About aljago

Harvard-educated Armiger "Jay" Jagoe is an exciting lecturer and author. He has recently published Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics. The purpose of this book is to remind Catholics to enjoy their religion- for all others; it is an invitation to enjoy the feast. In this book he has clearly injected good, old fashioned common sense and lots of fun to a frequently tedious subject. In fact, you just may find your head involuntarily nodding in frequent agreement while reading this book. Most importantly it is quick and easy to read and may turn out to be of the few books you send to relatives and friends alike. He also recently published You Are Next In Line, Everyone's Guide for Writing Your Autobiography. It’s based on the 12 components of autobiographical writing found in his own autobiography. His newest work is entitled Southern Bo, scheduled be published in the fall of 2009.

IT’S ABOUT TIME!

Posted on June 16, 2012 by aljago

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics. My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

____________________________________________________________________________

IT’S ABOUT TIME

Three cheers for Bishop David O’Connell, C.M. of Trenton, NJ. If Proctor and Gamble, whose purpose is to sell soap, discovered that they had lost 40% of the sales of Ivory Soap, they would conduct a massive market search using experts, surveys and study groups to correct this problem. Their management team would go to no end to understand and solve this problem.

The Catholic Church inAmerica, whose purpose is to bring people to Christ, has lost 40% of its adult members and shows damned little concern. The Church is pleased with an overall increase in numbers, which is credited to the influx of Catholics from Central andSouth America, and pays little heed to the massive drop-off of members. Last year, Georgetown University report estimated only 22% of Catholics attend Mass.

The Church’s governing body is comprised of aged bachelors who, with rare exception, believe there is no today and tomorrow. One of the exceptions is Bishop O’Connell who asked Charles Zech and Father William Byron (a man I have long admired) to conduct a study about the empty pews. They interviewed 300 fallen-away Catholics from age 16 to 90. One response was, “I had the right religion with the wrong people running it.”

Here are some of the many concerns of those who have left the Church:

- A lack of community (none of the drop-offs had been contacted by their priestsor fellow parishioners; “The pastor crowns himself a king and look down on all”)

- A dislike of the Church’s handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal and the fact that gays, divorced and remarried Catholics were unwelcome atMass.

- Too much emphasis on abortion and contraception, and not enough attention to the underprivileged, war and health.

- Lousy homilies that are pointless and can’t be remembered by the time a parishioner walks out the church door.

- A lack of respect and equality for women.

- A need of immediate attention for a fresh explanation of the nature of the Eucharist (note: check out “Communion, ho-hum” in Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics)

In a recent column, E.J. Dionne wrote, “Too many bishops seem in the grip of dark suspicions that our culture is moving at breakneck speed toward a demonic end. Pope John XXIII, by contrast, was more optimistic about the signs of the times. ‘Distrustful souls are only darkness burdening the face of the earth,’ he once said. ‘We prefer instead to reaffirm all our confidence in our Savior who has not abandoned the world which he redeemed.’ The church best answers its critics when it remembers that its mission is to preach hope, not fear.”

Now it’s about time that other Church leaders will wake up and follow Bishop O’Connell’s example in acknowledging and attempting to correct a major concern for Catholic America.

(And let me have your thoughts about this: aljagoe@comcast.net)

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

We Do Indeed Need to Show Joy as Catholics.

Posted on May 13, 2012 by aljago

My motto “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

THANK YOU

(Submitted by Catherine Grant)

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation—you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death…you are more blessed than three billion people in the world. (In Afghanistan, there are no places for Christian worship.)
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep…you are richer than 75% of those in this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish somewhere…you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.
If you parents are still alive and still married…you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile and are truly thankful…you are blessed because the majority of us can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone’s hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder…you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.
If you can read this…you are more blessed than 171 million blind people in the world.
(Send your comments for Catherine, aljagoe@comcast.net)

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

Posted on April 27, 2012 by aljago

My motto “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.” Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

_______________________________________________________

- In the Maindguri area of India, Hindu rebels attacked Christians, breaking a leg and injuring a score of other worshippers. The government authorities were complicit in this persecution of Christians.

- Phillip E. Johnson, Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkley, has written, “The all-important thing is not what I would like Islam to be. It is what millions of Muslims around the world would like. The question is particularly timely now, in the aftermath of Arab Spring when Muslim counties are debating and voting on what sort of society they want to have. Recent attacks on Christians in Egypt are not encouraging signs.”

- A study at Baylor University found that individuals with many friendships in a faith community show higher levels of religiosity. It showed that church-based friendships had greater impact on individuals’ behavior than on their beliefs. Unfortunately, Catholic congregations received diminishing participation returns for the congregational friendships of their members when compared to Protestant congregations. Many Protestants see their churches as a main facet in their social live. Catholics often attend Mass more for the sacraments than for socializing. “Building friendships within a parish can help Catholics feel supported living out their faith in the world, and it could help heal divisions within the church as well.”
(comment: In a past study when I interviewed Catholic who have left the church, I was the first and only one to ask why they had left.)

Today’s Martyrs
(Lest we forget)

“Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth.”
St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

In Uganda, Susan Ithingu, a 15-year-olf Christian convert lost both of her legs when her Muslim father locked her in her room for six months with little food and water. After 13 months in a hospital, she is now in the care of a Pentecostal church.

