The Gift of Peace

December 31st. It doesn't seem possible, the end of another year. This slice of Daily Bread is the first of our second year, and comes on the threshold of the New Year. What are we looking for the most? Peace? Perhaps. It is truly a gift, for no matter how much shopping, or bargain hunting for it we do, we cannot buy it, we cannot even find it. It is a gift from God, "the peace that the world cannot give". It comes from a surrender of hear and soul to God, a love which encompasses our entire being. "Love God with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and your neighbor as yourself" (cf. Matt 22: 37-39) , the two Great Commandments. Then peace comes, for order and balance come into our lives, energy is focused on what really matters, and a sense of joy and security bring to reality St. Augustine's terse but powerful definition of peace as "the order of tranquility." As we refect today on the year past, and look ahead to next year, we might also look around our homes and families, and give THANKS for all these simple blessings, so often taken for granted. We might also look at what we might give away (or in some cases, throw away), to lighten our burden and the clutter that often detracts from the order which brings peace. "Stuff" can accumulate so fast and so easy, that we don't even realize it until we're tripping over it. Is there such "stuff" cluttering our spiritual lives as well? It's worth the time to look seriously at our souls and make the moves that will allow God to give us the gift of peace.
Bro. Rene

Anna and Contemplation

On this sixth day of the Octave of Christmas, the 365th slice of Daily Bread, and the second last day of the year, our thoughts are focused on the prophetess, Anna, whom Mary and Joseph encountered when they presented Jesus in the Temple, eight days after his birth. This octogenarian had spent all of her widowed life in prayerful contemplation. "She never left the temple, but woshiped night and day with fasting and prayer." (Lk 2:37). Monks and cloistered nuns follow to some degree this regimen, but we in the "active life" are reminded by their example of the necessity for prayer, reflection and fasting in our own lives. For a year now, we have been reflecting on Marist Spirituality, and growth in the spiritual life in general; the two cannot really be separated. As we look back, as well as look ahead, has our vision become more focused and more perceptive, that like Anna, we can see clearly who the "Child" is, and speak openly about him "to all who are awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem: (cf. Lk 2:38). I always like to take these last days of the year to page through my journal, or just sit back and look at the year to see how God has revealed himself, how much closer we've become, and to give thanks for ALL. What I always seem to discover is God's unfailing presence and love and the amazing strength he has given me to get through what seemed "impossible". This helps me to proceed to the New Year with confidence and assurance that the surprises that lie ahead need not be undaunting, but further opportunities to grow closer and more secure in my relationship with this all-loving, eternally faithfull and compassionate God-Friend. May Anna's example help us to find a place for contemplation, fasting, and worship so that we can more easily recognize God's loving presence in our lives.
Bro. Rene

Winning the Crown

We celebrate yet another martyr during this Christmas Octave, St. Thomas Becket, who was slain in the Cathedral of Canterbury in 1170 at the command of King Henry II. St. Thomas had written before his death: "Remember the sufferngs of Christ...the cown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown." Not all are called to a bloody martyrdom, but all are called to stand up for the faith, to live it, so that others see it and themselves believe enough to put it into practice as well. St. Paul in writing to his disciple, Titus, reminds us that "The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and wordly desires and to live temperately, justly and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our saviour Jesus Christ." (Titus 2: 11-13). Christ was born in order that he might appear to the world through us. Just as the old rabbi and prophet Simeon saw "the salvation... prepared in the sight of every people" so too our acts of kindness, generosity and forgiveness, our acceptance of all who come into our lives, our patient and virtuous dealing with frustration, disappointment and pain, our courage to live the truth and stand up to challenge double standards and deceitfullness, all of which might cost us dints in our popularity, should allow others to see that same light and hope. In following the Marist way, in imitation of Mary, in making the effort to do good quietly, yet forcefully, we will be winning the
crown.
Bro. Rene

