Our Seniors
I am very impressed with the Town of Berlin and the services it provides to its citizens. There are so many programs for the young, sports teams, skating ponds, great schools, just to name a few. There is also excellent Senior Housing, and lots of activities at the Senior Center for our Seniors. Berlin really has a heart for its citizens.The one thing that the Town can't do is support our Senior Citizens in their faith. In this light, we are forming a committee which will be tasked with serving the needs of all the senior citizens of our parish. Already, many parishioners take the Eucharist to our Seniors, but there is a lot more that we can do for sure. This committee will try to reach out to all of our seniors, and actually, any parishioner who is in need of a little help or support. If you are interested in being on this committee, please don't hesitate to let us know. You can either fill out the coupon in our bulletin, or go to our website, stpaulkensington.org and follow the links.
Fr. Robert Goes to the 9thGrade.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit with the students in our 9th grade confirmation class, and I was very happy to have the chance to do so. I appreciate every opportunity I have to interact with our teenagers. They are good kids who are full of life. I have to admit, at first, no one was willing to break the ice. But after a while, the questions and comments started flowing, especially in the second session, when I opened my wallet. The conversation centered on The Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many people find confession such a burden, but once you really experience it, it becomes a source of great blessings. A word to our parish, when you think of our young people, be filled with hope. I know I am.
The Nominations are Open
This year students from The Catholic University of America will be coming during their spring break to do our Confirmation Retreats. They asked me to find some of High School Parishioners to help with the program (Juniors or Seniors who are already confirmed). Because I am here for a short time and don't know everyone, I am asking the Parish to nominate High School Students from our community for the retreat team. I would ask that you nominate young adults who you know well, and who would be willing to do a great job. Once again, you can nominate people with the coupon in this weeks bulletin, or online at stpaulkensington.org. Hope to hear from you. This is a really important parish initiative.
We Must Be Tenacious - Women Deserve Better
Last Monday, people from all over the Country gathered to march for life. Having lived in Washington DC for 12 years and participated in the March every year, I have to say that the March for Life was the biggest annual event in our nation's capital. There is no other yearly event which comes close when it comes to participation and enthusiasm. The fact that the March for Life is rarely covered by the media is a clear indication in my book that a definite anti-life bias pervades our media. I know from experience that the media dedicates a lot more coverage to other events held in Washington, even when the number of those attending is significantly smaller.
What really confounds those who support abortion is the fact that every year tens of thousands of young people choose to attend the March for Life. I would say the vast majority of those who participate are young people. Think about it, there is no generation who has suffered more from the plague of abortion. They have lost so many of their future friends and classmates to this very sad reality and they know it. At The Catholic University of America where I was stationed before coming to Kensington, pro-life activities on campus were the best attended. There was never a problem getting the students to participate. The young adults who marched for life did so with a profound passion, and with lots of compassion for every one involved in the taking of innocent life. Each year the young people at Catholic U would make signs to carry in the march. By far the most favorite slogan was “Women Deserve Better than abortion”. The runner up was “ Your Mom Chose Life.”
We must be tenacious in our defense of human life from conception to natural death. We can't be discouraged or compromised. And while I have your ear, our pro-life activities cannot be limited to just fighting abortion. Cardinal Bernadine, a very holy man, often compared our responsibility to defend life to a seamless garment. It is really important to remember that. The dignity of human life whether it is young or old, rich or poor, healthy or sick, innocent or not so innocent, must be defended.
Please join me in praying for everyone who has ever been involved in anyway with the tragedy of abortion. Pray that God may forgive them (He certainly will if they seek His forgiveness), pray also that we may be ever more effective herald of God's love and mercy. In the future, it is my hope that our very large and generous parish will once again, in an organized and formal way, work toward promoting the culture of life in our neighborhood, our country and the world.