Pastor's Message

August 29, 1999

SCHOOL’S FIRST DAY

The first day of school is always a big event for children and for their parents. I can recall lots of excitement surrounding the first day of school, even into high school years and beyond. I was always interested in seeing the other kids, checking out the classroom(s), meeting the teacher(s), and getting a glimpse of what I would be learning that year.
Most of the local schools will have their first day this week. In addition to the excitement, there also is lots of caution this year. In light of the tragic shootings in Colorado and Georgia late last spring, many school administrators and parents have concluded that no community is completely exempt from that type of happening.
One of the best things that can be done is for parents to stay connected with their sons and daughters. It is not uncommon for teenagers to want their privacy or to go into mild depressions. That is often part of the adolescent way of dealing with emotions. Yet a stable, consistent, and caring adult presence can allow the high school student to work through those feelings.
For teenagers, please deal with the issues that confront you. Talk about your ups and downs. If you can’t connect with your parents during these years, find some trustworthy teacher, coach, or other adult that you can unload on. It’s worth it.
Schools are a vital part of our community. Please pray that all our schools will be healthy and that the youngsters attending them will remain excited even beyond the first day.

- Fr. Herb

Pastor's Message August 29, 1999 SCHOOL’S FIRST DAY The first day of school is always a big event for children and for their parents. I can recall lots of excitement surrounding the first day of school, even into high school years and beyond. I was always interested in seeing the other kids, checking out the classroom(s), meeting the teacher(s), and getting a glimpse of what I would be learning that year. Most of the local schools will have their first day this week. In addition to the excitement, there also is lots of caution this year. In light of the tragic shootings in Colorado and Georgia late last spring, many school administrators and parents have concluded that no community is completely exempt from that type of happening. One of the best things that can be done is for parents to stay connected with their sons and daughters. It is not uncommon for teenagers to want their privacy or to go into mild depressions. That is often part of the adolescent way of dealing with emotions. Yet a stable, consistent, and caring adult presence can allow the high school student to work through those feelings. For teenagers, please deal with the issues that confront you. Talk about your ups and downs. If you can’t connect with your parents during these years, find some trustworthy teacher, coach, or other adult that you can unload on. It’s worth it. Schools are a vital part of our community. Please pray that all our schools will be healthy and that the youngsters attending them will remain excited even beyond the first day. - Fr. Herb
August 22, 1999 LOSING THINGS I suspect there are many of us who waste time looking for lost items. We walk through each room of the house, searching for misplaced gloves, keys, or checkbooks. Often we incorporate others into the search. I recall my mother’s daily request that we help her find her reading glasses. They were always to be found, usually under the newspaper or next to the chair she liked to sit in. Losing things is not be new. Generations of people have looked to St. Anthony as the Patron Saint of lost items. Remember the little rhyme: “Tony, Tony, look around. Something’s lost and must be found!” Sometimes I have felt sorry for St. Anthony because I am sure that he is kept quite busy. Whenever something is lost, that item attains new value. What we may have casually thrown on the table or dresser, now becomes the most prized possession of all. Jesus’ story of the woman sweeping her house to look for the one lost coin is really very accurate. What is lost often means more to us than that same item did when it was present. A woman told me that she felt she had lost her faith. Her life seemed empty and void of God’s presence. The absence was acute and painful. I wonder if we value the faith that we have been given. It would be a shame to have to lose it before we know what it is worth. - Fr. Herb
August 15, 1999 TROUBLE Etched into the sidewalk, probably done while the cement was drying, I saw the words, “Trouble wuz here.” I could almost picture the kid who saw himself as a tough guy, trying to leave a note for posterity. Every so often we all can say that trouble seems to be accompanying us. We face hardships like losing jobs and losing friends. Some have a hard time just getting through daily tasks. At some time or other we all can say that trouble has paid us a visit. Sometimes it stays way too long. Responding to trouble can be difficult. There are those who like to feel sorry for themselves. They are the ones who honestly feel that no one has it as bad as they do. Others look around to friends to lean on. Some try to tough it out alone. Having troubling days is probably part of life. We really do need others to help us. We also need to face our problems with all the courage we can muster up. What is often forgotten, however, is the strength and courage that come from prayer. The next time you find that trouble has come to visit, take a deep breath and turn your attention to God. Lay the burden at God’s feet. God will ask you to carry a small part of the load, but most of it will be taken up by the Lord. - Fr. Herb
August 8, 1999 MUSIC MEN AND WOMEN The great 1958 musical “The Music Man” is being staged at the Renaissance Theater this week. It’s a story of how music and the promoter of a boys’ band, transform a small town in Iowa. I always enjoy its sheer fun and great melodies. In fact, I am sure to be humming and whistling the songs all week long. Music really does have a transforming effect on people. For us in the church, music has tremendous importance. Singing at Mass is especially important because it can cause the hearts to soar and transcend spoken words. Catholic liturgy calls for good music. It also calls for participative music. That means it is important for all members of the assembly to join in and not simply listen to experts. With that in mind, I would like to commend those who regularly pick up the song books and sing during our liturgies. Now that the fans aren’t running so loudly, it is easier to hear your singing. At the same time, I want to address those who never sing or even make an attempt to find the song in the book. I am truly amazed that some of you can resist getting into songs that are both moving and singable. People give lots of reasons for not singing: too many new songs; too many old and boring songs; too many high-pitch songs; too poor of a singing voice; or voice too tired from shouting at kids. Whatever you reason is, try this. Just pick up the song book and start following the words, maybe singing with the first line or refrain. The roof of the church won’t cave in, and the people in front of you likely will not turn around and gawk. Singing is praying. Any attempt you make will bring back to you a great reward. Your own sense of spiritual communication with the Lord will be enhanced. We are fortunate here at St. Peter’s Church to have a strong music program with lots of variety. Start now to become a music man, woman, or child. - Fr. Herb
August 1, 1999 A TIME TO PLAY A couple of weeks ago I saw two boys playing in Mohican River. They reminded me of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer as they swung out over the river on a rope and then dropped in. It was a great way to beat the summer heat. I don’t think they could have been happier. Seeing the kids in the “ole swimmin’ hole” reminded me how much fun it can be just to be a child. Unfortunately, we adults often lose our ability to play. And when we do indulge in recreation, it seems that we become extremely goal-oriented, having to win or at least come in with the better score than the last time. The ability to play is often connected with the ability to pray. Both activities mean letting go and entering the spirit of something. Certainly, doing good liturgy has to have an element of relaxation and child-like self-investment. I am often puzzled when I notice folks praying so seriously like it is all hard work. I wonder what God thinks about that. As we enter this final month of summer, please do not miss an opportunity to play. Jump in the sprinkler, go down the slide, walk through the lawn barefoot, or look for a four-leaf clover. And while you are doing it, roll down a hill the way you did when you were young. You may feel a bit sore, but the activity will release something very good inside you. - Fr. Herb