As we move from Holy Week and Easter, we realize that Resurrection has just begun. I just finished reading the article in the Free Press yesterday about Msgr. Russ Kohler’s death. Msgr. Kohler was the pastor of Most Holy Trinity since 1991,or for 25 years, and St. Anne’s since 2012. All of us can identify with the parishioners of these two parishes as they suffer the loss of their pastor. But after more than a year since Father Singer began his new life, we are able to focus more on resurrection than loss.

Resurrection means new life and new life means change. Having just come through the beautiful celebrations of Holy Week we are aware there were changes but the changes were rich with meaning and new life. Without change, life can become dull and meaningless. But often we resist change. We do not give it a chance. We prefer to focus on our loss of the past and so lose out on the joy and richness of the new. Hopefully as we celebrate the Easter Season, we can keep this in mind. It is the season of new life. Look for it and enjoy it. It is God’s gift to us and if we fail to look for it we will miss much joy.

As I think about the past week, I came to realize something special. With Anne still in Florida, it left many things for me to take care of. Twenty or thirty years ago that was no challenge but this year I definitely realized that I can no longer do what I did then. As we talk about plans for Nativity’s future, I know there is much we need to do to maintain and grow our parish. Joni has begun some new and exciting things with the children and the sacramental preparation programs. That kind of thing needs to be done with other needs for Nativity to flourish. We need more programs or activities for young families, for our young adults, for our seniors and to continue helping our children and all adults grow in their faith.

I am more and more aware that I do not have the energy to do what needs to be done nor to rally the forces to do it. I realize that it is time for me to retire. Originally I thought I would do this when I turned 75 in 2013, but we all know what has happened since, so it was put on the back burner. But now I believe the time has come. My memory is not what it used to be so I forget what I was going to do as I am on the way to do it. (That was happening for a long time but now it happens much too often.) I run out of energy by noon and mid afternoon when there is still much that needs to be done to complete the day’s work. Even when I do get a good creative thought, I quickly dismiss it because I say, “I can’t do that anymore.” I do not have the stamina need to see it through. Therefore it is my hope that by the end of June we can find a new pastoral minister for Nativity.
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My time line is flexible and I am willing to stay round and help the new person until they are comfortable with their job if they want that, but I am also comfortable with moving on immediately. I would like to remain a member of the Nativity parish family so I can continue to enjoy the love and faith we share together, but not to feel the responsibility of making sure everything is take care of all the time. I want to be one of you, doing what I can with gifts I still have, but no longer one in charge. Meantime let’s enjoy the Easter Season and new life that awaits us.

“They went their way, and the star which they had seen in the East went before them…” (Matthew 2:9)

Sister Jolene received this at Christmas time and we thought it would be good to share with all.

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

Being in the Middle East and seeing what is happening around us makes it hard to believe that our world is ready to welcome the Lord. The star of Christmas shines on us in our second year of exile to tell us how similar our world is now to the time when Jesus was born. The wandering magi who had lost their way are still there, but they are not only three—there are thousands of them. Herod who wanted to kill the innocents in still there, but he has become many. The Holy Family is still fleeing to escape with their lives, followed by many other families who are immigrating in all directions. And, Rachel is still weeping over here children who were stripped out of her arms, and she is accompanied by her neighbors whose grief just leaves us speechless.

Yet, it is still the star of Christmas that shines to show where the King of peace is born. It is in this world, and no other world where Jesus is born to be with us and for us.

The Lord comes unexpectedly, challenging our mentality and our expectations. He comes in our worn out world, even when the world is not ready for Him. He comes to our aid in times of weakness, pain, violence, and darkness in order to be close to us. He is always there, guiding the wandering people, accompanying those who flee, and wiping the tears of the weeping mothers.

Having confidence in Him and his powerful presence among us, we are to continue and journey with those who are left in Iraq, although nothing is clear about the future. News is not encouraging at all, and people do not have the capacity think anymore. We ask your prayers that God may strengthen our faith, enlighten us and grant us His wisdom to discern in our reality despite all the difficulties and pressures we are living. How much enlightened vision and courage we need!

On this blessed occasion, and confidence that the word of the Lord will prevail, I extend my greetings to all sisters, brethren, friends, benefactors, and organizations who have been accompanying us in our dark night Thank you for being a guiding star that shows us God’s loving care. We believe that His light will tear through the darkness, and He will come down.
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O Come, Lord Jesus. You are our joy…our peace...and our life.

Anne is always looking for people to do the bulletin article and usually I get the second Sunday, but I made the mistake of telling her that I could do Holy Family Sunday if she needed, so here I am. I have always appreciated Holy Family Sunday because God has blest me with a wonderful family and for years I got to spend Holy Family Sunday with them. My Mom and Dad were both very loving parents, always there for us and always teaching us, especially by example, to be responsible loving persons. I had three brothers and three sisters who learned as I did to love one another and all others in our world. Mom and Dad and Judy are gone now, but the 70 of us still here, plus the in-laws, are still a close knit family and for that I thank God and celebrate this day with great gratitude and joy.

However, over the years, I have come to know may families who do not have the gift of a loving family. Today so many families are broken. Members are alone, not speaking to one another, sometimes not even knowing the rest of their own family. Single parents struggle to raise their children alone while trying to support them as well. Our society encourages us to have more material things so parents fell they have to work, often more than one job, to prove these material things that do onto give peace and joy and especially not love. Kids think they need more material things or be involved in more activities but do not even realize the value of being with family. Many families rarely have a sit down meal together. Each is attach to their electronic devices and speak little to one another.
Mary and Joseph went through many truing times during Jesus’ life. His birth is in a stable in a foreign town. They had to flee, as so many foreign families do today, to a foreign country just to be safe and protect Jesus. The when Jesus is about twelve, he disappears for three days. Imagine their fear and frustration. Though we think we live in a much more civilized society today, we do not have to look hard to see many families around us going through many of the same trials. What are we doing about it?

What are we doing in our own families to bring about more peace and love? I would like to suggest to each of you to ask yourself these questions and spend some time reflecting on what you can do to change things for yourself, your family, or some other family. Here are a few suggestions. For your family, schedule a period each day to turn off all electronic devices, including phones and TVs, just to spend time together with your family either eating, playing a fun game or learning what each did today. If you are not talking to a family member, call them and see if you can peacefully settle the problem that caused the disagreement or anger. Life is too short to waste another day not loving one another. If you cannot make the call, at least spent some time in prayer for the other and seeing if you can free yourself of the anger you feel.
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For those we know or see around us, can you offer to lend a helping hand to a single parent who is stressed with work and raising a family? For the many refugee families, or other needy people in our community, can we clean out our closets and give them things we really do not need? Imagine yourself walking in their shoes. What would you want to happen for you? Then just do what you can.