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.

 Recommended Readings

- “The Coming Latino Catholic Majority” in December The Catholic World

 Report.

- “Who Can Be Called ‘The Greatest’” in December New Oxford Review.

-  “A woman at the altar” in January USCatholic, Org.

- “Prayer as a Way of Life in John of the Cross” in winter Spiritual Life                                             

- In the December National Geographic there is an excellent chart of the  history of the 19 Bibles from 500 BC to 1603.

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)

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

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?

Recommended readings

-    “Underpopulation—the Real Problem” in November The Catholic World Report

-     “Restoring the fullness of fatherhood” in November Homiletic &

   Pastoral Review

-   “Jesus & The Neo-Deists” in November-December Touchstone.

-   “Restoring the Words” in the November issue of First Things.

-         “Poorly Worded” in the December issue of USCatholic. Org.

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)

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.”

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

Recommended readings

 - “Over the hill” in November U.S. Catholic.
- “Save the altar girls” in October 10 America.
- “In the Bleak Midwinter” in November/December Touchstone

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.

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

♦ The number of Austrian parish priests in their “Call for Disobedience” has increased from 300 to 400. Among their goals are the ordination of women and married men.

♦ In a review,  Father Dan McCaffrey, S.T.D., reported that less than 5% of Catholic couples  practice NFP.

♦When the Pope  spoke to the German parliament, a hundred members of the opposition parties announced they would boycott the meeting. Cardinal Joachim Meisner said the Pope was still hated as a foe to the East German Communists.

♦ Michael Voris, S.T.B., senior executive producer at RealCatholicTV.com presented an episode of  The Vortex from Rome, focusing on the dwindling  numbers in the Church as a very real crisis in America.

 Today’s Martyrs

In his rectory in the Colombia  resort area of Capurgana, Father Gualberro Oviedo Arrieta was stabbed  to death.  He is the sixth priest killed  this year in Colombia by anti-Catholic rebels.             

My Favorite Priest, Layperson, Breathing  Saint or Organization

Father David  Barber, of the College  of St. Ephram in Qaraqosh,  Iraq, is a teacher in this  Syrian Catholic seminary located near Mosul, one  of the most dangerous cities in Iraq,  especially for Christians. In the years since we Americans toppled Saddam Hussein, hundreds of thousands Christian families have left the Baghdad, Mosul and Basra. Before we  devastated the country, there were 1.3 million Christian in Iraq. Today,  the estimate is 400,000.  Last October, over 50 people were killed
when insurgents attacked Our Lady of Salvation Church on the outskirts of Baghdad. Father Barber  said, “Sometimes we feel that God has left us, especially us Christians. We  feel God talks in a different way. You are a little community in this land. One day, you will be a small voice for peace in this land. For me it’s hope.”

He is having a hard time reconciling  the Iraq he knows with the Iraqi who would want to harm him. Regarding his pastoral  work, he said, “If any Iraqi is hurt, someone will stop to help him and not ask  who he is, even if they will kill him for helping. There is harmony here. The  spring is harmony. How can I leave the place? This is our country.”

Thanks you, God, for Father Barber and other courageous  priests who   are serving in the trouble Middle East!

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

aljagoe@comcast.net

Interesting Sayings♦ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and  listen -Winston Churchill

♦ A secret is something you tell to one person at a  time. Anonymous

 ♦ What priests deserve is not only thanks but listening ears. Perhaps if   everyone  quit telling them what they should be, they might tell us what they need in  order to be successful and healthy.  - Bryan  Cones, managing editor of U.S. Catholic

♦What is the  thing that matters beyond all else, the thing that should give us utmost joy?
It is this: that our names are written in heaven; that we belong to heaven;  that we are the children of the Father who is in heaven.-Dom Anscar Vonier, O.S.B., Abbot of Buckfast Abbey in  Devon, England; died  1906.

♦ That lowdown scoundrel opponent of mine deserves to be kicked to death by a jackass, and I’m just the one to do it.

A Texasc ongressional  candidate

Communiqués

Hate for Catholics is in many places – Northern Ireland, former Yugoslavia, the Middle East.  So, our best answer is to look for Jesus’ example. Rather than trouncing his  enemies, he died for them. Therefore, we must change out hearts towards those
who hate us. -Jack  Maloney,Omaha,NE

The strongest method of attracting people to Jesus and  the Church is being a positive witness of a loving, caring and             concerned Catholic.-Hank Kelly,Bronx,NY

For all Joyful Catholics, I recommend reading The Diary of St. Faustina Kowalska. It changed my life!-  kerrysky@ovi.com

Why do they hate us? I’ll tell you why. It’s in our  human nature ever since Eva and Adam nibbled on the forbidden apple. Recognize that it is a part of us that we have to work on to eliminate.- Juanita Perez,Dallas,TX

Chuckle Time

As she didn’t want to force  her preference on her son who was considering which college to attend, a mother
told her son to go up to his room and pray for an answer.

