One Year Later... Where Is Our Hope?

Dear Parishioners,

Last week, our world memorialized the near shutdown caused by the global pandemic. Last week marked the stoppage of most of those things we hold dear such as going to church, in-class learning for schools, eating out at restaurants, gathering with friends, working in an office with other employees, and more. Quarantines were set in place for those who may have been exposed to the virus. Businesses shut down. People were sequestered in their homes and could not visit other family or friends. People’s addictions and mental illness became worse. Many lost their jobs and some businesses closed for good. More tragically, over a half a million people lost their lives due to the effects of COVID-19 either directly or indirectly. Suicide rates climbed. Each of us likely know someone who fell ill due to coronavirus and many of us know someone who even died. These are some of the dark sides to the pandemic. A question that many have asked is, where is God in all of this? Does he care that we are suffering? Such questions are reasonable and answers can be shrouded in mystery. If the Father sent his Son so that we would not perish (cf. John 3:16), then where has he been this whole time? Let me offer a response. While God’s permissive will allows for sin and evil, including pandemics, that does not mean he doesn’t care. Indeed, he cares more than anyone, and his response is more profound and eternal than a quick fix.

God has been in the hands of first responders, doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists. He has been in the work of scientists who found a way to create therapies that help people fight off sickness from COVID-19. He has been in some of the work of politicians who have been scrambling amidst the divisiveness of the political environment to secure financial aid to those in need and protections for the most vulnerable. God has been in the ministers and laity of churches who reached out to pray and accompany those who were sick, sometimes putting themselves in harms way. He has been present in those who could only visit via an outer window of a nursing facility to let their loved ones know that they are not alone. God has been with teachers and staff who worked beyond their training in order to allow children to receive the best education possible given the restrictions placed upon them. God has been in the work of the myriads of people who have made efforts to call or write letters to those who were most isolated and vulnerable. God has been present in the efforts to bring food to the  poor or those who lost their jobs and struggled with food insecurity. He has been in the truck drivers and distributors of food, grocery employees, utility workers, and construction workers. God has been present in people who have spent extra time, energy, and money to communicate helpful and uplifting content as well as make more easily available the tools to communicate via the Internet. The list goes on and on. 

We are approaching Holy Week which begins with Palm Sunday. In these coming liturgies, we are given the ultimate answer, by the Father through Jesus, how much we are loved and cared for by God. In His Paschal Mystery, our Lord definitively answers the question with which I began this letter. He set in motion the ultimate response to suffering and death in our world. He sent his Son to take on our suffering, sin, and death. He became that grain of wheat that fell and died, only to rise again in glory. In doing all of this, Jesus Christ allied himself with humanity’s fallenness, was lifted high on the cross, and died for our sins. He pulled humanity through death and rose from the dead so that we too could rise with him when our final day comes. He has redeemed us and opened Heaven for us, that place where we hope to live in ecstasy with God, the Angels, and Saints forever!

This is the hope in which we find meaning. This is the consolation we have for those who have suffered so much in the pandemic. It is the divine mercy in which we place our trust for those who have died. It is the Good News, the center of the Christian faith, the reason why the Church exists, and the message we need to be reminded of and share with others. 

May the light of our faith shine ever brighter despite and through the darkness of the pandemic and other tragedies which befall us. Remember, Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Let us surrender all our worries, losses, and concerns to him. We surrender ourselves to you, Jesus. Take care of everything!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

Dear Parishioners,

I am not in the habit of writing about myself, but please indulge me, as I offer you all my thanks. On Monday, Aug. 12th, I had to put down my beloved dog, Benny, who had advanced renal failure. Since I live alone, having a pet around has offered me company at home as well as medicine against selfishness. What I mean by that is that Benny helped me avoid what I called the “bachelor syndrome” where home life is all about myself whereby selfishness can creep in. For you who have a pet, specifically a dog, you know that they require attention and care. You likely know how difficult it is to euthanize your pet when that time comes. I see the death of a beloved pet as a small glimpse, a slight touchstone if you will, to the grief that a person feels when their spouse dies. Again, the loss of a spouse, parent, brother or sister, or best friend is immensely greater. The pain of loss is deep for those who lose a family member, and all of us have or will experience it. It is part of life, a part of what reminds us that there is something more than this life. The mystery of human death is wrapped in the knowledge of Christ’s desire to raise us from that death into new life in heaven. 

In the passing of Benny, I felt sadness coupled with gratitude. What a comfort that gratitude brought me. I was grateful for God giving me a four-legged partner in ministry. I was grateful that Benny had ministered to countless people, even sometimes inspiring near-miracles in our friends in the nursing homes. I was grateful for Benny’s unconditional love and ability to live in the moment, a trait that most dogs have, minus our terriers… or as I like to joke, our terrierists.”  Grin!  My previous dog, Gracie, was a Fox Terrier and she was quite independent… and sneaky!  Grin again! Many of you also expressed your care and concern, for which I am very grateful. So, thank you to all of you for your prayers and support. Will I get another dog? The answer is, yes. The dog will need to fulfill some requirements: small breed, hypoallergenic and does not shed, low energy and rarely barks, and is good with children and other dogs. This may seem like a tall set of requirements, but there are many dogs out there that fit the bill. Benny was one such dog, and he was not the only one on this planet.

A question rises at the loss of a pet, “Will our pets go to heaven?” The Scriptures and tradition have been unclear. St. Thomas Aquinas spoke about how animals have “animal souls” while humans have “human souls.” Christ came to save humans souls and to draw all creation to himself (Col 1:20). So, it is clear that Christ’s Paschal Mystery is for humanity. The question is, where do our pets fit in? In one sense, we must be vary cautious about canonizing our cats and dogs while condemning other creatures such as spiders and mosquitos. The cafeteria salvation selection process is not part of our job description. Let’s leave that to God. The genius of Catholicism is that we are okay sitting in mystery and need to be cautious about declaring dogmas where we are unqualified to do so. We know that heaven will be the fulfillment of all our joys here in this life. They prefigure or foreshadow in moments something of what heaven will be like.  Many of our lives have been brightened by the companionship of a pet. So, there is something to that companionship that speaks about heaven. But, again, it is shrouded in mystery. So, we await the answer to all our questions when we finally reach heaven and can know for sure. Do dogs go to heaven? I don’t know. But, the Saints in heaven do. Let’s all strive to join them in heaven by being reminded how our pets live out examples of how we should be.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

The Joy of Easter

Dear Parishioners,

Blessed Resurrection Day! Today, we come together today at Holy Mass to celebrate the most important moment in history. On this day, we celebrate the reality that Jesus rose from the dead after being mercilessly crucified and rising three days later. His Resurrection give us hope for eternal life in heaven where there will be no more pain, no more suffering. All our brokenness will be healed and our deepest yearnings will be fulfilled. We were made by God and for God.  Heaven is our ultimate home is with the Blessed Trinity. In heaven we will be able to commune with the Angels who have guarded our souls and defended us from evil as well as the Saints who have helped us with their petitions to God for our good.

I pray that you will be able to sense that at your gathering with family and friends this day, heaven is being foreshadowed. In every moment of joy and love, God is trying to show you a glimpse of eternity. With every bite of delicious food, the Eternal Banquet is peeking through. So, give praise for all the blessings this day and season brings.

If, however, Easter this year brings sad memories rather than joy, I want to encourage you to know, through your suffering, joy can be found. You see, suffering itself is not the end and that only by moving through our suffering with Christ by our side, we can find a new joy. God wants us to be with us in our suffering. His love is the answer to all our suffering. His love can transform you from sadness to joy. I know this in my own life.

So, on this day, I will pray for you all at Holy Mass. May this day and season bring you new hope and joy amidst the challenges of your life. Christ is risen from the dead! Alleluia!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor