Showing posts with label Catholicism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholicism. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Prophetic Letter
This letter was written by a parish priest in November of 2008. Those who voted for social justice over life are beginning to reap what they sowed. He is pretty spot on in his predictions of how things would unfold.
Pastor’s Corner 11-9-08
Brothers and Sisters,
For most people this week, the presidential election was first and foremost in mind. As the pastor of the souls of this parish, for whom I will have to give an account to the good God, it is important to put before you a few observations. Voting in a democracy is very serious business. It is a sacred duty and the exercise of power that can have far reaching consequences for our lives and the lives of others.
A majority of Americans, including those who identify themselves as Catholic (54% if the exit polls are correct), chose to elect our new President. The election of this candidate to the presidency will have far reaching consequences. Our Lord Jesus tells us to judge a tree by its fruit. A good tree produces good fruit, a bad tree bad fruit. I would urge us a rational persons to look beyond the smile and mesmerizing words and pay attention to the deeds – these will show what kind of president we will have.
In my view as a priest, scholar and professor, never before has the Culture of Death been given so much power in this country. Our new president is committed to promoting and protecting with law intrinsically evil acts, acts that are never justified and should never be done by a rational person. The fruit of this conviction is that he is committed to creating and ratifying unjust laws. The clearest deed that will reveal this truth is when he signs the ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ into law, which was one of his campaign promises. This legislation will virtually abolish ANY restrictions on abortion that exist now. This legislation will result in the killing of tens of thousands of innocent children. The killing of the innocent is a sin that cries out to Heaven for justice (Gen. 4:10). Those who voted for this president will now share in the indirect responsibility and guilt for these killings. Such is the serious nature of voting.
But I Voted For Social Justice Issues
Those who voted for him may respond that their vote was not based on his pro-abortion stance but other social issues. The response I gave in a previous homily is that clearly and logically this election did not involve a situation of ‘proportionate reason’ mentioned in the USCCB’s Faithful Citizenship. The issues of quality of life come into play only when candidates vying for office are equal on the issues dealing with life itself.
My Predictions
The ‘Freedom of Choice Act’, and other unjust legislation like it that will likely be proposed, also has the potential to force the Church out of health care. The Church, as the bearer of the Gospel of Life, will refuse to take part in committing intrinsically evil acts. The names like Providence, St. Vincent, Sacred Heart may remain on the outside of the hospitals, but their internal policies may no longer meaningfully reflect the teachings of Christ and His Church. Thus the legislation would spell disaster for the poor and will create a huge societal problem since the Church is one of the major providers of health care in the country, especially to the poor. Moreover, if the Church is not providing health care, then those with terminal illness and those who do not seem to have a sufficient ‘quality of life’ will lose their last protection from those who will want to kill them to save health care dollars – still more innocent lives lost.
Some may be reading this thinking that I’m being overly dramatic, that I’m over reacting. I would ask you to pay attention to the fruit; pay attention to actions and deeds and not the smile or soothing words. Beneath the smile and words is one who has already identified himself through his actions that he is against Christ and His Church on fundamental, non-negotiable issues.
The Coming Tribulation
For those followers of Christ who are serious about following Him understand that we may be entering a very difficult and trying period of history. The Church has had such times in the past and will again have them in the future. In the late 1990s, then Cardinal Ratzinger commented that he thought the Church was entering a period of trial, a time when the Church was to be more of a persecuted Church, a time when it would be most costly to follow Jesus, and thus a time when many of those who identify themselves as Catholic will fall away. Now he is Pope Benedict XVI, the successor of St. Peter and our chief Shepherd. It will become increasingly evident as the years pass whether he is a prophet. Personally, I believe him to be right. In my prayer over the past few years, I have sensed the same thing. It may take many years for it to come into full view, but with this ascendency of the Culture of Death we may see the beginnings of it in the next few years.
Be Prepared! Seek Mercy!
And so as the pastor of your souls and as your spiritual father, I urge you to prepare yourselves spiritually, through prayer, fasting, virtuous living and most of all faith, hope and love, for what is to come. Let us recommit ourselves in joy to protect and cherish the weak and vulnerable among us. If you are one who cast your vote for our new president, I urge you to seek the mercy of Jesus through the Sacrament of Confession that you may be absolved from the great evil this president says he will do. Jesus Christ has already definitively broken the power of evil and death. He will never abandon us or the world. He may be asking the members of His Body to have a deeper share with Him in the Cross, that the world might be saved.
Be A Saint!
We do not have to be afraid. We did not choose to live in these times, but He chose us to live in these times (In. 15:16) – that is a comforting truth. It is in times of trial that the members of Christ shine more brightly. St. Paul tells us as he told the Philippians, ‘Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14). Now is the time for saints! We stand with Our Lord Jesus and His angels and saints and will bring down the Culture of Death through the might of the divine love because with St. Paul we can say, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. John Cihak
http://www.courageouspriest.com/warning-did-you-vote-for-obama
Just in the past week we have seen tax funds funnelled to Pennsylvania to fund abortions under the Obamacare Health Program. (something we were promised by the President was off the table). We are seeing the beginnings of dismantling of the Catholic Health Care system due to the forcing of the abortion agenda on Catholic hospitals (either they will provide abortions or they will have to close) . Fr. Cihak's predictions are coming true.
Fast and pray.
Pax
Pastor’s Corner 11-9-08
Brothers and Sisters,
For most people this week, the presidential election was first and foremost in mind. As the pastor of the souls of this parish, for whom I will have to give an account to the good God, it is important to put before you a few observations. Voting in a democracy is very serious business. It is a sacred duty and the exercise of power that can have far reaching consequences for our lives and the lives of others.
A majority of Americans, including those who identify themselves as Catholic (54% if the exit polls are correct), chose to elect our new President. The election of this candidate to the presidency will have far reaching consequences. Our Lord Jesus tells us to judge a tree by its fruit. A good tree produces good fruit, a bad tree bad fruit. I would urge us a rational persons to look beyond the smile and mesmerizing words and pay attention to the deeds – these will show what kind of president we will have.
In my view as a priest, scholar and professor, never before has the Culture of Death been given so much power in this country. Our new president is committed to promoting and protecting with law intrinsically evil acts, acts that are never justified and should never be done by a rational person. The fruit of this conviction is that he is committed to creating and ratifying unjust laws. The clearest deed that will reveal this truth is when he signs the ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ into law, which was one of his campaign promises. This legislation will virtually abolish ANY restrictions on abortion that exist now. This legislation will result in the killing of tens of thousands of innocent children. The killing of the innocent is a sin that cries out to Heaven for justice (Gen. 4:10). Those who voted for this president will now share in the indirect responsibility and guilt for these killings. Such is the serious nature of voting.
But I Voted For Social Justice Issues
Those who voted for him may respond that their vote was not based on his pro-abortion stance but other social issues. The response I gave in a previous homily is that clearly and logically this election did not involve a situation of ‘proportionate reason’ mentioned in the USCCB’s Faithful Citizenship. The issues of quality of life come into play only when candidates vying for office are equal on the issues dealing with life itself.
My Predictions
The ‘Freedom of Choice Act’, and other unjust legislation like it that will likely be proposed, also has the potential to force the Church out of health care. The Church, as the bearer of the Gospel of Life, will refuse to take part in committing intrinsically evil acts. The names like Providence, St. Vincent, Sacred Heart may remain on the outside of the hospitals, but their internal policies may no longer meaningfully reflect the teachings of Christ and His Church. Thus the legislation would spell disaster for the poor and will create a huge societal problem since the Church is one of the major providers of health care in the country, especially to the poor. Moreover, if the Church is not providing health care, then those with terminal illness and those who do not seem to have a sufficient ‘quality of life’ will lose their last protection from those who will want to kill them to save health care dollars – still more innocent lives lost.
Some may be reading this thinking that I’m being overly dramatic, that I’m over reacting. I would ask you to pay attention to the fruit; pay attention to actions and deeds and not the smile or soothing words. Beneath the smile and words is one who has already identified himself through his actions that he is against Christ and His Church on fundamental, non-negotiable issues.
The Coming Tribulation
For those followers of Christ who are serious about following Him understand that we may be entering a very difficult and trying period of history. The Church has had such times in the past and will again have them in the future. In the late 1990s, then Cardinal Ratzinger commented that he thought the Church was entering a period of trial, a time when the Church was to be more of a persecuted Church, a time when it would be most costly to follow Jesus, and thus a time when many of those who identify themselves as Catholic will fall away. Now he is Pope Benedict XVI, the successor of St. Peter and our chief Shepherd. It will become increasingly evident as the years pass whether he is a prophet. Personally, I believe him to be right. In my prayer over the past few years, I have sensed the same thing. It may take many years for it to come into full view, but with this ascendency of the Culture of Death we may see the beginnings of it in the next few years.
Be Prepared! Seek Mercy!
And so as the pastor of your souls and as your spiritual father, I urge you to prepare yourselves spiritually, through prayer, fasting, virtuous living and most of all faith, hope and love, for what is to come. Let us recommit ourselves in joy to protect and cherish the weak and vulnerable among us. If you are one who cast your vote for our new president, I urge you to seek the mercy of Jesus through the Sacrament of Confession that you may be absolved from the great evil this president says he will do. Jesus Christ has already definitively broken the power of evil and death. He will never abandon us or the world. He may be asking the members of His Body to have a deeper share with Him in the Cross, that the world might be saved.
Be A Saint!
We do not have to be afraid. We did not choose to live in these times, but He chose us to live in these times (In. 15:16) – that is a comforting truth. It is in times of trial that the members of Christ shine more brightly. St. Paul tells us as he told the Philippians, ‘Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14). Now is the time for saints! We stand with Our Lord Jesus and His angels and saints and will bring down the Culture of Death through the might of the divine love because with St. Paul we can say, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. John Cihak
http://www.courageouspriest.com/warning-did-you-vote-for-obama
Just in the past week we have seen tax funds funnelled to Pennsylvania to fund abortions under the Obamacare Health Program. (something we were promised by the President was off the table). We are seeing the beginnings of dismantling of the Catholic Health Care system due to the forcing of the abortion agenda on Catholic hospitals (either they will provide abortions or they will have to close) . Fr. Cihak's predictions are coming true.
Fast and pray.
Pax
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Our Lady of the Desert
One of my favorite things about traveling is getting to worship with new communities. I love being part of a universal church where I am welcome wherever I go, and I can see how other people celebrate Liturgy.
We had the distinct pleasure today to worship with an amazingly dynamic Catholic community on the Base at NAWS China Lake, California. They call themselves Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Community and they worship in the All Faith Chapel on the base.
This little community is a very vibrant one, led by a retired Navy chaplain Fr. James Dowds. C. Ss. R. Fr Dowds was charming and relatable and had a wonderful singing voice. Someone told us that when he first came to the chapel he did all of the music ministry himself, because to him a Mass without music was unthinkable.
The community while small, seems to be very active, with daily Mass and music and religious education ministries as well as other outreaches going on all year.
In fact the chapel on the base is so busy that the 9:00 a.m. Mass is on a time constraint in that the Protestant Community has a worship service that begins at 10:00 a.m. so we Catholics have to get done with Mass and clear out so that our brothers and sisters in faith can begin to prepare for their service.
Today we were lucky enough to be gifted with a musical selection from the protestant community bell choir during communion (I think it was probably their practice session for their service). How great is it that the communities that share the worship space feel that collegial about sharing their gifts. I also watched as the Protestant minister came over to retrieve the wireless microphone from Fr. at our Coffee and donuts so that he could use it at their service. (Fr was still in his vestments when he came over to share coffee and donuts with us).
I will take back a few lessons about Liturgy from this little community of faith that I will be able to bring to my work with the Liturgy committee at my own parish.
Pax
We had the distinct pleasure today to worship with an amazingly dynamic Catholic community on the Base at NAWS China Lake, California. They call themselves Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Community and they worship in the All Faith Chapel on the base.
This little community is a very vibrant one, led by a retired Navy chaplain Fr. James Dowds. C. Ss. R. Fr Dowds was charming and relatable and had a wonderful singing voice. Someone told us that when he first came to the chapel he did all of the music ministry himself, because to him a Mass without music was unthinkable.
The community while small, seems to be very active, with daily Mass and music and religious education ministries as well as other outreaches going on all year.
In fact the chapel on the base is so busy that the 9:00 a.m. Mass is on a time constraint in that the Protestant Community has a worship service that begins at 10:00 a.m. so we Catholics have to get done with Mass and clear out so that our brothers and sisters in faith can begin to prepare for their service.
Today we were lucky enough to be gifted with a musical selection from the protestant community bell choir during communion (I think it was probably their practice session for their service). How great is it that the communities that share the worship space feel that collegial about sharing their gifts. I also watched as the Protestant minister came over to retrieve the wireless microphone from Fr. at our Coffee and donuts so that he could use it at their service. (Fr was still in his vestments when he came over to share coffee and donuts with us).
I will take back a few lessons about Liturgy from this little community of faith that I will be able to bring to my work with the Liturgy committee at my own parish.
Pax
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
We Elected a Public Servant NOT a Messiah
Archbishob Charles Chaput gave a strongly worded address the other day taking some Catholics to task for their almost servile obedience to every aspect of Barak Obama's policies since he became president; even those that fly in the face of what we believe to be morally true as people of faith.
Chaput Says:
Catholics need to remember that “we owe no leader any submission or cooperation in the pursuit of grave evil. In fact, we have the duty to change bad laws and resist grave evil in our public life, both by our words and our non-violent actions. The truest respect we can show to civil authority is the witness of our Catholic faith and our moral convictions, without excuses or apologies.”
You can read the entire address here.
Evil flourishes when people of good will do nothing. Stand up for what is right. Don't be silent any longer.
Chaput Says:
Catholics need to remember that “we owe no leader any submission or cooperation in the pursuit of grave evil. In fact, we have the duty to change bad laws and resist grave evil in our public life, both by our words and our non-violent actions. The truest respect we can show to civil authority is the witness of our Catholic faith and our moral convictions, without excuses or apologies.”
You can read the entire address here.
Evil flourishes when people of good will do nothing. Stand up for what is right. Don't be silent any longer.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
In the Blinding Flash of a Moment of Grace . . .
This Man went from Basic Instinct to Bearing the Cross at Mass.
You can read the entire story here.
He has lived near Cleveland for a while now and is confronted with the disconnect that the Hollywood elite has for what we here in the heartland really consider to be entertaining.
He said that living in the heartland, he sees how much Hollywood producers are out of touch with most Americans.
"I find it mind boggling that with nearly 70 percent of Americans describing themselves as Christians, and witnessing the success of The Passion of The Christ and The Chronicles of Narnia, that Hollywood still doesn't do the kinds of faith-based and family-value entertainment that people are desperate to see," Mr. Eszterhas said.
From your mouth to the ears of the movers and shakers Joe. That is my wish.
I also want to say, while there are some problems with the human men who run our beautiful church, I don't think it is nearly as dour as you have it in your head that it is. Give some of the priests you will be meeting a chance, they aren't all out to do harm to your sons. Oh, and welcome home.
h/t to God'sbody for the link.
Pax
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Ironic Reasons 10-1
So I missed the deadline with my last post and didn't get my suggestion to IC in time. Her last ten
Ironic reasons to be Catholic are posted.
As to number 10, she should have seen the Bishop who spoke at graduation this year at my Gradual school. He didn't just have the Biretta, he had a sash and cape to go with it. Under the lights of the stage he practically glowed. You have to give props to a man who can wear that much fuchsia and no eye liner and lipstick to balance it out.
Pax
Ironic reasons to be Catholic are posted.
As to number 10, she should have seen the Bishop who spoke at graduation this year at my Gradual school. He didn't just have the Biretta, he had a sash and cape to go with it. Under the lights of the stage he practically glowed. You have to give props to a man who can wear that much fuchsia and no eye liner and lipstick to balance it out.
Pax
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Harry Potter first, well except . . .
Mass and work in my 21 year old daughter's case. She has been reading the 7th book ever since she picked it up at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning stopping only long enough to get a few hours sleep and go to work.
Then this afternoon she stopped to go to Mass! She attends a different parish than the rest of the family, and ended up having to go to their Spanish Mass because she slept so late, but at least she fit that into her schedule.
We have been teasing her, telling her that we are going to give away the spoilers that we have heard, but to be honest I haven't heard anything, because I just don't care.
My other kids never read the 6th book, and if I can ever find it in paperback, which I couldn't do yesterday I might even buy a copy for them so that they can read that one before they get a chance to read older sister's copy of book number 7.
I am really happy that the series is finally over. Now maybe we can find some other person to obsess over. What I wouldn't give for a Christian hero in a series of seven books that sold as big as these.
Anybody game to write them? Hey maybe I should. I'll get right on that, just as soon as I finish my degree.
Pax
Then this afternoon she stopped to go to Mass! She attends a different parish than the rest of the family, and ended up having to go to their Spanish Mass because she slept so late, but at least she fit that into her schedule.
We have been teasing her, telling her that we are going to give away the spoilers that we have heard, but to be honest I haven't heard anything, because I just don't care.
My other kids never read the 6th book, and if I can ever find it in paperback, which I couldn't do yesterday I might even buy a copy for them so that they can read that one before they get a chance to read older sister's copy of book number 7.
I am really happy that the series is finally over. Now maybe we can find some other person to obsess over. What I wouldn't give for a Christian hero in a series of seven books that sold as big as these.
Anybody game to write them? Hey maybe I should. I'll get right on that, just as soon as I finish my degree.
Pax
Monday, July 09, 2007
Favorite Catholic Blogs Meme
The Ironic Catholic has honored me with a tag as one of her favorite Catholic Blogs. I am humbled. Especially because of the company in which I find myself.
I am now supposed to tag a few other people whose blogs I find inspire my Catholic faith.
I will do that by pointing you to a few friends you might not know. And one I am sure you do, but must not go unheralded.
God'sbody is one of my favorite places to find a literate take on what is going on in the world. Not to mention "Today in porn".
The Speakin' Deacon is the creation of my pal from Gradual School, Deacon John Simmons of the Diocese of Louisville. This is where he posts his homilies. The only thing more awesome than this would be if he were to make audio files of his homilies and create a podcast of them because they are great to read but I tell you, the man can preach!!!
God Spede ye Plough is the blog of another alum from my gradual school. He has an interesting view of the church. I may not always agree with his position, but it reminds me that our faith tradition is big enough for all of us.
Sincerely My Thoughts is the creation of one of my dearest soul friends. She is as close as a sister to me and in fact our sons are adopted brothers (it is a long story and involves the fact that neither of them has a natural living brother in a sea of seven girl siblings between them, so out of desperation they have chosen each other) Suzanne's blog is a mix of the simple joy of daily Catholic life and the beauty of being other centered. I don't miss a day of checking in to see what is going on in her world.
I think I will leave it at that. So to those I have tagged consider yourself part of my "daily devotion".
If you want to play, you just have to create a post and let the blogosphere know which blogs you find to be your Favorite Catholic Blogs.
Pax
I am now supposed to tag a few other people whose blogs I find inspire my Catholic faith.
I will do that by pointing you to a few friends you might not know. And one I am sure you do, but must not go unheralded.
God'sbody is one of my favorite places to find a literate take on what is going on in the world. Not to mention "Today in porn".
The Speakin' Deacon is the creation of my pal from Gradual School, Deacon John Simmons of the Diocese of Louisville. This is where he posts his homilies. The only thing more awesome than this would be if he were to make audio files of his homilies and create a podcast of them because they are great to read but I tell you, the man can preach!!!
God Spede ye Plough is the blog of another alum from my gradual school. He has an interesting view of the church. I may not always agree with his position, but it reminds me that our faith tradition is big enough for all of us.
Sincerely My Thoughts is the creation of one of my dearest soul friends. She is as close as a sister to me and in fact our sons are adopted brothers (it is a long story and involves the fact that neither of them has a natural living brother in a sea of seven girl siblings between them, so out of desperation they have chosen each other) Suzanne's blog is a mix of the simple joy of daily Catholic life and the beauty of being other centered. I don't miss a day of checking in to see what is going on in her world.
I think I will leave it at that. So to those I have tagged consider yourself part of my "daily devotion".
If you want to play, you just have to create a post and let the blogosphere know which blogs you find to be your Favorite Catholic Blogs.
Pax
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
JUst in Case You Needed Them: More Reasons to be Catholic
Ironic Catholic has posted 10 more Ironic Reasons to be Catholic
20 to 11
This batch ranges from the timeless (14 ) to the timely (11 ).
Did you notice how many of these were about eating? She must have been hungry when she wrote them.
Pax
20 to 11
This batch ranges from the timeless (14 ) to the timely (11 ).
Did you notice how many of these were about eating? She must have been hungry when she wrote them.
Pax
Monday, July 02, 2007
Just Found a New Favorite Blog
Okay, I have posted before about Steven Colbert's unabashed Catholicism on the Colbert Report and how much I love it.
Now we Catholics who admire it so much have a place to point our web browsers toward to find and discuss the same Catholic content.
The Word: A Colbert Blog for Catholic It-Getters
is the invention of a blogger that I discovered through my dear blogging pal Ironic Catholic. I love this blog as should all other Catholics who see Steven Colbert as the champion of our faith that he really is in his personna as Steven Colbert the obnoxious host of the Colbert Report.
Check it out for youself. This link is going on my sidebar.
Pax
Now we Catholics who admire it so much have a place to point our web browsers toward to find and discuss the same Catholic content.
The Word: A Colbert Blog for Catholic It-Getters
is the invention of a blogger that I discovered through my dear blogging pal Ironic Catholic. I love this blog as should all other Catholics who see Steven Colbert as the champion of our faith that he really is in his personna as Steven Colbert the obnoxious host of the Colbert Report.
Check it out for youself. This link is going on my sidebar.
Pax
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Wishful Thinking of If I Had the Time This is What I Would be Reading
I wonder how many of you know about the Loyola Classics series of books?
Loyola Press has come out with reprints of some of the best in Catholic Fiction from the last century to which I can attest because I have read some of them.
In particular I can recommend The Devil's Advocate by Morris West a gripping tale of the process by which a person's life is placed under the scrutiny of the Church on the road to sainthood. I found this book to be filled with wonderfully real characters and infused with information on the cause for sainthood while still remaining a readable story that kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. This was actually the first West novel I ever read, and had me hooked, I went on to read everything else he wrote and was a lifelong fan.
I would also like to recommend the John R Powers books The Last Catholic in America, Do Black Patten Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up, and The Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice Cream God. These are three stories in the life of a Catholic boy growing up in the United States. They made me laugh and they were filled with tenderness. When they were first published I remember I couldn't wait for the next book in the series to come out. Now you can read all three back to back.
I also love the Rumer Godden books.
There are others in the series that I haven't read yet, but you can bet, that when I get the time I know exactly what I will be doing with it. . . visiting Loyola Classics to find a new old favorite. Care to join me?
Pax
Loyola Press has come out with reprints of some of the best in Catholic Fiction from the last century to which I can attest because I have read some of them.
In particular I can recommend The Devil's Advocate by Morris West a gripping tale of the process by which a person's life is placed under the scrutiny of the Church on the road to sainthood. I found this book to be filled with wonderfully real characters and infused with information on the cause for sainthood while still remaining a readable story that kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. This was actually the first West novel I ever read, and had me hooked, I went on to read everything else he wrote and was a lifelong fan.
I would also like to recommend the John R Powers books The Last Catholic in America, Do Black Patten Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up, and The Unoriginal Sinner and the Ice Cream God. These are three stories in the life of a Catholic boy growing up in the United States. They made me laugh and they were filled with tenderness. When they were first published I remember I couldn't wait for the next book in the series to come out. Now you can read all three back to back.
I also love the Rumer Godden books.
There are others in the series that I haven't read yet, but you can bet, that when I get the time I know exactly what I will be doing with it. . . visiting Loyola Classics to find a new old favorite. Care to join me?
Pax
Handmotions in Heaven
This is just too funny, and a sign that we Catholics sure know how to laugh at ourselves.
The two guys in this video are Bob Rice and Chris Padgett and you can follow their links to their webpages and find out more about them.
h/t to Curt Jester for the links. and the laugh.
Pax
The two guys in this video are Bob Rice and Chris Padgett and you can follow their links to their webpages and find out more about them.
h/t to Curt Jester for the links. and the laugh.
Pax
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
You Can't Always Get What You Want
Joe Kennedy's First Marriage: Still On says a Time magazine article and apparently the Roman Rota, thank God.
I have been following this case from the very beginning, because it involves all the things that make the Catholic Church Stand out in the eyes of the world. . .
A rich influential family;
A man in politics who wants what he wants;
A wife who for 12 years was his helpmate, and agrees that the marriage failed, but disagrees that there was grounds for annulment.
I don't believe that this was done out of spite, though who knows, Sheila Rauch Kennedy isn't Catholic after all, so if she wishes to remarry she may do so outside the church with no penalty. Her ex-husband is involved in a civil marriage and has been since 1993. His chance of having that marriage convalidated within the Church are now dashed. He will have to remain outside the sacraments because of his choice to abandon his first sacramental marriage.
Isn't that what the Tribunal is supposed to do, after all; uphold sacramental marriage? It isn't a clearinghouse which makes it possible for the rich and influential to marry again if they so choose regardless of the state of their first marriage.
I for one am glad she appealed. I wonder how many people realize that they have that right? I don't think the Church in this country is doing enough to uphold the sacrament of marriage. I think it is just resigned to the reality of divorce. I agree with the statement of the Vatican official at the end of the article, that Americans think that annulments are their right if they get a divorce.
I only know of one priest who has ever counseled anyone; a friend of mine, that she probably shouldn't even attempt to seek an annulment because she didn't have grounds. The woman in question was upset for a while, but later decided that she loved her faith and the Church much too much to live outside of it, and chose to embrace a life of the vocation of a single adult after divorce and is much happier that had she tried to manufacture false grounds to force an annulment she really didn't deserve.
In my work for the tribunal I have found that there are many cases where there are grounds for annulment, but in other cases there really aren't grounds. Since I am only trained to help people begin the paperwork I have no idea how far the cases I have helped begin get unless those people contact me later on, which almost never happens.
Happily, I have never heard of any of the cases where I didn't see grounds going on to have an annulment granted, but then that is only because I lost contact with the people involved.
I pray a lot about the work I do. Needless to say. Marriage is sacred, no less to me than it is to God.
Pax
I have been following this case from the very beginning, because it involves all the things that make the Catholic Church Stand out in the eyes of the world. . .
A rich influential family;
A man in politics who wants what he wants;
A wife who for 12 years was his helpmate, and agrees that the marriage failed, but disagrees that there was grounds for annulment.
I don't believe that this was done out of spite, though who knows, Sheila Rauch Kennedy isn't Catholic after all, so if she wishes to remarry she may do so outside the church with no penalty. Her ex-husband is involved in a civil marriage and has been since 1993. His chance of having that marriage convalidated within the Church are now dashed. He will have to remain outside the sacraments because of his choice to abandon his first sacramental marriage.
Isn't that what the Tribunal is supposed to do, after all; uphold sacramental marriage? It isn't a clearinghouse which makes it possible for the rich and influential to marry again if they so choose regardless of the state of their first marriage.
I for one am glad she appealed. I wonder how many people realize that they have that right? I don't think the Church in this country is doing enough to uphold the sacrament of marriage. I think it is just resigned to the reality of divorce. I agree with the statement of the Vatican official at the end of the article, that Americans think that annulments are their right if they get a divorce.
I only know of one priest who has ever counseled anyone; a friend of mine, that she probably shouldn't even attempt to seek an annulment because she didn't have grounds. The woman in question was upset for a while, but later decided that she loved her faith and the Church much too much to live outside of it, and chose to embrace a life of the vocation of a single adult after divorce and is much happier that had she tried to manufacture false grounds to force an annulment she really didn't deserve.
In my work for the tribunal I have found that there are many cases where there are grounds for annulment, but in other cases there really aren't grounds. Since I am only trained to help people begin the paperwork I have no idea how far the cases I have helped begin get unless those people contact me later on, which almost never happens.
Happily, I have never heard of any of the cases where I didn't see grounds going on to have an annulment granted, but then that is only because I lost contact with the people involved.
I pray a lot about the work I do. Needless to say. Marriage is sacred, no less to me than it is to God.
Pax
Monday, May 14, 2007
Why, With God's Help, I Will Live and Die a Catholic
A Quote from Walter Burghardt, S.J in Tell the Next Generation:
In the course of half a century, I have seen more Catholic corruption than you have read of. I have tasted it. I have been reasonably corrupt myself. And yet I joy in this Church—this living, pulsing, sinning people of God, love it with a crucifying passion. Why? For all the Catholic hate, I experience here a community of love. For all the institutional idiocy, I find here a tradition of reason. For all the individual repressions, I breathe here an air of freedom. For all the fear of sex, I discover here the redemption of my body. In an age so inhuman, I touch here the tears of compassion. In a world so grim and humorless, I share here rich joy and laughter. In the midst of death I hear an incomparable stress on life. For all the apparent absence of God, I sense here the real presence of Christ.
Angelmeg's comment: I have been hurt by the self righteous and the well meaning and those who had no idea that their actions were hurting me. I have left in disgust because I didn't like what I thought the Church had become, and each time I come back because it is only in this community of faith that I am uniquely and completely the person that God created me to be.
h/t to Deacon John for the quote.
Pax
In the course of half a century, I have seen more Catholic corruption than you have read of. I have tasted it. I have been reasonably corrupt myself. And yet I joy in this Church—this living, pulsing, sinning people of God, love it with a crucifying passion. Why? For all the Catholic hate, I experience here a community of love. For all the institutional idiocy, I find here a tradition of reason. For all the individual repressions, I breathe here an air of freedom. For all the fear of sex, I discover here the redemption of my body. In an age so inhuman, I touch here the tears of compassion. In a world so grim and humorless, I share here rich joy and laughter. In the midst of death I hear an incomparable stress on life. For all the apparent absence of God, I sense here the real presence of Christ.
Angelmeg's comment: I have been hurt by the self righteous and the well meaning and those who had no idea that their actions were hurting me. I have left in disgust because I didn't like what I thought the Church had become, and each time I come back because it is only in this community of faith that I am uniquely and completely the person that God created me to be.
h/t to Deacon John for the quote.
Pax
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saints Preserve Us, I've Been Tagged
The Ironic Catholic did the honors.
NOTA: Asking me to choose only four favorite saints is a form of torture. I have found the saints to be my friends since early childhood. My spiritual director told me once that my reluctance to join the Secular Franciscans was that in choosing Francis I was in essence turning my back on all my other "friends of the bosom" in the communion of saints. He was probably pretty close to the truth; I never did join. I will do my best to choose four saints that have meant the most to me in a lifetime of loving all of the saints. Perhaps they are the saints that mean the most to me at this time, or linger around me when I am the most in need.
1)
Margaret Mary Alacoque - She was a 17th Century nun who had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and through visions from Christ was instrumental in spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart. Her writings are amazingly personal and convicting.
I have written before about the fact that I thought the church had named a saint after me until I read about St Margaret Mary when I was 10 and my Godparents got me "Lives of the Saints for Young Readers" for my birthday. I was only sad until I finished reading about her because she was such a strong and awesome woman.
2)
Philomena -- probably a virgin and martyr as nothing is known about her life. The only person to be elevated to sainthood based solely upon miraculous cures and intercessions that occurred centuries after her death. The modern Church has tried to expunge her from the Calendar due to lack of evidence of her life, but cannot expunge the hagiography and devotion that has grown up around her because of her powerful intercessory aide.
I only know that I was having a panic attack in a Cathedral very far from home when I was very much alone in a very large crowd of women, and I opened a book and inside I found a St. Philomena Holy Card. From the moment that I held that holy card I began to calm down. I was infused with a sense that I was meant to be where I was no matter how uncomfortable I felt. (I later heard in the homily at that same mass a message I needed to hear which I would have missed had I run screaming from the church, which was my first inclination.)
3)
St. Ignatius of Loyola - Once a soldier, whose career was cut short by a devastating leg injury. While recuperating, with nothing but time and two books (the bible and lives of the saints) to while away the hours he had a conversion of heart and decided to dedicate his life to becoming a soldier for the Church. He had a strong commitment to education, and to discerning God's will for himself and then to helping others discern God's will for themselves.
His Spiritual Exercises are used today by vowed, religious and lay men and women alike.
When I was in my deepest despair in my spiritual life as an adult Catholic, and my prayer felt like straw falling on deaf ears I was introduced to Ignatius and his wonderful spiritual exercises. Through them I realized that if I could not see God it was I who had turned my face from Him, and He was faithfully seeking the deepest part of me if I only would open my heart to Him. Of all my companions on the journey, I think Ignatius and his Jesuit friends have come the closest to speaking to my deepest needs. which is why I use the Examen as my evening prayer, and take an Ignatian retreat every year.
4.
St Maximilian Kolbe - Polish priest who had a devotion to the Blessed Mother. He used the mass media to reach many in an evangelization effort that was far reaching. He was a tireless missionary in Japan and India and worked for peace in an era of war and strife. He was frail because of tuberculosis, but that never stopped him from doing God's work. He was imprisoned in Auschwitz near the end of World War II . He continued to minister in his role as priest even in the camp. He offered his life for that of a Jewish man who was scheduled to die in retribution for an escape attempt. The camp guards tried to starve him to death but when after 14 days he was still alive, they injected him with poison.
The very first time mrangelmeg and I went anywhere together alone it was to Mass at a Franciscan parish on the day that St Max was canonized. Needless to say, this being one of their boys they had a ginormous party, which we attended since we were poor college kids who never passed up a chance to get a free meal. It also gave us the opportunity to spend most of that day together. Not a bad way to start a relationship in retrospect. We have always counted St. Max as the patron of our relationship. He is a very special friend to both of us and has showered us with intercessions and blessings over the years.
One Blessed:
Blessed Junipero Serra - a Franciscan who left the teaching of Philosophy to do missionary work among the settlers and natives in Mexico and California in the late 1700's. He was a tireless worker and did much good.
Okay, I admit it, I am choosing him because he left his post of Philosophy Teacher to do real work. No bias there.
"Those tagged for this meme will list their four favorite saints, their one
favorite blessed, and one person they think should have been a saint." OK--here
we go!
NOTA: Asking me to choose only four favorite saints is a form of torture. I have found the saints to be my friends since early childhood. My spiritual director told me once that my reluctance to join the Secular Franciscans was that in choosing Francis I was in essence turning my back on all my other "friends of the bosom" in the communion of saints. He was probably pretty close to the truth; I never did join. I will do my best to choose four saints that have meant the most to me in a lifetime of loving all of the saints. Perhaps they are the saints that mean the most to me at this time, or linger around me when I am the most in need.
1)
Margaret Mary Alacoque - She was a 17th Century nun who had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and through visions from Christ was instrumental in spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart. Her writings are amazingly personal and convicting.I have written before about the fact that I thought the church had named a saint after me until I read about St Margaret Mary when I was 10 and my Godparents got me "Lives of the Saints for Young Readers" for my birthday. I was only sad until I finished reading about her because she was such a strong and awesome woman.
2)
Philomena -- probably a virgin and martyr as nothing is known about her life. The only person to be elevated to sainthood based solely upon miraculous cures and intercessions that occurred centuries after her death. The modern Church has tried to expunge her from the Calendar due to lack of evidence of her life, but cannot expunge the hagiography and devotion that has grown up around her because of her powerful intercessory aide.I only know that I was having a panic attack in a Cathedral very far from home when I was very much alone in a very large crowd of women, and I opened a book and inside I found a St. Philomena Holy Card. From the moment that I held that holy card I began to calm down. I was infused with a sense that I was meant to be where I was no matter how uncomfortable I felt. (I later heard in the homily at that same mass a message I needed to hear which I would have missed had I run screaming from the church, which was my first inclination.)
3)
St. Ignatius of Loyola - Once a soldier, whose career was cut short by a devastating leg injury. While recuperating, with nothing but time and two books (the bible and lives of the saints) to while away the hours he had a conversion of heart and decided to dedicate his life to becoming a soldier for the Church. He had a strong commitment to education, and to discerning God's will for himself and then to helping others discern God's will for themselves.His Spiritual Exercises are used today by vowed, religious and lay men and women alike.
When I was in my deepest despair in my spiritual life as an adult Catholic, and my prayer felt like straw falling on deaf ears I was introduced to Ignatius and his wonderful spiritual exercises. Through them I realized that if I could not see God it was I who had turned my face from Him, and He was faithfully seeking the deepest part of me if I only would open my heart to Him. Of all my companions on the journey, I think Ignatius and his Jesuit friends have come the closest to speaking to my deepest needs. which is why I use the Examen as my evening prayer, and take an Ignatian retreat every year.
4.
St Maximilian Kolbe - Polish priest who had a devotion to the Blessed Mother. He used the mass media to reach many in an evangelization effort that was far reaching. He was a tireless missionary in Japan and India and worked for peace in an era of war and strife. He was frail because of tuberculosis, but that never stopped him from doing God's work. He was imprisoned in Auschwitz near the end of World War II . He continued to minister in his role as priest even in the camp. He offered his life for that of a Jewish man who was scheduled to die in retribution for an escape attempt. The camp guards tried to starve him to death but when after 14 days he was still alive, they injected him with poison.The very first time mrangelmeg and I went anywhere together alone it was to Mass at a Franciscan parish on the day that St Max was canonized. Needless to say, this being one of their boys they had a ginormous party, which we attended since we were poor college kids who never passed up a chance to get a free meal. It also gave us the opportunity to spend most of that day together. Not a bad way to start a relationship in retrospect. We have always counted St. Max as the patron of our relationship. He is a very special friend to both of us and has showered us with intercessions and blessings over the years.
One Blessed:
Blessed Junipero Serra - a Franciscan who left the teaching of Philosophy to do missionary work among the settlers and natives in Mexico and California in the late 1700's. He was a tireless worker and did much good.Okay, I admit it, I am choosing him because he left his post of Philosophy Teacher to do real work. No bias there.
One person who should be a saint:
Thomas a' Kempis - I mean really, this man single-handedly wrote what is arguably the most well read book on spirituality in the entire Catholic world and has never been out of print since its first printing. It is probably printed in every known language (I wouldn't doubt that someone is working on the Klingon version as I write this) and he isn't a saint!
The official Church story is that when they exhumed his body for his cause for sainthood they found scratch marks on the inside of the lid of his coffin, which meant that he had been, uhm prematurely interred. The church could not declare him a saint because she could not be sure that at the last moment of his "actual" death he didn't despair.
I think given the way he lived his prior life, God would give him a pass for whatever thoughts came into his head or words came out of his mouth in those final moments. If he didn't get one I don't have a chance.
This was lots of fun. I want to tag, Suzanne and Meg, and The Kitchen Madonna (between Aprons).
Pax
Friday, February 16, 2007
We Remember We Celebrate, We Believe
This video comes from the wonderful people at Evangelical Catholicism
hat tip to Ironic Catholic for the link.
Pax
Monday, January 29, 2007
Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy
Check out this story from our Diocesan newspaper. It is about the Colts team chaplain Fr. Peter Gallagher. I have had the privilege of meeting Fr. Pete, and he is so genuine in his love of both his faith and the sport of football this is the perfect place for him to be.
Did I mention that The Colts are in Miami this week getting ready to play in the Superbowl on Sunday?
Oh, I thought I had.
Pax
Did I mention that The Colts are in Miami this week getting ready to play in the Superbowl on Sunday?
Oh, I thought I had.
Pax
Aquinas Loves a Sunday Afternoon
So I spent yesterday afternoon at the inaugural Aquinas Lecture at the Newman Center here. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, except that the speaker was an Aquinas scholar from St. Louis University.
The Dominicans who run the Newman Center here were very happy to be hosting a talk on Aquinas, because he is one of their own, even if the speaker did come from a Jesuit University. (A fact that Fr. Bob just had to mention, we'll allow them their little digs, we can take it)
Anyway, the Speaker was Dr. Eleonore Stump, a Professor of Philosophy. She dove right in and gave an amazing lecture on Aquinas' philosophy of love and how that philosophy relates to forgiveness. I took tons of notes, and it cleared up quite a few misconceptions I had about how Aquinas came to understand human emotion and interaction. All in all it was an afternoon well spent.
The last half hour of her time was spent in a Q&A, which amounted to the audience asking her many questions that stretched their understanding of not only Aquinas, but how he relates to how we live today and how decisions are made, or not made in contemporary society.
I really think the lecture exceeded Fr. Bob's expectations for a lecture of this type. The most amazing part was the age range of the audience. I would guess that the youngest person in the audience was probably a 19 year old student (someone I recognized who is currently in the RCIA program on Wednesday nights) and the oldest was well into retirement age. Everyone was engaged in the lecture and discussion.
This is why I love living in a University town. Which is not to say that something like this might not happen at a Catholic church anywhere, but the chances of it happening in a University setting are a bit greater.
God is so good, I can add what I learned yesterday to what I am reading these next few months before I actually have to take the Medieval Philosophy class next summer, and I won't feel so ill prepared. So long as I continue to do the hard work that is.
Pax
The Dominicans who run the Newman Center here were very happy to be hosting a talk on Aquinas, because he is one of their own, even if the speaker did come from a Jesuit University. (A fact that Fr. Bob just had to mention, we'll allow them their little digs, we can take it)
Anyway, the Speaker was Dr. Eleonore Stump, a Professor of Philosophy. She dove right in and gave an amazing lecture on Aquinas' philosophy of love and how that philosophy relates to forgiveness. I took tons of notes, and it cleared up quite a few misconceptions I had about how Aquinas came to understand human emotion and interaction. All in all it was an afternoon well spent.
The last half hour of her time was spent in a Q&A, which amounted to the audience asking her many questions that stretched their understanding of not only Aquinas, but how he relates to how we live today and how decisions are made, or not made in contemporary society.
I really think the lecture exceeded Fr. Bob's expectations for a lecture of this type. The most amazing part was the age range of the audience. I would guess that the youngest person in the audience was probably a 19 year old student (someone I recognized who is currently in the RCIA program on Wednesday nights) and the oldest was well into retirement age. Everyone was engaged in the lecture and discussion.
This is why I love living in a University town. Which is not to say that something like this might not happen at a Catholic church anywhere, but the chances of it happening in a University setting are a bit greater.
God is so good, I can add what I learned yesterday to what I am reading these next few months before I actually have to take the Medieval Philosophy class next summer, and I won't feel so ill prepared. So long as I continue to do the hard work that is.
Pax
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