Pastor's Message

March 11, 2001

MARCH MADNESS

This is the time for the annual basketball tournaments, often referred to as March Madness. At both the high school and collegiate levels, teams are gradually eliminated in tournament play until the champions are named.

Like many people, I enjoy watching these games. Even when the teams I usually cheer for are defeated, I find other teams to follow. It's good to see athletes play at their best, to discover the Cinderella teams, and to hope that the best teams do actually win.

At the same time, I am really glad that life is NOT a tournament. In the state play-offs it takes only one loss for a team to be eliminated. Sometimes very good teams play each other and you would like to see both advance. Sometimes a good team has a bad day or plays below par, and it seems unfair for them to be sent to the sidelines.

In real life, we are allowed more than one loss, more than one mistake. God is merciful and generous in giving us new opportunities for success. Lent is a time for admitting that we have failed and then accepting another chance.

Fr. Herb

March 4, 2001

GOOD TO BE HOME

I am happy to be back at St. Peters after what was a long and very educational trip to Papua New Guinea.

Before anything else, I want to tell you I missed you and kept you in my prayers. A big thank you to the members of Pastoral Team and Parish Staff for all their hard work during my absence.

Fr. Kennedy sends his greetings to everyone. For those who joined St. Peter's Parish in the last two years, Fr. Kennedy,who is a native son of St. Pete's, also served as Pricipal of St. Peter's High School for seven years until 1999. He is presently Head Master/Rector of a High School Seminary, grades 11 and 12.

Most natives of PNG do not get beyond grade 10, and they simply do not have the books or educational tools that we have here. Nonetheless, the young men in the school are highly motivated and committed. A generation ago virtually all the Catholic clergy were foreign missionaries. Now the natives are entering seminaries and becoming priests. There are even a few bishops who are "nationals," as they are called. As their numbers increase, I joked with some of the men, they may have to come as missionaries to our country. Actually, these young men and their faith were a source of inspiration to me.

Most of PNG is still very, very under-developed. It was like entering another world where there are still clans/tribes, face painting to define one's family, and people living in thatched-roof houses with no floors. I am still digesting all that the experience was about.

Thanks once again for your support. Now we are on the lenten journey together.

Fr. Herb