Fr. Joseph Jenkins
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Many thanks to all you made the parish picnic a success! I hope everyone had a good time. Here am I with the “fan dancers.” Is the bishop watching?
The kids certainly seemed to enjoy it. Hum, are we sure that the dyes for the face painting were not permanent?
Happy Fourth of July Weekend! God bless America!
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Yesterday our parish hall was a polling place in the Prince George’s County Elections. Less than 500 voters came out but the campaign workers gave out pamphlets and cards, shouted the names of candidates, littered the property with signs, etc. When the election was over, they disappeared, leaving all their trash behind. It was a real mess!
CLICK THE PICTURE ABOVE to see the pictures I took this morning. They demonstrate the level of disrespect they showed this church and the local community. Another property on 450 is posted against tresspassers and dumping. It is surrounded by campaign signs. I guess private property and anti-littering laws do not mean much to those who would be elected officials and to many of those who would support them.
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The presence and participation of girls as altar servers has become fairly commonplace since their official introduction in the 1990’s. Just as we would hope that our young men might be inspired to consider a vocation to the priesthood; it is desired that our young ladies might give some thought toward a calling to the religious life as either a sister or a nun. While it is only “private” revelation, I have routinely shared with our altar girls the following citation from Mary of Agreda’s CITY OF GOD about the Virgin Mary’s service in the temple:
“The priest also gave Her a rule for her occupations and said: ‘My Daughter thou wilt assist at the exercises of divine praise and song in honor of the Lord with all reverence and devotion, and always pray to the Most High for the necessities of his holy temple and of his people, and for the coming of the Messiah.” . . . The most holy Child remained on her knees, while She listened to the words of the priest and then asked his blessing; . . . In the performance of works not commanded Her our Queen and Lady distinguished Herself from other maidens by asking her teacher to be allowed to serve them all. . . . By means of her infused science She understood all the mysteries and ceremonies of the temple; but She was anxious to learn them also by study and practice, as if She were ignorant of them, nor did She ever fail in any ceremony or duty, no matter how small. She was most eager for humiliation and most submissive in her self-contempt; . . .” (pp. 130-132).
If our girls and women can in some small way imitate this kind of model, then the novelty of their service should prove no problem. Notice the word “maidens” in the text? Although not translated, the Roman Canon mentions God’s servants and handmaids. Considering the political climate, such an appreciation would be a wonderful counter-cultural sign of humility, not to men, but to almighty God.
Filed under: Altarservers, Discipleship, Liturgy, Mary, Mass, Parish | 2 Comments »
Presidential Rank of Meritorious Senior Professional
Dr. Henry Dardy, 2008
I lost one of my best friends, the parish deacon. His sister called me last Saturday to let me know that Deacon Hank collapsed while doing yardwork at his home. Hank was a great scientist and man of faith. He was instrumental in the creation of several corporations worth hundreds of billions of dollars. He ranked with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. The only difference was that he was more interested in being a prophet than in making profits. Along with his lab and those who worked with and under him, he invented and perfected all sorts of things. He worked with Lucas over the computerization of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. He was behind high speed data transmission and in collaboration with ABC and Disney helped to perfect HDTV. He worked for his country and the Navy. He loved his Country, his Church, and his Community. I will never forget this quiet and good man. Last Friday he did the parish Stations of the Cross for me. He preached two weeks ago and gave one of the best homilies I had ever heard; I even said so from the altar. No task was too great or too small. This world-class scientist replaced my light bulbs and fixed the clocks. He set up for Masses, performed baptisms, and proclaimed the Good News. He believed. He was living evidence that there need be no contradiction between being a person of science and a man of faith.
Bishop Martin Holley presided at his funeral and I was honored to preach. Many of his deacon classmates attended. The church was packed with friends, family and colleagues.
I will miss him very much. Everyone loved him. Goodbye Hank, until we meet again in the Lord . . .
OBITUARY
Deacon Dr. HENRY D. DARDY “Hank” (Age 67)
On Saturday, February 27, 2010 in La Plata, MD, the beloved brother of Sr. Mary Ann Dardy and Anthony “Tony” Dardy; brother-in-law of Barbara G. Dardy; uncle of Lisa D. McGee and Mark D. Dardy; nephew of Anna M. Lindich.
Family and friends may call at Holy Family Catholic Church, 12010 Woodmore Rd., Mitchellville, MD 20721 on Wednesday, March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. where Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, March 4 at 10 a.m. Interment on Friday, March 5 at 11 a.m. in Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to either Holy Family Catholic church or John Carroll University, 20700 North Park Blvd., University Heights, OH 44118.
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Ice and snow are everywhere. Trees are broken and the power lines are sparking.
The trees are beautiful, at least the ones which survived.
Fortunately there are no rentals, actually one was cancelled, as was a funeral and a wedding. Tons of snow separate the hall from the church and rectory.
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