Holy Innocents

Christmas, with all its hope and promise of peace also includes suffering. Foreshadowing the suffering and death of Jesus, and countless martyrs for the faith, is the massacre of the Holy Innocents, whose Feast we celebrate today. They were the first to shed their blood for Christ but were washed in the redemptive blood of Jesus and are now regarded as the first martyrs and thus, saints. The wailing heard in Ramah is now transformed into shouts of joy and gladness as these young innocents are united to their Redeemer. The cycle of death and resurrection is part of the Christmas Octave because it is why God became one of us...to redeem us from sin, from death, and open to us the path to eternal life.
The Church won't let us forget this, as we so easily can when dealing with our empty pocketbooks, or raising our teenagers through their rebellious experimental search for independence and adulthood. Some families undergo more trials than we think any human being can endure. I know a grandmother who last month buried a grandchild, whose husband is dying of cancer, and who lately saw her daughter, the child's mother, attempt suicide...right before Christmas. Pain, depression, questioning, guilt...not what we look for in our Christmas stockings. The martyrdom of the Holy Innocents puts Christmas in perspective: God becomes part of our human race, our human condition with all its pain, injustice and suffering, and shows us that all of this leads paradoxically to life and freedom from these ills. Let us ask the Holy Innocents to intercede for all of us, especially those who cannot make any sense out of their plight, and give us hope.
Bro. Rene

The Octave of Christmas

Christmas is the second most important feast in the liturgical year; Easter, the first. They are so important that the Church takes a week to reflect on their significance and calls this 8-day meditation period an Octave. The whole week is seen as one day, hence references to Christmas, even on Monday, or Friday are made as if it were Christmas Day itself. Saints are commemoriated, such as St. Stephen, St. John, the Holy Innocents, St. Sylvester, Pope, but their contributions to the life of the Church are seen in the light of Christmas. Hence, St. John's reference to the Incarnation, the Word made Flesh, and his own experience of having seen with his own eyes, looked upon and touched with his hands, "the word made visible" help us understand this great Mystery even more. St. Marcellin's words during community adoration of the Child Jesus in the crib, are as concrete and moving as St. John's: "There is nothing so lovable as a child; his innocnece, his simplicity, his genteleness, his caresses and even his weakness are capable of touching and winning the hardest and cruellest of hearts. How, then, can we not help loving Jesus, who became a child to stimulate our confidence, to demonstrate the excess of his love and to let us see that he can refuse us nothing? No one is easier to get on with and more pliant that a child; he gives all, he pardons all, he forgets all; the merest trifle delights him, calms him and fills him with happiness; in his heart is niether guile nor rancour, for he is all tenderness, all sweetness." (Life, bi--centenary edition, page 321). No wonder he went to such pains to insure that children were well-instructed in the faith, but above all, loved by their teachers. With children being subjected to neglect and abuse, we must turn a Christmas ear to their plight and do what we can to aleviate it.
Bro. Rene

Family Valued

"Family Values" is a phrase thrown around with great frequency, but not with much detailed explanation. On this Feast of the Holy Family, I am moved to reflect on the value of a family from which "family values" flow. The Holy Family is held up before us as the ideal upon which to model all family life. Look at the simplicity, the poverty, the dependence on God's plan, the humility before the congratulations from shepherds as well as Wise Men, and the determination to hold together as a family when threatened by King Herod's jealousy. The drive for survival as a family forced them to flee in the middle of the night, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Eypt, and stay there until I tell you." (Matt 2:13), and become refugees. The Holy Family knew stress, challenge, threats of extinction, not unlike what all families in some way experience today. Think of families where there is no income, where there has been a recent death of mother or father, where there is threat of separation, or where there is separation. Families who have members serving in Afghanistan or other hotspots around the globe, or who are mourning the death of a son or daughter killed in action awhile ago or recently. What pain, what a challenge to put family into perspective, to see it as the blessed gift that it is, something to be appreciated, cherished, and be put as top priority on the list of things to preserve and make grow. It is a unit based on love, where love is experienced, and from where it leaps out into the life of the community and the globe. Who can put a price on daughters who come to their parents and say they don't want a lot of "things" gifts, and would rather see the money to be spent on them, given to the poor? Love has been learned. Family is seen not only as the members living under one roof, but far beyond. Our Marist Family Spirit is warm, human, welcoming, generous, the benchmark of our charism. It flows from hearts that know no bounds, from community valued, from family valued. Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Family and for our families, wherever they may be geographically and in their stages of growth. Help us to see them as gift, and as the place where we learn to love and grow in love. Give us patience where there is need for change, help us find strength in you to presevere when times are tough, and help us to keep you as the center of our family life. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Merry Christmas

I write in the wee hours of a silent night, with a bright moon, not quite at last quarter, illuminating the sky. It has been a full, full Christmas Eve, beginning with prayer and breakfast with 194 men, many in their young twenties, and clear, direct, forceful talk about the birth of Jesus. At midnight Mass, a sense of solemn reverence and worship of our God-made-man prevailed from the moment the Christ Child was brought in procession to the Creche to the final blessing. Not an ounce of commercialism in these bookends of the day. It was Christmas all the way, not bells on bob-tails. So refreshing. And have you heard more people saying Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays? I have, even from an Iranian teller at the bank! The coming of Jesus into our world 2000 years ago is still the basis for our celebration. St. Marcellin loved Christmas and urged his followers to take the first places "at the crib, the cross and the altar." It is there that we experience the heart of Christ's teaching on humble emptying of self to become a gift for others as he did. As we exchange greetings and gifts let us remember that God's love for us, God's desire to save us, is the GIFT of GIFTS, seen in the Babe in Bethlehem, in the Christ reigning in our hearts. Let us pay attention to the words of our familiar carols, let us not only wish each other a Merry Christmas, but live it.
Bro. Rene

Tomorrow

"Today you will know the Lord is coming, and tomorrow you will see his glory" (Invitatory for Matins of Christmas Eve). We sometimes overlook the other purpose of Advent, that is to look toward and prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. Yes, tomorrow, we will commemorate his birth as a child in Bethlehem, but tomorrow also refers to the Day of the Lord, when Jesus comes in glory. The shepherds saw the angels and the infant child in the manger: the glory of God, but at the end of time we shall all see the Son of Man in glorious triumph over all the powers of evil and the total reconciliation of the universe as a gift to be offered to the Father. With all our prayers and good works during Advent, we have been preparing our hearts not only for Christmas, but also for our own personal meeting with Christ when he comes in glory to our souls, and we have also been preparing our families, our circle of friends, our communities, for the reign of the King of Glory at the end of time. What we see now is a glimpse of what we will see in full reality then. As we finish wrapping presents, preparing foods, even sending Christmas cards today, let us use the day to ready our hearts for Christmas Mass, be it late afternoon, at midnight, or tomorrow morning. This is the culmination of our four weeks of prayer and reflection, this is another step toward the Kingdom of God in all its fullness. Taking time for reflection today is more important that "getting everything done." Christ will come, whether we are ready or not. Let's not be too busy to recognize and greet him when he arrives.
Bro. Rene

O Emmanuel

"O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver, the Desire of all nations and their Savior: come and save us, O Lord our God!" The final "O Antiphon" sums up all the others and dovetails perfectly this passage from Revelation: "I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them [as their God]." (Rev 21: 3). We normally think of God's presence in the Church community, or in the Eucharist or our own hearts, but here is another instance when God is present through loving service.
Tuesday evening the Central Catholic baseball team ran a baseball "clinic" for 44 students from the Weatherbee School in Lawrence. Our players gave some tips on hitting and catching to these youngsters, and then Santa appeared with bags of gifts for them. Each child received five gifts, some donated by businesses, and others right out of the pockets of the Raider players, who have been running this event for 13 years. The Christmas Spirit of giving lifted the spirits of the children as well as of the players and coaches to the ceiling of the CCHS gym, again verifying what a Central graduate said to me that same day, "Living is giving." This same Raider squad also participates in a Cor Unum night by serving meals at this popular venue for Lawrence's poor. Many other schools and organizations rotate their services there as well. Yes, Emmanuel, God with us, visibly present in a world of broken promises and hollow words. O God, renew our faith in your abiding presence. Let us not only see it in the hearts and actions of others, but may others see it in us. Amen.

O King of Nations

"O King of Nations, and their Desired, the Cornerstone who makes all one: come and save our race, whom you formed out of clay." A few weeks ago, the liturgical year ended with the Solemnity of Christ, the King and we recalled that the ultimate goal of our existence, the destiny of our planet and the universe, is to be totally subjected to Christ the King. In Revelation we read, and hear sung so beautifully in the Hallelujah Chorus, "King of kings and Lord of Lords, and he shall reign forever and ever." (Rev 19:16). Yes, even without knowing it, all nations, all peoples, all hearts desire Jesus as the cornerstone, the foundation of justice, peace, light, and liberation from all evil. May this desire in us grow and make us one: personally less divided and divisive; as families, united in love, and reconciliation, if needs be, and nations, laying down arms and embracing as a true family. Come, Lord Jesus, Come King of the Nations, bring your people to new birth by your coming. Amen.

