Where is the Green Sheep?

Dear Friends and Family,

In the midst of this world's storms, I pray that this post finds you with some share of the peace and joy that only our Savior can give. The photo above is from St. Stephen's parish where I had the joy of offering the Holy Mass Sunday afternoon for the parishioners there. It's a national landmark, a truly beautiful church built by hard working immigrant families. I also preached, for the first time in my life, from this location:

Other priests have told me that preaching from this location helps. For one thing, it keeps the Sanctuary reserved for the celebration of the sacred mysteries and the more "human" element--the priest's sermon--out closer to the people. The fact of being above people and looking out at the beautiful architecture seemed to facilitate focussing on the Lord while trying to communicate his message to people. So, if I'm invited back again, I'll plan to preach from here again.

We were also blessed with a snowfall last week (some snow flurries are falling now but I'm not sure if they'll stick).

Among many blessings of the past week was reading a number of books to one of my nieces, including "Where is the Green Sheep?" Sorry for my camerawork...

It goes through a series of rhymes and on the last page you finally find the "green sheep." Simple, silly things but ones that are so much fun to read with little children.  Hope you all have occasion to do things like this with children in your homes.

I'm in the midst of online final exams at the moment and then will be taking a plane Saturday back to Rome for the second semester. You all are in my daily prayers here and will continue to be so when I return to the Eternal City.

May Our Lady be your comfort and joy.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari

Squirrels' Amazing acrobatics

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Blessed Second Sunday after the Epiphany! 

Though the picture above does not show it very well, the squirrels in my parents' yard have continued to perform amazing acrobatics. The red bird feeder has attracted some beautiful birds, including cardinals, but perhaps the most entertaining of God's creatures that it has attracted have been the squirrels.

A squirrel begins by shimmying up the pole, similar to how a man would shimmy up the pole by holding the pole alternately between his legs and his hands, except that in this case the squirrel holds the pole alternately between his hind paws and between his front paws. Then, when he reaches a sufficient hight, he holds the pole between his back paws, so that he supports all of his weight on his back paws, and in this way is able to reach out with his front paws to keep the feeder open while he eats the seed. Sometimes he hangs from the side, as seen above, but more often he hangs down from the top part. 

Because the bird feeder is designed to close if anything other than a bird puts his weight on that part, I find it rather impressive how the squirrel has figured out how to keep it open inspire of weighing much more than a bird.

It is also interesting to see the squirrel's awareness of us. We can come up the window to watch him, within a few feet of him, and he doesn't move and isn't bothered by us. However, if we bang on the window he might look our way, and if we bang hard enough (to chase the squirrel away and keep the feeder free for birds), or obviously if we go out and chase the squirrel away, he scurries away. 

Rather amazing creatures, and we can see their nests high up in the trees. Remarkable that God has made them to do all this.

But to say a word about an even more wonderful little creature: my little 4 year-old nephew came upstairs as I was typing this and asked to go into to the chapel with me. So I stopped typing and we went into the chapel to "say hello to Jesus", and practiced kneeling down, making the sign of the cross, adoring Jesus for a few moments in silence, praying a Hail Mary to Our Lady, and then "saying goodbye to Jesus" and exiting.

A wonderful blessing.

As we begin this new year, may Jesus grant you the courage and the peace and calm to live and proclaim the Faith, and may Our Lady be your comfort and guide.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari

The Beauty of Northeast Ohio Nature

 

This Sunday Morning for the Feast of the Holy Family

Dear Friends and Family,

Blessed Feast of the Holy Family! The weather is certainly cooperating here this morning, adding joy to this celebration of Our Lord's resurrection and celebration of the Holy Family. 

Here, I had a very blessed celebration of the 12 days of Christmas. The daily Mass, Rosary, Holy Hour, etc. formed the backbone of every day. What a gift to be a priest! But there were also many joyful celebrations with my family, including a trip to South Bend, Indiana to see my brother's family. 

While there, God granted a beautiful snowstorm, the effects of which can be seen here.

The visit brought back so many memories of graces received while studying at the University of Notre Dame. I'm so grateful to Our Lady for helping me say yes to God to the call to become a priest. 

Regarding the events of this past week in Washington, I shared a few words at the end of today's rosary. So, rather than write something here, I will refer you to those comments here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VdllWKhUU8 for those who wish.

As 2021 begins, I will be praying for each of your families. May God grant us to say yes to Him, one day at a time, and cooperate with His plans for 2021.

In Cordibus Iesu et Mariae,

Fr. Pillari