The Gateway to Knowledge

As a former yet still 6-12 certified English teacher I am quite fascinated by the language development of my children. At this point, I am amazed at the number of words Elizabeth knows - mustache, snow flake, chap stick, and speed boat are a few that I know I never incorporated into her daily vocabulary lessons. I thoroughly enjoy grammar; therefore, I have thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth's progress with standard English grammar. It is adorable that she refers to herself as "you". It also makes complete sense. Just as we call her Elizabeth, we also use the pronoun you when speaking with her. Similar to her vocabulary progression, most of her development with grammar has been the result of her own independent study. Her pronoun confusion is diminishing. The fact that I still find adorable her attempts to use pronouns correctly is not.

Back track to 3 month old Catherine, and my fascination with language development soars. Some of her happiest times are when she has the undivided attention of a face who mimics, answers and responds to her coos, goos, gahs, and bubs. I know that she's still trying to gain greater control of her CNS, so I'm sure that some of her noises are uncontrollable. Others, though, reflect her foray into language and I know that my incoherent face time with her is paving the way for her acquisition and understanding of words.

Entering elementary (PreK to Grade 8) education after beginning my career in high school opened my eyes and gave me an appreciation for the importance and difficulty of teaching students how to read. Having children of my own has furthered this awakening to include the importance and difficulty of developing emergent literacy skills in younger-than-school-aged children.

As our Diocese has prepared for the upcoming shift to the Common Core State Standards, the role that reading plays in these new benchmarks is readily apparent. Reading is to span across all subjects. Furthermore, the CCSS focuses on reading non-fiction texts instead of fiction. In the CCSS, students must develop decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills sooner and with much more depth than before. All teachers, regardless of grade level, content area or comfort level, will have a hand in helping students gain familiarity with and skill at comprehending non-fictional texts. All subjects in all grade levels should be text dependent and driven.

Most students enter school and then learn how to read. The first few years, especially Kindergarten, are geared toward teaching students how to read. Around 4th grade, the emphasis shifts to using reading as a way to learn. By Middle School, students use reading as the primary mechanism by which they continue to learn.

Reading is the gateway to knowledge. Regardless of future advances along the information super highway - eReaders, tablets, apps, touch screen, Siri - being able to read will be your ticket to ride. Without it you are stuck. With it you have knowledge, power and freedom to go wherever your mind and the words you know can take you.

The more you read, the more you'll know and the more places you'll be able to go.

Oh, the places you'll go...

Dumbo's Feather

As a way to help ensure this school year at ICS was different than the previous two, I spent a lot of time over the summer reconnecting with and tapping into things that I find inspirational (see any of my posts from the Summer of 2012). At the same time, I sought out parts of my prayer life that have been meaningful to me, but that had, unfortunately, been replaced, ignored, or forgotten over the years. Just like an athlete preparing to be his / her best, I sought after some sort of edge that would give me, even if just from a psychological standpoint, the grit, enthusiasm, optimism and faith to ensure a successful year.

In some ways, these things are no more than Dumbo's feathers. The grace of God is no less with me without these things than It is with them.

This year, more than any other, I have gone through cycles of facial hair. While not tapping into the trend that is the purposefully unshaven look (I do not have style and do not care enough to be trendy), I have used facial hair in my adult life to help me through things like finals in college and other times of trial and intense effort. In the same spirit as athletes growing a playoff beard, I have used facial hair as a way to make periods of time seem separate, special or different from times of being clean shaven. Facial hair denotes toughness. It harkens to figures like John the Baptist or Ignatius of Loyola and speaks of times like Advent and Lent. This year, without intending for this to be one of the purposes, my beards have helped me to feel closer to my dad, who had a beard for about 99% of the almost 34 years that I knew him. Even in grieving his passing, it has given me an edge.

Another, less emotional way that I have sought after an edge this year is by wearing something on my right wrist / arm. As an athlete, I would typically wear a sweat band on my arm for games and competitions. As I haven't played organized competitive sports consistently since college, my workouts can get stale and I've gone through times of being uninspired to exercise. In those times, I've turned to wristbands to help make the workout seem as if I'm preparing for something or to simulate game day itself. Even though it does not help me to jump higher, lift more weight or run faster or farther, it has given me the mental push needed to push physically. This year, I have tried to carry this concept over to my work, as well. Underneath my work shirts, I started the year by concealing sweatbands. Now, I have transitioned into wearing a rubber bracelet with the words "Catholic Education Providing Hope" on it. These small right arm accessories have helped to supply hope to me. In turn, I hope that it has helped me to bring hope to others.

Finally, and perhaps most effectively and/or importantly, I have recommitted myself to prayer. I begin each day, before getting out of bed, with the Prayer of Release:

Dear Lord, please give me a faith that expects greater things. Whatever I do, let me give it my best. Anxious in nothing, at peace with the promise that when I've done that I can that You'll take care of the rest. Amen.

Furthermore, in my back pocket I carry a prayer card with the poem Desiderata on it. It has always been one of my favorite poems and I use its message as a prayer. It has reminded me that my focus must be on God and that I must take time to feed myself spiritually if I hope to have anything worthwhile to feed to others. I have prayed more this year than I have in quite some time, which is probably the reason that anything else I've tried has seemed to be successful.

The thing about feathers isn't that they actually make you fly. It's that you actually believe they do.

And I believe (and) that is why I have found the edge.

In the Name of the Father

Catherine will get baptized tomorrow morning. I am so happy for her and so excited to officially welcome her into the Christian family. I am proud to bring her into the Catholic Church and am honored that God has gifted me with a faith that has inspired me to desire baptism for my daughters. I cherish my family - its traditions, history, members, flaws, shortcomings, love, humor, joy - both in a human and faith based sense.

I love being a Zelenka. I love being a Catholic. I love being a part of these families and all of their respective traditions, history, members, flaws, shortcomings, love, humor, joy.

My last name means "little green" in Slovak. Some of my grandfather's siblings, in immigrating from Slovakia, decided to spell their name "Za" instead of "Ze". As a certified Language Arts instructor, I embrace being unphonetic; English is such a beautifully complicated language. I revel in the fact that instead of potentially being called Junior, my dad decided to name me Michael Robert instead of after him as Robert Michael. It means so much to me to bear his name yet still have one of my own. My sister was named after my grandmothers, my brother after my grandfathers. I am humbled that my wife and my two daughters share my last name. I love that, for now, it is our last name. I love being a Zelenka.

Similarly, I love that my parents not only instilled in me a sense of family but also a sense of the importance of my faith. As I strive to more dutifully live out the tenants of the faith in which I profess every weekend to believe, I take very seriously my various roles within the Catholic Church. As a Catholic man, I hope to imitate the manhood of Christ - meek yet strong, firm yet understanding, patient yet passionate, selfless to the point of death.

As a Catholic husband, I so desperately desire a strong marriage. I am incredibly blessed to have married my best friend. I thank God every day for the gift of Emily and every day I hope that I adequately convey how grateful I am for her love, support, humor, and companionship. I love her so much.

As a Catholic father, I want my children to recognize the gift of faith. I want to present to them, as my parents did for me, the importance of a life of faith and then I want to get out of the way. I pray that I will be wise enough to know how and when to allow God to use me as His instrument and when to let Him speak directly to their hearts. I pray that I am worthy to be called the name we also use to address Jesus - father. It means so much to me to bear His name albeit in such a drastically inferior sense.

Lastly, I feel that my role as a Catholic educator allows me to combine both what I do and who I am. I would hope that even in the secular world I would still have the conviction to live out my faith. I fully appreciate, though, that my opportunities to do so would be so different in number, degree and kind. I hope and pray that I am further establishing God's kingdom here on earth. I hope and pray that the school I lead is above all else truly Catholic.

I love being a Zelenka. I love being a Catholic. I love that tomorrow I will welcome a member of my family into my family. I will welcome my daughter, who bears the last name of my father, into the Catholic Church in the name of our Father.

May God bless you, Catherine Rose, and welcome, once again, to the family.      

Hunger

"Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry."

-Luke 4:1-2

 

I love the simplicity in the last line of this passage. Jesus did not eat for 40 days and afterwards he was hungry. I also love what seems like a contradiction that occurs at the conclusion of Jesus's time in the desert: Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region (4:14). Jesus spends 40 days in the desert. He does not eat a thing. He is tempted by the devil and He emerges from that experience in the "power of the Spirit."

 

If we are made full in our hunger, than put a fork in me.

 

I was hungry after what amounted to a 9 and 1/2 hour fast on Ash Wednesday. At about 9:30 a.m., as we finished the Eucharistic Celebration, my stomach growled. I was hungry. I'm not sure it was because of a lack of sustenance in my belly. Instead, I feel that the psychosomatics of knowing that I wasn't going to be able to eat in between meals played a trick on my body. All day long I felt hungry. Even throughout the course of Thursday and Friday, I have felt hungry.

 

Jesus made it 40 days. In the desert. With the devil tempting Him.

I had a hard time making it through day one.

 

Furthermore, I set out before the beginning of Lent to try to compose 40 blogs throughout these 40 days. I didn't even make it to day two with this one. I went to bed last night tired, empty and worn.

 

And hungry.

 

This hunger, though, is precisely what God wants us to feel. He wants our physical, temporal and earthly hungers to lead us to Him. He wants us to hand Him our yoke and burden for with Him it will be easy and light. He wants us to come to Him when we are worn. He wants to make us anew.

 

The Psalmist (51:12) writes, "A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit."

 

May this be our prayer of Lent. May our hunger remind us that we do not live on bread alone. May our tiredness amplify our desire to rest in His peace. May our emptiness allow us to recognize our incompleteness without Him. May our struggle invoke the perseverance of our Lord on His way up Calvary. Finally, may our striving humbly attempt to mimic God's intense pursuit of our hearts, and may we, this year, finally allow ourselves to be caught...and loved...and saved...and fed.   

They'll Know We Are Christians

Ash Wednesday is no longer a Holy Day of obligation. It remains, however, one of the most heavily attended Masses throughout the course of the year in Catholic Churches. Like Palm Sunday, the Church gives something in addition to the Eucharist on Ash Wednesday. Attendees process in the same fashion as Communion and receive ashes, made from the palm branches from last Palm Sunday, in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. While receiving this sign of faith, the minister of ashes says one of the following phrases:

"Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return."

"Repent and believe in the Gospel."

The readings taken from the Mass speak of returning to God with our whole hearts. They encourage us to rend our hearts and not our garments. We are to proclaim a fast and gather the assembly of people. Reconcile. Do not perform deeds so that others can see you. Give alms but don't blow your trumpet. Don't even let your right hand know what your left is doing. Go and pray by yourself. Fast in such a way that those around you would think you've had your fill. Wash your face and anoint your head.

And walk around all day with ashes on your forehead.

The message seems to be a bit mixed. Do all of these things in secret but write your commitment to Christ literally across your forehead. Don't let anyone know that you're fasting and doing penance but everyone that you see today will notice the smudge on your forehead.

Our faith is filled with contradictions, though. Be in the world but not of the world. Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Be strong in your weaknesses. Die so that you may have life.

Perhaps the ashes on our foreheads help us to remember that our true focus should be on Jesus. Perhaps they are a way to humble us, knowing that maybe we'll give up chocolate to hopefully lose a few pounds or that we'll be nicer to people to gain potentially some sort of social advantage. These are noble reasons, but like the pharisees, we will gain earthly rewards if we have an earthly focus. Instead, our purpose in submitting ourselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving should be to return to Jesus with our whole hearts, not just the part that has something else to gain.

Perhaps this Lent we will recognize the temporal nature of our bodies and the eternal heritage of our souls. Perhaps this Lent we will repent and believe in the Gospel.

Perhaps the ashes are a challenge for us to get outsiders to know that we are Christians not by the crosses on our foreheads but by the love in our hearts.

By our love, not ashes on our foreheads. By our love.

Cast Your Net - Annual Pastoral Appeal Speech

At the risk of putting you to sleep, I want to ask you to close your eyes. I want you to participate in the Ignatian exercise of imaging yourself in a piece of scripture. I want you to think of yourself as one of the disciples on the boat with Simon Peter or even imagine that you are Simon Peter, or James, or John or an additional member of the crew that night. In whatever way you can, put yourself into today's Gospel reading as I reread and paraphrase a portion of it.

You've been out fishing all night, which means you've been up all night. You also haven't caught a thing. You're tired. You're damp from the crashing waves and maybe even a bit sweaty from casting and collecting your nets, which have grown heavier and longer as the night has continued.

You're just about to cut your losses and head back home when Jesus tells you, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”

Simon says in reply, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets.”

So, one more time, even though you think it completely pointless, you go back out into the deep water and cast your net.

You catch a great number of fish, so many that your nets are actually tearing from the weight. You call to your partners in the other boat, "We need some help with this catch! You won't believe it! Come quickly!" 

Your companions hurry to where you are and assist in reeling in this abundant catch. Your excitement turns into giddiness and for a second you imagine that you must be dreaming. You haven't had a bite all night and now, exhausted, you yield the biggest catch of your life.

Both boats get filled with so many fish that they are in danger of sinking.

You and the entire crew are absolutely astonished at the number of fish. You hear Peter say something but you're too overwhelmed to process what he's saying. You hear Jesus respond, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”

You return to shore. You unload the boat, still amazed at the enormity of what has happened. In this moment, you commit yourself to following this man named Jesus wherever he may lead you.

Now I want you to consider this story in light of our Annual Pastoral Appeal. I want you to consider that your emotion about hearing me speak this morning is probably similar to what the disciples felt when they heard Jesus tell them to put back out into the deep one more time and cast their nets. You've been asked for money from so many different people in so many different ways. You're tired of it. You figure that nothing good will come of it or that what you can give won't make enough of a difference so why bother. 

If I'm correct in this assumption, or at least close to hitting the mark, I want you to also consider that casting your net by making a donation to this year's annual pastor appeal will yield such an abundant harvest that you will be overwhelmed by the catch. You may not be met with the giddiness that the disciples experienced on the morning of that record setting catch, but you will make a difference that extends far beyond the walls and property of Incarnation and is far greater than any monetary amount you can offer.

The German poet Goethe writes, 

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”  

Cast your nets. Give Him two fish and five loaves. Bring Him six jars of water. Commit and let Providence, that is Jesus, move.

Today, Incarnation Catholic Church is asking for your commitment in this year's annual pastoral appeal.

With the help of APA funding last year Catholic Charities helped over 14,500 clients; 3,600 children and over 11,000 adults. Shelters of Hope programs provide safe living environments for families and individuals facing a limited income, disability, crisis, or other situation that causes them to be without housing. Over 4,000 families received this service thanks to APA funds last year. Pinellas Hope, a facility that provides temporary housing for up to 250 people, has helped over 1,000 individuals since opening in 2006. 67% of APA funds go for services for our parishes, Catholic schools, and social services such as those previously mentioned. APA funds support the education of our 30 seminarians and it supports 17 men and their wives who are in formation for the permanent diaconate. The other 33% of the funds go to support Parish and diocesan ministries such as the migrant apostolate, prison ministry, Spirit FM, Scouting, and the Marriage Tribunal which helps people going through difficult process of a divorce and potential annulment.

This year our APA goal is $211,180. This assessment must be paid through your generosity. Otherwise the funds come out of Incarnation's normal collections or savings, cutting into the ministries and services offered here at Incarnation.

If you are prepared, you can make a donation today. There are envelopes and forms in your pews. If you're writing a check, please just ensure that you put Incarnation in the memo line. You can decide to spread your donation out over the course of the year making monthly payments instead of one lump sum. You can pay via credit card. You can apply match grant funds if your company or business performs this charitable service.
Above all else, right now, we are asking for your commitment. In just a moment you'll be afforded some time to pray, reflect and even dialogue with your family about making a commitment. It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will come into your hearts and inspire you to cast your nets.

You may be tired of giving. You may think that what you have to give doesn't matter or isn't enough to make a difference.

But today, providentially, Jesus is telling us to "Put out into the deep waters and lower our nets for a catch." He's telling us to commit so that Providence can move, too. Jesus is encouraging us that whatever we can do, or dream we can do, to do it.

Cast your net and allow Jesus to turn it into something amazing.  

The Summons

"As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him."

-Mark 1:16-20

 

As part of a way to promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the Catholic Church in America sponsors an annual Vocation Awareness Week. This year, Vocation Awareness Week is this week, January 13 - 19, and the Gospel passage above just happens to be the Gospel reading from the first day of this week focused on promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education. This week of attention to vocations is also aimed at renewing our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations. "Come after me" Jesus says, and Simon and Andrew leave their nets behind and follow Him. Similarly, He calls the sons of Zebedee, James and John, and they leave their nets and their dad and the hired men and they follow Jesus.

 

"Come after me," Jesus calls. He is hoping we will follow.

 

The word vocation's Latin root literally means a call or a summons. From a religious standpoint, a vocation formally signifies a persons' call from God to become a priest, brother, deacon or religious sister or nun. In a more generic way, though, it represents the particular plan that God has for each and every individual. Going beyond merely mentioning religious, married or single status, a vocation can be thought of as what God intends for an individual to do with his or her life. It is the specific task that can be done by you and you alone.

 

It's your authentic swing, your purpose, your calling, your meaning, your passion, your reason for living. One's vocation is the song that God places in the heart that can't be other than sung. It is the thing that sets your heart on fire. It gives you life and it is what you'd be willing to give your life doing.

 

Discovering your vocation requires prayer, discernment, study, dialogue, patience and hope. In some cases, like Simon and Saul, this discovery starts with an encounter with Jesus that is both name and life changing. It takes Peter a multitude of conversations, foot-in-mouth moments and failures in order to come to terms with his call. Paul spends time in intense study before he can regain his physical sight and gain his spiritual one.

 

Jesus calls them. He gives them a new name. His gives their lives new purpose, meaning and direction. Together these two men - one a fishermen, the other a soldier - establish the Church and account for the conversion of countless people. Their vocations had a part in the passage of faith that lives on today in those who call themselves Christians.

 

Perhaps your vocation will be responsible for the passage of faith to future generations for many ages to come. Perhaps your vocation will save even one life. Perhaps your vocation will comfort those who are brokenhearted. Perhaps your vocation will break a cycle of violence, abuse or hatred. Perhaps your vocation will set your heart on fire and give your life new purpose, meaning and direction.

 

I have heard it said that God's plan for your life is well beyond even your heart's greatest desire and that doing what He wills for you will bring you more joy than you can even imagine.

 

Getting students to have a sense of vocation is part of the vocation of Catholic educators. Getting students to be able to listen for, recognize and respond to God's voice is what we're supposed to do in Catholic schools. Having a truer sense of our own vocation as Catholic school teachers and believing that our work as Catholic educators is our life's song might actually increase the number of young people answering God's call to priesthood, diaconate or religious life.

 

Actually following Him, regardless of the nets that we have to leave behind or the people in our lives to whom we must bid farewell, is what He commands of us.

 

"Come after me," Jesus calls. It's not a question, it's an order.

 

So, let us Follow Him.       

 

*Please pray for an increase to vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life!*