O Dayspring

"O Dayspring, brightness of eternal Light and Sun of Justice: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." Jesus, the Light of the World, is also referred to in today's O Antiphon as the "Sun of Justice", a title that resounds throughout the Church and Marist World. Since the earliest days, the Church has worked for and been persecuted for justice, the right of everyone to dignity, respect, and the means to self-support. Be it the establishment of hospitals, schools, orphanages, or the efforts to raise people's consciousness toward the plight of the less fortunate, the Church has always been a leader. The Marist Brothers have a department known as the Bureau of International Solidarity, which sends aid to those who want to better their lot and eventually become self-sufficient.
Here at Central Catholic, the second semester of the junior religion program is devoted to an overview of social justice issues. A full course in Social Justice is offered as an elective to those who wish a deeper understanding and more involvement in these issues. The whole school was mobilized at Thanksgiving to donate food items to Lazarus House, and more recently, every homeroom was asked to supply food and gifts for a needy family. Today, 51 such Christmas packages will be delivered, thanks to the compassion, consciousness and generosity of students and faculty. There is always room for improvement in attitudes and behaviors, but we are making an effort to link our faith to our actions, and through the example of the "Sun of Justice", who urged the rich young man to sell all his possession, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow Jesus, ( see Mark 10: 17-24), we are making an effort to "enlighten and help those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death."
Bro. Rene

O Key of David

"O Key of David, and scepter of the house of Israel: you open and no one shuts; you shut and no one opens. Come and lead forth from his prison the captive sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death."
This antiphon again opens our minds futher to understand and appreciate the great Mystery we are about to celebrate. It goes deeper than the lovely story of the stable and manger. It moves us to the Mystery of our redemption.
The image of the key and the locked door can be seen in two ways. In the book of Revelation we read: "The Holy One, the true,/ who holds the key of David,/ who opens and no one shall close,/ who closes and no one shall open, says this: 'Behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close.' (Rev 3:7-8.) The door to the Holy of Holies was unlocked on occasion for one of the high priests who would be chosen to enter and give sacrifice. Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, we read in Luke 1: 5-26, was the chosen priest when he received the message about the conception and birth of his son. Now with the coming of Jesus, the Key, the door to the Holy of Holies, the Kingdom of God, of Grace, is open all the time. All who believe in Jesus are invited to enter.
This Key also opens the door to our enslavement to sin, our imprisonment in fear, our subjection to death. We are now enabled to move beyond these and live in freedom, as children of God. Salvation is now possible for us, because God has become one of us and opened to doors to Paradise for us. No wonder the heavens were filled with angels proclaiming the glory of God.
We sing "O come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord" because he is our God and Savior.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Bro. Rene

O Root of Jesse

"O Root of Jesse, who stood as sign for the people, before you kings shall remain silent, and to you the Gentiles shall make supplication: come to deliver us, and delay not." Today's O antiphon stems from this passage in Isaiah: "On that day,/ The root of Jesse,/ set up as a signal for the nations,/ The Gentiles shall seek out,/ for his dwelling shall be glorious./ He shall raise a signal to the nations/ and gather the outcasts of Israel;/ The dispersed of Judah he shall assemble/ from the four corners of the earth." (Is 11:10, 12).
Jesse was the father of David whose ultimate root or stem is Jesus. "I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star." (Rv 22: 16). The Gentiles are non-Jews, us, who are in turn the offspring of Jesus. We too can and do stand as a "sign" for the people, to bring them in supplication to THE Root. As weak and fearful as we often perceive ourselves, we join the multitudes who felt the same way until they followed the "Signal", let love cast out all fear, and like Joseph, Marcellin Champagnat, Florentius, became beacons drawing in people to the knowledge and love of Jesus. In the midst of tragedy and trial, we remember that God, who is Love, took human form, became like us, and is the source from which we can draw the strength we need to help others in their grief, suffering, fear and anger. Jesus asks us and gives us the power to welcome, forgive, help all, even enemies, and be that same sign he was to those who walk in darkness. "Come, live in the love that knows no bounds. Come, Lord, do not delay."
Bro. Rene

