Together

Together we rejoice as new members join us….           
Together we teach our children and youth….
Together we take care of our seniors, and cherish their wisdom…               
Together we support our needy cases and help whenever we can…   
Together we pray as a community of faith…           
Together we plan, ponder and decide…
Together we celebrate in fellowship…               
Together we sympathize and empathize, we hold hands for support…
Together we enhance our Christian marriages...           
Together we nurture our families…

Together we help and volunteer…               
Together we grow in spirit, truth and love…
Together we share signs of peace and embrace in loving friendship…               
Together we are proud of our parish community…
Together we support our neighboring towns and churches…
Together we dream and hope of a happy future…           
Together we follow our Pope, Bishop and Pastors…   

Together we support all forms of life, including the unborn...    
Together we live, move, share and grow…
Together we pay respect to those who are called to Eternal Life…
Together we are the Body of Christ…..   
Together we are Church.

On handling children

Some years ago the Brooklyn Tablet  - one of the best Catholic papers in the country, related the experience of a father who had offered to keep house one day while mother went shopping.  This father was an auditor by profession.  He had a knack for keeping accounts.  Figures were his forte.  He could remember them clearly and record them rapidly.  He decided to keep a running record of what took place that day.  Here are some of the day's totals:

Opened the door for children                 106 times
Closed the door for children                    106 times
Tied their shoes                                         16 times
Rescued creeping baby                            21 times
Told two-year old George "don't"          94 times
Stopped quarrels                                       18  times
Spread butter and jelly on bread           11 times
Distributed cookies                                   28 times
Served glasses of water                           15 times
Answered telephone                                 7 times
Wiped noses                                               19 times
Answered questions                                 145 times
Stumped by questions                             175 times
Lost temper                                                47 times
Ran after children (approximately)       4 miles

The exhausted head of the house had to admit that he might have been too busy to       record every time, and that there were incidentals, like picking up toys and taking the scissors away from the baby, which he did in stride without having the second of leisure needed to jot it down.
His list also failed to include the countless other activities of the average mother: washing and ironing and patching and cooking.  It lists not the long hours of watching and nursing, the numberless interruptions of sleep to cover the child, to prepare its bottle, see to its feeding and change its essential clothing.
Nor did he record the hours of anxiety when the little one was sick or upset, or when mother was wondering what was going on at school or at play.  Neither could he list the wearying worries of wife during the teens of her children. Needless to say, next day he went to work, and started to appreciate his wife much more.

Family grave

The Cassar Family Grave at the Addolorata Cemetery, Malta

During the month November, we remember our loved ones. Faithful in the thousands visit their graves in the local cemeteries, placing flowers, candles and most importantly saying a prayer. Our family grave was recently finished thanks to the work of my siblings, as we honor our parents John and Mary, our brother Paul and brother-in-law Carmelo Garzia, all of whom are buried there. The ceramic photos of my mother and brother are not finished yet, but the general overall look is very reverent, respectful and a fitting tribute to their memory. For many years, the graveside was simple and empty with occasional flowers placed by my sister. We are all happy with the dignified tombstone made of granite. 

Praying on the family grave in January 2002 after my father was buried

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

2013 - St Francis of Assisi, Bend, OR

St Francis of Assisi new church, built in 2009

Still feeling like the new kid on the block, I started my ministry here in Bend on October 17, and it has been as hectic as I ever imagined it to be. Shuttling between two big churches has become routine for me and I enjoy serving in both of them, with the weekend Masses heavily attended and with a very generous attendance even at the weekday Masses, which are held in the historic church, built in 1920 and run by the Capuchin Franciscans for 66 years. 

An elaborate reredos at the St Francis historic church,

Recently a number of pastors have served here with a few more Associates helping out this ever-increasing town with close to 90,000 residents. The number of Catholics may be around 5,500, including a large number of Hispanics for whom we offer a weekend Mass in Spanish, besides other classes and celebrations.

Myself with Fr Joseph by the historic church

The new church was built in 2009, and is adjacent to the parish offices and the Catholic School, which originally had their own school in downtown Bend, and which has recently been transformed int a pub, movie theater and health spa, known as McMenamin's. With me as an Associate is a priest from Kerala, India, Fr Joseph Kunnelaya, and together we bring the missionary spirit into the parish, as well as a spirit of healing, harmony and happiness.

