From the Bishop’s Desk March 2023

March has arrived! As usual, we will spend it observing the Season of Lent.

Growing up the good sisters would start talking to us weeks before Lent began about what we would be giving up. Movies, candy, playing card games, and a host of other things that were enjoyable in life. We were to pray more, attend Stations of the Cross, collect bottles, and donate the refund money to the church or causes like Pennies for Pagan Babies. We were also expected to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, of course when I was young every Friday of the year was a meatless Friday. Then there was the fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All of these activities were good to teach children to live Christian lives. However, somehow the church failed to make childhood learning relatable to adult reality.

In the Gospel, Jesus calls upon us to repent, believe in, and proclaim the good news, He shows us how to have an intimate prayer life. Remember how he told us that when we pray go to a private place? He also demonstrated it during his agony in the garden. He withdrew to be by himself. There he didn’t just use formula prayers addressed to God, rather he opened his heart and soul up to God in a very intimate way.

Throughout his life on earth, he practiced charity. He showed us how to share what we have with others. We’re not talking about food and water. Recall that Judas was the treasurer of the disciples. He kept the money to be used for the maintenance of their ministry and helping others. Being God, Jesus also was able to heal those who in faith asked to be healed.

Throughout his life, Christ showed us how to live a Christian life. It is up to us to carry his example and his teachings. May we each use the time given us by God this Lent to redirect our lives along the path of Christ.  

From the Bishop’s Desk February 2023

In 1 Corinthians, Paul compares Christ’s disciples to a body—the Body of Christ. Every Christian is a part of this body. Every part needs the others, and every part should be concerned for the wellbeing of the others. Further, no part of the body — no member of the church — can claim to be a self-sufficient unit. It is through the local church that God has chosen for us to join together and live like a cohesive body. Therefore church attendance is very important.

All Christians make up the universal church. God uses smaller local churches in particular, important ways. The local church is where we learn about God. It is also how we build each other up through encouragement, exhortation, service, honor, and compassion.

Church attendance is not a requirement of the RCC, especially since the Covid Pandemic. We don’t have to go to church to be saved. But staying away from church is dangerous. When we avoid other believers and reject their encouragement, the world is more likely to influence our beliefs and thoughts than the Word of God. In the church, however, God has provided people who can remind us Who He is and how much He loves us. Most importantly, we can grow in love for God and others. In this month of love and friendship try to attend Mass in person and invite others to come with you.

From the Bishop’s Desk January 2023

We look forward to the celebration of a new year each January 1. Many of us make resolutions. Some decide to stop smoking. Others consider going to the gym more often. Still, others are going to eat healthier. All are worthy goals to set for ourselves in this life.

Yet what has happened to our Christian Resolutions we began last month as we entered the new Liturgical Year? Is not our spiritual well-being just as important as our physical health? Here are ten possible resolutions we should each consider from a presentation by Jenny Ewing.

First, we should keep our lives simple. We don’t need to keep up with the Smiths and Jones. Instead of rushing into the world’s mantra of bigger and better; step back and live simpler.

Second, take the time to read at least one spiritual nook each month. Yes, it can be a book from the Bible, but one might enjoy a few modern texts as well. I can recommend Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices, By Brian D. McLaren; God Is Not a Christian And Other Provocations, By Desmond Tutu; If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus, By Philip Gulley: The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See, By Richard Rohr; and A New Christianity for a New World: Why Traditional Faith is Dying and How a New Faith Is Being Born, by John Shelby Spong.

Attend a Weekend Retreat. You can always book a room at a retreat center for a weekend and spend time sleeping, reading, meditating, and communing with God.

Pray Daily. So often Catholics get stuck in the formula prayers we were taught as children. It’s time to expand into a more personal conversation with God. He’ll listen to you. Then you must stop talking and listen for God’s response.

Volunteer. It can be in any area. Meals on Wheels, mentoring a student, our nutritional ministry, Ministry to the Sick. Pick your area of interest and just do it.

Keep the Sabbath Holy. Since Covid, many of us have developed the habit of not attending church in person. We can all understand why. However, it is good to gather with those who believe as you do to support each other as well as worship our God. If you can’t be at church on Sunday, you do have the option to watch live on either Zoom or Facebook Live. The key part is to keep the day Holy. Spend it with God, your Church Family, and your Family.

Go to Confession Once a Month. Yes, I know I give general absolution at the beginning of every Mass. However, going to confession isn’t about a laundry list of what you’ve done or haven’t done. It is a way to touch base with your spiritual side. To get additional graces from God to help you with your journey.

Start a Prayer Journal. We’re not telling you to write a book. A simple notepad would be enough. It would be a place to write down things that inspire you from your daily prayer and spiritual readings. Perhaps a list of people for whom you are prying. Or maybe a list of the people and things you are grateful for. Maybe it’s an inspiring quote from scripture or even a homily. You can also look back on it over time and see your journey.

Speak Less and Listen More. Think before you respond or give advice.

Give everything to God. Surrendering all our cares, worries, and sins to our Creator and Savior is surprisingly hard to do. We want to be in control. The fact is we’re not. Oh yes, we create our problems and sins. Yet it is only through God that we can conquer those weaknesses. Now it is up to each of us to choose our resolutions. I hope that we’ll each choose a few from the list I’ve given you to help strengthen our spiritual lives.

