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St. Eugene Catholic Church,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 26, 2015
MASS SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK
Mass Attendance
July 18 and 19, 2015
July 25, 2015 – August 2, 2015
Saturday, July 25
ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE
2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Matthew 20:20-28
5:00 p.m.
† Norbert Bussen
by Jan and Mary Latta
Sunday, July 26
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-11,15-18; Ephesians 4:1-6;
John 6:1-15 (#1158)
9:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
FOR THE PEOPLE
† Laura Salinas
de su mamá y papá y hermanos
† Pat Rooks
by Scott and Mary Ann Tomlinson
† Mercedez Melida Romo
de Lupe Escalante
Monday, July 27
Exodus 32:15-24,30-34; Psalm 106:19-23; Matthew 13:31-35
6:30 a.m.
No Mass
Tuesday, July 28
Exodus 33:7-11;34:5-9,28; Psalm 103:6-13; Matthew 13:36-43
5:30 p.m.
† Robert Apel
by Scott and Mary Ann Tomlinson
Wednesday, July 29 - St. Martha
Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99:5-7,9; John 11:19-27
6:30 a.m.
† Matt Horn by Pat Horn
6:30 p.m.
† Arlenne Flores
de sus papás Mabel y Carlos su hermano y hermanas
Thursday, July 30
God’s Protection over Babilynna, Kiona and
Kendra Wadmia
by Ruth Lange
Friday, July 31 - St. Ignatius of Loyola
Leviticus 23:1,4-11,15-16,27,34-37; Psalm 81:3-6,10-11;
Matthew 13:54-58
6:30 a.m.
† Repose of the Souls of my Grandparents
by Ruth Lange and kids
Saturday, August 1 - St. Alphonsus Liguori
Leviticus 25:1,8-17; Psalm 67:2-3,5,7-8; Matthew 14:1-12
5:00 p.m.
† Carl Amend
by Sharan Amend
Sunday, August 2
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Exodus 16:2-4,12-15; Psalm 78:3-4,23-25,54;
Ephesians 4:17,20-24; John 6:24-35 (#1161)
9:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
† Phil Easlon
by Marv and Carolyn Grosche
† Pedro Pasillas y Maria del Refugio Pasillas
de Maria del Rosario Pasillas y Familia
† Anna A. and Thomas W. Clapper
by Their Children
FOR THE PEOPLE
256
460
520
274
7:00 p.m.
TOTAL
189
1699
Summary of Weekly Contributions
Goal for Fiscal Year 06/30/15/16 is $1,222,000
Year–to–Date
Week Ending
7/19/15
Parish Support
15,688
$49,237
Bequests
Memorials
100
Auto-Withdrawals
10,596
Children’s Envelopes (1)
4
25
Confirmation (2)
Holy Days
0
TOTAL COLLECTED
15,691
59,957
FINANCIAL TARGET
$23,500
70,500
SURPLUS/DEFICIT (+/-)
($7,809)
($10,543)
School Endowment Fund
176
362
Envelopes Used
258
Archdiocese Legacy Loan Information
Monthly
Collections
Month-toDate
7/19/15
$3,447
Interest
$11,491
Payment
$651
Less Add’l Pmt
$421,425
$21,090
$1,987
$21,741
$1,987
Current Loan
Amount
$398,348
$651
$23,728
July Collections
Loan
Exodus 40:16-21,34-38; Psalm 84:3-6,8,11; Matthew 13:47-53
8:15 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Loan Amount
Less Principal
New Rectory Fund
July 18 and 19, 2015
Cash Received
Total Received: Pledges & Gifts
Total Outstanding Pledges
Total Cash & Pledges
FUNDING GOAL
$1,853
$230,307
$109,954
$340,261
$400,000
Legacy Of Faith
July 18 and 19, 2015
Cash Received This Week
Total Received: Pledges & Gifts
Total Outstanding Pledges
Total Cash and Pledges
FUNDING GOAL
$3,447
$7,131,909
$211,016
$7,342,925
$7,300,000
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
WORSHIP
Holy Mass
Sunday July 26, 2015
17 Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:30 a.m., 12:00 Noon (Spanish), 5:00 p.m.
and 7:00 (Spanish)
th
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
When the people saw the sign of the miracle of the
multiplication of the loaves, they exclaimed. “This is truly
the Prophet:” God gives himself to us through the
gestures of life; hence it is through them that we are to
give ourselves to him. Dear parish family, make a gesture
of life, - come to where he is enthroned waiting to
welcome you for a visit on Wednesdays in the Chapel,
“Come and you will see”
(John: 1: 37-39)
Wednesday July 29, 2015 - Chapel
6:30 a.m. Holy Mass
7:00 a.m. Exposition and All Day Adoration
6:30 p.m. Mass and Benediction
Love gathers here - All are welcome
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Saturdays 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Anointing of the Sick
If Anointing is needed urgently, please call the Church Office, 751-7115
Father Wolf will next offer Anointing of the Sick during
Mass, 6:30 p.m., August 19, 2015
Rosary and Devotions
Tuesday, 1:00 p.m., Chapel
First Sunday 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet
Let us Pray
O God protector of those who hope in you,
without whom nothing has firm
foundation,
nothing is holy, bestow in abundance
your mercy upon us and grant that, with
you as our ruler and guide, we may use
the good things that pass in such a way,
as to hold fast even now to those that
ever endure,
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.
Collect, Mass of the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
If anyone would like to
assist our Sacristan with
weekly cleaning of the
votive candle holders,
please contact Marie
Downey, 751-9297. This
is an easy way to be a
part of a
wonderful ministry.
EDUCATION/ FORMATION
NO ENGLISH BAPTISMAL CLASS IN JULY
All high school students wishing to enter the Confirmation
preparation program and those who have already completed
one year of preparation, must register before classes
begin August 19. Anyone wishing to begin their first year of
preparation, must have been enrolled in religious
education/pre-Confirmation/Catholic school during 2014-2015
and be at least a freshman in high school.
Classes are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
or Sunday mornings from 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Due to space
limitations and class size, Wednesday classes will be filled on
a first come-first serve basis. Additional classes will be
available on Sunday mornings.
Please register on-line on the St. Eugene website on the
Confirmation page under Ministries or you can find
registration forms at the RE office. For information, contact
Patty, [email protected].
HAVE YOU EVER FELT BORED OR
CONFUSED DURING MASS?
Do you sometimes find yourself distracted and it
is difficult to stay focused? That’s OK! We are all
human, and I know that young people today are
not used to long periods of silence. Mass on
Sunday may be one of the few times during the
week when you are not “plugged in”.
St Eugene is hosting
an ALTARation study,
Meeting Room 2, September 10, 7 p.m.
and every Thursday for 5 weeks.
For information, email Patty Yardley:
[email protected] OR YOU
CAN REGISTER ON-LINE ON THE
CONFIRMATION PAGE on the St Eugene
website steugenes.org. Choose option Confirmation III.
St. Eugene Catholic Church,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Rite of Christian Initiation of
Adults Inquiry Schedule
RCIA Inquiry
TODAY, July 26
3:30
What is the meaning of Mass?
p.m. - SCHOOL CONFERENCE ROOM
August 30 Catholics and Church
July 26, 2015
OUTREACH
St. Vincent de Paul
HELP! HELP! HELP!
We need to refill our food pantry shelves as we are having
many requests for food. Please bring any non-perishable
staples to the St. Vincent de Paul Box in the
Rotunda. Cereal, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, boxed
dinners, spaghetti sauce are always needed.
Retreat in Daily Life
Weekly RCIA classes begin on
Tuesday, September 8, 2015.
“Jesus, may all that is you flow into me”, “Jesus, with
you by my side enough has been given” are two
stanzas from the Soul of Christ prayer which is the
heart and soul of the Spiritual Exercises developed by
St. Ignatius and are experiences in the Retreat in Daily
Life. The retreat begins in October and ends in April and includes
All weekly classes, unless otherwise indicated on the syllabus, are
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Babysitting is provided.
daily contemplative prayer, weekly sharing with 6-8 others and
individual spiritual direction.
Call Judi Wilkinson, 751-7115 ext. 115.
Registration deadline is August 31.
Call Joe Froehle, 341-2515, for information.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for those who are sick or in the hospital:
Youth Group is a FREE ministry that helps
youth to build community and grow in faith.
It is open to all youth grades 6-12. Rolando: 405-426-5848.
High School:
WEDNESDAYS 7:30-9 p.m. July 29th
We will talk about what the Church teaches about
marriage. It will be an age appropriate session for our high
school teenagers to help form a solid opinion in our
children about the reality of marriage as a natural and
divine institution. We will also help them to understand the
difference between judging and speaking the truth with
love and compassion and how to deal with people who
think differently from us. This is a very important topic that
is ery confusing for our children in today’s society. We ill
also have prayer, games, food and fun.
Middle School:
SATURDAYS 2:30-4:30 p.m. August 1th
We will talk about what the Church teaches about
marriage. It will be an age appropriate session to help
form a solid opinion in our children about the reality of
marriage as a natural and divine institution. We will also
help them understand the difference between judging and
speaking the truth with love and compassion and how to
deal with people who think differently from us. This is a
very important topic that is very confusing for our children
in today’s society. We will also have prayer, games, food
and fun.
Sasha Smith, Teresa Rother, Margaret Meyer, Ray Ebert, Laren
Ebert, Judy Batchelor, Al Chrenisky, Tommye Lyons, Gretl
Highley, Judi Mrasek, Juliette Sheehan, Karen Morra, Connie
Bookout, John Arledge, Sandy Arledge, Rose Surtees, Julian Cole
Herrera, Shirley Guthrie, Laura Davidoff, Bob and Rose
Countryman, Linda Lewis, Donna Bay, Stuart Scannell, Melissa
Wilson and son, Kaden Wilson, Margaret Coleman, Robert Bay,
Joe McKenna, John Bush, Lori Martin and Family, Lisa Downey,
Marliana Cadena, Nathan Carver, Joe Chiaffitelli, Danny Miles.
Retrouvaille
Retrouvaille helps spouses uncover or reawaken the love,
trust and commitment that originally brought them together.
The program is highly successful in saving hurting
marriages, even bringing reconciliation to couples who have
already separated or divorced. For confidential information
about or to register for the Oklahoma City Retrouvaille
program beginning August 28-30, call 405-443-3541 or visit
the website, www.helpourmarriage.com
Women Of Faith/Women Of Action
Fall Luncheon
Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, is
special guest speaker for the Women of Faith/Women of Action
fall luncheon on Saturday September 19, Catholic Pastoral
Center. Archbishop Coakley is currently the Board Chair for
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for Catholic Relief
Services. He will speak about his involvement with helping and
serving those in need. Doors open, 11:00 a.m. so you will be able
to shop our Fair Trade booths. A Buffet luncheon will be served.
Registration is open & seating limited. Cost $25. For Information
text/email Chris Thomas ([email protected]) 306-5187
or Mary Ann Schmitt ([email protected]), 650-9674.
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
COMMUNITY LIFE
Junior High Football
UNIQUE AND OURS ALONE.
FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT
The Catholic Junior High Football Program is signing
up boys for the 2015 fall season. All 7-8th grade boys
attending feeder schools for Bishop McGuinness are
eligible.
Equipment check-out is August 9th, 2:00 p.m.
Players must provide own helmet.
Practice begins August 11
Each boy must have physical before participating. For
information visit cgsaa.org and click link for “CCYO
Football” or call Mike, 615-1203 or Mark, 802-8195.
THE FESTIVAL IS COMING
Junior High Football
SAVE DATE – DON’T MISS IT
Junior High Football will begin August 24 for all current 7th
and 8th grade boys interested in playing. The team has
been playing for over ten years and practice and play their
games at Mount St. Mary High School just south
of downtown OKC. The first meeting and equipment check
out will be August 24, 6:30 p.m., Mount St. Mary High
School.
You don't need to have previous football
experience to participate.
The first practice will
be Wednesday, Aug. 26. You can go towww.cgsaa.org for
more information and forms for Rocket Junior High Football
or you can call Joe Jekel, 413-6026. We look forward to yet
another successful Rocket football season!
FESTIVAL OF THE AMERICAS & THE
WORLD
Catholic Church of Saint Eugene
Sunday, September 13
The Bishop McGuinness Catholic High
School Class of 1965 would like to invite all
of their classmates to their 50th Reunion
September 18 & 19, 2015. More information on
the activities of the reunion can be found on the
school website http://www.bmchs.org
BMCHS Class of 1985
Save the Date!
Our 30th Reunion is being held on
Sept 18th and 19th.
For more information, join the
“Bishop McGuinness Class of 1985 Reunion”
Facebook group.
Knights of Columbus Retreat
The Knights of Columbus Retreat will be August
29th, 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Pastoral Center. The
presenter, Fr. Jacobi of Holy Spirit will Present
“What Makes us Catholic?” Cost is $15/person,
includes coffee, donuts, snacks & lunch. RSVP,
Michael Zink, 314-4120
St. Eugene Singles Group
Friday, July 31, 6:00 p.m.
Nina’s Family Restaurant
5001 N. Portland
St. Eugene Catholic Church,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
July 26, 2015
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sunday, July 26
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
MASS – CHURCH
Coffee and Donuts – Ross Hall
Baptism - Church
SPANISH MASS – CHURCH
Pan y Café – Ross Hall
RCIA Inquiry – School Conference Room
MASS – CHURCH
Volleyball – Gym
African Child Prosperity Fund –
Meeting Room 1
SPANISH MASS – CHURCH
Men’s Basketball – Gym
Hispanic Ministry – Ross Hall
Monday, July 27
6:30 a.m.
7:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
No Mass
Summer Camp – Ross Hall
Art Camp – Art Room
Basketball - Gym
Toastmasters Club – Meeting Room 1
Hispanic Prayer Group –
Chapel/Meeting Room 2
Tuesday, July 28
7:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Summer Camp – Ross Hall
Art Camp – Art Room
MASS – CHAPEL
Basketball - Gym
Slaa – Meeting Room 1
Basketball – Gym
Hispanic Baptismal Seminar – Art Room
Wednesday, July 29
6:30 a.m.
7:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
MASS – CHAPEL
All-day Adoration – Chapel
Summer Camp – Ross Hall
Art Camp – Art Room
Music Practice – Church
MASS and BENEDICTION – CHAPEL
Basketball - Gym
Adult Choir – Church
Thursday, July 30
7:00 a.m.
7:00 a.m.
8:15 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
Men’s Ministry – Meeting Room 3
Summer Camp – Ross Hall
MASS – CHAPEL
Art Camp – Art Room
Las Mujeres – Meeting Room 1
Rectory Committee – Meeting Room 3
Familias Para Cristo – Chapel/Ross Hall
Friday, July 31
6:30 a.m.
7:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
MASS – CHAPEL
Summer Camp – Ross Hall
Art Camp – Art Room
Basketball – Gym
SLAA – Meeting Room 1
Quinceañera Rehearsal - Church
Saturday, August 1
8:00 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Familias Para Cristo –
Meeting Rooms 2 and 3
Quinceanera Celebration - Church
Reconciliation – Church
MASS – CHURCH
Sunday, August 2
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
12:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
MASS – CHURCH
Coffee and Donuts – Ross Hall
Hispanic Ministers – Gym
Hispanic RCIA – Art Room
SPANISH MASS – CHURCH
Pan y Café – Ross Hall
MASS – CHURCH
Volleyball – Gym
SPANISH MASS – CHURCH
Men’s Basketball – Gym
Hispanic Ministry – Ross Hall
EN ESPANOL
Santa Misa
Clases Pre- Bautismales
Domingo, 26 de Julio, 2015
XVII Domingo de Tiempo Ordinario
Las próximas clases pre-bautismales serán el martes 21 y 28 de
julio de 7:00 -9:00 p.m.-en la escuela, segundo piso. Los
padrinos y los padres tienen que asistir a las clases.
Misas: Sábado 5:00 p.m.
Domingo: 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. (español),
5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. (español)
Adoración al Santísimo Sacramento - Capilla
Miércoles, 29 de Julio, 2015
6:30 a.m. Santa Misa
7:00 a.m. Exposición y Adoración Todo el Día
6:30 p.m. Santa Misa, y Bendición
Sacramento de Reconciliación-Iglesia
Sábados, 3:30 a 4:30 p.m.
Unción de Los Enfermos-Capilla
Si necesita la Unción de Los Enfermos urgentemente,
sírvase llamar al 751-7115.
El R.P. Wolf ofrecerá la Unción de los Enfermos después de
la Misa de 6:30 p.m. el 19 de Agosto, 2015.
Rosario y Devociones- Capilla
Martes 1:00 p.m. (inglés)
Rosario de la Divina Misericordia cada primer domingo
a las 3:00 p.m. en la Capilla.
Peregrinación a participar en el Encuentro Mundial
de las Familias, Visita Papal y la Misa
La Arquidiócesis de Oklahoma City está organizando una
peregrinación para participar en el Encuentro Mundial de las
Familias, Visita Papal y la Misa en Filadelfia del 22 al 28
septiembre, 2015.
El Papa Francisco celebrará la Misa de
clausura del Encuentro el 27.
El costo es $1845 (ocupación
doble) incluye el pasaje del avión, hotel, algunas comidas,
transportación al sitio de la conferencia y de regreso al hotel,
visitas a lugares turísticos e históricos en Filadelfia y a varios
santuarios sagrados. Para más información llame al 800-6530017 o visite la página web archokc.org para registrarse en línea.
Grupo de Oración de la Renovación Carismática
Católica de San Eugenio.
Si en tu corazón está el deseo de conocer y tener una relación
más cercana con Nuestro Señor Jesús y sientes que el asistir a
misa solo el domingo no basta para tu inquietud te invitamos a
compartir en las clases de crecimiento, estudio y reflexión en la
palabra de Dios todos los lunes de 7:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. en la
capilla. Hay cuidado de niños. El último lunes del mes traemos
nuestras peticiones y agradecimiento en oración a Nuestro
Señor con un tema abierto, oraciones, alabanzas y adoración
al Santísimo Sacramento. También el primer viernes del mes
tenemos servicio de comunión y adoración al Santísimo toda la
noche hasta las 5:00 a.m. en la capilla. Si deseas más
información, favor de llamar a Judit Suarez al 405-979-9517 o
a Tina De Loera al 405—203-1992 o a Gloria en la Oficina
Hispana al 405-751-7115
EMMAUS DAYS
Emmaus Days es un retiro para jóvenes (hombres) que estén en
High School y quieran saber más sobre el llamado al sacerdocio y
a explorar su relación con Dios. El retiro es gratis y es del 29 al 31
de julio, 2015. Para más información, sírvase llamar al 405-7219351 (Vocations Office) o puede llenar una planilla en línea:
http://archokc.org/vocations/home .
Movimiento Católico Familias Para Cristo
Familias Para Cristo es un apostolado de la iglesia dedicado a la
evangelización y formación integral de la familia que incluye tanto
a los padres como a los jóvenes. La misión del movimiento es
llevar el amor de Dios a todas las familias, especialmente a las
que se encuentran en crisis. Aquí las familias pueden encontrar
apoyo y esperanza mientras recorren el camino de la fe. Tenemos
retiros, grupos de apoyo, asambleas de oración, conferencias
familiares, matrimoniales y juveniles; encuentros espirituales,
estudios
bíblicos,
talleres
de
discipulado,
actividades
recreacionales (deportes, música, comidas etc.) y visitas a los
hogares. Para más información, sírvase llamar a Joel al 405-7882391 o a la Oficina Hispana al 405-751-7115. El grupo se reúne
los jueves en la Capilla a las 7:00 p.m. ¡Ven y acompáñanos!
Inscripción Para Catecismo
Las inscripciones para las clases de catecismo ya comenzaron.
Recuerden que los niños deben de seguir viniendo al catecismo
aun después de haber hecho la Primera Comunión y para
hacer la Quinceañera, la joven tiene que estar viniendo a clases
de catecismo.
Clases de Confirmación/High School
Los estudiantes de High School que quieran entrar al programa
de preparación de Confirmación y todos aquellos que ya hayan
terminado un año de preparación tienen que inscribirse antes de
que las clases comiencen el 19 de agosto. Si no has estado
asistiendo a clases de catecismo, tienes que hacer un año de preConfirmación. Las clases son los miércoles de 6:30 a 7:30 p.m.
o los domingos de 10:45 a 11:45 a.m. Puedes inscribirte en línea
en el sitio web de St. Eugene bajo la página de Confirmación o
puedes pedir la información en la oficina del Catecismo o puedes
contactar a Patty [email protected] .
El Grupo de Jóvenes es un ministerio gratis para los jóvenes de 6º a 12º
grados. Para más información, sírvase llamar a Rolando al 426-5858.
