Hmmm. Think I should make this into a bumper sticker?
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Beautiful in its time
Today's first reading could also be called "Qoheleth's Greatest Hits." Its reflection on time inspired more than one song:
(All songs that I really like, by the way.)
Here's my liturgy haiku on this:
There is a time for everything. And we cause ourselves no end of frustration, anguish and downright misery when we resist the fact that not everything comes at the time we appointed for it. But when you read the passage in the light of the Gospel, that's where the real message comes through, because Jesus is foretelling his death--and his Resurrection.
It's true! God makes everything beautiful in its time. And that last, most mysterious chapter of Jesus' life is so beautiful for all time, that God gives us access to it at all times, through the Mass.
- The Byrds' Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)
- Michael Card's Under The Sun (Ecclesiastes)
- Maire Brennan's Perfect Time
(All songs that I really like, by the way.)
Here's my liturgy haiku on this:
The secret of peace:
Ev'rything is beautiful
in its proper time.
There is a time for everything. And we cause ourselves no end of frustration, anguish and downright misery when we resist the fact that not everything comes at the time we appointed for it. But when you read the passage in the light of the Gospel, that's where the real message comes through, because Jesus is foretelling his death--and his Resurrection.
It's true! God makes everything beautiful in its time. And that last, most mysterious chapter of Jesus' life is so beautiful for all time, that God gives us access to it at all times, through the Mass.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The challenge of trust
Almost 100 years ago, Blessed James had to confront something similar to the situation of the apostles in today's Gospel. He realized that he and his young followers were being sent on mission with the Word of God. They were commissioned. They felt themselves to be modern apostles. The problem was they really didn't have what it takes, at least not in material terms, and--given that the average age of the members was about 15, not in education or life experience, either.
Never mind, said Alberione. If God was sending them out, it was going to be up to God to provide the where-with-all: not only material things like food, shelter, printing presses and paper, but spiritual supplies like knowledge, good will, and above all, holiness. Their part would be to "seek first the "Kingdom of God," and all the rest "will be given in addition." Later, Alberione formulated this convictgion into a prayer he called the "Secret of Success" (like him, we also call it "The Pact," since it amounts to a covenant).
Today's readings invited me to take that "Pact" up again: in the spirit of the first reading from Proverbs, to be content "with only the bread I need" and in obedience to the Gospel's directives, not to attempt to provide for myself [how could I provide that "one thing necessary"?], but to "go and proclaim the Kingdom."
Here's the Liturgy haiku I wrote on the same theme:
Never mind, said Alberione. If God was sending them out, it was going to be up to God to provide the where-with-all: not only material things like food, shelter, printing presses and paper, but spiritual supplies like knowledge, good will, and above all, holiness. Their part would be to "seek first the "Kingdom of God," and all the rest "will be given in addition." Later, Alberione formulated this convictgion into a prayer he called the "Secret of Success" (like him, we also call it "The Pact," since it amounts to a covenant).
Today's readings invited me to take that "Pact" up again: in the spirit of the first reading from Proverbs, to be content "with only the bread I need" and in obedience to the Gospel's directives, not to attempt to provide for myself [how could I provide that "one thing necessary"?], but to "go and proclaim the Kingdom."
Here's the Liturgy haiku I wrote on the same theme:
Lord, grant me the faith
to be content when I have
enough for today.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
TOB Tuesday: Pornography and Purity of Heart
While I was visiting my family in south Louisiana, I managed to make it to the chapel of Our Lady of Wisdom in Lafayette for my friend Fr. Sibley's mass and TOB homily. He gave a broad TOB introduction before focusing on the sin of "unchastity" mentioned in the Gospel. (If the people of Lafayette realized what a fantastic preacher Fr. Sibley is, he'd have to celebrate Mass in the Cajun Dome to accomodate the crowds!)
Listen to Fr Sibley's homily on porn addiction for yourself, and then share the link far and wide so that it reaches people in most need.
Listen to Fr Sibley's homily on porn addiction for yourself, and then share the link far and wide so that it reaches people in most need.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Another kind of pro-life vote
Now this is nice.
Cultivate Wines has a kind of tithing mechanism, but instead of giving 10% of proceeds to the owner's church, they let the citizens of the Internet choose the recipient. One of the nominated charities this year is Reese's Rainbow, a specialized international adoption service for children with Down Syndrome.
These children are the themselves the 10%, since (in the US, at least) 9 out of every 10 unborn babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome are, you guessed it, aborted. Because they couldn't possibly have a life worth living.
Except that they do. So head on over to Cultivate Wines, and let them know that you want Reese's Rainbow kids to benefit from the fruit of the vine. (You'll have to click on the link to log in on Facebook to cast your vote.) You can vote every day for the next five weeks!
Cultivate Wines has a kind of tithing mechanism, but instead of giving 10% of proceeds to the owner's church, they let the citizens of the Internet choose the recipient. One of the nominated charities this year is Reese's Rainbow, a specialized international adoption service for children with Down Syndrome.
These children are the themselves the 10%, since (in the US, at least) 9 out of every 10 unborn babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome are, you guessed it, aborted. Because they couldn't possibly have a life worth living.
Except that they do. So head on over to Cultivate Wines, and let them know that you want Reese's Rainbow kids to benefit from the fruit of the vine. (You'll have to click on the link to log in on Facebook to cast your vote.) You can vote every day for the next five weeks!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Protecting Families from Pornography
Having heard priests say that internet porn affects some (one priest said "all") of their most committed parishioners, and knowing the statistics about porn use as a growing factor in the divorce rate nationwide, I thought it would be in the public interest to share this info about a conference on protecting children and families from porn:
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| The conference is sponsored by RECLAiM Sexual Health, which is a recovery program based on insights from brain science and Theology of the Body |
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Was Jesus Married?
You've probably seen the breathless claims about a papyrus fragment that could threaten all we ever knew about Jesus. Yes, another one.
The current candidate for "most explosive artifact ever"is a scrap of writing from the mid 300's, which may or may not be a copy of something from the mid 200's.
Which makes it a lot older than the core texts of our faith, which date to ... 20-25 years after the death and resurrection.
What makes the story juicy is, of course, a reference in the ancient coptic writing to "Jesus' wife."
Hmm. Who might she be? And why haven't we heard about her before this?
Is it some deep, dark ecclesiastical secret, kept as a kind of hidden knowledge reserved only to an elite group? That would make it a "Gnostic" secret, typical of the fringey groups that popped up in various parts of the Roman empire that took the interesting bits of popular religious beliefs and strung them together according to their liking. (Naturally, they did the same thing with sacred writings, editing them to match the particular groups values, such as disdain for the body and a love of secret knowledge.)
Seriously, though: the Scriptures we have had all along do speak of Jesus' "wife." Maybe we just weren't paying attention.
St Paul wrote to the Corinthians that they were Jesus' wife. Here is the old, Douay-Rheims translation:"For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." If that isn't enough, the letter to the Ephesians has an extended passage (Eph. 5: 21-32) in which Paul tells husbands that their treatment of their wives had to be modeled on Christ's love for his Church: love to the point of "delivered himself [to death] for her". In case the Ephesians (or their 21st century successors) missed the point, Paul says that "we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones," even quoting Adam in the book of Genesis--precisely the passage where Adam meets Eve.
In the book of Revelation (according to the same 19th century translation, to show that this is not some 21st century aberration): "And there came one of the seven angels, who ... spoke with me, saying: Come, and I will shew thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he took me up in spirit to a great and high mountain: and he shewed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God" (Rev. 21:9-10).
This is clearly not what the headlines presume, but the very first generation of Christians seemed very familiar with the notion. Maybe because they knew the old jokes that had been told at Jesus' expense during his earthly life. He even took some of the coarser jokes (the ones that called him a "eunuch") and turned them into a recommendation: "For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother's womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it" (Mt 19: 12).
Personally, I think there is something in our age that desperately wants to tone Jesus down, to make him less exotic, more like the average Joe. Otherwise, why the fascination with what was, in his age and ours, the most normal thing in the world: that "a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh"? More on the most important question you can ever ask: "Who is Jesus?"
The current candidate for "most explosive artifact ever"is a scrap of writing from the mid 300's, which may or may not be a copy of something from the mid 200's.
Which makes it a lot older than the core texts of our faith, which date to ... 20-25 years after the death and resurrection.
What makes the story juicy is, of course, a reference in the ancient coptic writing to "Jesus' wife."
Hmm. Who might she be? And why haven't we heard about her before this?
Is it some deep, dark ecclesiastical secret, kept as a kind of hidden knowledge reserved only to an elite group? That would make it a "Gnostic" secret, typical of the fringey groups that popped up in various parts of the Roman empire that took the interesting bits of popular religious beliefs and strung them together according to their liking. (Naturally, they did the same thing with sacred writings, editing them to match the particular groups values, such as disdain for the body and a love of secret knowledge.)
Seriously, though: the Scriptures we have had all along do speak of Jesus' "wife." Maybe we just weren't paying attention.
 |
| Traditional Icon of "Christ the Bridegroom" |
In the book of Revelation (according to the same 19th century translation, to show that this is not some 21st century aberration): "And there came one of the seven angels, who ... spoke with me, saying: Come, and I will shew thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he took me up in spirit to a great and high mountain: and he shewed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God" (Rev. 21:9-10).
This is clearly not what the headlines presume, but the very first generation of Christians seemed very familiar with the notion. Maybe because they knew the old jokes that had been told at Jesus' expense during his earthly life. He even took some of the coarser jokes (the ones that called him a "eunuch") and turned them into a recommendation: "For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother's womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it" (Mt 19: 12).
Personally, I think there is something in our age that desperately wants to tone Jesus down, to make him less exotic, more like the average Joe. Otherwise, why the fascination with what was, in his age and ours, the most normal thing in the world: that "a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh"? More on the most important question you can ever ask: "Who is Jesus?"
Eucharistic Reflection
On this Thursday (traditionally associated with the gift of the Holy Eucharist), the first reading and Gospel come together in a powerful way. Even though neither Scripture passage explicitly mentions the Eucharist, the foundation is there in one word: Faith.
Paul reminds the Corinthians of the origins of their faith: the Gospel he preached. And he recites what may have been a very early creed, summing up the heart of the message that he preached, and that they believed. To the extent that they "hold fast to the word preached" to them, the Corinthians "are being saved."
In the Gospel, Jesus also speaks of faith and salvation: He tells the "sinful woman" at his feet, "Your faith has saved you."
"Faith," Paul wrote to the Romans, "comes from hearing." The Corinthians heard Paul's testimony and believed, and found salvation: their vision was transformed as they began to see life and its events in the perspective of God's overarching love and providence centered in Jesus. The woman went to the Pharisee's house because she had "learned" that Jesus was at table there, and Jesus assured her, "your faith has saved you." She was "safe": the world was revealed now as completely within God's providence and faithfulness.
It's no coincidence that when we celebrate the "Mystery of Faith," we do so in a context that is permeated with the Word of God. Not only do we listen to Scripture readings; our very prayers are woven from the Bible, and when we are dismissed, it is with the words of today's Gospel, first spoken to the "woman who was a sinner":
"Go in peace."
Paul reminds the Corinthians of the origins of their faith: the Gospel he preached. And he recites what may have been a very early creed, summing up the heart of the message that he preached, and that they believed. To the extent that they "hold fast to the word preached" to them, the Corinthians "are being saved."
In the Gospel, Jesus also speaks of faith and salvation: He tells the "sinful woman" at his feet, "Your faith has saved you."
"Faith," Paul wrote to the Romans, "comes from hearing." The Corinthians heard Paul's testimony and believed, and found salvation: their vision was transformed as they began to see life and its events in the perspective of God's overarching love and providence centered in Jesus. The woman went to the Pharisee's house because she had "learned" that Jesus was at table there, and Jesus assured her, "your faith has saved you." She was "safe": the world was revealed now as completely within God's providence and faithfulness.
It's no coincidence that when we celebrate the "Mystery of Faith," we do so in a context that is permeated with the Word of God. Not only do we listen to Scripture readings; our very prayers are woven from the Bible, and when we are dismissed, it is with the words of today's Gospel, first spoken to the "woman who was a sinner":
"Go in peace."
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Fly on the Wall: my interview with Jennifer Fulwiler
Did you enjoy last week's "Catholic Speaker" interview so much that you only wish you could have been at the CNMC for that conversation with Jennifer Fulwiler? Your prayer has been answered!
Pour yourself that cup of coffee and hit the "play" arrow:
While you listen and savor the coffee, here are a few images of my time in Dallas.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
TOB Tuesday: Chicago Young Adults, mark your calendars!
The Young Adult group at Holy Name Cathedral is hosting a book club for young adults in their 20s and 30s (single and married). The book for September is Called to Love by Carl Anderson and Jose Granados, with the optional addition of Karol Wojtyla's "The Jeweler's Shop."
From the Cathedral bulletin: "Christianity has long been regarded as viewing the body as a threat to a person's spiritual nature and of denying its sexual dimension. In 1979, Pope John Paul II departed from this traditional dichotomy and offered an integrated vision of the human body and soul.... he explained the divine meaning of human sexuality and why the body provides answers to fundamental questions about our lives... Called to Love brings to life the tremendous gift John Paul II bestowed on humanity and gives readers a new understanding of the Christian way of love and how to embrace it fully in their lives."
Cathedral Young Adult Book club meetings are on the 4th Thursday of each month, from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Parish Rectory Offices. BYO pot luck snacks to share.
From the Cathedral bulletin: "Christianity has long been regarded as viewing the body as a threat to a person's spiritual nature and of denying its sexual dimension. In 1979, Pope John Paul II departed from this traditional dichotomy and offered an integrated vision of the human body and soul.... he explained the divine meaning of human sexuality and why the body provides answers to fundamental questions about our lives... Called to Love brings to life the tremendous gift John Paul II bestowed on humanity and gives readers a new understanding of the Christian way of love and how to embrace it fully in their lives."
Cathedral Young Adult Book club meetings are on the 4th Thursday of each month, from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Parish Rectory Offices. BYO pot luck snacks to share.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Just one rose...
If you're a young woman who is clearly into your faith (the "YOUCAT" in your backpack might be one sign), don't be surprised if someone hands you a rose on the feast of St. Therese and tells you they think you'd make a good nun. (If you get more than one rose on October 1, you are probably heading for a discernment program anyway.)
Here's what's going on:
Saturday, September 15, 2012
A new TOB video stream!
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| In case you don't have
the book yet, click the cover. |
SOLT priest Father Samuel Medley has started a new online video study of Karol Wojtyla's "Love and Responsibility" every Saturday. It's 7:30-9:00 pm LONDON time, which puts it at a very comfortable spot here on the other side of the pond: 1:30-3:00 Central Time.
I don't yet know if he will be archiving the sessions; maybe if we ask nicely... The first session was today (Sept. 15).
We hope to resume our classes here in Chicago, too. A new presenter, Father Robert Sprott, is a bit too busy to start just yet, but we will keep you informed!
Friday, September 14, 2012
On the Holy Cross--His and Ours
I saw on Facebook a photograph of a protester in some march or other. The person wore a T-shirt that read: "When Jesus comes back, kill him again."
Why would someone clothe himself in a message of violent rejection of Jesus, unless he perceived that the bitterest suffering in his life came attached to that Name? As St Paul wrote to the Romans, "Because of you, the name of God is blasphemed among the nations" (Rom. 2:24).
As I reflected on the sacrilegious (and genuinely blasphemous) message, I wondered what it really said about us, Jesus' declared followers. After all, not having left us orphans, Jesus is supposed to be living in us: we are meant to be His living presence, His Body in the world. If we were really doing our job in that regard, perhaps there wouldn't be trees enough in the world for all the crosses that would be needed to really "kill him again."
What is the next good step we can take, on this feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, to purify our words and actions so that we let Jesus really live in us; so that the followers of Jesus show to the world that "God so loved the world that He sent His only Son...not to condemn, but to save"?
Today we're invited to begin a 54-day Rosary novena (3 novenas of petition followed by 3 novenas of thanksgiving in anticipation of the grace sought) in view of the US Presidential elections (that's right, 54 days from now).
Why would someone clothe himself in a message of violent rejection of Jesus, unless he perceived that the bitterest suffering in his life came attached to that Name? As St Paul wrote to the Romans, "Because of you, the name of God is blasphemed among the nations" (Rom. 2:24).
As I reflected on the sacrilegious (and genuinely blasphemous) message, I wondered what it really said about us, Jesus' declared followers. After all, not having left us orphans, Jesus is supposed to be living in us: we are meant to be His living presence, His Body in the world. If we were really doing our job in that regard, perhaps there wouldn't be trees enough in the world for all the crosses that would be needed to really "kill him again."
What is the next good step we can take, on this feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, to purify our words and actions so that we let Jesus really live in us; so that the followers of Jesus show to the world that "God so loved the world that He sent His only Son...not to condemn, but to save"?
Today we're invited to begin a 54-day Rosary novena (3 novenas of petition followed by 3 novenas of thanksgiving in anticipation of the grace sought) in view of the US Presidential elections (that's right, 54 days from now).
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Jane, the accidental midwife
There was a post on Facebook last night that completely missed my notice. I guess I had already shut everything down for then night when my sister Jane (who is rather sporadic in her Facebook activity) started typing:
It's all Jane's fault, you see, for having such a big heart. When the young mom lost her job at a grocery (without a car, and with two small children, she evidently wasn't always on time), with another child on the way (and this one's dad not in the picture), Jane couldn't just walk away with a sympathetic shrug.
Obviously, the family needs more than my sister can offer, but she was willing to offer what she could, whether that was babysitting or collecting diapers and gently worn baby clothes (and a two-seater stroller). When it was clear that midwifery was being added to the mix, my sister took it in stride, even though she never had children of her own.
It's such a clear illustration of what today's Gospel was all about: going the extra mile; giving to the one who can't repay; changing the world--at least the world around you.
Mother and newborn are doing fine; baby's two big brothers are now at Jane's house, as is my mother (whom the little ones already call "Memaw"). And I am bursting with pride, and humbled by, my genuinely Christian sister, Jane.
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| Without Facebook, how would we know these things were going on back home? |
It's all Jane's fault, you see, for having such a big heart. When the young mom lost her job at a grocery (without a car, and with two small children, she evidently wasn't always on time), with another child on the way (and this one's dad not in the picture), Jane couldn't just walk away with a sympathetic shrug.
Obviously, the family needs more than my sister can offer, but she was willing to offer what she could, whether that was babysitting or collecting diapers and gently worn baby clothes (and a two-seater stroller). When it was clear that midwifery was being added to the mix, my sister took it in stride, even though she never had children of her own.
It's such a clear illustration of what today's Gospel was all about: going the extra mile; giving to the one who can't repay; changing the world--at least the world around you.
Mother and newborn are doing fine; baby's two big brothers are now at Jane's house, as is my mother (whom the little ones already call "Memaw"). And I am bursting with pride, and humbled by, my genuinely Christian sister, Jane.
Support a Catholic Speaker! Jennifer Fulwiler
It's still September, and that's "Support a Catholic Speaker Month." Among the top Catholic Speakers highlighted by the nomination process is my favorite Catholic mommy blogger, Jennifer Fulwiler (of Conversion Diary). Jen was also one of the keynote speakers at the Catholic New Media Conference I attended in August--and that gave me the opportunity to sit with her for a good twenty minutes with a recording app and a list of questions.
Jennifer is a Texan, born and bred. Raised in a nonbelieving home, she was Secular Humanism's poster child--throughout her early adulthood. But little by little, the secular "givens" (atheism and pro-choice sympathies, even vegetarianism) gave way to an openness first to unborn life, then to Christianity and then, most improbably, to Catholicism.
Now a homeschooling mom of five, Jen has a unique take on Catholic spirituality that she shares through her blog, on TV and radio, and at the occasional podium (for those groups blessed enough to secure her as a speaker--which is why she was at the CNMC).
While Jennifer is a capable and articulate Catholic speaker, she is first and foremost a writer, something that is apparent to anyone who has ever had the pleasure of encountering her blog, "Conversion Diary" (which, in terms of Google subscribers, is one of the top Catholic blogs out there). Because of her droll sense of humor and her incredible talent as a writer, I tend to think of Jen as the (I'm dating myself here) Erma Bombeck of Gen X. Here's a sample on one of her classic themes.
From childhood (and long before she became a believer), Jennifer recognized that she had a charism for writing; that this was not only a life-giving talent for her own enjoyment, but a way she could give something meaningful to others. When the Internet offered every earnest writer a potential readership, Jennifer was already there, starting her first website in 2001. As she noted, "It's more fun to write when you have readers!" And those readers led to invitations for speaking engagements.
Public speaking is also a joy for Fulwiler, but with five young children, Jen gets more opportunities than she can accept. Given their primary vocation as parents, the Fulwilers decided to limit out-of-state speaking engagements to no more than one per quarter. Jen tries to give priority to those venues where she and her unique message can make a real difference; where her message and experience match the focus of the gathering. She wants people to walk out of the room saying, "I'm more inspired for having heard this talk." She recently declined a very attractive invitation that would have involved travel to a country she dreams of visiting because, in prayer, she realized that she didn't have any fresh insights to offer on the organization's theme. Strangely, Fulwiler also has to stipulate that all travel and lodging expenses be covered. (Catholic groups don't always think of worldly things like that, though young parents juggling mortgage payments certainly do.)
Jen describes her husband Joe (a convert as well) as "a faithful Catholic, very strong in his faith...who knows what it is to detach; to be tempted by glamour and say 'but that' s not where the Lord wants me'." Every invitation issued to Jen gets brought to Joe so they can talk about it and pray about it as a couple. Joe has a charism of discernment that he brings to the conversation. One commitment that Jen thought she would be able to make--her calendar was wide open, the topic was right up her alley, the expenses would all be taken care of--was declined when Joe found he could not be at peace with it. It just didn't feel "right." When that date rolled around, one of the children was seriously ill. Jen had to be there, and through God's providence, her husband Joe, like his calm and discerning patron saint, was the one who recognized that.
You're more likely to hear Jen through electronic media than at a conference outside of the State of Texas, but Jennifer Fulwiler is worth paying attention to as a Catholic speaker. And that is reason enough for her to have a permanent place on my special prayer list.
God bless you, Jennifer (and Joe! And the kids! And Yaya!)
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| In between sessions at the CNNC, Jen and I chatted while Joe was on an unsuccessful mission with the three oldest Fulwilers to find a foodstore somewhere in the vicinity of the Arlington Convention Center. |
Now a homeschooling mom of five, Jen has a unique take on Catholic spirituality that she shares through her blog, on TV and radio, and at the occasional podium (for those groups blessed enough to secure her as a speaker--which is why she was at the CNMC).
While Jennifer is a capable and articulate Catholic speaker, she is first and foremost a writer, something that is apparent to anyone who has ever had the pleasure of encountering her blog, "Conversion Diary" (which, in terms of Google subscribers, is one of the top Catholic blogs out there). Because of her droll sense of humor and her incredible talent as a writer, I tend to think of Jen as the (I'm dating myself here) Erma Bombeck of Gen X. Here's a sample on one of her classic themes.
From childhood (and long before she became a believer), Jennifer recognized that she had a charism for writing; that this was not only a life-giving talent for her own enjoyment, but a way she could give something meaningful to others. When the Internet offered every earnest writer a potential readership, Jennifer was already there, starting her first website in 2001. As she noted, "It's more fun to write when you have readers!" And those readers led to invitations for speaking engagements.
Public speaking is also a joy for Fulwiler, but with five young children, Jen gets more opportunities than she can accept. Given their primary vocation as parents, the Fulwilers decided to limit out-of-state speaking engagements to no more than one per quarter. Jen tries to give priority to those venues where she and her unique message can make a real difference; where her message and experience match the focus of the gathering. She wants people to walk out of the room saying, "I'm more inspired for having heard this talk." She recently declined a very attractive invitation that would have involved travel to a country she dreams of visiting because, in prayer, she realized that she didn't have any fresh insights to offer on the organization's theme. Strangely, Fulwiler also has to stipulate that all travel and lodging expenses be covered. (Catholic groups don't always think of worldly things like that, though young parents juggling mortgage payments certainly do.)
Jen describes her husband Joe (a convert as well) as "a faithful Catholic, very strong in his faith...who knows what it is to detach; to be tempted by glamour and say 'but that' s not where the Lord wants me'." Every invitation issued to Jen gets brought to Joe so they can talk about it and pray about it as a couple. Joe has a charism of discernment that he brings to the conversation. One commitment that Jen thought she would be able to make--her calendar was wide open, the topic was right up her alley, the expenses would all be taken care of--was declined when Joe found he could not be at peace with it. It just didn't feel "right." When that date rolled around, one of the children was seriously ill. Jen had to be there, and through God's providence, her husband Joe, like his calm and discerning patron saint, was the one who recognized that.
You're more likely to hear Jen through electronic media than at a conference outside of the State of Texas, but Jennifer Fulwiler is worth paying attention to as a Catholic speaker. And that is reason enough for her to have a permanent place on my special prayer list.
God bless you, Jennifer (and Joe! And the kids! And Yaya!)
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Chicago Catholic calendar!
I'm still not completely unpacked, but I have to share with you all the exciting things that are happening here in Chicago in September alone.
Saturday (the day after my return from New Orleans) I spent the whole day at a meeting for the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. For me, the highlight was that Cardinal George was there all morning, answering questions and offering insights. Here is a sample, from a video he had recorded last week, right about the time of his first chemo treatment (Cardinal George recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his liver and is getting chemo for cancer cells found in his kidneys):
Sept 14 (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross) there will be a bilingual Holy Hour and Eucharistic Procession following the 7 pm Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. The special intention is for Cardinal George's health.
Sept 19: Choir practice begins at Our Lady of Mt Carmel! (Granted, this is on my calendar, not necessarily yours...)
Sept 21, Ricardo Muti and the CSO at Millennium Park doing a free (did someone say free?) concert for the masses! You know I'll be there.
Sept. 26 the Lumen Christi Institute is offering a presentation on "Religious Freedom in America Today" by Richard Garnett (Associate Dean, Notre Dame Law School). This is not free (except for U of C students), so even though it is so near (155 N. Wacker Dr, at a law firm!), I won't be going. But it is worth mentioning. More info on the Lumen Christi website: http://www.lumenchristi.org/religious_freedom
Sept 29: St Francis Day Pet Blessings at numerous churches, including Holy Name Cathedral.
Then, on the next page of the calendar:
Oct. 1: the rules for the High School Digital Disciples Video Contest will be made public. Here's a hint for those who want a head start: teen producers can submit a 2-minute video on the importance of Sunday Mass. Deadline for submissions is Jan 10. Details will follow.
Oct. 1: The Imagine Sisters movement suggests you offer a rose to a young woman you believe might be called to religious life. Telling someone they'd make a good nun may be just the spur they need to act on that "still, small voice" in their heart!
Oct 2 and 5: I am giving a social media workshop to the participants in the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program at CTU. No, you can't come (unless you're on sabbatical there), but you can always have me come out to your parish for a workshop or private tutoring!
Oct 5-7 Exploring Priesthood Weekend retreat (at Mundelein Seminary); pass that info on to a young man you think ought to consider the calling!
Oct 7-12 I will be at the Theology of the Body Institute course with Christopher West (and with Sr Tracey, from our New Orleans community!); not that this is in Chicago, I'm just excited about it.
Oct 13-14 Holy Name is having a Diaper Drive to provide disposable diapers for needy moms. The Cathedral also needs volunteers at each Mass to help collect the donated dideys.
The reasons for the Diaper Drive are pretty sobering:
This drive is happening locally, but there is nothing stopping you from calling your own area pro-life centers to ask about organizing a diaper drive for them. You'll probably find them asking for all sizes of diapers: the centers provide for toddlers, too (not just new borns).
Saturday (the day after my return from New Orleans) I spent the whole day at a meeting for the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. For me, the highlight was that Cardinal George was there all morning, answering questions and offering insights. Here is a sample, from a video he had recorded last week, right about the time of his first chemo treatment (Cardinal George recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor from his liver and is getting chemo for cancer cells found in his kidneys):
Sept 14 (Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross) there will be a bilingual Holy Hour and Eucharistic Procession following the 7 pm Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines. The special intention is for Cardinal George's health.
Sept 19: Choir practice begins at Our Lady of Mt Carmel! (Granted, this is on my calendar, not necessarily yours...)
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| Last year's Muti concert at Millennium Park: standing room only! |
Sept 21, Ricardo Muti and the CSO at Millennium Park doing a free (did someone say free?) concert for the masses! You know I'll be there.
Sept. 26 the Lumen Christi Institute is offering a presentation on "Religious Freedom in America Today" by Richard Garnett (Associate Dean, Notre Dame Law School). This is not free (except for U of C students), so even though it is so near (155 N. Wacker Dr, at a law firm!), I won't be going. But it is worth mentioning. More info on the Lumen Christi website: http://www.lumenchristi.org/religious_freedom
Sept 29: St Francis Day Pet Blessings at numerous churches, including Holy Name Cathedral.
Then, on the next page of the calendar:
Oct. 1: the rules for the High School Digital Disciples Video Contest will be made public. Here's a hint for those who want a head start: teen producers can submit a 2-minute video on the importance of Sunday Mass. Deadline for submissions is Jan 10. Details will follow.
Oct. 1: The Imagine Sisters movement suggests you offer a rose to a young woman you believe might be called to religious life. Telling someone they'd make a good nun may be just the spur they need to act on that "still, small voice" in their heart!
Oct 2 and 5: I am giving a social media workshop to the participants in the Hesburgh Sabbatical Program at CTU. No, you can't come (unless you're on sabbatical there), but you can always have me come out to your parish for a workshop or private tutoring!
Oct 5-7 Exploring Priesthood Weekend retreat (at Mundelein Seminary); pass that info on to a young man you think ought to consider the calling!
Oct 7-12 I will be at the Theology of the Body Institute course with Christopher West (and with Sr Tracey, from our New Orleans community!); not that this is in Chicago, I'm just excited about it.
Oct 13-14 Holy Name is having a Diaper Drive to provide disposable diapers for needy moms. The Cathedral also needs volunteers at each Mass to help collect the donated dideys.
The reasons for the Diaper Drive are pretty sobering:
- Diapers can add up to around $100/month
- Government subsidies like Food Stamps and WIC do not cover diapers.
- Parents will forgo food or bus fare for their jobs in order to afford diapers
- Babies are at risk of skin disease and hepatitis from wearing washed out/reused disposable diapers: some families are that desperate.
- Finally, clearly cloth diapers are not an option for families who do not have access to washing machines.
This drive is happening locally, but there is nothing stopping you from calling your own area pro-life centers to ask about organizing a diaper drive for them. You'll probably find them asking for all sizes of diapers: the centers provide for toddlers, too (not just new borns).
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
TOB Tuesday: A new, TOB-inspired marriage prep program!
