Newman Notes Week 3
Posted on: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. (Jn 1:6-7)
1. ANNUAL NEWMAN CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Sunday, December 14 at about 11:10PM in the Skalny Room (downstairs in the Interfaith Center) A home-cooked lasagna dinner with all the trimmings, a visit by Santa and caroling. If you have gifts for our adopted family, please bring them to the party.
2. LESSONS & CAROLS:
Sunday, December 14 at 3PM in the Allen Chapel. A co-sponsored program by the College of Liberal Arts [its choral and instrumental groups] and the Center for Religious Life, this program uses nine Scripture lessons with holiday music and Christmas carols. This has been an annual tradition on campus for decades.
Because of Lessons and Carols we have to deconstruct our Sunday Chapel after the 10:00AM Mass and reconstruct it at 6:00PM before the 7:00PM Mass. Any assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated.
3. A PRAYER-A-DAY FOR ADVENT:
has been added to the end of Newman Notes.
4. HOMILIES:
A few members of our Community have from time to time asked Fr. Richard for copies of his homilies for reflection. "Have to admit that their not all that original. I plagiarize good sources, especially for stories, usually without attribution, downsize some high theology, stir the mess in a potpourri mix, strain it out and serve it up. I've been reluctant to see them in print., and can't imagine wanting to read them" Having ‘fessed up, Fr. Richard will end the queries and start putting them at the end of Newman Notes for those who like to read the spoken word.
5. HANDEL'S MESSIAH:
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra & Rochester Oratorio Society Saturday, December 13, 8:00pm at Eastman Theater: A favorite in the Christmas Season. For tickets contact www.rpo.org or phone: 454-2100.
6. ALUMNI DONATIONS:
Some of you may know that during the time of Fr. Richard's predecessor our Alumni Appeal information was removed from our office computer in an act of sabotage by a disgruntled student. Fr. Richard recently discovered a hard copy of that file and it is now restored as a computer file. We need to check on all the names and addresses in the file with the RIT Alumni office as well as add new names of graduates and addresses to the list. We need some volunteer student help on this project.
This project is very important to our community because in the past our generous alumni have helped us financially support and expand our Newman activities. Because we never talk about money at liturgies ( and don't need to start), it is probably not known that we are not financially supported by RIT, nor is Fr. Richard an employee of the university. Our Newman Community is a mission of the Diocese of Rochester (from which Fr. Richard receives his salary) and our financial support for Newman activities comes from the generosity of our small Core Community. I am very grateful for all they do for us.
It's interesting to note that historically the U of R started Newman Community, U of R at the same time that RIT did. They now have an annual income of about $150,000 per year from their annual alumni donation drive, which allows them to have a staff and fund incoming speakers, programs, and sending students abroad, etc. It's not good to compare, but facts are facts, and this last year, (without this discovered alumni file), we received donations amounting to about $900. We are seriously disadvantaged, and we need to organize and do what we can to remedy this situation. Please don't interpret this as an appeal for funds from you. Please send an email or speak to Fr. Richard if you can spend some time on this project, and many thanks for your consideration.
7. ARE YOU GOING TO HELL?
Wednesday, December 17, 8-9:30pm Xerox Hall. Snacks provided (Fiery ones we hope!).
The Religious Council of the Center for Religious Life is sponsoring an interfaith discussion on what happens when you die. Newman's Visioning Team President, Steve Lawson is one of the presenters.
8. SEARCHING FOR A QUIET PLACE TO PRAY?
If you should like to have a quiet place to pray, Jones Chapel is your best bet. Private prayer there trumps piano playing. If someone is tickling the keyboard or the door is locked just tell Donna or the student receptionist in the Center for Religious Life that you'd like to pray in the chapel and they will see to it that the room is be opened/ cleared. Lock the door while you're in there so as not to be disturbed.
9. NEWMAN RETREAT AT OUR LADY OF THE GENESEE ABBEY:
There is a Trappist Abbey -about 40 minutes South of Rochester where we will make a retreat this winter from Friday evening to Sunday noon, January 23-25, 2009. We've reserved Nazareth House (pictured above) as our living quarters and we can attend the liturgical hours and Mass with the monks. Fr. Jerome will be speaking with us. This is a great opportunity to participate in another side of the Church's life -its communal religious life.
