This pastor’s post from last week is going up late due to my website being down most of the week – what was supposed to be a simple server change became a bit of a saga to clear previously unknown DNSSEC settings. Fun times!

In addition to unusual virtual activities, this week had me driving more than usual. After visiting all five churches with a three-day period (Saturday-Monday), I also went to Tumwater on Friday for a mandatory Department of Corrections orientation. This was the last step before being issued credentials so that I could visit and celebrate the sacraments with residents of our local state prisons – Clallam Bay Corrections Center and Olympic Corrections Center. Though we have not yet finalized arrangements, we are working to establish regular Masses & visits. It is sobering to consider how many of our brothers & sisters go without sacraments or even regular human contact due to their imprisonment – and we do well to remember and act on the knowledge that part our own accounting to God will include how we have or have not acted on Jesus’ words about visiting Him when He was imprisoned.

There are so many people – in our own neighborhoods and communities – who need our care & support. May we actively look for opportunities to serve them and truly embrace them as our brothers and sisters.

Peace,
Father Maurer

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September 23 – Today is the memorial of Saint Pius of Pietreclina – popularly called Padre Pio. Canonized in 2002 by Pope John Paul II, he was a Capuchin Franciscan priest of the early 1900s. Though known for his holiness and spiritual gifts – especially the stigmata and ability to read souls – it is his obedience that stands out to me. Skepticism and concern led his superiors to restrict his ministry severely, which he followed to the letter until he was permitted to return to normal ministry. Read about him at the Vatican website.

September 26 – If you listen carefully to Eucharistic Prayer I, you’ll hear the names of today’s saints, Cosmas and Damien. Twin brothers from Arabia living during the third century, they were became Christians and practiced medicine & surgery without charging. Their generosity brought many to the faith and their fame eventually got them caught up in the Diocletian persecution. Little is known about their martyrdom, save that it took place in Syria. Veneration of the two saints began as early as the fourth century and continues today. Read more at Word on Fire.

September 27 – Today is the memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul. Leader of the Congregation of the Mission – also called Vincentians – he dedicated himself to serving the poor and sick. He is the patron saint of charitable societies. Throughout my priesthood, I have been blessed to have conferences of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in all of my assignments. These conferences, financially, materially, and temporally (ie volunteers!) supported by parishioners, are a reliable source of support for all those who come to our doors seeking assistance with rent, food, clothing, and many other forms of support. May we ask Saint Vincent de Paul’s intercession for ourselves and those most in need – and may we ourselves contribute to those efforts! Read about him at Franciscan Media.

September 28 – It is a small delight of mine that today’s saint – Saint Wenceslaus – gives me an excuse (not that I need one!) to listen to Christmas music in fall. Though he is perhaps known nowadays for the Christmas song “Good King Wenceslaus”, his faith to the point of martyrdom at the hands of his own brother (who killed him on the way to a celebration of the feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian that he himself had invited Wenceslaus) led him to be declared the patron saint of Bohemia. Check the homily Pope Benedict XVI offered in 2009 on this memorial day.

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Priests celebrating their anniversaries this week