From the Pastor’s Desk | October 16, 2022 | Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time


…pray always without becoming weary.
~ Luke 15:18-19

 

Brothers and Sisters,

“Inconceivable!” The quirky romance and adventure film, The Princess Bride, has captivated the attention of generations since it first debuted in theaters in 1987. The story is a classic tale of love and adventure as the beautiful Princess Buttercup, engaged to the wicked Prince Humperdinck, is kidnapped and held against her will. It is up to Westley, her childhood beau, to save her. In one scene, Westley continues to pursue Buttercup when Vizzini, the goofy mastermind behind the kidnapping, delivers the line that would launch a million internet memes, exclaiming for seemingly the one-hundredth time, “Inconceivable!” His henchman Inigo Montoya comments on his redundant choice of words, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

Sometimes I catch myself in a Montoya-inspired bit of dialog with God when I ask Him with honesty (again), “Do you really mean pray ALWAYS!?” Then I offer some alternatives: frequently, regularly, or habitually. But we all know, unlike Vizzini, God understands the intent behind his word selection perfectly, but still, the absolutism of “always” can leave me weary.

If you can relate to what I’ve shared, I’d also like to share a few ways that have helped me pray better. First, we must drop our preconceived notions of what prayer is. Though prayer includes times of silence when kneeling, prayer isn’t limited to this particular expression. The Catechism furthers this thought by defining what prayer is through the views of the saints (§§2558-2565). For instance, St. Therese called prayer a “surge of the heart,” “a simple look toward heaven,” and “a cry of recognition and of love.” In this sense, Theresa is teaching us that prayer is a disposition and is far more an expression of the heart than an act limited to certain words and gestures.

Second and third, we must embrace the familiar and get vocal. This weekend the Church celebrates the great Carmelite reformer and Doctor of Prayer, St. Teresa of Avila. She encouraged those advanced in prayer and novices alike to recognize the importance of vocal prayers, like the Our Father, The Hail Mary, or The Glory Be. While it may not feel like saying the first prayers, we learned, as young Catholics, out loud accomplishes much; when we offer these repetitive prayers, we train our minds and hearts to create an ongoing awareness of and openness to God.

Once you’ve tried these few tips, consider meditating. Admittedly this can be hard at first – so ask the Holy Spirit to help! Start by reading a Scripture passage or a Mystery of the Rosary and slowly silencing your thoughts to better reflect on what you’ve read. Don’t get caught up on how long you need to meditate. Simply read and reflect and see where the Spirit leads you.

Finally, I’d like to share another excellent opportunity to enhance or improve your prayer life before Advent. Catholic Speaker and Subject Matter Expert Joan Watson will join us at OLPH this November 9th at 7 PM in the Church to deliver some practical steps on different ways to pray and suggestions for creating a plan for daily prayer. Learn more about Joan at https://joanmwatson.com/speaking. Please do yourself a favor, and join us for Joan’s Living on a Prayer talk. We don’t want to wait to pray! Remember, prayer is our relationship with the Lord and the means to strengthen that relationship.

OLPH’s Judy Gruel & Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. Judy’s 20 years of service to full-time ministry recognized by The Institute for Evangelization

In closing, I’d like you to offer one more request about prayer. Please join me in a prayer of thanksgiving for Judy Gruel, our Director of Faith Formation. The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Institute for Evangelization recently recognized Judy for her 20 years of service to full-time ministry. May the Lord bless Judy as she continues to care for and teach our parish children, youth, and all our parishioners and staff engaged in ministry.

Some conside

  • RED & BLUE MASS | Sunday, Oct. 23, 11 am | St. Joseph’s Monastery Parish in Southwest Baltimore – The Archdiocese of Baltimore is inviting active and retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, public safety professionals, paramedics, and other first responders – as well as their families for a Mass and blessing that will honor those who were injured and died in the last year, including Officer Keona Holley and firefighters Lt. Paul Butrim, Kenneth Lacayo, Lt. Kelsey Sadler, and Capt. Anthony J. Workman. Archbishop William Lori will celebrate this Mass.
  • MOUNT DE SALES ACADEMY OPEN HOUSE: SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE – Join Mount de Sales Academy for an Open House on Sunday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. With a student guide, you will tour our historic campus, meet our faculty and coaches, and learn about all aspects of Sailor life! Experience our 170-year legacy of Academic Excellence in the Catholic Tradition. For more information, visit www.mountdesales.org or contact admissions@mountdesales.org.
  • CRAB FEAST | The Mortel Foundation is holding High Hopes for Haiti – an all-you-can-eat picnic and crab feast to raise funds and celebrate Dr. Mortel’s life and legacy. It is happening on October 22 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Oregon Ridge Park. For details and tickets, visit www.highhopesforhaiti.org/events or all 844-466-7835.
  • WHAT MADE ME, ME? Workshop Series: Starts November 1 | Our Lady of Bethesda Why do people do what they do? Deepen your own self-awareness and discover the psychological and spiritual narrative of your life. Learn how your childhood has helped shape who you are today. This new workshop series will lead you through the psychological and spiritual development of a person during each stage of life. Over the course of these workshops, you will see how each stage of development, from Early Childhood through Adolescence, shaped the person you are today. Presented by Dr. Kathleen Musslewhite, Executive Director of the Alpha Omega Clinic, the series will run monthly on Tuesday afternoons: Nov 1, Nov 29, Jan 31, and Feb 28, 12:30-2:00 pm. The cost for each session is $60 per person, or sign up for the entire series for $180 per person. Come to all or some. Register: www.ourladyofbethesda.org

In the Lord,

Rev. Michael S. Triplett