Coming soon(ish)! Well, available a year from now. A marriage prep program that the Archdiocese of Boston has been working on for about six years, and field testing for three. Even in the testing phase, "Transformed in Love: Building Your Catholic Marriage" demonstrated the power of the Good News to draw people to a greater good than they ever guessed was available.
Engaged couples (500 of them over the course of three years) willingly spent a total of 12 hours and 45 minutes in the sessions, which included presentations, couple witness, activity, prayer and (one of the favorite aspects of the program) a "teaching Mass" in which the Liturgy was explained as it unfolded. Maybe that is because the program itself helps engaged couples to situate their future life within the Church's sacramental life. Not that it starts there: no, the first five topics are basically about "natural marriage." After all, sacramental marriage is not an extra layer of holiness added to an established romantic relationship. Sacramental marriage IS natural marriage itself, raised to a new participation in the mystery of Jesus.
Upon entering the program, 26% of the participants said they were active in the practice of their faith; upon exiting, 66% said they are more inclined to be active in their faith.
Upon entering, 26% said they could explain marriage as a sacrament; upon exiting 69% said they could.
Even with the most challenging teaching of them all, couples were impressed with what the Church teaches (most had never even heard those teachings) and why: Upon entering, 38% said they do know about Natural Family Planning and why the Church supports it, 38% intended to use it; upon exiting, the percentage of those who were "considering or definitely using NFP" was 70%, and in some cases, as high as 86%.
A solid sacramental preparation program like "Transformed in Love" can't do everything--not when 70% of the engaged couples are already living together and contracepting. But it can help them understand how different a Catholic marriage can be when faith transforms the spouse's very vision of each other and their relationship.
While the program is being published (by Pauline Books--can you see me do the happy dance?), there are still openings for field testing outside of the Boston area. Contact the Boston Marriage and Family Office if your parish or diocese would like to participate.
Engaged couples (500 of them over the course of three years) willingly spent a total of 12 hours and 45 minutes in the sessions, which included presentations, couple witness, activity, prayer and (one of the favorite aspects of the program) a "teaching Mass" in which the Liturgy was explained as it unfolded. Maybe that is because the program itself helps engaged couples to situate their future life within the Church's sacramental life. Not that it starts there: no, the first five topics are basically about "natural marriage." After all, sacramental marriage is not an extra layer of holiness added to an established romantic relationship. Sacramental marriage IS natural marriage itself, raised to a new participation in the mystery of Jesus.
Upon entering the program, 26% of the participants said they were active in the practice of their faith; upon exiting, 66% said they are more inclined to be active in their faith.
Upon entering, 26% said they could explain marriage as a sacrament; upon exiting 69% said they could.
Even with the most challenging teaching of them all, couples were impressed with what the Church teaches (most had never even heard those teachings) and why: Upon entering, 38% said they do know about Natural Family Planning and why the Church supports it, 38% intended to use it; upon exiting, the percentage of those who were "considering or definitely using NFP" was 70%, and in some cases, as high as 86%.
"You totally changed my view points of the Catholic Church and I plan on ramping up my faith now. I am so excited now to be married in the Church.... And I plan on bringing this faith into life now and I want to pursue it for me and my fiancé and my future kids."One participant
A solid sacramental preparation program like "Transformed in Love" can't do everything--not when 70% of the engaged couples are already living together and contracepting. But it can help them understand how different a Catholic marriage can be when faith transforms the spouse's very vision of each other and their relationship.
While the program is being published (by Pauline Books--can you see me do the happy dance?), there are still openings for field testing outside of the Boston area. Contact the Boston Marriage and Family Office if your parish or diocese would like to participate.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Texas Report--and I didn't even have to do it myself!
I am still unpacking from my five weeks away from the desk (and now that desk is piled high with things to follow up on). Fortunately, CatholicTV was at the CNMC with their cameras and compiled a little video that says a lot:
Friday, September 07, 2012
Judgment Day
I suppose the title is a little sneaky, because I'm not going to write about that Judgment Day, but about today's readings. Which do, for the record, have to do with the vexing problem of judgmentalism.
In our day, of course, "being judgmental" is the one universally condemned sin. And today's readings hint at why, and what to do about that.
In the first reading. St Paul himself has come under judgment. You can tell it stings, but he shakes it off like dirt from his sandals. "I do not pass judgment even on myself; the one who judges me is the Lord." And the Lord will come, St Paul assures the Corinthians, "So do not make any judgment before the Lord brings to light what is hidden in darkness...." That very same Lord, in the Gospel, appears to be the object of some subtle judgment on the part of "the scribes and Pharisees," keepers of the established order. They don't accuse Jesus of anything untoward, but merely observe that while the disciples of the universally admired John the Baptist (as well as the disciples of the Pharisees) are noteworthy for their disciplined lives, for their prayers and fasting, Jesus' disciples are undistinguished in that regard, to say the least.
In both readings, the ones under judgment turn the tables by revealing an unexpected reality: Paul is a "servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God"; Jesus is the Bridegroom whose presence transforms life into a wedding feast.