Interesting sayings

Believe me, don’t wait until tomorrow to begin being a saint.
St. Teresa of Lisieux (died 1897)

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Government is the great fiction, through which everyone endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.
Frederic Bastiat, French economist (1801-1850)

At times, even in the church, zeal can lead people to issue harsh judgments and impute the worst motives to one another. These attitudes and practice do irreparable damage to the communion of the church.
(speaking of the pro-life cause) Hysterical activity doesn’t bear fruit, and there’s been some hysteria in these areas. We’d be like the Amish, kind of isolated from society, if we kept pulling back because of a single issue.
Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names, advises a Chinese proverb. A little wisdom would be welcome now, as the world turns its back on the naughty naughties and its years of economic calamity, ill-judged war, terrorism and man-made climate change.
Adam Roberts (The Economist)

A Church that tries to keep itself pure and uncontaminated would not be a Church of God’s service to people. The authentic Church is one that does not mind conversing with prostitutes and publicans and sinners, as Christ did —and with Marxists — in order to bring them salvation’s true message.
El Salvadoran Archbishop Romero, killed in 1980

One of life’s greatest mysteries is how the boy who wasn’t good enough to marry your daughter can be the father of the smartest grandchild in the world.
Jewish Proverb

Chuckle Time

In a revival meeting, the minister asked everyone who had no enemies and held no grudges to come to the front of the church. After a long pause, an old man slowly with two canes made his way down the aisle. The congregation burst with applause.
“Congratulations, you true Christian,” the minister cried in tears. “Tell us how you have achieved this holy state.”
The old fellow said, “I outlived them bastards.”

Some of your replies to: If Christ Returned, Would We Kill Him Again?

Posted on April 15, 2012 by aljago

______________________________________________________________________

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

My motto …“Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe

__________________________________________________________________________

Some of your replies to: If Christ Returned, Would We Kill Him Again?

If Jesus returned today he would say….where are all the women priests? Why did you think I would have objected to women priests? And he would say it on Twitter, #jchrist2ndcoming.

Valerie Young

I very much enjoy your blog. With all respect for your recent question about Christ’s return, I think you are framing it the wrong way.

1. True Christian believers accept that Christ is in fact already and always with us: in the Eucharist; in the spirit that infuses the best examples of Christians who live their faith lovingly; in the example of those who die in the name of love and justice for all.

2. Those who await a second coming of Jesus as a time of great reckoning and an exciting moment of catalytic change are mistaken: every day we wake up and have a chance to live as Christ taught us, we are in some modest way recreating Christ’s presence among us. The future is now; the second coming is today; and if we want it to be a joyous moment for everyone on earth, the responsibility sits squarely on our shoulders.

You are right that many negative forces conspire regularly to undermine the work of those who try to model Christ’s teachings. But you don’t need to speculate about what would happen to Jesus if he were walking the streets of the USA today. We can see countless examples, and each of them is a small reflection of the ongoing trampling of Christ:

- the slaughter of Christians who emulate the example of Christ, e.g. the murder of Jesuit priests in Central America in 1989 who were fighting for the rights of Christ’s most tenderly regarded group, the poor and oppressed.

- the systematic repression of defenseless populations, such as the Palestinians of Gaza and the non-violent reform-seekers of Syria who are being murdered daily as we watch passively

- the repression of freedom of religious expression (no matter what faith or denomination) in countries such as China

- the abusive misrepresentation of Christ’s teaching to bolster hateful speech and encourage marginalization and violence against homosexuals

- the insidious growth of a business-like mindset of “spin” and “public relations management” in corporate religious bureaucracies that leads to cover-ups of pedophilia in the Church. These scandals undermine the spiritual mission of the Church and help drive away the faithful in droves.

In closing, I’d encourage you to re-think your response to Christ if he asked you when he should make his return. I’d suggest you say: “Every day, we faithful are already pursuing lives that show the world that you never left us in the first place. That said, we need all the help we can get, and if you can bless our efforts with greater spirit and commitment, tell us how we can prepare for an infusion of your grace.”

Keep up the good work, and remember what Socrates said: “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Your contribution to the faithful is to keep us re-examining and questioning the true nature of our faith, and for that reason, I am genuinely thankful for your work.

Faith Seeker

As the German Benedictine nun, Sister Aemiliana Lohr, wrote, “We are all true Christs, members of the one Christ and witnesses to God.”

So, Christ returns to earthly being every time we joyful Catholics demonstrate our Faith.

Ernest Weber, Sacramento, CA

I quote from Francois Mauriac, the Nobel Prize winner who died in 1970: “Christ was a man; but he still is; he is always a man. He is always someone living, whose face we know, to whom we speak, and who speaks to us. The union of the least of Christians, if he be in the state of grace with the Word Incarnate is a union beyond all commentary.”

Mary Cohen, Dublin, Ireland

You are a kooky writer to have come up with this subject. Sure, “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.” So why does a wise-ass like you have to question it?

Jon Liotti, New York City, NY

Thanks you for having given me a great thought-provoker. It reminds me that Christ said he would be with two or three who gathered in his name. I think of this when I pray alone and sign in as “me, myself and I”, hoping to qualify as a threesome.

Piertro Choppa, Miami, FL

If Christ returned to the prosperous United States, he would give us a rough time in our race to the bottom with our lack of concern that 1 in 4 of our children live in poverty, and that 95% of our economic growth benefit only 1% of our fabulously wealthy citizens.

Ellen Mullen, Seattle, WA

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics!

Posted on March 23, 2012 by aljago

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics. My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop ofSanta Fe

News flashes

- Congratulations to Fr. Raymond de Souza, who is the editor-in-chief of a new magazine in Canada, Convivium, with the subtitle “Faith in our common life”.

- Our State Department reports that there is no Christian church open to the public in Afghanistan, and no Christian schools.

- Representatives of most of the world’s bishops’ conferences and 30 religious orders met inRomeon Feb. 6-9 to launch a global initiative to improve efforts to stop clerical sexual abuse and better protect children and vulnerable adults.

Today’s Martyrs

(Lest we forget)

Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth.

St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

This is a message from Michael Voris, senior executive producer at Real Catholic TV, com.

In Nigeria, twenty six Catholics were newly added to the roll of martyrs in the Church. They were killed on Christmas Day by a Muslim car bomb as they were walking out of Mass. Please watch this episode of The Vortex and pass it on to as many people as you know. http://www.realcatholictv.com/documents/nigeria.php

My Favorite Priest, Layperson, Breathing Saint or Organization

Born Rosalind Moss in a Jewish family, Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God has become a Benedictine nun and foundress of her own order inTulsaOklahoma, Daughter of Mary, Mother of Israel’s Hope. Speaking of her feelings on the day of her entrance into religious life, she said, “If there were a more glorious day in my life, I can’t think of when it was. I have always felt that I was made for another world and that I was a pilgrim in this one. Giving my life to God through Christ from my Jewish background changed my life forever. Coming further into the fullness of Christianity, 18 year later in the Catholic Church deepened my relationship with God more than I knew was possible.”

(Now, tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is making a difference

aljagoe@comcast.net

Interesting Sayings

Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Come before him, singing for joy.

Psalm 100

If we make self-forgetfulness the basis of the life of charity, the result is joy. Self-forgetfulness likewise liberates the supernatural and apostolic spirit, enabling it to make rapid progress. For once, egotism is vanquished, unity of intention and spirit reign.

Father Leonce de Grandmason, S. J.,

a French Jesuit priest and theologian who died 1927

We are very special to God, and there’s no doubt about it. I mean, God sent his only Son to us. Being special a piece of material in the universe is one thing; being special in knowing religious history and living a faith-filled life is another. But it’s still a challenge.

Father George Coyne, S.J.

If a man sincerely turns all care over to God, then does God better manage his affairs than could all creatures together.

Father John Tauler ,O. P., a German Dominican priest who died in 1361

The tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions.

James 3:5

(Spiritual guide, Joyce Rupp has commented on this saying: “When speaking about another, first ask yourself three questions: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?”)

There are three things I like about being on an Italian cruise ship.

First, Italian cuisine is unsurepassed, Second, their service is superb.

And then, in time of emergency, there is none of this nonsense about

‘women and children first’.

Winston Churchill

Communiqués

(re: If Christ Returned…)

- As one who had hope of the Parousia, you have given me a good mind- shaking. Now, I don’t know what to think.

Regis Edwards,Tulsa OK

- What you have written is sacrilegious, and you should be ashamed of yourself in trying to make Christ so commonplace!

Elmer Rippley, New York, NY

Chuckle Time

The Pope’s Secretary: Regarding your awaiting phone call, I have good and bad news.

Pope: Let me first have the good news.

Secretary: Christ has come back and He is on the phone, wanting to talk to you.

Pope: That indeed is good news. Now, what is the bad news?

Secretary: He is calling from Salt Lake City.

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

Posted on March 10, 2012 by aljago

My motto …“Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

If Christ Returned, Would We Kill Him Again?

In the Nicene Creed when we recite at Mass, we confirm our belief that “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead”. The Mormons proclaim it’s already happened because (they believe) after Christ’s resurrection, He spent time somewhere in Central America with the Nephites, an ancient tribe who moved there in 589 BC and were wiped out in 385 AD by their brother tribe, the Lamanites. He also made brief visits with Mormon Church leaders in 1898 and 1918. We Catholics and Protestants haven’t been so fortunate in being favored with these awaited returns.

But, when it happens for us, how do you think it will happen? It will have to be a spectacle of great magnitude to confirm that He is not another of the phonies who have claimed: “I am He!” Even if it is a 1000 miles celestial show of lights, scientists will claim it is a freak of nature, and agnostics say it was imagined by mass hysteria.

But, assuming His return as a human is accepted as truth, how would He get across His message? Before, when communication was only by word of mouth, He taught and preached in a local synagogue which was the only religious place in town. Today, He would have to decide between the Catholics, Mormons, and the 20,800 worldwide Protestants churches. Or perhaps he would want to have another try in a synagogue. Whatever choice he made would be the cause of resentment from those not chosen.

I am afraid the joy of his return would be short lived. The major broadcasters would fight over who deserved the most coverage and dig up skeptics to spice things up. Our 94,500 multi-millionaires will go to desperate means of discrediting His criticism of our misbalance of wealth.

He might give discomfort to the rest of us when He makes us aware of our short-comings. I can’t see His getting support from any of the 37 fat money PACs that want control ofAmerica. Instead, they would view Christ as a dangerous and radical socialist rebel, attempting to overthrow the government. In haste, they would fund the Madison Avenue truth-twisters to poison His message (and likely Him).

So, if Christ were to ask me if He should now make His return, my advice would be “No, wait awhile.”

Let me have your thoughts about this, and I’ll print them in the next issue. (aljagoe@comast.net)

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)
Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)
Fr. Edmund Connors, Katonah, NY
Fr. Paul Duchsch(Fargo,ND)
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)
Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington, DC)
Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)
Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)
Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)
Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)
Fr. Kevin Nelson, (Lantana, FL)
Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)
Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)
Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)
Fr. Paul S. Quinter (Pittsburg, Pa)
Msg. David Robichcaux, V.F. (New Orleans, LA)
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL)
Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (Kansas City, KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville, OH)
Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY)
Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)
Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

Posted on February 24, 2012 by aljago

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop ofSanta Fe

_________________________________________________________________________________

News Flashes

George Washington University professor, John Banzhaj, is suing Catholic University for not accommodating Muslim religious practices. He previously sued the University for moving towards single-sex dorms. (Comment: some people don’t have much to do.)

The government of Pakistanhas ordered mobile-phone companies to ban 1600 words it considers obscene, vulgar or otherwise harmful. The list includes “Jesus Christ”.

The House of Representatives approved a measure that seeks to permit religious symbols on federal war memorials, a response to a court ruling that declared a cross atop a San Diego memorial violated the Constitution. The War Memorial Protection Act passed on a voice vote but faces uncertainty in the Senate.

Today’s Martyrs

(Lest we forget)

Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth… St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

As many as 35,000 people have fled their homes in northern Nigeria after continuing attacks from the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. Their numbers include a large number of Catholics who report that churches have been destroyed. On January 24, a source told Aid to the Church in Need on Jan. 24, “There is panic. Many just leave everything behind, and run for safety, because they do not know when violence might flare up again,”

My favorite priest, layperson, breathing saint or organization

Did you know that last May, Father Patrick Conroy, S.J., became the 60^th chaplain of the U. S. House of Representatives? He is the second Catholic priest to hold this post. In this important position, he serves the 138 Catholic and 300 non-Catholic legislators. Pray for this poor fellow who has to try to keep in line this motley group.

(Now, tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is making a difference aljagoe@comcast.net)

Interesting Sayings

Unless I live for joy, very soon I must die, for I, in this feeble flesh, cannot suffice to bear so flowing a sweetness, and ever it falls into inebriation; the flesh cannot fail in its virtue awhile the soul in such joy is ravished to joy.

Richard Rolle (died 1349) was a hermit, mystic and writer.

The whole of spirituality can be expressed in abridged form in this maxim; we should abandon ourselves purely and entirely to God’s design and with a complete self-forgetfulness, be eternally busied with loving and obeying him, without all these fears, reflections, twisting and turnings disquietudes which sometimes result from the care of our own salvation and perfection.

Father Jean-Pierre deCaussades, S.J. (died 1751)

I have an ever deeper and firmer belief that nothing is merely an accident when seen in the light of God—that my whole life, down to the smallest detail, has been marked out for me in the plan of divine Providence and has a completely coherent meaning in God’s all-seeing eyes.

St. Edith Stein

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself.

Mark Twain

Communiqués

I strongly agree that the ethos of Catholics should be joy.

Amy Grossman

(Regarding “The Intercepted Martian Communique”)

You are poking fun at a true fact that we have Martian observers. For many years I have documented this truth, but it is falling on deaf ears.

Roger P. Kennedy

What makes you so sure that the people in Mars live over 200 years?

Elsie Rickerson

(reply: Prove I’m wrong.)

Chuckle Time

Brief Encounter

(It actually happened)

As the commuter train toNew York left a station for the 25-minute ride into the city, a woman plunked into a seat, pulled her coat hood partly over her head and began a loud cell-phone call to a female friend. As the train came into Penn Station, and she turned off the phone, the man sitting next to her said, “Pardon, but I am confused. You must be a religious person because in your conversation, you said ‘Oh-my-God’ nineteen times, yet you caused two people to stand because you put your package in one seat and your bag in another.

Woman: You intruded on my privacy!

Man: No, madam, you intruded on my silence.

Posted on February 15, 2012 by aljago

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

My motto “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of SantaFe

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Be a catholic Catholic

catholic def: universal in extent; encompassing all; wide ranging.

Regimra

Guest Columnist

During the first century of Christianity, the followers of Jesus belonged to the Church of Christ. Then credit for the name change goes to St. Ignatius of Antioch who, before he was martyred in A.D. 115, gave the church a name which defined its purpose. He declared, “Where the bishop appears, there let the people be; just as where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”

We Catholics should never forget our prayer power and not be stingy is exercising this gift. For example, every time we are in a public place—a restaurant, airport, riding on a bus or plane—we should take a second to give a silent blessing to all those within our sight. Those recipients of our prayer may be unaware of the source of grace they have just received, and this grace has a boomerang effect for the sender.

Liking two-for-one, I include prayer in the routine things I do each day. For example, each morning I do a stretching exercise consisting of 12 motions. So, while doing it, I bless everyone on the planet. It also refreshes my geography.

This is now it works: I begin at the bottom of South America and sweep up through Central America and Mexico, praying for each soul within this area.

Mentally, next I make a large area bounded on the southeast by Key West, up to New York, then across to San Francisco and down to the California-Mexican border – praying for everyone in this region.

From San Francisco I head north through Seattle, Vancouver and all the way up to Alaska, then across Canada to Newfoundland, and down to New York. This blessed region includes the northern part of our country.

Next I begin at Greenland, go through Iceland, the U.K., Scandinavia and all the way across Russia (the largest country of all). Beginning with France, I sweep down to Greece, then far right to Turkey, north to the Russian border, and back to France. This blessing includes the many countries or Europe.

I lump in the whole African continent beginning at the north with Morocco over to Egypt, down the Nile and Indian Ocean, including Madagascar, South Africa and up the Atlantic coastline. This even includes the pirates in Somalia.

Next, the area covering the countries in the Middle East, beginning with Israel, down to Saudi Arabia and including Pakistan and Afghanistan. Here is especially pray for the miserable time our fellow Christians are having in this region of persecution.

My country, India, deserves its own stretch, because of its record number of Catholic conversions, and the vast number of new priests it is providing for the world.

Next is China, where I remember the one and a half million who have to practice their faith in private. I also pray for the bishop and sixteen priests who are missing, after having been arrested and imprisoned.

The area for Japan goes south to encompass Thailand, down through Malaysia and east to take in the Philippines and all the way to Hawaii.

Finally, I take in Australia and New Zealand. …..This is for all the countries I missed above, and then I add: For the man, woman or child on the planet who is most in need of my prayer. Amen!

As Sister Melannie Syboboda, S.N.D., has written, “Our church has to be more than a loving community of fellow believers. It must be a loving community whose love extends beyond is own members.”

Bumper Sticker

**I recently saw a Pennsylvania car with a rear bumper sticker stating: I am a Certified Christian. I was so impressed by this that I prepared and have printed a supply of stickers stating: I am a Joyful Catholic**. If you have the gumption to put one on your car, let me know how many you want at no cost. Just send me your name and address. aljagoe@comcast.net

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)
Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)
Fr. Edmund Connors, Katonah, NY NEW!
Fr. Paul Duchschere
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)
Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington, DC)
Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)
Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo,CA)
Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)
Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)
Fr. Kevin Nelson, (Lantana, FL)
Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)
Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, Fl)
Fr. James R. Purfield
Fr. Paul S. Quinter (Pittsburg, Pa) NEW!
Msg. David Robichcaux, V.F. (New Orleans, LA)
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL)
Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (Kansas City, KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville, OH)
Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY)
Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)
Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

Posted on February 1, 2012 by aljago

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

My motto…“Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

_____________________________________________________________________________

News Flashes

A political sign photographed by Mark Leitner: “Obama is not the brown-skinned, anti-war socialist who gives away free healthcare—you’re thinking of Jesus.”

The parliament of Nepalis considering a law that would bar evangelization and conversionfrom one religion to another. (Note that in Nepal, only .02% of the 25.3 million population are Catholic, and 81% are Hindu.)

USATODAY reported that of the religious in the US, 51% are Evangelical, Mainline and Black Protestants, and 24% are Catholic.

On Christmas Day in Northern Nigeria, Islamist militants bombed churches, killing over two dozen Christians.

Today’s Martyrs

(Lest we forget)

St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth.

My Favorite Priest, Layperson, Breathing Saint or Organization

In Faisalabad, Pakistan, Mariah Manisha, a Catholic girl was kidnapped by a Muslim man who wanted her to convert to Islam and marry him. When she refused, he murdered her. Fr. Zafal, a local priest, said, “It is very sad, Christians, often girls, are helpless victims. Cases like this occur daily.”

Please tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is making a difference aljagoe@comcast.net

Interesting Sayings

Lord Jesus, help me to have a faith that has results… Mitch Finley

When I think upon and converse with thee ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up, ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed, ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart, crowding into every moment of happiness… From theValley of Vision, a collection of Puritan Payers and Devotions.

We continue to be amazed and to believe even more in this “crazy” God who chose to become a small, poor, and fragile child. That child who two thousand years ago came to the world and exploded into history bursts into out lives today to re-write our history; mine, yours, and that of all our wounded humanity. This Jesus shatters our reality and makes his way with only the weapon of love, the only weapon that can cause the rocks of the hardest hearts to crumble…Mother Elvira Petrozzi, founder of Comunita Cenacolo

When I was born, I was so shocked that I didn’t talk for a year and a half. ..Gracie Allen

Communiqués

Many thanks for your delightful blog, which brightens my day….Kathryne Greene, Liverpool,UK

Re: World’s Greatest Myth …You have done a great disservice to our Faith by questioning the appearance of Jesus, which was revealed by revelation. The appearance of Jesus was confirmed in the Shroud of Turin. Mildred Zuckerman, Phoenix, AZ

Don’t kick what imagination has done to our concept of what our spiritual leaders looked like. Throughout the centuries, this has proved to be a great work-provider for artists and sculptors….Elmer Rickson, New York, NY

You jolted me into thinking about Jesus in spiritual rather than concrete terms….Rick Blacklaw, San Francisco,CA

Chuckle Time

An 78-year-old woman wrote to her priest: “The other day I went to our local Christian book store and bought a ‘Honk if you love Jesus’ bumper sticker and put it on my bumper.

Later, with my grandson in the backseat, I was waiting at a traffic light and thinking about all my blessings, and I didn’t notice the light had changed. Immediately, the man in the car behind me proclaimed he loved Jesus by blowing his horn. I waved and he waved back with his middle finger stuck out. My grandson explained this was the Hawaiian good luck sign, so I gave it back to him.

Just then the light was yellow, and I was the only car that made it through the intersection before it turned red. Then everyone who had been back of me proved they loved Jesus. Again I gave them the Hawaiian good luck sign, and I heard a man shouting to me, something about a sunny beach.

“What a joyful day!”

Posted on January 18, 2012 by aljago

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

My motto …“Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

________________________________________________________________

An Intercepted Martian Communiqué

To: Commander Ezui4mic

Mars

4QU3

From: Investigator Suz8iz, Jr.

Space above planet Earth

Man date: December 30

My study of Planet Earth during this season has proved interesting because at this period of the year, the earthlings celebrate the time, over 2000 years ago, when they claim their Supreme Deity became man in the form of a baby. Further astonishment – the mother of this new-born was a virgin – very interesting.

Even though this event happened way back, the earthlings make it a time of great loveness. As we do during our Zup8kin Celebration for when Mars became a separate space entity, there was an abundance of lightings and colors and decorations. There were flickers of goodness that emulated each day from morning to evening. Gift-giving was in abundance. I heard much happy music, singing, church bells ringing and laughtering and people acted as if they liked people with no reserve.

With honesty inclusive of no doubt, I would have been tempted to apply for dual citizenship with Earth, but I found that this joy-plus time lives but a short time. It appears that most earthlings pack away loveness with the holiday decorations, only to display it again at time of next celebration.

An exception is a human group called Joyful Catholics, who attempt to keep the spirit of Christmas going all year.

In closing, please signal if you desire more observations of Planet Earth. If my service ends temporarily, I will return to base in time for my youngest son’s 205^th birthday.

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. aljagoe@comcast.net

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)
Fr. Paul Duchschere (Fargo, ND) NEW!
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)
Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington, DC)
Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)
Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)
Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)
Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York, NY)
Fr. Kevin Nelson, (Lantana, FL )
Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)
Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)
Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)
Msg. David Robichcaux, V.F. (New Orleans, LA) NEW!
Archbishop Thomas J.Rodi (Mobile, AL)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL)
Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (Kansas City, KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville, OH)
Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY)
Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)
Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

Posted on January 1, 2012 by aljago

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics. My motto,“Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

This is our 100th Edition!!

News Flashes

The Italian government is trying seven seismologists for manslaughter because they didn’t predict an earthquake in 2009 that killed over 300 people.Bishop Robert W. Finn and the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph have been indicted by a grand jury on a charge of failure to report suspected child abuse by a priest. The Vatican has established a new commission to tackle the problem of ugly churches and lousy music. (Comment: it’s about time!)

( The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.)

“I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.
It doesn’t bother me a bit when people say, ‘Merry Christmas’ to me. I don’t think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send ‘jokes’ through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.”

Today’s Martyrs

(Lest we forget)

In Spain, only 80 years ago during their three-year-long Civil War, 10,000 Spanish Catholics died for their faith at the hands of the anti-Catholic Popular Front (which we American supported with our Abraham Lincoln Brigade .)

My favorite priest, layperson, breathing saint or organization

(Please tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is making a difference aljagoe@comcast.net)

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)

Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)

Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)

Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)

Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)

Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington, DC)

Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)

NEW! Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)

Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)

Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)

Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)

Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)

Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)

Fr. Kevin Nelson, Lantana, FL

Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)

Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)

Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)

Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL

Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)

Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (KansasCity, KS)

Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville, OH)

Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY) NEW!

Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)

Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)

Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)

Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

Interesting Sayings

By the Incarnation, all joys and hopes, sufferings and tragedies are brought, purified, and transformed into intimacy with God’s own life. Through Christ we know God not as some remote first cause of the universe, but as the God of love.

Fr. Robert P. Imbelli, Archdiocese of New York

When we, earnest people for whom God really matters, look into our hearts, do we not find that our basic question is: “What can I do for God? What can I give to God?” There is only one answer—God’s answer: “Nothing, beloved. Only receive with glad heart what I give, and this is myself.”

Sister Ruth Burrows, O.C.D., a Carmelite nun in Norfolk, England.

At the foot o’ Jesus

Sorrow like a sea

Lordy, let yo’ mercy

Come dristin’ down on me

At the feet o’Jesus

At yo’ feet I stand.

O, ma little Jesus,

Please reach out yo’ hand.

Langston Hughes

Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

Hey, you Catholic apostate,

don’t you dare wait

‘til it’s too late

and you reach that Golden Gate.

Regimra

Communiqués

I recently gave a copy of your Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics to a friend in the hospital. She later told me, with a chuckle, that it got her home two days earlier than predicted.

Richard Belose, Boston

I am happy to be one of your readers. I am a Roman Catholic priest, faithful to the Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Fr. George Mabura in Kenya

(Regarding the blog “Why I Will Never Leave the Church”)

Good honest heartfelt stuff, keep it coming. Forgiveness, faith that things can improve, and optimism that they will are all very good. Blind belief in infallibility — at least where humans are involved as middlemen– is not always so good. Here’s a toast to the spirit of loving questioning and constant re-examination with which you live your faith. “The unexamined life is not worth living” said Socrates, and one could say the same for religious faith, long term relationships amongst people we love, etc. Great writing, keep it coming.

George in Geneva

Your statement of faith has been an inspiration for me. Also, it has clarified my thoughts when I talk about the Church with doubters.

Rebecca Thomas, San Antonio

I resent your referring to our magnificent Church as a rusty and battered old chest.

Amos Radcliffe, Chicago

Chuckle Time

(My Favorite Christmas Story)

When Christ was born, if there had been three Jewish women instead of the Three Wise Men:

(1) they would have arrived on time, because they would have asked directions;

(2) they would have brought practical gifts, like food, blankets and baby clothing;

(3) they would have cleaned up the stables, gotten rid of the animals and helped deliver the baby.

When they left, their comments would have been:

(1) did you notice those sandals that Mary was wearing?

(2) their donkey has seen better days;

AND, the baby doesn’t look like Joseph

Posted on December 19, 2011 by aljago

The Worlds Greatest Myth

If you gave a group a flash-card test for identifying famous people, they would immediately recognize George Washington because he had portraits painted of him during his life time, Marilyn Monroe because she was the most photographed woman of this era, and Jesus because everyone knows what Jesus looked like.

Many years ago during the Hippy Era, while visiting me, my pompous retired colonel brother-in-law took my young daughter for her first swimming lesson. They were in the shallow end of the pool at the country club when they were suddenly bumped underwater by a young man who came to the surface with his beard and long hair. The Colonel, who only saw the inside of a church at weddings and funerals, barked at him, “If you don’t mind, Jesus, I’m trying to teach this kid how to swim!”

The truth about Jesus is that no one, not even the Pope, knows what he looked like. The New Testament only confirms that he wore a robe and sandals, and that he looked Jewish. (The woman at the well knew immediately that he was a Jew). The first painting of Jesus was done 300 years after his earthly life, and since then we have been brained-washed into picturing Jesus as an extremely handsome tall, thin Mediterranean young man with cream complexion, a “holier than thou” expression and silky shoulder-length brown hair. Early European painters portrayed him in infancy as a chubby round-faced perfect baby, who would never have messed up a diaper.

Several years ago, The National Catholic Reporter conducted a contest for artists to compete in painting “Jesus 2000”. 1,004 artists from nineteen countries submitted 1,678 paintings, and a panel of judges selected the best three, leaving the final choice to Sister Wendy Beckett, the famed “art nun” on BBC television. She chose the painting of a black woman with a big wide nose, protruding lips and a brooding expression in her eyes. If you want to put your life in danger, show this as a picture of Christ to a “Born Again” red-neck in our Bible Belt.

Judaism forbids graphic representation of God. There are no displays of anthropomorphic vision in their places of worship. When Marc Chagall was a young artist, a pious uncle refused to shake his hand because he had painted God-like images. However, we Christians delight in letting our imagination go free in picturing God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and each of the original apostles.

Regarding our religious paintings, my friend Walter Trohan, the noted journalist who was approaching his one hundredth birthday, told me, “We can never have an accurate picture of Jesus because you can’t paint spirit any more than you can paint wind. Instead, I think of Jesus as being the eyes through with I see him in others. In that way, I see clearly Jesus in a beggar, in a retarded child, a pompous rich fool, a wife mourning the death of her husband, a laughing teenager—and even in you.”

I gave this some thought. Then I said, “Walter, I’ll buy that.”

Other recommended Catholic blogs

- The Black Biretta

- The Hermeneutic of Continuity

- What Does the Prayer Really Say?

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)
Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)
Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington, DC)
Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS) NEW!
Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)
Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)
Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)
Fr. Kevin Nelson, Lantana, FL
Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)
Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)
Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL
Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (KansasCity, KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville, OH)
Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY) NEW!
Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)
Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

Posted on December 6, 2011 by aljago

News Flashes

- In renovating Italy’s Reggio Emilia Cathedral, they discovered the bones of Saints Daria and Chrysanthus, who were killed in the 3^rd century for proselytizing. (Comment: Things ain’t changed)

- More than 200 Catholic theologians have signed a statement calling on the United Statesto abolish capital punishment and asking the church to work unswervingly towards that goal.

- In the Diocese of Plymouth, UK, father-of-four Christopher Jarvis had the job of monitoring church groups to ensure pedophiles didn’t gain access to the children in the church’s congregation. Then the police discovered over 4,000 child porn images on his home computer. He was immediately suspended, and the Bishop is working closely with the police investigation.

Today’s Martyrs

(Every five minutes, a Christian is killed because of his or her faith)

Military forces in Myannar (Burma) broke into a Mass, shot at worshippers, beat one and detained five for forced labor. Then they burned the parish and a BaptistChurch.

Welcome!

I am pleased that the Seibo No Kishi Catholic Monthly in the Pilgrim Nagasaki Oura Church is now one of our readers. The role of this splendid publication is to spread the gospel of God throughout Japan.

My Favorite Priest, Layperson, Breathing Saint or Organization

Although he lived 407 years ago, Blessed Thomas Bosgrave deserves our admiration. On an early spring day in April, 1594, Queen Elizabeth’s officers of the Protestant regime arrested Father John Cornelius. As they were leading him away, the bystander Thomas Bosgrave stepped forward and put his own hat on the priest’s head, saying, “The honor I owe to your function will not allow me to see you go bareheaded.”

This simple act cost him his life, being charged with the felony of having aided and assisted a Catholic priest. With Father Cornelius and two other Catholics, he was executed.

Blessed Thomas, belatedly we salute you as being a gutsy and Joyful Catholic!

Now, tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is

making a difference aljagoe@comcast.net

Interesting Sayings

- I don’t know why the Holy Father sent me here, But I do promise that no bishop will love the people and priests of this local church more than I will.”

Archbishop Charles Chaput, when recently assigned toPhiladelphia

- In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm and three or more is a congress.

John Adams

- Persons are not known by intellect alone, not by principles alone, but only by love. It is when we love the other, the enemy, that we obtain from God the key to an understanding of who he is and who we are. It is only this realization that can open to us the real nature of our duty, and of right action.

Dorothy Day

- Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the more formidable and the most remarkable race which has appeared in the world.

Winston Churchill

- Some cause happiness wherever they go; other, whenever they go.

Oscar Wilde

Communiqués

- Only those with courage and conviction will remain Catholic. Attractions are many and so many will love to yield to temporary pleasures and lead the life. When materialism takes hold, who will care for ”Values”?

K C Thomas

- Can you tell me where I can find Fr. David Ross? I would like very much to get in touch with him! I knew him from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fremont, Ohio. He did more for me than he will ever know when I was a teenager. I am now 44 years old. I would like the chance to tell him!

Laura R. Walby

(reply: Laura, this special priest is now at St. Rose Catholic Church in Lima, Ohio. His e-mail is dmross@wcoil.com and phone is 419-222-5512. I know he will be delighted to hear from you.)

- When I read about your having quizzed why someone had left the Church, I thought I would do the same with a couple, close friends, who were no longer practicing Catholics. To my surprise, they were pleased that I felt concern and invited me for coffee. After a lively and informative conversation, they asked if they could join me at Mass on Sunday. I hope many of your readers will also get this message – “Let your friends who have left the church know that you care.”

James Killian

Chuckle Time

Father Marini waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. At the gas station, there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, when motioning him toward a vacant pump, the attendant said, “I’m sorry, Father, about the delay. It seems that too many of my customer waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.”

Father Marini chuckled and said, “It’s the same in my business.”

Posted on November 24, 2011 by aljago

Posted on November 18, 2011 by aljago

Why I will never leave the Church

(Part 4 of 4)

Nothing is perfect. I have many concerns about my country. These include the shameful difference between the rich and the poor, our mammoth debt of historical record and the universal sense of entitlement. Our broken legislative system is respected by only one out of ten Americans. And it seems that the #1 concern of legislators in Congress is getting re-elected.
I doubt if the country has ever been more controlled by money. We are critical of countries where bribery is their way of life.

However, if we dismissed each Congressperson who benefited last year from the $3.5 billion “coercive” money from our 20,000 lobbyists, they could hold the next session of Congress in a phone booth. Each of these elected officials needs at least $3 million for election expenses. Both major presidential candidates will attempt to raise a billion dollars. And a concerned citizens group attempting to affect legislation without adequate bribe money has as much chance of success as a butterfly in a windstorm.

Our anemic economy, weakened by two losing wars, is muddling along. Madeline Albright said the Iraq War will be recorded as the worst mistake in American history. One out of four kids live in poverty; our educational system is second-rate; our railways are shabby with bridges dangerously in need of repair; we are treating the environment as if here is no tomorrow; and we have 2.3 million people in jail, more than Stalin had. Need I go on?
But, I’m not giving up my American citizenship. I have pride in our history, and I admire our sheer openness and energy. I can recall the days of statesmen, and I still get a lump in my throat when I hear the Star Spangled Banner and watch our flag marching by in a parade. My gut feeling is that America is a great country that, one day, is going to recover from its many sins and mistakes. It deserves my prayer.

Regarding the Church, I have empathy for those who have left. I, too, look forward to the day when we will have women deacons and again have married priests. It often seems to me that the Church is more concerned about the unborn rather than the already born.

I headed a parish counsel under a priest who hated the neighbors and most of the parishioners. He later misappropriated funds I had helped raise for a new building to cover the parish debt he had caused by his poor management. I was defendant in a court case when Opus Dei used every unethical trick in an unsuccessful attempt to steal a million dollars from a trust I was guarding.

I see the Church as an ancient battered and rusty chest that is safeguarding the greatest of all treasures – the Essence of Being. I appreciate the Church for making it possible for me, via Communion, to be one with my Creator. I respect the Church throughout the world for its successful role in education and in expressing love for humanity.

I thought of the Church when I was aboard one of the mammoth Queen Mary ocean liners leaving New York harbor, en route to Europe. Those in charge were inching the mammoth vessel out into the river, while below small boats were scooting around like tadpoles. With its 2,000 years of length and precious cargo, the Church has to demonstrate caution in fulfilling its mission. It might take a few centuries for it to make changes I want, but I have faith that it will.

