Fr. Jorge Gomez and Mr. Stanley Kariuki, R.I.P.

Today the Diocese of Tulsa lost a new and vibrant priest, Fr. Jorge Gomez, and a Kenyan-born seminarian, Stanley Kariuki.  The St. Meinrad family has lost two close friends and brothers.

Please keep Fr. Jorge and Stanley, their families and loved ones, and the Diocese of Tulsa in your thoughts and prayers.  Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.

Tulsa World Article.

My Retreat at St. Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, OK

Before leaving to return to my seminary for the fall semester, I decided I would take a personal retreat at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Gregory, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.  When I returned from it, I was filled with an even greater love for the local Church in the Sooner State, and so wanted to share with you my experience.

I began my retreat with a bit of trepidation.  What should I expect?  As I rolled my suitcase into the foyer of the monastery, I was greeted by Fr. Charles B., one of the senior monks of the abbey, who escorted me to my living quarters.  I was immediately taken back by the silence of the place -- it was not "dead silence," but a reverent silence.  I walked into the "clausura," the cloister of the monastery, and my retreat began.

As retreats go, it was a fairly simple one.  I  had no specific guidelines to the retreat, save for reciting the Office with the monks while reading, reflecting, and praying in private.  I arrived on Sunday afternoon, and so had the opportunity to celebrate the entirety of  the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the monks.  It was such an honor to pray with the monks in this way.  I was allowed to sit in the north choir of the abbey church, where I began to learn the rhythm and flow of the sung chant and spoken psalmody.

The day began with the rising bell, 5:30am.  This was followed by vigils at 6:00am, breakfast at 6:45am, and lauds at 7:15am.  I would follow this with my Holy Hour and spiritual reading.  At 12:05pm we prayed midday prayer, followed by recreation and reading.  It was at this time that I had a chance to speak with the monks about their vocation stories as well as read a wonderful book, entitled "Tenacious Monks," written by the late Fr. Joseph Murphy, O.S.B., which is the history of Sacred Heart Mission, now St. Gregory's Abbey. I am unaware if this book is still in print, but, if you are ever interested in the establishment of Catholicism in Oklahoma, this is the book to find. At 5:00pm, Mass was celebrated. Dinner followed at 5:45pm, with lectio read while the monks ate in silence. Vespers was prayed in the abbey church again at 6:45pm. Compline was prayed privately.

One of the things I utilized in prayer was the beautiful stained glass in the abbey church. Original to the church, which itself was built in 1942, the windows represent an architectural simplicity found in the art deco style of the period. The use of gem colors in the glass offset by the simple black lines used to draw the details of each character adds a majestic quality to the simplicity. I was particularly drawn to the rose window in the south choir of the church. From my own place in the north choir, I was able to reflect on this window at length. In it is depicted God the Father, wearing a three-tiered tiara, hands raised in benediction, and holding in front of Him the heavenly spheres -- the sun and the moon and the stars. He is surrounded, in bold red letters, with the Latin inscription, "EGO SUM QUI SUM" -- "I am Who I am."

One of my favorite windows, however, happened to be in one of the small side chapel windows. In this window, no more than a yard tall and ten inches wide, was depicted a demon, yes, a demon, cowering under the weight of his chains, with a grimacing face pointed toward heaven. 

For such a simple pane of glass, this window spoke volumes to me. No matter the temptation, no matter the terror or fear aroused by evil, it has been overcome nonetheless. All it can do is grimace with terror itself at what it has rejected.

And so, with this small excursion into my retreat at St. Gregory's Abbey, I hope I have given you a reason to learn more about this amazing and historical place. For Catholics of the Sooner State, we owe so much to legacy of the Benedictines who paved a way through political, religious, and of course geographic "hard clay." Oklahoma continues to be mission country, and St. Gregory's remains a Catholic beacon of education and culture.

Please pray for the growth and well-being of St. Gregory's Abbey. For more information on the abbey and it's goings-on, you can follow this link.

Retreat

Just so that it is known as to why you may not be able to get in contact with me, I will be on a three-day retreat at St. Gregory's Abbey in Shawnee Oklahoma. I'm looking forward to my time with the Benedictine monks of Oklahoma, to learn more about their way of life and to prepare me for the coming semester of theological studies at St. Meinrad Seminary.

This is such an exciting time for me. It is a time in which it is very important that I prepare and focus on the task of formation that is necessary for Holy Orders. My hope is that spending time in comtemplative prayer with a community if monks that are responsible for bringing and establishing Catholicism to Oklahoma will strengthen my resolve to serve the Church in Oklahoma with zeal and with love.

A Hymnal to Consider

Samples of pages from the Vatican II Hymnal from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.

This is a very impressive hymnal, especially when compared to our usual Gather, Worship, Ritual Song, and Breaking Bread hymnals. Encouraging to see/hear a blend of tradition and development at work in the liturgical life of the Church.

