Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

In our Gospel this Sunday, Matthew clearly challenges us to understand that Jesus’ call to us to follow after him, to be disciples, takes precedence over all else. If this is ever going to make sense or take root with us, it seems to me that we need some moments in our lives for stillness. Henri Nouwen, the late spiritual writer and priest, concluded that unless we have some time set aside each day for God and God alone, it will be impossible to transform our constant activity and thoughts into a continual awareness of God’s presence in our lives.

Jesus’ example and words reinforce this suggestion about finding a few minutes daily to be still, to pray, to meditate. The scriptures tell us that Christ often retired to deserted places and prayed. He also instructed the disciples, excited with the success of their preaching and healing ministry, to step aside and rest awhile, to find a quiet place for prayer and reflection. When you consider that the moments in scripture that describe Jesus going himself or taking the disciples to deserted places are in addition to the time that Jesus and the disciples spent “on the road” walking from one place to the next, then perhaps Jesus spent two-thirds of his time in some kind of reflective stillness to one-third of his time in active ministry. I don’t think even contemplative religious can reach that ideal! But Jesus’ example does ask us to examine our daily style of living and make at least some regular time, no matter how small, to just be quiet. The wisdom of the saints is that regularity is more beneficial than the amount of time that we make for in quiet stillness.

When I graduated from grammar school, my 8th grade teacher gave me a present, a book entitled “8 Minutes a Day to Perfect Spelling.” It didn’t take! I’m still a fairly poor speller. Eight minutes a day of quiet prayer won’t make us “perfect” disciples either, but it will lead us to real growth.

Peace and all Good,
Fr. Richard Juzix, OFM, Pastor Sunday, June 12, 2005
Dear Parishioners,

In our second reading, St. Paul talks about boasting “in the Lord.” I think Paul is talking about proclaiming how good God is, how much God has done for him, and how much God has done for the community. A lot of folks have talked about true humility as recognizing our shortcomings but recognizing our gifts and talents, too. And this differs from the false kind of humility that is a kind of groveling denial that we are worth anything at all. (As if God sent his Son to junk!) But this is not about us…it’s about God! There are some secrets that are best kept. God’s goodness is not one of those secrets. We have much of which to boast, and we can do it with enthusiasm because God is indeed wonderfully good.

As we celebrate Independence Day this year, we will not have the Art Fair. It seems to have been a good idea that has run its course. The Art Fair took a great amount of work and, over time, fewer people stepped up to help. The folks who worked on it in the past have our gratitude and thanks. It was great. And we hope that there will be some excitement and energy around different plans in the future.

And, I should mention that the statue of Saint Francis on the back wall of the sanctuary is being refurbished with the kind gift of a benefactor. After the statue is restored it will be returned to its place. Our thanks to a parish angel.

Peace and all Good,

Fr. Richard Juzix, O.F.M., Pastor Monday, June 06, 2005
Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

At the last Pastoral Council meeting we talked about the Stations of the Cross (the outdoor Stations from St. Anthony’s Seminary). Some folks in the parish distributed information after masses last Sunday about installing the Stations in the field between the parking lot and Serra Hall. The Council asked if moving the Stations were a “parish project” because it seemed unclear. So I want to let you all know that “No” it is not a parish project; it is a project that parishioners are involved in. I agreed to invite parishioners to help with the installation if you are interested. The Pastoral Council and the parish will be updated as the project continues.

This weekend I will ask you to consider parishioners whom you would nominate to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council. The role of the Council is to evaluate pastoral ministry in our parish, do future planning and to give me advice. You can place your nomination in the collection this weekend or next weekend, June 11th-12th, or you can bring it to the Parish Office anytime until June 13th, the Feast of St. Anthony.

There are two new friars in Serra Wing. Friar Fabian Walker, a shorter friar who walks with a cane (a pretty classy-looking stick). Brother Fabian worked with Brother Jan at St. Anthony’s Seminary and has some card-playing friends in Santa Barbara. Friar Martial Luebke is a taller friar and sometimes uses a walker (not Brother Fabian). Father Martial taught at St. Anthony’s and was the Choir Director of the students, one of whom was Father Howard. Both of them were younger in age then. Father Martial is here “temporarily”…he lives in our friary in Los Angeles.

Peace and all Good,

Fr. Richard Juzix, O.F.M.
Pastor