Deacons-Elect Take Oath of Fidelity

Homily

Oath of Fidelity

’Lasting praise, which is the fruit of lips which acknowledge his name.’

The first to acknowledge the name which is above every other name was Joseph, who at the behest of an angel named him Jesus.  Then there were magi and shepherds and soon the Apostles and other disciples to whom he would entrust the Holy Gospel.

And after his Paschal death and rising, as the Rite of ordination reminds us, this traditio of belief and worship of the Holy Name was passed on through the laying on of hands.

So here we are tonight, as eleven of our brothers profess what has been handed on to us from the Apostles and promise to proclaim the name of Jesus with fidelity and power.

And so it will continue, until the Lord returns in glory to lead us home, that good men like Joseph and Daniel, Kevin, Josh, David, Michael, Matt, Stephen, Son, Juan and Tung will offer lasting praise, the fruit of lips which tonight acknowledge his name.

The "Chevrus Bible" on which the Oath of Fidelity was taken.

Oath of Fidelity

I, in assuming the office of Deacon, promise that in my words and in my actions I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church.

With great care and fidelity I shall carry out the duties incumbent on me toward the Church, both universal and particular, in which, according to the provisions of the law, I have been called to exercise my service.

In fulfilling the charge entrusted to me in the name of the Church, I shall hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety; I shall faithfully hand it on and explain it, and I shall avoid any teachings contrary to it.

I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the entire Church and I shall maintain the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those contained in the Code of Canon Law.

With Christian obedience I shall follow what the Bishops, as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith, declare, or what they, as those who govern the Church, establish. I shall also faithfully assist the diocesan Bishops, so that the apostolic activity, exercised in the name and by mandate of the Church, may be carried out in communion with the Church. 

So help me God, and God’s Holy Gospels on which I place my hand.

Four Nights in Bristol

What a wonderful mission we had for four nights in Bristol, Connecticut this week.  Together we explored the history, theology and spirituality of the Mass.  What good and faithful Catholics are found in the Archdiocese of Hartford!

From this morning's Mass....

Greeting

Seventy Six years ago, the Rector of Saint John’s Seminary, Monsignor Murray, traveled to Providence to congratulate Monsignor McVinney, the Rector of the brand new Seminary of Our Lady of Providence.

And so began a friendship in 1941 between Brighton and Providence which endures to this day, as I have the privilege to welcome Father Chris Maher, the current Rector of OLP, which like her elder sister here in Boston is bursting at the seams and thriving.

It is always a joy to have you among us, Father, as it is to have your many sons, who have  for generations been among our proudest alumni.  From one holy house to another, welcome!

Homily

We hear a promise this morning, by him whom they tried to stone and they soon will crucify.  From the lips of him who is I AM and who was before even Abraham.

It is a promise to those who keep his Word that they will never see death….To those who keep his Word that they will never see death.

The Jews could not believe it, but we, the sons of Christ, know that his promise is true.

As so does Chris Boyle when his grandfather died yesterday… 

As did Father Belchner when he buried his sister last month…

And as did Maureen, when after almost seven days of sleeping at the side of her mom’s hospital bed, she heard her breathe her last.  She knew her mom believed Jesus’ word, and she knew she had not really died, but only passed through a door to a world beyond this one where there is no more suffering or decay, no more crying out in pain or tears…

She knew it, as does Chris and Wayne…they know that the souls of the just are in the hands of God: the same God who created them, who sent his Son as a sacrifice for them and who will raise them up on the last day.

For the Lord remembers his covenant forever.

Bishop O'Connell Confers Ministry of Lector

Bishop Mark O’Connell joined us for the Rite of Installation of Lectors this morning.  It was great to welcome him home to Saint John's.  At the Mass he preached this homily.  More pictures from the morning appear at the end of this posting.

Dear sons in Christ:

"Through his Son, who became man for us, God the Father has revealed the mystery of salvation and brought it to fulfillment. Jesus Christ made all things known to us and then entrusted his Church with the mission of preaching the Gospel to the whole world.

"As readers and bearers of God's word, you will assist in this mission, and so take on a special office within the Christian community; you will be given a responsibility in the service of the faith, which is rooted in the word of God. You will proclaim that word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith and prepare them to receive the sacraments worthily. You will bring the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. Thus, with your help men and women will come to know God our Father and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.

"In proclaiming God's word to others, accept it yourselves in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Meditate on it constantly, so that each day you will have a deeper love of the Scriptures, and in all you say and do show forth to the world our Savior, Jesus Christ."

I am honored to be back at Saint John Seminary as a bishop and thankful to Msgr. Maroney for giving me this opportunity.  I am very hopeful here looking at you that God is beginning great things today.  May your reading and sharing of the scripture carry God’s Word to the hearts of all who hear you and may it plant seeds of faith wherever they land.

Today we have the extraordinarily rich Gospel of the raising of Lazarus to reflect upon.  It is a Gospel that will give insights for you to preach on for the rest of your lives.  I thought that this morning I would hold up just three things from it for all of us to ponder as you are installed as Lectors.  None of these lines are the main ones of the story, but each line of God’s Word is equally precious and each carries a special message for you this day.

The first comes from Thomas who boldly says, “Let us also go to die with him.”  The disciples are afraid for Jesus. Bethany is just outside of Jerusalem and the disciples warn him that if he goes he could be stoned, but it is Thomas (yes the same Thomas who we know doubted the Risen Christ) who bravely leads the apostles to follow the Lord.  First, what a crazy thought that they could be afraid for Jesus.  Could you and I ever be afraid for Jesus?  The answer is if we are we are fools. Could we ever be shy to proclaim the Bible, to read the scripture, to stand up and proclaim our faith? The power of God’s Word overcomes any fear.  Never hide its glory by poorly proclaiming it.  Pronounce God’s Word clearly and distinctly so that all can hear and understand what you are saying and never ever just read it – proclaim it and let the world hear.  Second, be ready to follow Christ even unto death. I remember once Cardinal Seán asked me to celebrate a Mass at a Church that was due to be closed. I had handled the canonical part and dealt with the disappointment and anger of the people.  The Gospel that day was the one where the woman begs our Lord for a favor and he compares her to a dog seeking the scraps off of the table and in the end, he gives her what she wants.  I cannot imagine a worse Gospel to choose but with confidence and trust in God, I went in and read it loud and clear and I preached on it. It went fine for it was God’s Word and I will follow that Word even if stones could be thrown for we are offered Thomas, called Didymus as our twin.

The second passage for your reflection on this important day, can you answer the question Our Lord asks Martha?  Amid her pain he challenges her faith and asks, “Do you believe this?”

Well, my friends, do you believe this?  You cannot proclaim God’s Word properly unless you believe in God and in His Son Jesus unless you love God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind and all your soul, and your neighbor as yourself. Carefully practice your readings and pray over them and challenge your own belief before you dare to stand up here or anywhere and proclaim them.  There is no need for any kind of false liturgical voice, just speak them from your prayer and your heart.  Speak the Word with faith and let God do the rest. You should, as lectors and someday as priests, be able to proclaim the Word of God even when your heart is troubled; even when your own brother or your own dear friend has died. Let the people hear your voice and understand your own trust in God’s Holy Word, let them see your faith, see that despite your human pain – you believe what you read.

The third is Jesus’ prayer to His Father as he weeps and groans, “Father, I thank you for hearing me.”

Do you see what you are about today; what the Church asks of you? You are becoming God’s voice.  As Aaron spoke for Moses you bring God’s Word to the People of God so that they can hear. Think of those you will aid God Himself in touching: the woman in the crying room comforting three children there because she loves God and longs to hear His voice; the man in the fifteenth row whose wife just died tragically and came to Church to pray and cry; the young man who God is calling to be a priest who hasn't yet discovered that; the old woman who like Anna in the Temple comes to the Church every day to hear the Word anew; the couple who had a fight that morning and need to find peace; and you.  You should listen with all your heart to the Word within you as you, yes you, God uses as His mighty and powerful voice.

Notes from the Lector Workshop this Morning

This morning our Lectors-to-be participated in a Morning of Recollection.  Click here to download the slides from my presentation on THE MINISTRY OF LECTOR.

On the Twelfth Day of Spring....April Fool's!

We awoke to what some suggest (hope?) will be the final snow storm of the season!

Springtime Snow by Marilyn Lott

So you think that winter is over? 

Well, friend I’ve got news for you
Because winter took a drastic turn
It has more it needs to do

For the snow fell during the night
A white-out as far as we can see
Yes, spring is on the way
But it doesn’t look that way to me

It’s important along with some sun
To get a few springtime showers
To help Mother Nature create
Our wonderful and fragrant flowers

I guess sometimes it is necessary
But I hope this is the final show
Before Mother Nature turns the corner
She must fashion her springtime snow!