Archive for October, 2007
Entry for October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
Blessed be God’s Holy Name!
Yesterday, I arrived at my new assignment of St. Mary, Help of Christians, in Aiken, South Carolina.
I arrived right in time to celebrate the parish’s evening daily Mass. What better way could a priest start an assignment? I thought it was a blessing to start things off on that foot.
Aiken is a beautiful city, and I’m going to learn a lot in the parish. I ask for your prayers.
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FAREWELL
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ!
As a priest, it was a weird experience to leave the faith communities of Clemson, Seneca, and Walhalla. I’ve certainly had assignments as a seminarian and it was always a little sad to leave a community, but I was surprised by the radical difference there is when a priest leaves a community of faith.
As I left the area there was a prayer, “Lord, may I have done more good than ill.” There were floods of memories, faces, experiences, tragedies, sacramental encounters, and stories. God did so much. There was an overflow of genuine concern for some members of the community, hope for others, and prayers for all. There was a sense of dispossession but of providence. It was a very emptying but sanctifying experience. I’ve never had an experience like it. Maybe it was a small, temporal glimpse into the great mystery of the Communion of Saints?
To the members of Sts Francis, Paul, and Andrew parish, I extend affectionate greetings and gratitude. I thank you for your patience and kindness to me. I thank you for helping me to be a priest, and for trusting my priestly ministry and outreach. I certainly carry you and your stories with me to Aiken. Please know of my prayers always.
Please pray for me as I begin my new assignment.
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Entry for October 27, 2007
Saturday, October 27th, 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Today I’m pretty much done at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Clemson. This evening I have Mass out at St. Francis in Walhalla and then a Mass for the Young Men’s Retreat. Tomorrow I have one of the morning Masses at St. Paul’s in Seneca and then I hit the road. Mission accomplished. Hopefully the Lord can say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
The picture above is of the old chapel in Clemson. When it was built, they thought it was too big for the area! Behind the old chapel is the current parish church where Sunday Masses and large celebrations are held. There’s still daily Mass and small funerals or weddings in the old chapel. It’s a great place for prayer, and a wonderful symbol of Catholicism in the area.
When I wasn’t scheduled for one of the parish’s public Masses, I would offer a private Mass in the old chapel. It was a time for me, as the celebrant and holder of the sacred liturgy, to really enter and take in the liturgy. I think the challenge of the Christian disciple (especially the priest) is to make the liturgy his life, to truly make it the “summit and source” of everything. I’ve appreciated the ability to slow things down, to say the prayers more meditatively, and to really “wrestle” with their meaning in general, and in my own life. I ask God to never let the liturgy become a machine or casual thing in my life. There should always be a reverence and a healthy, holy fear of the Lord when approaching his altar. To think what we celebrate, what happens in our midst, and what we can participate in – God is with us. How can we take that for granted?
I ask for your prayers as I finish things up here in South Carolina’s Upstate.
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Entry for October 26, 2007
Friday, October 26th, 2007
Blessed be Mary, Most Holy.
I spent most of the day finishing up things in the office and saying farewells to folks and friends. Most of the day, Our Lady has been on my mind. It seems at sad moments, or moments of transition, that I find my heart’s affections turning to Mary. I’m sure it’s the Holy Spirit assuring me of her maternal presence.
In a similar way: at different times, people have asked me why the Church is often times referred to in the feminine. Of course, there’s the biblical and theological explanation that the Church is the Bride of Christ, and this reality accentuates the maternal element of the Church. Like a Bride and Mother, the Church cares for the children of God. She gives them birth in Baptism, teaches them the doctrine of salvation, corrects them, encourages them, forgives them, loves them, feeds them, and just gives to the People of God all the things a good earthly mother tries to give her children.
The parallel of the Church and Mary is as old as the Apostles. They complement each other and mutully serve their common Lord and his holy people.
This weekend I finish up my time in South Carolina’s Upstate. I ask for your prayers.
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Entry for October 25, 2007
Thursday, October 25th, 2007
Today I was in Columbia, trying to finish everything on the purchase of a car. I didn’t realize how much went into buying an automobile: insurance, taxes, license plate, etc. I was all over the place. Thanks be to God, everything went smoothly! I am now the proud owner of a 2000 Ford Contour.
I was wondering if I should put any bumper stickers on the back? Maybe the South Carolina and/or Vatican flag? Or maybe that bumper sticker that reads: “Papist and Proud.” That would really go over well in the Protestant South. Maybe it’s best just to keep it empty. Haha
Recently I finished reading Karl Barth’s “Ad Limina Apostolorum,” which are his reflections on the documents of Vatican II. Barth stands as one of the more eminent theologians of the twentieth century. His thoughts were challenging in some areas, and enlightening in others. It’s been a big personal project the past few years to study and read the different commentaries on Vatican II. It’s helpful to know what the Council said, what the thoughts are, and where there is harmony (or not) between them. This takes a lot of work and reflection, which is why so few do it. Sadly, however, it seems the ones who don’t study are always the ones who want to talk. I think the next few decades will need people who are familiar and confident in the teachings and authentic spirit of Vatican II.
Please pray for me as I finish my time in Clemson, Seneca, and Walhalla.
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Entry for October 21, 2007
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
Come, Lord Jesus!
This whole week the First Principle and Foundation has been on my mind. Of course, Friday was the feast of the North American Martyrs (most of whom were Jesuits). The feast day reminded me of my retreat this past summer, which was in the general area in which the missionaries would have worked.
I attached a photo above. The place was infested with bugs and was, even today, a difficult place to live (or visit). I cannot imagine the regular, “normal” sufferings the early missionaries endured for the sake of the Gospel. And, of course, most of them made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Truly, they stand as martyrs, as “witnesses,” to us today of the love God has for each of us.
This morning I had the two English Masses out at St. Paul’s in Seneca. The two Masses have distinct personalities, both of which I really enjoy. I preached on Christian discipleship and the Gospel of Life. It was hard to preach on abortion, knowing that it’s such a difficult issue. The people, however, seemed receptive and open. I think that when the moral teachings on abortion are put within the postiive context of the Gospel of Life and Christian discipleship, people are more open to listening to them. I have often suspected that we have lost a moral credibility in sexual ethics because we’ve allowed the teachings to become to distant from discipleship. It could seem to some that the Church’s teachings on adultery or pornography, etc., are radically separate from the Cross of Jesus Christ. I’ve learned that when they’re preached together, people make the connections and are more open to listening and accepting them.
Please pray for the unborn and for all efforts to protect and promote human life.
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Entry for October 20, 2007
Sunday, October 21st, 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ, truly present on the Altar!
I drove home to Columbia last night. It was good to see my dad, one of my neices, and my nephew. My mom and sister were away visiting some family members up North.
This morning I gave the two conferences for the Confirmation retreat at my home parish of St. Joseph’s. It was great to be back, and to help these young people prepare for the sacrament. Confirmation is an important moment in the life of a Christian disciple. Please pray for these young members of the Church, especially on Wednesday, which is their Confirmation day.
After the retreat I headed back to the Upstate. I went almost directly to Walhalla for the Vigil Mass. I left a lot of extra time because Clemson was having its Homecoming and Walhalla was celebrating its annual Oktoberfest. It seemed that there were people and cars everywhere.
I really like our little parish of St. Francis’ in Walhalla (see picture above). It’s a small community, but filled with wamrth and love. The simplicity of the place certainly matches the spirit of its patron. I suspect St Francis would really enjoy Walhalla and the Catholic community there.
I spent the evening with one of the families from St. Paul’s in Seneca. They’re awesome, and funny folks.
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Entry for October 19, 2007
Friday, October 19th, 2007
Yesterday, I had the privilege of touring the local office of Birthright. Birthright is a non-partisan service organization which helps young women with their pregnancies. It was an edifying visit.
Recently, in the parishes where I’m assigned, we’ve been taking up financial collections for Birthright, as a part of their “Baby Bottle” campaign. The people have been very generous.
The visit yesterday has helped me a lot today as I was working on my homily for this Sunday. At the Sunday morning Masses at St. Paul’s in Seneca, I’ll be preaching on the Gospel of Life.
One dated pastoral move was to refrain from preaching (or even assisting) the various efforts to spread (what Catholics would call) the Gospel of Life. The reasoning for this move was that various leaders did not want to “alienate” people (who might hold to pro-choice opinions).
This has, happily, been exposed as an erroneous approach, and is slipping away (although, sadly, not completely gone). Here’s another thought: the Church must act (orthopraxy) according to what she believes and teaches (orthodoxy). It’s an easy idea: the Church will act from her beliefs. If she accomodates to every disagreement, she ends up doing nothing.
If certain members disagree or struggle with the teachings of the Church (which are the teachings of Christ), then the challenge lies in them. They ae certainly welcome in the Church, and the Church will provide prayer and guidance to assist a struggling member, but the believer himself must have the humility to seek instruction and clarification. The believer cannot expect the Church to be insincere with herself and fail to act according to her belief. The struggle (very real at times) is within the individual person. It is there, more than anywhere else, where the debate and wrestling must take place.
I believe it is precisely the Church acting according to her belief which will assist the believer to see the moral credibility of the Church, and the truth of her teachings. Failing in this respect not only calls for judgment, but also is a lost opportunity to reflect Christ and his teachings to the Church and world.
Please pray for the Church, and for the pro-life movement.
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Entry for October 18, 2007
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Praised be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man!
Today the “First Principle and Foundation” of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola was on my mind.
A few years ago, I did the Thirty-Day Spiritual Exercises (in silence and all), and since then the Jesuit prayer and spirituality have been a source and center for me and my own spiritual approach to God and life.
I’m a huge fan of what the Society of Jesus is called to be in the Church and in the world. I thank God that I was formed theologically by the Society.
The “First Principle and Foundation” calls the Christian disciple to stay focused on God and his Majesty in the midst of decisions and questions. The name certainly says it all, God is the “first” of the “principles” and the “foundation” of life. Simply put, it says “Stay Focused” and realize that God is truly God.
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Entry for October 17, 2007
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
This evening I attended the Bernadin Lecture at the University of South Carolina. The speaker this year was Dr. Philip Jenkins from the Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Jenkins research deals with the influence of religion on cultures, and the future of religion and religious integration.
I was first introduced to his writings through his book, “The Next Christendom.” Ironically, I finished the book while I was on a visit to Nigeria and seeing the Catholic Church and its expression there.
Dr. Jenkins raised some questions and provided some insights on the current situation in Europe. He specifically spoke of the Islamic question on that continent, and its importance to the world and healthy religious co-existence. It was a very good talk.
I would recommend Dr. Jenkins’ writings. They certainly expand the worldview and thinking of the reader.
I would also like to ask for your prayers for the Bernadin Lectureship. The hope is that this will all lead to an eventual Chair in Catholic Studies at USC. It would be a great addition to the University and its intellectual culture.
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