From the Pastor…
      Within our parish boundaries there are five nursing homes and we minister to the Catholic residents in these facilities.  I am thankful for the parishioners who help with this ministry.  It is very important to serve the elderly as best as we can.  If you are interested in helping with this ministry, please call Anne Marie, our Pastoral Minister.
     The other evening I was called to see a gentleman who was dying in one of the homes.  As I began the "prayers for the dying," he indicated that he didn't want to die, that he wasn't ready.  So I prayed with him that he would be at peace with himself and with God at this time in his life.  Even though I was tired, I couldn't leave him, so I sat there and held his hand until he fell asleep.  Times like these are very sacred times, as a believer prepares to die and meet God face to face.
     "Death is more universal than life; everyone dies, but not everyone lives."  I think this quote by A. Sachs is true.  So many live in fear and loneliness, and that it's hardly a life lived.  As a priest I've seen so many lonely people, so many people living in fear and desperation.  There are people in nursing homes without companionship of family and friends.  There are young people dealing with eating disorders and others living with critical struggles day by day.  Oh, how much we need the love and presence of the Risen Christ in our lives!
     Years ago there was an episode on the T.V. smash his M.A.S.H. that was really powerful.  MASH was about a group of doctors and nurses trying to make sense of their assignment to the 4077 mash unit during the Korean war.  In this one episode, Major Frank Winchester, who protects himself from the horror of suffering and death around him; finally break and is left defenseless.  He becomes depressed and wants answers to the problem of death.  He leaves the unit and goes up to the battalion aid station where the wounded are first brought from the lines of battle.  A medical corpsman calls Winchester over to a man who is dying.
     Obviously in pain, the young soldier cries out, "I can't see anything.  Hold my hand."  The Major grabs his hands and the soldier whispers, "I'm dying."  The Major demands answers and asks, "Can you see anything?  Can you feel anything?  I have to know."  But the dying soldier doesn't answer any of the questions.  Instead, he says, "I smell bread."
     We believe, as Catholic Christians, that the bread and the wine we offer to God at each Mass, becomes for us, by the power of the Holy Spirit; the Body and Blood of the Risen Christ.  The Christ suffered and died for us… Christ knows what we're up against.  Christ knows the depths of our suffering, not only knows but has experienced it first hand.
      The Risen Christ is our Bread of Life.  Christ comes to us in the Bread of the Eucharist.  Christ reveals great love to us, and deep within we can believe this.  Yes, there is suffering, pain and death in our lives and in the lives and family and friends.  Maybe we don't find answers to all our pains and problems.  Maybe what we really need is an experience of meeting the Risen Christ.  And, he is here for you every Sunday.
Peace!
      Fr. Bill
REMINDER:  TWILIGHT RETREAT This Thursday, January 18 5:30 p.m.--School Cafeteria.  You have to RSVP by TOMORROW (January 15) the office will be closed but leave us a voice message (651-633-8333) and we will make sure we save a dinner for you!