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Inside This Issue: 2
Stewardship Hannah, the Good Steward
3 October: A Month to Turn to
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Our Lady of the Rosary
The Widows Wisdom Circle: Finding Comfort and Camaraderie in Fellowship
The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass
Meet Andrew Langdon: Experiencing Joy through Genuine Stewardship
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OCTOBER 2021
Save the Date: November 12-13
Men’s Cornerstone Retreat A Weekend of Faith, Fun, and Fellowship
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here are many ways to encounter Jesus Christ. But a retreat provides a unique opportunity to set aside our daily routines and look at life through a different lens. It’s also a way to truly experience committed time with Jesus. Here at St. Patrick’s, the men of our parish can take advantage of such valuable spiritual opportunities at the Men’s Cornerstone Retreat on Nov. 12 and 13. The retreat has a football theme, so it begins with pizza and beer on Friday night. One main goal of the retreat is developing fellowship and making new friends. Previous retreat attendees gather “There are people you see at Mass for prayer, reflection and sharing. you may say ‘hi’ to and you may chat for a minute,” says James Mabry, who is helping plan the retreat. “But at the retreat, you can get to know them. Now, men of the parish are there for me through struggles. They are ready and willing to pray with me.” Last year ’s retreat was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued on page 5
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H annah , W
S T E WA R D S H I P
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G ood S teward
hat should we do when our prayers are answered? Is there anything left to do after we have sincerely thanked God for His favors? If God were a human peer, we would probably try to reciprocate by granting Him a favor in return. But the truth is that God cannot be made greater by anything that we do for Him. Instead, God receives our thanks and tells us to “go and do likewise.” That is, He tells us to share with others the good that He has bestowed on us. And in doing so, we are really sharing God Himself. That is the definition of stewardship! The Old Testament Book of Samuel contains one of the most poignant examples of stewardship in the entire Bible. The first chapter teaches us of an unhappy, barren woman named Hannah. Desperate in her barrenness, Hannah prays that God will give her a son, vowing that she will raise him to be a man of God. Imagine Hannah’s elation when she was granted her prayer! When Samuel was born, her heart’s desire had come true! Imagine further the pang of motherly sorrow, as Hannah kept her promise to God by taking Samuel at a young age to be the servant of Eli, the high priest. The Book of Samuel tells us that once Samuel became Eli’s servant, Hannah saw her young son just once a year. Indeed, Hannah knew that Samuel was truly a gift from God – an answered prayer. Hannah’s response is that of the Good Steward – with an attitude of both gratitude and sacrifice, she gave up her son to honor God. One imagines that Hannah probably struggled with this sacrifice during those first years. She probably did not know what God had in store for her son. Yet, through her faithfulness, God used him as a gift to an entire nation. Samuel would, in time, become one of the greatest prophets of Jewish history.
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Sometimes it is difficult to understand the sacrifices we make in the name of stewardship, while the results may just be impossible to miss! However, He asks that we continue to be faithful in either case. God has undoubtedly bestowed gifts on all of us – at whatever the cost, we are to “go and do likewise.”
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OC TOB E R : A Month to Turn to Our Lady of the Rosary Dear Family,
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ay by day, our heavenly Father provides spiritual food and graces to His beloved children, nourishing us on our earthly pilgrimage. October brings us the grace of the Holy Rosary, a prayer buried deeply in the heart of the Church, as one of its most precious treasures. The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which takes place Oct. 7, is a commemorative feast established by St. Pius V on the anniversary of the naval victory won by the Christian fleet at Lepanto. The victory was attributed to the help of the Mother of God, whose aid was invoked by praying the Rosary. This victory revealed the power of the Holy Rosary more than ever. Catholics who were open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit took with deep resolve the Rosary as their link to God. Pope St. John Paul II, in his 2002 Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, writes: “The Church has always attributed particular efficacy to this prayer, entrusting to the Rosary... the most difficult problems. At times when Christianity itself seemed under threat, its deliverance was attributed to the power of this prayer, and Our Lady of the Rosary was acclaimed as the one whose intercession brought salvation” (39). Thus, not merely through the Rosary, but more significantly, through the woman behind the Rosary — the glorious Mother of our Savior, Christ the Lord — a wellspring of God’s love has been discovered. Indeed, the Rosary is truly a way to discover Christ’s infinite love through the tender heart of His Mother.
