Raising, Ruminations and Religion

Recession, Depression and a Lesson

2011-11-03T21:44:00.002-04:00

Few among us today have not experienced the impact of the economic downward spiral of the past two years. Unemployment continues to stay at record levels, housing prices continue to tumble and many, if not most, retirement portfolios resemble crash sites - they are frightening to see. If we haven't ourselves suffered reduced income and financial turmoil, we need only contemplate our family members or our neighbors down the street to witness the situation. No way - or need - to avoid the obvious - times are tough.

For those of us in the business of development and philanthropy, these economic times bring great challenges. Organizations of every sort are fearful. They are reluctant to engage in fund raising appeals and are particularly anxious over the thoughts of a capital campaign. In our 24 hour news cycle, the negative news rebounds to us like a bad chili hot dog - it keeps coming back and is less welcome on each visit.

It never ceases to astonish folks, however, when I tell them, in response to inquiries, that we've actually had success in our recently completed capital campaigns. Not just the quiet success of climbing over our goals, but the banner headline enthusiasm of SHATTERING GOALS! In suburban Columbus a parish raises $4.6 million on a $3.25 million goal! An inner city Cleveland parish reaches 130 % of its goal! Yes, even in these dispiriting times!

This is where you might expect a commercial for how brilliantly we conducted the campaigns; no, while I'm quite proud to have led these organizations to success, it is not about me, or the firm or the plan. It's about trust!

If you've reached into your pocket or purse today you've had occasion to see the phrase, In God We Trust." We all repeat these words at some point in our lives, but the central question is do we really believe it? Consider the parable of the sparrow. How many times have we heard this Gospel passage without fully contemplating its message?

These successful parish efforts came about because of trust! Certainly there was much planning, lots of study, hard work and substantive generosity. Also, and very importantly, there was demonstrated actual need for the fruits of these campaigns - and there was the history of good stewardship to support the effort. However, without the trust that God would provide for us, all would have been lost. To quote Saint Augustine, "Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence."

Fear and anxiety are understandable reactions to today's economic and societal situations. They are not, however, strategies for success. Whether we are working as part of a group, a parish or as individuals, we need to focus on the ultimate goal. We can only reach that goal by grasping and embracing the notion of trust. I encourage each of you to step forward boldly and with courage. If there are authentic needs, then you need to address them. Do the homework required, but never lose sight of the role of the Master Builder - Jesus Christ - when planning our next step.

Let me close with the words of Saint Padre Pio, " Pray, trust and don't worry!"

The Church Universal

2010-05-11T22:50:00.003-04:00

A feeling of "I've seen it all before" is one of the hazards of acquiring over a decade's worth of experience in church fund raising. This sense is not one of boredom, or apathy or cynicism; far from it! I still love this mission of ours to help parishes secure the financial resources to grasp the future with confidence. If anything, I'm even more enthusiastic about my job - I just love it even more when we fly in the face of economic headwinds and popular convention and succeed!

No, I'm talking about feeling that you've seen virtually every surprise there is to see and that you cannot be shocked by anything people say to you. Well, as the well-worn adage informs us, "you learn something new every day!"

Recently I attended my first Vietnamese language Mass in inner city Cleveland. This was a venerable parish of German roots that had withstood the disruptions of urban decay and suburban flight and had endured the crushing loss of thousands of industrial jobs to stand proudly ready to secure for itself a bright future. The parish was roughly evenly split between the Vietnamese Apostolate of Cleveland, which took this parish for its home and the folks who had long-term roots in the neighborhood and stayed either in the city neighborhood or commuted in from the suburbs to maintain their membership in their historic parish.

There was a visiting priest presiding at this Mass and he focused much of his homily on the PSR (CCD for those of you unfamiliar with this term) children. (Since I understand not one word of Vietnamese, I base this observation on watching him look at the kids assembled in the first few pews.) He spoke animatedly for about ten minutes, whereupon he wheeled around, took a few steps toward me and said in English, "perhaps our visiting friend can enlighten us - can you please tell us what is the last sentence in the Gospel of Matthew?"

Now, as someone who prides himself on his poise, I didn't immediately scream and jump out of the pew. I did however, swallow hard, try to smile and think, and then after a few very dramatic seconds of silence, finally blurt out a line ("That the Father and I are one.") that he happily told me was part of the Gospel of John, not the last line of Matthew! He then turned back to the congregation and told them in Vietnamese and in English what the last line was. (just in case my loyal readers are in a forgetful moment, the last line in Matthew is, "Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you; and behold, know that I am with you, even to the end of time." )

After the Mass, my public humiliation complete, I spoke with the priest, joking about how I enjoyed his sermon! He was pleased that I was not really angry but in our discussion he revealed to me why he, as a young priest, had virtually memorized the New Testament.

He mentioned his grandfather, who was a Catholic during the worst years of the Vietnam War; he mentioned how they were persecuted -first in the South by fellow countrymen, and then later truly oppressed by the Communists once the North took over the country. Often the people in his family were not able to worship in public and they were usually without printed materials which were both scarce and dangerous to possess. His family, like all those families in the pews with me that day, came to America to escape the Communists. This young priest told me that he spent much of the homily reminding the young people that their faith would always need to be guarded and passed on, just as their parents had passed it on to them. Further,he implored them to treasure the chance to not only learn the faith, but to study it, share it and preserve it. There will be challenges to their faith in this country also - not like the governmental oppression like Vietnam, but from the secular culture. In many ways this challenge can be even more deadly, because it is subtle. I told him that while my linguistic skills did not include Vietnamese, I could tell by watching the faces of the young people that his energetic homily has captured their attention.

We had a very successful campaign meeting that day, so I felt that sense of accomplishment, but I was also touched by how eagerly folks from a culture so different from my own had embraced the faith and the challenge of the future. As I gazed around the church I was struck by the images - a beautiful pipe organ and several finely-crafted statues -all from Germany. There was a lovely image, too, of Our Lady of Guadeloupe along with an icon of the Blessed Mother and Child (Theotokos) and of course a plethora of bulletin board notices/announcements, evenly split between English and Vietnamese. In short, a visual image of a Church universal, Eastern and Western Europe, North and South America and Asia.

As I drove home I marveled at the these physical gifts in this church representing a hundred years of faith and every corner of the world. I also noted with awe the emotional and spiritual gifts of faith so strongly present among those worshiping alongside me - and how I had absorbed my own lesson from the priest right along with the grade schoolers who were there to watch it all unfold before them.

Moving Movie for a Blizzard Weekend

2010-02-07T12:57:00.003-05:00

People who know me well often tease me about my complete ignorance of pop culture, particularly concerning modern movies. "Hey Harry, they make movies in color now!" is a phrase I'll encounter on occasion, too, given my preference for old classics.

Given these proclivities I'm not one to recommend movies very often, but I'm making an exception here - I strongly urge you to consider buying or renting the DVD, "Katyn." For those not historically inclined, Katyn is the location in Poland where the Soviets massacred 20,000 Polish officers in World War II and then blamed the Germans. This ruse worked for far too long, but eventually facts overcame the propaganda and in the post-Soviet era the Russian government admitted the culpability and expressed remorse.

This film version is not a documentary but instead a deftly-done movie that weaves personal romance into the factually accurate story. It's very poignant and is certainly a story that needs told more widely. I mention it here not only because it is quite important historically and masterfully done, but it also is profoundly Christian. Duty, honor, family, faith are all integral components of this film.

A couple of cautions about this film; this is not the type of movie one sits through munching snacks and quaffing your favorite beverage - it is somber and explicit. It's not gorey or sickening, but it is, after all, a story of mass murder. Also, it's in Polish with subtitles in English. I enjoy foreign films in original languages with subtitles, but I know some people find them difficult to watch. Those who choose to give this film a shot, however, will find the experience informative and enlightening.

Fond of Beer in Swarthy Nooks, but Happiest Among his Books!

2010-02-02T16:52:00.004-05:00

Many of you have probably read Alexander Solzhenitsyn's award-winning book, "The First Circle," which was smuggled out of Soviet Russia decades ago. You may not be aware that this version of the great novel was not the one Solzhenitsyn himself wanted to have published. He had actually was not finished editing that book when a "samizdat" or underground copy emerged and was published first in Europe.

It has taken all these years, but recently Solzhenitsyn's true version was released and now after his death has finally been translated into English with the proper title, "In the First Circle." . This novel is a breath-taking glimpse into the dark world of the atheistic Hell that was the Soviet Union. (Hence the title's use of Dante's circles of Hell).

While the Gulag Archipelego is rightly considered the indispensible description of penal life under Communism, it is after all, not a novel, and thus lacks the narrative flow and suspense of the novelist's genius. Solzhenitsyn is a profoundly Christian writer whose ability to see evil and describe it from the perspective of faith in Christ is unparalleled.

Punxsatawney Phil just forecast six more weeks of winter this morning; filling some of these cold evenings curled up with one of the 20th century's greatest writers would be time well spent.

A Course with No Name... or Some Musings on Catholic Parishes Today

2010-02-02T15:19:00.003-05:00

Thinking about the future of parish life can be a most challenging proposition! In much of the USA, demographic patterns have presented serious dilemmas to bishops and pastors and lay leadership alike. In many cities of the industrial heartland, we have beautiful church edifices occupying land where once large numbers of immigrant Catholic families lived; yet these folks have largely dispersed -to the suburbs in some cases, but to distant towns in even more cases.

Then we have surging Catholic populations in areas of the Sun Belt that once harbored few if any Catholics and who have quickly outgrown existing an even recently built facilities. Often the larger distances between clusters of folks make parish life more complicated. The tightly-grouped, large ethnic parishes have dwindled to a precious few. No longer is the parish the fulcrum of life for families who once worshipped, but also played, socialized and studied among fellow parishioners.

Another issue confronting all of us who work with and care deeply about our parishes is the "age factor." Because older Catholics give more regularly that younger generations on the whole, even parishes with growing populations do not see a concomitant increase in their collections because new arrivals are less likely to use envelopes as consistently as those who have departed the "Church Militant." I have a couple of priest friends with whom I share the slightly irreverent term, "burying an envelope," when describing the death of older, long-time parishioners with a history of committed stewardship -stewardship that will likely not be replaced.

I've painted a rather sobering portrait it seems. However, to quote a famous general who once was surrounded by enemy forces, "Great! We've got then just where we want them!"

No, I haven't taken leave of my senses, but I do believe that great dilemmas promise great opportunities. Perhaps the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the handful of the most popular saints, is most instructive. We do well to recall the circumstances he faced when Our Lord said to him, "rebuild my Church." This came at a time when wars were rampant, the plague was wreaking havoc with the population and when corruption and worldly concerns infected much of the clerical leadership. His era was at least as complicated as our own. Yet he placed his faith in God above his fears and doubts and founded the Franciscan Order, one of the mendicant orders that transformed the Church -and that renewed Church transformed the world. (Read the works of Thomas Woods and George Crocker about the indispensability of the Church to what we call Western Civilization.)

We have Christ's assurance that the Church will prevail against the gates of Hell. That does not mean, of course, that the Church in America will always be here! We need to collectively take up the challenges we face in our time, just as Francis did in his. We each need to think about how we can take concrete steps to help the Church in America last for the ages. Just as with Saint Francis, the first step is transformation of self. Just as in volunteering, others will follow where a leader will go. We must accept that the future is also in our hands, not just the bishop's or our pastor's. In the movie "Thirteen Days," which told the story of the Cuban missile crisis, there is a scene in which General Curtis LeMay outlines the strategic situation for the president, then says smugly, 'Mr. President, you're in quite a fix." President Kennedy turns to him and says, "In case you haven't noticed General Lemay, you're in it with me!" That's how I feel when I hear fellow Catholics mention how this bishop or that pastor needs to do something!

Yes, some of the ways and methods we built parish families with in the "glory days" of post-war America are lost to us. But we've got other and potentially powerful mechanisms to rebuild our foundations. We can utilize, for instance, the emerging technology of the past decade and a half to communicate more fully and more often to our people the life-changing, ever- ancient, ever-new faith of our fathers. Francis was not a clergyman. Nor did he wait for a clergyman to act. Instead he chose to act in simple ways and to believe that with God all things are possible. I won't claim for an instant that I've got all the solutions, but I would urge us all to follow in the footsteps of the this simple man who saw opportunity and clasped it tightly to his faith. We have been given much. Now is our chance to hand on something as our legacy. In subsequent posts I'll be sharing some thoughts on some specific issues alluded to here, but in the meantime I welcome your comments and thoughts!

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult, and left untried."
G.K. Chesterton

When Times are Tough, the Tough Get Going!

2009-11-17T19:31:00.000-05:00

When Times are Tough, the Tough Get Going!

Unless you have been on a deserted island – for the past year or so – you are well aware of all the gloom that envelops any discussion of our economy. Newspapers, magazines, books, blogs and “hot” media such as TV and radio are flush with tales of woe outlining how poor the job market is, how sluggish the economy is, how fragile the stock market is and how miniaturized our retirement accounts have become.

While there is certainly some truth in these statements the endless news cycle does cluster around bad news at the expense of good, so one of the unfortunate by-product of all this is the indecision it spawns. We become afraid to do what we know needs done, deciding to wait for the “proper” moment to act. This malaise affects parishes in the same way. Countless parishes with real needs are postponing necessary repairs, restorations and construction awaiting this “magic moment” when, like the all-clear horns after a tornado warning, we'll know that it's time to move forward.

Of course, there are no such horns to sound for people or for parishes. Economic fortunes will ebb and flow for as long as we occupy this world we know as the church militant. We can share with you some good news, however! Several parishes have indeed launched successful capital campaigns into the face of this recession dragon, and have won the battle! Yes, parishes as disparate as large, affluent suburban parishes in Pittsburgh, to small, rural parishes in upstate New York to older, center-city parishes facing demographic turmoil have all conducted wide-reaching campaigns this past year -successfully!

How is that possible, you say? Was there a special situation involving each parish? No. However the one element linking all of these parishes was a commitment to follow in the Gospel-based advice of the late Pope John Paul II -”be not afraid!” Despite the uncertainty, these parishes realized that their existing, very real needs were greater than their nebulous, ephemeral fears. They stepped forward boldly with faith that God would be with them in their endeavors to build and sustain his church on earth. They are all very happy they did so now.

Many of you are live in or have roots in the industrial cities of the East and Midwest where the enormously successful Catholic school systems were built in the middle of the 20th century; during these times that saw the Great Depression and World War II, two cataclysmic events that dwarf any of our tribulations and conflicts of today, Catholic parishes built churches and schools that educated many of us and still stand proudly today. Our forebears knew that faith conquers fear. We should learn from their example and act with prudence, planning and prayer and not be held captive by anxiety, pessimism and frustration.

The Parish Offertory – Ten Ways to Improving Giving in Your Parish.

2009-10-05T14:32:00.005-04:00

It is in times of distress that churches need more of our help, not less. This is because the material, emotional and spiritual support they provide us all will be needed all the more. I would humbly suggest that we think less about the economy's impact on our trips to the mall and a bit more on how fewer trips to that mall might enable us to discover a better use for our dollars. I promise to do such thinking myself! We've all heard the adage about the lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness. It might also behoove us to reflect upon Saint Paul's admonition in his letter to the Galatians (6:2-3): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, deceives himself." Harry Colin – Consultant to Catholic Parishes.

The good news is that despite the difficult economy parish offertory giving has only slipped few percentage points in most Catholic parishes. The bad news, parishes can ill afford even a slight drop, as expenses continue to increase, as facilities age and require repair and as the Church continues to meet the demanding needs of a 21st century congregation.
Fortunately, we can exercise a theological virtue here - Hope! There are tangible steps that a Catholic parish can take today to plug the slow leak in the weekly stream of revenue and perhaps even enhance the flow.

Discuss the Christian Principles of Stewardship
Often in Catholic parishes giving money is treated as at best a necessary evil; something to be ignored until a major physical plant need demands attention. This misperception can be effectively evangelized by sharing the solid Biblical principles that should undergird each parishioner's giving decisions. These principles can be broadly summarized as two components - (1) giving in proportion to our blessings and (2) giving from our substance not our excess. Many pastors have effectively blended these principles into homilies.

Have an Annual Conversation About Giving

You should be having at least one full conversation about giving with your parishioners every year. This conversation should include pulpit remarks and handouts. Well-informed parishioners will feel a greater sense of ownership in the parish financial situation and respond favorably to the need to be pro-active in their giving.

Challenge parishioners to be intentional in their giving
Without discussing specific levels of regular support, ask all supporters to be “Intentional” in their giving – to give of their “first fruits.” By reflecting on stewardship and making a plan instead of just reacting to the passing of the collection basket, parishioners will enhance their stewardship experience and feel a greater sense of belonging.

Introduce and promote electronic giving

Every parish in America will have an electronic giving option with three to five years. Envelopes are an integral component of parish collections but they are no longer sufficient. As a parish you must meet people where they are not where they were. Many parishioners want to give monthly, to give via their credit card or to give directly from their checking account. An astutely designed electronic giving program will enable parishes to receive the necessary levels of support regularly. Weekend and vacation absences to visit friends or take vacations will no longer impact the parish collections so dramatically and parishioners will be able to access their giving plans on-line to adjust as necessary.

Provide A Monthly Donor Option

Many parish members do not attend Mass each week in their own church. Some worship elsewhere and some are at home. By offering a monthly donor option a parish can capture by mail a significant level of support that would otherwise be lost because there is no mechanism to collect it.

Adjust Your Envelopes!

Believe it or not, some parishes still have $1 and $2 options printed on their envelopes! This is likely because no changes have been made since families were grouped around the TV watching the astronauts step on the moon in 1969. Printed options are powerful suggestions, so consider beginning at $10 or even $15 per week on your envelopes or $40 for a monthly option. Folks who actually need to go lower can still easily do so in keeping with the principle that it is much easier to fall than it is to jump!

“Chart” your Progress

Let's say a parish collection has been running at a level below where it needs to be on a weekly or monthly basis to survive and prosper. One way to focus attention on that is to create a couple of charts that can be emplaced at the doors of the church. After you announce that our challenge between now and Thanksgiving is to bump our collection from $12,000 per week to $15,000, just show the increases each week and allow people to become excited over the goal. Visual images are important and can serve as powerful motivators.

Conduct an Annual Time and Talent Initiative

Many folks in the pew are unaware of just how much the parish could use their talents and enthusiasm. Sharing the needs and asking for help is a solid method of capturing energy for productive activities. A parishioner who feels needed will in turn feel a stronger need to give.

Embrace the Technology!

Email, blogging and people-connecting systems such as Face Book and LinkedIn are here to stay. Explore ways to connect with more people and you will have opened fresh avenues for potential support.

Conduct a Professional Offertory Enhancement Program

There's an old adage among sales people that says "ignore your customers and they'll go away;" a similar thought could be expressed about parish collections. Don't just leave them to chance. A professionally-directed program to enhance parish collections should be a regular feature of a parish's long-range plan. Habits die hard, and often the only way to change them-in this case the "habit" of having your offertory gifts stay dormant for years, is to replace the habit with a new one.

Just What is Stewardship?

2009-10-05T14:26:00.001-04:00

Stewardship is a word that engenders a multitude of images in the minds of those who hear the word itself. Some hear stewardship and think of the need to take good care of what has been given to them – both material goods and the natural environment. Others hear this term and think of providing alms to those unfortunates among us who lack proper clothing, housing and food. Many indeed will hear talk of stewardship and immediately think that someone wants them to give them money!

Actually, each of these images is correct. However, they do not by themselves, or even when lumped together, provide a completely full description of what stewardship means to the Christian. These are but still frames of the moving picture of authentic Christian charity.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “ To the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount it is fitting to add the moral catechesis of the apostolic teachings such as Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 3:4, Ephesians 4:5, etc. This doctrine hands on the Lord’s teaching with the authority of the apostles, particularly in the presentation of the virtues that flow forth from faith in Christ and are animated by CHARITY, the principal gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Catechism 1971)

Stewardship then is the logical extension of that charity the Holy Spirit commands us to practice. Stewardship in its fullest sense encapsulates charity into an action plan for our lives; it establishes a framework from which that charity can operate. That structure acknowledges that God is the source for everything we have in our earthly existence and that we are called to not only be thankful for our blessings, but we need to both share them and be accountable for how we use them ourselves and how we give them to others. As Saint Paul instructs us, ‘Let charity be genuine… love one another with brotherly affection… Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, contributor to the needs of the saints and practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13)

Sacred Scripture provides much guidance about charity and stewardship. These myriad verses are best summarized in the venerable triple dimensions of Christian stewardship: time, talent and treasure. The application of these dimensions can be further culled into these two principles:

1 Give in proportion to the blessings we have received.
2. Give from our substance, not our excess.

Stewardship is not a destination, but rather a journey. It is an integral component of faith, not an adjunct or something we can choose to participate in or not, like some hobby or pastime. Stewardship begins in our hearts, is infused by what our minds teach us about our faith and extends with our hands as we reach out to others in our families, parishes and communities.

Tome Ranger Strikes Again!

2009-06-18T12:37:00.003-04:00

The latest in a occasional series of book recommendations...

"Fond of beer in swarthy nooks, but happiest among his books!"

Just arrived in my mailbox (actually on my front doorstep) - the hefty BIBLE DICTIONARY, edited by Scott Hahn. Flipping through it last night revealed a treasure-trove of great insight that will be helpful for anyone who is interested in enhancing their Bible reading and study. Dr. Hahn does not write a book each week -it only seems like it! Would make a great gift for yourself, a family member or your favorite priest.

Also, Flannery: A Life of Flannery O'Connor by Brad Gooch. This most Catholic of authors certainly deserved a newer biography of her remarkable life. Her novels and short stories are profound and distinctive, but even more impressive is her great witness to the Faith despite her desperate illness. A powerful role model for those of us who think we're having a bad day when the cell phone drops a call or our DVR cuts off a program before it has ended! Talk about authentic Christian perseverance!

The Death of A Pope by Piers Paul Read The great English novelist has penned another sensational novel. If you haven't read anything by this man (What a name for a writer!) you will benefit by reading any of his works that include non-fiction accounts of Chernobyl, an Andean Mountain airplane crash and novels on many topics.

Summer time and the living is... without church?

2009-06-18T11:37:00.004-04:00

One of the dangers of writing a blog is the ubiquitous impulse to vent on one's pet peeves. I have, I believe, successfully dodged this temptation so far but I'll ask your indulgence for this topic, particularly if I humbly offer a suggestion or two along the way.

The issue? Summer church attendance in our parishes! Talk to any priest who's not pastoring a summer resort parish and he'll tell you that attendance drops off significantly in the summer. In fact, the drop begins usually in May after the First Communion class partakes of the sacrament, gains momentum after Memorial Day and surges to its peak after the Fourth of July. They usually stay away in droves until after Labor Day.

While I would not presume to possess any profound theological insight, I have managed to assemble a rather significant personal library containing many Bible translations, books on religion and foundational volumes such as the Catechism, Bible Dictionaries and such. In none of them have I found any dispensation from our Mass attendance requirements! Now perhaps I need to read more extensively and to explore textual analysis more deeply, but I'm guessing there aren't any!

So, why do so many of us stay away in the summer? The reasons I usually hear given are these: travel, heat indexes, the suspension of religious instruction classes (CCD, PSR, etc) and the appeal of being elsewhere on warm, sunny morning or late afternoons. Throw in golf, yard work and your everyday, garden-variety lethargy and there you are.

Most of the time, parishes simply adjust to these realities and decide to live with them. Certainly, just wishing it wasn't so won't make up for lost collections and fewer liturgical volunteers to act as lectors and Eucharistic Ministers. However, might I suggest that we attempt to counter this cultural trend with a little stimulus package of our own?

I would greatly like these humble suggestions to trigger the creative juices among blogreaders to build a stronger package of ideas to keep our people in the pews, but everything has to start somewhere so here I go with my four-point plan:

1. Anticipate the upcoming drop and address it from the pulpit and with bulletins/newsletters beforehand. Most folks think they won't be missed in the summer, so let's make them aware that we can see them in the pews and miss them when they are not there. Explain that the parish is always there when they need it, so it always needs to love and support of her members.

2. Sponsor a Youth Day/Weekend whereby parents and students can meet the teachers they will have in school/CCD in the fall. Perhaps then try to capture the energy by engaging each class in some fun summer project around the parish , particularly at Mass. Why not have the 5th grade students -of both parish school and CCD - hand out bulletins after Masses one weekend? Maybe the eighth graders could lead the rosary before Mass on a certain weekend. Get the kids and you get the parents!

3. Share with the parish a graph showing your monthly income streams juxtaposed alongside monthly expenses. Folks will understand that just because they aren't there in July, doesn't mean the electric company won't be there in July demanding payment! Encourage people to use their envelopes each week even if they are away visiting another parish. Better still, encourage your parishioners to select an electronic giving option so that they can easily have their donations sent to the parish on whatever schedule they like. It's easy and no need to worry if you are away. If you don't mind this shameless plug - the Cunneen Company offers an intentional giving program that makes giving -to the the parish, the diocese, the special collections and campaigns -quite simple. No cost to the parish! How nice is that! (OK, commercial over!)

4. Find them where they are at. Why not energize the copier and produce some inexpensive flyers to give to the parishioners who are there to distribute at the town baseball fields, the senior centers and the like? This would be the time to employ some humor and creativity; I've always wanted to do something like that and have it announce: "Big day this coming Sunday at Saint Mary's Parish! At all the Masses this weekend, you'll be offered --- Holy Communion! (What, you think you need anything else!!!)

Well, there you have it. Why not think of some ideas and share them?

"An atheist is a man with no invisible means of suppport."
Bishop Sheen

Trenchant tidbits...

2009-05-01T22:55:00.002-04:00

Quotable Quotes...

“Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult, and left untried.”

G.K. Chesterton

“Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.”

Mark Twain

“The service we render to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth.”

Sir Wilfred Grenfell

“ We're on a Role... Model! Saint Catherine of Siena Shows Us the Way

2009-05-01T22:39:00.000-04:00

“ We're on a Role... Model! Saint Catherine of Siena Shows Us the Way

Few would argue that we live in challenging times. The global onslaught of economic challenge continues to beleaguer us. Many are faced with the chilling residue of terror and violence and natural disasters – of disease and destruction – seem to increasingly crowd their way onto the front pages and the news headlines.

Each day another story seems to emerge that paints a gloomy landscape and drives many of our neighbors and friends, and even ourselves, to despair. However, if we want to be true to our faith, we need to resist the temptation to be disheartened. Sacred Scripture warns us against hardness of heart and the damage it can engender, “they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness. You did not so learn Christ!” (Ephesians 4:19-20). We are instead called to practice the Christian virtue of hope and to always be ready to give an account for the hope that is within us.

Fortunately, Our Lord provides for us in many ways in times of trouble, particularly in His saints. It is often said, “the saints show us Christ.” A good role model for us in times such as these is one of the great Doctors of the Church, Saint Catherine of Siena.

Saint Catherine knew tough times indeed! She was born on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25th, 1347, which in that year was also Palm Sunday. Her twin sister died at birth. Catherine was the 24th of 25 children, yet from what we know only eight of these children survived early childhood. By the time Catherine was of school age Siena, the city of her birth, had already lost 80,000 people to the Black Death which was sweeping Europe at the time.

Young Catherine could have been depressed, fearful and sullen yet she was known in her neighborhood as “everybody's joy.” She was so joyful and merry that relatives often “borrowed” her for a time because she shared her joyfulness and love so abundantly. She was a natural leader among her young friends and cousins, and she was captivated by the Dominicans. She so loved to watch the Dominicans walking about in the parish area that she often walked with her brother around the church. One day as she was walking she noticed a bright light above the church. There she saw a vision of Jesus Christ, seated on a throne, clothed in priestly garments and wearing the papal tiara. Smiling upon Catherine, He blessed her in the manner of a priest. She then looked away from the vision and burst into tears. At that early age, she knew that her path in life was set.

Catherine continued to be a light to all but in her teens she had her bout with worldliness – attending festivals and dancing. But the death in August of 1362 of Saint Bonaventure brought her to tears and cemented her decision to enter the Dominican order.

Catherine's contributions to peaceful resolution of conflicts, of the training of fellow religious and to spiritual contemplations were profound. But never did any of her other activities deter her from her fundamental mission – her care of the poor and the sick. She gave all she had in time and energy.

She was not content to just offer material help but often tended to the sickest and most neglected, including lepers. Though her family was very generous, even they were amazed -and often concerned – that she was so unfailingly generous with anything she had. Catherine, however, cheerfully explained that everything belonged to God and that she was there to help share every blessing. Many stories also abound with how often Catherine, praying for her patients as she administered to them, was able to intercede with God to cure those thought incurable.

As with many saints, Catherine was tormented through much of her life by demonic forces. She had terrifying visions and many temptations for much of her life. Yet she resisted all these temptations, and joyfully went about the Lord's work. Her faith sustained her and her commitment to that faith strengthened her for a life of giving -and sharing. What a fine model for each of us as we negotiate the minefield of modernity and all its challenges.

Spring Forward

2009-04-04T09:23:00.000-04:00

“Love is in the air, everywhere I look around!” These words from a popular song of yesteryear still resonate with us today. Spring is often the impetus for poets, musicians and authors of prose to write -and sing - of love. Perhaps its the scent of fresh flowers, the enduring rays of the sun or the warm breezes that so often usher in the magical sunsets of May. Maybe it's the thought of impeding vacation or time off -or simply a grateful reaction to a seemingly endless winter. Whatever the cause, the linkage of spring and love is undeniable.

Shakespeare, whose remarkable canon contains so very many scenes focused on virtually every aspect of love, gave Julia in the play “Two Gentlemen of Verona” perhaps the most insightful reflection of love when she utters, “They do not love that do not show their love!”

Indeed, this line reflects an axiom that we do well to consider as our summer season approaches -actions speak louder than words! Shakespeare himself, well-versed in the classics of Greek and Latin, would also understand that our English translation of the word love is not always understood to convey “charity” as, for instance the Latin “caritas” does. Our brief reflection here will focus on the charity as the Church understands it – encompassing all aspects of affinity, affection and service to others.

A good way to begin discussing charity is to consider what Saint Bernard of Clairveaux says about it: “True and sincere charity, I must say, must proceed wholly from a pure heart, a good conscience, unfeigned faith, by which we love our neighbor's good as much as our own. For he who loves himself most, or solely, does not love the good purely, because he loves it for his sake, not for its own.” Tough words in our modern society but this great saint goes further, saying that someone can praise God because He is powerful, because He is good to him or simply because He is good. Saint Bernard describes the first of these as the attitude of a slave to a master, the second of a mercenary hoping for more profit for himself, while the third way -praising God because He is good – is the way a son praises a father. That must be our path.

So, if we take this approach, what should we do as a practical matter? It might be useful to recognize that spring and summer usher in periods of great challenge for many, if not most parishes. So focusing on our spiritual homes for a moment, we can suggest an action plan that will SHOW our love of parish in some tangible ways that will also enable us to grow in our spiritual lives.

Since Sacred Scripture has always used the number seven to symbolize perfection and good things, we humbly extend seven ideas for you consideration as ways to display and share your time, talent and treasure.

