PASTOR’S NOTES for Nov 03-04, 2018

Next weekend, Nov 10-11, is the annual pledge weekend for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis United Catholic Appeal. You should have received a pledge card

and brochure in the mail. Please prayerfully discern how God is calling you to support this endeavor, discuss it with your household, and bring the completed pledge card with you to Mass next weekend.

Holy Family has had a strong track record for the last several years of meeting and exceeding our parish goal. Last year 35% of the parish households made a pledge and the parish contributed 106% of our goal. Holy Family’s goal for this year is $81,650.

Honestly, as pastor, I’m not so much concerned with the actual dollars raised as the participation of parishioners. While I would encourage every household to make a sacrificial commitment, I expect every household to submit a pledge card. Even if at this time, you cannot make a financial contribution or pledge to the UCA, please return your pledge card with a zero, as that helps the parish participation rate. I’ve already made a pledge, and I increased it over last year. I invite you to do the same.

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For I was ill and you cared for me… sick and you visited me. (Mt 25:36, 39). We are currently looking for additional volunteers who would be willing to commit to one or more visits a month to Baptist Health Floyd Hospital to take Communion and Christ’s presence to the sick. Most volunteers spend about 75-minutes per visit making rounds to those patients who have self-identified as Catholic. You would be trained for the ministry, in part, by shadowing a current volunteer. Schedules will be done quarterly, with the next schedule running January to March of 2019. For more information, please contact Fr Jeremy Gries at 812-944-8283, ext.1 or frgries@holyfamilynewalbany.org

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FORMED.ORG
Free Parish Code: FZ8T6T

Holy Family, Pray for us.
~ Fr. Gries

PASTOR’S NOTES for October 27-28, 2018

For I was ill and you cared for me… sick and you visited me.
~ Matthew 25:36, 39

One of the most common requests a parish office receives is for a visit to a loved one in the hospital or a nursing home. While most priests enjoy this ministry, pastoral demands make it impossible for pastors to attend to every non-emergency request. And so, we depend upon dedicated volunteers to help. Volunteers from the three New Albany Catholic Parishes – Holy Family, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and St Mary – make daily visits to Baptist Health Floyd Hospital. These devoted volunteers provide prayer, parishioner support, and the Eucharist to fellow Catholic patients who are sick and suffering. [Priests attend to anyone requiring the Anointing of the Sick, Confession, or ‘Last Rites’, please call the parish office directly in such emergencies!]

We are currently looking for additional volunteers who would be willing to commit to one or more visits a month. Most volunteers spend about 75-minutes per visit making rounds to those patients who have self-identified as Catholic. You would be trained for the ministry, in part, by shadowing a current volunteer. Schedules will be done quarterly, with the next schedule running January to March of 2019. Volunteers have to walk the hospital and wear a name badge identifying them with a Catholic Parish (provided). And, as you would be functioning as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, you need to meet the necessary requirements for that ministry, even if not serving in that capacity at parish Masses.

Consider if it was you, your parent, or your spouse, who was sick, wouldn’t you want to be visited? Please prayerfully consider providing spiritual support and healing to those struggling to be restored in bodily health.

If interested, please contact Fr Jeremy Gries, Pastor, Holy Family Catholic Church
812-944-8283, ext.1 or frgries@holyfamilynewalbany.org

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Thursday, Nov 1 is the Holy Day of Obligation and Solemnity for All Saints
Holy Family Mass times are 8a, noon, and 6:30p

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www.holyfamilynewalbany.formed.org
Free Parish Code: FZ8T6T

 

Holy Family, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries

PASTOR’S NOTES for October 20-21, 2018

Congratulations & Blessings to Mr. & Mrs. Francis & Mary Geswein, who celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary this weekend. Wow!!! What a witness to a long life of love and fidelity. Please join me in lifting them up in prayer for continued health, happiness, and holiness.

Scriptures encourage us to learn from those who go before us. “My [child], do not forget my teaching, take to heart my commands; For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you” (Proverbs3:1-2). So, recognizing that they likely had much wisdom regarding marriage, family, and relationships after 70 years, I asked if they wanted to share any advice. Here are some suggestions:

• Always put your spouse first.
• It takes two to argue, so if one doesn’t fuss back, the argument stops.
• It’s not important to have the last word.
• Say your meal prayers together as a family.
• Go to church together with the family and together still after the family is grown.
• You know that you have passed on your Faith, ethics, and morals to your children, when you see your grandchildren with the same Faith, morals, ethics, and values. That means that your children passed them on to them.
• Agree on discipline of children and share the disciplining between you.
• Enjoy doing things together, and at the same time, allow your spouse to have their own space and friends. Francis: When she was sewing upstairs and I was framing downstairs, we got along fine. Mary: Going together to a restaurant and meeting your friends and then the women sit together and the men sit together.
• Giving of yourself to others. Francis made rosaries to give out to whomever wanted them. Mary sewed bears, pillows, purses and scarves to give out to family and others.
• Francis: “If your husband doesn’t like fried potatoes, don’t fix them.”
  Mary: “If you didn’t like fried potatoes, you should have told me the first time I made them, instead of waiting 40 years!”
• Live your life so that you have no fear of death for you or your spouse.
• Keep busy. We are old enough to die, but we don’t have time to!

These may not be the last word on Marriage, family, and relationships, but they are certainly some wise words. Thank you and May God bless you both.

I would add from my own observation – Francis & Mary are at Mass every weekend, and often through the week! Commitment to God & Commitment to Spouse likely go hand in hand.

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www.holyfamilynewalbany.formed.org
Free Parish Code: FZ8T6T

 

 

Holy Family, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries

PASTOR’S NOTES for October 13-14, 2018

Please welcome Andrew Yun, seminarian from Saint Meinrad School of Theology. Andrew has been assigned to Holy Family to assist with catechetical ministry and visits to the sick. He will be with us most of the Wednesdays of the academic year. He has been assisting with the RCIA classes. Holy Family has a long history of hosting seminarians (me!), and does a good job to both make them welcome and help form them for parish ministry. If all goes well, Andrew should be associated with us for this year and next. Here is a brief biograph, provided by Andrew:

I was born and grew up in South Korea. Growing up, my grandfather’s and parents’ faith influenced me a lot. As a result, I thought about my vocation and faith when I was about to graduate from high school. Wondering about my faith, I entered the seminary in Busan, South Korea. Following the second year in the seminary, I went to the army to serve for roughly two years [South Korea has a 2-year mandatory service requirement for all men]. When I finished my service, I felt sure about my vocation to the priesthood. I spent two more years in the seminary and came to St Meinrad Seminary following my bishop’s/diocese’s decision. Now I’m in 3rd theology, learning and preparing for diaconate and priesthood ordinations.

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It is a true blessing to host seminarians at our parish. But speaking of seminarians, may I be so bold as to say now is the time for Holy Family to produce a few seminarians and women’s religious of our own. Jesus Christ said, “By their fruits you will know them” (Mt 7:20). Who are our fruits? Priests and religious don’t come from ‘somewhere else’ or ‘someone else’s kids’ but rather from right here, from our families, from our Holy Family.
Pray for Holy Vocations! Support Holy Vocations! Encourage Holy Vocations!

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Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Connor and Olivia (Boesing) Curry, who were joined in the Sacrament of Holy Marriage here at Holy Family on Saturday, October 13, 2018. Both are from here in New Albany, but they start their new family in Indianapolis. As they begin their new married life together, please join me in lifting them up in prayer for a life full of health, happiness, and holiness.

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Have you tried Formed yet? FORMED provides free, faithful, and formative Catholic Christian Content. All of the resources are well done, informative, and uplifting. Try it out.

Visit www.holyfamilynewalbany.formed.org and enter the Free Parish Code: FZ8T6T

Holy Family, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries

PASTOR’S NOTES for October 06-07, 2018

“A little before the consecration, when appropriate, a server rings a bell as a signal to the faithful. According to local custom, the server also rings the bell as the priest shows the host and then the chalice” (GIRM 150). You’ve likely heard the reintroduction of the Sanctus Bells during the Eucharist Prayer. Many have commented on how their return reminds them (pleasantly) of childhood days. I’ve not reintroduced them simply to lead people on a sentimental journey, but to remind people of the Sacramental Joy we experience in the midst of the Eucharistic Prayers. We ring them four times: 1) the Epiclesis (calling down of the Holy Spirit upon the gifts to consecrate bread and wine into Body and Blood of Christ), 2) the elevation of the Consecrated Host, 3) the elevation of the Consecrated Blood in the chalice, and 4) the Great Amen of the people. And each ring is (ideally) done three times to remind us of the presence of the Triune God. A traditional (optional) pious practice at the elevation of the Host and Chalice is for the lay faithful to say to themselves privately the words of St Thomas upon seeing the Risen Lord, “My Lord and My God” (John 20:28) at the presence of Christ Glorified Body and Blood present before us.

A nice reflection I found on-line regarding the Sanctus Bells: “The Mass is a full body experience. We experience the Mass through our eyes. We listen to the music, and the word of God. We smell the incense wafting in the air. We consume the Body and Blood of Jesus. We feel the kneeler against our knees. During the Mass all five of our senses are engaged. During the Consecration we even hear Sanctus bells ringing out in praise to God. As the psalmist proclaimed in Psalm 98 “Make a Joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! With trumpets and the sound of the Horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it…” The Sanctus bells ring out of pure Joy before the Lord, being made present on the Altar of Sacrifice. They demonstrate that something amazing is taking place. Something completely life changing… Our God is here. In a concrete way, the Sanctus bells shake us out of our apathy and awaken our spirits, and our mind to what is taking place. They seem to scream look at what the Lord has done for you. Look at him! Just as Moses hoisted a bronze serpent before the Israelites who had been bitten and they were healed, our Savior is elevated by the priest and we gaze upon him (Numbers 21: 9).” (Kaleb Trojacek, 22 Feb 2018, https://iccorsicana.org/news/crotalus)

Have you tried Formed yet? FORMED provides free, faithful, and formative Catholic Christian resources, such as study programs, movies, audio talks, and eBooks. All of the content is completely orthodox and sound. You should try it out.

Visit www.holyfamilynewalbany.formed.org and enter the Free Parish Code: FZ8T6T

Rosary Coast-to-Coast – We are inviting the entire parish to join Catholics across the country to call upon God in prayer through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary to heal our country and return it to Holiness. The parish will publicly recite the Rosary today Sunday, Oct 7 at 5:30p prior to the 6p Mass.

Holy Family, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries

PASTOR’S NOTES for September 29-30, 2018

It is hard to imagine, but the first quarter of school finished Friday. While I’m not quite old enough to remember starting school after Labor Day, finishing the first quarter by the end of September seems unusually early! After all that hard work by the students, I hope they get some needed rest and recharge, so they can tackle the next stage of the educational year.

While you are out of school for Fall Break, I pray you’ll pray. Remember, Mass doesn’t take a vacation, and no matter where you might be on vacation, there is a Catholic Church nearby. If you need help finding Mass try: https://masstimes.org

I am happy to announce a new resource available to everyone associated with Holy Family Catholic Parish and School. The resource is called FORMED.org. It has been described as a ‘Catholic Netflix.’ It is full of hundreds of study programs, audio talks, beautiful videos, ebooks, and even full-length Catholic Christian movies. All of which is completely free. This is a great way to further your own formation in the Catholic Faith. Feel free to hand this information out to others as well, even non-Catholics. Answers and understanding await.

FORMED provides four main categories of resources: Programs, Movies, Audio, eBooks. All of the content is completely orthodox and sound. It is produced by some of the most expert and exciting names in Catholic Evangelization, Apologetics, Catechetics, and Christian entertainment today. New content is regularly added. There are resources for all age levels across a wide spectrum of topics. There is something here for everyone. Just go to:

Visit WWW.HOLYFAMILYNEWALBANY.FORMED.ORG and use the Free Parish Code: FZ8T6T

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Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Andrew and Ashley (Sonne) Jerdonek, who were joined in the Sacrament of Holy Marriage here at Holy Family Saturday, September 29, 2018. Both were raised here in New Albany at Holy Family and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. As they begin their new married life together, please join me in lifting them up in prayer for a life full of health, happiness, and holiness.

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Required Information Session for the Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program for all sophomores will be this Sunday, Sept 30 at 4:30p in the Cafeteria.

Rosary Coast-to-Coast – We are inviting the entire parish to join Catholics across the country to call upon God in prayer through the powerful intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary to heal our country and return it to Holiness. The parish will publicly recite the Rosary on Sunday, Oct 7 at 5:30p prior to the 6p Mass. Join us.

Holy Family, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries

Pastor’s Notes for September 22-23, 2018

Jesus was known as the ‘son of the carpenter,’ and yet, we don’t know for a fact that Jesus ever worked in that trade. It seems reasonable that he would have worked alongside Joseph learning the family trade during the many ‘silent’ years before His public ministry at 30. I wonder if in addition to furniture, farm implements, and housewares, Jesus ever built an actual house. We may never know. Yet, we do know Jesus definitely build a Church upon the faith of Peter and the Apostles, if not a physical building. These days the Church now has a very definite physical presence in our community and communities around the world. Since the first centuries, in home churches and catacombs, Catholic Christians have been building physical structures in which to gather, to pray, to worship, to celebrate the Mass. From the third century on, when free, public Christian worship was first permitted, the Church has built many and marvelous churches in which to praise God.

This weekend, in a special way, we recall the construction and consecration of our own church building under the patronage of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. While our structure is not as grand as the St John Lateran Basilica in Rome, the readings we are using for this weekend’s Masses, our space is exceptional in that it is our home, our church, our place of worship. It is here that so many of you have experienced some of your most important and vital moments of life: Baptism, First Communions, First Reconciliations, Marriage, Funerals, weekly Mass and Christian community. It is here we are a Holy Family together. As such, let us thank God for our beautiful church, and more importantly, for the Blessed Church of Christ in which we are One Holy Family.

Holy Family Catholic Church-School was dedicated on September 19, 1954. The first Mass was celebrated on May 10, 1954. The convent (Day Activity Center) was completed in 1955. The first Rectory (Parish Office Building) was built in 1957. Let us also pray for the repose of the souls of the first two pastors of Holy Family, now deceased: Monsignor Louis Marchino and Father Gerald Burkert.

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I hope all will be joining us this weekend, Saturday, Sept 22, for the Parish Pitch-In Picnic after the 5p Mass to celebrate our church building and our Church community.

Information session for the Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program for all sophomores will be on Sunday, Sept 30 at 4:30p in the Cafeteria.

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries

Pastor’s Notes for September 15-16, 2018

“Faith Alone” (sola fide) is an often quoted tag line by our Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ. By this, they mean that one’s own works or deeds play no meaningful or substantive role in one’s salvation. We Catholic Christians have never held to such a belief. It was put forth for the first time in Christian history by Martin Luther just before 1517. As such, Catholics are sometimes accused of believing we ‘earn our salvation’ by our deeds and works contrary to what the Scriptures clearly state. Well, no. Catholics do not believe in earning salvation by our deed or works. We cannot do so. Our salvation comes from Christ. Yet, we do believe we can cooperate with God’s free gift of Grace within us and manifest our Faith in Christ by our outward deeds and works. And we believe these outward deeds and works are beneficial for our salvation.

St Paul speaks quite forcefully and persistently about the importance of faith as necessary for salvation. St Paul speaks quite forcefully and persistently about the lack of value of ‘works (of the Law)’ for salvation. By works, St Paul was referring specifically to works of the Mosaic Law (Old Testament Jewish practices in terms of Temple sacrifice, Circumcision, dietary practices and the like). A broader reading of those locations where he mentions ‘works’ makes this truth clear. St Paul’s Letter to the Romans is Paul’s theological masterpiece. In it, he speaks most eloquently about the role of faith for the Christian salvation. “For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Roman 3:28). This verse is often cited to substantiate “Faith Alone.” But the word “alone” is noticeably absent. Faith indeed justifies, but that does not rule out any role for an active lived faith manifested by outward works of charity and mercy for Christ in others motivated by God’s Grace.

I mention this since our weekend readings include a selection from the Letter of James as our second reading. It is in the James that we find the only instance in Scriptures where the phrase ‘faith alone’ is found. “See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). Is it any wonder why Martin Luther lobbied to remove the Letter of James entirely from the Canon of the Bible (something he in fact did with seven other Old Testament books)?

Catholics don’t earn salvation by our deeds, but faith apart from deeds too leaves one lacking salvation. There are several great verse-by-verse explanations to this common objection on the Catholic Answers website:

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/by-faith-alone

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/arent-we-saved-by-faith-alone

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/when-faith-alone-meets-scripture-alone

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-disasters-of-by-faith-alone

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/by-faith-alone-part-ii

If you ever need solid Catholic responses to challenges to our Catholic Christian Faith, I would highly recommend Catholic Answers found at www.catholic.com.

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Last Altar Server Training to be held in church on Thursday, Sept 20 (3:15-4:30p)

Parish Pitch-In Picnic after the 5p Mass next Saturday, Sept 22.

Information session for the Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program for all sophomores will be on Sunday, Sept 30 at 4:30p in the Cafeteria.

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries

PASTOR’S NOTES for September 08-09, 2018

Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:6). These are extremely strong and harsh words from the mouth of Jesus. And yet, they seem, sadly, entirely appropriate for today. The national and international news of last weeks have been full of disgusting and disheartening revelations about egregious clerical abuse and appalling episcopal failures to protect the most innocent among us – our children, teens, and young adults. The McCarrick abuse, the PA grand jury findings, and public accusations against Vatican officials, including the Holy Father, are enough to instill doubt, fear, and concern in even the most fervent of the faithful. I too have been filled with much sadness and concern.

