From the Desk - 2004
April 25 - Appointed Pastor
May 2 - Welcoming
May 9 - Administrator's Report
May 23 - Varia, Care Notes
May 30 - Parish Calendar
June 13 - Eucharist Solemnity
June 20 - Personnel, Transitions
July 4 - Installed Pastor
July 11 - New Faces
July 18 - Holy Sabbath
August 15 - New Staff
August 29 - Ambry, Karen Dix
September 19 - Sabbath Holy
October 10 - Schools, Worship
November 21 - 75th Anniversary
December 5 - Boiler Needs
December 12 - Management Training
Fr. Tom Noesen Appointed As the New Pastor
On February 14, 2004 Fr. Thomas D. Noesen, O.P., came to St. Vincent Ferrer Parish as Temporary Parish Administrator, following the retirement of Fr. Robert Botthof. Fr. Noesen had been ministering as an itinerant preacher, preaching retreats and conferences for 12 years, based in Denver, St. Louis and Chicago.
On April 13, 2004 Cardinal Francis George, upon recommendation of Tom's Dominican Provincial and the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Pastoral Council, appointed him as Pastor of the Parish.
Fr. Tom Noesen, born (1945) and raised in Dubuque, IA, began his priesthood in 1976 as a priest of the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado. After 10 years in Diocesan priesthood, Fr. Tom joined the Dominicans (The Order of Preachers). In his nearly 30 years of priesthood he has ministered as pastor, dean, tribunal judge, and military chaplain.
Fr. Noesen has graduate degrees in both theology and pastoral care. His publications are in spiritual development, holistic spirituality and addictions. A recent sabbatical in Sydney, Australia focused on spirituality in the areas of the deeper hungers of the soul.
Before priesthood Fr. Noesen taught high school in Mason City, Iowa; he was a juvenile rehabilitation counselor with Hope Haven in New Orleans, Louisiana. He worked in retail with Stewart's of Baltimore, Maryland. Under the AFL-CIO of Flexsteel Industries (Dubuque, lowa), Noesen was a crane operator.
In 1992 Fr. Tom began itinerant preaching ministry. He has been traveling nationwide and abroad presenting missions, conferences, and conventions.
The letter of appointment follows:
April 13, 2004
Reverend Thomas D. Noesen, O. P.
St. Vincent Ferrer Parish
1530 Jackson Ave.
River Forest, IL 60305
Dear Father Noesen:
Upon presentation by your Vicar Provincial, the Very Reverend David F. Wright, O. P., and pursuant to the requirements of canon law and our regulations, I am pleased to confirm your appointment as Pastor of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, 1530 Jackson Ave., River Forest, Illinois 60305, effective immediately. In accordance with c. 969, you are granted the appropriate faculties of the Archdiocese of Chicago for the duration of your assignment at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish....
I am confident that this parish community will respond wholeheartedly to your pastoral leadership. Know that as you can begin this assignment you have my support and prayers and that the agencies of the archdiocese stand ready to assist you in whatever way necessary.
With gratitude for your willingness to serve, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago
This enclosed page was/is given at rehearsals to help with some basics to Catholic space. We’ve become lax on this in our own selves at times. Never use this to correct or admonish anyone. Let’s make any improvements thru affirmation and praise.
We have parishioners unable to pray or too offended by the over casual and even disrespect for our sacred space. This is even on regular Sunday masses. Our churches must never reflect an athletic event or party gathering.
Some parishes the assembly kneel in thanksgiving in silence after the closing hymn. First time I experienced this I said to the usher, “Why aren’t they leaving? Did I do something wrong?” He told me that they were praying. Then after about 2 minutes all rose and left. I’ve experienced this in many states— including this Archdiocese. It was beautiful — children, youth and all.
For a Catholic or non believing visitor entering a church there should be a silent awe. Something inside us should be touched or lifted. In an agitated culture, we need to create the holy, the quiet and the awesome.
We’ll carry this with us even when we visit other churches, synagogues and mosques. It will be our sacred reflex. Blessed catechising of others.
Fr. Tom, O.P.
Dear Parishioners,
On May 1st, I sent my administrator report to Bishop Paprocki, head of our vicariate IV, and also a copy went to the Dominican Provincial, Fr. Michael Mascari, O.P. This report was an expectation of my job description as administrator.
Even though I succeed myself the report will help parish leadership develop and focus. The report is simply a preamble to hundreds of pages of parish structures. The report is basically a table of contents of a generic, functioning, faith-based parish.
The report is on the web www.svfparish.org. Anyone in leadership will need to read the report: volunteers, catechists, teachers, boards, committee, etc. The report is also available at the parish office for anyone desiring to read it.
This report reflects your oral and written insights to me during my administratorship. I’ve tried to integrate these in a faith model as opposed to corporate or democratic (gov’t) models. The report makes many recommendations. St. Vincent Ferrer Parish needs a common future path in Jesus Christ. Our building projects ahead are of the spiritual life in our sacraments, our reverent use of worship space, bettering our schools of religion. Parish is about a people NOT a priest or pastor. We’re on a solid gospel mandate.
Parish is extended family. The Church is the classroom/living room of our Teacher, Jesus. The tomorrow of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish is on that rock. We are all baptized already into making this virtuous life real here.
Pray the report. Reflect on it. Put it into the context of the Parish Mission Statement.
God Bless us in our transitions of holiness.
In Christ,
Fr. Tom, O.P.
Some Varia:
Welcome Fr Matt Strabala. He’s coming thru the revolving Dominican door for about 6 weeks. He’s been in the classroom, library and his room studying on his Ph.D. Teach him real people exist and they are us.
The Sacristy has a manual for various ministries. Know your ministry and it’s expectations. It’s all written if you need a quickie refresher on the spot. We empower one another when we don’t step on each others ministry. Keep the good ministry happening and cause even more.
A new addition for us: CARE NOTES. These are in the back of the Church for you and your family needs. CARE NOTES addresses pastoral issues. They address adult, teen and child levels. St. Vincent Ferrer Parish has no Pastoral Care director/minister. (That does not mean St. Vincent Ferrer Parish doesn’t have people active in pastoral care.) My concern as pastor is our addressing our spirituality through care brokenness.
This issue of the bulletin does a first part series on one of these: “Dealing Constructively with Anger.” Abbey Press has given copyright permission for this one time only. It is an introductory offer. See page 7.
In the future I will list some spiritual reading that heals the wounded soul. Quieting our souls in this agitated culture takes well selected time and reading reflection. Stay tuned for some recommendations. In the mean time, pray this CARE NOTES gift.
We keep growing in the Lord- - our builder.
Easter peace
Fr. Tom, O.P., Pastor
CALENDAR 2004-2005
“You talking to me?”…. Communication is an age old problem. Communication is not necessarily what is said but rather what is heard. Just as communication is the pillar of married and family life, so too it is the pillar of parish life.
As a staff we are trying to improve communication regarding our facility usage. Our first phase of this is the 2004-2005 parish calendar. At present we have several feeder calendars but no master calendar.
The Master Calendar for July 2004 to June 30, 2005 is now being assembled. Your written communication is paramount. ALL councils, boards, schools, committees, practices, groups, organizations, etc. submit their facility requests in writing. “We always meet at such &such” is not adequate communication. Please include the name of your group, preferred date, time, places, and a contact number. You may not get your first choice of dates you want but all will be accommodated.
Priority will be determined by the nature of the meeting. Parish comes first over non parish. Within the parish, spiritual/sacramental takes priority over other meetings. This is important because St. Vincent Ferrer Parish will have many adult series in 2004-2005. Buildings will be full much of the time, but this is what we are about.
Thanks in advance for your cooperation. If you are on any committee or in a group, pass on the heads up and make sure that someone from your group submits a usage request or you will not be scheduled. WRITE— Calendar 2004-2005 on the envelope and submit it to the parish office by June 15th.. Hmm….. Do you think Jesus had trouble communicating to us? We’re working on it!
Gratefully,
Fr. Tom, O.P., Pastor
SOLEMNITY OF THE
BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
At the 1st communion in May I told the story of a little ADD (Attention Disorder Deficit) guy who was a hellion in Church. Being worried his teacher warned me that he would disturb Mass, I was impressed when at the institution narrative words… “drink of it, this is my blood…” he came to life with “yuk!” Deemed incapable of attention he was the most attentive in the church. This solemnity is our “yuk” to being Christ in a broken world.
On this feast as we celebrate the real presence of Christ in our lives, it is sometimes “yuk” to being the body of Christ at work; Being the cup of blood at home in family. Applied Christianity is our call. Our flesh and blood are God’s but the “yuk” factor is always with us. Even Jesus said “let this cup pass from me.” It did not happen.
At Mass Jesus Christ is really present in the reserved presence, in the proclaimed word, in the praying assembly, in the presiding priest and in the sacred space. When a minister says “Body of Christ” or “Blood of Christ”, they are naming grace. They say it all. We are called a lot of things but seldom such a name of awe. The reason ministers do not say “this is the Body of Christ” but rather say “the Body of Christ” is because it would be heresy. Eucharist is not a thing or just one presence.
The Eucharist is not a thing. Eucharist is a who not a what. The Eucharist is a relationship. Our adoration and respect for Eucharist will determine our reverence for life in general: Our life; the life of our loved ones and the life of our enemies - - those we love to hate. So even on your worst day - - happy feast day. Remember who you are.
Fr. Tom, O.P.,
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
This is a note on various transitions in our parish personnel, properties, and leadership, etc.
Mary Martell, our music director for over six years is resigning. Her last Sunday is next weekend. She has worked very hard for St. Vincent Ferrer Parish. We express our gratitude. Her resignation changes our worship because she has been present at 4 of 5 Masses each weekend as well as at weddings and funerals. Mary will continue to minister in the area. She is not able to attend the receptions after each Mass this weekend; so please go out of your way to express your gratitude when you see her. She will be at the Saturday night, June 26th and Sunday morning masses on June 27th.
Karen Dix is our new D.R.E. for the School of Religion (formerly called CCD classes). Karen is already working and putting together the 2004-2005 schedule. (More details will come in another edition). School of Religion registration will begin again on August 1st.
Offices in the west wing of the Parish Center complex are being expanded. The school nurse office will move to the former DRE secretaries office. The fireplace room will become an adult library for the parish. Karen Dix will take the south office next to the library. In the east wing of offices, the reception area will face the entrance becoming more user friendly. Fr. Al will descend to the former music office, which will become the center for computer ministries. Fr. Michael Kyte (arriving Nov 1) will take Fr. Al’s former space. The NW office in the east wing will be the liturgist-musician office. In the Church, the present choir room will become a youth gathering space and also used for family liturgies with children.
Our expanding staff and increased lay and ordained involvement warrants more office spaces.
The Church Organ upgrade will be completed by July 30th. The console shell in the first alcove-SW side will be gone. The organ rebuild will maximize the musical range of this lofty instrument. There were tentative plans including 2 consoles. The deluxe package would be nearly $300,000, but only a designated gift will fulfill this possibility.
Organ Fund monies are covering the present care of the instrument. The restorations just completed with the Millennium Campaign put a conduit from the loft organ to a possible console below.
Care Notes in Church have been awesomely successful. They went in hours. We will restock as soon as new ones arrive. These are sections for kids, teens and adults. Read and return; read and pass it on. We only have a short term donor for this ministry. Others are welcome to contribute.
The New Baptismal Area is in the alcove on the SE section of the nave. All the sacramentals of baptism will be here - - the font, the holy water, the Pascal candle, and soon the ambry for the Holy Oils. The old gates from the baptistry (now the bride’s room) may be able to be used in this baptistry alcove. The Art and Environment Committee is working on it.
Liturgist/Musician The Liturgist/Musician position is now a full time offering. I was looking for a Part-time liturgist with Mary continuing in a full-time music position. Now the hiring will be for a full-time liturgist with keyboard skills. This could open positions for choir directors. We will have hand bell choir, children’s choir, and adult choir in the job description.
Parish School has some great blessings in faculty: St Vincent Ferrer school was chosen by our newly hired math teacher. She is top drawer being sought by many. Grade 4 also have new faculty. Grade 6 in science is at present an open position. Registration is open for June. See page 5 for school summer office hours. Offices will re-open in August. July messages will be answered.
Adult Series: In the 2004-2005 Calendar there will be many options for spiritual growth. Some already established are an Advent Series with Dominican Edward vanMerrienboer, O.P.
I will do a Lenten Series. A Solemn Novena for the feast of St. Vincent Ferrer (May 2-7th) will be done by Fr. Tom Saucier, O.P.
Fr. Al Judy will also present a series. From October to April, there will be a Christian Parenting Series for Parents/Grandparents.
Coming Attractions: The major transition facing St. Vincent Ferrer Parish is to become a parish of the people. Lay ministry is the call of baptism. Below I listed where we are, and where we are called to go:
Established and functioning leadership
---Parish Council
---Finance Board
---School Board
---School Parent Club
Leadership in process of restoration
---Board for School Of Religion (formerly CCD)*
--- Liturgy Committee*
*If you have served on these and wish to do so again,
please inform me.
Newly created leadership (See classifieds)
---RCIC Sponsors
---Buildings and Grounds Committee
---Art and Environment Committee
---Welcoming/New Comers Committee
---Marriage/ Wedding Lay Leadership
---Wedding planner/coordinators (full, thanks!)
--Lead couples for in home session with the engaged.
Personal Note: Many of you ask if I have settled in. The room I have been in at the priory is temporary. By month’s end I hope to move in the Pastor’s suite. There are boxes and boxes I have yet to unpack, both in my office and my room. “Settling in” is slow to happen physically but I am 100% here.
I must say, parish life is never boring! Let’s brag about St. Vincent Ferrer Parish and make it all true. Bring others to Mass with you. Invite newcomers. Use your councils and boards to make your grace-filled insights known.
In the meantime we will have a good summer. Never vacation from Church but definitely vacation.
God’s choicest blessings,
Fr. Tom, O.P.,
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
Well, it is a done deal. On Wednesday night, June 30th, Bishop Paprocki installed me as your pastor. Feb 14th I came here as your administrator. On April 13th (Tuesday of Holy Week) I became pastor ‘effective immediately’ without a term. I guess that could mean I am here until the Second Coming. In any event, I am with you for the long haul. The naming as pastor was done by Cardinal George. So in the last six months much has happened.
I am getting more and more excited being here as I settle in. After 12 years of itinerant preaching living out of a suit case, parish life is an immensely radical change. There are so many of you who have been blessing upon blessing. Transitions are always about people supporting people. It excites me to experience the loyalty in the boards and committees of the parish, the faith filled parishioners who love SVFP with all their hearts, and the quiet dedicated folks who energize the gospel by service “whether convenient or inconvenient.” I get so excited when I hear from parishioners about their dreams and visions for the parish, the school, family life, and deeper Christian lifestyles. In our world the parish is our extended family, offering an alternative experience to violence, victimism and disrespect. Already at SVFP I enjoy the super sound morals and faith of so many.
One thing I ask is your patience. I am awful with names. Please don’t take it personally; I am working on it. Recently when I was with my 96 year old Mom, commented that now being old she can’t remember names. I responded “Mom, when you were young you didn’t remember names.” She agreed. In our family we identified people with “Oh, those people that drive the blue new van,” or “You know, those folks who always sit by the 4th station .” Being on the road I had minimal names to work with. Now being here with nearly three thousand new faces, I am seriously challenged. Faces I remember. The more I am with you, the more I will improve on this.
In Luke’s gospel it says that Jesus went to Nazareth and grew in wisdom, age and grace. My charge as your pastor is to do that with you, and you with me. There are good times and bad times in parish life; birth, death, transition, faith journey, etc It all happens right here and right now. Being part of that sojourn with you is now my blessing being your pastor. Let us pray for one another. The harvest is great and I will labor hard with you. Again, thanks for the support already demonstrated. I am most grateful.
In Christ,
Fr. Tom, O.P., Pastor
Dear parish family,
Some new faces in our parish are among us . Fr Matthew Strabala already has completed his summer help with us and is now gone on vacation before returning to Catholic University in Washington DC with his doctoral studies. Time certainly is flying by—the summer is half gone. Now Fr. Bede Jagoe is joining us until the end of October. Fr. Bede will be supply status. See his bio and pics on page 7. In Nov we will be joined by Fr. Michael Kyte. We’ll do his bio and pics as the time nears.
