Champaign-Urbana Deaf Catholic Ministry

Why did Christ Come???

I'm so fortunate to be able to learn from other people on the Internet.  Father Joe Mulcrone, of the Catholic Office of the Deaf in Chicago (and St. Francis Borgia parish), posted the following meditation on his blog.  It is a reflection originally written in Spanish, "Todos Los Dias Nace El Senor (Every Day the Lord is Born)" by Juan Antonio Espinosa and translated into English by Fr. Kevin Hays:

"For this darkened world, the Lord in born; to conquer darkness, the Lord is born; to change our life,everyday the Lord is born.

To bring us freedom, the Lord is born; to smash our chains, the Lord is born; in each person who is free, everyday the Lord is born.
To take away oppression, the Lord is born; to wipe out injustice, the Lord is born; in those people who cry out, everyday the Lord is born.
To conquer poverty, the Lord is born; for the poor who suffer, the Lord is born; for the equality of the poor, everyday the Lord is born.
To bring us peace, the Lord is born; for a bleeding world, the Lord is born; for each person who struggles, everyday the Lord is born.
To bring us love, the Lord is born; to conquer selfishness, the Lord is born; to take us by the hand, everyday the Lord is born.
For a sleeping world, the Lord is born; to disturb our lives, the Lord is born; in each person who hopes,everyday the Lord is born."

I was very moved by this meditation because it reminds me that the Lord was not just born a little over 2,000 years ago.  He's born everyday, right now, to help with all of these "impossible" causes, dreams and hopes.  As Father Joe noted, it is easy to lose sight of the "real purpose" of Christmas in all of the hustle and bustle of the presents, the tree, the decorations, the parties, the toys.  This meditation reminds us of the TRUE meaning of the Incarnation.

I'm also reminded that "Emmanuel" means "God with us" - God is with us in our struggles, in our troubles, in our triumphs, and in our everyday lives.  He takes "us by the hand" to lead us through this life - IF we let Him.  I've had some health challenges recently and they have brought home to me how much I truly miss God if I don't make the time and space for Him.  For this next year, let's try to remember to make time for the Lord, to recognize the God-with-us, and give thanks for his presence. 

We Made it! Christmas 2010

Wow!  After all that waiting and "are we there yet" - we have made it!  Christmas 2010!   In all of the readings that we have from Holy Mother Church, there seems to be such a theme of TRUST.  On the last Sunday of Advent, Joseph trusted the word of an Angel who said Mary's child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  In the Mass at Dawn (often called the "Shepherd's Mass"), the shepherds trusted the word of the Angels, and Mary "kept all these things in her heart".  Much too soon after the joy of Christmas Day, we hear of the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.  Again, Joseph trusts the word of the angel to flee - and immediately takes his wife and young son.  Later, when the angel tells Joseph it is safe to return, he is wise and goes to Nazareth instead of Bethlehem. 

I marvel at the faith that was shown by these very simple people.  They were not high ranking, especially the shepherds, and yet that very quality may have been what helped them to listen, take to heart, and trust what God was telling them.  Mary, a young teenager, listens to an angel and agrees to bear the Son of God.  And what happens?  "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." (John 1:9-14)

You know what?  Christ was born just a little over 2,000 years ago in a little town in the Judean hills.  He CONTINUES to be born anew in the hearts of everyone who loves him, accepts him, and wants to follow him.  How do we know this?  The Gospel of John says, "To those who did accept him, he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God."  (John 1:7-8)

THIS is the true miracle of Christmas - that Christ continues to come to a broken and hurting world, to heal the sick, comfort the lonely and grieving, feed and clothe the poor, and bind up the wounds of those who have just been hurt one too many times.  Our world today is not perfect.  It certainly wasn't perfect in Christ's time either.  Today, let us resolve, as we soon start a new calendar year, to do our part to be Christ to each other, to our neighbors, and to our world.  As we do this, let's also try to practice some of the same trust modeled by Mary, Joseph and the shepherds, that Christ will help us know how best to use our skills, and also trust in Christ's plan.

I wish everyone a very, very Blessed and Holy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!    

Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday

Happy Easter!  Just like Christmas, the Catholic Church believes Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is too wonderful a day to limit to just one Sunday!

Today is the 2nd Sunday of Easter and is now also known as Divine Mercy Sunday.  Father Mike Depcik has some good explanations of the Divine Mercy at his blog site, Fr. MD's Kitchen Table.  Today's Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus appearing to the apostles in the Upper Room on Easter Sunday night.  All of them (except Thomas) are there, quaking in their sandals and trying to figure out what to do, because none of them understand what an empty tomb meant.  All they knew was that Jesus' body was gone and the Romans and the Jews were probably thinking they had stolen it.

Then, Jesus appears in front of them.  Does he get upset with them for abandoning Him, denying Him?  No!  Does he fire them?  No!  He says, "Peace be with you".  He then gives them a mission, to tell everyone in the world about Him, even to the "ends of the earth", and tells them "what you forgive on earth is forgiven in Heaven." 

"Doubting" Thomas misses all this and has a hard time believing the disciples when they tell him "We have seen the Lord!"  Thomas, as our priest reminded us this morning, is a lot like us.  We like to see, touch, smell, taste something before we fully believe it.  We sometimes have a "show me the money" culture.  So, I have to be a little careful when we make fun of Thomas - because I'm much like him! 

A week later, everyone (including Thomas!) is back together again in a locked Upper Room.  Jesus comes again and again says "Peace be with you."  He then tells Thomas, "Take your finger, look at my hands, my feet, my side.  Don't doubt anymore, but believe!"  Thomas, quite understandably, is overcome and simply says, "My Lord and my God!"  Jesus says, "You believe because you have seen.  How blest are those who have not seen but still believe!"

We are those people who are blessed.  We have not seen Jesus, but we still believe He is with us.  We have not physically seen God, but we know He walks in our midst.  He is in the helping hand of someone who holds a door open when our hands are full.  He is in the e-mail from a friend that comes at just the right time to give you a boost.  He is in the family member who gives you a hug "just because".  He is the boss, co-worker, client who tells you what a great job you're doing.  He is there, every day, in the middle of all of our work, our play, and our prayer. 

Thank you, God, for sending Your Son.  Thank you Jesus, for taking on our sins on the cross and dying for us.  Thank you, both of you, for having a great love that sends us the Holy Spirit to inspire our lives

Interpreted Mass on Easter in Urbana

Mass on Easter (April 4) will be interpreted at ST. Patrick's Church, 708 W. Main, Urbana, at 12 noon.  Seats will be saved for the Deaf at the front on the LEFT (west) side of the church facing the altar.  

Come and join us to celebrate the Risen Lord! 

Ash Wednesday - Lent 2010

Today (February 17) is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent for the Roman Catholic Church and other churches.  One of our rituals on this day is that we trace ashes (made from burning last year's left over palms from Palm Sunday) on our foreheads in the sign of the Cross.  The priest or minister says one of three things:

"Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return"  (Genesis 3:19)

"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel" (Mark 1:15)

"Repent, and hear the good news."  (Mark 1:15)

In Old Testament and New Testament times, ashes meant that someone was being penitent, or sorry for their sins.  We continue this today as we prepare for the great feast of Easter.  We remember that we are human (we will return to dust), made by God, chosen to hear/see the Good News of Salvation brought by Jesus Christ.

One of the other things that we do during Lent is, on Ash Wednesday we fast and abstain from (do not eat) meat.  On Fridays during Lent, we do not eat meat.  On Good Friday, we will again fast and have no meat.  Many people also give up something they like (candy?  chocolate?) or do something extra.  Why do we do this?  In the words of Fr. Joe Mulcrone (Chicago Catholic Office of the Deaf), "During Lent, we give up something we like to do OR we do something extra (read the bible everyday, pray everyday, be quiet each day, help someone).  Why?  Because we feel a little bit if discomfort in our sacrifice.  That discomfort helps us remember in our body the suffering of Jesus in His body.  Jesus suffered terribly to forgive OUR sins!  We feel this little suffering so we will be grateful for all the suffering of Jesus.  That suffering gives us heaven!  Eternal Life! "  Father Joe gives up watching TV during Lent.  (Wow!  And during the Olympics, too!)  I have promised to be more kind to people, especially those that sometimes make me frustrated.   

The readings at Mass today reminded us that God does not want us to "advertise" that we are fasting or not eating meat.  We should go about our day as usual, as if not eating meat was as normal as could be.  (And for people who are vegetarian, it is very normal!)

I want to finish this post with a reading from Isaiah 58, in which God tell us (through Isaiah) the kind of "fasting" he wants us to practice:

"This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: 

releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke;

setting free the oppressed,

breaking every yoke;

sharing your bread with the hungry,

sheltering the oppressed and the homeless;

clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning you back on your own.....

Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer,

you shall cry for help, and he will say:  Here I am!" 

Catholic Office of the Deaf Information

I get information from Father Joe Mulcrone, the director of the Catholic Office of the Deaf for the Chicago Archdiocese.  He sent me information about Ash Wednesday, Lent and Holy Week schedules in Chicago.  I have scanned the letter and am posting it here so you can get the information.  If you want to be on their mailing list and get this yourself, contact their office at cathdeafch@archchicago.org.  They would be happy to send you the information!

Download Lent Newsletter Chicago 2010

I will post information on Ash Wednesday, Holy Week and Easter services for the Champaign area soon.

 

 

Candlemas, candles and St Blaise

Yesterday, the Catholic Church celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas.  Why is it called Candlemas?  Because St. Simeon (I talked about his canticle in an earlier post) talks about how Jesus is a light to the nations. 

I was thinking about candles again today - because today is the Feast of St. Blaise.  St. Blaise was a bishop in Armenia who was martyred in the early fourth century.  According to legend, he was born to a rich family who raised him as a Christian.  After he became a bishop, the government began to persecute Christians.  God spoke to St Blaise in a dream and told him to go into the mountains to try to escape the government.  Men hunting in the mountains discovered a cave surrounded by wild animals who were sick.  St. Blaise walked among the wild animals, completely unafraid, and healed them.  The hunters captured St. Blaise and took him back for trial.  He was sentenced to be starved to death but a woman sneaked into the prison with food and candles.  The governor finally beheaded him.  

There is another story in the legend that says St. Blase healed a boy who was choking to death on fishbones.  Because of this, St. Blaise is the patron saint of those with throat illnesses.  Today, in honor of St. Blaise, the Church traditionally has a ritual called the Blessing of the Throats.  Two candles are tied together into a "V" with a red ribbon.  A priest or deacon then puts the two candles around a person's throat (with the bottom of the "V" at the bottom of your throat and the candles on either side of your neck) and says the following prayer:  "Through the intercession (help) of St Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you free from every disease of the throat, and from every other disease.  In the name of the Father and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit".

My mother often tells me that they actually LIT the candles when she was young.  I'm not sure if she was serious - I can't imagine trying to make sure your hair doesn't catch on fire!  I have had this blessing many times through the years and I always like the feeling I get afterwards.  It's a reminder to me that (1) we have saints in Heaven that are constantly interceding (praying) for us.  I kind of look at it as big brothers and big sisters going to "Dad" and talking to him on my behalf.  And (2) this ritual reminds me that God is constantly watching over me, too.  All we have to do is ask Him and he is there, willing to help with whatever we need.

We've finished one month of this fantastic year.  I pray that February is a month that is filled with holiness, wonder, and peace for each of you. 

Feast of the Conversion of Saul

The Catholic Church is now in what is called "Ordinary Time".  This means the time that is not part of special seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter.  When I really think about it sometimes, "Ordinary Time" isn't always what we would consider "ordinary".  There are very special moments and feasts scattered through the calendar that the Church celebrates during this "ordinary" time.  Today is one of those feasts.  Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Conversion of Saul.

Saul was a very devout Jew.  He felt that the followers of Jesus were against the Jewish church and were wrong - and he actively helped to persecute them after Jesus' death.  The story of the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, says that the witnesses who were nearby laid their robes at the feet of a "young man named Saul", who "was in hearty agreement with putting him to death"!  The Bible goes on to say that "Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison." (Acts 8:3)  Imagine - Saul dragged off men and women and put them into prison for believing and speaking about Jesus! Ah, but God had a plan!  Saul was traveling to Damascus with some friends - to arrest more people and put more people in jail.  On the way, he was blinded by a great light and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"  Saul asks, "Who are you, Lord?"  God says, "It is I, Jesus, whom you are persecuting."  Saul is struck blind and has to be helped by his friends into the city of Damascus.  For three days Saul fasted and did not eat or drink anything.  Another man, Ananias, was told in a dream to go visit Saul.  Ananias was quite afraid to go to Saul, but did go to visit him.  Ananias tells Saul, "God has told me to come visit you and bring the Holy Spirit to you", then touches Saul.  Immediately, Saul could see and was then baptized.

Wow!   It gets even better - Saul changed his name to PAUL and became one of the best evangelizers in the Church!  We know him as St. Paul!  The New Testament is full of his letters to the Romans, Corinthians and others.  What an incredible story!

There are always two parts of this story that touch me.  The first is what God asks Saul on the road to Damascus:  "Why are you persecuting me?"  He did not ask "Why are you persecuting those who believe in me?" or "Why are you persecuting those who live in Jerusalem?"  No, he asked Saul, "Why are you persecuting ME?"  This means that every time one of God's children is hurt, persecuted, or harmed, GOD FEELS THEIR PAIN just as if it happened to Him - because it does!  He feels every hurt that we have. 

The second thing is the amazing power of God and faith.  God is able to turn the heart of someone who was actively persecuting Him - and made him a great evangelizer!  It makes me think that even with my problems and mistakes, God can still help me change my ways and turn to the right path.  I just hope it doesn't take being blinded to "see the light" of God's grace in my life!  May God grant each of you grace to see His light and power in your lives.