Serving the Church? How?

            Hello, my name is Jaeyoung (Paschal) Choi. I am a friend of John Sureau. Generously, he asked me to post my experience to share with you. One of the biggest trips in my summer vacation was a pilgrimage to Korea for fourteen nights with Korean-American teenagers. I was one of the leaders of the pilgrimage for thirty-six teenagers.

            I would not expect that my kids memorized all historical backgrounds of the Korean Church and shrines. Rather, I tried to give them a point why you are Christians based on Korean Church history. As long as I know, it was successful. Besides, I have learned many things from them: how to serve the Church and what should I give to the Church.

            Being with them was like serving a small church (ekklesia, a gathering in Greek). I was serving those who were listening to me, those who were not, those who were doing good, those who were sick, those who were being healthy, and those who were injured (fortunately not many guys). Moreover, I have learned serving the Church is not about an abstract idea but an act. When I was cleaning a toilet to wash poop (one of my kids did) away, I realized this!

            On the pilgrimage, I could have a day to spend with my family. When I met my mom, I started to complain about the kids. As they were a small church, they were like little sheep, bad sheep: sneaking alcohol in at night and doing whatever they want. I didn’t think that they could be compared to sheep. What I heard was that sheep were naïve, innocent, and very listening carefully to a shepherd, but the kids did not.

            However, since my mom worked in special high school for teen-troublemakers, she has given me an excellent advice. Her point is, “Give them your love. Let them feel that it is a great and happy pilgrimage, when they look back the trip in their future.”

            I never forget the last day of the trip, when we all shared our impressions out of the pilgrimage. One girl stood up and said with dropping tears, “I apologize as one of the participants that we never listened to staff during the pilgrimage. I feel whole-heartedly that you guys still love us. Thank you for everything for the pilgrimage.” God worked through our hearts. Giving them knowledge was not the point of the pilgrimage, but my love and my care.

            I have learned how to serve the Church through them. It is not about an idea but an act (washing poop away)! Besides, I have a great lesson, what should I give to the Church. I did not only give them summery of the history of the Korean Catholic Church, but through him, I really gave them my love. I have truly acknowledged through our pilgrimage, “God is Love.” (I Jn. 4:8) 

Rejoice in the Lord, not in the world.

Jaeyoung Paschal Choi           

Parish Social Ministry

Deacon John speaking with a
parishioner after Mass

I'm a new reader of John Sureau’s blog and am pleased to be among the people he has asked to write a ‘guest posting’.   My topic is Parish Social Ministry, which is something that runs deep for me.

I coordinate our Parish Social Ministry program at Saint Anne’s, where we are fortunate to have Deacon John as a seminarian from his assignment in late June to his ordination in December.   One of his first comments to me was that he was glad to see us publish these words in the bulletin each week on the PSM page:  “Saint Anne’s is here for you…" If parishioners are struggling with something and not sure where to turn, our parish provides confidential support and assistance.  Serious illness, financial problems, marital difficulties, unemployment, mental health concerns and caring for the ill and elderly are issues we all may face at different times in our lives.  "Saint Anne’s is here for you” is the message we strive to live each day.

Parish Social Ministry is our faith community’s response…to the needs we perceive in each person we encounter, and to God’s call to share our gifts in service to one another.  At Saint Anne’s, PSM includes direct service for people who are ill, elderly, poor or hungry.  Support is offered to the bereaved, to those who are unemployed, to those who have cancer, to those who have disabilities and to persons who are divorced.  Small communities have been formed for mothers in our parish, for seniors, for families who have children with special needs and for people in their ‘middle years’.  Together, we seek to find God in the Eucharist we share as a faith community and in the relationships we form with one another - especially with those who are most vulnerable.

In Parish Social Ministry, we strive to bring hope and comfort to people in need by being present to them, listening without judging, finding common ground, offering assistance and giving of ourselves with compassion, whatever their difficulties may be.  A prayer we have often shared is:

                  “Father, we ask You to increase our competence and compassion.  Help us reaffirm our covenant with You and Your people.  Give us sensitivity and patience, but also a sense of humor.  Teach us that as we ‘do’ for others that we ‘be’ with them.  Teach us the ministry of presence.  Amen.”

