January 22, 2012

 

Dear Parishioners,

            Greetings! Sorry I missed the “From the Pastor’s Desk” message last week. I was on a retreat at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, Pa. I look forward to a retreat once a year and enjoy going to different retreat centers. I most often go on retreat to the Hermits of Bethlehem in Chester, N.J., but have also been to retreat houses in Morristown, N.J., Allentown, Philadelphia and Dalton, Pa. I wanted to go to Wernersville this year to be close to my favorite priest – Father Walter Ciszek S.J. I prayed at his grave (he died in 1984) and truly felt his presence. Fr. Walter is the priest who survived his experience of the Russian Gulag during WWII and taught the lesson of accepting God’s Providence in all things. As I prayed at his grave, I looked over to another tombstone and noticed another familiar name. Fr. Joe Simmons, who died in 1993, was my former spiritual director and the priest who first planted the seed of a priestly vocation in my life, while a student at the University of Scranton. So, I felt blessed to be reminded of these two great priests who continue to inspire my desire for priestly ministry.

            While on retreat this year, I felt called to fast on bread and water for three days. I have done the one day fasts before, but this was a new challenge. It certainly was not easy and it filled me with awe at the way many people in the world must suffer from hunger. When you are hungry, it seems like all you think about is your next taste of food and it alters your thinking patterns. Anyway, it was a small sacrifice that helped me appreciate what Father Ciszek experienced for years in Russia. He describes his meager meals and hunger pangs over the course of 15 years in his book “With God in Russia”. On retreat, I also took the time to do some journaling. I find it helpful to write out my thoughts because it helps to articulate the movements of the Spirit. I have decided to journal everyday for the rest of this year 2012. At the end of each day, I will just try to recapture what took place during the day and my feelings about it. Journaling is a healthy thing to do both psychologically and spiritually.

            I had a good experience celebrating our national holiday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday 1/16. I was asked to give the invocation at the annual breakfast honoring Dr. King at East Stroudsburg University. I had the opportunity to sit next to the keynote speaker who was a woman from Mississippi. She was at the famous marches and rallies and knew many of the civil rights leaders from the 1960’s. I also enjoyed meeting other community leaders and hearing the messages of peace, justice and equality which we should all strive for each day. Next on the list of activities is the March for Life in Washington D.C. Our group of 13 is leaving Sunday 1/22 for an overnight in D.C. and the March on Monday. I am so encouraged by our young people and their willingness to stand up for what is right and just. Abortion and other human rights violations are the defining cause of our day and age and we must seek God’s justice to prevail in our land!

            Have a wonderful week and may God bless you and your families!

Fr. Walsh

 

 

January 8, 2012

 

Dear Parishioners,

            Greetings! Welcome to 2012 – ready or not, here it comes! There is certainly a lot to look forward to in the new year. God always seems to encourage us to look forward instead of backward. I often think of the story in the scriptures of how the farmer needs to keep his eyes ahead as he plows the field – otherwise the field will be crooked. When we look behind too much, our lives can become crooked. This is an important spiritual insight especially in regard to the sacrament of reconciliation. Once forgiven, we do not need to look back on those sins because they have been cleansed. The devil is the one who tries to keep us stuck in our past sins. Christ wants to liberate us and give us the freedom to look with confidence to a future filled with his divine grace. As we begin this new year, let’s keep in mind that God is with us in every moment and will sustain us!

            I am personally looking forward to being at St. John’s and share in the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs of our parish community. In addition to the daily and weekend masses (the heart of our faith), I enjoy being part of the various fundraisers and social events of our families. We will, once again, have our Valentine Dance and St. Patrick’s Day Dinner coming up in February and March. The March for Life in Washington D.C. will include 10 members of St. John’s standing up for the dignity and sacredness of life! We will continue to nurture the members of the R.C.I.A. as they prepare for the Easter Sacraments in April. And I am sure there will be many other activities where we can build up the body of Christ! Everyone is welcome to volunteer and be a part of the planning of our parish events and participate in them. We always welcome new ideas and encourage people to be involved.

            I am also personally looking forward to a retreat next week in Wernersville, Pa. The Jesuit priests have a beautiful old seminary that now serves as a retreat house. I chose to do my annual retreat in Wernersville this year because I want to spend more time with Fr. Walter Ciszek, who is buried there. I find it inspirational, like many people, to pray at the grave of this holy priest. I want to re-read his spiritual classics and continue to draw inspiration from his heroic virtue. A retreat is also a good time just to rest and get away from the hustle and bustle. It is amazing how worn out we can get without even realizing it. We tend to push ourselves to the limit in so many ways – emotionally, spiritually, physically, etc. I know it is a privilege to have this time for retreat. I know parents and busy working people would love to have the opportunity to “get away” like this, but just can’t. So, I will remember everyone at St. John’s in prayer during the retreat! I will be your surrogate “get-away-er”.

            Again – Happy New Year! Let’s see what God has in store for us and may we be ready and eager to cooperate with his grace and governance of our lives!

                                                                                                God bless!  Fr. Walsh

 

 

January 1, 2012

 

Dear Parishioners,

            HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

            So, did you have a good Christmas? I had a wonderful Christmas and feel tremendously grateful to the people of St. John’s for making it so! It has been very edifying to see all the good things that swirl around the parish each day – especially in preparation for Christmas. People were kind to bring in gift cards for the giving tree and not only did local families benefit for buying Christmas gifts, but there were approximately 20 cards left over which will be used for our St. Vincent de Paul fund in the new year. People were kind to bring in perishable food items and the Girl Scout Brownies and Daisies organized care packages. The Maintenance staff and volunteers did a great job in decorating the church and making it so attractive. The choir did a beautiful job singing at the Midnight Mass. All the lay ministers of the church give so generously of their time and show true devotion to our Lord! The sacristans, ushers and money counters all pitched in with their contributions - the list can go on and on!

            I suppose I am most humbled by the expressions of Christmas cheer – cards, letters, gifts, goodies and money. I will do my best to send “Thank You” notes, but there are several items that I did not even know from where they came! The Christmas liturgies are so full and busy, and things were happening fast. If you are one of the people who left something for me, please accept my most sincere gratitude! I feel truly blessed!!! The parish is blessed also – over $16,000 was given in the collections of 5 masses. What a gift of treasure!! Lord, help us to be good stewards of this gift!

            Now we are in a new year. As usual, there are probably those who are happy to say goodbye to 2011 and those who had a good year and are sad to see it go. Regardless, God is always present to us and we can all look forward to growing in “wisdom, age and grace”!! The best resolution to make is a promise to God alone that we will do our best to be attentive to our spiritual duties. God reveals himself in many ways and we need eyes of faith to see how he is made manifest.

            I am starting my new year (after masses at St. John’s) with a road trip to Pittsburgh. I enjoy visiting with my brother Jim and his family during the holiday season. I will also be spending time with my brother Joe and his son Matthew. This is a great time of year to build family bonds and make new memories. May you and your family experience peace and prosperity in 2012 and, above all, a profound trust in God’s Will being done!

                                                                        God bless!     Fr. Walsh