MONDAY DIARY: SEEING THE BISHOP ABOUT AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT

Just so you know, there will not be a post tomorrow. I will be in Washington D. C. for the ordination of a fellow Cleveland priest who will become the auxiliary bishop for the Arch Diocese of the Military. I’ll write to you about it when I get back – maybe next Monday.

In the meantime I had a little adventure last Saturday morning. Here at St. Sebastian we had the unexpected opportunity to expand our pipe organ considerably in a way that would be far less expensive than usual – long story – I’ll tell you sometime. At some point you have to tell the bishop. After all he legally owns all of the buildings and if you are going to do something that will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars he would like to know.

But WHEN do you tell him? If it turns out that nobody is behind the project it would have been a waste of his time to go to him. If you wait to find out if there is a lot of interest and backing, there may be too much momentum and then you go to the bishop and he says, “no,” he looks like a jerk. I don’t want to make my bishop look like a jerk.

So I think I was on that razor edge – knowing that there is significant support but not being so far into the project that it is too late to go see him. He graciously made time for me on an early Saturday morning so I zipped up I77 to see him.

You know, it might have been a rather nice visit for him – there was no emergency. I wasn’t coming with a complaint (who makes an appointment to come in and talk about what they like is going on?), I wasn’t in trouble, blah blah blah, we wanted to talk about organs.

It was about two hours and covered all manner of topics. All in all a very pleasant conversation and it put me well at ease. In the end however he gave me the worst possible answer concerning this project. He did not say yes (I could always say that it had the full backing of the bishop), he didn’t say no, (I could always say don’t blame me HE said no!) he said, use your best judgment and have the best interest of the diocese, the parish, and its people in mind and laid out what that meant.

So now the real work begins. What will we do? It is kind of exciting. This is a significant decision for the parish. It will have an impact on everything, almost every day, from this day forward and not something to be taken lightly. I wonder if everyone realizes? And how can we make sure that everyone does realizes?

Daunting vs Exciting

I look at our archives and see articles that our founding pastor wrote about building a rectory. “There are those who say we don’t need a rectory,” he railed (and he did rail.) Now the rectory has been around and serving the parish for over 80 years. How different would the place have been without the parishioners and their pastor going forth with this project back then? I’m glad they did (but wish they would have made more office space.)

Sorry – I’m rambling – but it is late (for me) and if I don’t post now I won’t until Wednesday.

Zadoste!

FRIDAY POTPOURRI: NO CARE BEARS DUCT TAPED TO TREES FOR ME PLEASE

It seems that people crave ritual – even non-Catholics. Witness in recent years the explosion (it seems to me anyway) of people setting up what Catholics would call “way side shrines” of sorts by the side of the road where an accident and death has occurred. There is usually a cross, maybe a sign, flowers, and stuffed animals. (If I die on the highway please don’t leave stuffed animals – maybe a statue of Mary of St. Sebastian – or maybe St. Christopher, patron saint of travelers – but not a teddy bear.) Did you ever ask yourself why people do this?

I believe that most people have an innate urge to do something to help them deal with whatever difficulty it is that they are facing. They might assemble the various pieces of a “shrine,” take it out to the road, maybe invite others along, put it up, maybe say a prayer, and then leave it as witness to their distress, a prayer for the deceased, and as a symbol to all who pass to be safe and that something happened here that was significant to someone. (Sounds very Old Testamenty doesn’t it?)

Catholics have been doing such things for centuries. One of these practices is the lighting of vigil candles. It feels so right to do but have you ever asked yourself why you do it? Something is pressing heavily on your heart, you show up at your local Catholic Church and approach a bank of candles if you are lucky enough to have them. They are most likely before a statue of a saint, Jesus, or even before the Blessed Sacrament. You slip a little money into a box, light a candle, kneel down and pray.

For Catholics worships involves more than prayers of the mind or vocal chords. We pray with our whole beings. In prayer we engage smell, taste, hearing, speaking, thinking, gestures, postures, sight, the whole nine yards. In lighting candles we engage the body in prayer. Besides the mental aspect, there is the kneeling, the action of lighting a candle, the sight of the burning flame, and the smell of the candles.

Then there is the name “vigil.” If we were to “stand vigil” with someone, we would be with them and alert for an extended period of time. When we leave a particular shrine, our candle stands vigil in our place. We leave the candle burning as a sign of our continuing prayer even when we are not able to keep praying, it is a symbol to the community that someone has something about which they are taking this extra means and that they could use your prayers; that something significant in someone’s life is occurring, it is a link of solidarity with the community who will see the candle and an act of faith that entrusting this prayer this saint that God will grant it (in some way) if it be for His glory and our true benefit.

So if you should pass a vigil candle stand and see a candle lit, say even the quickest of prayers for the intention for which it is burning. Someone in your community is in need.

HATFIELDS AND THE MACOYS

Our secretary had an egg for lunch the other day.

“Did you hear the good news?” she asked, “Science now says that we can have an egg a day!”

What you are about to read may sound like a rip on science but it is not. It is just brought up in order to make a point.

Because of science my Mother started buying oleo because science said it was better for you. Later they said it was not. In fact, it was one of the worst dietary things you could put in your body.

The eleven glasses of water we were supposed to drink a day? It could potentially kill you.

The various predictions of the end of the world in our time due to over population and lack of food – well, I’m still here. And my computer is still working after Y2K to boot.

Diet pop may now harm you BUT we should start drinking wine and eating dark chocolate now.

The food pyramid that we learned in grade school is gone replaced by something else.

Now if you were to present these ideas (and many more) to a scientist and say, “This is why I am having difficulties giving myself over completely to science,” he might reply, “You have to understand what is going on. Sometimes there is just bad science going on by scientists who are not so good. Sometimes companies manipulate science in order to sell things such as the tobacco industry hiring scientists to say that there was no scientific evidence that smoking was bad for your health. There are fads in science also that just need to work through and get out such “quality time” with your kids being even better than just wasting time with your kids. It does not diminish true science however. True science brings us to truth and benefits all of humankind. It was faulty science that said we would all be well into starving by now but it was also science that prevented us from starving.”

I would agree.

But now reverse it. Imagine a scientist pointing out all of the damage that people have done in the name of religion. It would be just as easy if not easier to come up with a list. We might say to him, “You have to understand what is going on. Sometimes there are just bad Christians preaching religion that is not so good. Sometimes pastors will manipulate people with religion to get you to donate money to expand their ministry. There are fads in religion that just need to work through and get out such as felt banners. It does not diminish religion however. True faith brings us to truth and benefits all of humankind. It was faulty religion that predicted the end of the world at various times but it was also religion that helped see people through those times.

Science and religion both have their public tasks cut out for them though science seems to have an upper hand in public relations at the moment. But it should always be that: Science AND religion working at their best to bring us to truth – and this is one of the things that I love about the Catholic Church that it does respect science as much as it does.

WHEN YOU ARE BOTH CATHOLIC AND A CELIAC

YOUR INPUT IS REQUESTED. AFTER READING THIS ARTICLE IF YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHT THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT OR EMAIL ME PRIVATLY. THANK YOU.

Years ago there was a large article in the newspaper about a family who left the Catholic Church just as their daughter was about to receive her First Communion. The girl had celiac disease, a disease that is just starting to come into the public conscience now but was virtually unheard of then. If you want to know more about the disease please look here – but the long and short of it is that celiac cannot have any gluten which is part of wheat, rye, and barely. If you know someone who has this disease you know that there are significant lifestyle changes that are required of this person. Think of everything we eat that is made of these grains and think of a restaurant menu and consider how difficult it would be for this person to enjoy going out with friends. Think of going on a picnic and not eating the chips and salsa, the birthday cake, drinking a beer, or many of the processed foods that most people don’t think twice about eating unless they are watching their waist line. And this list doesn’t even include other things to look out for such as medicines, lip balms, and vitamins which often contain gluten.

So back to the little girl. The family left the Catholic Church because at the time there was no alternative to receiving the host except for receiving the Precious Blood alone (which is perfectly acceptable.) But not wanting their daughter to stick out, they chose to leave the Church and go to a Protestant Church that did celebrate communion but was not so picky about of what it was made.

I remember thinking, “How could someone leave Jesus for a symbol?” It was beyond my ken and I partially wrote it off thinking, “If they truly knew what they were giving up, this would not have happened.” Well, that may be theologically true, but like trying to take a celiac to a fast food restaurant, the stress that the situation can cause may be quite trying for them. For that family it was easier to leave.

One of the biggest problems is that celiacs and their doctors are largely flying blind. There just isn’t enough known. Can the itsiest, teeniest, tiny bit of glutton be Okay? “Probably,” says one doctor. “Probably?” Would you be comfortable with “Probably?” If someone handed you a pill and said, “It probably won’t kill you,” would you take it? At least you would think twice. There is a question as to whether beer is safe. Can celiacs drink beer? We don’t know for absolute sure

Now the Catholic celiac comes to Mass. One option is of course to only receive from the chalice. Fine. As long as it isn’t the chalice into which the priests puts a crumb of the host during the fraction rite. (This is not something to worry about at Saint Sebastian.)

Another option is a gluten free host – which I believe is actually a virtually glutton free host. Is it Okay? Maybe. But here is the trick – how do you get the gluten free host the Catholic celiac? You cannot put their host in among the other hosts (there is less gluten in a gluten free host than there is in a tiny crumb of a regular host.) It had been our practice to have persons with celiac disease to come up into the sanctuary with the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to receive – which worked great with those we had who are rather self-confident people and have no problem standing up in front of so many people. But now we have a few more joining us – some kids – and this is not such a great option.

HERE IS WHERE I COULD USE SOME HELP: Do you have any suggestion as to the best way to get gluten free hosts to Catholic celiacs? The first trick is making sure you show up on time to warn the priest that one is needed. Then where are they distributed? One should not be handling regular hosts and then when the person comes forward, wash your hands, dig out a pyx (setting the ciborium down somewhere,) distribute, and then go back to what you were doing before. (Or do you?) If a separate line is needed how do you keep non-celiacs from receiving thereby short changing someone who needs it? It may be that I am over thinking it. *sigh* But just the same – if you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate hearing about it.

HERE IS A CATHOLIC CELIAC SOCIETY WEBSITE WITH MORE INFORMATION.

TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK CCIII

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND: “How interesting that Catholics were asked not what was most important but what was most “meaningful.” Are these the same thing? . . . If meaningfulness has become the new yardstick by which we measure the sacraments, how can we then deny this sacrament – or any other – to someone when it means so much to them?” Dr. Phillippa Martyr

QUOTE II: “Now, hospitality seems far too important, to me, to learn at college. Hospitality is an ancient art. The art of welcoming the stranger, providing good, being warm and welcoming and generous. It is very much the realm of womanly art, perhaps as a branch of housekeeping; and as such, it would normally be taught to a child by his mother.” Nancy Carpenter Brown

IN OTHER NEWS:

Fr. P. AND Lynn sent in this (once again nothing to do with this blog) amazing video. Approximately 2 and half minutes. Hand Dancing.

Pat sent this 2 minute video in. Thanks.



Russ sent this 5 minute video in - with no connection to this blog except for pure entertainment value.

MONDAY DIARY: ALMOST COMPLETELY TRUE TALES

It's comic strip day again.

Actually, Fr. Pfeiffer is a very conscientious and careful driver. He never pulls out without making sure everything is safe and ready.

Everything was going fine until IT happened. It really was completely uncalled for. We were just tooling along doing the speed limit when someone pulled out directly in front of Fr. P. There was not another sole on the road. Two seconds longer we would have passed and whoever it was could have had the whole road to themselves.

There was a certain amount of indignation. Not that there was anything wrong with that.

So much for controlling others with your mind.

Now, there may be those who think the above line was composed by me for comedic effect. I assure you that this is not the case.

Well . . . you get the basic gist of how the ride home went.

Though you may be one of the few besides me who understands.

FRIDAY POTPURRI: MOPPING UP

Who would have thought a better filing system would make life so much better? I’ve actually cleaned most of the stuff off of my desk simply because it was organized better. Life is so grand when you engage it well. Before this my desk had rather the pile on it – the direct result of which was I was not responding to people for a couple of weeks who made comments on Adam’s Ale.

