Bishop Robert Barron: Fulton Sheen
A Body that stretches beyond space and time
This Mystical Body is not earthbound but also stretches beyond space and time. There are members of the Church not only on earth but also in purgatory and in heaven.
These three parts of the Body are not independent but are unified, as “all are filled by the same Spirit and crowned by the same Christ.”
Explore the Mystical Body more deeply here:
An excerpt from
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCERNMENT
168. This is all the more important when some novelty presents itself in our lives. Then we have to decide whether it is new wine brought by God or an illusion created by the spirit of this world or the spirit of the devil. At other times, the opposite can happen, when the forces of evil induce us not to change, to leave things as they are, to opt for a rigid resistance to change. Yet that would be to block the working of the Spirit. We are free, with the freedom of Christ. Still, he asks us to examine what is within us – our desires, anxieties, fears and questions – and what takes place all around us – “the signs of the times” – and thus to recognize the paths that lead to complete freedom. “Test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thess 5:21).
Deacon Dave's Homily (4:30pm and 8am Masses)
OT 33C 2019One of the great joys of serving as deacon is visiting people who are in the hospital or recovering in their homes or perhaps having to make significant alterations to their lifestyles by being in a care facility. This ministry is one that Sr. Pat and I share. In her work, she beautifully blesses the people of St. Ben’s.
Of course, there is not joy over the difficult plights of these folks. There is joy in being with them, however, reaching out to them, expressing care and concern for them.
These kinds of experiences are not “one-way streets” because there is much grace in witnessing the faith, the fortitude, the perseverance, and the kindness that is so often conveyed by Christian people who are in difficult situations. It is a joy to hear their stories, to pray with them, and to convey that others care about them.
In visiting parishioners in the area hospitals this week, I experienced a “God incident” when by a priest who was sitting in the room with a mutual friend. This elderly lady is the epitome of class and grace – a faithful Catholic Christian. He life is a testimony to the message in today’s scriptures. A model of friendship. A great example of living out her life’s journey in joy and hope despite some very difficult twists and turns along the way. There is no doubt that she is ready for whatever comes next.
The readings for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time focus strongly on the end times – when Christ will return. In our Christian mindset, we think about the end of our natural lives as well as the end of the world. An important message for today is that we should focus more on the joy of our supernatural lives than on our natural lives.
This weekend we are celebrating Fr. Godfrey’s 25 Year Jubilee as a priest; actually, the date was June 5. With tongue in cheek, I will offer that Fr. Godfrey has been a little preoccupied and preferred to wait for this celebration. Throughout our lives, priests serve as our spiritual fathers; they direct us and care for us. When we deal with the happiest and saddest moments, it is our priests who are there for us. For the people of St. Benedict, Fr. Godfrey is a model of holiness, friendship, commitment to the Lord’s work, hope, enthusiasm. In short, he is a model of Christian life in the Benedictine tradition. For all the good you have done and continue to do Fr. Godfrey, we offer our love and gratitude.
In the Lucan Gospel readings for many weeks now, we have been accompanying Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem – our figurative journey to Jerusalem – heaven.
One day, “on that day,” Christ will return at the end of the world. As Christians we place our hope and trust that through the redeeming work of Jesus, through the grace, power, and mercy of God, and through our profession of faith, we will spend eternity with him.
The full experience of resurrection is not known to us yet, but it will be something far beyond wonderful. Thus, we apply ourselves to learning all we can about the Word of God and to encouraging one another on the journey. This is the aspect of our earthly lives that the Scriptures emphasize today. Even though Jesus speaks words of warning about the difficulties of living as his followers in the “here and now,” his words assure us that by our perseverance, we will secure our lives with him.
Jesus’ words in Luke 21 call for courageous testimony during the course of our lives - not fearful speculation about when the end will come.
How do we live this way? Love God above all. Love and serve others – especially the poor and disadvantaged. Patiently endure the trials that confront us.
This is a practical spirituality each of us can live. We are called to live joyfully and to proclaim Jesus Christ boldly because we are his adopted sons and daughters.
Fr. Mick Mulvany's Homily (10:30am Mass)
OT 33C 20192019 - Fr. Godfrey Mullen - 25 years a priest
In every age there are people who feel that the end is near. They often are eloquent speakers or at least feed into the fear of others and sometimes whole groups of people follow them. They stand on street corners and hold up signs saying, “The end is coming!” They sit on the side of mountains or out in fields waiting to be swooped up in whatever they believe the end will look like. Some believe that space ships will carry them away –some believe that Jesus himself will come on a cloud and invite them to step on board and float them up to heaven.
Even in the time of Jesus – people worried about the end of time.What it would look like – when it would be and what it would mean. And remember the early Christians whom these gospels were written for were being handed over left and right – fed to lions and killed in some pretty horrific ways all because they believed in Jesus.
But if we look at all that Jesus said throughout his lifetime–the best way to prepare for the end is by how we live each day. Because even the end as we perceive it–is only the end here. There’s a promise of faith that we have and that we hold onto–that the end here is only the beginning of a life forever in the presence of God.
So we have to focus on the here and now–living in a way that we are called by Christ to live. That includes kindness and common courtesy –it means loving in a way that allows us to let go of past hurts–resentment–and anger. It means teaching our children about a God of love and our need to be in relationship with him. Living in the here and now means understanding the forgiveness of God and offering that same forgiveness to others.
I realize that often it seems that our world is ending. Losing an important ballgame or client – losing your job or the security of a relationship that you thought would be forever– finding out about an illness–or losing someone that you love. All of these moments in time can make us feel that the end is here–right now. It’s at these times in the lives of the people that we love that we’re called to surround them in faith. It is about being present to them–not erasing their pain–but walking with them through it. It’s how we love each other–just like God loves each of us.
I look around and I am not seeing signs of the end of times– although the Aces of Evansville took down Kentucky (and Jay hawk nation thanks you for that)–the Irish of Notre Dame are in no danger of being THE dominant force in all of college athletics –much less football. So I don’t feel like we’re close to what Jesus is describing today.
However –you and I are called each day in the here and now to pay attention to how we live and how we love. We’re called to help others understand who God is by the example that we set in our everyday living. So–let’s not get caught up in the hype of the end being near. Rather may we live each day as a better person than the day before–may we show all people the love that is offered to us by our God. May our living today–bring us to the promise of the Kingdom with God forever.
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Today we celebrate in community the commitment that your pastor, your friend, family member and colleague made over 25 years ago kneeling before the Archbishop – as he made priestly promises to serve the people of God. And let me tell you – when he made those promises – no one was too specific about how his life would go. For instance no one said there would be hours and hours setting up and taking down seminary dining rooms and parish halls. No one asked how talented he was at moving tables and chairs.
There was no advance warning that he would have to be a part time accountant – watch over a million dollar budget – and be a prolific fundraiser. His whole education skipped right over the part about being able to look at schematics and architectural renderings – and there were no courses on staying up with technology and how that would be important to the people of faith he was called to serve. They must have dropped the course on zoology that would have prepared him for the bats living in the attic of the school – and also the course on engineering that would have made the discussions about the bell tower go much smoother.
There are hundreds of examples of situations and experiences that Fr. Godfrey has had to face and address that were not covered in textbooks in seminary – nor explained by the bishop when he was ordained. And yet to every occasion that he has been asked to rise – he has done so with a servant’s love – and a servant’s zeal.
I have not met many people like my friend Godfrey in my life. People who every day rise to see what Christ has in store them – and most of the time with a smile he walks to finish whatever is laid before him.
