Pastor's Message

September 16, 2001

TOO MANY CHOICES

After a meeting in Toledo last week I stopped at a little place for lunch. I walked to the counter, noting the sign that read "Bagels." I ordered one. The young woman behind the counter said, "What kind?" I wasn't ready for the question, but when I looked over her shoulder, I saw at least twenty varieties. I said the first one I could read, "Cinnamon and Raisin." I was proud of my answer, but she countered with another question, "Toasted or not?"

When I said I wanted it toasted, she asked what I wanted on it. I was starting to get into the groove, so I responded with "Cream cheese." But she was a step ahead of me, "Flavored or not? We have strawberry, chives...." I didn't let her finish as I declared, "Plain!" Nevertheless, she had another question, "Lite or regular?"

Feeling that I had finally placed my order, I asked for ice tea. Once again, she asked, "Sweetened or not?" I knew if I said yes, she would ask me if I wanted sugar or the ones that come in pink and blue packets. Knowing each answer would lead to new questions, I finally said, "No sweetener, no lemon."

By the time I sat down, I felt that I had worked for my lunch. Truly, I wasn't upset with the woman behind the counter. I only felt sorry for her having to go through all those questions dozens of times a day.

Have we reached a point where we have too many options? I wonder if restaurants work so hard to please customers because customers have become too demanding. Or is it the other way 'round? Maybe we need to go with the flow more and not worry if everything we eat is exactly the way we want it.

Fr. Herb

September 30, 2001

THE GIFT OF PEACE

This past week I took time to ask people how they would define or describe peace. Some said it is the absence of conflict. A few said it is a state of personal being. That is, if you are at peace inside, then you can deal with others peaceably. One person threw up his hands and said, "Why can't we all just get along together."

In addition to the extreme sorrow and pain of the last couple weeks, I have found myself drawn to pray for peace. In addition to praying, however, I have been challenging myself to think, work, and act as a peaceful man. That means accepting differences of opinion and attitude.

"If you want peace, work for justice." That is a quote from a recent pope, which, in turn, is taken from the Scriptures. Consequently, it makes one ask how we can be truly just.

Justice is treating all people with dignity. There is no room for bigotry or prejudice. Justice means noting others' needs as well as our own. Justice requires letting go of an "us-vs-them" mentality that we are all prone to entertain.

We pray for peace; we work for justice. Ultimately, God will give us a clearer vision of how we citizens of one planet should live.

Fr. Herb

September 16, 2001

TOO MANY CHOICES

Fr. Herb

September 9, 2001

AN INVITATION TO PRAY

On Tuesday evening, September 11, there will be a candlelight prayer vigil, 8:00-9:00 p.m. across the street from the front gate of ManCI. I invite you to join me.

On Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m., Ohio is scheduled to execute a ManCI Death Row inmate, John Byrd. The execution will take place at the prison in Lucasville, Ohio.

The Catholic Church opposes use of the death penalty for several reasons. First of all, we respect ALL human life. Those convicted of murder may have forfeited their freedom, but not their right to life. All life is given by God and no one - a murderer or the state - has a right to take it. To start making exceptions as to when life is no longer of value is to risk de-valuing all human life.

In addition, the chance of making a mistake in executing an innocent person is very possible. In the case of Byrd, he was convicted because of a supposed confession to a jailhouse snitch, who got out of prison early and allowed parole out of state (information the jury was not given). Also another man involved in the crime, who received a life sentence, has since confessed that he, not Byrd, committed the murder.

Pro-death penalty people often want to protect society, but executing someone is not necessary for that. Families of victims often want justice or closure, but neither of those requires execution. (Sometimes the word "justice" is used when they are really talking about revenge.) Some say the death penalty deters future killers from doing such crimes, but that is not the case.

So we pray. We pray for the man to be executed. We also pray for Monte Tewksbury, the victim and the victim's family. We pray for those involved in our state's government who make such decisions, and we pray for those given the task of carrying out the order. Most of all, we pray for a fuller respect of human life and for an end to violence of all kinds.

Please join me on Tuesday evening. We will meet at St. Peter's Church at 7:30 and drive to ManCI where we will have an hour of quiet prayer. (For those who feel they want to pray but cannot go to ManCI, the church will remain open during that time period.) For more information, please log on to http://www.otse.org.

Fr. Herb

September 2, 2001

DROWNING IN TOMATOES

I love home-grown tomatoes, so when Fr. Tony suggested planting tomato plants this spring, it seemed like a good idea. Father carefully selected six plants. He faithfully watered them and nourished them with Miracle Gro. Should I be surprised that the kitchen counter is covered with red tomatoes?

The first picking was exciting. Fr. Tony told me that it was the custom in his country that the pastor had to pick the "first fruits." I dutifully complied. They tasted wonderful. Now, however, we have ripe tomatoes every day. Each of us priests eats as many as we dare, but we still can't catch up.

Please don't give me the advice that I should make spaghetti sauce or can them. All of that takes more time than I am willing to give. But I think that I am learning a few lessons.

First of all, six plants are too many. Little seedlings grow up to be healthy fruit-producing plants. Any time you plant something, you are inviting a harvest that exceeds what was put in. That leads to the second point. A bountiful harvest is just too much for one household. It must be shared.

So I have started looking for people who would enjoy some American tomatoes grown with Philippine love. After all, harvest time is sharing time.

Fr. Herb