Archive for March, 2008
Entry for Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 30th, 2008
He is Risen!
I’m been remiss in giving a “Sunday Question” to the Middle School students at St. Mary Help of Christians. I hope they’re still reading the Blog.
Here’s a question for the group. What sacrament does Jesus institute on today’s Gospel reading? Why is it important in the life of the Church? Have fun!
Today, the Church concludes the Easter Octave, the eight physical days in which we rejoice and celebrate Easter Day. While the Octave ends, the Church is still within the Easter Season. All the disciples of Christ are called to REJOICE and to allow the hope and joy of this season to enter into their hearts.
He is Risen! Alleluia!
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Eight Truths
Sunday, March 30th, 2008
Alleluia, the Lord is Risen!
An eight-part series of columns I wrote for the local diocesan paper during Lent is now posted on my website, under “Attempts at Writing,” “The Catholic Miscellany.”
The series was entitled, “EIght Truths Every Catholic Should Know.” I originally had the subtitle, “What You Might Have Missed in High School,” but the subtitle couldn’t fit in the published newspaper version.
The series was a small attempt to give a summary of various truths of faith. The columns were meant to have a systematic move towards deeper truths: so the series was started with a column on God, and moved from there to Jesus Christ, to the Church, to the sacraments, to discipleship, and then to prayer.
I would welcome any comments on the series or on a specific column.
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Youths Discover How to Get ‘Lost in Christ’ at Annual Conference
Thursday, March 20th, 2008
“The Catholic Miscellany”
By Christina Lee Knauss
WHITE OAK – Sometimes getting lost can be a good thing. At least that’s what teens learned at the 18th annual Diocese of Charleston Youth Conference held March 7-9 at the White Oak Conference Center.
The conference theme was “Lost in Christ,” and activities throughout the weekend stressed the importance of putting the Lord at the center of daily life.
The young people took part in skits and team sports, read Scripture, prayed together, attended adoration and received the sacrament of reconciliation.
Local and national speakers offered tips on how to live Christian lives despite the pressures of a secular world.
More than 700 high school students and adult leaders from around the state attended.
Father Jeffrey Kirby, who was ordained to the priesthood in July 2007, was the keynote speaker for the opening session March 7. He is parochial vicar at St. Mary Help of Christians in Aiken.
His speech used lines from the Nicene Creed to illustrate basic points of Christian and Catholic belief, and their importance in daily life. He repeated the phrases “You’ve been hoodwinked, you’ve been bamboozled, you’ve been had” to clarify the lies secular culture tells about God and what belief in God means.
“By being human persons, we are by nature religious beings,” Father Kirby said. “Our heart of hearts desires to know God. God is greater than anything that can ever be said about him. He approaches us lovingly, freely choosing to share his own knowledge of himself with us. God, through the ages, has shared himself with humanity through fullness in Jesus Christ. Each of us can know God because God himself wants to tell us.”
The priest received wild applause and support from his church’s youth, some of whom wore T-shirts that read “Kirby’s Crew.”
Tammy Evevard, a Colorado-based speaker, spoke on March 8 at a special session for young women. She asked them to give examples of their faith that they experienced.
She said today’s culture often makes women feel inadequate because they don’t measure up to the standards of appearance, conduct or popularity.
“You are princesses of the most high God,” Everard told the women. “That’s what God speaks to us. He doesn’t say ‘Arise those who are about six feet tall and 25 pounds!” That is the biggest brokenness of all, the brokenness of our culture and how it sees women. The world takes the idea of who we are and breaks it apart.”
Evevard said that through a relationship with Christ, women can find an inner strength and deal more effectively with daily pressures. She encouraged the youth to focus on becoming Catholic women whose lives are centered on their faith and the concepts of “power, self control and love.”
“We are not a mistake and we do not deserve to be treated like mistakes,” Evevard said. “We are not meant to take a step back and not show our intelligence so that others might not feel uncomfortable … If we live lives as women of power, self control and love, there is nothing we can’t do … you can spend your whole life stuffing yourself with things, but they won’t bring deep satisfaction. What your heart really longs for is love at the deepest place.”
Other speakers during the weekend included Louisiana-based Charlie Cantreel, who uses humor to convey Gospel lessons; and Luke Vercollone, a Charleston-based former professional soccer player and devout Catholic.
Youth who attended said they felt encouraged by the faith of their peers and by the message speakers offered.
“I really enjoyed the weekend – it was very moving for me,” said Brittany Southard, a high school senior who attends Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Greenville. “I really felt the whole thing made me come closer to God.”
Jerry White, director of youth and young adult ministry for the diocese, spoke during closing ceremonies and urged the young people to remember the lessons they learned during the weekend. He also encouraged them to find someone in their lives that can help them be spiritually accountable.