John Sureau, in the short time he has been with us, has demonstrated his understanding of this message and his willingness to live it.  The faith community of Saint Anne’s is blessed to have him spend this part of his journey to ordination among us and we are thankful for the gift of his pastoral presence. 

~ Linda Leone

Basil Bliss's first two months as a Deacon

      Ordained on May 14^th. There were eleven of us, closely bound in friendship throughout the four years of formation. Over the last two months, we continued to share our experiences, our duties, our homilies and our anxieties. Last week we met for a BBQ with our wives, laughed together and prayed together.

      The exhilaration I felt at Ordination continued for weeks. There was a Mass of Thanksgiving with relatives, friends and parishioners. There was a welcome calm after the excitement that lasted for two weeks. Then, there were wakes to be done. When was the last time I read the rite? In my third year !! I needed to review the rite. When was the last time I looked at the Baptismal rite? In my second year!! The lack of familiarity with the rites demanded my review. I even sat in when our two seasoned Deacons did a wake service or a Baptism. An old friend lost his wife at age 57, and he requested that I do the vigil. His son played baseball with my son. and we coached together. No pressure here. Finally, there was a meeting with my new Pastor and a schedule to follow. I welcomed planning and the stability of a schedule of when I’d do Baptisms or Masses or preach, and with three Deacons, we’d rotate the wakes. I do feel I am part of a family at St. Anne’s, working with dedicated Priests, Deacons, and Parish staff.

     My spiritual growth continues. I had indeed felt that growth in the Seminary. I have continued with Morning and Evening prayer, and I continue to read Biblical commentaries on the readings each week. What was that Marine motto? Now my thoughts have turned to the New Missal, and getting to read the changes in the prayers. I volunteered to write an article on the history of the lectionary and am now working on one on the Liturgy of the Word. Is there an easy way to explain the changes in the Creed?

      I want to visit the homebound. Working precludes this, except on weekends. I found time to visit and bring the Eucharist to the father of a friend in a rehabilitation center. Need to do more of this. I have taught high school Theology for the last 8 years, and am implementing a new curriculum mandated by the USCCB. I will be responsible for the RCIA and Confirmation education for students as well. Just enough to keep me busy!

    -Basil  Chairman, Theology Dept. Bishop Loughlin HS/ Deacon at St. Anne's Garden City

SAGE Ministry

We’re Sisters of Charity of Halifax, working with older parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes, West Islip. Father Mike Vetrano asked us to develop a program, as the result of a questionnaire where older parishioners had requested that more attention be devoted to their pastoral needs. The result is the SAGE Group (Senior Advocates for Growth and Enrichment), formed in 2003. There are fifty-one members, about forty of whom attend our meetings every other Tuesday. Our basis for discussion is the book, A Gospel for the Mature Years, by Harold Koenig. We gather in what we call our “sacred circle” where we emphasize that what is shared there stays there. As we consider the book’s topics, SAGEs think about the text, reflect on its meaning and relate it to their own faith lives. We pray and learn, we share and discuss together in order to grow “in wisdom, age and grace.” Many of the members had not been in a venue like this before and so were not at ease in expressing ideas, opinions and their faith. SAGE helps them to become more comfortable in articulating their thoughts in the group.

As leaders, we have seen SAGEs grow in their faith over the past eight years. They have learned from one another in many ways. As one member said: “Where was the SAGE Group when we were young parents?!” The wisdom they have gleaned throughout their lives now overflows to and supports the members of the group, enriching them during these later years.

The SAGE Group does not have officers, elections or dues as it is not a ‘club,’ but they have a free-will offering at each meeting. Through this, they built a home in El Salvador and they adopted a Salvadoran elder for this year, thus focusing on issues beyond the group.  

As moderators, we have been inspired by the holiness and spirituality of the members. We are in awe at their dedication over the years to their families and their parish community. The same spirit of faith and dedication is now helping many of them to continue on after the death of a spouse or other loved one. We are privileged to work with the SAGE Group.

