March 26, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
These are those days that happen every year. Spring arrives on the calendar, and we are beyond ready for it. And yet winter is slow to surrender. When a cold day follows a couple of warmer ones, it’s so shocking and difficult to tolerate. I told someone recently that at this point in the year, if I hear it’s going to get cold again, I figure I’ll be fine with it, since we’ve walked through most of winter. But it doesn’t take long to get used to the warmer weather and be shocked by the return of the cold. But the good news is that every day is another step closer to spring!
Next Sunday is Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. I always enjoy our celebration of the beginning of Holy Week with our processions, whether simple or elaborate, at the beginning of the Palm Sunday liturgies. And as Holy Week arrives, it brings the journey of Lent to a wonderful crescendo. Our Chosen Ones, who will be initiated into the church at the Easter Vigil, embody the journey of conversion and ask our prayers and support. And we give thanks for their example as they have allowed the Lord to shepherd them here into our midst. We have walked the journey of Lent together, all of us being tested by our resolutions and moved to deeper faith and commitment. Draw close to the Lord in these days and be ready for unexpected blessings!
Peace,
Fr. Greg
March 19, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
As a penitential season, Lent calls us to "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel," as we heard on Ash Wednesday. Part of how we can do that is to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is a Sacrament of Healing in our tradition and offers us the privileged opportunity of encountering God's mercy in the context of sacred ritual.
Recently the Vatican, with the cooperation of the US Bishops, amended the wording for the Prayer of Absolution, which the priest confessor prays at the conclusion of the celebration. So you will hear a new version of the Absolution when you celebrate the Sacrament. The changes are minimal, but I'll tell you, as a priest, I've had the old version of the Prayer of Absolution memorized for decades, so changing even just a few words will require an adjustment! I will need the written words in front of me for some time before the new version takes hold in my mind!
Here is the new version you will hear from now on:
God, the Father of mercies, through the Death and Resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and poured out the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. Through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace and I ABSOLVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The new words are in bold print. And the words "among us" have been removed following "Holy Spirit." These aren't significant changes, and the core meaning remains the same, but I wanted to let you know about it!
Peace,
Fr. Greg
March 12, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
Mental illness is one of the hidden crosses many bear in the United States. Both the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimate that one in five adults experiences mental illness. So while mental illness is often visible on the street and in homeless shelters, it is also present in our families and parish, though in a more hidden way. Because of unfortunate stigmas, many who experience mental illness live with it in isolation, which only compounds the burden.
I am happy to report that our parish, under the invitation and guidance of our diocese and Catholic Charities of Kansas City, is beginning a parish mental health ministry. Our diocese invited parishes to become part of this program as a way to provide vital spiritual accompaniment for people experiencing mental health challenges and mental illness, as well as those who care for them. If we can accompany and support individuals and families, it might help to transform people's lives and the life of our community. We have a small team who will take the provided training and begin to develop this ministry in our parish. I feel strongly about this because we often lament the prevalence of mental illness and share the pain it causes individuals, families, parishes and our society, but struggle to know how to respond. I have hope that this program will enable us as a parish community to extend Jesus' ministry of healing further into the world. A significant part of that healing ministry is to bear burdens together and walk with people who are suffering. We do this so well at St. Elizabeth, so this ministry will only enhance our mission and deepen God's abiding presence among us.
Peace,
Fr. Greg
March 5, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
One of the things I love about Lent is that it's long enough to be a season of adjustments. If the season begins well and things are working, there's probably no need to change anything. If, as you go, a new idea presents itself, it could be an opportunity to enrich your resolutions. If you find that you didn't begin with enough reflection or resolution, it's certainly not too late to establish a regimen. And if you realize that your resolutions just need tweaking to be more doable, by all means, follow it. Like the Chiefs might make adjustments at halftime in the midst of the Super Bowl, we can do the same. The worst we can do is get discouraged or give up. At this early point in the season, there is plenty of goodness, mercy and grace awaiting us.
Our Faith Formation series, Shared Wisdom, begins this week. Each Monday in March, two or three parishioners will reflect and share their experience of living the Catholic faith. We already know that we are part of a dynamic, faith-filled community, but listening to individual stories and journeys promises to be especially inspiring and enriching. I am grateful to our Adult Faith Formation team for this excellent idea, and to those who will be speaking each week for their generosity and witness.
Thank you all for your kindness on my 60th birthday. I am so grateful to be a part of the St. Elizabeth family. I have spent a decade of my life here (that's 1/6 of my years) and I am a better person because of it. Thank you for your friendship, kindness, patience and faith.
Peace,
Fr. Greg
February 26, 2023
Dear Parishioners,
I’m excited about our school auction this coming Saturday! With a Wild West theme and another great team chairing it, I know it will be a wonderful time and a tremendous success! Gathering with the people of St. Elizabeth always guarantees a fun party. And in the 100th year of St. Elizabeth School, this auction is a special one. It represents the long-standing commitment we have all made to Catholic education, the same commitment as “those who have gone before us.” As a ministry of our parish, our school forms and educates not only children, but all of us in some ways. There is always more to learn and practice in our faith tradition, and our school is one way we all continue to walk that path. But for our kids especially, St. Elizabeth School continues to be a tremendous gift and opportunity, sustained by your generosity!
I turn 60 years old this week! While it’s a large number, I’ll admit I’ve been looking forward to it as a milestone. The journey of life is indeed a gift as it unfolds, so the passing of years only increases the blessings. I have enjoyed a decade of life in this community, and I can say my 50’s have been some of the best days of my life! Thank you for being such good stewards of God’s gifts and for sharing them so generously with me: kindness, laughter, wisdom, faith, courage, generosity. I have learned so much and received so much during my time at St. Elizabeth. I celebrate that especially this week!
Peace,
Fr. Greg