Tommorrow is the feast day of the patron Saint of my home parish; St. Jane Frances de Chantal. Her remarkable story is detailed here:
What a way to start a marriage! Jane no sooner arrived at her new home then she discovered she might lose it. Her husband, Christophe, had not only inherited the title of baron but enormous debts as well.
But Jane had not come to the marriage empty-handed. She brought with her a deep faith instilled by her father who made daily religious discussion fun, allowing the children to talk about anything -- even controversial topics. She also brought a good-hearted way that made a friend comment, "Even stupid jokes were funny when she told them."
These qualities helped the twenty-year-old French woman take charge by personally organizing and supervising every detail of the estate, a method which not only brought the finances under control but won her employees' hearts as well.
Despite the early financial worries, she and her husband shared "one heart and one soul." They were devoted to each other and to their four children.
One way Jane shared her blessings was by giving bread and soup personally to the poor who came to her door. Often people who had just received food from her would pretend to leave, go around the house and get back in line for more. When asked why she let these people get away with this, Jane said, "What if God turned me away when I came back to him again and again with the same request?"
Her happiness was shattered when Christophe was killed in a hunting accident. Before he died, her husband forgave the man who shot him, saying to the man, "Don't commit the sin of hating yourself when you have done nothing wrong." The heartbroken Jane, however, had to struggle with forgiveness for a long time. At first she tried just greeting him on the street. When she was able to do that, she invited him to her house. Finally she was able to forgive the man so completely that she even became godmother to his child.
These troubles opened her heart to her longing for God and she sought God in prayer and a deepening spiritual life. Her commitment to God impressed Saint Francis de Sales, the bishop who became her director and best friend. Their friendship started before they even met, for them saw each other in dreams, and continued in letters throughout their lives.
With Francis' support, Jane founded the Visitation order for women who were rejected by other orders because of poor health or age. She even accepted a woman who was 83 years old. When people criticized her, she said, "What do you want me to do? I like sick people myself; I'm on their side." She believed that people should have a chance to live their calling regardless of their health.
Still a devoted mother, she was constantly concerned about the materialistic ways of one of her daughters. Her daughter finally asked her for spiritual direction as did may others, including an ambassador and her brother, an archbishop. Her advice always reflected her very gentle and loving approach to spirituality:
"Should you fall even fifty times a day, never on any account should that surprise or worry you. Instead, ever so gently set your heart back in the right direction and practice the opposite virtue, all the time speaking words of love and trust to our Lord after you have committed a thousand faults, as much as if you had committed only one. Once we have humbled ourselves for the faults God allows us to become aware of in ourselves, we must forget them and go forward."
She died in 1641, at sixty-nine years of age. In Her Footsteps
We have been told the secret of happiness is finding: finding yourself, finding love, finding the right job. Jane believed the secret of happiness was in "losing," that we should "throw ourselves into God as a little drop of water into the sea, and lose ourselves indeed in the Ocean of the divine goodness." She advised a man who wrote to her about all the afflictions he suffered "to lose all these things in God. These words produced such an effect in the soul, that he wrote me that he was wholly astonished, and ravished with joy."
Today, when any thoughts or worries come to mind, send them out into the ocean of God's love that surrounds you and lose them there. If any feelings come into your heart -- grief, fear, even joy or longing, send those out into the ocean of God's love. Finally, send your whole self, like a drop, into God. There is no past no future, here or there. There is only the infinite ocean of God.
Prayer: Saint Jane, you forgave the man who killed your husband. Help me learn to forgive a particular person in my life who has caused me harm. You know how difficult it is to forgive. Help me to take the steps you took to welcome this person back into my life. Amen
*In the USA, Jane Frances de Chantal's feast day was moved to August 12 in order to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12.
So tommorrow in my home parish in Abita Springs, LA we will celebrate the example, the life and the witness of St. Jane de Chantal. A special Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. followed by a pot luck dinner. If you live anywhere near the Northshore of New Orleans come on over and share the celebration.
And let's pray: Lord, you chose Saint Jane Frances to serve you both in marriage and in religious life. By her prayers help us to be faithful in our vocation and always to be the light of the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Eucharistic Presence
In these 5 weeks where we take a prayerful spin through the 6th chapter of John, I thought you might enjoy this link from Fr. Stan Fortuna:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ4tEFPuhYI&feature=related
Thanks be to God for the gift of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity Of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Priesthood!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ4tEFPuhYI&feature=related
Thanks be to God for the gift of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity Of Jesus Christ and the gift of the Priesthood!!
This is the Church's treasure; St Lawrence the Martyr
Please allow me to admit that before my formation began, I paid very little attention to the lives of the Saints. Oh yes, I knew all about the big ones but I really never paid attention to the dates of all the memorials and feastdays. That all changed in 2003 when I began my formal journey to discern a vocation to the diaconate.
One of the great traditions of the Deacon community in New Orleans was to gather in the summer heat and celebrate the Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr. In the beginning, nobody knew us. We were just inquirers. Once accepted we were aspirants and a few faces became more familiar. Then candidates, then Hurricane Katrina. Yes, she even interrupted our celebration of St. Lawrence.
Once we resumed the tradition, we were acolytes, just a few short months shy of ordination. Our celebration last year was also special as it was the last celebration in the only church in New Orleans named in honor of St. Lawrence. The parish was merged and the church itself is being converted to a worship space to accomodate the extraordinary form of the Mass for the particular deanery served by St. Lawrence.
Tommorrow night the entire Deacon community will once again be together to celebrate one of our patron Deacons. While the gathering will be in a new church, it will be special for me and my classmates as it will be our first celebration as Permanent Deacons. I'm so looking forward to the event.
Of course the focus of the day must be on St. Lawrence himself. His is a powerful witness to both the mission of the Church and the charism of the Deacon. Way back in the 3rd century Lawrence was one of the seven Deacon to Pope Sixtus in Rome. The Church was under a terrible persecution by the Emperor Valerian. Sixtus and his companions were put to death but Lawrence was momentarily spared. Lawrence was even more motivated to serve the poor and needy and continued to raise funds to distribute among the poorest in Rome.
The Roman Prefect was a greedy man who despised the work of the Deacon. One day, realizing that Lawrence continued to find funds to give to the poor, he ordered Lawrence to cease and bring to him the treasures of the Church. St. Lawrence asked for three days and at the end of the time he marched all the poor and needy, the sick and the marginalized in front of the Prefect and boldly proclaimed, "this is the Church's treasure."
In great anger, the Prefect had Lawrence arrested and sentenced him to a slow cruel death. St. Lawrence was tied to a huge gridiron and was literally roasted to death. Always filled with joy and trusting totally in the Lord, it is reported he would ask his excutioneers to turn him over because he was done on this side. When he said it is cooked enough now, he uttered one final prayer for the conversion of Rome and for the spread of the faith in Jesus Christ and then he died.
St. Lawrence received widespread devotion by the Church as early as the 4th century and Constantine the Great had a basilica built near his tomb. He truly represented all that a Deacon is; devoted to his Bishop, devoted to the poor, animated by works of charity and mercy, filled with joy. For that reason, we honor him to this day as a great example of a Deacon and a Christian witness, to the point of martyrdom.
His feast day is tommorrow August 10th. The entire diaconate community looks forward to our community celebration and invite all of you to invoke the intercession of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, and pray for all the many Deacons, permanent and transitional, who serve the Church.
St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, pray for us.
One of the great traditions of the Deacon community in New Orleans was to gather in the summer heat and celebrate the Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr. In the beginning, nobody knew us. We were just inquirers. Once accepted we were aspirants and a few faces became more familiar. Then candidates, then Hurricane Katrina. Yes, she even interrupted our celebration of St. Lawrence.
Once we resumed the tradition, we were acolytes, just a few short months shy of ordination. Our celebration last year was also special as it was the last celebration in the only church in New Orleans named in honor of St. Lawrence. The parish was merged and the church itself is being converted to a worship space to accomodate the extraordinary form of the Mass for the particular deanery served by St. Lawrence.
Tommorrow night the entire Deacon community will once again be together to celebrate one of our patron Deacons. While the gathering will be in a new church, it will be special for me and my classmates as it will be our first celebration as Permanent Deacons. I'm so looking forward to the event.
Of course the focus of the day must be on St. Lawrence himself. His is a powerful witness to both the mission of the Church and the charism of the Deacon. Way back in the 3rd century Lawrence was one of the seven Deacon to Pope Sixtus in Rome. The Church was under a terrible persecution by the Emperor Valerian. Sixtus and his companions were put to death but Lawrence was momentarily spared. Lawrence was even more motivated to serve the poor and needy and continued to raise funds to distribute among the poorest in Rome.
The Roman Prefect was a greedy man who despised the work of the Deacon. One day, realizing that Lawrence continued to find funds to give to the poor, he ordered Lawrence to cease and bring to him the treasures of the Church. St. Lawrence asked for three days and at the end of the time he marched all the poor and needy, the sick and the marginalized in front of the Prefect and boldly proclaimed, "this is the Church's treasure."
In great anger, the Prefect had Lawrence arrested and sentenced him to a slow cruel death. St. Lawrence was tied to a huge gridiron and was literally roasted to death. Always filled with joy and trusting totally in the Lord, it is reported he would ask his excutioneers to turn him over because he was done on this side. When he said it is cooked enough now, he uttered one final prayer for the conversion of Rome and for the spread of the faith in Jesus Christ and then he died.
St. Lawrence received widespread devotion by the Church as early as the 4th century and Constantine the Great had a basilica built near his tomb. He truly represented all that a Deacon is; devoted to his Bishop, devoted to the poor, animated by works of charity and mercy, filled with joy. For that reason, we honor him to this day as a great example of a Deacon and a Christian witness, to the point of martyrdom.
His feast day is tommorrow August 10th. The entire diaconate community looks forward to our community celebration and invite all of you to invoke the intercession of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, and pray for all the many Deacons, permanent and transitional, who serve the Church.
St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, pray for us.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Homily for August 9, 2009
Homily for August 9, 2009 19th Sunday Ordinary Time
The sheriff was getting used to it by now. Everyone was complaining. The townsfolk were constantly murmuring. And the complaints were against the deputy.
Yes, the good folks of Mayberry always had enough of the antics of Deputy Barney Fife. But good old Sheriff Andy Taylor always saw the good in Barney and had a way to quiet the complaints of his citizens. Andy often succeeded in bringing the townsfolk to see the good in Barney too.
Of course these are fictional characters in a fictional town from the classic Andy Griffith Show.
We today live in a different world and a not so different place. You see I’ve been to the real life town that was the model for Mayberry. Mt. Airy, North Carolina is real similar to Abita Springs, LA. Our complaints might be different; we may murmur about different people or things; yet still we complain. Who among us has not complained about everything from the weather, traffic, politics, our job, even our own family and friends? Unfortunately, complaining and murmuring are very natural.
As people of faith, do we complain or murmur about Jesus, about our Church, about our faith? Or do we approach Jesus with joy?
Well, today we hear about the Jews complaining; and we heard this last week too. Last week the complaints were about food and this week it’s about who Jesus says he is. Are not these complaints based on a lack of understanding about who Jesus is and what he is teaching? Jesus’ teachings in today’s Gospel are clear: He is the way to eternal life. Despite the complaining and murmuring and grumbling by the crowds, Jesus persists: I am the bread of life, the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread I give is my flesh. Nothing ambiguous here, nothing symbolic!
This bread of life, Jesus’ very body, is the right diet for eternal life; just as bread has always been the staff of life, just like it sustained Elijah in our 1st reading today. This bread of life, Jesus Himself, demands a commitment on our part. We are invited to partake, we are invited to eat, we are invited to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
So how do we prepare to receive Him? Do we prepare worthily or do we complain and murmur about the requirements of discipleship. This ultimate sacrifice of Jesus giving us His own flesh to eat and blood to drink invites a generous response from we who receive.
We are all called to receive Jesus in Holy Communion worthily. That means to be free from mortal sin; yes the Catholic Church still teaches mortal sin. Frequent and sincere confession is still an integral component in worthily eating and drinking His body & blood. Posture and demeanor are also important factors in the worthy reception of our Lord. We should reflect on our manner of reception, whether we receive our Lord on our tongues or in our hands. For those who receive on the tongue, do so in a manner of complete openness and acceptance of the Lord. Be clear as you approach the ministers that this is your preferred method of receiving Jesus. And if you take Jesus in your and, be especially careful and reverent. Never snatch or grab Jesus away from a minister but present your hand, one over the other, making a throne for the King of Kings. And immediately consume our Lord before walking away. If you receive from the cup, and we encourage you to do so, be charitable in your consumption so all who wish to receive may do so. And please remember, when we hear the words, “the body of Christ” and “the blood of Christ” answer with Amen. Your Amen says I agree; I believe; it’s your yes to Christ.
In our parish, we ask that you process in line and make a show of reverence by bowing before Jesus in both species. And since we are talking about these things, remember our appearance as we approach Him. Make an effort, in a charitable response to what Jesus has done for us, to dress and appear as one preparing to personally meet their Lord and Savior. And finally, after you have received the Lord, return to the pew, offer your thanksgiving and remain in church until the closing procession.
Last week, Msgr. LeBourgeois invited us all to spend some time reading and re-reading the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John. This year we spend 5 weeks reading this Gospel because of its Eucharistic character. Let me re-invite us all to take that time to pray with and read the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John.
And in the week ahead, make time to celebrate, in Christian and community charity, our special feast day in honor of our patron, St. Jane de Chantal. Wednesday is her special day, and we have planned a special evening with Mass and a pot luck dinner. We hope to see you there.
So as we prepare to approach the altar in just a few moments we do so with joy and thanksgiving, not complaining and murmuring.
We still will have those things in life that we inevitably will complain about, we still will encounter our own Barney Fife’s and Mayberry, and well Mayberry ain’t Mayberry anymore. Let’s take our cue from Jesus; our Eucharist and be Eucharist to one another.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!
The sheriff was getting used to it by now. Everyone was complaining. The townsfolk were constantly murmuring. And the complaints were against the deputy.
Yes, the good folks of Mayberry always had enough of the antics of Deputy Barney Fife. But good old Sheriff Andy Taylor always saw the good in Barney and had a way to quiet the complaints of his citizens. Andy often succeeded in bringing the townsfolk to see the good in Barney too.
Of course these are fictional characters in a fictional town from the classic Andy Griffith Show.
We today live in a different world and a not so different place. You see I’ve been to the real life town that was the model for Mayberry. Mt. Airy, North Carolina is real similar to Abita Springs, LA. Our complaints might be different; we may murmur about different people or things; yet still we complain. Who among us has not complained about everything from the weather, traffic, politics, our job, even our own family and friends? Unfortunately, complaining and murmuring are very natural.
As people of faith, do we complain or murmur about Jesus, about our Church, about our faith? Or do we approach Jesus with joy?
Well, today we hear about the Jews complaining; and we heard this last week too. Last week the complaints were about food and this week it’s about who Jesus says he is. Are not these complaints based on a lack of understanding about who Jesus is and what he is teaching? Jesus’ teachings in today’s Gospel are clear: He is the way to eternal life. Despite the complaining and murmuring and grumbling by the crowds, Jesus persists: I am the bread of life, the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread I give is my flesh. Nothing ambiguous here, nothing symbolic!
This bread of life, Jesus’ very body, is the right diet for eternal life; just as bread has always been the staff of life, just like it sustained Elijah in our 1st reading today. This bread of life, Jesus Himself, demands a commitment on our part. We are invited to partake, we are invited to eat, we are invited to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
So how do we prepare to receive Him? Do we prepare worthily or do we complain and murmur about the requirements of discipleship. This ultimate sacrifice of Jesus giving us His own flesh to eat and blood to drink invites a generous response from we who receive.
We are all called to receive Jesus in Holy Communion worthily. That means to be free from mortal sin; yes the Catholic Church still teaches mortal sin. Frequent and sincere confession is still an integral component in worthily eating and drinking His body & blood. Posture and demeanor are also important factors in the worthy reception of our Lord. We should reflect on our manner of reception, whether we receive our Lord on our tongues or in our hands. For those who receive on the tongue, do so in a manner of complete openness and acceptance of the Lord. Be clear as you approach the ministers that this is your preferred method of receiving Jesus. And if you take Jesus in your and, be especially careful and reverent. Never snatch or grab Jesus away from a minister but present your hand, one over the other, making a throne for the King of Kings. And immediately consume our Lord before walking away. If you receive from the cup, and we encourage you to do so, be charitable in your consumption so all who wish to receive may do so. And please remember, when we hear the words, “the body of Christ” and “the blood of Christ” answer with Amen. Your Amen says I agree; I believe; it’s your yes to Christ.
In our parish, we ask that you process in line and make a show of reverence by bowing before Jesus in both species. And since we are talking about these things, remember our appearance as we approach Him. Make an effort, in a charitable response to what Jesus has done for us, to dress and appear as one preparing to personally meet their Lord and Savior. And finally, after you have received the Lord, return to the pew, offer your thanksgiving and remain in church until the closing procession.
Last week, Msgr. LeBourgeois invited us all to spend some time reading and re-reading the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John. This year we spend 5 weeks reading this Gospel because of its Eucharistic character. Let me re-invite us all to take that time to pray with and read the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John.
And in the week ahead, make time to celebrate, in Christian and community charity, our special feast day in honor of our patron, St. Jane de Chantal. Wednesday is her special day, and we have planned a special evening with Mass and a pot luck dinner. We hope to see you there.
So as we prepare to approach the altar in just a few moments we do so with joy and thanksgiving, not complaining and murmuring.
We still will have those things in life that we inevitably will complain about, we still will encounter our own Barney Fife’s and Mayberry, and well Mayberry ain’t Mayberry anymore. Let’s take our cue from Jesus; our Eucharist and be Eucharist to one another.
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!
Here we grow again...
More good news showing the universal and national appeal of the universal church. While some parts of the country, and the world for that matter, lament the loss of Catholic institutions and traditions, not so in America. According to the 2009 Official Catholic Directory, the number of Catholics in the USA has grown to 68.1 million. Approximately 1 in 4 Americans are Catholic. This makes the Catholic Church the largest denomination in our country. And it is continuing to grow. Some predict that over 70 million Catholic Americans will be the count at the end of 2010.
Some contributing factors of course are the increased influence of Hispanic families in America. And then there is the unprecented growth of disgruntled evangelicals and other Christian denominations coming to the Catholic Church through the RCIA program. Every year, the number of adults entering the Catholic Church keeps growing and growing. This growth has been very robust in former "Bible belt" areas of the nation with dioceses in places like Atlanta, Birmingham, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville. Not to mention dioceses throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arizona even up into areas like Oklahoma and Nebraska.
This mirrors the recent growth in Catholic numbers in other parts of the world. While continuing to struggle in Europe, growth in Catholicism is rampant in Africa, Asia, parts of South America while showing steady growth in America and Australia. World-wide Catholicism is somewhere north of 1.25 billion now, almost 1 in 5 humans.
All we have to do to understand God's hand in these numbers is to look at the growth of Catholicism after the Protestant Reformation. Despite the rise of religious traditions, started by man, beginning with Luther, Calvin, Zwingali, conversions in the New World, including those after the appearances of Our Lady of Gaudalupe actually more than offset any losses in sheer numbers of Catholics.
Perhaps soon Jesus' prayer will be realized: "Holy Father, keep them in your Name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are." John 17:11 And truly to be one under the banner of the only Church founded by Christ should be our prayer!!!
Some contributing factors of course are the increased influence of Hispanic families in America. And then there is the unprecented growth of disgruntled evangelicals and other Christian denominations coming to the Catholic Church through the RCIA program. Every year, the number of adults entering the Catholic Church keeps growing and growing. This growth has been very robust in former "Bible belt" areas of the nation with dioceses in places like Atlanta, Birmingham, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville. Not to mention dioceses throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arizona even up into areas like Oklahoma and Nebraska.
This mirrors the recent growth in Catholic numbers in other parts of the world. While continuing to struggle in Europe, growth in Catholicism is rampant in Africa, Asia, parts of South America while showing steady growth in America and Australia. World-wide Catholicism is somewhere north of 1.25 billion now, almost 1 in 5 humans.
All we have to do to understand God's hand in these numbers is to look at the growth of Catholicism after the Protestant Reformation. Despite the rise of religious traditions, started by man, beginning with Luther, Calvin, Zwingali, conversions in the New World, including those after the appearances of Our Lady of Gaudalupe actually more than offset any losses in sheer numbers of Catholics.
Perhaps soon Jesus' prayer will be realized: "Holy Father, keep them in your Name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are." John 17:11 And truly to be one under the banner of the only Church founded by Christ should be our prayer!!!
Friday, August 7, 2009
A different perspective on Archbishop Aymond
Thought it might be interesting to read about some of the Austin faithful and their feelings as their Bishop leaves for his new assignment in New Orleans. Thanks to marysaggies.blogspot.com.
Goodbye Archbishop Aymond
I ask for all of you to keep our beloved Archbishop Aymond in your prayers as he prepares to leave Austin for New Orleans in a week or so.
On Thursday he came to College Station to celebrate Mass with our part of the diocese one final time. It was wonderful celebration of his time spent shepherding us and we will certainly miss him. He is one of the best bishops I have met. He has all the skills needed to be an effective apostle - good leadership, good preacher, very pastoral, orthodox, good administrator, good with people, connects with his priests closely, emphasizes vocations, good formation, and campus ministry, etc. But, the most important is that he is a disciple of Christ himself. He radiates faith and charity and you can tell where his heart lies - with Jesus Christ and his Church.
New Orleans is blessed to get him and I know he is leaving one of the healthiest dioceses in the USA for one of the more challenging. He oversaw a doubling in the Catholic population of Austin in the last decade (growing twice as fast as the general population of one of the fastest-growing areas in the country), vocations skyrocketing, a very successful financial plan and fundraising, as well as a re-organization of the diocese with an emphasis on adult formation. He has brought in great people as well to help, including some initiatives that haven't even happened yet. For instance:
Eight Dominican Sisters from Ann Arbor, Mich., arrive in the diocese on Aug. 10. They will be housed in two convents and will serve several of our schools. Two of the sisters will work in the diocesan Pastoral Center with diocesan staff to establish their long-term plans for a significant presence and ministry in the diocese. We pray that more sisters from the Ann Arbor mother house will continue to come each year and serve more of our schools.
Archbishop Aymond is also very well-respected amongst his brother bishops for his ab
ility to handle public relations, run with big issues, balance a lot, and as a Bishop who unites different groups and people. Just one example - he was entrusted with implementing the Protecting God's Children plan for the USCCB.
God bless Archbishop Aymond.
May God grant us another holy and good Bishop for Austin.
Goodbye Archbishop Aymond
I ask for all of you to keep our beloved Archbishop Aymond in your prayers as he prepares to leave Austin for New Orleans in a week or so.
On Thursday he came to College Station to celebrate Mass with our part of the diocese one final time. It was wonderful celebration of his time spent shepherding us and we will certainly miss him. He is one of the best bishops I have met. He has all the skills needed to be an effective apostle - good leadership, good preacher, very pastoral, orthodox, good administrator, good with people, connects with his priests closely, emphasizes vocations, good formation, and campus ministry, etc. But, the most important is that he is a disciple of Christ himself. He radiates faith and charity and you can tell where his heart lies - with Jesus Christ and his Church.
New Orleans is blessed to get him and I know he is leaving one of the healthiest dioceses in the USA for one of the more challenging. He oversaw a doubling in the Catholic population of Austin in the last decade (growing twice as fast as the general population of one of the fastest-growing areas in the country), vocations skyrocketing, a very successful financial plan and fundraising, as well as a re-organization of the diocese with an emphasis on adult formation. He has brought in great people as well to help, including some initiatives that haven't even happened yet. For instance:
Eight Dominican Sisters from Ann Arbor, Mich., arrive in the diocese on Aug. 10. They will be housed in two convents and will serve several of our schools. Two of the sisters will work in the diocesan Pastoral Center with diocesan staff to establish their long-term plans for a significant presence and ministry in the diocese. We pray that more sisters from the Ann Arbor mother house will continue to come each year and serve more of our schools.
Archbishop Aymond is also very well-respected amongst his brother bishops for his ab
ility to handle public relations, run with big issues, balance a lot, and as a Bishop who unites different groups and people. Just one example - he was entrusted with implementing the Protecting God's Children plan for the USCCB.
God bless Archbishop Aymond.
May God grant us another holy and good Bishop for Austin.
Back to School
Believe it or not where I live, in a community about 50-60 miles north of New Orleans, the kids went back to school today. I guess August is no longer a "summer" month. Of course the 98 degree heat and 105 degree heat index begs to differ. Around the nation, many of our young bright minds will be returning to school over the next few weeks. Some don't go back to after Labor Day. Whenever they go back, let's wish them all a great school experience and pray every day for their safety.
With "Back to School" upon us, our Catholic children will also be returning to CCD or School of Religion. This has always been and continues to be a very important aspect of their faith development. In many parishes across the country, we depend upon good natured, faith-filled lay folk to step forward and volunteer. The challenges are many but the reward is, well, Heavenly!
In preparing for an upcoming CCD teachers retreat I uncovered a gem on the internet. From way back in 2002, Fr. Roger Landry in Falls River, MA held a night of recollection for CCD teachers. His entire presentation was posted on the web and I'm providing a link below. I hope everyone who teaches or supports CCD, and every family sending a child off to learn more about their faith will read this: http://catholicpreaching.com/index.php?content=homilies&homilies=20020908b.
May God's Blessings abundantly be with all who provide Catholic instruction to our youthful faithful!!!
With "Back to School" upon us, our Catholic children will also be returning to CCD or School of Religion. This has always been and continues to be a very important aspect of their faith development. In many parishes across the country, we depend upon good natured, faith-filled lay folk to step forward and volunteer. The challenges are many but the reward is, well, Heavenly!
In preparing for an upcoming CCD teachers retreat I uncovered a gem on the internet. From way back in 2002, Fr. Roger Landry in Falls River, MA held a night of recollection for CCD teachers. His entire presentation was posted on the web and I'm providing a link below. I hope everyone who teaches or supports CCD, and every family sending a child off to learn more about their faith will read this: http://catholicpreaching.com/index.php?content=homilies&homilies=20020908b.
May God's Blessings abundantly be with all who provide Catholic instruction to our youthful faithful!!!
Monday, August 3, 2009
A Catholic politician that acts Catholic!!!
This is so refreshing; a Catholic politician acting "Catholic". And he is from my home archdiocese. Way to go Rep. Cao!!! Read on:
New Orleans, La., Aug 3, 2009 / 02:06 pm (CNA).- Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, (R-New Orleans), the first Vietnamese-American congressman and a Catholic, announced this past weekend that, because of the “stealth mandate” for abortion still present in the Health Care bill, he prefers to “save his soul” rather than vote in favor of it.
Cao, the only member of the Louisiana House delegation who had not weighed in on where he stands on the health reform bill, told the Times-Picayune on Saturday that he cannot support any bill that permits public money to be spent on abortion.
“At the end of the day if the health care reform bill does not have strong language prohibiting the use of federal funding for abortion, then the bill is really a no-go for me,” said Cao, who spent time in formation to be a Jesuit priest.
“Being a Jesuit, I very much adhere to the notion of social justice,” Cao said. “I do fully understand the need of providing everyone with access to health care, but to me personally, I cannot be privy to a law that will allow the potential of destroying thousands of innocent lives,” he explained to the Louisiana newspaper.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that Cao will be one of seven Republican members of Congress targeted with radio ads that will play on radio stations with largely African-American audiences, urging him to support Obama's health reform efforts.
“I know that voting against the health care bill will probably be the death of my political career,” Cao said, “but I have to live with myself, and I always reflect on the phrase of the New Testament, ‘How does it profit a man's life to gain the world but to lose his soul.’”
Cao is the first native of Vietnam to serve in Congress and the first Republican to serve in his district since 1890. He won in a district that usually votes overwhelmingly Democratic.
The poorest member of Louisiana's delegation, and a devout Roman Catholic, Cao served as a board member for Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church's Community Development Corporation which assists Vietnamese-Americans with hurricane relief, and is a member of the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Cao also told the Times-Picayune that he is still undecided about the merits of including a public option in any health reform redesign. He believes that it may ultimately lead to the destruction of the private insurance market and a "government takeover" of health insurance.
New Orleans, La., Aug 3, 2009 / 02:06 pm (CNA).- Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, (R-New Orleans), the first Vietnamese-American congressman and a Catholic, announced this past weekend that, because of the “stealth mandate” for abortion still present in the Health Care bill, he prefers to “save his soul” rather than vote in favor of it.
Cao, the only member of the Louisiana House delegation who had not weighed in on where he stands on the health reform bill, told the Times-Picayune on Saturday that he cannot support any bill that permits public money to be spent on abortion.
“At the end of the day if the health care reform bill does not have strong language prohibiting the use of federal funding for abortion, then the bill is really a no-go for me,” said Cao, who spent time in formation to be a Jesuit priest.
“Being a Jesuit, I very much adhere to the notion of social justice,” Cao said. “I do fully understand the need of providing everyone with access to health care, but to me personally, I cannot be privy to a law that will allow the potential of destroying thousands of innocent lives,” he explained to the Louisiana newspaper.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that Cao will be one of seven Republican members of Congress targeted with radio ads that will play on radio stations with largely African-American audiences, urging him to support Obama's health reform efforts.
“I know that voting against the health care bill will probably be the death of my political career,” Cao said, “but I have to live with myself, and I always reflect on the phrase of the New Testament, ‘How does it profit a man's life to gain the world but to lose his soul.’”
Cao is the first native of Vietnam to serve in Congress and the first Republican to serve in his district since 1890. He won in a district that usually votes overwhelmingly Democratic.
The poorest member of Louisiana's delegation, and a devout Roman Catholic, Cao served as a board member for Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church's Community Development Corporation which assists Vietnamese-Americans with hurricane relief, and is a member of the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Cao also told the Times-Picayune that he is still undecided about the merits of including a public option in any health reform redesign. He believes that it may ultimately lead to the destruction of the private insurance market and a "government takeover" of health insurance.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
St. Peter Julian Eymard
I was too young to really pay attention to the change in Sunday routine. And I really don't recall walking to the little wooden church right next door to the house. But sometime in the 1960's we began driving a few blocks to the "new" church and as I got older, realized that the parish name had changed. It used to be St. Joseph's and I recall hearing the family speak about how it began as a mission church to the much larger and beautiful edifice known as Holy Name of Mary, located in historic Algiers Point.
St. Joseph's territory grew and a new church was built and eventually named St. Julian Eymard. This was quite a new phenomena in the Archdiocese of New Orleans because St. Julian Eymard was a newly canonized saint. It would be many years later before I even realized his first name was not Julian.
Peter Julian Eymard was born in 1811 and ordained a Priest in 1834 in France. He was determined to be a Priest despite economic hardship, illness and a not so supportive family. He had a special devotion to the Eucharist and to Mary so he became a Marist Priest. His devotion to the Eucharist inspired him to began a new religious order and in 1856 he began the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. He and his order devoted themselves to the promotion of frequent reception of communion and Eucharistic Adoration. He wrote 9 books, most devoted to the Eucharist and his love for Mary as Mother of God. He died in 1868. Among his contemporaries while he ministered was St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, who we remember this year in the Year For the Priest. Soon after the conclusion of the first session of Vatican II, His Holiness, Blessed Pope John 23rd canonized Peter Julian Eymard in 1962.
I wish I would have known some of this then. I just knew that I went to church at St Julian Eymard and my sister went to school there. I grew up in that parish. I learned about ministry by being an altar server and a lector. My wife became a Catholic there, we were married there, my son was baptized there, we said goodbye to loved ones there. I left the parish in the late seventies and only returned a few times. In 2002, the parish celebrated it's 50th anniversary, which included time credited as St. Joseph's. By 2008, it was closed and became part of Holy Name of Mary. What goes around comes around.
By the way, the parish never used Julian Eymard's first name, Peter, in it's title. Why? There was concern that too many parishes carried the name of Peter in the archdiocese already so they took advantage of his middle and last names.
Yep, the old parish of my youth is gone forever but the faith of St. Peter Julian Eymard inspires and motivates Catholics worldwide to a special devotion to the Eucharist. Remember him in a special way as we celebrate his feast day on Monday, August 3rd. St. Peter Julian Eymard, pray for us!
St. Joseph's territory grew and a new church was built and eventually named St. Julian Eymard. This was quite a new phenomena in the Archdiocese of New Orleans because St. Julian Eymard was a newly canonized saint. It would be many years later before I even realized his first name was not Julian.
Peter Julian Eymard was born in 1811 and ordained a Priest in 1834 in France. He was determined to be a Priest despite economic hardship, illness and a not so supportive family. He had a special devotion to the Eucharist and to Mary so he became a Marist Priest. His devotion to the Eucharist inspired him to began a new religious order and in 1856 he began the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. He and his order devoted themselves to the promotion of frequent reception of communion and Eucharistic Adoration. He wrote 9 books, most devoted to the Eucharist and his love for Mary as Mother of God. He died in 1868. Among his contemporaries while he ministered was St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, who we remember this year in the Year For the Priest. Soon after the conclusion of the first session of Vatican II, His Holiness, Blessed Pope John 23rd canonized Peter Julian Eymard in 1962.
I wish I would have known some of this then. I just knew that I went to church at St Julian Eymard and my sister went to school there. I grew up in that parish. I learned about ministry by being an altar server and a lector. My wife became a Catholic there, we were married there, my son was baptized there, we said goodbye to loved ones there. I left the parish in the late seventies and only returned a few times. In 2002, the parish celebrated it's 50th anniversary, which included time credited as St. Joseph's. By 2008, it was closed and became part of Holy Name of Mary. What goes around comes around.
By the way, the parish never used Julian Eymard's first name, Peter, in it's title. Why? There was concern that too many parishes carried the name of Peter in the archdiocese already so they took advantage of his middle and last names.
Yep, the old parish of my youth is gone forever but the faith of St. Peter Julian Eymard inspires and motivates Catholics worldwide to a special devotion to the Eucharist. Remember him in a special way as we celebrate his feast day on Monday, August 3rd. St. Peter Julian Eymard, pray for us!
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