“You’re going to go home to the same situations you faced when you came here, and a voice is going to tell you what happened over this weekend wasn’t real,” White said, “I want to tell you that if you say “Lord, I want to live with you’ this weekend, he’s right there with you … Satan wants you to walk in the dark, but God wants you to walk in the light. You are the masterpieces of our risen Lord.”
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Eight Truths Every Catholic Should Know: Christian Prayer
Thursday, March 20th, 2008
“The Catholic Miscellany”
Editor’s Note: This is the eighth of a series of columns Fr. Jeff Kirby is writing for Lent.
Eighth Truth:
“Christian Prayer”
We have a lot of different definitions of prayer in our society. In our world dominated by a consumer spirit, it shouldn’t surprise us that many of these definitions are about what we can get or how we can manipulate God. It’s a shocking realization that many disciples of Christ do not understand what prayer is and what its place is in our life with Christ.
Before petitions and intercession, prayer is mainly about relationship. First and foremost, it is about God seeking us and initiating a friendship with us. God shows his desire for us. In seeing this desire, we are encouraged to desire him in return. In prayer, we turn to him and make a response of faith. We express our desire and thirst for God. We encounter him and give him our lives and needs. We approach God with humility realizing that we are not where we should be, and we ask him for help.
Our life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the all-holy God and living in communion with him. We have the possibility of this communion because, through baptism, we have already been united with Christ and dwell in him.
In prayer, we come to better understand the workings of God. We allow him to teach us and give us his worldview. Authentic prayer purifies and edifies us. It expands our minds and hearts, and opens the way for greater insights into God’s goodness and providence.
Within this relationship with God, we offer him various petitions and needs. These petitions have an important place in our prayer life. They show our dependency on him. In offering intercessions, however, we always pray that God’s will be done. Our prayer should not be seen as a means to change, manipulate, or bargain with God’s will. When we offer petitions, we make our request and we ask that it be in conformity with God’s will. If it is not and things go differently than we had hoped, then we ask for the strength to understand and accept his will.
It’s always a bit disturbing when I receive prayer chain e-mails or peculiar novenas and devotions which assure us that if we only do this prayer or that task then our prayer will be answered as we desire. This approach does not reflect the Christian understanding of prayer. Nor is it an accurate summary of God’s providence.
The truth of the matter is that our prayer doesn’t change God. Our prayer allows God to change us, and to see his goodness in a better light.
Our prayer life is not about what can be bargained or bought by words and deeds. Our life of prayer is about God and our relationship with him. It is knowing that, in him, all our needs and petitions will be answered according to his plan and goodness.
The Rev. Jeffrey Kirby is the parochial vicar at St. Mary Help of Christians parish in Aiken. Please visit: www.jeffrey-kirby.com.
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Entry for Monday, March 17, 2008
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
Hosanna!
Today, at the parish, we finished our Lenten “Lunch ‘N Learn,” which was a six-Monday long book club. It was from 12 Noon until 1:00pm, with the presentations and discussions being based on readings from “Searching For and Maintaining Peace,” by Fr. Jacques Phillipe.
By God’s grace, we had about 60-80 people attend each session. The insights and thoughts from the different participants was encouraging and edifying.
It was a grace for all of us to be able to take this time and reflect on God’s gift of peace. It’s a precious gift that can so easily be lost or stolen.
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Palm (Passion) Sunday
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008
Hosanna in the Highest!
Today the Church begins the holiest week of the year. May we all join our prayers as one and enter into the Lord’s Hour with him.
On my website, under “Attempts at Writing,” “Random Thoughts and Writings,” I’ve posted a brief reflection on Holy Week. I hope it might be helpful to anyone interested in a quick summary of the week.
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Entry for Wednesday, March 12
Saturday, March 15th, 2008
Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
This evening at the parish we concluded our Family Lenten Mission, which was a five-Wednesday study of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love.
The mission was intergenerational and rested on the shoulders of some very committed catechists. We would meet at 7:15pm (after the family dinner hour) for prayer. Everyone was there for prayer. After the opening prayer, we divided into generation groups: Adults; Grades 12-8; Grades 7-4; Grades 3-2; Grade 1; and a nursery was provided. Thanks be to God, the parish has a school and we were able to easily break up into the various groups. After about fifty minutes of teaching time, we would all reconvene for a closing prayer. The mission was done no later than 8:30pm (enough time to get home and ready for school and work the next day).
