A Word From Father Trout

Creating a New Way of Being Church

“Good but challenging,” was my response to a friend who asked about my retreat. To best describe my six days of silence and prayer, I draw your attention to the Madonna and Child painting in our church. Its vibrant colors enhance our worship space, but I’ve always been intrigued by the Madonna’s stance. To fully appreciate the rich symbolism of a 15th century masterpiece, some assistance helps. Her leftward gaze away from the child Jesus and the viewer is a deeply spiritual disposition. It belies her embrace of the Kingdom in her heart throughout her life from the Annunciation to the Crucifixion, from the Resurrection to her Assumption. The artist uses the disposition to convey her choice to put Jesus and all he lived for, the Kingdom, at the center of her life. John the Baptist assumes this same disposition as he proclaims, “He must grow greater, I must grow less” [John 3:30]. During my retreat, I was invited to journey into this mystery. While my journey may never reach the depth of Mary’s, or John’s or that of many others, this invitation gives my life direction and focus. As I said, good but challenging. 

God is present in all creation, especially in the hearts of his disciples regardless of how conscious we are of this sacred presence at any given moment. We can discern it through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the “source and summit of the Christian life.” [1324] Prayerful reflection on Scripture ( Lectio Divina) or the practices of the Examen, given to us by St. Ignatius, also help us grow in awareness. As the  Catechism notes, “Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus… Contemplation also turns its gaze on the mysteries of the life of Christ. Thus it learns the ‘interior knowledge of our Lord,’ the more to love him and follow him” (cf. St. Ignatius of Loyola,  Spiritual Exercises, 104) [ Catechism, 2715]. 

We also discern God’s presence in the faithful witness of Jesus’ disciples as we see in St. Joseph’s staff and parishioners who foster hope, healing and empowerment locally, nationally and internationally: 
• Religious formation for 1,300 children per year in our school and Religious Education program
• Celebrating the Eucharist with 167,000 people throughout the year
• Visiting the sick and homebound with the Eucharist 500 times per week
• Affecting 12,515 people per year through our Social
Justice Programs 
•  Overall impact for good: 250,000 people per year. 
This powerful, positive presence is worth strengthening and growing in our deeply wounded and divided world. As the late Spiritual Writer, John O’Donohue, observed: “We seldom notice how each day is a holy place, where the Eucharist of the ordinary happens.”
 
Unfortunately, these efforts may be impeded by decreasing donations to our parish. This is not unique to us; the abuse crisis has taken a severe toll. However, it is important to clarify that ninety percent of our collections supports our ministries and efforts, and St. Joseph’s gives only ten percent to the Archdiocese. This is to help fund critical Archdiocesan agencies and ministries, parishes and schools. 

I thank all whose gifts of time, talent and treasure sustain and enhance our ministries, service and outreach and appeal to those not as involved or supportive to reconsider. Advent’s contemplative nature invites us to be attentive to God’s presence, mercy and grace in our lives. In turn, we may be ever more conscientious in sharing the gifts we have been given and, like Mary, always keep Christ and his Kingdom in the equation—in our spirituality, service and stewardship. Challenging perhaps, but a good goal for Advent and for life.