The Season of Lent began on February 13th. At our All School Mass for Ash Wednesday on that day, I shared with the students, faculty, staff, family members and friends of Guerin Catholic High School a small reflection about the big announcement that Pope Benedict XVI had made on Monday February 11th. The reflection is below. Also, please join me and our school community in praying for Pope Benedict XVI and for the Church.

          On the morning of Monday February 11^th, I received a text from my sister Kelly that said: “Why is the pope resigning?” At first, this question from my sister didn’t really register. But, after a few seconds, I found myself seeking out this answer.

         Pope Benedict XVI announced that he will resign from his duties on Thursday February 28^th 2013 during the Second Week of Lent at 8:00pm Rome time. The words of his resignation to the Church at a gathering of Cardinals on the morning of February 11^th included: “I have convoked you to this Consistory … to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church.” “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”

         Many, like all of us, wonder why the Pope is resigning? Again, in his letter to the College of Cardinals, Pope Benedict said that he has come to realize that he no longer has the strength in his advanced age (at 85 years old) to fulfill the duties required of the Successor of St. Peter. He recognizes that the Ministry of the Pope is physically demanding, especially in today’s world of global travel and public ministry, and after lengthy prayer and examination, he feels that the Church would be best served by a Pope who is more physically able to fulfill these tasks. To me, there is great wisdom in this decision – which is clearly made for the good of the Church.

         But, what can we learn from the Pope Benedict’s decision? Well, it has been said multiple times that Pope Benedict made the decision after lengthy prayer and repeatedly examining his conscience. What was that? The Pope spent vast amounts of time praying about this decision and he repeatedly examined his conscience? How many here can say they daily strive to listen for the voice of God? The Pope through his recent decision to step down from the Chair of Saint Peter was a decision he came to by praying about it a lot, listening for the voice of God and examining his conscience. Pope Benedict is teaching us through this that we also need to spend time in prayer, examining our consciences and listening for the voice of God. We learned from the example of Pope John Paul II how to suffer and die with dignity. It seems as if Pope Benedict XVI is showing us how to live in humble honesty.

         So, you may be wondering what’s next? Well, after Pope Benedict steps down, a conclave will begin soon after to elect the next Pope through the 117 members of the College of Cardinals. They will need our prayers big time because they will go through a pretty rigorous schedule and during the conclave the Church protects her Cardinals in this process. They will be on lock down in Saint Martha’s House, which is where the Cardinals will stay when they are not in voting sessions in the Sistine Chapel. Things are quite strict for them: they will have their cell phones taken away, no newspapers, no TV, no internet, no radio, no outside communication of any type. Why do you think this is the case? (wait for responses until you hear THE RESPONSE – TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD). They are there to hear the voice of God and to be led by the Holy Spirit to select our next Pope.

         I will also be promoting a Novena for us to pray together as a school community for Pope Benedict XVI, which will begin on Tuesday February 19^th and it will conclude on his last day as Pope. It will be a great retirement gift for our Pope. We can also pray in thanksgiving for his many years of faithful service, for his health and for the Papacy, including for our next Pope. Let us pray:

Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI

Father, we pray for your protection and guidance over our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. Give him strength and wisdom to stand as a prophet for our times. May he be a light in darkness around which we gather in hope. We ask you to bring about reconciliation through his faithful teaching of peace and justice. Let him follow in the path of Peter and Paul who, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached that the Lord saves all who call upon his name.

We are approaching the fourth Sunday of Advent! This Advent Season has flown by with opportunties for prayer, reconciliation, service and growth. At Guerin Catholic High School, the students had three days of Advent Penance Services where visiting priests were happy to hear confessions of kids who desired to get ready for the birthday of Jesus. These are the things that we do in Advent and beyond. The Church brings her members to Christmas Day on December 25th through four or so weeks of waiting and anticipation. Thankfully, Christmas doesn't end on one day but extends for an entire season until the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus on January 13th. Don't forget to keep your trees and decorations up for awhile as we have much to celebrate and enjoy.

This year has been a positive experience for sure. But, this has also been a tough year and a challenge for many people such as the people who suffer in Connecticut from senseless violence. Our school has been praying for those who died (students and adults), their families and for the entire Newtown community. Just today, our students were invited to put together a spiritual bouquet of prayer for the priests at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown, CT as they are under a great deal of pastoral work in continuing to support suffering families and presiding at many wakes and funerals. Also, our school community put together a little prayer project to support the students at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our heart goes out to everyone who is suffering.

