Pastor's Column
Summer Coming Attractions
May 14, 2006
Summer’s almost here and the living will (mostly) be easy… That’s my hope this summer term. We will see how it holds up. It’s been a full spring semester and it seems fitting that we don’t try to overachieve over the summer. That being said, I am pleased to note that we will have an array of summer programming. We plan on having a three week series on current topics in the church in June, including a talk on the Pope’s new encyclical by Fr. Ragan Schriver, a talk on the Da Vinci Code movie, and an examination of immigration issues. There will also be a vacation Bible school in late June early July. Our parish picnic will be held on June 11th and our returning Catholic group will be held Wednesday nights. The Young Adults will continue to meet as well as Bible Study.
Just so you know where I am, I will be traveling this Tuesday, May 16th to New York for Paulist meetings and ordinations. I’ll only be here for a few days when I return on May 26th. I’ll be headed right back out for our parish pilgrimage to Italy, May 28-June 10. Please pray for our group. There will be 18 of us including George and Ruth Smith, Blanche Mackay, newly confirmed Lucia Sieger and her husband Mark, my parents, and my dad’s cousin Jim. If we don’t come back holier, we will come back heavier, thanks to fine Italian cooking. We will remember you all at the holiest places and best restaurants. Frs. Mike Kallock, Terry Ryan, and Ragan Schriver will be providing pastoral care in my absence. With the exception of a week in July and August, I ought to be around the rest of the summer.
Finally, it is congratulations time! Since the Easter Vigil, we have had 6 Baptisms, 7 people making full communion in the Catholic Church, 15 confirmations, 16 First Holy Communions, and 3 weddings. Congrats to all of our high school and college graduates. There are many promising young individuals in our congregation, and we pray that they will use their gifts to make our world a better one. All this congratulating no doubt pleases the mothers, grandmothers, and godmothers on this Mother’s Day weekend. Happy Mother’s Day to all!
This is the last column until August. So, let me wish one and all a wonderful summer season!
GREAT News!
May 7, 2006
It is my very happy task to inform you that John XXIII will get its associate pastor back! Fr. John Duffy called on Monday to inform me that the new Paulist would be arriving before the Fall Semester and that his term would be open ended. This is a complete reversal of the strategic planning decision made in October. After the approval of Bishop Kurtz, I can formally announce who the new Paulist will be. This is the same case as Immaculate Conception Parish downtown. They will also maintain their current arrangement of two Paulists.
This change in direction is a reflection of a number of factors. The main factor has been the parishioners and students from both places, the Bishop, former Paulists who served here who all delivered a consistent message to the Paulist leadership that the decisions of the community were ill advised. Paulists have not received the new strategic plan with great enthusiasm, especially the new concept of “regionalization.” Finally, last week’s announcement of our unexpected departure from Good Shepherd Parish in Northern Manhattan probably confirmed in the minds of the Paulist Administration that there are “more Paulists than places to put them…”
While this is certainly good news, it does not mean that “the laity should lie down” as one parishioner put it. It is still crucial to build up the lay ministries here at John XXIII: from mission work to liturgy; visiting the sick to tending the church gardens. As we close the books on this academic year, the staff will spend the summer seeking to set up systems that will facilitate the many lay ministry opportunities at John XXIII.
In the meanwhile, THANKS to all of you for your support and dedication to
the parish and to your pastor. It was quite remarkable. Let this experience
remind us of the power of prayer and positive action!
Bringing the “Other Third” Home
April 30, 2006
A few weeks ago I wrote about the three groups of Catholics in our diocese. Roughly speaking, there are 50,000 registered Catholics in the Diocese of East Tennessee. I also spoke of demographic studies that reveal that there are about as many undocumented Catholic immigrants living among us. This weekend at all the Masses, parishioner Ron Kirby will address the congregation about Landings, a Paulists ministry to reach out to the other third: alienated Catholics.
Fr. Alvin Illig, CSP a Paulist Missionary and Evangelist who died about 13 years ago used to preface all of his talks with the line that the two largest religious groups in America are Catholics followed by inactive Catholics. In 1983, the Paulist Fathers identified reconciliation, especially to alienated Catholics, as a prime mission direction. During the summer term, when getting to John XXIII on weeknights is less stressful, we hold Landings sessions.
Landings is a great forum for folks who have left the Church and are seeking a way back. The process encourages folks to talk about why they left, their issues with the Church, and what is calling them back. While sometimes it is Church teaching that sent people away, more often it is a relationship with family or clergy that negatively impacted one’s sense of Church. Landings is a safe place to seek healing and find new connections with the Church.
Last summer’s Landings group had a wonderful Spirit of listening, compassion, and respect for one another’s faith journey. The group continues to meet and now they are prepared to welcome new people starting Wednesday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Paulus Room. If you are aware of anyone who is seeking to return to the Church or needs a nudge, now is the time! Having been a participant in numerous Landings Groups, I have witnessed many people experience tremendous healing and growth in the Spirit through the process. If you would like more information, please let me know!
Have a great week! And Special Blessings to all taking or giving Final Exams.
Easter Reflections
April 23, 2006
What a wonderful Holy Week and Easter Sunday it was! I suppose all the prayer and preparation paid off—which is the point of Lent. For me, the high point of Holy Week is always the Easter Vigil, when we welcome new members to the Church. I never tire of seeing the faces of those who have been in the RCIA all year finally receive First Holy Communion.
Among the group were three children. One of them, Andrew, was the first parishioner at John XXIIII to be baptized in our new font. He was thoroughly soaked from head to toe by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. His classmates Austin and Summer looked on in awe, as did the rest of the congregation. Joining the three young ones at the Eucharistic table for the first time were eight adults. They are from various backgrounds: students, UT staff, alumni, and folks who found us after searching a bit. As I say every year, this is a very special group of people and we are blessed to count them in our number! We can learn a great deal from each other. For instance, many of the candidates who were from other Christian traditions didn’t think the Easter Vigil was long at all…
Finally, a big thank you goes to all those who helped make all of our Lenten Observances, Interfaith Hospitality Network commitments and Holy Week services so wonderful. I am deeply appreciative, too, of the RCIA and RCIC teams and sponsors who gave so much of their time and talent throughout the school year to lead these new folks into our Church! Sounds like the appreciation dinner this Friday is coming just in time!
Have a great week!
Fr. Eric
Rev. Robert E. Moran, C.S.P.
1931-2006
Is that guy related to Abe Lincoln? Certainly if you met the tall, lanky, bearded Fr. Bob walking across campus, you might have thought that. He had a smile that captivated many and a very quick wit that he never failed to use. He was an inquisitive academic who loved to meet people. A sociologist by nature and by degree (he got his PhD. from UC Santa Barbara in 1972), Fr. Bob would often sit down and have lunch at the University Center with random students, faculty, and staff. Using a Socratic method of sorts he would always try to tease intellectual thoughts from those who were more comfortable talking about The Simpsons or American Idol. In the pulpit, he would wax philosophic as well. Fr. Bob was always searching for deeper meaning and the presence of the Divine, wherever it may be found, even in undergraduates. By the time Bob was finishing up at John XXIII in May of 2000 he had made many, many friends in his three years here. This past Saturday morning, April 8th in Washington D.C., Fr. Bob passed on to eternal life.
I remember first meeting Bob Moran the day I checked into the Paulist Novitiate. He was in the middle of planting flowers (another way he celebrated God’s creation). Bob was always present to welcome the new novice class. In the swirl of getting adjusted to this new way of living, Bob was a welcome presence and he put me at ease. He did that for many people. Barbara, our secretary, recalls the day her computer crashed. Barbara was beside herself, on the verge of quitting. Bob sat with her for a long while, consoling her and no doubt reassuring her that there is life after data failure.
For over 40 Easter Sunday Mornings, Fr. Bob preached Christ’s suffering, death, and joy filled resurrection. Now, in the words of his patron St. Paul, his preaching can come to its fulfillment: “I fought the good fight, I have finished the race.” (2Tim4:7) Well done, Fr. Bob! Enjoy spending all of eternity waxing eloquently with all the interesting folks at the heavenly banquet table. And Pray for us, that we may join you someday for more lively conversation!
Happy Easter to All! Fr. Eric.
Who Is My Neighbor?
April 9, 2006
Did you know that there are only about 50,000 registered Catholics in the
Diocese of East Tennessee which is the Eastern one third of the State? That’s
less than 3% of the population. Did you also know that is probably only 1/3
of the Catholics in the Diocese? Another third are those Catholics who have
left the Church for one reason or another. This is a situation I will comment
further on in the weeks to come as we prepare to offer Landings, the Paulists’
very successful program that reaches out to alienated Catholics.
Today, I want to comment on the third group of 50,000 unregistered Catholics.
They are Latino immigrants who have come to East Tennessee illegally seeking
employment and opportunity. As we know from the news, this is a very contentious
and emotional issue for Americans, and there are no easy or quick solutions.
As Catholics we have a special concern, because many illegal immigrants are
baptized members of our Church, and thus have a right to receive the sacraments
and appropriate pastoral care wherever they live. Some versions of immigration
reform legislation would make it not only a felony to be in the country illegally,
but a crime to minister and care for illegal immigrants. If passed, this bill
would be particularly uncharitable. It is my hope that while we seek to secure
our borders against those who wish us harm, that we can find a solution that
mirrors Christ’s mercy and compassion for all people, especially the
least in the Kingdom of God.
For those who feel strongly about this issue and want to make their voices heard, Monday will be a national day of action for supporters of immigrant rights. A local event, sponsored by the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, will be held in Knoxville at 2pm at Senator Frist's office in downtown Knoxville. Some U.T. students plan to join together in support of immigrant rights through a peaceful walk-out on campus, meeting in front of the University Center at 1:30 pm, and marching up Cumberland Avenue to Senator Frist's office to join the local rally at 2pm.
As we enter Holy Week, let us pray that as we contemplate God’s unconditional
love for humanity though his Son, that God may make us instruments of His
love as well.
What makes a Parish/Campus Ministry Paulist?
April 2, 2006
A week ago representatives from Immaculate Conception and John XXIII sat down to discuss the pastoral needs and opportunities at both our churches. This unprecedented meeting was called because Paulist President John Duffy is planning to return to Knoxville April 18-20 to continue the dialogue over Paulist presence in Knoxville.
Two important conclusions came from the meeting. The first: It’s better
to have two Paulist parishes, alive and active, working to fulfill the Paulist
mission, than to have a single priest assigned to that job. With reduced staff,
we can’t be parishes that fulfill the Paulist mission because the day
to day demands are too intense. Without adequate resources, positive results
will diminish. The Second: East Tennessee is fertile soil for expansion of
the Paulist mission. A large number of people come into the Church each year
in East Tennessee. Culture in East Tennessee is clergy-centered. Initiatives
with other churches, for example, depend upon clergy involvement. Vocations
are present. The small number of Catholics in East Tennessee requires a strong
Catholic voice to eliminate ignorance, reduce prejudice, and develop understanding.
Little diocesan attention is paid to the need to minister to those who are
alienated from the church.
The Paulists are a larger percentage of the priests here and have a greater
impact on the presbytery.
These are great starting points, and they lead to more questions. How can we extend the Paulist Mission of Evangelization (spreading the Good News to those who haven’t heard it), Reconciliation (welcoming back those who have left the Church), and Ecumenism/Interfaith Dialogue (seeking communion with other Christians and seeking understanding with Moslems, Jews, and others) at John XXIII? What are we doing well? Where can we grow? How can a second Paulist priest at John XXIII extend those mission directions? If we had a fifth priest in Knoxville as missionary to the region, what would be the best use of his energies? These are issues our parish leadership is discerning. Do you have any input? Please let us know! Input can be forwarded to me or Kevin Kit, kkit@utk.edu, president of the council.