Grupo de Jóvenes de High School Miércoles 29 de Julio
Aprenderemos las enseñanzas de la Iglesia acerca del
matrimonio. Será una sesión apropiada para la edad de nuestros
jóvenes de high school para ayudarles a formar una opinión
acerca de la realidad del matrimonio como institución natural y
divina. Les ayudaremos también a entender la diferencia entre
juzgar y decir la verdad con amor y compasión y cómo tratar con
personas que piensan diferente a nosotros. Tendremos oración,
juegos y diversión.
Grupo de jóvenes 6º 7º 8ºgrado Sábado 1º de agosto (2:30-4:30pm)
Aprenderemos las enseñanzas de la Iglesia acerca del
matrimonio. Será una sesión apropiada para la edad de los
participantes para ayudar a nuestros niños a formar una opinión
acerca de la realidad del matrimonio como institución natural y
divina. Les ayudaremos también a entender la diferencia entre
juzgar y decir la verdad con amor y compasión y como tratar con
personas que piensan diferente a nosotros. Tendremos oración,
juegos y diversión.
Las clases de Primera Comunión y Confirmación para adultos
comenzarán el domingo 2 de agosto a las 10:30am en el salón de
Arte de la Escuela. Para más información, sírvase llamar a Ana en
la oficina hispana al 751.7115.
The Annointed
The Vigil
She sat her vigil faithful every
day
Her rosary beads rattled the
path ‘round
The prayerful words and
thoughts, each had their say
Her heavenly intentions were
sure and sound
Her beloved had died now on
thirty years
His last breath a silent
whispered leaving
The passage marked, still, by
her lonely tears
And her out-of-fashion blackveiled grieving
For she did not get on with
her new life
Confident that time’s balm
could heal all things
She would not deign to
become another’s wife
Nor imagine her promises
would take wing
She prayed, sorely, for his
soul and her own
That the sins they had
shared, both small and great
Could not now impede the
great beauty known
To the eyes of those who
pass to heaven’s gate
Nor could blind the view of
her soul’s migration
Glowing still in all the years
that had passed
Toward heaven’s perfection,
our high station
All her life’s days and choices
had amassed
Hail Mary and Our Father
were her keys
She jingled each day,
stooping to open
The doors shutting out the
light that could be
The rays of warmth her cold
hope could glow in
A few more poems from my collection for Faith Inverse
as part of my Living Catholic program.
The Pilgrim’s Journey
Alone on the weight bench as the parking lot lights wink off as the late
traffic fades and the city settles far into night
He lifts
he strains and grunts with practiced rhythm
It’s the only time he has free in his day
of responsibility and decisions and career
“Open 24 hours” is the advertising tag that made this gym his place
How else would a man like him find the moments he needed?
The lonely pilgrim who seeks the foreign shore of health and vitality
He’s the popular hero in our day, nary a treadmill of our
imagination is left untrod
For nothing speaks of bravery in a comfortable world
like staring down the demons of laziness and
ignoring the whispers of sloth
We have become the Pilgrim’s Pride, purposeful and pure
in our poised conviction that every moment must be used,
at least we think it so
But when the devoted solider of health lifts his weights
and pushes his limits,
he’s instructed to go . . . until he’s blown
up to
and then beyond when
he can do no more
until he just can’t
Muscles are built in response to pressing beyond the possible
After all, we’re shaped by exhaustion
A standard we do not often apply to the rest of the world
We are repulsed at failure and we flee from limits –
the decisions of boards and committees, of schools and
councils, bore us if they do not achieve all we want
Perhaps we should take them to the gym
There the contours of the future are laid out in our impotence to do
more
Failure sculpts the shape of tomorrow
Priests
Stepping, one stone on another, the priest rises
to altar and victim and sacrifices.
His life is alive for death and transfigured giving
with sharp distinctions made for the living.
He takes into his hands the life blood of everyday
and uncovers truths never seen laid
exposed to light and sun and conscious acceptance,
but are hid, obscured, worth but a slight glance.
And he stands at altar with face fixed forward
invoking divinity in plays of poor words
establishing as God’s to recall, remember, re-live,
inviting us to know God as He who gives.
