Your Pastoral Coach

Reflecting on the apparition at Knock, Ireland

This past week I had the opportunity to visit Ireland on business. My wife and I took the opportunity after the conference to journey to the northwest part of Ireland and visit the small village of Knock. More specifically, we visited the Catholic Knock Shrine, who had been previously visited by Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa.

On the evening of the 21st August, 1879, Our Lady, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist appeared in a blaze of heavenly light at the south gable of the Church of St. John the Baptist. Behind them and a little to the left of St. John was a plain altar. On the altar was an empty cross and a Lamb on an altar. Everyone in the scene was still, except for adoring angels that unceasingly circled the altar completely focused on the Lamb. The Apparition was seen by fifteen people whose ages ranged from six years to seventy-five and included men, women, teenagers and children. The Apparition lasted for two hours. It was raining hard and the witnesses, drenched, got on their knees and prayed the rosary. The ground where the apparition was stayed dry. The entire Apparition was silent. No verbal messages were given.

They described the Lamb as amazingly radiant, projecting a white light that was reflected by the other figures, with Mary reflecting the most light. The Lamb was peacefully and attentively looking at the other figures, listening. Joseph had his hands together in prayer, his head bowed in respect, and he was looking at the Lamb. Mary was looking up to heaven, her hands open in prayer of worship, thanksgiving, and intercession. Everyone and everything was of white color, but Mary wore a brilliant golden crown. Over the forehead she wore a beautiful full-bloom golden rose. Next to Mary was St. John the Evangelist. He was the disciple that at the cross Jesus confided him to his mother and his mother to him. They both lived in Ephesus after that. St John is the author of the Gospel according to John and the Book of Revelation. St John is dressed as a bishop wearing a mitre. On his left hand he is holding an open Bible and it looks as if he is preaching.

What does this silent Apparition mean?

Ash Wednesday

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. I have been looking forward to it so much. I have been very busy lately. We need these different Church seasons to help us reconnect, recommit, and re-engage in our journey of faith. My family and I went to 5:30PM mass. It was a beautiful mass. When it came time to receive our ashes I stood in line like everyone else, feeling peaceful. Then the person put the ashes on my forehead saying "remember that you came from ashes, and to ashes you will return." I was immediately overwhelmed with emotion. This act seemed to have happened in slow motion. The finger on my forehead felt heavy. I felt such love in my heart. I sat down, while tears streamed down from my eyes.

Where did this come from? What does it mean? Is there a deep symbolism for it? What does it say about me and my life? Nothing. It is simply love. I took a step in our journey of Lent. Jesus held my hand and also took a step with me. And so we begin, in Divine love.

Technorati Tags: puppy

God Unites Us All

I think I wrote about this last year, but it always makes such an impact on me. This past weekend my son Quique and I attended a football game at my alma matter, the University of Notre Dame, which is a Catholic university. The were 80,000 people for the game. Two and a half hours before the game the players and coach attend mass together at the Basilica. Then, they walked from church to the stadium through a "tunnel" of people that are lined up at either side wishing them well. When they first take to the field, they each go to the end zone, take off their helmet, and kneel in prayer. At the beginning of the game, in addition to singing the National Anthem, a prayer is said.

Then after the game, visitors rush to the basilica for Saturday mass, which is always 30 minutes after the end of the game. The church was packed, with people standing along walls. In the church, you have fans of both teams worshiping together. You have rich people all dressed up because they had box seats, and people in sweat pants, you have professors and stadium ushers with their yellow vests. Parents, students, visitors, old, and young gathered and holding hands. The mass is always angelic and you leave uplifted.

God, the great uniter. Let's also embody that peacemaking spirit!

Technorati Tags: Catholic Spiritiality, Hope

Silence, Peace, and Birds

This weekend I spent Friday night through Sunday afternoon in silent retreat. I had a chance to spend two full days without speaking to anyone (except night calls to my wife) and with no TV or radio. I was in a rustic cabin in the woods. At least twice a year I need a short retreat like this to re-energize my batteries. Time to pray, to ponder, to write, and to be. I was also working on a personal project and was able to go deep, spending hours at a time on it. I was able to sit in the porch and observe many birds like bluejays, chickadees, titmouse, woodpeckers, crows, and lots of squirrels. Also a wild turkey and a mama deer with her fawn. At night an owl was calling by the cabin. It's so wonderful to be close to nature. I came home refreshed and so happy!

