Bless this house -- Jan 1, 2010

One wonderful ancient custom on the feast of Epiphany is that homes are blessed. As we begin a new year with all its promise here is a blessing from Ed Hays.

“Lord our God, you whose home is in heaven and on earth, come and bless this house…Surround this shelter with your Spirit, encompass all its four sides with the power of your protection…Bless here this doorway. May all who come to it be treated with respect and kindness. May all our comings and goings be under the seal of God’s loving care…Blessed be all the rooms of this house…May we truly live in it as people of peace…Bless this place where we eat. May our meals be sacraments of the presence of God…Lord our God may your name always be holy in our home. May God’s blessing rest upon us all. Amen.”

As we begin this year of evangelization, may we welcome all people to our church. It is my hope that this year the Gospel message will take root. May we discover common ground in our efforts to pursue a just and peaceful world. It is my hope that we can overcome obstacles, heal divisions and bring Christ’s light to others.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

A Family Album - Dec 27, 2009

During this season we receive cards from family members that so often include photos. Recent pictures of newborn babies, married couples, family reunions, summer days at the beach. In our liturgy the Church gives us a family album that includes shepherds, angels, magi, an infant, Mary and Joseph. If we look a bit deeper the season also includes the martyrdom of Stephen and Thomas Becket and the slaughter of the Holy Innocents. No wonder red is one of the Christmas colors. The question then becomes if embrace the Christ child it will cost us. Embrace a spouse, a ministry, a cause or a country and it will cost us. Simeon reminds Mary that her soul will be pierced with a sword. So during this joyful season our liturgy asks us how much blood have we spilt for Jesus? Do our choices and decisions make it obvious that Jesus is our Lord and savior? Are we in God’s family album?

At this sacred time I thank all of you for the many ways you live stewardship here at St. Luke’s. In this awful economy with job loss somehow we continue to reach out to others. In this past year the young have been educated, the bereaved comforted, the sick visited, the hungry fed. Day in and day out the Gospel is lived. For this I am thankful.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

A view from the pew -- Dec. 21, 2009

What would Christ do?
Particularly in this Year of Evangelization, would Christ be dogmatic or tolerant? Everything we know about Christ would suggest the latter. Would he disown someone who led a good life but did not agree with Him on a particular issue? Would He want his religion to be “take it all or get out” or one that would celebrate event the smallest positive influence? Would He respect only the lives of just those who agree with Him or would He respect the lives of all sincere people?

The Lord gave individuals free will. The Catholic Church should give people the faith the moral foundation for exercising it. Free will cannot be exercised in a vacuum. Individuals have the responsibility to study moral issues, understand various points of view and make decisions consistent with their conscience. They should be steadfast in their beliefs, but tolerant of other responsible people who have different beliefs.

If St. Luke’s Church banned those who do not agree with every single Catholic rule, it would be a very small parish with very little impact. Thankfully it does not take that position and is a positive influence on many people’s lives. St. Luke’s should continue to promote forums where people can engage in a respectful dialog about complex moral issues. Tolerance will bring more people into the church; dogmatism will drive them away.

Peter & Adelaide Clifford

A view from the pew -- Dec. 21, 2009

I was present when Father Collins addressed the congregation a few weeks ago to acknowledge the public controversy between Bishop Tobin and Patrick Kennedy and I feel his remarks have been largely misinterpreted, and in some cases misrepresented. The purpose of his remarks was not to undermine the Church’s view on abortion. In fact Father Collins was perfectly clear that he fully supported the Church’s view on abortion, having stated so several times. Instead, I believe he offered his comments to contribute to the discussions he presumed (hoped?) Catholics would be having in reaction to the prominent media attention the Bishop Tobin and Patrick Kennedy exchange was receiving. As a professor and scholar, his experiences and perspective are certainly different than that of a parish priest, as is his style of communication. Regardless of where one ultimately comes out, his comments were relevant, honest, and rooted in Catholic teaching. In light of his many years of devotion and sacrifice, he was undeserving of the disrespect that was shown to him.

