Author: Daniel

Completion, at last

Daniel

My 52 or so weeks on the road was the experience of a lifetime, vastly exceeding my expectations. The only regret happened in Maine, when, due to a misunderstanding on my end, I missed out on the opportunity to accompany Deacon Robert Curtis to the Maine State Prison as he fulfilled his obligations as a prison ministry chaplain.

I rectified that today.

I joined Marty Arlinghaus, director of prison ministry for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and founder of the Serenelli Project on his weekly visit to Warren Correctional Institution in Lebanon, Ohio. It was an amazing experience.

Since we had no priest with us today (a situation Marty hopes will be fully rectified soon, as new Archbishop Casey has appointed someone to serve specifically with the prison population), Marty, an acolyte, offered a communion service. We closed out the service singing Holy God, We Praise Thy Name. If I’ve ever had a more powerful musical experience than adding my voice to those of a dozen or so inmates singing that beautiful song, I can’t remember what it could have been.

Before the service, an inmate informed Marty he wanted to be baptized. And Marty explained that, at his age, he will be baptized, receive Holy Communion and Confirmation all at once, but only after a process that ensures his is a body and soul receptive for the faith to take root, sharing Christ’s Parable of the Sower. Rather than be discouraged by the idea of a lengthy process to baptism, the young man beamed with joy at the prospect.

More of the inmates joined us for a video presentation on St. Maximilian Kolbe and his devotion to Mary, followed by a group discussion. There, Jerome (who has been in prison for 37 years but just received some positive news from the Innocence Project) answered Marty’s question that there is nothing stopping anyone from living God’s will in prison. And, after some lively back and forth, John pointed out that “None of us is in here for doing God’s will.”

Thank you Marty, the Ohio Department of Corrections and the warm and welcoming men of Warren Correctional Facility. I hope to be back soon to partake again in this wonderful ministry.

Mission Dolores

Daniel

We wrapped up our trip the same way we started, with a visit to one of California’s 21 missions. This was the northern most, Mission San Francisco de Asis, or Mission Dolores, naturally located in the city that bears the name of the great St. Francis of Assisi.

The complex includes the original Mission Dolores chapel, the oldest building in the entire city, constructed in 1791. Adjacent to that is Mission Dolores Basilica, built in 1918 and designated a minor basilica in 1952.

St. Pope John Paul II visited in 1987. I stopped and prayed just a few feet behind where he knelt at the chapel.

Included here are images from the chapel, the basilica, a mural and a cemetery, all on the grounds of the mission. Not included was any shots of the baptism taking place in the chapel when we walked in, though that was obviously wonderful to see.

Godspeed, Father Scott

Daniel

Today marked the final day for me to attend Mass with Father Scott Morgan presiding. He’ll be here at St. John the Evangelist for a final sendoff Sunday, but we’ll be out of town moving our youngest into his new apartment in Grand Rapids.

It’s been a joy to watch Father Scott grow in his role here as parochial vicar and I have no doubt he will do a wonderful job at Our Lady of the Hills family of parishes. That growth is so evident in his homilies.

Today, on the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, he was noting some of John’s eccentricities, when he remarked (and I’m paraphrasing), “You don’t have to be crazy to live a life of faith, but you do need to be madly in love with our Lord and Savior.” I really liked that.

Best of luck, Father Scott.

Our Lady, Star of the Sea (and Land)

Daniel

Work took me to the Hartford area on Tuesday and my faith took me to Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Unionville. Now, if you’re familiar with Unionville, Connecticut, and I assume you are, you’re probably wondering why a church that’s nowhere near the sea, or even the Sound, is named Star of the Sea. And, per the church’s website, I can report that they’re not totally sure.

A funny thing happened on the way to Mass. I plugged the church’s address into my phone and was dutifully following the directions. As I neared the church, I came upon a car bearing a bumper sticker urging me to Pray the Rosary and I casually wondered if this vehicle was going to the same place I was.

When the SUV pulled into the left turn lane, I quickly assumed otherwise. But something forced me to look down at the map on my phone, where I discovered that a left turn was, in fact, called for, despite the usually nice lady inside it opting not to share that information with me.

So I jumped in the left lane and was led directly to the church, proving once again that if you truly want proper direction in your life, the Rosary is a much better option than modern technology.

http://www.52masses.com

Habemus Papam

Daniel

Bear with me, but this will get a little convoluted. But like most, yesterday was an exciting day, so you can forgive a fellow a little convolution.

The announcement of the new pope, Habemus Papam, and his chosen name, Leo XIV immediately reminded me of my trip to Europe last year. My wife and I spent time in Germany, Switzerland and France. The highlight, for me, was our short stop in the gorgeous town of Eguisheim. This Medieval village gave us, among other things Pope Leo IX, who would be canonized 28 years after his death. In Eguisheim, they refer to him as Saint Leon.

As the conclave was reaching its decision on the next leader of our Church, I was not at home waiting the white smoke. Rather, I was in Mexico on a work trip, schlepping around a trade show in the town of Monterrey. And where in Mexico is Monterrey located?

In Nuevo Leon. A new Leon.

God bless our new holy father.