Have a question…Ask the Deacon
E-mail to Deacon Sal at: CarmeliteMedia@Carmelnet.org
Have a question you always wanted to know the answer to but never got around to asking? Why do we have changing colors in the church? When and where do we Genuflect? How do we make a sign of peace? Can we carry the Eucharist in a Kleenex tissue to the homebound? Why can’t we have separate cups to drink the precious blood or why can’t we just dunk the host?
These questions and many more are asked routinely by Catholics. This column has been set up to help Catholics that Come Home and anyone that is inquiring regain their comfort level within the church. Simply e-mail me, Deacon Sal at CarmeliteMedia@Carmelnet.org with your question. If your question is personal you will receive a private answer e-mailed back to you. If however, your question is more general in nature, the question and answer will anonymously be answered in this column for all to see.
Don’t spend another day wondering…learn the answer once and for all.
In your service,
Deacon Sal
PAINTED PASCAL CANDLE FOLLOWS BIBLE CYCLE
By: Deacon Sal Lema
Being able to perform baptisms is one of the greatest gifts of my ministry. During the baptism the Light of Christ stands prominently by, assuring the parents and godparents that God is with them, not only during the pouring of water, but during all the smiles and trails of life. So it was a natural that my wife Beth and I would want to make the Pascal candle an expression of God's love and our love for the parish. Through our friend and artist Mr. Roland Rik, the candle was adorned with pictures representing the gospel themes of Cycle A. He started with a cross that features the stain glass of the sanctuary as its background. Above the cross is Roland's rendition of the Baptism of Jesus. Beneath the cross is a picture of St. Rene church complete with its bell tower.
Roland Rik's creations incude the Feeding of the Multitudes that will be heard through the Gospel of Matthew on July 31, 2011; the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew's Gospel that will be heard on November 1, 2011; Jesus Walks on Water from John's Gospel, that will be heard in our church on December 11, 2011; The Baptism of Jesus that will be heard January 8, 2012 from Mark's Gospel; the Commissioning of the Twelve that will be heard January 22, 2012 from Mark's Gospel, and the Temptation of Jesus that will be heard on February 26, 2012 from the Gospel of Mark. All total there are 15 pictures of Mr. Roland Rik's interpretations of the gospels of cycle A and B prior to Easter of 2012.
The work is so precise, that at times Roland would use the head of a needle as a brush in order to place the smallest details on the candle. An example of this was the eyes in the Feeding of the Multitude in Matthew's Gospel.
Every time you view our paschal candle you are reminded of the ministry of Jesus, and the great love that God has for us. During the ministry of Baptism this candle stands, proudly shouting to the roof tops that the light of Christ is present among us. Deacon Sal and Beth are proud to have given this gift to their family at St. Rene once again. By its beauty, their gift becomes a teaching tool for our children and a reflective tool for all who view it.
Once again we thank Mr. Roland Rik, a talented artist whose passion to paint jubilantly announces his dedication to his work and to his faith. We are blessed to have his art grace our parish this third year.
Traveling the Sand Road on the Way to Christine’s
Hope’s on the Way completes service mission to Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
“Can you believe they have only been here five days?,” said Christine to her neighbor as they stood in the front yard and watched the house transformation. Those Catholics from Chicago and the Christian men from Go-International had completed quite a lot of work in a short time.
There were 12 altogether. Five from Go-International, a dedicated service group who came from Kentucky and Michigan. Nine others, seven men and two women, were from Hope’s on the Way, a volunteer service group consisting of deacons from the Archdiocese of Chicago and volunteers from their parishes. Traveling to other states was not new to this group, who has completed 11 mission trips to Louisiana, after hurricane Katrina and Rita and the subsequent levee breaks that caused severe flooding damage to New Orleans, and the surrounding parishes. After the past April’s violent tornadoes, the volunteers of Hope’s on the Way responded to a call for assistance in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
On October 15, 2011, with three vans loaded with tools, sleeping bags and supplies, the volunteers began their 720 mile trip, stopping about half way in Louisville, Kentucky, at The Church of the Holy Spirit, where overnight accommodations where provided. There final destination was Camp Coker, in Coker, Alabama. The camp was a former Methodist youth facility turned bunk house, with an attached outside shower facility and equipment warehouse. The camp would be their home for the week. They shared this space with the members of Go-International. They came together, ready and willing to serve a need, to help God’s community.
Bright and early on Monday morning they loaded up the vans and headed down Sand Road approximately 12 miles to their worksite, Christine Johnson’s house, in Fosters, Alabama. After the tornadoes had hit Tuscaloosa, the city was full of assistance, but few traveled to the outskirts where folks like Christine lived. Her home had been handed down from generation to generation. With the economy and her husband’s job loss it was difficult to maintain the home. Extensive termite and wind damage prior to the tornado had ravaged the family’s home. Then the tornado opened the roof sending water pouring through holes in every direction. The work of the 12 was simple…remove the families despair and return hope to Christine and the Johnson family.
During the next five days, the two teams worked together in unison. Termite damaged timbers were replaced by new beams. A new window, insulated wall, electric outlets, vinyl siding and interior drywall replaced the damaged wall and unsafe existing fireplace. More siding around the home was removed and replaced. Besides the 88 degree temperatures and elevated humidity, the men battled wasp nests, spiders as big as your hand, fire ants, scorpions, and all sorts of other venomous creatures. But they persevered for the most important part of the house, the roof had to be completed, if the Johnson home was to be saved. The old shingles were removed, uncovering a deteriorated framing that had to be completely replaced, prior to the installation of a new shingled roof. While one team completed the wall and vinyl siding the other team prepared the roof completing the removal and new framing. Bundle after bundle of shingles were carried up a ladder on the men’s shoulders, while waiting team members nailed them in place. The new shingled roof would give the Johnson family a stable leak-free house to call home for years to come.
Friday afternoon, the two teams, Go-International and Hope’s on the Way came together and invited Christine to join in an ecumenical prayer service. Catholic’s and Methodists;, all dedicated faithful volunteers, praying together in thanksgiving for the opportunity to give it all for Christine and her family.
During the drive home little moans and groans could softly be heard. They had honored their commitment. Deacons, faithful volunteers, Christians, all servants of God’s people. They had given it all, laid all they had on the line to help another. They were bruised, bitten, and sore, exhausted from the experience. Yet they smiled through it all knowing they had received a priceless gift. It was truly a great day!
