On Living the Vocation to Holiness - 4th Sunday of Advent

In every cinematic presentation I have seen of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", Ebeneezer Scrooge, after a night of visitations by the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future, commits himself to "keeping the spirit of Christmas throughout the year".  To this end he begins by making a commitment to support of his employee Bob Cratchet's family, in particular - Tiny Tim; meeting the gentlemen he had berated the day before when they asked him for a donation to their charity for the poor, he made a generous donation and assured them of continued support; finally, he joined his nephew and his family for Christmas dinner.

The one thing in Charles Dickens' book that isn't included is: he went to Christmas Day church services.  This is important to point out because we, as Christians, would recognize that it is our celebration of and participation in the mystery of the Incarnation - Christ's birth - that we are then motivated to do the other three things detailed above.  Indeed, it is our weekly participation at holy Mass that carries the mystery of the Incarnation through the rest of the year.

As I was contemplating this I also took notice of the opening prayer for today’s Mass (4^th Sunday of Advent) we hear: “Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection.”  Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  The opening prayer sounds familiar because it is the collect for the devotion we know as “the Angelus”.

It is one of the beauties of the Roman Rite that in addition to a strong liturgical life: holy Mass, the sacraments, the Divine Office (breviary), and Eucharistic adoration; there is also a strong devotional life.  Sadly, when I was growing up in the 70’s, that devotional life was intentionally sidelined; it was considered an anachronism and treated as something old, of a bygone era.

Why is it that the devotional life was so intentionally looked down upon (even persecuted) in my youth and into my early seminary years?  I think there were three principal reasons: 1) there was a drive to emphasize the importance of the Eucharistic Assembly on Sundays; 2) a view that devotions were a manifestation of a bygone era of superstition and a detraction from the worship of Christ; 3) a continuing manifestation of the heresy known as Modernism which rejected a belief in the supernatural and the accompanying belief in miracles. 

I understand and have always accepted  what the Church teaches us about the holy Mass being the font from which the Christian life flows and the summit to which it is always drawn.  For this reason Christians have considered it absolutely necessary to participate in holy Mass each Lord's Day (Sunday) and on certain days appointed by the Church throughout the year.  It has also been the practice to assist at Mass daily where and when possible.

It is sad that, in addition to the above and with the rise of scientism, the devotional life was branded as a 'detraction' from holy Mass as well as smelling of superstition.  This is sad and wrong.  It is understandable I suppose, looking from the outside in, that the devotional life could seem superstitious.  As Catholics, we can sometimes seem like we have more faith in various prayers and devotional practices than we do in God; a sort of 'works righteousness' which is rightly condemned.  However, when approached properly in faith, the devotional life supports the liturgical life.

This leads us, however, to our third issue: modernism.  Modernism is a heresy identified in the 19th century and condemned by the Church which contends that there is no such thing as miracles.  Because of this heresy we entered into a period in which anything miraculous in scripture or tradition was immediately explained away or simply discounted.  Sadly, condemning a heresy doesn't mean it necessarily goes away - even within the life of the Church.  And so we have had much to suffer over the past 150 years because of it.  Indeed, we still see its influence on our present day approach to the sacraments, our beliefs and practices, even our translations of holy Scripture.

Each of these three issues conspired to deprive the people of God of a rich heritage.  Happily, the beauty and strength of the devotional life has been rediscovered, newly appreciated, and reacquired in our present day.  Indeed, over the past 20 years there has been a resurgence in devotion to the Rosary, the wearing of scapulars and holy medals (especially the Miraculous Medal), and devotions to the saints, novenas, and much, much more.  It is such that many of our young people today almost take it for granted.

In so doing we are re-discovering the power of our Catholic faith as we once again pick up the tools given us by God directly, and through Him our blessed Mother, and the saints, and then handed on to us by our forebears who were so powerfully assisted by these gifts of grace.

Indeed, in the practice of reciting the Angelus, we bring to mind the mystery of the Incarnation - the spirit of Christmas - not only throughout the year each week (as in holy Mass), or even each day, but three times each day!  (That is why the bells ring from our church each day at 7:00 am, 12:00 noon, and 6:00 pm - the traditional times to pray the Angelus)  How's that for keeping the spirit of Christmas???  From our liturgical life, supported by a rich devotional life, then comes the true and lasting motivation for the other three ways by which Scrooge committed himself to keeping the spirit of Christmas: charity to those in need closest to us; charity towards those in need who are unknown to us; and charity towards our family.

May you be strengthened in your devotional life so as to be drawn ever more deeply into the mysteries of our Faith which are celebrated and made present to us in the celebration of holy Mass and then lived out each day in our works of charity.

The Traditional Latin Mass at St. Mary's Ridge

Yesterday, December 13, I received a letter from Bishop Callahan concerning the implementation of Pope Francis' Traditionis Custodes in the Diocese of La Crosse.  After months of discussions and a real feeling that we had made our case, things were turned on their head a little over a week ago.

I think it's important to understand that Bishop Callahan truly struggled with how to implement the pope's motu proprio.  He has a real pastoral heart and concern for all his people.  Unfortunately, he has not been able to see any way forward.  His brother bishops have been all over the map on their implementation of this motu proprio and, sadly, he did not find the solutions of those who have left the practice in their dioceses "as is" compelling.  Thus, he has implemented the motu proprio strictly: the Traditional Latin Mass will be offered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe - La Crosse, St. Mary's Oratory - Wausau, and Cor Jesu Oratory - Boyd; but not in any parish churches.  He has left open the possibility that this permission could be extended to St. Mary's Ridge again some time in the future, but this would be dependent on wiggle room appearing in future directions from Rome either in a revised motu proprio or signals that a relaxation of the directives of Traditionis Custodes will be allowed.

Obviously, I am very saddened by this decision; but in keeping with my promise of obedience made at my ordination to the priesthood, I will carry out Bishop Callahan's directive.  This includes the directive to begin offering the ordinary form of the Mass in Latin, ad orientem, and with all the smells, bells, chant, and ceremony that we have come to know and love in the Mass, regardless of form.

With that in mind, I will begin offering the ordinary form of the Mass as directed above at all the usual times formerly associated with the Traditional Latin Mass: Sundays at 12:00 pm, Thursdays at 6:30 pm, First Saturdays at 8:00 am, Ember Saturdays, and Holy Days of Obligation.

This community has been a true joy and privilege to serve.  I hope that many of you will allow me to continue serving you under the new regime.  I truly believe that we can continue to find joy and beauty in the holy Mass if we will all pitch in and embrace the changes that are being asked of us.

On Living the Vocation to Holiness - December 11, 2022

We all know someone who has been absent from our Eucharistic community.  Some have yet to return since the covid shutdown, whether out of fear or because they have gotten used to watching Mass on tv, or simply got used to not going to Mass.  Others have been hurt by someone in the community: either clergy, employees of the parish or larger Church, or even relatives or neighbors.  Still others have not, for some reason, come to know the intimate presence of God that occurs in a unique way in the Eucharistic celebration.

Many of us have noticed their absence.  Some have prayed for their return.  A few may have even gotten up the courage to speak with these brothers or sisters and invited them to return.  In any case, there are many in our community who are not present with us, and their absence is felt.

Christmas is a particularly good time to invite our brothers and sisters to “come home”.  With that in mind, we have produced postcards and have sent them out to everyone in our Tri-Parish Catholic Community.  These postcards invite everyone to “come home for Christmas” and include our communal Confession and Christmas Mass schedules.

These postcards are being sent to every home for a couple of reasons.  One: we don’t want to presume or leave ANYONE out.  All should be reached and feel they have been given a personal invitation to come home.  Second of all: recognizing that many of these cards will come to those who are already joining us, I ask you to give it to someone who may be in need of an invitation, but has not received one from us for whatever reason.

In any case, I ask that everyone in our parishes make it their personal mission to make sure that each person who has received one of the postcards recognizes our sincere desire that they feel welcomed home; and that armed with one of these postcards we each make the effort to invite an absent brother or sister to join us.

Recognizing that those who are hurting may be in need of reconciliation with the community, invite and encourage them to meet with me if that will help; you might even offer to come with them as a supportive brother or sister in Christ.

A parish is not a parish if all it does is prophetically proclaim the Gospel and dispense sacraments.  A parish is a community – a family; and each member of our family needs to be caught up in the warm embrace of that family; but it starts with a sincere and personal invitation.  Let us join together over these next two weeks to do our part in making that invitation so that we may all be one Body in Christ!

Health Update: December 10, 2022

The surgery to remove the rest of the skin cancer (melanoma) from my leg, and a couple of lymph nodes to make sure it hasn't spread went well.  Monday I have a follow up appointment with the plastic surgeon to make sure the skin grafts are ok.  In a week I should get a report on the lymph nodes.

I am resting at home now and staying put so as to let the skin grafts take hold.  Of course, I'm also nervously chomping at the bit to meet the needs of my parishes and school in this season of joyful preparation for the coming of our Lord.  I know, however, that all will go according to God's good plan.

It is now a time of resting, prayer, and relaxation (at least physically).  Know that your prayers have been greatly appreciated, and you are in my prayers of thanksgiving.

A Few Notes on Liturgical Practices

As we continue our entry into the Advent season it is a good time to re-visit some issues of liturgical practice in the Tri-Parishes so that understanding may be reinforced and tranquility reign in our hearts and community.  The particular issues I’d like to address are the use of Latin, ad orientem worship, and kneeling for the reception of Holy Communion.  The importance of these topics and the need to address them more thoroughly demands that I use the space normally reserved for both of my columns in one this week.

First, it must be remembered that all of these are well entrenched elements of worship in the Roman Rite.  While all three seemed, in the popular mind, to be “abolished by Vatican II”, nothing could be further from the truth.  

Regarding Latin in the liturgy, the Vatican II constitution on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, reminds us of the importance of Latin in the Roman Rite and the necessity of its preservation in the liturgy.  Theologically our catholicity is expressed in the language of the common parts of the Mass: the Kyrie, the Confiteor, the Creed, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei, as well as the Canon of the Mass.  In obedience to Vatican II we have had the practice in these parishes for 30 years now of using the Latin responses during Advent and Lent; and for the last eleven years we have also used these on Fridays such that the children of Sacred Heart School and those who attend daily Mass are then well cultivated in this aspect and practice of our Catholic faith.  In an era where international travel is not a rare experience for us, many have related their satisfaction that assisting at Mass in other parts of the world, they were able to follow the Mass in these other countries because the common parts of the Mass were known to them in Latin.

Ad Orientem worship as an issue has come to the fore over the last several years, encouraged especially by Cardinal Robert Sarah (the immediate past head of the Vatican Congregation for Sacred Worship).  Interestingly, the current General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM), which is the instruction for celebrating Mass, continues to ASSUME that the priest is celebrating the Mass in this manner.  There is a beautiful truth communicated with Mass offered in this manner: the priest at the head of the worshiping community, leading them in the worship of God and leading them TO God.  There is a greater sense of the sacrificial nature of the Mass as well as a lessening of the focus on the priest; both of which serve to set the focus on God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ over either the priest or the community which are not unimportant in the context of community worship but are certainly secondary to the action of Christ on the altar.

Finally, the practice of receiving Holy Communion on the tongue and kneeling has made a come back over the last several years.  It must be noted that the practice of receiving in the hand while standing has become the norm, it is a practice allowed by the Vatican in this country, and many others, only by an indult – in other words, it was never intended to be normative, though it did become “normal”.  Over the 50 years since the practice was first allowed however, many have come to feel a greater reverence for what, for Whom, they are receiving when they are able to receive the Blessed Sacrament in the ancient manner.  On the one hand, many feel an unworthiness to touch the Blessed Sacrament with hands that are subject to the messiness of daily life and work; others have developed a greater appreciation for the sanctification of the priest’s hand which are consecrated with holy Chrism at the priest’s ordination precisely in recognition of the sacred work that is to be undertaken and the sacred species which these hands will touch.  Finally, there is the beautiful and ancient symbol that is reverently embraced of the father feeding his children, the shepherd feeding his flock.  It is for this reason that Communion rails / stations have made a comeback in many churches, including in our own diocese; and in those places where communion rails had been discarded, portable kneelers or prie deuxs have appeared to facilitate this form of reception.

It should be noted that in all of these areas I have always been very careful not do disallow (or denigrate!) what the Church clearly allows, even by indult.  I have respected the feelings and sensibilities of the diversity of people found in our parishes.  Latin is not used in our liturgies exclusively nor even primarily.  It is used seasonally and situationally in the spirit of the conciliar documents with a desire to bring us into ever greater conformity with the desires of the council fathers. 

In like manner, I never refuse Communion in the hand to those who desire it – except in the case of those carrying infants and small children (prudence dictates: two hands on the child and two hands on the Sacrament); nor do I judge anyone based on how they receive our Lord in Holy Communion.  While I have provided for those who desire to receive Communion while kneeling I don’t force the issue nor do I judge anyone on that basis. 

And finally, ad orientem worship is offered only in those situations where it has been well-responded to, or for catechetical purposes (school Masses on Fridays), or in the case of St. Mary’s on weekdays where I am just not willing to shift the altar around for one weekday Mass and in a church that has only a small handful of people in it (wouldn’t you rather look at that beautiful high altar than at a mostly empty church?).

While the liturgy, especially holy Mass is supposed to be that around which we are unified, there continues to be a legitimate diversity that must be respected.  If you have any questions about these issues, don't be afraid to ask! 

Health Update - December 3, 2022

I want to begin by thanking all for your words of support and your offers of assistance.  While everything seems to be covered at the moment, your offers and concern have given me confidence in knowing I can ask if and when things do come up.

Surgery to remove the rest of the cancer from my leg is scheduled for Friday, December 9.  It is a day-surgery, and I will be recovering at home (the rectory).  I have been advised that I will need to lay low for several days and then “take it down a notch” for at least two weeks.  With that in mind, I have Msgr. Robert Hundt retained to take the Masses for the weekend of December 10/11.  At this point I am anticipating that there will be no weekday Masses at least through Wednesday (12/14).  I will be offering the Mass intentions already scheduled for those days in my rectory chapel.

If there are any emergencies during that time don’t be afraid to give me a call.  If I am unable to help you myself, I will find the help you need and make sure your spiritual needs are met.

My voice continues to make its way back to normal, but slowly.  As for the spot on the lining of the brain, we're keeping an eye on that to see if it is something that is a problem.  Next MRI is in February. 

So, that’s the update.  I thought I should give it here since not everyone are members of the Tri-Parish Catholic Community and the details are important enough that you, my family and friends beyond the Tri-Parish, might like to know.

Blessings to you all and again, Thank-you!

            Fr. Klos

On Living the Vocation to Holiness - November 27, 2022

 As we observe this Thanksgiving Weekend I was moved to look through quotes from the Thanksgiving proclamations of United States presidents.  It was interesting and informative.  First of all to see the emphasis of our earliest presidents on gratitude to almighty God.  For instance, President George Washington said, “…it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor…”  Today that would seem to be a tall order for any country.  It is however no less true today than it was in 1789, 233 years ago.

