Thanks for the Memories!

Dear Friends,

Shortly after Ash Wednesday and immediately after the funeral rites for Andy Domagola, I began to receive letters and emails from parishioners and students wishing me well and praying for my good. I was struck by the goodness of such kind-hearted people. I assumed they were addressing the loss that I had been feeling in association with Andy's death -- a loss that so many of you have experienced as well. At first, I began to call some of these letter writers to thank them for their kindness.

However, as the weeks passed, the letters continued -- and continued -- and continued! In all honesty, I began to feel a bit concerned; I wondered if people were thinking that I was beginning to crack under pressure. Given the overwhelming number of cards and letters -- and even baked goods which I usually never second guess[!], I wondered if I was giving the impression that I was beginning to lose it!

I began a bit of an investigation, and I was grateful to discover that people were not necessarily thinking that I was at wit's end, but that a kind person of the parish thought it would be a wonderful act of Lenten charity if people would write their pastor to wish him well amidst these 40 days!

So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank so many of you for your cards, emails, voice mails and bakery, expressing such gratitude. Please know of my mutual gratitude. And I believe all of this was under the direction of my dear friend, Carolyn Schaeffer -- and perhaps some of her cohorts as well. Please know how moved I have been over these past 40 days. Because I keep a file entitled, "Rainy Day," you know that I will be keeping these very kind notes. As such, I thank you for your random acts of kindness. It seems as though my files were cleaned out just in time to make room for a new generation of memories: "Thanks for the Memories!"


Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.

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J T B + M I A = Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa!

Dear Friends,

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Wow: March 18th? It's been a while; I apologize for being 'missing in action' for quite some time now. No, I did not travel away to some tropical destination while our college celebrated Spring Break! Rather, I spent most of the time in my JMS office doing some very necessary spring cleaning. Thanks to those who stopped in the office this week and noticed a cleaner, more orderly office! If you think the desktop and shelves look a bit more organized, you should see what my files and the cavern under my desk looks like. I am grateful for the time that allowed me to get life and office in order. It gives me an added boost as we delve into Holy Week and the conclusion of our 109th year together at Saint Norbert College.

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Inspired by our House Superior at Saint Joseph Priory, Father Tim Shillcox, O. Praem., I decided that my nights free from college and parish obligations would be spent at the priory, painting my room. Father Tim makes this task seem so effortless; my experience was quite different! Looking at my milky white walls, seeking to add color (a spice-colored reddish-brown), I learned the meaning of the expression: "There's no turning back!"

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Once you splash a rather dark color on off-white walls, you realize that you have crossed a threshold -- you need to go all the way. What I thought would take a day lasted an entire week. I painted just one wall -- the others will be completed when school lets out in May. Now a week later, I must admit that the wall looks great -- yet if you look at the seam between the walls and the ceiling, I might start to get a bit discouraged! Further, if you look at the paint I slopped on the carpeted "mop boards," I'll feel a bit deflated. Nevertheless, once I find a solution to remove the paint from the carpet, all will be well. Once that happens, I'll be sure to add a picture here so you can see the finished outcome.

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At the end of that first humiliating night of painting, I returned to my bedroom across the hall -- my room that over looks the Old Saint Joe's bell tower -- my home away from home! The lights of the steeple shed light on the walls that my dad painted about 10 years ago. Guess what? The seams were flawless! It looks as though he used a straight-edge across the entire room. Recalling the painting of this room three years after my occupancy, I remember dad used only his 'level eyes' to create such fine horizons between wall and ceiling, wall and floor.

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Immediately I felt discouraged that my dad -- amidst heart issues and aproaching his late 60's and early 70's could do something that looked so fine, so perfect. But then I remembered the scripture passage from Saint Matthew 10:24, "A student is not above his master!" Dad's talents should be celebrated, not envied! What a great reminder of the works of a great, great person and role model!

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Friends, the cleaning and the painting has taken me away from this forum. I apologize for being so distant from all of you. Nevertheless, I've stored up many issues to address here. They will begin shortly. But until then, thanks for taking the time to check out this blog once again. While the work of preaching and presiding over Holy Week will be intense, I promise to keep in touch -- I hope you will as well!

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"Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa!"

Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.

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PRAYERS FOR THE HALLBACH FAMILY: As Well as the Avery Family, and the Good People of Rural Manitowoc and Calumet Counties!

Dear Friends,

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The members of Old Saint Joseph Church gathered in prayer on Sunday morning -- as we do every Sunday morning -- and on this particular weekend, we took the opportunity to pray for the good of the Teresa Hallbach family and all those involved in the court proceedings at the Calumet County Court House. The Norbertine Community of Saint Joseph Priory also gathered tonight as we watched the verdict unfold at 6:00 PM.

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While there is sadness and loss experienced profoundly with the Hallbach's and the Avery's, we must trust that #1., Teresa is at peace, and #2., that God's justice and mercy will prevail -- sometimes in ways we do not always readily understand.

___

But in the meantime, I give thanks to Mike Hallbach, Teresa's sister. Mike serves as one of the videographers for the Green Bay Packers. He joins Bob Eckberg, Chris Kirby and Andy Muckerheide in running a pretty impressive department at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Over these past 17 months, I have been in awe of Mike and his family. The inherit goodness, faith and love of Mike and his family has been contagious. I feel blessed to know these very good people.

___

As more court proceedings are outstanding, we realize that this journey is not yet complete. As such, we continue to commend all involved to our prayers with the hope that God will continue to do what God does best. We keep all involved in our thoughts and prayers knowing that, "God's flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd's care!"

___

Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.

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L O C K D O W N !

Dear Friends,

________________________________________________________

It's been several weeks now that GBCI has been in emergency lockdown (as you have noticed, perhaps, by the reports from local media outlets). As a result, my colleagues and I who minister to the Catholic population at the maximum security prison on Thursday mornings have been away from work for about five weeks now. No return date [no lifting of the lockdown] has been issued by the Warden. Not only have Father Paul DeMuth, Deacon Jim Gauthier, Deacon Bob Nooker and I been without work for these many weeks, but more importantly, the inmates have also been without Sacramental care for quite a duration of time.

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As I drive by the scene which you see posted above, I can't help but wonder what's up on the inside! (Perhaps the average DePere, Allouez, and Green Bay residents have always wondered what's up as they drive by a place that is pretty mysterious!) All we can say is that it's a pretty serious situation -- and as time goes by, more and more is revealed.

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I'd like to ask for your prayers for the GBCI community. Perhaps asking for prayers for major offenders will offend some of you. After all, I realized on the first day of my ministry there that some people are not all that sympathetic to the needs of the inmates. Nevertheless, Jesus reminds us of the need to respond to ALL people, especially the marginalized when he states, "And I was in prison and you visited me!"

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Towards that end, I ask for your prayers not only for the 1100+ inmates in an 800 capacity prison, but let us pray also for those who tend to their needs, the "blue shirts," the "white shirts" the chaplains, the social workers, the teachers... And let us pray also for a very good man, Warden Bill Pollard, a man who rules like a velvet hammer: blending tough administrative sanctions with a kind, compassionate heart -- a man who truly understands what justice is all about: from a legal perspective as well as a pastoral perspective.

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What happens at the southeast corner of Riverside Drive and Highway 172 is a mystery to many; but as one who has a fledgling understanding of the insides of that place, I can tell you this much: "God's flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd's care!"

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Yours in the Spirit of Saint Patrick!

Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.

O'Praem -- See, We're all Irish Today!

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Family Ties (In a Canonical Sort of Way!)

Dear Friends,

My thanks to all of you from our parish as well as our friends from the clustering parishes (Resurrection, St. Matthew, St. Mary, St. Francis Xavier and Our Lady of Lourdes) who attended tonight's gathering for "The Way of The Cross." It was a wonderful gathering, and so many of you were impressed, moved, enlightened... ... All of this due not only to the goodness and open minds of you who gathered, but due also to the talents of my brother, Father James -- Seamus -- Neilson, O. Praem.

