Today is the Solemnity of Brotherly Love in the Polish National Catholic Church…but we can all be honest today and feel that trembling in our hearts, the lumps in our throats and the tears welling up in our eyes when we watch or read anything about that fateful day ten years ago.

September 11, 2001 certainly seems like yesterday in some ways, a life time in other ways.  I spent quite a bit of time watching videos, looking at pictures and reading stories this weekend about 9-11 and its amazinghow much it still hurts to see those images and hear those stories, how fresh and real everything becomes.

I remember that lifetime ago when, at the year anniversary in 2002, the town I was from had a remembrance service, as a few family members of residents were killed in the attacks.  My father had a prayer or reading during the service and the whole family went along.  For whatever reason, I was home from college that evening and refused to go to the service.  The only reason I could think  of why was the fact that I was a macho 19 years old and didn’t want to risk the chance that someone might see me tearing up.

Home alone for a couple hours, I watched the baseball game and the tribute that Major League Baseball did – Patriotic, stirring, emotional, and leaving the players a bit dazed and looking like they
wanted to go home.  I watched, I cried, and I felt guilty for not going to that prayer service, that so many people helped put together to support each other and to come together as a community.

Years later I find myself a college graduate, an ordained priest, and a husband.  I look at that guilt that I had when I didn’t attend that service and again wonder how I was so naïve.

Yesterday, as I was hearing confessions from the youth, I realized that most of them weren’t even born when that happened.  There they were, kneeling before God’s Holy Altar, praying and conversing…and I realized that everything that was said about a nation’s recovery was true.  Life had to go on – we still have to love, we still have to work, and we still have to enjoy our lives.

Although terrorists stole the innocence and trust of many, they couldn’t do it all.  People didn’t let our country, our church crumble.  They were both still there when needed.  On this, the feast of Brotherly Love, we recognize above all that love that God has for all of us, in that we are all his children.

In the first Letter of Saint John today, we hear specifically that commandment from God “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”  We all gather in church whenever we can to tell God through prayer, devotion, adulation, and even silence that we love him.  We tell him we love him in so many different ways, let alone throwaway phrases like “thank God I wasn’t visiting New York that day,” or “Thank God I left a bit early, the car behind me got in a bad accident.”

To be good Christians, we have to remind ourselves to show that appreciation to our neighbor, our brother, as well.  One of my favorite books growing up was “Sideways Stories from Wayside School.”  I always remembered a quote “you need a reason to be sad: you don’t need a reason to be happy.”  Such it is when we show our personal emotions.

We don’t need any reason to show our love to those around us – we should because we can.  We are so blessed to be where we are – living in a free nation, a safe city, a roof overhead, food available, companionship a few steps, phone call or mouse click away.  We can go worship when we want wherever we want – something that could not be said throughout human history.  We are blessed!

Christ advises us gently today to simply show our brother compassion, the same way that most blessed Samaritan in his parable today did.

We don’t want to be like that priest orLevite that walked past the bruised and battered man on the road to Jericho…just like I never want to be that 19 year old kid who skipped out on that September 11^th prayer service.  In fact, in an idea of scripture come to life, there are Good Samaritan laws that punish us for not dealing with those who are suffering with compassion or mercy.

Is there still crime, hatred, and fear in this world?  Of course there is.  I’m as guilty of that hatred as anyone else – just a few months ago, Osama Bin Laden was killed for many reasons, including his
role in the destruction of lives on 9-11.  I am honest enough to say that I was not disappointed by this turn of events.

Did it give me personal closure?  I cannot honestly say…and although not the most wholesome thought, I hope that it at least helps mend the wounded hearts of some today.  Jesus urges us to live in love…not human emotion like revenge or retribution.

We are all good Christian people here today – we have offered prayers for those today whose decade-old wounds have been reopened just a bit.

Pray for the healing of fragile hearts today, for the souls of those lost to tragedy at this moment 10 years ago.  But above all, pray that the love of God may be reflected on all of us, that we take the advice of our Lord and Savior, who told us today to treat everyone with that love and compassion.  Amen.

