2006 Letters & Updates from Fr. Russ
Good day .... The following letters are copies of Fr. Russ' weekly
bulletin inserts.
Click on the date of the respective weekend to move to the beginning of the
letter for that week, or you
can simply scroll down the page...the letters are posted in order with the most current
one at the top of this page.
Questions or feedback can be e-mailed to
Fr_Russ@4sjnc.org.
God Bless.
December 30-31, 2006 December 23-24, 2006 December 16-17, 2006
December 9-10, 2006 December 2-3, 2006
November 4-5, 2006 November 18-19, 2006
October 29-30, 2006 October 21-22, 2006 October 14-15, 2006
Click to return to webpage with 2007 letters
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
My first Advent and Christmas here with you at St. John were a wonderful experience. To see all of your happy and smiling faces in prayerful celebration with me and one another in this central feast of our Church year and our salvation was the best Christmas gift and blessing I could have asked for and received. Shannon, Mary Yetta and the choirs--including the angelic voices of the children's choir--were just incredible, and so wonderfully enhanced our celebrations. Aside from the many hours you gave to rehearsal, many of you sang at several Masses. Know that your generosity of heart and time was so very much appreciated. The decorations in the church, the work of the Worship Commission and volunteers, were absolutely beautiful. God blessed us with the sublime gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and with the wonderful gift of the Eucharist, with which we can time and again celebrate the Real Presence of this ultimate gift with and for one another. As always, the Worship Commission will be meeting in the next few weeks to see how well the celebrations went and to see how we might do them even better next year. Please feel free to give to members or to me your comments and criticisms. I can already think of a few things that I can do better next year.
Thank you again for your many gifts to me. I explained how I used a large portion of the money last week. The food gifts were all delicious. I am afraid I have put on more than a few pounds because of your generosity.
I spent part of Christmas Day at my sister and brother-in-law's house in Rock Hill. All of the "babies"—all 3 of them are in college--were home, and my sister and brother-in-law from Maryland were down for the holiday. I had a really enjoyable day with them, and both my sister and brother-in-law are excellent cooks, so I ate well.
The final count of the Christmas collection is somewhere north of $17,000. I am very grateful for your generosity, but also somewhat disappointed, as this is substantially lower than past years. Rumor has it--there's that word again--that folks are withholding money out of anger, frustration, _______(fill in the blank) with what's been going on. Where I come from, to put it bluntly, that is called shooting yourself in the foot. If the money does not come in I can not pay the bills. If the money does not come in, I must cut expenses or take money out of savings, or cut purchasing for programs-- faith formation, music, whatever. Currently we are more than one month behind in our assessment to RCDC and MACS (app. $25,000) and still owe the remainder of the priest's retirement assessment to RCDC (app. $11,030) and these must be paid. I would hate to take money from the parish savings to pay these bills. The bottom line is that the Finance Council and I can only manage what you give us to manage. By withholding money for whatever reason, you only hurt the resources that, we the parish staff, are able to use to minister to you, and hurt ultimately only the parish--that is to say YOU! I was Pastor of a wonderful, but indebted, parish before and it is very difficult when every decision you make must ultimately have as the primary consideration not how it will help the people of the parish to grow spiritually or nourish their liturgies or faith life, but how much does it cost, and can we afford it. Way too often the answer was no. I really grew to hate the word no, and the lousy feeling of having to pass up some really good parish opportunities or experiences for lack of money. No joke, folks. I do not think that you want to live that way. Let us get caught up now before we get too far behind. Ultimately you are withholding resources from and punishing yourselves, and you--the parish--will feel this lack of financial support in decreased savings, resources, etc. The cost of serving you well does not decrease, even if your financial support does.
Our current arrearage is not completely due to lack of giving. Some of it is due to the fact that, in the past, when funds were set up, including such funds as: Facilities, Preservation, Faith Formation Library, Special Needs, Chair, OA Fundraising etc., these funds were treated, for all practical purposes, as if they were any part of the parish General Account, and were borrowed from and spent from at will, and thus were depleted. At my and the Finance Council's insistence these funds have now been established as separate and impermeable entities within the General Account and funded at 100% of their balances, and will only be used for their very narrow and specific purposes. Period.
All of the foregoing, as I have said before, is not to ignore legitimate hurts that exist. I am not without feelings myself regarding recent events in the parish. If it was not for your prayers, for your steadfast and expressed support, for my personal spiritual life and a healthy sense of humor, I don't know how I would have survived these past few months. You have truly been an incredible and wonderful blessing to me. Remember, I came here having turned down the pastorship of another parish, and in a post-sabbatical attempt to reform my workaholic tendencies. But I serve you with both my heart and my head. My heart understands completely your feelings and hurts and your need to express them in some way. My head tells me that the light that shines on me and on you wonderful and gifted people, and the heat that surrounds us, as well as the people who serve with us, must be paid for despite how you or I feel. I have to deal with both my heart and my head in serving you, and would be remiss in ignoring either aspect. Frankly, I really don't like to talk this much about money, and hate to spend this much of a letter doing so.
As I mentioned at Mass last Sunday, my Prior Provincial, Fr. Donald Reilly, OSA, will be coming to St. John next weekend, will be speaking at all of the Masses and will be holding a Town Meeting on Monday night, January 8, at 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall, to which EVERYONE IS INVITED. Child care will be provided. Fr. Jim Paradis and Bro. Bob Thornton will be coming with him. This, too--surprise--has occasioned rumors. Now, I will grant you that my religious superiors do have the same well-earned reputation as an organized crime hit man--every time they show up, someone disappears. But this time they will be the only ones leaving--really and truly. They are not coming, as rumors would have it, to drop a bomb and give me the old heave-ho. I am not going anywhere.
Know that you continue to be a blessing to me, and that I thank God for you. Let's continue to keep Fr. Thorn and one another in our prayers.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar Return to top of page
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Christmas is always such a wonderful time of the year for me. It
is a busy time surely. I, too, have shopping to do for my much-loved nieces and
nephews, and various parish Christmas celebrations to attend. Each part of our
parish community celebrates with its own special spiritual twist and take on the
spiritual message of the season, whether it is the children in our Faith
Formation or Youth Program, the Women’s Guild, or the SJN Players who did a
wonderful performance last Sunday at the 6:00pm Mass. ft is all about the
greatest gift of all time, Jesus Christ, Emmanuel--God with us--born as one of
us, that we might know the love, compassion and salvation of God. May we all
take time to open ourselves to this most vital and real gift. It is the gift
that surpasses and survives all others, and costs us nothing but the gift of our
own prayerful realization and response. It is the gift that humbles us with its
shear magnitude and generosity, and ennobles us by what it says about us in
God’s eyes, that He loved us so that he wanted to communicate with us in person,
through His Son Jesus Christ. Ahhhh, I love the readings and my meditations
times with them during this time of year.
When I walked into the church this morning for Mass I was greeted with a really
beautiful sight. The Worship commission had been busy putting some almost
finishing touches to their decorating. I think that you will agree that their
efforts have resulted in something that beautifies our church, will enrich our
holiday celebration and give glory to God. Thank you folks. We are blessed by
your efforts. I’d like to thank by name Betty and Tom O’Neal, Lynn and Greg
Stoll, Many Schneider and Carol Pollock and Deacon John who have dedicated so
much of their time and creativity to this work of art.
We have been blessed by two donors, who wish to remain anonymous, who have given
us $5500 to be used to help the needy of our parish at this time of year. I am
so grateful to these folks. We have been able to help a number of families and
children with Christmas gifts and also very practical items such as food and
rent. Although they gave without a specific dedication we will let these folks
know where their generosity has done its good work. Although most of the people
of our parish are, thank God, able to meet their financial obligations, we have
a number of families that experience the vagaries of the employment market,
corporate downsizing, marital breakups, and other problems that cause financial
disasters. It could happen to any of you. In fact one of the people we have
helped might be sitting in the pew right next to you. I am so gratified that the
parish as a whole, and generous individuals, allow us to respond to these needs,
and allow people to maintain their dignity, and even, at times, the very roof
over their head. The Faith Formation staff has, as usual, adopted several
families and helped to provide for them for Christmas. That is probably supposed
to be a secret, but I think that it is a Christian gesture worth celebrating,
and besides, it’s too Late at night to check with them.
Speaking of generosity, I want to thank the folks young and old who have given me Christmas gifts so far, I have received banana bread-- delicious--and ornaments and many other thoughtful and beautiful handmade gifts. I truly appreciate them and am grateful for them. I wish I could acknowledge them all properly--in writing--but time constraints prevent this common courtesy. Although I take a vow of poverty, I am allowed to receive and keep reasonable money gifts. A now deceased friar I loved and respected used to call this his civvies and skivvies money. I have received a number of these gifts and I am very grateful for them. I have spent the greatest portion of them today at a Catholic goods store on crucifixes. It seems that there is only one crucifix in all of the rooms in the parish office, with the exception of my office, which has the one I that I had in my office in Calvary Hospital. Maybe I’m a little old fashioned, but I think that a Catholic parish office should have this central symbol in every room. I look up at the one above my desk I don’t know how many times a day. I think it is money very well spent, and I thank the folks who gave it to me and allowed me to make our offices feel a bit more Catholic-y.
This paragraph is very hard for me to write, but very necessary.
I write these letters because I want you to know what is going on in the parish
and how I feel as pastoral leader of the parish. I have promised to be
completely honest with you and fully accountable to you. There are, obviously
some information to which I am privy which due to its source or by its nature I
must hold in the strictest confidence. Confessional and counseling matters are
obviously included in this category of information, as would be specific
employee’s salaries, which are known in detail to members to the finance
council, and are revealed in aggregate to you. I say all of the foregoing,
because I have heard a number of rumors recently, and I am in receipt of a
couple of letters. Both the letters and the rumors contain information that is
100% WRONG And they got “the real truth” from “the people
who really know what is going on.” Rumors never serve a positive purpose.
Never. Ever. Negative rumors degrade the person who recites them, and brings
down and angers the person who hears and propagates them. It was negative rumors
and false accusations that killed Jesus Christ. Let us not forget that. If you
hear a rumor, do not pass it on. Ask me. I will tell you all that I know and
that I can. Honestly. I am a nice guy. You can also ask member of the Parish
Council or the Finance Council. They are really nice people. They have name
tags. If you need their phone numbers or e-mails, call the office, we’ve got
‘em. There are one or two pieces of information that are currently under
discussion between RCDC and my Order, the Augustinians, that must remain
confidential--but only for the moment. But even here, at my absolute insistence,
the Finance Council and the Parish Council are in the loop with regard to the
substance of these discussions. My Prior Provincial, Fr. Donald Reilly, OSA
(he’s the Head Man, in lay terms) will be coming on January 6, 7 & 8, for a Town
Meeting at 7:30 pm with all of you in the Parish Hall, where even this
information will be revealed and will be open for question and discussion. So,
please, make a vow to the Lord to be an instrument of Christ-like love, healing
and reconciliation, and let the rumors stop and die with the next person who
tries to tell you “what’s really goin’ on around here”, until you find out what
really is--and you will!!! It will be a lot more spiritually healthy for us as
individuals and as a parish. On a very positive note, I have received a
veritable plethora of letters of support and pledges of prayers, and I am more
grateful than I can tell you for them.
