Kevin's Corner 09-28-08

Written by Fr. Kevin McDonough

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

READY TO WELCOME OUR GUESTS:  This Wednesday is our first night of a month of hospitality to homeless children and their parents.  Each April and October we open our church hall – and our hearts – to make room for people who otherwise would be sleeping in cars or in makeshift tents.  On a warm evening in early fall that might not seem so bad, but the fast approaching season of frost, followed by icy cold, underlines the practical issues.  Thank you, in anticipation, to all who will disrupt their busy schedules to help children feel safe and to even bring a little sense of home to a difficult time in life.  Thanks, too, to the organizers, trainers, captains, and all the rest of the team that makes this possible.  

 

A DIFFICULT LETTER:  You received a difficult letter from me earlier this week.  As you can see, we have our hands full in making the numbers work in support of our outreach, especially our school.  I will not mislead you by saying that it will be an easy challenge to resolve.  In fact, the Parish Council and I have been following this situation closely and expending enormous effort to get things right.  We are going to continue to do so.  We are also enlisting the help of friends.  We will keep you informed of our progress (and the barriers we meet).  All good ideas are welcome!  And of course, we need your prayerful support.

 

I’LL BE RIGHT BACK:  As the depth of our challenges became clearer in recent weeks, I considered canceling the trip I am currently taking.  As noted in this column last week, I am away from September 22 until October 3, visiting family and friends in New York and Texas.  This trip is part of my “rolling sabbatical,” a time of renewal and reconnection after my father’s death and my recent job transitions.  Rather than cancel my current trip, however, I decided not to take a longer absence I had scheduled for late October and early November.  That trip was to have included some work for a foundation on whose board I sit, a visit with another brother and his family, and a retreat.  So, I am away for these eleven days, and then will be back and fully engaged in the battle.  See you next weekend!

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THREE NEWLY CONFIRMED ADULTS:  On September 14 and 21 our 8:00 AM Mass was blessed by the confirmations of three new adult members of our Church and our parish.  Congratulations to Sarisse Creighton, Melanie Davis, and Ify Okolo.  The first two had begun their training with Deacon Fred almost a year ago.  Some disruptions in our schedules resulted in a long delay in their joining the church, but they were most patient.  Ify came to see me this summer, moved by some reflection she had been doing during her first year in college.  I know I speak for Deacon Fred as well as myself when I say that it is a great honor to work with adults who engage in a serious exploration of their faith.  Thank you for the honor of doing so.

 

AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DEACON FRED:  This week we observe the eleventh anniversary of the ordination of Deacon Fred Johnson.  That was a day of blessing for our parish, and the blessing has continued for us in so many ways since then.  Thank you, Reverend brother, for your  service.

 

ANOTHER DEACON ORDINATION:  Archbishop Nienstedt is ordaining another class of permanent deacons this weekend.  Among the newly ordained is Ramon Garcia.  Ramon, his wife Suzanne, and their three children are very active members of my “other parish,” Sagrado Corazon in Minneapolis.  As you can imagine, there is a great sense of gratitude and pride in that community.  Ramon, who already works full-time for his home community, will now become the first member of Sagrado Corazon to serve the broader Church as a permanent deacon.  Please pray for the success of his ministry, and for blessings on his young family.

 

CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLICS WHO ARE DIVORCED AND SEPARATED:  Next Saturday is the day for the Annual Fall Conference for Separated and Divorced Catholics.  It takes place right here in Saint Paul, at Lumen Christi Church (worth a visit, by the way, as a beautiful new center surrounding a historic church) in Highland Park.  This year’s event is the 32nd such conference.  When we first began to hold such conferences in the 1970’s, there was more than a little controversy about them.  Some people believed that Catholics ought not to talk about divorce or welcome divorced members.  But now, well into its second generation, the Conference has proven to be an important help to thousands of people whose connection to God and church had been damaged in the pain of divorce.  The day will be led off, by the way, by our friend, Archbishop Emeritus Harry J. Flynn.  You can register at the door, starting at 8:45 AM.  For more information, call 651-603-0251. 

 

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION:  Saint Peter Claver School students are preparing for the Fall round of annual testing.  Our students, like those in all the Catholic urban elementary schools, participate in a national, on-line twice-a-year assessment of their learning.  We test them in math and reading at the beginning and the end of each school year.  The results help us to make sure each student is receiving the educational services he or she needs.  And it helps us to improve the curriculum and teaching approaches we are using.

 

We are also sending out this week our Fall appeal letter to our Claver Angels.  Each year we have been expanding the universe of people who provide at least a half-scholarship ($1450) in support of a child in our school.  Most of our Angels actually give a full scholarship or more.  Pray for a successful appeal.

 

This week a group called A Better Way Foundation voted to make a gift of $15,000 in support of our school.  This a first-time gift of support, and is aimed at general operational expenses.  Thank you to all our friends, our Angels, and our parish supporters.