Did you know that we have faith development programs?  Our adult education offers scripture study and theology studies.  Right now, the program is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (the RCIA).  Some people might think that this is only for those becoming Catholic Christians or converting to Catholicism. 

            In actuality, these classes are open to everyone in the parish.  Every Sunday, one of the priests, together with our coordinator, June Baker, teaches a 1 hour to one ½-hour class from 1:00 – 2:00 in the basement of the rectory (the pastor’s meeting room).  I ask all of you to read the bulletin and see the schedule of classes.  You do not have to come every week.  The commitment to go just a few times a year will help you to begin to know you faith better.

            Lent is just around the liturgical calendar corner and we will have a parish mission on “The Parables Alive.”  Also in a few weeks, there will be “Free” CDs in the lobby of the church with talks by a number of prominent theologians and teachers of the faith.  You will have an opportunity to take a CD home, listen to it and then pass it on to a family member or friend.  Do not be afraid to learn.  There is no obligation attached except the obligation you have to yourself in the eyes of God to be knowledgeable about your faith so that you can share and defend it with assurance and pride.

            Every day is about reaching out and teaching.  That is what the priests here at OLPH do at Mass, in the confessional, in the classroom and in the office.  Every day you have opportunities to teach.  You do not need a professional degree to share and teach the Catholic Faith.  You need a heart convinced that only in Christ is our Hope for a world, a family, a community of peace and love.

            On a more practical and personal note, I ask you to pass on a concern and a request that I have about parking behind the church.  Our priests’ garages need to be clear at all times.  We never know when we will be called to attend to the emergency needs of a person or family, at home or in the hospital.  The yellow cross lines and the No Parking signs should be enough, but perhaps word of mouth (nice words) will help.

            Right now we are planning for a weekend visit from Bishop John Dunn, our Vicar on the weekend of February 9 and 10.  I’ll tell you more as we get closer.  And, remember, Lent is on its way and it’s not too early to ask yourself, what can I do for Lent that will make a significance in my spiritual life?   

At present, I am working with our staff to verify our parish compliance with the Diocesan Child Protection Policies.  As you all know, we have a grave responsibility to see to it that our children are being cared for, led by, or in the company of people who are positive role models and whom we have reasonable assurances that they are not liable to place a child in any danger or questionable situation.  Therefore, we embrace the two-fold program instituted in our Diocese.  All staff and volunteers must have, on file in our offices, either an Application for Employment or Volunteer Services that includes verifiable reference contacts and a criminal history background check.  Each person is required to attend a three-hour training program offered here at OLPH and in many other locations throughout the diocese.  There is absolutely no excuse for not attending.  I want all of you to know that we are working toward 100% compliance and I will accept nothing less.  The cooperation of every person involved in the whole scope of volunteer practices is necessary.  By diocesan standards anyone who is not registered as a volunteer and had the appropriate background check and/or has not completed the “Virtus Training Program” may not work for us or volunteer their services to us, most especially when it involves contact, chaperoning, driving, and, of course, teaching our children.  Our Catholic School and Religious Education offices are constantly keeping this training updated.  We also have a program for our students to provide our youth with a tool kit for self-protection from sexual abuse.

The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. (National Catholic) developed this Model Code of Pastoral Conduct For Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff, and Volunteers (Code of Pastoral Conduct).  I share with you the following introduction:

I. Preamble

Priests, deacons, pastoral ministers, administrators, staff, and volunteers in our parishes, religious Communities/institutes, and organizations must uphold Christian values and conduct. The Model Code of Pastoral Conduct for Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff, and Volunteers (Code of Pastoral Conduct) provides a set of standards for conduct in certain pastoral situations.

II. Responsibility

The public and private conduct of clergy, staff, and volunteers can inspire and motivate people, but it can also scandalize and undermine the people’s faith. Clergy, staff, and volunteers must, at all times, be aware of the responsibilities that accompany their work. They must also know that God’s goodness and grace supports them in their ministry. 

Responsibility for adherence to the Code of Pastoral Conduct rests with the individual. Clergy, staff, and volunteers who disregard this Code of Pastoral Conduct will be subject to remedial action by [the parish, the religious community/institute, the school, the bishop, etc.]. Corrective action may take various forms—from a verbal reproach to removal from the ministry—depending on the specific nature and circumstances of the offense and the extent of the harm.

I share this so that you will be informed.  Thanks be to God, our children are in a safe environment.  I applaud the level of diligence especially from Mrs. Lubrano (School), Mrs. Castellano (RelEd), Keith Camacho (CYO), Joe Gibbons (CMSAA) and Jason Paratore (Youth Minister).

Lent is here.  Wednesday is Ash Wednesday.  What will Easter bring into our lives that will make us filled with “Easter Joy?”  Will we change?  Will our Lenten promises make a difference?  Are our Lenten promises just like our New Year resolutions?  Do we do the same thing every year?  If so, what does it really do for us?  What does is mean, in the end, when did not eat sweets or we gave up something we like.  Did giving up something really make a difference?  Now if you decide to give up smoking, or drinking or a particular moral sin we have, and use Lent as a starting point to give it up forever, that is a great Lent.  Now that is a plan of action with long term physical and spiritual affects.For those who do not have these types of addictions or habits, there are a host of other things we could give up, but not just for Lent, but forever.  How about gossip, arguing, having to win all the time, cursing, lying, spreading rumors, overeating, cheating, stealing, taking advantage of people’s good will, annoying your spouse, disobeying your parents, fighting with your brothers and sisters, disobeying your family, not doing the chores you are suppose to do, putting off until later or tomorrow the things that never get done or actually should or need to be done today?  The list could go on an on and are basically that list of sins that never get overcome because when Lent comes we look for something common and basically simple, and the challenge of Lent is passed up to check of the Lent Box [X} for another year.

            Do something positive.  Take my list above and add your own to it.  Pick something that needs to change in you life and use Lent to change it.  I also want to encourage all of you to pick a day, other than Saturday or Sunday Mass, and go to church.  Either come to one of the Masses at 6:30am; 8:00am; 12:00noon; 7:00pm or just stop into the church and make a visit before the Blessed Sacrament.  Put aside extra time for God.  Come to Stations of the Cross on Wednesday evenings.  Bring your family and friends to the Lenten Mission.  Come to the Live Passion Presentation or the Presentation we will have on the Shroud of Turin.  Enter into the heart of Lent where we look at Christ’s suffering and realize He died for the sins that I haven’t even begun to work on because I’m too busy giving up candy rather than getting rid of that habit, or addiction or sin that keeps me less the person God wants me to be.

            Take the Lenten Leap of Faith and do something special that will make a difference in your life come Easter.  That is what Lent is all about.

            Finally, I hope your realize how important it is for all of us to realize that our parish reaches out to hundreds of thousands of people each year through the various Diocesan Services and Organization and Institutions.  The Catholic Ministry Appeal is absolutely the lifeblood (financially) and the soul (spiritually and practically) that keeps people of Nassau and Suffolk with a source of daily hope.  Whether “Meals on Wheels” or “Training men for the Priesthood and Diaconate and Lay People for Parish Ministry, your hand is outstretched in faith and love when you give to the financial support of the CMA.  Give generously and do not say No!  Give whatever you can, but give from your heart.