O Adonai

Adonai was one of the names for God among the Hebrews. It might be translated as Lord or Leader: "O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come, and with an outstretched arm, redeem us." The burning bush brings us back to the Exodus, as meaningful as it is for Jews, it is THE symbol of the redemption of our souls, begun so long ago with the call of Moses. Empowered by this vision and God's assurance that he would be with him, Moses braved the audience with Pharaoh, and took on the leadership of the Hebrews. With an outstretched arm he parted the Red Sea, which allowed the people to escape Pharaoh's army and eventually reach the Promised Land. It is Jesus who brings us through the waters of baptism to the "promised land" of new life in God, culminating in union with him in heaven. This terse antiphon captures these mighty events and reminds us what a great mystery it is we celebrate. And no mention of Rudolph or Frosty. Hmmm.
Bro. Rene

The "O" Antiphons

As we plunge into the final week before Christmas (a week from toay is Christmas Eve!) the Church pulls out a series of her finest poetic and musical masterpieces, the "O" antiphons, sung each evening at Vespers before the Magnificat. The Latin Gregorian chant is where the beauty and poetry shine , but even in English, the imagery and concise phrasing make them simple but powerful prayers. Each one addresses Jesus under a special title taken from the Old Testament, gives him praise, and asks for him to Come. Today we address Jesus as Wisdom: "O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and reached from end to end, and disposed all things sweetly and mightily, come and teach us the way of prudence." St. John refers to Jesus as the Word, the Word that God spoke, and sent to us to teach us "the Way, the Truth and the Life." May this Word today lead us to the wisdom we need to lead a holy and prudent life, that is, a life in accord with what God has revealed to us as "the right way", and may we as adults be the wisdom for which our young are hungering and thirsting. "Come and teach us the way of prudence."
Bro. Rene

Bulldozing the Way of the Lord

John the Baptist's mission was to "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths./ Every valley shall be filled,/ and every mountain and hill shall be made low,/ and the crooked shall be made straight,/ and the rough ways made smooth;/and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Lk 3: 4-6, Is 40:3-5). In the days of Isaiah and John, road building was mainly seeking the route of least resistance, so roads curved around hills and dipped into the valleys. Monsignor Ronald A. Knox reminds us that modern road building depends on bulldozers and earth movers never dreamed of by the two prophets. We are familiar with such road construction, and the imagery of mountains made low and valleys filled is something we've actually experienced.
This analogy gets right to the heart of Advent...no pussyfooting around the obstacles in our lives which prevent us from giving our Messiah, King, Savior, his rightful road to and place in our hearts. We need to approach the living of our faith with a bulldozer and dynamite to level the granite ledge of our stinginess in the face of the great economic or spiritual needs of our neighbor, or of our complacent attitude toward prayer or weekly Mass attendance, finding any excuse to avoid them. We need the strength and passion I heard in a 16 year old who told me that when he is confirmed, he wants to make a commitment to live his faith with all his heart and soul, and not just be a Catholic in name only. The spirit of Isaiah and John the Baptist lives in this young student, and, (as I'm discovering) in the hearts of many other students at Central Catholic. Their example, their convictions are as much of a challenge as was the preaching of their predecessors in the Scriptures. Let's join them in bulldoziing our way, not only through Advent, but through every day of our lives.
Bro. Rene

Signs of Hope

Advent's messages of hope can be blurred by story after story of suffering due to the economy and the loss of jobs and incomes for countless families, or by the incidence of cancer or other diseases that have radically changed the lives of people. Some of the tales are so overwhelming and impossible to solve that it seems only a miracle can do it. Yes, where is the hope for a glorious future proclaimed by Isaiah?
As always, the answer, the miracles, are right before us. There is a junior scholar-athlete who is successfully teaching religion to first and second graders, not only giving them content, but example through kindness and understanding which flow from his own integration of of his faith and experience of the love of God in his life through his family. He is willingly teaching and loving it.
Or there is the Central Catholic Christmas Project, whose final collection today will help us meet the goal of providing a Christmas for 51 needy families. This project is over and above our regular Friday "mission" collections, and our Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Further, there is the dedication of the Parents Guild, who cover the Campus store daily through lunch and after school. Recently, they renovated the "PUB", giving it a Raider Glow, from walls to floor. I have never seen that floor shine as much as it does now. And even more recently, the Christmas tree sale, which took hours of cutting, hauling, and standing in the cold waiting for customers.
These are all signs of hope springing from the goodness in hearts, and giving others the courage to face their difficulites with optimism.
Bro. Rene

