This week all of the pastor’s of the archdiocese gathered together at the Archbishop Brunett Retreat at the Palisades for a couple of days of presentations, prayer, and fraternity. Though I feel it more keenly as a priest on the Olympic Peninsula, it is true for every priest in our sprawling archdiocese that we simply don’t see much of each other throughout the year – with just three times a year where we all are scheduled to gather together (the Chrism Mass, the priestly ordination Mass in June, and the 4-day priest convocation ‘Priest Days’ in the summer). That there is an additional couple of days to catch up with my brother priests – many of whom I once lived & studied with for years in seminary before being scattered across Western Washington after ordination – is an extraordinary blessing.
The primary reason for our coming together is, as you might guess, the Partners in the Gospel project we are all going through. Although there were spiritual presentations were given to feed our souls, I found our sessions on the coming stages of this work to be most helpful. While the information and guidance was helpful – I am, as many of my parishioners have observed, all about learning & following the mind of Christ & His Church! – there was a particular aspect of fraternity that I realized I especially appreciate: the fellowship of those striving – even struggling – together. While this sometimes involves wrestling with ideas and even conflicts among ourselves, it is ultimately a strengthening of the bond of discipleship, of being united in the heart – and cross – of Christ. There are hard things ahead, but we can and will do it well because we are not alone but one in the Lord.
My deepest moments of despair and hopeless have consistently come in the aftermath of division, of suffering the effects of lashing out against each other. Whether I am the one lashing out or the one receiving a lashing, it is less about the violence inflicted (though that is its own hurt) and more about the wound of separation. It is the breach of unity that, if unaddressed, deals real damage to individual relationships and whole communities. Though often unsaid, the despairing cry of our hearts protests – ‘I thought we were in this together!’.
We had some serious debate this week – debate that included priests, laity at the highest levels of the chancery, our bishops, and the archbishop himself. At several points, some raw emotions were laid quite bare at our tables and in the larger all-hands discussions. But the fruit of those conversations were not only some re-consideration of our strategies and plans, but an affirmation that we can disagree, be angry with each other, and even think the other ‘side’ is wrong – and still be united as brothers & sisters in Christ.
Though I come home from this conference with some new ideas & hopes, where I find myself most invigorated is in the idea of striving together. Perhaps to my shame, I don’t know the work of G.K. Chesteron very well at all but one of my favorite quotes comes from a remark attributed to him: “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” Let us face whatever dragons are ahead of us together, confident that – united in Christ – we will be victorious.
Saints & celebrations
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- February 1 – Blessed Ludovica Albertoni – Though perhaps not especially known in our time, Ludovica so inspired others of her time and beyond that no less than Gianlorenzo Bernini carved a masterpiece sculpture still venerated in the church San Francesco a Ripa in Rome. Learn more about her at the Vatican Radio website.
- February 2 – Saint Nicola Saggio of Longobardi – A relatively newly canonized saint (2014), Nicola is a model for catechists, work for which he was particularly well known. The Diocese of Tucson has a brief write-up on him and prayer for his intercession.
- February 3 – Saint Blaise – Most Catholics are quite familiar with the blessing of Saint Blaise on February 3 (“Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may you be freed from every disease of the throat and every other illness.”). Read more about the man himself at the Vatican City State website.
- February 4 – Saint Joseph of Leoness – Choosing to work with slaves (even after being imprisoned for doing so), Joseph dedicated his life to those who were most marginalized during his lifetime. Learn more about him at Franciscan Media.
- February 5 – Saint Adelaide – Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, Adelaide helped root modern-day Europe in Christianity. Read more about her at FaithND.
- February 6 – Saint Paulo Miki – The first Japanese martyr – but by no means the last. Today the Church celebrates Paul Miki and his companions. Read more about him (and them) at the Vatican City State website.
- February 7 – Saint Richard – Renouncing his royal estates so he could make a pilgrimage to Rome with his sons makes for an impressive saintly resume! Read more about him at the Newman Connection website.
(No pastor’s insert this week)
Priests celebrating their anniversaries this week
- Rev. Sung Jun Park (February 1, 2018)
- Rev. Da Wool Kim (February 3, 2004)
- Rev. Albert Arulappan, H.G.N. (February 5, 2009)
Remembering our deceased priests
- Fr. Thomas Park (February 1, 2022)
- Msgr. James G. Stafford (February 3, 1949)
- Fr. Joseph C. Dakin (February 3, 1969)
- Fr. Gerald Moffat (February 3, 2021)
- Fr. Mark A. Stehly (February 4, 2018)
- Fr. Jaime M. Tolang (February 4, 2019)
- Fr. Jean Baptiste A. Brouillet (February 5, 1884)
- Fr. Michael Fafara (February 5, 1914)
- Fr. James Buck (February 7, 1998)
Fr Mark Stehly served St Joseph parish as a senior priest. We loved his exuberant prayer, “Yea God!” At his funeral, his favorite candy bars were passed out in his memory.
God grant him eternal rest.