The first session was on virtue and used the story of the Rich Young Man; the second session was on faith and used the story of the Canaanite Woman; the third session was also on faith and used the story of the Father of the Boy with a Mute Spirit; the fourth session was on hope and used the story of the Centurion; and, our last session this evening was on love and used the story of the Good Samaritan. Each generation group used the same story but modified it according to the age group. The hope being that families could discuss the story together at home.
The theme of virtue was chosen because of the Holy Father’s two encyclicals on virtue: “Deus Caritas Est,” and “Spe Salvi.” The mission was a small attempt to bring the Holy Father’s teachings to the local level here in Aiken.
I was edified by the response. By God’s grace, we had about 200-250 people at each session of the Mission.
It’s my hope to post the full documentation of the Mission on my website in the near future. I would welcome any comments.
Intergenerational ministry requires a lot of attention and work. I can completely understand why many would avoid it; however, I’ve seen this Lent that when the time and work is put into it, it does work (and works very well).
I’m curious to see any effects in the life of the parish from the Mission. It’s my hope to see more manifestations of God’s grace in our community of disciples here in Aiken, South Carolina.
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March 7-9: Diocesan Youth Conference
Saturday, March 15th, 2008
Praised be Jesus Christ!
On Friday, March 7, I headed up to the White Oak Retreat Center for the annual Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC). The last time I was really at a DYC was almost fifteen years ago, when I was in high school myself. Things have certainly changed, and much for the better.
There were about 700 young people at the conference, and 25 from St. Mary Help of Christians, where I’m assigned in Aiken.
I was invited to give the keynote address on Friday night. The theme of the conference was “Lost in Christ.” I wanted to use the theme and speak about three pressing questions: How do we know God? How can we know where we stand with God? How can we approach God? The talk was a litany of cultural beliefs and then an explanation of the truths from the Creed. I’m still working to write out the talk, and hope to post it on my website soon. I would certainly welcome any comments.
I was very much encouraged by the young people from Aiken, and from throughout the state. I was able to spend Saturday morning and early afternoon with the young people. It was a thoroughly positive surprise to me to see how many young people sought out Confession. The newer generation of Catholics have a great love for the sacraments. Thanks be to God!
The young people from my home parish made a shirt and caught me off guard at the conference when I saw it. You’ll see in the picture, it’s a “Kirby” from the popular video game, but with hair and wearing a Roman collar. The message reads: “Kirby’s Krew.” I saw it right before I went up for my talk, and it was a great encouragement.
My prayer is that the many points given by the speakers, the music, and the thoughts given to the young people at the conference will bear much fruit in their lives and in their discipleship to the Lord Jesus.
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Eight Truths Every Catholic Should Know: Our Vocation as Disciples of Christ
Thursday, March 13th, 2008
“The Catholic Miscellany”
Editor’s Note: This is the seventh of a series of columns Fr. Jeff Kirby is writing for Lent.
Seventh Truth:
“Our Vocation as Disciples of Christ”
Sometimes the greatest challenge in life is trying to live by what we believe. Isn’t it often the case that it’s much easier to have a conviction than it is to live by it?
When we freely acknowledge ourselves as disciples of Christ, we are asserting many convictions. What are the consequences of these beliefs in our lives? What should our life look like as followers of the Lord Jesus?
In his public ministry, Jesus closely associated his disciples with his own life. He gave them an active share in his own mission, and called them to be holy and to evangelize the world. In our discipleship with Jesus, he does no less.
The Lord invites us into a loving and loyal relationship with him. He calls us to faith and conversion, which oftentimes demand a change for the good in our lives. Authentic discipleship leads us to abandon our former way of life, and to seek to live completely in Jesus Christ. We are called to conform ourselves to Jesus until he is formed in us.
Our discipleship urges us to seek the face of God and to slowly mature in his grace. It isn’t about what we will get or what we will accomplish in this world. It’s not intended as a means of self-help or therapy. Our discipleship is about Jesus Christ and our exercise of faith, hope and love in him.
In desiring to be his disciples, we must be willing to joyfully accept the cross. We embrace the cross because we know that the Lord Jesus is nailed to it, and that he has a trustworthy plan. We know that he will assist us through the struggles and difficult times of this life.
The truths of faith must not be seen as cold or remote creedal statements, but as helpful directives for an abundant way of life in Christ. The great divide between what we believe and how we live can be reconciled by faith in Jesus Christ.
If we let him, God can remove the barriers and hesitations presented by our world. In Christ, we are asked to confidently live the gospel without compromise. We must allow our faith to shape our lives and become its focal point. As disciples, we are summoned to live by faith in Jesus Christ.
While our faith in Jesus is a very personal act, it is not a private one. As followers of the Lord Jesus, we are also commissioned to profess our faith, give public testimony to it, and work to spread it within our families, among our neighbors, co-workers, and friends. As we have received the gift of faith, we are called to share it with others.
