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September 5, 2010
Sometimes it amazes me how fast and how far news can travel in a very short time. At one time, one would have to write a letter (by hand, not even typed) and send it by mail. The further you go back in time, the longer it could have taken to reach the person you were writing. I once wrote a paper for a class at college. I wrote the paper as if I was someone waiting for someone close to me to return home from fighting at Gettysburg—only getting news days or even weeks after actual events happened. Lists of names started showing in the paper—people who would not be coming home. In my story, I was planning a great homecoming; however, too many soldiers never made it home. I ended the paper with the letter you never want to get. Today we live in a world where we can watch LIVE what is happening half way around the world. We can talk to someone on the phone who is just about anywhere. Now and then, when I answer my cell phone, my mother will still say “Oh, you’re home!” People post blogs and on Facebook what is going on in their lives. Anyone anywhere can read things on-line. My brother in South Carolina is reading this bulletin on line right now (Hi Don). We have a greater chance of saying something today and having it out there, before we even think about it. We may say something before we have all the facts. We could ‘post’ what we are thinking, even if it is something we would never do. We have a greater chance of hurting someone’s feelings when someone forwards an e-mail, sends a text, or gives someone a call. I have a sign hanging in my kitchen that says. “Lord, make my words today sweet and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.” We should always be willing to say the positive: How much someone means to us; How nice they look; good job; etc., etc. We should always think twice (or even more times) when what we have to say is negative. If it is really important that we say it, then how best can we say it? “Father you smell bad!” “Father have you gotten a new colon?” One will make me feel bad, the other will just make me think! :o)
Father Backer ====================== August 29, 2010 It is ‘Back to School’ time again!! I have been seeing the ads telling me what a happy student I will be if I buy their clothing, notebooks, gadgets, etc., etc. I remember growing up, this time of year meant that summer was coming to an end. Soon a great part of my day would be spent back in a classroom. Evenings would be filled with homework. Weekends would always go so fast and weekdays seamed to last all week. Yet this time of year also meant seeing all those friends again, the ones who did not live so close. Friends who were nice to hang around with, but during the summer you never got to see. For many, this time of year means transitions. High school seniors facing their last year of high school, soon to be out in the ‘Real World’. Freshmen at colleges all over the country are leaving home for the first time, some moving far from home and not knowing anyone. There are a lot of emotions with all of these transitions. These changes can help us see that time keeps moving on. Here at the Church we too “Go Back to School”. Our Faith Formation (CCD) programs will be starting up again soon. Registration will be coming up, if you have children in these age groups, keep your eyes open for sign-ups. This will be my first year of Faith Formation here at Nativity and Marysburg. I am hoping to get into classrooms, give some talks, and meet and greet our youth before and after class times. We have a wonderful chance to pass on our faith to our young people, and even to learn from them. I have heard some amazing insights into faith from children. I would like to thank those who have taught our youth in the past and those who will be teaching them this year. If you feel called to help with these programs, please contact Jaci Kopet or the parish office. I ask God’s Blessing on all of those who are returning to school soon. May he give you a spirit of wisdom and truth. Blessings, Fr Backer
=========================== August 22, 2010 The Archdiocesan Strategic Planning process has been moving forward. The Task force has given their recommendations to the archbishop and he is currently reviewing all the information. It is very important that, at this time, we pray for the archbishop and everyone involved in these decisions. We can do this in different ways. There is a prayer that has been put together by the archdiocese. Some of these prayers have been made available in the entrance of the churches, it is also available on the archdiocese website at http://planning.archspm.org/. We are starting this weekend to include a prayer in our Mass petitions for God’s guidance in this process. I invite you to keep the archbishop in your daily prayers. When will we hear? The archbishop has called a meeting of all his priests on October 15th. This will be an all day meeting. At this meeting we will be informed of the archbishop’s plan for the archdiocese and how it will be put into action. It will then be announced to the parish communities at all of the masses on the weekend of October 16th and 17th. So you may want to make sure you are not out of town that weekend. Lectors & Servers:
I would like to ask all servers and lectors that, on the days that you are scheduled for Mass, if you could be there 10-15 minutes before Mass starts. It would help father’s blood pressure to know that the ministers for the Mass are there and are ready to go. I may have special instructions for the servers if there is a baptism or something else going on at the Mass. And lectors, I am sure you know the stress of being asked to read when you have not reviewed the readings ahead of time. It helps a lot to have people there early. If you are unable to be at the Mass you are scheduled, please find someone to cover for you. This gives another person a chance to arrive early and prepare to lector or serve. Thank you for being willing to take on these ministries. They enhance our worship experience as a Church. Fr Backer |
