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A Message By Bishop Mark Bartchak (as of April 15th)
During a conversation I had with a group of teenagers, someone brought up the topic of saints. I shared with them some of my favorites and I challenged them to do some investigation of young people who are officially canonized saints.I asked them to think about how the lives of saints are ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. One name that I had in mind is Saint Therese of Lisieux. I grew up knowing about her because my mother had a special affection for this saint. Therese was my mother’s middle name. It was a popular name after Saint Therese was canonized in 1925. One of my sisters has Mom’s St. Therese statue. Saint Therese was born in France on January 2, 1873. Her given name is Marie Francoise Therese Martin. She was one of 9 children. As a young child, Therese was blond, blue-eyed, affectionate, precocious, and sometimes stubborn. She could throw a giant-sized tantrum, and she could make others laugh. Therese was basically spoiled by her mother. Therese had great devotion to the Infant Jesus, and her spirituality was a childlike simplicity and trust in God’s love. This approach to Christian life has been referred to as her “little way.” Therese was only 15 years of age when she entered the Carmelite Monastery in Lisieux to give her life to God. Actually, she was too young to join that group at the time, but she personally sought approval from the Pope to begin her life as a cloistered nun. Therese is often referred to as “the little flower.” That’s how Therese understood herself before the Lord – simple and hidden, but blooming where God had planted her. Therese died in 1897 at the age of 24. So much for the life of a young, holy woman; but not exactly. There’s a lot more to the story. I thought of the life of St. Therese because of the kind of cloistered life that we are living in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike St. Therese, we did not ask for the opportunity to shelter in place. Going back to her early childhood, Therese knew about suffering. Her mother died of breast cancer when Therese was only four years old. That’s when the precocious, and affectionate little girl, was also known for being stubborn and throwing temper tantrums. By the time Therese started school, her father had moved the family to a different house. She did not make an easy transition to that new environment. During her early years in grammar school, Therese was picked on and bullied by other students. Many of the children were jealous because Therese was so bright and talented. After her mother died, her older sister Pauline looked after Therese, as a second mother. When Therese was nine years old, Pauline entered the convent and became a Carmelite nun. This left Therese feeling abandoned again. She became physically ill and everyone thought that she was dying. Instead of reassuring her, visitors to her bedside made her more anxious. When Therese recovered from that illness, it was reported that she was cured by a miracle. Therese refused to explain what happened, so most of the family went around telling everyone that she made the whole thing up. Another sadness of abandonment was felt when Therese’s other sisters, Marie and Leonie, left to join religious orders. Therese was left alone with her last sister Celine and her father. In her own writings, Therese tells us that she wanted to be good but that she had an odd way of going about it. As her father’s spoiled, little Queen, she wouldn’t do housework. As a young teenager, Therese tried to hide her feelings, but even the smallest negative comment would make her burst into tears. When Therese showed interest in entering the convent, no one encouraged or supported what she believed was God’s call. But Therese made up her mind to follow that way of life. During the short 9 years that she was a Carmelite sister, it was not all holiness and happiness. For a period of over a year, Therese felt as though God had abandoned her. It was a time of darkness and spiritual emptiness. And finally, Therese contracted the dreaded disease of tuberculosis. During her lifetime one out of four people in Europe died from tuberculosis. Tuberculosis caused widespread public concern in the late 19th century as the disease became common in cities and especially among the poor. When tuberculosis was determined to be contagious, people who were infected were quarantined. Many of you remember the TB hospitals that were built on the outskirts of towns and cities in the United States as a way of controlling the spread of the disease. There was one on the Summit, near Cresson. So how is the story of a Carmelite nun who became a saint a story for our time. Many of us have been anxious during this time of the Coronavirus. We have entered the cloister of our homes as we shelter in place. It is a challenge not to be able to gather with family and friends as we all try to keep a safe distance. And I am aware that for some it may be a struggle to remain connected to God. Even with all the painful experiences of her life, St. Therese believed in God’s love for her. In her autobiography St. Therese explains that on Christmas Eve, 1886, she had a profound awareness that love, true Christian charity, had entered her heart. Many of you may be thinking, “How can I remain connected to the awesome love of God during this challenging time?” This is the answer given by St. Therese in her own spiritual journal titled, Story of a Soul, She writes, “For me, prayer is, an outburst from the heart; it is a cry of gratitude and of love in the midst of trial as in the midst of joy!” And she adds, “Sometimes when I find myself, spiritually, in dryness so great that I cannot produce a single good thought, I recite very slowly an Our Father and a Hail Mary. These prayers alone console me; they suffice; they nourish my soul.” In that same journal, St. Therese writes, “I understand that love comprises all vocations; that love is everything; that love embraces all people, times, and places because it is eternal!” In our time of need today, it is so important to be reminded that love, God’s love, is everything; that it embraces all of us This holy woman, St. Therese, knows the challenges that we face, including anxiety, aloneness, and grave physical illness. But most important, she had a profound awareness of the presence of God in her life, even when it is interrupted or disrupted by so many things we cannot control. In the time in which we live, we all need that same awareness of God’s presence. If you need someone to reassure you of that truth, I highly recommend that you reach out to the “Little Flower.” I have decided to seek the intercession of St. Therese during this time of need and I invite you to do the same. I am quite sure that Therese knows us, and what is going on in our lives these days. Our simple prayer should be: “St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us.”
