Imagine: a Christmas without wrapping

As promised, here is the editorial from Fr. Michael Busch, Rector of St. Michael's Cathedral, that appeared in the December 22nd National Post. Wishing you and your family the peace and joy of Christmas!

Imagine: a Christmas without wrapping

Reverend Michael Busch, National Post Published: Monday, December 22, 2008

Many years ago, my family decided that instead of a huge hoard of commercially produced presents under the tree, we would make donations to charities or participate in programs which helps those who are less fortunate than us.

This kind of Christmas sounds very radical to many people. Christmas is, after all, a major component of this country's economy. Many retailers make one third or more of their profits from the Christmas season. And so it hits a nerve to question whether all this makes sense. Should we be celebrating the birth of our Saviour, who served the poorest of the poor, by showering each other with battery operated nose hair trimmers?

Consumerism is a powerful influence on us all year round. But on Christmas morning, waking up to mounds of presents makes consumerism almost sacred. Christmas is about Christ, God's gift of redeeming love, given to the world. No matter what branch of Christianity you favour, the true gift of Christmas is the redemption of the world through the birth of a child who embodies faithfulness and love, humility and obedience, sacrifice and selflessness.

But this gift is not held in very high regard these days. Instead, Christmas is about giving things to each other; things which become powerfully connected in our heads to love and to self worth. The Christmas season ingrains upon us the life long habit, and the life long struggle, of acquiring bigger and more expensive things. We believe that our happiness, meaning and purpose in life depends upon gathering more and more material goods.

Christmas can give us something else to reach for beyond the accumulation of wealth, power and status. It can change the way we look at the world around us. It can motivate a more passionate response to those who are less fortunate than us. We can extend the hope and peace of Christmas beyond this one day by replacing that cart load of commercial presents with the most precious gift we possess; our time.

An ear that listens, a voice that comforts and a hand to hold in times of loneliness, fear and abandonment can bring a lot more peace and joy to this world than a lavish dinner party or a thousand beautifully wrapped presents.

Has Christmas become too big, too flashy and too stressful for you? Has gift giving supplanted the simple story of a child born to give his life to us? Is the only lingering presence of Christmas the roasting pan soaking in the kitchen sink and the credit card bills in January? If so, then maybe the solution is to make it smaller, more joyful, more personally interactive.

It will take patient practice to put the right meaning back into our Christmas giving. Start by taking a good look at what goes on in your home this Christmas. What is most important to you? Is it the gift giving, the decorations, the over-the-top dinner that gives it meaning; or is it the laughter of children, the joy of a partner who has shared the good and the bad with you and the loving community of family and friends that have enriched your life?

This Christmas day I will share the Eucharist with the parishioners here at St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto, giving thanks for all those who have strengthened and enriched my ministry. I offer the sacrifice of the mass, and my own commitment to serve them. Especially those who are in great need. Then I will go to my mother's and share some quiet memories of our many Christmases together. After that I will visit some very special friends and, together we will share our fears, hopes and dreams for the future.

These are the gifts I will give, and gifts I will receive this Christmas. And there won't be a single shred of wrapping paper or discarded ribbon to clean up afterwards.

-Reverend Michael Busch is the Rector of St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto.

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto, www.freefoto.com

The Construction of a Christmas Editorial from the Rector of St. Michael's Cathedral

As I've mentioned in past posts, part of what our office works to do is establish good working relationships with the local media. About two weeks ago, I received a call from a newspaper reporter who asked if I'd be able to find a priest to write an article about the meaning of Christmas for their Christmas Eve newspaper. This is a good news story - the kind of call any media relations rep would love to get. To get to this point in the relationship with reporters, you need to answer the tough calls, the difficult stories, the ones that don't always portray the church as we'd prefer.

Happy to help out, we set out to find a priest who would be a good fit for the editorial. We talked about some of the newly ordained priests, experiencing their first Christmas as men of the cloth, we considered several wise clergy members who are great communicators and finally settled on Fr. Michael Busch, Rector of St. Michael's Cathedral.

An experienced pastor, Fr. Michael has an ability to connect with the congregation in his homilies and knowing his pre-ordination experience in advertising and marketing, thought he'd be a good fit. He quickly agreed, even on tight timelines, to get the editorial done. I gave the newspaper Fr. Busch's contact info and he went to work getting the piece done in short order.

A few days later I received a message from Fr. Busch that the newspaper hadn't contacted him. Needless to say, I sent a message quickly to my contact, expressing my surprise that no one had been in touch and hoping that things were still moving forward as there had been a significant amount of effort put into the article. Soon after, I received the dreaded, "Sorry we're not going to use it" email. Not sure what happened, they may have found someone else, space became an issue or they just found another story.

Of course, I had to double back to Fr. Busch and apologize for the turn of events. This is a frustrating experience for those of us on this side of the media. We often work extensively to set up interviews or contacts for articles only to have them fall through for a variety of reasons. We never get a full explanation - it's usually just a "sorry but thanks for the help". Knowing that we'll eventually connect with these reporters down the road, we grit our teeth and bear it but it's not always fun.

I had read Fr. Busch's article and thought it was very strong. Determined that this piece would end up in a newspaper one way or another, I was in touch with some contacts at the National Post. The Post has made a concerted effort to have space for discussion around religious issues so I thought there might be some interest. In short order, we found out that they would run Fr. Busch's piece, which ran in their December 22nd paper.

Again, we need to be proactive in our work and there will be stumbling blocks along the way. Fortunately, Toronto is home to many media so there are plenty of possibilities in working to develop sound relationships with reporters and editors.

At the end of the day, the piece ran and I'm grateful that we were able to get it in print. We consider this one a win. Once again, you start to get a sense that these things don't just magically appear in the paper. A whole lot of work, from author to communications department to newspaper reporter and editor results in 600 words that you may or may not stop to read in your daily perusal of the newspaper.

If you haven't already read the piece, we'll run it in this space on Christmas as it's a fitting reflection that I think you'll enjoy.

So you dust yourself off, admire the fact that a Catholic priest has been given a forum that will reach hundreds of thousands across the country and think about what's next...

Photos: freefoto.com

A Timely Christmas Reflection from Pope Benedict XVI

It's always nice to have the Holy Father remind us the "reason for the season". The last general audience of 2008 provided one such opportunity. From the Vatican Information Service...

CHRISTMAS: OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON MEANING OF EXISTENCE
VATICAN CITY, 17 DEC 2008 (VIS) -

Benedict XVI dedicated the last general audience of 2008, celebrated in the Paul VI audience hall, to Christmas, "a universal festivity".

"Even non-believers", he said, " perceive something extraordinary and transcendental, something intimate that touches our hearts in this yearly Christian event. It is the festivity that sings of the gift of life. The birth of a child should always be a joyful occurrence".

"Christmas is the encounter with a new-born baby, wailing in a wretched grotto", the Holy Father added. "Contemplating Him in this crèche how can we not think of all the children who still today, in many regions of the world, are born amidst such poverty? How can we not think of those newborns who have been rejected, not welcomed, those who do not survive because of a lack of care and attention? How can we not think of the families who desire the joy of a child and do not have this hope fulfilled?"

"Unfortunately, under the drive of a hedonist consumerism, Christmas runs the risk of losing its spiritual meaning, reduced to a mere commercial occasion to buy and exchange gifts.

Actually, however, the difficulties, uncertainty, and the economic crisis that many families are living in these months, and which affects all humanity, can truly serve as a stimulus for rediscovering the warmth of the simplicity, friendship, and solidarity that are the typical values of Christmas. Stripped of its materialist and consumerist trappings, Christmas can become the opportunity to welcome, as a personal gift, the message of hope that emanates from the mystery of Christ's birth".

"Nevertheless, all of this does not suffice to capture the value of this celebration we are preparing for in all its fullness. We know that it celebrates the central event of history: the Incarnation of the Divine Word for the redemption of humanity. ...

'Thus the recurring annual cycle of the mystery of our salvation is renewed that, promised at the beginning and given to the end of time, is destined to last without end'".

"At Christmas, therefore, we do not limit ourselves to commemorating the birth of a great person. We do not celebrate, simply and in the abstract, the mystery of the birth of humanity or, in general, the mystery of life. ...

At Christmas we recall something that is quite concrete and important for human beings, something essential to the Christian faith, a truth that St. John summarizes in these few words: 'The Word became flesh': This is a historical fact that St. Luke the evangelist is careful to place in a particular historical context: during the days of the decree of the first census of Caesar Augustus".

"In the darkness of the night in Bethlehem a great light was lit: the Creator of the universe became flesh, indissolubly and eternally joining himself to human nature, to the point of being 'God from God, light from light' and at the same time truly human. By 'the Word' ... John also intends the 'Meaning'" and "the 'Meaning' that became flesh is not just a general idea inherent in the world; it is a Word addressed to us".

"The Meaning has power: it is God. A good God who cannot be confused with some being on high and far away who cannot be reached, but God who made Himself our neighbor and who is very near to us", "God reveals Himself to us as a poor 'infant' in order to conquer our pride. ...He made Himself small in order to free us from the human delusion of grandeur that arises from pride; He freely became flesh so that we might be truly free, free to love Him".

"Christmas", the Pope concluded, "is the privileged opportunity to contemplate the meaning and value of our existence. The nearness of this solemnity helps us to reflect, on the one hand, on the dramatic nature of a history in which human beings, wounded by sin, are perennially seeking happiness and a reason for living and dying; on the other hand, it exhorts us to contemplate the merciful goodness of God, who has come to meet humanity that He might communicate the saving Truth to us directly and make us to participate in His friendship and His life".

Photos: Associated Press

Churches a pillar as General Motors stalls

Fr. Makarios Isaac - Pastor, St. Philip the Apostle Church, Oshawa

Photo: Jim Wilkes - Toronto Star

The December 15th Toronto Star has an article that touches on the current economic downturn and how churches are serving as a source of support for those suffering. See full article from the Toronto Star's Jim Wilkes below:

In Oshawa's gritty south end, tough economic times mean big business for Father Makarios Isaac. "Everybody has been affected in this neighbourhood one way or another," said the priest at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, a stone's throw from the General Motors assembly plants facing extended 2009 layoffs or closure. It's a time when the adage – as GM goes, so goes Oshawa – affects more and more parts of the community.

In churches, collection plates may come back a little lighter. Some folks struggle to give when they need so much themselves. For people in Oshawa, which once billed itself as "the city that moto-vates Canada," motivation is hard to come by. And so, many turn to faith and religion, filling pews that may go empty in times of wealth and success.

Isaac hasn't referred to GM by name in his sermons, but has guided his congregation to look at the bigger picture in their parish and community. "Should we give thanks only in good times or just in bad times?" he asked at yesterday's service. "No, we should give thanks at all times."
More families are coming to his church for counselling, or for food or financial help, when they can't pay their bills.

"There are 150 families in the parish that we are supporting for Christmas," Isaac said. "For many it has been a very difficult time. They feel disappointment inside. "Many of them thought they didn't need God and now they are shaking. The whole body of society has no guarantees."
He said when those who had turned away from religion return in times of hardship and need, "there is no room for judgment.

"This is a time to welcome them back," he said. "I have compassion for them. It's not about jobs or money. The worst thing is if people lose hope. "Now everybody is afraid of losing everything."

Pastor Frank Seixas sees a similar picture among the evangelical congregation at Oshawa Community Church in the heart of downtown. His message is simple. "People are going through hard times, so we draw our attention and focus our faith in peoples' lives to God," he said. "He has the ultimate answer. He is the one who can open doors and shut doors."
Seixas, too, sees more people coming to the church for guidance and financial help, including those who work at GM.

"Hard times make people feel hopeless," he said, conceding that some find it hard to keep faith when their own situation is desperate. Others are more receptive to spiritual messages in tough times. "When Sept. 11 (2001) came, the numbers of people coming to church increased astronomically. But after a few weeks, when the fear went away, people went back to their lives."

Canon Anthony Jemmott of St. George's Memorial Anglican Church acknowledged that the demand for help has increased as GM's woes have worsened. His church, too, has programs to counsel and feed those in need.

"But we know that those are just Band-Aid solutions," he said. "It requires the church and other agencies working together to look at the bigger picture, not just putting a plaster over the sore." Ottawa has a bailout package for Canada's auto sector waiting in the wings, but it's contingent on a similar deal being reached in the U.S.

Anxiety levels are high, yet his Oshawa parishioners "are the most kind, humble people I've ever seen in my life," Issac said, noting some have already invited strangers in need to their homes at Christmas. "They are kind, faithful people."

Tracking the "Star" Attraction

During this season of Advent, we prepare for the birth of the Christ child. At the same time, we see the many symbols of the season around us. For Catholics, the Advent wreath and the Nativity Scene are such symbols that help us "live" the Advent and Christmas season experience.

I can remember as a child lighting the Advent Wreath each week with our family, each sibling taking a turn to light the candles (another handy reason to have 4 kids) while reciting prayers before meal-time.

The nativity scene also plays a role in helping us focus on the "reason for the season". No doubt we've all enjoyed the various nativity scenes that appear in homes and in front of churches, many created by parishioners and admired by all. I know of one family that rewards their children with pieces of straw to place in the manger when they peform good deeds. In this way, they can help make the baby Jesus more comfortable.

In the city of Toronto, one of our lay movements, Gethsemane Ministries, will continue their tradition of presenting a Nativity scene in front of downtown's Old City Hall until Sunday, January 11, 2009 in order to proclaim to the people of the city the true meaning of the Christmas season.

The group's organizer Suresh Dominic talks of the importance of having this presence in the heart of the city:

"It's good to see many people come by especially families with small children and parents explaining to their children about the nativity and the manger. I have witnessed families kneeling down in prayer before the creche, a beautiful sight which helps us realize the worth of undertaking something like this to keep the focus on Christ."

Sadly, two years ago the creche was vandalized, twice the statue of infant Jesus was stolen and some damage was done to the lighting. As strange as it may seem, it appears that throughout North America this is a common problem - yes, some churches are even including GPS devices in their nativity scene figures. Yes, it's come to that. More on this from a piece in this week's Globe and Mail that can be found here.

Thanks to the folks at Gethsemane Ministries (with additional support from the Thomas More Lawyers Guild) for their work on this initiative. Quietly, in the heart of the city, people of faith continue to make a difference. God bless them.

Suresh also reports that some nights, Toronto's homeless have taken refuge, sleeping in the straw of the nativity scene. They wouldn't be the first ones to have found "no room at the inn", looking for a place to warm themselves and seek shelter.

It's a stark reminder that while we hurriedly go about buying presents and thinking of what more we can accumulate, there is the simple stable, home to the baby Jesus and those who need shelter the most. It seems most appropriate that there is room for everyone in this special manger.

Photo: Gethsemane Ministries

Ontario Gov't Releases Poverty Reduction Plan

The much awaited poverty reduction plan was released on Thursday by the provincial government. It's got some ambitious targets not the least of which a goal to reduce poverty by 25% over the next 5 years. Full copy of the report and a summary are available here.

Community organizations including a number of faith based groups made submissions/recommendations over the last several months to recommend strategies and priorities for the government's plan. It looks like many of those have been taken to heart. That said, a plan is just that - a plan. The proof comes in the tangible results. We'll see where things go in the coming days but many are optimistic about the proposed approach.

A day after the poverty reduction plan we see an announcement indicating our country's biggest monthly job loss since 1982. As a member of the Archdiocesan Employee Pension Committee (we met this week), I can also tell you that many of our investments have taken a significant hit. No surprise there as pretty much all investments have gone south these last few months. It seems that no one is immune to the current economic crisis.

That said, we must remember that, during the most trying times, those that remain the most vulnerable are the poor and marginalized. It's up to all of us to do what we can to ensure their voice is not lost in the wilderness.

Faith based organizations are no stranger to working with the poor. As one journalist once remarked to me, "The media often parachute in to cover a crisis, natural disaster or local "hot button" issue. Yet it's the faith based organizations who are most often on the front lines, there long before we arrived and present well after we've finished covering the story."

One thing we are trying to constantly communicate is that the church is more than just bricks and mortar. When we say at the end of Mass, "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!", it's not just a polite "have a nice day" - it's a call to action. When you look around the city of Toronto or more broadly throughout our global community, on the front lines of ministry with the poor and marginalized are faith based organizations.

Off the top of my head, I can think of countless groups helping out locally: the multi faith Out of the Cold Program providing shelter during the winter months in places of worship, Salvation Army programs and the familiar kettles in your local mall during the Christmas season, the Good Shepherd Refuge serving hundreds of meals every day to the homeless, St. Vincent de Paul Society providing food vouchers, warm clothing or shelters for those in need. I could go on and on - it's not to be boastful but rather to help educate all Catholics to learn how the church is strengthening the greater community.

The government should continue to dialogue with these successful organizations - after all, they're on the front lines and aren't going to be seeking re-election down the road. Their motivation is their faith and a desire to be "ambassadors for Christ", the hands and feet of Jesus, touching the lives of those forgotten.

I pray our government is sincere and committed to reducing poverty. Yet it would be wrong for us to leave it all to them. It's a shared responsibility. Together we can role up our sleeves and be part of the solution. Let's all not only go in peace but find tangible ways to "love and serve the Lord" during this Advent season and beyond.

Photos: Archdiocese of Toronto