St. Matthias Parish

A Letter from Father John

Dear Friends,

The deadline for the bulletin letter passed hours ago (I’m still fighting off a lingering bug) so I’m stealing someone else’s word- a John O’Donahue blessing.

But first, a quick thought. It seems like there are more and more “commentators” in the world, lately, who spend a lot of time, effort and ink telling the rest of us all the things that are wrong with us. It’s entirely possible, even likely, that one or two of them are right-but who cares. Regardless of their advice, their attitude is not helpful and attitude counts a lot.

On the other hand, Francis of Assisi seems to have spent his time mostly celebrating what was good and beautiful about life, the world and-at last by implication-even us. He was helpful proving, again, that attitude counts. Spring/Easter is about attitude than calendar or thermometer nevertheless, a few more degrees sure would help my attitude.

So, here is John O’Donohue’s blessing for just about everything. May it hasten the season.
God Bless, Father John

Let us bless
The imagination of the Earth,
That knew early the patience
To harness the mind of time,
Waited for the seas to warm,
Ready to welcome the emergence
Of things dreaming of voyaging
Among the stillness of land.

And how light knew to nurse
The growth until the face of the Earth
Brightened beneath a vision of color.

When the ages of ice came
And sealed the Earth inside
An endless coma of cold,
The heart of the Earth held hope,
Storing fragments of memory,
Ready for the return of the sun.

Let us thank the Earth
That offers ground for home
And holds our feet firm
To walk in space open
To infinite galaxies.

Let us salute the silence
And certainty of mountains:
Their sublime stillness,
Their dream-filled hearts.

The wonder of a garden
Trusting the first warmth of spring
Until its black infinity of cells

The wonder of a garden
Trusting the first warmth of spring
Until its black infinity of cells

The humility of the Earth
That transfigures all
That has fallen
Of outlived growth.

The kindness of the Earth,
Opening to receive
Our worn forms
Into the final stillness.

Let us ask forgiveness of the Earth
For all our sins against her:
For our violence and poisonings
Of her beauty.

Let us remember within us
The ancient clay,
Holding the memory of seasons,
The passion of the wind,
The fluency of water,
The warmth of fire,
The quiver-touch of the sun
And shadowed sureness of the moon.

That we may awaken,
To live to the full
The dream of the Earth
Who chose us to emerge
And incarnate its hidden night
In mind, spirit, and light.

A Letter from Father John

Dear Friends,

Monday must have been a very slow day for news because there were a bunch of stories in the press about Google and how the company angered some people on Sunday. Apparently Google paid tribute to the late Cesar Chavez by posting his picture prominently on their website instead of a more traditional Easter graphic like painted eggs and pink bunnies. The people who were offended interpreted the whole episode as that as Google insulting Christian believers by ignoring Easter. That’s just crazy.

Honoring Cesar Chavez on his birthday is not ignoring Easter—it is, in its own way, a celebration of Easter “on the ground” but the picture’s message is a bit subtle— it does require a moment’s thought. Then, again, St. Francis of Assisi suggested: “Preach the Gospel always, and only if necessary, use words.” Chavez (Cesar of the U.S., not Hugo of Venezuela) was a man inspired by the Gospels, a deep and personal faith, and a lifelong commitment to Catholic social teachings about care for the least and forgotten of God’s children. In Chavez’s case these least were migrant farm workers and their families. He took Easter and the example of the Risen Lord rather literally and very seriously.

Chavez was a child of farm workers from Arizona and California who picked lettuce and peas in winter, cherries and beans in spring, corn and grapes in summer, and cotton in fall. After serving in the Navy during WWII, Chavez spent the rest of his life organizing migrant workers so that they could secure for themselves and their kids simple justice, the rule of law and basic human necessities. From his earliest days Chavez was a deeply committed Catholic for whom Jesus’ sermon on the Beatitudes was a yardstick and map. Though they tried, his enemies could not impugn his character, core convictions or guiding faith.

My mom was not a hippie nor a rabble-rouser much less a commie Marxist (although she did vote for Adlai Stevenson twice- and J.F.K. So did dad.) Mom’s first job was as a journalist who researched and wrote for Britannica and Compton’s encyclopedias, and then, years later, she was a school teacher in the far south suburbs. I remember that every year just as school started in September, and then again in late spring, among her 2nd grade students she’d have a number of children of migrant workers—usually Hispanic but occasionally from the Philippines and even once or twice from China. The parents would enroll their kids in school for the one or two months the family would be in the area and then they’d all disappear at once when their parents had to move on to the next planting or harvesting jobs. While in the south suburbs they’d live in “camps” of wood barracks or old trailers set-up on the side of dirt farm roads way out in the countryside. Mom said the parents wanted desperately for their kids to get a good education but that was impossible to do because the families had to move every month or two in order to find work and, unlike Glenwood, most other school districts refused to let migrant kids attend classes claiming their parents weren’t technically legal residents of the district. Mom thought that was shameful

She loved to tell stories about those kids such as the little girl whose father brought the family goat to school for her “show and tell” day. She always wished that her tiny bit of Spanish was better so she could really talk with the parents and she was frustrated that there was so little she and her fellow teachers could do in a brief month or two for all these bright beautiful kids.

Where Mom couldn’t Caesar Chavez did find ways to help. He showed migrant workers how they could make their voices heard in town halls, state capitals and corporate board rooms. He convinced migrant workers that they could make their labor and their children finally begin to be noticed and valued. Chavez died in 1993 but his work continues because similar people of faith—people of Easter—are still on the ground trying to make the Beatitudes practical and practiced for the least and the forgotten. The way we can know in our day that Christ is Risen is by seeing that others are making God’s work truly their own not just in faraway places, but right in our own backyards.

I think Google did well to honor Caesar Chavez on Easter. In fact, I think it was both subtle and brilliant. Mom would have understood Google’s message, I think, and been pleased.

God Bless,
Fr. John

“Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles…more than ever great numbers of men and women were added to them.” (Acts 5.)

A Letter From Father John

Dear Friends,

Years ago St. Felictas Grade School Class of 1960 had a reunion at a Southside restaurant. It probably was our 25th anniversary but I can’t recall for sure. I arrived fashionably late and as I walked into the room it looked for all the world like our old junior high dance classes; the boys were in clusters talking along the north wall, the girls along the south. I headed north and honest-to-God recognized every one of these guys and the whole group recognized me even though to a man we had not seen one another in probably 20 years. Bill was teaching high school math—of course. Tim worked for the mayor—of course. Jack and Mike were cops –of course. John was a dentist— really?!? Anyway, we were all talking non-stop, looking at pictures of wives and kids, and checking the door once-in- awhile to see who would show-up next. A similar scene seemed to be playing itself out along the south end of the room—except not quite.

Eventually, a woman none of us guys recognized crossed the “no man’s land” and approached. She walked up to a bunch of us and said to Mike, “Mike, you really don’t know who I am, do you?” He didn’t, none of us did. “Rosemary Barnes.” Good Lord! Rosemary Barnes! Then Carol came over, then Mary, Kathy, Penny, Madeleine. These were girls we all knew so well for at least eight years of our lives but we didn’t know them now as women—yet despite all the expanded waistlines and receding hairlines they apparently knew us even from across the room. (Actually, just then, I did recognize one of the girls—Madeleine Bernett—because she and her husband and kids had been parishioners in my first parish.) Finally boys and girls started to mingle and we discovered that not only hadn’t the guys recognized the girls but the girls hadn’t recognized each other, yet no one seemed to have any trouble naming the guys on first sight. Why? Had the girls changed all that much? By the second round of drinks we were one big gang again in the middle of the room and, along with the catching-up, we had developed a very credible hypothesis.

Over the “lost” years since 1960 someone pointed out that the girls had become women but the guys were still, basically, the same boys we’d always been. The women were very comfortable with that explanation and us guys couldn’t really argue with it. That party was a blast.

Matthew, Luke and John in their Gospel stories of Jesus after Easter, after Resurrection, report that He was different, very different, and, on several occasions, went totally unrecognized by His closest friends and disciples. Mary Magdalene mistook him for the cemetery groundskeeper and two disciples spent the day after Easter walking though the countryside with Him without once realizing who He was until they had sat down to dinner. Even when He is recognized, Christ appears unexpectedly and then vanishes just as unexpectedly. Time and again the apostles are as confused and befuddled as they are excited. Jesus seems the same as He always was only much more so now. They simply don’t recognize Him but, once recognized, they know Him, but differently.

the kid with freckles and braids anymore. She was composed and elegant and she trained international flight attendants for TWA in Los Angeles. None of us recognized her until, while sharing old stories, we heard her laugh—then every one of us knew Kathy again just like it was 1960.

Central to the mystery of Easter is the sudden joy of recognition. Christ lives and somehow He is here. There is a painting I saw years ago entitled, “Road to Emmaus,” the story of the two disciples after traveling together all day who only recognized Jesus “in the breaking of bread.” (Luke 24:13-35) In the painting two men are seated at a small table in a tavern, between them sits an older woman in a faded cotton dress smiling and passing one of the men a basket of dinner rolls. The men’s eyes are wide and utterly astonished… “and their eyes were opened.”

Have a wonderful and wonder-filled Easter.

God Bless,
Fr. John

A Letter from Father John

Go Where the Need is the Greatest

Dear Friends,

It is with much personal sadness that I need to let you know that Terry Tuohy, St. Matthias Development Director is resigning. As you all know first-hand, Terry has been a driving and passionate force in building our parish's ministries, social events and fund raising. Even as we thank her so much for her time, talent and energy we are delighted that she will remain an active parishioner and, of course, friend.

God Bless—Especially God Bless Terry, Fr. John

OVER THE PAST YEAR ST. Matthias’ participation in the Parish Transformation Program sponsored by the archdiocese has made it abundantly clear that St. Matthias Church— though in great financial need—has parishioners who are filled with unbelievable energy, ideas, and commitment to the future of the parish. Knowing that fact helps as I make the bittersweet announcement that I am stepping down as Development Director.

