Friar Timothy Patrick Dore, OFM Conv. -- About Me and My Blog . . .

Friar Timothy Patrick Dore, OFM Conv. (Baltimore, Maryland, United States).

On September 3, 1962, I was born at Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland; I’m the second of seven children: I have an older brother and four younger sisters; they each married terrific spouses and now have families of their own; one sibling, a younger brother who my mother named Joseph, died at birth.  In all, I have fourteen wonderful nieces and nephews, as well as a grand-niece and a grand-nephew, both of whom are absolutely beautiful.  My mom, +Carolyn Marie Winterling (d. 09-13-18), was born and raised in Locust Point, South Baltimore, and was of pure German descent; during her professional life she was a Registered Nurse; my father, +Eugene Anthony “Gene” Dore (d. 07-21-24), was born and raised in Irvington, West Baltimore, and was of Irish/Swedish descent; he spent much of his professional career as a salesman within the heavy construction industry. My immediate and extended family members have always been very dear to me!

I spent my earliest school days as a student in both public and parochial schools: first at Beechfield Elementary, P.S.#246, Irvington (grades K-2), then at St. Joseph's Monastery, Irvington, (grades 3-5) and finally at the Catholic Community School of South Baltimore, (grades 6-8). For high school I attended Baltimore's great Calvert Hall College (a Christian Brothers' school locally known as “the Hall).  

As a child, my family and I were always very active in our parishes (both at St. Joseph's Monastery, in West Baltimore where I lived until the age of eleven, and in later years at Our Lady of Good Counsel, South Baltimore).  I was a member of the boy scouts, an altar server, choir member, youth groups, church cleaner and part time youth parish office receptionist.  As a child, my Catholic faith and my parish identity were always very important aspects of my personal and family experiences!  

After graduating from Mount Saint Mary's College (now “University”), Emmitsburg, Maryland in May of 1984, I entered religious life in August of that year as a novice with Conventual Franciscan Friars (OFM Conv.). I completed my Theological studies at the Washington Theological Union in Silver Spring, Maryland in May of 1992. After a six month period as a “transitional deacon,” on October 17, 1992 I was ordained to the priesthood at St. Casimir Church, in my home-town of Baltimore, Maryland, by Baltimore's then Auxiliary Bishop +William C. Newman.

For seventeen years of my priesthood (in two non-consecutive terms between ‘92 and ‘14), I was assigned to Most Holy Trinity--St. Mary in Brooklyn, New York. Both my Franciscan and my priestly identities were greatly “formed” during my years in Brooklyn!

In addition to Brooklyn, I served as a parochial-vicar at St. Philip Benizi, Jonesboro, Georgia, and at St. Stanislaus Basilica, Chicopee, Massachusetts. In August of ‘14, I began a year-long assignment at Pastor at Assumption Church in Syracuse, New York. Years earlier in ministry, I also spent time teaching young people in schools at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, New York (‘87-‘88), at St. Francis Primary School, San Jose, Costa Rica (‘98-‘01), and at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Maryland (‘01-‘03). Later, and in the Archdiocese of Baltimore (‘15-‘18), I was Pastor of two wonderful Parishes of St. Ann and St. Wenceslaus, in Baltimore City, Maryland.  Then I was Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel, Annunciation, and St. Clement Mary Hofbauer, a three parish “Pastorate” in Baltimore County, Maryland (‘18-‘22). 

I’ve always had an “itch” to be a missionary friar.  Although I have never really pursued such a calling, I did have several opportunities in my life to travel and to live abroad in countries where people live in poverty and in great need.  While still a seminarian in 1991, I did a “missionary internship” for three months in Ghana, West Africa where I lived and worked with our friars who ministered to people with leprosy.  Later, after my ordination to the priesthood, I spent three months in Honduras, Central America, where I studied Spanish and further discerned a “missionary calling.”  I’ve returned to Honduras for shorter visits at least ten times over the years, and I still wonder if someday I should return there for a longer commitment.  In 1998, I began a two-and-a-half year assignment in Costa Rica where I taught English to children in our friars’ St. Francis Primary School in San Jose and also to adults in an evening language institute there called the Instituto Interamericano de Idiomas (Intensa).  My experience in Costa Rica was wonderful!

Most of my ministerial experiences have been as a “parish priest.”  Parish work has always been at the core of my priestly ministry, and over many years I feel I've been greatly blessed by the wonderful people of the parishes I've met along the way!  See a short reflection I wrote about the life of a parish priest here on my blog entitled “This is the Life of a Parish Priest” (https://www.frayteo.us/2014/04/this-is-life-of-parish-priest.html).

I think one of my most passionate desires within ministry has always been to enthusiastically serve and to work with Christian outreach efforts done for the poor, the marginalized, and to those who are “different.”  I believe this desire is fundamentally rooted in my identity as one who hopes to live in accord with the teachings and example of the Lord Jesus, and as a Franciscan Friar, a follower of “Il Poverello,” St. Francis of Assisi.

Currently, I am stationed at the Shrine of St. Anthony, Ellicott City, Maryland, and there I am one of the friars in the community of the Friary of St. Joseph Cupertino. These days, I divide my time as a friar-chaplain at St. Joseph's Nursing Home, Catonsville, as well as at the Shrine of St. Anthony.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope the posts you find on it are both thought provoking and spiritually uplifting!   Peace, Timothy

Praised be Jesus Christ!
Now and Forever!  Amen!

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Friar Timothy Patrick Dore, OFM Conv.

My Curriculum Vitae:

EDUCATION

12/99 - 12/00:  The Mesoamerica Spanish Language Program (at the Institute for Central American Studies-"ICAS"), Intensive Spanish Program and Tutoring.  Guadalupe, San Jose, Costa Rica, Completed: December 2000.

Fall 1998:  Centro Lingüistico Latinoamericano, San Antonio de Belén, Heredia, Costa Rica, Certificate, Intensive Spanish Program. Completed: November 1998.

