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A balanced Catholic weekly magazine published by the jesuits of the United States for an intelligent Catholic readership. Go online to subscribe.

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.

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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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A National Network of self-help support groups for people abused by clergy or religious.

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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

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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

Much ado about nothing or, is there something to it?

Readings: Acts 19:1-8 Psalm 68:2-7 John 16:29-33

Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” [Acts 19:1-3]

Depending on one’s sacramental theology and pastoral practice, this text has been variously interpreted. For example, those who work with the RCIA (catecheumenate) hold that the sacrament of Confirmation should be administered with Baptism as it was in the early Church. It is one of the sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The Eastern Rite of the Roman Catholic Church has retained the tradition of administering all three at Baptism. Yes, the infant receives a small piece of the Eucharist bread. And so in the Eastern Rite, there is no formal celebration of First Holy Communion at the age of reason or Confirmation by the bishop at whatever age the local diocese has determined the age of maturity appropriate for Confirmation. All three sacraments are administered shortly after birth.

Others feel that the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation at a later age ensures the participation of youngsters in parish religious education programs – at least until Confirmation. In this case, many Catholics view Confirmation as the completion of or graduation from religious studies.

In recent years I have become convinced that the RCIA folks and the Eastern Rite Catholics have it right. All three sacraments of initiation should be administered together. First Holy Communion and Confirmation have become more social than spiritual. I do not mean to suggest that there is no connection or that there should be no celebration after sacramental ceremonies but for many, the accent is on the wrong syllable.

The path from Baptism to Christian maturity is life-long and the benchmarks for progress are not easily measured by grouping children by age or grade level for a period of preparation that is largely academic.

This is not to suggest that religious education is optional. Faith development is unique to each person within the context first of family and then of parish. Religious education / formation is intended to provide insight into faith development at an age-appropriate level.

Catholicism has become ‘child-centered’ the result of which, we have an adult population whose religious and spiritual development stopped at Confirmation.

The celebration of Eucharist is the primary setting for faith formation. Religious education is a necessary component but detached from Eucharist, it remain just another subject to master.

Of course this all assumes that the parish celebration of the Eucharist is truly inclusive and meaningful rather than just an empty ritual. The parish at worship should be a rendition of a community of faith that strives to live its faith ‘in the town square’ as I mentioned in Sunday’s homily.

Notwithstanding my commitment to religious dialogue, I do believe that effective dialogue is based on the assumption that although both parties are knowledgeable about the topic. Though they may have different perspectives, they are not based on ignorance of the subject.

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.