Perpetual Adoration at the historic church

Stained glass window at the new church

Please check the parish website, which is being upgraded, while hoping to also include a photo gallery, as soon as I find out how to manage the entire website, which seems a little bit complicated at the moment - St Francis of Assisi, Bend, OR

2005-2013 - St Francis De Sales, Baker City, OR

The renovated Cathedral at Baker City

My last 8 years were spent at the Baker City Cathedral dedicated to the patron of journalists, Saint Francis De Sales. When I arrived there I instantly thought of the upcoming centennial of the Cathedral church in 2008, and soon I got together a committee to see how best we could celebrate this historic event. I have to say that on my first trip to the Cathedral in April 2003, I was shocked to see the wall or screen behind the main altar, and for three years I wondered who on earth ever thought of such a contraption in an otherwise beautiful sanctuary. There were various renovations done in the 1930s, 1958 and finally in 1980, and so it was decided that we needed to bring back the splendor of the Cathedral, with the tabernacle in a prominent central place. 

The re-dedication Mass October 27, 2007

The Cathedral was re-dedicated on October 27 2007, to coincide with Bishop Connolly's 60th anniversary as a priest, and the dedication Mas was held exactly on the 100th anniversary, April 9, 2008. Many other activities and functions highlighted the 8 years I spent there, and if you go back to three weeks ago and view the posts of October 15 and 16, you can see some of them. And if you go to the parish website, you can still see hundreds of photos of the parish life, celebrations, the entire renovation process and much more in the photo galleries....   www.saintfranciscathedral.com

The Cathedral built with volcanic tuff between 1906 and 1908

2003-2005 - St Elizabeth of Hungary, John Day, OR

Christmas at St Elizabeth's in John Day, OR

The start of my ministry in the Baker Diocese was in March 2003, when Bishop Robert Vasa drove me to my new parish in John Day, dropped me off and simply said "OK Father Julian, you're on your own!" That was the start of two and a half years of re-organizing a small country parish with people collaborating and cooperating with me to bring a new spirit in the parish dedicated to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. The church was built in 1939 and did not change much over the years, although the inside was frequently remodeled giving the sanctuary area a new look, especially during Christmas and Easter. Once again, I worked well with the children, re-organizing the Religious Ed program, which I taught myself in groups, with the help of some volunteer parishioners. 

Teaching the children about Baptism in John Day.

I also had two mission churches to attend to, one in Long Creek and the other in Monument with an average attendance of anywhere between 5 to 15 people at each church. The parishioners in John Day were about 150 and they welcomed me enthusiastically. Eventually, after I left them in June of 2005, they would have 5 pastors within 8 years and each one of them brought his own style and gifts, as the people adjusted as best as they could to constant changes.

St Katharine mission church in Long Creek/Dale, OR

2003 - St Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, Massachusetts

The entrance to the Abbey at Spencer, MA

Even though this was not a parish I served in, but after 25 years serving in various parishes I did do a six-month sabbatical at the Trappist Monastery of St Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, which was a brief break from parish work before I embarked on my next stage of my priesthood, ministering in Oregon. My time at Spencer was a truly spiritual experience like none other, living with the monks, praying with them and working with them. Their motto of 'Ora et Labora' fitted me well as prayer was frequent and intense at times, 7 times during the day, as early as 3:30 AM. 

The Monastery church at St. Joseph's Abbey

On the other hand work was varied, interesting and at times even entertaining, as a change of pace for me. The Trappist Preserves factory they have allowed me to help in the production of jellies, preserves and jams, even though my role was just to put 12 jars in a box within 3 seconds, and then seal the box with tape and stack them up. It also included cleaning the cloisters, cleaning the 'jakes' (a slang for toilets), pruning trees, raking a zillion leaves and even producing the famed Cantica and Jubilate incense. They were glorious months and truly inspirational to be in a monastery built by the monks themselves at time I was being born in 1952.

1998-2003 - St Stanisluas Kostka, Pleasant Valley, NY

Celebrating Mass at Christmas 2001 at Pleasant Valley, NY

These were 5 glorious years I spent in Dutchess County in Upstate New York, in a parish founded by the Jesuits, and therefore dedicated to the novice St Stanislaus Kostka, a Polish Jesuit seminarian. We renovated the sanctuary of the church between 1999 and 2000, and I was very active here with children and youth, the home-bound, celebration of the sacraments and everything else that came along. Together with Fr Charles Quinn we served the parishioners well, and they responded generously in donating for the renovation which changed completely the sanctuary, dominated by a large crucifix and simple sacred furniture.

A Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony for children

A small Nursery school gave me the opportunity to connect with young children and their parents. Two large nearby hospitals kept me busy with visits and anointings too. When I arrived in Pleasant Valley from Long Island, someone asked me what kind of car I had, and when I told them that my current car was a Geo Metro, they insisted that I get a new stronger car, because their lawn-mowers were more powerful than my Geo, which had only three cylinders, while a lawn-mower has 4. Within a few days I got a Honda CR-V, which served me well for over 100,00 miles and 10 years.

1996-1998 - Holy Family, Hicksville, NY

Holy Family parish in Hicksville, NY

For more than two years in the mid 1990s I was in another big parish with a large school, under the pastorate of Msgr Edward Donnelly, a kind and compassionate Pastor who was beloved by everyone. Again I spent a lot of time in our school, visiting classes and mingling with children and also planning many activities and Masses for them. The school children presented a musical every year, which was regarded as a highlight of the calendar year with lots of auditions, rehearsals and few sold-out rehearsals. 

A beautifully-decorated Holy Family church at Easter

The church itself itself was built in an L-shape way, the addition added years after the small original church was built, mainly to accommodate the larger influx of parishioners. But what the church lacked in aesthetics, it made up with decorations, thanks to the input of another Associate Pastor who was there with me at that time.

1991-1996 - St Anthony - Rocky Point NY

Christmas Mass at Rocky Point

My second parish on Long Island was St Anthony of Padua in Rocky Point, where I spent 5 productive and learning working in every imaginable aspect of parish life. From lively Children's Masses, which included Gospel puppet shows to Marriage Encounter, from a very active Catholic Youth Organization to prayer meetings at the beach, from pre-Cana classes to a friendship with the founding pastor Msgr Vincent Margiotta who was in his 90s during my stay there. 

First Holy Communion in 1994

I worked well with the pastor Fr Joseph Coshignano and two hard-working Dominican sisters, one of whom coordinated the Religious Ed program and the other the social ministry. The well-known St Patrick's Day Parade was also an annual highlight for the entire parish, as was the active participation of the Folk Group, choir and the Christmas pageant which I coordinated as well as the weekly Holy Hour.

1981-1991 - Holy Spirit, New Hyde Park, NY

Holy Spirit church, New Hyde Park, New York, decorated for Christmas

My first ten years in New York were truly memorable, mostly because everything was so new to me and I was welcomed like an extra-terrestrial from a different planet. I was the first foreign/missionary priest to serve in that parish and believe it or not I was the sixth priest in that parish when I arrived. Soon we went down to 5, then 4 and we were three for most of my years there. Under the guidance of my dear friend Fr John Heinlein, I integrated quickly and well into the life of the parish. Since I did not drive, I was on my bike for two and a half years, until I got my license in February 1984, and then came my my Toyota Tercel, my first car. The church itself was in the shape of an Auditorium with beautiful stained glass windows on both sides, displaying symbols of the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The large Catholic school was a blessing to me as I spent a lot of time mingling, visiting and teaching the children, and I can still remember each child's name, as I'm trying to do in my new parish in Bend.

6 priests and 13 nuns, a well-staffed parish indeed!

The parish also had a convent with 13 Dominican Sisters, most of whom are now enjoying eternal rest, but most of them were active at school, homebound ministry and other duties. They were all extremely gracious to my parents when they visited on a few occasions. Among the many great memories from that parish are the banners I made, Retreats with the Youth Club, starting donating blood, Easter sunrise Mass, going to Lake Placid and Saranac on a few trips, bike trips to Montauk Point, Children's Masses, visiting families and so much more.

1977-1981 St Julian's Parish Church

St Julian's parish church in the late 1970s

This coming week, until I take some photos of my new churches here in Bend, I will be reviewing the 7 parishes I served in since my Ordination in 1977. The first parish was my own hometown parish of St Julian's, dedicated to St Julian, my patron saint. It was the same parish where my parents grew up, were married and where we were all baptized, raised, served as altar-boys and so it was fitting that my bishop would assign me to my hometown church, which had been recently built, to accommodate the larger number of parishioners. The fishing village where I grew up was growing steadily and the smaller parish church known as the Lapsi (Ascension) church was becoming too small for the many residents that were moving in new areas like the Gardens, Ta' Giorni, Swieqi, etc. So between 1962 and 1968, a new modern church was built and opened between 1968 and 1969 with limited use at first, until all decorations, furniture and liturgical needs were in place. The picture above shows the church as it was during the 4 years I served there, working with the youth, altar-servers, visiting the homebound, celebrating the sacraments, daily Masses and so much more that a a young active parish demanded, serving under my second cousin Fr John Galea, pastor at that time. 

St Julian's parish church in 2010, decorated for Easter

The second photo shows the new color scheme that was introduced when Pope John Paul II visited the church in 1990 during his week-long visit, enthusiastically received. The color scheme was designed by local artist Richard England which appeared very strange at first, but as time went by, it was accepted and eventually kept as normal. The predominant art was done by Marco Cremona, son of the famed Emvin, and included the Risen Christ above the main altar, as well as the Stations of the Cross.
(Tomorrow 1981-1991 - Holy Spirit New Hyde Park)

Love - Variation on a theme

(This is a variation of the famous Chapter 13 of St Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians)
If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its proper place, but have not Love,
I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing and interior decorating, but have not Love, my children will learn of cleanliness - not Godliness.
Love leaves the dust in search for a child’s laugh.
Love smiles at tiny fingerprints on a newly-cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes away the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love is present through the trials.
Love reprimands, reproves and is responsive.
Love crawls with the baby, walks the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Love is the key that opens salvation’s message to a child’s heart.
Before I became a mother, I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God’s perfection in my child.
As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is LOVE.

ABCs of Christian behavior

Act instead of argue.
Build instead of brag
Climb instead of criticize.
Donate instead of depreciate.
Encourage instead of envy.
Fight instead of faint.
Give instead of grumble.
Help instead of harm.
Invite instead of ignore.
Join instead of jeer.
Kneel instead of kick.
Love instead of label.
Move instead of malign.
Nurture instead of neglect.
Obey instead of object.
Pray instead of punish.
Qualify instead of quit.
Rescue instead of ridicule.
Soar instead of shrink.
 Try instead of tremble.
Uplift instead of undermine.
Value instead of vilify.
Witness instead of worry.
eXemplify instead of excuse.
Yield instead of yell.
Zip instead of zigzag.

Churches and Children

Yesterday for the first time 15 years I celebrated a school Mass in my new parish in Bend, and I was a delighted and honored sharing reflections with young children and their teachers as well as some parents who attended. It was a beautiful celebration, during which the new school officers were also installed, from Kindergarten to 8th Grade - they all felt so proud of their new role. However, for any child, a church is a very mysterious place. The inside of a Church or a house of worship must be the most confusing place ever for a child. There’s water that you can’t play in, books without pictures, and mysterious doors that no one ever opens. You’re never allowed to see what’s behind you, and the only thing you can play with is your tongue, and that’s punishable by severe pinching.
One of the problems is we never tell our children what services are all about. All they’re told is to be quiet and not talk for an hour. They have no idea what we’re doing. One day a mother dragged her 6 year old to Confession on a Saturday afternoon. Every time she inched towards the closed closet door, the boy would start to say something, and his mother would clap her hand over his mouth. When it was her turn, he said “ I don't have to go to the bathroom. I went before I left home,” and bolted towards the parking lot.
Then there’s the plight of the 4-year old who was in Church on Sunday when the wine and the hosts were being brought up for the Offertory, his mother leaned over and told him that he was not old enough to comprehend the mystery of transubstantiation, and that he was too young to receive Communion. Soon afterwards, the ushers were taking up the collection, and as the collection plate stopped dead in front of him, his mother leaned over and tried to coax the nickel out of his clenched fist. He held firm and shouted, “If I can’t eat, I won’t pay !”

Adults become different people in Church. A few years ago a young boy served his first Mass as an altar-boy. He knew he was supposed to ring the bell at a certain time in the Mass, but he wasn’t sure when, so he rang them every time he passed them. The Priest told his parents afterwards, “I felt like serving Mass with Quasimodo.“ One other boy was so anxious to ring the bells that he grabbed them as soon as the Mass started and would not let go of them, as he was so nervous that another server would ring them instead.
Church for a child is a place where they sing songs one never hears on the radio, where the Priests wear vestments one never finds in the Sears or Macy’s catalog, and where you have to wait half an hour to shake hands with the people next to you. Church is lips that sing “Love the little children” at the same time eyes are saying, “You will never have another Oreo cookie for as long as you live.” Church is where everyone talks about joy and happiness, but when someone rings the bells at the wrong time, we’re afraid to laugh.

