It’s the end of the world as we know it!!! This was a popular song a few years back. Face it; we are obsessed with the end of the world. Experts think they know when it’s coming but they are always wrong. Y2K was surely the end of the world. Nope; did not happen! All the predictions of Nostradamus have surely been right about the end of the world. No, that did not happen either. Of course we now know the end of the world will happen on December 21, 2012 based on the new Hollywood movie and the Mayan calendar. I’m not going to bet the farm on that one either.
Someone recently told me it must be the end of the world because the New Orleans Saints are 8-0 and are mentioned as the best team in the N.F.L. I don’t know about the end of the world, but I did see a sign at the last game that said: “hell is freezing!”
Sometimes it just feels like the end of the world. When we experience the loss of our first boyfriend or girlfriend it feels like the end of the world. Bad news can make us feel the same way. Those of us who endured Katrina felt like it was the end of the world.
As people of faith, do we believe in the end of the world and do we live as if the end is near?
Today our 1st reading from Daniel and the Gospel of Mark teach about end times. At first read this sound like doom and gloom; something to be scared of. But all Scripture requires the hearer of the Word to rely on context and balance. There is some joyful expectation even in end time prophesy in Daniel and a promise of Jesus’ everlasting presence in Mark.
Jesus asks us to be aware of the end. In fact, Jesus is really speaking about the end of his mission and the future destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. As for the end of the world, even Jesus says that He does not know. The hour, the day, the month, even the year of His second coming and the end of the world is not for any of us to know. The end of the world is reserved to God and God alone. No one can predict this event and no one should live in fear of the end times. Maybe we should learn our lesson from the earliest Christians who waiting eagerly for the second coming of Christ. They would meet together and pray: “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! Of course this does not mean we should stop living our lives, put everything on hold and wait for the end to come. No! Even St. Paul warned against this when he told the people of Thessalonica that: “he who does not work; neither shall they eat.” Often misunderstood as St. Paul condemning the unemployed, nothing could be further from the truth. He knew these early Christians were putting aside living, taking care of each other, even their jobs, waiting in the streets, looking to the sky, anticipating the coming of Jesus and the end of the world. Well, they were off about 2,000 years or so.
We should neither live in fear of the end times nor go the other extreme; wanting it to happen to suit our own beliefs. But yet questions persist: When will the world end, when will Jesus come again; how will we know? Here is the simple answer: we do not know. We should live our lives, worship God, go to work, raise our families, live each day to its’ fullest. And most importantly, let’s let God be God!!!
Chances are the end of the world, as we know it, will come in the manner of our own death. Now we too can prepare for that by living our lives for Christ, caring for one another and following the teachings of His Church. We have the promise of everlasting life because of Jesus Christ; who died and rose again for us. To this we can say, Maranatha; Come Lord Jesus.
Today, in this very liturgy we will call out in hope and joy several times about Jesus coming again. We will proclaim: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again”. And after the Our Father we hear, “As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ!” Even the timing of today’s reading is about the end as today is the last ordinary Sunday in the church year as we prepare for Advent in just two weeks.
No; the events of Y2k, the predictions of Nostradamus , even the next earthquake or hurricane, yes even the Saints remaining undefeated does not mean the end is near. Only the end in His time, In His way through His will. And for our part, we just need to let God be God!
And we can say; Maranatha…Come Lord Jesus!!!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Citizens of the Year
One of the really awesome things about small town living is the closeness of the community. Also, as a small community there is a sense of belonging and celebrating those that make that community such a nice place to live. Abita Springs, La is such a community! This weekend, at our local town fair, the community gathered to honor two community leaders.
Betty and Calvin Cognevich can be spotted about town almost every day of the week. They have been married for a little over 10 years now. Calvin is in his eighties and Betty is a few years younger. They were married years after both lost their first spouse. What makes them remarkable is that they span the gap of community involvement. Calvin served for many years as a town alderman. He is an officer in the VFW and the Knights of Columbus. Betty is an officer in both these groups ladies auxiliary. Both Calvin and Betty have volunteered at the local hospital.
Their faith and involvement at St. Jane de Chantal Church is also admirable. Betty heads up the bereavement committee and volunteers around the parish. Calvin has been a member of almost every committee and served as a lector, extrordinary minister of Holy Communion and sang in the choir.
Together, they practice their faith. Almost everyone around the parish, not to mention the town, knows them. They can be spotted many mornings doing their exercise or just off to another volunteer event.
This morning they were honored at a breakfast where I was very honored to lead the invocation and pray for and with these great examples of Christian service. They remind me of that great Scripture verse from St. Matthew 5:16: "let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven."
Congratulations Calvin and Betty!
Betty and Calvin Cognevich can be spotted about town almost every day of the week. They have been married for a little over 10 years now. Calvin is in his eighties and Betty is a few years younger. They were married years after both lost their first spouse. What makes them remarkable is that they span the gap of community involvement. Calvin served for many years as a town alderman. He is an officer in the VFW and the Knights of Columbus. Betty is an officer in both these groups ladies auxiliary. Both Calvin and Betty have volunteered at the local hospital.
Their faith and involvement at St. Jane de Chantal Church is also admirable. Betty heads up the bereavement committee and volunteers around the parish. Calvin has been a member of almost every committee and served as a lector, extrordinary minister of Holy Communion and sang in the choir.
Together, they practice their faith. Almost everyone around the parish, not to mention the town, knows them. They can be spotted many mornings doing their exercise or just off to another volunteer event.
This morning they were honored at a breakfast where I was very honored to lead the invocation and pray for and with these great examples of Christian service. They remind me of that great Scripture verse from St. Matthew 5:16: "let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven."
Congratulations Calvin and Betty!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veterans Day, a Catholic Saint and a modern day Catholic martyr
Today is Veterans Day. As a nation we come together and remember the sacrifice of our fighting men and women who have defended us and keep us free. We are so thankful for their sacrifice. We remember the heroic action of so many brave men and women, especially over the past 100 years or so. And we also must remember the men and women serving today; especially those in Irag or Afganistan. We must pray for their safety and be hopeful that they will return to the warm embrace of their family and friends.
How amazing that today, when we celebrate Veterans Day, the Church gives us the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. He was a miliatry man way back in the fourth century. Martin dedicated his military service to being a peacemaker. He did eventually give up his military career and became a priest and eventually a bishop. He was devoted to the poor. He is to this day a patron saint of soldiers.
In our own day and time, as we honor veterans, we can be reminded of their great sacrifice by the story of an army chaplain, Fr. Tim Vakoc. I've written about him before. The article below is worth your time to read:
"He firmly believed in what he was doing as an active duty chaplain in the army," he said.
Father Vakoc, a Minnesota Army chaplain who was seriously injured in Iraq in 2004, died June 20. No cause of death was given. Family and friends were with him when he died, according to his CaringBridge Web site. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 15800 37th Ave. N., in Plymouth. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26, at the Cathedral of St Paul. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave South, Minneapolis.
Father Vakoc, 49, had been living at the St. Therese of New Hope nursing facility in New Hope. He lost an eye and sustained brain damage when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee on May 29, 2004, as he was returning to his barracks after celebrating Mass for U.S. soldiers.
In recent years, Father Vakoc (pronounced VAH-kitch) had been showing signs of physical and cognitive improvement.
A June 11 entry on Father Vakoc's CaringBridge site noted that he participated with family and friends in a special Mass June 10 celebrating the 17th anniversary of his ordination, five years of post-accident life and appreciation for all those who were contributing to his care.
‘A man of peace'
"All of us in this Catholic archdiocese are grieving with the family of Father Vakoc," Archbishop John Nienstedt said in a statement. "We are joined in that grieving, to be sure, by the men and woman whom he served as chaplain in Iraq and those who witnessed his extraordinary courage and faith at Walter Reed Hospital and here at our Veterans' Hospital."
Calling Father Vakoc "a man of peace," Archbishop Nienstedt said "he chose to endure the horror of war in order to bring the peace of Christ to America's fighting men and women. He has been an inspiration to us all and we will miss him.
"We ask everyone to remember him in prayer," he added.
Praying with soldiers
Father Vakoc was born Henry Timothy Vakoc Jan. 8, 1960, and attended Our Lady of the Lake in Mound. He graduated from Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park in 1978 and then attended St. Cloud State University. Prior to entering seminary, he worked with college students and university officials as the regional president of Tau Kappa Epsilon international fraternity. He was an avid traveler.
After his ordination in 1992, he served as an associate pastor at St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony and St. John Neumann in Eagan from 1993 to 1996 before joining the Army.
His military service took him to Germany, Bosnia and Korea. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., when he was called up for active duty in Iraq in 2003. He was the first Army chaplain to be seriously injured in Iraq.
According to a National Catholic Register story printed just a month before his own accident, Father Vakoc flew to a combat surgical hospital to be with two soldiers who had just been injured in a roadside bombing in which two others had been killed. One died before he reached the hospital.
He prayed for the soldiers who died and with the injured soldier, and then prayed with the other soldiers in the convoy who were not injured, but "in the state of shock."
Father Vakoc's ministry - which earned him the rank "major" - also included presiding at a memorial service for a young man killed in a roadside explosion, who just days before had talked about faith with Father Vakoc and read at Mass.
"The bottom line in helping these soldiers through the grieving process is to be present to them and walk with them," Father Vakoc told the Register in an e-mail. "I prayed with the soldiers who died. I brought the sacraments of the church and the light and love of Christ into the darkness of the situations."
‘Intentional presence'
Father Vakoc called his ministry one of "intentional presence," and it included counseling soldiers, ministering to Catholics and soldiers of all faiths, escorting the bodies of fallen soldiers, speaking with soldiers' family members and keeping up morale.
"I live with the soldiers, work with them, eat with them, care for them, listen to them, counsel them," Father Vakoc told the Register. "The soldiers know if you are real and genuinely care or not. The soldiers see me out there with them and that makes a difference."
The day Father Vakoc was injured in Mosul, Iraq, the two soldiers traveling with him were not harmed and administered first aid to him, Jeff Vakoc told The Catholic Spirit in June 2004.
"They couldn't wait for the medics or they would have lost him, so they drove him back on two flat tires to the base, and he was flown to Baghdad from there." Father Vakoc underwent surgery to relieve brain swelling at a U.S. Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, before being flown to Washington, D.C. He eventually went into the care of the Veterans' Hospital and St. Therese of New Hope nursing facility.
‘A reason he's alive'
The date of his injuries was also the 12th anniversary of his priesthood. Just days after Father Vakoc was injured, Jeff told The Catholic Spirit that he felt God put his brother in Iraq, and he was doing what he was supposed to do there.
"There's got to be a reason he's alive," he said. "I've got to believe there's a purpose." He still believes that, he told The Catholic Spirit June 22.
"He just plain old inspired a lot of people towards the Lord," he said. "There are a lot of people who were very needy spiritually, and just his example and fortitude and strength really played on that for a lot of people and helped them along."
Jeff's own faith grew during the five years after his brother's injury, he said. "I think it has brought me closer to the Lord. I've seen things that are miracles - little things, but I think that's how miracles come. It's changed the entire family."
It is a tremendous feeling to know people are praying for him and his family, Jeff said. "We're going to miss him. He was a part of our lives," he said.
Jeff visited his brother every week as his guardian and conservator, he said. Members of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace also visited and prayed regularly with Father Vakoc, who followed along in a prayer book and mouthed the words.
The Franciscan Brothers of Peace were friends with Father Vakoc's sister, Anita Brand, at the time of his injury, said Brother Paul O'Donnell. Because of his pro-life work, Brother Paul consulted on Father Vakoc's medical care shortly after the accident. After his condition stabilized, the brothers continued to visit him regularly to pray and help with exercises.
Those who knew Father Vakoc before his accident described him as having a sense of humor and an inclination to reach out to others. Those qualities were still evident after his injuries, Brother Paul said, describing how he would joke with the brothers.
Along with his family, the brothers advocated on Father Vakoc's behalf to continue to receive physical therapy, Brother Paul said.
"His greatest gift is that he accepted the cross that God gave him, and for any one of us, it would be a tremendous hardship, but he accepted it," he said. "He obviously had a strong, strong will to live."
Father Vakoc taught others about the value and sacredness of life, Brother Paul added. "We can learn from Father Tim to embrace the crosses that come our way," he said. "They may not be the end of our life - they may be a new beginning."
Members of Franciscan Brothers of Peace spent time with Father Vakoc just a few days before his death, and three of them were present at his bedside when he died.
A changed ministry
The brothers feel as if they have lost a very close friend, Brother Paul said. He recalled Father Vakoc placing his hand on the brothers' heads and blessing them. They asked him to pray for them, too.
"When people saw him, they became grateful for their own lives, no matter what they were experiencing," he said. "His ministry didn't end at the time of his injury; it just changed."
Father Vakoc received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He also received the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award from St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity and the Combat Action Badge in 2007, which is awarded to soldiers actively engaged in a hostile action by the enemy in a combat zone or imminent danger area.
Jeff is very proud of his brother, he said. "We all wished he had been around more, but he was doing what he considered his calling," he said.
While stationed in Bosnia, Father Vakoc told his sister, "The safest place for me to be is in the center of God's will, and if that is in the line of fire, that is where I will be."
Catholic Spirit staff members and the National Catholic Register contributed to this story. Used with permission of the author Maria Wiering and TheCatholicSpirit.com, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 23:24 )
How amazing that today, when we celebrate Veterans Day, the Church gives us the feast day of St. Martin of Tours. He was a miliatry man way back in the fourth century. Martin dedicated his military service to being a peacemaker. He did eventually give up his military career and became a priest and eventually a bishop. He was devoted to the poor. He is to this day a patron saint of soldiers.
In our own day and time, as we honor veterans, we can be reminded of their great sacrifice by the story of an army chaplain, Fr. Tim Vakoc. I've written about him before. The article below is worth your time to read:
"He firmly believed in what he was doing as an active duty chaplain in the army," he said.
Father Vakoc, a Minnesota Army chaplain who was seriously injured in Iraq in 2004, died June 20. No cause of death was given. Family and friends were with him when he died, according to his CaringBridge Web site. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 15800 37th Ave. N., in Plymouth. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, June 26, at the Cathedral of St Paul. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave South, Minneapolis.
Father Vakoc, 49, had been living at the St. Therese of New Hope nursing facility in New Hope. He lost an eye and sustained brain damage when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee on May 29, 2004, as he was returning to his barracks after celebrating Mass for U.S. soldiers.
In recent years, Father Vakoc (pronounced VAH-kitch) had been showing signs of physical and cognitive improvement.
A June 11 entry on Father Vakoc's CaringBridge site noted that he participated with family and friends in a special Mass June 10 celebrating the 17th anniversary of his ordination, five years of post-accident life and appreciation for all those who were contributing to his care.
‘A man of peace'
"All of us in this Catholic archdiocese are grieving with the family of Father Vakoc," Archbishop John Nienstedt said in a statement. "We are joined in that grieving, to be sure, by the men and woman whom he served as chaplain in Iraq and those who witnessed his extraordinary courage and faith at Walter Reed Hospital and here at our Veterans' Hospital."
Calling Father Vakoc "a man of peace," Archbishop Nienstedt said "he chose to endure the horror of war in order to bring the peace of Christ to America's fighting men and women. He has been an inspiration to us all and we will miss him.
"We ask everyone to remember him in prayer," he added.
Praying with soldiers
Father Vakoc was born Henry Timothy Vakoc Jan. 8, 1960, and attended Our Lady of the Lake in Mound. He graduated from Benilde-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park in 1978 and then attended St. Cloud State University. Prior to entering seminary, he worked with college students and university officials as the regional president of Tau Kappa Epsilon international fraternity. He was an avid traveler.
After his ordination in 1992, he served as an associate pastor at St. Charles Borromeo in St. Anthony and St. John Neumann in Eagan from 1993 to 1996 before joining the Army.
His military service took him to Germany, Bosnia and Korea. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., when he was called up for active duty in Iraq in 2003. He was the first Army chaplain to be seriously injured in Iraq.
According to a National Catholic Register story printed just a month before his own accident, Father Vakoc flew to a combat surgical hospital to be with two soldiers who had just been injured in a roadside bombing in which two others had been killed. One died before he reached the hospital.
He prayed for the soldiers who died and with the injured soldier, and then prayed with the other soldiers in the convoy who were not injured, but "in the state of shock."
Father Vakoc's ministry - which earned him the rank "major" - also included presiding at a memorial service for a young man killed in a roadside explosion, who just days before had talked about faith with Father Vakoc and read at Mass.
"The bottom line in helping these soldiers through the grieving process is to be present to them and walk with them," Father Vakoc told the Register in an e-mail. "I prayed with the soldiers who died. I brought the sacraments of the church and the light and love of Christ into the darkness of the situations."
‘Intentional presence'
Father Vakoc called his ministry one of "intentional presence," and it included counseling soldiers, ministering to Catholics and soldiers of all faiths, escorting the bodies of fallen soldiers, speaking with soldiers' family members and keeping up morale.
"I live with the soldiers, work with them, eat with them, care for them, listen to them, counsel them," Father Vakoc told the Register. "The soldiers know if you are real and genuinely care or not. The soldiers see me out there with them and that makes a difference."
The day Father Vakoc was injured in Mosul, Iraq, the two soldiers traveling with him were not harmed and administered first aid to him, Jeff Vakoc told The Catholic Spirit in June 2004.
"They couldn't wait for the medics or they would have lost him, so they drove him back on two flat tires to the base, and he was flown to Baghdad from there." Father Vakoc underwent surgery to relieve brain swelling at a U.S. Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, before being flown to Washington, D.C. He eventually went into the care of the Veterans' Hospital and St. Therese of New Hope nursing facility.
‘A reason he's alive'
The date of his injuries was also the 12th anniversary of his priesthood. Just days after Father Vakoc was injured, Jeff told The Catholic Spirit that he felt God put his brother in Iraq, and he was doing what he was supposed to do there.
"There's got to be a reason he's alive," he said. "I've got to believe there's a purpose." He still believes that, he told The Catholic Spirit June 22.
"He just plain old inspired a lot of people towards the Lord," he said. "There are a lot of people who were very needy spiritually, and just his example and fortitude and strength really played on that for a lot of people and helped them along."
Jeff's own faith grew during the five years after his brother's injury, he said. "I think it has brought me closer to the Lord. I've seen things that are miracles - little things, but I think that's how miracles come. It's changed the entire family."
It is a tremendous feeling to know people are praying for him and his family, Jeff said. "We're going to miss him. He was a part of our lives," he said.
Jeff visited his brother every week as his guardian and conservator, he said. Members of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace also visited and prayed regularly with Father Vakoc, who followed along in a prayer book and mouthed the words.
The Franciscan Brothers of Peace were friends with Father Vakoc's sister, Anita Brand, at the time of his injury, said Brother Paul O'Donnell. Because of his pro-life work, Brother Paul consulted on Father Vakoc's medical care shortly after the accident. After his condition stabilized, the brothers continued to visit him regularly to pray and help with exercises.
Those who knew Father Vakoc before his accident described him as having a sense of humor and an inclination to reach out to others. Those qualities were still evident after his injuries, Brother Paul said, describing how he would joke with the brothers.
Along with his family, the brothers advocated on Father Vakoc's behalf to continue to receive physical therapy, Brother Paul said.
"His greatest gift is that he accepted the cross that God gave him, and for any one of us, it would be a tremendous hardship, but he accepted it," he said. "He obviously had a strong, strong will to live."
Father Vakoc taught others about the value and sacredness of life, Brother Paul added. "We can learn from Father Tim to embrace the crosses that come our way," he said. "They may not be the end of our life - they may be a new beginning."
Members of Franciscan Brothers of Peace spent time with Father Vakoc just a few days before his death, and three of them were present at his bedside when he died.
A changed ministry
The brothers feel as if they have lost a very close friend, Brother Paul said. He recalled Father Vakoc placing his hand on the brothers' heads and blessing them. They asked him to pray for them, too.
"When people saw him, they became grateful for their own lives, no matter what they were experiencing," he said. "His ministry didn't end at the time of his injury; it just changed."
Father Vakoc received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He also received the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus Award from St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity and the Combat Action Badge in 2007, which is awarded to soldiers actively engaged in a hostile action by the enemy in a combat zone or imminent danger area.
Jeff is very proud of his brother, he said. "We all wished he had been around more, but he was doing what he considered his calling," he said.
While stationed in Bosnia, Father Vakoc told his sister, "The safest place for me to be is in the center of God's will, and if that is in the line of fire, that is where I will be."
Catholic Spirit staff members and the National Catholic Register contributed to this story. Used with permission of the author Maria Wiering and TheCatholicSpirit.com, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 23:24 )
Monday, November 9, 2009
Health care and one lone Republican (Catholic too)
Several months ago I penned an article in support of Rep. Joseph Cao and his "line in the sand" on voting for or against health care reform. You can find that article in the blog archives on the far left hand column of this blog. Cao clearly explained his position not from a democrat or republican or political point of view, but from the standpoint of faith. As a Catholic who studied for the priesthood he was unwilling to give any impetus to abortion funding. He clearly states that if that could be addressed he may be compelled to back universal health care. By now everyone knows that the house bill passed with only 1 Republican voting for it; Cao!
Living right next door to his district I have listened today as Republicans from this area have done just about everything but burn him in effigy. I must admit, while I'm not sure how I feel about all the pros and cons about health care, I found Cao's vote somewhat courageous. Of course I do not know what goes on behind the scenes but he has stood tall and explained his vote.
Then tonight I found this gem. Listed below is a defense of Cao's actions from Quin Hillyer, a conservative blogger and contributor to American Spectator, not exactly a liberal rag. Please read on:
Defending Cao
By Quin Hillyer on 11.8.09 @ 12:59PM
Conservatives need to take a deep breath, relax, and stop bashing Joseph Cao. The man never claimed to be a fully committed economic conservative. He represents a district that is about 75 percent Democrat and 62 percent black (or thereabouts). He SAID ALL ALONG, FOR MONTHS, that he would probably vote for health care reform if it included strong pro-life language such as the Stupak Amendment. He stuck to his guns, even though his district is not majority pro-life. He is a traditionalist Catholic, former Jesuit seminarian, and he stands up for the principles he holds dear, one of which is the sanctity of innocent life. He is willing to lose his office on behalf of that pro-life stance. And he has taken a leadership role in anti-Communist measures, meeting with the Dalai Lama when Obama wouldn't, and calling out the Vietnamese Communist government when too many these days refuse to recognize that Vietnam's mostly free market does NOT mean it is a free society. He is a thoughtful, principled, well-intentioned public servant. He also represents a district that is fundamentally liberal. Congressmen have two roles: they are delegates, meaning their voters delegate to them the ability to use their judgment on complicated policy matters; and they are representatives, meaning they are there, specifically, to represent the will of their constituents. Serving in Congress is often a balancing act: When your district slightly favors one course of action but you strongly favor the opposite, you do what you believe and try to explain to your constituents why you bucked their wishes. That is being a delegate. But when you are ambivalent about an issue, even slightly against a course of action but only slightly, and your constituents STRONGLY favor the course of action, then your responsibility is to accurately reflect -- to REPRESENT -- the will of your constituents and vote in favor.
As Cao is no expert on things economic, and believes that something has to be done for the uninsured, and is neither convinced that the Pelosi bill is the right approach but ALSO not convinced that it is wrong, he then felt an obligation to act as a representative. There is no shame in that.
Meanwhile, note that Cao did not hold out for just some ridiculous pork project favored by big-money lobbyists; he instead asked for help with local issues caused by THE GREATEST NATURAL CATASTROPHE THAT EVER HIT THIS NATION. These are not roads to nowhere; they are health issues for a still-recovering population. Agree or disagree with his request, it is not outlandish.
Ronald Reagan understood that sometimes local issues prevail. He played the game brilliantly. Remember that to pass one of his big initiatives -- either the Reagan-Kemp-Roth tax cut or the major Gramm-Latta spending cuts, I can't remember which -- it was Reagan's willingness to horse-trade that led Democratic then-Rep. John Breaux of Louisiana to boast about some protection he got for the sugar cane industry. Asked if his vote had been for sale, Breaux cracked: "No, of course it isn't for sale, but it is for rent!"
What Cao did was nowhere near as cynical as that; but conservatives loved it when Breaux did it, because it brought him to Reagan's side on a key vote.
But again, ALL ALONG, for months, Cao had said his line in the sand was abortion financing, and openly said he would likely vote for a bill that blocked such financing. In short, he did the honorable thing by saying where he stood and sticking with it. No, of course I don't like his vote. But give the man a break: He's an honorable, incredibly hard-working, inspirational young representative who is doing his darnedest to do a good job in a district ordinarily incredibly hostile to conservatives and Republicans of all stripes.
More power to him.
Living right next door to his district I have listened today as Republicans from this area have done just about everything but burn him in effigy. I must admit, while I'm not sure how I feel about all the pros and cons about health care, I found Cao's vote somewhat courageous. Of course I do not know what goes on behind the scenes but he has stood tall and explained his vote.
Then tonight I found this gem. Listed below is a defense of Cao's actions from Quin Hillyer, a conservative blogger and contributor to American Spectator, not exactly a liberal rag. Please read on:
Defending Cao
By Quin Hillyer on 11.8.09 @ 12:59PM
Conservatives need to take a deep breath, relax, and stop bashing Joseph Cao. The man never claimed to be a fully committed economic conservative. He represents a district that is about 75 percent Democrat and 62 percent black (or thereabouts). He SAID ALL ALONG, FOR MONTHS, that he would probably vote for health care reform if it included strong pro-life language such as the Stupak Amendment. He stuck to his guns, even though his district is not majority pro-life. He is a traditionalist Catholic, former Jesuit seminarian, and he stands up for the principles he holds dear, one of which is the sanctity of innocent life. He is willing to lose his office on behalf of that pro-life stance. And he has taken a leadership role in anti-Communist measures, meeting with the Dalai Lama when Obama wouldn't, and calling out the Vietnamese Communist government when too many these days refuse to recognize that Vietnam's mostly free market does NOT mean it is a free society. He is a thoughtful, principled, well-intentioned public servant. He also represents a district that is fundamentally liberal. Congressmen have two roles: they are delegates, meaning their voters delegate to them the ability to use their judgment on complicated policy matters; and they are representatives, meaning they are there, specifically, to represent the will of their constituents. Serving in Congress is often a balancing act: When your district slightly favors one course of action but you strongly favor the opposite, you do what you believe and try to explain to your constituents why you bucked their wishes. That is being a delegate. But when you are ambivalent about an issue, even slightly against a course of action but only slightly, and your constituents STRONGLY favor the course of action, then your responsibility is to accurately reflect -- to REPRESENT -- the will of your constituents and vote in favor.
As Cao is no expert on things economic, and believes that something has to be done for the uninsured, and is neither convinced that the Pelosi bill is the right approach but ALSO not convinced that it is wrong, he then felt an obligation to act as a representative. There is no shame in that.
Meanwhile, note that Cao did not hold out for just some ridiculous pork project favored by big-money lobbyists; he instead asked for help with local issues caused by THE GREATEST NATURAL CATASTROPHE THAT EVER HIT THIS NATION. These are not roads to nowhere; they are health issues for a still-recovering population. Agree or disagree with his request, it is not outlandish.
Ronald Reagan understood that sometimes local issues prevail. He played the game brilliantly. Remember that to pass one of his big initiatives -- either the Reagan-Kemp-Roth tax cut or the major Gramm-Latta spending cuts, I can't remember which -- it was Reagan's willingness to horse-trade that led Democratic then-Rep. John Breaux of Louisiana to boast about some protection he got for the sugar cane industry. Asked if his vote had been for sale, Breaux cracked: "No, of course it isn't for sale, but it is for rent!"
What Cao did was nowhere near as cynical as that; but conservatives loved it when Breaux did it, because it brought him to Reagan's side on a key vote.
But again, ALL ALONG, for months, Cao had said his line in the sand was abortion financing, and openly said he would likely vote for a bill that blocked such financing. In short, he did the honorable thing by saying where he stood and sticking with it. No, of course I don't like his vote. But give the man a break: He's an honorable, incredibly hard-working, inspirational young representative who is doing his darnedest to do a good job in a district ordinarily incredibly hostile to conservatives and Republicans of all stripes.
More power to him.
Some feast days just need to be explained
As Catholics we are used to great feast days, many in honor of Apostles or great events in the church, celebrations honoring Mary, etc. Today the church celebrated the Feast of the Dedication of Saint John Lateran Basilica. What does this mean?
First, St. John Lateran Basilica is considered the mother church of all Christianity. Built for another purpose, it was gifted to the Church in the 4th century and erected as a church in 324 by Emperor Constantine. Despite what many people believe, it is St. John Lateran Basilica that is the official church of the diocese of Rome. When the Pope functions as Bishop of Rome, this is his cathedral parish.
This feast day dates back to the 12th century. Originally a local feast day, it was extended to the church universal as a sign of devotion to and unity with the Chair of Peter.
An interesting side note is that St. John Lateran Basilica is outside the borders of Vatican City and is part of Rome. By special agreement, it enjoys Vatican City status so it can in fact retain it's posture as the cathedral church.
Catholics should celebrate this feast with joy both because St. John Lateran points to our universal (catholic) mission and because it serves as our reminder that we are indeed true and living temples of God!
Happy Feast Day!
First, St. John Lateran Basilica is considered the mother church of all Christianity. Built for another purpose, it was gifted to the Church in the 4th century and erected as a church in 324 by Emperor Constantine. Despite what many people believe, it is St. John Lateran Basilica that is the official church of the diocese of Rome. When the Pope functions as Bishop of Rome, this is his cathedral parish.
This feast day dates back to the 12th century. Originally a local feast day, it was extended to the church universal as a sign of devotion to and unity with the Chair of Peter.
An interesting side note is that St. John Lateran Basilica is outside the borders of Vatican City and is part of Rome. By special agreement, it enjoys Vatican City status so it can in fact retain it's posture as the cathedral church.
Catholics should celebrate this feast with joy both because St. John Lateran points to our universal (catholic) mission and because it serves as our reminder that we are indeed true and living temples of God!
Happy Feast Day!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Weird things are happening here...
In keeping with my two halves of the year routine, with October-March my favorite, this October-November has been weird. First of all, our normally dry October was mega wet and we had more hot and humid days than we did in September. Yes, we did have some nice weather too, but we had to take the good with the bad.
Now we enter November and it started off just great. Then late last week came talk of a hurricane that might drift generally our way. Now tonight, parts of the area where I live are under a hurricane watch. This as we are getting ready for Thanksgiving? Of course the new forecasts are favorable for us; less so for our neighbors to the east. Yet in this post Katrina New Orleans area, any storm in the gulf is enough to tweek the nerves. And our news media has responded with it's usual hysteria. They are breaking into football games and programs to tell us that there is a nice breeze in Grand Isle and the flag on top the dome is flapping. Gee weez. I'm very glad we won't have any tough hit, but just give us the facts. In any case; I hope we fare well and our neighbors in Alabama, Florida do well too.
And if the above is not weird enough, what about the New Orleans Saints! This has been very exciting for us, especially those of us that remember the horrible Saints of old. But like the sign today in the Dome said: this ain't your grandma's Saints anymore. The Saints, in case you've been hiding under a rock, are 8-0 and playing exciting football. They have scored over 300 points in just 8 games; wow! This kind of gives the entire area a sense of pride and excitement that maybe this is THE year. I encourage all my friends to dismiss silly talk. Let's enjoy the Saints one game at a time.
Ministry will be exciting this week. I return to the prison, meet with some couples and spend some time with my local Knights of Columbus. For the church, we have a stellar week ahead of special feasts and memorials. Tommorrow is the Feast of the Dedication of the Saint John Lateran Basilica. I may post more on this tommorrow. Tuesday is the memorial of Pope Leo the Great, Wednesday the memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Thursday the memorial of St. Josaphat and Friday we remember Mother Cabrini, a local favorite in New Orleans.
Oh yea, I'm off Wednesday. Remarkably, my employer does have a heart for our Veterans. In light of the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afganistan and last week's events at Ft. Hood, we should really remember our veterans, pray for them and honor their memory. I will go to Mass that day and pray for our veterans and our brave men and women in uniform.
Yes, weird things are happening. Let's get past this Ida storm thing, move forward and celebrate these great days of November.
Now we enter November and it started off just great. Then late last week came talk of a hurricane that might drift generally our way. Now tonight, parts of the area where I live are under a hurricane watch. This as we are getting ready for Thanksgiving? Of course the new forecasts are favorable for us; less so for our neighbors to the east. Yet in this post Katrina New Orleans area, any storm in the gulf is enough to tweek the nerves. And our news media has responded with it's usual hysteria. They are breaking into football games and programs to tell us that there is a nice breeze in Grand Isle and the flag on top the dome is flapping. Gee weez. I'm very glad we won't have any tough hit, but just give us the facts. In any case; I hope we fare well and our neighbors in Alabama, Florida do well too.
And if the above is not weird enough, what about the New Orleans Saints! This has been very exciting for us, especially those of us that remember the horrible Saints of old. But like the sign today in the Dome said: this ain't your grandma's Saints anymore. The Saints, in case you've been hiding under a rock, are 8-0 and playing exciting football. They have scored over 300 points in just 8 games; wow! This kind of gives the entire area a sense of pride and excitement that maybe this is THE year. I encourage all my friends to dismiss silly talk. Let's enjoy the Saints one game at a time.
Ministry will be exciting this week. I return to the prison, meet with some couples and spend some time with my local Knights of Columbus. For the church, we have a stellar week ahead of special feasts and memorials. Tommorrow is the Feast of the Dedication of the Saint John Lateran Basilica. I may post more on this tommorrow. Tuesday is the memorial of Pope Leo the Great, Wednesday the memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Thursday the memorial of St. Josaphat and Friday we remember Mother Cabrini, a local favorite in New Orleans.
Oh yea, I'm off Wednesday. Remarkably, my employer does have a heart for our Veterans. In light of the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afganistan and last week's events at Ft. Hood, we should really remember our veterans, pray for them and honor their memory. I will go to Mass that day and pray for our veterans and our brave men and women in uniform.
Yes, weird things are happening. Let's get past this Ida storm thing, move forward and celebrate these great days of November.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Pro-Life Victory
Normally a Saturday night in the fall would find me in front of the TV watching a great college football game. Tonight, I've watched C-Span. And within the past hour, the ammendment known as the Stupak ammnedment passed. This is a huge pro-life victory. Basically, this ammendment keeps current law in effect meaning no additional federal coverage in the new health care bills for abortion. The ammendment also protects providers with conscience clauses.
The ammendment actually is named Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Ammendment and had the overwhelming support of the USCCB and pro-life Catholics across this nation. It passed 240-194 with every Republican voting yes and 64 Democrats voting yes. Those Democrat votes helped make this happen. Unfortunately, 1 Republican voted present; a cop-out and 194 Democrats voted no. I'm afraid there will be many Catholic Democrats in that number.
I'm sure health care with a public option will pass. Many provisions in the health care bill are worthy of support from a Catholic social justice standpoint. But the most important news tonight is that this Pro-life ammendment passed.
As people of faith and goodwill, we must remain vigilant, pray hard and remember that abortion is still the law of the land. We must work to change that but more importantly, change hearts so no one would ever want to kill a beautiful child; a gift from God!
The ammendment actually is named Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Ammendment and had the overwhelming support of the USCCB and pro-life Catholics across this nation. It passed 240-194 with every Republican voting yes and 64 Democrats voting yes. Those Democrat votes helped make this happen. Unfortunately, 1 Republican voted present; a cop-out and 194 Democrats voted no. I'm afraid there will be many Catholic Democrats in that number.
I'm sure health care with a public option will pass. Many provisions in the health care bill are worthy of support from a Catholic social justice standpoint. But the most important news tonight is that this Pro-life ammendment passed.
As people of faith and goodwill, we must remain vigilant, pray hard and remember that abortion is still the law of the land. We must work to change that but more importantly, change hearts so no one would ever want to kill a beautiful child; a gift from God!
Homily for 32nd Sunday November 8, 2009
A little boy goes to Mass with his mom and carefully observes as she placed a dollar bill in the collection basket. Leaving Mass, the little boy overhears his mom complaining about the homily and the singing. With the honesty of a child, he interrupts his mom: what did you expect for a buck!
By observing and overhearing the mom in this story, the little boy learns a valuable lesson: many times we expect much but give less!
As people of faith, what do we expect from God? What do we expect from the Church? And, more importantly, what are we willing to give?
In today’s Gospel reading St. Mark continues to teach about the cost of discipleship. This has been a constant theme throughout his Gospel. Notice that just like the little boy observed the words and actions of his mom, Jesus observes carefully the actions of the scribes and the actions of the poor widow. When Jesus contrasts the behavior of the self-important scribes with that of the poor widow he states that she gave more than those who are rich. Without counting the cost, this widow gave her all. This is what disciples are called to do; give their all.
Jesus also teaches about the difference of self worth and importance with humility. Notice how the wealthy and self-important are calling attention to themselves. Not only does the poor widow give her all, she does so with simply humility calling no attention to herself.
Let’s compare the widow in our Gospel reading today to the widow in our 1st reading from the 1st Book of Kings. Concerned about having enough to feed herself and her son, a stranger asks to be fed. Hesitant at first, she trusts, and prepares something for the stranger to eat. And we learn that she was rewarded with food that fed her family for a year. This story depicts the promise of God who will return many times over the generosity of those who give without counting the cost.
These two widows who place their trust in God, who give from their poverty and act with total humility, teach us more about being a disciple than all the so called important people in these same readings. Remember, the widow gave her two small coins. Some have speculated that these coins are less than even the value of a penny we use today. Yet we continue to say her generosity was superior.
We too are asked to give from our poverty; to be generous. What are we called to give that perhaps we hold back? Can we give more time to someone who needs us to listen to them? Can we befriend someone we know has little or no friends? Can we help a family with chores or tasks that may be struggling with illness or unemployment? Can we drop a few more dollars into the poor box? Can we donate more food to our own parish food drive for Thanksgiving or donate time and canned goods to the Covington Food Bank? Can we swing a hammer or sling a paintbrush at a Habitat home?
And yes, can we give more freely, more completely when we pass the basket here at Mass. Do we pay attention to what we give? Do we catch ourselves reducing our first collection contribution when we find out a second collection is coming our way? Remember the widow from our Gospel. She was depositing her two coins in the temple treasury. She made no assumption about where the money goes or no objections about how much she had for herself.
These widows are in many ways an example of Jesus. Without counting the cost, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. He obediently accepted death, even on a cross. He gave his all. He held nothing back. And of course, we know the rest of the story. God provides, God repays and God blesses generosity.
So as we have been enriched by His Word and will soon be fed at His Eucharistic table, let’s ask ourselves: am I generous? Do I give from my surplus or from my poverty? Can I give all? Am I a disciple? Or am I simple willing to get the most from a buck?
By observing and overhearing the mom in this story, the little boy learns a valuable lesson: many times we expect much but give less!
As people of faith, what do we expect from God? What do we expect from the Church? And, more importantly, what are we willing to give?
In today’s Gospel reading St. Mark continues to teach about the cost of discipleship. This has been a constant theme throughout his Gospel. Notice that just like the little boy observed the words and actions of his mom, Jesus observes carefully the actions of the scribes and the actions of the poor widow. When Jesus contrasts the behavior of the self-important scribes with that of the poor widow he states that she gave more than those who are rich. Without counting the cost, this widow gave her all. This is what disciples are called to do; give their all.
Jesus also teaches about the difference of self worth and importance with humility. Notice how the wealthy and self-important are calling attention to themselves. Not only does the poor widow give her all, she does so with simply humility calling no attention to herself.
Let’s compare the widow in our Gospel reading today to the widow in our 1st reading from the 1st Book of Kings. Concerned about having enough to feed herself and her son, a stranger asks to be fed. Hesitant at first, she trusts, and prepares something for the stranger to eat. And we learn that she was rewarded with food that fed her family for a year. This story depicts the promise of God who will return many times over the generosity of those who give without counting the cost.
These two widows who place their trust in God, who give from their poverty and act with total humility, teach us more about being a disciple than all the so called important people in these same readings. Remember, the widow gave her two small coins. Some have speculated that these coins are less than even the value of a penny we use today. Yet we continue to say her generosity was superior.
We too are asked to give from our poverty; to be generous. What are we called to give that perhaps we hold back? Can we give more time to someone who needs us to listen to them? Can we befriend someone we know has little or no friends? Can we help a family with chores or tasks that may be struggling with illness or unemployment? Can we drop a few more dollars into the poor box? Can we donate more food to our own parish food drive for Thanksgiving or donate time and canned goods to the Covington Food Bank? Can we swing a hammer or sling a paintbrush at a Habitat home?
And yes, can we give more freely, more completely when we pass the basket here at Mass. Do we pay attention to what we give? Do we catch ourselves reducing our first collection contribution when we find out a second collection is coming our way? Remember the widow from our Gospel. She was depositing her two coins in the temple treasury. She made no assumption about where the money goes or no objections about how much she had for herself.
These widows are in many ways an example of Jesus. Without counting the cost, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. He obediently accepted death, even on a cross. He gave his all. He held nothing back. And of course, we know the rest of the story. God provides, God repays and God blesses generosity.
So as we have been enriched by His Word and will soon be fed at His Eucharistic table, let’s ask ourselves: am I generous? Do I give from my surplus or from my poverty? Can I give all? Am I a disciple? Or am I simple willing to get the most from a buck?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Blessed Seelos update
Last May I posted a blog about a solid cure of Mary Ellen Heibel attributed to Blessed Fr. Francis Xavier Seelos. Last night our most prominent local TV news outlet ran a feature story on her cure. Because the saintly priest lived his final years in New Orleans and the already approved cure that led to his beatification is that of a local woman, Angela Boudreaux, interest in Seelos here remains strong. The story is listed below. Note that not long after this story was filmed, Mary Ellen died of pneumonia. Remarkably, tests run on her body confirmed that she died without any trace of the cancer she was cured from through Seelos' intercession.
Cancer patient's prayers answered
by Angela Hill / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS – Many might believe Mary Ellen Heibel's whole life had been a medical miracle.
At 21 she had her gallbladder removed. At 47 a kidney transplant. In her 60s, she almost died when her colon exploded and she got sepsis and went into a coma.
Yet with each medical catastrophe she survived, and she says got closer to God.
"I came to the conclusion that if I am going to die, I’m going to die by myself, and I better do something about my religion and praying,” Heibel said.
And she did that as a parishioner at St Mary's Church in Annapolis, built in the 1850s and where a much-loved Redemptorist priest once served as pastor – Father Francis Seelos.
It would be to him that Heibel would pray during her biggest medical challenge.
“I couldn’t swallow my food. My food would get stuck halfway down. I would have to cough it up,” Heibel said.
It was esophageal cancer, and Heibel was almost immediately put in surgery while wearing a relic of Father Seelos around her neck.
“They take part of your stomach out and all of your esophagus out, and they take your stomach -- what’s left of it -- and pull it up out of your throat,” she said.
But the doctors at Walter Reed gave her hope.
“They told me I was cancer free. They told me all the lymph nodes were cancer free, and so I had no more cancer,” Heibel said.
That was January 2003. By the end of the year, things changed.
“I fainted and went back to Walter Reed, and they said get another CAT scan and see what's wrong,” Heibel said.
What they found was one lymph node near the aorta filled with cancer – cancer that would spread within months.
“It spread to my liver, my lungs – two tumors in both lungs, my back and my sternum.”
The doctors at Walter Reed said they could do no more.
“When the doctor told her he couldn’t do anything for her and to go home and die, she wouldn’t give up,” said Father Louis Olive.
Olive, a retired priest at St. Mary's, said Heibel began her own search for a cure, found a new doctor at Johns Hopkins and never stopped praying to Father Seelos.
“He said 'I can't save you, but I can keep you alive if you are willing to stay on this chemotherapy,” said Heibel.
She was willing, and for the next six months she went through tough chemo treatment and then asked her pastor's permission to start a novena to Seelos.
“He said fine, we'll start on Wednesday. That was the end of January, and by February 7th I had a CAT scan,” Heibel said.
Her doctor called and told her all of her tumors were gone.
“‘You are free of cancer.’ And he couldn’t believe it. He said it wasn’t what his chemo did. His chemo did not do that,” Heibel said.
Was it the prayers to Seelos, the novena started with friends, family and fellow parishioners?
“My reaction was, is this really happening? We had prayed so long to Father Seelos, and is this the real thing?” Olive said.
Seelos spent his life helping people most in need. He was beloved for his acceptance and respect for all people. When parishioners knew he was holding confession, they lined up around the church.
How fitting it is that when a statue is built to Seelos, that it isn’t of a man standing, but rather of a priest sitting, as if listening to a parishioner or a person in need.
That was the essence of this man who made an imprint where ever he went. He volunteered to come to New Orleans, knowing the need for priests to help those dying of yellow fever.
“There were people who were physically cured while he was alive through his prayers and through his blessings while he was living, and of course he tried to downplay it because he was an extremely humble man,” said Father Byron Miller. “The fact is it did happen and people gave testimony to that before they died.”
Miller is director of the Seelos Center in New Orleans at St. Mary's Assumption Church, where Seelos lived and died and where his remains are entombed. It’s where people from all over the world come to learn about him and to seek his help.
“There is something very inspiring about him in a day and age when we could use a little inspiration,” Miller said.
For Heibel there is no doubt that the prayers to Seelos healed her. It has been over four years, and every three months she is checked and declared free of cancer.
Now her story helps others. She gets calls from around the world.
“People are so desperate. They really need something, hope,” Heibel said.
Her hope is to one day come to New Orleans.
“I would love to go to the Seelos Center. I hear it is beautiful.”
Heibel will not be coming to the Seelos Center in New Orleans. One week after our interview she died of double pneumonia. There was no cancer in her body.
“We have lost a wonderful friend of the Redemptorist and a great advocate of Father Seelos,” Miller said. “She considered this a ministry to talk about him and his great, powerful powers.”
Prior to her death, Heibel and 10 others, including her doctor from Johns Hopkins, testfied before a tribunal, investigating what she calls her miracle. All of their testimonies are being transcribed and will be sent to the Vatican before Christmas.
The case for what many believe to be the second miracle of Seelos will continue to Rome. Pope Benedict XVI will ultimately decide if this gentle, loving priest should be canonized.
But for those like Mary Ellen Heibel who have been touched by this man, Francis Seelos is already a saint.
For more on the Seelos center in New Orleans and the cause for Fr. Seelos' canonization, visit www.seelos.org
Cancer patient's prayers answered
by Angela Hill / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS – Many might believe Mary Ellen Heibel's whole life had been a medical miracle.
At 21 she had her gallbladder removed. At 47 a kidney transplant. In her 60s, she almost died when her colon exploded and she got sepsis and went into a coma.
Yet with each medical catastrophe she survived, and she says got closer to God.
"I came to the conclusion that if I am going to die, I’m going to die by myself, and I better do something about my religion and praying,” Heibel said.
And she did that as a parishioner at St Mary's Church in Annapolis, built in the 1850s and where a much-loved Redemptorist priest once served as pastor – Father Francis Seelos.
It would be to him that Heibel would pray during her biggest medical challenge.
“I couldn’t swallow my food. My food would get stuck halfway down. I would have to cough it up,” Heibel said.
It was esophageal cancer, and Heibel was almost immediately put in surgery while wearing a relic of Father Seelos around her neck.
“They take part of your stomach out and all of your esophagus out, and they take your stomach -- what’s left of it -- and pull it up out of your throat,” she said.
But the doctors at Walter Reed gave her hope.
“They told me I was cancer free. They told me all the lymph nodes were cancer free, and so I had no more cancer,” Heibel said.
That was January 2003. By the end of the year, things changed.
“I fainted and went back to Walter Reed, and they said get another CAT scan and see what's wrong,” Heibel said.
What they found was one lymph node near the aorta filled with cancer – cancer that would spread within months.
“It spread to my liver, my lungs – two tumors in both lungs, my back and my sternum.”
The doctors at Walter Reed said they could do no more.
“When the doctor told her he couldn’t do anything for her and to go home and die, she wouldn’t give up,” said Father Louis Olive.
Olive, a retired priest at St. Mary's, said Heibel began her own search for a cure, found a new doctor at Johns Hopkins and never stopped praying to Father Seelos.
“He said 'I can't save you, but I can keep you alive if you are willing to stay on this chemotherapy,” said Heibel.
She was willing, and for the next six months she went through tough chemo treatment and then asked her pastor's permission to start a novena to Seelos.
“He said fine, we'll start on Wednesday. That was the end of January, and by February 7th I had a CAT scan,” Heibel said.
Her doctor called and told her all of her tumors were gone.
“‘You are free of cancer.’ And he couldn’t believe it. He said it wasn’t what his chemo did. His chemo did not do that,” Heibel said.
Was it the prayers to Seelos, the novena started with friends, family and fellow parishioners?
“My reaction was, is this really happening? We had prayed so long to Father Seelos, and is this the real thing?” Olive said.
Seelos spent his life helping people most in need. He was beloved for his acceptance and respect for all people. When parishioners knew he was holding confession, they lined up around the church.
How fitting it is that when a statue is built to Seelos, that it isn’t of a man standing, but rather of a priest sitting, as if listening to a parishioner or a person in need.
That was the essence of this man who made an imprint where ever he went. He volunteered to come to New Orleans, knowing the need for priests to help those dying of yellow fever.
“There were people who were physically cured while he was alive through his prayers and through his blessings while he was living, and of course he tried to downplay it because he was an extremely humble man,” said Father Byron Miller. “The fact is it did happen and people gave testimony to that before they died.”
Miller is director of the Seelos Center in New Orleans at St. Mary's Assumption Church, where Seelos lived and died and where his remains are entombed. It’s where people from all over the world come to learn about him and to seek his help.
“There is something very inspiring about him in a day and age when we could use a little inspiration,” Miller said.
For Heibel there is no doubt that the prayers to Seelos healed her. It has been over four years, and every three months she is checked and declared free of cancer.
Now her story helps others. She gets calls from around the world.
“People are so desperate. They really need something, hope,” Heibel said.
Her hope is to one day come to New Orleans.
“I would love to go to the Seelos Center. I hear it is beautiful.”
Heibel will not be coming to the Seelos Center in New Orleans. One week after our interview she died of double pneumonia. There was no cancer in her body.
“We have lost a wonderful friend of the Redemptorist and a great advocate of Father Seelos,” Miller said. “She considered this a ministry to talk about him and his great, powerful powers.”
Prior to her death, Heibel and 10 others, including her doctor from Johns Hopkins, testfied before a tribunal, investigating what she calls her miracle. All of their testimonies are being transcribed and will be sent to the Vatican before Christmas.
The case for what many believe to be the second miracle of Seelos will continue to Rome. Pope Benedict XVI will ultimately decide if this gentle, loving priest should be canonized.
But for those like Mary Ellen Heibel who have been touched by this man, Francis Seelos is already a saint.
For more on the Seelos center in New Orleans and the cause for Fr. Seelos' canonization, visit www.seelos.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)