1988-1992: Washington Theological Union, Silver Spring, Maryland, Master of Divinity, Graduated: May 1992.

1985-1987:  Saint Hyacinth College and Seminary, Granby, Massachusetts, Pre-Theology Certificate in Philosophy, Completed: May 1987

1984-1985:  Saint Joseph Cupertino Friary, Ellicott City, Maryland, Novitiate Program, Completed: August 1985.

1980-1984:  Mount Saint Mary's College (now “University”), Emmitsburg, Maryland, Bachelor of Arts  (Majors: History and Theology), Graduated: May 1984.

1976-1980:  Calvert Hall College, Towson, Maryland, High School Diploma, Graduated: May 1980.

WORK & INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES

06/22-Present:  Pastoral Associate, (chaplaincy at St. Joseph's Nursing Home, Catonsville, and pastoral ministry at the Shrine of St. Anthony, Folly Quarter), St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, Ellicott City, Maryland.

08/18-06/22:  Pastor, St. Michael the Archangel, Annunciation, & St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Churches, Baltimore County, Maryland.

08/15-08/18:  Pastor, St. Ann & St, Wenceslaus Churches, Baltimore City, Maryland.

08/14-08/15:  Pastor, Assumption Church, Syracuse, New York.

06/04-08/14:  Parochial Vicar, Most Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn, New York.

06/03-06/04:  Parochial Vicar, St. Stanislaus Basilica, Chicopee, Massachusetts.

08/01-06/03:  Secondary School Teacher (Intro to Spanish I & Intro to Spanish II), Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore, Maryland.

06/02-08/02:  Mission Volunteer, Helping Hands for Honduras, La Paz, Honduras, Central America. 

01/01-08/01:  Parochial Vicar, Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church, Jonesboro, Georgia.

03/00-12/00:  English as a Second Language Teacher (Conversational–for adults), Instituto Interamericano de Idiomas (Intensa), San José, Costa Rica.

12/98-12/00:  Primary School Teacher (Middle School Religion, Second Grade English), Saint Francis Primary School, Moravia, San José, Costa Rica.

01/94-04/94:  Mission Internship, Conventual Franciscan Friars, Campamento, Honduras, Central America.

06/92-09/98:  Parochial Vicar, Most Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn, New York.

06/91-08/91:  Mission Internship, Franciscan Community Services, Ankaful Leprosy Camp and the Ahotokurom Village, Ghana, West Africa.

09/90-05/91:  Supervised Ministry in Pro-Life Advocacy, Human Life International (H.L.I.), Gaithersburg, Maryland.

09/88-05/92:  Supervised Ministry in a Parish Setting, Saint Mark Church, Catonsville, Maryland.

09/87-05/88:  Secondary School Teacher, (Freshman Social Studies, Sophomore Religion), Saint Francis High School, Athol Springs, New York

Final Homily at St. Wenceslaus, Baltimore

 

My homily given on the occasion of the final Mass celebrated at St. Wenceslaus Church, Baltimore, Maryland.  The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Christ the King), Sunday, November 24, 2024.

Good morning my St. Wenceslaus church family!  So we gather here at this moment and in this beautiful building, this church that has served so many people for so many years, and we are filled with many emotions.  And I’m sure that I speak for you, as I feel myself, that one of those emotions is a definite sense of sadness.

We come together as a community of faith in this great St. Wenceslaus Church where many of us have been fed spiritually for so many years.  With this in mind, I want to welcome in a special way our former parishioners, those associated with the parish in various ways, and of course our regular parishioners and guests who come here for this obviously bitter-sweet “celebration” of the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Christ the King.  It has to be said that today we contemplate our past, as well as our own future, within the context of this difficult moment.  The reality is  we must “celebrate” together this final Mass in this space so sacred to all of us.  But we have to do so, I think, with the eyes of faith, even though for many of us this has proven to be so very painful.

In the context of this painful reality, I think we can all attest to a truth we all know: that sometimes our faith can be tested greatly.  We might at times feel angry with God.  We might have doubts.  We might be confused, or feel that there is no direction.  No doubt we have all kinds of emotions, especially when we feel our faith is put to the test.  And you know what?  That’s okay: it’s okay to have those feelings.  

As I contemplate these very human emotions, I’m compelled to think about our understanding of who Jesus himself was.  He was both God and at the same time one of us! He shared in every aspect of our own common humanity with the exception of sin itself!  Therefore, I believe we can say that one of the most wonderful things about Jesus is that he came into this world as one of us.  Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus the Lord of the Universe, Christ the King, who we celebrate today was born into this world!  And he was born in a stable in Bethlehem and laid in a manger, and thus from the beginning he joined himself to our own humble humanity, and of course he also shared the humility of his parents, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Joseph, who like most of us were very unpretentious and ordinary people.  They weren’t rich or famous. In fact they came from a little town called Nazareth which was in the middle of nowhere, and was said to count for nothing.  

As we contemplate and celebrate Christ as Our King, we might ask: How could a king be born into poverty in a stable where there were the sounds, the filth, and the odors of animals? How could a king hail from the insignificant town of Nazareth?  How could a king, then needing to accomplish his purpose on this earth, have really no place to call home?  How could a king wander around with twelve simple men who, truth be told, weren’t the most stellar type of people in the world? How could a king fail to gain respect from others, even by his own people and in his home town?  How could a king find himself so despised by the most important religious leaders of his time, those who were the chief priests and elders in the Holy City of Jerusalem?  How could a king be forced to carry a cross and suffer and then die on that cross like a common criminal?  It doesn’t make sense!

And with all of these questions in mind, we might even recall that from the cross, as Jesus suffered so greatly, he cried out: “Father, why have you forsaken me? Why have you abandoned me?”  Clearly Jesus knew what it meant to suffer and to experience the range of human emotions!  And even now, he feels our pain too.  From the perspective of his own humanity, Jesus feels our anger, our confusion, our doubt, and our lack of trust.  Jesus himself knows all of these very real emotions!  And yet, even so, we call him the Lord of the Universe and the King of Kings!  And maybe that’s just the point!

When we think of kings we usually think of power, majesty, palaces, armies, royal robes, thrones, lots of gold and silver, and things like that.  But that’s not at all as Jesus was.  Not at all!  Jesus walked the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, and he went around preaching about the love of God and the forgiveness of sins.  Jesus didn’t have a home to call his own, he didn’t have a palace or a castle as most kings do.  Jesus was humble and he was a pilgrim.  He was an itinerant, and he went from place to place preaching the Gospel and assuring the people of God’s love.  This is the King we celebrate today.  

In the Gospel today we hear that the “Jews,” the chief priests and religious elders of the temple handed Jesus over to Pilate, the Roman authority, who then asked him if he was a king.  As a side note here we must remember those specific “Jews” highlighted in the Gospel were only those who were hypocritical and unfaithful members of the broader Jewish community.  We should always remember that Joseph and Mary, and Jesus himself and all of the Apostles were Jewish.  The negative language about “the Jews” in the Gospel really refers to those, for example, who allowed the Jerusalem temple to be turned into a market place where the poor were sinfully exploited for profit.  And so we can then identify in some way with that Jesus who finds himself in opposition to the powerful, the hypocritical, and the faithless.  He challenges them and he confronts them.  And its for this reason that he suffers and dies for us!

So what might we learn from this as we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King?  Especially at this time, on this day, and at this moment in this beautiful but soon to be closed Church of St. Wenceslaus?  

I think that first of all we should remember that Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the Universe, had no palace, had no castle, had no royal throne, had no armies, had no possessions; he was itinerant, and he went from place to place.  They say he had nowhere to lay his head!  I think we might be able to identify with that!  

What then was the focus of Jesus’s ministry?  We believe that Jesus came to give his life as a sacrifice for us, that he forgives our sins and saves us and that he restores us to a life that is eternal.  We believe that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice.  He gave away everything in this life in order to give us the fullness of life!  

You know, every time we come into this church, Saint Wenceslaus, or any other church, our focus as we celebrate the Mass is what happens on the altar.  On the altar we place simple and very humble elements of bread and wine.  Very humble elements.  These things are not at all expensive!  In fact, to be honest, we use very inexpensive church wine and hosts that don’t really cost that much!  We place these very humble and simple elements on our altar as we remember the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, when he said to his Apostles and to us, this bread is my body given for you, this wine is my blood shed for you, for the forgiveness of sins.  That’s it!  On the altar in this church, and in every church where we celebrate the Mass, the Eucharist is the focal point of our faith and of our community.  The focal point is not the building, and not even the people sitting next to us, really!  Our focal point is the sacrifice Jesus offers for us in himself as the perfect sacrificial lamb for the forgiveness of our sins.  And we remember that at the Last Supper Jesus also said “As I have done, so you must do!”  

And what did Jesus do?  He wondered the world, he preached the good news of the Gospel.  He gave hope to those living in despair, he cured the sick of their illnesses, he forgive sinners, he gave people hope, and he promised new life and resurrection!  We believe Jesus then fulfilled his promises by dying on the cross like a common criminal, by rising from the dead, by ascending into heaven, and then by sending us the Holy Spirit so that we might, in His Name, continue his work on earth.

As we gather today in this beautiful building, as we gaze once more at these beautiful windows, as we celebrate our history and our time together, we thank God we can share this moment with all of our wonderful parishioners, with so many former parishioners, and with all of our guests.  But let’s be sure to keep our focus on that which is most important to us: we have come together to share the Eucharist in this space, and to thank our God for his never-ending presence among us!  And the focus of our faith is something that can never be taken from us!

Here at St. Wenceslaus, a place I love dearly, I’d like to think that although we are in a sense being torn from this place, what’s most important to us is the message and promise of our Eucharistic faith!  This has been true for many, many years at the altar in this church, and now going forward, surely will remain true for us at any altar to which we go, and around which we might gather with other believers to celebrate the Eucharist and our common faith.  You know, on the altar we say “heaven meets earth,” and this is true of every altar where the Eucharist is celebrated.  This tenant of our faith ought to give us great hope.  Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, will always, although in simple and humble forms of bread and wine, be present to us, “body, blood, soul, and divinity” as we celebrate the Mass today, and also tomorrow in any church where we might find ourselves with members of our limitless church families!

Once again today, Jesus offers his body and blood to us, and he empowers us “to go out onto the other side of these church doors” and to live the Gospel.  That is the most important thing to us. To live the Gospel!  And frankly, we don’t need this building to do that!  We need faith in our hearts and we need the confidence of the others who walk with us.  Oh sure, our hearts are heavy today.  But from an eternal perspective, we know that Jesus is always with us wherever we go. As we go forth today, let’s not forget that the altar in this church is exactly the same altar that’s found in every church.  It’s the same Mass; it’s the same sacrifice; it’s the same promise; it offers us the same hope; it gives us the same life, and that my sisters and brothers is what is most important to us!  

Today as we come to this place, perhaps for the final time, we give thanks to God for all of the people who have been blessed by this parish for so many, many, many years.  We have appreciation for those original Bohemian immigrant people who more than one-hundred-fifty-years ago founded the first St. Wenceslaus Church on Central Avenue.  We are grateful to those first parishioners who eventually moved to this location where they built a school and a church and established this beacon of hope in this Baltimore City community.  We thank God the foundations of the parish enabled a tradition that continued with the inclusion of more recent and diverse cultural communities who came to these doors.  Today we give thanks for the Redemptorists priests and brothers who served this parish for most of its history; we give thanks to the Franciscan Friars, including Fr. Peter Lyons, and hopefully myself, and of course we are grateful to the Josephite priests and brothers, who under the excellent leadership of Fr. Xavier have done such a superb job serving St. Wenceslaus and our sister Pastorate parishes of St. Francis Xavier and St. Ann for the past six years.  And we must also note Fr. Xavier’s commitment to Pastorate development for the several years before he even became our Pastor at St. Wens!  We are grateful to the School Sisters of Notre Dame who taught for many years in the school, and for the more recent presence of the Missionaries of Charity who have served the people in our community so well.  We have so much for which to be thankful!  

God wants us to know that even in the most difficult moments, even though we face doubts, anger, grief, distress, and perhaps a sense of despair.  Whatever our emotions, Jesus understands us.  He knows our pain.  He desires to always walk with us, and he promises always to do so.  Let’s gather around this Eucharistic altar today praising the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, in thanksgiving for all of the blessings we have received and let’s ask our Loving God to continue to bless all of our efforts in this world as we go forth from this place and out into the world spreading the Gospel of God’s love to all we meet.

“Go thee therefore and teach all nations!  Go! Go! Go! Baptizing them in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost!  Go! Go! Go!”

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever! Amen. 

 

Friar Timothy

A Prayer for Patience

 

 As a follower of Jesus of Nazareth I say:  

“Love everyone, even those who follow a different path, and let God take care of the details!” ❤️🙏

With this in mind, I really dislike the expression “love the sinner, hate the sin” (sorry St. Augustine!).  Let’s be honest: truly such a strategy is humanly impossible (and perhaps is actually an underhanded and self-righteous excuse to hold in contempt those who are “different”).

Here’s a nice prayer I recently discovered that I believe resonates quite well with the thought I first stated above:

A PRAYER FOR PATIENCE

O Lord hear my prayer for patience and perseverance in all situations.

Purify my intentions and correct my thought patterns.

Help me to try my best 

and sincerely to pray for myself,

for those for whom I have great love, 

as well as for those with whom I disagree!

 
Bless me with the light of understanding, 

kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

Help me to trust others, 

to give them "the benefit of the doubt" 

and to rely upon your grace daily 

as I give myself to you 

and in the service and care of others.

O Lord mold my life 

after the pattern of your own patience, 

after your mercy, 

and after your never-ending unconditional love!

Amen.

 

 

 

 

The Meaning of “Blessings”

 

My Thoughts about the Meaning of “Blessings”

Very frequently in my ministry I pray for blessings upon all kinds people who are facing important life decisions, or trying to discern God’s will, or who are in emotional distress, or dealing with sickness, or who are trying to let go of anger, or who are facing illnesses or medical procedures, or who are women expecting a baby, or those who are celebrating significant life moments, or for struggling people who simply want to feel a sense of God’s love (and for many other reasons for which often I’m not given an explanation by those who are seeking God’s blessing).  Often I'm even asked to bless objects such as food, religious articles, rings, houses, places of business, boats, cars, and even animals, especially beloved pets!

I believe it’s not I who “give” the blessing, but it's rather an action of prayer to God done by myself and the one, or group of people (and/or for the objects), who/that is/are being “blessed.”

I don’t ask those seeking blessings to submit a “qualification certificate” before I pray with them.

My assumption is that those seeking blessings from God have a true desire to conform their lives to the divine will of God–our God who loves each and every one of us more than we can possibly imagine!  And in the case of the blessing of objects, that such things may in some way remind those who possess them of God's desire for them, and for all people, to be happy, safe in their endeavors, and to prosper according to God's will in this life. 

It’s as simple as that.

A marriage (for example, and by contrast) is by its nature a much more formal act that requires lots of paper work, conformity to civil laws, obedience to the Scriptures and to the teachings of the church (and is always done at a specific time scheduled in advance, and usually with a lot of fanfare).  The “Nuptial Blessing” done during a wedding is also a “prayer of petition directed not to the couple, but for them to God.”  We could say the words of the prayer are a form of “pleading to God” asking for special graces for the couple–including for their lasting fidelity, the blessings of children, and that they may have many happy years together.

Actually if we are clear about this, then we can understand that a “blessing” is not actually by its nature a “stamp of approval” but rather a petition for God’s grace.  I’ll leave it up to God to work out the details.

I don’t think my thoughts on this can be any clearer than that.

“There are three things that last: FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE, and the greatest of these is LOVE.”  ❤️  1 Corinthians 13:13

Friar Timothy

Gamaliel and the Golden Rule

Gamaliel and the Golden Rule

My thought for today . . .

In the early days of the church the followers of Jesus, for witnessing to the Gospel, were threatened with persecution, and even death as martyrs.

When asked if such persecutions were a Godly way of treating those disciples, a saintly Pharisee named Gamaliel had some strong guidance to offer to his contemporaries.  He was a leader of the 1st century Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, and teacher of Jewish law.  Although Gamaliel approved a relatively mild public admonishment of those disciples, his overall response was very cautious and rather “open-minded” for a religious leader in that time and place.  

In Acts of the Apostles Gamaliel is recorded to have said the following: “I tell you, do nothing to persecute or harm those who preach the Gospel of Jesus; leave them alone!  If their endeavors or activities are of human origin, they will destroy themselves.  But if these things are of God, we will not be able to bring harm to them; we may even find ourselves fighting against the will of God” (Cf., Acts 5:38-39).  

In our own time, as we deal with complicated and often difficult questions, value systems, politics, faith perspectives, and alternative ways of life chosen by those who are “different from us,” perhaps we ought to consider following Gamaliel’s advice (albeit with the proverbial “shoe on the other foot”).

The ancient admonition known as the “golden rule,” comes to my mind: “treat others as you would like others to treat you.”

The bottom line: BE KIND! 🥰

Praise God! 🙏

Pulled-Over by a Maryland State Trooper on I-95

Pulled-Over by a Maryland State Trooper on I-95

Today, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, I drove home to Maryland from my sister Kelly’s house in Sullivan, Maine.  It took me almost twelve hours (including a couple of short stops along the way). 

Just as I crossed over the Maryland state line, and after traveling for most of those hours, I was so very happy to be close to home!  And so, as I continued to drive south on I-95, I called Kelly and her husband Toby to let them know I was almost home (using my hands-free blue tooth, of course!). 

Perhaps because at that point my blissful adrenaline had kicked in just a bit, I quite frankly moved speedily along (more or less), and just as fast as the rest of the traffic around me.  

Then . . . I suddenly noticed the dreaded lights of a police car tailing close behind me!!  I told Kelly and Toby I was being pulled over and better hang-up.  “I’ll call you after this is over,” I said, as I pulled my car onto the highway shoulder.  

Soon after I stopped (disappointed the cop had not passed me for someone else), a very polite Maryland State Trooper approached my car and asked me if I knew why I was being pulled over.  I sheepishly responded that I had “no idea.”  

He told me that (1) I was speeding, that (2) one of my headlights was out, and that (3) my license plate annual sticker tags were “expired.”  

I then very politely, and with a bit of a chuckle in my voice, responded to him:  “My gosh, I’ve really hit the jackpot tonight, no?”

In response to my comment, the officer smiled broadly, and he literally laughed out loud! 

I gave him my driver’s license and the car registration card and he returned to his squad car, returning to me just a few moments later. 

“I’m giving you a warning for the speeding and the tag sticker, and a work order for the burned-out headlight.  There’s no fine for anything this time . . . but please drive safely,” he said very cheerfully. 

“Thank you sir, and also thank you for your service,” I joyfully responded!  

I then safely pulled back into traffic, continued on my way home, and in my thoughts thanked God for sparing me from the legal consequences the traffic stop really did merit!  

Perhaps it was the trooper’s sense of humor that spared me?  I guess I’ll never know, but I truly am grateful for all police officers’ self-sacrifices, their service to society, and their willingness put their lives on the line for the safety and good of others.  I hope I would have thanked this particular cop for his service, even if I had driven away from that encounter with the otherwise warranted fines! 

To all the men and women in blue, I’ll say it again: 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!! 

And I'm also happy to report that my wallet isn't lighter today than it was yesterday!

Praise God!  🙏

A Time to Every Purpose

A Time to Every Purpose

The etched-glass sanctuary window in the chapel at St Joseph's Nursing Home features four season of foliage, an image of Christ crucified, and the Scripture passage “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

This morning, both before and after the Mass at St. Joe’s, I stopped by the room of one of our residents who was nearing the very end of her life’s journey.  Her family was with her and keeping vigil at her bedside.  

After Mass, and our usual communion visits with many of the residents, I went with Sr. Teresa back to the room of our dying resident.  Sadly, she passed-away at nearly the exact moment we entered the room (where we then immediately prayed for her and with her family).  

I knew this resident to be an incredibly faith-filled woman who loved her God with all of her heart, mind, and soul.  And so I’m very confident she is now with the Lord!

After spending some time with her family, I returned to the chapel, and once again I was deeply struck by the sanctuary window and the message it contains.  

What came heavily to my mind was that all of 2023, and then January of 2024, were incredibly difficult times for me, and my family and friends, as we faced the reality of the deaths of many loved ones (the names of +Doug Bruchman, +Marjorie McDonell, +Gene Dore, +Richard Sies, +Tom Sheehan, +Dottie Stokes-Wallace, +Linda Malat Tiburzi, quite a few friars of my community, and most recently my young friend and protege +Nicholas Hickman immediately filled my thoughts).

The resident who passed-away this morning at St. Joe’s died in the same room that once belonged to my mom +Carolyn Marie Winterling-Dore.  I was with my mom in that very same space when she passed-away on September 13, 2018.  I could not help but to think of my mom as today’s family shared a similar experience of grief and loss! 

Indeed, although it may not seem very clear to us as we pass through the significant moments of our lives, there surely is “a time to every purpose under heaven . . . ”

May eternal rest be granted to all those we’ve loved and lost!

Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he/she die, yet shall he/she live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

+ + +

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

Praise God! 🙏

Friar Timothy

Condemned to Hell?

 

CONDEMNED TO HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY?

My thoughts this morning (on Tuesday, January 6, 2024) . . .

Some “religious people” claim that if a person does not “accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior” (and then completely conform their lives to this or that particular, and frankly “man-made,” way of following the Gospel), then he or she is destined for eternal damnation (i.e., after death, that person will suffer the torments of the everlasting fires of hell).

In response to such thinking, I may be at risk of being called a “heretic,” but I prefer to believe in a God who so loves each and every one of his children, that he does so without conditions and/or exceptions.  No human “dogma” can ever overrule the infinite and compassionate love of a God who loves us more than anyone of us (especially the dogmatists) can ever possibly imagine!

Can any one of us really know the actual and possibly conflicted minds, hearts and personal struggles, and even the “faith” of others, especially those who are otherwise and often quickly labeled as “sinners?”  Can just anyone simply identify him/herself as “saved,” and then claim the right to be the arbiter of God’s boundless love?

I can’t . . .

As a person of faith in a merciful, forgiving, and ever-loving God, it’s clear to me that the concept of “hell” is all too often simply used as an instrument to frighten people into conformity with the whims and biases of those “in power” (and who “at the moment” happen to “control” the religious narratives of the day).

It’s also apparent to me that this type of pharisaical approach to exercising “religious authority” is unfortunately and somehow present, to some degree or another, within the minds of a number of “fanatical” adherents to many and various Christian denominations, “religious systems,” faith expressions, and spiritual traditions throughout the world, and this seems to be the case “from time immemorial.”  And I believe as such it’s a scourge on the human quest to know and serve God and God’s people.

Sorry Pharisees of all stripes, I believe the idea of “hell” to which you ascribe is quite an empty concept (if, as you explain and use it, your teaching is wielded to threaten those of us you label as “unsaved sinners,” and/or if in fact the infernal region is “a place” at all).

Amen!

Praise God!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Some additional thoughts after feedback from others . . .

I don’t doubt the words of Jesus, the teachings of the Church, and I certainly believe in the authority of the Scriptures.  I also believe that OUR human understandings of these things are in constant need of refinement and clarity. This I think is our path to authentic obedience to such things.  

Unfortunately, the words of Jesus, the teachings of the Church, and even the Holy Scriptures themselves are often weaponized (by some "Christians" who in fact are very uncharitable) against the poor, the marginalized, and those who are “different.” It seems to me the “Pharisees” are sometimes quick to do so in order to justify their hatred towards such people, and as such they then distort concepts of true faith, genuine hope and unconditional love (a love empowered by God and that never ends!). 

I couldn’t agree with those who have reminded me of their faith in a a Jesus who promises to be “the Way the Truth, and the Life.”  But the arguments against what I have shared above have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the sentiments I originally expressed.

My “personal relationship” with Jesus is extremely important to me as a Christian man of faith. It guides my life, and the daily decisions I make about how to authentically remain faithful to my God!

My friends, please don’t jump to conclusions about the thoughts I shared above. My perception is that some have completely missed the point I tried to make. Perhaps they might want to read more carefully what I wrote!

My whole point is about how I think some “religious people” are so preoccupied with judging others in this life that they are very quick, and don’t hesitate, to pass the “sentence of hell” on them for the next.

I believe I cannot do that because only God knows the hearts and minds of the people around me. “Judge not, lest you be judged” comes to my mind.

Matthew 7:1-3
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?”

It seems to me far too many “Christians” think they can exempt themselves from this admonition of Jesus (and only because they now identify themselves as “saved”). I believe such people are in reality the “modern day Pharisees,” and so I for my part will do everything possible in my own faith life to stay as far away from such “pharisaical thinking.”

GOD IS LOVE! ❤️

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There are but three things that remain: 

faith, hope and love. 

And the greatest of these is love.

1st Corinthians 13:13 

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On January 14, 2024, in an interview on Italian television, Pope Francis was asked to comment on the idea of hell, and if he believes God will forgives all those who have sinned.  Said the Pope: “It’s difficult to imagine [hell]. What I would say is not a dogma of faith, but my personal thought: I like to think hell is empty; I hope it is.”

**I love Pope Francis! 

A Young Man Greatly Loved By All, and Gone Too Soon: . . . . . . . – My Friend +Nicholas Roger Hickman (d. 01/25/24)

 

+Nicholas Roger Hickman (12/03/96-01/25/24)

This heart wrenching photo is of a young man whose name was +Nicholas Roger Hickman. He recently died very suddenly, and under tragic circumstances (at the age of 27). 

 

I met +Nick in May of 2020 when I was the Pastor of St. Michael the Archangel, Overlea, Baltimore, Maryland.  He came to our door looking for help and guidance.  At the time, it was at the height of the COVID-19 lock-down.  It didn't take long for me and the other friars of our friary to "take him under our wings."  I believe we all did so with great compassion, affection, and care!

The image of +Nick above now rips apart my heart. His sudden passing early in the morning of Thursday, January 25, 2024 caused tremendous grief and sadness for all those who knew and who had great affection for him, including me! To be sure, +Nick left behind many, many people who loved him dearly! 

By chance (and for reasons that are only clearer to me now in my grief), some time ago I snapped a screenshot of +Nick late one night while we were video chatting.  That night, he was struggling with many of (I'm sad to report) his usual demons, and as he shed lots of tears, he once again poured out his heart to me.

+Nick was full of anguish and pain for many reasons (many of which those who knew him were well aware).  I believe this is why he so often turned to fleeting pleasures to ease his inner pain.

+Nick so enthusiastically showered others in so many ways with his incredibly loving heart and spirit. And I, and countless others, received that love in wonderful and lasting ways.  

Sadly, it seems +Nick was never able to turn that love inward towards himself, and that led him to make some choices that were simply very destructive and hurtful to himself and to the very people he loved the most (and I’d like to include myself in that—I was a true recipient of his great ability to love others, a love he so energetically and unconditionally gave to everyone!). 

 

Now that he’s gone, I think those who loved +Nick might find some comfort in the reality that he’s no longer in pain, no longer shedding tears, no longer hurting himself and those of us who loved him so very much.  

For our peace of mind, we need to let go, forgive him of any failings, and entrust him to God, who now and forever will hold +Nick tight in his everlasting, peaceful, and loving embrace.  That's now how we must, and the only way we can, continue in our great love for +Nick.

Let us be at peace, and worry not about this or that, the "what ifs," the "should have dones," and/or for that matter, ever doubt how much he loved us. 

We know +Nick often used the expression "I love you with all my heart!"  

And now, although our hearts are broken and filled with grief, we can take comfort in knowing that +Nick’s love for us will forever be eternal, pure, and without end!  

I take comfort, and find some consolation in this.  

Rest in peace my dear friend!

You will be terribly missed for sure.  💔

With unceasing love for you +Nick!

Adios Amigo!

Your faithful friend, and as you would often say, "'dawgs' to infinity and back!"

Much love, Timothy

 

I Dedicate the Words to this Song to +Nick:

I Still Can See Your Face

By Barbra Streisand--with words slightly adapted

At least one moment everyday
I hear the echo of your voice
And though it's only in my mind
It stays with me, I have no choice

I reach for you as if you're here
Your tender touch, your warm embrace
And though my heart is filled with grief
I still can see your face

We're all just prisoners of time
The days go rushing by
With memories we've locked away
There may not been much I regret
But there were things we couldn't say

Maybe the ending came too soon
You are the one I can't replace
And though my heart is filled with grief
I still can see your face

Somehow we knew another love would find us
We'd carry on, leave yesterday behind us
Sometimes I find, the quiet nights
I close my eyes and realize
I've never loved you more

And if by chance we meet again
A sudden crazy twist of fate
A place where we have never been
And with the hour getting late
You run into to my arms and heart
Like all the grief has been erased

In every shadow of my thoughts
I still can see your face

In every shadow of my thoughts
I still can see your face
I still can see your face
I still can see your face

[Words changed above:  "And though it's been so many years" changed to "And though my heart is filled with grief;" "I've never loved too far" changed to "I've never loved you more;" "A street where we have never been" changed to "A place where we have never been," "In every shadow of the past" changed to "In every shadow of my thoughts."]

Find this song on YouTube at the following in link: I Still Can See Your Face

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w3cDrVainI

 

** The photos above were taken: (1) during a video chat in Baltimore, Maryland on October 27, 2022; (2, 3, and 4) on November 6, 2022 at High Rock Overlook, Smithburg, Maryland; (5) on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023 on White Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland, (6) on May 12, 2021 in the front parlor of St. Michael the Archangel Rectory, Overlea, Baltimore, Maryland, and (7) with Jesus now!  And (8) the funeral memorial card.

The Tree

 

THE TREE

This morning, I made my usual ministry call at St. Joseph's Nursing Home, Catonsville, Maryland. 

After Mass and my visits to room-bound residents, and as I departed the home and I made my way to my car, once again I was awestruck by the magnificence and beauty of the very huge, ancient, and winter-barren tree in front of the building.  Today for some reason, the tree's form and stature spoke loudly to my thoughts!

Imagine how much life that seemingly “dead” tree has in fact already sustained, and will no doubt continue to generate! 

As I gazed upward into the majestic stretches of the tree's many branches, my thoughts took me to an encounter I had with one of the residents just a short while earlier. 

As I made the rounds accompanied by the ever faithful Sister Theresa, we visited and prayed with a beautiful resident named Shirley, a very elderly woman and the mother of a beloved son named +Barry who passed-away just yesterday after a long struggle with a difficult illness.  Today, Shirley is stricken with tremendous grief, and although she and her family are Jewish and Sister and I Christians, we held hands and prayed together for +Barry's soul and for his family and friends who are filled with sorrow. It was a powerful moment, and I believe Shirley found at least some consolation through our prayers, and by the conversation we had during which she shared her heartache and pain.  

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the fragility of human life. In very recent times, I too have experienced pain, grief, and loss caused by the deaths of family and friends I have greatly loved.  From so many perspectives, my encounter with Shirley this morning certainly amplified my thoughts about these realities! 

I'm thinking . . . 

Some who've gone before us had lives cut way too short, others thankfully had quite long lives filled with many blessings! 

Nonetheless, our grief and heartache at the deaths of our loved ones, no matter the amount of years they spent on this earth, or whatever faith perspectives they had, or we might have, likely causes contemplation about the brevity of our own mortal lives (this at least as we consider hoped for “eternal realities”).

The stark truth is that no one can escape death, and the eventual end to our present lives. And this reality almost always causes sorrow, grief and heartache for those left behind.

Truth also is we have only 'today.'  Let's be grateful for every breath we take, and in this moment and every day, let's cherish our family members, friends, and loved-ones with whom we have been, and are now blessed to share the journey.  

It is a fact that the tree, although seemingly dead, actually is promised resurrection and new life!  Our faith in a loving, eternal God somehow points in that same direction!  For the tree, and for now, life has simply changed, not ended.  Its yearning for springtime is clearly evident and filled with joyful hope as its branches reach to the skies! 

My friends, may that fervent desire be ours as well! 

– Please pray for the consolation and peace of Shirley, and for the peaceful repose of her very beloved son +Barry.  And of course, may we never forget, and always cherish, the memories we hold within our hearts of our own family members, friends and loved ones who have passed from this life to the next! 

Praise God!

For those who grieve . . .

This morning at Mass, we heard the following words spoken in the “prayer of the faithful” (aka “the intercessions”):  

— For those who grieve the loss of a loved one, may God bring them consolation and hope, let us pray to the Lord.  

Last year (2023) was a grief-filled year for me and my family.

— On April 23rd, after my brother-in-law +Doug Bruchman’s long and heroic struggle with cancer, he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.  At the age of 58, he had been my sister Nancy Dore Bruchman’s husband of 34 years.

— On July 19th, after a short illness, my dad +Gene Dore, passed away peacefully at his home in Ocean City, MD.  When he died, he was surrounded by loving family and friends.  At the age of 87, and for five years before that, he had been the widower of my mom +Carolyn Marie Winterling-Dore. My mom and dad were married in October of 1959.  

— On July 29th, my sister Kelly Sheehan’s father-in-law, (the dad of my brother-in-law Toby Sheehan) +Thomas Patrick Sheehan, Jr., unexpectedly passed away while peacefully sleeping at home and at the age of 94. He left behind his lifetime soul-mate of 66 years, his wife Karen.  My niece and nephews consequently lost both their grandfathers within nearly one week’s time (that is, my dad and Tom too).

— On September 26th, my brother-in-law +Richard Sies died very suddenly after suffering a heart attack while on his job. At the age of 57, he had been my sister Tracy Sies’s husband for 32 years.  +Richie’s death was a great shock to all of us and was the fourth family death within six month’s time.

— Last year, I lost some long-time friends and former classmates as well (standing out most in my mind was my friend +Linda Malat Tiburzi).

As I contemplate all of these losses of 2023, already this year death has struck close to me.   

— Last week on Thursday, January 25th, death suddenly came knocking again. This time it was that of my young friend and protégé, +Nicholas Hickman.  He died suddenly and very unexpectedly under tragic circumstances.  His passing has caused me tremendous grief and profound sadness.  It’s so very heartbreaking to lose such a beautiful person who was so young (age 27), and who in life had so much joy and love to give to others.

Collectively, all of these deaths within a year’s time have been so difficult to face, even as I am a person of faith.  

This morning’s prayer spoke so loudly to me I found my eyes welling with tears . . .

Please God, eternal rest grant to all of these loved ones who without exception will be missed so much.  

🙏

** See a tribute slide show for +Nick on YouTube at the following link: https://youtu.be/2Nel8lKV2UA?si=Int12Yq_oj4jZkqO

 https://youtu.be/2Nel8lKV2UA?si=Int12Yq_oj4jZkqO

Room #1 and St. Joseph's Nursing Home

 

For the past couple of years I’ve been serving as a chaplain (along with other friars of my community) at St Joseph's Nursing Home, Catonsville, Maryland.  😇
 

Most days of the week I’m here for Mass and to “make the rounds” visiting and taking the Eucharist and/or praying with those residents who are confined to their rooms. 🙏

One of the reasons I love ministering in this place is because in the past both of my grandmothers (+Frances Eckholm-Dore and +Marie Koehler-Winterling-Haspert) as well as my mother (+Carolyn Marie Winterling-Dore) were residents here.  ❤️

In this photo, I’m standing at the door of room #1.  This was my mother +Carolyn’s room for the three and a half years she resided at St. Joe’s.  My dad +Gene Dore and I were with her in this room when she passed away on September 13, 2018.  😕

Today the current resident of this room asked me to pray with her for strength and healing.  I couldn’t do so without thinking of the many times I did just that with my own mom right there in the same space!  This gives me a sense of joy and consolation that I can’t express in words!  🥰

I always try my best to treat each and every resident of St. Joe’s as if they are my own grandmother, mother, or family member! 😊

Praise God! 🙏

“Carrollton Hall”

 

“Carrollton Hall”

This is “photo/art” I created today.  The subject is the “Carrollton Hall” manor house located on the grounds of the Conventual Franciscan Friary of St. Joseph Cupertino and the Shrine of St. Anthony, Howard County, Maryland.

At first, I wasn’t completely satisfied with the final “touches” I made to this image, but as I reflected on it, I changed my mind.

I like the multiple color schemes (enhanced by late afternoon sunlight), and the way the building is somewhat hidden behind the trees in the foreground.  My thought is that the “mystery” the image provokes somehow “pulls one’s eyes into its ambiguity.”

The building pictured was constructed (c. 1832) by Charles Carroll of Carrollton, a very wealthy Maryland landowner, patriot, politician, and the sole Catholic signer of the American Declaration of Independence.  

The friary property (of approximately 320 acres), a small part of the original Carroll estate, includes the manor house, a large “monastery-style” friary built nearby in 1930, a provincial house office and friary residence built in 1991, various service buildings, vast woodlands, rustic walking trails, gardens, manicured lawns on rolling hills, cow pastures and farmlands.  

Carrollton Hall, purchased by the Franciscan Friars in 1928 (after passing through the ownership of various proprietors), is today on the National Register of Historical Places.  It now serves as a cultural center, museum, and conference facility.  

I hope you like the photo as much as I now do!

Praise God!

The Holy Rosary

The Holy Rosary

—The faithful traditionally pray the five decades of the Rosary with specific mysteries on certain days of the week, and as follows:

• Monday: Joyful Mystery.
• Tuesday: Sorrowful Mystery.
• Wednesday: Glorious Mystery.
• Thursday: Luminous Mystery.
• Friday: Sorrowful Mystery.
• Saturday: Joyful Mystery.
• Sunday: Glorious Mystery.
  

 

—Begin with “the Apostles Creed" (said while holding the Crucifix): 

I believe in God, 
the Father almighty,
 Creator of heaven and earth, 
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, 
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
 born of the Virgin Mary,
 suffered under Pontius Pilate,
 was crucified, died and was buried; 
he descended into hell;
 on the third day he rose again from the dead;
 he ascended into heaven,
 and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
 from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Spirit,
 the holy catholic Church, 
the communion of saints,
 the forgiveness of sins,
 the resurrection of the body,
 and life everlasting.  Amen.

—On the first bead, pray an Our Father, then on the following three beads pray a Hail Mary on each (for an increase in faith, hope, and love).  Conclude this first part with a "Glory Be."  

—At the conclusion of each “decade” pray a “Glory Be” and the “Oh My Jesus (aka Fatima)” prayer: 

Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of hell; lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy. 

The Joyful Mysteries--Monday and Saturday.

1.  The Annunciation of the Lord to Mary (Mary is chosen to be the mother of Jesus). 

2.  The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth (Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the mother of our Lord). 

3.  The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (the infant Jesus is born and placed in a very humble manger in Bethlehem). 

4.  The Presentation of our Lord (the baby Jesus is presented in the Temple of Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph). 

5.  The finding of the child Jesus in the Temple (the boy Jesus is found by May and Joseph discussing God's laws in the temple).

The Luminous Mysteries (i.e. "of Light")--Thursday. 

1.  The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan (God the Father proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son). 

2.  The Wedding Feast at Cana (at his mother Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first public miracle). 

3.  The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom). 

4.  The Transfiguration of Jesus (Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John on Mount Tabor). 

5.  The Institution of the Eucharist (Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper).  

The Sorrowful Mysteries--Tuesday and Friday.

1.  The Agony of Jesus in the Garden (In the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives, Jesus prays when confronted with the sins of the world).

2.  The Scourging at the pillar (Jesus is whipped before His execution).

3.  The crowning of Jesus with thorns (Jesus is mocked with a painful crown of thorns).

4.  Jesus Carries his Cross (Jesus carries the weight of our sins to his crucifixion).

5.  The Crucifixion of our Lord (Jesus Christ dies to save all humankind). 

The Glorious Mysteries--Sunday.

1.  The Resurrection (God the Father raises Jesus from the dead).

2. The Ascension (Jesus returns to his Father in heaven). 

3.  The coming of the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to the disciples). 

4.  The Assumption of Mary (at the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven). 

5. The Coronation of Mary (Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth).

—At the conclusion of the Rosary pray the "Hail Holy Queen":

Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to the do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. 

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

—And then some also pray the "Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel".

Saint Michael Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

—Conclude the Rosary with the following prayer: 

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal salvation; grant we beseech thee, that meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.