I am once again reminded of the great numbers (and even one would be too great a number) of individual persons who have been abused sexually, emotionally, spiritually, and otherwise by clergy. It is important that we, as Church, not allow the notoriety or position of the perpetrators or complicit cover-ups to overshadow these sons and daughters of God who have suffered, and suffer still. They are and should remain the primary focus of our attention, prayers, and support.

On-going reforms need to be made. Many solid steps have been made since the truth of these terrible events first surfaced in 2002. Such things as Safe & Sacred training, background checks, reporting mechanisms, and increased attentiveness/accountability are good first steps. These policies apply to the whole Church – clergy and laity. [If you are involved in a ministry at Holy Family/Archdiocese that involves anyone under 18 years old, you are expected and required to adhere to these policies.] Additional steps can be done and need to be done. Greater oversight and lay involvement in accountability review boards will continue to be essential.

Those who have/do perpetrate such heinous acts must be brought to justice both in ecclesial and civil courts. They need to be removed, make reparations, and repent. No tolerance.

Lastly, I invite you to join me in prayer. Let us hold all persons who have experienced sexual abuse / misconduct in prayer. Let us pray for the Church, that God may guide, purify, and sustain Her. Let us play for our bishops and clergy to have the courage needed to make the needed changes. Let us pray for one another, that we may remain true to Christ in this difficult time.

If you are a victim of sexual misconduct by a person ministering on behalf of the Church, or if you know of anyone who has been a victim of such misconduct, please contact civil authorities and the Archdiocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator Carla Hill. There are two ways to make a report to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis:

1. Carla Hill, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Victim Assistance Coordinator
   P.O. Box 1410, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1410
   317-236-1548 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1548 or chill@archindy.org
2. Ethics Point – Confidential – Online Reporting
   www.archdioceseofindianapolis.ethicspoint.com or 888-393-6810

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Please give a few minutes before or after Masses to update your household information Holy Family Catholic Parish 3-year Census Update.

Altar Server Training for all returning & new servers to be held in church on Wednesday, Sept 12 (3:15-4:30p), Thursday, Sept 20 (3:15-4:30p), and Saturday, Sept 15 (8:45-10a)

Information session for the Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program for all sophomores will be on Sunday, Sept 30 at 4:30p in the DAC.

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries

PASTOR’S NOTES for Sept 01-02

In I Chronicles chapter 24, King David took a census of the men, women, children, all the number of Israel. If you remember your Bible, you will also recall it did not work out very well for David. The Lord was displeased with David’s desire to exert his authority over the people. God gave David his choice – three years of famine or three months enemy persecution or three days of plague. David chose to submit himself to God’s mercy and endure three days of plague. He learned his lesson not to take a census and not to think that the people of Israel where his.

One might think, a new pastor would learn from the wisdom of the Scriptures, but given the standing Holy Family Parish practice of taking a membership census every three years, I’ve agreed. Certainly, I know the parish is not mine but the Lord’s, and I but a steward. And I pray no undue recourse from God will ensue(!), but it will be helpful to have current contact information and up-to-date membership lists as the staff, parish leadership, I strive to accomplish the ministry and mission of Holy Family Catholic Parish and School. So, if you would be so kind as to spend a few minutes before or after Masses the next few weekends updating your information, we would greatly appreciate it. This will save us a great deal of time and energy following up. If your information on the list is accurate, please initial the entry, so we know you’ve reviewed it. Thanks.

Happy Labor Day: “Human labor which is expended in the production and exchange of goods or in the performance of economic services is superior to the other elements of economic life, for the latter have only the nature of tools. This labor, whether it is engaged in independently or hired by someone else, comes immediately from the person, who as it were stamps the things of nature with his seal and subdues them to his will. By his labor, a man ordinarily supports himself and his family, is joined to his fellow men and serves them, and can exercise genuine charity and be a partner in the work of bringing divine creation to perfection. Indeed, we hold that through labor offered to God man is associated with the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, Who conferred an eminent dignity on labor when at Nazareth” (Vatican II: Gaudium et Spes, 67).

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Information session for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) will be on Tuesday, Sept 4 @ 7p in the Parish Office Building.

Altar Server Training for all returning & new servers to be held in church on Wednesday, Sept 12 (3:15-4:30p), Thursday, Sept 20 (3:15-4:30p), and Saturday, Sept 15 (8:45-10a)

Information session for the Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program for all sophomores will be on Sunday, Sept 30 at 4:30p in the DAC.

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Holy Family at work in Nazareth, Pray for us.

~ Fr. Gries