Archive for May, 2010
Shout Out to Venture Crew 115
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Recently, I spent an afternoon doing some hiking with a few of the other priests in the house. I hope the Venture Crew in Aiken notes the shirt.
Here’s my failed attempt to read the map. Let’s just say that it’s sometimes fun to get lost!
I hope Venture Crew 115 has a great summer in store! Best of luck to you all – enjoy the adventure!
Posted in Blog Archive | 1 Comment »
Introduction of the Thesis
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Here’s the prologue of the introduction to my thesis. If anyone is really bored, happy reading!
INTRODUCTION
“Always be prepared to make defense to any one who
calls you to account for the hope that is in you,
yet do it with gentleness and reverence.”
1 Peter 3:15
1) Prologue
The human person and the society in which he participates are regularly presented with opportunities that require decisions. The decisions themselves contribute to the moral understanding and character of the person and of society. They play an integral part in shaping who the person will be, and what the society will value as a community of persons. The decisions of how a person is defined, or how marriage is understood, and what constitutes a family, among other decisions, will establish a way of life for the members of a society and the society itself.
The heart of these decisions rest in the person and in society’s grasp of moral truth. Since these decisions are so essential, and they relate so intimately to the dignity of the human person, the Church is zealously concerned with the teaching and presentation of moral truth in society. The question of how to teach and present moral truth, therefore, becomes a pressing and grave inquiry. The way in which truth, particularly that relating to human action and behavior, is argued in a pluralistic society is of utmost importance, and such efforts must be well formulated and argued succinctly, if they are going to be effective.
In the midst of such an opportunity and challenge, how can moral truth be argued in such a way that it is clear to the person and society, credible to their understanding, and convincing and influential in their decision-making?
The pluralistic society, one that is open and contains various and multiple worldviews and perspectives of life and morality, offers a unique arena in which moral truth can be presented and argued, since such a society needs a shared comprehension and mutual foundation of moral truths, from which it can choose how to live. Within such a monumental challenge, where can the person and society look for such a common ground in the realm of moral truth? Is such a search an impossible task? Is the person and society left to the maneuvers of positive law alone in finding its shared moral vision?
In genuine service to humanity, the Church presents the natural law as a foundation for the person and society’s discernment and acceptance of a moral foundation and source of unity. In the plethora of possible options, the Church turns to the person himself, to his dignity and nature. It points to the person’s spiritual soul and natural thirst and appreciation for truth, beauty, and goodness. It shows humanity the order within the spiritual world and within the person’s own soul. It points to the providential order given to them by the Creator. The Church offers the natural law as a basis for coming to a consensus on moral truth, and indicates the natural law as the ground upon which all positive law can, and should, be based and inspired.
The allure of materialism and hedonism, positivism and utilitarianism, to the person and society are strong, but the reception and love for the natural order and its blessings can be seen and recognized by those of good will. The natural law shows the reasonableness of virtue, and begins to show the person and society how they should live, and what it means to be a human person. The natural law is truly a shared inheritance, and it calls for a way of life that is different from the incomplete or wayward ways of the fallen world.
The struggle and discernment for the acceptance and integration of moral truth is played out in diverse ways and over a multiplicity of issues. In these debates, does the natural law endure the test of tried experience? Is the Church correct in offering the natural law as a teacher in public discourse and in the search for public virtue? Can it be a helpful resource to the person and society’s quest for moral truth?
Posted in Blog Archive | 1 Comment »
Come, Holy Spirit!
Monday, May 24th, 2010
On Saturday evening, several of us priests who live here at the Casa Santa Maria (the Rome residence for American priests in advanced studies) got together for supper and drinks on the roof of the building. Many of the priests were celebrating the anniversaries of their Ordinations, and it was a very relaxing and enjoyable time. Many of the stories were hilarious (as well as inspiring).
On Sunday, the high solemnity of Pentecost, celebrating when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, I went with several other priests to the Pope’s Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. I was able to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion, and that’s always edifying and encouraging. The Pope gave an awesome homily on the fire of the Holy Spirit. Check it out.
On Pentecost, one of the main events in Rome, is the Mass at the Pantheon. The pantheon was once the temple of all the pagan gods in ancient Rome. It has since become a Christian Church, with Mass offered there on a regular basis. On Pentecost, from the large opening in the ceiling, red rose petals are dropped during the Mass. Literally, with the sunlight hitting the red rose petals, they really do look like tongues of fire. It’s pretty awesome.
I missed that Mass this year, but was able to attend a few years ago, and it’s just a great sight to behold.
It’s said that the entire event uses rose petals from over 10,000 red roses!
After the grand celebration at St. Peter’s Basilica, and then a good lunch at the priest house, in the evening I watched the movie “Precious.” Now, this is a harsh movie with a lot of traumatic and disturbing scenes. It really shows the fallenness of humanity. The story is about Precious, a 16-year-old African-American young woman, who has two children from abuse, one of them with special needs, an abusive mother, poverty, and horrible self-esteem and views of love. Through her own self-determination, and the help and love of others (who have their own faults), Precious begins to find her way. She refuses to accept the fallenness around her, and desires to become a better person because of the love she has for her children. Seriously, this movie sticks with you. After watching it last night, I had problems falling asleep.
The movie resonated with several personal memories. When I was in graduate school in Steubenville, Ohio, I lived in the projects for three semesters. The university had purchased the property, and it decided to slowly integrate students as apartments opened up. I was one of the lucky ones to get an apartment. It was almost free in terms of financial cost, but it was an eye-opener. I would go from class with lessons on the power of sense perception, the sanctity of the human body, the transcendental powers of the human soul, the person’s capacity to ask questions and seek meaning, to the projects where dignity was replaced by disgrace. The verbal and emotional abuse was only the tip of the iceberg, and it presented a very different view of human life. Later in my own life, I appreciated how much living in the projects grounded and matured my studies in philosophy of the human person (and even my subsequent theological studies).
In my life, whether living in the projects or watching “Precious,” I’m no longer moved by the violence and fallenness of human nature and of the evil that surrounds us, but I am always moved to emotion by the beauty and power of the goodness that’s within us and that we can show towards others. Truth be told, the expressions of goodness, especially in the midst of fallenness, always provoke me to wonder and awe. Just think: we can be instruments of peace and consolation in our world. I think this is why I am so attracted and inspired by this movie, and on a broader scale, by our saints. In the movie, Precious chooses to live and share a message of goodness. It’s the same message offered to us by the saints: live worthily the vocation you have received. Goodness is contagious, and it’s never lost (even if it’s unappreciated, mocked, or taken advantage of). Love conquers, builds up, heals, and sanctifies the person who chooses to live by it.
These were some good thoughts for Pentecost.
Today we entered the last week of classes, and then exams begin. Please send some prayers this way!
Posted in Blog Archive | No Comments »
Bioethics and Discipleship
Thursday, May 20th, 2010
My bioethics exam went well. There were some tricky questions, but it’s a tricky field of study. Details and specifics are so essential. With the exam done, I’ve completed two years of study in the field. Assuming the final exam scores well, I’ll have a Masters in Bioethics. That’s just weird. As I took the train back from the university, I couldn’t believe that the classes are over. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m really ready to get home and put it all to some good use. Right teaching (orthodoxy) should always compel us to right action (orthopraxy).
One book that I would strongly recommend to anyone who is interested in bioethics is William May’s Catholic Bioethics and the Gift of Human Life. Dr. May is a great teacher, and this book is very readable and formative to anyone.
Now, the focus is on my three remaining classes and the final exams for those courses.
Posted in Blog Archive | 1 Comment »
A Few Days’ Reflection
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
Well, this past Thursday I celebrated my 35th Birthday! Thank you to everyone who sent Mass cards, birthday cards, letters, e-mails, e-cards, and Facebook messages for my birthday. I was very encouraged by the amount of birthday greetings and prayers. Thank You!!!
For my birthday, I had supper over a married couple’s home here in Rome. The husband was also celebrating his birthday. There were some other priests at the supper, including one Canadian priest who was also celebrating his birthday. So, it was a three-fold celebration!
After supper, I came back to the priest house and started working on the thesis bibliography. I worked through most of the night, and went with a friend in the morning to submit it to the printers. For the thesis, the university has very specific directives for the format and structure. It’s actually a really a big deal and requires a lot of attention. After dropping it off at the printers, I came back and went to sleep. In the evening, I went to the Friday night movie here in the priest house. They were showing “Avatar,” and I wanted to see the movie. I was very impressed, and think there are a lot of good lessons that can be drawn from it. Having written on the natural law for my thesis, I saw the natural law throughout the entire movie. I’d like to write more about this in the future.
On Saturday morning, I went back to the printers and was there most of the morning. A priest friend went with me, and it really took several hours to walk through the formatting and structure of the document with the computer design person. After finishing it, the thesis was sent to be printed! In the evening, I sat with some other priests in the house and watched various television episodes from different TV series, as well as checking some stuff on YouTube. It’s good to keep up with what’s going on, and a lot of it is pretty good stuff.
Sunday was the feast of the Ascension (following the liturgical calendar of most US dioceses), and so the day was full of celebration. After a good lunch in house, I did some casual reading (a rare leisure that I’m enjoying again), then a private Mass, and later there was a special dinner in the city with some priests in order to celebrate the 11th Anniversary of Ordination of one of the priests.
Monday was a usual Monday with all its joys and sufferings. I spent most of the day cleaning my room and trying to organize my desk and books. There’s still a lot of work to be done! 
And, the big day!, yesterday I picked up my thesis from the printer, met my advisor for a final review and his signature on the text, and then the consignment of the thesis to the theology Academic Secretary of the university. I cannot describe the joy and relief that I felt watching the thesis receive its signature and stamp. It’s truly done! The walk back from the university was one of the best walks I’ve ever had in this city!
On Tuesday evening, a bunch of friends and I got together here at the priest house for an in-house, self-cooked meal. One of the priests from Memphis cooked some drunken chicken, and it was awesome! The conversation, fueled by moderate adult beverages, went late into the evening. It was a great time!
Today, I had my usual classes, a study group, and then began studying for an exam I have tomorrow evening in bioethics. This is the final exam for the program I’ve been attending at Regina Apostolorum. Tomorrow is the end of the two years of study (2006-2007; 2009-2010). This evening, I had supper with two other priests in order to celebrate the 9th Anniversary of Ordination for one of them. The honoree, who is from the Diocese of Cleveland, grilled some steaks (it’s very rare to have a good steak in Rome, so this was a treat), and then we swopped some stories, watched a movie on British politics, and looked at some hilarious clips on YouTube. It was definitely a time to relax.
Tomorrow, it’s back to bioethics and then the exam in the later afternoon. Here we go!
Please pray for priests and seminarians. Pray that young men will generously respond to the Lord’s call.
Posted in Blog Archive | No Comments »
The Thesis is Done!
Friday, May 14th, 2010
Thanks be to God, after almost eight months of researching and writing, the thesis is complete and was sent to the printers this morning! Entitled, “The Natural Law as Teacher in Public Discourse: An Assessment of the New Jersey Bishops’ Pastoral Letter on the Sanctity of Marriage,” the thesis topic was formative and helpful to explore and review. But, truth be told, I’m glad that it’s come to a close!
Early next week, I’ll consign the thesis to the Academic Secretary, and in a few weeks, I’ll have a defense of the thesis. So, the writing is over, but the fun continues!
