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Liturgy
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.

COMMONWEAL Magazine
A 'lay' Catholic weekly publication with an accent on an intelligent analysis and commentary on curent issues, trends and concerns of interest to Catholics.

National Catholic Reporter
A national Catholic lay newspaper covering events not usually covered or presented with a clerical bias in the local diocesan press or but of concern and interest to Catholics.

Survivos' Network for those Abused by Priests or Religious
A National Network of self-help support groups for people abused by clergy or religious.

Bishop Accountability
Vital information about the disclosure of sexual abuse and related issues affecting Catholics in the pew and the manner in which Bishops continue to exempt themselves from accountability

Voice of the Faithful
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

+ 4th Week in Lent

Hope, an endangered species.

Readings: Isaiah 65:17-21 Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-13 John 4:43-54

Thus says the Lord, “Now I create new heavens and a new earth. The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind.” [Isaiah 65:17]

The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go, your son will live.” [John 4:49-50]

Most of us, no, all of us have made mistakes that we would rather forget. We don’t want to be reminded of our blunders—embarrassing moments to be sure. “Lord, do not remember the sins of my youth!”

This is also true of us corporately as a ‘people’ – as a church and as a nation. Yes, we have sinned as a church and we have sinned as a nation. However, failure – personal or corporate, cannot have the final say.

The latest edition of ‘Time’ magazine in collaboration with New America Foundation is focused on negotiating “the new reality” and being prepared for the next decade. It is their thesis that our future as a nation cannot be dependent on the mistakes of the past. True!

In his excellent book, The Naked Now, Richard Rohr, OFM, deals with the major shift in spiritual paradigms taking place inside and outside of the Church. He cites 20th century theologian, Bernard Lonergan, SJ in demonstrating the need for a conversion that is not based on fault-tinding but on a positive shift in the way we think about God, about ourselves and about our future. He states that we need to be healed of our subjectivity and become more open to conversion. Lonergan states that “conversion is the experience by which one becomes an authentic human being.”

Lent is a time for the healing of memories. Confession is good and necessary for the soul to heal but excessive guilt for past offenses can limit our potential for good and frustrate our effort to change what needs to be changed (healed) in our lives.

God has an intentional ‘amnesia’ when it comes to our failure. In fact, God counts our good efforts more than our failures. One of the greatest challenges of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is to forgive ourselves for past offenses. The recognition and admission of wrongdoing is essential in order to obtain forgiveness but once that has been accomplished, we need to” let go and let God.”

Good people make mistakes but good people say they are sorry and keep trying to do their very best and they keep hope alive.

I recommend The Naked Now by Richard Rohr, OFM, A Croosroad Book, The Crossword Publishing Company, New York, 2009.

Ash Wednesday 2009

Wednesday February 25, 2009

+ Ash Wednesday

It’s a season of grace and opportunity.

Readings: Joel 2:12-18 2 Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17 Cor. 5:20-6:2 Matt 6:1-6, 16-18

“Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for “lengthen.” We are already ‘tilting’ toward spring and the days are getting noticeably longer. In just a few weeks our clocks will be pushed ahead so that the daylight hours at least in the northern hemisphere will seem even longer. Although we are sure to have a few bouts of bitter weather but as the sun moves higher on the horizon, the soil will soften and the buds on the trees will thicken waiting for the sap to rise so that they can blossom once again.

It is a time to make fertile the soil in which God’s Word can be sown in our minds and hearts. I think this means doing away with so-called entertainment that distorts truth and beauty and distracts from the core of Christ’s message of unbiased and indiscriminate love.

It’s a time to moderate our excesses and to live more modestly in a world of plenty in which more demands more. The economy will not fold if with live within our means and if those with means give more generously to those who through no fault of their own are without means. In fact, for many of us, less can be more than enough.

Eliminate from your life whatever detracts from living more authentically and with greater integrity. If you have been over indulging in food, cut back and eat healthy. If you have been over indulging in drink, cut back and drink healthy. Stop gossiping and try to be more patient with your children or your parents or your co-workers or whomever. If you have been grouchy in the morning because you are not getting enough sleep, go to bed earlier. If you are one who has an opinion on everything but haven’t done your homework, then close your mouth and do your homework and do a lot more listening. Don’t try to accomplish everything. Select your sacrifices and be generous to them.

So Lent is a time not of punishment but a time for renewal in preparation for the feast of the Resurrection. People who are into holistic health understand the importance of the blend of physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Put your house in order and readjust your priorities.

If Lent works this year, then you will want to continue to live “Lent” all year.