Posted on 06/14/2002 8:24:23 AM PDT by Romulus
Yesterday's thread on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Summer Plenary Session. turned up a lot of Catholic FReepers suggesting that it's time for the faithful laity to get more visible and active in pressing for a restoration of right order in the Church. To that end, I've decided to develop and maintain a list of Catholic FReepers, sorted by state, as a resource for future activism. Some of us will wish to collaborate on future projects; others may simply find the list handy for purposes of fellowship. If you want to be on this list, please post your state (or overseas country) on this thread. I'll collate whatever comes in, and Askel5 will post the results on the ConSpiratio web site.
In posting your FR handle and location, you're not volunteering for anything except the chance of being contacted in the future. Whatever activism you then undertake is entirely up to you. For the record, I have no specific plan for this list, nor am I aware of anyone else's. It seems like something that needs to be done, however, and I'll wager the very existence of a good list will generate fruitful ideas.
If you prefer not to post your location, please bump the thread anyway. Thanks!
MudPuppy Crew
Arlington Diocese.....
St Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fredericksburg, VA
New York - Diocese of Rochester. Thanks for taking on this task.
The real enemy is not human. True, there are human persecutors of Christians, but we should be concerned with their conversion and salvation. Jesus orders us to love those who persecute us -- not to hide from them. Scripturally, hiding is what the proto-Church did before Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. We can't be witnesses for Christ to sinners if we blend in with the rest of them. There are times when good news must be shouted from the rooftops.
Nicholas Arseniev recounts an event that occurred in Russia, one that is quite characteristic of the faith of the Russian people. During a public conference held in Moscow at the Polytechnic Museum, during the fierce repression of believers, a Bolshevik commissioner in charge of education violently atacked the "out-dated faith" of the people, crying out that it bore the mark of capitalism and was not believable. At the conclusion of his brilliant presentation, the self-satisfied orator invited his hearers to engage in a brief dialogue. No one was to speak for more than five minutes and, of course, only after having identified himself. A young bearded priest from a rural background timidly stepped forward and was greeted by the orator with obvious contempt:
"Remember, no more than five minutes!"
"Yes, very well. I'll be brief, the priest replied.
Climbing to the podium, the priest turned toward the audience and declared:
"Brothers and sisters, Christos voskresse!" ["Christ is risen!"]
They all answered with one voice:
"Voistinu voskrese!" ["He is truly risen!"]
"I'm done," added the priest. "That's all I wanted to say."
Sanguis martyrum semen Ecclesiae. Be not afraid.
Our local church has a deacon who comes in to "lead" the "choir" for the Sunday evening mass. He is usually dressed in ratted jeans and a T-shirt. He opens with a comedy routine to get us warmed (riled?) up. He has even led us in "Lean on Me" DURING mass. My family doesn't attend here anymore.
Currently: Panama City, FL
Moving to: Raleigh, NC
(Anyone want to comment on whether this is as good a move as we think it is? Spiritually, we can't find a parish here that feels of home. We have found one there...)
Of course, which is why our only real and effective weapons will be the spiritual weapons, not "political activism".
Therefore, take unto you the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the sword of God.
No one is advocating hiding. If you live the faith you will be persecuted. There will be a cross. I just don't see the point in compiling a list of names and handing it to the agents of the enemy to make it easier for them. During the time when the Roman empire was trying its best to eliminate Christians I don't think that they were staging political protests and organizing letter writing campaigns were they?
Soon the modern secular world's persecution of Catholics (that hold to the faith) will make the Roman persecution of the early Church look like a day at the beach. I think that it is best to be prepared for this.
I highly recommend the writings and words of Dr Scott Hahn to you. He has his own website or you can find his works through St Joseph Communications. I think the best way to start is with "First Comes Love." It's awesome and will give you incredible insights into our history and purpose. I'm working on a couple of other books of his now and loving them.
I do. That's when those poor souls will need us most of all. Some Christians pray for martyrdom, you know. It's the greatest gift anyone can give.
Diocese of Savannah.
How are things coming along post-Katrina?
Texas
I saw it scroll by yesterday, but noted it is an '02 thread.
I also attend St. Mary the Virgin in Arlington.
There are also beautiful Anglican Use Parishes in San Antonio (Our Lady of the Atonement):
http://www.atonementonline.com/index.php
and Houston (Our Lady of Walsingham):
http://www.walsingham-church.org/
North East Texas
I forgot to send you the link to my parish, St. Mary the Virgin:
http://www.stmarythevirgin.org
It is the first and so far, I think, the only Episcopal parish to move, with its property, "across the Tiber." It's a pretty fascinating story.
wow, looks like some new freepers signed on...
d-oh! I missed that. thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.