March 15, 2020

Getting More Out of Mass
       Leaving Mass on any given Sunday, how much do you remember of the message? What did you learn from the readings – specifically, the Gospel? What was the “take away” from the homily? You cannot get more from the Mass than what Jesus gives you: Himself, body, blood, soul, and divinity. But are you aware of these sacred mysteries?
       In order to make the Mass more meaningful, a generous parishioner from the community has provided us with 1500 copies of a small Mass Journal booklet, to enable you to focus your attention and desires to take home the message from the week. It’s not for making a “to-do” or grocery list. They’re not handed to children to distract them or to color. They are for you, as an intentional Catholic, to write down what speaks to you in the message of the homily or readings. On the back of these little booklets, it reads, “God, show me one way in this Mass I can become a Better Version of Myself this Week!” That’s the point, to be growing as a better, more engaged disciple of Jesus.
Copies are available in the back or near the outside doors at Saint Alphonsus and Saint Alexis while supplies last. If you currently do not journal at Mass, begin to do so and make the Sunday Mass experience more meaningful to you throughout the week.
P.S. Please remember this benefactor in your prayers, and all those who bless us by the sharing of their resources and gifts.

Regrettable Timing
On Monday morning, March 2, I walked out the front door of Ligouri House, the name given the Rectory at Saint Alphonsus, and was shocked to see what I saw.  A number of trucks from a local tree trimming service, that familiar sound of chainsaws, and the sight of two trees on the front corner of the property downed greeted me.  This work had indeed been scheduled to ensue, but the crew started about 2-3 weeks before anticipated.  I later learned that the contractor had been ahead of schedule and found availability to begin the project sooner than we thought. Parish staff was contacted and received this information as “good news.”  Normally this would be good news, but regrettably, I had no opportunity to inform parishioners at Saint Alphonsus beforehand.  I wasn’t happy.  However, it is what it is.
The rationale for downing the trees along Church Road is twofold.  First, two of the trees were leaning over the sidewalk and a portion of the road.  This created a real safety concern for pedestrians and motorists alike, particularly with the shallow nature of the tree’s roots (common to conifer trees - spruce and pine trees).  With the unusual wet seasons we have recently experienced, and the strong winds that are common on the hill that we sit, disaster was inevitable.  Secondly, to selectively remove any of the trees would reveal the browned-out sides of the trees.  This was a result of the trees having grown too closely together from the time of their planting as small saplings.
The trees that were removed were Colorado blue spruce, determined by the arborists to be just over forty years old.  They were not like the same species of trees planted today that are more disease resistant.  Most of the trees were affected by a fungus contagion, that is common to similar trees in our region.  The tree service noted that all the trees in this area had two to three years at best before being totally compromised having lost their needles.
Some parishioners have commented on the significant improvement the removal of the trees have made to the property: it looks cleaner and now the whole front façade of the church and not just bell tower are visible from Route 19 and Blessed Francis Seelos Academy.”  A few have expressed a felt disappoint at their removal.  Most people when told about these changes ask “what trees?’  The one constant is that I sincerely regret that this project ensued without having the opportunity to inform parishioners beforehand.  I apologize to those who were surprised and even disappointed by the work.  Again, it was found necessary due to safety concern (which comes first) and the aesthetics of the property.  I am committed to being more transparent of all the significant projects that will be taking place in the future.  Thank you for your understanding in this and other matters and your continued prayers.  I beg for them.

APB!
This is an All Point Bulletin! The Jesus in Disguise Ministry to the homeless is in great need of canned soup.  For the sake of consistency and less comparison, two varieties are requested: Minestrone and Beef Vegetable.  There is one more caveat, the cans must be “pull top,” that is, not requiring a can opener.  The homeless do not have kitchen utensils like can openers and stoves.  They eat this gift of soup cold and out of a can. Unlike us, they have no kitchens, no home but the streets.  Donations may be placed in the back of the church at Saint Alphonsus and the narthex of Saint Alexis.  Thank you for putting love into action – like Jesus.