Our Lady of El Cisne revisited

A couple of years ago we posted regarding Our Lady of El Cisne...And we would like to invite you to join in next weekend’s celebration of the Feast day of the Holy Virgin Mary, the Queen of El Cisne.

Our Blessed Mother is venerated under many different titles throughout the world. In all of her manifestations, she indicates that she is our Mother who loves and stands by us. You may wonder who is Our Lady of El Cisne?? Six years ago the Ecuadorian members of our parish arranged for Padre Herman to bring the image of Our Lady of El Cisne from Loja to our parish, she’s the image in the 4th Avenue shrine who has long curly hair and the wardrobe to die for. She is the patroness of the province of Loja, Ecuador and the patroness of all exiles.

In 1550 the Spanish arrived in Ecuador, and the Franciscan friars named a mountain parish “El Cisne” which means the Swan after the European mountain hermitages built and maintained by the Royal Order of the Knights of the Swan. -- a group that ties into the Authorian legends. The Bishop of Loja -- Luis Lopez de Solis wsa a member of the Royal Order of the Knights of the Swan in Spain.

The native Ecuadorians developed a devotion to the Blessed Mother and arrangements were made to carve a 6 ft Cedar statue in honor of the Virgin. This statue was placed in a small shrine and is still venerated almost 500 years later in the beautiful Cathedral of El Cisne.

In 1594 there was a terrible drought in the province of Loja. There was no rain, the ground was dry and dusty and everything was dying. To aggravate the situation, a plague of mice consumed any food that had survived the rays of the sun. There was no food and the people were starving. Due to their desperate situation the peasants of El Cisne came to the distressing conclusion in October of that year that they would have to abandon their town in order to survive. Prior to leaving the residents gathered to pray to Our Blessed Mother begging her assistance so they could stay in their homes and if they had to leave that she would watch over them while they were in exile. When they attempted to leave with the Statue of the Virgin and terrible wind storm occurred forcing them to return to their homes. Soon afterwards, the holy Virgin appeared to the village elders and told them not to leave. She would watch over her children and if they built a church and practiced their faith, they would never be hungry. On October 12th, 1594 dense clouds covered the horizon and the blessing of the rain fell upon the parched earth. Once again God reveals His love and protection by sending to his people his Mother as evidence that the power of faith connects us to God and his goodness. The people obeyed the Virgin and with great devotion built a church, a place where many miracles have occurred.
El Cisne is one of Ecuador’s major pilgrimage and tourist sites. Every year on August 15th, the celebration in honor of Our Lady of El Cisne begin and carried by over 20,000 devotees, she begins a 3 day trek to Loja, where she is received with civic, military & religious ceremonies. This is a time of prayer and celebration with processions, Masses, fiestas and fireworks, On November 1st, the Virgin and her followers begin their return pilgrimage to El Cisne.
So you ask, why should I participate in an Ecuadorian celebration however nice or historic?? And the answer is…. To give honor to our Blessed Mother who is pleased when we honor her under any and all of her special titles. Your Mother is calling you to participate in the celebration… Come and join in the Fun. There will be a Rosary on Friday, August 15th, at 7 p.m. Saturday will be our main celebrations with Mass in English celebrated by Msgr. White at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. A procession through the streets at 6:30 p.m. led by the "Ecuadorian Pearl Band”. Holy Mass in Spanish celebrated by Fr. Walter Lawson of Radio Maria at 7:30 p.m. For the 2nd year this mass will be broadcast over Radio Maria. There will be a fiesta in the auditorium after Mass with free food, and traditional Ecuadorian singers & dance groups performing.

People spend a lot of money to travel to South America to experience this celebration, and we are blessed that we can experience a piece of Ecuador right here in HF STA for free. We hope that you will join us in honoring the Blessed Mother. May Our Lady of El Cisne bless us all! Amen

The Year of St. Paul

On June 28th, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI officially opened the Pauline year to commemorate St. Paul’s Birth. During this year, the Pope has requested that we get to know St. Paul and learn about his writings and his spirit of Evangelization!
After his dramatic conversion to Christianity, St. Paul’s whole motivation in life was to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and announce to all nations the call to be God’s holy people.
Our world is known for lukewarm faith practice, and where the Christian religion is often seen as not having significant relevance for today, the Pauline Year is an occasion for each one of us to get in touch with our own commitment to Christ. Especially by way of St. Paul’s own passion for knowing the person of Jesus Christ and his great desire to announce the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations of the world.

St. Paul inspire & pray for us!

One Faith -- One Baptism -- One Parish :-)

Saturday, May 31st, 2008 was a very special day for our new parish community of Holy Family and St. Thomas Aquinas as we celebrated with Bishop Nicholas De Marzio and welcomed home so many people who have a spiritual and emotional connection to our parish community. Canonically we are officially ONE community with 2 worship centers.

We gathered to celebrate our parish reconfiguration with Vespers sung in Latin by our Gregorian Choir at Holy Family Church. A procession of our Organizations on 4th Avenue. Thank God for providing the procession with a window of opportunity with no rain :-) A Mariachi musical interlude at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. The celebration of Holy Mass with Bishop DiMarzio as our Main Celebrant - beautiful hymns by Roger (our organist) and Lanie (our Cantor) AND the joyful sound of our Spanish Choir. Followed by a Feast & Dancing in the Auditorium.

But what were we celebrating with our banners, our prayers and our fellowship??

Reconfiguration is a big word, which describes the merger of Holy Family and St. Thomas Aquinas churches. The business term “merger” depicts how the corporate structure of our two parishes will be joined. However, the “business” that we are about as the people of God is creating something new. A community that will be neither Holy Family nor St. Thomas Aquinas and at the same time both Holy Family and St. Thomas Aquinas. A community that has the love of God bound into our hearts and is empowered by Jesus in the Eucharist. Just as each of us emerged from the waters of baptism, our new community will emerge from the giftedness that is the past and present of these two beloved parishes. May we understand ourselves as indispensable, inseparable parts of the Body of Christ, becoming Church together, living and loving His mission and ministry

The new parish we now form is an exciting opportunity to be open to the whisperings of the Spirit of the Lord among us as we together face the challenges of our future. Together we have to demonstrate our faith and hope, our courage and trust, our prayers and support as we journey together to become a new parish, one community of faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Our new community is built on the rock of the our past – the founding of Holy Family Parish in 1876, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in 1884 and St. Stanislaus Martyr in 1890. Beginning from the immigrants who first struggled to build our two beautiful Churches, to those who sustained the other projects and to those who continue to work to support our community today, there has been no lack of giving and loving enthusiasm among the faithful of Holy Family & Saint Thomas Aquinas Church.

Ever grateful for what we have received from those who have gone before us, let us build on our inheritance so that future generations may be blessed through us. With God's grace we can plant the seed of our reconfigured parish ~ nurture the seeds that were so lovingly planted by the members of Holy Family, St. Stanislaus Martyr & St. Thomas Aquinas Parishes in the past ~ and help build the Kingdom of God in Park Slope.

(with grateful appreciation for the influence of other people's reflections)

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You

My God, I offer You all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings in union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the intentions for which He pleads and offers Himself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in thanksgiving for Your favors, in reparation for my sins, and in humble supplication for my temporal and eternal welfare, for the needs of our holy Mother the Church, for the conversion of sinners, and for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory. Amen

Merry Christmas

A Christmas Meditation

It's Christmas ~ a time of rejoicing, feasting, presents & love! A time to remember and celebrate the GREATEST present of all for it is Jesus' birthday!!!

What is your image of the first Christmas? Do you think of the Christmas Crib under your tree???? A quiet stable filled with clean straw, and beautiful statues of Joseph, Mary, the shepherds and the magi kneeling in prayer ~ worshiping the baby??? Perhaps an odorless cow, donkey and some equally odorless sheep & camels???

However, the first Christmas was an actual event that came complete with the sights, smells and the sense of the coldness of the night. People aren't plaster statues kneeling in prayer ~ so what was the first Christmas actually like????

Close your eyes and try to imagine what the people actually felt and thought as they experienced the first Christmas.

At that time, Rome was a great empire ruled by Caesar Augustus and King Herod governed the land of Israel.

Far in the East, the magi searched the heavens and in their separate palaces they were amazed to discover the Star of Destiny rising in the western sky. The ancients had foretold that the Star of Destiny would rise in the night sky and lead those who are wise to the Light of the World. Surely, the Star of Destiny was a myth, but there it was beaming in the night sky. Balthasar, Melchoir & Caspar, who NEVER agreed on anything consulted with each other. They all saw the star and agreed that this unusual occurrence was an adventure that couldn't be missed. As soon as they could assemble a caravan, they followed the star.

At the same time, in the land of Israel, in the little unimportant village of Nazareth there lived a young carpenter, Joseph and his wife Mary, who was pregnant. They were eagerly anticipating the birth of their first child. All births are special, but the birth of this child had been announced by the Angel Gabriel. Very close to Mary's due date the Roman soldiers marched through the villages announcing that the Emperor had ordered a census. In two weeks everyone had to register for the new taxes in the towns of their birth. No exceptions, no questions, this is the law!!!

Joseph & Mary had expected the birth of their child to occur in Nazareth, but it was not to be so. Joseph was furious, he protested that his wife was due any day WHY couldn't they register in Nazareth?? His protests were to no avail; the soldiers just laughed at him. He felt so incompetent!!

This new problem caused the nagging doubts to reappear ~ did an angel really appear to him or was it just his over active imagination providing a solution to a horrible problem?? Mary's unusual pregnancy originally was a difficult experience for Joseph. Especially, because he became aware of it after Mary had returned from a three month stay in Ain-Karim with her cousin Elizabeth. If this child was the foretold one, why all these difficulties??? As he prepared for the trip, he prayed and his hand trembled when the sacred prophecy flashed into his mind. Away in Rome, Caesar Augustus dreamed that his might had worked their departure from hearth and home by his decree ~ while in truth the word of God had decreed it ages ago.. "You Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least of the cities of Judah, for out of you shall come the one to be Ruler in Israel." He felt relief ~ everything was arranged by the Lord of history, his little family were safe in the Lord's hands.

The trip was extremely difficult; the roads were filled with stressed out people traveling under duress. Mary's labor pains started hours before they reached Bethlehem. They finally arrived and to their dismay discovered a town swarming with people. The baby was coming, and there was no lodging available in any of the Econo-inns.

Against his better judgment, a frantic Joseph tried a distant cousin's house, begging accommodations for the night. After delivering a sermon about premarital sex and how he had tarnished the family name, his cousin sniffed and informed them that she was busy preparing for her Hanukkah celebration and just had no room for them. In desperation, they even tried Jesse's spacious inn, which they really couldn't afford. However, it was overflowing with people and the innkeeper took one look at Joseph & Mary's clothes and said we have no room. Joseph pleaded that his wife was having her baby, only to be informed that wasn't Jesse's problem. Jesse ended the conversation as a Temple priest arrived and inquired concerning available accommodations. The innkeeper just about pushed Joseph over as he welcomed the priest to the inn.

Joseph was in a state of panic! There has to be someplace, anyplace where Mary could have the baby with some privacy. Then he remembered the caves in the field of Ruth that he used to play in when he was a boy. Some provider he was, but time was running out and there seemed to be no other options. Better the privacy of a cave then to have the baby born in the street. It appeared that others had the same thought and the first couple of caves were filled with beggars and other poor travelers. Luckily, the last one was being used as a stable and because of the smell had only animals in it.

Rachel, who was camping out in the second cave, noticed Mary's condition and offered to help. So she came with them and assisted Mary with the birth. Joseph gathered wood and started a fire and soon there was a squeal announcing the new birth. Rachel fussed and chattered as she helped Mary lie down and hold the baby. It was a beautiful baby boy and Joseph smiled as the baby's little hand gripped his finger. Rachel was still chattering..."the little fellow certainly resembles his mother..... he appears to be healthy but we have to wrap him up before he catches his death of cold". She took Jesus, anointed him, and wrapped him snugly in swaddling bands, placing him into the manger, which Joseph had converted into a makeshift crib. Joseph walked Rachel back to the second cave, he was very grateful for her kindness. Upon his return, he laid another log on the fire to protect against the bitter cold night. As he snuggled with Mary and was drifting off to sleep, he thanked God for this long and difficult day, which had turned into the most wonderful day in his whole life!

Meanwhile, the shepherds were watching their sheep on the hills of Bethlehem. From nowhere there was a whirlwind and an angle appeared and shouted. "Glory to God in the highest and tidings of joy to all!" The shepherds were stunned and frightened as the angel stood before them and said; "Do NOT fear, but rejoice!! I come to bring tidings of great joy!!! Shepherds, you are the chosen ones of God who are to announce the fullness of time! Glory to God and tidings of joy to all! Let all people exult for in Bethlehem is born the Messiah, Glory to God and tidings of joy to all!"

One of the shepherds struggled to respond. "Surely, this must be a joke, you are mistaken. We are shepherds. The Messiah would appear in a palace and certainly not to such as us." However, the angel insisted, repeating the message. "Go to Bethlehem and announce this good news to all!" The shepherd retorted; "But Bethlehem is a big town, how are we to know where to find the child?" The angel responded; "This will be the sign. In a cattle cave, in a manger filled with hay, you will find wrapped in swaddling clothes the infant Messiah born this day." The shepherd shook his head, and said; "I must have drunk too much wine. Dirty shepherds announcing to all in Bethlehem that the Messiah is a baby lying in a manager in a cattle cave ~ give me a break. No one is going to believe us. I'm not sure I believe it. This isn't a good idea!"

Suddenly, the night exploded with the sound as hundreds of angels appeared singing and the angel insisted "GO, proclaim the glad tidings!!" Then just as suddenly the angels disappeared, leaving the astonished shepherds by themselves.

After that display, the shepherds carrying a lamb as a present for the baby hurried off to announce the good news to all that they met. They played their flutes as they announced the good news. Unfortunately, other then threats to call the Romans on them for disturbing the peace, no one joined them in the search for the Messiah.

Disappointed, they left the town, heading towards the caves. Their music awakened the children who excitedly joined the procession leading the way to the last cave containing Joseph and Mary who were woken by the noise.

"Shalom, Shalom," Joseph greeted the crowd. "Come, warm yourselves. Have your sheep strayed?" The shepherds responded, "We have come to see the Messiah child, just born." Joseph was startled and asked, "Who sent you?" Mary sleepily interrupted and said, "Enter and be welcome!"

The shepherds shared the story of the angels and presented the lamb as a gift. They shared their food, their music and their love. All of heaven was awed by the music of the poor ascending from the little town of Bethlehem.

Not far out of Bethlehem, the magi were still following the star. They had traveled for many days over mountains, through the desert and the wilderness. During the journey they discussed whom this King, this light of the world would be. Balthazar felt that they would find royalty who would rule the whole world. Melichor believed that they would find someone so wise that he would end all of the world problems. Caspar believed that they would find someone so holy that he would show them the way to the gods.

They had many adventures during their trip, but all of their charts indicated that this night was the night of destiny and the signs all pointed to the little town of Bethlehem.

They had actually reached Bethlehem the previous week, but at Balthazar's insistence they made their way to Jerusalem to ask advice from King Herod. Herod and his court were filled with corruption and even Balthazar had to admit that the journey was a waste of time. Funny fellow that Herod, who would dream that someone so treacherous would also want to come and visit the person who would be the greatest King. Making us promise to send immediate word of what we discovered ~ you never know.

The magi arrived at the stable and squabbled prior to entering. Balthazar was adamant that they were looking for royalty, so this certainly wasn't the right place. Caspar, especially protested that the charts must be wrong. He insisted that there had to be a great religious experience, some divine revelation indicating the Light of the World. Melichor insisted that the signs all point to this spot, and as wrong as it appears, the least we can do is to check it out. The disappointment was overwhelming as they entered the stable. It seemed unbelievable that the conclusion of their long journey was here.... in a shabby, smelly stable, looking at an infant snuggling with a lamb for warmth in a manger of straw, his two peasant parents beside him. There were no heavenly lights, no divine thunder rumbling, no angelic music, no servants, no riches, nothing of what they had anticipated. However, when the baby looked at them, they were suddenly aware that they had successfully completed their quest. As crazy as it appeared there was something very special there, and they were honored to have the privilege of entering the stable.

Jesus came into a fallen and unpleasant world. The world rejected him. The world still rejects him. But where ever he is accepted, love is there. On the first Christmas, Christ was revealed only to a few witnesses in the dead of night. Further, while God had at hand many rulers, priests and philosophers available to witness this special occasion, he chose shepherds, people who were looked down upon and considered unimportant. Sometimes, God's ways doesn't seem to make sense, but if we desire to come to the Christ, we must not be ashamed to follow those whom God chose and answer for ourselves the call to follow him.

With gratitude to Fr. Ed Hays for his many parables & Meditations that we have enjoyed, some of which have deeply influenced the above meditation!!

Come to the Health Fair!

Our Bodies are a gift from God and we are responsible to take good care of it.

COME TO THE HEALTH FAIR!!

The Fair will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Auditorium. 249 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, September 29th, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FREE Blood Pressure Testing ~ FREE Cholesterol Screening ~ LOTS OF GIVE-AWAYS :-)

September - the Month of the Sorrowful Mother

September is dedicated to the Holy Cross and the Sorrowful Mother.

Litany of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows by Pope Pius VII

V. Lord, have mercy on us. R. Christ, have mercy on us.

V. Christ, hear us. R. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.

Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.

Mother of the Crucified, pray for us.

Sorrowful Mother, pray for us. Mournful Mother, pray for us.

Sighing Mother, pray for us. Afflicted Mother, pray for us. Foresaken Mother, pray for us. Desolate Mother, pray for us. Mother most sad, pray for us. Mother set around with anguish, pray for us. Mother overwhelmed by grief, pray for us. Mother transfixed by a sword, pray for us. Mother crucified in thy heart, pray for us. Mother bereaved of thy Son, pray for us. Sighing Dove, pray for us. Mother of Dolors, pray for us. Fount of tears, pray for us. Sea of bitterness, pray for us. Field of tribulation, pray for us. Mass of suffering, pray for us. Mirror of patience, pray for us. Rock of constancy, pray for us. Remedy in perplexity, pray for us. Joy of the afflicted, pray for us. Ark of the desolate, pray for us. Refuge of the abandoned, pray for us. Shield of the oppressed, pray for us. Conqueror of the incredulous, pray for us. Solace of the wretched, pray for us. Medicine of the sick, pray for us. Help of the faint, pray for us. Strength of the weak, pray for us. Protectress of those who fight, pray for us. Haven of the shipwrecked, pray for us. Calmer of tempests, pray for us. Companion of the sorrowful, pray for us. Retreat of those who groan, pray for us. Terror of the treacherous, pray for us. Standard-bearer of the Martyrs, pray for us. Treasure of the Faithful, pray for us. Light of Confessors, pray for us. Pearl of Virgins, pray for us. Comfort of Widows, pray for us. Joy of all Saints, pray for us. Queen of thy Servants, pray for us. Holy Mary, who alone art unexampled, pray for us.

V. Pray for us, most Sorrowful Virgin, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. O God, in whose Passion, according to the prophecy of Simeon, a sword of grief pierced through the most sweet soul of Thy glorious Blessed Virgin Mother Mary: grant that we, who celebrate the memory of her Seven Sorrows, may obtain the happy effect of Thy Passion, Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

The Seven Sorrows of Our Lady ~ 1. The Prophecy of Simeon 2. The Flight into Egypt 3. The Loss of Jesus in the Temple 4. Mary meets Jesus Carrying the Cross 5. The Crucifixion 6. Mary Receives the Dead Body of Her Son 7. The Burial of Her Son and Closing of the tomb.