On behalf of all of us who are called to ministry and leadership (in both professional and volunteer capacities) to you here at St. John Neumann-- Parish Staff, Faith Formation, Pre-School, Finance Council, Parish Pastoral Council, and all of the many volunteers--I want to wish you and your families a very happy and holy Christmas. It is truly an honor to serve you, His people, and the Lord in this part of His kingdom. Know that you are a continual blessing to us, and we are grateful to you for the gift that you are to us at Christmas time and throughout the year. Let’s keep Fr. Thom and one another in our prayers.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar
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“.. .heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns
to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and Haven’t strayed away.”
(Lk. 15:7)
I have just returned from our parish Advent Penance Service, and this was the Gospel I chose. Celebrating all of the Sacraments with you is a privilege, but reconciliation has such a personal quality to it. To be an agent of the love and forgiveness of God and of you a loving and compassionate community is truly a grace. To be able to remind you and me, that time and again, no matter how we have failed God, ourselves, one another, that God and His people always welcome us back into loving relationship with arms wide-open. Every one of us is important to God, and to each other. Perfection is the goal, but not a requirement for God’s love. Thank God! God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to save us. God thought you and I were worth the greatest gift He could give. Attendance was very good, too. I was very glad we had 7 priests to celebrate the sacrament, and that most folks decided not to wait until the 23rd.
Lorraine Estrada and Nancy Hasty and the dedicated folks that work with them were hard at work while we were celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation. Having taught ESL for a semester many years ago and having grown up with an immigrant grandparent with a strong accent, I can appreciate what a wonderful ministry goes on so quietly in our midst. I am very happy I learned English first. To see the enthusiasm in Lorraine and Nancy’s eyes and in those of their group of volunteer teachers, and well as in the eyes of their students trying to learn this wonderful, but highly idiosyncratic language of ours is really inspiring. In their eyes and stories are writ large the stories and dreams of our own ancestors.
Once again, folks you have proved your generosity to those less fortunate. Our Lady of the Americas Parish, our sister parish in Biscoe, NC has received gifts both from the Thanksgiving Food Drive, which John and Marion CasaSanta generously directed and the Giving Manger, which Debbie Santore and her family again put a lot of love and effort into, There was some food left after John and Andy CasaSanta left for the parish, and this was distributed to local families in need. A special thank you to Craig Stoll, who provided the transport for the food and furniture to Biscoe. Cindy Carrick was also very pleased by your response to the Mitten Tree. Although our finances are very tight at the moment, the Finance Council, I am gratified to say, has refused to cut the very generous amount that the parish contributes to an account to help the poor in our parish, or those who hit rough times, or lose their jobs, homes, etc.--$3300/month, The FC feels that this is an important part of Christ’s teaching, and that this has always been a special tradition at St. John. I can’t argue with that.
The Christmas decorations are moving along nicely. Deacon John and Tom O’Neal have custom-made the platform for the nativity scene. David Short, who did some work on storage for the Faith Formation team, has made a beautiful riser for the Christmas flowers. He had originally offered to do so out of some scrap lumber. What came in, however, was this beautiful work of craftsmanship that fits together without fasteners, and is of first quality lumber. Thank you, David.
Earl Bell, our parish accountant, has tendered his resignation for family reasons. The Finance Council and I are very grateful to Earl for his support and guidance through the past few months of the auditor’s visit and the changes in our money handling and accounting procedures. We will be advertising and interviewing to fill the part-time position and have already received a resume. In the interim the Finance Council has decided to place Christie Silvestri, who is Chair of the Finance Council, and a CPA, in charge of the parish finances. We realize that this will put a burden on Christie and her husband John, and their four young children, so we will try to find someone well-qualified as soon as we can. We will also be changing our accounting software, with the consent of the Diocese of Charlotte, to a perspicuously less quirky and more user friendly one, that will make entering and categorizing information and obtaining and publishing reports easier. This process is already underway.
The Parish Council met Monday night and continues to serve our parish well in looking at our strengths at present, and setting realistic and optimistic goals for our short term and long term future. A member of the Parish Council also comes to meetings of the Parish Staff. We are in talented hands.
Christie and I had a meeting with our money counters last Sunday. They are really a great group of folks who perform an absolutely necessary task with great enthusiasm. Yet, they do so completely out of sight of the rest of the community. It’s a v-e-r-y detailed and exacting job, and we have had to make a number of changes in their procedures over the past few months, Not only have they been very open to the changes, they have had a Lot of helpful suggestions and questions of their own along the way to make the process and the reporting even better. Stuck in a secured room with smelly money for four hours once a month. I don’t know how you do it, folks, and do it with such care, dedication and enthusiasm. We are just blessed that you love God and us enough to do it. Thank You!
