Category: Uncategorized

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Pick-A-Parish

One of the most frustrating things about working in ministry is encapsulated in the following email:

“Hi Laura, I live in DC and I attend [church x] but I must confess I still hop around between parishes trying to find my niche, so that keeps me back from getting involved in any specific community.” (emphasis added)

There is a vast difference in finding your niche and creating your niche! How can you create a vibrant parish community?

  • Do you think the choir needs help? Join it!
  • Does the way the Word of God is proclaimed lack interest? Use your talent and be a lector!
  • Does your homilist miss the mark when trying to connect the Word of God to the congregation? Establish a relationship with your priest or deacon, then suggest ways he could improve!
  • Does the church’s interior not reflect glory of God’s True Presence? Donate funds to help refurbish the church!
  • Do you complain about a lack of attention to social justice issues and community outreach? Volunteer to start a committed group!
  • Has another parishioner never introduced him or herself to you? Make the first move to welcome them!

The list goes on!

This is what Catholic stewardship means: to survey our gifts and offer our time, talent, and treasure to building up the Kingdom of God. For those of you reading this, I’d like to take a quick survey.

  • What do you complain about the most at your parish?
  • What can you do to remedy the situation?
  • Let us know if creating a vibrant parish community is on your priority list!

Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 1Cor. 14:12

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The Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul

On Monday we celebrate the Solemnity of Peter and Paul, one of the great feasts in the Church cal245_0035162142_peter-and-paul-apostles1endar. It has very special meaning for me because of having lived  in Rome for five years when I was doing my doctoral studies. One year a friend who is a priest and serves as a chaplain in the Air Force came to visit and brought along another chaplain who is a Protestant minister. The first two sites that Chaplain Chase wanted to see were the tomb of Saint Peter and the place where Paul was imprisoned. As we were standing at Peter’s tomb, he said, “for all of the differences there are among Christians, we all agree that Paul and Peter were here in Rome and that they were the church’s first two great leaders.” It was a reminder for me, that indeed, Peter and Paul are revered by all Christians. The three of us could stand and pray together at the tomb of Saint Peter grateful for the preaching and witness of these two martyrs of the faith.

 An Ecumencial Celebration

Indeed, the official celebration of the solemnity is Ecumenical. Pope Benedict XVI will gather with leaders of Christian communities for a Vespers service at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. This will also mark the closing of the official celebration of the year of Saint Paul.

 The Petrine and Pauline Charism Today

Often within religious institutions or Catholic organizations people speak of the birth of the organization reflecting the Pauline and Petrine charisms. For many, the founder of a religious order tends to be like Paul, charismatic, dynamic, a preacher with a vision who can attract followers. Perhaps Francis of Assisi or Mother Theresa come to mind. The person who succeeds the founder, very often is someone with the Petrine charism. This is the person responsible for taking the vision and creating a structure so that the work of the founder can grow and spread. The “second founder” as these men and women are sometimes called, are not always as well known as the founder, but their work is vital to the success of the mission.

 

As a church that is universal in scope, the office of the Pope–the Petrine Office –secures the institutional life of the Church.  It both represents the unity of the Catholic Church and it insures our common identity and mission. At the same time, the church is at its core is missionary and so it insists that men and women, clergy, religious and lay are preaching and teaching the Gospel throughout the world–the Pauline charism.

 

As we celebrate this feast, give thanks to God for the leadership of Peter and Paul and for those who continue building the kingdom of God through the Pauline and Petrine charism.

 Fireworks 

On a lighter note, it is not only a feast day, but a civic holiday because Peter is the patron saint of Rome. The city of Rome celebrates the feast in a big way, business and shops are closed and the day ends with spectacular fireworks.

 

 

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What is Natural Law?

Many of the modern moral debates stem not only from a rejection of Scriptural teaching but also from a rejection of the natural law. But many today are not even sure what is meant by the phrase “Natural Law.” I hope to give a brief, not too philosophical answer to this question.

We live in a world governed by many laws and principles. For example, there is the Law of Gravity, the speed of light, the fact that some elements are poisonous to our bodies and so forth. To attempt to deny these laws is not only absurd but usually brings grave consequences. Try denying that gravity exists and then try stepping  off a ten story building. The denial lacks substance and gravity takes a deadly toll. Try denying poison exists and then swallow drano, the deadly results belie your denials.

So, the natural order has things to teach us. Refusing this teaching usually ends badly. Our bodies too are part of the natural order. When it comes to sexuality, the fact that men and women were made for each other is quite obvious. Without getting too anatomical the very physical structure and design of men and women make it clear that they are meant for one another sexually. Such is not the case with homosexual activity. Again, this is a family blog and we can’t get too specific but anatomically things are just not meant to be in this manner. Break this natural law and the consequences of disease announce the wrong-doing. However, it also seems clear that heterosexual promiscuity is against the natural law. Why?  Sexually transmitted diseases that can be quite deadly run through the population if we allow widespread promiscuity.

Now the Natural Law also points to the need for lasting, stable marriage. How? It is clear enough that to engage in heterosexual activity tends to result in children. Children require 18-20 years to raise and need a stability to be raised well.

So, briefly, the Natural Law manifests order to which we must be submitted or risk the consequences. Notice here, I did not even quote the Bible. What makes the Natural Law is that it provides some basis to discuss things with non-believers or to address a secular world that demand secular answers. Even here the Natural Law is not a slam dunk since many have had their minds darkened even to what is right in front of them. We have these slippery minds that can slither out or any argument if we simply refuse to acknowledged the truth.

Although I said I had not quoted scripture, you know me too well by now and understand I can’t resist SOME reference there. The Natural Law is referred to by St. Paul in the First Chapter of the Letter to the Romans: For what can be known about God is evident to them [The Gentiles who have not Scripture], because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools

The Natural Law, it’s right in front of me, if I have eyes to see it.  Now please understand this is very short, many more things can and will be said about Natural Law, but this is a start.

The following video briefly defines Natural Law and why our culture tends to resist it.

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Update on the Church in Austria

Twice before on this blog (HERE and HERE) there have been references to troubles in Austria, specifically the Diocese of Linz. Here is something of an update on the situation and Roman attempts to address the problem in the latest issue of Gloria TV News

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has warned Austrian bishops against loss of faith. The Cardinal preached in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 15, the first of two consecutive days of meetings between Pope Benedict XVI and some bishops of Austria on the situation in the Diocese of Linz. Bertone reminded that faith is a gift that is not acquired once for all. Its truth can be lost, adulterating it, polluting it, confusing it.” The Cardinal also admonished the bishops with reference to St. Paul to be focused on the judgment of God as pastoral work is conducted.

Here is the video:

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The Church in Belize

This video is almost 9 minutes but if you have a chance to view it, it is a very inspirational look at the challenges and charisms of the Church in Belize (Central America). Almost 70% of the population is under 35 but most of them are unchurched and uncatechized. The SOLT (Society of our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity) Fathers are featured here as well as their evangelization project to blanket Belize and surrounding countries with Catholic radio programming. Pray for the SOLT Fathers and their work in Belize, make watching this video your prayer for the people and the priests there.

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Pope Meets with Bishops from a”Troubled”Austria

You may recall that I posted (HERE) a few days ago on the rather Bizarre Eucharistic Procession held in the diocese of Linz, Austria. Yesterday Pope Benedict XVI met on June 15 with a group of bishops from Austria, led by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna. The meeting was scheduled in response to severe problems facing the Church in that country. The top item on the agenda was reportedly the situation in the Diocese of Linz, where an open rebellion among the clergy prompted the withdrawal of the Pope’s decision to name Msgr. Gerhard Wagner as an auxiliary bishop earlier this year. The Austrian bishops had criticized the appointment, faulting the Vatican for a lack of consultation. The Church in Austria has been troubled by heavy defections and widespread dissent for years.

Other items in this edition of Gloria TV News include a new personal physician for the Pope and a rather sickening  “Gay” protest against the Church in Rome.

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Archdiocese of Washington Offers a New Feature on Website:”Marriage Matters”

marriage_logoIf wedding bells are ringing in your near future, getting spiritually prepared is essential. Getting married isn’t just about preparing for a ceremony or a reception. It isn’t just even about preparing for a live together. It is ultimately about preparing for eternal life. Marriage is a call to holiness. What are some of the things you should know? When should you call the Church. What does the process of preparing look like?  What are some “must have” conversations? What exactly in the Christian and Catholic understanding of marriage?

Questions like these and more are dealt with at the Marriage Matters web page at the Website of the Archdiocese of Washington. You can find it here: MARRIAGE MATTERS.

At the site are links to other sites and resources including the Bishop’s Website on Marriage: FOR YOUR MARRIAGE

Websites such as these are efforts to spend extended time teaching on Marriage. It is clear today that many marriages are in crisis. Further there are attempts to redefine marriage. It is essential that we return to teaching on Biblical and doctrinal roots of this sacrament for many have more secular notions of marriage. In the predominant secular view the earthly happiness of the couple is paramount and children are more of a way of “accessorizing”  marriage should this enhance the couple’s happiness. Missing from this notion is any concept of sacrifice, self-giving, the common good, and the call to holiness (as distinct from mere emotional happiness).

It is to be hoped that we can begin to more systematically and creatively teach on the Sacrament of Marriage and recover a more Biblical, traditionally and doctrinally correct understanding of marriage. If you are married, or thinking of getting married or if you know of anyone in these categories visit the site, click on the Links and spread the Word: Marriage Matters!

In Marriages, little sacrifices can mean a lot and make a big difference. This video from the Bishop’s Website makes that point