On religious garb

Isn't it curious how several things often unexpectedly come together?

This morning I saw a news report about an Anglican thoelogian, the Rev. Andrew Atherstone, who claims, according to the headline, that the wearing of robes is absurd and that ecclesiastical vesture belong to a "bygone world." Atherstone says, "Robes can be a barrier to mission, a hindrance rather than a help."

I couldn't disagree with him more. Granted, Atherstone is an Anglican, but there seem to be a few Catholics - albeit they a shrinking number - who would suggest the same, at least terms of clerical attire outside of the Liturgy.

Thinking back to the conversations had last evening at the volleyball game with the high school students, what I was wearing? A cassock. And a cape (at least at first). They were disappointed that I didn't have my saturno with me.

Atherstone asks, "Let members ask themselves whether there are not occasions...when they have been embarrassed by, or found evangelism hindered by, the clergyman up front in robes, looking a right wally?" Perhaps there are such occassions. But there are surely similar occassions when parishioners are "embarrassed" by clergy not dressed as clergy.

From my own experiences, Atherstone's argument is quite false. Are there those who would prefer I not wear a cassock. Of course there are. But there seem to be many more who are glad I wear it, so I shall keep it wearing it. Besides, it's much more comfortable than a suit.

I also found this morning Fr. Longenecker's post regarding a new book he is writing. The new book, The Romance of Religion, will be about "the ridiculous-ness of religion, the absurdity of the quest and the glorious and valiant tilting at windmills which we call Catholicism." I'm intrigued.

He says:

Despite the lack of interest in my scribblings, I am writing this book as an act of noble, and faintly ridiculous badinage with badness. It is my joust with the jesters of the world, my own quixotic attempt to be Quixote. I don't expect it to be a best seller. I don't expect it to change much at all. Like the dog who barks at the train, I bark not because I expect the train to stop, but because I am a dog.

I am inspired in this effort by all those priests who proudly wear ridiculous clothes like cassocks and capes. Are they not the last vestigial vestments of the romantic heroes of old? I write as a salute to monks in cowls and Cardinals in Cappa Magnas, a pope who wears (like Dorothy) ruby slippers that might just carry him home. I write to honor clergy in lace cottas and Monsignors who hold their heads high as they wear sashes of scarlet and birettas with purple pompons. I write to honor the Knights of Columbus with their capes, their swords and their pomade hats.

I salute all those who, like the mouse Reepicheep, fight the giants of the day, or like the boy David, slay the Philistines. The book will be about just that--the need to fight the good fight and be a romantic warrior in a world of useful things. It will encourage us all to find the key to the costume cupboard, dust off that cape, shine the broadsword, don the rubber nose and false moustache and the broad brimmed hat, replace the white plume and be a liturgical Lancelot or a ceremonial Cyrano de Bergerac.

Yes, let us all be fools for Christ. Somehow it attracts people.

In my last post on fielding questions from sophomore and junior boys while attempting to watch a volleygame, I wondered why the boys so freely barraged me with questions of all sorts, and why they do so so often.

Peter, of Ubi Petrus, formerly of Utter Muttering, astutely provided the answer. He said:

As for the boys, it's simple. They ask. You answer. No hiding, no punches pulled. The one thing kids want the most these days is veritas. They see everyone dancing around answers all day and can see right through it. Kids these days have rediscovered the transcendentals so casually discarded over the past couple of generations - the true, the good and the beautiful. It's only when we're unwilling to give them these that they go looking elsewhere.

Peter once called me "positively Ratzingerian," a compliment by which I am deeply humbled. Now it's my turn to return the compliment. Just a few days ago Pope Benedict XVI said to the Bishops of Paraguay:

[T]each the faith of the Church in its integrity, with courage and the conviction of those who live by it and for it, never ceasing to proclaim the moral values of the Catholic Doctrine explicity, which refer to the family, sexuality and life, that are sometimes the subject of debate in the political and cultural context and in the means of social communication.

Well said, Peter, well said.

Later this morning I'm going to speak with some of them in their study hall - at their request - about why sex should be saved until marriage. They could be sleeping. They could be doing homework. They could be goofing around. But they want to ask questions. I'm very much impressed. (No doubt a bit of goofing around will take place as they ask the questions, too, which is fine by me.)

I've tried a few approaches already to help them understanding the teachings of the Church on this, but none have yet fully "sunk in." I think, though, that a foundation has been laid. Your prayers in this regard would be most welcome.

A surprising evening

I may hate meetings more than anyone I know. Consequently, I am always looking for a reason - good or not - to avoid a meeting.

It is not the idea of discussing things that I dislike so much. It isn't talking with people that I dislike. It isn't spending a long time with people that I dislike. It's simply the idea of a meeting.

I would much rather share information and thoughts through memos and letters. If something needs to be clarified then we can get people together to talk it through, briefly. But a meeting? Ugh.

Meetings almost always last far too long. I'm of the mind that no meeting should ever last more than an hour. Does anything ever really get accomplished at a meeting?

I'm all for sitting around and chatting away for hours once the meeting is over. Back in Quincy I'm even famous for standing around in parking lots talking with people after meetings for a good two hours or more. I like to visit with friends. I hate meetings.

Now to the point of this post.

A meeting of the Board of Education was held this evening. These meetings are notoriously long, boring and long. They start at 6:30 p.m. and last at least until 8:30 p.m., and often enough even until 9:00 p.m. or later. Did I mention how long they are?

Also tonight the girls' volleyball team played at home, beginning with a JV game at 6:15 p.m. and a varsity game after that. It was also senior night.

So I thought to myself, wouldn't it be good if I went to the volleyball game and supported the girls? Of course it would.

After asking the Pastor and the business manager, and after checking with the president of the Board of Education, I happily went to the volleyball games. It's good to be the Parochial Vicar and not fit into the organizational and decision making structure.

After taking up my usual post near the entrance to the gym some of the students asked me to join them in the "Dawg Pound," the student "cheering" section of the bleachers. Our students aren't usually the loudest or most excited fans; tonight proved no exception.

I found myself holding court, as it were - which I don't usually mind - fielding questions from sophomore and junior boys from all sides, all of which somehow or other related to faith, mostly to morals. As much as I tried to get them to start watching the game they kept asking questions, poking me repeatedly in the shoulder and asking the questions repeatedly until I gave in and answered, all through the varsity game.

I hope the girls didn't mind too much that we weren't really watching the game. (They easily won each of the games. Congratulations, girls!)

After the games - and after fielding a few more questions, and shoving one of the boys off on his mom who wanted to leave - I went down to the Board of Education meeting (it was downstairs in the library). That lasted another thirty minutes.

I'm not really sure why the boys always have questions for me, or why they ask them so freely. I guess I'm doing something right. Whatever it is, I hope I keep it up.

Faith and politics

It seems many priests and ministers are unaware of what they may legitimately do without jeopardizing the status of their churches as 501(c)3 under the current tax code.

A friend recently sent me a link to a piece on the web site of Priests for Life by attorney James Bopp, Jr.

The piece is entitled "What Are the 'Do's' and 'Dont's' For Churches?" The entire piece is worth reading, but the section on pastors was partifularly enlightening to me:

Pastors, as individuals, have the same rights as all other American citizens to involve themselves in political activity. Pastors thus have much greater latitude to involve themselves in political activities than does a church. The following should guide a pastor regarding personal political activities which may relate to his church position:

1. A pastor may individually and personally endorse candidates for political office, but a pastor may not endorse candidates on behalf of his church.

2. A pastor’s personal endorsement may be made from the pulpit if it is clear that it is his personal view and not that of the church itself.

3. A pastor may allow his name to be used as a supporter of a candidate in the candidate’s political advertisements. In this connection, the pastor may be identified as pastor of a particular church.

4. While a church may not establish a political action committee, pastors and other like-minded individuals may establish a political action committee, but care should be taken that the committee is separate from the church and no use is made of church assets or facilities except to the extent that church facilities are allowed to be used by other outside groups.

I was unaware that pastors could endorse a candidate by name - or even a party - from the pulpit. This is good information to know. Even so, I'll not be endorsing anyone by name, but I will continue to teach what the Church holds true.

Mass in the dark

The lights in the church are still not working. The necessary part has been ordered and should arrive in Effingham tomorrow morning.

Consequently, I celebrated the 6:30 a.m. Mass today by the light of six candles on the altar. It gave a new meaning to "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light."

We have enough light from the bell tower and the exit signs to see by and the candles shed enough light for me to read the prayers. We gave a flashlight to the reader.

Though it was strange preaching to people that I really couldn't see, I rather enjoyed celebrating Mass by the light of candles.

To sing belongs to lovers

Yesterday afternoon, as part of the Sesquicentennial celebrations for the parish - the Adult Choir was honored and thanked with a reception after the 9:15 a.m. Mass.

We were able to take a photograph of the choir:


If you can imagine, one of the choristers has been singing in the choir for sixty-one years!

The reception fare consisted largely of donuts, prompting once again the age-old question: why are glazed donut holes so much better than glazed donuts?

Sr. M. Clementia, F.S.G.M. - a good friend of mine - reflects on her vocation over at 1 Franciscan Way. Go have a read. (She's the Sister in the middle of the photo.)

Let the sun shine in!

This morning after I turned on the lights in the church I was talking with Fr. Schmidt, a retired priest who concelebrates the early morning Mass on Sundays, when the lights in the church went out. Without explanation and all at once. And seven minutes before Mass began.

We still had lights in the sacristy and in the bell tower, but not in the church proper. The microphones were on and the air conditioner still blew, though we don't hardly need it today when the temperature is in the upper thirties (I'm not ready for winter!).

It was the strangest thing.

So, we concelebrated Mass in a darkened church, gradually becoming more illuminated as the sun continued to rise in the sky. It was great!

Now, mind you, Mass started at 7:30 a.m., so there was already enough light to see well enough.

I've always hated perfectly lit and blindingly bright churches. I much prefer a darker church.

Only three people commented about the lights after Mass, and all were in favor in keeping them off, whenever possible. They liked the darker because, as they said:

1. it was more quiet and peaceful,
2. you could see the beautiful windows better, and
3. it will save money.

I couldn't agree more!

What do you think? Do you prefer a darker church or a well-lit church?

I'm off now to celebrate the 9:15 a.m. Mass, again without lights. Maybe I can just "forget" to turn the lights on in the future...

Homily - 19 October 2008

The Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year (A)
World Mission Sunday

Many people today approach Jesus in the same manner as the Pharisees. They say to the Lord, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth” (Matthew 22:16). Though they speak these words with their lips, they do not hold them in their hearts. Are not many of this same ilk today?

How many today, claiming to be faithful disciples, approach the Lord and his Church saying, “We know you speak the truth, but…” Such people do not actually acknowledge the fundamental truth of Jesus’ teachings and of the teachings of the Church.

If we consider the words of Jesus, “repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God,” we see that faith requires something of us (Matthew 22:21).

That coin produced by the Pharisees belongs to Caesar because his image is imprinted upon it. Where is the image of God to be found? It is found in every human life. “God created man in his image, in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Every human life – from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death – belongs to God and not to Caesar.

Yet there are some who refuse to acknowledge this and claim the “right” to take another’s life. There are even some Catholics who claim it is morally permissible to support and to vote for such a candidate. My dear friends, nothing could be further from the truth!

From the very beginning of the Church down to the present day, the Church has always condemned the evil act of abortion as a grave offense against the fifth commandment: “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:31; Deuteronomy 5:17). This teaching has never changed; it has never wavered; it remains firm.

We know that of all of the choices we make in life, not every decision is of equal importance or of equal consequence. Whether I have cereal or fruit for breakfast is not as important as whether or not I am faithful to my spouse. Clearly, marital fidelity comes first, for the good of the spouses; for the good of the children; for the good of the Church; indeed, even for the good of the world.

We also know that “there are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor.”[1] Such actions are intrinsically evil and must “always be rejected and opposed and must never be supported or condoned.”[2] Such actions can never be condoned by society because they – in and of themselves – are evil, wrong and immoral, always and everywhere.

When it comes to the voting booth it is the same: some issues carry greater weight than others and some can never be performed. As Catholics, we must bring our faith to the voting booth and we must vote in accord with the faith of Jesus Christ.

The first among these is the protection of human life, which includes the so-called issues of abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, cloning and many others. “The Church has always taught that the direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life from the moment of conception until natural death is always wrong and is not just one issue among many. It must always be opposed.”[3]

As Catholics we are faced with a number of issues that are of concern and should be addressed, such as immigration reform, healthcare, the economy and its solvency, care and concern for the poor, and the war on terror… There are many possible solutions to these issues and there can be reasonable debate among Catholics on how to best approach and solve them. These are matters of “prudential judgment.” But let us be clear: issues of prudential judgment are not morally equivalent to issues involving intrinsic evils. No matter how right a given candidate is on any of these issues, it does not outweigh a candidate’s unacceptable position in favor of an intrinsic evil such as abortion or the protection of “abortion rights.”[4]

Every Catholic has a moral obligation to do what he or she can to protect every human life because “a legal system that violates the basic right to life on the grounds of choice is fundamentally flawed.”[5] Pope John Paul II reminded us, “it is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop.”[6]

Consequently, it is not possible – nor has it even been - for a Catholic to support abortion, euthanasia or other things that are contrary to life and the divine will. “To vote for a candidate who supports the intrinsic evil of abortion or ‘abortion rights’ when there is a morally acceptable alternative would be to cooperate in the evil – and, [is,] therefore, morally impermissible.”[7] To support such policies places one outside the Church, outside of the communion of the teaching of Jesus Christ.

Some will undoubtedly say, “Father, you’re crossing the line of separation of Church and State,” but such is not the case. What we are discussing is not a matter of Church and State but of faith and politics.

Faith requires something of us. It requires that we love both God and neighbor and that every decision we make, every word we speak and action we perform, be in keeping with the love of God and of neighbor, even in the voting booth. Faith can never be laid aside.

At the recent World Youth Day 2008, the Holy Father told us, “Life is not governed by chance; it is not random. Your very existence has been willed by God, blessed and given a purpose.”[8] If my life is willed, blessed and purposed, so is every other life.

We know this to be true, for if we consider our own individual existence we know that none of us chose to be born. Exploring the depths of our hearts we know ourselves to be creatures and that there is therefore a Creator, the Creator who knows us, loves us and wants us. We know that “each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.”[9]

It is precisely because we are creatures made in the image of God that we cannot claim a right to end the life of any man, woman or child. We are not the Creator.

As we celebrate today the World Mission Sunday and we consider the terrible and unspeakable horrors of abortion and the many other offenses against life, these questions rise within us: “What will become of humanity and creation? Is there hope for the future, or rather, is there a future for humanity? And what will this future look like?”[10]

Too often we are tempted to think the future is bleak and dark. Rather than succumb to despair, we must always remember: “Christ is our future,” and “his Gospel is a ‘life-changing’ communication that gives hope, throws open the dark door of time and illuminates the future of humanity.”[11]

We know that “today there are countless people who are waiting for the proclamation of the Gospel, those who are thirsting for hope and love.”[12] Some of these people are not yet born and some of them are here among us today. We must bring the light of the Gospel, the message of hope, to them! “Humanity needs to be liberated and redeemed.”[13] There is only one Liberator and Redeemer: Jesus Christ, and his Gospel is life!

Let us then proclaim his Gospel to the ends of the earth both by our words and by our actions. If we allow the Gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and inform every decision we make then the light of his love will shine through our lives and we will bring his hope and love to a darkened world. Let each of us, then, abandon ourselves to God and render to him what is his. Amen.

[1] United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, 22.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid., 28.
[4] Letter of Bishops Kevin Farrell and Kevin Vann, 8 October 2008, 4.
[5] USCCB, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship., 22.
[6] Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 101.
[7] Letter of Bishops Kevin Farrell and Kevin Vann, 8 October 2008, 5.
[8] Pope Benedict XVI, Address at Welcoming Ceremony, 17 July 2008.
[9] Ibid., Homily, 24 April 2005.
[10] Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Mission Sunday 2008.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.

Extraordinary Form comes to Quincy

The Catholic Times reports that the extraordinary form of the Mass will come to Quincy with the arrival of Fr. Arnaud Devillers, FSSP at St. Rose of Lima church.

In honor of the day

Fr. Toborowsky, at Young Fogeys, has a great post on St. Ignatius of Antioch with a brief summary of each of his seven letters. If you haven't read his letters yet you really should.

Political pondering

Can anyone answer me this question I have had for a very long time: why can one 501(c)3 non-profit organization endorse a presidential candidate and not fear action from the Internal Revenue Service but another 501(c)3 non-profit organization cannot endorse a presidential candidate for fear of action from the Internal Revenue Service?

What do I mean? Certain organizations - such as Planned Parenthood - can publicly endorse a candidate who seeks election as President of the United States of America without fear of losing their tax exempt status. Why is it that churches are threatened with the revocation of their tax exempt status if they endorse a candidate seeking election to the Oval Office?

I am seeking a real, legitimate and logical answer to this question. Is it simply because churches would wield tremendous authority and power if pastors and ministers endorsed a candidate? If it is, how is this different from groups like Planned Parenthood?

Please help me figure this out.

In asking this question I do not mean to imply that one candidate supports everything I like, but one candidate clearly fits the bill, as it were, than another.

Steeple work

When I was in Springfield Wednesday evening I took a couple of pictures of the steeple of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception:

Please keep the restoration project in your prayers, that the workers will be kept safe and that their work moves swiftly along.

World Mission Sunday homily outline

I've been noticing a large number of people finding my blog looking for a homily for the celebration of the World Mission Sunday 2008 to be celebrated this Sunday.

The Gospel is from Matthew where Jesus says to render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. I'll offer a brief outline of what I intend to say this weekend.

The coin in the passage is Caesar's because it has his image on it. The image of God is found in humanity (where are created in his image) and thus all human life belongs to God.

This will lead into a bit on the upcoming elections. The right to life belongs not to Caesar but to God and thus must be protected and defended above all else. Nothing trumps the right to life because life belongs to God, not man.

From here I will speak of the missionary activity of the Church. Because all life belongs to God we have a solemn duty to spread his Gospel so that all people might know him to whom they belong.

The message of the Gospel must be spread both at home and away. There are many places that still need to hear the Gospel for the first time, and there are others who need to hear it again.

By voting for life not only will we help to defend the innocent and vulnerable, but we will also participate in the spread of the Gospel.

Line spacing

Can anyone help me understand why a space is not appearing between paragraphs when I type a post directly in the "compose" mode in Blogger?

Tolle, legere?

By now I should know to be choose wisely which I will read after saying my Office and going to sleep. I like to read in bed before sleeping and tonight - though I'm rather tired and have to rise early in the morning - I picked up a book that I knew would be gripping.

Considering it now as I know I need to sleep but want keep reading, I'm reminded of what a couple of students asked me yesterday in class.

One asked, "How do you know so much?" I answered, "I read."

Another student asked a few minutes later, "Do you ever run out of things to talk about?" "No," I answered. "I read."

What would life be without books?

With dreams of a paradise

Yesterday after classes at the high school I went to Springfield to attend the visitation of Fr. Robert Franzen, a retired priest of our Diocese who died on Saturday. I went last night because I wasn't able to attend the funeral this morning.

About a third of the way to the See City I wished I hadn't set out, but I knew I had to keep going. I found myself driving through downpours of rain most of the way and my joints began to swell. Driving in rain has never been good for my arthritis, and when the temperature suddenly plummeted twelve degrees in about ten minutes, I knew I was done for; my energy seemed to "bottom out."

I arrived in Springfield in time to have dinner with the Vocations Director and the Bishop and was very glad I still had my coat in my car from a soccer game a few days ago. It was about fifty-two degrees, but I was freezing. Leaving the Cathedral Rectory I said to Fr. House, "It feels like snow." And I meant it.

Before I left the Cathedral I was shown the interior to the Cathedral which is currently being restored. The pews have been completely removed to be refinished and without them the basillica form of the Cathedral is most apparent. It seemed so open and much larger, reminding of the basilicas of Rome. I almost wish we'd keep it that way.

After praying at the visitation and talking with a couple of other priests, I made my way back to Effingham, arriving about 9:30. I walked into the rectory and, upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, said aloud, "I don't want to do this." I made my way up the stairs with my knees feeling every step of the way.

This morning, after a good night's sleep and a long one, I still was nearly exhausted and my knees remained weak. I gave the students a quite day to ask questions and work on review questions, in part because of my lack of energy.

I've just returned from RCIA after teaching about the Blessed Trinity. They said it went well. And now I'm worn out.

It's going to be a very long winter. And it's only autumn.

On the Catholic vote

You've probably already about this excellent document, but in case you haven't, the Most Reverend Kevin Farrell, Bishop of Dallas, and the Most Reverend Kevin Vann, Bishop of Fort Worth, have issued a joint statement concerning the governing principles of a Catholic vote.

The American Papist has, by far, the best commentary on the document I've seen thus far. Go read his summary and then read the statement.

Bishop Vann is a son of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Keep it up, Bishop Vann!

A Papal Blog?

Teaching four classes at the high school each day as I am - with working with the soccer team to boot - I've been a bit behind lately, especially concerning e-mail.

One of the things I missed as a result was a Zenit article the recent suggestion made in the Synod of Bishops to the Holy Father that he start a daily blog of reflections on Scripture.

Thankfully, I did caught the story via the Curt Jester, who has a few suggestions for the name of the proposed blog. I prefare Pontifex Blogimus or Supreme Blogger of the Universal Church, though the latter might be a bit too long.

I don't expect Pope Benedict will create a blog, but if he does it will be the first stop on the Internet I make each day.

Podcast update

This evening I received the happy news from the Quincy Early Music Consort granting me permission to use their music in my podcast.

The Quincy Early Music Consort is a small group of musicians who play early and medieval music on replica instruments. I greatly enjoy their music.

When plans were being made for my ordination to the priesthood I asked the Consort to play during the dinner at the reception following my Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at my home parish. They accepted, and I was delighted.

I expected them to play for an hour or so, but they ended up playing for twice as long as our agreed upon time, and without additional fees (I did pay them extra in gratitude). They provided noble and quiet music in the background throughout the dinner and people were able both to enjoy the music and to carry on their conversations at one and the same time. This is an aspect sadly lost at receptions today; the music tends to either be too loud or too soft.

When the Consort finished playing at the reception and - without announcement or fanfare - quietly stood up to sneak away, my family and friends noticed and were apparently saddened. With no encouragement, those present rose and gave the Consort a standing ovation. I was again delighted.

Here is a picture of the three who were able to play that happy day:

Hmm...

Throughout the day I've received a couple of questions relating to the remaining schedule for the soccer season. It seems some parents want to plan ahead and were asking the dates, times and locations of possible future games, presuming we do well in the first regional game, and then in the second, etc.

Looking through the possible games and consulting also with my own calendar I was quite surprised to see that every time we might play in a match that my calendar was free each and every time, even in the afternoon leading up to the evening games, often some distance away.

If you've ever tried to schedule an evening with a priest you know how very difficult it can often be. We have too many - and, often enough, pointless - meetings and other such things to attend to. Could this be the hand of Providence writing through my calendar? I hope so.

I wonder if the Lord will grant us - and if the boys will play well and hard enough - to keep advancing? I do hope so.

Saints Anthony of Padua, Sebastian and Christopher (he's apparently the patron saint of soccer; perhaps Sr. Mary Martha could verify this for us [I'm sure the saints don't mind this little interlude]), pray for us!

Read while you walk

Just a moment ago I came through the back door of the parish center and passed by the office of one of our Sisters on my way into my office. As I did so I happened to be reading a book in preparation for a Bible study tonight at our mission parish.

Sister just walked by my office on her way out and asked, "How can you read while you walk?" I answered, "How can you not read while you walk? Sometimes just walking is boring?"

It reminds me of one afternoon at the gym. I was using one of the eliptical machines (I'm sure there's a more technical term for them) and, not being one to enjoy walking and not getting anywhere - but liking stares from passersby in cars even less - was reading a book at the same time I used the machine. I did this through seminary, too.

A few of our high school students happened to be in the gym at the same time lifting weights. He came over and asked, "Father, how can you read and run at the same time?" If memory serves, I gave him a similar response to the one I gave Sister just a few moments ago.

Apparently reading and walking don't always go hand in hand. If it weren't for those nasty cracks in sidewalks and the curbs, I'd read everytime I stepped out of the door.

Which reminds me. Speaking of the gym, I really haven't been exercising at all lately and I know that it is high time I return. I can feel the effects of the autumn and winter already, which doesn't bode well for the months too come. If you wouldn't mind, please offer a prayer or two that I get my act together and start exercising again. Part of the trick is that when your knees hurt a bit the idea of using them more isn't very appealing, even if, in the long run, using them will make them hurt less. At least that's what people say. Then again, they also say that exercising will give you more energy, but I haven't quite found that to be the case.

And while we're on that topic, this week will be an insanely busy one. I'm covering four classes each day at the high school, two of sophomore religion and two of junior religion. We have a regional soccer game tomorrow evening an hour away. We have soccer practice - presuming we win the game tomorrow - Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, with a sectional game (I think) on Friday evening. Wednesday evening I'm blessing a house and joining a family for dinner. Thursday afternoon I'm meeting with a class at the grade school and in the evening I'm presenting a class on the Holy Trinity for the RCIA.

As I sit at my desk with my calendar, I really just want to chuck it out the window. It's going to be a good week - I'm certain of that - but it will take a tremendous amount of stamina to get through it, for which I could also use your prayers.

And now, I'm off to meet with our Deacon who will be filling in for me as the Master of Ceremonies at a nearby Confirmation this week. Afterwards I'm going to try to get a class or two prepared for the highschool, the RCIA class put in order before working on a Bible study on St. Paul and Reconciliation for this evening. And if I work really well, I'll even get a start on Sunday's homily.

Who knew today was a civil holiday?

Wahoo!

Your result for The Commonly Confused Words Test...

English Genius

You scored 93% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 80% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!

For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

Take The Commonly Confused Words Test at HelloQuizzy

Capello tip to SFO Mom.

Columbus Trivia

Over at Young Fogey's, Fr. Toborowsky, offers a few items of trivia relating to Christopher Columbus.

Wow!

You've outdone yourselves in response to my request for votes in the Bloggers' Choice Awards. When I made the appeal on Friday I had 9 votes; this morning I have 32. Thank you!

This happily places us in very good company on the fifth page of blogs in the category of Best Religion Blog.

More votes are always welcome.

World Mission Sunday 2008

Here's a little homework for you to help prepare for the World Mission Sunday to be celebrated 19 October 2008: read Pope Benedict XVI's message for the day.

It is a brief message (just over three printed pages) and in it the His Holiness addresses "the continuing urgency to proclaim the Gospel" even today. He does so in a special way by focusing on the life of the Apostle Paul, whose jubilee year we now celebrate (I'll let you read the message to see how he does so).

Reflecting on the horrors and difficulties of the present day, he voices the questions and concerns of all humanity:

What will become of humanity and creation? Is there hope for the future, or rather, is there a future for humanity? And what will this future be like?

Certainly these questions concern every person and they seem to be more pressing with each passing day.

The answer to these questions, as we know, is Christ for, as Pope Benedict puts it, "Christ is our hope" and "his Gospel is a 'life-changing communication that gives hope, throws open the dark door of time and illuminates the future of humanity and the university."

Because of this hope that Christ gives us, "it is therefore an urgent duty for everyone to proclaim Christ and his saving message."

You might also visit the web site of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Homily - 12 October 2008

The Twenty-eighth Sunday of the Year (A)

Who is the king in the parable today if not God the Father, and who is the son if not the only begotten Son of the Father? And what is the wedding of the Son if not the Incarnation? Yes, when the Word of God took on our flesh he united the Church to himself, all because of his love for us, and in this way heaven and earth were joined together. Where are we to find this wedding feast if not here, at the celebration of the Holy Mass?

The Lord invites everyone to his banquet, saying, “Behold, I have prepared my banquet … everything is ready; come to the feast” (Matthew 22:4). We know that “some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business” (Matthew 22:5). What was so important that kept them from accepting the invitation given them?

Pope Saint Gregory the Great reminds us, “To go to your farm is to involve yourself excessively in earthly toil; to go to your business is to long for the gain brought on by our worldly activity.”[1] Are there not many today who refuse the invitation for these same reasons? “One person is concerned with earthly toil, another devoted to the activity of the world: they take no notice of the Lord’s Incarnation, and are unwilling to live in accordance with it.”[2] Why do they not come to the feast? We might also ask, why do we come to the feast?

As in the parable, many today hear the invitation but return to their farms and businesses seeking the things of this world. Some seventy-five percent of Catholics in this country do not attend Sunday Mass. We have seen in recent days how worthless such a constant preoccupation with the wealth of this world is. You can spend your entire life amassing its treasures and in a brief moment it can all vanish. When this happens, those who devoted themselves to the things of this world are left with nothing, while our treasure, our pearl of great price (cf. Matthew 13:46), remains.

No doubt we have accepted the invitation to this feast for a variety of reasons. Some have come who would rather not be here. Some have come out of curiosity, while others have come seeking solace and peace. Others yet have come enthusiastically to thank the Lord for his abundant goodness. But there is one reason that must override all of these: love. Love must be the reason we come to the feast.

Whatever the reason that we have come we know that we must have come dressed in proper attire. The king is coming to his feast and he will look upon the clothing of our heart and do not want to be found lacking.

Jesus said, “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man not dressed in a wedding garment” (Matthew 22:11). What is this wedding garment if not love? Everyone who believes in God and who belongs to his Church has already come to the feast, but not all have come with a wedding garment, not all have come in love.

My friends, if we dress appropriately for an earthly wedding to show our joy for the couple, why do we not properly dress for the wedding banquet of the Lamb? How is it that we do not care to change our clothes to come here where the angels rejoice and we taste heaven? What do we say to the Lord if we do not come dressed in love, the only fitting garment?

Let us consider, briefly, this garment that is love. Just as our own clothing consists of two parts, of an upper piece and a lower piece, so, too, does love consist of two parts, the of love of God and the love of neighbor. Whoever wants to wear the wedding garment must always follow this dual command of love.

These are profound things to consider and are not always easy to follow; nevertheless, the command to love remains. Let the one, then, who comes to the wedding feast without a wedding garment be concerned and fear being thrown out when the king comes.

Recall again the words of Jesus, “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man not wearing a wedding garment.” It should not be a surprise that within the Church are both good and bad, for it was so even within the Apostles. Thus it shall be until the Lord comes, when he will separate the good from the bad, the one to eternal life and the other to eternal death.

My friends, we are those who have come to the wedding feast. Have you come to the feast with a wedding garment, dressed in love? Consider carefully whether you hate anyone, whether you are envious of another, whether you seek to harm another person in any way.

The king is entering his feast and, finding one not properly dressed, he becomes angry. He says to him, “My friend, how is it you came in here without a wedding garment” (Matthew 22:12)? He calls him friend at the same time he shows his anger. “It is as if he were saying to him, ‘Friend and not a friend; friend because of your faith, not a friend because of your actions.’”[3]

The man, though, “was reduced to silence” (Matthew 22:12). Standing before the face of love, before the one who has prepared and given everything, what is there to say in explanation for a refusal to love? There is nothing that can be said; every excuse proves useless.

We know that we do not always love perfectly, that we do not always love as we should; yet we should not lose “hope of pardon at the entry of the merciful king.”[4] It is the Lord who “guides me in right paths for his name’s sake” and he will not lead us astray if we heed his voice (Psalm 23:3). Let us follow after him with humble courage, learning from him, as did Saint Paul, the way to love “in every circumstance and in all things” (Philippians 4:12).

Here in this Holy Mass, at this altar of the Lord, Christ Jesus will come to us in the Eucharist and extend his invitation to us once again, “everything is ready; come to the feast.” Here at this altar, let us “behold our God, to whom we looked to save us” (Isaiah 25:9), that we might “dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come” (Psalm 23:6). Amen.

[1] Pope Saint Gregory the Great, Sermon 38 in Forty Gospel Homilies. David Hurst, trans. (Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1990), 343. This present homily is largely adapted form this homily.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid, 350.
[4] Ibid.

Don't forget to vote!

I see that there are a few atheist blogs ahead of me in the Bloggers Choice Award. If you haven't cast a vote for Servant and Steward, would you consider doing so?

It seems strange for the blog of a priest to be behind an atheist blog in the "Best Religion Blog" category. If really appreciate it if you'd cast a vote for me.

Thanks!

Careful what you read

I should know by now to be careful with what I read.

At the end of class yesterday one of the boys asked if I wanted to go frolfing (Frisbee golfing) with his group after school. I hadn't been in years, though I do like the game. I told him I'd think about it. His group must have left the school quickly because I didn't see them leave the building.
Not quite knowing where they would be on the frolf course I decided to return to the rectory and lie down for a bit before the soccer game. As I did so, part of me said that I should just to go to the course and find them. How hard could it have been?

This evening I was reading one of the letters of Saint John Bosco. It was a letter written to educators in which Don Bosco relates a conversation he had in a dream with two of his former boys.

Don Bosco is shown two groups of his boys, first the former group and second the current group. The first group of boys he sees playing and laughing, both with each other and with priests and clergy. The second group of boys he sees bored and lifeless. The difference, he is told, is "a lack of interest in the recreation," not on the part of the boys, but of the priests.

Saint John is told that this lack of recreation is the reason why the boys

approach the sacraments so coldly, why they neglect their practices of piety in
the church and elsewhere, why they stay so unwillingly in a place where Divine
Providence endues them with every blessing for body, soul and mind; this is why
many do not correspond with their vocation, why superiors meet with ingratitude,
why you get secret groups forming, with grumbling and all the other deplorable
consequences.

The patron saint of boys then asks his former pupils with whom he speaks how he might remedy the dismal situation. With charity, he is told. What is needed is that the boys know that they are loved and this is conveyed through recreation, that the boys

be loved in the things which they themselves like by a sharing in their youthful
interests; in this way they will learn to see your love in matters which naturally speaking are not very pleasing to them, as is the case with study, discipline, and self-denial: in this way they will learn to do these things also with love.

Still not quite understanding, Don Bosco asks for greater clarification. One of the two boys answers, "Just look at your boys in recreation." Looking around Bosco asks, "Well, what's special about it?" The answer came: "Don’t you understand after all these years in the education of the young? Have a better look. Where are the Salesians?”

And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. Ouch. Where was I yesterday afternoon?

Bosco continues the letter, saying,

As I looked I saw that there were very few priests and clerics mixing with the
boys and fewer still taking part in their games: the superiors were no longer
the heart and soul of the recreation; most of them were walking up and down by
themselves conversing together and paying little attention to what the boys were
doing; others were looking on at the recreation but with no real concern for the
boys; others watched from a distance with never a word to those at fault; some
did warn the boys but rarely and when they did so it was in a threatening
manner.

Again, ouch. Clearly, I failed yesterday and missed a tremendous opportunity.

The rest of the letter, which continues relating the dream, is truly powerful. One of his former boys continues:

"Let them like what the boys like, and the boys will come to like what the superiors like. This will make the work easy. The reason for the present change in the Oratory is the lack of confidence in their superiors on the part of many boys. In the past hearts were wide open to the superiors, for the boys loved them and obeyed them promptly. Today however, the superiors are seen precisely as superiors and not at all as fathers, brothers and friends. That’s why the boys are afraid of them and don’t love them. If you want to see everyone of one heart and one mind again, then, for the love of God, you must break down the fatal barrier of distrust and put a happy spirit of confidence in its place. Then, just as a mother guides her child, so obedience will guide the boys, and there will be peace and joy at the Oratory once again, as in the days gone by.”

“How are we to go about breaking down this barrier?”

“By a friendly relationship with the boys, especially in recreation. Affection can’t be shown without this friendly relationship, and unless affection is seen there can be no confidence. He who wants to be loved must first show his own love. Our Lord made himself little with the little ones and bore our infirmities. He is our Master in this matter of the friendly approach. A master who is only seen in the master’s chair is just a master and nothing more, but if he goes into recreation with the boys he becomes their brother.

If someone is only seen preaching from the pulpit, it will be said that he does his duty, neither more nor less, whereas if he whispers a little word in recreation, this is seen as the word of a friend. How many conversions were brought about by those few words which you whispered suddenly in a boy’s ear, in the thick of the game!
When a person knows he is loved, he will love in return, and when a person is loved he can get anything, especially from boys. This confidence sets up an electric current between boys and superiors. Hearts are opened, needs and weaknesses made known. This love enables superiors to bear with weariness, annoyance, ingratitude, or the troubles, failings and neglect of the boys. Our Lord did not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoking flax. He is your model. In this way, no one will be seen working out of vainglory or dealing out punishment out of wounded self-love, no one will be seen withdrawing from the work of assisting through jealous fear of another’s popularity, nor criticising the others in the hope of winning the boys love and esteem for himself to the exclusion of the others, gaining nothing in fact but contempt and hypocritical flattery. No one will lose his heart to some creature and, through paying court to him, forget about the rest of the boys. No one will neglect his bounden duty
of assisting through a love of ease and comfort; no one will ever be seen refraining from correction, where correction is due, through human respect. With this true love only the glory of God and the good of souls will be sought. It is when there is a cooling off in such love that things go badly. Why let charity yield to cold legislation? Why are superiors moving away from the educational directives given them by Don Bosco? Why the steady replacement of loving and watchful prevention by a system which consists in framing laws? This is certainly less trying and a lot more convenient for the superior, but laws which are enforced by punishments stir up hatred and give rise to bitterness, whilst laws which are not enforced at all arouse only contempt for the superiors and cause serious disorders.

This is sure to happen where there is no friendly relationship. If then you want the Oratory to return to the happiness of former days, then let the system of those days flourish again. Let the superior be all things to everyone, ready to listen to the troubles or complaints of the boys, watching over their conduct with a father’s care,
whole-hearted in his efforts for the spiritual and temporal welfare of those whom Providence has entrusted to him.

I pray I not fail the Lord again in this way. May Saint John Bosco show me how to follow in his ways.

Letter to Unitarian minister

Here follows the letter that I have sent by e-mail to the minister at the Unitarian church in Quincy:

It was with great sorrow that I read in today’s issue of the Quincy Herald-Whig
that your church will host on Sunday morning two women who claim to be Roman
Catholic priests, Elsie Hainz McGrath and Ree Hudson.

As you certainly know, these women are not Catholic priests and can never be ordained as such, despite what they claim. As you also certainly know, these women
were declared excommunicated as a consequence of their rejection of central
teachings of the Catholic Church by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke this past March
and have not yet reconciled with the Church.

Your hosting of these two women to speak on “vocations awareness” is a great offense to Catholics and to a true spirit of respect between religions. Their insistence in promoting themselves as Catholics and as priests is a great lie, and your giving
of a pulpit to them from which to speak cooperates in this lie. I therefore urge you to disinvite these women as a sign of respect toward Catholics everywhere.

I will post this same letter later this afternoon.

Quincy church to host "Womenpriests"

The Quincy Herald-Whig is reporting that the Unitarian church in town will host Sunday morning Elsie Hainz McGrath and Ree Hudson, two women who claim to be Catholic priests. Archbishop Raymond Burke declared these two women to be excommunicated this past March.

I am very upset about this and would encourage everyone in the Quincy area to write to the Unitarians. Interestly enough, these two women are to speak on "vocations awareness."

Questions and answers

I cannot quite decide if it is good or not that there are very few topics – if indeed any – that the high school students won’t discuss with me, seemingly at any time and in any place, from the very profane – and maybe even sordid – to the very sacred. I suspect, in the end, it is good.

Yesterday afternoon I was walking through the hallways of the high school from my classroom to the office when a student in a “study” hall called me in to ask, “Why is premarital sex wrong?” I responded asking, “Why would it be good?”

I find this method to be fairly effective. So many people want to circumvent the ancient and constant teachings of the Church, but when you ask them to demonstrate why the Church’s teachings aren’t good they cannot respond. I don’t think most people want to destroy the teachings of the Church so much as they want to find a way around them. So it was yesterday.

After explaining – yet again – the beauty and purpose of sexuality and marriage I then said something like, “If extramarital sex weren’t wrong in and of itself we wouldn’t feel shame when thinking about doing it. If it weren’t wrong, you wouldn’t be asking me why it is wrong; you’d just and go out and do it. Something inside each of us tells us that it is wrong and so we go about trying to justify ourselves.” That seemed to work pretty well, too.

Isn’t that the case, though? I wonder if – in this time when feelings are just about the only thing anybody considers – if we ought not to begin with the sense of shame that people feel about these moral topics which we try to justify to remove our shame. Let us not forget that prior to the Fall, our first parents knew no shame.

I never thought I’d say that.

Today the schools are not in session because of a teacher in-service day and – because of Columbus Day – school is cancelled on Monday, as well. In the area this is a common weekend for families to take a last vacation and go camping at a nearby lake with who knows how many people. Very often parents allow their high school age children to consume alcohol when they know very well they should not be allowing – and even encouraging! – this behavior.

Before dismissing my classes yesterday I told the students, “Be safe this weekend. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want to tell me about.” Usually I say, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” but for whatever reason I didn’t yesterday. Several of the students answered, “Father, we tell you about everything already!” True enough.

Keep the questions coming, kids, keep them coming.

An unexpected letter

This morning I received a letter from His Eminence Sean Cardinal O'Malley, OFM Cap., Archbishop of Boston and Chairman of the Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

At the World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, the USCCB had a booth at the Vocation Expo that asked the youth to write a little something about their favorite priest. Apparently one of my pilgrims chose to write about me.

Those His Eminence did not reveal the name of the pilgrim, he did provide the words that were written:

He is a great practical person that has inspired me in his homilies to become a better person. Also any time I have a question about my faith he is never too busy to answer it. On this terrific pilgrimage I have gotten to know him on a more personal level that has led me and him to be closer friends.

I was very surprised this morning to read this letter and very humbled. To which ever one of my fellow pilgrims left these words, Thank you.

A sad defeat

This evening the Bulldogs played their archrival, the Wooden Shoes, at Teutopolis.

The JV team played first in a very tight match, resulting in a tie of 1-1. The Wooden Shoes scored first and the Bulldogs had a bit of a struggle matching the goal managed to pull it off at the end of the second half, with 0:0 remaining on the clock. That was quite an exciting goal!

The varisty team played an excellent first half, keeping the Wooden Shoes - who only lost one game this season - from scoring. In the second half, however, the Wooden Shoes managed six goals, ending the game 6-0.

Tuesday the Bulldogs play their first regional game in Greenville.

During the games I gave my camera to a couple of the boys to keep them occupied when they weren't playing.

Here are a few shots they took:

A good day

Today was a very enjoyable day, and a busy one.

I was supposed to have gone to the high school this morning to celebrate Mass at 7:00 a.m. for the kids who want to go to Mass but don't quite want to get up for the 6:30 a.m. Mass. Frankly, I can't blame them. Today was to have been the first day for this new arrangement. I have a agreed to celebrate Mass in the chapel at the high school twice each week when I have the 8:30 a.m. Mass; there wouldn't be time for me to get to the high school after the 6:30 Mass and finish another Mass in time for the students to get to their early bird class at 7:40. Well, there might be, but it'd be pushing it.

You might notice that I said "was to have been." When I awoke this morning it seemed rather light out for six o'clock in the morning. It turns out it was actually 7:23 a.m. I apparently left my cell phone - which I use for my alarm clock - downstairs on the couch. Oops.

I quickly realized I needed to get moving. Fast. We have a Franciscan priest who teaches four religion classes at our high school who is out for health reasons for the next week or two. I am teaching his classes in his absence, the first of which begins at 7:40. I made it, with a minute to spare.

The junior classes finished watching a movie today and tomorrow I'll begin teaching them about Clovis, King of the Franks, and the conversion of the barbarians to Christianity. The sophomores will hopefully finish watching Fiddler on the Roof tomorrow. When they do we'll begin looking at the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke. I'm very much looking forward to teaching these classes at least through the end of next week.

The Blessing of Pets was held shortly after school and from there I went to soccer practice. This evening the Pastoral Council met after which I had my picture taken for the forthcoming parish directory.

Blogger's Choice Awards

As the Blogger's Choice Awards wind to a close, would you mind casting a vote in my direction? Thanks!

More pictures from the Blessing of Pets

Over at the Schuette Zoo, Kenda has posted a few pictures from today's Blessing of Pets.

The Blessing of Pets

It is customary to celebrated the Blessing of Pets on the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4th, but since I was away in Quincy on the Feastday we celebrated the blessing this afternoon.

I didn't think to count how many animals and people were present, but I know we had at least ten dogs, one cat and even one rabbit. The hamster that was present last year was not this year and we still haven't had a fish. Maybe next year.

Last year the people naturally gathered today under the shade trees in one group; they didn't this year, and I'm not sure why. I don't think it was as hot this year, though.

Here are a few pictures from the blessing:

The photographer from the Effingham Daily News and I get along well and it's always good to chat with him.

A parishioner and I chat before the blessing.

I'm told that this rabbit often goes for walks.

Here you can see a few of the animals that were brought for the blessing.

I think next year I'm going to try to get a few servers to carry the cross and candles and to hold the book.

Blessing the pets and people with holy water.

Sprinkling a few more animals.

Maybe I also need two servers to hold back the cope.

Podcasting advice

On the way back from Quincy yesterday I picked up Podcasting for Dummies and am continuing my education in this medium.

I've been giving some consideration as to what to include in my podcast and I would like to hear your suggestions. What would you like to hear in a weekly podcast?

I know that the weekly podcast will include the Sunday homily. From time to time I'll post the various talks and presentations that I give in the parish. What else, if anything, would you like to hear?

I do know that when I do a podcast I want it to be a quality podcast. With that in mind, I know that I want a definite intro piece and a definite concluding piece to use with each podcast. What should these include? What sort of music should it have?

I'm pondering using this as the image for the podcast:

Should I use it, or should I use a picture of me? What should the image be?

A little joke

One of the troubles of being a naturally goofy person who hasn't slept much and is exhausted from service is the Lord's vineyard is that it doesn't take much to get me laughing uncontrollably.

As we entered the chapel one evening of the retreat at what was a very serious and solemn moment, the director of the weekend held up a small bell and - quite unaware of mental state - said to me,

Look, it's the little bell that could. I ding I can, I ding I can.

It was the most hilarious thing I had ever heard.

I made the mistake of sitting in the pew behind her and every time I looked up I started laughing again. It was all I could do to contain myself.

It hindsight it isn't that funny, but at the time it certainly was.

Back to reality

I returned early this afternoon to Effingham from a weekend (and a Monday) away in the Gem City to serve as the Spiritual Director for Great River Teens Encounter Christ #254.

Eighteen candidates participated in the retreat and were each - thanks be to God! - led closer to Jesus Christ. It was an excellent weekend, and my first TEC as a priest. It was a humble delight.

I left Effingham Friday afternoon shortly before practice began for the soccer team. After spending a couple of hours with the boys each day of the week - except for Sunday - it felt rather strange not to see them for a day. I drove the nearly four hour drive home thinking of the boys and hoping they would play in a tournament the next day.

Arriving in Quincy I went to the retreat center to unload my things. Checking in with the director I made my way to my room, room 328.

The retreat center was built as a Franciscan seminary and became a college dorm. When I lived in the dorm, one side of the building was a dorm and the other side was the retreat center. This weekend we were in the side of the building that was the dorm.

It felt so good to be back in the building in which I lived for three years, but it felt odd, too. Things were so familiar and yet so different. Many happy memories were relived as I wandered through the halls.

At the same time, though, it was proven once again that I am all too often an idiot. But that's alright.

As I climbed the stairs to the third floor I forgot my room number. I returned to the conference room and some of the "adult" team kindly wrote my room number on my nametag. So, back to the stairs I went.

When I stepped into the third floor hallway I went in search of my room, but I could not find it. I found room 329 and room 330, but I could not find room 328. I consulted a map on the bulletin board and confirmed where my room should be, but still could not find it.

The adults found this very amusing, especially since I lived in the building for so long. As it turns out, I was given a suite with apparently two room numbers. The door off of the hallway was labeled 329 and the door inside 329 that went to the bedroom was 328. Who knew?

After the adventure of finding my room I returned to my car to collect a few more things, only to be the first person of the weekend to be locked out of the building. The adults enjoyed this quite a bit, too.

Throughout the weekend I found myself singing Christmas carols at random, walking the halls following random groups of people only to realize I wasn't going where I wanted, and all sorts of other strange things. It was a lot of fun! To top it all off, when I went to finish up my major talk of the weekend, I found I left my outline and notes somewhere in Effingham; I still haven't found them.

At other times of the weekend I was scouring through the "manual" looking for what my responsibilities were for the weekend. For every service and talk I was to give I found two or three possibilities, none of which were complete in and of themselves, and much of which was contradictory. Consquently, when I wasn't mindlessly roaming about, I was trying to piece together what had to be done.

Why do I mention all of this? Saint Paul speaks of the "foolishness of God" (I Corinthians 1:25) and of becoming foolish in order to become wise (cf. I Corinthians 3:18). Saint Francis, too, referred to himself as a fool for Christ. This weekend I feel I joined their ranks.

Anyone who watched me this weekend bumble my way along would have had little confidence in my ability to function properly, and yet somehow everything came together.

I am a naturally goofy person, even if few people get to see this side of me. There's something about retreats that bring out my goofiness and seem to highlight it. What strikes me most about it is:

The Lord is able to take this man who can't remember his notes for his talk, who can't find his room, who locks himself out of a building, who mindlessly follows a group not knowing where they are going, and who very can't remember what he got up to do and use him for his own purposes.

Somehow the Lord used me well this weekend to speak of him and to witness the power of his love. For this, I am humbled and deeply grateful to him.

From Father Damien

One of the many books that I am currently reading - I have to read several at a time - is the Life and Letters of Father Damien: The Apostle of the Lepers compiled and edited by his brother, Father Pamphile.

Blessed Damien's first letter written on the island of Moloka'i was sent to his brother on November 25th, 1873. In it, he writes:

Don't send me any more intentions for Masses. I have more than I can manage. It is well known that we [missionaries] do everything gratis. But our good Master knows how to repay us. Or rather He has already repaid us. If our Lord were to ask me: Quando misi vos sine sacculo et pera et calceamentis, numquid aliquid defuit vobis? - "When I sent you without purse, or scrip, or shoes, was anything wanting to you?" I should certainly have to reply, Nihil, Domine. In fact, after leaving all I had at Kohala for Father Fabian, I came here without anything. I have not a penny of income, yet nihil mihi deest, I want for nothing. I have even alms to give away. How is this to be explained? That is His secret, Who promised to give a hundred-fold to those who gave up all for Him.

Just a little something to consider for the day.

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything yet today; it really was my intention to do so.

Today turned out to be a busier day than I expected, keeping me both out of my office and packing for the TEC weekend in Quincy at times other than planned. Today's monthly luncheon with the priests of the deanery - which is always enjoyable - also lasted longer than planned.

I'm back in the rectory now after a very frustrating and even angering (is that a word?) evening and simply am not in a blogging sort of mood. I can't quite keep focus long enough to blog anyway.

Regretfully, it concerns a matter that would be most imprudent to blog about. At the same time, the situation is not one to warrant great worry, fear or anxiety. I'm afraid it concerns simply one of those great irritations of life that comes to everyone whose life involves other people (and that would be all of us, unless you happen to be a hermit, and even then you're not quite safe). Prayers for peace in this regard for myself and those involved - and guidance for future action - would be most appreciated.

Tomorrow being First Friday I'll be at Communion Calls in the morning and after lunch I have to hit the road for Quincy. Somewhere in their I have to pack the car yet, too.

I'm afraid you may have to wait until tomorrow night for a post of any real substance.

The last few days

Monday’s meeting of the Priests Personnel Board moved along rather uneventfully, especially considering that there really isn’t anything to discuss at this point. Bishop Lucas addressed us for a time and we set the next meeting date. Afterwards we adjourned for lunch and then parted ways.

Unbeknownst to me, on Sunday Bishop Lucas celebrated the final Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception until after the restorations are complete. I’m happy to say that things look to be moving along well.

Monday being the day after the final Mass meant a sacristy cleaning day. The Pastor of the Cathedral – who happens to also be from my home parish – and the Director of Vocations – who lives at the Cathedral – conscripted me into the ranks of those helping them go through the sacristy. It’s amazing what can be found in thirty years of accumulated stuff.

I didn’t mind helping out – though I did wish at that point I’d brought along a pair of jeans and t-shirt to really help out – since I had some time free before leaving Springfield to meet the soccer team in Raymond.

When I left Effingham Monday morning I checked the weather forecast in Raymond just to see what was predicted for the games that evening. Thunderstorms. And lots of them. I would have cancelled the game then and there, even at nine o’clock in the morning.

On the way to Raymond from Springfield – but not before picking up some sour balls – I drove through quite a bit of rain and. I expected the team to be in Raymond about 4:45 so I arrived at 4:30 just to be safe. When I parked at the soccer field I saw a flash of lightening – the only thing that seems to stop soccer – and pretty well figured no games would be played that evening.

The boys arrived about 5:00 in the midst of rain. Sure enough, the lightening continued to flash right up until game time. The officials postponed the start of the game for at least thirty minutes before calling it off.

The boys loaded back up onto the bus and made the hour and a half trip back to Effingham, but not before stopping for a bite to eat.

Yesterday the boys played the Sullivan Redskins at Bulldog field. Being our last home game of the season it was also Senior Night. Our six seniors were honored during the half-time and we even managed to take a win, 3-2. Tomorrow evening we play at Mattoon, just a short drive away.

Today has been a busy day filled with many activities. I blessed rosaries for the first graders and talked with them about the stained glass windows in the church. I talked with a class of third graders (or maybe second graders; I can’t remember) about angels. I tossed some soccer balls at keepers to help them practice a bit. And I attended the parish choir practice this evening. All in all it’s been a good day.

Tomorrow will be spent largely finishing up a few homilies and talks – as well as packing – for this weekend’s Great River TEC retreat in Quincy. I’m very excited to be the spiritual director for the weekend, though I am a bit sad I won’t be able to be with the soccer for the games in Danville this weekend (they assure me they’ll keep me updated as to the scores).

I’m afraid regular blogging won’t resume for a few more days yet, most likely not until Tuesday. I do, though, hope to put up a few posts tomorrow and Friday morning on angels and other things.

Bad reporting

We are told by the Catholic News Agency that Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, brother of the Pope, recently gave an interview to the Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli. In this interview - according to the article - Msgr. Ratzinger "revealed several unknown details from the childhood of the Pontiff, such as when he said one time that Benedict would be a good name for a pope, and that he never attended Hitler Youth meetings he was obliged to sign up for."

Apparently the author of the article has not read then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's Milestones, in which he very clearly states that he never attended meetings of the Hitler Youth. Unkown details, indeed.