Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church

Some good treasures!

Something went inexplicably wrong with the uploading of today's (May 29th) Mass. I will continue to resolve the problem and, hopefully, it will be available by tomorrow. In the meantime, you may want to check online for another virtual mass experience (because I have no idea why, what, or how of the current problem). Many apologies!

Captain’s Log #022... Only one thought to share tonight: my heart is deeply saddened and my soul is troubled. What I witnessed today in Washington is simply unfathomable. I remember watching video clips of foreign countries’ Congress-equivalent having fiat fights during their proceedings and feeling embarrassed for them. Now, it has happened at home. I’m so infuriated, embarrassed, disappointed, and saddened (if I had a thesaurus nearby, I could possibly find more words to de...scribe my negative emotions)... I’ve been reflecting on the days I lived in Washington. I visited the Capital on a number of occasions (particularly when the tourist line was short or non-existent). Walking into the building, I always felt as if I was walking on sacred ground; the magnificence, the beauty, the dignity. I recall the feelings poured upon me when I would sit in the House and Senate chambers - it felt as if I was in an ancient gothic cathedral; sacred, revered, awe-invoking... Witnessing the sacrilege this afternoon deeply troubled me. Not as an Independent. Not as a Democrat. Not as a Republican. But as an American: DAMN YOU! Those responsible have desecrated what was a sacred space for me! I’m sorry if I’m being over-emotional (I don’t really damn anyone), but I’m seriously disturbed by this. It’s an assault against democracy; it’s an assault against beauty; it an assault against our dignity; it’s an assault against the best of humanity; it’s an assault against the great experiment that has endured for over 200 years. In one day YOU have undermined ALL that we hold dear... I hope you all end up in prison; that justice is served. I remember a specific visit to the Senate chambers, when I mistakenly took a picture (not permitted), and the snap of my camera attracted the attention of the Capital Police. I was grilled like no other, and had to destroy my film in front of the officer, or go to jail. These people breached barriers, busted out windows, took over the House and Senate Chambers, etc. They best be prosecuted!.. Obviously, I condemn this afternoon’s activities is the strongest language possible. Tomorrow, I will celebrate Mass using the prayers taken from the Votive Masses for Times in War and Civil Disturbance (yea, we have one of those), and I will pray ardently for a peaceful transition of power (even for those who object and feel the election was fraudulent)... Our democratic-republic is so very fragile, and has been so since our founding... See more

Captain’s Log #021... HAPPY NEW YEAR! If you are like me, there’s no way I’m making it until midnight, ball drop. So, I’m sending my best wishes early... I’m confident that 2021 will be a happy new year. With the rollout of a Covid vaccine, I have a lot of hope; there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Though that light has been dim for months, I’m reminded of the prologue of John’s Gospel: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... So confid...ent am I that we are at the beginning of the end of Covid, I’m starting to consider vacation plans... It was exactly one year ago today that a flu virus of unknown origin, emanating from Wuhan, China, was first reported to the WHO. Today, nearly 84 million people have been infected; nearly 2 million have died. And to think I was so naive to think, oh, this will be an inconvenience for just a couple weeks. I never imagined... After Covid passed through my family at the beginning of the month, I was finally able to go home Monday-Wednesday. Everyone is back to good health, thankfully. I celebrated a muted Christmas Monday afternoon (since I didn’t get home for the holiday; my older brother didn’t make it home at all this year), as well as my Mom’s 70th birthday. Hard to imagine she’s 70; she looks wayyyy too good to be 70!... I was hoping to post a video from Mary, Mother of God, Mass celebrated this evening. However, I was part way through the opening song when I realized I didn’t hit the record button. I will record tomorrow morning’s mass. I should be able to upload it by noon tomorrow... Yes, there is a glaring mistake in this coming weekend’s bulletin. I did what 80% of all people will do over the next couple of days: the date of the bulletin is mistakenly January 3, 2020; I forgot to change it to 2021... My Buckeyes play tomorrow at 8PM against Clemson in the semi-finals. O-H-I-O! The Pens pick it back up on 1/13, appropriately against the Flyers... The main focus of my homily today and tomorrow: reflecting on the past, and peering into the future. What have you learned anew this past year, and what do you hope for this coming year?... The fact that this captain’s log is #21 is completely coincidental.... When things get back to normal, we should seriously consider a joint parish celebration where we set up a Christmas Tree, dress in Halloween outfits, have a turkey dinner, and shoot off fireworks. We have some catching up to do... As always, take care of yourself and look after one another... See more