Now, it’s time to catch up on sleep, clean my room (which is pretty bad), and try to keep in better touch with friends and family. Thank you all for your patience and prayers.
Posted in Blog Archive | 3 Comments »
Pontifical Swiss Guard
Thursday, May 6th, 2010
Today, the new Swiss Guard of the past year made their solemn oath to the Pope and to the defense of his person. The Swiss Guard have served the papacy since the 1500’s, and May 6 is the date of the oath because of the great anniversary of May 6, 1527. On that date, the Swiss Guard, at a great loss to their numbers, heroically defended the pope against an invading army. When they had the chance to flee or abandon the Pope, they remained with him and stayed true.
In some other areas, I saw a recent review of Becoming Father Bob in the “Inland Register” of the Diocese of Spokane, Washington. Check out the review.
Posted in Blog Archive | No Comments »
Last of the Holy Altars…
Wednesday, May 5th, 2010
Yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to concelebrate Mass at the Altar of Mary’s Presentation in St. Peter’s Basilica. Some of you might remember that I was offering Mass on all the public altars in the basilica in the Fall. School and studies became more intense, and so I had to change my schedule and start celebrating Mass in one of the private chapels here in the priest house.
Well, all things considered, with yesterday morning’s Mass, I’ve now been able to offer Mass on all of the public altars in the upper basilica. Thanks be to God!
Here’s the altar:
Inside the altar itself is the body of the great Pope St. Pius X. He was a great reformer of the Church in many ways.
Yesterday afternoon, I met with my thesis advisor. It was a good meeting, but now I have some revision work ahead of me. Most of today was spent at my desk working and organizing notes, etc. This is going to fill my next few days…
Come, Holy Spirit!
Posted in Blog Archive | No Comments »
GRAND FINALE
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010
Well, friends, as my time starts to draw to a close here in Rome, I have to finish the thesis and get ready for exams. And I know that your academic year is also coming to a close (and much sooner than mine!). So, our church from two weeks ago, was Santa Maria della Vittoria (Our Lady of Victory). Congratulations to everyone who got it right!
So, this week we have our grand finale church, the last one of the series. Here’s the church:
It’s argued that this is one of the oldest Christian churches in Rome. It’s located in an area of Rome that’s “across the Tiber.” Have fun!
A second challenge for anyone who’s interested: tell us what church you enjoyed the most this year, and why. Again, have fun!
Posted in Blog Archive | 13 Comments »
This and That
Sunday, May 2nd, 2010
Well, things have been pretty busy here. The obvious has been the thesis. I’ve completed the draft of the chapters, and am now working on the introduction, conclusion, and bibliography. Of course, I will most likely have some revisions to make on the chapters, but all is good. It might sound like a lot, but things are actually winding down. Thanks be to God.
In some other areas, I was recently interviewed by EWTN’s Rome Bureau Chief, Joan Lewis (pictured above), in her radio show, “Vatican Insider” (Episode #145). Here’s the link if anyone is interested in the show. Among a few other topics, we also discussed Becoming Father Bob.
Also, awhile back I received an e-mail from the Vicar of Clergy for the Diocese of Charleston. He had received an e-mail requesting an article on the whole question of the New Atheist movement for the “Philosophy Now” journal in the United Kingdom. The Vicar of Clergy had sent out the e-mail to a few priests he thought would be interested. I’ve been intrigued by this movement for some time, and so I offered to write an article. Well, the one I wrote was not selected for the hardcopy issue of the journal (pictured below), but they did select it for the web version of the journal. So, if you go to the Philosophy Now website, you’ll see the table of contents. Now, in order to read the article, a person has to have a subscription to the journal. I’d recommend a subscription – it’s a good journal of thought and cultural observation. But, if someone isn’t interested in the journal, but would like to read the article, please drop me an e-mail and I’ll gladly send you an electronic version. No problem. I realize that some people just really need to do penance!
All right, folks, that’s it for now! More later…
Posted in Blog Archive | No Comments »