Bridge building
by father brent C. Nall, Pastor

Y ears ago I stumbled upon a little novelty book called “The Pastor’s Unauthorized Instruction Book: What Every Church Leader Ought to Know.” It contains 275 numbered tidbits of advice on miniature pages. Not everything in it is helpful:
#57 – “Hold hands with your spouse in public.” Other advice, though, is more useful: #82 – “Don’t make major changes right away; YOU are the major change.”

I may have broken that rule on a few occasions since coming here on 2/6/2006. Some corrections, changes or improvements have been just too hard for me to postpone. On the day of my arrival, for instance, I walked into the church and immediately moved the two flags out of the sanctuary. When the change seemed to attract little notice, I moved on to other matters. Please pardon me, I should have explained!

Throughout the Diocese of Sacramento, flags are being moved out of the church sanctuary and into less conspicuous areas of the church upon the counsel of the Office of Worship. Nothing is to visually detract from the two focal points of the Table of the Lord: the Table of His Word, the pulpit; and the Table of His Body, the altar.

Catholics are also meant to remember that the Sacrifice of the Mass is offered by and for the universal Church, not any one national church alone. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t remember to pray for our nation. We must and we should! The Prayers of the Faithful usually include prayers for our national and local government leaders.

Personally, as a former sergeant in the United States Army, serving on active duty both all around the United States and in the Third Armored Division in Germany, I have a great love and affection for our nation’s flag and traditions. I always notice and try politely to make corrections when the flag is displayed incorrectly.

Please know that the placement of the flags in the church, now standing proudly above us in the balcony, reflects no diminishment of patriotism and love of our most blessed Union. The correction is strictly in accordance with the mind of the Church.

†
On another matter, I would like to make you aware of a memorial opportunity. After a century or so, our censer finally gave up the ghost. In fact, it was while it was being used at mass that it broke for the last time. The censer, or thurible, is used to burn incense at especially important masses as well as at funerals when the casket is incensed. It represents our prayers going up to God and fills the air with a rich aroma.

Fr. Brent's e-mail address:
frbrent@stjohnthebaptistchico.org.

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