A word on “duc in altum”…

I posted with such haste earlier this week I forgot to note why I got started thinking about that phrase from the Gospel (Luke 5: 1-11): duc in altum – Go out into the depths!

Last Sunday, our Youth Contemporary Choir officially began with a wonderful start at the 6 pm Mass… of course, I was sneaking around to hear our friends singing (as I was unlocking in the Old Church and turning on a few lights for the meeting) and was thinking about that darkened stain glass window in the Choir Loft.  I thought to myself… I don’t recall that window… I wonder what that window depicts… and so… I found a little flyer-thing on the stain glass windows of our Church… and there it was: duc in altum – the very moment in the Gospel when Jesus calls Simon (aka: Peter) to be his disciple after the great catch of fish!

Anyway, my thought on that passage is still posted below, with the link to a nice little video for your musing… but here is what our Church program insightfully offers on the Rose Window in our Choir Loft:

The Rose Window – The Call of Peter

Before Peter was head of the Church, he was a simple fisherman named Simon.  This window depicts Jesus Speaking with Simon and his brother Andrew as described in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 5:1-10.  Jesus tells Simon to put out in the deep and let their net for a catch.  At first, Simon resists Jesus’ word, but he eventually listens.  The fishermen make miraculous catch that nearly breaks their nets.  They needed the help of others to haul in an abundance of fish that fills two boats.  In the window, we See Simon’s hand placed upon his chest as he humbles himself before the Lord Jesus, saying to him, “Depart from me, I am a sinful man.”  Peter then receives the call as Jesus responds to him, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be a fisher of men.”  At this word, Simon leaves everything and follows Jesus.

(From “A Pilgrimage of Light: The Stained Glass Windows of Holy Name of Jesus Parish”)

In that one paragraph we receive a brilliant insight into the beauty both the Gospel and our Rose Window – we can reflect anew upon the life Jesus Christ… and thus I offered a few of my thoughts in my post from the other day… I hope this little extra insight into the Gospel and our wonderful stained glass window in the Choir Loft helps you to follow the Lord more authentically today. 

Let’s keep one another in prayer!

May the Lord continue to bless you abundantly,

Fr. W

duc in altum

“Go out into the depths!” Our Lord, Jesus Christ, invites us to trust him and follow him to abundant life – a life full of joy!  Don’t be afraid to welcome Jesus into your life, to invite him into your meals and snacks, into what you read and watch (even on YouTube or even late-night TV!), into your quick drive to work or school, or into your friendships – Jesus wants to be there with you and Jesus wants to fill your heart with joy!

Today, I would like to offer a little reflection and a video… First, a reading from the Gospel, Luke 5: 1-11:

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God, he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.  He saw two boats there alongside the lake; the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.  Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.  After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” Simon said in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them. They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking.  When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”  For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Notice how Jesus just invades the life of Simon (aka: Peter), how he transforms even the ordinary life of a fisherman with his abundant grace! Jesus wants to transform our life – even if we are like Simon, an ordinary person.  It is in the Ordinary that Jesus wants to be with each of us… which reminds me of one of my favorite “blesseds” (a “saint-to-be”): Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.  Check out this video on the Gospel we just read and this great witness of the faith: Pier Giorgio Frassati: A commentary by Fr. Barron

It was great to see so many of you last night at Youth Group!  Let's keep one another in prayer, as we accept Jesus into our ordinary daily life... take up the invitation of Jesus to each of us: Go out into the depths! 

Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us!

In His Name,

Fr. W

Schedule for the next two weeks - T3 & Encounter!

Schedule for the next two weeks:

Sunday November 3^rd:  Contemporary Youth Choir sings at the 6 pm Mass.  Followed by meeting: T3: The Teen Timeline for grades 9 – 12 and small group for grades 6 – 8.

Sunday November 10^th:  Practice for Youth Contemporary Choir at 6 pm followed by meeting at 7:15 pm.  Encounter Program for grades 6 – 8 and small group for grades 9 – 12. 

Looking forward to seeing all of you!

Fr. W

This Friday, November 1st : All Saints Day!

Just a reminder that this Friday is All Saints Day – a day to celebrate all the Saints of the Church and when we are asked to attend Mass! (It’s a Holy Day of Obligation… so, go to Mass!)

We got lots of options for attending Mass for All Saints Day:

Thursday, Oct. 31^st at 5:30 pm

Friday, Nov. 1^st at 6:30 am, 8:30 am, 12 Noon, 7:00 pm.

If for some reason these times don’t work for you, or you will be out of town – never fear, there are lots of Catholic Churches all over… check out www.hbgdiocese.org or www.MassTimes.org to get yourself to Mass for All Saints Day!

Let us all rejoice in the Lord,

as we celebrate the feast day in honor of all the Saints,

at whose festival the Angels rejoice

and praise the Son of God.

May all the Saints intercede for us!

Fr. W

Youth Group Tomorrow

Reminder tomorrow Evening is Youth Group!

Youth Contemporary Choir Practice at 6pm with meeting at 7:15pm…Encounter Program for students in grades 6 – 8 and small group for grades 9 -12.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Fr. W

Quick Schedule Change!

Quick Schedule Change!

Friends, we have to make a quick change to the schedule... unfortunately, the Corn Maze trip this week is not going to be able to happen.  Sorry we didn't get this notice out sooner - being only a few days in here at Holy Name I am just processing the calenders and schedules a little late in the week... don't worry though, we will do another trip soon - maybe ice skating around Christmas??? any interest? or other suggestions?

As I look at the rest of this year's schedule, Fr. Carroll has lots of great events planned for all of us and I hope to add a few along the way!  Besides, adding Ice Skating around Christmas, perhaps we can jump in some cars and join in the Fan the Fire retreat day at St. Joseph, York in a few weeks!  Lets keep our eyes and hears open to see where the Holy Spirit is calling us to continue to encounter Jesus Christ!

Today, let's offer a quick prayer to the Blessed Mother for each other - that each of us may grow in the virtue we most need!  (Click for a great link to a wonderful Marian Prayer)

God Bless,

Fr. W

He first found his own brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah!”

He first found his own brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah!” (John 1:41)

It is with the joy of encountering Jesus Christ that I great all of you at Holy Name of Jesus Parish!  Just as the Gospels continuously affirm, in finding Jesus Christ we find our purpose in life and our hearts are filled with joy.  Our Lord affirms that our discipleship, our commitment to follow Jesus, is to fill our hearts with joy: “If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15: 10-11).

As I walk with you, taking the shepherd’s staff from Father Carroll, I believe firmly that as our faithfulness to Jesus Christ grows so will our joy!  I am looking forward to experiencing the joyful community of Holy Name of Jesus, especially with all of you our young men and women of the parish.  Over the next several weeks we will have many chances to get to know one another and, more importantly, to more fully know Jesus Christ!

Each of us is called, like St. Andrew the Apostle, to share our joy from encountering Jesus Christ with others - just as occurred in our passage from Sacred Scripture records.  We are called to allow the experience  the joy of Christ, to change the way that we live and how we live with others!  This week, take a moment to think about how you have meet Jesus - who is Jesus? how do I know Jesus? who have I invited to meet Jesus?  (For some fuel to inspire your thought, take a closer look at the encounter of the first disciples with Jesus: John 1:35-51 - just scroll down and take a read!)

Rest assured that each of you remain in my prayers: that you will be kept safe from all harm and continue to grow in virtue and love of the Lord!  Please, keep me in your prayers as well!

May the Lord continue to generously bless each of you!

Fr. Wilke