Weekend Reflections for 9/26/14

What Motivates Us?

 by Fr. Richard Hadel, S.J.

We live in a very materialistic world.  People think only of becoming rich or becoming influential and controlling, or knowing everything and excelling in all we do, especially in sports.  Yes, we want to be "Tops".

Where does this come from?  Is it pride, or the desire for power and control?  Maybe.  It comes from putting the world FIRST on our agenda, forgetting that we have been created by a loving Father, who wants to share eternal life with us.

The parable in Sunday's gospel tells us about the greedy tenants who want to keep all the produce, all the grapes for themselves.  They refuse to give any produce to the owner.  The tenants ignore the landowner who represents God our Father.

How sad!  Yet we often act in the same way.  We want to take all for ourselves and seldom think of God and how he helps us.

Jesus teaches us to be generous.  Jesus was generous when he offered his life on the cross to save you and me.  God the Father wants us to love him, our Creator, but also to love everyone.  Jesus said, "love one another as I have loved you."  We live in God's world and we owe him gratitude for all he gives us.

Former White House Director Passes Away

Father John F. Snyder, S.J. was called to eternal life on September 13, 2014. John died at the Fusz Pavilion infirmary of the St. Louis University Jesuit Community. He was ninety-six years old, a Jesuit for seventy-three years, and a priest for fifty-nine years. John was a member of the Wisconsin Province but did many years of ministry, including his last years, in what is now the USA Central and Southern Province.

Born in Marshall, MN on August 12, 1918, John attended grade school and high school in Marshall and graduated from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN in 1940. After a year at St. John's University in Collegeville, MN, he entered the Society at St. Stanislaus Seminary, Florissant, Missouri on August 16, 1941. John had the usual Jesuit course of studies at St. Stanislaus, Mt. St. Michaels in Spokane, WA, and St. Mary's College. He was ordained on June 16, 1955, made tertianship in Decatur, IL, and pronounced his final vows on August 15, 1957.

John's years as a Jesuit were full of good ministry in many places. As a young priest he studied sociology at Columbia University and taught sociology at Marquette University from 1961 to 1966. For one year he was Director of Public Relations at Marquette. For two years he served as the Wisconsin Province Director of Formation. He was Rector/President of Creighton Prep from 1970 to 1972. For the next ten years John was on the staff of the White House in St. Louis; he loved this ministry and continued to give retreats for the rest of his life. From 1983 to 1996 John served in various capacities on the Gregorian Foundation, fundraising for the Gregorian University in Rome but based in New York or St. Louis. From 1996 until his death John was a member of the St. Louis University Jesuit Community, engaged in various pastoral ministries as long as his health permitted.

John was preceded in death by his parents John P. Snyder and Mary Callaghan Snyder, his step-mother, Helen Callaghan Snyder, his sister, Helen M. Coryn and brother-in-law Anthony E. Coryn.

Since John donated his body to science, arrangements are as follows:
Memorial Mass: Sunday, October 5, 2014
1:30 PM
St. Francis Xavier College Church
St. Louis, MO

Messages of condolence may be sent to his nieces and nephews:
Mary Coryn Lawson
PO Box 5245
Laguna Beach CA 92652

Edward J. Coryn
14098 Whisperwood Drive
Clearwater FL 33762

John Snyder Coryn
1270 79th Street South
St. Petersburg FL 33707

Thomas A. Coryn
103 Hickory Creek Drive
Brandon FL 33511

Ann Coryn
808 Water Hyacinth Ct. NE
St. Petersburg FL 33703

We remember with gratitude all that God has done through John's life of service to God and God's people. Since John was applied to the USA Central and Southern Province, all members of the province are to offer the usual suffrages. Members of the Jesuit Hall community are to offer an additional Mass as well.
Sincerely in Christ,
John F. Armstrong, S.J.
Socius

Weekend Reflections for 9/19/14

Weekend Reflections for September 19, 2014
 By Fr. Len Kraus, S.J.
  
Here is a strange fact: mercy and compassion sometimes evoke jealousy and resentment: "these last ones worked only one hour and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat." 
 
The mercy and love of the landowner (reminder to us of how things work in God's realm ) challenge the way we might be tempted to think and judge. Jealousy and "entitlement" that separate us from one another are not gifts from God's Spirit.
 
The prophet Isaiah reminds us of the true picture of God, our God who is generous in forgiving. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord." What a hopeful revelation for all of us who strive, as St. Paul exhorts us, to conduct ourselves in a way worthy of the Gospel!

Weekend Reflections for 9/12/14

September 12, 2014

 By Fr. Len Kraus, S.J.

 "With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses..." The people whom God had chosen and was now leading were frustrated because they felt "stuck" in the wilderness. They did what we might tend to do when we are angry or resentful: blame someone else--let our anger come out "sideways."   Moses is told to fashion and lift up to the people the bronze saraph serpent, the reminder of the consequences of their rebellion. It heals them.

In perhaps the most popularly known passage in the Gospel (John 3:17) we have the response from God to our rebellion and our condition: "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life...that the world might be saved through him."          
 

Christ, the beloved of God is lifted up to us as the One whose self-giving love and trust shows the way to true life. Displayed on the cross , he is the deep and everlasting sign of God's compassion and power. And all this is so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life!

Story of the big cross

A lot of people ask us about the big cross that sits in front of our chapel.

This cross originally stood in the St. Stanislaus Jesuit Cemetery (located at the St. Stanislaus Jesuit Seminary) in Florissant, MO on Howdershell Rd. It was b...uilt by Jesuit Brothers from Germany and was erected in 1871. It stands 18 feet high.

The seminary closed and cemetery closed in 1971. The graves were relocated to Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. In 2003, the last of the property was sold. Fr. Rich Buhler, S.J. was director of White House at that time and arranged for the cross to be moved to White House in April 2003 with the help of Lawlor Construction Company.

When the cross was removed from the cemetery, workmen found the crossbar and top piece were perfectly balanced with no apparent anchors; a balancing act left undisturbed since 1871. The pieces are firmly secured today.

The cross as it stood from 1871-2003 at the St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Florissant, MO.

Weekend Reflections for 9/5/14

By Fr. Len Kraus, S.J.

"...treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector." (Matthew 18:16)

In the larger passage from which this quote comes, Jesus is speaking about how we are to treat one another. This sentence seems harsh, perhaps...but then we can ask ourselves "In this same Gospel of Matthew, how does Jesus treat tax collectors?" He eats and drinks with them, invites one of them to be an apostle, is criticized for being too accepting and hopeful about them. Jesus tells us that on earth we have power to bind and to loose; and He says, "Where two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them."

It would be wonderful if we could, as St. Paul tells us, "Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another," love as the Lord has loved us and truly loosen some bonds here on earth.

Weekend Reflections for 8/29/14

Take up your cross

by Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'" (Mt 16:24-25)

Life will always bring us our share of crosses, mostly small and annoying, some heavier and challenging. It's part of being human. Spiritual authors point out that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. It depends on our attitude about the pain. How much power do we give it?

Fr. Ed Dowling, S.J., (spiritual advisor to Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA) wrote a wonderful little article entitled "How to Enjoy Being Miserable." He points out that we can allow our crosses to crush us or we can try to accept and ignore them or we can learn to enjoy them. He cautions that to enjoy them a person must be either crazy or in love. Jesus faced His sufferings and embraced His cross because He is in love with each of us. A spouse will sacrifice for his or her partner out of love; parents will give up much for love of their children.  Fr. Ed noted that if we try to help our mother move a piece of furniture, we'll take the heavier end and that a poor mother will shiver through a cold night so that her child can have the little blanket.

St. Paul urges us to embrace our crosses so that we can "fill up those things that are lacking in the sufferings of Christ." As Fr. Ed concludes, "Even if we could outdo Christ in generosity, what better use could we make of the hundred daily little inconveniences than to use them to buy stock in Christ's venture of Gethsemane and Calvary?" Sounds like a pretty good investment to me!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

Weekend Reflections for 8/22/14

Who am I?

By Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

"Jesus asked His disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?'  He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter said in reply, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'" 

(Mt 16:13,15-16)

Each of us is on a life-long journey of self-discovery. We come to a sense of who we are primarily through our relationships. We are daughter or son, brother or sister, grandchild, niece or nephew, neighbor, classmate, friend.  Eventually most of us choose to be wife or husband, father or mother. And in all of these different relationships I remain the unique Me. We want and need to be be known by our loved ones. Jesus wants His friends to know who He is, wants each of us to know Him as He reveals Himself in all of our relationships. Ask Him for that grace and then we will know who we truly are - God's beloved.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.  

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE: 

Men: 8/21, 9/11, 9/15, 9/18, 9/25, 9/29

Women: 10/6,11/17

Call 314-416-6400 to register.

A Familiar Face Pays A Visit

Fr. Denis Daly S.J. dropped by to say hello on August 19th.  Fr. Daly was the director of White House from 1982-1991.   He was the director after Fr. Snyder and before Fr. Byrne.  He's seen below with our new director, Bill Schmitt.

Weekend Reflections for 8/15/14

Persistence in Prayer

By Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

"A Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, 'Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.' ... But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, 'Lord, help me.' ... Then Jesus said to her in reply, 'O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.' And the woman's daughter was healed from that hour." (Matthew 15:22,25,28)

The Canaanite woman (just like the blind beggar Bartimaeus) kept crying out to Jesus, "Son of David, have pity on me!" Her daughter was suffering terribly and so was she because of it. She's tried everyone else; she has nothing left to lose, not her reputation, her pride, her resources - only her dear daughter and she means everything to her. She's desperate and won't be refused or denied, even when Jesus initially seems unmoved. She teaches us persistence in prayer. Is our faith strong enough to keep asking and trusting that we will be heard? Am I open to a loving response that might be different from the one I expect? We might ask for healing and be given the strength to accept what is. All is somehow gift.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

White House is looking for men and women to join our Captain's Ministry.  A captain helps to spread the message of White House throughout their parish and various social circles.  They recruit others to attend and organize an annual retreat group.  If you would like to get involved in this very rewarding ministry, please call Joe Parisi at 314-416-6400.   

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE:

Men: 8/21, 9/11, 9/15, 9/18, 9/25, 9/29

Women: 9/8, 10/6, 11/17

Call 314-416-6400

Weekend Reflections for 8/8/14

God's Whisper

 By Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

"Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the Lord said to him, 'Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; The Lord will be passing by.'

A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord - but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake - but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake there was fire - but the Lord was not in the fire.

After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound." (1 Kings 19: 9-12)

God doesn't usually yell or scream at us - He whispers, into our ears but more often into our hearts. Can I hear His whisper in the smile on my spouse's face, the twinkle in my child's eye, my friend's hand on my shoulder? Can I hear it in the wind in the trees, the song of a bird, the crying of my baby or grandchild, the whining of my teenager who just wants attention or reassurance? Can I hear it in my own breathing, my own heartbeat? He is always whispering, "You are precious in My eyes and I love you."

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

White House is looking for people to join our Captain's Ministry.  A captain helps to spread the message of White House throughout their parish and various social circles.  They recruit others to attend and organize an annual retreat group.  If you would like to get involved in this very rewarding ministry, please call Joe Parisi at 314-416-6400.   

UPCOMING RETREATS WITH SPACE:

Men:8/21, 9/11, 9/15, 9/18, 9/25, 9/29

Women: 9/8, 10/6, 11/17

Men in Recovery: 8/14

Call 314-416-6400 or click here to register

Weekend Reflections for 8/1/14

Weekend Reflection for 8/1/14

Jesus always provides more
By Fr. Ralph Huse, S.J.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. …  Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” (Matthew 14:14 & 16)

The crowds came looking for, hoping for, expecting a Messiah who would lead them in violent conflict to throw out the occupying Roman army. Instead they encountered and received the healing and nourishing power of a compassionate and loving God. It’s what they needed most and Jesus gave it freely and generously.

