I have accumulated a lot of stuff during my time here and, before too long, I anticipate having to move. A garage sale would certainly make the move a lot easier. One big thing I would like to get rid of is a grandfather clock that I inherited from mom and dad. It’s nice but it doesn’t work. Any experts here, or do you know somebody?

IMore ruminations on suffering…

I know that most of you are familiar with the story of Job. I consider him the “poster child“ for suffering souls. But a lot of people have issues with that particular story. I may be one of them. God turned over His righteous one to the devil so as to prove that Job was indeed a good guy. This is a classic piece of literature that addresses the mystery of suffering in our lives and how we should address it when it comes. Do you want to give it a shot? Yes, read the opening, but then you can jump to chapter 33 and continue to the end. This is the part that you might be able to relate to during your time of suffering. It certainly is a different type of consolation!

(Do you want to see a shocking picture of Job? Go to Wikipedia and look him up. Maybe there have been days when you felt like that!

~Fr. John

December 1, 2024

JMJ CHS

First off, Welcome back Carl. (maintenance department) You’re looking slim, and trim, and very healthy after your heart surgery.

I had a pleasant experience last week and some of you were able to share it with me. I joined the choir, at least tentatively, and participated for the first time at last weeks 11 o’clock Mass. It was very interesting. I like to sing, and I think I have a good voice, but I’m pretty rusty with my reading sheet music with the four parts. I was fortunate to be able to sit next to Jason and get a sense of what my part really sounded like.

But my special memory had more to do with enjoying the Mass from a different perspective. And I mean physically. I looked out from the choir loft on a very beautiful sanctuary. Filled with beautiful people. Many of whom have been here for many years who have helped make this place look the way it is. I want to commend you all for your consistent contribution to the building up and maintaining of Holy Spirit church and School. And I look forward to seeing what is yet to come!

OK, I have begun to share with you a series of Psalms and prayers that fall within the category of Consolations.*

These are meant to be of help to you during your storms in life. I’m currently in a storm and these have been of help to me and so I thought they might be of help to you as well. I might even be inclined to publish them at a later date. We’ll see. I’ll give you one right here.

“I will say to God, my rock:

“Why have you forgotten me?”

Why do I go mourning,

oppressed by the foe?”

Yes, even negative sentiments like that can be a consolation if understood within a larger context.

*Did you know that there is a church called Our Lady of Consolation down in Carey, Ohio? So, we recognize that Mary, too, is a source of our consolations whenever we are down and out. One of her favorite prayers is an invitation to call out to her in times of need. “Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.”, from The Miraculous Medal.

Today’s Office of Readings is a great example of what I’m talking about. I got some comfort from these passages, especially in light of the fact that I am feeling kind of crummy right now and maybe a little bit abandoned (it’s that chemo/radiation thing). But here are some consolations that you might find helpful as well.

“We groan in pain as we await the redemption of our bodies.” (Yes, I have done my fair share of groaning lately!)

“O Lord, you have shown me my end,

how short is the length of my days. *

my life is as nothing in your sight.

A mere breath, the man who stood so firm, a mere shadow, the man passing by,

a mere breath the riches he hoards, Now I know how fleeting is my life.”

“Hear and answer my prayer, O Lord; let me not weep in vain.” (and, yes, I have been very close to tears on a few occasions. It happened just yesterday while I was shopping in Krogers. I had just come back from a treatment and was feeling kind of sorry for myself. )

“And now, Lord, what is there to wait for?

In you rests all my hope.

Set me free from all my sins, I was silent, because this was all your doing.

Take away your scourge from me.

I am crushed by the blows of your hand.

You punish man’s sins and correct him;

Mortal man is no more than a breath;

O Lord, hear my prayer.

O Lord, turn your ear to my cry.

Do not be deaf to my tears.

In your house I am a passing guest,

a pilgrim, like all my fathers.

Look away that I may breathe again

before I depart to be no more.”

“Do not withhold your Spirit from us but help us find a life of peace after these days of trouble.”

“I have put all my trust in God’s never-failing mercy.”

Well, there you have it. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Remember, these words are between three and 4000 years old. In many cases they can be attributed it to David. But I think the important point is that “the dark night of the soul” that we talk about from time to time could also be understood as a dark night of the body.

These are afflictions of body, mind, and spirit that come from God himself who disciplines those He loves (see Hebrews, last chapter for a description of what I’m talking about). And discipline, of course, is not meant to be enjoyable.

~Fr. John

November 24, 2024

JMJ CHS

During my time as your pastor I encouraged you to consider joining us Catholic priests and religious in the saying the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily prayer of the church. It’s easier than ever if you use the Internet. Try the iBrievary app. Some of you utilize the Magnificat publication. It’s very similar, based on the psalms and prayers of the church.

One of the blessings that come with praying the Office of Readings is that it can offer instruction, be very encouraging in our various trials, giving us hope that we can successfully endure the storms of life. All of these things serve as consolations, reminding us that God is close to us in our sufferings.

I would like to share with you a number of different examples of short passages and prayers and other spiritual writings that I have found helpful during these past several months of my life. In some cases I might offer a little bit of commentary as well. But, you’ll have to go to our Parish website, Media tab, to see what I have to say.

The opening passages of every day’s readings is certainly a good example of what I’m talking about.

But remember, however, that I have selected these with regard to my own health issues. Your issues may be different. But you will still find consolations tailored to your particular needs. (My commentary is within parentheses.)

So,Ok. Here we go;

“God come to my assistance, Lord make haste to help me.“ (Well, that certainly expresses my sentiments. I could use some assistance and I’d like it right now. )

Then there is this one; “Encourage each other daily, while it is still today.” (If God wants us to encourage each other, we certainly would expect Him to encourage [console] us daily as well.)

Now this following passage from St. Paul is at the heart of my sharing these things with you.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from him.”

(So then, what are the consolations that I have received that I can now share with you? Well, I can actually go back 50 years to tell you of my first storm in life and the consolation I received then which I continue to draw on, even now, in this current storm. It was the gift of peace. Because there was something from St. Peter. [It should be noted that this was the very first time I ever opened the Bible to the exact passage I needed to see.] “Now, for a little while, if need be, you are made sorrowful by various trials…” And then again, “After you have suffered a while…” God gives us crosses that can have value, in the same way His did. That’s why we are called to offer it up!)

~Fr. John+

November 18, 2024

JMJ CHS

First a little health update. I am midway through my radiation/chemo treatments. Side effects are beginning to catch up with me. But the treatments will be finished around December 6 and after that, I have a few tests scheduled for Mayo Clinic in early January. At that time they will determine if I am eligible for a surgery. The doctor seems to think that it is very important to have this done. It’s called “The Whipple” and it’s a complicated procedure. I’d like to avoid it if possible. Thanks to all of you who regularly pray for me. But, please keep it up.

You know, I love conversion stories. It can be very interesting and informative to hear how people have come to see things differently. It’s often a painful process as old ideas are challenged and new ones come forward. Probably the all-time great conversion story is that of Saint Paul. Remember when the scales fell from his eyes on the road to Damascus? He had been a hater of Jesus and his new movement but now he was enlightened.

Now the way I see it, there are basically two types of conversions in the spiritual realm. One is from a position of non-belief, when an atheist or agnostic becomes a believer. The second conversion, however, is the daily ongoing conversion that can last a lifetime. All of the old negative habits and behaviors are chipped at by the Holy Spirit as we are continually purified to ever-greater holiness. Each of us is called to daily conversion.

OK, I have more to say about conversions but I have to direct you to our website now. https://holyspiritparishbrighton.org/fr-johns-corner

———-

Fr. Richard and I get together late every Thursday night to pray. About eight years ago we began to pray for the conversion of Donald Trump. He was newly elected. Married to Melania, a Catholic lady, and there were indications that he was a man of faith already. We just didn’t know exactly where he fit on the Christian spectrum. It was presumed that he was baptized. In any case, it seemed appropriate that we should pray for him in this way as he began his new role. Interestingly, there are some Catholic voices out there that believe that it’s inappropriate to evangelize. But this is contrary to the teachings of Jesus and His Church. We actually have his words posted on the wall up in the baptistery. “Therefore, go, baptize all nations, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.” That mandate is pretty clear, and so, again, it seems quite acceptable that we should pray for him and his conversion to Christ ‘s one, true Church.

And, if he should ultimately do that, then it would be our duty to continue to pray for him, certainly for his protection, but also his ongoing, daily conversion.

This past week I learned that Cardinal Vigano has proposed a nine day novena to pray for the president’s conversion to Catholicism. How about that? He’s on the same wavelength as me and Fr. Richard. Here is a link to that novena with the prayer. You might get this a little bit late, but I’m sure you can start anytime. Lifesitenews.com “Bishop Strickland to join our novena for President Trump starting November 21”

Oh, by the way, recognizing the need to always be inclusive, we also prayed for the conversion of President Biden over the past four years. But seeing that he is already a Catholic, we would have to pray for that second type of conversion.

~Fr. John+

November 12, 2024

JMJ CHS

You know, I really don’t like politics. I think my negative attitude began to be formed as a little boy. I remember having to watch political conventions back in the early 50s. I couldn’t have been five years old and I can still remember. I think it must have been the campaign of (General) Dwight Eisenhower as he ran for the presidency. I would have preferred watching Howdy Doody. So anyway, I’m glad that it’s finished. All that mean-spirited campaigning with the lies and accusations and name-calling, along with those text messages, phone calls and junk mail, finally at an end. I don’t remember it being this bad when I was five years old...

In any case, based on the outcome we wonder what the next few years will be like. The country is divided. No question about that. But it was predicted 2000 years ago by Jesus Himself, “Father against son, son against father, mother against daughter,” etc., etc.

But, I will say this. The word GOD, and the name JESUS have never been used in the history of American politics as they were in this campaign. That should be a sign of hope. But there are also indications that the need for prayer is greater than ever. So, don’t let up. Don’t allow yourself to get lazy. Remember, we are in a spiritual battle. More about that, next week. Right here.

