Chrism Mass

Last night I attended the Chrism Mass for the Diocese of Metuchen. This is the mass, always held during Holy Week, where the priest of the Diocese recommit to their vocation and the Holy Oils used during Sacraments are blessed and distributed to the parishes. My pastor, Msgr. Andy, asked me to attend as Immaculate Conception's representative. The mass was filled will all the pomp and ceremony you would expect at an important mass at the Cathedral. (All the smells, bells and yells, as Mr. P would say.)

Bishop Bootkoski was the celebrant assisted by the former, retired bishop, Bishop Hughes. Most of the priest from the Diocese were there and it was amazing to here them all pray the Eucharistic Prayer together. The Diocesan Choir was excellent, with a brass, timpani and, of course, organ. I'm not sure I'd like mass to be like that every week, but every once in a while it's awesome to see the full ritual of the Catholic Church.

More than the ceremony of the mass, I was struck with a feeling of unity during Mass. The priests in unity with each other and the Bishop, the parishes all united in one place, and the Sacred Chrism which unites us all as anointed by God. After Mass, I noticed that in the program the Bishop put it this way:

"The Chrism Mass is seen basically and primarily as a celebration of the entire local church in its role as priestly people....It is fitting that both ordained priests and laity from throughout the diocese gather on this occasion to express the unifying leadership ministry of the bishop."

I'm thankful I could serve the Parish and experience this Mass.

Kenny's Property

Long before I met my landlord (and friend) Kenny Shilay, he purchased a piece of property on Jugtown Mountain in Bethlehem Township, just outside of Bloomsbury. It was where he planned to build his dream house - a house he would build with his own hands. Kenny and his father, Kenny Sr., worked weekends to clear the trees, stumps and brush so a house with a incredible view could be built. The property looks northwest and on a clear day you can see Wind Gap, PA 20 miles as the crow flies to the NE. By the time I moved to Kenny's current house/rental property in 2002, the Property (as we all refer to it) was cleared and ready for construction. I ended up helping some on the property since a) it's keeps me off the streets, b) Kenny and Senior were doing the work themselves and c) they have really fun construction equipment to play with. I mostly am a laborer but have had a blast.

In 2002, the septic system went in and in 2006, the house itself was really started. Lest you think Kenny was slacking in the interim, he was working on the property where I live, was doing more excavation and clearing at the Property (much to the chagrin of his tree hugging neighbor Cinny) and, oh yeah, married Monica, (I think he stopped maybe for a week for that!) and had a daughter, Amanda in 2005.



The whole build is documented on Monica's Blog, Shilay's Tara. I am the official photographer (and a contributor to her blog). I maintain a slide show of the progress on the house. It is pretty much closed in at this point, but the electrical, plumbing and finish work all need to be completed. The hope is to celebrate Christmas 2008 at the house.

You might wonder how Kenny and his dad, with help from a few friends could build this house. First and foremost is Kenny's dedication to the project - he works a full day and often spends another 4 or 5 hour on the house. Second is that Kenny and Senior own Cast Technology, a diesel engine repair shop. This gives them access to equipment normal people can't get. For example, Kenny owns a tractor, bobcat, Cat 955K bulldozer, a wood chipper that can take huge trees, a stump grinder and a genie lift. For the project he has borrowed a John Deere Excavator, a several ton forklift and other equipment. Most of all, this project is getting done because it has become Monica's dream as well so she lives with Kenny's obsession with his "White Whale".