For more information, and to learn more about Corpus Christi Watershed and their ministry to the Church through music revitalization and preservation, visit their website:


http://www.ccwatershed.org/

Seminarian Days 2011, Day 2

Today is day 2 of Seminarian Days here in the Archdcese of OKC. We visited our state seminarian brothers in Tulsa. One of our stops was at the Tulsa Catholic Charities. I was particularly impressed by the amount of catholicity that was so present of the Catholic Charities campus. One would think that having that name, it would be a foregone conclusion that Catholic values would be expressed. But, as my seminarian brothers who went with me to the Evansville diocese Catholic Charities can attest, federal funding tends to having a quashing effect on religious values. The chapel itself was spectacular; a real gem for both the people to give of their time and talent, and those seeking help and guidance. Bravo, Tulsa Catholic Charities

One thing that struck me particularly was the names for the bells in the bell tower of the chapel on the Catholic Charities campus. The story goes that a benefactor wanted to donate money to The funding of the building of the campus. By that time, however, the buildingS were completed and paid for, and so they were asked to donate toward the purchase of real bells, used on the hour and for call to prayer. Three bells were donated, at a cost of over $80,000, so the donors were given the opportunity to have whatever they wished inscribed on them. They responded with this:

The first bell will say "Ask and you shall receive"; the second bell will say "Seek and you shall find"; the third bell will say "Knock and the door shall be opened."

Having these names inscribed on the bells have given the bells an even deeper significance to the workers at Catholic Charities. When they hear the bells, they are reminded of the call to see Christ in all they meet and to bring Christ to all who are in need...

It has been a wonderful retreat so far, and I am looking forward to the rest. Keep you posted.

My 100th Post at Seminarian Days

Today marks the first of a four-day retreat for the seminarians of the Archdioicese of Oklahoma City. So far, it's been a wonderful experience. There are seven new seminarians, most of which will be attending college seminary at Conception Seminary in Missouri. There will be one that will join me at St. Meinrad in the pre-theology program.

Tomorrow, I will be headed to Tulsa to learn more about the history of the Catholic Church in Oklahoma.

A small bit of history here would probably be appropriate.

"The diocese had its roots through French Benedictine monks who entered Indian Territory in 1875 to establish a Catholic presence. The Diocese of Oklahoma City was established in 1905 with Belgian Theophile Meerschaert as its first bishop. In the 1930s the name was changed to the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa to reflect shifting population trends in Oklahoma. It first achieved international attention when, in 1949, it became home to the National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague. On December 13, 1972, Pope Paul VI split the diocese into two, creating the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, which ministers to Catholics in the western part of Oklahoma, and the Diocese of Tulsa, which ministers to those in the east."
(http://www.catharchdioceseokc.org/history/)

There will be more to come, but I thought I'd share a bit of the fun I am experiencing here with my diocesan brothers. Cheers to all!!

New Translation Update

One of my IPF friends posted this on his Facebook profile. I think it's a pretty interesting way of approaching the up-and-coming translation of the Mass. Enjoy!

Word for Word [Teens] from Life Teen on Vimeo.

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

So, today marks the second full day back in the Sooner State after my time at IPF in Omaha, NE. I have been working on a car that keeps breaking while also paying off a traffic ticket I received in the mail from Council Bluffs, IA, where the closest Walmart to the Creighton campus is located.

All day I have been tempted to look at this situation in a very negative context. I don't have the money to deal with this; I can't believe government has become such a "big brother" as to have video surveillance cameras at intersections; if anything else breaks on my car, I think I will have replaced the whole thing!!!!

But, as I think on the Gospel reading for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary time, about St. Peter sinking in the waves as he walked to Jesus on the water (Matt. 14), I'm reminded to think of the blessings that I received -- I could have gotten a larger ticket; my car could have broken down on the way home instead of in my driveway; what broke on my car was very fixable, and my grandpa was able to help me when I needed it the most.

Recently, I have found myself so focused on trials and fears that I forget to acknowledge the good and the providential. Like St. Peter, I too often find myself sinking in the waters of life because I fail to keep my gaze fixed on Christ, the source of blessing and strength.

It is in these moments that I realize how small my faith becomes when I turn to worldly concerns without acknowledging the help and support I receive every day from God. When I focus on the things of this world, I fail to reciprocate the gaze of Christ in his love for me. This gaze of love that I neglect and take for granted is the only thing that keeps me safe from the precipice of death. It is constant, even when I am not. It is ready to aid me, if only I cry out "Lord, save me!"

God's love transcends my capacity to understand it, and it is in this truth that I take refuge. His gaze never wavers; His love never fails. He eagerly waits for me to call upon Him and to trust in His Love for me, so that He can bid me come to Him.

"'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.'
[Jesus] said, 'Come.'" (Matt 14:33)

Thanks be to God.

Goodbye Omaha!

Well, it has been an amazing spiritual journey that I have had here in Omaha NE this summer. I leave this place with a great sense of gratitude and hope for my vocation.

I have established lasting relationships and garnered immense spiritual blessings and tools for my formation.

In a later post, I hope to expound on this all, so, suffice it to say, I will miss my time hear in Omaha, for various and sundry reasons, but I am very glad to return to my home.

Thanks to all the IPF formation staff and helpers who have made this summer such a rich blessing for all involved. You will all continue to be in my prayers.

And so I sign off from Omaha, and will return to you again from the Sooner State. Peace and love to all!

Foshee

Quote of the Day

"A saint is one in whose presence belief in God is easy."

-- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta