Catholic Guilt
As part of the Lenten observance, our parish held a Wednesday evening discussion on forgiveness and mercy. A member of our parish council conducted the session which consisted of reading a sermon originally written for an audience of monks. During the discussion which followed, the moderator told how she was riddled with guilt as a youngster and felt obligated to go to confession every two weeks. She blamed her strict Catholic upgrading as the cause of this "problem" and described her relief when she realized that God is merciful and forgiving. Another prominent parishioner replied that the reason for her guilt stemmed from the pre-Vatican II Church of "Thou shalt nots" as compared to the current positive view emphasizing God's love for us. The underlying message was a sense of victory over the necessity for frequent confession.
Often we hear people refer to "Catholic Guilt" as though all Catholics are unfairly taught to bear responsibility for all wrongdoing in the world. We blame this stigma on those evil nuns in Catholic school who poisoned our minds with such nonsense - those same nuns who struck us when we misbehaved, made us memorize the Baltimore Catechism and conform to the Palmer method of penmanship. Thank God, we were able to escape their bondage and rid ourselves of this induced anguish. Now, we can do as we please while totally ignorant of what the Catechism may say, and penmanship is a long-lost art.
Remember when it was a Mortal Sin to miss Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation? By taking one Sunday off, we could not go to Holy Communion again without going to Confession. Well, this may come as a shock to some people, but none of this has changed. We are still obligated to participate in the Sunday Eucharistic Celebration under penalty of Mortal Sin and we may not receive the Eucharistic Christ until that Mortal Sin is absolved through Sacramental Confession to a priest. (CCC 2181, 1415)
Somewhere along the line, we lost our sense of sin. Unless I missed something, we are still required to obey all those "Thou shalt nots". The rules have not changed. Attitudes have changed, mostly due to priests and bishops shifting emphasis to God's merciful love at the expense of fearing His just punishment. While we certainly have a merciful loving God, we must also realize there are consequences to our behavior. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is going to heaven.
When Catholics hear nothing but the "God is Love" message in the Sunday homily, they acquire a false sense of eternal security. Perhaps priests are afraid they will drive people away if they preach about the evil of sin and the pains of hell. They do their parishioners an injustice when they complacently enable the frequent reception of Holy Communion by those not in a state of grace. (See 1 Cor 11:27)
There is nothing wrong with feeling some of that Catholic guilt. Knowing that our sins harm not only ourselves but the entire community should make us feel guilty. A few diseased branches are a detriment to health of others on the vine. Sinful behavior is contagious. The irony of all this is that frequent confession can take away the guilty feeling. Those oblivious to sin who feel they no longer need frequent confession are the ones who should be feeling guilty the most.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Catholic News today
The Catholic Church has received much publicity in the media in the past week. First, Pope John Paul was rushed to the hospital with respiratory problems. His condition was reported in most every newscast until his return to the Vatican today. This latest health scare prompted many articles on his ability to continue as pontiff, as well as who might be his successor.
Then, another Chicago-area priest resigned his position as chaplain after admitting to a sexual relationship with a seminarian fifteen years ago. Sadly, we have been numbed by such revelations that seem to keep popping up. Will we ever be able to purge these sinners from the hierarchy?
In another incident, a member of Notre Dame's Board of Trustees and former Notre Dame football player, resigned his post after being charged with domestic abuse. He allegedly struck his wife in a South Bend hotel room last weekend.
As a faithful Catholic, I am always concerned about how the Church is portrayed in the media. Knowing the salvation of souls are at stake, I wonder how many turn away from the Church because of the bad publicity we bring upon ourselves. Unfortunately, bad press is much easier to come by than good press. There are so many holy priests and other religious who never make the papers or television.
In trying to get the inside scoop on Pope John Paul's condition this evening, the news anchor on the local CBS affiliate chose to interview a well-known dissident priest from Notre Dame who irresponsibly stated that he had a contact inside the Vatican who said the Pope is in much worse condition than was being reported. He also said the Pope stopped breathing for over a minute before he was placed on a respirator. Sensing this particular priest's craving for headlines and his tendency to challenge Church authority, I question the accuracy of his information. Even if it is true, a faithful priest should not reveal personal information about the Pope's medical condition.
I turned off the television during the priest's smiling closeup and picked up the newspaper. Just glancing through, I found the word 'Catholic' many times. The front page story in the Faith section was titled, "Not just for Catholics - Some Protestants gravitating to comfort, practice of rosary." The article is about a number of Protestant denominations who are adopting and adapting the Rosary. Most of them replace the 'Hail Mary' with other forms of prayer. Despite this, I find it encouraging that those outside the Church are being drawn to Catholic spirituality. At last night's Ash Wednesday Mass, our parish priest said the local Lutheran pastor came to him asking for ashes to use at an Ash Wednesday service.
An inset to the Rosary article told of a current fashion fad of wearing rosaries around the neck. Apparently, a number of young celebrities started the trend and it is now catching on. Trying to make a statement by using a rosary for a necklace is like trying to pry open a stuck door with a stick of dynamite. If they knew the proper way to use it, it would be much more effective. According to the article, the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales published a leaflet on the proper use of the rosary in response to the misuse.
On the same front page below the Rosary article was a story about a new 'inclusive' Bible, containing 'degendered' translation of Scripture. The new version goes so far as to change the 'Our Father' to 'Abba God', because God can no longer be referred to as 'Father'. The author of the article points out that this translation is still preferable to one proposed by the National Council of Churches which started, 'O God, Father and Mother.' Once the Word of God is altered, it is no longer the Word of God. So who ordered this perverted Scripture? OH, NO! It was produced for a group called "Roman Catholic Priests for Equality." FATHER, forgive them. They know not what they do.
Opening the paper, I find an article about Sister Jeannine Gramick, a nun who has defied an order from the Vatican to cease her ministry to gays. She is in South Bend this week to participate in the Notre Dame Queer Film Festival! Why hasn't the Vatican ordered Notre Dame to remove all ties to the Catholic Church? A Catholic institution should be expected to reflect orthodox Catholic teaching. Those who have a problem with that concept should go somewhere else.
What has happened to Notre Dame? Dissident priests, Queer Film Festivals, scandals - faithful Catholics are ashamed of what Notre Dame has become. The editorial page of this same newspaper has an editorial by Bishop John D'Arcy condemning the university for sponsoring the festival through six of its departments. Bishop D'Arcy explains that all people, including homosexuals, have a right to receive authentic Catholic teaching from those who minister to them. According to the Bishop, no place has been made at this seminar for the clear and accurate presentation of Catholic teaching. He goes on to quote that teaching from the catechism. How sad that a bishop has to chastise a Catholic University for refusing to be Catholic.
Postscript:
Exactly one week later (2/17/2005), Bishop D'Arcy finds it necessary to again address a problem at Notre Dame. In another lengthy newspaper editorial appearing in today's South Bend Tribune, the bishop takes aim on Notre Dame for allowing a production of "The Vagina Monologues" on campus. Notre Dame's administrators again thumb their noses at the Church, their Bishop, Jesus and His Blessed Mother.
The Catholic Church has received much publicity in the media in the past week. First, Pope John Paul was rushed to the hospital with respiratory problems. His condition was reported in most every newscast until his return to the Vatican today. This latest health scare prompted many articles on his ability to continue as pontiff, as well as who might be his successor.
Then, another Chicago-area priest resigned his position as chaplain after admitting to a sexual relationship with a seminarian fifteen years ago. Sadly, we have been numbed by such revelations that seem to keep popping up. Will we ever be able to purge these sinners from the hierarchy?
In another incident, a member of Notre Dame's Board of Trustees and former Notre Dame football player, resigned his post after being charged with domestic abuse. He allegedly struck his wife in a South Bend hotel room last weekend.
As a faithful Catholic, I am always concerned about how the Church is portrayed in the media. Knowing the salvation of souls are at stake, I wonder how many turn away from the Church because of the bad publicity we bring upon ourselves. Unfortunately, bad press is much easier to come by than good press. There are so many holy priests and other religious who never make the papers or television.
In trying to get the inside scoop on Pope John Paul's condition this evening, the news anchor on the local CBS affiliate chose to interview a well-known dissident priest from Notre Dame who irresponsibly stated that he had a contact inside the Vatican who said the Pope is in much worse condition than was being reported. He also said the Pope stopped breathing for over a minute before he was placed on a respirator. Sensing this particular priest's craving for headlines and his tendency to challenge Church authority, I question the accuracy of his information. Even if it is true, a faithful priest should not reveal personal information about the Pope's medical condition.
I turned off the television during the priest's smiling closeup and picked up the newspaper. Just glancing through, I found the word 'Catholic' many times. The front page story in the Faith section was titled, "Not just for Catholics - Some Protestants gravitating to comfort, practice of rosary." The article is about a number of Protestant denominations who are adopting and adapting the Rosary. Most of them replace the 'Hail Mary' with other forms of prayer. Despite this, I find it encouraging that those outside the Church are being drawn to Catholic spirituality. At last night's Ash Wednesday Mass, our parish priest said the local Lutheran pastor came to him asking for ashes to use at an Ash Wednesday service.
An inset to the Rosary article told of a current fashion fad of wearing rosaries around the neck. Apparently, a number of young celebrities started the trend and it is now catching on. Trying to make a statement by using a rosary for a necklace is like trying to pry open a stuck door with a stick of dynamite. If they knew the proper way to use it, it would be much more effective. According to the article, the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales published a leaflet on the proper use of the rosary in response to the misuse.
On the same front page below the Rosary article was a story about a new 'inclusive' Bible, containing 'degendered' translation of Scripture. The new version goes so far as to change the 'Our Father' to 'Abba God', because God can no longer be referred to as 'Father'. The author of the article points out that this translation is still preferable to one proposed by the National Council of Churches which started, 'O God, Father and Mother.' Once the Word of God is altered, it is no longer the Word of God. So who ordered this perverted Scripture? OH, NO! It was produced for a group called "Roman Catholic Priests for Equality." FATHER, forgive them. They know not what they do.
Opening the paper, I find an article about Sister Jeannine Gramick, a nun who has defied an order from the Vatican to cease her ministry to gays. She is in South Bend this week to participate in the Notre Dame Queer Film Festival! Why hasn't the Vatican ordered Notre Dame to remove all ties to the Catholic Church? A Catholic institution should be expected to reflect orthodox Catholic teaching. Those who have a problem with that concept should go somewhere else.
What has happened to Notre Dame? Dissident priests, Queer Film Festivals, scandals - faithful Catholics are ashamed of what Notre Dame has become. The editorial page of this same newspaper has an editorial by Bishop John D'Arcy condemning the university for sponsoring the festival through six of its departments. Bishop D'Arcy explains that all people, including homosexuals, have a right to receive authentic Catholic teaching from those who minister to them. According to the Bishop, no place has been made at this seminar for the clear and accurate presentation of Catholic teaching. He goes on to quote that teaching from the catechism. How sad that a bishop has to chastise a Catholic University for refusing to be Catholic.
Postscript:
Exactly one week later (2/17/2005), Bishop D'Arcy finds it necessary to again address a problem at Notre Dame. In another lengthy newspaper editorial appearing in today's South Bend Tribune, the bishop takes aim on Notre Dame for allowing a production of "The Vagina Monologues" on campus. Notre Dame's administrators again thumb their noses at the Church, their Bishop, Jesus and His Blessed Mother.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
A Day in the Life
My 16 year old daughter teaches CCD to a very small group of 1st and 2nd graders. Sadly, our parish has a difficult time finding parents who are willing and able to teach religious education classes. My daughter is well versed in the faith for someone her age, and being young herself, seems to be able to hold their attention longer than most adults.
I normally get up early on Sunday mornings to drive my daughter to the church for the 9 AM class. Today, in commemoration of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, our parish was having a Eucharistic Holy Hour between 9 and 10 AM "in respect for the sacredness of all life" as Father stated it in the bulletin. I planned to drive her to her class and remain for Eucharistic Adoration.
As sometimes happens, my daughter and I started off the day on a sour note. She came out wearing a white knee-length knitted camisole over a black v-neck blouse and dark slacks. My daughter and I have clashed over this outfit before. She once wore it to school over a tube-top with spaghetti straps and an exposed belly-button. The open knit is easy to see through, and while the top she wore under it today was not as bad as the tube-top, it still had neckline unsuitable for church and the sub-zero temperatures outside, at least in a father's eyes. Furthermore, she wore her waist-length school letter jacket over the whole ensemble, making a very bazaar fashion statement.
I asked her if she didn't have something else she could wear. She said she did not and reluctantly, I decided to let it go today. Besides, we were about to clash over something else. I asked her whether she was going to take her CCD class to Eucharistic Adoration. She said no. I pointed out that Eucharistic Adoration is one of the most important gifts we have in the Church. "What message do we send to the children when we ignore an opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration?" I asked in a calm voice. With that, my daughter yelled, "Well then, YOU teach them." She stormed into her room and slammed the door. When it came time to leave for church, she refused to ride with me. Instead, she made her brother hurriedly get dressed to take her.
In my daughter's defense, the Holy Hour was not widely publicized beyond a small notice in last week's bulletin. She may not have seen it and didn't realize it would take place at the same time as her class. We all attended the Saturday vigil Mass last evening and Father never mentioned it. I could have suggested she take her students earlier, but it did not enter my mind. It was never my intent to anger her. My question about the message we send to our children was rhetorical. I often wonder what we can do better to catechize our children.
My frustration comes from seeing diminished reverence for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. We learned it from our parents, teachers and the example of other reverent Catholics. We genuflected on both knees and bowed our heads during exposition. The Church was filled and the choir sang for Benediction. So much of that is missing now. I acknowledge my own fault in not emphasizing the importance in my own family. I have tried to lead by example, but perhaps that is not enough.
When I arrived about five minutes early for Holy Hour, it had already begun. Despite the published 9 AM starting time, our pastor apparently decided to begin immediately following the 8 AM Mass, probably in an effort to keep more people in attendance. About fifteen people remained in the church and all but one left when the rosary ended about five minutes after nine. Eventually two of the CCD teachers did bring their classes in for adoration. As I watched many of them fidget in the pews, I thought of my Catholic grade school experiences when the Sisters would smack us from behind when our attention wandered.
Not to wander off topic, but nuns get a bad rap. Every Catholic seems to have a horror story about Sister so-and-so beating some poor defenseless child to within an inch of his life. In eight years of Catholic grade school, I remember very few incidents where corporal punishment was unduly applied. Yes, there were times when a child would be grabbed and manipulated into compliance. I don't remember ever seeing a child struck in Catholic School. I do remember more than one instance of students being paddled in public high school back in the 1960's. While I am not advocating undo corporal punishment, we have a serious discipline problem in all areas of education. I believe those who experienced the stern arm of the nuns grew up with much more moral respect than those who did not.
The inattention of the CCD students was a bit of a distraction, but I did not mind. At least they were in there in the presence of God, whether they understood or not. In our present church configuration, the Blessed Sacrament sits rather inconspicuously on the altar with no special lighting or adornment. Prior to the Vatican II remodeling of the sanctuary, bright lights were focused on the monstrance causing the gold and jewels to sparkle, only overshadowed by the bright white host in the center. As children, the spectacle drew our attention. We knew this was something special. Now, the host is eclipsed in shadows much like the new moon, and those in the church often seem oblivious to His presence.
During adoration, our pastor sat in the back of the church for awhile. He also took time to empty the money from the votive stands, put oil in the candle sticks, and interrupt my rosary to give me the organist's W2 form to pass on later. Yesterday, he asked me to prepare our organist for a possible time change for the current 10:30 Sunday Mass. The pastor of our neighboring parish is nearing retirement. Some newly discovered health issues may force this retirement any day now. When it happens, he will not be replaced due to the severe shortage of priests. Our pastor will cover both parishes.
Following Adoration, I spoke with our organist, giving her Father's message. She said the priest at another county parish where she plays earlier Sunday mornings, announced today that their parish and a neighboring satellite church may be closing soon. We could be going from four priests in our county down to two in a very short time.
Why is this happening? Not enough Catholics? No, we have sufficient numbers to sustain all of these parishes. Not enough priests? Yes, but why do we have so few? The real question lies within all of us. Why was our church practically empty today when a parish of several hundred families had an opportunity spend one hour in Eucharistic Adoration? If we truly believe Jesus, our God, our Creator, our reason for existence, is here corporeally in that monstrance to be adored, to hear our petitions, to give us His love, His life and salvation, why isn't the Church filled beyond capacity? When our churches close, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Post Script: This afternoon, I learned of the death of Johnny Carson. I grew up watching the Tonight Show. There were times in my life when I was plagued by severe anxiety that always seemed to rear its ugly head at bedtime. Johnny often became an hour or so of comfort as he could always make me laugh. One secret to his 30 year longevity on the Tonight Show was his knack for being funny when the material was not. When a bit was not going over, he would often pause to read through the rest of the script. Doc Severinsen would play Taps while Johnny set his copy on fire in the wastebasket. If one of the nightly monologues bombed, the piano player would launch into Tea for Two and Johnny would tap dance. I also learned much from watching his program. He was uniquely intelligent and often scheduled serious interviews with interesting guests. There has never been another like him. He was truly the King of Late Night. Thanks, Johnny, for all the laughs. May your soul rest in peace.
My 16 year old daughter teaches CCD to a very small group of 1st and 2nd graders. Sadly, our parish has a difficult time finding parents who are willing and able to teach religious education classes. My daughter is well versed in the faith for someone her age, and being young herself, seems to be able to hold their attention longer than most adults.
I normally get up early on Sunday mornings to drive my daughter to the church for the 9 AM class. Today, in commemoration of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, our parish was having a Eucharistic Holy Hour between 9 and 10 AM "in respect for the sacredness of all life" as Father stated it in the bulletin. I planned to drive her to her class and remain for Eucharistic Adoration.
As sometimes happens, my daughter and I started off the day on a sour note. She came out wearing a white knee-length knitted camisole over a black v-neck blouse and dark slacks. My daughter and I have clashed over this outfit before. She once wore it to school over a tube-top with spaghetti straps and an exposed belly-button. The open knit is easy to see through, and while the top she wore under it today was not as bad as the tube-top, it still had neckline unsuitable for church and the sub-zero temperatures outside, at least in a father's eyes. Furthermore, she wore her waist-length school letter jacket over the whole ensemble, making a very bazaar fashion statement.
I asked her if she didn't have something else she could wear. She said she did not and reluctantly, I decided to let it go today. Besides, we were about to clash over something else. I asked her whether she was going to take her CCD class to Eucharistic Adoration. She said no. I pointed out that Eucharistic Adoration is one of the most important gifts we have in the Church. "What message do we send to the children when we ignore an opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration?" I asked in a calm voice. With that, my daughter yelled, "Well then, YOU teach them." She stormed into her room and slammed the door. When it came time to leave for church, she refused to ride with me. Instead, she made her brother hurriedly get dressed to take her.
In my daughter's defense, the Holy Hour was not widely publicized beyond a small notice in last week's bulletin. She may not have seen it and didn't realize it would take place at the same time as her class. We all attended the Saturday vigil Mass last evening and Father never mentioned it. I could have suggested she take her students earlier, but it did not enter my mind. It was never my intent to anger her. My question about the message we send to our children was rhetorical. I often wonder what we can do better to catechize our children.
My frustration comes from seeing diminished reverence for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. We learned it from our parents, teachers and the example of other reverent Catholics. We genuflected on both knees and bowed our heads during exposition. The Church was filled and the choir sang for Benediction. So much of that is missing now. I acknowledge my own fault in not emphasizing the importance in my own family. I have tried to lead by example, but perhaps that is not enough.
When I arrived about five minutes early for Holy Hour, it had already begun. Despite the published 9 AM starting time, our pastor apparently decided to begin immediately following the 8 AM Mass, probably in an effort to keep more people in attendance. About fifteen people remained in the church and all but one left when the rosary ended about five minutes after nine. Eventually two of the CCD teachers did bring their classes in for adoration. As I watched many of them fidget in the pews, I thought of my Catholic grade school experiences when the Sisters would smack us from behind when our attention wandered.
Not to wander off topic, but nuns get a bad rap. Every Catholic seems to have a horror story about Sister so-and-so beating some poor defenseless child to within an inch of his life. In eight years of Catholic grade school, I remember very few incidents where corporal punishment was unduly applied. Yes, there were times when a child would be grabbed and manipulated into compliance. I don't remember ever seeing a child struck in Catholic School. I do remember more than one instance of students being paddled in public high school back in the 1960's. While I am not advocating undo corporal punishment, we have a serious discipline problem in all areas of education. I believe those who experienced the stern arm of the nuns grew up with much more moral respect than those who did not.
The inattention of the CCD students was a bit of a distraction, but I did not mind. At least they were in there in the presence of God, whether they understood or not. In our present church configuration, the Blessed Sacrament sits rather inconspicuously on the altar with no special lighting or adornment. Prior to the Vatican II remodeling of the sanctuary, bright lights were focused on the monstrance causing the gold and jewels to sparkle, only overshadowed by the bright white host in the center. As children, the spectacle drew our attention. We knew this was something special. Now, the host is eclipsed in shadows much like the new moon, and those in the church often seem oblivious to His presence.
During adoration, our pastor sat in the back of the church for awhile. He also took time to empty the money from the votive stands, put oil in the candle sticks, and interrupt my rosary to give me the organist's W2 form to pass on later. Yesterday, he asked me to prepare our organist for a possible time change for the current 10:30 Sunday Mass. The pastor of our neighboring parish is nearing retirement. Some newly discovered health issues may force this retirement any day now. When it happens, he will not be replaced due to the severe shortage of priests. Our pastor will cover both parishes.
Following Adoration, I spoke with our organist, giving her Father's message. She said the priest at another county parish where she plays earlier Sunday mornings, announced today that their parish and a neighboring satellite church may be closing soon. We could be going from four priests in our county down to two in a very short time.
Why is this happening? Not enough Catholics? No, we have sufficient numbers to sustain all of these parishes. Not enough priests? Yes, but why do we have so few? The real question lies within all of us. Why was our church practically empty today when a parish of several hundred families had an opportunity spend one hour in Eucharistic Adoration? If we truly believe Jesus, our God, our Creator, our reason for existence, is here corporeally in that monstrance to be adored, to hear our petitions, to give us His love, His life and salvation, why isn't the Church filled beyond capacity? When our churches close, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Post Script: This afternoon, I learned of the death of Johnny Carson. I grew up watching the Tonight Show. There were times in my life when I was plagued by severe anxiety that always seemed to rear its ugly head at bedtime. Johnny often became an hour or so of comfort as he could always make me laugh. One secret to his 30 year longevity on the Tonight Show was his knack for being funny when the material was not. When a bit was not going over, he would often pause to read through the rest of the script. Doc Severinsen would play Taps while Johnny set his copy on fire in the wastebasket. If one of the nightly monologues bombed, the piano player would launch into Tea for Two and Johnny would tap dance. I also learned much from watching his program. He was uniquely intelligent and often scheduled serious interviews with interesting guests. There has never been another like him. He was truly the King of Late Night. Thanks, Johnny, for all the laughs. May your soul rest in peace.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Christmas Day 2004
I love Christmastime. I love the entire season. From Thanksgiving to the Epiphany is my favorite time of the whole year. I love the preparations, the decorating, the lights, the shopping, the snow, the cold, the warmth, the music, the atmosphere, the togetherness, the food, the sweets, the hustle and the bustle. I love the tradition, the gift-giving, parades, preparing music for Midnight Mass, choosing the tree, the family gatherings, the memories, the time off work to spend with my wife and children, the tastes, the smells -- I love it all.
While it may seem like the true reason for our Christmas celebration gets lost, this should be a time a great celebration of when Our Savior became flesh and lived among us. I could launch into a diatribe against the secularization or commercialization of Christmas, or worse yet, the assault on Christianity by our so-called civil libertarians who want to eliminate Christ from Christmas. I could, but not now. I only hope that the judges who agree with this position are willing to remain on the job Christmas day.
Instead, I would like to dwell on the wide range of emotions that flash through my mind on this particular Christmas Day. Being personally involved with many elements of preparation leaves precious little time to concentrate on the plight of others. Having served on the local Park Board for some 27 years, I have assumed annual duties of repairing and hanging street decorations downtown, decorating the town park, and of course, performing similar tasks at home. As a Vincentian, I assist with coordinating the Angel Tree in our church where parishioners can adopt a needy family at Christmastime. Shopping, school programs, and other seasonal activities occupy most every evening after work.
With so much happening, we have little time to think. Then, all of a sudden Christmas Day arrives and it's over. Our loved ones depart for their homes and a certain melancholy feeling settles in. I seem to often find tears in my eyes on Christmas evening and this year is no exception. I think about my oldest son who comes to visit so seldom. He spent Christmas Eve in our home and most likely will not spend another night here until next Christmas, if then. We were so close when he was growing up, but now he seems so distant at times. When he was younger, we worked on projects together. We fixed things together. While our relationship once carried a strong bond of family and faith, something happened that I don't fully understand. How I wish I could fix this, and how I hate to see him drive away.
After spending some time feeling sorry for myself, I think about others who are so much worse off than I am. I think about my cousin who is spending this Christmas alone in a hospital so distant from his home in a desperate fight against the cancer that has ravaged his body. I think about another cousin who may be on the streets of Indianapolis this Christmas night when the temperature is expected to dip below zero. I think about my brother who is blind and confined to a wheelchair. I think about friends who lost their only child, a teenage daughter, to a tragic auto accident this past year. I think about all the families who have loved ones at war, not knowing whether they will ever see them alive again. I think about the elderly couple down the street who may be spending their last Christmas together after 63 years of marriage. I think about all the lonely souls in the Health Facility which we visit. Some of them have no family left to care for them. I wonder about all those who are silently suffering some personal grief this Christmas night with no one to comfort them.
I have so much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful wife, and three great children. We are all healthy and warm. I had two loving parents who were always there for me until they died. I have a sister I am close to and a terrific extended family. I cherish these Christmases because there is no telling how many of them we will have to enjoy together. I have my faith and my Church. I was born into the Body of Christ who was Himself born this day to save us. No amount of preparation or celebration is too much. Thank you God for giving me this Christmas day.
I love Christmastime. I love the entire season. From Thanksgiving to the Epiphany is my favorite time of the whole year. I love the preparations, the decorating, the lights, the shopping, the snow, the cold, the warmth, the music, the atmosphere, the togetherness, the food, the sweets, the hustle and the bustle. I love the tradition, the gift-giving, parades, preparing music for Midnight Mass, choosing the tree, the family gatherings, the memories, the time off work to spend with my wife and children, the tastes, the smells -- I love it all.
While it may seem like the true reason for our Christmas celebration gets lost, this should be a time a great celebration of when Our Savior became flesh and lived among us. I could launch into a diatribe against the secularization or commercialization of Christmas, or worse yet, the assault on Christianity by our so-called civil libertarians who want to eliminate Christ from Christmas. I could, but not now. I only hope that the judges who agree with this position are willing to remain on the job Christmas day.
Instead, I would like to dwell on the wide range of emotions that flash through my mind on this particular Christmas Day. Being personally involved with many elements of preparation leaves precious little time to concentrate on the plight of others. Having served on the local Park Board for some 27 years, I have assumed annual duties of repairing and hanging street decorations downtown, decorating the town park, and of course, performing similar tasks at home. As a Vincentian, I assist with coordinating the Angel Tree in our church where parishioners can adopt a needy family at Christmastime. Shopping, school programs, and other seasonal activities occupy most every evening after work.
With so much happening, we have little time to think. Then, all of a sudden Christmas Day arrives and it's over. Our loved ones depart for their homes and a certain melancholy feeling settles in. I seem to often find tears in my eyes on Christmas evening and this year is no exception. I think about my oldest son who comes to visit so seldom. He spent Christmas Eve in our home and most likely will not spend another night here until next Christmas, if then. We were so close when he was growing up, but now he seems so distant at times. When he was younger, we worked on projects together. We fixed things together. While our relationship once carried a strong bond of family and faith, something happened that I don't fully understand. How I wish I could fix this, and how I hate to see him drive away.
After spending some time feeling sorry for myself, I think about others who are so much worse off than I am. I think about my cousin who is spending this Christmas alone in a hospital so distant from his home in a desperate fight against the cancer that has ravaged his body. I think about another cousin who may be on the streets of Indianapolis this Christmas night when the temperature is expected to dip below zero. I think about my brother who is blind and confined to a wheelchair. I think about friends who lost their only child, a teenage daughter, to a tragic auto accident this past year. I think about all the families who have loved ones at war, not knowing whether they will ever see them alive again. I think about the elderly couple down the street who may be spending their last Christmas together after 63 years of marriage. I think about all the lonely souls in the Health Facility which we visit. Some of them have no family left to care for them. I wonder about all those who are silently suffering some personal grief this Christmas night with no one to comfort them.
I have so much to be thankful for. I have a wonderful wife, and three great children. We are all healthy and warm. I had two loving parents who were always there for me until they died. I have a sister I am close to and a terrific extended family. I cherish these Christmases because there is no telling how many of them we will have to enjoy together. I have my faith and my Church. I was born into the Body of Christ who was Himself born this day to save us. No amount of preparation or celebration is too much. Thank you God for giving me this Christmas day.
Saturday, November 20, 2004
Aging Gracefully
Having spent considerable time with an elderly couple during the past year, I sometimes found myself wondering why God allows some people to live way beyond the normal lifespan. I watched their senses deteriorate, their awareness fade, and their health fail. After several falls and other medical emergencies, it became evident that they were no longer able to care for themselves. Fortunately, they were able to afford hiring fulltime live-in care-givers, but even with assistance, their quality of life continued to diminish.
Broken hips, cuts and bruises, surgeries, symptoms of Alzheimer's and daily dealings with pain and suffering made me think about what all of us may be headed for should we live that long. What will happen to those who cannot afford needed care? What will the future hold for the elderly in this society that seems to be losing respect for life? Will euthanasia become an accepted alternative when medical science keeps us going beyond our productive years? Why would God permit people to suffer like this? I wondered if this was their purgatory on earth, paying reparation before death for a faster road to heaven.
Despite all of their problems and being barely ambulatory, this couple insists on attending Mass together every weekend. Other church-goers often wince at the sight of these two octogenarians straining to climb the 13 steps to the vestibule. Sometimes, it appears they just won't make it. They stop, grasping the railing with both hands, reminiscent of Christ struggling to carry His Cross to Calvary.
They pray aloud before each meal, and one can sense a spiritual presence in their home. As various health care providers come to visit, conversation often turns to faith in God. Several of the live-in caregivers who were not particularly religious and had problems of their own, began asking me to pray for them. One of them who was raised Catholic, but had not set foot in a Catholic Church for 35 years, began attending Mass again.
As I witnessed all of this, something suddenly occurred to me. God was still using this elderly couple as an instrument in His hands to bring others closer to Him. These two old people, who many of us had written off as having lived beyond their years, are still doing more important work than any of the rest of us around them. Perhaps they are not even aware of the power of God acting within them, but because their relationship with Him is so alive, others are moved by this spiritual presence in the home.
I also believe that none of these encounters occur by accident. When we allow ourselves to be used in this way, God will bring us together as necessary. Suddenly, we see purpose in the daily struggles of the elderly. Good can come from it, not only through redemptive suffering, but by bringing about conversion in others. There is no more important work on this earth than saving souls, and we are never too old or too weak to allow God to work through us. Life can always have meaning and purpose when we nurture our spiritual relationship with Our Lord.
Having spent considerable time with an elderly couple during the past year, I sometimes found myself wondering why God allows some people to live way beyond the normal lifespan. I watched their senses deteriorate, their awareness fade, and their health fail. After several falls and other medical emergencies, it became evident that they were no longer able to care for themselves. Fortunately, they were able to afford hiring fulltime live-in care-givers, but even with assistance, their quality of life continued to diminish.
Broken hips, cuts and bruises, surgeries, symptoms of Alzheimer's and daily dealings with pain and suffering made me think about what all of us may be headed for should we live that long. What will happen to those who cannot afford needed care? What will the future hold for the elderly in this society that seems to be losing respect for life? Will euthanasia become an accepted alternative when medical science keeps us going beyond our productive years? Why would God permit people to suffer like this? I wondered if this was their purgatory on earth, paying reparation before death for a faster road to heaven.
Despite all of their problems and being barely ambulatory, this couple insists on attending Mass together every weekend. Other church-goers often wince at the sight of these two octogenarians straining to climb the 13 steps to the vestibule. Sometimes, it appears they just won't make it. They stop, grasping the railing with both hands, reminiscent of Christ struggling to carry His Cross to Calvary.
They pray aloud before each meal, and one can sense a spiritual presence in their home. As various health care providers come to visit, conversation often turns to faith in God. Several of the live-in caregivers who were not particularly religious and had problems of their own, began asking me to pray for them. One of them who was raised Catholic, but had not set foot in a Catholic Church for 35 years, began attending Mass again.
As I witnessed all of this, something suddenly occurred to me. God was still using this elderly couple as an instrument in His hands to bring others closer to Him. These two old people, who many of us had written off as having lived beyond their years, are still doing more important work than any of the rest of us around them. Perhaps they are not even aware of the power of God acting within them, but because their relationship with Him is so alive, others are moved by this spiritual presence in the home.
I also believe that none of these encounters occur by accident. When we allow ourselves to be used in this way, God will bring us together as necessary. Suddenly, we see purpose in the daily struggles of the elderly. Good can come from it, not only through redemptive suffering, but by bringing about conversion in others. There is no more important work on this earth than saving souls, and we are never too old or too weak to allow God to work through us. Life can always have meaning and purpose when we nurture our spiritual relationship with Our Lord.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Voting Catholic
Catholics all over the United States are being asked to view a video presentation this weekend on Faithful Citizenship, A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility. With much controversy in the Catholic Community about Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry's position on many moral issues, the Church has taken unprecedented steps to inform Catholic voters of their obligation to support Christian ethics at the polls.
John Kerry calls himself a Catholic, but he supports abortion rights and voted against the ban on partial birth abortion. He supports embryonic stem cell research, and opposes a federal law that would prohibit same-sex marriage. As an active accomplice to intrinsically evil acts, a number of bishops have banned Kerry from receiving Holy Communion. Incumbent President Bush, though not Catholic, stands much more closely aligned with Church teaching on all of these issues.
Traditionally Democratic Catholics find themselves in a dilemma. Any time President Bush tries to appoint a conservative, and presumably pro-life, federal judge, the Democrats block the nomination. Assuming one or two Supreme Court Justices could be appointed during the next four years, the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade may hinge on the upcoming election. It is probably no coincidence that Catholic Bishops have become uncharacteristically vocal about exercising moral responsibility at the voting booth.
Complicating the matter is the perception, mostly perpetrated by the Democrats and the liberal press, that President Bush grossly erred in leading the country into an Iraqi War where more than 1000 Americans have given their lives. Some Catholic priests and bishops have openly preached against the war, and by implication, against the current administration. Many consider their vote to be choosing between the lesser of two evils. Combine this fact with the effort by some to deny tax-exempt status for religious communities who have become too vocal in the political arena, and the result is a number of somewhat ambiguous mandates for political responsibility by Catholic voters.
The video presentation at our parish this evening took about eighteen minutes. It was followed by a discussion among the twenty or so participants, monitored by a parishioner well-known as a leader in the local Democratic party. He raised several questions about how we as Catholics can support all moral issues while not turning our backs on those who are less fortunate than we are. The implication seemed to be that while the abortion issue is important, that voting for the other candidate also carries its share of societal immorality.
Another parishioner, once a high ranking army officer, spoke on the abortion issue saying that the Church has always taught that it is wrong, and we must support this teaching if we are to be faithful Catholics. The moderator did not disagree, but kept coming back to the notion that choices are difficult when other considerations come into play. Our pastor made a remark about God's Law taking precedence over our Civil Law or something to that effect.
The video, like all other statements from the Church regarding the election, never mentions any candidate by name. Even those participating in the discussion were not mentioning names -- at least not until I spoke up! As the moderator seemed to be leading us into a consensus of a no-win situation, I pointed out that the abortion is the key issue here. The possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade is prompting all of this activism within the Church. During the next four years, one or two vacancies on the Supreme Court could occur. If George Bush is re-elected, the possibility exists that abortion rights could be limited or overturned. If John Kerry is elected, there is no chance it will happen.
Our Democrat moderator then asked me a question. "What if George Bush drops a nuclear weapon on Afghanistan and kills another thousand people?" I replied by saying first of all, George Bush is not going to do that. (Afghanistan was holding its first presidential election this very weekend, possibly unbeknownst to our moderator.) Secondly, we don't know whether our situation would be better or worse had John Kerry been president the past four years. An older woman sitting with her husband across from me snapped back that their grandson was serving in Iraq and he had no business being there.
I replied that it's easy to look back and say, 'we should not have done this' or 'we should have done that.' I asked how many lives are being saved because Saddam Hussein is no longer conducting mass killings of Iraqi citizens. The question now is, which of the two candidates more closely aligns themselves with Catholic teaching. The abortion stance is a good moral barometer for determining the basic character of the candidate, and likely indicates how that person will respond to the basic needs of those who are unable to defend themselves.
In view of Church teaching, no faithful Catholic can cast a vote for John Kerry. Doing so puts one in jeopardy of being an accessory to evil should Kerry's election result in the proliferation of abortion. (How's that for an oxymoron?) The non-choice for Catholics on election day is clear. Yet, George Bush did not follow Church teaching either in the invasion of Iraq. Can we make a distinction between him and his opponent in terms of moral responsibility?
One may certainly argue that had George Bush not invaded Iraq, more that a thousand American soldiers would still be alive today. So would hundreds of terrorists. An evil dictator would still be in power and his people would still be living in hopeless fear. Who knows how many others innocent people, now living, would have died at his hands? We just don't know. We do know that the President did nothing intrinsically evil, even by Church standards. The Church allows for Just Wars under certain circumstances. Whether the Iraq war can be justified is certainly debatable. The President did what he thought was the necessary thing to do in view of the information he had, and that decision was supported at the time by most others in Congress, including John Kerry. The real question involves which issues are subject to debate.
Catholic Answers, Karl Keating's lay apostolate, has published a Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics which lists five non-negotiable issues which no Catholic can support. Those five issues are Abortion, Euthanasia, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, and Same-sex Marriage. The statement on their web site says, "It is a serious sin to deliberately endorse or promote any of these actions, and no candidate who really wants to advance the common good will support any action contrary to the non-negotiable principles involved in these issues." These are five issues where debate is not an option for Catholics.
Generally speaking, the Republican platform comes closest to the Catholic position on all of these issues, while the Democrats typically stand in opposition. Never has this polarization been more evident. Pro-life Democrats exist, but they are few and far between, especially on the State and Federal level. The Florida Supreme Court recently declared that Terri Schiavo's feeding tube can be removed to allow the brain-damaged woman to slowly starve to death. Many states are now allowing homosexual unions, and a federal bill to prevent same-sex marriage was recently defeated in the Senate. Even human cloning is certain to become a divisive issue when someone figures out how to do it.
While much of the current political rhetoric focuses on Iraq, the Christian conservatives are quietly girding their loins in preparation for an election day attack on Kerry and like-minded liberals. For once, practicing Catholics may be following suit. Past social concerns that may have attracted them to the Democratic party, have been overshadowed by outrage over a 'Catholic' voting against a ban on partial birth abortion. With the polls predicting a close race, an unusually large Christian turnout is likely in November.
If we as Catholics are serious about our citizenship responsibilities, we must cast our votes for candidates who do not violate the basic principles of our Faith. To do otherwise is a grave sin. Many life-long Catholic Democrats justify their votes with concocted moral loopholes. They may say that both Presidential Candidates have moral deficiencies thereby allowing some justifiable discretion for staying within party lines. They may argue that John Kerry does not like abortion, but respects its legality under the Constitution whereas George Bush is a warmonger who is responsible for many unnecessary deaths. The fact is, any mistakes the President may have made were not motivated by an ideology rooted in evil.
Others may say that the President does not have the power to overturn Roe v. Wade anyway, so whichever candidate is elected will make little difference. This is simply not true. Presidents appoint federal judges. During the past four years, every conservative judicial nominee named by President Bush has been opposed by the Democrats. Many of these judges may someday be in a position to decide cases relevant to the non-negotiable Catholic issues.
The outcome of the November election will directly affect the moral direction this country takes. We can not support those who are allied with the culture of death. To do so contributes to the acceptance of evil in our society. We can put pressure on the Democratic party to moderate their platform to more closely conform to mainstream Christian values by sending a message in November. It is our duty as Catholic Americans.
Catholics all over the United States are being asked to view a video presentation this weekend on Faithful Citizenship, A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility. With much controversy in the Catholic Community about Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry's position on many moral issues, the Church has taken unprecedented steps to inform Catholic voters of their obligation to support Christian ethics at the polls.
John Kerry calls himself a Catholic, but he supports abortion rights and voted against the ban on partial birth abortion. He supports embryonic stem cell research, and opposes a federal law that would prohibit same-sex marriage. As an active accomplice to intrinsically evil acts, a number of bishops have banned Kerry from receiving Holy Communion. Incumbent President Bush, though not Catholic, stands much more closely aligned with Church teaching on all of these issues.
Traditionally Democratic Catholics find themselves in a dilemma. Any time President Bush tries to appoint a conservative, and presumably pro-life, federal judge, the Democrats block the nomination. Assuming one or two Supreme Court Justices could be appointed during the next four years, the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade may hinge on the upcoming election. It is probably no coincidence that Catholic Bishops have become uncharacteristically vocal about exercising moral responsibility at the voting booth.
Complicating the matter is the perception, mostly perpetrated by the Democrats and the liberal press, that President Bush grossly erred in leading the country into an Iraqi War where more than 1000 Americans have given their lives. Some Catholic priests and bishops have openly preached against the war, and by implication, against the current administration. Many consider their vote to be choosing between the lesser of two evils. Combine this fact with the effort by some to deny tax-exempt status for religious communities who have become too vocal in the political arena, and the result is a number of somewhat ambiguous mandates for political responsibility by Catholic voters.
The video presentation at our parish this evening took about eighteen minutes. It was followed by a discussion among the twenty or so participants, monitored by a parishioner well-known as a leader in the local Democratic party. He raised several questions about how we as Catholics can support all moral issues while not turning our backs on those who are less fortunate than we are. The implication seemed to be that while the abortion issue is important, that voting for the other candidate also carries its share of societal immorality.
Another parishioner, once a high ranking army officer, spoke on the abortion issue saying that the Church has always taught that it is wrong, and we must support this teaching if we are to be faithful Catholics. The moderator did not disagree, but kept coming back to the notion that choices are difficult when other considerations come into play. Our pastor made a remark about God's Law taking precedence over our Civil Law or something to that effect.
The video, like all other statements from the Church regarding the election, never mentions any candidate by name. Even those participating in the discussion were not mentioning names -- at least not until I spoke up! As the moderator seemed to be leading us into a consensus of a no-win situation, I pointed out that the abortion is the key issue here. The possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade is prompting all of this activism within the Church. During the next four years, one or two vacancies on the Supreme Court could occur. If George Bush is re-elected, the possibility exists that abortion rights could be limited or overturned. If John Kerry is elected, there is no chance it will happen.
Our Democrat moderator then asked me a question. "What if George Bush drops a nuclear weapon on Afghanistan and kills another thousand people?" I replied by saying first of all, George Bush is not going to do that. (Afghanistan was holding its first presidential election this very weekend, possibly unbeknownst to our moderator.) Secondly, we don't know whether our situation would be better or worse had John Kerry been president the past four years. An older woman sitting with her husband across from me snapped back that their grandson was serving in Iraq and he had no business being there.
I replied that it's easy to look back and say, 'we should not have done this' or 'we should have done that.' I asked how many lives are being saved because Saddam Hussein is no longer conducting mass killings of Iraqi citizens. The question now is, which of the two candidates more closely aligns themselves with Catholic teaching. The abortion stance is a good moral barometer for determining the basic character of the candidate, and likely indicates how that person will respond to the basic needs of those who are unable to defend themselves.
In view of Church teaching, no faithful Catholic can cast a vote for John Kerry. Doing so puts one in jeopardy of being an accessory to evil should Kerry's election result in the proliferation of abortion. (How's that for an oxymoron?) The non-choice for Catholics on election day is clear. Yet, George Bush did not follow Church teaching either in the invasion of Iraq. Can we make a distinction between him and his opponent in terms of moral responsibility?
One may certainly argue that had George Bush not invaded Iraq, more that a thousand American soldiers would still be alive today. So would hundreds of terrorists. An evil dictator would still be in power and his people would still be living in hopeless fear. Who knows how many others innocent people, now living, would have died at his hands? We just don't know. We do know that the President did nothing intrinsically evil, even by Church standards. The Church allows for Just Wars under certain circumstances. Whether the Iraq war can be justified is certainly debatable. The President did what he thought was the necessary thing to do in view of the information he had, and that decision was supported at the time by most others in Congress, including John Kerry. The real question involves which issues are subject to debate.
Catholic Answers, Karl Keating's lay apostolate, has published a Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics which lists five non-negotiable issues which no Catholic can support. Those five issues are Abortion, Euthanasia, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, and Same-sex Marriage. The statement on their web site says, "It is a serious sin to deliberately endorse or promote any of these actions, and no candidate who really wants to advance the common good will support any action contrary to the non-negotiable principles involved in these issues." These are five issues where debate is not an option for Catholics.
Generally speaking, the Republican platform comes closest to the Catholic position on all of these issues, while the Democrats typically stand in opposition. Never has this polarization been more evident. Pro-life Democrats exist, but they are few and far between, especially on the State and Federal level. The Florida Supreme Court recently declared that Terri Schiavo's feeding tube can be removed to allow the brain-damaged woman to slowly starve to death. Many states are now allowing homosexual unions, and a federal bill to prevent same-sex marriage was recently defeated in the Senate. Even human cloning is certain to become a divisive issue when someone figures out how to do it.
While much of the current political rhetoric focuses on Iraq, the Christian conservatives are quietly girding their loins in preparation for an election day attack on Kerry and like-minded liberals. For once, practicing Catholics may be following suit. Past social concerns that may have attracted them to the Democratic party, have been overshadowed by outrage over a 'Catholic' voting against a ban on partial birth abortion. With the polls predicting a close race, an unusually large Christian turnout is likely in November.
If we as Catholics are serious about our citizenship responsibilities, we must cast our votes for candidates who do not violate the basic principles of our Faith. To do otherwise is a grave sin. Many life-long Catholic Democrats justify their votes with concocted moral loopholes. They may say that both Presidential Candidates have moral deficiencies thereby allowing some justifiable discretion for staying within party lines. They may argue that John Kerry does not like abortion, but respects its legality under the Constitution whereas George Bush is a warmonger who is responsible for many unnecessary deaths. The fact is, any mistakes the President may have made were not motivated by an ideology rooted in evil.
Others may say that the President does not have the power to overturn Roe v. Wade anyway, so whichever candidate is elected will make little difference. This is simply not true. Presidents appoint federal judges. During the past four years, every conservative judicial nominee named by President Bush has been opposed by the Democrats. Many of these judges may someday be in a position to decide cases relevant to the non-negotiable Catholic issues.
The outcome of the November election will directly affect the moral direction this country takes. We can not support those who are allied with the culture of death. To do so contributes to the acceptance of evil in our society. We can put pressure on the Democratic party to moderate their platform to more closely conform to mainstream Christian values by sending a message in November. It is our duty as Catholic Americans.
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