Do I provide my loved ones (or enemies!) with what they need?, love, support, understanding, encouragement, forgiveness? As the apostles learned, if I give it away, I’ll always have more than enough. God will not be outdone in generosity. If I try to keep it for myself or am stingy with it, I’ll lose it all.

Weekend Reflections for 7/25/14

The pearl of great price

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. (Matthew 13:45-46)

Most often in commentaries on the Gospels this parable will have a heading like “keeping your priorities straight.” So often I turn this parable into a moralistic teaching about commitment, about giving up everything for the Kingdom.

Fine! But I wonder sometimes if there is not another way to read this parable — after all, many of the “kingdom” parables are also about the King.

I wonder… what if this parable is not about what I am supposed to do, but about what God does? What if the pearl is not the Kingdom but is me? I know it may sound egotistical, but then I remember: For God so loved the world that He gave “all that he has.”

Do you believe God sees something precious, lovable, valuable in you? Do you believe God loves you so much that He would give up everything, even what is dearest to Him for you, for me?

Let me end with another passage of Scripture which sounds not unlike this parable. This is from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 43..

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in return for you. Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you.

Testimonials

At the conclusion of each retreat, we send a survey via email to all who attended.  The following are some of the testimonials received from those who attended White House retreats in the past few weeks:

The following testimonials were received over the past week:

“It reinforces in me the idea to let go and let God.”

“No other retreat has ever allowed me the opportunity to get in touch with my spiritual side so intimately as the White House retreat has through both the silence and spiritual direction. It has left me eager to learn more.”

“My annual WH retreat is the greatest gift to my faith life...to my mental and spiritual well-being. I have "me & God" time that I can ONLY find there at White House.”

“It is one of the only places I find where I can get away from the world, the noise, and commune with nature and God without interuption. I get in a profoundly deep place of prayer and meditation. I love the silence.”

“I never thought I could do a silent retreat because I imagined being in complete silence for 3 days. The nature of the daily prayers and guided lectures make the silence all the more powerful as you can really hear God speak to you.”

“I feel closer to God and personally recharged after White House. It is wonderful to be away from the normal noise & demands of life and to focus on my relationship with God.”

“My time at the White House brought me a deeper understanding of God's love and Christ's nearness.”

Weekend Reflections for 7/18/14

Being with the one who loves me

The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will. (Romans 8:26-27)

So often people think prayer is like some magic: there are special words; there are some special ways to pray. There is some "trick"to being a good prayer. Well, I do not believe any of that.

There are as many "ways"to pray as there are people. Remember: it is not how you pray but that you pray! Do I spend some time each day in the presence of the One who loves me? Am I faithful simply to "being there?"After all, prayer is more what the Spirit does than what I do. My grandmother was one of the holiest people I ever knew; but all she did was go to church (not every day!) and say her rosary every evening when she was going to bed. She showed up!

Prayer does not have to be a lot of words. My parents, who were deeply in love, could simply sit together, not saying many words but simply being with the one who loved them. Sometimes they talked; sometimes they read; sometimes they prayed; sometimes they simply sat together. It did not matter what they did; what mattered is that they were together.

Maybe this day, this week, this month, this year I can spend a little time each day with God -sometimes God may have an "agenda;"sometimes I may have an "agenda;"sometimes we may simply share what is going on; sometimes we may simply sit together.

It seems so simple -all I have to do is be there!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE ON RETREAT THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OUR DECEASED RETREATANTS.

New Book from Fr. Chris Collins, S.J.

Fr. Chris Collins, S.J. has a new book coming out in early September based on the retreats he gives around the country and the lecture he gave for White House back in April 2014.  

It’s called "3 Moments of the Day".

Find more info and pre-order it here:  https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-464-9/Three-Moments-of-the-Day/

Weekend Reflections for 7/11/14

Taking time to grow

And Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it. But some seed fell on rich soil, and produced fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold."(Matthew 13:3-8)

The parable of the sower is, I believe, addressed to good soil! After all, if God is the sower, I suspect most of the seed falls on the good soil. This parable is told to those who are open to receiving God's word. Sure, we all have some rocks, some thorns, some dryness in our lives, but we have every reason to hope that God's word in us will produce fruit, for God's "word will achieve the end for which I sent it."

My problem is not whether this will be but WHEN. I am not patient; I want everything now; I do not wait well. Maybe that is why I enjoy time-lapse photography: things happen quickly, the seed seems to grow into a plant in no time at all.

As "good ground" I cannot make the seed grow. I need to be there, basking in the sun, holding the moisture, but waiting until the "right time" for the growth. But I always think I must do something; how hard it is for me to stop wanting to do something and let the seed, the word of God take root in me and produce fruit on its own.

God asks me to do two things which I find difficult: to wait...and let God work in me; to trust...in someone other than myself. The birth of the Kingdom may be like the birth of a child: it can't be rushed: it is a process; the child takes time to grow - but, oh, what a wonderful miracle when the "right time" comes.

Do I believe: that the seed is growing, that the Kingdom is coming, that the One who planted the seed will reap the harvest beyond all of my expectations and imaginings?

Weekend Reflections for 7/4/14

Do you love me?

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?"and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."(John 21:17)

In English usage today, "love" is a very ambiguous word. It seems to mean so many different things with so many different nuances: I love apple pie; I love my dog; I love my spouse; I love music; I love God. Clearly these are not all the same meaning of love! People say things like: "All you need is love" or "it's OK if we love one another."

I wonder what Peter is thinking when he hears "Simon, do you love me?" and responds to Jesus, "... you know that I love you."

While there are many conceptions of love, Jesus says: Love one another as I love you! This "love" is a love which is self-giving, with no strings attached, without self-interest, which gives everything for the other, which does not count the cost, which lasts to death and beyond.

It is only one who tries to love like this that can be the shepherd in the steps of the Good Shepherd. It is only one who tries to love like this that will lay down his life for the sheep. Jesus sees in Peter this great love and so he can say to him, "Feed my sheep."

How do I answer Jesus' question: Do you love me? What does this question even mean to me? How do I love and with what kind of love? How do I respond to Jesus? 

Weekend Reflection for 6/27/14

Do you love me?

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?"and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you."Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."(John 21:17)

In English usage today, "love" is a very ambiguous word. It seems to mean so many different things with so many different nuances: I love apple pie; I love my dog; I love my spouse; I love music; I love God. Clearly these are not all the same meaning of love! People say things like: "All you need is love" or "it's OK if we love one another."

I wonder what Peter is thinking when he hears "Simon, do you love me?" and responds to Jesus, "... you know that I love you."

While there are many conceptions of love, Jesus says: Love one another as I love you! This "love" is a love which is self-giving, with no strings attached, without self-interest, which gives everything for the other, which does not count the cost, which lasts to death and beyond.

It is only one who tries to love like this that can be the shepherd in the steps of the Good Shepherd. It is only one who tries to love like this that will lay down his life for the sheep. Jesus sees in Peter this great love and so he can say to him, "Feed my sheep."

How do I answer Jesus' question: Do you love me? What does this question even mean to me? How do I love and with what kind of love? How do I respond to Jesus? 

Recognizing Jim Altadona

Jim Altadona was first invited to make a retreat at White House by a business acquaintance in 1946.  He accepted that invitation.

Today, June 26, 2014, Jim completed his 68th retreat at White House.  He's 97 years old and he's missed only one year since first attending in 1947.  Jim is an incredible man of faith and a huge advocate for White House.  He continues to serve as a White House Captain for two groups- Cure of Ars parish in Shrewsbury, MO and St. Gabrielle's parish in South St. Louis City.  Week after week, year after year, Jim is out and about inviting others to White House.

Thank you Jim for all that you do!  You are truly an inspiration to us all.

Jim (on right) with the new director of White House, Bill Schmitt.