 Me?  I gave up chips of all kind, which was simply horrible for the first few days.  My fiancé gave up meat entirely for Lent, but between her and I, I’m not quite sure who is having a tougher time with it.  She is learning to like fish, I’m trying to find substitutes.  She has not lost or gained any weight, which is good because she has none to lose.  Me?  Seven pounds and counting.  Looks like I will actually reach my goal for my wedding weight.

 Think this post can’t get much more self-centered?  Well, it is.  In my “about Fr. Jason” I write about how I will write about things that appeal to me, be they religion, sports, media, etc.  And on my mind today?  Besides Stations of the Cross at Noon and Seven tonight?  That beautiful block of time in between the two when Jacoby Ellsbury sees the first pitch of the season for the Boston Red Sox.

 Although yesterday was the “official” opening day of baseball season, today is the real one, because the Red Sox are playing.  I have to take my New England upbringing seriously.  Which is why this weekend is so nice. Besides having the spiritual needs taken care of; the aforementioned Stations, serving our monthly One Hot Meal to the needy on Saturday, 4^th Sunday of Lent on Sunday and our Ladies Society meeting afterward – the weekend is full of wonderful New England Sports.  

 The UConn Huskies are in the Final Four!  I remember sitting in my parents bedroom as a little kid (because that was the room with the best antenna reception) watching the team with Doron Sheffer, Travis Knight, Donyell and Donny Marshall play through their schedule as the Getty Station gave out Big East (surely full of lead paint!) glasses with every fill up.  Life was good then, life is better now. 

 So between UConn, the Red Sox, and the Celtics continuing towards championship #18…the sports part of my life is spoken for.

Today, I simply present to the world what Scranton already saw on Sunday morning.  Forgetting that this was going to be in the paper, I quizzically responded to people saying what I nice picture I had in the paper wondering if they caught me at a church dinner or at Mass or something. 

Nope.  This is what was in it.  I tried to straddle the line of being the priestly figure and the regular looking fiance kind-of-guy.  I was astonished that there were no snide comments that I was not in collar…but maybe it was because everybody was on super-guard for the day’s Annual Parish Meeting.

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is on fire!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 5,400 times in 2010. That’s about 13 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 14 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 55 posts. There was 1 picture uploaded, taking a total of 28kb.

The busiest day of the year was October 7th with 222 views. The most popular post that day was Synod, Take 3!.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were saintstanislauspncc.org, konicki.com, facebook.com, en.wordpress.com, and forministry.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for monkey bread, stations of the cross clip art, steelers stink, hick, and country hick.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Synod, Take 3! October 2010

Happy Days March 2009

Synod, Take 4! October 2010

About Fr. Jason October 2008
8 comments

Our New Prime Bishop… October 2010

We had a reception for the newly-elected Prime Bishop after our 9am Mass on Sunday, October 10.  What was funny was instead of half the crowd in church going out the side doors to avoid greeting the clergy at the end of Mass and ensuring themselves top donut selection, seemingly everyone made sure to extend their congratulations and best wishes.  Instead of the process of leaving church taking 3 or 4 minutes, it was 10.  It was very nice though, as tears of joy were shed by a few while Bishop Mikovsky thanked them for their kindness.  Then, as they got to me…everyone said “Hey what are you still doing here?!”

I kid, I kid.  It is a nice time, a time of transition and preparation.  November 21^st, 3pm is circled on the calendar.  My parish in Westfield, MA took a bus to the last installation of a Prime Bishop, as it was one of their former pastors.  I remember getting great seats in a Cathedral that would, five years later, be the parish I would serve as a priest.  I remember internally fretting over a sizable paper that I had to write that weekend and realizing that the weekend would be over by the time I got home. 

Now, the whole church looks forward to this day, as do I.  I was but 20 years old the last time this happened, and (hate to say it) probably didn’t care too much.  I went to say I was there.  Eight years older and even more years more mature, I will be watching this one like a hawk.  To see the liturgy and the dynamic of one leaving a high post while another is being elevated to it.  I silently wonder how the parish will receive Bishop Mack, as he prepares to become Pastor here in a few short months.  I wonder how Bishop-Elect Sobiechowski will be received, as he awaits his day of Consecration (whenever that may be).  I wonder how Bishop Mikovsky will react, as his direct service to St. Stanislaus Cathedral, the only parish he has served since the day he was ordained, will come to an end.

Lots of emotions and mini-events to look out for that day.  I look forward to it immensely, as it is amazing to see St. Stanislaus packed to the gills for the celebration of Mass.  Stay tuned, PNCC’ers, things are gonna get good the next few weeks.

Like any and every synod, I’ve heard stories of struggles, animosity, and ill will.  Such is life when any amount of human beings basically live with each other over a number of days.  As much as it may pain some people to say, or as difficult it may be to believe…this is Christ’s Church first.  Whatever happens at these proceedings should reflect His teachings, His ministry, His great example. 

It is our number one job to remain steadfast in prayer that those who leave the synod leave not only tired and spent, but tired and spent knowing that they did the work of Jesus Christ.  Let us pray:

Lord God of all Creation, Source of love that burns within us; Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, Light of our lives; Spirit of Fire, Source of wisdom and understanding; Walk with us and be our guide as we journey through the work of this Synod. Inspire us to appreciate the richness of your gifts in our people. Bless us with cooperative spirits and understanding hearts. Enlighten our minds and grant us clarity of thought. Enkindle in us a unity of purpose. Energize us to be seekers of your truth. May our efforts embrace, nurture, and empower all your people and bring new life to the mission of your Church. All glory to you, our God, through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I will continue to update with any news that I feel is worthy (ie; won’t get me in trouble) to post on this blog.  Don’t worry, there will be some more action!

Very Rev. Paul Sobiechowski, of St. Joseph’s Parish in Davie, Florida, has been elected bishop by the body of the General Synod.  Major props to Father Senior Paul, who has endured a bit of turmoil over the last month or so as he has heeded the call to the episcopacy.  Is he my new boss?  Is Bishop John Mack, the sole Auxiliary Bishop in the church to be my new boss?  Or is candidate C, yet to be elected, my new boss?  Time only will tell, as news continues to “leak” from Niagara Falls, Canada.

Update: The day was spent deliberatinga variety of topics.  As per every synod ever, the diocesan bishops gave their reports and old business was discussed.  The synod is chugging along as synods do- with emotions flaring and unrest coming about every so often.  Our job isn’t particularly to worry about exactly what is happpening; it is to pray that God is present throughout and has no reason to want to leave.  Keep your prayers up for our synod, the delegates, and the clergy as we ask God that all decisions be inspired by His Holy  Spirit.

As his assistant for the last three and a half years, I have a lot of feelings.  As an assistant, I belong to him first and the parish second, and I ask everyone keep their prayers for Prime Bishop-Elect Mikovsky and Saint Stanislaus Cathedral as we await Friday when the Supreme Council deems our next Pastor…and my new boss.

To show he is a bishop with a sense of humor, I’ll link to this video, shown at Convo 2008.  He laughed hysterically for a good minute.

Also, added earlier this afternoon on the front page (Breaking News!!!) on the Scranton Times website.

Hopefully things go a bit more smoothly with the voting system for the new Prime Bishop, as well as the two candidates for bishop than they did for ol’ Homer.  C’mon, I’m still only 28 – The Simpsons are a part of my life! (Sometimes TOO important). 

The important thing, while an entire church awaits a barrage of text messages, emails, and phone calls, is that everything that is taking place is indeed following the Holy Will of God.  It is pretty easy to get caught up in “who gets voted in” or “I personally don’t like him.”  Nope, we believe that what happens is what God wants to happen, or more accurately, what God wills.  Prayer is a very powerful thing, and I have spent a lot of time the last few days simply asking God’s presence to take over that Synod.  I heard from the 22nd General Synod, as 4 bishops were elected, that the feeling of elation and happiness was amazing, that the awesome power of God was truly on display.

As the moments pass on, we wait.  Hey, I might have a new boss, so this affects me greatly!