By Editorial page staff, The Times-Picayune
February 07, 2010, 10:15PM
Years from now, when the memories of Sunday begin to fade, New Orleans Saints fans will still remember where they were when cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and returned the ball 70 yards for the decisive touchdown of Super Bowl XLIV.
MICHAEL DeMOCKER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNELarry Rolling of Covington, the sign man, and other Saints fans celebrate Sunday's win. As the score flashed 31-17 and the game clock ticked away, Who Dat chants began to fall like a shower over Sun Life Stadium in Miami and fans across metro New Orleans screamed, hugged and cried -- free at last from 43 years of frustrations.
The Saints, our lovable underdogs, are world champions.
New Orleans native Peyton Manning and the Colts played their hearts out. But they were no match for a squad that through this miraculous season carried the aura of a team of destiny. Fans across our metro area, the state and the nation can't express how proud we are of quarterback Drew Brees, the Super Bowl's most valuable player, and the rest of the team.
But this is especially gratifying for Southeast Louisiana residents. Sunday's game was about much more than Xs and Os for us, because since Hurricane Katrina the Saints are much more than just a football team -- they are a civic cause. The storm transformed our region into a metaphor for despair and tragedy in the eyes of the world, but the Saints gave us reason for optimism. They embodied our resilience and our unity. That's priceless for a region still in recovery.
"For the first time in almost four years, I finally feel whole again," wrote fan Latoya Melancon, speaking for all of us.
Coach Sean Payton said it best as he hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy: "Everybody back in New Orleans gets a piece of this trophy."
Building an NFL championship team is a gargantuan undertaking. It requires vision and resources, the right mix of talent, serendipity and a dedication to be the best. Thirty-two franchises try every year, as the Saints had done unsuccessfully for more than four decades. But those past failures, monumental at times, are forever redeemed by last night's triumph.
Owner Tom Benson, owner/executive vice president Rita Benson LeBlanc, general manager Mickey Loomis, Coach Payton and everyone in the Saints organization deserve congratulations and heartfelt thanks.
Metro residents resolved to rebuild better after the storm and we remain a work in progress. But the Saints' success at reinventing themselves shows we can do it.
"Louisiana . . . and New Orleans is back," Mr. Benson said last night. "And it's showed the whole world."
Yes it has.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saints getting some national love from WSJ
From the WSJ: the headline says Saints flatten Payton and Colts.
Wait—does the entire country get the day off, or is it just New Orleans? It's everyone, right?
.C'mon! It should be. With Sunday night's epic and joyous 31-17 Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Miami, the New Orleans Saints bandwagon will now stop and pick up the rest of America. Mardi Gras is now a permanent state, and you're all expected on Bourbon Street within the next 72 hours, or you're fired. The Winter Olympics just announced they'd like to delay until June, and they'd like to hold speed skating at the Superdome.
Did you really believe? Are you Faux Geaux, or Who Dat from the womb? Did you ever own a grocery bag that spelled "Saints" with a missing S? Can you correctly pronounce "Bobby Hebert"?
Does it matter? Absolutely not. Once tragically late to New Orleans, a nation wants to move in and establish residency. The Saints are unquestionably America's team. Stand down, Jerry Jones.
"We just believed in ourselves," said Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who finished with 288 yards passing and two touchdown throws and won the game's MVP award. "We knew we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us."
What surely makes this first Super Bowl championship sweet for the Saints is that they knocked out a heavyweight. The Colts were unquestionably the favorite headed into Super Bowl XLIV. Indianapolis had a 16-2 record, a league-MVP quarterback in Peyton Manning, and a ruthless mean streak. They weren't swayed by New Orleans' sentimental story. They were out to win, maybe big.
For a moment, that looked possible. The Colts screamed to a 10-0 lead before most of Who Dat Nation had even gotten its black and gold beads on. We began to worry for New Orleans. It had been a joyous fortnight for the revitalized city, and a shredding by the Colts would have hurt worse than the nastiest Fat Tuesday hangover.
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.But the Saints responded forcefully. A pair of field goals narrowed the score to 10-6 at halftime. After The Who played a spirited medley of ancient druid songs at halftime, Saints head coach Sean Payton gambled with an onside kick to open the second half. The Saints recovered, then marched to a touchdown and a 13-10 lead.
The Colts jabbed right back. It was textbook Indy—as if Mr. Manning had seen the Saints fans dancing in their chairs and snarled, "What part of 'My name is Peyton Manning' did you guys not hear?" He shuttled the Colts downfield for a score and a 17-13 lead.
A third field goal by Garrett Hartley of the Saints cut the margin to 17-16. At this point, the defenses of both teams were looking like they may have snuck into Saturday night's Playboy Party on South Beach to see the Black Eyed Peas. Mr. Brees piloted the Saints back down the field, tossing a two-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey with 5:42 left in the fourth quarter. A two-point conversion made it 24-17.
At this point, we half expected to look over on the sideline and see Mr. Manning coolly smoking a cigarette. Fourth-quarter comebacks are his speciality, of course, and on the wall of his home are the heads of NFL head coaches who left him too much time on the clock to mercilessly operate.
But there would be no Manning magic on this night. The Colt mounted a promising drive, but with 3:12 left, a New Orleans cornerback named Tracy Porter—born in Port Allen, La.—leapt in front of a pass from Mr. Manning and skipped 74 yards for a touchdown. Game over. Not even Mr. Manning was going to stop the party.
You know who really stole this year's Super Bowl? Fans. Pro football's extravagant curtain-closer gets flak for being a plutocrat-stuffed, expense-account corporate-fest. But this year, thanks to Who Dat Nation—and yes, Colts Nation—the proceedings throughout South Florida had a populist flair.
And you know what's the craziest part of all? It's Monday after the Super Bowl, and we still have no idea who it is that said they were going to beat those Saints.
Or something like that. Like you, we need to get back down to New Orleans and learn how to say it properly.
Wait—does the entire country get the day off, or is it just New Orleans? It's everyone, right?
.C'mon! It should be. With Sunday night's epic and joyous 31-17 Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Miami, the New Orleans Saints bandwagon will now stop and pick up the rest of America. Mardi Gras is now a permanent state, and you're all expected on Bourbon Street within the next 72 hours, or you're fired. The Winter Olympics just announced they'd like to delay until June, and they'd like to hold speed skating at the Superdome.
Did you really believe? Are you Faux Geaux, or Who Dat from the womb? Did you ever own a grocery bag that spelled "Saints" with a missing S? Can you correctly pronounce "Bobby Hebert"?
Does it matter? Absolutely not. Once tragically late to New Orleans, a nation wants to move in and establish residency. The Saints are unquestionably America's team. Stand down, Jerry Jones.
"We just believed in ourselves," said Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who finished with 288 yards passing and two touchdown throws and won the game's MVP award. "We knew we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us."
What surely makes this first Super Bowl championship sweet for the Saints is that they knocked out a heavyweight. The Colts were unquestionably the favorite headed into Super Bowl XLIV. Indianapolis had a 16-2 record, a league-MVP quarterback in Peyton Manning, and a ruthless mean streak. They weren't swayed by New Orleans' sentimental story. They were out to win, maybe big.
For a moment, that looked possible. The Colts screamed to a 10-0 lead before most of Who Dat Nation had even gotten its black and gold beads on. We began to worry for New Orleans. It had been a joyous fortnight for the revitalized city, and a shredding by the Colts would have hurt worse than the nastiest Fat Tuesday hangover.
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Follow Jason Gay at twitter.com/wsjcouch
.But the Saints responded forcefully. A pair of field goals narrowed the score to 10-6 at halftime. After The Who played a spirited medley of ancient druid songs at halftime, Saints head coach Sean Payton gambled with an onside kick to open the second half. The Saints recovered, then marched to a touchdown and a 13-10 lead.
The Colts jabbed right back. It was textbook Indy—as if Mr. Manning had seen the Saints fans dancing in their chairs and snarled, "What part of 'My name is Peyton Manning' did you guys not hear?" He shuttled the Colts downfield for a score and a 17-13 lead.
A third field goal by Garrett Hartley of the Saints cut the margin to 17-16. At this point, the defenses of both teams were looking like they may have snuck into Saturday night's Playboy Party on South Beach to see the Black Eyed Peas. Mr. Brees piloted the Saints back down the field, tossing a two-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey with 5:42 left in the fourth quarter. A two-point conversion made it 24-17.
At this point, we half expected to look over on the sideline and see Mr. Manning coolly smoking a cigarette. Fourth-quarter comebacks are his speciality, of course, and on the wall of his home are the heads of NFL head coaches who left him too much time on the clock to mercilessly operate.
But there would be no Manning magic on this night. The Colt mounted a promising drive, but with 3:12 left, a New Orleans cornerback named Tracy Porter—born in Port Allen, La.—leapt in front of a pass from Mr. Manning and skipped 74 yards for a touchdown. Game over. Not even Mr. Manning was going to stop the party.
You know who really stole this year's Super Bowl? Fans. Pro football's extravagant curtain-closer gets flak for being a plutocrat-stuffed, expense-account corporate-fest. But this year, thanks to Who Dat Nation—and yes, Colts Nation—the proceedings throughout South Florida had a populist flair.
And you know what's the craziest part of all? It's Monday after the Super Bowl, and we still have no idea who it is that said they were going to beat those Saints.
Or something like that. Like you, we need to get back down to New Orleans and learn how to say it properly.
SAINTS ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS
Too excited to post but let's declare it for all to hear:
THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WON THE SUPERBOWL!!!
THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ARE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!
THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WON THE SUPERBOWL!!!
THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ARE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!
New Orleans Saints playing football on Super Bowl Sunday
From the time I was a young boy until now I have watched almost every Super Bowl. Believe it or not, I missed a few back in the day because when the earliest Super Bowls were in New Orleans, the games were blacked out on TV. Then there was the years that I traveled for the Jaycees and actually missed a Super Bowl or two as I drove home from various locations in north or central Louisiana. Most of the games I watched with passing interest; some I enjoyed immensly; ironically cheering on both Peyton and Eli Manning in 2007 and 2008 back to back.
But today is Super Bowl euphoria! Something that I wondered if I would ever witness is about to come true: New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl!!!
The lovable but laughable New Orleans Saints of the sixties, seventies and early eighties; the dominant defenses of the late eighties and early nineties, the experiment that was Mike Ditka and the excitement of playoff victory #1 under Jim Haslett and then Katrina almost costing us the Saints forever have all culminated to this historic date: February 7, 2010; the day the announcers will declare the NFC champion New Orleans Saints take the field at the 44th Super Bowl.
How big is this? New Orleans just had a mayors election that will change the political landscape for years to come and it is a back page story this morning in New Orleans. Mardi Gras parades are rolling and the crowds are not lined up on the neutral grounds. The LSU Tigers just completed another top 10 recruiting class and it barely made the sports stories. And Catholic Churches across Louisinana, with the proper permissions, have cancelled or rescheduled Masses so the faithful could celebrate the Saints. We Catholics already know how to celebrate Saints!
The French Quarter is bursting at the seems. Every sports bar in the city is already packed with fans, hours before kickoff. Neighborhoods are decorated in black & gold, even cemeteries are covered in Saints ballons and flowers at the gravesites of dearly departed Saints fans. Schools in some areas are closed tomorrow and businesses are bracing for a rush of sick calls early Monday morning.
The Saints have indeed brought such excitement and joy not just to the fans but to the wider community. Why? Because the Saints are as much about New Orleans as gumbo, jazz, Mardi Gras and how's ya momma and dem! It might not be something the rest of the nation can understand but it is our New Orleans reality. And who can not relate to the story of how the New Orleans Saints have been the fabric that has kept New Orleans on the grow in these recovery years after Hurricane Katrina.
Later today we may focus on the X's and O's of the actual game. After all, it is still about playing football and wanting a Saints victory over the Colts. But we are still just celebrating the happiness and joy at watching a sports crazed nation focus on two teams in the Super Bowl and one of them is indeed the New Orleans Saints.
Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone! Enjoy the game. And for all the Saints fans who have waited patiently for this day; Celebrate your team, your city, your region and state because today, Febraury 7, 2010 the Saints are Marching In...all the way to the Super Bowl.
Yes, the Saints are Coming!!! and they have arrived!
But today is Super Bowl euphoria! Something that I wondered if I would ever witness is about to come true: New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl!!!
The lovable but laughable New Orleans Saints of the sixties, seventies and early eighties; the dominant defenses of the late eighties and early nineties, the experiment that was Mike Ditka and the excitement of playoff victory #1 under Jim Haslett and then Katrina almost costing us the Saints forever have all culminated to this historic date: February 7, 2010; the day the announcers will declare the NFC champion New Orleans Saints take the field at the 44th Super Bowl.
How big is this? New Orleans just had a mayors election that will change the political landscape for years to come and it is a back page story this morning in New Orleans. Mardi Gras parades are rolling and the crowds are not lined up on the neutral grounds. The LSU Tigers just completed another top 10 recruiting class and it barely made the sports stories. And Catholic Churches across Louisinana, with the proper permissions, have cancelled or rescheduled Masses so the faithful could celebrate the Saints. We Catholics already know how to celebrate Saints!
The French Quarter is bursting at the seems. Every sports bar in the city is already packed with fans, hours before kickoff. Neighborhoods are decorated in black & gold, even cemeteries are covered in Saints ballons and flowers at the gravesites of dearly departed Saints fans. Schools in some areas are closed tomorrow and businesses are bracing for a rush of sick calls early Monday morning.
The Saints have indeed brought such excitement and joy not just to the fans but to the wider community. Why? Because the Saints are as much about New Orleans as gumbo, jazz, Mardi Gras and how's ya momma and dem! It might not be something the rest of the nation can understand but it is our New Orleans reality. And who can not relate to the story of how the New Orleans Saints have been the fabric that has kept New Orleans on the grow in these recovery years after Hurricane Katrina.
Later today we may focus on the X's and O's of the actual game. After all, it is still about playing football and wanting a Saints victory over the Colts. But we are still just celebrating the happiness and joy at watching a sports crazed nation focus on two teams in the Super Bowl and one of them is indeed the New Orleans Saints.
Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone! Enjoy the game. And for all the Saints fans who have waited patiently for this day; Celebrate your team, your city, your region and state because today, Febraury 7, 2010 the Saints are Marching In...all the way to the Super Bowl.
Yes, the Saints are Coming!!! and they have arrived!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Homily 5th Sunday in Ord. Time/February 7, 2010
Based on turnout for the vigil Masses last night and now the morning Masses today, we can make two assumptions: not too many people will be at church this afternoon before kickoff and we will add a new category to Christmas/Easter Catholics; Who Dat Catholics. So let’s all agree: Geaux Saints!
Besides the Saints, one of the great things about living down here in south Louisiana is fishing. We have it all; salt water, fresh water; deep sea water. We catch trout, redfish, catfish, bass, perch, and more. One day while observing fishermen having a bad day on the water, a game warden observed Boudreaux paddling in on a pirogue loaded with fish. For days this continued; no one caught fish but Boudreaux kept paddling in with a mess of fish. The game warden told Boudreaux that he would join him tomorrow on his fishing trip to observe his successful technique.
The two men met up the next day and Boudreaux paddled out to deep water. He lit a stick of dynamite, tossed it into the lake and up floated hundred of dead fish. The game warden is mortified; this is wrong this is illegal! Boudreaux, he exclaimed, you can’t do this. Boudreaux immediately lit another stick of dynamite, handed it to the game warden and said, you gonna shut up or fish?
As people of faith, are we prepared to shut up and fish? And if fishing it will be, are we prepared to put out into deep water?
Our Gospel story gives us Simon, who has yet to be called Peter, pulling his boat into dock after a very unsuccessful night fishing. Jesus climbs into the boat and teaches the growing crowds who pressed in upon him along the shore. As he finished the teachings Jesus instructs Simon to go fish some more with the words: “put out into deep water”. Simon Peter objects at first but obeys Jesus’ command. And the catch of fish is overwhelming.
Jesus then tells Simon Peter that from now on you will be catching men.
The command, put out into the deep, has meaning for us gathered here today. We need to find deep water, to find our catch. We must not fear the deep water.
What is our spiritual deep water? First, it is a place of uncertainty, challenge, risk, and the unknown. But deep water also refers to opportunity, a place of redemption, a place where loss can be turned into gain. The deep water is a stark contrast to the shoreline, a place of comfort, security, the familiar, the ordinary.
Left to our own will, we prefer the shoreline, we prefer shallow water. But it is Jesus who is calling us to deep water. Where exactly is the deep water in our lives?
For the young among us, the deep water in our lives may be the challenges we face in selecting our educational pursuits or our career. It may be will I get married, who will I marry and when will I marry. And it could mean a call to pursue a vocation to be a Priest, a Deacon or the religious life. Don’t laugh. Even Simon Peter thought that putting out in the deep would be useless. When Jesus is calling the shots, all things are possible.
“Putting out in the deep” forces us to face our own realities about our spiritual journey. Do we risk the journey into deep water or do we play it safe close to shore. Do we want to help Jesus fish for and catch more men and women for Christ? How does this look for us in our own parish here today?
The deep water we are being called to may mean joining a ministry here at St. Jane’s, it may mean joining our Bible study program, it may mean placing a few more dollars in those poor boxes in the back of church. It may even mean seeking out opportunities to serve those at the food bank, Habitat, supporting the prison ministry that I’m blessed to lead and direct here on the Northshore. That deep water may be seeking forgiveness in the Sacrament of reconciliation, making an appointment to talk to a Priest or Deacon about reconciling your marriage, stopping by church to worship Jesus in front of the Tabernacle or coming to Adoration or Benediction or preparing for the upcoming Lenten season with a clean heart.
Putting out into the deep is not easy; it requires courage; it demands our complete and total dependence on Jesus Christ. We have seen this in the recent response to the crisis in Haiti, the recovery of our own region after Katrina, the way we responded here locally last weekend to the benefit dinner for one of our own and yes, dare I say the heroic athletic accomplishments of our New Orleans Saints.
So in the week ahead, put out in deep water. Help, by your example and prayer, to catch men and women for Christ. Get in that deep water; and you don’t even need a stick of dynamite.
Geaux Saints!
Besides the Saints, one of the great things about living down here in south Louisiana is fishing. We have it all; salt water, fresh water; deep sea water. We catch trout, redfish, catfish, bass, perch, and more. One day while observing fishermen having a bad day on the water, a game warden observed Boudreaux paddling in on a pirogue loaded with fish. For days this continued; no one caught fish but Boudreaux kept paddling in with a mess of fish. The game warden told Boudreaux that he would join him tomorrow on his fishing trip to observe his successful technique.
The two men met up the next day and Boudreaux paddled out to deep water. He lit a stick of dynamite, tossed it into the lake and up floated hundred of dead fish. The game warden is mortified; this is wrong this is illegal! Boudreaux, he exclaimed, you can’t do this. Boudreaux immediately lit another stick of dynamite, handed it to the game warden and said, you gonna shut up or fish?
As people of faith, are we prepared to shut up and fish? And if fishing it will be, are we prepared to put out into deep water?
Our Gospel story gives us Simon, who has yet to be called Peter, pulling his boat into dock after a very unsuccessful night fishing. Jesus climbs into the boat and teaches the growing crowds who pressed in upon him along the shore. As he finished the teachings Jesus instructs Simon to go fish some more with the words: “put out into deep water”. Simon Peter objects at first but obeys Jesus’ command. And the catch of fish is overwhelming.
Jesus then tells Simon Peter that from now on you will be catching men.
The command, put out into the deep, has meaning for us gathered here today. We need to find deep water, to find our catch. We must not fear the deep water.
What is our spiritual deep water? First, it is a place of uncertainty, challenge, risk, and the unknown. But deep water also refers to opportunity, a place of redemption, a place where loss can be turned into gain. The deep water is a stark contrast to the shoreline, a place of comfort, security, the familiar, the ordinary.
Left to our own will, we prefer the shoreline, we prefer shallow water. But it is Jesus who is calling us to deep water. Where exactly is the deep water in our lives?
For the young among us, the deep water in our lives may be the challenges we face in selecting our educational pursuits or our career. It may be will I get married, who will I marry and when will I marry. And it could mean a call to pursue a vocation to be a Priest, a Deacon or the religious life. Don’t laugh. Even Simon Peter thought that putting out in the deep would be useless. When Jesus is calling the shots, all things are possible.
“Putting out in the deep” forces us to face our own realities about our spiritual journey. Do we risk the journey into deep water or do we play it safe close to shore. Do we want to help Jesus fish for and catch more men and women for Christ? How does this look for us in our own parish here today?
The deep water we are being called to may mean joining a ministry here at St. Jane’s, it may mean joining our Bible study program, it may mean placing a few more dollars in those poor boxes in the back of church. It may even mean seeking out opportunities to serve those at the food bank, Habitat, supporting the prison ministry that I’m blessed to lead and direct here on the Northshore. That deep water may be seeking forgiveness in the Sacrament of reconciliation, making an appointment to talk to a Priest or Deacon about reconciling your marriage, stopping by church to worship Jesus in front of the Tabernacle or coming to Adoration or Benediction or preparing for the upcoming Lenten season with a clean heart.
Putting out into the deep is not easy; it requires courage; it demands our complete and total dependence on Jesus Christ. We have seen this in the recent response to the crisis in Haiti, the recovery of our own region after Katrina, the way we responded here locally last weekend to the benefit dinner for one of our own and yes, dare I say the heroic athletic accomplishments of our New Orleans Saints.
So in the week ahead, put out in deep water. Help, by your example and prayer, to catch men and women for Christ. Get in that deep water; and you don’t even need a stick of dynamite.
Geaux Saints!
The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary 2nd Mystery
The second mystery of this wonderful devotion is the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, based on the Scriptural text of Matthew 2:13-15.
Mary's heart broke and her mind was greatly troubled when Jospeh revealed to her the words of the angel: they were to wake up quickly and flee to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill Jesus. The Blessed Virgin hardly had time to decide what to take or leave behind; she took her child and left everything else.
Because the Blessed Virgin was (and still is and always will be) the mother of Jesus, she loved him more than anyone. Her heart was deeply troubled at the sight of her infant son's discomfort, and she suffered greatly because he was cold and shivering. While she and Joseph were tired, sleepy and hungry during this long travel, Mary's only thought was about the safety and comfort of her child. She feared the soldiers who were ordered to kill Jesus and she knew that in Egypt there would be no friendly faces to greet them.
Beloved Mother, give us your courageous heart. Give us strength so that we can be brave like you and accept with love the suffering God sends our way. Help us to accept all suffering we inflict upon ourselves and the suffering inflicted upon us by others. Heavenly Mother, purify our suffering so that we may give glory to God.
Mary's heart broke and her mind was greatly troubled when Jospeh revealed to her the words of the angel: they were to wake up quickly and flee to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill Jesus. The Blessed Virgin hardly had time to decide what to take or leave behind; she took her child and left everything else.
Because the Blessed Virgin was (and still is and always will be) the mother of Jesus, she loved him more than anyone. Her heart was deeply troubled at the sight of her infant son's discomfort, and she suffered greatly because he was cold and shivering. While she and Joseph were tired, sleepy and hungry during this long travel, Mary's only thought was about the safety and comfort of her child. She feared the soldiers who were ordered to kill Jesus and she knew that in Egypt there would be no friendly faces to greet them.
Beloved Mother, give us your courageous heart. Give us strength so that we can be brave like you and accept with love the suffering God sends our way. Help us to accept all suffering we inflict upon ourselves and the suffering inflicted upon us by others. Heavenly Mother, purify our suffering so that we may give glory to God.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary: 1st Mystery
This special Marian devotion is gaining popularity with the teaching of this beautiful prayer to the seer Marie Claire in Kibeho, Rawanda. This Marian apparition, approved by the Church, is relatively recent so the devotion to the Seven Sorrows Rosary is somewhat new.
In a series of posts over the next few days or weeks I'm going to share each decade with appropriate reflections.
The first mystery of the Seven Sorrows of Mary is the Prophecy of Simeon; found in the Gospel of Luke 2:22-35. This was the basis for our recent celebration of the Feast of the Presentation.
Here is the reflection for this first mystery: The Blessed Virgin Mary took Jesus to the temple as tradition demanded. The temple priest, Simeon, held the baby Jesus in his hands and, filled with the Holy Spirit, realized that Jesus is the Messiah. He thanked God for allowing him to see with his own eyes the promised Messiah. Simeon proclaimed that "let your servant go in peace" and he also declared to Mary, "a sword of sorrow will pierce your heart".
The Blessed Mary must have known that she did indeed give birth to the Savior of the world. Her heart was both thankful but troubled for she knew what awaits the Messiah. She knew he would suffer and thus would suffer greatly too.
We pray then with Mary to teach us to suffer with her help and with love, to accept all suffering. We offer you Mary our suffering so it will matter more and atone for the sins of the world. We ask that you join our sorrows to your own and to those of the Lord Jesus Christ, then offer them to God the Father!
In a series of posts over the next few days or weeks I'm going to share each decade with appropriate reflections.
The first mystery of the Seven Sorrows of Mary is the Prophecy of Simeon; found in the Gospel of Luke 2:22-35. This was the basis for our recent celebration of the Feast of the Presentation.
Here is the reflection for this first mystery: The Blessed Virgin Mary took Jesus to the temple as tradition demanded. The temple priest, Simeon, held the baby Jesus in his hands and, filled with the Holy Spirit, realized that Jesus is the Messiah. He thanked God for allowing him to see with his own eyes the promised Messiah. Simeon proclaimed that "let your servant go in peace" and he also declared to Mary, "a sword of sorrow will pierce your heart".
The Blessed Mary must have known that she did indeed give birth to the Savior of the world. Her heart was both thankful but troubled for she knew what awaits the Messiah. She knew he would suffer and thus would suffer greatly too.
We pray then with Mary to teach us to suffer with her help and with love, to accept all suffering. We offer you Mary our suffering so it will matter more and atone for the sins of the world. We ask that you join our sorrows to your own and to those of the Lord Jesus Christ, then offer them to God the Father!
Happy Anniversary!!! 300 and counting!!!
Tonight is the eve of the one year anniversary of launching abitadeacon. I had no idea what this would look like then as I truly thought I might post a few homilies and other random thoughts. This little update, being written on a quiet Friday night (at least at my place), is my 300th published post.
I realize that I will never fully know how often you and others will stop by and read abitadeacon. That's ok as writing this blog is cathartic for me and satisfies my inmost desire to journal and reflect.
I've mentioned before that computer skills would not be listed as a strength in my personal skills set inventory. I still struggle to cut and paste and have had almost no luck lately in posting pictures or videos. For now, I'll be happy with writing my reflections.
A quick glance at my list on the home page here does reveal that homilies are my most frequent contribution. Since the inception of the blog I do try to post a homily every week, even if I am not preaching.
Other favorite topics have been Saints (those in Heaven) and the New Orleans Saints (especially lately) and sacraments and things related to prison ministry at Rayburn prison. I have commented on topical things, stayed mostly away from politics; mostly and have tried to explain the ministry of the Permanent Deacon.
So tonight I'll reflect on my one year as a blogger and place this blog, as I did last year, in God's hands as I pray that something I write or post will help someone grow closer to God and His Church.
And this 300th post will be far from the last as I intend to grow abitadeacon to serve God and one another.
I realize that I will never fully know how often you and others will stop by and read abitadeacon. That's ok as writing this blog is cathartic for me and satisfies my inmost desire to journal and reflect.
I've mentioned before that computer skills would not be listed as a strength in my personal skills set inventory. I still struggle to cut and paste and have had almost no luck lately in posting pictures or videos. For now, I'll be happy with writing my reflections.
A quick glance at my list on the home page here does reveal that homilies are my most frequent contribution. Since the inception of the blog I do try to post a homily every week, even if I am not preaching.
Other favorite topics have been Saints (those in Heaven) and the New Orleans Saints (especially lately) and sacraments and things related to prison ministry at Rayburn prison. I have commented on topical things, stayed mostly away from politics; mostly and have tried to explain the ministry of the Permanent Deacon.
So tonight I'll reflect on my one year as a blogger and place this blog, as I did last year, in God's hands as I pray that something I write or post will help someone grow closer to God and His Church.
And this 300th post will be far from the last as I intend to grow abitadeacon to serve God and one another.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Christian Unity; slowly but surely
This is a beautiful article about a pastoral letter written by an Aglican Bishop as he invites the faithful to embrace Christian unity in the fullness of truth: the Catholic Church. I spotted this article at the facebook group Deacons for Life!
Here Come the Anglicans: Opening Chapter in the Coming Reunion of the Church
By Deacon Keith Fournier Posted: Friday, January 29, 2010
CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) – In a beautifully written, theologically astute, historically significant and warmly pastoral letter written to the faithful of the Traditional Anglican Communion, Archbishop John Hepworth invites them to enter into full communion by following the Apostolic Constitution and Norms offered by the Holy See. He concludes his letter (which we reprint in its entirety as a related story below) with this stirring summons:
“I believe with all my heart that this is a work of God and an act of great generosity by Pope Benedict. The Anglican tradition that we treasure will only survive, I believe, across the generations yet to come if it discovers the protection of apostolic authority. It is my cherished wish that each of us can stand at the altar with our fellow Christians and receive the same Eucharistic Christ. That is the ultimate test of unity. In the centuries since the church in the West became fractured there has been no offer such as the one that is now before us.”
When history records this moment, Archbishop John Hepworth of the Traditional Anglican Communion will be a vital part of the story. Men of prophetic stature are never perfect, they are humble and holy. They simply show a willingness to be perfected by the Lord whom they love. They allow the mistakes and difficulties of life to become the tutors of time. They respond in their brokenness to the invitation of history being written by the One who broke into history to transform it from within. Archbishop Hepworth has done that throughout this historic process.
I have followed the formal request of the Traditional Anglican Communion for full communion with the Catholic Church from the very beginning. I persisted in covering it after many news sources, including Catholic ones, dismissed the possibility that it would ever bring a positive response from Rome. We are dedicated to an authentically Catholic vision of ecumenism which recognizes the need for visible unity, with legitimate diversity, within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Well, the overture received more than a favorable response; it opened up the front door of the House. Such a welcome surprised many observers. Reading Archbishop Hepworth’s letter provides insights into why the Holy Father, inspired by the Holy Spirit, responded in such an historic manner. The original petition to Rome for full communion has never been released. It has now been made available by the Archbishop. We include the full text as a related article below this story. The petition was a work of the Holy Spirit, an example of humility and an act of love for the Lord and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church by these Christians of the Traditional Anglican Communion.
I have closely followed the movement of Anglican Clergy and lay faithful toward the safe harbor that is found in the Bark of Peter. We have grieved along with many of them as their own Christian community was torn asunder by the rejection of both orthodoxy and orthopraxy. It is my conviction that the influx of these Anglican Christians into the full communion of the Catholic Church is a gift to the Catholic Church. The depth of faith, life and worship found within the Catholic Church is sometimes not understood or even fully embraced by many of her own members. As a Deacon, I offer a series entitled “Catholic by Choice” geared toward instructing those who are often called “Cradle Catholics”. The term is inaccurate because no-one is born a Catholic. One is baptized into the Catholic Church and grows in that communion and its implications.
The Church is the Body of Christ, a communion. We live in the Church. The lifelong process of conversion unfolds as we partake of the graces which are mediated through her Sacraments, feed on the Holy Eucharist and receive the Living Word of God which has been entrusted to her. Contrary to some limited understandings of our age, Christianity is not about “Me and Jesus”. The Christian faith is about me and you - and the entire world - IN Jesus.
We now live our lives in a participation in the Trinitarian communion through our life in the communion of the Church. She is God’s great gift. The Church is not simply an organization, not “Some – Thing”, but “Some –One”, the Risen Body of Christ. We are called, in the Archbishops beautiful closing words in his letter to “make our home” within her.
As the Risen Body of Christ we continue the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ our Head. We invite all men and women to come home. The Church, in the inspired words of the Apostolic Constitution which synthesize the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, is “an instrument of communion with God and of unity among all people.” It was never the Lord’s plan that His Body be divided.
Disunity,in the words of the Second Vatican Council which Archbishop Hepworth quotes, “openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the Gospel to every creature." It is the Lord’s plan that His Church be healed and come back into visible unity. These Anglican Christians have recognized this plan and responded with humility. They call us all to reflect upon our own understanding of our life within the One Church and the duty which our membership entails.
The Anglican Catholics will be a leaven that leavens the whole loaf of the Catholic Church. They will call us to be more faithful to our identity as Catholic Christians. They will help us rediscover the legitimate diversity within the bedrock unity we have in fidelity to the Magisterium, the teaching office, of the Catholic Church. We certainly must embrace orthodoxy (right teaching) and orthopraxy (right practice). However, we are a Church with many beautiful liturgical expressions and there is room for distinctives.
Many Catholics do not even know of the existence of differing liturgies within the One Catholic Church. As a Deacon, I have the privilege of serving at “Mass” (both Novus Ordo and extraordinary form) of the Western Rite. I also have permission to serve the beautiful “Divine Liturgy” of the Eastern or "Byzantine" Church. I have found in my diaconal ministry that many Catholics do not even know there are “Eastern” or “Byzantine” Catholics. They often do not know of our full recognition of the Orthodox Church or the movement toward the healing between Eastern and Western Christianity currently underway.
The Archbishops’ letter gives an insight into the meaning of the word Catholic for his readers, “I might add, lest there be any confusion, that I use the word Catholic Church as the formal entity headed by the Bishop of Rome, and which consists of a number of Rites, some in the East and some in the West, of which the Roman Rite is the most populous. In common conversation, of course, it is called the Roman Catholic Church in many parts of the world.”
The Apostolic Constitution for Anglicans seeking full communion and the norms which accompany it form a juridic structure which will integrate our brethren into full and visible unity with the One Catholic Church. It will also dramatically affect the ecclesial landscape of our Church going forward. This is the beginning of a new missionary age and the coming reunion of the Church. Breathing with both lungs, East and West, she will lead us into the future.
In the midst of the darkness of this hour the Catholic Church has done what she has done for over two millennia; shine the light of the Truth. The Church is not some optional organizational “extra” which we fashioned; she is the Body of Christ, the new world, the seed of the Kingdom to come, the place where all men and women can find their fulfillment and the path to authentic peace. She is God’s Plan for the whole human race. The prayer of the Son of God “May They Be One” (John 17) echoes. The Anglicans are coming and we should all say “Welcome Home”. This is the first chapter in the coming reunion of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I usually do not participate in the seemingly endless New Years Day efforts to “predict” the future. However, this year, when Deal Hudson and my friends at Inside Catholic invited me to be a part of their “Predictions for 2010 by the InsideCatholic Staff and Friends” I decided to accept. Here is what I wrote:
“The promulgation of Anglicanorum Coetibus by Pope Benedict XVI is prophetic. The early fathers called the Church the "world reconciled": She is God's plan for the whole human race. The Pope of Christian unity has opened the door for the coming full communion of the Church. 2010 will be a year of amazing progress toward that end. Benedict has offered a Catholic vision for legitimate diversity within authentic orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The entry of these convinced Anglican Christians into full communion will contribute to the authentic renewal of the Catholic Church. It will hasten the accelerating move toward communion between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. This work of the Holy Spirit will change the church -- and the world into which she is called -- in a way in which we have not seen in our lifetime.
We do not need a "conservative revolution" in the United States or in the West. We need a "Christian Revolution." It is from the Church that Western civilization was birthed. It is from the Church -- with her vision for the human person, the family, freedom, and a just society -- that the West will be re-birthed. Stay tuned.”
Here Come the Anglicans: Opening Chapter in the Coming Reunion of the Church
By Deacon Keith Fournier Posted: Friday, January 29, 2010
CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) – In a beautifully written, theologically astute, historically significant and warmly pastoral letter written to the faithful of the Traditional Anglican Communion, Archbishop John Hepworth invites them to enter into full communion by following the Apostolic Constitution and Norms offered by the Holy See. He concludes his letter (which we reprint in its entirety as a related story below) with this stirring summons:
“I believe with all my heart that this is a work of God and an act of great generosity by Pope Benedict. The Anglican tradition that we treasure will only survive, I believe, across the generations yet to come if it discovers the protection of apostolic authority. It is my cherished wish that each of us can stand at the altar with our fellow Christians and receive the same Eucharistic Christ. That is the ultimate test of unity. In the centuries since the church in the West became fractured there has been no offer such as the one that is now before us.”
When history records this moment, Archbishop John Hepworth of the Traditional Anglican Communion will be a vital part of the story. Men of prophetic stature are never perfect, they are humble and holy. They simply show a willingness to be perfected by the Lord whom they love. They allow the mistakes and difficulties of life to become the tutors of time. They respond in their brokenness to the invitation of history being written by the One who broke into history to transform it from within. Archbishop Hepworth has done that throughout this historic process.
I have followed the formal request of the Traditional Anglican Communion for full communion with the Catholic Church from the very beginning. I persisted in covering it after many news sources, including Catholic ones, dismissed the possibility that it would ever bring a positive response from Rome. We are dedicated to an authentically Catholic vision of ecumenism which recognizes the need for visible unity, with legitimate diversity, within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Well, the overture received more than a favorable response; it opened up the front door of the House. Such a welcome surprised many observers. Reading Archbishop Hepworth’s letter provides insights into why the Holy Father, inspired by the Holy Spirit, responded in such an historic manner. The original petition to Rome for full communion has never been released. It has now been made available by the Archbishop. We include the full text as a related article below this story. The petition was a work of the Holy Spirit, an example of humility and an act of love for the Lord and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church by these Christians of the Traditional Anglican Communion.
I have closely followed the movement of Anglican Clergy and lay faithful toward the safe harbor that is found in the Bark of Peter. We have grieved along with many of them as their own Christian community was torn asunder by the rejection of both orthodoxy and orthopraxy. It is my conviction that the influx of these Anglican Christians into the full communion of the Catholic Church is a gift to the Catholic Church. The depth of faith, life and worship found within the Catholic Church is sometimes not understood or even fully embraced by many of her own members. As a Deacon, I offer a series entitled “Catholic by Choice” geared toward instructing those who are often called “Cradle Catholics”. The term is inaccurate because no-one is born a Catholic. One is baptized into the Catholic Church and grows in that communion and its implications.
The Church is the Body of Christ, a communion. We live in the Church. The lifelong process of conversion unfolds as we partake of the graces which are mediated through her Sacraments, feed on the Holy Eucharist and receive the Living Word of God which has been entrusted to her. Contrary to some limited understandings of our age, Christianity is not about “Me and Jesus”. The Christian faith is about me and you - and the entire world - IN Jesus.
We now live our lives in a participation in the Trinitarian communion through our life in the communion of the Church. She is God’s great gift. The Church is not simply an organization, not “Some – Thing”, but “Some –One”, the Risen Body of Christ. We are called, in the Archbishops beautiful closing words in his letter to “make our home” within her.
As the Risen Body of Christ we continue the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ our Head. We invite all men and women to come home. The Church, in the inspired words of the Apostolic Constitution which synthesize the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, is “an instrument of communion with God and of unity among all people.” It was never the Lord’s plan that His Body be divided.
Disunity,in the words of the Second Vatican Council which Archbishop Hepworth quotes, “openly contradicts the will of Christ, scandalizes the world, and damages that most holy cause, the preaching of the Gospel to every creature." It is the Lord’s plan that His Church be healed and come back into visible unity. These Anglican Christians have recognized this plan and responded with humility. They call us all to reflect upon our own understanding of our life within the One Church and the duty which our membership entails.
The Anglican Catholics will be a leaven that leavens the whole loaf of the Catholic Church. They will call us to be more faithful to our identity as Catholic Christians. They will help us rediscover the legitimate diversity within the bedrock unity we have in fidelity to the Magisterium, the teaching office, of the Catholic Church. We certainly must embrace orthodoxy (right teaching) and orthopraxy (right practice). However, we are a Church with many beautiful liturgical expressions and there is room for distinctives.
Many Catholics do not even know of the existence of differing liturgies within the One Catholic Church. As a Deacon, I have the privilege of serving at “Mass” (both Novus Ordo and extraordinary form) of the Western Rite. I also have permission to serve the beautiful “Divine Liturgy” of the Eastern or "Byzantine" Church. I have found in my diaconal ministry that many Catholics do not even know there are “Eastern” or “Byzantine” Catholics. They often do not know of our full recognition of the Orthodox Church or the movement toward the healing between Eastern and Western Christianity currently underway.
The Archbishops’ letter gives an insight into the meaning of the word Catholic for his readers, “I might add, lest there be any confusion, that I use the word Catholic Church as the formal entity headed by the Bishop of Rome, and which consists of a number of Rites, some in the East and some in the West, of which the Roman Rite is the most populous. In common conversation, of course, it is called the Roman Catholic Church in many parts of the world.”
The Apostolic Constitution for Anglicans seeking full communion and the norms which accompany it form a juridic structure which will integrate our brethren into full and visible unity with the One Catholic Church. It will also dramatically affect the ecclesial landscape of our Church going forward. This is the beginning of a new missionary age and the coming reunion of the Church. Breathing with both lungs, East and West, she will lead us into the future.
In the midst of the darkness of this hour the Catholic Church has done what she has done for over two millennia; shine the light of the Truth. The Church is not some optional organizational “extra” which we fashioned; she is the Body of Christ, the new world, the seed of the Kingdom to come, the place where all men and women can find their fulfillment and the path to authentic peace. She is God’s Plan for the whole human race. The prayer of the Son of God “May They Be One” (John 17) echoes. The Anglicans are coming and we should all say “Welcome Home”. This is the first chapter in the coming reunion of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I usually do not participate in the seemingly endless New Years Day efforts to “predict” the future. However, this year, when Deal Hudson and my friends at Inside Catholic invited me to be a part of their “Predictions for 2010 by the InsideCatholic Staff and Friends” I decided to accept. Here is what I wrote:
“The promulgation of Anglicanorum Coetibus by Pope Benedict XVI is prophetic. The early fathers called the Church the "world reconciled": She is God's plan for the whole human race. The Pope of Christian unity has opened the door for the coming full communion of the Church. 2010 will be a year of amazing progress toward that end. Benedict has offered a Catholic vision for legitimate diversity within authentic orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The entry of these convinced Anglican Christians into full communion will contribute to the authentic renewal of the Catholic Church. It will hasten the accelerating move toward communion between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. This work of the Holy Spirit will change the church -- and the world into which she is called -- in a way in which we have not seen in our lifetime.
We do not need a "conservative revolution" in the United States or in the West. We need a "Christian Revolution." It is from the Church that Western civilization was birthed. It is from the Church -- with her vision for the human person, the family, freedom, and a just society -- that the West will be re-birthed. Stay tuned.”
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