Pastor's Message

January 28, 2001

SUPER- WHAT?

Only someone who is stranded on an island might not know that today is Super Bowl Sunday. Even non-fans of football often get together for parties to watch the event and enjoy good company.

What makes it so super? Certainly, it is the culmination of a long football season and, like any championship, is supposed to pit the best two teams against each other. People are attracted to viewing the very best.

I, as one who rarely watches sports on television and usually does not get excited about the Super Bowl, personally believe that this yearly ritual is precisely that, a ritual. Since there is a distinctive lack of rituals that excite people in what can be a humdrum life, they focus on a sporting event to make this day special. I don't mean to say that that is bad. Getting excited about sporting events is ancient.

My question, though, is what difference it will make, really, who wins today's game. Life will go on. The winners will get bigger paychecks and some will go to Disney World, as the commercial goes. But for most tomorrow will be just another Monday.

What we truly need is a mentality that thinks of every day as super. Each day is a gift from God. Even when we are not gathering with friends and good food, we can find every day a time for celebrating God's gift of life.

Fr. Herb

January 21, 2001

THE TRAGEDY OF ABORTION

Often the abortion debate becomes an argument between those who defend the rights of the unborn and those who feel that the mothers of the unborn are being trapped into giving birth against their own will. The tragedy of abortion is that both sides suffer.

Tomorrow, Monday, January 22, is the 28th anniversary of the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision that allowed abortions to be legal in this country. Since that time, millions of abortions have taken place.

Abortion is destructive to everyone. Without a doubt, the aborted unborn child is destroyed. But the fact that the mother is being hurt, too, is often overlooked. I don't doubt that some women who have abortions conclude it is the only thing they can do at the time. Some simply don't think about alternatives. Unfortunately, they make a choice - often with the support of their parents or boyfriends - which will haunt them later. They choose a "solution" that is not a solution at all, one that carries with it other problems.

Wouldn't it be great if those tempted to have abortions were to find that there are alternatives they could live with. Bringing a child to term and then allowing that baby to be raised by others could be the greatest act of love imaginable. But it will not happen without support from the community.

And for those who have had abortions and still suffer from it, please seek healing. Help is available. And for all of us in this country, there needs to be a renewed awareness of the overwhelming destructive nature of abortion. It is never a solution.

Fr. Herb

January 14, 2001

THE ATTITUDE OF PARENTS

This past week was Vocations Awareness Week in the United States. Even the most unaware of Catholics is becoming conscious of a serious clergy shortage in this country.

I am certain that God still calls young people to become priests. I am also convinced that the seeds of vocations do not always have an opportunity to grow because of the society and culture in which we live.

Of course, parents can encourage and support their children to have high ideals in looking at life choices. But there is something more that can be done. Parents can also provide a positive attitude towards the church, towards religious vocations, and towards the clergy.

I know that when I was growing up, the local pastor did not necessarily inspire me. (I think I was afraid of him.) Nor did my parents ever really suggest that any of their sons go to the seminary - although I know some of the sisters in school often targeted me. What my parents did, for which I am forever grateful, is they always spoke highly of the role of church in their lives. They spoke lovingly of the priests and sisters, even when they didn't understand them. They prayed together at home with us children and always went to Mass with us. They integrated their faith and their work lives.

By doing so, I think my parents provided the healthy soil in which the seed of a vocation could grow. That is certainly not the only answer to the vocation crisis, but it is an important one.

Without a doubt, there are potential religious vocations among us here at St. Peter's. Let's help them grow.

Fr. Herb

January 7, 2001

HOLY ROUTINE

The holidays have passed and we are now into the routine days of winter. The word routine bothers many people because they think of the monotonous, tedious sameness of every day. But that need not be the case.

Routine is merely the regular and predictable progression of events that takes place in someone's life. Even though most folks like special days and extraordinary happenings, the majority of life's important moments take place during life's routines. For example, real experiences of caring for the family often happen during routine days. The same is true for hard work, quality education, and personal growth. A healthy routine can make certain that the right things are included and not left out.

Part of every routine should be prayer. Daily prayer as well as Sunday worship should be included in one's schedule from the beginning. Trying to add them later on is almost a certain way for them not to happen at all.

Routine can be a blessing for anyone who wants to accomplish their goals. Furthermore, when prayer is included, what was ordinary can become special and the mundane will be changed into something holy.

Fr. Herb