I had a gift card for Barnes & Noble that I got from a parishioner last Christmas that I finally got around to putting to use. I picked up two books from best-selling author, Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic Jew (convert to Christianity) and a rabbi. One book was called ‘The Return of the Gods’, and the second one which just came out, ‘The Dragon’s Prophecy’. The dragon in this case is from Revelation, Chapter 12, at the very end of the Bible which speaks of it also as the ancient serpent, namely Satan, the devil who tempted Adam and Eve at the beginning of the Bible. They are both proving to be very interesting reads which draw striking connections between ancient and modern events. I hope to be able to share some thoughts with you here in weeks to come. In the meantime, you can learn more about these books, along with more thoughts from Rabbi Jonathan, on YouTube. Just type in his name.

In one of those books I’ve been reading, as the author was reflecting on her illness and the dilemma of how to treat it, she said to her husband, “If we survive this, we should write a book”. Well, she did survive it, and they did write a book. *I’ve been thinking along the same lines. I’m not exactly planning to write a book, but I would like to share with you some passages from the ‘Liturgy of the Hours’, the Universal prayer of the Church, which I am called upon to pray every day. I get a lot of consolation from these prayers. And I’m sure that that was the Holy Spirit‘s intent when He authored them so many years ago. Maybe some of these short passages will help you when you suffer through your ordeals.

*The name of the book is ‘Life, Cancer, and God’, by Paula Black, along with her husband Dale. A very interesting read for people who contend with cancer. She overcame a terminal prognosis by abandoning the traditional medicine’s regimens of chemo, radiation and surgery.

And a reminder! Don’t forget to look up when you are leaving the Narthex as you head for the exit -- there is a message for you. It gets changed every month. There are 12 bible passages that give us clues on how we are to conduct our lives as we go out into the world. I think this month’s message is particularly relevant? What do you think?

Health update: I’m now in my third week of radiation/chemo. Side effects are not too bad yet.

~Fr. John

October 15, 2024

JMJ CHS

Do you recall a few weeks ago when I spoke about RFK Jr. and his conversion experience? One interesting detail of his story involved a number of different examples about what a conversion experience just might practically look like in the life of any person. I’d like to share some of his examples because they apply to all of us. He said that each of us faces quite a number of moral decisions that we have to make every day where we are often called to suppress our pride and increase our humility. Some of his examples include getting out of bed in the morning without hitting the snooze alarm. This is self-discipline and it’s an important virtue for all of us to practice. The anti-virtue here is laziness. Next is making one’s bed every morning (and maybe even starting the day with a prayer.)

How about returning the shopping cart to its station there in the parking lot at Kroger’s? How about putting the pants back on the hanger after you try them on in the fitting room at Kohl’s? How about picking up that piece of garbage off the floor even though you didn’t put it there? Along with this example he provided a story that I think is hilarious. He was running through an airport to catch a flight. He was chewing gum as he ran and took it out of his mouth and wrapped it in foil and threw it into the garbage can as he ran by. ( he’s doing pretty good so far) It was an accurate shot but it bounced out onto the floor. His conscience began to bother him as he continued to run and he argued with God, “Hey, I made the shot. But some “unseen” force threw it back out on the floor.” The argument didn’t work. His conscience overruled him and he stopped after about 50 feet and came back and threw the gum in the garbage can. And he didn’t miss his flight.

At the end of our lives, we will hold our life in our hands as we stand before the throne of God. No words will need to be spoken but we will know how we did because our conscience will remind us. Let’s get in the habit of responding to that inner voice that tells us what we should do (or say) in any given moment, with any moral decision (big or small) we are called upon to make during our day.

(So then, if you see your mom carrying groceries into the house, offer to help her.)

~Fr. John

The following is information and links to articles, and blogs, and YouTube videos that Fr. Rocus thinks might be helpful to you in your search for truth.

Subverted. How I Helped the Sexual Revolution Hijack the Women’s Movement, by Sue Ellen Browder. Fr. John mentioned this book from the pulpit a few weeks ago, having learned about it from the Al Kresta radio talk-show at Ave Maria Radio in Domino’s Farms. He is really enjoying this book – it’s been a real eye-opener. One point that he made in his homily that day is key – that she admitted to being a propagandist for the sexual revolution by writing articles for Cosmopolitan Magazine which were essentially lies. She and her fellow writers, therefore, extended a great negative influence on a whole generation of young women who were more than willing to buy into the lie. And the sad consequences are apparent as we look out over America’s moral landscape, much of which has been built on lies. Remember, it all began in the Garden of Eden. We have several copies of this book in our Book & Gift Shop.

Daniel O’Connor is an Internet blogger and a theologian who has some strong opinions about that document that has come out of the Vatican regarding the blessing of same-sex marriages. I think he has some great insights.

(See video right)

On Fr. John’s wishlist…. a “Lawn-ba” (Automated Lawnmower)

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