The Family Foundation School Catholic Community Bulletin
Pauca Verba (Latin for, “A Few Words)
In the 2nd chapter of the Book of Genesis, Saint Ephraim the Syrian tells us that when the earth was created there was as yet no tree or vegetation. (Genesis 2:4-6) That wonder didn’t occur until water sprouted from inside and up and out of the earth. St. Ephraim tells us that earth and water are intimately connected…that it has always been that way and will be until the end. And our own lives begin in the water of our mother’s womb. And our re-generation – our renewal and re-birth begins in water too – the water of the Baptism Font. So keep these things in mind today as Adrian is baptized – someone brought you to the font – to introduce you to Jesus Christ, who sparks prayer, faith, justice and love within you!
Next week, Father Stephen goes to a hermitage in the woods, by Lake Magdalene, on the property of the Sisters of Bethlehem, to make his annual retreat. It is important to “retreat” for a time. Retreat is a military term, isn’t it? Hopefully we know we are engaged in a battle with unseen powers and that we are not drifting through the world and hoping for the best – but that our engagement with the shadows is conscious and fortified by Christ. And so the priest goes away for a time– and all Christians are encouraged to do so as well (as they are able) – to think it over – to pray – to be silent and to give God undivided time.
Oremus pro invicem – Let us pray for each other. Let’s pray for the world – war weary and in tears. Let’s pray with repentant hearts and ask for new resolve. Let’s pray to be done with timidity, indifference, carelessness, hostility and the self-indulgence which leaves us so uncaring of others.
There’s a Day/Evening of Recollection for the young men of Family One on Friday, August 3. A day of recollection is like a mini retreat – a time to “get it together” – to re-orient ourselves – to pray with each other – to grow in knowledge of Christ. Even a few hours away at the retreat house can be an important point of turning, if we come to the day with openness and desire for something new!
When there is time for the Sacrament of Confession on Thursdays and Fridays at school, how important it is to do just that: in humility and confessing, to come before the priest who gives us an experience of Christ’s healing and forgiveness. You see, so many of us begin our confession saying, “I’m having a hard time lately,” or “I’m really struggling lately.” And then we start to tell stories and talk about how bad it all is for us. But the reason we’re having such a hard time and are so tired with “struggling” is because we leave our sin un-confessed. Try it another way! Get clean – really clean! Tell it all. What are you hiding? What are you planning on taking to the grave? What’s filthy and still sticks to you and needs to be stripped off? It isn’t about taking sugar packets from the kitchen, is it? But remember this – when I come to confession I have to make a “firm purpose of amendment” which means that I have a deep and true intention of not
returning to those old ways. Father John says, “We are wounded by the devil.” Indeed, and Confessing is like a healing and fortifying medicine!
Five Ways to Wellness: 1) Practice saying, ‘I’m sorry.” For many of us (especially men) those words stick in our throats. 2) Love “Our Lady” – practice her “Yes” and trust that God will see you through. Visit her statue daily – even in bad weather. 3) Love people – really love them. Which means have their best interests in mind. Forget about your comfort long enough to make life a little nicer for someone else. 4) “Carry your cross.” Which means embrace whatever God has given you to do each day. It is close at hand, practical and never glamorous. 5) Forgive people – we’re all so unworthy and mistaken. Withholding forgiveness to place myself above the others.
Want to build up and restore your family? Write a letter or make a nice card for your siblings. Draw a picture of the sunset over the hills or you in the pond. Tell them about the dogs here at school. Tell them about soccer tryouts. Use some Spanish words. Tell them that you pray for them every (early) morning in chapel. You get the idea. pictures.
A gold plate is held under our hands and chins when we receive Holy Communion at Mass. Sometimes a host drops and the plate catches it so it doesn’t land on the floor. After Communion the plate is returned to the priest who purifies it with his fingers – brushing off even tiny crumbs into the chalice. The priest then purifies the chalice with a little water. Frank M. realized last Sunday evening, while the crumbs were being brushed off, that he used to do that with cocaine. God’s wonders! – once concerned about precious particles of cocaine and now to be concerned about the precious Body of Christ.
You understand that in using drugs we touch death – that as the drugs travel from the place of origin to the place of our purchases – people die along the way in sad drug related violence.
What’s the problem with tattoos? Tattoos contain some kind of message. What Christian needs to proclaim a message with his or her body other than or beyond the “tattoo” – the brand – the mark – the seal given at Baptism – the anointing with fragrant chrism – the oil that is placed on our foreheads and announcing for all our lives, “I BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST, CRUCIFIED AND RISEN!”
Joe M. is Received into Full Catholic Communion this weekend at St. Paul’s in Hancock. He also will be Confirmed and receive his First Holy Communion. Joe, we pray for you – that you would be a faithful Catholic man. And we pray for our own conversion as well – the deepening of our own lives lived in Jesus Christ!
