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| Dear Friends, Keep your eyes peeled for Fr. Mark Taheny, our newest parochial vicar. I think I can safely speak for all the staff members who write this column in saying, "Welcome, Father Mark! We are happy and blessed to have you at St. Robert’s!" As we enter into the second half of 1999, I’m thinking about our celebration of the Christian Jubilee Year 2000. The celebration of the Jubilee will actually begin this year on Christmas Day and continue until January 6 (Epiphany), 2001. It’s not too late to begin preparing our special celebrations for the Jubilee, but time is certainly running short for making a spiritual preparation for the Jubilee. For this final year before the Jubilee, Pope John Paul II has called us to work on our relationship with God the Father and to give special attention to reconciliation. While it is always important to say, "I’m sorry," for any harm we have caused, it is also important to remember that the burden of reconciling actually falls upon the one who has been hurt. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God is the reconciler. With family, friends, and coworkers, Jesus calls us to be the reconcilers if we are the ones who have been offended. Last week Fr. Ring gave us a wise little list of ingredients to happiness. At the risk of ruining its simplicity, we might want to add, "Let go of any grudges. Get rid of your enemies by making them your friends." Instead of waiting angrily for someone else to apologize, go to the other to let them know he or she has hurt you, but that you want to heal that hurt. That takes true strength. There are very few things more powerful than the power to forgive. Finally, let yourself be reconciled to God if you need that. We frequently hear about celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent and Advent, but why not now, during the Summer, the Ordinary ("Counting") Time of the year? It might be a great way for you to prepare for the future Jubilee, but it also will make your present days far more enjoyable. Sincerely, |