10. THE YEAR OF THE BIBLE -THE GOSPEL AND MESSAGE OF MARK:
A Rip in the Sky: Mark's Story of God Loose in Our World
-with Mark Allen Powell, Professor of New Testament at Trinity
Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.
Friday, December 12, 10:00am
11. ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:
Winter Quarter- Thursdays 4:30-5:30pm in the Jones Chapel. A link to understanding what Eucharistic Adoration is about can be found at: http://www.ocytoronto.org/plan/adoration.htm
12. FR. RICHARD'S WINTER QUARTER WORKSHOP AND GROUPS:
BRIDGE TO CONTEMPLATIVE LIVIING WITH THOMAS MERTON: Wednesdays at 12:10-1:00pm, in the Sun Room -mezzanine level of the Center for Religious Life,
SPIRITUAL HEALING: Thursdays at 12:10-1:00pm -Jones Chapel,
BIBLE STUDY: Thursdays at 7:00pm in Jones Chapel.
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A Prayer-a-Day for Advent
In her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse of Lisieux writes that Christ was most often present to her not "during my hours of prayer...but rather in the midst of my daily occupations."
The time leading up to Christmas, though, is not a good time to talk about things ordinary. Life seems anything but. What with studies to be done, gifts to buy, parties to attend, homes to decorate, travel plans to finalize, meals to cook, who actually has time to stop and reflect about the presence of God in their daily midst?
Yet, Advent's invitation concerns just that. In a culture which sings, "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why...," the Church offers us another tune: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord."
Advent is here to allow us time to focus on who's really coming. In Advent, the Church has traditionally offered the followers of Jesus, those who follow in the footpaths of the Magi of old, three comings to think about-Christ's incarnation 2,000 years ago, Christ's continued presence in our midst to this day, and Christ's anticipated glorious return in the future.
In this season, let us focus on Christ's presence in our ordinary lives. For if we miss Christ in our daily lives surely the utter ordinariness of a child born in a feed box (a manger) will pass us by as well. The reflections that follow offer an antidote to the cultural pull of busy-ness and commercialism and invite us to see something new. Where we often discover God-and where God most often discovers us-is in the midst of ordinary, everyday lives.
Third Sunday of Advent
Cultivate silence. I have an old car, a very old car, in fact. One thing I'm glad that doesn't work after all these years is the radio. Not having it allows me time to think, to listen, to reflect. With so much noise elsewhere, it's the one place that I know will be quiet.
Show yourself to me in the quiet moments of the day, Lord, whether they be few or many.
(For December 17 or later, see Late Advent)
Monday of the Third Week
(Nm 24:2-7, 15-17; Mt 21:23-27)
Expect great things. So often we sell short ourselves and our families. Where does holiness reside? Jesus tells us again and again, holiness is all around us, every day. Yes, we need sacred places and sacred actions, but God speaks to us everywhere.
Lord, help me to look close at hand for your revelation.
Tuesday
(Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Mt 21:28-32)
Listen to the poor. Many of us close ourselves off from the world, seeking shelter from the world in safe homes, easy living. There's nothing wrong with safety, but the gospel instructs us never to neglect our neighbors, especially the poor. When we reach out to our neighbor, we are reaching out to Christ.
Help me to hear the cries of the poor, and to act in solidarity.
Wednesday
(Is 45:6b-8, 21b-25; Lk 7:19-23)
Proclaim the Kingdom. How can we be Kingdom people? Jesus tells us the signs: The blind see, cripples walk, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor hear good news. How can we be good news in our homes and to society's poor? Where is blindness, paralysis, shame and deafness that we can help to heal?
Lord of life, help us to see your face in the people we live with, and in the distressing disguise of the poor.
Thursday
(Is 54:1-10; Lk 7:24-30)
Prepare the way. Did you ever show up at a party or a restaurant in the wrong outfit? It happens to everyone sometime. Without preparation, we really can't enjoy the action as fully as we might. But when we think ahead, we're ready for good things!
Make straight the crooked paths in our hearts, Lord, and let us be ready for your love.
Friday
(Is 56:1-3, 6-8; Jn 5:33-36)
Praise the Lord! Late in Advent, our excitement builds for the coming holiday. Amidst the gift-buying and holiday preparations, let's be mindful of the incredible gift that God gives to us every day in Jesus. It's the gift of life, the gift that keeps giving.
You are great, O God. Thank you for the gift of life, the wonder
of all creation.