In 1863, in the midst of the darkness covering our country called the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln said “The gracious gifts of the Most High God…should solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.”  Wouldn’t it be something if we could at least agree on that.  Some might point to atheists and such as the reason this doesn’t happen, but it would seem the neglect of people of faith has at least as much to do with our lack of thanksgiving even on the day set aside for it.

President Ronald Reagan said “Let us keep this Thanksgiving Day sacred.  Let us Thank God for the Bounty and Goodness of our Nation.  And as a measure of our gratitude, let us rededicate ourselves to the preservation of this: the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Not so much an observation of duty as in the previous two quotes, but more of an invitation to join him in giving thanks to almighty God.  Maybe an invitation we could all extend to our brothers and sisters.

However, in my mind, the best quote of the bunch came from President John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”  Imagine that!  Living a life of gratitude to God.  Indeed, following the revelation provided in Sacred Scripture, we recognize that this life of gratitude is shown first to God, but then also to one another – benefactor and debtor alike.  Each play their part in revealing to us the ins and outs, the many crossing paths which weave a fabric of gratitude in our Church, in our country, and in all parts of society.

In my personal letter I have given thanks to all of you.  Know that I thank God for you and am eminently aware of what a blessings He has bestowed on me through you – saints and sinners alike.

Happy Thanksgiving, each and every one!

On Living the Vocation to Holiness - November 20, 2022

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the coming of Advent and encouraged advanced preparation so that Advent could be a true season of preparation.  With the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King of the Universe (Novus Ordo) this weekend we are at crunch time for preparing.

The color for Advent is violet.  I often say “purple” because I have no idea what the difference is, so I’ve always called it purple.  But, in English, this is a happy confluence of terms since the principal points of both Advent and Lent are preparation, penance, and prayer (notice how they all start with "p"?).  Indeed, it works for funerals too, which is why I generally wear “purple” for funerals too.

Wait a minute!  “Penance”?  Well, yes.  Penance is an important part of not only Lent (and funeral rites), but also of Advent.  While it isn’t penitential in the same way as Lent, there is a penitential aspect to this season of joyful expectation.  So, what is this penitential aspect?

The penitence in Advent comes from a realization that Christ, our King is coming, and we are not perfected in holiness and love; that is, we aren’t quite ready to receive Him.  It is for that reason that we are saddened by our lack of faithfulness, and therefore - preparedness.  When He comes we want to be ready, we want things to be perfect.  Think of a bride and groom as their wedding day looms, realizing that some important elements of their preparations are left undone.  I’ve seen brides especially come undone (actually, unglued!) over such things.

Thus, we see there is indeed a penitential aspect to our preparations.  That is one of the reasons that Advent is a time when more recent tradition dictates communal Confession services be scheduled.  And this has already been scheduled for the Tri-Parishes and extra priest-confessors secured so that this issue may be laid to rest and not be an obstacle to our full celebration of the Lord’s coming.

Another part of our preparation must be increased prayer.  In prayer we bring ourselves before the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, his Father, and the saints seeking their assistance so that we may be found truly ready at the Lord’s coming.  In this way we find ourselves in a position to receive Him fully, with hearts opened wide.  For many this is a matter of becoming more attentive to daily recitation of the Rosary, especially the Joyful Mysteries which are the Christmas mysteries if you will.

The bottom line is we want to recognize Christmas and celebrate it first and foremost as a welcoming of the Savior, Jesus Christ, into our lives – not just a part of our life, but the whole of it (every room!).  Our Advent preparation is aimed at this and will help us in achieving it, if only we can keep the cultural intrusions and premature frivolity at bay for just a few weeks.

Long live Christ the King!

On Living the Vocation to Holiness - 13 November 2022

A social media posting from another church caught my eye the other day which referred to a children’s activity which was called “stamp out indulgences”.  Given the real and scandalous abuses that were occurring in the time leading up to the so-called “reformation”, I understood where the activity was coming from.  However, I’ll admit that my reaction was one of sadness.  Why would one want to stamp out indulgences?

I should begin with defining what is meant by an “indulgence”.  According to the dictionary, an indulgence is “an extension in the time in which a bill or a debt has to be paid”; it is also “the state or the attitude of being indulgent or tolerant.”  The Catholic understanding of an “indulgence” is: “The remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sin whose guilt has already been forgiven.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church – Glossary).

As I said, given the historical baggage attached to indulgences, I get that it can become a target; however, given our knowledge of the imperfect love we have for God and for one another, why would anybody pass up the chance for the forgiveness of the debt due for our sins?  This column doesn’t give near enough space for a full discussion of the ‘ins-and-outs’ of indulgences; so, I would encourage all to take a look at paragraphs 1471 – 1479 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Here one can get a fuller understanding of the basics involved in the “why” and the “how” of it.

I would say, in the context of this column, that I am personally very grateful that God gives us the opportunity, through these grants of the Church, to be perfected in love.  Understanding the double consequence of sin (CCC paragraph 1472), I know that while Christ has paid the price of my sins and provided forgiveness through his sacrifice on the Cross, I still have my part to do in setting things aright with regards to the disorder I have introduced into creation through my sins.  I am most grateful that my brothers and sisters, both in this life and in the hereafter (Purgatory & Heaven) can assist me in this through their prayers on my behalf.

I am also grateful that the Church helps me recognize through the granting of indulgences that the things our Holy Mother invites us to do each day are a natural part of this healing that comes to creation and to ourselves – prayer, study of Scripture and the Catechism, works of charity, etc.

God is indeed good; and indulgences are simply another sign of that goodness, that love.

Health Update - 8 November, 2022

I want to thank all who have been holding me up in prayer.  So many of you have communicated your prayer intentions for my health to me.  It has been humbling to say the least, but I am most grateful for your prayers, expressions of concern, and the delicious food some of you have left on my doorstep.

My latest round of doctor appointments is now completed.  there's basically three pieces to this: the skin cancer, the meningioma found on the lining of my brain, and the reason I went to the doctor in the first place - my voice issue.

The skin cancer (melanoma) will be removed in the near future.  They'll also take some lymph nodes to determine whether the cancer has spread.  Bottom line: This part of the trio seems to be the one that will be the most involved in time and effort to overcome.  But, it can, and with time will be.

The spot found on my brain, a meningioma, is small and not uncommon according to the neurosurgeon.  She said it could have been there for several years already for all we know.  I'll have another MRI in three months, and if that shows no significant difference in the spot then there'll be succeeding MRIs at greater intervals until we can forget about it.  If it does grow, it is something that can be dealt with and is dealt with much more commonly now with radiation and, if need be, surgery.  But the prognosis is very good.  Bottom line: it isn't particularly worrying.

Finally, they still have no idea why my voice went haywire.  The neurologist is chalking it up to a viral infection.  It's been getting better over the last three or four weeks little by little.  So, we'll go with that and not look a gift horse in the mouth.  The hope is, especially since there hasn't been any discoverable cause, that it just continues improving until the voice is back to normal.

So, there it is: one issue improving; one issue not particularly worrisome (at the moment); and another to be dealt with more immediately with not quite as much confidence in the endgame yet.  Hopefully the last will have more clarity in the not too distant future.

In any case, the medical professionals will do their part, but in the end it's in God's hands and I'm ok with that.  So, again, thank-you for the prayers and good wishes.

On Living the Vocation to Holiness - November 6, 2022

     This month of November is traditionally dedicated to prayer for the poor souls in Purgatory.  I am amazed to still hear from life-long Catholics that they don’t believe in Purgatory.  I’ve never gotten a good answer from anyone who has stated this position about why they reject the Church’s teaching.  What’s more, it is sad that we should think so little of God and of ourselves to not rejoice at the GIFT Purgatory is to us.  Now, how in heaven’s name can Purgatory be a “gift”???  Well, let’s talk about that.

     The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraphs 1030-1032, gives us the fundamentals.  It also, in the footnotes, helps us to see the biblical foundations from the books of Job, Maccabees, 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter, and the Gospel according to St. Matthew; as well as writings from the saints and councils of the Church.  In reviewing this we see that this doctrine is well-grounded and a part of the Church’s very long understanding of the “Last Things” (death, judgement, heaven, & hell).

     In reading and then bringing these texts to prayer we come to see how God’s perfect plan for our eternal life is not just an eternal extension of what we have experienced in this life.  In heaven it doesn’t “take all kinds”, which we too often say as we are excusing poor behavior.  In heaven there is only one kind – those who have been perfected in love, that is, their ability to respond to love with a love that is completely self-giving.  Does that sound too good to be true?  Well, that’s the way God rolls.

     So, let us embrace this doctrinal gift through our attention to prayer for those who have gone before us, especially in those moments when we have an inkling that we should pray for one person or another.

     There are a good number of resources available for growing in our understanding and appreciation of Purgatory as well as resources for prayer.  There are some excellent videos on the FORMED platform from the Augustine Institute.  I also have an outstanding video that I would be willing to lend out.  Finally, there are still a decent number of “Purgatory Novenas” available in the entrances of each of our churches.

     I hope you will make use of these resources and grow in your confidence in God’s love for all as you embrace his plan for our salvation – of which Purgatory is sometimes a necessary and grace filled part.

My Health

 Dearest Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

This blog was established as a tool for evangelization.  As a result, I haven't given much personal information with the sole exception of my father's final illness and passing.  However, given my very public voice problem it seemed the best way to update everyone.  I will continue to use this blog space to update family and friends for as long as necessary.

About eight weeks ago my voice started acting up.  My neck and facial muscles would tighten up and when I spoke it would sound like I had a cold or a sinus infection or something.  I wasn't in any pain except that my neck and facial muscles would ache from being so tight.  Not an ideal situation for a priest who celebrates, on average, eleven Masses per week and teaches about eight hours per week, plus parish and school meetings.

After about four weeks I went to the doctor to get checked out.  My general practitioner checked out my ears, nose, throat, lungs, etc. and could find nothing that would explain this.  And then, he re-checked a spot on my leg, which we've been keeping an eye on for several years, and decided it should be looked at by a dermatologist.

So, I went to the dermatologist who cut out the spot and sent it off to be checked for cancer.  It came back positive for melanoma.

In the meantime I also had appointments with an ears, nose, & throat specialist, a speech therapist, and was scheduled for an MRI.  The ENT found nothing remarkable; the speech therapist was sure she could help me; and the MRI came back with a small "meningioma".

So, I’ve had five appointments with various doctors over the last three weeks, none of which have come any closer to understanding the roots of this voice problem.  The spot found by the MRI apparently isn’t in the area dealing with speech. Ugh!  But now they want to biopsy that to make sure it isn’t malignant.  And since they found a cancer on my leg and a spot on my brain they now want to do a PET scan to make sure cancer isn’t lurking anywhere else.  So, now I have a PET scan next Thursday and three more doctor appointments the following Monday.  Oy!  But, hopefully they find nothing on the PET scan except the leg (which we already know about) and figure out whether the spot on the MRI is anything to be concerned about.

Honestly, at this point, I’m not particularly worried because there isn’t anything definitive to worry about yet.  I feel well enough and am continuing with my normal schedule.  

I am grateful to all who have expressed concern and offered up prayers.  Keep the prayers coming if you can, especially through the intercession of the Servant of God, Fr. Joe Walijewski.  I have always been very much aware that a priest is sent to serve, not to be served, in imitation of our Lord.  For that reason I am sorry for any disruptions / inconvenience this is causing anyone and will cause in the weeks ahead.

As always, I am most grateful to almighty God for his mercy and love, and for the many people he has put in my life who have been such an inspiration to me and such lovely teachers of how to live life fully and well, especially in the face of adversity.