Thanks for your prayerful support! Fr. Eric
Spring Break
March 25
The Pastor took the week off! But the Building was busy. Here are some pictures of a Disaster Response Workshop held at John 23rd.
Catholics Are Christians
March 19, 2006
The lecture this past Tuesday by Dr. Lawrence Cunningham was a great success. About 325 folks came to the University Center Auditorium to hear the professor from Notre Dame speak. Many of them were students who took a break from mid-term studying. Cunningham gave a very clear and engaging talk on the origins and the development of the word “catholic”, and how the Church understands it today. By the end of the formal lecture, the professor made an extremely persuasive argument that Catholics are Christians. Thank goodness!
The question and answer segment was even more interesting for me. Not so much by the answers Cunningham gave but the questions themselves. Older Catholics tended to ask the hot button questions, about “Cafeteria Catholicism” and contraception. Protestants asked about issues of unity between churches. The students by and large, Catholic and otherwise were concerned with a number of classic theological debates in East Tennessee… about the Pope, Mary, and purgatory. Sociologists in the room would have had much raw data to work with. The one exception to this was the very last questioner. It was getting over time and the moderator asked for a quick question. The young co-ed asked innocently: “How should we treat homosexuals…?” The house erupted in laughter. (Cunningham answered delicately and pastorally.)
Overall, I thought it was a great night for the Catholic Church in terms of presenting ourselves to the University community. The Church was presented with great love and care, and also with a great deal of honesty. After having attending a similar lecture in the fall, one person was inspired to take a deeper look at the Church and is now in our RCIA program. I am sure this lecture will assist others who are looking for a church home to consider the Catholic Church.
Peace,
Fr. Eric.
Come to the Lecture!
March 12, 2006
This Tuesday, we will welcome Dr. Lawrence Cunningham to the University of Tennessee. Dr. Cunningham is a noted theologian at Notre Dame and he will be here to present a lecture entitled “Are Catholics Christian.” The topic was inspired by his current research for his next book on the roots of the word “catholic” in the history of Christianity and it’s implications for us today. The title of the lecture was intentional. Hopefully, it will pique the interest of our students and non-Catholic students as well. No doubt, many of you have encountered well meaning co-workers, neighbors, and friends from other churches who have quizzed you on this topic. I urge you to come to the lecture so you might be better able to dialogue with them and share your experience of Jesus Christ. Better yet, invite them along.
According to my sources, Dr. Cunningham is a sought after professor at Notre Dame. He is an enjoyable lecturer, and from my conversations with him on the phone, a very nice person. A parishioner here remembers then-Father Cunningham fondly from the Church of her youth in Florida. Dr. Cunningham is also well known for his work in Catholic Spirituality. He has written extensively on St. Francis of Assisi and on Thomas Merton. He has a featured article in the latest issue of Commonweal, surveying the many strands of spirituality in the Church today. In that article he notes that the most positive way to experience cafeteria Catholicism today is to view all the different spiritual movements and interests within the Catholic Church. There will be an opportunity after the lecture to greet the good professor and buy some of his books.
John XXIII is the co-sponsor of this lecture along with the Notre Dame Club and the Department of Religion. It is wonderful to be partnered with these folks. Together, we can all share the financial burdens and all enjoy the learning that will take place. Thanks to you as well, bringing in speakers is a priority of our Capital Campaign. Your support is key to all this and. I am sure you are happy to hear we are getting a big discount by working cooperatively!
Remember, the lecture is at 7:00p.m., Tuesday at the University Center (On
Phillip Fulmer Way, near the stadium). The lecture is free and there is ample
parking in the hourly lot attached to the U.C. Spread the word!
It’s Lent, and Sundays don’t count…or
do they?
March 5, 2006
There are many different schools of thought about the Season of Lent. There is the hard core individual who insists that their Lenten observance must continue wire to wire from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday Morning. Some start Lent well and then run out of gas somewhere around St. Patrick’s Day. Others observe the official Church line which is that Sundays are not days of Lenten observance. Every Sunday is a day to celebrate the risen Lord. As Jesus told his naysayers, you don’t fast when the bridegroom is present. If you add up all the days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, you will discover there are 46 days. Subtract the Sundays, but renew your commitments on Monday!
Whether you subtract the Sundays or not during this season, the main point is to take the opportunity to deepen your relationship with God. Take time in prayer to recognize and remove the obstacles that lie between you and Jesus. Get outside of yourself to serve the needy in your midst and serve Christ in that way. Fast from that which keeps you from achieving those goals--be it food, drink, sex, TV, power, you name it.
Fr. Mike Kallock, who has been with us this past week, had a great insight
on the 40 days of Lent. He noted that it generally takes around 40 days for
one to learn and unlearn patterns of behavior. That’s why many drug
and alcohol treatment centers have 40 day programs. God willing, your Lenten
observances will become a part of your regular spiritual practice. So, use
these days well, whether it be 40 or 46. The more we seek the Lord this Lenten
Season, the more powerfully we will experience the joy of His resurrection
at Easter. As we heard on Ash Wednesday: “Behold, now is a very acceptable
time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:2)
San Antonio Report
February 26, 2006
Just to fill out the picture a bit from last week… Fr. Joe Ciccone and I attended the Paulist Pastor’s and Superior’s meeting a week ago in San Antonio and I also attended my first meeting as a member of the Paulist General Council. It was great to see a number of Paulists. John Ardis sends his regards. He will be finishing up eight years as Director of the Paulist Center in Boston. Time flies.
At the meetings we realized that there is still a great deal of ambiguity regarding the Paulist Strategic Plan announced on October 31st. Many Paulists feel that new concept of “regionalization” of our foundations is unclear. What does it mean to create a regional center of ministry in Knoxville or elsewhere? Certainly, here at John XXIII our ministry is already regional by nature. We serve students and faculty from all parts of this state and beyond. Our Seekers of Silence Spirituality Group gathers people from as far away as Georgia. The Lecture series we have begun in conjunction with the Notre Dame Club is another example of outreach, and there are other examples beside these. What more can we do?
Paulists were also unclear how our National Ministries Offices serve our local ministries and vice versa. We have a national office for Young Adults, Ecumenism and Inter religious Dialogue, Evangelization, and Landings (Inactive Catholic Ministry). The Paulists want to add a national office for reconciliation, although it is unclear what the job description entails. How can we use these offices to further the mission in Knoxville? How can our experience assist these national initiatives?
So many questions! Pray that we sort things out. Since I have been elected
to the Paulist General Council, I’ll have to wrestle with these issues
in a more direct way on a regular basis. (Meetings are in NYC four times a
year.) The good news is that being on the Council gives Knoxville a more prominent
voice at the table. This has already resulted in some positive concessions
on Paulists at Immaculate Conception and here. Nothing is in writing yet.
But I believe we will win our case.
Access for All!
February 12, 2006
It is with great joy that I announce the grand opening of our handicapped lift at John XXIII! This marks the completion of an important initial phase of our GIFT Capital Campaign. Thanks to your contributions, these needed additions will assist so many people who are unable to navigate the stairs, doors, and sidewalks at John XXIII. It also sends a very important, tangible message that we strive to be a welcoming and inclusive community.
Now that this work is completed, we have to look ahead to other needs. While those in wheelchairs can get to the bathrooms, they might find those facilities inadequate and need to be improved. And, thinking even more broadly, our lounge space, office space, and study spaces aren’t adequate either! So, gratefully, thanks to your contributions to the GIFT campaign, we will move to the next chapter in renewing John XXIII.
By May, I hope we are ready to start construction in part of the old rectory and all of upstairs. Upstairs, this will expand the student lounge, create new study and classroom spaces, soundproof the library, and enlarge the restrooms for the handicapped and for childcare. Downstairs, we will create new offices for the business and pastoral staff, as well as create a reception area that can be used for Bible Study. One issue of concern is the back wall. A number of years ago a backdoor was installed that has subsequently compromised the back wall of the building. We may need to do some structural work to fix the cracks in the wall.
