Honoring Our Past Pt. 1

Dear Parishioners,

This past week, I received a great question via Facebook about our “Honoring Our Past ~ Building Our Future” capital campaign.  The question was framed by recognizing how we have been putting a lot of energy in describing the future building, but what about honoring the past?  This parishioner offered this question with the spirit that continues to show our faith, hope, and love for our Lord and the due respect that our forbears deserve.  Thank you for the important question.

First of all, it is reasonable that we spend so much focus on the future at this juncture, lest we fail due to paralysis about the past.  With everything, there is a season and time.  That being said, I’d like to honor our past and encourage us all to do the same in our own particular ways.

Honoring our past begins with recognizing that we are standing on the shoulders of those who went before us and some who are still here today. In my time, I think of Madeline Grimes who was our liturgy coordinator for so many years and who passed on 2013.  She shared with me many stories about the parish’s previous church on C street and Fr. Kelly and the priests who came after. She brought up several times the events of our past as well as the desire to “fix” the church. She told me about the gatherings about remodeling our current church, the plans that were drawn up in 1994 which moved the pews into a sweeping fan around the altar (a viable option), and the unfortunate yelling, arguing, and lack of charity that the project brought out.  Hey!  With the good comes some bad at times. The result was a retrofit of the sanctuary which we gratefully have today. Did you know that the Ambo where the Scriptures are proclaimed was constructed by cutting the main alter shorter and using that piece for the vertical support of the Ambo?  Notice, today, the top of the altar (aka mesa) is the same green marble as the vertical part of the Ambo?  Give yourself a pat on the back if you already knew that. I’m just so grateful that the three years our Core Building Committee met to pray, think, and plan for a new church were so life-giving, diverse with ideas and discussion, and thankfully without any divisive fireworks. Our Core building Committee revisited the plans of 1994 and discerned that the community would prefer a more traditional than modern approach to the new church.

In the coming weeks, I will offer more thoughts and history of our parish and how we can be honor our past while also building our future.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Continuing In The Faith

Dear Parishioners,

When was the last time you can truly say that you were actively learning and growing in your faith?  For some, it was during classes for confirmation in high school. For others, they haven’t attended a class or read anything since 6th grade. Still others have not picked up their Bible and read it since they bought it or got it as a gift. This is the state of many of us Catholics, and it is not good. Think about it.  We spend thousands of dollars and years of our lives going to school for our professions, yet many of us stopped enriching and learning about our faith when we were a child or teen. Near the end of my life, I ask myself, what will be more important? What will have the most impact on my eternal destiny? I wonder if this is one of the pieces of the puzzle as to why some Catholics stop practicing their faith and no longer attend Mass. Such persons cannot withstand the faith challenges that come their way in our ever-increasing secular society. Simply “attending” Mass is not enough to be able to stay strong in the faith while secularism is bent on removing all forms of religion, specifically Catholicism.  

Towards offering opportunities to grow in our faith, St. Anne’s has several bible studies and faith-sharing groups.  We also have addiction support groups for those who desire a safe place to break the chains that bind them.  We also have many prayer groups that meet throughout the week as well as our Adoration Chapel for silent prayer and contemplation.  There is an art-therapy group, several rosary groups, periodical theology classes sponsored by the Archdiocese, and the list goes on. Some of these are in the day time and others are in the evening. Some are offered in English while others are in Spanish

Personally, this month and next, I will be involved in two events to which I would like to invite you.  The first is next week’s (Oct. 16) Catholicism 101 which will be a Q & A session about anything that is on your mind regarding Church teaching and practice.  This is often fun and a great way to share our faith.  This will be next Sunday between the Masses from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM. Next month (Nov. 20), I will be offering a “Theology of the Body” workshop where I will be teaching St. Pope John Paul II’s reflection on what has become the most compelling theology of marriage. That workshop will be in Room 1 of the Parish Center from 1 PM to 5 PM.  There will several breaks throughout the workshop and refreshments will be available.  Everyone is welcome, especially parents of teens, for I will be offering this same teaching in a 6-week period at our High School youth ministry nights beginning in February 2017.  All persons seeking to get married are required to come to this workshop as part of their preparation.

So, let us all do a gut check and ask what we are or are not doing to cultivate our faith. Let us be mindful that we are responsible for this gift of faith which God has given us.  And finally, let us be mindful of the myriad of opportunities there are to learn and grow here at St. Anne.  If you are timid to come to one of these gatherings, ask a friend to join you.  It may make all the difference in your life.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Three Ways To Help With Our New Church Building Project

Dear Parishioners,

For many months, people have asked how the new church project was coming along.  I have shared with them that we had hired a capital campaign company, Walsh & Associates, who sent us Mark Warren as the lead coordinator who has been conducting our efforts to prepare and will walk us through the process to the end.  From there we hired Carole Kay as the Administrative Assistant to help manage the day-to-day operations in preparation for our capital campaign.  I have also formed a new cabinet specifically directed to lead our efforts to maximize our potential for success.  These include Dave & Doneta Thomason, Kirk & Jamee Chapman and Bill & Maureen Bailey who have graciously agreed to serve as our Campaign Chairpersons with Dave & Terri Currie, Glenn & Sandy Walker, Phil & Barb Busch, Mike & Kathy Bird and Stu & Sharon Watson respectively agreeing to head our important support committees for Prayer, Hospitality, Youth & Children’s Gifts, Communications, and Creative Giving.

So, this weekend marks what is called, “Announcement Weekend” where I spell out the issues that have brought us to this point of discernment to build a new church as well as our plan to meet and sole those issues.  Ultimately, I have three requests:

1) Please pray regularly for our campaign's success and that God’s will be done.

2) Please prayerfully consider helping by becoming a campaign volunteer, too.  Remember that many hands make light work.  With a strong volunteer group, we can have confidence that the effort is efficiently run and that the job of volunteering will be easy and enjoyable for everyone. 

3)  And finally, you will all eventually be asked to support the campaign effort financially, as well.  We also need and ask that whatever gift you ultimately decide to make be over and above whatever you do regularly for our church since we simply can’t afford to jeopardize our regular giving or in any way erode our ability to provide ongoing support for our programs, services and ministries.

Please see our special insert in this week’s bulletin for more details.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me or Stephen Voehl, our Business Manager.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Prepare the Way for a New School Year!

Dear Parishioners,

School has begun!  Fall is all most here (Sept. 22nd is the first day of Autumn), and changes are in the air! This 2016-17 school year will be one for the books, so-to-speak, and I am excited. Faith Formation and Youth Ministry are starting up.  Our capital campaign is also underway. There are countless dreams and hopes in our hearts.  There are also many hurts that still reside deep inside.  All of these things are opportunities… and I am not just being an optimist.  Why? Because, God is faithful!  He has plans for each one of us which will help us come to know him and experience him.  If we just let him in even more, if we subject our wills to his, we can be changed by the love and mercy of our Lord.

What plans do you have afoot for this coming school year?  How will you make a difference?  How will you give of yourself this year to help one other person?  How will you participate in the life of your faith community? What goals do you want to achieve? Who do you need to thank for what is going on in your life? Where do you need to seek out forgiveness for the hurts you’ve caused? What areas of weakness do you need to seek out God for strength?  Will you let go of that thing that is keeping you from Jesus?  We are St. Anne Catholic Church.  We are made up of broken people who seek to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim Christ’s loving mission.  So, pray!!  Let this new season be a time of refreshment and growth. And let us pray for each other, for there is much to be done, and it won’t happen as it needs to unless we keep ourselves focused on God! 

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Happy Labor Day

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, we celebrate as a nation, Labor Day.  For many, it is the last moments of summer break before school starts. For others, this is a day to focus on dignity of labor as a gift from God. It is also a time to reflect on the issues of labor. It is a time to pray for those who are without jobs and continue to seek employment. It is a time to pray for those who are underemployed or worse, mistreated by those who employ them.  It is a time to reflect on the difficulties employers have in trying to find good employees who will steward the gift of labor that has been entrusted to them.  As Catholics, we are called to be just in all our dealings and to put persons above profits. No matter where we are in life, we can all do an examination of conscience in terms of labor.  

For an employer, one might ask, “Do I treat my employees with the dignity given them by God?” “Do I imbue my Christian faith into my role as a business leader?”   “Do my business decisions promote a culture of life and the dignity of persons?” “Do I pray for the welfare of my employees?”  “Does my business ruin or contribute to a healthy environment?” 

As an employee, “Do I do my best at work?  Am I productive and do not waste time?” or “Am I honest with my coworkers and those whom I serve?” or “Do I promote a life-giving sensibility and appreciation for the job I have?” or “Do I pray for the welfare of my boss and fellow employees?”

For the retired person, one could ask “Was I fair and honest during my career?” “Did I challenge unfair or immoral labor practices?” “Did I help others to achieve their carrier goals?” “Was I an influence for good and the rights and responsibilities that come with labor?” “Do I share my years of experience and expertise with others so that they may become better persons, employers, and employees?” 

Spend a moment on Labor Day and give thanks for the gift of labor.  Pray for justice where there is injustice in the workplace. Pray for employers and companies to strive for excellence and for employees to give their best.

Have a blessed Labor Day!

Sincerely,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Truth In Charity

Dear Parishioners,

This week’s readings (July 30.31), we heard from Ecclesiastes: “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” From Colossians: “seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” And finally from the Gospel Luke, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

The message is one for all the ages, one that we all need to ponder upon deeply. For something to be vain, it is essentially empty, worthless, of no lasting value. This is very much related to greed which focuses our attention on things that are empty, things that will never satisfy. Due to our sinfulness, we have all entertained and acted on our desires for things that cannot satisfy. We have all entertained thoughts and words that are misdirected and will bear no spiritual or corporeal fruit. In fact, such words and actions may very well cause scandal to others to the point of leaving the faith.

We must be all the more careful in our world today as Christians not to cause others to stumble while also sharing the truth in charity. So, today, listen and hear the voice of the Lord! Choose to be people whose love is full and not vain. Allow the parts of your life, your desires that will do you no ultimate good, those things that are arrogant, prideful, harsh, unloving, addictive, illusionary, selfish, divisive, lying, impure, immoral, and callous—allow these parts to die in Christ. Yes! It will involve suffering, for we want to hold on to them so much. Now is the time to do this. Now is the time when the political, economic, and violent parts of our world are so prevalent.

The Church exists for the salvation of souls. We are all given the mission to further this goal. To know salvation is to know the Truth, Jesus. Indeed, the world needs to know the Truth, but it is not sufficient to say, “I’m just tellin’ it like it is,” all the while steamrolling the person in arrogance and pride. We must pray to rid ourselves of any vestiges of vanity that can become a roadblock to the Truth. This is not about just being nice, but being charitable, being sensitive to the situation of the other, listening and building a relationship with the other, journeying with them, and sharing our hearts and what God has done for us.

Our world needs to know Jesus. We need to know Jesus more deeply as well. Let us not be embarrassed nor fearful for admitting our sinfulness, for by repenting we allow Christ to shine through us. It is through our woundedness that we can help heal. It is by our true love of God and our neighbor that we become the people we have always been meant to be. It is by being beacons of light that we will attract others to the knowledge of the Truth.

My friends in Christ, much is at stake... our souls and the souls of others. Let us strive for the narrow way through our own suffering and dying to our vanities. May Christ in the Eucharist be our strength, so that we be conformed into the likeness of Him who loves us so much.

Sincerely,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Safety First!

Dear Parishioners,

The last several months, and especially in the past couple weeks, attention has been given to the suffering and violence that is present in our world as well as here locally. What should be our response? First, prayer for the safety of people in harm’s way, the consolation and healing of the victims and their families, and the conversion of heart for the perpetrators.  Second, reconciliation in our hearts with regard to those whom we have harmed or held unjust prejudice against. Thirdly, a concerted effort to reach out to those who are in pain. Fourthly, seek out justice, mercy, peace, and safety in the name of the Prince of Peace.

All of these are things we can all do.  In addition, reflecting on imitating Christ through today’s reading from Colossians 1:24-28, we are called to suffer with those who are suffering.  By offering up these sufferings, we join together with our Lord in his Passion.  By joining in his passion, we join also in his death and resurrection. This is a mystery.  But, it is one that Paul models for us to do.

In the last several months, St. Anne has seen an increase in mischievous to malicious behavior on our campus. We’ve had cars parked near the adoration chapel vandalized late at night. Two men entered the church last month, stole some candles and put their half-empty beer cans in box-top container for the school. Just this past week, a young adult tried to enter the adoration chapel around 10 PM and when he couldn’t get in, he proceeded to harass one of our adorers who was just driving into the parking lot by jumping on his car while brandishing a large cane of some sort.  What are we to do?  Again, I offer the same four things as I mentioned above.

As the pastor, I am committed to the pastoral and temporal stewardship of the parish.  So, I take all these events seriously.  We have placed cameras all around our campus and even have more yet to be installed. We will soon be changing the combination to the church and possibly retrofitting it with a completely different security system. I’ve given my concerns to the Adoration Chapel Committee to discern a measured response to keep our parishioners safe. And I’ve asked the police to increase their patrols on our campus through the night watch. There is no way to make every public place safe from persons bent on harm.  But, our prudential judgement paired with wisdom for the good of the community will help mitigate temptation and loitering which will keep our campus open and safe.

All that said, let us all continue to commit ourselves to being stewards of our church. Do not hesitate to report anything that seems odd or out of place.  I need to know, and you are my eyes and ears.  Let us pray as a community to pour the Holy Spirit on our campus, so that all who come here will find St. Anne of place light, refreshment, and peace.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Hello and Goodbye

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we welcome Fr. Tetzel Umingli who is fresh from being ordained last month.  As always, I ask your patience as he gets settled in and begins to learn the warp and woof of our parish.  We are his first parish for a priestly assignment.  So, keep in mind the responsibility each of us share in the formation and accompanying of a new priest.  It is quite the privilege and honor to be sure. In the weeks ahead, he will write a letter of welcome where he will give us more insight into who he is a person and as a new priest. Let us rejoice in his presence and continue to pray for more vocations to the priesthood.

Last week, I did not mention the retirement of Esperanza Robles in my bulletin letter nor was she part of the farewell reception last weekend for Natalie and Fr. Nguyen.  This was not a mistake or oversight. In part, it was Esperanza’s preference.  She is a very private person who takes this move very seriously.  It is hard to say goodbye, and everyone does it differently.  Given that, I want to make my thanksgiving to her public for her 16 years of ministry with us at St. Anne.  She has been an incredibly flexible person who has dedicated her heart for the good of our Hispanic community and the parish in general. I want to thank her for all her help in translation work, helping better understand our Hispanic community, and always being a positive and friendly person on the staff. Thank you, Esperanza!   I ask that you join me in prayer for her in the new phase of her life.  May she know the grace of God and the love of all of us as she transitions into a new chapter of her life.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Time of Change

Dear parishioners,

It's that time of year for many goodbye's and hello's.  How's that you ask? Well, here are the highlights...

This past week we celebrated our student at our school who will be moving on to their next grade or next school. They have been given a a wonderful education and a strong encouragement in their faith. 

Next weekend between the Sunday morning Masses at about 9:30 AM, we are hosting a farewell reception for Fr. Nguyen and Natalie Scott. Please come and share in honoring them and sending them off to new adventures. 

On July 1, we welcome Fr. Tetzel Umingli as our new Parochial Vicar and Randi Lauby as our new Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry. 

There are bound to be more changes, most of which involve parishioners moving away and new ones moving here. For this of us staying out, vacations still await. Some of us will be heading out for vacations while some will be hosting friends and relatives on their vacations. It's just how this time of the year goes. Please, of course, do not go on vacation from practicing your faith. Sometimes people struggle to make it to Mass, because they are unaware of what opportunities are near them. So, before you head out on a vacation, make sure to go to our website and/or go directly to MassTimes.org to get a complete list of churches in the U.S. And their Mass times and add those opportunities to your vacation schedule.

Through all these changes, may God bless you and protect you with his guardian angels!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

New Church Building Update

Dear Parishioners,

Once again, as a manner of transparency and high communications, I would simply like to give you an update to our new church building project.  Here’s a brief history.

 After determining needs and wants over the course of several years, myself along with the Core Building Committee along with the Administrative Council called upon S & B James of White City to draw several plans for a new church which included site plans. The idea of simply remodeling the current building was reflected upon, but continually introduced more problems than it solved.  So, a new building has always been our focus. We did a feasibility study in view of the plan we felt was the best solution to answer almost all concerns brought forward. But, it soon became clear that our dreams when compared to our fundraising potential didn’t match.  So, we concluded that, knowing our potential for fundraising, we would then have S & B James draw up a new plan that would come within our financial reach.  Such a drawing would cut out some of the items we dreamed about, but would focus on the one main goal of this whole project: a better liturgical space worthy of the Sacred Liturgy which had all the pews in one direction. 

Thus, a very rough drawing of a basic rectangular building meeting our basic needs has been draw.  As a rough draft we will soon be reflecting more deeply on this drawing before we bring it before the parish community.  

The Archdiocesan Building Commission will need to weigh in and give approval of our plan and fundraising efforts. Assuming all goes well with the process of finalizing a suitable drawing, we will then seek out a professional company to help with a capital campaign which would likely happen in the Fall.  Assuming that goes well, we would then seek out bids from construction companies, choose the one construction company that fit our criterion, and ground breaking could occur late Winter or early Spring.  During the building phase of this project, we expect to hold Mass in our Parish Center. It will be tight, but we can fit. Personally, I am very curious to see how that experience bonds us together more as a community. 

Again, this is the latest information regarding the building project.  I have no intention of rushing any of this so all suggested drawings and time frames are subject to change.  I have not called together our Core Building Committee for review of the new rough drawing, but will do so when S & B James is ready to discuss the ideas together.  

So, I ask that you all continue to keep this project in your prayers.  We want to do this right and with prudence.  Some people are antsy to get this going while others are very cautious.  I understand both of those points of view, as I have held both, jugging them in my mind many times.  I pray that this project, however it goes, will be a grace-filled time where we grow together as a parish in our journey towards our Lord.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor