Between the clergy and dedicated parish volunteers, we do our best to reach out to all of our homebound and nursing home parishioners.  Here’s a summary of what this ministry has looked like over the past year:

We keep track of about 65 parishioners who are either homebound or who live in a nursing care facility.  We learn of most of these cases either from the parishioner themselves, or from friends and family.
Among the clergy (including all the priests, Deacon Joe and a seminarian helper), we’ve made over 400 visits to homebound parishioners over the past year.
We also have 15 lay parishioners who serve as EMHC’s to the homebound.  They made over 700 Communion calls last year.  Between 10 and 15 parishioners receive a Communion call each week.
Through our 24/7 emergency line, we respond to anointing requests from Roseland Hospice on a regular basis.

We also have special relationships with our neighbors, Wellbrooke and Healthwin:

A volunteer EMHC brings Communion to Wellbrooke residents every week.
We have Mass at Healthwin every Sunday, which is made possible by the many parish volunteers who bring the residents to and from […]

In recent months, I’ve had more than one parishioner tell me about negative experiences they’ve had when their young children have acted up during Mass.  I know that in some cases, it’s even made them feel self-conscious about coming back to Mass the following Sunday.  I want to use this column to ask for the cooperation of all of our parish family in making our young families feel welcome.

I know that everyone has different opinions on when would be the right time to take a fussy child out to the vestibule or the cry room.  That decision is up to the parents, and our response goes a long way towards making this a welcoming congregation for them.  And so I humbly ask all of you to please join in this important effort of hospitality:

Remember what Jesus said to His disciples when they tried to discourage people who were bringing their children to Him:  “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  (Mt 19:14)  If a fussy child is disturbing you during Mass, please do not scold the parents.  That generally doesn’t accomplish much!
Instead, offer it up!  Pray for that child.  Pray for their parents, who certainly need a little extra love and support when their child is acting up.  Always remember that we are not here to “get” something from Mass, but instead to give this hour to the Lord.  Mindful of the fact that “bearing wrongs patiently” is a spiritual work of mercy, part of our sacrifice may be patiently bearing a little extra noise.
If you ever see someone being treated in an un-hospitable way because of their […]

This week you may have seen reports in the news about the list that was released by the U.S. Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross, which contains a list of all members of the Province against whom there have been credible allegations of sexual abuse.  Holy Cross, of course, is the community to which Fr. Michael, Fr. Mike and I belong, and Christ the King has been staffed with Holy Cross priests and brothers ever since we were founded in 1933.

I need to draw your attention to two names on this list, since both of these men served at our parish at one point:

Ralph Luczak served as Parochial Vicar of Christ the King from 1965 to 1969. He was accused of sexual assault in 1969, although the incident did not occur at Christ the King.  He died the following year.
Randall Blum was a seminarian who lived at Christ the King from 1983 to 1985. He was dismissed from the seminary, and after the accusation was made, his case was turned over to civil authorities for prosecution.

These allegations aren’t new, and both of them have been previously disclosed, but it is still very jarring to see these names in print and to know that they served at our parish.  I know that the hope of our Province in releasing this list is that having these names exposed all at once will aid the victims in finding healing and closure, as well as reinforcing a new level of transparency in dealing with these kinds of crimes.

Over the past several months, many parishioners have approached me individually to express how this scandal has been a severe test of their faith.  I’ve tried to include a […]

Around this time of year, many parishioners start asking me, “Are we getting a deacon?”  For those of you who’ve been around the parish for awhile, you know that spring is the season when assignments start being released for Holy Cross religious.  Well, I’m very happy to report that we will, in fact, be assigned a new deacon in July!  His name is Gilbrian (Gil) Stoy, and he’s a Minnesota native who has just completed his theological studies and will take his final vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in September.  He’ll be ordained a deacon at that time, as well, and then he’ll been ordained a priest next April.  Deacon-to-be Gil will move into the parish in July, and I’ll be able to introduce him to you formally at that time.  His assignment here is a real compliment to all of you, our parishioners.  Christ the King has proved to be a great place for deacons to learn the ropes (as I did here in 2007), and that’s a real testament to our parishioners.

But, as those of you who’ve been around awhile also know, when someone new is assigned here, someone else usually moves on.  After 5½ years here at Christ the King, Fr. Michael Belinsky will leave us this summer to begin a new position as Parochial Vicar at Holy Redeemer Parish in Portland, Oregon.  Fr. Michael’s last weekend with us will be June 29th and 30th, and so all of you will have a chance to say goodbye and wish him well in his new assignment.  We are so grateful for all that he has contributed to our parish over these last several years.

Please join me in praying for Deacon-to-be Gil and […]

Today, the 4th Sunday of Easter, is typically referred to as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” When we hear the Gospel in which Jesus describes Himself as the “Good Shepherd” who lays down His life for His sheep, the Church also asks us to remember the vocation of priesthood, which Jesus left to the Church so that His sheep would never be without a shepherd.

It may seem a little self-serving for me to write a bulletin column about the vocation of the priesthood, but it’s also a little sobering in this day and age, when over the past year the sins of priests have been particularly on display.  These sins have caused deep wounds not only to those directly victimized, but also to all the faithful.  They’ve also caused some to even question the priesthood itself, wondering if perhaps the priesthood is somehow fundamentally broken.

In talking about the priesthood on this Good Shepherd Sunday, a few things come to mind.  First of all, I can testify firsthand that being a priest is an incredible life.  It’s challenging, just like any vocation, but the blessings outweigh the challenges every single day.  As a parish priest, I’m so blessed to be able to preside at the sacraments and to be a part of my parishioners’ lives.  We priests get a window into the faith of our parishioners which strengthens our own faith in countless ways.  I wouldn’t trade being a priest for any other life, and I know that most of my brother priests feel exactly the same way.

I can also attest that there is a lot of reason to feel hopeful about the future of the priesthood.  As you’ve read about the horrible scandals reported in the news, […]