“Then,” she said, “Come down and tell me the name of the college, and I’ll let you know
if God made the right decision.”

Why they’re leaving the Church

(Part 3 of 4)

 (Let’s be aware of these problems and consider how we Joyful Catholics can help in the solution)

A couple, who are my splendid friends, were active Episcopalians for over twenty years. Through the CYO program which the husband was heading, they met a splendid priest. He was a saintly person. Because of his example, the couple realized the Catholic Church offered more depth of meaning in their spiritual lives, and they joined the Church.

When they moved to another parish, they discovered a different type of priest. He was an extreme egotist who wore a toupee, designer jeans and specially tailored suits. His delight was a high Mass with thundering organ, rich vestments and gold vessels on the altar. He crippled the St. Vincent de Paul activity in the church because it encouraged the appearance in the parish area of the poor black people, which would disturb the “right” people.

His meaningless homilies were no delight. He furnished the rectory with expensive oriental rugs, on which he didn’t want parishioners to tread. Finally, with a near revolt on the part of the congregation, the Church authority transferred the priest and inflicted him on another parish.

He was replaced by an attractive younger priest, who was very concerned about the youth. He encouraged the couple to adopt an eleven-year-old boy, who had a father in prison and mother who was a drug addict.Later, it was revealed that the priest was a pedophile. After the Church authority slapped his wrist, the priest was assigned elsewhere.

Another concern of my friends was the folksy approach to the Eucharist following Vatican II. During Mass, they now saw parishioners habitually rising with indifference to receive Communion like bolts on an assembly line.

The exposure to two lousy priests and the “ho hum” appreciation of the Eucharist crumbled the couple’s devotion to Catholicism, and they rejoined the Episcopal Church.

It is interesting that my inquiry to friends who have left the Church was welcomed by those I interviewed. I was the only person who had bothered to ask. That’s not good!

For example, for over twenty years, I enjoyed being a Knight of Malta. During that time, I originated two new successful programs and served on many committees and was a board member. When I became out-of-touch with the organization, I submitted a letter of resignation.

Two years later, I am still awaiting a reply and a peep from the Malta administration or a fellow member. This non-response causes me to consider their reaction to my leaving to be “good riddance”.

Let this be a lesson for us Joyful Catholics. If we know of a friend who is getting shaky about his or her Faith, confirm your interest by asking this person “why?” Odds are that he or she will be pleased with your concern and want to discuss problems of faith. Go for it!

Other recommended Catholic blogs

 - Creative Minority Report
- Domine, da mihi hanc aquam!
- Faith and Family Live

Recommended readings

- Cardinal Donald Wuerl’s excellent article “A New Relationship”
in the September 26 issue of America
- Bishop Kirk S. Smith’s advice on “How to get more young people in church”, in The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.

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 (NYC)
Fr. John M. Bauer (MN)
Fr. Edward Gorman, O.P. (DE)
Fr. Andrew Gries (DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (MD)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (DC)
Archbishop Jerome Listecki (MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (CA)
Fr. John Mericantante (FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (NYC
Fr.. John O’Donoghue (TX)
Fr. James R. Purfield (CO) NEW!
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi (AL) NEW!
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (AL)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (OH)
Fr. Richard Trout (FL)
Fr. Hayden Vaverek (NYC)
Fr. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (DC)
Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)

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

__________________________________________________

News

• The European Court of Human Rights ruled that crucifixes can be displayed in Italy’s public schools.
• The Center  for  Applied Research in the Apostolate released a report showing that “the number of Catholic parishes in America has declined by 1,359 since the year 2000 to 17,784 in 2010, representing a7.1% decrease.”

My favorite priest, layperson, breathing  saint or organization

Originally from Ohiowhere she attended The University of Dayton, Paula Benson, active mother of three children, has touched the lives of hundreds of new Catholics in her 13 years of teaching RCIA at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda, Maryland. She is a radiant Joyful Catholic!

Last year, when the pastor told her to find a way for parishioners to meet-and-greet after Mass, she set up a coffee and donuts stand in the porch area at the front of the Church. Beginning after the 7:30 AM Mass, she has it in full operation. As a radiant hostess, she sees to it that no one is a stranger. Every parish should be blessed with a Paula Benson!

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

Interesting Sayings

What priests deserve is not only thanks but listening ears. Perhaps if everyone quit telling them what they should be, they might tell us what they need in order to be successful and healthy.  Bryan Cones, managing editor of U.S. Catholic

Never stop going into unknown territory of growth  Joyce Rupp

I intend to live forever, or die trying.  Groucho Marx

What is the thing that matters beyond all else, the thing that should give us utmost joy? It is this: that our names are written in heaven, that we belong to heaven, that we are the children of the Father who is in heaven.