1.Take a newly-confirmed youngster to Mass with you. Talk to a CCD/PSR director or teacher and chances are they will tell you that one of the largest challenges facing them is retaining the interest of young people once confirmed. While formal classes will probably be winding down, why not invite your newly-minted confirmand -or several of them from your parish – to some fun activity AFTER you all attend Mass together. Even better, visit a shrine or a special church as part of a larger itinerary to show the youth that the faith is an everyday component for everyone every day.
2.Seek out an elderly shut-in and make a visit. Parishes are getting older; the increased life expectancy is a good thing. The tougher, flip side to that good news is that our corps of folks needing help outstrips the ability of a parish's full-time staff to fully serve. Coming over with a nice meal, a tasty dessert or simply a nice visit can be a simple but powerful way to assist the parish mission.
3.Write a letter to your pastor thanking him for his service to you. Our parishes have grown larger while our priest shortage continues. Take a couple of moments to just thank your pastor for his work, his homilies, and most of all his dedication to bringing you the sacraments. An unusual idea you think? It is -that's why it would be so nice!
4.Pray the rosary. May is a Marian month. What better way to observe that connection than to pray the rosary daily. If you already do so, maybe you can buy a rosary for a friend. Then together you can pray -maybe for an end to the vocation shortage we mentioned above!
5.Read a good Catholic book. The good weather often prompts folks to think of some good reading done outside -on the porch or the beach. Skip the latest nail-biter this time for a book that will nurture your faith in the same way the water will nurture your garden. Looking for an idea? Try Pope Benedict XVI's “The Yes of Christ.” It's a brief, but powerful book on the spiritual exercises of faith, hope and love.
6.Attend Mass regularly. You do already of course, but somewhere out there are the folks that are missing from the pews in the warmer months. This is a fact any pastor not in a resort area will tell you. Take a friend to occupy the empty space next to you!
7.Don't forget the collection basket! As above, these empty pews in summer also reflect emptier baskets. Our faith isn't seasonal, so try to remember to be generous over these lean months. Even if you are visiting another parish, remember where you came from!

The Tome Ranger

2009-02-28T18:29:00.001-05:00

"Fond of Beer in Swarthy Nooks, but Happiest Among his Books"

An intermittent recommended reading list...

Father Walter Ciszek

Father Ciszak was a Jesuit priest who grew up in a mining town in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Following his call to the priesthood he was ordained. His initial formation left him with the strong impression that much good could come from suffering and tragedy as long as one lived in abandonment to Divine Providence and never ceases to trust God's will. Father volunteered to study Russian in hopes of being a missionary there but instead found himself in Poland when the Red Army invaded Poland. He was incarcerated in solitary confinement for five years in the notorious Lubyanka Prison in Moscow and also served 15 years in Gulag at hard labor.

Finally in 1963, after 24 years in captivity he was released in a prisoner exchange. He used his remarkable faith journey to author two classic accounts that deserve a space on every Christian's bookshelf, 'With God in Russia” and “He Leadeth Me.” Lent marks a perfect time to deepen our faith by taking up one or both of these timeless treasures.

Timely Tidbits in Times of Turbulence

2009-02-28T18:16:00.006-05:00

As an omnivorous reader and an unabashed lover of inspirational snippets, I'm planning on regularly sharing a few items of both book/reading suggestions and brief stories designed to inspire and broaden our minds. I hope you enjoy them!

A visitor to a desert monk once asked why the monk was sharing food with him instead of fasting as was the custom. The monk replied, “ Fasting is always possible but you will not be here forever. Fasting is useful and necessary, but God's law demands perfect love. When I receive you here I receive Christ, so I must do all I can to show love. When we have said goodbye, I can resume fasting. 'The sons of the bridegroom cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, when he is taken from them then they can fast.'”(Matt 9:15)

Has God Stopped Giving to You?

2009-02-28T18:13:00.002-05:00

Has God Stopped Giving to You?

Recently a very thoughtful gentleman, let's call him Bob, whose love for his parish was almost legendary, was taken aback when one his friends, also a member of that parish, reacted quite bitterly to an invitation to attend a fund raising event. Bob asked his colleague why he was so adamantly against the idea of the church's attempt to raise money.

His friend then launched into a monologue that outlined the many reasons he was upset - the pastor had not chosen the correct projects to focus upon, the priorities for parish were askew, the homilies were uninspiring and the music was awful. He listed several other complaints before taking a deep breath.

Bob, instead of arguing with his friend about this laundry lists of issues and slights simply nodded his head and said, “I understand you are not happy. But let me ask one question, “Has God stopped giving to you?”

This man, expecting a good argument, was rendered speechless by this simple question. After a few moments, he decided after all, to join Bob at the event.

This question - “Has God stopped giving to you?”, is one we would do well to ask ourselves in these turbulent times and this season of Lent.

Has our economic situation -real or perceived – changed our commitment to perform the corporal works of mercy our faith requires? Are we less willing to share whatever we have with the hungry and ill-clothed? Do we try to save some dollars by scrimping when the collection basket passes?
The core of these corporal works is compassion- a reaching out to assist those who are perhaps destitute or vulnerable.

One of the often forgotten elements of our greatest prayer – the Our Father – is the linkage between our own forgiveness and God's forgiving of us. Each day we pray, “and forgive us our trespasses, as WE forgive those who trespass against us.” So we are asking Our Lord to link his generous absolution with our own. Unless we ourselves are forgiving, we cannot ask God to look the other way at our transgressions and failures.

Can you imagine how truly difficult our lives would be if God withheld his bountiful blessings to us on every occasion when we disappointed him? As a loving and perfect father, he does not. He calls us, instead, to repent and to forgive.

As we go through this great season of Lent, we have hopefully taken firm steps to more deeply develop our spiritual selves - more prayer, more study, more devotion and greater focus on our outreach to others in our lives and our parishes. If we have not yet begun to treat Lent as a special time or renewal and sacrifice, it's not too late. Perhaps we've meant to give up those desserts or those special foods we love so much, but have fallen short of our goal. It's then a good time to re-double our efforts to make these sacrifices and achieve the fulfillment that will be ours when we reach the joyful celebration of Easter and can enjoy them again after having given them to God for all these weeks. After all, God hasn't stopped giving to us!

All of our time, talent and treasure comes from God and we're called simply to give some back. Our sacrifices are but a tiny offering back to God for his goodness to us. Collectively, our stewardship and our sacrifice are but means to achieve an even greater good; the great Saint Seraphim of Sarov says it most eloquently -”as for fasts, vigils and prayer, almsgiving and every good deed... are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God. To welcome this Guest into our hearts will lead us to ultimate union with God and toward that unity of the human race wherein all shall acquire the peace and joy God promised through his Son.”

Am I getting enough daily “Fruits” in my Life?

2009-01-16T22:57:00.003-05:00

A priest friend of mine, an erudite man of almost astonishing insight, once was asked if he was familiar with fruits of the Holy Spirit and whether he could perhaps do some research on them and speak about it at a conference. He replied with his characteristic dry wit, that if one needed to look them up, then they were not an important enough component of our daily lives!

This gracious servant of God was not being contentious or arrogant (he spoke brilliantly on the topic) but was making a point. Now we know our readers won't need to consult their research volumes to bring these fruits to mind but in the interest of refreshing ourselves let's review our catechism: “The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994 Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1832)

A major function of this blog is a dedication to to the stewardship of time, talent and treasure. The aim is to advance, in some small way, our understanding of the many ways in which we can provide stewardship to our parishes and churches. When we look at these fruits of the Holy Spirit, we can see that, as always, we cannot out give Our Lord. When we consider that God always gives us much more than we need, it becomes clearer that the challenge is ours to use the fruits we are provided in our daily spiritual lives to make an impact on our parishes and churches.

As is customary in Christian tradition, whenever there are lists provided, the first one is the most important or at least the first among equals. That is certainly the case with our fruits here. Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the three theological virtues,: “So faith, hope and charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Cor 13:13)

Scripture goes further, saying charity, “binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Col 3:14) Certainly, we can see how charity binds time, talent and treasure together. Charity is the animating energy that moves us to give of ourselves in every way. It enables us to reach out to our fellow man and share God's love with them and enmesh ourselves in the good works of our faith here on Earth. Turning again tho the catechism, we see how charity, “upholds and purifies our human ability to love and raises it to the supernatural perfection of divine love.” (Catechism, 1827.)

But, as with any abundant fruit basket, the Holy Spirit's basket is overflowing with gleaming and fulfilling nourishment. Let's look at some of the others.

