Author Archives: Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Unknown's avatar

About Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.

Ronald Raab, C.S.C.,serves as religious superior at Holy Cross House, a medical and retirement home for the Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana

Luke 7:11-17 “Young man, I say to you, arise”

Posted on by
1
Drawing by: Ronald Raab, CSC Title: "I tell you, arise"

Drawing by: Ronald Raab, CSC
Title: “I tell you, arise”

This drawing depicts the young man coming back to life in today’s gospel, Luke 7:11-17. He was the only son a poor widow. The sorrowful mother has great faith that Jesus can raise up her son from death. She has no cultural power or influence, yet Jesus listens to her request and discovers her faith. This image depicts the fresh face of new life coming out of the darkness of lifelessness. He represents all of us who long for new life from within our hearts and minds. In the face of Jesus, all things are possible for us.

We all long to be brought back to life when grief strikes us down or when our child loses hope. We long for new life when our shame eats away at our self-worth, when we have internalized the put-downs from other people. We ache for a new view of ourselves when our parents separate or when household violence makes a permanent home in our emotions. We long for new life when depression overcomes our days at school and family life at home. We long for a new perspective when we feel our lives have not turned out the way we had planned. We long for new life coming home from war and leaving the violence and rage behind us. We long for new life when we lose our job, our health or the illusion of our control. We really long for the life that God has for us in the life that is ours and not the life that we think we should have.

Jesus heals the young man at his mother’s request. Jesus comes to us all in unexpected moments and ways to heal us beyond our imagining.

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows

Posted on by
3
Drawing by: Ronald Raab, CSC "Mother of Sorrows"

Drawing by: Ronald Raab, CSC
“Mother of Sorrows”

Monday September 15, 2014

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Patroness of the Congregation of Holy Cross: John 19:25-27

Today is the feast day of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Mary, mother of grief and sorrow stood next to the suffering of her son. We are called to stand next to the Body of Christ that still suffers, all people in need.

I sketched this woman on Saturday afternoon to prepare for our feast day. This woman is the mother of all who suffer. Her mouth and tears reveal to us this profound message that she cannot contain her pain and that of her children. She is the mother of a murdered child in a neighborhood in Chicago. She is the mother of a twelve-year old caught in human trafficking on the Interstate 5 corridor on the west coast. She is the mother of a meth addict in Atlanta or the grieving mother who just lost her child by a drunk driver in mid-America. This mother bends down to hold the forehead of her child as he vomits over the toilet in the nighttime. She holds her newborn grand-baby suffering from colic. This mother weeps for people in all generations, for all people, no matter our ethnic background or the color of our skin. Mothers know grief and loss and we all look to God to take our pain away.

This sketch could also be interpreted in another way. Her mouth is forming an “Amen” in the summary of a sung spiritual, the last note of her wailing in faith. Her tears become a combined expression of fear and grief as well as fulfillment and hope. This mother gives her complete life to her children and her complete emotions to Christ Jesus. She is at the same time exhausted and yet profoundly full of joy.

Mary, Mother of Sorrows, received the promises of her Son, Jesus. Her suffering is redeemed in the face of God. Mary holds our depression, loneliness and isolation, our wars and violence, our addictions and mental illness, our hopelessness and even our despair. All people will be redeemed in the Cross of the Crucified, in the promise of Jesus Christ who rose from the dead.

Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

On The Margins – John 3:13-17

Posted on by
2

fr_ron_and_kbvm_readingBWListen to  “On the Margins”. This broadcast comes from KBVM 88.3, Catholic Broadcasting Northwest. The gift of the Cross is pure gift to us and the source of our liberation. Our fears give way to the promise of Christ Jesus. The Cross is our only hope.  The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 2014.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins%20Sept%2014%202014.mp3]

Stream live On The Margins on KBVM 88.3FM on Saturdays at 8am and Sundays at 8am.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Posted on by
5

 

Painting by Ronald Raab, CSC Title: "Abandon"

Painting by Ronald Raab, CSC
Title: “Abandon”

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Sunday September 14, 2014.

I started painting and drawing lessons this past summer from Lisa Lundquist, a Sacred Heart parishioner. I painted this image of Christ last Saturday for this Sunday’s celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Learning to express myself in art is an energizing experience for me since I have not picked up a pencil or a paint brush in over thirty years.

I am just beginning to create art. I will post my drawings and paintings on this blog to help tell the stories of people who are marginalized and who most need God. You will notice on this blog that all of the photos of people are in black and white and the photos of Christ are in color. This is intentional, to show the vibrant face of Christ in my work. This picture of Christ is created with acrylic paint. I have never used acrylics until a couple of months ago. This is a new and energizing form of story telling for me and I hope the art will help us all break open our stories in Christ Jesus.

Thirtieth Anniversary of Final Profession of Vows in Holy Cross

Posted on by
1

I am so grateful for my 32nd anniversary of final profession in the Congregation of Holy Cross. Tomorrow is also the anniversary of my ordination as deacon with Bishop Hanifen, retired bishop of Colorado Springs. I stand in great humility with my classmates, John and Rich this day.

Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.'s avatarBroken But Not Divided

September 10, 1982 Final Profession of Vows

On Friday, September 10, 1982, I professed vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience forever in the Congregation of Holy Cross. The evening celebration took place at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. The following day on Saturday, September 11, 1982, I was ordained a deacon by Bishop Richard Hannifen from the Diocese of Colorado Springs, Colorado. That ceremony took place at Moreau Seminary on the campus of Notre Dame, in South Bend, Indiana.

A few months before I professed my final vows, I was standing at a party with a group of Sisters of the Holy Cross. Sister Katherine Reichert, CSC was very ill at the time with bone cancer. She stood on two crutches  in the middle of all those religious women and we chatted about my decision to make final vows. She asked me…

View original post 104 more words

On The Margins – Matthew 18:15-20

Posted on by
Reply

fr_ron_and_kbvm_readingBWListen to  “On the Margins”. This broadcast comes from KBVM 88.3, Catholic Broadcasting Northwest. Forgiveness is never easy around those we love. In our gathering, love is so near in the presence of Christ. What is really important is the present gathering of hope in our lives.  Twenty-Third  Sunday in Ordinary Time September 7, , 2014.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins%20Sept%207%202014.mp3]

Stream live On The Margins on KBVM 88.3FM on Saturdays at 8am and Sundays at 8am.

Installation as Pastor: Sunday September 1, 2013

Posted on by
1

I am so grateful today on the first anniversary of my installation as pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Holy Rosary. The year has gone by so fast! More people are getting involved, programs are being reformed and revitalized. I pray that we are all being drawn into the depths of the Holy Spirit’s care for us. I also pray that we are living the model of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, standing among people who suffer. The Sacred Heart is not just a name of the parish, but a spirituality that consumes us in the mercy, love and hope of Christ Jesus. Today, especially, know of my pray for each parishioner, each visitor and all who will be invited to join us in this next year. Blessings to all, Ron

Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C.'s avatarBroken But Not Divided

Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs and Fr, Drew Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs and Fr, Drew

View original post

On The Margins – Matthew 16:21-27

Posted on by
Reply

fr_ron_and_kbvm_readingBWListen to  “On the Margins”. This broadcast comes from KBVM 88.3, Catholic Broadcasting Northwest. We are called to lose our lives for the sake of Christ. We take up our cross, uplift our suffering and God give us everything. We go beyond our own security to the ultimate life in Christ. This gospel calls us to change.  Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time August 31, 2014.

Listen now: [audio https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75239779/On%20The%20Margins%20August%2031%202014.mp3]

Stream live On The Margins on KBVM 88.3FM on Saturdays at 8am and Sundays at 8am.