Posted on 05/30/2004 9:28:05 AM PDT by tcg
We can't hide. We can't live in conclaves and observe the faith.
Last week our priest's sermon was on the media, journalism, politics and the persecution of the Church which he believes will get worse. His exhortation was to be strong, be faithful, and be light in the world. He told us to go out into the community, but go as Christians observing the Law completely and imitating Christ in our relationships with others.
He's right. Being exemplary and being in Christ is the only way to influence the World.
Church leaders need to take responsibility to defend Catholic culture and civilization. It is true that they are entrusted with a spiritual and moral mission which relates to individuals, but Catholic institutions must also be defended from debasement and Catholics should be defended from hostile assaults by secular humanists and other enemies of the faith. The extreme privatization of religion and morality in modern America, as if Christian morality had no public role, must end.
Excellent post Desdemona.
I'm not advocating compounds, but more active parish life. That and Catholics patronizing Catholic businesses, working for Catholics, etc. That does not mean that we treat those who are not Catholic badly, but just the same as we do our own.
There was a time not so long ago when people wanted to work for Catholics as they were treated with dignity. That's the sort of thing I was thinking.
And we can all turn off the reality TV shows.
An excellent article and analysis of the situation.
I particularly appreciated your insight that it is, in fact, the dissident politicos who are attempting to enforce their corrupt version of the faith on the Church by insisting on receiving communion, rather than the Magisterium which is trying to enforce a voting pattern on them.
Would that all bishops had the guts of Bishop Sheridan!
BTW - good to see another orthodox deacon posting on the forum. Welcome brother!
Deacon Augustine
Dear Deacon Augustine
On this Feast of Justin Martyr, I am pleased to not only make your acquaintance but welcome the opportunity to serve with you in the new missionary age. May he be a source of inspiration to the both of us. Rome awaits!I am always happy to meet one more Deacon called to this vocation. I do not believe that the reinstitution of this rank of clergy for this moment in history was "accidental"
Deacon Fournier
This will all come to a head when the people you see in the pews beside you are pressured to take a public stand on their moral beliefs. Right now, there are many Catholics who go to Mass (and that's, what, 25% of all Catholics?) who would probably not remain in Communion with the Church if it meant their jobs or their friendships. I don't believe our choices will be EASY, but they will be CLEAR.
Excellant article by the Deacon.
Thank You for posting.
Deacon Francis
I include in the prayer of the faithful the conversion of the Jewish and Moslem people, and the re-Christianization of America nearly every mass.
Deacon Francis
What's really scary is that 48 CINOs from the democratic party have violated the constitution recently and NO ONE is making a stink about it. They have violated the constituional provisions that the government will not interfere with a religious institution's internal affairs. They have placed undue political pressure on my Church to change her preaching policies. Its the political pressure that is unconstitutional.
Deacon Francis
Good to have you here at FR with us, Deacon Fournier. I used to watch you often on EWTN years ago. We met many years ago in Steubenville as well. So happy you answered the call to the Diaconate.
Also, good to see you posting Deacon Augustine. Long time no see.
May the God of all grace bless our ministries and help us persevere in the faith handed down to us all.
Deacon Francis
What upsets me is the complete denial of what the Church teaches.
The sins against the Holy Spirit:
Presumption, despair, resisting known truth, envy of another's spiritual good, obstinancy in sin, and final impenitence.
The four sins crying to Heaven for vengence:
Willful murder, homosexual acts, oppression of the poor and defrauding laborers of their wages.
When did this change? Has it changed?
Hasn't changed as far as I know.
What has changed is the hearts of men. Many who call themselves Catholic are actually apostate because of their dissenting beliefs.
Deacon Francis
"I do not believe that the reinstitution of this rank of clergy for this moment in history was "accidental""
Agreed - there are no "accidents" where the Holy Spirit is concerned!
Though I do sometimes wonder what His plans are for the order, and why it was this particular point in history that it was reinstituted. I'm sure that He doesn't think in terms of "gapfillers" for priest shortages!
Any blinding insights or revelations would be appreciated! I now know what Frodo Baggins meant when he described himself as "butter scraped too thinly on the bread".
;)
"Long time no see."
Just getting used to juggling preaching, baptisms, funerals, visiting the sick, running the parish finances, clearing the parish grounds, attending umpteen committees and trying to be nice to people, with a wife, four kids, a dog and a job.
Apart from that life's been quiet. ;)
How's things with you?
"May the God of all grace bless our ministries and help us persevere in the faith handed down to us all."
Amen, and amen!
What really irritates me re not taking communion in non-Catholic churches is that the few times that I'm around for such services, I sit away from the group on purpose and people who come in late just sit near me. It drives me crazy.
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