Hope Advent goes well for all of you. Know that you are a blessing to me. Let’s keep one another and Fr. Thom in our prayers.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am constantly amazed and always pleases at the many ways that people here at St. John express their love for the Lord and the Saints and live out that love in service to all of us. Some of these devotions are known only to the person, and possibly to me in a confidential context, and others are part of a group dedication to a particular Saint or devotion. Seeing people at prayer in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, at the images of the Blessed Virgin, St. Rita and St. John always gives me prayerful pause, as does finding prayerful notes at these places--an Old World and Latin American tradition. We come from a rich heritage, indeed, of ancestors who like Mary, whose feast we celebrate as I write this letter, took both the grace they were given by God and the struggles of their lives and made of them an example of faith and fidelity to God's love and service to their brothers and sisters. Their lives and Mary's set the example for all of us, and inspire our devotion and, more important still, imitation.
I am afraid I have gotten a bit behind in my thank you's in the past few
weeks. I do not want to seem like an ingrate. If I forget anyone, please feel
free to remind me. I can run into any number of people and requests on my way to
writing myself a reminder note, and forget by the time pen and paper can meet. I
am reminded of this because Kevin Smith has just crawled out from under the
Friary having put a coda to the repairs that were causing the olfactorily
offensive problem I mentioned last Sunday. A plumbing contractor had to replace
some severely deteriorated and do-it-yourselfer badly installed and leaking soil
piping under the building. I do not know how Kevin balances it all, I am just
grateful that he does and is able to include us in the mix. Deacon John helped
to coordinate all of the parties involved in the process. I owe a thank you at
least to:
• The folks on the Committee for the Intergenerational Event. It was a wonderful
event and showed your many hours of dedicated planning. A good number of
families came, everyone seemed to really enjoy it, and the food was delicious.
Nourishing spirit and body. What more could you ask, indeed? God bless and many
thanks folks. Can't wait to see what you will have cooked up for us in Lent.
• Our Youth Ministry--Y.E.S.-- and their fearless leader Irene Kilzer for
removing and replacing all of the music issues. Not exactly a fun job, but they
did it in their usual joyful and energetic manner. As Irene would say, "You guys
are awesome!!!"
• The Y.E.S. musicians and singers who provide beautiful music for our 6:00 pm
Mass on Sundays also provided music for the pot-luck dinner that was part of the
Intergenerational Event. I can vouch that it took more than a few nights of
rehearsals to prepare. Thanks, folks, your efforts and hard work really showed
and added so much.
• To the folks who contributed to having a gold-plated metal liner placed in my
ordination chalice so it would conform to current liturgical norms. The chalice
is made of a Peruvian desert wood (huayaccfn), was hand-made by a local artist,
and originally cost only $12, but it has a great deal of sentimental value to
me. It was a gift from my now married ordination classmate who was also in Peru
at the same time. I deeply appreciate your generosity because this is something
that I could never have afforded to do myself, and the chalice would have sat in
the sacristy unused.
• To Carol Kuhn (sp?) who has made a number of new purificators for us and is
making a few more. These are the folded clothes that are used to wipe the
chalice during communion and to purify them afterwards. They can be rather
costly these days, and we were going to order some when she offered to make us
some. The little crosses involve hand sewing, and are not easy task. Thank you,
Carol, their very ordinariness belies that they are a work of beauty, care and
love.
• To Karen Chambers, who is also secretary of the Finance Council, who spent the
better part of a day doing the enchanting work of entering envelopes into our
computer system. We had fallen rather far behind, and Karen's efforts have
really helped us to catch up. Her husband Chappie stopped by to provide support,
and lunch. The Finance Council met this week with Msgr. Mauricio West, the Vicar
General of the Diocese of Charlotte. Our discussions with him were very open and
frank. He was able to answer a number of questions for us, and was very
supportive of the Council's efforts and direction. The Council will be meeting
again this coming Friday. This is a hard-working and focused group that pulls no
punches and leaves no questions unasked. Msgr. West and I, both, like and
respect that. Stay tuned for details.
We will be having our parish ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE this coming Thursday, December 14. at 7:00 pm. There will be at least 5 priests coming to assist with individual confessions. Please, folks, take advantage of this opportunity instead of waiting until the Saturday before Christmas, and hoping that you and 50 other people can by some miracle celebrate the sacrament with only 1 priest available--namely me--and giving me nasty looks when I have to leave to celebrate the 5:30 pm Mass.
Know that I thank God for you every day and that you are a blessing to me. Let's continue to keep Fr. Thorn and one another in our prayers.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I have had a very busy, but blessed, few weeks since I last wrote you. The Liturgy Commission’s plans for Advent and Christmas have been very inspiring to be a part of. They are a new group in the parish, but are very enthusiastic and take both the learning process of liturgy planning and celebration, and the wonderful joy of our Masses of St. John and how to enhance them as a great ministry of service to our community. The parish staff gathers weekly and continues to amaze me with all that that do and how well they do it. This is not an encounter of a pastoral leader dictating to the minions, but a genuine cooperative gathering of people who are energetic, honest, mature in faith and ministry, always willing to listen and learn from each other, spiritually gifted, and not-at-all shy with their ideas and opinions. Not to mention they love serving and working with you folks here at St. John Neumann parish. It’s work, let’s face it, but its also a blessing and a privilege. And we could never compensate them for the time and energy they put into their jobs. I should not say this, legally, but I know they all cheat on their time sheets. They never put in just the hours we pay them for. Unfortunately, but fortunately for us, they have a hard time discerning the dividing line between their lives as committed followers of Jesus Christ and people inspired by the Spirit, and their lives as educated professionals. It’s a love thing--for God and for you.
The Finance Council has met several times during the past several weeks. These were really long meetings, and I can not thank the members of the council and their families enough for their efforts and their dedication. As I told you previously, the parish has recently undergone an audit, and was in receipt of a report of the audit which had a number of recommended--to be read “ordered”--changes to bring the parish financial practices into conformity with RCDC and standard accepted accounting practices. This report requested a detailed response by November 30, and a report on changes implemented and to be implemented, and a restatement of the parish budget to bring the parish finances, which were running at an alarming deficit and eating into savings, into balance. I am happy to say we have met the deadline. I believe in complete financial transparency--period. In coming weeks the finance council and I will work on how to make this information available to you in two complete forms--for those more literate in the intricacies of accountancy and for those who need a cheat sheet to help them navigate. You will know it all. I promise you.
I have to admit that I am not thrilled about one part of what it will take to bring the budget into balance. We had to cut the second priest’s salary and benefits as a line item. It means that we will not be able to afford another priest, even if by some chance one becomes available. But, then again, maybe we need to face the fact that St. John is a one-priest parish, and expectations, both yours and mine, need to change, and that could be a good process for both of us. I write these words at 2:26 am, I have worked at least a few hours on my day off ever week just to keep up, and I am looking at celebrating 8 Masses between the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas Day. Something’s gotta give.
The Finance Council has also undertaken an analysis of parish office operations and allowed me to hire Deacon John part-time as Interim Facilities Manager to get a handle on parish purchasing proceedures, maintainence, physical plant, current contacts and vendor agreements and putting these in conformity with RCDC bidding regulations, etc.. He is to report back to the Finance Council on January 1st with regard to his success in these areas. We all know Deacon John as a wonderful pastoral presence and a man very dedicated to his ministries here in the parish, especially to the homebound and hospitalized, but believe me, he is v-e-r-y persistent and tends to get what he sets out for.
A special thank you, and thank God for Tom Strini who has been a Godsend in helping us with some of our recent computer problems, and with a problematic technology vendor. He truly knows his stuff, and will come to our rescue at a moment’s notice. I have to admit when I smile at him it is because it is a joy to see someone who is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and is so utterly generous and selfless when it comes to giving of his time and talents to the parish. I do not smile at him because I understand the vast majority of what he is talking about. I am usually lost at the next word that comes after “Hey Fr. Father Russ, that was an easy one, …” But lets keep that our secret. I don’t want him to think he’s talking to a complete computer boob.
I want to congratulate Jim and Shelley Fortney, Elissa Stikeleather and Kelly Wheeler who were received into full communion last Sunday at the 10 am Mass. It is always such a privilege to welcome adults into full communion. It is such a different process with adults than with children, because they make an informed choice and bring adult questions and sensitivities to the process initiation, and they invite us to reflect on what we “cradle Catholics” can so often take for granted. On behalf of all of us, thank you, Donna Rayle, because you work so hard, and with such joy and dedication in this ministry for our faith community. Thank you also to their sponsors who journeyed with them and supported them and lived as examples of faith for them.
An apology to Chris Schneider. I had talked with Cindy Satink earlier in the day and her name came to my fingers as I was typing. I do not mix them up face-to-face. I don’ know why I did in print.
As we enter Advent my prayer for you is that you take time to truly make it a time, amidst the hustle and bustle, to welcome the Lord who came among us. That you take the time to pray that His presence be more and more a part of your life and love. He is God’s greatest gift to us, and a greater awareness of His presence, and conformity to His likeness, is ultimately the best gift we can give ourselves and all that we love.
Know that you continue to be a blessing to me and I thank God for you. Let’s continue keep Fr. Thom and another in our prayers.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I very much enjoyed Michael and Rachel’s wedding last week in PA. Having known the groom’s family for two-thirds of my life and the bride for many years, it was a real family celebration, and in a very loving and relaxed sort of ambience. It is always good to come back home, though. I arrived last week shortly before the 12 noon Mass to find Fr. Jim glad to see me. He seemed a might pooped after only 3 masses. Poor guy!
A hearty thank you and God Bless to Cindy Schneider and all of the folks involved in the planning and execution of the Stewardship Fair. Although I was only here for part of it I could tell how much effort went into it. The response to the appeal, so far, has been generous, and for that we can all be grateful. It is the Spirit-filled giftedness and generosity of so many people, both seen and unseen, that make this such a wonderful parish, and allow us to do and accomplish so much for the Lord and one another.
Thanks again to Mike and Sue Tinker for all of the beautiful rosaries they made and sold. It gave me pause to see them quietly and meditatively occupying their time between masses making more rosaries. The results speak for themselves, but there is also something very inspiring about the process of creating them. The proceeds were given to the Saxon family, who have had considerable difficulties due to their daughter’s surgeries. Received word from our Youth Minister Irene Kilzer, who visited with Chantel with some of our young folks, that she is doing well and is up and around in the hospital. Let’s pray that this surgery, her 10th this year, will offer a lasting period of health and relief.
As you probably are aware, if you have called or e-mailed us recently, our
phone and internet systems are on the fritz. The phone system has been fixed and
we’re hard at work on the internet problem, and should have it resolved in the
next few days. If you sent an e-mail and got rejected or didn’t get an answer,
or made a call and didn’t get a call back, or left a voice mail and didn’t get a
call back, please try again. We are not ignoring you. Believe me, we are a lot
more frustrated than you are!!!
Many thanks for your generous response to the Facilities Fund Collection. I
believe the amount came to about $3900. We have already had to draw on it to
handle leaks in every building on the campus, except the parish office. The
Friary, Austin Hall, and the Parish Hall had plumbing leaks, all of which,
thankfully, were fairly inexpensive to repair. The leak in the friary, though
involved a waste line and we are still trying to get the stink out of the house.
Thank God for cheap strong-smelling candles.
The fourth leak was in the Church roof, and that too was not expensive to
repair. We next have to explore repairing the lights in the Church, one of which
is blinking on and off, and several of which are out despite new bulbs.
Since returning I have met with the Parish Council, The Liturgy Commission and will be meeting again with the Finance Council on Monday. We also have regular Parish Staff Meetings on Tuesday mornings. It is a joy to meet with all of these groups whose members play such an important role in our parish. These are intelligent, energetic, Spirit-filled people who really care about our parish, and are willing to dedicate a lot of time and effort to their call to leadership. I do not always say a lot during these meetings, because I really believe in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and the ability of the Spirit to speak and work through others. There is an old saying that “too many cooks spoil the broth.” I am not much for broths. I tend toward hearty and spicy soups and stews. I believe that a lot of cooks make for what might appear at times to be a bit of cacophony and confusion, but with the inspiration of the Spirit, the love of God and the hard work of all, turns out to be just such a rich and spicy stew. It is a combination that can not fail. I guess you could say that is my philosophy of pastoral leadership in a nutshell.
I had the pleasure of accompanying Mary Fredenberg to celebrate Mass and Reconciliation at McAlpine Terrace the other day. I’ve also been to Wilora Lake with Kristi Maher and on a few visits with Deacon John over the past few weeks. I do enjoy these little side trips and do them as often as I can.
Let’s keep keeping one another and Fr. Thom in our prayers. Thank you again for all that you do and the many ways that you are an inspiration and a blessing to me in what I do.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The beginning of November always find me a bit wistful and, yet at the same time very grateful. November 1, the Feast of All Saints, reminds us of the rich heritage we share as we walk in the footsteps of those who make up the Communion of Saints, and of our own Baptismal call to sanctity. As I said in my homily Wednesday night, the standards and demands seem impossibly high. And indeed they are. For us, by ourselves. The saints recognized this and relied on God as their source of inspiration and strength. The God who calls us gives us what we need. Jesus Christ, true God and true human, has been the example and the inspiration of all of these people that we call saints. The same Spirit that comforted, inspired and groaned (Rom. 8:26) within them dwells in us, and among us and calls us to personal and communal sanctity. God help us, we know that this call to greatness is in us. The challenge remains before us. At least before me, for sure.
The wistful part comes in on November 2. The Feast of All Souls is a time when we get to remember our loved ones. Seeing that pile of envelopes I can not help but think of the wonderful memories and love stories those names inscribed on them contain. Those who have loved us never really leave us. Their stories are inextricably intertwined with our own, and we are different because they have loved us and we have loved them. Bringing their precious memory to the forefront of our communal worship and consciousness is a great tribute and expression of gratitude. Many of those people are the reason we understand what the word love means when we talk about a loving God. It is also a reminder how important human beings—that is us—are as agents of God’s love. Most of us are here because the faith and the love of God that we saw in our loved ones inspired us to imitate and explore that which gave such obvious inner joy and meaning to their lives.
If progress can be measured by the diminution of the pile of paper on my desk, then I guess this has been a week of pretty fair progress. Not all of the paper of course is of particular significance. One thing that did catch my eye is a workshop being offered here in the parish by Lori Fox from the Diocese of Charlotte. The workshop is called “Parenting with Power.” The first session of the program will be didactic, but the second session will deal with specific cases presented by the participants, which Lori will help them to problem-solve. It really sounds excellent. With all of the challenges that parents face, I am sure you will find it of great help and support. It will be offered on two Wednesdays—November 8 & 15—and cost only $10. It seems in addition to her numerous other talents, Connie Milligan is also a very gifted price haggler and has managed to get the price hugely discounted so all can afford to attend.
Father Joe O’Connor left us suddenly on Thursday morning after hearing that his sister Margarite Noonan had died in MA. She was in a nursing home and had been sick for some time. Please keep Fr. Joe and his family in your prayers. It is always a delight to have Fr. Joe around. He is certainly sui generis, and still has an infectious and serendipitous joy about him after many years in the Lord’s service.
Although the folks from Mint Hill do a great job cleaning, there is another group who cleans the church under the radar. I discovered them quite by accident one morning when I arrived early to open the church when Kathleen was not here. I walked up beside one of them to say good morning, frightened them, and almost got a mouth full of feather duster for my trouble. Some days it seems like I have so much to do, and yet I can never forget how many talented people we have here at St. John doing so many things so well. I am really blessed to be here and be a part of such a generous community of people who give so freely and in so many ways. And I get paid for it. I don’t get to keep the pay, and it could be better, but I digress. Only kidding. It’s getting late.
I met with the leaders of the Parish Pastoral Council today and feel we had a really good discussion. These are good folks. I feel our present and future vision here at St. John rests well in their hearts and hands.
The committee to select a new Music Director and I interviewed the first of several candidates who have submitted resumes for the position. The committee has representation from the Parish Council, the Finance Council and the choirs who will work with the person selected. Each person brought their particular expertise to the interview, and I feel it went well. We are agreed as a committee that we want to take all of the time need to find the best possible person to serve our parish in this important ministry. Again, a note of thanks to the folks who have been coordinating music for all of the masses and for your patience with our interim efforts. Our choir members have been just great in working with the different musicians and the ad hoc rehearsals that are part and parcel of that process.
Next weekend we will have our Stewardship fair here at St. John. We are all called by our Baptism to service to one another inspired by the Spirit and in imitation of Jesus Christ. We literally could not function as a parish if it was not for the generous offering of the talents of hundreds of people. You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have lots of time. There are so many ways to serve. We all had to start somewhere and learn how to do what may look easy. And we still all have a lot to learn and to grow. And sometimes we still get butterflies in the stomach. That’s what makes it fun and challenging. No one is so poor that they have nothing to offer. My mother didn’t diaper me in black, and frankly theology was not my favorite subject in college. My point is, that what ever love, compassion and service you can offer is a blessing to all of us, and an offering to God who is so loving and generous to us. We are the hands and eyes and arms and voice and embrace and love of Jesus Christ. Please prayerfully consider serving the Lord by serving us, and serving with us.
I feel entitled to a long letter as I will be leaving on Thursday morning for Philadelphia to celebrate wedding in my second family. I have known and loved the groom’s parents since my college years. The bride and groom is a wonderful couple. I will be back on Sunday morning. Fr. Jim Paradis, OSA will be celebrating a few of the Masses here. Fr. Jim is our province personnel director and has been here several times. For the above reason I probably won’t have time to write a letter next week.
Time to end this opus. Know that you are a blessing to me, and I continue to thank God for you. Your prayers kindness, your smiles, your good wishes, even your criticisms; they are all helpful and a blessing to me, and I am grateful to you, and glad to be here with you. Let’s keep one another and Fr. Thom in our prayers.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar
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28-29 October 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
What a wonderful thing it was to see participants in our RCIA program—Paul, Kris, Sonny and Jack—celebrate the rites of acceptance and welcoming on Saturday evening. We “cradle Catholics” can so often take for granted what they have found, and seek to discover and deepen. We ignore that essential part of us, our restless hearts of which St. Augustine speaks, and seek satisfaction in that which can never ultimately satisfy us. It is also a reminder of the call each of us has to be missionaries of the Gospel, and of our Catholic Christian life. Others with restless hearts might see in us a witness to the path to the happiness that we both seek and work for as followers of Jesus Christ, people of the Spirit, and co-creators of this little part of the Kingdom of God we call the parish of St. John Neumann. We need to give thanks to Donna Rayle who ministers for us with these folks with great faith and enthusiasm.
Tuesday night we had another great class. I find that most nights that I am less of a teacher that a facilitator/provocateur. It is adult education in the best sense of the word. The learning goes in both directions. The discussion was really good, but I think it was the tenor of the discussion that impressed me most. To paraphrase one of my favorite theological/spiritual writers—Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI—true discussion does not “radiate panic, dogmatism, pompousness or cynicism, but rather charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, fidelity, faith, mildness—and, not least, a good sense of humor.” I had Fr. Ron as a professor during my sabbatical program and he was incredible. If you get a chance, check out his weekly columns at ronrolheiser.com. We won’t be meeting this coming Tuesday due to the vigil Mass for the Feast of All Saints.
Speaking of the Feast of All Saints, we have changed the Mass times for the Vigil Mass and the evening Mass of the Feast Day to 7:30pm. It just seemed to Liturgy Planning Commission, to me, and to folks we ran it up the flagpole with, that this was a more reasonable hour for families and working people. The 9:15 am Mass stays the same on the Feast.
Several people raised questions regarding the cross-out in the bulletin last week. The entry in question raised numerous problems, not the least of which is that bishops have been known to take a rather dim view of people usurping their episcopal and canonical prerogatives. My official title now, and for the long-term foreseeable future, is Parochial Vicar, and that is just dandy with me. And to address the concomitant question that, surprisingly, arose; no, I am not going anywhere. Y’all are stuck with me for the really long-term foreseeable future. And that is just dandy with me, too.
Our search committee for a new music director, under Sue Munao’s direction, has begun to narrow its list of candidates. Meanwhile, our choirs continue to rehearse and provide beautiful musical leadership at our Masses to those of us less gifted. David deBrosse and the youth choir were hard at rehearsal the other night when I stopped by, and refused to be distracted—well, almost—by my presence.
Earlier this evening I was the guest of Bill and Connie Milligan at the Room at the Inn Dinner at the Convention Center. Bill serves on the board of directors of this very impressive Right to Life organization that offers help and opportunity to pregnant women as an alternative to abortion. People from our parish occupied several tables at the event, and I was very happy to see them there. Bill is another one of the folks here at SJN that serves under the radar. As well as serving on the finance council and helping his wife Connie and the Faith Formation staff with their needs, you only need to ask, and Bill is there. Earlier today Bill had gone to retrieve and deliver some furniture that Mike Munao had arranged to have his company donate for the parish office.