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It sounds so awkward to say Happy Easter this year. During the past month, people everywhere added new words to their vocabulary: Coronavirus and COVID-19. The dreaded virus that these words represent made us learn another dimension of living as we “shelter in place.” Two of my favorite Easter stories have something to do with this directive given by public health officials and other government leaders.
At the end of the Gospel of John it says, “On the evening of that first day of the week, even though the disciples had locked the doors of the place they were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood before them.” (John 20:19). Most of the disciples sheltered in place. They were in the Upper Room where they had been with Jesus at the Last Supper. It’s important to notice that they were afraid; especially afraid that someone might come and arrest them. And they were afraid because Jesus had died on the cross and his body was placed in a tomb. They thought the story ended on that sad note. But John’s Gospel continues with these words: “Jesus came and stood before them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this he showed them his hands and his side. At the sight of the Lord the disciples rejoiced. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said again.” (John 20:19-21). Even though we have been deprived of opportunities to be together for fear of the COVID-19 virus spreading, the Lord Jesus has not forgotten or abandoned us. And as we hear in John’s Gospel, Jesus doesn’t need to knock on the door. He comes on Easter Sunday and appears before us and calmly greets us with words of peace. I am sure that I am not the only one who has listened to the thoughts of people who have not only been anxious and worried, but have been deeply frightened by this pandemic. And so many people have asked me how to reconcile those feelings with our faith in God; a faith that we want to rely on. One response I heard during these past days makes a perfect connection between our faith and the precautions we have been urged to take during this pandemic. I was reminded that health officials have urged that we wash our hands frequently for 60 seconds. A friend told me, one way to do it without watching a clock is to say the Lord’s Prayer; the Our Father. Stop right now and try it. That prayer literally takes a minute. But don’t just time it. Focus on the words of that prayer in which we call out to our heavenly Father and ask his help in making God’s Kingdom a reality in a time and place that seems so strange right now. Ask his help in giving your daily bread; which includes every word that his Son has taught us. It’s about forgiveness of sins and avoiding the temptation of following directions that will only get us lost, or even worse, like people who don’t listen to the direction to shelter in place. Teach your children how to wash their hands this way! The other Easter story I invite you to think about is told in Luke 24:13-35. It’s about two of the disciples who decided not to shelter in place with the others in the Upper Room. They set out for their hometown of Emmaus, totally dejected over the whole experience of having followed Christ only to see him die on the cross. But everything changes when Jesus appears, walks with them, talks with them, and accepts their invitation to stop and share a meal. It was there that Jesus revealed himself to them in the breaking of the bread. The Lord Jesus immediately disappeared from their sight and their reaction was amazing. They recalled how they felt their hearts burning when they were walking and listening to Jesus on the road. So instead of throwing in the towel, they ran back to Jerusalem and told the others the Good News that Jesus Christ is risen! During these days of Coronavirus and COVID-19 and sheltering in place, I have heard numerous stories of people who had become distant from the Lord Jesus for all sorts of reasons. But coming together with others and for others in this time of need has made their hearts burn with the love of Jesus who has been missing from their lives. It means that even in the darkest times; even in the times when we feel that the Lord is far away, or we have run from him; Jesus appears to us and says, “Peace be with you.” It means that the place for each of us to shelter is with each other and with the Risen Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ is as near to each of us as he was to the disciples in those encounters that are found in the Gospels. The impact of the pandemic may be around for a while, but we have our shelter which is not just a place but the person of our Savior Jesus, who is with us all the way. I look forward to the day when we can be together in our churches; around the Lord’s altar. It will come. In this time of need, pray for each other. It will not only keep your hands clean, but it will be a reminder of the merciful love that our Father has for each of us. Easter prayers and blessing for all of you! Bishop Offers Simple, Powerful Ways to Observe Holy Week at Home
By Tony DeGol Proclaim! Spiritual items most Catholics already have in their house can enrich Holy Week during this unprecedented time, according to Bishop Mark.As the Church enters this solemn week, the faithful are yearning for ideas to enhance their individual or family observances at home. The Palm Sunday Mass with Bishop Mark will air as usual at 11:00 a.m. on WATM ABC 23. For the health and safety of everyone, parishes are directed to not distribute blessed palm this year, but the Bishop has a suggestion for those who still have blessed palm from last year. “Take it down and hold it in your hand while you’re praying or while you’re watching the TV Mass,” he said. On Holy Thursday, the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, the Church commemorates the Last Supper of the Lord. Bishop Mark encourages the faithful to read the Gospel story of that day, which includes Jesus washing the feet of his apostles. “In that Word of God, which is not just words on paper in the Bible, is a Living Word,” he stressed. “So people can meditate on that and reflect on that and even say ‘Lord, Jesus, I want the Eucharist.’ That’s a powerful prayer.” Good Friday is the one day on the Church calendar when Mass is not celebrated. As the Triduum continues, the faithful recall the death of Jesus on the cross. “Have a cross in your hand and maybe fix your eyes on that image,” Bishop Mark recommended. “It’s powerful to reflect on the passion and death of Christ for our salvation.” Editor’s Note: Bishop Mark shares other thoughts on observing Holy Week at home, as well as an encouraging message to the faithful, on the Palm Sunday edition of Proclaim! at 10:30 a.m. on WATM ABC 23. The Mass broadcast follows at 11:00 a.m. and is rebroadcast at 9:00 p.m. on Atlantic Broadband channel 9. It is also posted on the diocesan website and Facebook and Twitter social media platforms. A Message by Bishop Mark Bartchak
I heard a story about a couple of retired men in a small town. They would meet every morning at the local coffee shop on Main Street. In the nice weather they would take their coffee outside. One morning they saw a state highway department truck stop along the other side of the street. A worker got out of the truck and dug a hole in the ground. Then he got back in the truck. Immediately another man got out of the truck and filled in the hole with the same dirt. Then he got back in the truck. After seeing them do this 3 or 4 times, one of the retired men went over and asked, “What’s going on here?” The highway department worker looked at him and said, “This is part of state project where trees are getting planted to beautify local communities.” The curious citizen asked, “So where are the trees?” It’s an obvious question to ask where or what is the result of your labor. The highway department worker replied, “We have to follow a certain system and we each have one part of the job to do. The guy who puts the tree in the ground is out sick today.” That story reminds me of Psalm 133, which has only three verses: Behold, how good it is, and how pleasant, where God’s people dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured on the head and running down over the beard, the beard of Aaron, until it runs down the collar of his robe. It is like the dew of Herman, which comes down the mountain of Zion; for there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, which is life forever. I read a reflection that explains that this psalm means where there is unity, there is productivity. The concept of productivity sounds too commercial, especially since the words of the psalm describe this idea of living together in unity as an amazing gift, like the precious oil that was poured out on Aaron. There was so much of the precious oil that it was literally running down his face and onto his clothing. The image portrayed in Psalm 133 is the abundant goodness that is present when we live together in unity. A few weeks ago, the World Health Organization called for unity, worldwide solidarity, in taking action to stop the spread of Coronavirus as the number of cases and deaths across the globe continued to rise. To emphasize the importance of this united effort, the World Health Organization used the expression: We’re All in This Together. That expression is showing up everywhere, including advertisements for all sorts of products and services that have nothing to do with the Coronavirus pandemic. It’s found in social media in the hashtag #togetheralone, which reminds us that even while staying at home and limiting our social interaction, we can be united with others. My siblings live in five different states. We don’t get to see each other very often in person. Yet we are as close as a phone call or text message sharing news of persons we know who have the Coronavirus or who have been exposed to it. Yes, it has touched my extended family. Often those text messages are accompanied by a photograph, an image of our family members, that reminds us of how we are so blessed that it is like the overflowing oil poured upon Aaron as a sign of the abundant goodness that we share, especially in time of need. Even when we suffer from anxiety, fear, or worry for the sake of family or friends at a time like this, the overflowing oil described in the psalm is available to us. I recently read a couple of articles online from Edie Weinstein who is a psychotherapist in southeastern Pennsylvania. On March 14, she posted some practical suggestions on how we can face the Coronavirus pandemic. She concludes with the following observation: “We humans are a resilient bunch and throughout history have survived war, famine, epidemics, trauma and tragedy of all sorts. If there are takeaway lessons from this challenge they are that disease knows no international boundaries, love is stronger than fear, a we and not just me attitude serves everyone, and we need each other to survive.” There is that image of God’s people living in unity with each other as an expression of the oil of healing and blessing that is poured out on us as an abundant gift. Her observation reminds me of one of my favorite saints, St. Peter the Apostle. In his first letter Saint Peter writes, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). In a follow-up article on March 17, Edie Weinstein asks the question, “Is Self-Quarantining an Act of Love or Fear?” Without denying that everyone experiences fear, she encourages us to focus on how we live can be an act of love. This is how she describes it: “As in any time of crisis, we are called on to be at our best, but sometimes fall into being at our worst, with hoarding items, and ignoring the needs of others. Certainly we want to take care of our families, but at a time like this, all differences fade away and we all have the same need for health and survival. We are all members of the human family. There is no room for selfishness. We can, to the best of our ability, help neighbors by dropping off what they need at their door. We can send email messages to nursing homes who are not permitting visitors. We can use this time to clean, organize and purge in our homes. We can remain as calm as possible and be mindful of what energy we are putting into the collective soup pot before stirring.” Edie Weinstein’s reflection includes mention of the gifts that we should certainly put to use in times like the current health crisis; it’s the gift of faith that should be evident in our prayer. She says, “I have what I call ‘God-versations.’ I ask for guidance when I feel stymied and comfort when anxiety and uncertainty raise their intimidating heads. I think about the statement “Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered. There was no one there.” In your spare time, think about the words of Psalm 133. The image portrayed is the abundant goodness that is present when we live together in unity, even if we experience being #togetheralone. Remind yourself, your families, and neighbors that with the help of God, We Will Get Through This Together. As part of a continuing effort to protect the health and safety of parishioners, clergy, and staff, Bishop Mark L. Bartchak has issued new directives, which include closing all church buildings to the public and prohibiting outdoor activities on parish properties until further notice.
Since the Bishop suspended public Masses on March 17, churches in the diocese were open for private prayer from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., per the Bishop’s earlier directive. Bishop Bartchak has now instructed parishes that all church doors should be locked effective immediately. The directives are as follows: · Beginning with the closure of churches at 7:00 p.m. on April 1, doors are to remain closed, that is completely locked, at all times. All churches will remain closed until further notice. · All pastoral activities outdoors on parish property or in other locations are not permitted until further notice. Any such activities previously planned must be cancelled. · Outdoor services such as Masses, prayer services, or confessions are not permitted on parish property and are not to occur at any other locations, with due regard for funerals. · Parishes are not to have any celebration, blessing, or distribution of palms, and are not to have any other blessings traditionally celebrated in anticipation of Easter, including, for example, the blessing of food baskets. · Funeral services may be celebrated in accord with the limits on attendance, after consultation with the funeral director, keeping in mind the opportunity for Memorial Masses at a later date. · Clergy should contact those who have weddings scheduled during the coming months. In order to assist them, they are encouraged to have the wedding celebrated in church with just a small group (10 or less). In such cases, it is not likely that they will be having a wedding reception, since most venues will be closed. In the future, they could schedule a “reception” and could come to the church to renew their vows according to the rite provided for in the Marriage Ritual for anniversaries. Bishop Bartchak considers the latest directives necessary and appropriate to minimize social interaction and to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The directives come on a day when Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued a state-wide Stay at Home order, which means residents should stay at home and not go out unless it is necessary. The governor’s action comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania continues to increase, and the state death toll continues to climb. The faithful are invited to watch the televised Mass with Bishop Bartchak every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. on WATM ABC 23 and every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on Atlantic Broadband channel 9. The liturgies are posted on the diocesan website and Facebook and Twitter social media platforms. Daily Mass from Prince of Peace Parish in Northern Cambria is streamed on the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Facebook page. The daily Mass schedule is Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8:00 a.m.; Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.; and Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. Spiritual resources are available on the diocesan website. An Easter Message from Bishop Mark
Easter 2020 It sounds so awkward to say Happy Easter this year. During the past month, people everywhere added new words to their vocabulary: Coronavirus and COVID-19. The dreaded virus that these words represent made us learn another dimension of living as we “shelter in place.” Two of my favorite Easter stories have something to do with this directive given by public health officials and other government leaders. At the end of the Gospel of John it says, “On the evening of that first day of the week, even though the disciples had locked the doors of the place they were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood before them.” (John 20:19). Most of the disciples sheltered in place. They were in the Upper Room where they had been with Jesus at the Last Supper. It’s important to notice that they were afraid; especially afraid that someone might come and arrest them. And they were afraid because Jesus had died on the cross and his body was placed in a tomb. They thought the story ended on that sad note. But John’s Gospel continues with these words: “Jesus came and stood before them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this he showed them his hands and his side. At the sight of the Lord the disciples rejoiced. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said again.” (John 20:19-21). Even though we have been deprived of opportunities to be together for fear of the COVID-19 virus spreading, the Lord Jesus has not forgotten or abandoned us. And as we hear in John’s Gospel, Jesus doesn’t need to knock on the door. He comes on Easter Sunday and appears before us and calmly greets us with words of peace. I am sure that I am not the only one who has listened to the thoughts of people who have not only been anxious and worried, but have been deeply frightened by this pandemic. And so many people have asked me how to reconcile those feelings with our faith in God; a faith that we want to rely on. One response I heard during these past days makes a perfect connection between our faith and the precautions we have been urged to take during this pandemic. I was reminded that health officials have urged that we wash our hands frequently for 60 seconds. A friend told me, one way to do it without watching a clock is to say the Lord’s Prayer; the Our Father. Stop right now and try it. That prayer literally takes a minute. But don’t just time it. Focus on the words of that prayer in which we call out to our heavenly Father and ask his help in making God’s Kingdom a reality in a time and place that seems so strange right now. Ask his help in giving your daily bread; which includes every word that his Son has taught us. It’s about forgiveness of sins and avoiding the temptation of following directions that will only get us lost, or even worse, like people who don’t listen to the direction to shelter in place. Teach your children how to wash their hands this way! The other Easter story I invite you to think about is told in Luke 24:13-35. It’s about two of the disciples who decided not to shelter in place with the others in the Upper Room. They set out for their hometown of Emmaus, totally dejected over the whole experience of having followed Christ only to see him die on the cross. But everything changes when Jesus appears, walks with them, talks with them, and accepts their invitation to stop and share a meal. It was there that Jesus revealed himself to them in the breaking of the bread. The Lord Jesus immediately disappeared from their sight and their reaction was amazing. They recalled how they felt their hearts burning when they were walking and listening to Jesus on the road. So instead of throwing in the towel, they ran back to Jerusalem and told the others the Good News that Jesus Christ is risen! During these days of Coronavirus and COVID-19 and sheltering in place, I have heard numerous stories of people who had become distant from the Lord Jesus for all sorts of reasons. But coming together with others and for others in this time of need has made their hearts burn with the love of Jesus who has been missing from their lives. It means that even in the darkest times; even in the times when we feel that the Lord is far away, or we have run from him; Jesus appears to us and says, “Peace be with you.” It means that the place for each of us to shelter is with each other and with the Risen Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ is as near to each of us as he was to the disciples in those encounters that are found in the Gospels. The impact of the pandemic may be around for a while, but we have our shelter which is not just a place but the person of our Savior Jesus, who is with us all the way. I look forward to the day when we can be together in our churches; around the Lord’s altar. It will come. In this time of need, pray for each other. It will not only keep your hands clean, but it will be a reminder of the merciful love that our Father has for each of us. Easter prayers and blessing for all of you! |
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