Monday, July 28, 2003
Bishop Sean
Bishop Sean O'Malley will be installed as new Archbishop of Boston on Wednesday. The Boston Globe has a good story here.
Bishop Sean O'Malley will be installed as new Archbishop of Boston on Wednesday. The Boston Globe has a good story here.
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
New Archbishop in the House
My home diocese, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has a new Archbishop coming to town: Justin Rigali of St. Louis.
The story from Philly and St. Louis.
More to come ...
My home diocese, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has a new Archbishop coming to town: Justin Rigali of St. Louis.
The story from Philly and St. Louis.
More to come ...
Monday, July 14, 2003
Keeping up with the Blakeley's
via The Onion:
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Pretty funny, eh?
But a homily I heard yesterday on "stuff" (take nothing with you for the journey, etc...) got me thinking: It's easy to shake our heads at people who are blind to their privelege and abundance (they have more than ME! Can't they see how lucky THEY are!); but isn't it just as ridiculous to conisder ourselves (even with incomes a fifth, tenth, twentieth or less of Mr. Blakely's), as anything but super-rich?
Why do we always pass the buck? Why do we hold Mr. Blakelely solely responsible for helping the poor and funding Catholic Apostolates?
A few months ago I was talking with an acquaintance who was pretty miffed about a letter he received from his parish suggesting the practice of tithing. The letter quoted the prophet Malachi in its support, and the person "hates when people cherry-pick" a single verse from Scripture to support a position. There was no way those old requirements hold today!
I didn't mention it at the time, but in this case the "cherry picking" lets us off really easy! The Old Testament standard of giving first fruits, 10 percent to God is incredibly stingy compared to the dozens of New Testament references to Giving.
via The Onion:
Millionaire Thinks Of Self As Upper-Middle Class
GROSSE POINT WOODS, MI—Jim Blakeley, 43, a Ford Motor Company executive with personal assets totalling roughly $5.5 million, described himself as "upper-middle class" Monday. "I guess I'm pretty well-off. I make a decent upper-middle-class living, but I'm certainly not what you'd call super-rich," said Blakeley, whose annual salary of $675,000 puts him in the top one-half of 1 percent of Americans. "I know plenty of people who make way more than I do, but I get by with what I have."
-----------
Pretty funny, eh?
But a homily I heard yesterday on "stuff" (take nothing with you for the journey, etc...) got me thinking: It's easy to shake our heads at people who are blind to their privelege and abundance (they have more than ME! Can't they see how lucky THEY are!); but isn't it just as ridiculous to conisder ourselves (even with incomes a fifth, tenth, twentieth or less of Mr. Blakely's), as anything but super-rich?
Why do we always pass the buck? Why do we hold Mr. Blakelely solely responsible for helping the poor and funding Catholic Apostolates?
A few months ago I was talking with an acquaintance who was pretty miffed about a letter he received from his parish suggesting the practice of tithing. The letter quoted the prophet Malachi in its support, and the person "hates when people cherry-pick" a single verse from Scripture to support a position. There was no way those old requirements hold today!
I didn't mention it at the time, but in this case the "cherry picking" lets us off really easy! The Old Testament standard of giving first fruits, 10 percent to God is incredibly stingy compared to the dozens of New Testament references to Giving.
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Sister Parishes
I believe strongly that every Catholic Parish in America should develop a program of financial and spiritual support and solidarity with a Sister Parish; either in the developing world, the inner city, or perhaps through Catholic Extension.
If our parishes and dioceses are going to challenge us to Tithe (and they absolutely should be putting forth that challenge!), then Parishes as a whole should also commit a tithe of their total resources to the poor, and programs like these.
I believe strongly that every Catholic Parish in America should develop a program of financial and spiritual support and solidarity with a Sister Parish; either in the developing world, the inner city, or perhaps through Catholic Extension.
If our parishes and dioceses are going to challenge us to Tithe (and they absolutely should be putting forth that challenge!), then Parishes as a whole should also commit a tithe of their total resources to the poor, and programs like these.
Unwitting Witness
Fr. Rob Johansen thinks Britney Spears offers the world a great lesson in the value of chastity.
Fr. Rob Johansen thinks Britney Spears offers the world a great lesson in the value of chastity.
Thursday, July 10, 2003
Humility
"Humility, humility, humility, and humility." -- St. Bernard of Clarivaux, when asked to name the 4 cardinal virtues
At YASKI last night, a bit of our discussion focused on humility as a quality of a leader. The Apostles in the Gospel this coming Sunday were certainly humble (probably not by choice, but by lack of posessions), but that in itself wouldn't make a leader. A combination of humility with courage, meekness with sincereity helps makes an effective Spiritual Leader.
Someone like Bishop Sean, or the Holy Father.
"Humility, humility, humility, and humility." -- St. Bernard of Clarivaux, when asked to name the 4 cardinal virtues
At YASKI last night, a bit of our discussion focused on humility as a quality of a leader. The Apostles in the Gospel this coming Sunday were certainly humble (probably not by choice, but by lack of posessions), but that in itself wouldn't make a leader. A combination of humility with courage, meekness with sincereity helps makes an effective Spiritual Leader.
Someone like Bishop Sean, or the Holy Father.
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Eureka!!
I've figured out how to add links on the sidebar. Go look! ----->
I've figured out how to add links on the sidebar. Go look! ----->
A Modest Adult Faith Formation Proposal
Have you ever watched a suburban church parking lot on a CCD night?
Dozens of SUVs converge to drop off the kiddies, and return 75 minutes later to
pick them up.
That seems to me incredibly inefficient.
Proposal: Parishes offer some form of Adult Formation (Bible Study, faith sharing, Catechism class) concurrently with CCD.
Many parents of kids in CCD aren't practicing Catholics, but it seems that since they are dropping the kids off anyway, there may be a decent shot, when combined with a personal invitation, that some would attend. I picture the events as being for the adult population of the parish at large, but parents of CCD students and Parish students (especially those receiving First Communion or Confirmation) would be the focus.
Think of the effect this will have on the students too. I think kids would take CCD more seriously if they know mom or dad is in another room learning about the same faith! A powerful witness.
Some might object that the parents of CCD students aren't interested in the faith, but isn't it likely that the time of their children's sacramental preparation will be some cause to reevaluate the role of Faith in their own lives? The Church needs to be their to call these parents to Discipleship when they're asking these questions. I believe parishes are missing and incredible opportunity here.
Does anyone know of any parish where this has been tried? Do you think it would work?
Have you ever watched a suburban church parking lot on a CCD night?
Dozens of SUVs converge to drop off the kiddies, and return 75 minutes later to
pick them up.
That seems to me incredibly inefficient.
Proposal: Parishes offer some form of Adult Formation (Bible Study, faith sharing, Catechism class) concurrently with CCD.
Many parents of kids in CCD aren't practicing Catholics, but it seems that since they are dropping the kids off anyway, there may be a decent shot, when combined with a personal invitation, that some would attend. I picture the events as being for the adult population of the parish at large, but parents of CCD students and Parish students (especially those receiving First Communion or Confirmation) would be the focus.
Think of the effect this will have on the students too. I think kids would take CCD more seriously if they know mom or dad is in another room learning about the same faith! A powerful witness.
Some might object that the parents of CCD students aren't interested in the faith, but isn't it likely that the time of their children's sacramental preparation will be some cause to reevaluate the role of Faith in their own lives? The Church needs to be their to call these parents to Discipleship when they're asking these questions. I believe parishes are missing and incredible opportunity here.
Does anyone know of any parish where this has been tried? Do you think it would work?
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Opening words from our sponsor:
"Dear young people, do not be content with anything less than the highest ideals! Do not let yourselves be dispirited by those who are disillusioned with life and have grown deaf to the deepest and most authentic desires of the heart. The time has come to re-propose to everyone the high standard of ordinary Christian living! REFUSE TO SELL YOUR DREAMS CHEAPLY!" --Pope JPII
"Dear young people, do not be content with anything less than the highest ideals! Do not let yourselves be dispirited by those who are disillusioned with life and have grown deaf to the deepest and most authentic desires of the heart. The time has come to re-propose to everyone the high standard of ordinary Christian living! REFUSE TO SELL YOUR DREAMS CHEAPLY!" --Pope JPII