I appreciated Father Collins’ comments because they acknowledged, at least indirectly, that the issue of health care reform is not black and white for all of us. In my mind, the current debate involves competing moral principles. On the one hand, we have, “Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” On the other, “Thou shalt not kill.” If one truly believes that health care reform, even with an abortion provision, is critical for the least among us, is it necessarily inconsistent with Church teachings? Obviously, reform that excludes abortions would be preferable, but since that option is not presented, which principle prevails? More importantly, why?

In this year of evangelization, the reaction to Father Collins’ remarks causes me concern. Are questions welcome? Is there room for dialogue in search of the truth of Jesus’ teachings? Is the Church bigger than abortion, or any single issue for that matter?

Sincerely,
Lynn Barry Dolan

A view from the pew - Dec 21, 2009

Dear Fr. Bob,
Thank you for your “Pondering” in the December 6 bulletin. I applaud Bishop Tobin’s constructive engagement with Congressman Kennedy. In other diocese and faiths, the congressman may have been expelled, excommunicated or shunned for promoting a practice so contrary to church doctrine. In my view, the public debate only served to strengthen support for the Bishop and weaken support for the Congressman.

On the matter of the Providence Journal, I can understand that you must read the paper to know what your parishioners are reading, however I have cancelled my subscription.
Sincerely,
Alan Neff

A view from the pew - Dec 21, 2009

For some pro-life Catholics the only thing they get passionate and judgmental about is abortion. A full-developed ‘respect for life” position embodies Christ’s words (Matt 25) about what we must do to enter the kingdom:: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”

Make no mistake abortion is a serious moral failure. But not all people believe that. They don’t believe that abortion is wrong. In this pluralistic society we should not impose our moral views through legislation. That is the conundrum faced by Catholic legislators. But we can enact programs that provide financial aid and help to pregnant women in order to cut down on the staggering number of abortions.

Bishops who try to deny the Eucharist to Catholic legislators not in lockstep with Church teaching are taking a path they will regret. In fact their efforts are counterproductive. They should heed the advice of Archbishop John Quinn: bishops “confront the admittedly difficult task of balancing the need to uphold the sanctity of life while avoiding the enormously destructive consequences of the strategy of sanction and condemnation.”

The minds of abortion activists will never be changed by screaming and calling them “baby-killers.” We need dialogue and civility in the discourse. We need engagement rather than confrontation. As Pope John Paul II put it, “The goal of the Church is to make of the adversary a brother.”

Jim Marshall

Advent watching and waiting for Jesus - Dec 19, 2009

Advent is a time for watching and waiting for Jesus to be born in our world. Mary was one who waited within and without. She listened deeply to the message of God sent to her by Gabriel. Her response was “Let it be done to me according to your word. Mary is the one who pondered and treasured the word of God spoken to her heart. But Mary also waited “without” as she “proceeds in haste to the hill country” to be with her kinswoman Elizabeth. Her listening led her to be of service to others. Whom do we have to “proceed in haste” to during this season? Is it to a person grieving over the loss of a loved one? Is it to a family dealing with a love one who is presently close to death? Is it to some neighbor whose house is close to foreclosure? Is it to a family
whose loved one has recently been deployed to Afghanistan? Human suffering has taken on unique forms during this sacred season. Right in the middle of Mary’s service to Elizabeth she feels “the infant leaping in her womb.” Yes our God comes between people as Martin Briber reminds us. During this season be attentive to your relationships. For it is there that “word becomes flesh and dwells among us.” Just a few quick notes about the upcoming week. Please notice Walter Fitzhugh’s “View from the Pew”. Father Luke and I will be available December 23 (Wednesday) from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for confessions. Think about stopping in on your way home from work or after running errands. Also notice the late evening mass for Christmas is a bit earlier now (10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.)

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Year of Evangelization has begun - Dec 12, 2009

The Year of Evangelization is off to a rousing start. Tonight (Tuesday) the core group will meet to implement several outreach efforts to attract more people to the parish. One new program that will start in the new year will be “Families Helping Families”. Our hope is to create a parish service directory where people could offer their services to the parishioners of St. Luke’s. These services will be either pro bono or a fee for service. As we are all aware, Rhode Island has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. This program will hopefully put our plumbers, electricians, carpenters, accountants, etc. to work. St. Luke’s is a community that attempts to reach out. These indeed are stressful times as people have lost jobs, investment income and, even in some cases, their homes to foreclosure. As you can see, this will potentially be another pro-life activity here in our parish.