I have long loved many of the Church's devotions that were a part of my childhood experience. Yet it seems as though many of these treasures have long been forgotten. Because I "Live for Lent," as I've suggested earlier in this blog, I wanted to give our parishioners an opportunity to attend the "Stations of the Cross," albeit as Saint Augustine would say, in a manner that was "Ever Ancient, Ever New." In all honesty, one person came to mind: Father James Neilson.

Seamus, as he is called affectionately, has an unbelievable capacity to blend the classic and the contemporary; the conservative and the liberal; the ancient and the new; the sacred and the secular in such a passionate, pastoral manner -- empowering and challenging us to be "Church" to one another as both 'protector' and 'prophet!' Tonight, he once again rose to the occasion!

I felt a brother's pride as he engaged all of our senses in such dynamic ways. Father Jim -- Seamus -- is a true blessing, a true jewel of the Order -- and a great brother. I am grateful to God that he is an impressive priest, brother, artist, professor, Norbertine, Son of God... ... who truly believes that, "God's flock is in your midst." The doors of Old Saint Joseph Church will always be open for him to, "Give it a Shepherd's care!"


Yours in Ss. Norbert & Joseph,


Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.

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My Mom is Beginning to Scare Me!

Dear Friends,


I was going through emails tonight, and I've noticed several that are just appearing for some reason, yet their published date is a couple of weeks off -- either a computer glitch or I'm even more disorganized than I originally thought. (I'll let you make the call!)

However, one email -- from Mom -- gives me pause. I must admit, I have pretty 'hip' parents! Mom's latest email to me entitled, "Famous Last Words" would give Father Sal or Father Conrad a run for their money. So, here's a bit of humor from my Mom, again, entitled: "Famous last Words!"

I wonder what this button is for.

I wonder where the mother bear is.

These are the good kind of mushrooms.

This doesn't taste right.

I can make this light before it changes.

Are you sure the power is off?

It's probably just a rash.

Which wire am I supposed to cut?

I've seen this done on TV.

Rat poison only kills rats.

I think it's dead.

What's that priest doing here?

That's odd....

I can do that with my eyes closed.

What duck?

Nice doggie.

______________

Mom, you're beginning to scare me; besides this, you've mastered the computer much too quickly!

Nevertheless, I wish you all a great night!

Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.

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Eschatological Origins and Ends at the 12:20 NN Mass!

Dear Friends,

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What bittersweet bookends accompanied Tuesday's 12:20 NN Mass! I had just finished vesting for Mass when a very dear friend of mine approached me before Mass to tell me the good news that she and her husband were 'expecting.' I am aware that this very good couple had been hoping and praying for this good news for some time now.

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Throughout the Mass, while praying the words of consecration, I'd look over in her general direction and see complete and total joy on her face; filling the entire church with a look of 'Transfigured' grace. She made my day on Tuesday, and just seeing her joy empowered me to be a truly Eucharistic person, a person of true thanksgiving.

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Upon arriving at the priory to 'di-vest,' I noticed that my phone was blinking. Checking the voice mail, Sr. Marilyn from St. Vincent had called during the Mass to notify me that one of my inmate-parishioners had been admitted to the hospital and was in need of some pastoral care. Upon arriving at St. Vincent 15 minutes later, I was surprised to see the gaunt face of this particular inmate who attends both the 8:15 and 9:30 Masses each Thursday morning.

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He had been quite sick for some time now. Many of the employees and guards at GBCI had registered concern about this man because he looked so tough. As many of you are aware due to the media, GBCI has been in emergency lock down for over four weeks now, so I was unaware of this inmate's recent illness. My 'parishioner' informed me that tests have shown that he was filled with cancer -- lung, pancreatic and bone.

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The words that he uttered coupled with the sight of the GBCI guard armed at the door and the inmate's ankles cuffed to the bed's foot board made this scene seem so lifeless, so futile. As I returned to the college after that brief visit at St. Vincent, I recalled the gospel of the day: Jesus reminds us how the Pharisees are certainly knowledgeable of what discipleship requires, but they are slow to understand what sort of 'personal sacrifice' the Christian life demands. Jesus challenges and affirms the disciples of yesterday and today. The challenge: this life is filled with all sorts of crosses. The affirmation: Christ understands our crosses; he bore one himself; we are never alone in our suffering.

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Had these two episodes simply bookended a regular noontime lunch at the priory or union, the bittersweet roller coaster ride might have been a bit dizzy-ing. But the news immediately preceded and followed Mass, the "font and summit" of our Christian-Catholic heritage. While my thoughts or quick reflections blogged here might seem to minimize the intensity of such great news and such terrible news, I believe that by placing all of life's events -- both positive and negative -- within a Christocentric framework helps one handle all the triumphs and tragedies that this life reveals.

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What's your story this week? Was it marked by life, joy, happiness or new life? Or was it filled with sadness, uncertainty or despair? The cross of Jesus Christ not only reminds us of Christ's own sufferings, but of his solidarity with us amidst such bittersweet moments in life. As we continue to bathe in this life -- often times punctuated by milestone moments of origins and ends -- we remember to pray for and celebrate the good news that, "God's flock is in our midst, give it a shepherd's care!

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Yours in Ss. Norbert & Joseph,

___

Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.

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Shifting Gears, Just a Bit!

Dear Friends in Ss. Norbert & Joseph,

I apologize that I have been pretty distant from the blog for over a week now. As you can imagine, I have had several pastoral issues to which I needed to attend throughout this past week; so some things and some issues -- mainly administrative tasks and these blogs -- have taken a 'back-burner' to more pressing events. As such, I do not regret that my time and energy was spent over pastoral issues as of late. After all, I was ordained to minister to the flock, not to push papers. Nevertheless, I do apologize that I have been M.I.A. when it comes to phone calls, emails and other forms of administrative care. I truly hope you all understand.

My blog will soon move into the direction to which you have been accustomed -- for better or worse! But before that can happen, I do need to simply say, "Thank you!" You see, over the past week, I have received so many phone calls, emails, and especially letters via 'snail-mail' wishing the College Community well as we have mourned the loss of Andy Domagola -- a person whom I have considered [if you haven't noticed] a very good friend. Literally, I have heard from people all over the country [given the size of the crowd that gathered at Andy's Mass of Christian Burial] of people's support for me, personally; to Father Jay Fostner, O. Praem.; Dr. Richard Rankin; our Residential Life and Security staffs; the Norbertine Community of Saint Norbert Abbey; the Benedictine Community of Saint Procopius Abbey; and all of the administrators, faculty, staff and students who took the time to reach out to a community in need. The numbers of those in need -- and the numbers of those reaching out to those in need -- have been profound.

My dear friends, we have seen and experienced the worst these days, haven't we? And yet, we've also seen the best! I am profoundly effected by the goodness of Mike and Karen, Megan and Mary Grace Domagola. I have considered his many aunts, uncles and cousins honorary members of our parish. And once again, for the ninth time in my short pastorate, I have noticed how well we take care of each other in times of sadness, loss and death.

Back in 1983 I chose St. Norbert as the only place I would consider as my potential 'home away from home' for the next four years of my life. Thank God, Saint Norbert College accepted me! Never did I imagine back then, that when I entered this school -- this way of life -- that this would not only be my home for the next four years, but for the rest of my life! Over these past 23 years I have experienced good days and bad days -- good weeks and bad weeks. Perhaps at this point, I have even experienced good years and bad years! And yet it has been the community -- this CHURCH -- that has sustained so many of us in such pastoral and loving ways. Towards that end, I could not think of any other place I'd rather be!

Who knows what our future holds? While I pray for good and pleasant days ahead; this life never guarantees such bliss. But here at St. Norbert we can be assured that no matter what lies ahead, we can celebrate and share the 'Good News' that, "God's flock is in your midst;" time and time again, many of you will dare to "give it a shepherd's care!" Again, Thank You!

Father James Baraniak, O. Praem.,

Pastor -- And Honored to Serve You!

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