Joy is the second fruit. The Saints show us how joy is a two-fold component . Read virtually any account of the saints, especially the martyrs, and see how they joyfully gave of themselves, even when it required their very lives. They also received joy back, because they were satisfied in a special way that Our Lord had allowed them the privilege of serving Him and modeling for us who follow them.

Peace, patience, gentleness – Does anyone living today not wish they could offer more of these fruits to our fellow man -and to ourselves? As Lent approaches, perhaps it's a good time to contemplate how we can, in even small ways, make these a daily staple of our diet.

Kindness, goodness, generosity – In our busy lives, we are often startled, in a very positive way, when someone shares some of these fruits with us. How can we pass along a morsel to someone else today?

Faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity. Modern society has made these fruits among the most challenging to bring to our table. We know they are good for us, but just like the donut is more convenient on a rushed morning than an apple, so is self-interest more readily obtainable in a business deal than modesty; it's easier to seek attention and self-promotion than it is to peel the fruit of self-control.

Lent arrives next month. Why not make for this visitor a basket of “fruits” to welcome it into our presence?

A Light From the East - A Touch of Byzantine Catholicism

2009-01-06T16:14:00.002-05:00

Often I'm met with much curiosity when I mention that I attend a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Parish. Perhaps the most common question is, "Are you under the Pope?" I always smile and say that yes, not only are we "under the Pope," but that our Divine Liturgy - our Mass - has six occasions of prayer for the Holy Father during the service!

I decided I would occasionally share some insight into the Eastern Church, but instead of a lengthy piece that might seem overwhelming to those with interest in this topic, I thought I would sprinkle in some glimpses of the Eastern Churches from time to time.

Today I wanted to share our Communion prayer that is recited just before the distribution of Holy Communion at each liturgy. This prayer spoke to me most powerfully the first time I heard and it still does when each time I recite it.

"O Lord I believe and profess, that You are truly Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal your mysteries, nor will I give You a kiss like Judas, but like the thief I confess, Remember me Lord, when you shall come into your kingdom, remember me, O Master, when you shall come into your kingdom, remember me O Holy One, when you shall come into your kingdom. May the partaking of these Holy Mysteries be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.

O Lord I also believe and confess, that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious body, and your life-giving blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting.

O God be merciful to me a sinner, O God cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me, O Lord, forgive me, for I have sinned without number."

I find this prayer to speak most directly to our need for Christ's saving grace. Especially in a era when personal sin seems to be spoken of less frequently, it is a reminder that, as the hymn says, "all peace begins with me." I think we need to be reminded that our troubled world can only really be healed from the inside out -and it truly does begin with me.

"Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set a watch O Lord, before my mouth and a door round about my lips. Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sin." (Psalm 140: 2-4, Douay-Rheims edition)

Fireside Christmas verse

2008-12-23T23:55:00.002-05:00

A few years ago, thanks to reading the books of author Joseph Pearce (whose biographies I heartily recommend!) I became familiar with the poetry of Father Robert Southwell, an English Jesuit. Father Southwell was put to death for his faith in the hysterically anti-Catholic times near the end of the 16th century. Although only 34 years old when martyred, he managed to pen some remarkable lines of verse. One that is particularly focused on Christmas is entitled, "New Prince, New Pomp," and I thought I would share it here.

Behold, a seely tender babe
in freezing winter night
in homely manger trembling lies;
Alas, a piteous sight!
The inns are full, no man will yield
This little pilgrim bed,
But forced he is with seely beasts
In crib to shroud his head.
Despise him not for lying there,
First, what he is enquire,
An orient pearl is often found
In depth of dirty mire.
Weigh not his crib, his wooden dish,
Nor beast that by him feed;
Weigh not his mother's poor attire
Nor Joseph's simple weed.
This stable is a prince's court,
This crib his chair of state,
The beasts are parcel of his pomp,
The wooden dish his plate.
The persons in that poor attire
His royal liveries wear;
The prince himself is come from heaven;
This pomp is prized there.
With Joy approach O Christian right,
Do homage to thy king;
And highly prize this humble pomp
Which he from heaven doth bring.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful poem and I wish each of you a very blessed and fulfilling Christmas season!

Advent time and the 12 days of Christmas

2008-12-23T18:55:00.003-05:00

I find it amusing and not a little disturbing that we see very little visible evidence of Advent in our lives. Oh sure, when we're in church we see it - the wreath, the candles - but even within our parishes it seems that Advent is overwhelmed by the coming of Christmas. Obviously, our society focuses completely on the secular dimensions of Christmas and in promoting the virtues of commerce. Indeed, we are subjected to the annual ritual of assessing a "good'" Christmas or a "bad" Christmas based solely on the sales figures from the merchants!

Perhaps we could all benefit from a re-commitment to the spiritual richness that Advent can provide. I know I certainly could! Advent allows us, if we cooperate, to focus more intently on prayerful reflection. This is an opportunity to tune out the commercials and tune into God's word. As we sit on the cusp of the beautiful celebrations of Christmas eve and Christmas day, our appreciation for these wonderful events can only be deepened by a few more moments each day spent in preparing our hearts and minds and far fewer hours spent whirling around the overcrowded shopping centers.

An adage from old still applies today - maybe even moreso. This was apparently advice given to newlyweds but is wisdom for all of us - " Live simply, serve generously, care deeply and speak kindly."

Now, another curiosity bordering on peeve is this -a after all of the time spent in anticipating Christmas - my first Christmas catalogs seem to arrive in the Labor Day weekend mail! - many people get to December 26 and then - whoosh! Christmas is forgotten. I'm amused when I see folks in my town out there on December 26 pulling down all of their decorations! Christmas is a season! Such an important event deserves the fullness of celebration. We can show the world our commitment to faith by savoring the 12 days of Christmas with the joy the birth of our savior engenders.

An approach I've used for the past few years is to respond to anyone who wishes me, "happy holidays," with "Oh, which holiday is that?" I've gotten some interesting responses and not one of them has been negative! Just today I offered a hearty 'Merry Christmas" to the clerks at both my local grocery and local pharmacy and was rewarded with broad, beaming smiles and looks that seemed almost gratified, as if my comment released them to celebrate Christmas too! It's OK to say Christmas - it's our society also! Growing up in Western Pennsylvania my childhood memories were filled with the sights and sounds of "Christmas" everywhere while the expression "happy holidays" was definitely a distant second. Let's be bold and say with joy and passion -"Merry Christmas" to all!

Giving Feels Good

2008-11-04T18:03:00.003-05:00

One of my priest friends likes to use the term, "give until it feels good." When I first heard this from him, I was less than fully supportive, I must say. The fund raiser in me worried that perhaps such an approach would enable people to make token gifts that would fall short of what would be necessary for full success. It struck me initially as a 'feel good" bromide rather than a prescription for campaign success.

However, as that particular campaign unfolded, it became clear that the words did resonate with many people. Certainly, any non-profit needs to propose giving levels to prospects so that mutual understanding of needs and goals is established and maintained. Given that, though, I was pleasantly surprised by how often that simple term, 'give until it feels good," kept coming up in conversations with both donors and volunteers.

Upon reflection I realized that my initial impressions failed to account for what we've long long known is the most important stimulant to making a donation - EMOTION! Giving is fundamentally an emotional action. A gift may, and in fact should, have an analytical and practical component, but we lead with the heart.

I think this has special relevance for us today given our economic circumstances. The pressures of our 401ks and our stock market portfolios has perhaps blinded us to the fact that our forebears who built magnificent churches and schools didn't worry about either one because they didn't have them in the first place, in most cases. Lest we forget, the lifespan of our ancestors was considerably shorter and most of them wouldn't see much time in retirement. Yet they gave money for causes larger than themselves.

A good friend of mine related a story to me a few years back and it was so compelling to me that I shared it with her fellow parishioners in a campaign in Connecticut. She was an early and eager donor to our campaign despite facing some economic challenges in her own life. She was happy to give generously, however, and told me she felt it was a privilege to do so! She explained that as a small child , she would often go to church with her grandmother. Her grandmother was a woman of very modest means, but even in those years always gave my friend a five dollar bill to toss in the collection basket each week at Mass. That young child grew into an adult with an appreciation for how important such stewardship was but also for how good it made her feel to share from her substance. Obviously, both she and her grandmother could have found other uses for the five bucks - they weren't awash in material goods - but making the sacrifice felt good.