Blessed Pope Pius IX once said, “Give me an army praying the Rosary and I will conquer the world.” While we may not be called to conquer the world, praying the Rosary and contemplating the mysteries will surely bring us closer to Mary’s son. A great number of saints, such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who had a special concern for the preservation of the Christian family, sensed that its salvation would be through the Holy Rosary. And as Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “Today I willingly entrust to the power of this prayer... the cause of peace in the world and the cause of the family” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 39). Our Lady of Fatima, who pleaded with families to pray the daily Rosary, would agree with him! Let us entrust everything to the Rosary along with the saints. As our hearts burn with hope, let us give to the Mother of God every concern that we bear, each cross we carry, piece by piece, worry by worry. She will be there to offer everything to our Heavenly Father, Whose care for each one of His children reaches beyond anything we could ever imagine. Your Father in Christ,
Fr. Estrella Pastor
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The Widows Wisdom Circle: A
fter becoming a widow, life changes drastically — and who can better understand this than others who have also gone through it? St. Patrick’s Widows Wisdom Circle brings widows together for support, fellowship and camaraderie. “Two years ago, my husband died,” says ministry member Janice O’Brien. “I know two other ladies from the church who are also widows, so I got together with them and asked what they thought about starting a Widows Wisdom Circle. Widows have wisdom because they’ve usually lived pretty long lives and had long married lives. When you’re thrown into a whole new way of living by yourself after having lived with someone else for such a long time, it can be very difficult. But it can also be a gift — your life isn’t over because your spouse died. It can be a way to find your new self, your new purpose in life, and figure out what you’re going to do next.” The ministry meets on the second and fourth Friday of each month — they attend the 8:30 a.m. Mass together, and then gather for fellowship and discussion afterward until around 10-10:30 a.m. “We have a list of questions we’ve put together, such as, ‘What do I find the hardest in my life now without my spouse?’, ‘How did they die, and was it a peaceful death?’, or ‘How do we celebrate their lives now?’” Janice says. “We share about our backgrounds and what we’re going through emotionally as well as physically. We also make sure that we are always inviting new people, whether they are a new widow or have been a widow for a while because life as a widow is very challenging.
F I N D I N G C O M F O RT
St. Patrick’s Widows Wisdom Circle brings widows together for support, fellowship and camaraderie.
“It’s hard to be flying on your own, but when we get together with others who are going through similar things, it is so comforting and so healing,” she adds. “It helps to know somebody who has gone through the same thing that you have.” Recently, one of the group’s discussions was how individual relationships with God have changed or grown since their spouses’ have passed. “Everybody, without exception, has grown so much spiritually, and has such a close relationship with Jesus, Mary, and the Holy Spirit,” Janice says. “It’s almost like
“If we’ve been married, and have raised children and grandchildren as our focus, now it’s like God has asked us to move into a different focus. What do we want to do with our knowledge, wisdom and energy now? Right now, a lot of us feel really called to do this ministry for others — to invite people in, comfort them, listen to them and reassure them. We want to find a way to go on that is peaceful and lovely for us, even though we’re alone.” — J anice O’B rien 4
A N D C A M A R A D E R I E I N F E L L OW S H I P we’re being called to a greater holiness because we’re alone, and have more time for meditation and prayer. That is actually really wonderful.” Gathering together has also inspired these women to find purpose in life again. “If we’ve been married, and have raised children and grandchildren as our focus, now it’s like God has asked us to move into a different focus,” Janice says. “What do we want to do with our knowledge, wisdom, and energy now? Right now, a lot of us feel really called to do this ministry for others — to invite people in, comfort them,
listen to them and reassure them. We want to find a way to go on that is peaceful and meaningful for us, even though we’re alone.” The ministry has also heard from many women who were widows but are now remarried, and have a lot of insight about how to love again after losing a spouse. “Attending church is important, but it’s also important to be the church to each other and to be the love of God to one another,” Janice says. “We learn from each other, and from listening to each other’s stories. It’s really amazing.”
If you would like more information about the Widows Wisdom Circle, please contact Janice O’Brien at 530-263-2058.
Men’s Cornerstone Retreat so James and the rest of the planning team are especially looking forward to the return of the event this year. Deacon Rick Soria brought the retreat idea to our parish from his time living in Southern California. A group from St. Patrick’s even traveled to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Lomita, Calif. to experience it. The retreat is a chance to bring Catholic men of all ages together to share their faith. Speakers cover a wide range of topics, and there will be time for small-group discussion. Mass and prayer are also part of the retreat experience. The men sleep on cots and mattresses in various areas of the church and school campus. The retreat ends on Saturday night, to give men a chance to enjoy
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Sunday with their families. James and his wife have three boys. For him, the retreat is an important way to be involved and grow in faith. “I believe it’s really important for men and especially for fathers to lead as an example when it comes to faith,” James says. “We have to inspire the next generation, and that’s one reason I’m involved.” In addition to retreat planning, James is involved with the Knights of Columbus. He knows that being involved at St. Patrick’s is a great model of stewardship for his three sons. “The retreat has helped me to be a better father, a better husband, and has deepened my faith and relationship with Christ,” he says.
If you would like to register for the Men’s Cornerstone Retreat, please refer to the bulletin or register after upcoming weekend Masses.
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The Importance of Loving God More Deeply at Mass
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hen young people see a person that intrigues them, that attraction becomes the topic of conversation at every opportunity. This attraction alters behavior so that we become enthralled with the other and desire to share our enthusiasm. Imagine if we were more enthralled with the presence of Christ in our lives. Imagine if we fully recognized that Christ is truly present to us in His precious Body and Blood, and present as well in the proclamation of His Word and in the gathering of our community, praying and singing (see Sacrosanctum Concilium [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy], para. 14). Recognizing the living Christ in all these ways would awaken in us the desire to be with the One who is the object of our most fundamental, pure, and holy attraction to our merciful, loving, and gracious Savior. If we were to recognize the presence of Christ in these beautiful ways, wouldn’t our desire to be more completely in His presence increase? Surely our desire to be better stewards of our time with the Lord would grow. Our attention to the readings and other prayers of the Mass would bring about within us deeper communion with the One who suffered and died for us. If I recognized that God is the answer to all my pangs of hunger, that Christ is my way to the Father, and that the Holy Spirit works to convert my heart and soul every day, would I not seek to fill that hunger at the banquet of the Lamb? While active participation in Sunday Mass is an obligation for Catholics, we also will do well to see the lovely, motherly care the Church shows us in establishing that requirement. The Code of Canon Law states clearly in paragraph 1247, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” Sometimes, we might hear that as an overbearing rule. But it might more correctly be understood as our Mother, the Church, helping us learn what is best for us. At Mass, we hear the living Word of God proclaimed. He speaks to us. We receive as hungry, needy sinners, the precious Body and Blood of Christ. We encounter Christ’s living presence in our brothers and sisters worshiping God with us. If we truly understood that amazing truth,
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then how might it affect our lives? How might it affect our relationships? How might it impact our decision to bring our children along to Mass? How might it awaken within us a deeper attraction, fascination, desire for the Lord? Generally, when we find ourselves fascinated with someone, we do not decide to spend as little time as possible with them. We do not ration our time with them. We want to spend time with them, to see them, to listen to them, to get to know them, to develop a healthy, loving relationship with them. Considering our reliance on the Lord of life and love, our fascination with His mercy, His goodness, His willingness to call us to Himself, maybe we should ask ourselves about what happens in us at Mass. As I prepare to come to Church, do I find my mind turning to a receptive welcome of the Lord, just as I’ll be welcomed at the door of Church? Have I dressed for the important weekly (or daily) moment of meeting my King? Do I expect some profound wisdom from God in the readings? Am I open to correction, to challenge, to affirmation in the readings of God’s Word? Do I intently pray along with the priest presider throughout the Mass? Do I make an offering of my life, along with the bread and wine? Do I genuinely hunger for the Body and Blood of Christ? And do I long for that blessing that sends me on my way with the mission to build the Kingdom? Instead of worrying about what “counts” when it comes to Sunday Mass, we should work hard at fostering our love for the Eucharist, our desire for eternal life, our attraction to the Master who calls us into a life of active discipleship. Instead of a merely heavy-handed requirement, maybe we can see more clearly that being at Mass together helps nourish us for a whole week of building God’s Kingdom. Coming with those expectations, desires, and hopes, leaving early when unnecessary would disappear as a temptation instantly. Coming late because other things have taken priority would not typically happen, other obligations notwithstanding. Christ desires our company at Mass, from beginning to end. Let’s draw near to Him.
MEET
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Andrew Langdon:
Experiencing Joy Through Genuine Stewardship
hen you see Andrew Langdon at Mass, you often see his parents, Bill and Arleta Langdon, sitting with him. Their friendship and mutual devotion serve as a beautiful witness to the love they have for Christ and each other. “My parents are members of St. Canice, which is the church I grew up going to as well,” Andrew says. “I was brought up Catholic because of the strong faith of my parents. My mother was Protestant, but she joined the Catholic Church after she met my dad. One of the first things they did when they started dating was go to Mass together. My mom used to play the organ for our parish as well.” Attending Mass is also a testimony to what Andrew sees as “returning the favor.” “Now I take my parents to Mass just as they took me to Mass when I was growing up,” he says. “It is a very important family event for us. I am impressed that they still try to go to Mass every week if at all possible, regardless of their health issues.” In addition to giving his time and talent generously to his natural family, Andrew also loves to contribute to our parish family in many ways. He especially appreciates the opportunity to work with the young people at both St. Patrick's Parish and St. Canice. “I really enjoy working with the youth and seeing them grow in their faith,” he says. “They inspire me! I like building relationships with them and watching them grow into independent and confident adults. I like helping out with Confirmation retreats. I notice the Holy Spirit moving through me when I am working with the young people. I need to open myself up and be vulnerable in order to lead and guide them in their faith formation. This is good for me!” Drawing upon his expertise as a Technology Coordinator for the Grass Valley School District, Andrew gives his time and talent to help with the audio-visual aspects at our parish. Since 2011, he
has been doing audio recordings of our parish Masses. Over the last few years, Andrew installed a new sound system at our parish, and he generously donated equipment to make this possible. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew was also able to help arrange for Masses to be streamed live from St. Patrick’s. “Years ago, when my father was in the hospital, I started thinking that we should set up something so that people who can’t come to Mass or have health issues can still be involved in our parish,” he says. “Now my father has bad hearing problems, so I am working on ways to help the Mass become as comprehensible for him as possible. As a technologyminded person, I am looking for ways to make the continued on back cover
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Patrick's P A R I SH 235 Chapel Street Grass Valley, CA 95945 (530) 273-2347 stpatrickgrassvalley.org
Meet Andrew Langdon experience of the Mass more enriching for others.” By using his talents, he has experienced the joy that comes with an authentic stewardship way of life. “This is my God-given gift and it should be given back!” Andrew says. “I really like working with technology in general, but especially when it is for the Church! Regardless of what kind of environment you are in, we should live our lives as a good example for others.” Furthermore, Andrew is very involved in the
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choirs at both parishes. He is a cantor for the 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass and the 8 a.m. Mass at St. Canice Church, as well as the 9:30 a.m. Mass on occasion. He also cantors for the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s from time to time. “If there is a need for me and I am available, I am happy to do it!” Andrew says. “Singing is a prayer! A lot of people seem to appreciate my singing, so I am very glad to be able to give back to them in this way."
“I really like working with technology in general, but especially when it is for the Church! Regardless of what kind of environment you are in, we should live our lives as a good example for others.” — A ndrew L an g do n MASS SCHEDULE Monday-Saturday: Daily Mass at 8:30 a.m. | Saturday Vigil Mass: 5 p.m. | Sunday Mass: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. (Spanish)