PASTOR’S NOTES

At every level of education we witness the celebration of advancement in going-up or graduation ceremonies. Earlier in this month I was present at the rites of growth of our nursery school. It is amazing to witness change in each of these children. Each in their unique way they have responded to the efforts of their parents in collaboration with our skilled staff. One could not help but be impressed as they sang, prayed, and presented themselves as they received their certificates. It  is so important for them to have benefited from their first experience of formal education.

During last week’s 11:00 a.m. Mass on behalf of our very generous Knights I was able to announce their annual scholarship winner: Victoria Rossi. It was a wonderful opportunity to honor not only an intellectually gifted woman but to recognize her generous use of her God given gifts on behalf of this parish and the larger community. But in calling attention to her accomplishments we recognize proudly there is a representative of a large group of our parishioners who have acquitted themselves in a most excellent manner at Our lady of Lourdes, Arlington, and Hyde Park. Our community of faith has produced wonderful reasons for hope in the world’s future and the church’s mission.

With that in mind, I would like to take a little time to reflect on the academic exercises which have occurred and will occur in the waning days of June. In higher education the term “commencement” is used more often than “graduation.” One might say it holds greater significance as one ends a phase of his or her life and enters another. Since this is true of all who will leave a familiar venue to move on to new challenges my comments can be interpreted as one might wish or require.

One of the talks that I thought most beneficial to listeners was Admiral Crowe’s address to the class of Navy midshipmen and Marine officers who had completed their education at Annapolis. He told them that as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff he would implore them to listen to their chief petty officers and master sergeants. He told them that he realized that all received a superior education but the non-commissioned officers with whom they will serve have had years of practical experience. These people have dealt with situations that are more involved than a theoretical construct of a textbook. So often I have observed men and women entering the professions, including my own, and dismissing the wisdom of elders in favor of their readings. One must never dismiss intuitive understanding that comes from encountering various circumstances. Because of the dearth of vocations many young priests are being called to be pastors. Though their colleagues might have had over twenty years of experience as parochial vicars they are being asked to take over the care of a parish within five years of ordination. This has occasioned some difficulties in areas of pastoral life and communication. Having more recent academic training assists in promoting the goals of any organization but its recipient must humbly acknowledge the value of one’s associates and their historical acumen.

The buzz word today among many of those who are more technologically adept is social communication. They are twittering, skyping, and texting. This is not good or bad. Its virtues or vices depend very much on the user. Recently I joined Facebook. It has proven to be a great source of contact for me to hear the thoughts of Archbishop Dolan, the work of our Catholic agencies, and the events in the lives of former parishioners, students, and colleagues. Additionally, when I am at meetings I can be texted by the office and respond in the same manner. In the last week I have attended one meeting by hands-free device while driving to another. And if I have the occasion to travel overseas then I can be in touch instantly and be available in an emergency. But I have also experienced downsides. I recall one priest with whom I lived insisted on e-mailing me any request he might have. Kindly, yet emphatically, I advised him that we did not work for Chase Bank. This type of situation was amusingly presented on a sitcom. Two pre-teens were sitting on a couch working on their computers. They seem to be chuckling at different times.
When the boy’s father walks in and asks what they are doing they inform him that they are chatting. With whom, he asks. With each other, they respond. Sad to say, this happens in real life. A generation which prides itself on its communication technology finds it difficult to share in a normal conversation. In fact, too often, people in business only e-mail (so they can create a paper trail) rather than discuss an issue. The dynamics of non-verbal communication is eliminated. I remember my administrative assistant telling me that she was speaking to a contractor who was doing work in the parish where I was that he did not want ever to see the “McWeeney glare” again. She advised him that he shouldn’t do what he did which caused it. I had not said a word to the man but he got my message. Can the same be accomplished in texting? I don’t think so. A recent ad for American Airlines pictures a boss coming into a meeting of the sales department of his company. He hands out plane tickets and tells them to go out and meet their customers. He was, himself, going to three people whose business had been lost. I am not saying that we or these young people of our community should bypass the various modern tools of communication but I am asking that we recognize the need for direct human contact. Body language, facial expression, and posture are often clues we can receive from another person as to how they feel or think about a possibility. And in turn, we can express the proverbial thousand words as they see us before them. As in all things, moderation is the key.

Please pray for our wonderful young people as they embrace the opportunities the world has to offer. May they never forget the contributions of past generations and their responsibilities towards future ones. May God who has begun a good work in them bring it to completion.

Vivat Jesus

Fr. Brian