Last week we had our formal parish feedback session. I must admit that I was nervous about what it might look like – would there be torches and pitchforks….or possibly no one at all? I needn’t have worried about any of that: we had over 100 people show up and all of them came with thoughtful, enthusiastic, and generously offered input to offer. While some of the conversation was indeed charged, I found it to be fruitful and oriented towards being truly helpful. I look forward to having it transcribed for you to read yourselves – and most importantly, for the archbishop and his advisors to consider.

If you couldn’t make it to that session – or you have more input to offer – the archdiocese has gone live with their online public comment form. As I understand it, the window for submitting input ends towards the end of the month, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity soon.

As I mentioned in last week’s pastor’s post, one of the continuing takeaways for me in all of this is the emphasis on community. There is such a blessing in coming together in prayer, discussion, and simply enjoying being together. It is a helpful – and timely – reminder that I need to be deliberate in choosing to spend time with others: family, friends, and members of the community.

On a lighter note, may I introduce you to Gravity Falls? One of our parishioners enthusiastically recommended this 2012 television series to me – even going so far as to offer a truly delightful 3-page write up on why the series is one of the best animated offerings out there. I promised to watch it when I had the chance, which I was finally able to do over the last couple of weeks.

I am happy to report that it was a joy to watch! Coming in at exactly 40 episodes (roughly 30 minutes each), the show is one that I think most adults & children will enjoy – though I think it is probably best saved for children in the later grades of middle school (11+ years old). If you’re looking for a wholesome – but frequently surprisingly thoughtful – light fare for you and your family, this might be just the thing to check out!

In any case, I hope you have a wonderful week! As always, rest assured of my prayers.

yours in Christ,
Father Maurer

---

October 1 – Though Sundays always trump memorials in liturgical celebrations, today is nonetheless a wonderful celebration – the memorial of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. She is also called ‘the Little Flower’ because of her dedication to great love through small actions. Read more at the Society of the Little Flower website.

October 2 – The memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels centers around Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:10: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” May we be sure to call upon the angels – especially our guardian angels – inviting them to guide us in our daily discernment of God’s will. And though it was posted on last week’s feast of the archangels, you may enjoy this art from Allan Rohan Crite of the angels at prayer with us.

October 4 – Every year we celebrate the memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, both at Mass and with an annual blessing of pets. We’ll be having the blessing of pets around 8:45 am in the school parking lot this Wednesday. You are most welcome to bring your pet – leashed or well-contained – for the blessing. Later that day – at 6:30 pm in the parish church – we will celebrate the memorial with Mass and a light reception hosted by the Friends of Saint Francis group.

October 7 – Today is the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. This celebration holds a special place in my heart, as it is the namesake of my years as a priest and later, my first pastorship. Though the parish has since closed, it was that community who accompanied me through some especially formative experiences as a priest and as a leader. In your kindness, please join in me in praying for the parishioners of Holy Rosary, Tacoma, who are still finding their way to and in their new parishes.

The rosary itself is also dear to me. When I find myself without the right words or prayers – which is often! – reciting the familiar prayers of the rosary helps ground my thoughts & feelings. As the beads slip through my fingers, I am reminded that I, too, am a part of the Holy Family – both a brother of the Lord and an adoptive son of Mary & Joseph. Despite usually praying the rosary by myself, there is great comfort in knowing that this prayer is being echoed in the hearts and on the lips of Catholics throughout the world – there’s probably not a single second of any given day where the rosary is not being offered somewhere. If you’d like to learn more about the rosary – and pray it with some guidance – check out Bishop Barron on the rosary at Word on Fire.

This last Saturday (September 23, 2023), we had our informal parish townhall Q&A in preparation for our formal feedback session this Thursday, September 28 at 6:30 pm in the school gymnasium. This Thursday will be our opportunity to give our feedback about the proposed parish family configuration of which Saint Mark parish is a part: parish family 13 – Saint Catherine parish, Saint Matthew parish, and Saint Mark parish. Parishioners are especially encouraged to come with their response to two questions: What does or doesn’t work with this proposed parish family configuration? and What alternatives do I suggest? It is my hope that every parishioner takes part in this crucial feedback to the archbishop and those helping him in his final decision later this year.

But enough about that, and back to the townhall! As the day got closer, I found myself more and more anxious about how it might go. As much as I feel capable of handling expressions of strong emotions, conflict – especially angry conflict – is something I just dread, every time.

I needn’t have worried. About sixty parishioners showed up, all with intelligent & insightful questions – and kind dispositions. We talked for over two hours about the what, why, and maybes of Partners in the Gospel. If you’d like to check out those questions & answers, there is an extensive summary available online on our website.

On the geeky side of things, that summary was largely enabled by my Google Pixel 7’s Recorder app, which transcribed the entire session for me! Though I had to do some heavy editing (it really likes commas), it saved me a boatload of work by doing the heavy lifting of turning what was said into text. I’m not telling you what kind of phone you should purchase – but if you’re going with an Android phone, Google’s Pixel line is pretty amazing (and honestly, can a Christian in good conscience buy hardware whose logo is a sign of original sin? 🤔😏)

A takeaway from Saturday – as well as a planning meeting during the week for our adult catechesis classes – is how enjoyable it is to just spend time together talking about what we love. Sharing our faith, enjoying each other’s presence, sharing our joys & sorrows – this is at the heart of the life of community for which God created us! It is easy to forget how wonderful it is to simply be with others, especially in light of all the technological barriers to doing just that.

Whatever may be in your schedule this week, I hope it includes some time with family, friends, and those around you. Rest assured of my prayers for you throughout.

yours in Christ,
Father Maurer

---

September 26 – This day is the memorial of Saints Cosmas and Damian. If you listen closely the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), they are both mentioned before the consecration. They were twin brothers who became doctors, legendarily not charging for their services. During the persecution of Diocletian, they were tortured and eventually executed for their faith. Devotion to their veneration spread quickly, leading to their inclusion in the commemoration in the Roman Canon. Read more at Catholic Culture.

September 27 – The memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul holds a special place in Catholic communities around the world, not least because of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – conferences of which are found in parishes everywhere. These conferences, though their own non-profit organization, are manned by members of the parish community and serve the most needy in their local area. These ‘Vincentians’ go out two-by-two to meet our neighbors, offering a helping hand. Read more about their mission at the official SVdP website. And if you’d like to support their work, you can donate online to our Saint Mark Saint Vincent de Paul conference.

September 28 – Saint Lawrence Ruiz & his companions – whose memorial is today – stand as witnesses of how ordinary people can make an extraordinary witness. A simple parishioner, husband, and father, he found himself fleeing his home when falsely accused of murder. When he and the Dominicans who helped him escape landed in Nagasaki, they found themselves caught and tortured under the persecution of Christians there. Their torturers explicitly desired their renunciation of the faith, but Saint Lawrence and the three priests refused, holding fast to their faith to the end. The Vatican News website has more about their inspiring story.

September 29 – Of all the angels, the archangels Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are the only whose names have been revealed to us. Though each is mentioned at several points in Scripture, they are particularly known for their appearance in the Book of Revelation (Michael), at the annunciation (Gabriel), and in the Book of Tobit (Raphael). May we regularly call on them – and all the saints & angels – to pray for us! And if you’d like to pray to them, consider learning each of their prayers:

• Prayer to Saint Michael, the archangel
• Prayer to Saint Gabriel, the archangel
• Prayer to Saint Raphael, the archangel

For further reading, you may enjoy Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 homily on their feast day at the ordination of new bishops.

September 30 – Saint Jerome, whose memorial is today, famously said that “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ”. As Catholics, we’re blessed with many opportunities to reflect on Sacred Scripture – not only in regular reading of the Bible (that too!), but in the Liturgy of the Hours, at Mass, and in devotional prayers such as the rosary. Read more about Saint Jerome at Ascension Press – and take some time to pick up your Bible today, and every day, to draw closer to the Lord.

‘I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.’

I caught myself ruminating on this scene from The Fellowship of the Ring. Though the conversation in the movie is portrayed ever-so-slightly differently than is found in the book, the sentiment rings true – especially in the portrayal of Frodo reflecting on the conversation before committing to fulfilling his mission despite the breaking of the Fellowship.

Partners in the Gospel is the opposite of the breaking of the Fellowship – if anything, we are long overdue for a re-forging of fraternity among Catholics in the Pacific Northwest. Even in my relatively short time in the archdiocese (I’m a military brat and have only lived here since 1998), the deep divisions within our archdiocese have always been evident – both within any given parishes as well as between them.

What we could not – or perhaps, if we’re brutally honest with ourselves, would not – achieve by will alone, circumstances are now forcing: we will be forged together by this process into one parish, one community. But there’s still choice in the process. Much like Frodo we must choose between walking the path set before us or turning back.

Frodo’s uncle Bilbo offered some words of wisdom that also ring true: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” But that’s the nature of every great story – what started off as familiar & comfortable turns into an unexpected journey! And there’s great adventure to be had, if we’re willing to choose to walk the path.

Just as Frodo needed reminding that he wasn’t meant to do it alone from his friend Samwise (arguably the true hero of the trilogy!), we do well to remember that we are also not alone. We go together, supported by the intercession of all the angels & saints, accompanied by Christ Himself. May we walk the path set before us by the Lord, confident that He has great things in store for us.

Yours in Christ,
Father Maurer

P.S. Perhaps my subconscious remembered that this Friday, September 22, is Frodo & Bilbo’s birthday (also called ‘Hobbit Day’)! Given how much hobbits enjoy merriment, food, and drink, it seems appropriate to take their lead in our own participation in the celebration!

---

September 19 – The memorial of Saint Januarius is one that deserves much more attention than it gets this side of the Atlantic. In Naples, Italy, however, this celebration holds great significance – a vial of his blood, saved after his martyrdom, is brought out for veneration. Close attention is paid to this vial, for it has – and almost always does on this day – miraculously liquify. When it fails to do so, it is taken as a sign of some kind of coming trouble. Rather appropriately, Saint Januarius is the patron saint of blood donors! Read more at Catholic News Agency.

September 20 – Today we celebrate a LOT of saints – one hundred and thirteen of them, to be exact! This memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-Gŏn and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang and companions recalls their martyrdom in the mid-1800s. Though Catholics of that time were few in number (a few thousand) at the time, those numbers have since grown to nearly four million. Though we hope never to face martyrdom ourselves, may their fidelity spur us to similarly profess the faith in all that we do.

September 21 – Today’s Office of Readings contains an excerpt from Saint Bede’s homily, in which we are invited to reflect on Matthew’s call by Jesus. Though unworthy of the Lord’s call, Matthew was called nonetheless – and responded in faith! His life and work (not least in his writing of the Gospel of Matthew) have proven to be a model for Christians in every generation. Read about him and his feast day at the National Basilica’s website.

September 23 – Saint Pius of Pietrelcina – colloquially known as ‘Padre Pio’ – was perhaps best known for his lifetime of suffering and for his dedication to prayer. Eight years after his ordination, he received the stigmata in his hands, feet, and side. Due to some questions about their authenticity, his ministry was restricted and he was not allowed to publicly celebrate Mass or hear confessions. Though this was quickly reversed, he never complained or disobeyed, choosing instead to humbly obey. May his example of sacrificial suffering help us to embrace our own crosses. Read about him at the Vatican News website.