Also coming on to the staff is Vince Zaprzal. Vince is part of a Dominican University program for their full time students where the parish pays one third of the tuition and they minister on staff. Vince will be in the worship/music office of the parish because his studies are in pastoral ministry with an emphasis in liturgy and music. His bio and pics are also on page 7.
Please note that Vince is NOT the new liturgy or music director. This ministry will be much more a team model than burdening it to one person. He is simply an intern. Dominican University Intern comes out to DUI. Hmmmm!
The applicants for the liturgist/musician are plentiful. From San Diego to Maine we are getting ministers interested. I will not fill the position just to fill it. We will work at this until we get a fit for us. In the mean time the parish life will go on: choirs will begin rehearsing in August. Sunday masses, funerals, and weddings will be ministered with quality and professional ministers. We already are making a directory of musicians willing to be part of the SVFP team. This will continue to include adult choir, children choir, and handbell choir. Perhaps we can even add a youth music group, family choir, and / or contemporary group. Catholic means universal. Our parish music should mirror that theology.
Please make yourself available for any of the musical gifts you may have to share with the parish. Bulletin classifieds have options (see page 8 ). If you have an idea not there, let us know in the parish worship office extension 113.
A transitional clarity: in the music ministry these next weeks are temporary substitutes. These people are helping us out while we continue to look for a full time liturgist/musician. Liturgies of Mass, weddings and funerals will all be covered by qualified ( but temporary) ministers. As they say in the construction business: “Pardon the inconvenience” and “Thanks for your patience.”
Parish literature is now available in the northeast space of the nave. These trifold brochures have basic and generic Catholic questions on marriage, membership in a parish, etc. Some very SVFP specifics are items like the 2004/5 Adult Education Series, Christian parenting/grand parenting series, advent and Lenten resources, and more.
In the month of July the training begins for the wedding coordinators. New marriage/wedding literature will be printed soon. These will bring us to the beauty and integrity of the Roman Catholic Marriage Rite. So often we are doing Hollywood excess weddings in our Catholic Church buildings. Believe it or not, some couples are even asking that the Mass be dropped to not clutter “their” wedding because they have other things that they want to do in the church building. Some feel they “rent” the building and can do what they want. The Roman wedding rite is simple and gorgeous. Coordinators (immediately upon finishing their training) will be assigned couples.
Deacon Bob Sassetti is downsizing his ministry with much happening in his life. (See his article on page 7). We are all most grateful to Bob. I told him he is “deacon emeritus.” That job description means he does what he wants when he wants.
I was kind of hoping that summer would be the off season where we could all get into the ordinariness of ordinary time. Well, maybe next year. May all of our transitions be blessings .
Ministering with you
In Christ,
Fr. Tom
KEEPING HOLY THE SABBATH
Have we lost our Sunday responsibilities? Is Sunday a day of rest?....and for whom? Where does God fit into it all? Permit me a story: Before I came to SVFP I recall a Sunday scene where a great grandma came up to me all excited that she got to church this particular day. Since she was a total stranger to me I tried to make sense out of what she was saying. She looked super fit—it couldn’t be her health. This was a lively and energetic little gal; much spryer than her years. She went on to tell me that she’s really missed mass because it was soccer with one grandson two weeks in a row, a shower for a daughter the other, and her list went on. She said she was so glad she could finally get to church. In all her excitement I stood and smiled not knowing what she expected as my response. I wondered if she was going to confession to me, bragging how busy she was, letting me know she was a happy camper in her old age, really-with-the-program that she’d outgrown that “Sunday obligation stuff”, ??? I hadn’t a clue at her dispatching of this information. What I was certain of is that even in her elderliness, she had no deep or heavy responsibility for herself to make certain weekly Sunday Mass non negotiable.
Unfortunately she is not a stranger to our present USA dilemma. This is true even for those who do not belong to the Catholic faith. At present the fundamentalistic churches are more faithful to the obligation of worship on Sunday than that of most others. In our culture as Catholics mass goers are about once every four weeks. So that means about once a month if it fits.
Here at SVFP we list as registered about 2600 households. With the five masses per weekend we range 32% to 47% of the church filled per mass. This is using the 800 seating capacity—low estimate for the space. (An interesting aside is that the Archdiocese recommends changing mass schedules if the assembly is less than 50% of the seating space. I have no intention of doing that!) The parish is supported ministerally, financially, and even physically by about 500+ consistent households. This all fits the mediocrity of the culture universally. SVFP is about the norm. For every person present; three are absent. For every family present; three are absent.
The spiritual problem with all this is that we teach in our day school and the school of religion that it is seriously wrong and sinful to miss mass on Sunday. That is the commandment and the teaching of our Catholic heritage. We have Catholic educated youth even as high as the college level—catholic college level—not seeing church as a serious obligation. It is not about what we teach. It is about what we experience. Family habits need to be built from littlehood. What we say and what we do must match. Clinical studies show that children become damaged when these two don’t connect in the lived experience.
One of the interesting changes in the society is businesses closing on Sunday. Stores like Hobby Lobby and Chick Filet post signs stating that Sunday is a day of the Lord for family and worship. Other stores are shortening Sunday hours. Thank God! Sometimes with the busy schedules we run, Sunday becomes our day of rest.
Going to Church is not about the music, the priest, the preaching, the whatever. Going to church is about God—not us. It is not a moment to be entertained and amused. We don’t go to church because we have nothing happening in our lives. We go to church because God knows we need reminders of who we are and who God is. One time a little guy who was dropped off by a parent (who’d pick him up in a hour) said to me, “I don’t want to be here”. Standing there totally vested ready to begin the procession I responded by saying “neither do I”. I was not lying. Measuring everything by what we like is most selfish and never about others. Church makes us more than we presently are. It is discipline. It’s a habit of the soul.
Sunday should mean Sunday best. That means the clothing we wear to church and the food we eat is different from the rest of the week. The entire day is a different gear and it is for God and about God.
This culture epidemic is being addressed constantly here at SVFP. In my short time here I have heard it discussed by the council, the school board, the school faculty and administration, the parish staff—and you the faithful. This is not a parish problem peculiar to SVFP. Just like grandma in the opening story, we are fitting in well with the schedules dictated by our culture. Maybe it is time to check our daytimers and make them “grace timers”. How about giving them a rest?! Likely if you’re reading this you are the one in four. Invite folks to keep holy the Sabbath. Even if they are not Catholic and you know they worship, affirm that in them. Support one another as you remember the Lord’s day. My dad used to say “let’s go to the early mass and get it over with”. Not a good attitude but we got there and the entire day was constructed in prayer, family, food and recreation. We don’t have to like making the day holy. We can’t even make the day holy. God is the holy Maker of the Sabbath and the Sabbath rest. Should we take on the culture? Maybe if we learn the rest of Sabbath we will rest even better eternally.
Fr. Tom, O.P.,
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
The summer quickly moves beyond us. Soon the little ones and big ones will be off to school; families will again rearrange…and so it goes. Many things are happening in our parish. Many items have been placed before me. I will try to keep you up to date.
Some of these pastor columns have had some political demographics in them from a national perspective. Some of them will carry and have carried the trifled brochures available in the back of church. The one on marriage is especially important. Who? How? When? are all answered. There are norms for this and I try to color inside the lines; you don’t need to be my friend to get married here. If I am having a bad hair day, you will not be refused. Church norms are clear. Now they are in print. All the marriage/wedding policies and guidelines are also on the parish web site.
Soliciting on the property. …or should I just say “panhandling”. This is a problem—especially at the morning masses. We are working with the River Forest Crime Prevention Department. The problem is your giving money to these folks. You invite them back. Send them to the parish office or just say no. Please do it nicely. Curt or preachy remarks can be most detrimental to you. These are volatile personalities. This soliciting is happening in the adoration chapel, the parking lots, the church entry, and the church itself. Please help us help them by not encouraging this behavior on our church properties. Thanks!
Summer dress…..or should I say “undress” is a constant request for me to challenge. I have. Modesty with clothing I addressed in the bulletin months back and it is in the “Catholic Etiquette” brochure in the back of church. I think what folks are really asking is for me to enforce it. Remember we live in a culture that has lost boundaries; we model ourselves after celebrities attire. Not good. So often I am embarrassed for people who are too blind to be embarrassed for themselves. Raising repeatedly the Christian norm and expectation is what will continue to be done. Examples and consistency are the cures on this one. Modesty in dress is a problem outside church also. So many dress so well and the more we do it the better we model our beliefs.
Tardy attendance; early exit. This is the most common request for me to “preach” on. People coming late to Mass and leaving early cheat themselves and God. Yes, it drives me crazy—not just at church, but even in a movie theatre, meetings, games, appointments, etc. Again, this is normative in the culture. “I’m so busy” is the message. Now as much as this bothers me personally and spiritually, and it is outright rude and absorbing attention to one’s self, when it comes to Mass I feel that they are there. So they have turned worship into a half hour or forty minutes, they made it to part. Only one-fourth of people go to church. Read the past issue of the bulletin with my letter entitled “Keeping Holy the Sabbath”. Even though God would love the hour—even God takes what we offer. Maybe there will come a day when we spend time with the Blessed Sacrament before and after the Mass. Yes, the tardiness and early exit are major problems; the Sunday attendance is even a larger challenge. Just because I don’t take something to the pulpit or the announcements doesn’t mean it is not important. I choose not to send my dog into every fight. As we become more grounded in deep and holy sacramental life wanting to come to church, this abuse will diminish.
The liturgy/music director search is over. Steve Senski from upstate Wisconsin will be the new director beginning in early September. His photo and bio are in this week’s bulletin (see page 7). We had nearly 30 applicants from literally coast to coast--San Diego to New Jersey. We invited about ten of those to interview. With the final three applicants it was a win/win/win situation. Steve will be joining our Dominican University intern (DUI), Vince Zaprzal. Liturgy /Music needs to be a department to deal with all the liturgical and musical needs of the parish and schools.
We now have an Art and Environment committee. This is a sub committee of our liturgy/worship office. These members address the environment of the worship space. This includes seasonal changes and permanent changes. Any ideas you give me, I give them and it is put on the meeting’s agenda. Any modifications in the church comes through them.
The church tour is accomplished. Thank you, Fr. Al Judy! On-line you can view all the art, statuary, stained glass, etc of the building. Just learning all the stories in art form in our church building will teach the Hebrew scripture, the Christian scripture, and the Dominican story. The interior and exterior of our place is a catechesis all its own. There will be a book in the church entitled, “A Self guided Walking Tour of the Church.” This is the same as on-line. Enjoy it. Please do not remove it from the church, always return it to the table.
We transition into the school year soon. Many of our households measure life by the school year. Be grounded in your parish as you make all the seasonal adjustments. Blessings.
Fr. Tom Noesen, O.P.,
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
Quickly we are moving into the new year. Even though January begins the year we all seem to function with the school year more. Some ongoing updates:
THE AMBRY is now in the baptism alcove - - it is almost complete. This has been donated by two anonymous donors—even anonymous to each other. Thank you and bless your generosity; blessings also on the virtuous method of giving. The ambry is what some of you may remember as the “oleo sanctae” type tabernacles that were in the sanctuary. This is the home for the holy oils in their reserved presence. The ambry presents them in a place of honor. This baptistry alcove is mostly complete. The Art & Environment Committee of Worship is looking into using the old brass gates in that space. Some of you long-time parishioners may remember them from where the bride’s room presently is. Stay tuned.
There are three holy oils: the oil of the sick, the oil of the catechumen and sacred chrism. Oil of the sick is used when we anoint someone who is sick. They need not be dying—that is not a requirement. Oil of the catechumen is used in the initiation rites of the church. When either a child or adult is baptized. This oil is placed on the chest near the heart. (In the early church it was the entire body and thus nudity. Like wrestlers are oiled to slip through their opponents hands; so we slip through the devil’s grip.) Sacred chrism is used as the oil of the priesthood of baptism. It is used in baptism. Again it is used in confirmation. When a man is ordained, his hands are anointed with holy chrism. These are all presented in the ambry.
SOLICITORS Just this last week one of the solicitors was arrested, arraigned, convicted and sentenced. Fr. Kilbridge and I went to court for this. This particular offender has nearly 90 past charges. He is getting an assessment and help that he desperately needs. Please keep him in your prayers. Again, I repeat what I did earlier: do not give monies to solicitors in church, the parking lot, etc. Do not preach or put down these folks. They are volatile and you put yourself in danger to do so. Giving monies encourages them back and targets SVFP as an easy touch place. Help us help them.
NEW FACES Since the July 1st fiscal year, we have some new faces on the campus staff and faculty. Check out past issues of the bulletin (svfparish.org) for the bios and pics of staff newcomers: Karen Dix is the Director of the School of Religion and Faith Formation. Steve Senski takes on as director of the Office of Worship . (Actually Steve arrives in mid- Sept.) Vince Zaprzal is the Dominican University intern working in the Office of Worship. The school has three new faculty members; all are prime blessings. Let me refer you to the school writings for that information. Lots of new faces in the volunteers ministries.
OFFICE MAKE-OVER By mid September we should have the office spaces made more efficient. Two of the offices in the east wing (those near Jackson Avenue) are having double/shared occupancy. This frees up more space for other parish needs. We are adding more high skilled volunteer ministries like wedding coordinators and lead couples for marriage. They will need space to meet with folks.
EVENING PRAYER & ICE CREAM SOCIAL.. J ...usually not done at the same time. This is how we began the year. Parents and students of the Day School and the School of Religion gathered on Tuesday, August 24th. The points I made with the parents and students were simply that we are here to be Catholic. Most people choose private schools for non-faith reasons. Location, discipline, uniforms, better schooling option, etc are the leaders of decision making. Faith formation is about fourth or fifth on that list. Our two greatest sins are that we think our goodness is ours. It is God’s and cannot be presumed. Sunday worship is what helps keep us good and makes us better. We, as faith formaters, are supposed to delay or deny people sacraments who do not practice their faith. This includes baptism, first penance, first communion, confirmation, and marriage. When a parish staff delays or denies someone a sacrament, they are villains Seldom do they say “I refused to be a responsible Catholic.” “I wasn’t practicing” etc. The story is usually conveyed that “they” refused my “suchensuch” sacrament. We all need to be more responsible in our faith—even kids. The night went well and the rains didn’t melt the ice cream.
Fr. Tom Noesen, O.P.,
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
This past July I wrote a column on “Keeping Holy the Sabbath”. Many of you said I should have written it in the season when everyone could see it and not just in the summer. Here it is again as part one and then I have done a sequel to it:
KEEPING HOLY THE SABBATH (PART 1 OF 2)
Have we lost our Sunday responsibilities? Is Sunday a day of rest?....and for whom? Where does God fit into it all? Permit me a story: Before I came to SVFP I recall a Sunday scene where a great grandma came up to me all excited that she got to church this particular day. Since she was a total stranger to me I tried to make sense out of what she was saying. She looked super fit—it couldn’t be her health. This was a lively and energetic little gal; much spryer than her years. She went on to tell me that she’s really missed mass because it was soccer with one grandson two weeks in a row, a shower for a daughter the other, and her list went on. She said she was so glad she could finally get to church. In all her excitement I stood and smiled not knowing what she expected as my response. I wondered if she was going to confession to me, bragging how busy she was, letting me know she was a happy camper in her old age, really-with-the-program, that she’d outgrown that “Sunday obligation stuff” ??? I hadn’t a clue at her dispatching of this information. What I was certain of is that even in her elderliness, she had no deep or heavy responsibility for herself to make certain weekly Sunday Mass non-negotiable.
Unfortunately, she is not a stranger to our present USA dilemma. This is true even for those who do not belong to the Catholic faith. At present the fundamentalistic churches are more faithful to the obligation of worship on Sunday than that of most others. In our culture as Catholics, mass goers are about once every four weeks. So that means about once a month if it fits.
Here at SVFP we list as registered about 2600 households. With the five masses per weekend we range 32% to 47% of the church filled per mass. This is using the 800 seating capacity—low estimate for the space. (An interesting aside is that the Archdiocese recommends changing mass schedules if the assembly is less than 50% of the seating space. I have no intention of doing that!) The parish is supported ministerally, financially, and even physically by about 500+ consistent households. This all fits the mediocrity of the culture universally. SVFP is about the norm. For every person present, three are absent. For every family present, three are absent.
The spiritual problem with all this is that we teach in our day school and the school of religion that it is seriously wrong and sinful to miss mass on Sunday. That is the commandment and the teaching of our Catholic heritage. We have Catholic educated youth even as high as the college level—catholic college level—not seeing church as a serious obligation. It is not about what we teach. It is about what we experience. Family habits need to be built from littlehood. What we say and what we do must match. Clinical studies show that children become damaged when these two don’t connect in the lived experience.
One of the interesting changes in society is businesses closing on Sunday. Stores like Hobby Lobby and Chick Filet post signs stating that Sunday is a day of the Lord for family and worship. Other stores are shortening Sunday hours. Thank God! Sometimes with the busy schedules we run, Sunday becomes our day of rest.
Going to Church is not about the music, the priest, the preaching, the whatever. Going to church is about God—not us. It is not a moment to be entertained and amused. We don’t go to church because we have nothing happening in our lives. We go to church because God knows we need reminders of who we are and who God is. One time a little guy who was dropped off by a parent (who’d pick him up in a hour) said to me, “I don’t want to be here”. Standing there totally vested ready to begin the procession I responded by saying “neither do I”. I was not lying. Measuring everything by what we like is most selfish and never about others. Church makes us more than we presently are. It is discipline. It’s a habit of the soul.
Sunday should mean Sunday best. That means the clothing we wear to church and the food we eat is different from the rest of the week. The entire day is a different gear and it is for God and about God.
This culture epidemic is being addressed constantly here at SVFP. In my short time here I have heard it discussed by the council, the school board, the school faculty and administration, the parish staff—and you the faithful. This is not a parish problem peculiar to SVFP. Just like grandma in the opening story, we are fitting in well with the schedules dictated by our culture. Maybe it is time to check our daytimers and make them “grace timers”. How about giving them a rest?! Likely if you’re reading this you are the one in four. Invite folks to keep holy the Sabbath. Even if they are not Catholic and you know they worship, affirm that in them. Support one another as you remember the Lord’s day. My dad used to say “let’s go to the early mass and get it over with.” Not a good attitude but we got there and the entire day was constructed in prayer, family, food and recreation. We don’t have to like making the day holy. We can’t even make the day holy. God is the holy Maker of the Sabbath and the Sabbath rest. Should we take on the culture? Maybe if we learn the rest of Sabbath we will rest even better eternally.
(PART 2 OF 2)
Granting sacraments to people who do not practice their faith is a major problem. In my short time here I have been informed by engaged couples, confirmation candidates, baptismal parents, and first communion parents that “here at SVFP we don’t do it that way. We get sacraments when we want them”. I am challenged by those who do not practice on making this an issue. What I am talking about here is not some rule that I have made up.
In the catechism—the new one—missing Sunday Mass is seen as grave matter. The two reasons the catechism gives excusing someone is sickness and care of small children. “Grave matter” would indicate the necessity of the sacrament of reconciliation (confession). Catholics in name only are not entitled to whatever they want sacramentally. For example, in the canonical marriage forms of the Church—any diocese--engaged couples are asked under oath if they are practicing by “frequently attending Mass.” If the answer is “no,” a written explanation is to be entered in their permanent questionnaire. Some do purge themselves by saying “yes.”
By now you likely think that I am some kind of legal maniac. Anything but! I do take the pastorate seriously. Adults and youth telling me no one has ever told them they are expected to go to Church on Sunday cannot be our norm. Most likely if you are reading this you go to Church and are in Church as you’re reading this. God bless you! My duty and obligation as pastor is to catechise in the teachings of the Church. The Church teaches Sunday worship as the Catholic norm. Sorry, I didn’t make that up. (One of precepts of the Church also says that we must support the Church—I won’t even go there. Truly, I don’t make this stuff up.)
You’ll note on the bulletin’s last page where it gives general information on the sacraments, we have now listed the expectation of membership. Delaying sacraments for non practicing Catholics until they show this is a lifestyle they choose. Those who have no intention to practice but want to showcase their sacrament of choice are totally out of line. Practicing members become indignant and feel the sacraments are abused. They are right.
As an aside, what amuses me in all this is that 50 years ago Catholics went to church every Sunday. Other Christian denominations would go perhaps monthly at max. Now, many of the Christian denominations are very churched weekly while Catholics are now the lax practicing breed.
How about getting beyond the legal to the real substance of all this. Let’s dust off the old argument that Mass is boring. I won’t contest that. Boredom is good. In a saturated stimuli society this is a hard sell. The routine habits of day in and day out are what build holy men and women. Prayer by its nature is an unexciting sport. It is not entertainment. We are spiritually dumbing down our children and youth to teach them such. Prayer is a discipline. Mass is the source and summit of our faith. Without it we are no longer Catholic. Without Sunday Mass how can we call ourselves a Catholic school? …. How can we be a Catholic person? How can a parish be Catholic and not worship on Sunday?
It’s a non-sequitur.
Sometimes Mass can be as routine as oatmeal for breakfast. It is about something more. Our faith says God is in the ordinary of the daily routine of bread and wine. As the one canon of the Mass says “we do what Jesus told us to do. We remember …” We should never have to defend the Mass legally: catechism requirements and bulletin norms. It is not about “Do I have to?”. It is about more.
If we believe Christ in the assembly, the Word proclaimed, the bread and wine illogically changed, then there would not even be standing room in Church. In the routine of Mass we connect with the beloved dead, our unconquered anger and vengeance, our tender vulnerable side that may be a stranger even to us. We’re talking prayer that works the miracle of changing each of us and our broken world.
It’s ok to come to church on Sunday. Anyone who thinks less of you because you come doesn’t need your admiration. Want to come and you will find something new—not in Church, but inside you.
Fr. Tom, O.P.,
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
Those joining the parish get no personal contact. Connecting from the beginning is most important Hospitality is gospel central. The neighborhoods change in the villages and therefore the parish is ever changing. New faces, new graces, is what makes a growing vibrant community. Through the council you can become part of this group.
SCHOOLS OF THE PARISH: Both Karen Dix and Francesca Mazzulla have been making magnificent structural changes in both of the schools. Their columns address this wonderfully. From catechists to faculty to methods, the structures are being better defined. Both schools have boards that are forever freshing the faith of the children. They are working on a Confirmation Committee.
WORSHIP COMMITTEE: Is yet to happen. Because Steve Senski is coming onto staff as the new Director of Worship, I didn’t push on this committee. This committee is yet to be birthed. Worship committee will make a marked difference in the regular life of the praying community. This committee will oversee all other committees, ministers and ministries of the church building connected with praying the sacramental life. This committee is the structural force of a holy people. They make it happen over and over so smoothly that it looks as though they were not even there.
Structures allow us to be more efficient. When we know what is expected of us, we come forward better. Lots of fresh faces and new blood in the parish. It is beautiful to behold. In one of St Peter’s writings he talks about us “once being no people at all, but now we are God’s people holy and beloved.” In every age and generation we redefine ourselves in our Christ calling. Blessings and gratitude as we balance out in our leadership.
Fr. Tom Noesen, O.P.,
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
Perhaps we could measure the celebration from Christmas 2005 until Christmas 2006. So how am I going to do this? I’m not! Remember I work with folks, not for them. We’d need a huge, multifaceted 75th Anniversary Committee. Their work would be horrendous. This letter is saying what time it is: time to look back 75 years to see who gave us what we have. Time to plan forward, asking what we want for the younger generations among us. Who’ll celebrate the 150th? They’re in our midst!
So you are thinking “He’s nuts! – nobody will do any of this.” Our 75th could be like some birthdays – just another day. Think and pray about your life here at Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish. Is it worth an anniversary party? Is there cause here for rejoicing?
Your ideas, volunteering, suggestions, etc, would be best put in writing. Address it ‘Attention: Parish Council” or simply share your ideas with a Parish Council member.
Whatever we do, don’t feel older; feel spoiled in grace in the Jesus Christ who has ‘pitched his tent’ on this block for so long. Hmmm!
Gratefully,
Fr. Tom Noesen, O.P.,
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
In recent weeks the school boiler was declared “dead”. It’s not anticipated to be able to make it through the season, especially if it gets very cold . Even though the conversation for the last nine years said, “This is its last year,” this year it is true.
The boiler is about $150,000 to replace. Your generous donations over the last few years to the building fund has been about $100,000. There is a boiler fund of about $30,000 from a designated gift. The former should not be depleted in the event of another building emergency. We met in an emergency session with boiler specialists from the Archdiocese and our finance leadership and I are going forward with this necessary replacement.
Think of the boiler as a good parishioner. This one served Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish for 55 years. His (Her) successor will be around for a long time – more than many of us. Please help by designating any moneys into this “member” of our parish.
Since I came here in February, I have not even mentioned money. I’d be delinquent not to post you on this challenge. So, you know what we need in our parish’s stocking for Christmas. Pray for your Parish.
Respectfully,
Fr. Tom
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
The Chicago Archdiocese is part of a major change in parish management. All the pastors are being sent to manager school. Each vicariate has already met being taught the skills to run a parish as a business. Even the bishops are in the classes.
The staff, finance board, parish council, and school board all know of this in their meetings of the past few months. Allow me to share some of the causes, benefactors and changes of this method:
Several major benefactors of the corporate world have stepped up to the plate for this to happen. They are concerned that the church augment her faith formation with the resources of the secular world. To institutionalize pastoring, we will eventually see a reshaping of parish life. Once it is tweaked adequately, the seminary system will offer this as part of formation. Mind you, this has never existed in the formation of priests in the past. Any business maxi that priests have brought to the parish was from their non-ecclesial reservoirs. Several years down the pike , I predict that Chicago Church will be part of many studies and even a model for parish leadership training.
The two main teachers are the authors of the book, Becoming a Successful Manager by Dr. Jack H. Grossman and Dr. J. Robert Parkinson. They are with the schools of business at De Paul University and Northwestern University respectively. These are two very Catholic dedicated men, fine teachers, and experts in business, relationships, and professional techniques.
What we have learned as priests is that if it is not in writing, we cause our own problems. That includes everything from job descriptions, to sacrament expectations, to operations of boards, committees, etc. When I wrote the Administrator Report last April ’04, I used over and over the need of structural leadership. They don’t use that term but the reality is the same. We are already on the right path. Directions help even if we only get around to reading them after the hiccup.
Non-for-profits often get what seems like a trap with volunteers. These instructors advise that the structure of written norms are even more necessary because of volunteers’ valuable time and need to feel needed in making a difference with the institution. They encourage weeding out poor leaders as in any business model. A weed drains nutrients from the garden’s plants which need the good stuff. They made it clear that you not weed them from the faith community but simply from the leadership roles . Leadership training then becomes normative and not the exception.
SVFP already operates under the norms of Best Practice. This is an Archdiocesan term for business practices which are in accord with federal banking regulations, non-profits guidelines, privacy norms of HIPPA , etc, For example, we follow all the finance norms, personnel guidelines, contractual agreements, etc. Yes, this is new for SVFP since I’ve come as administrator and later as pastor. My thinking is that in one of the largest dioceses in the world , I’d/we’d be a fool to reinvent the wheel.
Following is a page from the book showing how systems work or fail to work. What is said of a business could be said of marriage, family, business, school—any institution.
Good management should save energy , money, and nerves. Remember, this is not just SVFP .
Blessings !