The "Pastor's Corner" is a collection of essays written by Father McCreary on a variety of subjects including Church teachings, social issues of the day, and things to think about. They are published weekly in our Church Bulletin. Click on a essay title below to jump to that essay, scroll down to read them all or click on a subject above to view more essays.

From the Pastor's Desk Reverend Glenn McCreary

Celebrated the Tenth Anniversary of my priesthood ordination, June 26th, 2005

The parish library, July 3rd, 2005

Let's take some peeks at our 2000 year past, May 29th, 2005

I hope we've taken the chance to reflect on this faith of ours, April 24, 2005

Consecrated host for sale on eBay, May 8th, 2005

On Friday (June 24th, 2005), in the midst of our homecoming festival, I quietly celebrated the Tenth Anniversary of my priesthood ordination.

What a great ten years these have been! One of the moments I remember vividly from my ordination day is lying face down on the cathedral's cold marble floor while we ask the prayers of the saints, those folks who thought what we do in church was worth living and dying for. To be part of that ancient ritual, to realize that in a few moments we rise to take on a new share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ impacts one tremendously. No other posture or gesture could hit us in the face with the truth that ministry is utterly, utterly grace. None of us are worthy. None could dare presume to the priesthood. Only God, as St Paul tells us, would take the weak things of this world so that no flesh might glory in his sight. I am, in the first place, grateful to God, who persistently called me to ministry. I am grateful to God, whose Spirit continues to enable me to sacramentally do the work of Jesus Christ.

And I am grateful to all who have shared in that ministry over the past ten years. And particularly I am grateful, as I begin my fifth year as your pastor, to all of you at Resurrection parish. You have welcomed me into your congregation and into your homes. You have privileged me to share in your times of sorrow and pain. You have entrusted your children, your young people, your sick and your dying to my care. You have told me your sins and asked for my prayers. You have engaged me with your history, your stories, your questions and your laughter.

And out of my own happiness, my own peace, I can only urge anyone who may feel the call to priestly ministry: please say "yes" to God's plan. Say "yes" to a life that can draw you close to Jesus, your Lord and Savior. Say "yes" to a life whose meaning springs from what you give to others. Say "yes" to a life that allows God's great gifts-the priesthood, the Eucharist, the church-to flourish among God's people.

As St Paul reminded his disciple, his ordinand, St Timothy, as the church's liturgy so often tells us: May God who has begun the good work in us bring it to completion.

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Our cry room must be one of the most multi-purpose rooms we have in this parish. The stained glass windows attest to its history as our original baptistery. During mass it crowds up with parents and small children. On particularly festive days, it becomes a refuge for folks who can't abide the incense. Saturday afternoons and First Fridays it turns into a confessional. Occasionally we've even used it for the wake before a funeral.

And it's the location of one of our best-kept secrets-the parish library!

Yes, we have a library in this parish. And you're welcome to use it We've just added some more shelves. We frequently receive new books and tapes. Later this summer I'll be adding some books from my own collection (Every five years I go through the shelves and give away books that I haven't used in the past five years. It helps me become just a little less attached to things. And it helps me share some of books I've been privileged to read and study.)

We can boast a respectable range of books. Looking for a readable and intelligent commentary on the sacred scriptures? We have it. Want to read about one of the saints or the saintly people of our faith? We have the stories. Want to catch up on the church's teachings about our contemporary society? We have the resources. Want to learn more about prayer and the spiritual life? We have the books. Want to read or re-read one of the volumes featured in our Book Discussion Group? We have them on the shelves.

Stop by and check out the library. We don't have a formal checking out process. Borrow what you like. Bring it back when you're done. Try to keep the books in some order (We've recently straightened them up.). And keep watching the bulletin for some periodic reminders of new and interesting books.

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One of my favorite parts of The Muncy Luminary is the Peeks at the Past, a chance to glance at our local history-distant and not-so-distant. Today, Corpus Christi in this Year of the Eucharist, let's take some peeks at our 2000 year past:

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Because of the bulletin publisher's deadline and my participation in the diocesan Priest's Convocation this past week, I write these words before the cardinals go into conclave. Quite likely you read these words fully knowing what I cannot know as I write: who God has chosen to be our new pope, the new successor of St Peter, the new vicar of Christ himself.

But, in these past few weeks, as the Catholic Church has enjoyed some prominence-and some positive prominence-in the news, I hope we've taken the chance to reflect on this faith of ours. And what have we seen?

We've watched the apostolic succession. We've been reminded that the Catholic Church traces its lineage back to the apostles. The risen Lord gave those apostles the authority-"As the Father has sent me"-to continue his work. Those apostles handed that authority on to their successors-bishops, like Timothy and Titus to whom Paul writes in the New Testament. And for two thousand years-amidst our sin and virtue, our wisdom and failings-the community of the apostles continues the Lord's mission.

We've seen the centrality of the Eucharist. Until he absolutely could not do it, Pope John Paul II continued to celebrate the mass. How could anyone miss the symbolism of that altar in St Peter's Square? We weren't watching a casket surrounded by flowers and eulogies. We watched God's people offering once more the sacrifice of Christ in the Eucharist, once again keeping Christ's command to the church: "Do this in memory of me."

We've heard a gospel of life. Much as some of us seem to like to forget some aspects of the Catholic faith, the church continues to proclaim the gospel in its fullness. We honor the dignity of every human life. We will say "no" to abortion, to euthanasia, to the death penalty, to unnecessary use of military force. We demand the human rights of the poor and the oppressed.

We've noticed a word of contradiction. St Paul said, "Be not conformed to this world." In the face of materialism, we call people to simplicity of life, to a generous sharing of our blessings with all. In the face of a sexual revolution, we call people to see the meaning that God placed in our sexuality-a meaning rooted in married commitment, in faithful love, and in an orientation towards life. And in the face of human frailty-that inability to live up to the demands of God's law-we call people to seek out God's unbounded mercy.

We've been challenged to keep our hearts fixed on another world. Every historical moment-including popes and cardinals, councils and campaigns-moves on. We live in the shadow lands. And we must live well in the shadow lands: the faith we keep and the work we do here have eternal consequences. But, we are made for heaven. Our prayer for the dead, our respect for the saints calls us to keep ever before the eyes of our minds that heavenly country, that true native land.

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Some of you have heard about the consecrated host recently put up for auction on eBay. For those who haven't heard, here's a brief version of the story.

A non-Catholic man received communion at one of Pope John Paul II's masses in Rome. Rather than consume the host, he took it home as a souvenir. After the pope's recent death, he put the host-along with a bottle opener and several stamps bearing John Paul's image-on eBay for auction.

Catholics were not happy. An Internet petition was organized. Eventually the Diocese of Sioux City took possession of the host and properly disposed of it. Although the seller withdrew the item and apologized to those offended by the attempted auction, he never seemed to understand what the problem was. And the Diocese of Sioux City continues to be critical of eBay's response to the situation.

Many of you have expressed your concern. And rightly so. After all, Christ did not give us the Eucharist to make of it what we will. He gave us the Eucharist to be his body and his blood. He didn't give us a "thing." He gave us a "person"-himself.

But, what can we do? In the face of so much ignorance about religion? In the face of such disregard for our religious faith?

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