Margaret Mary Bickar, SC

Betty Toohig, SC

Off to Retreat

On Monday, August 15^th, I will leave St. Anne’s, Garden City for a 30 day retreat based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.  

The Main Entrance in Big Sur.

How did this happen? In planning and organizing the time of my diaconate, Bishop Murphy asked me to consider engaging in such a retreat experience.  Before entering the Seminary, I participated in an 8 day silent retreat (not based on the Spiritual Exercises) at the Camoldolese Benedictine Monastery in Big Sur, CA. At the conclusion of the retreat, my spiritual director suggested I consider a longer retreat in the future. When this opportunity came up, I was excited (and honestly, a little anxious) about the experience and am looking forward to it

The Main Entrance at the Jesuit Center.

Where is this happening? My 30 day retreat will take place at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville, PA. My director, the person I will meet with each day, is Fr. Joseph Currie, S. J. I have not met him yet, but he seems to be a kind and gentle person who will be a tremendous guide.

Statue of St. Ignatius at the Jesuit Center.

What is this all about? Very briefly, this retreat is based on the experience of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. When ill and unable to move from bed, he read two books – one a book about the life of Christ and the second about the life of the saints. From these encounters and others, Ignatius developed these Spiritual Exercises.  (My summary is VERY brief…there is much more to the story!).  The retreatant (that will be me) will work with my Spiritual Director (Fr. Currie) to work through the Spiritual Exercises. The hope, in the end, is that the retreatant is more aware of his or her own feelings and thoughts, his or her relationship with Jesus and his commitment to serve the Lord throughout his or her life and be ever more aware of his presence. (Again – a very brief overview.) You can read more about the Spiritual Exercises here.

In the same way we may work out or exercise our bodies for physical improvement, we need to do the same for the spiritual life.  The hope is that many of the skills and experiences that occur during this retreat continue for years and years to come.  Everyone I have met who has participated in this silent retreat has been overly supportive and encouraging about my participation. Needless to say I have great hope!

While I will be away I will have no access to the e-mail, phone, computer, etc. However, I’ve asked some friends to help me up date the blog. So each week – actually some times even twice a week – you’ll see a different post! Enjoy. I look forward to reading them when I return.

Taking Leave

As I continue to give you some updates about what has been happening over the past few months, one issue has certainly been taking leave of places and communities. In particular, at the end of April, I resigned my position as a hospital social worker.

Previously, I have written about my experiences as a hospital social worker.  It is both a challenging and hopeful job. Usually, hospital social workers are assigned a particular unit or area in the hospital to work (i.e. a Cardiac Care unit, a certain floor or area, etc.).  In their work, they address many of the “social” needs of patients and often encounter some of the most vulnerable and broken of our society. Whether it be one who struggles with addiction or another who faces the prospect of moving into a nursing home or another who has no place to live because of the economy or another who is unsure how they can pay their hospital bill without insurance or additional support, the social worker is usually a part of these patients’ lives.

It is difficult and challenging because the presence of resources to help the most vulnerable in our society has significantly declined, especially in this area.  Finding housing for the homeless, rehab for the addict, insurance for the uninsured and even food for the hungry is harder and harder. It is a reminder of our ultimate powerlessness in the midst of so many situations.

It is hope-filled work because you know that often (note – not always) your presence and even the offer of support makes a tremendous difference in the life of a patient and his or her family who is sick or struggling.  More than the resources or assistance, presence often makes the greatest difference.

People who know me well know that I loved my time at Good Samaritan Hospital over the past seven years. It is one of the places I interned as a social worker – and in many ways never stopped teaching me. It is a community of individuals, in this particular case, who so supported and encouraged me, especially on this path to the priesthood. The social workers I worked with always welcomed, guided and encouraged me in my time there. Needless to say taking leave of the “hospital” at the end of April was difficult.

In this process of moving forward, and now in my time at St. Anne’s, I have come to see again and again the everlasting power of community. Yes, I am no longer a social worker at the hospital and I do miss much of that work. At the same time, I hope and pray I am a stronger and more empathetic person who has gained skills and relationships that will allow me to serve as a good priest. I know, too, I have formed relationships that transcend any title or job, but will remain with me for years to come.  What a testament to the power of community.