But we have slackened, go to the altar slowly today
have been confused about priestly ways
so have lived bothered and confused about priests’
import,
made ourselves at ease with wit, diversion, sport.
And pay with impenetrable suffusing mystery
that hides as chance or history
instead of the continual, gnawing human drive
to know God’s ways walk by our side.
So our priests step now quietly, stone on stone,
and petition God in voices honed
by humility framed in image of the blessed One
Who came, Who died, Who lives, Who comes.
We are not comfortable with being
chosen
Prefer to be the isolated, the frozen
For if we were the ones God really
wanted
Our own pointed idea of self would
be blunted
And we would have to accept the
hard truth
That this tight wound intricate world
would come loose
Fly apart into a thousand jagged
pieces
Shrapnel that wounds and kills,
bleeds and ceases
So we go along with all the solemn
crowd
In lockstep, thrumming voice in
harmony, loud
But we are the blessed, the anointed
ones
More important than any aggregate
or sum
Chosen beyond space and time to
be His
Greater than any limitation that is
For we are, in truth, chosen by
God’s love
To live amidst ruins and ashes, not
above
Transcend the anxiety, fearful
despair
Breathing in God’s presence like
bountiful air
And walking amidst the strewn
rubble of dreams
Fulfilling the oldest hopes of ages
unseen
Becoming the very presence of all
choice
Christ fully alive by our act, our
thought, our voice
The Flickering Screen
Everyone thinks the flickers on the screen are real
the drama in the 52 minute program
a comedy in 26
even the big game-however long it takes
have a gravity that moves the planet
When really, they are entertainment, diversion
no more substantial than sunlight’s ripple
on a wavering pond
Yet the sun gathers his planets to himself
to dance them across the sky
and the images of our world precess through the
wide space of our minds
The final measure is the harvest of feeling
the fault of outrage or relief
For there is the power of sunlight
Time
“Were I younger,” dreams the older man
or the already committed will,
“I’d live my life over and have you with me
or have you by me still.”
For we dream of days and nights as beads
on the rosary we tell,
They are, rather, seamless beginnings and endings,
into which our lives meld.
So we can circle our prayers and repeat our Aves
begging God for more time
but, in truth, life flows and meanders and runs
in unbroken, continuous line.
And we have today, the spear point of fast flying
time in its arching thrust,
along with yesterday, which has brought us here,
which guards our ultimate trust.
Today it is, then, ours; without the fantasy
of editing or revision,
entering the nimbus of tomorrow, flying free
in pauseless elision.
The Picture
The picture says it all,
4 kids on a couch – stair-steps
They had had four kids in five years
– that was – us
We were 8 – 7 – 6 – 5
I don’t remember the day they took it –
it was a hasty portrait, a snapshot
at the end of a Christmas afternoon
a little remembrance of the family.
It’s the faces –
my mother looked – happy – really happy
and Dad – he was the moon to her sun – reflecting her glow
This was 50 years ago and there wasn’t much –
a rented house, 2 bedrooms
the big prize was the dining room stove
where we could stand and roast one side at a
time
when we came in from the cold –
Not poverty – it was . . . simplicity
And there would be more –
More life – 2 more kids
More happiness – you should see the picture of him looking
at her they took ten years after the one on the couch
More pain – they both died early
But – the picture – you should see the picture
It froze us and an eye blink of our days –
a moment when we could forget – the rest of them
So now we can remember – there was another world once
When a man and a woman could be happy with what they had brought
to it
And could be happiest –
that they had given such a gift by giving the hidden promise
you could see
My Father
in the picture
I can see my father reflected
in the ovaled mirror of moldboards
his figure curved and squat.
In the compress of reflection
he is altered from himself
and seems too short, too full.
When plowing for a while
the metal that turns the ground
is polished bright silver, mirror perfect.
A billion billion abrasions
scours it high gloss
even as the soil wears it thin.
There is a truth in those reflections
for his spirit was more than what he
seemed
and no light could capture him.
He was anchored to the earth
and could not rise from it;
the ways of green and brown
were life and death to him.
There were no straight lines from
one thing to another, only living.
At the end of a field’s season
the sheen rusts, moldboards are but steel.
But an hour’s furrow ride and they are
new,
polished bright silver.
As he was, worn by the ground that
he broke every summer
until he shined.