The Day After

 The Day After

Faces washed - ashes gone - the second day.  So we are into our Lenten experience.  
A day to reflect on yesterday's ashes - the prayers spoken - the songs sung - the thumb on 
our forehead - the ash that fell to the ground.  Did anything happen - was there a spark of 
hope - a glimmer of anything?  Why did we go - what did we expect - God's forgiveness? The end of the second day - close at hand - what lies ahead - questions - hope - faith?

When Jesus spoke to the crowds many wondered - questioned - speculated - sought answers.  Today we do the same - two thousand years later - nothing has changed - God is still God - Jesus is still Jesus - waiting - for you.

Deacon Dale 

Ash Wednesday 2026

A Smudge - A Stroke - An Ash

Ash Wednesday - observed today around the world - different nations - different continents - 
different cultures. A day of acknowledgement - the beginning of a Holy Season - a Season of repentance - Repentance for what we have done - have not done. A time of deep reflection - where we have been - where we are going - unless a change is made. A Season made for all mankind - religious - or not. Today we received ashes imposed on our foreheads - ashes from the burnt palms from lasts year's Palm Sunday celebration. Palms once waved in joyful expectation and remembrance of Christ's entrance into Jerusalem. From Celebration to Repentance - Joy to Sorrow - Hope to Renewed Hope.

Jesus came that each of us might experience life to the fullest - to all He came - not everyone accepted Him - the same exists today - many believe - many others do not. It is not up to us to worry about the non-believers - that is God's business - that is Christ's concern. Our focus -
this Lent - is on ourselves - on our own salvation - on the direction that our individual life is 
going. It will be hard enough for each of us to straighten the path we walk - the life we live - 
hard enough that Holy Roman Church gives us the gift of this Season - to pause - pray - to 
reflect - on our own life.  We have 40 days....

Deacon Dale 

It Is All In God's Time

 Well - what can I say?  Yes - it has been months since my last post - what gives?  It is simple - Life.  Life is the most flexible variant in our existence.  So many people feel that their lives are very stagnant - same thing - day after day - routine - boring - nothing new to experience.  I would disagree.  If you really take a step back - look at what you have been doing - what you wanted to do - what you actually did - not at all stagnant.  Similar - yes - identical - no.  When you pause - take time to really look deeply into your personal life - lots of differences - on a daily basis.  Sure - a lot of those difference most likely were not planned - not really welcomed - most often completely unappreciated - wished they had not happened at all - but - they did.

On some level - probably good for us to experience - good or bad - happy or sad - detrimental or beneficial - in all of them - an opportunity to grow - to become a better person.  Next to God's greatest gift to the world - His Son Jesus - Free Will.  Free Will to make decisions on our own - right or wrong - ours alone to make. Each of us - created by God - to experience Life - pretty much on our own terms.  Yes - He laid down rules - guidelines - People who followed - as examples for us - not as rigid puppets - rather flexible - fluid individuals.  Made a good decision - congratulations.  Made a bad decision - time to rethink that choice - other options always available.  As we grow as individuals - up to us - none other - to see that we walk that correct path to a life filled with all God intended.

Peace

Deacon Dale  

Easter Tuesday - Easter Monday - Pope Dies

 Although many of us had a sad feeling that Pope Francis' days were numbered after seeing him bless the crowds at Easter - passing only a few hours later quite the surprise.  At least he was able to be with the people that he loved serving for the past twelve years.  Like so many other world figures - some loved him - some did not - not on a personal level - rather different ideologies.  This just highlights how humans are so easily drawn to the dark side of personal relationships merely because they think - process - information differently. What people tend to forget - no matter which side of  the "coin" you are on - it is still the same "coin".  Something to really think about.

When God created the world - the universe - all was good - perfect.  Then He created Mankind - gave us the Gift of Free Will.  That is when "it hit the fan".  The information we are given as we grow into adults - the information that is placed before us - how that information is processed in our minds - how it is presented with various highlights - the twists and turns of propaganda - affects all of us.  Folks - all of us hold so tightly to our beliefs - refuse to open the door to new insights - possibilities - resulting in arguments - fights - all over the same "coin".  We are in the Easter Season now - maybe just maybe - the Words of Christ will settle into our Hearts - not just in our minds - as we attempt to work Together to minister to each other - solving the issues that face each of us.  Jesus rose from the Dead - assuring us that there is more to life than just this life - in this Easter Season - may we open our hearts - minds - to honestly come to the same "loving" solutions for the benefit of all.

Deacon Dale 

Easter! - Resurrection Sunday - New Life in Christ

Easter Sunday - Resurrection - New Life - the focus of this day - around the world - the Holiest Day of the year for Christians and those who believe in Jesus as the Christ - the Anointed One of God. Today we celebrate - we rejoice - we praise God for His awesome deeds done for us. Sending His Son to walk - live with us - to teach - preach - prepare us for a life after death - life in heaven - with Him - His Father. On one hand it seems impossible - impossible that any of us would be good enough to be granted this gift - for all have fallen short of the Glory of God. Yet in His awesome love for us - that gift is offered freely to all people. One does not even have to be a Christian - nor baptized - to receive this gift. All it takes is an open mind - heart - willing to accept Jesus into their mind - heart - to profess Him as Lord and God.

Jesus came for all - not all will accept Him - to those who do - New Life in Christ. Last night at the Easter Vigil - people were baptized and received into the Church. Following that Holy Mass they may now call themselves Christians - official members of the Church. Last night was not the end - rather the beginning of their formation into disciples of Christ. They along with those of us - renewed and energized by them and the sacraments celebrated - now called to go forward - to become intentional disciples - to spread the Good News - that lives can be changed - those on a path to doom and gloom - may change their focus - walk a new direction. To those on the edge looking in - the invitation is there always - come join us - the community of believers - invite Jesus into your life - He is waiting to be your own life saver.
Happy Easter!
Deacon Dale

The Triduum - Holy Saturday - East Vigil

Day three of the Triduum - tonight at sunset the beginning of the third day of the three holiest days of the Christian calendar. Today - the Church sits in waiting - contemplating the crucifixion of Jesus - the darkness - anguish - anticipation of what is to come.  In the morning - in most churches - decorating for the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday - the blessing of Easter food baskets - final instructions for the Elect - preparing for tonight's celebration of baptism - reception - first communion - confirmation. The Triduum liturgy will resume at sunset with the lighting of the Easter Fire - the Pascal Candle held aloft as the Light Service begins the Vigil of all vigils.  Holy scripture - many readings - the Epistle - Gospel - an inspiring homily - all leading to the celebration of the initiation sacraments - leading to Holy Eucharist - the reception of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine.  Ending with the solemn blessing and proclamation by the deacon - go forth - proclaim the Gospel of Christ through your life.

The Church gives us these moments - throughout the year - moments in which we touch the Divine - draw nearer to God - reaffirming our faith - our belief - in the Easter event.  The one singular event in all lives - when we become one body - in Christ.

Deacon Dale 

The Triduum Day #2 - What's So Good About Friday

The Cross - our focus - Today - Good Friday - our attention drawn to the Cross - an instrument of torture - pain - death. It was upon a cross that criminals were placed naked - to suffer pain - public ridicule. Having the fact that you were an accused thief - sinner - put on display for all your neighbors - friends - family - more an embarrassment than anything - if one survived. Everyone makes mistakes - commits minor sins - nobody knows because it is kept private. On the cross - nothing hidden - everything exposed. Not everyone placed on a cross - died - most endured terrible pain - anguish - humiliation. There are records of a few who survived crucifixion - most left on the cross for many days - until death finally relieved them of the pain.

In Christianity - the Cross - adopted by the majority of Christian faiths - a symbol - reminding all of us of the crucifixion of Jesus -  His ultimate sacrifice - revealing God's love for all.  A piece of wood - cut from a tree - the tree itself a symbol of life - through Jesus's death - transformed in a symbol of New Life in Christ.  Many wear a cross around their neck - for Catholics a Cross with the Body of Christ - a reminder that a person - the Son of God - Jesus the Christ - made a personal sacrifice for each of us - not as a group - as a personal commitment to each - as an individual - He alone - out of Love - took our sins to the Cross - for us.

