Homily Ninth Saturday of Ordinary Time (Feast of St. Norbert)
Homily Ninth Saturday of Ordinary Time (Feast of St. Norbert)
The Canons regular of Premontre’ or the Norbertines have a large presence around Green Bay Wisconsin. They administer St. Norbert’s College. I first encountered them when I had a friend in their novitiate. I stayed at their monastery a couple of times.
I was fascinated by the order because I had been educated by the Benedictines. There were similarities, but there were also differences. The Benedictines had a strict cloister. No one outside the community was allowed into their space unless the Abbot approved. The Norbertine monastery was open to visitors. After Mass they would invite anyone in to enjoy breakfast with them.
I was also interested in the Norbertines because they have a large presence in Belgium where my ancestors came from. The order was founded in France.
St. Norbert was a bishop who lived in France in the 12th century. He wanted to found an order that was contemplative and had the discipline of the monastery but was also out in the world doing active ministry among the laity.
Norbert’s canons, as they were called, go out to work in parishes, but they also retreat to the monastery when they needed rest and they needed spiritual renewal. Norbert, as St. Benedict before him, believed that people should live a balanced life. Our time should not be dominated by one aspect of our life.
Too often we can get caught up in our work and our family life and prayer life can suffer. Norbert recognized that, so he tried to develop a rule of life that would lead to physical and spiritual health.
Reflection Questions:
1. Is there one part of my life that takes up all my time? Does work dominate? Do I spend enough time in reflection?
2. Norbert believed in the importance of community life. Do I go it alone or do I seek the support of others? Are my words encouraging to others or do I constantly criticize those around me?
Dear Parishioners,
My sense is that the COVID 19 experience is wearing on us all. We all want to get out and get active. But there are still about 1,000 people dying a day in our country and there are still people getting sick and dying of COVID in the Quad Cities.
For that reason, we are going to have to be cautious in opening our parish for worship. Another thing that will happen is some of you who are our most active members will have to be less active than you may want to be when we first start our soft opening. According to the protocols I have received, no one over the age of 65 or having pre-existing health concerns should be asked to usher, clean, or be involved in other activities related to the opening our church for worship. In fact, people in those categories should refrain from community worship. I will try to follow these rules of thumb and I will try to keep ministers to a minimum at Mass for the time being.
I am trying to respect those protocols and the other protocols I receive as best I can. I would hate to see someone become extremely ill because I did not take COVID 19 seriously. This may seem like I am little paternalistic, but I would rather be the bad guy then put people at risk.
Please be patient and when things are safe all of you can resume your normal activities. Limiting people’s activities goes against my nature as a pastor. I am trying to make the best judgements I can for the good of all concerned.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints protect us today.
Fr. Mark
P.S. Remember our livestream Mass today at 4 p.m. and our outdoor Mass Sunday at 9 a.m. in front of Culemans Hall. No reservations are needed for either Mass.