I've been with the Cunneen Company raising money for over ten years and I have worked with over 2,800 volunteers in that time. I've not once ever had a donor say to me that they've regretted making a gift nor has one ever reported hearing such a sentiment from one of the people from whom they've sought a gift. No, giving is its own reward - in good times and bad.

So, rather than anguishing over our situation, let's remember the good advice offered in the book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus if you are using the Douay -Rheims translation) in chapter 30, verses 21-24 - "Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding; gladness of heart is the very life of a man, cheerfulness prolongs his days. Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you; for worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment. Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings about premature old age."

Fighting fear with faith

2008-10-04T11:59:00.008-04:00

Well, here we are in October and in some parts of the US leaves are already falling! Also falling, it seems, is much of our confidence in our current situation. The economic tribulations of recent times have produced headaches and headlines and have absolutely shaken the optimism that one normally finds among us. (I'm unable to resist inserting here the insightful apercu of Father George Rutler who said that optimism is the pagan substitute for the Christian principle of hope!)

It would be insensitive at best, and Nero-like at worst, to pretend that we are not facing turbulent financial waters for our society, our governments, our businesses and ourselves.

However, it is not improper to point out that much of our concern is exacerbated by hype. I was amused to see TV coverage of a "crisis" that seemed to imply that no one anywhere could get a loan for anything. Fortunately, that is not the case - I personally know several people - friends and family - who have just secured home equity loans and car loans in the past couple of weeks. The 24 hour media cycle virtually demands the infusion of more drama so that individual entities can stand out from the onrush of the "white noise" out there, so we all need to sprinkle a liberal dose of Morton's favorite product into our media meals here.

Times like this require sober analysis rather than hysterical reaction. While my chemistry grades in school were less than stellar, I propose a formula to assist us in understanding our dilemma. This is : Pride + Greed = Fear

Now I know in speaking to some pastors and committees that there is a sense of trepidation out there and a desire in some quarters to just place everything on hold and not try to raise any money. I would greatly encourage you to check out the blog of my boss and friend, John Cunneen, who has published a list of reasons why institutions should move forward now in addressing their needs for stewardship. Our firm has crafted this analysis to help clear the smoke from the eyes, so to speak, so that we can proceed to address our needs in a reasonable way. Good stuff indeed.

My aim, here, by contrast, is to examine our scenario from another perspective, so I want to go back to my "equation." C.S. Lewis, I believe, has said that all sin ultimately begins with pride. Our pride, our sense that rules don't apply to us, or that limits are for others, for instance, enables us to delude ourselves that we can take or get for ourselves what we want. To complicate the situation, we add in the next deadly sin - greed.

Greed is defined as "a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed." That can certainly be a defining characteristic of our society today. We have taken our blessings for granted and have substituted greed for gratitude in many cases. Ergo, we plant the seeds of our own demise. Think about it. I remember thinking, as a young Army officer stationed in West Germany during the Cold War, that if I could just purchase that new silver Volvo GLE that I would quench my thirst for a fine automobile. Buying that car - and it was a fine set of wheels by any standard - did not satiate my desire, however, it only stoked it.

This materialistic impulse has many causes and ramifications -too many to consider here. (Hilaire Belloc, the profound and prolific historian and author, felt that our materialistic streak was a reaction to the rise of Communism; a very compelling insight, in my view) But suffice to say that the potent combination of these twin terrors -pride and greed - has produced the inevitable by-product, our fear.

Yes, much of the economic climate's cloudy condition is blamed on the wild excesses of Wall Street. I have no qualm with that diagnosis nor much sympathy for the perpetrators whose greed and arrogance are well-documented. Yet, we are the willing participants in this cauldron of chaos. It's us - the folks who signed on for mortgages we knew couldn't afford, invested in creative financial vehicles with dubious foundations and generally just gorged like gluttons at the table of plenty that we have been blessed with in our land.

Cures are often distasteful, but they are prescribed because they ultimately will be of greater and more lasting benefit than the short-term discomfort. Perhaps this is our medicine. We can learn from our binge that this is not an aberration but an unavoidable condition that we'll experience whenever our greed and pride run rampant over our good judgment and humility.

It is in times of distress that churches need more of our help, not less. This is because the material, emotional and spiritual support they provide us all will be needed all the more. I would humbly suggest that we think less about the economy's impact on our trips to the mall and a bit more on how fewer trips to that mall might enable us to discover a better use for our dollars. I promise to do such thinking myself! We've all heard the adage about the lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness. It might also behoove us to reflect upon Saint Paul's admonition in his letter to the Galatians (6:2-3): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, deceives himself."

We must lose the prideful sense that we are the sole determinants of our own destiny. We profess our faith with the understanding that we participate with Our Lord on our journey to salvation. We are called to believe the tenets of our religion both in season and out, so our call to be good stewards does not have an exemption clause when our 401k balance takes a tumble. Perhaps we have been a little too smug in believing that because of our "advanced civilization" that we are immune from the vagaries of the market and of life and that our wealth will just increase unceasingly. Our forebears understood some things we are loath to accept - among them that thrift is a virtue, consumption is not always virtuous and that sometimes life will deliver events that are unplanned and unpalatable. G.K. Chesterton referred to modern man as practicing the tyranny of the living -in that we feel superior to our ancestors just because we're alive now and that what they thought "back then" doesn't matter anymore.

I want to close this reflection with a call to faith from the prophet Jeremiah (9:23-24) "Thus says the Lord, 'let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glories glory in this, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.'"

Quote of the posting: "Our fears do make us traitors."
Shakespeare (Hamlet)

Autumn, anxiety and answering machines

2008-09-24T10:46:00.004-04:00

Just returned the other day from a splendid ride across the extreme northern tier of New York back to my home. The ride, while a very long one, was simply lovely. The weather was warm, not hot, the atmosphere dry, not humid, the breeze refreshing but not annoying. However the best part of it was getting the first glimpse of autumnal splendor - a tall, robust tree full of leaves splashed with dashes of brown, gold, orange, yellow and red. (Because I am officially designated as an arboreal ignoramus, I can't tell you what KIND of tree it was!)

What struck me at the same time was the sight of a woman standing alongside that roadside tree, peering into a buggy that was drawn by a single horse. For once I was happy to get a red light, because it allowed me to observe this for a moment. The woman appeared to be about 60 years of age, and seemed to be en route to the village up ahead. I noticed that there was no one else in the buggy so she must have been checking on the items inside. She looked like she had not a care in the world - but instead wore a slight smile as she turned and cast her eyes toward the tree just described.

Now I know I'm always harping on my volunteers to never make assumptions, but here I'm going to make one. I've never examined one of these buggies closely, but I'm going out on a limb to say it probably lacked heated seats, a cellular phone, electronic stability control, a CD/cassette stereo and satellite radio - all items I've convinced myself I couldn't do without. Yet as I pulled out upon the light turning green I realized that we both had just experienced the simple delight of God's creation. I didn't enjoy the colors of that tree any more than this lady did despite our driving vastly different vehicles. While my earlier thoughts had been about the calls I needed to make from the car and the traffic I was likely to encounter en route , etc, in that moment I was reminded of Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." So, let's not unduly fret about the economy, the world, the anxieties of the moment; let's make an effort instead to savor the authentic joy that God provides for us each day if we'll only stop to consider it.

I realize following up such noble sentiments with a brief piece about answering machines might seem obtuse or even heretical, but I wanted to share this with you.

Every volunteer recently has commented upon the frustration of getting recorded messages instead of people; I share that myself, as it can be frustrating to the extreme. Now we all understand why so many people are screening calls. We're all inundated with telemarketing pitches and if you live in a political "battleground state" like I do here in Ohio, the election season has added to this regular onslaught with an absolute torrent of political outreaches featuring every imaginable candidate and technique for getting our money and our vote.

However, one enterprising volunteer has had some good success recently with a simple but sound strategy. Once he's gotten several answering machines over various times and days, he leaves a message that says he has the campaign packet for the family in question and that he will have it with him on this coming weekend. He knows or finds out which Mass these folks normally attend and indicates to the family that he'll be at the Mass also and would they be kind enough to look for him so he could spend a few moments with them discussing their packet. He's had this work for him!

A couple of points needs to be made. First, it helps that he has chosen people that he knows so that he both understands their church attendance habits and also that he recognizes them. Secondly, like any strategy it isn't a guarantee -people can vary their habits or be away on that weekend, but it has proven to be effective in many situations. It's assertively pro-active, while retaining the important qualities of the personal touch and a low-key approach. Worth a try if you are experiencing the "agony of the answering machine!"

Quote of the posting:

"The ideal never comes. Today is ideal for him who makes it so."

Horatio W. Dresser

An Attitude of Gratitude

2008-09-08T10:47:00.003-04:00

Ok, here's a challenge for today. In your casual conversations, ask someone if they have ever been thanked too much. Seriously. I'm sure you'll get a few strange looks -as if maybe you're succumbing to the pressures of a hectic Monday! The very thought of receiving too much appreciation for something you've done or given is mind-boggling.

I'm convinced, that in our me-first culture, there is too much focus upon what we want, what we don't have and how we'll get it. Perhaps in the haze of our hankerings we've lost the appreciation for what we've already been blessed to have.

This focus on gratitude has two compelling elements for me. First, we should express our thanks for all that we have. Yes, this can include our tangible goods - our houses and possessions - but it needs to include less perishable blessings such as the love from our family and friends and the faith that has been taught to us and entrusted to us. As an example, when is the last time we expressed our appreciation to our pastor for his work on our behalf? Maybe we've taken our priests for granted. We'll sure want them to be there - at their best -when we need them!

The second element of gratitude is more directly related to the business of fund raising and stewardship. An often overlooked, but important, step when we approach a donor prospect is expressing our thanks for what they have already provided. Most solicitations are made to folks who have given to us in the past. It is an understandable omission, in a sense, because we're so focused on the now - on the need for more. But good stewardship is also taking time to thank those who've gotten us where we are today. Solicitations beginning with prayer and then an expression of gratitude are not guaranteed to be successful, but they are guaranteed to be appropriate and authentically Christian.

"I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord for all the things that the Lord hath bestowed upon us and for the multitude of his good things to the house of Israel, which he hath given them according to his kindness and according to the multitude of his mercies."

Isaiah 63:7

Dipping into the Countercultural Pool

2008-09-02T14:55:00.002-04:00

For those of us who are of a certain age -for instance, if you remember watching "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" episodes when they ran originally on TV - then the word "countercultural" may conjure in your mind certain discomfiting images: hippies puffing on illegal drugs, waves of students burning draft cards and folk musicians wailing against just about everything including the cars that hauled them to Woodstock.

However, if we want to subscribe to Christian principles, we must cultivate our own countercultural inclinations, albeit ones that are not immediately so visible as those mentioned above. Many of the beliefs we hold dear to authentic Christianity are not always in favor in the wider culture, so we must act courageously when the prevailing wisdom would lead us to betray these principles.

Whenever I discuss giving money in front of any group, I can reliably count on at least one person to quickly interject that "stewardship is more than money! It's about giving your time and volunteering!" My response is always to acknowledge that, of course, stewardship is far more than dollars and cents; it includes elements of time, talent and treasure for sure. We should all strive to do as much as we can in all of these important areas. Unfortunately, my sense is that folks who mention this are often less concerned with volunteering, and more concerned with lowering expectations of their own gift!

Cynical? Perhaps, but I don't mention this to heap opprobrium on those who say such things it, but instead to highlight how deeply our culture has ingrained a certain selfishness in all of us. When we speak about Christian principles of stewardship we talk of its two components:

1. Giving in proportion to our blessings
2. Giving from our substance, not our excess.

It's this second component that I feel is the more difficult in today's world. I once stood alongside a pastor who had spotted one of his parishioners to whom he'd extended an invitation to a capital campaign meeting. This gentleman begged off the invitation citing a well-worn laundry list of excuses - increasing business pressures, familiar obligations, credit card debt, etc. Reverend Father, moved by his dilemma, asked the gentleman to come to the meeting anyway so that he could hear about the plan, share in the fellowship and partake in the hors d'oeuvres. The man replied, completely missing the irony, that he could not attend, because he was flying along with his wife for a two-week vacation to Las Vegas!

We are bombarded with inducements to spend our money and satisfy our whims. The virtue of the very device that allows you to peruse this blog -the internet - has the counterbalancing vice of permitting us to virtually eliminate the very concept of delayed gratification. We see it or hear it, we jump to a website and then a couple clicks later this latest object of our desire is en route to our mailbox. ( I am susceptible to this in the extreme. If an author, in a book, newspaper or magazine article I'm reading happens to favorably mention another book, I've been known to leap, in mid-sentence, over to the computer to arrange for Amazon to speed that tome to East Palestine as quickly as I can!)

Giving money has true meaning when it requires our sacrifice. Sacrificial giving is not equal giving but it is equal sacrifice. I'm touched when I recall one donor who mentioned to me once that she had decided to drive the car another 50,000 miles instead of trading it in order to make a more meaningful gift. That's impressive - and that's an example of giving from substance. If I don't miss what I'm giving away, then I'm practicing something other than authentic stewardship. Maybe I'm practicing a certain tokenism - making an effort to be a "giver" rather than a steward. This kind of giver wants to be among the "good people" who support important causes, but perhaps as much to assuage guilt as to take ownership in something larger than himself.

If we restrict our giving to the dollars we have left in our pockets after our whims are satisfied, then we're on the ship to nowhere. I know I can't pass a car dealer or a bookstore without fighting the urge to splurge, so I certainly don't exempt myself from this need to be assertively countercultural.

I know this might sound good; it might seem to make sense. But as I always tell me volunteers, we operate in the real world, not the one we wished existed. Are we willing, as the woman with the car above was, to drive a less impressive vehicle when our friends and neighbors are rolling around in shiny new rides? Can we live with having our friends, co-workers and neighbors think us "less successful" because we don't display our wealth in the latest fashions, the designer furniture, the exotic vacations?

Think back to the churches and schools we attended growing up. These were largely built and sustained by people with far fewer resources than we have today. Our parents, grandparents and their parents built some magnificent churches on immigrant job wages. How did they build these magnificent churches that we could only dream of building today?

They did it because their faith was a more important component of their lives than ours is to us today. They practiced stewardship. As we all know, practice makes perfect.

Quote of the posting:

"Angels can fly, because they take themselves lightly."
G.K. Chesterton

first things first

2008-08-16T19:37:00.000-04:00

I hope you will appreciate the double meaning of this posting's title, "first things first." Obviously, this marks my first posting on this blog, so I'll need to provide some context to my readers. The more important element of "first things," however, is the notion of the first principles of life - or what comes first on our earthly journey. While I want this blog to be reader- friendly, enjoyable, whimsical and wide-ranging, I hope never to sever its moorings from the faith that has been handed down to us from the Apostles. I trust you, dear reader, to assist in insuring that I fulfill my obligations to myself and to you. (Payment will be in the drachma of gratitude!)

A note on the Solinus on stewardship blog name... Solinus is a Shakespearean character, specifically the Duke of Ephesus in "The Comedy of Errors." Solinus assisted foreigners in raising money, so our tasks are similar and therein lies the connection. For the Shakespeare lovers out there, I do realize Solinus was helping Syracusans to raise money to pay ransoms, rather than to build churches and schools, but I'm betting he made efforts to sustain the churches in Ephesus also!

Why would I write a blog? Simply because I believe I have something to say that might be of some value to some people. I love what I do - love to think about it, talk about and write about it and now I can do so in a forum that allows me to also integrate other elements of interest with the issues of stewardship.

So, in closing this brief introductory post, let me encourage you to come back often, pass the word to your friends and most importantly, to do a good deed for someone today! To encourage you, and since this posting already has a Shakespearean tint, I'll sign off with Portia's words in 'The Merchant of Venice,"

"How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world."