Basketball and the Spiritual Life

Since June, I have been pondering about an idea concerning my own spiritual journey. Last night, I had the notion to watch the movie “Hoosiers” starring Gene Hackman and Barbara Hershey which helped me to recall my spiritual journey thoughts from June.

While shooting baskets on retreat, I was imagining some teammates that might be playing with me. Except, I was not thinking of basketball greats that you might be thinking of at this point like Peyton Siva or Michael Jordan. I immediately made a connection to my spiritual life and my own team. This is no ordinary team and by no means is it a dream. Rather, it is reality. So, I am announcing the line-up to my spiritual team.

Point Guard: Jason Harris – Because of God’s great gift of free will, I must call the plays based on the will and desire of the Coach.

Guard: St. James – first hand witness to the transfiguration and the healing of Jairus’ daughter and known as one of the Sons of Thunder.

Small Forwards: St. Anthony – when there is trouble or hope is lost he can help find and restore things.

Power Forward: St. Francis – when the game gets tough he helps to bring peace and sense of beauty back to the situation.

Center: St. Michael the Archangel – when there are lots of ‘missed shots’ Michael gets the rebounds and helps to put the team back into play

Head Coach: Jesus – always turn to the coach for a reminder of the game plan and the support that you need

Assistant Coach: Mary – works with the team when the strength is lacking

Trainer/Manager: St. Joseph – provides the materials and extra support needed to be effective and to move the team to the next location.

This team always plays zone because there is no way that any of the team can do it alone. Particularly, when we are playing a daily match with the forces of evil, the game cannot be played alone. Just like in the movie ‘Hoosiers’, Coach Norm modifies and teaches the team a new mentality of playing and working together. Coach talks with the team and finds some motivation to keep them playing. Jesus does the same thing for us by finding ways to encourage us, but we have to TALK and LISTEN to the coach.

Who is on your team? The team is ready to play. Are YOU on your team? Don’t forget to go to practice this week.

Picture Credit:  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091217/

Taking time to reflect...

Each semester at my school, we spend one Friday Evening and a Friday Evening through Saturday morning in a period of reflection or mini-retreat. These miniature retreats give the seminary community a chance to pray together in silence with the Lord and take a break from the busy schedule. I must admit that many times I have found myself thinking "I have so much reading to get done, that I don't have time to reflect." After the period of reflection though, I always find a peace and a new nugget of faith that sustains. It always pays great dividends to spend time with the Lord and allow him to dialogue with us in prayer.

This past Friday night was one such opportunity. Fr. McKnight, who works for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, gave us a great reflection upon this upcoming "Year of Faith" which Pope Benedict has announced. For one particular part of the reflections, Father made reference to the "Elijah and the Broom Tree" story (see 1 Kings 19:1-8). Elijah is depicted as laying under this tree in utter despair of his life troubles. He asks the Lord to take his life and be done with him. An Angel of the Lord comes to Elijah not once, not twice, but three times to nourish him for the next part of his journey.

You know that we have all heard this story many, many times. But, we are continually nourished and enriched by the same story countless times because we are never the same person. We are constantly changing and growing. I believe that is what this story is speaking to me. We are on a continuous journey and God continues to nourish and feed us for the next part of the journey. Many times, we all have said "Enough Lord, Enough." If we are patient and faithful, the LORD will always answer that plea with whatever is needed so that we might continue on to our heavenly destiny.

Picture Credit: http://catholicexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/elijah-under-broom-tree.jpg

Parish Family

Today I am thinking again about what I left off with in my introductory letter to you last time: Parish Family. The cause of this reflection comes from my visit to the parish that I have worked with for the past 30 months. The parish, St. Aloysius Gonzaga in Washington DC near the Capitol Building, has served the downtown Washington area for the past 152 years. After a confluence of issues, the Jesuits felt they could no longer adequately serve this small, remnant parish community. This Sunday was their final mass before the parish merger with a neighboring parish community.

One of the themes that the pastor, Fr. Clifford, highlighted during the mass was the witness of Saints and how we witness, through our lives, as Saints on the Journey. Father pointed out how important it was to come together and support each other on this journey. Children also need this good witness of Christians surrounding. I believe this applies to all of our faith communities. Our Christian-Catholic Brothers and Sisters surround us each Sunday as great witnesses of the faith, even in all our brokenness. Parish families become the only family for many people when they are miles and miles away from home or are the only surviving member of their kinfolk. I know that I have received great blessings and support from all the Saints around me in my blood family and my parish families.

The other amazing point that really hit me today was the church building and what really makes up church. For the Aloysius Parish, they continue to mourn the loss of their sacred worship space. In a town hall meeting earlier this year, many people pointed to the front of the church and said “I was baptized right there twenty years ago” or “My wife and I introduced ourselves to each other for the first time in that pew.” The space does hold such great meaning for us. But, we can never fail to remember that it We, the People of God, that make up the church. Buildings are great and give glory to God, but we give greater glory and can show our faith everywhere we travel.

The closing song for today’s final Aloysius mass had a magnificent line that serves for all of us to recall and remember this week: “You ought to tell somebody. Go and be a witness for the Lord.” We are Christian-Catholics 24 - 7 - 365 and not just on the 52 Sundays of the year. May the Peace of Christ be with you and your family today and always. Amen.

Bringing Christ to Others

On September 14 2012, over 480 youth, adult sponsors, youth ministers, parish staff people, pastors and members of religious communities gathered at St. Gabriel Catholic Church for our annual event, "Dinner with the Archbishop." It was a night of prayer, friendship and exploring how God calls each of us.  As part of the evening, the Vocation Office, with the support of Spalding Hurst, Sr. Nancy Gerth and the SCN family put together a video focusing on our CSA theme of "Bringing Christ to Others."  We asked clergy, religious and lay ecclesial ministers just how they bring Christ to others. We are deeply thankful for the gifts and talents that they share with our Archdiocese.

Meet Our Fall Blogger...

"But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves." (James 1:22)

The first step in any adventure is to receive the necessary instructions that ensure your trip will be safe, exciting, and fun.  St. James reminds us that the Lord offers us the necessary instructions for our life adventure.  But, we can never just be satisfied with receiving the instructions.  The Lord expects us to take the graciously given gifts and become who God intended for our lives. "Behold what you are, become what you receive." (St. Augustine)

My name is Jason Harris, seminarian for our Archdiocese of Louisville.  I am privileged to be the seminarian author of the blog for this semester. Thanks for following along on my journey as I begin 2nd Theology (which is my 4th year of Seminary school).  This year has already gotten off to a remarkably fast start.  It is truly amazing how God continues to work in each of our lives, so long as we slow down a second to see his awesome work. I hope to share some of His awesome work in my life with you this semester.

As I mentioned earlier, I am beginning my fourth year of Theology Study at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.  Before entering seminary, I taught Henry County (Kentucky) middle schools students in the areas of math and science for nine years.  I cherish the experience of teaching my students, living and growing with them. Now, I watch as they start families and careers which make me continue to marvel at the work of God.

 I am originally from Grandview Indiana, which is a small town near Owensboro (Kentucky). My parents, Jim and Judith Harris, along with my Grandmother Bernice and her husband Red, still reside in my hometown. My sister, Jill, now lives in Louisville and just purchased a new house in the Highlands.

My home parishes are the Church of the Annunciation in Shelbyville, Kentucky and St. John Chrysostom in Eminence, Kentucky.  The rebirth of my Catholic faith started there amongst my parish families.  My faith journey has also been nurtured by my other parish families of St. Michael (Jeffersontown), Immaculate Heart of Mary, and Christ the King (Louisville).

 I look forward to sharing with you throughout the semester.  I have always wanted to be a journal writer and recording my thoughts over an extended period of time.  But, I have never persisted.  I am so anxious to look back at Christmas time and see this semester's journey in its entirety.

May the peace and love of Christ be with you and your families.

Peace in Christ,
Jason Harris

Welcome to Our New Seminarians

The Archdiocese of Louisville is proud to announce four new seminarians:  Kirby Rust, Robert Barnell, Brandon DeToma and Daniel Ross.

My name is Kirby Rust and I am 19 years old. I was raised in the small town of Boston, Kentucky with my two parents and four siblings. There I worked in the family business during my school holiday breaks. I attended St. Catherine of Alexandria Academy in New Haven, Kentucky for all of my elementary and middle school years then attended Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, Kentucky. After high school I then attended the University of Louisville for one year, which brings me to today.

Before entering my seventh grade year at St. Catherine of Alexandria I didn't have much of a religious or spiritual life. Of course I went to Holy Mass every Sunday, but other than that my faith was nearly nonexistent. Nevertheless, that summer before my seventh grade year a new pastor arrived. Within a few months of his arrival I began seriously considering the possibility of the priesthood in my life. I began serving at Mass, going to scripture study, and practicing weekly confessions and holy hours. With this new found Faith in Jesus Christ present most intimately in the Blessed Sacrament I decided to contact the Vocation Director my senior year of high school. With a year of college under my belt I will be, God willing, attending Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in August to pursue a deeper love and understanding of God in my life and to which vocation He is calling me. I have always felt that there would be no greater reward in life than bringing a soul home to Christ.

My name is Robert Barnell. I am twenty-four years old and was born in Louisville. My parents are from Indiana but now live in Kentucky. I have an older sister and an older brother, who both live out of town. We were all raised Catholic. I went to St. Margaret Mary grade school, St. Xavier High School, and Indiana University, where I majored in Spanish and geography. I then moved to Indianapolis to work at the Catholic Charities Refugee Program. I love maps and languages. During college I spent a semester on the Mexican border, and last fall I spent two months with the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India.

I was interested in the priesthood since early high school, when I would feel joy during mass when I'd think about being a priest. I started attending some discernment events, but I didn't consider going to seminary right away. By late college, I still felt a desire to go to seminary but didn't feel ready to pursue the vocation, so I started a job. The next winter I went on a discernment retreat, and I felt very excited. A while later I finally decided to quit my job and move back to my home diocese, where I later started the application process. I had fears and doubts about God's will for my life, and I kept waiting for more clarity, but I eventually decided to go forward and apply, trusting that God is good and will ultimately lead me to and equip me for whatever He wants me to do. I will be attending Mount Saint Mary's of the West.


My name is Brandon DeToma and I will be entering St. Meinrad School of Theology this August in the Philosophy program.

A lifelong resident of Louisville, I attended Ascension for grade school, Trinity for high school and Transylvania University for college where I majored in History and minored in Religion.

Following college I entered the United States Army in the Intelligence Corps where I was stationed in Fort Lewis, WA. I traveled to many parts of the world including Guam, Korea, and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 with 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). Most recently I was employed by the Kentucky Court of Justice working at the downtown Louisville Metro courthouse.

The attraction of the priesthood was there in my child and high school years. At the time I did think about the priesthood but I would always bury that attraction with everyday life and chose not to act or explore it further. It was during my time in the Army that I began to actively ponder and explore the possible call to the priesthood and God’s Church with guidance by the Society of Jesus and Catholic Chaplains. When I moved back to Louisville, I contacted the Vocation Office and have been on a discernment journey ever since.

My name is Daniel Ross and I will be attending Bishop Simon Brute this fall. The first thing you should know about me is that I come from a big family; I am the second oldest of seven children. I was homeschooled all my life. I was born in Washington D.C. and lived near there in Maryland and then in Northern Virginia until I was eight years old. In August of 2002 my family and I moved to Kentucky, which was a big change for us not just geographically, but culturally as well.

We bought a farm in Kentucky and wanted to farm for a living. Although farming didn’t work out for us as we thought it would, I learned a lot about animals, the land, and how to grow food. I have developed an enjoyment of being outdoors partly due to farming, though I do not hunt or fish, I like to walk in the woods or fields and see the beauty of God’s good earth. We also met many good friends and neighbors through farming. I have been to several different states in this country and I always find that the people in Kentucky are among the warmest, kindest, and most charitable people I know.

I was thirteen when I first seriously felt God calling me to a vocation to the priesthood. I became an altar server in Lent of 2007, and I loved serving at Mass. I truly felt a sense of belonging while being at church and participating in activities at our parish. During the past five years the idea of being a priest has never left me. As I have gotten older my understanding of who a priest is and what a priest does has grown, and this is a process that I expect will continue as I go through formation in seminary. I ask for your prayers for me as I continue on this journey of discernment; please know that you will be in mine.

Adventures on the Holy Hill: My Summer at Saint Meinrad

                        
Living in a seminary building with nineteen other completely random college students, having a monk as your boss, and gaining the rare skill of sleeping through the 5:30am toll of the Archabbey bells. This is only a little of what I experienced over six weeks as a college intern for Saint Meinrad’s One Bread, One Cup Liturgical Leadership Conferences. I not only worked a lot, but I learned a lot this year as an intern for OBOC—so much so that writing a simple blog post almost seems insufficient. But, here it goes!

Quite a few people have been wondering exactly what I did for six weeks on the Holy Hill. Well, while it’s hard to explain, it is at least worthy of an attempt. Essentially, myself along with nineteen other college students from across the country spent six weeks together running three youth conferences that teach youth to become leaders in the Church and empower them to live out what they learn on the Hill. The conferences are made up of what I see to be three key components: Liturgical Formation, Theological Reflection, and Catechesis. In Liturgical Formation, the youth gain skills necessary to become leaders in several areas, including topics such as Proclamation of the Word, Chant for the Liturgy of the Hours, Liturgical Arts, and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, among several others. These classes are taught by interns, monks, seminarians, or other guest catechists. In Theological Reflection, the youth are led by an intern who helps them reflect on the activities on the day, and discover how God is working in their lives. Finally, there is catechesis. OBOC is based upon the “Word, Sacrament, Mission” model. In other words, the youth are taught how they encounter the Word of God, they discover what a Sacrament is and why we have them, and finally learn the importance of spreading the Gospel. In addition, there are also catechetical sessions on topics such as Lectio Divina.

All of this happens specifically during the conferences. On the “off weeks,” the interns are in the classroom learning about several different topics. The topics I learned about included Benedictine Values, Spirituality, Boundaries, Theological Reflection, Lectio Divina, and Benedictine Integration, among several others. To put it simply, when the interns aren’t working the conferences, they are busy gaining the wisdom and formation that comes with the rich history of the Benedictine tradition.

One valuable lesson that I learned this summer is that we as a Church need to put more trust in our youth. They know more than we think they do! I always hear people saying that the youth are the future of our Church. In my opinion, that is wrong, because the youth ARE the Church. They are an integral part of the Body of Christ, and my experiences at OBOC can do nothing but prove this point.

In all, thanks to Saint Meinrad and OBOC, I’ve had a summer full of fun, memories, prayer, and blessings!

For more information on One Bread, One Cup, visit http://www.oboc.saintmeinrad.edu/

(Photo:  Louisville seminarian Tony Cecil is on the far right.  With him are a conference participant, Novice Anushka and Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB.  Photo courtesy of St. Meinrad)