Deacon Dale 

The Triduum -Holy Thursday - Bye Bye Lent

Holy Thursday - the beginning of a spiritual three-peat - the three holiest days of  the Christian calendar.  Thursday evening after sundown - Holy Mass - the presentation of the Oils - blessed by the bishop at the annual Chrism Mass - celebrations  of the creation of the Priesthood - Holy Eucharist.  Leaving Holy Mass - in solemn procession to the Altar of Repose with the Blessed Sacrament - quiet time with Jesus - departing in silence.  Many staying in Adoration. Although greeted by the priest with the standard greeting - the Sign of the Cross - Peace Be With You - no dismissal - walking away - in silence - contemplating the Triduum liturgy - three days of services - all interconnected - yet each day's liturgy so very important in itself.  Friday - the Passion - veneration of the Cross - no greeting - no dismissal - looking forward to Holy Saturday - deep in prayer.

In the Triduum - the Three Days - three days of death - waiting - resurrection - mourning - tears - silence - anticipation. The Church - carries us along with all of its ministers - the faithful - from the Last Supper and betrayal - to crucifixion - resurrection. Feet washed - ministers recommitting themselves to the service of others - faithful - supporting everyone - with prayers.  Waiting....... In Silence....On bended knees.....Praying........

Deacon Dale 

Lent Day 43 - Last Day of Lent - Looking at A Three Peat

Yes The last official day of Lent - Our journey has taken us through many days of prayers - reflections - all preparing us for Easter.  Now we enter the Three Days of the Triduum - the three holiest days of the year.  Three-peat is a term used primarily in American sports to refer to winning three consecutive championships. In a similar vein a hat-trick is when a player - usually in hockey or football - scores three goals in a single game - not necessarily consecutively.  According to NBC Sports the term hat trick invented back on January 26, 1946 when Alex Kaleta of the Chicago Blackhawks - needing a new hat - unable to afford one - struck a deal with Sammy Taft - a Toronto haberdasher - for a free hat if he scored three times in one game. Kaleta went on to score four goals - thus the hat-trick was born. Today - in hockey - spectators throw their hats onto the rink when a hat trick accomplished. The hats - given to charities - the player - or put on display.  Tomorrow begins - The Triduum - the three-peat of the three holiest days of the Christian year. 

In those three holy days - the Church - gives us time to seriously reflect on the Gospel message of Jesus - God's Love - Forgiveness - the offer of New Life. Tomorrow's Holy Thursday Mass celebrates the institution of the Priesthood - Eucharist - Ministry to others. Flowing out of Jesus' declaration that His disciples would do as His did - serving others - the creation of the diaconate - ministry to  the home bound - feeding the hungry - clothing the naked - caring for widows and orphans - preaching  the Good News to all who would listen. As ordained clergy - our duty to do as listed above - no more - no less - the rest in God's hand. All of us - ordained or not - called to do the same. Today begins our call to ministry.

Deacon Dale 

Lent Day 42 - Covering The Bases

Now that baseball has officially started we are watching a lot of games. We had the privilege of watching one spring training game with the Chicago Cubs while in Arizona. It is interesting to watch the plays - the planning that goes into the training - learning just where to throw the ball and when - where to hit the ball - how to place it exactly where you want it to go. Most of the time - executed exactly as planned - often - not - errors - dropped balls - lost games. In this third day of Holy Week - those preparing to join the Church at the Easter Vigil - now going through the plays - what to do - where to be - what to say - everyone a winner - all will complete the play - become fully initiated into the Church.

When God set the world in motion - He had all the bases covered - people in the right places - everything planned out. Then things happened - had to deal with - Free Will. In spite of those who chose to ignore Him - He is still in control - covering all the bases for us. He is there - especially as we celebrate Holy Week - to give us special opportunities to touch the Divine - to catch the spiritual blessings - He throws at us. It is up to each of us if we participate fully - give
it our best effort - to catch - accept - everything sent our way.

Deacon Dale