From the Pastor's Desk
February 26, 2012
Last Monday night was special indeed for those who were able to attend the Strong Men, Strong Faith Conference held at John Carroll Catholic High School.
Wow! How great it was to hear from several men who love their Catholic faith and put it out there with joy and ease!
John Martignoni, who is the Diocesan Director of both Family and Evangelization, summarized the 2-fold purpose of every person is to: (1) Get to Heaven and (2) take as many other people with you as possible.
By God’s design, the man is the head of the house and so it’s his responsibility to strive to get his whole family to Heaven with him, along with teammates, co-workers, others.
Philip Rivers, who is the Quarterback of the San Diego Chargers Football Team, is an avid Catholic, who is not afraid to live out and speak about his Catholic faith.
How wonderful to hear him say that while he didn’t know many of us in the audience, he none the less felt a great “oneness” with us … because of our union in the Eucharist!
Just as a football team is united through their love of the game, Catholics are united through their love of the Eucharist.
Although most NFL games are played on Sunday, Philip never misses attending Sunday Mass, calling it the one thing he needs to do to go out and play the game of football!
Philip loves his wife and his 6 kids and he spends time with them each day… including time in prayer.
He uses his God-given authority to guide and govern his children and he courageously speaks about the beauty and the truths of our faith in public.
Deacon Alex Jones, who converted to the Catholic Church in 2001, indicated that it was his study of the early Church Fathers that moved him to make the transition from being Pentecostal to Catholic.
Deacon Alex not only brought 14 members of his family with him, but he also brought 40 members of his Church!
How wonderful to hear him say, “I love being Catholic!”
That same zeal can be ours if we come to realize all that we have. Please take the time this Lent to discover or rediscover the treasure of our Catholic faith. You can pick up the following two wonderful books at the Gift Shop for $5 each.
Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly
Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor by Allen Hunt
How proud I am that 30 men from our Parishes went to John Carroll to be inspired. There they discovered that living the faith with passion is joyful and contagious!
Let’s keep the passion flowing as we use this Lent to become more and more inflamed with the love of God.
Love Father Deering
February 19, 2012
In just three days we will begin the Lenten Season, which consists of 40 days of preparation before we celebrate the great gift of our Redemption on Easter Sunday, April 8th.
A meaningful way to begin Lent is to receive ashes on your forehead on Ash Wednesday. It is a profound act of mortification whereby we acknowledge that our mortal bodies will surely die and change into nothing but ashes. Hopefully, this will move us to make whatever changes are needed to insure that our immortal souls will reflect the goodness of God and make us ready to live with Him forever in Heaven.
Ashes will be distributed at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Wednesday, February 22nd during both
the 6:30 AM Mass and the 7:00 PM Mass
Remember to abstain from all meat and limit yourself to one meal as Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence.
Then join us on each of the next 6 Fridays of Lent as we pray the 14 Stations of the Cross from 6:00 – 6:30 PM.
On the first 4 Fridays of Lent …
we will pray the Stations at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
On the 5th Friday of Lent, March 23rd …
we will pray the Stations at St. Henry Church.
On the 6th Friday of Lent …
we will pray the Stations at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
Right after praying the Stations, you’re invited to come over to the Parish Hall each Friday for a meatless meal … followed by an interesting video presentation.
Following tradition, the Knights of Columbus will offer their famous Pancake Supper this Friday, the 24th at 6:30 PM; it’s complimentary and always delicious.
As you decide what meaningful new things you will do for Lent this year, I want to invite you to consider coming to the 6:30 Morning Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church one or more days a week!
This is way more than a Lenten sacrifice … it’s the way that you most closely unite yourself with the love of God.
This year, the Forty Days for Life campaign will run along with the 40 Days of Lent. What a perfect time to offer some prayers or penance for an end to the evil of abortion. Please review the enclosed flyer to guide you.
Remember to set aside some special time each day for Prayer as you carry out your other devotions and sacrifices.
May this be your most rewarding Lent ever!
God bless you!
Love, Father Deering
February 12, 2012
Quite regularly you’ve heard me speak about Retreats!
Well, as you read this today some 70 of your Parishioners and I are gathered at the Benedictine Monastery in Cullman on our annual Adult Retreat being led by Bishop David Foley.
Next weekend some 15 of our 8th Graders, 18 Teen Leaders, 10 Parents and myself will be at Worldsong Retreat Center in Cook Springs Alabama participating in our annual Confirmation Retreat.
Two weeks from now, on Monday February 27th many Priests of the Diocese will be at Casa Maria Retreat Center in Irondale for our annual Lenten Day of Reflection. ,.
And in mid April we’ll have our 5th, 6th and 7th Graders at Worldsong Retreat Center for their Annual Youth Retreat.
Retreats are marvelous medicine for the soul.
They are nothing short of taking a vacation with God, which gives Him the special chance to guide you and refresh you!
Retreats can be very short (just a few hours long) or very long (like a 30-day Ignatian retreat).
Today I want to invite all men of the Parish to come to a short 2- hour retreat that will be held 8 days from now on Monday February 20th from 7–9 PM at John Carroll Catholic High School in Homewood. (by Wildwood Plaza).
Two nationally known speakers will bring great zeal and passion to our lives as husbands, fathers, men of Jesus Christ.
Catholic Quarterback, Philip Rivers, (of the San Diego Chargers) will share his feelings on faith, family and football. Catholic Convert, Alex Jones, will share the many treasures of the Catholic faith which moved him, a Pentecostal preacher, to convert … and to bring his entire church family with him!
Come and allow these men to strengthen you in fulfilling your roles in the Family, in the Church and in the World.
I ask every man in our parish (age 16 and older) to attend this Mini-Retreat of just 2 hours on Monday, February 20th!
A fee of $10 per person online (or $15 at the door) will serve as a stipend for the 2 Guest Speakers. If that’s a hardship for anyone, I will pay for you. Don’t let anything prevent you from attending and partaking of this time of spiritual renewal.
How perfect that this Retreat takes place just 2 days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent!
You’re most welcome to ride in our Parish Vans or follow in procession as we leave from the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parking lot at 6:00PM that Monday night. The Retreat begins at 7 and will conclude by 9 and we’ll be home by 9:30!
Let’s take this step together … and we’ll surely be … Strong Men of Strong Faith!
Love Father Deering
Last Monday night was special indeed for those who were able to attend the Strong Men, Strong Faith Conference held at John Carroll Catholic High School.
Wow! How great it was to hear from several men who love their Catholic faith and put it out there with joy and ease!
John Martignoni, who is the Diocesan Director of both Family and Evangelization, summarized the 2-fold purpose of every person is to: (1) Get to Heaven and (2) take as many other people with you as possible.
By God’s design, the man is the head of the house and so it’s his responsibility to strive to get his whole family to Heaven with him, along with teammates, co-workers, others.
Philip Rivers, who is the Quarterback of the San Diego Chargers Football Team, is an avid Catholic, who is not afraid to live out and speak about his Catholic faith.
How wonderful to hear him say that while he didn’t know many of us in the audience, he none the less felt a great “oneness” with us … because of our union in the Eucharist!
Just as a football team is united through their love of the game, Catholics are united through their love of the Eucharist.
Although most NFL games are played on Sunday, Philip never misses attending Sunday Mass, calling it the one thing he needs to do to go out and play the game of football!
Philip loves his wife and his 6 kids and he spends time with them each day… including time in prayer.
He uses his God-given authority to guide and govern his children and he courageously speaks about the beauty and the truths of our faith in public.
Deacon Alex Jones, who converted to the Catholic Church in 2001, indicated that it was his study of the early Church Fathers that moved him to make the transition from being Pentecostal to Catholic.
Deacon Alex not only brought 14 members of his family with him, but he also brought 40 members of his Church!
How wonderful to hear him say, “I love being Catholic!”
That same zeal can be ours if we come to realize all that we have. Please take the time this Lent to discover or rediscover the treasure of our Catholic faith. You can pick up the following two wonderful books at the Gift Shop for $5 each.
Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly
Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor by Allen Hunt
How proud I am that 30 men from our Parishes went to John Carroll to be inspired. There they discovered that living the faith with passion is joyful and contagious!
Let’s keep the passion flowing as we use this Lent to become more and more inflamed with the love of God.
Love Father Deering
February 19, 2012
In just three days we will begin the Lenten Season, which consists of 40 days of preparation before we celebrate the great gift of our Redemption on Easter Sunday, April 8th.
A meaningful way to begin Lent is to receive ashes on your forehead on Ash Wednesday. It is a profound act of mortification whereby we acknowledge that our mortal bodies will surely die and change into nothing but ashes. Hopefully, this will move us to make whatever changes are needed to insure that our immortal souls will reflect the goodness of God and make us ready to live with Him forever in Heaven.
Ashes will be distributed at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on Wednesday, February 22nd during both
the 6:30 AM Mass and the 7:00 PM Mass
Remember to abstain from all meat and limit yourself to one meal as Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence.
Then join us on each of the next 6 Fridays of Lent as we pray the 14 Stations of the Cross from 6:00 – 6:30 PM.
On the first 4 Fridays of Lent …
we will pray the Stations at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
On the 5th Friday of Lent, March 23rd …
we will pray the Stations at St. Henry Church.
On the 6th Friday of Lent …
we will pray the Stations at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.
Right after praying the Stations, you’re invited to come over to the Parish Hall each Friday for a meatless meal … followed by an interesting video presentation.
Following tradition, the Knights of Columbus will offer their famous Pancake Supper this Friday, the 24th at 6:30 PM; it’s complimentary and always delicious.
As you decide what meaningful new things you will do for Lent this year, I want to invite you to consider coming to the 6:30 Morning Mass at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church one or more days a week!
This is way more than a Lenten sacrifice … it’s the way that you most closely unite yourself with the love of God.
This year, the Forty Days for Life campaign will run along with the 40 Days of Lent. What a perfect time to offer some prayers or penance for an end to the evil of abortion. Please review the enclosed flyer to guide you.
Remember to set aside some special time each day for Prayer as you carry out your other devotions and sacrifices.
May this be your most rewarding Lent ever!
God bless you!
Love, Father Deering
February 12, 2012
Quite regularly you’ve heard me speak about Retreats!
Well, as you read this today some 70 of your Parishioners and I are gathered at the Benedictine Monastery in Cullman on our annual Adult Retreat being led by Bishop David Foley.
Next weekend some 15 of our 8th Graders, 18 Teen Leaders, 10 Parents and myself will be at Worldsong Retreat Center in Cook Springs Alabama participating in our annual Confirmation Retreat.
Two weeks from now, on Monday February 27th many Priests of the Diocese will be at Casa Maria Retreat Center in Irondale for our annual Lenten Day of Reflection. ,.
And in mid April we’ll have our 5th, 6th and 7th Graders at Worldsong Retreat Center for their Annual Youth Retreat.
Retreats are marvelous medicine for the soul.
They are nothing short of taking a vacation with God, which gives Him the special chance to guide you and refresh you!
Retreats can be very short (just a few hours long) or very long (like a 30-day Ignatian retreat).
Today I want to invite all men of the Parish to come to a short 2- hour retreat that will be held 8 days from now on Monday February 20th from 7–9 PM at John Carroll Catholic High School in Homewood. (by Wildwood Plaza).
Two nationally known speakers will bring great zeal and passion to our lives as husbands, fathers, men of Jesus Christ.
Catholic Quarterback, Philip Rivers, (of the San Diego Chargers) will share his feelings on faith, family and football. Catholic Convert, Alex Jones, will share the many treasures of the Catholic faith which moved him, a Pentecostal preacher, to convert … and to bring his entire church family with him!
Come and allow these men to strengthen you in fulfilling your roles in the Family, in the Church and in the World.
I ask every man in our parish (age 16 and older) to attend this Mini-Retreat of just 2 hours on Monday, February 20th!
A fee of $10 per person online (or $15 at the door) will serve as a stipend for the 2 Guest Speakers. If that’s a hardship for anyone, I will pay for you. Don’t let anything prevent you from attending and partaking of this time of spiritual renewal.
How perfect that this Retreat takes place just 2 days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent!
You’re most welcome to ride in our Parish Vans or follow in procession as we leave from the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parking lot at 6:00PM that Monday night. The Retreat begins at 7 and will conclude by 9 and we’ll be home by 9:30!
Let’s take this step together … and we’ll surely be … Strong Men of Strong Faith!
Love Father Deering
January 29, 2012
Most businesses manage their financial soundness by following an Operating Budget. John Carroll Catholic High School does; the Diocese of Birmingham does; and so do we.
Soon you will be receiving a review of how we did last year in meeting our budget and paying off our debts.
We are in sound financial shape and that can only be attributed to your generosity and your committed desire to participate in the life of the local Church.
A summary of the 2012 budget will also be shared with you so that you can see the many ways that your contributions will be put to good use.
As I mentioned in my annual Tithing homily today, each person is called to contribute their fair share to the running of the Church and this share amount was long ago established by God to be 10% of your income.
Making the mental and physical commitment to this endeavor early in the year will help all of us to be faithful to it.
Therefore, I ask you to spend some time this week … even with pencil and paper … to come up with the dollar amount that you pledge to give to the Church by year end.
Then once you receive your personal Pledge Card in the mail this week you’ll be ready to fill it out with your decision.
The 2012 Pledge Card will have two line items for your annual pledge:
Weekly Offering amount _________
Building Fund amount _________
Contributions you make to the Weekly Offering will be used to fund the operation and programs of our Parish.
Contributions you make to the Building Fund will be put into a special savings account to be used when we go forward with our next building project that has yet to be decided.
Based on your input from the project survey that you submitted last November, we will soon decide on the project that will best serve our Parish in the coming years.
Next Sunday is Pledge Sunday so please bring your Pledge Card to Mass so that you can place it in the basket at the Altar as a sign of your commitment to sustain His Church.
Both of our Parishes are growing and we need your financial support to continue to serve our many needs.
Thank you for your past contributions and please continue in your generous support of our Church.
Wishing you all of God’s blessings,
Father Deering
January 22, 2012
As I return from my one-week Retreat at the Benedictine Monastery in Cullman, I’m reminded of how simple it is to get re-energized about God … using prayer plus spiritual reading!
The goal of spiritual reading is to ignite the soul with a desire to grow in virtue … which means growing in holiness … which means being prepared to live with God in Heaven!
We happen to be living in a time where there is a virtual explosion of spiritual reading available to us. The number of books that have been written about the Saints, the Church, transformation, conversion, relationship and union with God, etc. is more than we’d ever read in a lifetime.
So we have more than enough to choose from … with many different topics that will serve to light the fire within us.
That’s one of the reasons I look forward to my Retreat … I get the chance to dig into books I’ve been meaning to read!
Well, this year I finished reading many different books and I can vouch for the saying that:
Reading is to the Mind what Exercise is to the Body!
Yes, reading must be done if we hope to keep our mind in shape. And so in addition to my ever present invitation for you to read regularly from God’s book, the Bible, I’d like to also encourage you to begin the practice of spiritual reading.
Our spiritual life is prone to become stagnant in the face of all our worldly concerns … but doing some good spiritual reading … even 15 minutes a day … will be a simple remedy.
Life is really worth living if we maintain a zeal for the prize of Eternal Life. We just need to have the discipline to do the things that will maintain that zeal.
A New Year’s resolution that I hope you’ll consider is to do spiritual reading regularly and hopefully daily.
Two outstanding books that I’d like to recommend to you are:
Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly, and
Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor by Allen Hunt.
Believe me, you will fan the flame of fire in your soul if you read these great recent works by men who love the Church and are committed to helping everyone find their way to Heaven.
Just order them on Amazon.com and you’ll be reading within the week!
The first month of 2012 is almost gone … so let this be the way you enhance your spiritual life.
May you keep the fire of faith burning in your heart!
Love, Father Deering
January 15, 2012
We’re fast approaching the last week of January which is normally referred to as Catholic Schools Week!
This is that time when Catholic Schools celebrate all the goodness that they bring to the education and formation of children.
In advance of this celebration, Our Lady of Sorrows Grade School is opening their doors to all visitors next Sunday from 2 to 4 in the afternoon in order to showcase their fine facilities and magnificent teachers.
I highly encourage Parents and Grandparents to ride down 13 miles and visit the School on Sunday, Jan. 22nd.
Take a look and see the wonderful environment that you could place your children into so that they not only get a quality education but they get formed to be good Catholics.
Yes, tuition is a part of Catholic education, but the benefits are out of all proportion to the money spent.
Moreover, financial aid is available to those who register early and some additional aid may be available from this Parish.
We offer daily transportation to and from both OLS and St. Rose on our School Vans for the low cost of $2 per trip.
Many Parents are recognizing once again the benefits of providing their children with a Catholic education and are making the sacrifices needed to send them to Catholic schools.
Catholic education is a wonderful investment!
Rest assured that we would put up a Catholic School on our Gardendale property tomorrow if we had the money to do so!
All it takes is money and so I hope you’ll keep the Church in mind in your estate planning and especially if you should win the lottery. Just imagine how nice it would be to have your name etched in stone over the entryway leading into the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School Library or Gym!
Let’s keep praying for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s intercession as we use other Catholic schools in the meantime.
Do plan to visit Our Lady of Sorrows School next Sunday afternoon and see for yourself how near you are and how possible it is for your children to receive Catholic education.
May God bless all your efforts and decisions.
Love, Father Deering
January 8, 2012
Tomorrow, January 9th, the Baptism of the Lord, marks the official end of the Christmas Season … and the beginning of Ordinary Time … that will continue up to February 22nd, which will then be the beginning of Lent.
As the Christmas Season comes to a close, I’d like to commend you for your faithfulness in honoring the Feast Days of Christmas and Mary, Mother of God … they were days of great grace! And I hope that you have a deeper appreciation of the immense love that God has for us … that He would send His only Son to take on our humanity to redeem us from our sins.
And I hope too that you have a deeper appreciation of the important role that Blessed Mother Mary played in our salvation and how having a true devotion to her will help us draw ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus.
As we move into this New Year, I want to thank you for the many kindnesses that you extended to me during the Christmas Season.
I truly enjoyed receiving your beautiful Christmas Cards, especially the ones that included pictures of your families.
And, I’m very grateful to you for your gifts, your gift cards and your Mass and Spiritual Bouquet cards.
The cookies and candies are all being put to good use by me and my staff and it looks like we’ll have everything consumed by the start of Lent!
You know, whenever people ask me,
“How are things at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton & St. Henry?”
all I can do is smile … because God is smiling on us.
I thank God every day for you good people and I thank Him for the privilege of serving as your Pastor.
Please hold onto your spiritual hunger for God and together we will grow to a new level of intimacy with Him.
I thank you for all your service and generosity to the Church … to the community … to one another … and to me.
I look forward to being your servant leader in the year ahead as we continue to grow as parish family and deepen our relationship with God and with one another.
Wishing you all of God’s blessings!
Love, Father Deering