The day that my Mom died, I called him – and he was in my home the next day. When my Dad took ill – Godfrey visited as often as he could – and he sent notes and cards on a regular basis. He is quick to see how my day is going – he’s an incredible cheerleader – and a truth teller even when I don’t want to hear it. He can get more done in one day that I even attempt in a week – and he has been able to hold tight to the heart of his family and his St. Meinrad Community even as he serves with great faith the people of St. Benedict Cathedral.
He and I are very different people – he is much smarter than I am – and he has a Doctorate – so when the liturgy changed a few years ago – I had to call him every day for about two years to ask a question or just complain and moan about one thing or another. He was calm in explaining it all to me – but still when he visits me and watches me celebrate the Eucharist I can see him shake his head every so often. Bishop – I hope he prepared you for my visit! He had to shoo me out of your chair earlier – I thought he had it brought in for me. His laugh is contagious – and it is easy to get him to crackup. If I were to trip down these stairs – while all of you were running to see if I was okay – Fr. Godfrey would be doubled over in glee.
Several years ago I bought him an iPhone for his birthday or Christmas – and his words to me after he opened the gift were not, “Wow, thank you!” or, “Mick, that’s amazing!” His words exactly were these, “I will never use this!” I promise you – if I go find his phone – he will have texted someone about 1minute before we began this liturgy. Fr. Godfrey is an incredibly generous person – he doesn’t often count time as his own – rather it belongs to whoever is on need of it. He understands how gifted he is from God – and he is quick to pass those gifts around. His leadership model has never been as one who points at a piece of ground and calls others to dig a hole – rather he’s the first to grab a shovel and say, “Come help if you can.” His servant leadership is an example to all who are called to minister – and his greatest fault is that he rarely says the word, “No.”
Pat & Patty, Mimi & David, John & Jan – and your sister Kelly who is watching all of this from her seat with God – Mike, Godfrey’s dearest Dad – and Connie, your dear Mom who cannot be here today – and all you young ones whose weird names I cannot remember – who make up Godfrey’s family – today is a celebration of all of you too. You make up much of Godfrey’s heart – and you have graciously shared him with so many people. There have been countless times when you gathered that he was late or had to miss in order to serve the People of God. Vacations have had to be scheduled around his schedule so that he could offer a healing word or a sacramental moment or maybe a shoulder to one of God’s children who has called his name. And each of you have shown great love to your Son, Bother and Uncle – and you have shown that same love to so many others by your understanding and generosity.
Today as the Church prepares to end the liturgical year as next week we celebrate with great pomp and circumstance the solemnity of Christ the King – our readings remind us that each and every day of our lives we are walking with great purpose toward the Kingdom. Fr. Godfrey – because you walk this journey with us – because you lead us by your wisdom and wit – because you shoulder our sorrows with us – and because you share in all of our joys – our journey has been made easier.
From your hands we all have found blessing – by your hands we have all been touched with God’s peace – from your hands we have received the bread of angels and the cup of salvation – may those hands consecrated and set apart for God’s service – may those hands who receive the Children of God each and every day – may God keep those hands in his service – and may he keep your heart always open to labor in the vineyard where you have toiled these last 25 years.
You are our friend, you are family and you are loved deeply.
Daily Mass Schedule
Monday 7AM
Tuesday 7AM, 9AM
Wednesday 7AM, 9AM (School Mass)
Thursday - Saturday 7AM, 9AM
Confessions 20 minutes before each Mass until 5 minutes before Mass
Coming Up...
One God, One Community - Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7PM, First Presbyterian Church.
Welcome Advent - A Season of Hope and Expectation. Sunday, December 1, following the 10:30 Mass in the Woodward Center. Coffee and donuts, Advent crafts & music.
St. Ben's Women's Retreat - January 31 - February 2nd at Sarto Retreat Center
Registration form below.
Mardi Gras 2020 - SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, February 8, 2020 in the Eykamp Hall in the Ridgway Center on the University of Evansville campus. 5:30 – midnight. Dinner, dance & auction.
