Nazareth Catholic Community
January 27, 2019 - 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Greetings Everyone,
This January 31 would have been Thomas Merton’s 104th birthday. If you are not familiar with Merton, he may be of interest to you. Writing during the tumultuous times of the civil rights movement and Vietnam war, Merton’s words offered guidance, perspective and hope in very difficult times.
Merton wrote many personal letters. It was in these correspondences that Merton was able to engage the world in ways most people who lived and walked the streets were not able. Merton corresponded with Atheists, Buddhists, Christians of numerous denominations, Jews, Muslims and people from many other backgrounds. Merton found hope in a world that seemed fractured by poverty, discrimination and war. He discovered a deep unity in the diversity of people he befriended through his writings. By sharing his correspondences, Merton extends this invitation to all of us.
On March 18, 1958 while making a trip into downtown Louisville for a doctor’s appointment, Merton had a profound spiritual experience. While standing on the street corner of 4th and Walnut, Merton felt a profound connection with the people who were hurriedly moving around him. He would later write:
“In Louisville, at the corner of Fourth and Walnut, in the center of the shopping district, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all those people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers….There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.”
This experience would influence Merton for the rest of his life. Merton’s awakening may also give us great insight into our own present day. Like Merton, we live in a time of great division and uncertainty and we can easily lose sight of the hope found in the beauty of the people around us. Topics such as racism, nuclear war and violence could cause someone to lose faith in humanity, however, Merton tackled these issues with an understanding that a deeper unity lies beyond the divisions that exist. We are called to rediscover this unity.
Merton was able to engage others because he was grounded in the contemplative practices of his monastery. While few of us are called to such a life, each of us can benefit from practices from our Catholic tradition that gives us perspective in times of stress and uncertainty.
Peace and hope,
~ Jamie
Note: To learn more about Thomas Merton visit the Merton Room located on the first floor of the library or visit the link below.
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Join us after Mass TONIGHT for some Birthday Cake to Celebrate Thomas Merton's Birthday!
THIS Thursday: 12:10PM - 1:00PM, Linehan Chapel: Merton, Music and "the More"
This 50 minute mini-retreat will be facilitated by Dr. Monica Weis, SSJ. Dr. Weis received the 2011 “Louie” award for service to the International Thomas Merton Society. Emerita Professor of English at Nazareth College, Rochester, NY, she is the author of Thomas Merton’s Gethsemani: Landscapes of Paradise (2005), The Environmental Vision of Thomas Merton (2011) and Thomas Merton and the Celts: A New World Opening Up (2016).
THIS THURSDAY: MASS AND MEAL OFF CAMPUS!
Sister Donna and the Sisters of St. Joseph she lives with have invited us to their home to celebrate Mass and enjoy a home cooked pasta dinner!
Meet at GAC 151 at 5:30PM and we will travel together to St. Boniface parish where Sister Donna lives (only 10 minutes from Nazareth). Or you can find the directions below and meet us there. Mass will be at 6:00PM followed by supper.
We want to make sure we have enough food! Let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
THIS THURSDAY: MASS AND MEAL OFF CAMPUS!
Thursday, Jan 31, 2019, 05:30 PM
314 Gregory Street, Rochester, NY, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
WINTER RETREAT 2019 to the Abbey of the Genesee!
RSVP Today! Space is Limited!
Abbey of the Genesee
Friday, February 8 to Sunday, February 10
(We will leave Friday late afternoon and
be back to campus by noon on Sunday)
The format of this weekend retreat is relaxed! You will have free time to:
~ Read and get caught up on work.
~ Spend time in quiet.
~ Enjoy a winter walk in the country.
~ Participate in the prayer life of the Monks.
~ Eat home cooked food!
~ Meet with a real live Monk!
Space is limited! Cost ONLY $10.00
To learn more, visit: www.geneseeabbey.org
Winter Retreat 2019
Friday, Feb 8, 2019, 04:30 PM
Abbey of the Genesee, River Road, Piffard, NY, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Are You Free on Wednesdays at 12:30? Come to Mass!
Do you like to sing? Do you play an instrument? Our Mass Choir is for you!
Come again or for the first time!
If you play an instrument bring it along!
Questions? E-mail Our Choir Directors:
Taylor Taylor Santabarbara, tsantab1@naz.edu
or Teresa Colosanti, tcolosa8@mail.naz.edu
Nazareth College Catholic Community
Wednesday Mass: 12:30PM
Gluten free hosts available upon request - Please contact Jamie Fazio
For the Sacrament of Reconciliation, please e-mail one of our priests to schedule an appointment.
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div., Catholic Chaplain, Office: GAC 160
The Nazareth College Catholic Community is part of the Nazareth Center for Spirituality. All are always welcome!
Email: jfazio1@naz.edu
Website: http://www.naz.edu/center-for-spirituality/catholic-community
Location: Linehan Chapel, East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585 389 2308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/35057526410/
Twitter: @NazCatholic
Nazareth College Catholic Community Pastoral Team:
Julianna Pollicino
Emma Clive
eclive6@naz.edu
Teresa Colosanti
tcolosa8@mail.naz.edu
Danica Aquitania
Sacristan
daquita8@naz.eduCaelie Flanagan
Choir Director
Gabriela Groman
ggroman7@naz.edu
Sarah Schuler
Parish Council President
Nancy Garcia
Coordinator of outreach to Our Lady of Guadalupe Migrant Community
Sr. Donna DelSanto, SSJ
ddelsanto@ssjrochester.org
Jamie R. Fazio, M.Div.
Fr. Richard Briclker
fr.richard.brickler@dor.org
Cassie Dupre
cdupre0@naz.edu
Fr. Robert Resier, SJ
rreiser@mcquaid.org
Fr. Matthew Temple, O.Carm.
Pope Franics
Office: Vatican
Follow on Instagram: @francisus