I have recently been asked to head the chaplaincy program at Weiss Hospital, It is a much needed ministry for the Uptown community that I felt compelled to accept, but taking on that role combined with my current duties as Director of Medical Education meant that I would have to let go of my development duties at St. Matthias. So I have submitted my resignation to Fr. John effective March 31, Easter Sunday.

The good news is that the reduction in paid parish staff will help the parish’s bottom line. It will also, I hope, encourage parishioners to step up their involvement in parish activities and programs and continue to give generously of their time, talent, and treasure.

There is not enough space in a bulletin to thank all the wonderful people who made my job here so enjoyable and who helped create the countless memories that I will carry with me. I was blessed to be part of the birth and expansion of dozens of fun and fruitful events, starting with the CCD classes, St. Patrick’s Day events, Friends of the Grape, Friday Fish Fry’s in the gym, Bowl-a-thons, the Globalfest, annual golf outings, All Souls Mass, sponsorship dinners in the rectory, Christmas caroling parties, decorating the church for all of the liturgical seasons, Holy Thursday Mass, Easter egg hunts, Christkindl Market, and El of a Hunt.

Hunt. I have shared much laughter and storytelling over the years not to mention a lot of dish washing, room painting, attic cleaning, basket stuffing, events planning, and numbers crunching. Yet all those times of hard work with various committees were probably my most favorite because we got to listen and share with each other our hopes and dreams, not only for the parish but for our families, our community, and for the church

I am proud of what we’ve accomplished— development is first and foremost about community building, and this parish is stronger and more cohesive than ever, and poised for greatness.

In the coming months, St. Matthias will need everyone to get involved to help continue the momentum to move the parish forward. I will remain an active parishioner and hope to contribute to the growth of this great parish community that has been my honor to serve for the past 13 years.

Sincerely,

Terry Tuohy
Development Director

A Letter from Father John

Dear Friends,

Just a brief moment last week I felt like “a mover and shaker”—like the guy in old E.F. Hutton commercial. My brother and sister-in-law (Dan and Sue) and I were out to dinner and the conversation turned to St. Matthias. Appar- ently the couple at the next table caught ju st enough of what we were saying to deduce that I was a priest but not enough to know that I was no t any kind of a reliable source for “inside info” from the Vatican. At one point Dan asked me who was going to be elected Pope and, instantly, our neighbors next door stopped sipping their soup and leaned in toward our table to hear whatever closely guarded se- crets I might let slip. I so wish I had had the presence of mind to glance furtively right then left, slide closer to Dan and “whisper” for all to hear “Cardinal Luis Aparicio” not only because he was a great base runner but also because no one would believe in a Card inal named Nellie Fox. (For those way too young—Aparicio and Fox were short stop and 2 nd base on the 1959 White Sox.) Instead I missed my chance and just shrugged a “Who knows.” Our attentive neighbors pulled back, clearly disappointed, and resumed their soup. It’s likely that by now as you read this bulletin you do know and we do have some poor, befuddled, soul who is our Pope to pray for; and he will need all the prayers he can get.

Speaking of prayer, next Sunday we begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday. The past couple of Sundays including today the homilies have focused almost entirely on our parish finances and the steps we urgently, urgently need to take to get our fiscal house in order. While something of a penance and absolutely a necessary topic for right now, money problems are not the mo st spiritually uplifting mes- sage to hear as we approach the Holy Week. Bill, Anne, Rocio, Ray and Dave have prepar ed really outstanding presen- tations on St. Matthias’s financial and pastoral needs but, nevertheless, I apologize for the Lenten timing which is unavoidable but unfortunate.

To catch-up on the spiritual side of Lent I suggest we all resolve today to participate in the series of 4 special wor- ship services that begin on Palm Sunday and continue through Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Ever since I was an altar bo y (back when Aparico and Fox were all-stars) I’ve had a “pro fessional” interest in these core liturgies of our faith bu t I know it takes a deliberate and special effort for most everyone else to dedicate parts of three consecutive days to jo ining together at church and to pray as a parish family.

The effort, I believe, is really, really well worth it. The Scriptures, the music, the liturgical themes and rhythms of these most holy days will touch us in ways we cannot predict or anticipate. They inevitably feed hungers we never knew we had or could never quite name. It takes some effort that is well worth the time.

Here is the Holy Week schedule. Please take a moment right now not to “think about it” but, instead, to make the leap and simply decide “yes.”

God Bless,
Fr. John

Monday, March 25
7:15am, Mass

Tuesday, March 26
7:15am, Mass

Wednesday, March 27
7:15am, Mass
8:30am, Children’s School Mass

Triduum
Holy Thursday, March 28
7:30am, Morning Prayer
6pm Mass and Mandatumt. (washing of the feet) followed by lamb dinner in the School Hall (Please call the rectory to R.S.V.P) ending with a procession to Church and adoration through the night.

Good Friday, March 29
8:30am, Morning Prayer
3pm, Stations of the Cross
5:30pm-6:45pm, Confession
7pm, Veneration of the Cross

Holy Saturday, March 30
8am, Morning Prayer
12pm, Easter Basket Blessing
7:30pm, Easter Vigil with Bishop Kane

Easter Sunday, March 31
8am & 10:30am, Masses
9:30am, Easter egg hunt in the school