Today I can actually dust my desk. Not that there is any dust on it – it was too covered with paperwork to be able to collect any. So I look back at some of the posts and the one that seems to require the most immediate response is last Friday concerning indulgences. I whipped that one out and a few of you caught me on some inconsistencies. Good for you! You know your stuff! Would that all Catholics be that sharp.

There are a number of ways we can go about the forgiveness of sin but Lynne caught the first inconsistency. It was not enough for me to say that confession remains the normative and most efficacious. Except in some very rare and specific cases, mortal sins must be confessed by kind and number in the confessional. Period. (And I personally highly recommend the regular practice whether one is in mortal sin or not.)

One of the Annons made mention that indulgences has nothing to do with the forgiveness of sin but the temporal punishment due to sin. When it comes to a plenary indulgence confession is a necessary part of the process – but I clouded the issue. To get it absolutely straight let me quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1471: “The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the effects of the sacrament of Penance. An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment die to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven . . .”

There we go! Thanks again to my ever alert readers! Now – go indulge!

I NEVER SAID YOU STOLE MONEY

A large portion of the Christian world believes in the theory of “Bible Alone” or Sola Scriptura. The idea in the most basic of terms is that the Bible is sort of a “How To” manual and that all that one needs to do is read the Bible (under the influence of the Holy Spirit) and that one will come to know truth. In my book the 500 year experiment has failed. The most glaring evidence for this is that there are thousands of Protestant denominations, many at odds with opposing positions on key tenants of the faith, but all claiming to be lead by the Holy Spirit and containing all truth.

There are many reasons for this but here is one given by a priest recently.

Interpret this sentence: “I never said you stole money.”

What did this sentence mean to you?

Read this sentence again out loud in with the following emphasis added:

I never said you stole money.
I never said you stole money.
I never said you stole money.
I never said you stole money.
I never said you stole money.
I never said you stole money.

Each reading completely changes the meaning of the text. What did the author have in mind when he wrote it? Well, it is helpful to have an authority that states “this is what he meant.” This is like the “international prototype of the kilogram; a cylindrical chunk of platinum-iradium kept in a safe at Sevres in France” reported today in the Plain Dealer. This chunk of metal is designed to always bring us back to the exact measurement of what a kilogram is should we go astray.

Tradition is our prototype of interpretation of Sacred Scripture. What was true today was true yesterday and will be true tomorrow. Truth cannot be determined by popular vote or current trends in our culture. The Holy Spirit cannot say one thing one day, (birth control is a sin) and something else the next (abortion is a right.)

Today the Catholic Church stands virtually alone in the teaching that was taught by St. Peter, by St. Sebastian, by St. Francis, by the Church Fathers, by Saint Scholastica, by Pope John Paul II, by (hopefully) your parish priest, and will be taught by your children. Tradition stands as a great gift and not a burden. It keeps us on track.

TRUE BLUE FRIENDS

If you are living the Christian life you should be encountering some amount of opposition. It may be veiled, but it exists by way of snide comments, “funny” put downs, disdained looks, the dredging up of urban legends, or dismissive attitudes. It can be discouraging and disheartening.

There are two paths one can take at this point: 1) Surrender. “Why do I bother? I’m all alone in this. Does this stuff matter anymore?” 2) The second and only appropriate response is thankfulness. “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Act 5:41. What better way for mere mortals to show their love for God than to stand by Him even when others persecute you for it. Would you not rejoice to have a friend like that – who believed in you no matter what – no matter the consequences? That is our gift to God too – to love Him not just when and where He is popular but always. To rejoice that you were found such a good friend as to deserve the scorn that He is given.

When next you encounter pain on account of the Name, remember to stop and give thanks and pray for those not given the faith you have received.

TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK CCII

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND: "The Miracles of the Church seem to me to rest not so much upon faces or voices or healing power coming suddenly near to us from afar off, but upon our perceptions being made finer, so that for a moment our eyes can see and our ears can hear what is there about us always." from Willa Cather's, "Death Comes for the Archbishop"

QUOTE II: "In our day - when the sanctity of life is threatened not only by abortion, infanticide and euthanasia, but also by embryonic research and eugenic temptations to eliminate the weak, the disabled, and the infirm elderly - this aspect of Catholic identity becomes even more vital to our discipleship." Archbishop Charles Chaput

IN OTHER NEWS:

IT IS ADAM'S ALE'S FOURTH ANNIVERSARY!

The first draught of Adam's Ale can be seen here (8 February 2007) when through the encouragement of Dawn Eden this blog started brewing. A big sip of Adam's Ale to everyone who contributes, reads, aids and abets this little project. God bless you!

My site is worth

My site is worth$8,311.44Your website value?

Since 2007 there has been 215,819 visits with 306,204 page views with an average of 207 per day. It's been fun so far! Let's stay in touch.

Here are some things to help celebrate:

Fr. Ference wrote an EXCELLENT article for the Homiletic and Pastoral Review that I highly recommend to you. Good job brother.

Here is another article that he recommends concerning beautiful women and the pro-life movement. Very interesting.

Frank sent this video in. I did not expect it to be very interesting but found myself watching it to the very end. No real connection to this blog other than it helps celebrate.

Along the same lines of having no real connection to this blog, Lynn sent this video in about Falling Water. Thanks! Recover well Lynn.

Brian sent this link to the Catholic News Angency (CNA)

Frank sent this puzzle game in. It is rather interesting. It helps to know that if you get a piect in its proper place there is a funny little sound that is made. WARNING: ADDICTION LEVEL LOW.

Ellen sent this in, "Publisher's Weekly is the trade magazine for publishers and booksellers. How delightful to see a surge in new editions of GKC coming out in 2011!" To read more look here.

Here is part one of six of Pam Stenzel's lecture to young folk about what they need to know about sex. It's not too bad for adults either. I do not recommend it for persons under grade 7. I think the most touching part is the second video. The information is quite shocking but important.

On a less cheery note - AT&T provides this PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT conerning texting and driving. Warning: It's sad.

MONDAY DIARY: SNOW, SNOW, AND MORE SNOW

Following the 11:00 o’clock Mass when just a couple of dozen people were left in the church there was a loud rumbling noise as if a snow plow truck was running right up along the side of the building, or a train was passing by on some long forgotten tracks. There was a momentary blocking of the sun followed by a louder crash that shook the whole building!

Everyone just froze in their tracks like the prey of hawk that is shocked still at the screeching of that mighty bird before it strikes. And then it just stopped. After a moment I realized that all of the snow that used to be on the west side of the upper roof was now on the lower roof. Tons of snow came crashing down a couple of stories, landed with a shuddering impact that rocked the building. “Don’t worry,” I called out, “It’s just the end of the world.”

Going outside people half way down the block had turned to see the sight. “That was loud!” they called up the street, “What a sight!” I just hope there wasn’t any damage.

Even though the Super Bowel was a great game (that is, if you were looking for a good game and didn’t really care who won) this event stands out in my mind as far more exciting – although the bratwurst wrapped in bacon comes a mighty close second.

Wow.

Also this weekend we had our St. Sebastian confirmation retreat. What an awesome group of kids there are here. I much enjoyed talking to them. On Friday night we had a penance service and called for help from a couple of local pastor. Afterwards we repaired to the rectory for refreshments and talk. It was a nice night with no agenda or project to accomplish. I treasure those moments with fellow priests.

As baby priest we heard extensively about the “good old days” when priests used to get together all the time and have great socials; Forty Hours of Devotion being one of the focal points of the gatherings. They would lament to us that our generation of priests don’t seem to get together as often to blow off steam.

It is true. In general we do not. But also gone are the days of three or four priests in a rectory when your duties could easily be covered. Less priests + more responsibilities = less socializing. Especially if means what was skipped on Monday just doubles the work on Tuesday.

Oh! Woe is priests? Nah. It is just a different time. We do get together though most of the time not quite as spectacularly as in the good old days – or at least not as often. And being rather the recluse anyway I rather enjoy my solitude when there is the opportunity to carve it out of the schedule.

One of the pastors this past Friday pointed out that I was rather the talk at his place for letting the staff go home on Wednesday because of the snow storm. “I have a confession to make,” I said to him, “It wasn’t so much for their safety. It was my day away and I decided not to go out and sent them home so I could have the house to myself, play my music, and walk around in my sweat pants.”

And I did.

FRIDAY POTOURRI: INDULGE ME

I could swear that I’ve done a post on indulgences before. So sure was I that when someone asked to have a post on them I thought I even remembered the title of the post and was just going to link them to it. But I can’t find it and so . . .

. . . Indulge me on this post . . .

The whole idea of indulgences stem from the fact that Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven to Peter and through Peter to the Church. “Whoever sins you forgive are forgiven, whoever sins you retain are retained.” There is not a whole lot of other explanation after that. It is like giving your kid $100. “I’m giving you the power to purchase things. I am not going to tell you how to use that $100, just that you have $100.” So nowhere, even in the thickest Bible, will you see instructions even for building a small chapel with a screen in it, a couple of seats, and a light on the outside that lets you know if it is occupied or not, in which we are to confess your sins. That is simply what the Church, according to the authority given her, decided to do with the keys.

This, of course, is not the only way that our sins can be forgiven. There are a number of ways though confession is the normative and most efficacious. Every time we celebrate a sacrament the forgiveness of sins is involved in some way which is why we have the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass.

Now, another way for sins to be forgiven is through indulgences, which, by the way, were never done away with in the Church. As a matter of fact in 1968 the “Handbook of Indulgences; Norms and Grants” was put out by the Apostolic Penitentiary and updated in the United States as late as 1988.

An indulgence is not an “easy way out.” In fact I find the practice of attempting to gain one FAR more daunting than going to confession. But let us take a look.

An indulgence brings about the remission of the temporal punishment for sins, and therefore the giving of satisfaction owed to God for one’s sin. An indulgence can either be plenary (when all punishment is satisfied) or partial (just as the name implies.) They can either be gained for oneself or for a soul in purgatory.

In order to gain an indulgence one must perform the action to which the indulgence is attached. For example, according the handbook, “A plenary indulgence is granted the Christian faithful . . .when they devoutly assist at a First Communion Mass.” (That means you come and truly pray the Mass with those who are receiving First Holy Communion.) But that is not all!

Though the rules on partial indulgences are rather lax, in order to receive the benefits of a plenary indulgence, “Besides the exclusion of all attachment to sin, even venial sin (!), the requirements for gaining a plenary indulgence are the performance of the indulged work and the fulfillment of three conditions, 1) sacramental confession, 2) Eucharistic communion, and 3) prayer for the pope’s intentions.” The idea behind this is that the gaining of a plenary indulgence assumes a full conversion to Christ on the part of the person trying for one. (After all – it supposes that you have feed yourself from an attachment to sin of any kind!) It is a radical decision for God. Which is why there is only one day in your life that it is possible for you to receive more than one plenary indulgence and that is on the day you die. You can receive partial indulgences as you please.

Can you see now why selling indulgences is so wrong? An indulgence and in fact even sacramental confession calls for a radical turning of one’s life to Christ for it to be efficacious. Dropping a penny in pot does not constitute this.

Here is online version of the Handbook on Indulgences.

RANT COUNTER RANT: DEVIOUS VS DEFIANT

There was a series of letters in the Plain Dealer the other day concerning a parish in the Diocese of Cleveland that began meeting on their own in a rented space when it was announced that their parish was closing. The three letters were placed under the heading “Defiant Parish or Devious Bishop?” The three letters were equally polar in their declarations. Of course each declared that Jesus was on their side.

All truth is almost never all on one side of any debate yet there is a tendency for this illusion to be touted as true and so in the end there can only be a winner and loser – nothing in between. Too bad.

Added to this debacle is the misinformation that is thrown around as fact. It says that the congregation stands against “great odds and threats . . .” Think about that for a moment. What could they possibly be threatened against? Can the bishop stop them in any way? Can he shut them down? Make them disperse? Take their money? Take their things? Control their minds so that it is impossible for them to pray? No. The fact is they can do exactly as they please. The only piece they cannot control is if they can carry the “Catholic” label on the tag in the back of their shirts.

The priest that is spear heading this movement is portrayed by the same writer as, “far more an example of what Christ is like than the bishop will ever be.” This is in reference to the priest starting his own church in order to minister to his people. It would be a fun exercise to see how this could be shown through Scripture and/or Tradition. You might be able to pull some select things out of context but the great themes in Scripture and Tradition are always about unity – particularly unity with one’s bishop and Church that was established by Jesus Christ. It is possible to deny this and most Christian denominations do, but then you stop playing on the Catholic playing field. At that point the bishop no longer is excommunicating anybody – he is simply recognizing that which already exists. There is a group of people who would rather not be connected to the local Catholic bishop. If you are not – you are not Catholic no matter what you want to believe.

Would Jesus be excited about what is happening the Diocese of Cleveland? Who knows? It is impossible to read the Divine Person’s mind. But I think I would be safe in saying this: Will anybody be kept from the sacraments by this decision of closing? I believe Jesus would say sacrifice all to stay close to the sacraments, to the universal Church, to the core of the faith.

The same could be said of your life. If it is choice between life and sacrificing your faith the only true path is the choice of the martyrs. It may be terrible – but we do not look for justice in this world but in the next.

MONSIGNOR MANNERS WEDDING TIP

It is my day away and Fr. Pfeiffer is on vacation but it is terrible outside and so I’m not going anywhere and it appears nobody is coming here! FUN DAY!

Here is a short one for today since nobody will be at work to read today’s post I suspect.

This is Monsignor Manners tip number #35 for really enjoying your wedding reception if I might be so bold.

There was a time in this diocese that ordination receptions were a bit over the top. I had three dinner receptions – two of them with a band and all. It was not that I actually planned it that way – it just sort of happened and I am very grateful for it provided many great memories.

One of the receptions I actually planned. As I was starting the process Mother Valencheck took me aside and gave me this bit of information: Don’t throw a party for yourself, throw it for your family and friends. Don’t make it about being THE perfect event for you, make it an enjoyable event for everyone else.

IMHO she was absolutely right. There was no need to freak out when everything was not going completely the way wanted it to in the set up or while it was taking place so it was easier just to enjoy the events as everyone else did in the way they wished, and then after we just talk about how great it was and not how the table arrangements were not exactly what they were intended to be.
(How many times have I heard about couples [brides mostly] not enjoying their wedding receptions or who were so stressed out that it was not a positive, memorable experience for them?!)

A couple of months later my sisters and I then threw Mom and Dad and 50th wedding anniversary party using Mom’s maxim. Now, there were things that needed managing (it’s time for the toast etc . . .) but that too we were able to enjoy turning the focus of the party to others. I dare say a good time was had by all. (I will admit there was stressful part when we found out that what we wanted to do was illegal [shock!] and so had to hurry at the last minute to change our plans. Who knew?)

So young couples I pass on Mother Valencheck’s advice to you: Throw a party for others and enjoy it. Don’t throw one for yourself. It’s not party to do that.

TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK CLXLCX

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND: “Part of the fun of being Catholic is knowing the difference between an indelicacy and an indecency.” Fr. Griffin

QUOTE II: “The failed life is the life that alternates between the stagnation of routinized conduct and vision and the restless craving for momentary release.” Unger

QUOTE III: “Our hearts are restless until the rest in You O Lord.” St. Augustine

IN OTHER NEWS:

Can you stand another cute picture of Sebastian? News from the Diocese of Cleveland Enewsletter. It is Catholic Schools Week! "The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2011 celebrates the fact that Catholic schools are an added value for the nation. Because of their traditionally high academic standards and high graduation rates, all supported by strong moral values, Catholic schools and their graduates make a definite, positive contribution to American society." Read more here. This is the FOX8 Catholic Schools of Northeast Ohio webpage. Finally here is St. Sebastian School!

From the same source: "Three bills currently in the U.S. House of Representatives would help ensure that adequate protections are in place for the consciences of taxpayers and health care providers and against federal funding of abortion. In three letters, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), urged House members to support the bills." Read more here.

From the same source: "The 15th celebration of the annual World Day for Consecrated Life will be celebrated in parishes in the United States the weekend of February 5-6. World Day for Consecrated Life, traditionally observed February 2, marks an opportunity to highlight the ordinary and extraordinary contributions of consecrated men and women in this country and to pray for vocations to the consecrated life." Read more here.

Oops! This is probably WAY too late:

This has little to do with this blog other than it kept me laughing for about 4 minutes. Thanks Frank! Enjoy!