The Rev. Jeffrey Kirby is the parochial vicar at St. Mary Help of Christians parish in Aiken. Please visit: www.jeffrey-kirby.com.
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Drug Rehab Community To Add Third House
Sunday, March 9th, 2008
“The National Catholic Register”
March 9, 2008
By Joseph Pronechen
Register Correspondent
ST AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Since 1994, Comunita Cenacolo America (Community of the Cenacle) has been proving its fully faith-based program restores hope and turns addicts around. It accepts no government funding. It’s not a therapeutic program.
“It is a School of Life because we are trying to go back to the basics, living together in simplicity [there is no TV or radio], working hard, sacrificing, learning to do things you don’t like to do,” said Albino Aragno, the director of the community in America. “Prayer is the foundation of community.”
Mother Elvira Petrozzi, an Italian Sister of Charity, opened the first Comunita Cenacolo in Saluzzo, Italy, in 1983 to treat drug- and alcohol-addicted men. Since then, the project has grown to 60 houses with 1,500 residents in countries such as Ireland, France, Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Some are for women, while missions in South America care for homeless, abandoned and abused children. Each house has a chapel and the Blessed Sacrament with Eucharistic adoration daily.
In 1999, a formation house opened in Italy, and there are already four priests from the community, 15 brothers, nearly 10 seminarians and 30 sisters in formation. On Dec. 8, 2005, Comunita Cenacolo was granted status as a Public Association of the Faithful.
When he was rector of St. Augustine Cathedral-Basilica and before he became a bishop, Bishop Robert Baker of the Diocese of Birmingham, Ala., co-founded a community in St. Augustine, Fla.
That was nearly 15 years ago, and now there are three houses in St. Augustine: the original Our Lady of Hope, Mary Immaculate for men and St. Maria Goretti for women, which is to open this year.
Having a strong feeling the Blessed Mother wanted to get people off the streets, he met with a small group for a continuous novena to Our Lady of Good Hope.
He learned of Mother Elvira through a priest at the Vatican.
“The devotion to Mary was something I was looking for and I didn’t discover anyone else having that,” Bishop Baker said.
He had been asking, “Why aren’t we using our Catholic resources? We have the sacraments … At times we’re too reluctant to share our faith with other people when that is the most important element in conversion and rehabilitation. Mother Elvira has figured that out and follows that pattern as few other I’ve seen do.”
“She has a strong prayer base that would run circles around any monastery,” he said. “The focus of the prayer life is the Eucharist and a strong Marian devotion.”
Everyone prays the Rosary three times a day – morning and evening in the chapel, and afternoons with fellow workers. She insisted, “People have to eat three times a day for our body; why not pray three time a day to feed our soul.”
“She’s not shy about it,” said Bishop Baker.
Nor is she shy about ordering a disciplined life because people struggling with addictions have self-centered dispositions that need corrections.
“These men understand that they struggle to overcome their addiction,” said Father Jeffrey Kirby. “There are no easy answers, no attempt to baby them. The real Gospel teaches both death and resurrection.”
Father Kirby spent six weeks at the community’s Saluzzo motherhouse while studying for the priesthood in Rome for the Diocese of Charleston, and counts the community as a big part of his understanding of the Church’s mission, especially the New Evangelization.
“For me,” said Father Kirby, “in the second part of Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) when Pope Benedict is speaking about what authentic social action is, he’s talking about Comunita Cenacolo.”
Because the addicts have to relearn how to live, pray and sacrifice, Mother Elvira insists they take three years, unlike the three to six months for many other programs. This detachment from the world was challenging at first for 30-year-old Jeffrey, who has been with the community nearly three years, but most beneficial because it freed him “from all kinds of distractions from discovering Jesus,” he said.
Everyone works a full day, almost monastic in style, growing vegetables, building, repairing. Mother Elvira insists on total reliance on divine Providence. Addicts pay nothing. No state money is accepted.
“We experience every day the providence of God,” he said, as various donations arrive at just the right times. “Addicts don’t trust personally in their own life. So, by depending on the providence of God, you see God is working for us. It’s a beautiful teaching for us. You see God provides.”
Mother Elvira’s approach “leads addicts to real, authentic and enduring recovery,” observed Father Kirby.
No formal studies have measured percentages of success, but neither have studies been done for any other faith-based program, according to senior research associate Mary Gautier at the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.
Aragno shies away from specific numbers.
“For us its considered a successful person who embraces and lives the faith and the Christian life outside,” he said. “You can go into any hospital to be detoxed. But to maintain that you have to embrace a new way of living.”
Joseph Pronechen is based in Trumbull, Connecticut.
Information: HopeReborn.org
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