Seeing the good things that can happen with the GIFT campaign through the
addition of the new lift and hearing about some of our future plans will be
pleasing to you as you continue to contribute towards your GIFT pledge. Additionally,
may this good news be an invitation to new parishioners to consider making
a pledge to our efforts of renewal!!
If you’d like more information about the implementation of the capital
campaign or about how to make a pledge, please let me know!
Habitat for Humanity House
February 4, 2006
Last week, a number of parishioners from John XXIII joined other congregations
in a Christian Unity effort to build a home for family in need through Habitat
for Humanity. From all reports, despite the mud at the worksite, all who volunteered
their time had a very positive experience. I am happy to report that after
a blitz build week, the house was dedicated this past Saturday. Habitat volunteer
coordinator Trudy Akers sends this report to us:
“I’m pleased to report to you that we have a beautiful, new Habitat
for Humanity house at 7135 Terry Drive, and it was made possible by all of
your capable hands. You were truly used by God to make this dream become a
reality. It has been a distinct pleasure to watch this project take form and
progress to completion. On this past Saturday, we dedicated Rhyesa Tate’s
new home. As I stood on the porch with Rhyesa and her young son and daughter,
Ryjion and RyKendra, I was impressed again with how God uses Knoxville Habitat,
and our Covenant Partners, to provide decent and affordable housing for those
who might never accomplish it without our combined help. Thank you."
In Rhyesa’s own words:
“Good Afternoon, My name is Rhyesa Tate and I just want to thank the
Habitat Staff for all of the education and experience you have provided to
me, and I want to thank all of the volunteers, church members and family and
friends that were willing to help me complete my new home. This has been one
of my goals that I wanted to complete before I was 30 years old, and all the
other goals that I set for myself and my family were met during the 2 ½
years in the Habitat for Humanity program. This is a blessing and a dream
that has now come true. THANK YOU”
I have posted photos of the house on our website. If you would like to continue
to give your time to this wonderful cause, contact Trudy Akers, Volunteer
Coordinator, Knoxville Habitat for Humanity 865-523-3539 ext 108. She’s
in the office Mon-Thurs 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Donations are still being accepted
towards the cost of building this home. Thanks to Frank Rothermel for bringing
this project to us and to all those who worked!
God Bless, Fr. Eric.
Blessing of Christian Unity House
January 28th
Paulist Appeal & Appeal to the Paulists
January 29, 2006
This past Wednesday, we Paulists and our Associates celebrated the patronal feast day of the community, the Conversion of St. Paul. This year, the Paulists celebrate 148 years of ministry to North America. We are a small group but we have had the ability over the years to make quite an impact. Much of that was made possible by people like you, who have been touched by our ministry and sought to support the community in its many efforts to reach America with the Gospel. This weekend, please welcome Fr. Joe Ciccone, the Pastor of Immaculate Conception in his sophomore year, who will preach this year’s Paulist Appeal. Fr. Joe is a native of Brooklyn, New York whose first career was in Advertising. He’s a great artist who happens to have an excellent singing voice… much better than mine!
The big question this year, as one parishioner posed it, is: "why should the parish contribute to the order when the order demonstrates such trivial regard for the parish?" Certainly a message should be delivered to the Paulist Fathers if you are dissatisfied as I am about the plan to reduce the staff to one priest. Yet, your contribution can do so much good and will assist the community in its vital mission to spread the Good News to those who are searching for faith, to those alienated from the Church, to young adults, and to students on campus; and to seek unity among peoples of all faiths. Few religious communities speak to American Catholics as well as the Paulists do, whether it is one-to-one, from the pulpit, or over the airwaves. We also need your support to train priests who can truly accompany you on your spiritual journey and to assist those in retirement who have given so much.
So what to do? I suggest the following: Give generously. Show the Paulists how much you value our presence here in Knoxville. Yet, don’t let the powers that be off the hook. There is ample room in that envelope to insert a note to Fr. Duffy requesting adequate priestly staffing at John XXIII, especially during the academic year. Or, in the space on the brochure that asks for prayers, be creative! The Paulists pride themselves on being good communicators. Perhaps the community can learn something from you all in how you respond this year!
