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What's
Happening at St. Charles
Upcoming Biblical Art Exhibit!
August 22 - September 10,
2010 - St. Charles Center is hosting a collection of 25
exquisite works of art from the Saint John's Bible.
Click here to read about this wonderful
opportunity.
May 9, 2010
Springtime in Mercer County - by Fr. Jim McCabe
As I looked out my window a few days ago I saw a farmer
cultivating his field. The weather so far has been good.
Planting the corn is pretty well completed now and a good rain
came right after most of the corn was in.
The sound of lawnmowers bring the smell of cut grass, a sure
sign of Spring. But there are many other spring time features,
which bring a little spring fever all around the St. Charles
campus. The old proverb that “April showers bring May flowers”
does not include the many wildflowers that start peeking through
the woods when there is still snow on the ground. The crocus and
daffodils are followed by a carpet of wildflowers in our groves,
as shown in these pictures.
But other signs of new life from Easter onward are visible. When
the blackbirds return we know Spring is getting closer. Then the
mourning doves begin nesting early and sometimes get a little
snow on them, as they sit patiently on their eggs. The robins
have been around since February
and ate
berries off different trees and bushes when the snow drove the
worms back under the ground. While their early return wasn’t the
best move, they waited until mid April before they began to
nest.
Wood ducks, who enjoy manmade boxes to substitute for the trees
where they used to nest, are also sitting on eggs and we expect
to see some ducklings by mid May. Some of the wood ducks that
can’t find a nesting place sneak into the boxes and lay their
eggs with others. That accounts for the 30 eggs in the picture
of one of the wood duck houses.
 In
mid April I heard a strange noise coming from a tree, so took
the stepladder to peek in and see what the noise was all about.
I’m glad I didn’t reach in for there was a mama raccoon, whose
newborn babies were making all the noise. Since the hole in the
tree was shallow, we looked at each other face to face and she
gave me a look that indicated I should get lost for she was busy
giving birth. For a few days I dropped a fish into the hole,
figuring she would appreciate lunch as she couldn’t go out to
feed since the newborn needed her body warmth. I don’t know if
she ate the fish or not, but at least she didn’t throw it back
out at me. After ten days or so, she moved out, probably because
she didn’t like the peeping tom who dumped fish into her
bedroom.
Many other birds are arriving, and some just passing through to
the north for nesting in Michigan and Canada. Some of the new
arrivals are below.
Cardinal and sparrow
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Gold finch, also called wild canary
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White-crowned sparrow |
Tree swallow |
January 3, 2010
Dedication of the Assumption Chapel Altar
On January 3, 2010 Archbishop
Dennis Schnurr dedicated a new altar for Assumption Chapel at
St. Charles Center. Preparing for this ceremony gave Fr. Angelo
Anthony the opportunity to reflect upon the significance of the
altar and its symbolic message for us.
Father Angelo's
Reflection
Since the earliest
days of the Church the altar has been seen as a sign of Christ
himself. It is a table of sacrifice and the table for a banquet.
It is appropriate that we begin this new year gathered around
the table of the Lord.
The rite of
dedication engages four visible signs of the invisible work that
the Lord accomplishes through the Church. First, the altar is
anointed with chrism oil making the altar a symbol of Christ
who offers himself for the salvation of all. Secondly, incense
is burned on the altar signifying Christ's sacrifice as well as
the prayers of God's people ascending to God. Thirdly, a
covering is placed upon the altar to signify that it is the
Lord's table at which all God's people joyously meet to be fed
by the Body and Blood of Christ sacrificed. Finally, the
lighting of the altar teaches us that Christ is the light of the
world, a light that shines out to all people.
The prayer of
dedication used during the ceremony provides a rich meditation
for our reflection throughout this new year. During the prayer
there are several invocations which speak of the symbolism the
altar is to have in our lives.
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The bishop prays
that the altar be for us a sign of Christ.
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That the altar
be a table of joy, where the friends of Christ can place their
burdens and cares and be renewed.
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That the altar
be a place of communion and peace where we are nourished by
the Body and Blood of Christ and be filled with his Spirit.
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That the altar
be a source of unity and friendship where we gather as one in
mutual love.
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That the altar
be the center of our praise and thanksgiving providing
nourishment and strength for us until that day when we are
gathered at the eternal banquet and offer an everlasting
sacrifice of praise to God.
 As
you gather at the altar of sacrifice and the table of the Lord
in this new year I invite you to reflect upon the significance
of the altar and the call that we have to be "living stones out
of which the Lord Jesus builds the Church's altar." Our new
altar is built upon the many relationships that are bound by the
Body and Blood of Christ in our parishes, schools, and other
ministerial commitments. It is connected with those who suffer
illness whose altar of sacrifice is their bed. This altar holds
together the call we have to live the bond of charity in mutual
respect and love.
Looking back over this past year there is much to be thankful
for and as we look to the future we wait in joyful hope for all
that is yet to be accomplished in the name of the Precious Blood
of Jesus.
And so we pray
with the psalmist: "You, God, are my strength. Send your light
and fidelity, that they may be my guide and bring me to your
holy mountain, to the place of your dwelling, that I may come to
the altar of God, to God, my joy, my delight" (Ps. 43: 2-4).
(Reflections
on the rite of dedication in this article (slightly edited) are
summarized from The Rites Volume II, Pueblo Publishing Co.
1980).
St. Charles
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