Common Ground

We move toward God through the very tangible, ordinary, visible expriences in our lives. Included in these are the weaknesses, mistakes and sins that flow from our human nature. We strive to deal with these as best we can, looking for models and examples to help us, but sometimes placing unreal expectations on our "models" and leaders. Fr. Robert Canole, pastor of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Bradford, MA, gave some keen insights and gentle understanding of this human element in the lives of several priests. The theme, "no one is perfect" permeated his interview, and reached a climax in his reminder that even Jesus himself was only 75% successful with his own chosen Twelve. And when it came to the foot of the cross on Calvary, only ONE of the Twelve were there, as fear and remorse drove the others into hiding. Yet, from these "weak" men, came willing martyrs, fearless evangelizers, and saints.
A pastor that I knew who spoke openly about his addiction to alcohol and his efforts to recover even from the pulpit, was one of the most effective priests I've met. His holiness sprung from the depths of his addiction, but put him on common ground with the people in the pews whose numbers reached astounding proportions, as people who could identify with Father's struggled came from communites far beyond the parish boundaries.
This makes me think of St. Marcellin, again a man whose "peasant roots" enabled him to connect with the ordinary folk in his parish. These men, whose lived experience in all aspects what it is to be human, give us hope, especially as we reflect on HOPE in Advent, that being holy is attainable for even us, if we first accept all aspects of our humanity.

St. Lucy

In Scandanavian countries, December 13th is the cause of huge family celebrations, with special foods, drink, music, costumes and prayers. In the old Julian calendar, it was the shortest day, and the turning point for the return of light. Since the name, Lucy, comes from the Latin, lux, lucis, light, St. Lucy becomes the symbol of the movement from darkness to light. At one point in the festivities, a young girl dressed in a white gown cordoned with a scarlet sash and wearing a crown of greens supporting burning candles comes into a darkened room to shed new light and hope even before the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the true Light of the World. She carries coffee and "Lucy Cakes" on a tray for the guests, and later goes house to house, as a reminder of Lucy's charity to the poor.
The real St. Lucy lived in Syracuse, Italy in the 4th century and had taken a private vow of virginity as a young girl. Hence, when she refused to enter into a pre-arranged marriage, her suitor reported her to the authorities as a Christian, and she was martyred. However, the light of her faith continues to shine even to this day. The song, Santa Lucia, is still a popular favorite.

Winter's darkness increases until December 21st, the Winter Solstice, but as we celebrated the Third Sunday of Advent yesterday with the lighting of the pink candle, and in some churches, the wearing of rose colored vestments, we are anticipating the joy and light of Christmas. Would others know from our smiles and optimistic approach even to the dullest and coldest of days, that our faith is as bright and determined as St. Lucy's?
Bro. Rene

Our Lady of Guadalupe

We are honored to have another guest contribution, this time from Michael J. Randall, Associate Director for Development. He writes:
"In the United States, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is celebrated on December 12. The following is the opening prayer of the memorial of Our Lady of Guadalupe:
'God of power and mercy,
you blessed the Americas at Tepeyac
with the presence of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe.
May her prayers help all men and women
to accept each other as brothers and sisters.
Through your justice present in our hearts
may your peace reign in the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.'

"As I read this prayer in preparation for the holy day, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to experience true diveristy at Central Catholic High School every day. Students from various backgrounds step through the doors and are truly accepted as brothers and sisters. They learn together, grow together, and together become young men and women of whom we can be proud.

"While the faces of diversity have changed, the same has held true for the 75 years of CCHS history.

"On this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, let us be thankful for our diverse Central Catholic family and be mindful that all men and women, regardless of who they are, or from where they come, are truly our brothers and sisters."

Michael J. Randall

John the Baptist

A prominent figure in the Advent Season is John the Baptist, cousing of Jesus and last of the prophets. He comes across as a passionate, brutally honest, challenging, fearless, and focused speaker, something like Fr. John Corapi in our day. He has a message, "prepare the way," and is not meely mouthed about it. Phrases and words such as "Clean up your act" , "change", "repent" fly from his lips and pierce the hearts of his listeners who gladly plunge into the River Jordan to receive his baptism as a sign of their willingness to follow his teaching. Even Jesus submits to this action, much to the protest of John, who says it should be just the opposite. John was the first to recognize Jesus and to realize that he was the One for whom he was preparing the way, "whose sandal he was not worthy to unfasten." (cf. Jn 1: 27).
As we find ourselves mid-way through Advent, and look back asking how were the first two weeks any different from other weeks, we might find the challenge of John the Baptist as the key to finding the desire and energy to make the last two weeks THE time to live up to our plans for more prayer and reflection, even as we find ourselves gearing up more and more with practical things like Christmas shopping, lending a helping hand with this organization or that, baking, decorating. God does not expect the impossible from us, and neither should we. Just a conscious thought before entering a store along the lines of doing this for the love of Jesus, who so loved us by becoming one of us, as well as for the person for whom we are shopping. Even our rushing about and caring for the many unfastened sandals in our lives can be part of our prayerful preparation for Christmas simply by placing it in God's hands and turning our hearts to him while we are "busy about many things."
Bro. Rene

Sharing What We Have

Little is known about Central Catholic's Interact Club, a high school branch of Rotary International. The club members meet early in the morning without any announcements the day before. The members just know and go. For the past two years they have been raising money via bake sales and ice cream sales at lunch to sponsor four students at the Byimana Science School in Rwanda, where I taught from 1995-1999. They even obtained some matching money from our local Rotary Club one year to augment what they had raised. It takes only $200.00 to sponsor a student for the whole year at this boarding school, the top-notch science school in Rwanda.
Today, Brother Malisaba Straton, a Rwandan Marist Brother, will visit Central Catholic to thank and update the Interact Club for their generous support, as well as to speak to several religion classes about the Genocide and the current situation in Rwanda. He will be accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Michael Herlihy, who have begun at fund which now sponsors 110 Rwandan students who would not be able to attend school without aid.
All of this goes on while the Central Catholic student body is raising money for our Christmas Project, which aids 51 families with food and Christmas gifts, and for the Santa Fund, sponsored by the Eagle-Tribune. Our Marist Youth group has begun a mentoring program at the Boys and Girls Club while also raising money to help support our Marist school in Sarghoda, Pakistan.
The message of sharing locally and globaly what we have is rightfully and deeply imbedded in the culture of Central Catholic. May it continue and may it touch our larger Central Catholic Family.
Bro. Rene

A Day to Remember

Yesterday was such a powerful day in the life of Central Catholic, that I have to share it with you. Our all-school Mass was enhanced not only by beautiful music, but also by a very moving slide show of various images of Mary and Jesus, a perfect visual reinforcement of our motto, "All to Jesus through Mary", and the words I spoke during the reflection. But it did not end there; we extended the Mass with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel for the rest of the school day. Religion classes, and students from study halls came to spend time before Jesus in our chapel. It was very moving to see them so peaceful, quiet and reverent. I kept thinking how much this was in tune with Jesus' admonistion to the Apostles when he told them not to shoo the little children away, but to let them come to him, and with St. Marcellin's mission (and that of Central Catholic), "to make Jesus known and loved." The written reflections of the freshmen were profound and moving testimonies to the power of the Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament: "It made me feel good. I had a chance to really be open with God. I spent the time wisely talking to God. I need him a lot; he is showing me that he is there for me. He is helping me with evil. He is becoming my help." Most expressed an experience of peace, a relief from stress, a pause "that refreshes" and want to do it again. Most likely we will during Lent.
Advent is passing quickly, and we need to set aside time to spend in quiet with Jesus. Today's saint, Juan Diego, walked 15 miles daily to attend Mass, so important was the Eucharist to him.
Because of his faith and humility he was chosen to announce the presence of Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, to the bishop, and to the us. Mary asked for a chapel, now a huge church, where people could come and find her Son, as our students did in our chapel. A sacred place is important, as well as a sacred time. Let us take five, ten, fifteen minutes from our busy schedules to find refreshement and new energy to carry out those tasks with joy, rather than as burdens. May the example and experience of our own children, as well as that of St. Juan Diego lead us into the way of peace.
Bro. Rene

The Immculate Conception

From time to time we will have guest contributors to Bro. Rene's Daily Bread. Mr. Christopher Sullivan, one of our Academic Deans, provides us with this insightful first contribution.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is one of my favorites because it naturally demands that we pay attention to the commitment and courage of our Blessed mother.

In Luke's Gospel we hear the story of the visitation, where the Angel Gabriel comes to tell the young teenage Mary she has been chosen as the mother of our Savior. Quite conveniently, Mary asks one question, is content with the answer, and says, "Yes" to God.

I work daily with teenagers, both at work and at home, and I wish it were that easy to get them to say yes to anything. They naturally question everything, bless their hearts. I suspect the Gospel writer took some liberties, for he does go on to explain that Mary felt the need to get out of town for a while and consult with her older, wiser cousin, Elizabeth.

We can only imagine the inner turmoil and fear faced by one so young. What went through her young mind as she evaluated what her life might be like facing this responsibility? Did it ever occur to her that she might say, "No"? (a teenage favorite) or perhaps negotiate? (a teenage skill)

The reality is however, that she did say "Yes" and, in so doing, changed our lives (and hers). Imagine the courage it took for one so young to face such uncertainty and put so much trust in her God. She is such a wonderful role model, not just for young people, but for all of us.

The Central Catholic school crest bears the Marist motto: "To Jesus through Mary". Certainly, as Fr. Champagnat taught the young brothers, this means to pray to her and turn to her in times of need for strength and encouragement. But I have also learned it means to look at her commitment, as a parent, as a person of faith and trust ... to use her example as a guide for living as I can only hope to!

So, as we pause to reflect on the person of Mary, we can ask ourselves ... Where can I be more courageous in answering God's Call? In what simple ways in my life, can I face the unknown but trust that God would not ask me to do this thing if He did not think that He and I could not handle it together?

Chris Sullivan '81

Advent Saint

St. Francis Xavier, a close friend of St. Ignatius Loyola and one of the first Jesuits, traveled to the Far East: India, China and Japan, to bring the Good News of the coming of Christ. Like John the Baptist, he was a herald, one to prepare and proclaim, and like the Baptist, sacrificed his life for the sake of Jesus. His was a perpetual Advent, as he preached and waited for a response, as he helped people move from darkeness to light and spent himself lowering mountains and filling in valleys. Never daunted by the challenges posed by languages and customs foreign to him, he pressed on fearlessly and courageously until a fever took his life at the young age of 46. Even today he serves as a model and guide, not only for missionaries, but for all of us. It's early in Advent but by the third week, when weariness might be on the verge of overtaking us, we can picture St. Francis preaching by word and deed, practicing a new language, and eating foods he never heard of. As nothing save death stopped him, so let nothing stop us in our Advent practices and in a deeper living of our faith.'
I will be in West Virginia Saturday through Tuesday, giving a day of recollection to the faculty of Bishop Donahue High School, so I cannot guarantee a new slice of daily bread, but recommend looking back over some of the ones that you particularly liked. Google St. Nicholas on Monday for inspiration. Mr. Chris Sullivan will offer a reflection on December 8th. You'll not starve!
Bro. Rene

"Love Without Borders"

Doctors Without Borders, Dentists, Chemists, Engineers...all kinds of professions are getting on board the borderless train to help make this world a better place. The readings from Isaiah during Advent focus on the kingdom of peace of the future where the lion and lamb share the same grassy bed (Is 11:1-9). It's an innate dream that all peoples share. A young Marist student, Victor Hugo, age 13 from Paraguay provides a succinct, current description to match the poetry of Isaiah: "For me, the vision of a new world means a world where war is declared not against another human being, but against hunger, poverty, corruption and ignorance.
A new world is what is built thanks to anonymous heroes who struggle day by day despite rain, fatigue or cold and help others no matter their social standing or race; and don't have automatic weapons or bombs but a LOVE WITHOUT BORDERS."
May we join those "anonymous heroes" today to bring love to all, and help make the visions of Isaiah and Victor a reality.
Bro. Rene

Advent Sacrifices

As mentioned previously, the season of Advent has a penitential tone to it, but one not as great as that of Lent. In attempting be raise our consciousness of the great mystery of the Incarnation, we might stop ourselves when heading toward the pantry or refrigerator for a snack, and say, "No, not today" and think of our troops in Afghanistan, or the many folks who are ill or homeless because of fires or natural disasters. A prayer for them instead of the snack, opens our hearts to the world beyond us and allows Jesus to find a comfortable place in the Inn of our souls.
As we turn the calendar to the last month of the year, we might offer a short prayer of thanks for the blessings we have received in November and ask God to be with us in a special way during this month of mixed joy and inevitable busyness.
Responding to the call for food and aid to the poor with some of our loose change, or what we might go without in order to have something more substantial to give to those who have less.
The opportunities are staring us in the face. May we open our eyes to see and our hearts to give.
Bro. Rene