As the theologian Karl Adams has said, “The structure of Catholic faith may be summarized in a single sentence. I find God through Christ in his Church; I experience the living God through Christ realizing himself in his Church.”

My debt to the Church is tremendous. It has introduced me to the Holy Trinity and our Blessed Mary, Mother of God. It has given me friendship and association with thousands of saints. How could I turn my back onexamples like Saints Thomas More, Bernadette and Mother Teresa of Calcutta? The Church keeps me alive in mind, body and spirit. No, I could never leave the Church because the Church and I have become one.

Other recommended Catholic blogs

- Fr. Stephen’s blog
- Overheard in the Sacristy
- Standing on My Head

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY) Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)
Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington, DC)
Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA) Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT) NEW!
Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)
Fr. Kevin Nelson, Lantana, FL Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)
Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL) Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH) NEW! Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (KansasCity, KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville, OH)
Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.

	Michel on …
	Amie on Be happily and uncomplicatedly…
	DEBORAH TROMBETTA on Your Favorite Priest!
	K.C Thomas India on …
	Ivonne Perez on Your Favorite Priest!

About aljago

We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics. My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

____________________________________________________________________________

IT’S ABOUT TIME

Here are some of the many concerns of those who have left the Church:

- A lack of community (none of the drop-offs had been contacted by their priestsor fellow parishioners; “The pastor crowns himself a king and look down on all”)

- A dislike of the Church’s handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal and the fact that gays, divorced and remarried Catholics were unwelcome atMass.

- Too much emphasis on abortion and contraception, and not enough attention to the underprivileged, war and health.

- Lousy homilies that are pointless and can’t be remembered by the time a parishioner walks out the church door.

- A lack of respect and equality for women.

- A need of immediate attention for a fresh explanation of the nature of the Eucharist (note: check out “Communion, ho-hum” in Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics)

Now it’s about time that other Church leaders will wake up and follow Bishop O’Connell’s example in acknowledging and attempting to correct a major concern for Catholic America.

(And let me have your thoughts about this: aljagoe@comcast.net)

Recommended readings

- “If They Perish” by James M. Kushiner in May/June Touchstone.

- “The Death of Honesty” by William Damon, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University in the May-June issue of UTN.

- “The Forgotten Jesus” in April 9 Newsweek.

- “A Troubling Case” by Robert Moynihan in May Inside the Vatican. (comment, I don’t agree with him!)

- “Interfaith Ignorance” by Patrick Gray in May/June Touchstone.

- “Renewing Dogmatic Theology” by Bruce Marshall, in May First Things.

Roster of Joyful Catholic Priests

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Share this with friends:

Like this:

My motto “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

Recommended readings

The media loves to publicize bad priests, and we should give recognition to our Joyful Catholic Priests. Send me your recommendation for ones you think merit membership in this splendid group. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Fr. Robert Aufieri (New York, NY)

Fr. John M. Bauer (Minneapolis, MN)

Fr. Edmund Connors, Katonah, NY

Fr. Paul Duchsch(Fargo,ND)

Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (Providence, RI)

Fr. Andrew Gries (Washington, DC)

Msgr. Edward Filardi (Bethesda, MD)

Fr. Raymond Kemp (Washington, DC)

Bishop Joseph N. Latino (Jackson, MS)

Archbishop Jerome Listecki (Milwaukee, MN)

Bishop Dennis Madden (Baltimore, MD)

Fr. Joseph Marini (San Mateo, CA)

Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Salt Lake City, UT)

Fr. John Mericantante (Pahokee, FL)

Msgr. Thomas Modugno (New York,NY)

Fr. Kevin Nelson, (Lantana, FL)

Fr. John O’Donoghue (San Antonio,TX)

Fr. Antony Pulikal (Lntana, FL)

Fr. James R. Purfield (Denver,CO)

Fr. Paul S. Quinter (Pittsburg, Pa)

Msg. David Robichcaux, V.F. (New Orleans, LA)

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (Mobile, AL)

Msg. Paul L. Rohling (Birmingham, AL)

Fr. David Ross (Lima. OH)

Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (Kansas City, KS)

Fr. Michael Scanlon (Steubenville, OH)

Fr. Walter J. Szezesny (Buffalo, NY)

Fr. Richard Trout (Sanford, FL)

Fr. Hayden Vaverek (New York, NY)

Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (Washington, DC)

Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

Fr. Michael Radermache, (Vancouver, WA)

Fr. Paul D.Counce (BatonRouge, LA

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My motto “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.” Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

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- In the Maindguri area of India, Hindu rebels attacked Christians, breaking a leg and injuring a score of other worshippers. The government authorities were complicit in this persecution of Christians.

Today’s Martyrs (Lest we forget)

“Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth.” St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

In Uganda, Susan Ithingu, a 15-year-olf Christian convert lost both of her legs when her Muslim father locked her in her room for six months with little food and water. After 13 months in a hospital, she is now in the care of a Pentecostal church.

Interesting sayings

Believe me, don’t wait until tomorrow to begin being a saint. St. Teresa of Lisieux (died 1897)

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Government is the great fiction, through which everyone endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else. Frederic Bastiat, French economist (1801-1850)

One of life’s greatest mysteries is how the boy who wasn’t good enough to marry your daughter can be the father of the smartest grandchild in the world. Jewish Proverb

Chuckle Time

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We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.

My motto …“Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe

Today’s Martyrs
(Lest we forget)

“Let us purify ourselves through the martyrs, or rather, through him through whom they too were purified in blood and truth.”
St. Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)

Believe me, don’t wait until tomorrow to begin being a saint.
St. Teresa of Lisieux (died 1897)

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Government is the great fiction, through which everyone endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.
Frederic Bastiat, French economist (1801-1850)

One of life’s greatest mysteries is how the boy who wasn’t good enough to marry your daughter can be the father of the smartest grandchild in the world.
Jewish Proverb