Does that mean that when we see manifestly harmful or evil behavior we should shrug it off? That would be the easy thing to do. I am afraid that the today's readings invite us to take a different approach. Rather than sizing up the situation and having all our decisions made, or just putting people into categories and leaving them there, we could consider them as fellow guests at a wedding. Perhaps representing the other party, but fellow-guests at the same event all the same. With a little grace (and maybe a little wine, too) we can enter into conversation with them. Not the kind of entrance the Pharisees made in today's Gospel (little more than a reproach), but a conversation that can make us "new wineskins," ready to "dispense the mysteries of God" without bitterness.
On thie First Friday, that can be more important than ever.
In our day, of course, "being judgmental" is the one universally condemned sin. And today's readings hint at why, and what to do about that.
In the first reading. St Paul himself has come under judgment. You can tell it stings, but he shakes it off like dirt from his sandals. "I do not pass judgment even on myself; the one who judges me is the Lord." And the Lord will come, St Paul assures the Corinthians, "So do not make any judgment before the Lord brings to light what is hidden in darkness...." That very same Lord, in the Gospel, appears to be the object of some subtle judgment on the part of "the scribes and Pharisees," keepers of the established order. They don't accuse Jesus of anything untoward, but merely observe that while the disciples of the universally admired John the Baptist (as well as the disciples of the Pharisees) are noteworthy for their disciplined lives, for their prayers and fasting, Jesus' disciples are undistinguished in that regard, to say the least.
In both readings, the ones under judgment turn the tables by revealing an unexpected reality: Paul is a "servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God"; Jesus is the Bridegroom whose presence transforms life into a wedding feast.
Does that mean that when we see manifestly harmful or evil behavior we should shrug it off? That would be the easy thing to do. I am afraid that the today's readings invite us to take a different approach. Rather than sizing up the situation and having all our decisions made, or just putting people into categories and leaving them there, we could consider them as fellow guests at a wedding. Perhaps representing the other party, but fellow-guests at the same event all the same. With a little grace (and maybe a little wine, too) we can enter into conversation with them. Not the kind of entrance the Pharisees made in today's Gospel (little more than a reproach), but a conversation that can make us "new wineskins," ready to "dispense the mysteries of God" without bitterness.
On thie First Friday, that can be more important than ever.
Thursday, September 06, 2012
"Everything is yours!"
Our Founder loved the passage in today's first reading where St Paul assures the Corinthians "Everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you and you to Christ, and Christ to God." Most of the time, interestingly enough, Alberione cited this when he was referring to new communications technologies.
In the Gospel, though, it hardly seems that "everything is yours": Jesus, preaching along the lakefront, commandeers Simon's boat as if it were really His. (Well, Paul did say that while "everything is yours," you yourself belong to Christ!)
How ready am I to have Jesus preach from "my" boat?
In the Gospel, though, it hardly seems that "everything is yours": Jesus, preaching along the lakefront, commandeers Simon's boat as if it were really His. (Well, Paul did say that while "everything is yours," you yourself belong to Christ!)
How ready am I to have Jesus preach from "my" boat?
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
Storm Scenes
A few views from Mom's neighborhood and the post-hurricane cleanup that's underway.
An enormous tree (one of many that split in half and fell away from the owner's roof) near my sister's house.
This gas station near my sister's was obliterated by the storm winds.
The blue roofs are back after Isaac stripped off shingles (as well as siding, gutters and a few pieces of Mom's attic turbine).
Below: The local community of Daughters of St. Paul took refuge at Mom's house over the weekend, since they were without power the whole time. As soon as they got inside the air-conditioned kitchen, they had an ice-cream party! Meanwhile, Mom and I were returning from Texas and the Catholic New Media Conference I had attended. We just had two days of convent life at Mom's before the sisters got their own power back. (Unfortunately, all their perishables had perished.)
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This gas station near my sister's was obliterated by the storm winds.
The blue roofs are back after Isaac stripped off shingles (as well as siding, gutters and a few pieces of Mom's attic turbine).
Below: The local community of Daughters of St. Paul took refuge at Mom's house over the weekend, since they were without power the whole time. As soon as they got inside the air-conditioned kitchen, they had an ice-cream party! Meanwhile, Mom and I were returning from Texas and the Catholic New Media Conference I had attended. We just had two days of convent life at Mom's before the sisters got their own power back. (Unfortunately, all their perishables had perished.)
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
TOB Tuesday: Guys' Turn
Most of the links I post here tend toward the feminine side of the TOB equation. Here, for a change, is a link for the guys. Catholic "Hack" and convert podcaster Joe McClane speaks of his fight against porn addiction (starting at age 8) and other signs of these TOB-needy times.
Monday, September 03, 2012
Jesus the Worker
Although it is safe to say that Alberione (frail as he was) would have been utterly useless on the floor of the print shop, he learned a lot from his desk where he wrote the articles the "little workers" were typesetting, and checked the proofs when they came to him "hot" off the press (hot because of the flames that dried the ink). Even in this, he realized, Jesus was model and savior:
Adore Jesus the worker! Because there he offered an important lesson: that of example. Adore him, because he was the Son of God incarnate who, even though he had created all the riches that exist, earned his bread and carried out a humble work. Adore him, because Jesus redeemed the world in that carpenter's workshop just as much as he did when preaching the Gospel, and just as much as he did when dying on the cross: a school of example and at the same time, redemption. Adore Jesus, who willed to give the example of work, who willed to redeem humanity by means of work, and especially to redeem work itself: to uplift the worker!
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