Technorati Tags: Spirituality

Adoring God through Art

This weekend my family and I had a chance to visit a museum in New York City (the north end of Manhattan) called The Cloisters. Please take a look at the official website and this site full of gorgeous photos. I highly recommend it. The museum building looks like a medieval castle at the top of a lush hill overlooking the flowing Hudson river. It's focus is European medieval art, primarily from the 12th Century through the 15th Century. While in the museum you are totally transported to Europe at that time. Not only are paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and objects in exhibition, but also architecture and gardens. Things are shown in a setting reminiscent of their original home. Again, I loved it!

Although the focus of the museum is not religious art, it is evident that much of the art of that time was religious. The faith of the artists and clients of the objects is evident. They not only wanted to create a beautiful piece of art, they wanted to elevate their prayers through every stroke of a brush or carving with a knife. They sought to move the viewers in heart, but also in spirit. This let me think about my art. I don't really use art to express my spirituality. At times when I take photographs of nature I sensed a spiritual connection with the place and with the Creator. But I don't really paint, or sing, or sculpt, or write poems of praise and adoration. Do you? Let's see if the Spirit moves me...

Technorati Tags: Spirituality

Confirmation Ceremony

Tonight we celebrated the confirmation ceremony at the cathedral for the Hispanic community of all parishes. Both teenagers and adults were confirmed and took classes together. I taught confirmation this year and was filled with emotion and gratitude. I felt like a father or godfather watching "my class" get confirmed. They looked so excited and their godparents and parents were so proud. I was particularly proud of the adults in the group that re-connected with their faith and dedicated the time necessary to continue receiving their sacraments. The Spirit is doing great work! Alleluia!

Technorati Tags: Catholic

Masters in Pastoral Theology... All done!

Yesterday was my graduation at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. It is the culmination of a 3 year journey in which moved by my faith, I was seeking greater understanding of God (rephrasing Anselm of Canterbury's definition of Theology). I felt the call from Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to join him in caring for souls, to join him in feeding the sheep, and be also a shepherd with Him (in Latin, a pastor). Although I was hearing Jesus calling me by name, I hesitated. It was so different from my professional career. My wife Angie helped me see how aligned this path was with my talents and passions, and helped me gain the confidence to take the first step.

In the past years I have learned about Theology, Scripture, Ethics, Cannon Law, Ministry, Christology, Liturgy, Church history, and spirituality. I have learned to appreciate the beauty and elegance of our faith, the mystery and and complexity of some of our beliefs, and I have been able to see God with a renewed sense of awe. The more I studied, the more I realized how little I could comprehend about God and His works. The studies helped me immensely, yet, only love, and service, and community and grace, have truly helped me to better know and experience our wonderful God.

If anyone reading this is wondering about pursuing a similar program, I highly recommend the graduate program at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. The convenience of distant learning and the quality and competency of the faculty are great, but the best traits is how much Virginia the program Director and her faculty care about the students and their growth. They really invest themselves completely and at the end you finish with not only increased knowledge, but also with deep friendships. The sense of community among the students is one of the best gifts of this program. Mixed with the joy of not having to write more papers was the sadness of not been an active member of this wonderful community of shepherds. Well, there's e-mail and the annual Summer get-togethers...

And the journey continues. I love my career in Information Technology, helping companies increase their business value through technology and helping grow IT leaders. Yet, I love to compliment that with a vocation as a Pastoral Coach, helping people grow in their careers, in their personal development, and in their relationships by integrating Christian spirituality with the rest of their lives. With God's grace, I will continue to answer the call to act with justice, love tenderly, to serve one another, and to humbly walk with God (David Hass and Micah 6:8)

Technorati Tags: Accomplish Goals, Catholic

Spring Cleaning Within and Without

I'm definitely a Summer person and Spring fills me with joy as Summer approaches. The birds are singing, the grass is green for once, and the flowers are opening up. What a great time of the year. I'm glad we celebrate Easter during Spring. It' so appropriate. For the first time in many years I took Holy Week off and did not travel, which is my norm. I stayed home with some of the kids. I have been doing a lot of Spring cleaning.