As always, I hope you realize how grateful I am for your tireless support of all the Paulists who have served John XXIII and of the work of the community. It is in your witness that I find the greatest source of renewal in the Spirit!
God Bless,
Fr. Eric
PS: See you in two weeks! I am at I.C. preaching this weekend and preaching
in chilly Toronto next Sunday.
Coming Attractions
January 22, 2006
Many of you have been asking me lately: “When’s the new priest coming?” If it were up to me, the new priest would already be here. Sadly, I am not in charge of such things. Because of the timing of Fr. Bob’s departure (which I fully support), the Paulist Fathers are unable to provide a full time replacement this semester. Fr. John Duffy “hopes” to have a new associate here on or around July 1. Whether that appointment will last one year (as is stipulated in the new strategic plan) or longer is an issue that will be addressed February 13-17 when the Paulist Pastors and Superiors meet.
In the meanwhile, I have arranged for additional priests to help out during the Spring Semester. Here are the coming attractions:
Fr. Joe Ciccone, Pastor of Immaculate Conception will be here to preach the Paulist Appeal the weekend of Jan 28/29. I’ll be over at I.C. to do the same. Fr. Mike Kallock, V.P. of the Paulist Fathers and former J23 pastor will be here the weekend of Feb. 4/5 while I go to preach the Paulist Appeal in Toronto, Canada. Fr. Mike will be back from February 23- March 7 to assist around Ash Wednesday. Fr. Jim DiLuzio will be here from April 1-5 to preach a parish mission called “Luke Live” a dramatic presentation of the Gospel of Luke. Finally, Fr. Terry Ryan will be here from April 5-18 to assist during Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter and again from May 29-June 12 while I accompany the pilgrims to Italy. Also please welcome, Fr. Jim Brucz, associate pastor at I.C., and Fr. Ragan Schriver, director of Catholic Charities. They will be helping out with some daily and Sunday Masses along the way.
Many other Paulists and diocesan priests have expressed a willingness to assist as well. This is a sign to me of the great value they place in our University Parish. Of course, nothing can replace a full time priest to compliment yours truly. I have been flying solo for only a few weeks, but it is becoming even clearer to me that the demands for a priest, especially during the Fall and Spring Semesters, can’t be met by one person. I appreciate your support and sensitivity. Next week, I’ll start outlining how you can help share the load!
Ordinary Time 2006
January 15, 2006
Happy New Year! Now that the Christmas Season is over, it’s back to ordinary time. I am sure we are all having back to work/school pains! I want to thank you for making the Christmas season so wonderful at John XXIII. Your many and varied Christmas and Birthday greetings were very much appreciated!
The good news is that we are starting the year with construction on our first GiFT project that will help make our building more accessible to all people. God willing, we will bless the new handicapped lift next weekend. We will also be rolling up our sleeves to renovate the rest of the building, including the commissioning of new stained glass and other art work for the building. I am hoping by the end of the semester we will have made significant strides in realizing our goals.
In a special way, I want to thank you for your care and support of both Fr. Bob and I, during Fr. Bob’s leave taking. Many of you have been asking how you can help lessen the burden on me. Don’t worry, in weeks to come I’ll be making those needs known. For now, I invite you to reflect on what gifts and talents you would like to share with the parish community. Below is a note from Fr. Bob who moved to Chicago on January 5th.
God Bless,
Fr. Eric.
****
Friends
I wish there was a way that I could thank each of you individually but time
and distance makes that impossible. But I do wish to thank every one of you
for your understanding, support, gifts, and prayers for me as I make this
transition to a leave of absence. There are many changes I am experiencing.
I am now in Chicago, a great city with many opportunities. My new address
is:
65 East Scott Apt 5K
Chicago, IL 60610
My e-mail address at John 23rd will remain the same for awhile. I am on the
near north side of the city not far from Lake Michigan which I love. So far
there is no snow and it is not too cold but I am bracing for tougher weather.
Peace, Fr. Bob.