From the Bishop’s Desk December 2022

December brings back memories of cookies being baked, pine trees being brought into the house, visits to Santa Claus, and family visiting. You may note that I didn’t mention presents. Oh, I can remember some of the toys Santa gave me or gifts received over the years. Yet the vast majority are lost in the fog of time.

This year as I approach this festive season, I have some specific goals for Advent as I prepare myself for the Second Coming of Christ. One of those stems from the third book I am writing for Lent. I’m devoting more time to reading and meditating on the 150 Psalms.

One that has caught my attention is Psalm 96, especially the verses that will be read during Midnight Mass (or as some now call the Mass at Night). In those verses, all of creation is called upon to give praise to God. The question for me is, “How does my life praise God?”

I believe that to be a question for each of us this Advent as we contemplate our mortality on earth and immortality in heaven. Do we live in such a way that God would approve of us? Imagining God as a parent, would Mom and Dad approve of what we are doing? Some could answer that with a yes others with no. If one finds oneself answering no, consider what you could do to amend your life.

Charles Dickens wrote, “There is no doubt that Marley was dead.  This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.” Unless we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, nothing wonderful can be experienced this Christmas or in our lives.”

A Blessed Advent and a Happy Christmas to each of you.

Thanksgiving 2022 Letter

Christmas Letter

“In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways¦ In these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.” — Hebrews 1:1-2

With deep joy and gratitude, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes for a holy and blessed Christmas. You will be remembered especially in our masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

During this Advent Season, I pray that each of you will find opportunities to reflect on your faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever it is that our hearts and souls desire, our ultimate desire is Jesus Himself.  For this reason, we are filled with joy and consolation at Christmas to know that all that we hoped for has been fulfilled in the person of the Christ Child.

Several years ago I received a Christmas card with this message: “This Christmas, I wish you Jesus.” On the inside, it read: “Isn’t nice to have everything!” During all our current difficulties and concerns, the love of God the Creating Father is made manifest to us in the wonderful gift of His Only Begotten One, Jesus. With the angels in Bethlehem, our faith moves us to sing: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth!” We recognize that true peace on earth flows from our recognition and praise of God in our lives.

Christmas has a way of bringing to the Church individuals and families who, for various reasons, have not been to Mass or the Sacraments for months or years. What a wonderful and grace-filled opportunity to put aside past differences and old habits and begin anew, a prayerful relationship with the Lord and His church community. I welcome one and all to join us in making God’s love known in Central Florida or wherever you reside. May we grow in strength and grace to know and celebrate God’s presence in our lives and His dominion over all things of this world.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May Christ abide in our hearts always!

Most. Rev. William R. Cavins

Pastor

Auxiliary Bishop

Diocese of Saint John XXIII

The Month of Maying

Welcome to May! While traditionally it is associated with the Blessed Mother, we begin the month with the celebration of St. Joseph the Worker. The example and nurturing of both individuals were important to the life experience of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The importance of a nuclear family raising children is well documented. Recent studies show that kissing a child on the forehead light up the brain cells in the regions associated with safety. That same brain function can be triggered by a parent’s touch. Even as adults a hand pressed to the center of our chests triggers the same reaction.

It matters not whether the nuclear family is composed of children with a mother and a father, two mothers, or two fathers. The reactions of the child are the same. Use this month of May to open your minds and hearts to the beauty and wonder of parenthood. Kiss your children and grandchildren and express your love for them.

Christos Anesti!

Low Sunday the Octave of Easter

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

This was a glorious Easter celebration! Many thanks to all who helped in planning and executing the various liturgical celebrations. God’s choicest blessings upon each of you.

I was asked what I liked the most. That’s hard as I really enjoy the Vigil. But this year I would say it was the Sunrise Service by the Lake in Waterford Lakes. While I couldn’t see the sunrise as I could hear the fish jumping to catch bugs and the bird song was exquisite. Those in attendance want to make it an
annual event. I also enjoyed the coffee and baked goods afterward. We got to make some new friends.

Today we mark Low Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter. It is so titled because nothing can compare to the glory of the Easter Celebrations. In the larger Roman world, they now call this Divine Mercy Sunday. I reject that title as I believe every day you and I receive Christ’s divine mercy. Why limit acknowledging the fact to one Sunday?

Just as in the Christmas Season, Merry Christmas is an appropriate wish every day so too Happy Easter is appropriate throughout the 50 days of the Easter Season

Easter 2022

Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

For millennia our Greek brothers and sisters have greeted each other after midnight on Easter Sunday with these joyful words. Many times this is accompanied by the breaking of hard-boiled eggs which have been dyed red to represent the blood of Christ. The breaking of the eggshell represents the shattering of the tomb.

Sadly our Easter celebrations are marred by the war in Ukraine and political and economic uncertainty here at home. My prayer for you this Easter is that you truly experience the joy of Christ’s love and peace in your life. May our risen Savior renew our faith, hope, and love as a new spring blossoms.

Christos Anesti!

Joy in Jesus

The crowds roared their approval as Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. Yet a mere 5 days later they were calling for his blood. Popularity is such a fickle thing.

Can you imagine being there? Would you be one of the disciples who were overjoyed t be in the presence of Jesus? Or would you be one of the hangers-on who had heard all the marvelous tales about the miracles wrought at his hands?

At church this week you can be in the presence of Jesus as he moves around Jerusalem. May the experience of being in his presence fill you with joy.