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This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

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A 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

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Daily Scripture

+ Ascension Thursday

There is no proof; there are only witnesses.

Readings: Acts 1:1-11 Ephesians 1:14-23 Luke 24:46-53

You are witnesses of all these things. And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high. [Luke 24:50-51]

In an age of technology and scientific progress, we have an explanation for everything or at least the promise of the same. Yet, there are still truly human experiences – both positive and negative—that defy human explanation. Death is one such experience. Doctors know the medical reasons for death but an autopsy doesn’t tell the whole story. Conversely, who can explain the field of energy that binds lovers for life?

During his life on earth Jesus created a field of energy that changed the course of history and it did not cease at his death or even at his resurrection. It continues to this day – locally and globally. Or else how explain the heroism of the saints of yesterday and the saints of today? Women and men, energetic witnesses who have said ‘yes’ to unconditional love under any and all circumstances continue to change the course of history in the face of those who attempt to chain the Word of God. No, most of them are not formal preachers or even religious teachers per se, but people who live the message of the Gospel of Jesus day in and day out.

The gospel today is typical of the departure of a hero. We might even consider it the conclusion of a hero story. Jesus assures his disciples that he is not abandoning them. Not only that but he will send an advocate who will empower them to continue his mission. “You will be clothed with power from on high.” They will be clothed with the mantle of Christ just as the ancient Elijah was clothed in the mantle of Elias before Elias departed in his chariot to the heavens. It’s metaphor and allegory, of course but the underlying truth of Jesus mission will continue to be proclaimed as Good News for all.

But hang in there until Pentecost when the gifts of the Spirit will be renewed and we will be empowered once more to preach the Good News—using words only when necessary.

General Absolution

Monday January 17, 2005

This is an excerpt from a letter of Father Rento to Bishop Serratelli reflecting on his experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation:

In my 46-and-a-half years of priesthood, the most satisfying experiences I have had as minister of the sacrament of Penance were the two decades of penance services we had at St. Brendan’s in Clifton.  Each of these involved global absolution because of the huge numbers of penitents that were attracted.  Participating priests always made themselves available for individual confession, and the next day I would report to the bishop just what happened and what pastoral decision my team and I had made.

Carefully prepared and rich in substance, including scripture readings, a fulsome homily, singing, communal prayer, silent meditation, and a sacred action (usually an act of charity to be performed within a few days), these services were so profound and so touching that people invariably left them deeply moved in spirit.  I remember in particular one service back in the mid-80s at the close of which one of the six concelebrating priests came back to the sacristy so choked up that he could hardly speak.  Overcoming his emotion, he said, “No one will ever convince me that private confession in a box comes anywhere near the meaning and the effect of what happened here tonight!”

Nor was the format ever a shortcut for anyone seeking “cheap absolution.”  People routinely came an hour or more in advance of the scheduled time and no one ever left the one-hour service even a minute before its close.  They knew that they were an integral part of something powerfully communal, and they could feel the presence of both the forgiving Christ and the forgiving community as they had never felt it in any other way.

I so wish that you bishops would think the matter over again and listen openly to the testimony of the people who have experienced often the beauty of this form of the sacrament.  To allow communal penance services with global absolution would not only make available to all a valid and important form of the sacrament, but also bring bishops and their people together in these times of divisiveness and mistrust.

Father Dick Rento,
Retired Pastor,
St. Brendan Parish, Clifton

===================================

And this from a parishioner in Sussex County:

Father Lasch,
 
I just read your thoughts on “general absolution”. I don’t pretend to be the scholar you are so I can only say from the point of view of the pew: here here!
 
I am saddened by our bishops recent “decree” about the matter for several reasons in no particular order.
 
First, this “decree” seems disrespectful of the many wonderful priests in our diocese who have worked hard to create meaningful ceremonies that meet the needs of their parishioners for reconciliation with both our God and our communities.  I believe that most priests in the diocese have worked hard to meet both the letter and spirit of the sacrament in the ceremonies they have devised.
 
Second, this “edict” seems disrespectful of those of us in the pew.  We are no longer the uneducated, immigrant church.  We are seekers who can and do read scripture, who understand that we can gain forgiveness with a proper act of contrition but choose to celebrate the mercy of our God with other believers and therefore acknowledge our common sinfulness and need for forgiveness.
 
Third,  it’s hard to believe that our bishop doesn’t see the shortage of priests available or recognize the weariness of our devoted priests.  I am part of a “one Priest parish” who has to act as cfo, ceo, hr director, marketing vp and maintenance chief all rolled into one!  Should these guys now schlep to each others churches to sit and wait to hear confessions?  This isn’t the reason to go to general absolution but it’s just incredible to deny the reality.  
 
The end result of this turn of events will be that those of us that have come to appreciate the sacrament in community will no longer have the option to have our spiritual needs meet in community (which is how I think Jesus really wanted us to function) and as result there will be very few Catholics who receive the wonderful grace available through the sacrament.  Once again, I am disappointed by the leadership of my church and once again the laity is ignored.  I am even more disappointed because I expected so much more from our new leadership.
 
I pray your thoughts find an open ear but accept that once again I will have to shake my head and wonder if the lessons pertaining to  the spirit of the law vs. the letter of the law that Jesus so often pointed out have been lost yet again in our church.  Thankfully, my relationship with Jesus Christ is not dependent upon the leadership of the catholic church and often nurtured by my fellow pew sitters and dedicated parish priest.

/s/ Parishioner