Letter from the Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

Recently I spent 10 days vacation with one of our priests in northern California. We stayed with his mother who lives in Eureka, California on the north coast. During our stay we had the opportunity to visit Redwood National Park. In walking the hiking trails in the park I was impressed by the magnificent scenery. The redwoods are the world’s tallest trees, some of them reaching heights of over 350 feet; that’s as tall as a 35 story skyscraper. They are among the oldest living things, some of them nearly 2000 years old.

I wondered how these trees get so large and survive the battle for existence in the forest with the constant threat from insects and fires. I found out that redwoods contain a substance called tannin which is distasteful to termites. The wood of the redwood is also resistant to fire, unlike some pine trees that explode in fires because they contain an oily resin. Even though fires burn into the trees (we saw some that were hollowed out from fires), they are able to survive because of the vital power in the outer wood layer.

There are large numbers of elk in the park; we saw several elk grazing on a grassy meadow, the males with their large racks of antlers. They are very majestic looking. Have you ever wondered why elk have antlers? These bone-like appendages are for protection against enemies. In examining all the different plants and animals we find that they are made by design. Nature has provided for their survival and for their propagation. In general we find that nature acts for a purpose and nothing is wasted or useless. Even the little micro-organisms in the lakes and streams have a part to play in the cycle of life. In gazing at the beauty of these natural wonders we recognize the marvelous order in the world.

As humans we are part of this great world of nature, but there is a difference between us and the elk or the redwood. While they have great strength and beauty, they cannot reflect and reason about their existence. As rational beings endowed with reason, we humans not only see the beauty, we find joy in it and can reflect on its meaning. God has made this wonderful world for our benefit. Let us use it wisely as good stewards and remember to thank the God who provided it for us.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand