Three Signs of a House of Prayer --- by Matthew Thomas-Malani

I try and make of point of reading the daily entries in the Forward Day by Day devotional pamphlet each morning at 4:45 before heading off to work. You know the pamphlet I’m talking about, the ones in the back of St. Stephen’s. AND you can also view online. So if you happen to be at work and you’re bored, instead of playing Solitaire or surfing the web, check this one out - http://forwardmovement.org/Today-s-Meditation/

The reading for June 28th has made a big impression of me and I have kept the words close to my heart. It begins with Jesus clearing out the Temple of all those who were selling and buying. The people who were selling and buying were creating a huge distraction for what the temple was really there for – to worship God and find peace. What impressed me the most about this is that we can apply this not only to our homes but to ourselves.

Three signs of a house of prayer:

There is thoughtfulness each for the other.

There is temper control because God is in control.

There is infinite patience.

Am I practicing these three things on a daily basis? Before reading this passage I admit that I did not. Usually when I got home I would be more stressed out about making sure everything is perfect – the dishes are done, the bed is made, the laundry is folded, the dogs are walked and cleaned up after and dinner is made (all this on top of having already worked a 10 to 12 hour day). I hate to admit that my infinite patience collapsed which created a domino effect….

But since reading this passage from June 28th I have gotten into the habit of inviting God into my heart to give me peace and that I can be a house for his spirit to dwell within me. Everything else – dishes, bed, laundry, dogs and dinner will fall into place once I let Him be in control and clear everything else out.

Matthew C. Thomas-Malani

July 23, 2010

Brian Pavlac ordained to sacred order of priests

Brian Alexander Pavlac was ordained to the sacred order of priests in the Episcopal Church at St. Stephen Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, on June 29. He was born and raised in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. While attending Bowling Green State University, he studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria, establishing a deep contact with that country and with Europe, which he renews by visiting as often as possible. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and directed its study-abroad program in Innsbruck, Austria, for four years. At Notre Dame he met and married his spouse, Elizabeth S. Lott, Ph.D. Together they raised two daughters, who currently attend graduate schools. In 1993, they moved to the Wyoming Valley and joined Grace Church, Kingston, where he later served as senior warden.

Since 1993 Dr. Pavlac has been a member of the History Department of King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, where he teaches courses ranging from the Greeks and Romans, through Knights and Castles, to Nazi Germany. King’s College recently awarded him with the Herve LeBlanc Distinguished Service Professorship. In the past three years Dr. Pavlac has published two books: A Warrior Bishop of the 12th Century: The Deeds of Albero of Trier and Witch Hunts in the Western World: Persecution and Punishment from the Inquisition through the Salem Trials. His third book, A Concise Survey of Western Civilization: Supremacies and Diversities throughout History, will be released in Fall 2010. In his ministry as a priest, Dr. Pavlac hopes to support his fellow clergy through supply work.

"You stand here tonight," Bishop Paul said in his ordination sermon, "in line with thousands and thousands of scholar-priests who have through the centuries fed the minds, hearts and spirits of God’s people, keeping the simple truths of faith in tension with age-old challenges to human understanding." Read the sermon here.