One final story about a young boy in a former parish of mine who frequently misbehaved at church. One day his mother was so embarrassed that she decided to walk out of the church in the middle of the homily. And as she marched down the aisle, her head bowed down, the boy yelled loud and clear....”Please, pray for me!” Everybody chuckled as they knew what was going to happen to him. He actually grew up to be a fine young man, even making it to the Minor League in Baseball.

Tomorrow I continue....

Hello friends,

After an overwhelming week settling in my new parish, I have finally connected myself to the Internet in my room and hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to continue my regular daily posts. It has been an astonishingly busy week, as you can imagine when moving into a very busy and active parish like St Francis of Assisi in Bend. With various Masses to celebrate, and thrown among them a wedding and a funeral, a school Mass, plus meetings, hospital visits, contacts and trying to connect names and faces, it has truly been a non-stop week, as hectic as any week I can ever remember. But after almost a week here, I have made a lot of progress with parish work, especially of the administrative and organizational type, while also putting a lot of emphasis on the pastoral aspect of the parish, which will be my utmost priority. So stay tuned for the regular posts with pictures, reflections and other interesting trivia.......as tomorrow I continue......

Please be patient

Hello my dear friends, just bear with me as I try to adjust to my new parish, hectic work, demanding schedule and, besides trying to open about 80 boxes and sort some things out. I still have no computer in the rectory, and the office computer is totally new and hostile to me, since there is a lot of security in this place, and just to get to a basic document, you need a few passwords. So, please be patient for a few more days, and I will be back on track as soon as I can. Saturday I have a big wedding in the historic church, and the weather could not be nicer to the lucky bride and groom. To say that I'm overwhelmed is an understatement, but everything is going well, and I cannot be happier.

Wishing all the best, and just keep me in your prayer as you are all in mine. Good luck also to the Cathedral parish and all the parishioners there.

My last 8 years in Baker City - part 2

With Bishop Liam Cary, Christmas Day 2012

My last post from Baker City - tomorrow I will leave early in the morning heading west, 230 miles away to my new parish of St Francis of Assisi in Bend. Continuing the memories I shared with you yesterday, here are a few more photos from the past glorious 8 years here at the Cathedral parish.

June 17, 2007 - the Wall comes down, starting our renovation

Some of my converts - RCIA class of 2007

June 26, 2012 - donating my 100th pint of blood

After my last Mass at St Therese Mission in Halfway, Oct 13, 2013

After shooting a gun and riding a horse, my 3rd wish - milking a cow!

The barefoot shepherd visits the Cathedral nativity

Last picture with my dedicated Staff October 15, 2013 - Thank You!

I will not be able to place any posts tomorrow, but hopefully I will be back by Friday or Saturday. Thanks for the memories Baker City, Halfway, North Powder and Unity!

My last 8 years in Baker City - part 1

Arriving at the Cathedral parish in June 2005

These last two days in Baker City, I share with you just 12 memories of the many I take with me as I start my pastorate in Bend on Thursday. They are in no particular order, but they are a sample of so many recollections I have in serving here at the Cathedral of St Francis De Sales. Six more will appear tomorrow.

All Saints Parade in November 2008

Sept 5, 2006 - becoming a US citizen

Painting the baptismal font during the 2007 Cathedral renovation

The donkey procession on Palm Sunday 2009

Blessing of the Children's memorial 2010

Last Mass at the Cathedral

During my homily at my last Cathedral Mass in Baker City

Yesterday was an emotional day for me as I celebrated my last official Mass at the Cathedral, which has been my home for the past 8 years and 4 months. Since it was a Marian Day, proclaimed by Pope Francis, I used the white Marian vestment, and during the Mass I consecrated the parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as Pope Francis did from the Vatican. A very nice crowd attended both the morning Mass, the Saturday evening Mass and my last Mass at my mission church in Halfway, and I hope to post some photos from there in my post tomorrow.

During the Eucharistic Prayer, with Deacon Jim Watt

I will of course return to the Cathedral for the annual Chrism Mass, a week before Holy Thursday, but it will certainly look different next time, since over the past 8 years I was always behind the scenes to make sure everything goes well and greet the bishops and priests to the Rectory and to the Cathedral, for the consecration of the sacred oils.