Advent and Christmas are wonderful feasts and seasons to enter into and celebrate. Thank God for the greatest gift He has ever given to the world: His Son Jesus Christ. Enjoy the remaining days of Advent. The great season of Christmas begins in just a few days. Merry Christmas and God bless you, Fr. Janko

P.S. - Homework: read and reflect on Luke 1:39-45

It was a great joy to visit the alumni of St. Theodore Guerin High School at Indiana University. Scott McNamee (Director for Campus Ministry and Student Life), Chris Buhler (Director of Athletics) and I departed for Bloomington this evening and were on IU's campus by 7:00pm. Over a half dozen college students met us at the IU Memorial Union. From there, we walked over to BuffaLouie's at the Gables for some delicious wings. Thankfully, Tuesday had a great wing special at 55 cents per wing. It was a fun occasion for us to catch up with these young men and women as they have enjoyed their time down at IU so far. Some of the alumni mentioned how they are always able to say hello to each other on the Bloomington campus without any hesitation. They continue to share a common bond and connection because they shared their high school years together at Guerin Catholic High School. The guys talked sports, debate club, how their classes were going and what they were majoring in. The gals enjoyed catching up with each other, talking about their college experiences and sharing about old times. Everyone seems to be enjoying the Indiana University experience and even liked the opportunities they have to attend Mass or Mass. I was thankful to be able to travel down to visit with our alumni for a few hours. I will continue to pray for them as they continue to do great things in their college careers. These Golden Eagles make me proud. I will continue to keep them in my prayers. St. Theodore Guerin, pray for us!

We are approaching elections in just a few short months. The Church calls us to be good citizens of our nation. By our baptism, Catholics are committed to following Jesus Christ and to be "salt for the earth, light for the nations." As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This is inherent in the dignity of the human person ... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915). 

As Americans, we are blessed with so many freedoms and opportunities. So many people have sacrificed so very much so we might be able to live as we live in our country. This election year, let's remember our faith in Jesus Christ. Let us also remember the freedoms that we enjoy, especially that of Religious Freedom.

There is a wonderful Novena to the Mother of God For Our Nation that began on Saturday September 29 on the Feast of the Guardian Angels and it is available to pray at multiple websites. The National Catholic Register (www.ncregister.com) has the novena at http://www.ncregister.com/images/documents/NCRnovena.pdf and EWTN (www.ewtn.com) has the novena at http://www.religiousliberties.org/novena/ .

Even if you start the Novena today, that will be wonderful to help you remember what is truly important. What is truly important? Well, the central tenets of our faith as is mentioned at http://www.religiousliberties.org/novena/ - "the Incarnation, passion, death, resurrection of the Lord and Mary's unique role in our salvation." 

I will conclude with a prayer I found on the U.S. Bishops Website www.usccb.org for the Protection of Religious Liberty. I hope to pray this a number of times before the November election for our amazing nation, the United States of America. 

Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty

O God our Creator,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be "one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Source: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/prayer-resources.cfm

The picture of the American Flag and 'Never Forget'was taken by Guerin Catholic High School alumnus Taylor Bussick

September 11, 2012. Our nation of the United States of America was once again reminded of the events that unfolded 11 years ago in New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville in Pennsylvania. Many people died on that day. Many people died saving the lives of others. Many people continue to serve this great nation as soldiers in uniform in our Armed Forces, as fire fighters, as police officers and as rescue workers. We are all indebted to people who have answered the call to serve. 

During our All School Mass at 9:10am, Deacon Rick Wagner preached a memorable homily reminding us all of 9/11. He tied into his message of rememberance the fact that the people Jesus Christ called in the sixth chapter of Saint Luke's Gospel were ordinary people: fishermen, farmers and even a tax collector. Deacon Rick also pointed out the various occupations that his brother deacons kept busy with, but they also were called to serve the Church in the permanent diaconate. His challenge to all of us present at Mass was that the call from Jesus is NOW. We are all called to serve. That is one of the wonderful aspects of St. Theodore Guerin High School. We at Guerin Catholic to serve each other with love. It is a blessing to be part of such a great place where people are deciding to follow the call of Jesus to serve. 

Likewise, in our greater community, other people were remembering 9/11. Our Lady of Grace Parish in Noblesville, Indiana also anwered the call to pray. The following video was put together by members of their school. The video is wonderful and also highlights some wonderful guests to Our Lady of Grace who serve our community. Thank you Our Lady of Grace. Thank you St. Theodore Guerin High School. Never Forget!

Today was awesome! What can I say? I am very thankful to be doing what I am doing as a priest as the Director for Catholic Mission at Guerin Catholic High School. My day normally starts out getting up early, having some coffee and praying some prayers. Today, I had to get up and head to Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Cicero, IN to cover a Mass for Fr. Dale, as he was on a trip to Minnesota. After Mass in which I celebrated the Optional Memorial of Saint Rose of Lima, I figured I needed to grab a little breakfast. Low and behold, the 'Golden Arches' of McDonald's were in sight and I drove in to get something to eat. I am not a huge McDonald's fan, but I figured I would get something simple. Then, on to the next thing... I arrived at the school and remembered that the Principal's Meeting that I was not able to attend was just wrapping up. So, I decided to head in for the conclusion of that meeting ... and just in time to give the blessing at the end.

Then, I had the Mass to celebrate at 10:25am Daily School's Kairos Mass for over 150 students plus teachers plus some administrators plus some family members and friends of our school. It was great to have Deacon Rick Wagner there by my side. For some reason, I like celebrating Mass when a Deacon is present. I am able to pray the Mass even better when I do not have to worry about all the details. Deacon Rick does great and he always has a big smile on his face when I give him a blessing before he proclaims the Gospel. Anyway, Mass concluded in about thirty minutes.

Finally, I get to my office to get a couple of things done before I got ready for a School Governing Board Meeting which lasted from about 12:30pm through 4:00pm. The end result of the meeting was that our school is doing pretty well and we are excited to continue serving in this gem of a Catholic high school in Noblesville, IN.

Afterwards, I had some time to get a little office work in before heading to the soccer field to watch our JV soccer boys take on Hamilton Heights. They were up 3-0 at the half when I headed back into school to pray with our football team before their team dinner. They will have their hands full tomorrow night when they take on Lafayette Central Catholic, the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana's only other Catholic high school.

Then, I finally headed off campus to meet a future Guerin Catholic HS family for dinner at a nice little restaurant in Westfield, IN called Cabo's Mexican Restaurant. It was a nice meal. I also was thankful that my friends two children were able to begin their school year at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School. They had been on the waiting list and God worked it out for them to attend SMG.

During dinner, I received a phone call. I checked the message after dinner and it was from a co-worker from Guerin Catholic High School. They asked me if I would visit a family member of theirs who was 99 years old and getting close to the end of their earthly life. I was thankful to be able to spend time with their relatives and pray with them. God is merciful. I was humbled to be able to provide my priestly ministry in that family's time of need and for their loved one.

Now, I write this play by play of my day Thursday 23 August. It is an adventure to be a priest and the Director for Catholic Mission at Guerin Catholic High School, but I would not trade it for the world. The words of Forest Gump come to mind when I think of so many of my days as I minister as a priest: "My momma always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.'"

Thank you God for variety in my life. Help me to be available to serve tomorrow and every day that you bless me with in this world. Now for some final prayers and then some rest. Fr. Janko

Welcome to the Catholic Mission page of www.guerincatholic.org. We are off and running in the 2012-2013 School Year here at Guerin Catholic High School. We have already had a great start with welcoming our new students, celebrating our first All School Mass (on August 17) and participating in our exciting sports events.

This year, I will post reflections and thoughts on this page entitled "Fr. Janko's Corner" just about every week. I especially want to encourage people to visit here to learn more about the upcoming Year for Faith that will begin 11 October 2012 and continue on through 24 November 2013. The official website for this Holy Year is http://www.annusfidei.va/content/novaevangelizatio/en.html so please be sure and check that out. You will be in my prayers.

Please sneek a prayer in for me. :)

God bless,

Fr. Janko 

Director for Catholic Mission

St. Theodore Guerin High School (www.guerincatholic.org)