Fixing things in the computers, replacing old and underused furniture in the home office, and going through old stacks to keep only what's needed. The most daunting task has been to clean the 3-car garage. I'm half-way there. The last time I did a major cleaning was two years ago. I have thrown away countless of useless things: empty seed packets, boxes, gloves missing their partners, cans with dried-up paint, etc. AND THE DIRT! It's amazing how much dirt accumulates in corners and behind furniture when we don't move things around. I have also found very useful things that were buried underneath the rubble.

As I worked on the "without" I was thinking and praying about the "within," our soul. Lent is like Spring cleaning for the soul. A time to examine our conscience and confess our sins, a time to offer sacrifices and reflect on the passion and upcoming resurrection of Christ. Without this time of reflection and cleaning, not only would we continue to accumulate useless and dirty things inside, we will fail to see the useful and beautiful things that can add value to the world. Well, back out to the garage to finish in time for Church tonight...

Technorati Tags: Spirituality

Praying with Jesus During Eucharistic Adoration

In the post below Lorna politely said "That said I have to say I'm not sure I get the adoration of the Eucharist. I realise that it's because of our diffent theologies concerning this. But I'm glad it worked for you." There are many links through Google about the history and practice of Eucharistic Adoration. Here is one website called The Real Presence Adoration that has many interesting links and articles. Instead of re-stateing what others can say better, let me share my experiences. In addition to participating in mass and praying the rosary, Eucharistic adoration is one of the most impacting devotions I practice. There is a church (not my parish) in my town that has a perpetual adoration chapel. This is a chapel where the consecrated host is exposed and there are people that pray in shifts for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I began this practice 5 years ago. My shift is Fridays at 3:00 AM. Imagine the impact this devotion has on people that the church is able to staff prayer shifts round the clock for many years. I believe this church has practiced this devotion for at least 10 years. There are 3-5 other churches in my town with perpetual adoration chapels.

I love going to the chapel in the quiet of the night and spending an hour with Jesus. As soon as I enter I can feel His presence very strongly. The place feels so holy and His presence so palpable. It is like sitting with your most beloved friend. Sometimes I tell him my problems, others I share my joys. I surrender my worries and also my plans for the future. Many times I pray to Jesus for people, but when I'm in this chapel I feel as if I'm praying WITH jesus for the world and for the needs of others. Sometimes I read a spiritual book, pray the rosary, or read the Bible. Most times I just sit, and allow Him to reach and touch my heart. I never allow anything, sickness, snow storms, thunderstorms, etc. to interfere with this precious moment. I'm sure all of this may sound strange and confusing to non Catholics, but it has really made a difference in my spiritual life. Then, I crawl back in bed at 4:45AM and my wife always says, "How was your time with Jesus?"

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Spirituality

My New Friend St. Joseph

I have never had much of a relationship with St. Joseph. I don't usually say prayers of intercession to him or think much of him. My main connection to him is that my deceased grandfather was named Jose after St. Joseph. I've been dealing with some tough decisions and issues and while in prayer three days ago I suddenly saw an image of St. Joseph in my mind. I began to pray for his intercession and felt that he was going to help me and intercede for guidance. I have continued to pray to him daily. Yesterday a new solution appeared out of nowhere and I'm really excited about it. I feel at peace and excited. As I was walking to the car after work I was thinking that I really don't know any prayers for St. Joseph and would like to learn some. When I opened the mail there was a letter from a Carmelite monastery with a card containing the picture of St. Joseph and a prayer to do a novena for St. Joseph from March 12-20, 2006. His feast day is March 19th. Isn't this wonderful? Do any of you have a close relationship with St. Joseph? Do you have any preferred prayers?

Technorati Tags: Catholic, Saints