Still, this year’s slowly melting ice (what a blessing to be spared the cold!) did not keep most of you from church, and we had a fine Pro-Life Sunday, with prayers of petition and reparation foremost in our intentions. Fr. Cekada went off to Florida, working on a cold and sore throat, but managed to get through his classes. Deacon McKenna, Fr. McGuire and I returned from the seminary retreat in that same sunny state much refreshed. I look forward to giving the retreat each year, and feel (as so often) that I “get as good as I give” and more, and am grateful for these recollected days, all given to God. The regularity of the seminary life, with its bells and sung services and silence is a great help. Oh, and each year I appreciate all over again the excellent meals and wonderful, cool sunny weather, such a treat in the midst of winter.

Still, it is always good to get home to Cincinnati, so blessed by God in so many ways. Today we gratefully celebrate the Queen City’s patron, Saint Francis de Sales. We remember year-round that he is as well the patron of the Catholic Press, and honor him by trying to imitate his zeal. So much good reading material, so little time! Set aside some of your Sunday to read the bulletin, and share it with others, won’t you? Today I am offering you a free copy of the excellent Catholic Voice, with the hope that you will enjoy it, and give it eventually to someone else, perhaps still lost in the darkness of “reformed Catholicism.”

Lastly, I sincerely recommend the latest and most striking issue of Behold Thy Mother, dedicated to America’s Madonna and Queen, La Conquistadora. This is a tranquil and controversy-free little magazine (published so well by the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Ghost), which will entertain and elevate you. Speaking of the apostolate of the press, we all must sincerely thank Lori Moore, who “did” this bulletin for us the last several years. Hers is quite literally a loyal and untiring devotion, and I am so very grateful. Gloria Zbilicki, who has been in charge of the proof-reading department (a daunting task) now takes over responsibility for this important part of our parish life. I thank both of these devoted ladies.

The sweet forty days of Christmastide have swiftly fled, leading us to the great feast of light which closes the coming of the Light of the World. Do come yourself Thursday evening for the Candlemas, and stay for a great party! Let’s cooperate together for a wonderful close to a wonderful Christmas. First Friday’s Communion of Reparation and All Night Adoration will demand an extra sacrifice or two, I am sure, but let us allow ourselves to be drawn to Jesus by the light and the warmth of the Monstrance.

God bless you!
–Bishop Dolan

I’ll report on my seminary visit and retreat next Sunday, but today I want to introduce our latest deacon, Reverend Mr. Stephen McKenna, T.O.P. of Sacred heart Church in Boston, who is with us for two weeks as he prepares for ordination to the priesthood on February 11th. It is a privilege for us at St. Gertrude the Great to help even a little with the great work of preparing future priests. Please pray for him, and maybe sign up with Cucina Clerical for a meal or two? (Word is he’s got a healthy appetite.)

Along the same lines, Fr. Cekada heads south today to teach for the week at the seminary. He continues his work on the little videos which promote his book, Work of Human Hands. Have you seen them? They are a wonderful apostolate in and of themselves.

I spoke with a fine former parishioner, Bill Buckley, the other day. Bill is very seriously ill, and wanted to speak with me. He and his wife Pat were dear and active members of St. Gertrude the Great in our early years, and we made a pilgrimage to Lourdes together. Bill has good and grateful memories of those years, and it was wonderful to visit with him after so long. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Rare is the soul who comes back to say thanks, and whose sentiments are only positive. Such an experience is a consoling one for a priest in our day.

Join me in keeping this Lord’s Day especially holy, won’t you? Let us pray ourselves and our land back into goodness!

I send a blessing to your home.
–Bishop Dolan

After Mass, many of you came to the candlelight dinner buffet, prepared and served by Mark Lotarski. Helfta Hall was full for the celebration. Meanwhile, Our Lord in the Monstrance was adored by visitors and the faithful men of the Guard of Honor, whose vigilance continued throughout the night. Christmas has gone to its quiet setting now, still observed in church and in prayers, its lessons soaking into the soul. Soon Candlemas will come to close the forty days, and point to the other forty which wait to launch us on our career of penance. Soon enough.

Our seminarians have returned to their studies. This Sunday I am with them, beginning their annual five-day retreat. The theme of the retreat is the Holy Ghost, Whom I ask you to invoke on our behalf.

Caravaggio had been acting so strangely over Christmas that I wondered if he would have to go to a cat counselor, until I discovered he had worms, so he went to the vet instead. They come of eating rodents, I am told, but I am afraid the cats are not to be dissuaded from one of the chief perks of feline life. Still, they are generous. On Epiphany, Caravaggio arrived, Magi-like, with his gift: a large dead brown mouse in his mouth, which he deposited outside my office door. Unusually talkative, the cat seemed to be saying that this gift was not nothing, and should be properly acknowledged!

So, thank you, Caravaggio, and thank you, all of our non-feline faithful as well, for all you did for Christmas, your gifts and cards, your donations and labors. They are, indeed, “not nothing,” but show great generosity and devotion. God reward you all through this New Year, and all of eternity.

May our Lady of Prompt Succor speedily answer all of your prayers.

–Bishop Dolan

Yes, the weather has been wonderful! Autumn lingered until the New Year. Pansies prospered and showed their colors on Christmas, and those little red flowers by the Church door blossomed for the Circumcision, reminding us of the first drops of the Precious Blood shed that day. Sunlight filled the church.

Then, “eight days being accomplished,” Vespers sung and the last Mass read, the cold came, chaste and discreet, with a dusting of a midnight snow. Neighbors to the north and south were hammered; winter only tapped at West Chester’s door. The days that followed offered us true January cold and sun, but without the extremes we usually feel. Deo Gratias.

We are now in “Little Christmas,” or Epiphany, the greatest feast of the season, and can only wonder with gratitude at how peacefully everything passed, with great participation and enthusiasm. Our New Year’s attendance matched the Masses of Christmas, a good sign that there was no let up after “the holiday.” I was especially impressed to see some six or eight young couples, at the evening Mass on New Year. I did not recognize them, but they knew what to do. I presume they came from Pius V or Pius X, young people out the night before partying, who did not want to miss their Sunday obligation, even if it meant “going to Gertrude’s” as they used to say. These young people were obviously trained well by their parents and priests. One couple did leave at Communion, but even that probably indicated that someone had taught them these principal parts of the Mass.

We have many visitors every Sunday, some regular and some first timers. Always be sure to smile and greet Christ in them, and try to make them feel at home. Some of our old faithful who have been away are returning now. Let us greet them warmly and leave it at that.

One of the great things about “Gertrude’s” is the perpetual Christmas, with so many Christ’s Masses all week long. This struck me again with Fr. Lehtoranta’s stay with us and his daily Mass. So many holy Masses! Last Wednesday there were five offered on our altars. At the same time, our fathers come and go, and bring Bethlehem with them far and wide.

Fr. Lehtoranta and Mr. Bede Okechukwu Nkamuke went to visit Fr. Martin in Chicago with the Bischels last week, the youngest priest we know honoring the oldest. Fr. Martin remains active, and sent out an excellent newsletter on the Pius XII changes and a sermon about Duns Scotus for Christmas. He hurt his leg before Christmas, but never missed his daily Mass, including the three for Christmas. Fr. Larrabee, barely returned from the almond groves of California, is serving Milwaukee today, and Fr. McGuire has taken to the road to attend his little missions across the midwest, each one counting from one to twenty souls.

Enjoy the Christmas season. Leave the tree up, if you can, or certainly the stable. Let the delicious mysteries of this sweet season soak into your soul, and enflame your family with holy love. Have a blessed Holy Family feast, and don’t forget the Epiphany Home Blessing for your Sunday family activity.

I send a blessing home with you in Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
–Bishop Dolan

Some of you faithful were so….faithful, that you found time to help us “keep the feast” for the special days of Christmas Week. Holy Innocents Day was beautifully observed with Mass sung and served by children (and the young of heart!), a sermon, a blessing, a pizza party, some poetry, and a parting gift for our dear children.

Fr. Lehtoranta is with us now after his first Christmas as a priest, happily passed at St. Hugh in Milwaukee. Father will offer a Solemn High Mass for us for Epiphany before returning to Most Holy Trinity Seminary for his final semester of studies. Fr. Nicolas Desposito was scheduled to return to the seminary as well as resume his duties there, after some time in Argentina.

Christmas Week is always busy here, beginning with the sung Masses and Vespers to celebrate the feasts. On St. John’s Day we welcomed deacon Rev. Mr. Stephen McKenna, and Brother Anthony, T.O.P., of Sacred Heart Church in Boston, for a little visit. Please keep this future priest, and the priests, brothers and faithful of that Boston portion of Christ’s flock, in your prayers. Isn’t it great to belong to a universal, that is to say Catholic, Church?

This Christmastide, Fr. Cekada has been busily researching and writing his podcasts for his book Work of Human Hands. These little videos could also serve as “bite size” portions to feed those who hunger for the true Mass, but are confused. Last week, a Vatican official with the Congregation of Divine Worship ordered a copy of Father’s book. I hope he learns something.

Please come to the Epiphany Mass. “Little Christmas” is actually the great feast of the season. Please come to keep watch over the Blessed Sacrament like willing shepherds guarding the precious Lamb of God, during our night watch of prayer. Pray for a good new year, for conversions and fidelity and grace, and much peace in 2012.

May Our Lady of the Precious Blood make you thirst for Holy Communion, and strengthen you and yours to slake it every Sunday of this year.

–Bishop Dolan

Some who read these lines and receive these greetings hear Mass regularly throughout the week, or faithfully every Sunday. Others only long for the consolation of Christ’s Mass this Christmas, for they have it not. Since charity is much a part of this season, adopt some soul or family far away from Mass, and longing for it, or those who have left this precious gift long unopened beneath Calvary’s Christmas Tree, never considering its value, busy with the ephemera of life.

Always have an intention for your Mass and Holy Communion. Have several. Share the wealth. Be filled with holy desires. Don’t stop there. “Send your angel to Holy Mass,” and unite yourself daily with Christt Sacrifice of sublime submission and atonement, every good and holy Mass throughout the world. Make a sincere, even if short, Spiritual Communion at least daily, but many times a day. What a treasure is yours! Deplete it. Spend it. Lavish it on unlovely and unloving souls, whom Jesus loves, and for whom He longs.

We often think of our dear dead at Christmas, and do well to do so. They are too often forgotten, who made for us our “Christmas past” so often. But what of truly forgotten souls, who barely made it to Purgatory and have no one to pray for them there? Sometimes God permits these souls to trawl for prayers, in some obvious, physical way. This accounts for many house hauntings, and ghost sightings. Our Fr. Larrabee just this Advent delivered a home from such hauntings, through the house blessing, and the Exorcism of Pope Leo XIII, as well as the expedient of receiving this non-catholic family’s alms for Masses for the souls involved, and offering them. He’ll tell you the wholesome lessons involved, when he returns from California, where he is assisting Fr. Zapp for the Holy Days.

Many thanks to many elves, large and small, who helped to put our Christmas together in the printery, sacristy, the church with its shrines and decorations, as well as by cooking and singing and cleaning and serving and praying. All of this, all of it dear faithful, is fed and furnished by Christ’s Mass which is our purpose and which is thus prepared for fittingly, and celebrated worthily at this season of Christmas. It’s always Christmas at Mass.

A Blessed Christmas! Forgive and be forgiven! Be good! Come to Mass!

In the Mother and her Child.
-Bishop Dolan

Bishop’s Corner

It looks like our Autumn has indeed lingered through Advent, with sweet sunny days, as well as mild wet ones. Winter, doubtless, is waiting in the wings, but for once is waiting its turn until St. Thomastide, the Winter Solstice. Soon enough.

We are all of us meant to take a leaf from meek Winter’s book and wait at Advent, wait quietly and hopefully (NB: correct use of a much abused adverb) for the coming of our God to save us. Like desperately needy children waiting for Santa’s ear, we should be rehearsing our list, so nothing is missed. Don’t miss out on these days of grace and wonder, lost in a world of lists and running and doing. God is waiting ever so patiently for you. Make Him some time in your day today, so there will be some place in your soul, as well as your life, when Mary and Joseph and the donkey come your way, unexpectedly looking for shelter for the Little One.

Oh, but we’re busy at church too. The altar shone in white and blue for Mary Immaculate, the church rang with clear children’s voices, and many of you found time, or made it, for your Holy Day Mass. (The 7 AM “Workers Mass” is getting popular.) Mary’s white gave way to dusty rose (a good match with the dawn last Sunday, I noted on the way over) for Gaudete/Rejoice Sunday. And while the cookies never came through, the crafts were available in abundance. Come back and take a second look this morning. It’s for a good cause.

The decorations are going up a bit early, but this is only prudent, because one never knows if Winter will weary of its wait, and the city slip on its surplice of snow before the feast. The choir is singing away, preparing their best for the King every Lord’s Day, as well as for the blessed night of His Birth. I’m pleased to see more men joining the choir, and just plain edified at everyone’s devotion.

May your devotion increase as the days decrease, these last ones before He comes–the Light of the World. Don’t delay your Christmas confession. Pray, too, for many “Christmas Catholics” to show up, and welcome them, those wayward Bethlehmites, who come at last to “see this thing that is come to pass.” “I must dwell in thy house this day.”

Help us out this week with the decorating if you can. Remember to bring a little something to share with others after Midnight Mass. Be sure to give us your intentions for that so powerful prayer we begin each Christmas–a Novena of Masses.

Help yourself this week, and help the Holy Child find His way into your heart by pausing for prayer, by whispering Hail Marys, by smiling even if. . . ; by saying yes to archangels who announce God’s will to you.

A Blessed Advent of our God to you and yours!

–Bishop Dolan

Click the image above for a slideshow from the ordination of Rev. Vili Lehtoranta to the Holy Priesthood

Bishop’s Corner

Last Sunday was a proper Advent one, our missionary Fr. Larrabee speaking to us about his African apostolate, and drawing appropriate lessons for us, so blessed, to whom so much has been given. Afterwards St. Nicholas came to see the good children, and Fr. Larrabee showed film of his trip. Fr. Cekada ate his sandwich and went off to catch a Florida flight from Dayton, which ended up being three hours late. A tired priest prepared future priests, then, this past week at our seminary. (Thank you for your support!) Thy Kingdom come! Fr. McGuire visited our central Illinois mission, St. Isidore, after Milwaukee Mass, and then on Monday went to St. Theresa Mission in North Dakota, a long drive but worth it for precious souls. (On Saturday morning, Fr. Larrabee drove up to Columbus to give last rites to the father of a lady who was a “long distance member” of St. Clare.)

What do our Nigerian Catholics have in common with those in North Dakota? They are most of them young, in their twenties, and all of them so enthusiastic for the Faith!

On a rainy Monday evening, Joshua Gunsher helped me do the last of our latest “in absentia” funerals. Nature provided a suitably sad backdrop for what is already a sad ceremony, but all was read with devotion. May these Poor Souls rest in peace.

Our school children sang some splendid music, including old carols and a Latin hymn, for Tuesday’s feast of the patron of all children, St. Nicholas. May he protect them, especially our own, in the midst of public school and even home dangers, (computers, T.V.) to maintain their holy innocence.

On Tuesday our calendars came in, and the office staff mailed them out very quickly. (Pick up yours in the gift shop). Mary Lacy has joined the St. Gertrude alumni at Kroger, but her mother, Marge Soli, is being trained by ever faithful Jim as parish secretary, ably assisted by Pat Harpen, who’s been a great help this Fall.

We “go to press” on Wednesday, due to the Thursday Holy Day. The High Mass was scheduled to be recorded, and should be available, along with a Low Mass of Fr. Cekada, one of these days. This, along with webcast Masses, should help the devotion of our long distance members. A faithful Catholic from Ghana wrote to us today.

Darlene was ever so pleased to see the nice old “mangler”, a kind of rolling iron, which Marlys and Paul Arlinghaus located and donated, just in time for the Christmas rush. We’ve already been meeting and planning for poinsettias and Christmas decorations, as well as choir music…and so much more.

I’m sure it’s busy at your house as well, and I thank you for your participation in today’s Cookie and Craft Sale. I must say as well how gratified I was to see the extra Advent adorers the night of First Friday, and the fine attendance for
the First Saturday Masses.

How is your Advent progressing? If it leaves you conscious of your spiritual poverty, and hungry for the Bread of Heaven, blessed are you. May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Queen of Mexico and Empress of the Americas, rule over you and your family and our land as Sovereign Lady.

–Bishop Dolan

Bishop’s Corner
Thanksgiving is always a quiet day for us at church, but morning Mass was bright with fervent gratitude for the many blessings of the year. Mary Immaculate’s shrine glowed golden midst mums and pumpkins, and amber lights. St. John of the Cross hosted this year’s celebration, and reminded us not to forget to thank Our Lord for hidden crosses, seeming losses and the like, all of which serve the divine design.

After the main Mass offered by Fr. McGuire, Joshua Gunsher and the servers helped set up everything for a Requiem with Absolution in the side chapel, which he proceeded to serve. This quiet, prayerful service was for the soul of Larry Adams. In his devout generosity he remembered us, and we will not forget him now that he is gone, and unable to pray for himself. November is over, but let us remember to pray always for the Poor Souls.

The last of the beautiful Fall flowers were taken away by many helping hands after Mass on the last day of the church’s year, Saturday the 26th, in preparation for the purple and penance of Advent. Did you remember the Advent wreath, and even more your own resolutions and sacrifices? The church was beautiful in its penitential array last Sunday. It should be an image of your soul, shriven with a good confession, sheared of sin and arrayed with holy Advent desires.

During the past days Fr. McGuire spent a good amount of time with us in Fr. Larrabee’s absence. Fr. McGuire is back to Milwaukee and the missions now for ten days, and Fr. Larrabee has returned from his eventful week in Nigeria. The faithful there wrote how consoled and grateful they were for the sacraments and the Holy Sacrifice, brought to them by the sacrifices of this new missionary. Thank you for your prayers for his trip.

Right after the Ordination, Fr. Cekada was able to get away to St. Hugh for their patronal feast that following Sunday. High Mass was followed by a dinner, and the faithful were so happy to see their founding pastor again, and he them. His duties here as organist and schola director, to name only two, do not usually permit him to travel much in the year, except to the seminary. You’re also hearing from him again in the Building Fund Letters. Let him hear back from you!

Fr. Cekada leaves this afternoon for a short teaching week at the Seminary, but will be back for the Holy Day. December 8th also marks the tenth ordination anniversary of Fr. Joseph Selway, and appropriate celebrations are planned at the Brooksville, Florida chapel where he is pastor and directs the school. Fr. Selway also visits the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Thomas Aquinas at Our Lady of the Sun Shrine, in Phoenix, Arizona, once a month. The sisters there conduct a small school, as well as train future sisters. Fr. Federico Palma, who also was ordained on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, is the local pastor, and is slowly building up the congregation at the church Fr. LeBlanc founded.

Although winter looked in our window on St. Andrew’s Eve with some wet snow, I hope this will be another long Autumn, which lasts through some of December at least. I hate to see our finest season, Fall, pack up and depart. The grounds are at their most beautiful, all calm and green, and the knock out roses keep on fighting. Every evening the red roses over the grotto shine like vigil lights in the night illumination, a lasting offering to Mary Immaculate.

Offer Our Lady your homage for the holy day this week, a happy excuse for all of us to “get in” an extra Mass for Advent. I hope you’ll also be able to get in some Christmas baking or craft work to make our Christmas Craft sale next Sunday a success. We all know in these prolonged Recession days how every little bit helps.

Thank you for your interest and generosity and prayers for so many things Gertrudian of late. Thank you for your greetings and further prayers for my own 18th anniversary of Episcopal Consecration this past Wednesday. The school children sang a beautiful Mass, with a touching pure “Ecce Sacerdos Magnus.” Come and hear them some time.

God bless you, and Mary Immaculate lead you these Advent days to her Son, the Ancient of Days who is about to be born anew for us.

-Bishop Dolan

Bishop’s Corner
We still remember with gratitude our wonderful St. Gertrude’s week, whose octave closed last Wednesday, November 23rd. That momentous week opened, fittingly enough, with an afternoon act of charity for the Poor Souls, and two of our dear dead in particular. On November 13th, the Rosary Confraternity met with a sizable contingent of our Kentucky cousins (you can always count on them on that side of the river) to pray the full Rosary in procession at beautiful St. John’s cemetery in Ft. Wright. Four of our faithful are buried there, including Bernie and Rita Brueggemann. (Rita’s birthday was St. Gertrude’s day).

The weather was wonderfully evocative of the Poor Souls that winsome and windy afternoon, which finally gave way, through parting clouds, to Autumn sun. I was glad of the opportunity to visit the grave of Bernie and Rita, and spend some time there in prayer. Gone, (and Bernie gone under such circumstances!) but their good works live after them, and they will not be forgotten.

Three deaths in a row followed our great week of St. Gertrude, which gave the Church a Priest Forever. Pray for them, and all of our dead wont you? And thank God we have one more priest “to offer Sacrifice for the living and dead.” (Ordination Ceremony)

Larry Adams was for years a long distance church member from Muncie, Indiana. His piety, self sacrifice and generosity led him to make the long drive to hear Holy Mass at St. Gertrude at regular intervals, as well as to remember our church in his will. Pray for him as for a benefactor but also a needy soul. His family buried him without Catholic rites, indeed with a Protestant lady preacher presiding. Needless to say, we gave him his Requiem, Rosary and Absolution.

As I write this, we are still praying and trying to convince the family of Alex Bearov not to cremate his body, but to give it the respect due of proper Christian burial. Alex, a long time invalid, was the son of the later Betty Joliffe, an active member of St. Clare, distinguished for her generosity. Keep them all, and all our dead, in your prayers.

To turn to the living, tomorrow Loraine Gates turns 93 and Paulina Straus 86. Keep these intrepid ladies in your prayers, and pray for a like perseverance. Helen Mahsling, one of our dear faithful, for years attended first the 7:30 and then the 9 AM Mass, but can’t drive anymore. She sends her best from the Cottingham Home. She lives just about across the street from Richard and Elizabeth Smith, who are doing better, and thank you for your prayers.

Speaking of prayers, don’t forget our African missionary Fr. Larrabee, traveling around Nigeria offering Masses, hearing confessions, and performing a wedding. Let us earnestly pray for Father to have a fruitful trip, and return to us safely. I’m sure he will have some interesting stories.

Advent! This short, sweet season of sacrifice fares far worse than its brother, Lent. Advent is forgotten even by the devout and well-intentioned, as “creeping Christmas” overshadows it, like some luxuriant weed in our garden. Do make your resolutions, your prayers and sacrifices, and stick to them. Set up the stable, but keep it empty, save for the straw, one wisp at a time, for each extra prayer and sacrifice. Prepare His way. Keep the holy watch with us this First Friday night in Adoration. Hear extra Masses, with Communion, in reparation. Make a home Holy Hour in intercession for all of our needs. Give something to the Building Fund, St. Anthony’s Bread, or the Little Church, in thanksgiving.

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one, and that you will continue it, your thanksgiving, all the way to Christmas.

St. Gertrude guide you on your way!

-Bishop Dolan