Fr. Bob Hawkins

Respectful Dialogue on Complex Moral Issues -- Nov 30, 2009

Some weeks I have to search for things to ponder about. This week there is so much to write about in the ongoing public debate between Bishop Tobin and Congressman Kennedy. Two weeks ago the Barrington Times had an editorial cartoon on the issue. Bishop Tobin is pictured saying if you do not follow Church laws refrain from coming to church. In each frame there are less and less people in church. Finally with one person remaining the Bishop says, “That’s better.” On Friday, November 20, I wrote this letter to the editor:

“Your editorial cartoon entitled “And on the Bishop Tobin/Patrick Kennedy War” raised deep emotions in me. It is not Bishop Tobin’s intent to drive people away from the church. As a matter of fact the Diocese has started a Year of Evangelization to reach out and invite Catholics back to the faith. Granted the Catholic message is a challenging one; respect for life from conception to natural death, the proclamation that marriage is a covenant between man and a woman, etc. It is the Church’s mission here at St. Luke’s and elsewhere to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, protect the stranger, educate the young. St. Luke’s parish is willing to work to make our town, state and world a just and peaceful place.”

This week I finished helping with communion at the 11:30 Mass and I go to the side door and begin a quiet discussion with a cross country runner from Barrington High School. When the conversation is over I hear Father Collins talking about “ensoulment” and Thomas Aquinas. Then he continues to comment on the Tobin-Kennedy issue. The main point revolves around the issue of who is worthy to receive Holy Communion. Fr. Collins’ remarks provoke strong opinions; pro and con. Now it’s my turn to weigh in as pastor to this ongoing debate. First of all, Bishop Tobin’s letter of three years ago was a private, confidential letter. He asked, not told, the Congressman to refrain from communion. Bishop Tobin has said many times he did not instruct the 300 priests of the Diocese to refuse Congressman Kennedy communion. I support Bishop Tobin’s many efforts to promote health care legislation that will not directly fund abortions. I hate abortion with my whole heart and soul. It is respect for life from conception that is indeed the engine that propels us as a Church to promote the dignity of human life. It is our respect for life that sends missionaries to the disabled, forgotten children of Jamaica. It propels us to work at the soup kitchen at St. Charles, send donations to the Little Flower Home, bring communion to the residents of Orchard View Manor and engage in many other outreach efforts. If the Church does not speak for the voiceless who will? I find it providential that right after the Mass I drive to Holy Apostles Church in Cranston to concelebrate a Mass with Monsignor Gregory, the founder of Mustard Seed. Our Catholic Church continues to speak for the voiceless and the least of our brothers and sisters.

Father Ray Collins is a friend who taught me in seminary about applying the word of God to the events of the day. However, his remarks Sunday should have been presented in a letter to the editor of the Rhode Island Catholic or in an OP-Ed piece. Remarks after communion was not the proper forum. He is open to hear from you with your thoughts. His e-mail is: profRFcollins@cs.com; his phone is 401/783-4301.

The Church seeks to promote forums where people can engage in a respectful dialogue about complex moral issues. In this pondering I have attempted to shed light, not heat, on this controversial topic. A year ago I initiated “A View from the Pew” in our bulletin. About five people have offered reflections. Perhaps now more people will offer their opinions. Let us listen to each other and come up with constructive solutions to the moral questions of the day.

Fr. Robert Hawkins

Happy New Year -- November 27, 2009

The Church wishes everybody a Happy New Year as we gather for the First Sunday in Advent. Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians greets us by saying, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love.” During this coming year there will be many invitations for all of us to abound in love. This year the Diocese of Providence calls us to evangelize and to invite others to join us at the table of the Lord. We hope to have listening sessions to hear the concerns of those who are not active in our faith community. Sometimes if people feel listened to and respected they know the are valued by others.


This past Sunday we had our 10th Grades gather at the 11:30 Mass to start their retreat experience. I was so impressed to see our church packed with young people. The contemporary choir added so much spirit to the liturgy. On December 8, following the 7 p.m. Mass, there will be a meeting for those who would be willing to form a core group. This core group would co-ordinate our evangelization efforts. I feel we need at least 20 people if our program is to be effective. I hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving. We are absolutely blessed here at St. Luke’s with so many talents and blessing. May we express our thanks to God by caring for His people.

Fr. Bob

Jamaica mission trip will live on in my heart forever - Nov . 22, 2009

Late last Saturday night I returned from Blessed Sacrament with the adult missionaries. It was an experience that will live on in my heart forever. Never have I seen the utter enormity of human suffering. Young people with contorted bodies suffering from Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, and other diseases. These are the “least of my brothers and sisters” that Jesus refers to in Matthew 25. Yet I also saw in the presence of the divine. Christ shines through the broken people of our world. As the week progressed I was able to adapt to the challenges of the week. The children are needy and like to be picked up and held. Some of them are very strong and can tax one’s back. One wonderful outcome of the week was the bond that was created among our group. We shared a desire to be of service. We were of one mind and one heart as we prayed and worked together. At night we sang, played “Catch Phrase”, processed the events of the day, and shared our experiences. Each one of us brought our talents in things like dental hygiene, nursing, painting, and yes even singing. We reached out to the caregivers who face immense challenges every day. Foot massages and pedicures, brought healing balm to these incredible people who live out the Gospel on a daily basis.

One added dimension of the week was a power point presentation given by Father Leo Shea, a Maryknoll father working in the Montego Bay Diocese. He shared the history and culture of the Jamaican people. Only 3% of Jamaica is Roman Catholic and yet the best schools in the country are indeed Catholic. We were amazed at the ease with which the caregivers prayed. They would quote long passages of the Bible by heart. Hymns were sung with great vigor and grace. St. Francis prays that it is “in giving that we receive.” Indeed our adult mission group received much from our time at Mustard Seed. It was due to the generosity and prayers of this parish that this trip was possible, so thank you to one and all. In the coming weeks Trish Cirillo, Mary Lally, Mary Nugent, Ann Molak, Ann Marie Thompson, and Doug Johnston will be sharing their experiences with the parish community.

Fr. Bob

Universal Call to Holiness - Oct. 3,1 2009

One of the great phrases from Vatican II was “the universal call to holiness.” This call is integral to our Baptism where we are created to be God’s daughters and sons. Through Baptism we are grafted to the Body of Christ. Long before I was ordained to priest in 1975 I was called to have a holy life through Baptism. Holy lives take our time, talent and treasure seriously as we work with God to build the Church. This weekend representatives from different ministries will offer symbolic gifts that represent the various ways that we build community here at St. Luke’s. A big thank to Connie Oswald and Chris Pichette who have organized our “All Saints, All Ministries” weekend.

With the flu season approaching we have installed Purex containers at the three entrances to the church. If you are wary about shaking hands at the Kiss of Peace just wave or bow to your neighbor. This gesture is an important one as we visualize our unity before approaching the table of the Lord. Our symbols are important (Kiss of Peace, partaking of the bread and wine, etc.) and lead to a worship that is reverent and life giving. Hopefully our periods of silence at liturgy will create a prayerful environment at our masses. Please pray for our adult missionaries as we leave for Jamaica this coming Saturday. We all are a bit nervous but confident that we will receive many blessings from our time at the Mustard Seed community.

Fr. Bob

A quiet place where God can speak to our hearts - Oct 24, 2009

Last week Father Luke and I attended a clergy conference on Cape Cod. The speaker was Deacon James Keating from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. His topic was the interior prayer life of the priest. In the midst of all the pastoral activity one needs to find a quiet place where God can speak to our hearts. After all, he said, we became priests not to build structures or raise funds but to help people in their journey toward God. If we as priests are to be effective it demands a certain amount of silence in our lives. He encouraged us to create silent periods in the liturgy; especially after the homily and communion. By doing this we encourage a contemplative attitude among our people. So often we are uncomfortable with silence. The mind wanders and we notice the hat someone is wearing or what we have to do after Mass. Then there is the parking lot dilemma. We need to clear the lot so the next group can arrive for the following liturgy. In short, let us not be afraid to be still and quiet so that silence can have its proper role in our liturgies.

Fr. Bob Hawkins