Dom Anscar Vonie, O.S. B., abbot of Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England
(died 1906)

Communiqués

 The reason for leaving the Catholic Church is not lack of faith but  the lack of friends. We have to make friends – we have to take the first  step. Sometimes ultimately, our own fault is the reason. Behave as a true Christian in all situations and then you will get happiness.

K. C. Thomas

 I enjoyed the epigrammatic style in your “Invite Jesus to the pub”.  Edgar Whitworth, Akron, OH 

What right do you have to discuss why people are leaving the Church? Rebecca Eddy, Boston, MA

(Reply: Good question, but somebody should do it. What are your thoughts about this?)

 Your blog’s desire to assist the Church is palpable.    Julius Torres, Little   Rock,AR

Chuckle Time

A Catholic friend once came to my Christian Scientist mother for advice. The woman explained that her husband had been abusing her and openly had a girl friend. 

My mother said, “I don’t want to advise you, but you should discuss this with your priest.”

“I did,” she replied, “and he told me to do nothing—just sit steady in the boat and act as if nothing wrong was going on.”    My mother said, “I don’t want to advise you what to do, but
don’t you know another priest?”

My motto  “Be happily and uncomplicatedly
Catholic.”

Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe  _____________________________________________

Why Do They Hate Us?

On September 4, in Kottenkulangara within the southwestern Indian state of Kerala, twenty masked Hindu extremists destroyed the altar, confessionals and vestments in Our Lady of Vailankanni parish church. This was two days after Christians in another part of India welcomed a court decision, mandating that the National Human Rights Commission compensate victims of anti-Christian violence. (Three years ago 300 villages were attacked with 70 people killed. Later that year, because of violence, 25,000 Christians fled for their lives.)

Recently, in the Nigerian city of Jos, Muslim militants launched a series of attacks on Christians and killed 14 people.

 Beijing is tackled the country’s embattled Catholics. In China, there are an estimated eight million Catholics who have to worship secretly because they refuse to join the state controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. The US-based Cardinal Kung Foundation stated there are 25 Chinese bishops either in jail or under house arrest.
The Pew Research Center Forum lists these eight countries as having very high hostilities towards Christians: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq Israel, Nigeria, Pakistan and Somalia. Thirty other countries are listed as having high hostility.

Italian sociologist Massimo Introvigne, representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians, reported that over 100,000 Christians are killed annually. “Every five minutes,” he said, ‘a Christian is killed for his faith.”

This is puzzlement for me. We Christians don’t have suicide bombers and extremists who attack people of other faiths and destroy their places of worship. Throughout history, Christians universally have been the selfless providers of healthcare, education, food, housing and welfare for all people. We still are today.

I can’t say we weren’t forewarned because St. Luke records Christ as saying, “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.” And in the year 210, Tertullian said, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Four hundred years later, St. Gregory the Great added an optimistic note when he wrote “Change the wicked and they will be no more. The wicked who have been changed will be no more, not because they will altogether cease to exist in their essential being; they will cease to exist in their state of ungodliness.”

Are we hated merely because we are different? Is there jealousy because of our enjoyment and devotion of our Faith? Do they resent us because they are beneficiaries of our goodness? I don’t know. Send me your thoughts to share with other readers. (aljagoe@comcast.net)

Other recommended Catholic blogs

- Shower of Roses

- Wildflowers and Marbles

- American Papist

Recommended readings

-“Make-Up Orthodoxy” in August-September The Catholic World Report.
- “Rights of Conscience” in August 1-8 America.
- Liberal education and the priesthood” in August-September Homiletic & Pastoral Review.
– Andrew Bacevich on the Information Age” in August 12 Commonweal.

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)

Rev. Robert Aufieri (NYC)
Fr. John M.Bauer (MN)
Rev. Edward Gorman, O.P. (DE)
Fr. Andrew Gries (DC)
Msgr. Edward Filardi (MD)
Fr. Raymond Kemp (DC)
Archbishop Jerome Listecki (MN)
Bishop Dennis Madden (MD)
Fr. Joseph Marini (CA)
Fr. John Mericantante (FL)
Msgr. Thomas Modugno (NYC
Rev. John O’Donoghue (TX)
Msg. Paul L. Rohling (AL)
Fr. Matthew Ruhl, S.J. (KS)
Fr. Michael Scanlon (OH)
Rev. Richard Trout (FL)
Rev. Hayden Vaverek (NYC)
Rev. Malcolm Sylvester Willoughby, O.P. (DC)
Canon Stuart Wilson (London, UK)