Although I’m still trying to catch up with you at times, I am a man happily a few steps behind. I promise that I will do as much as one man can possibly do. This is a wonderfully active and (Holy) Spirited parish, and you are a great blessing to me and to each other. Let’s continue to keep each other and Fr. Thom in our prayers.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
“All things are possible for God.” (Mark 10:27) This pericope from last Sunday’s gospel has come back to me many times while I have been at prayer these past few days. It applies to our life together here at St. John Neumann in so many ways. In spite of a few obstacles recently on the road of our parochial life, we still walk, confidently, hand in hand and side by side confident in the Lord’s guidance and presence.
The Finance Council and I met this week with E. Preston “Pat” Rhyne III who is the Parish Financial Liaison for the Diocese of Charlotte. Pat, in addition to his work as auditor for the Diocese, is in charge of seeing that the parish finance councils understand their roles and the resources available to them. I think all of us found his presentation to be very clear and very helpful. We also welcomed several new members to the finance council, as well as a liaison to the Parish Pastoral Council to the meeting. Pat also approved of our new money management and money handling procedures.
I am happy to report that the committee seeking a new Music Minister for the parish has received a number of resumes and is hard at work in sifting through them. In the interim, the folks on the committee and the members of our choirs have been doing a wonderful job of providing music for our celebrations. Especially impressive was the cooperation of the members of all of the choirs for the Mass on Wednesday. I would mention names, but it’s late, and I’m afraid I will leave someone out. Thank you. You sounded terrific, truly gave glory to God, and can be very proud of yourselves.
I love my Adult Ed Class on Tuesday evenings. There’s a really good-- and not shy--core group of folks, and others who come when they can, commitments permitting. Feel free to come by on Tuesday nights at 7:30pm in the Council Room. The group planning the Intergenerational Experience is also still looking for a few creative and talented folks—that means you, of course—to help with the experience. They meet on Monday evenings at the same time.
It was very moving the other night to see about 100 people at our Eucharist to pray for Fr. Thom, and to sign the card for him. I am sure he will be grateful for our prayers and for the wishes. He’s part of my Augustinian family, and our parish family. When family members have problems, we pray for them and help them as best we can to get through the crises in their lives. It’s what families and followers of Jesus Christ do. This is not to deny feelings, hurts, or wrongs. But I feel that what the Gospel asks of me and you, right now, is to be prayerful and generous towards Fr. Thom. He has a very difficult road ahead of him.
I continue to be amazed by and grateful for your generosity. You are truly a people gifted by the Spirit. I literally could not do it without you and without your prayers. Let’s continue pray for one another and Fr. Thom.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parochial Vicar
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I write this on the eve of my first day off in three weeks. I am not
complaining, however. Not at all. These have been very busy, but very graced and
blessed weeks for me. I have met twice with the Pastoral Council, whose members
truly care about the parish and your concerns, and are working to fashion a
vision and plan for the parish, and to better educate themselves with regard to
their role. Really, quite an inspiring group of people, who have been invaluable
these past few weeks. The Finance Council is up and running, adding new members
and doing its important work for our community. Their task is not an easy one,
and the work at hand not very glamorous, but their counsel and vigilance are
very important in managing our parish affairs. We also have a Liturgy Committee
that has begun its work to plan and coordinate our parish celebrations, and a
group is working to find a new music minister and to coordinate music for Masses
in the meantime. The Faith Formation staff, as well as the parish secretary and
business manager, has been a Godsend in so many ways. Deacon John, thanks in no
small measure to his wife’s generosity, has been a bulwark and my right arm. The
counters and ushers have also been great as we have increased the work and
responsibilities of the former, and the routine of the latter. Before I end this
incredibly long paragraph, I would like to give a special thank you to two
people who operate “under the radar,” but do very important work for us. Kevin
Smith, along with a full-time job and family responsibilities is our maintenance
person. He does many routine things and even such precarious ones as changing
the ceiling lights in the church. Steve Lyttle along with his family
responsibilities and his job at the Observer, is our bulletin editor and has to
deal with our routine announcements, and a rather steady stream of last minute
requests, which he does with patience. I continue to be grateful to God for all
of you who do not serve in formal ways, and grateful for your support, generous
offers of help and hard work. I am so impressed with the many ways that the
Spirit of God moves and lives in the community here!
I still find the most privileged part of my work here to be the pastoral work. The time I spend with you celebrating the sacraments and visiting with you here in the parish office, at meetings and gatherings, in your homes and in health facilities is the most enriching part of my work here.
This afternoon I will go to pick up my Augustinian brother, Fr. Joseph O’Connor at the airport. Fr. Joe was here for two months in the spring, and many of you grew quite fond of him during his time here. I have known Fr. Joe for many years, and in addition to my personal regard for him, I admire his joy and enthusiasm for the religious life and priesthood after 50+ years.
Fr. Thom is at a center where all of his health needs will be evaluated and he will receive treatment for his addiction. It is the inspired desire of the pastoral council that we celebrate a Mass to pray for Fr. Thom. We will hold this celebration this Wednesday evening, October 19, at 7:30 pm. I am sure Fr. Thom can use and would appreciate our prayers, and the Eucharist is our greatest communal prayer. Let’s really storm heaven for him with our prayers.
Again, thank you, and thank God for all that you are and do. Let keep one
another and Fr. Thom in our prayers.
In Christ and St. Augustine,
Russell A. Ortega, OSA
Parroquial Vicar
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