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

 

“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?”

Shame On Those Unjoyful Catholics

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

Michael J. Sheehan Archbishop of Santa Fe

 

 

Shame on those unjoyful Catholics who attend Mass with the expression of school kids who have been sent to the superintendent’s office. Like hooded monks, they keep their eyes to themselves and act as if you were the only ones in the church. The handshake of peace is their reluctant nod to as few others as possible—then they quickly climb back into their shell. At the end of the service, their “thanks God it’s over” attitude is confirmed by the way they get out as soon as possible. Canon Stuart, one of my favorite priests, told of an incident which had an impact on him. One morning his secretary showed him a picture in the newspaper obituary of a man they recognized. For years they had noticed him sitting alone at daily Mass. They knew nothing about him, not even his name. As a result of this, at the end of each Sunday Mass, this priest now tells the congregation, “Before you leave, take five minutes to meet someone you don’t know. Find out something about them and tell them about you.” The effect is exciting with the church suddenly become alive with happy talk as fellow Catholics come in contact with one another. They are selfish hoarders of a duffer bag filled with the treasures of our Catholicism. This is a magic container because God is constantly refilling it with more than we give out.

What can we Joyful Catholics do to humanize a Mass? I suggest before the Mass begins, make a point of shaking hands with someone you don’t know. And broadcast smiles at those around you. When I first tried this, the result was mostly shock. But later I found that previous recipients would now acknowledge me with a smile, a nod or even small wave. It broke the ice. St. Ambrose once said the beauty of the Church consists in hearts that love Jesus—it is bound in knowing Jesus as the source and power of all that is good and exalting him in our thoughts and actions. More recently, Dom Ancar Vonier, O.S.B., the abbot of Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England, who died in 1906, advised us, “Begin with goodness, with sanctity, with the thought of God, and that you are the children of God. What should affect you is the power of Christ, the power of sanctity.” Following the advice of these two men, let us Joyful Catholics be the sparks that enliven the Church. (And let me have your thoughts about this: aljagoe@comcast.net)

 

 

A Must-See Movie

Every Joyful Catholic should see the 4-star film Of Gods and Men. Be sure to go with friends because this is a show you will want do discuss later.  I was surprised to have three Protestant friends, who had seen the show, call to recommend it to me.

 

Other recommended Catholic blogs

What Does the Prayer Really Say?

Whispers in the Loggia

Charlotte Was Both

Recommended readings

-         “The Role of Catholic Media Today” by Gregory Erlandson in the March New Oxford Review.

-         “Annulment Nation” by Jeff Ziegler in the March The Catholic World Report.

-         “Get Closer” by James Martin, S.J., in March 31 issue of America. 

-         “Theo-Poetics, Merton, and Mary: The Center Holds” in the spring issue of Spiritual Life. 

 

Those Frigging Militant Moslems 

 - On March 20, Muslim extremists burned down 69 Protestant churches in southwestern Ethiopia. The cause of this demoniac action was the rumor that in one of the churches the Qua’an had been flushed down the toilet. Thirty homes, a school and an orphanage were also burned down, and 10,000 Christians had to flee their homes.

- In Egypt, least 13 people died in a sectarian row when Coptic Christians protested against the burning of a church on the outskirts of Cairo.

 

 The first to send the right answers to aljagoe@comcast.net will receive a gift copy of Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics.

1.     Who was the man who first broke all Ten Commandments?

2.     Who was the first American-born canonized saint?

3.     Before coming a disciple, what was Matthew’s profession

“Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”

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 good endorsement for Catholic schools. In her interview with The New York Times, Melinda Gates, co-chairwoman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said about her high school in Dallas: “The Ursuline nuns were a bit more liberal, so they really taught us how to think about the problems of the world. The school motto is “Serviam”, that is, “I will serve.” – Encouraging news about our young Catholics. Kevin Jackson, the Pastoral Seminarian at Texas A&M, reports that there are so many students attending their weekly Mass that they have run out of seats. Great going, Kevin!

 

Facit  Short Story

Morning thought  

Today, I’ll be a wave rider!

A Joyful Catholic, I am!

    My favorite priest, layperson, breathing saint or organization.

Among those I admire is Jeff Skoll, the Canadian billionaire. With his fortune, he is investing in movies with a positive message and projects that promote world peace. During his lifetime, he also plans to give away all that he has. With his chronic back pains which have not been eliminated with five operations, he also knows the price of self-suffering. Thank you, Jeff, for being a splendid example for all, both rich and poor.

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

 

Interesting sayings

God who, by the very laws of his infinite sanctity, must be infinite joy, infinite gladness; one might almost say the he wears an infinite smile of eternal happiness. While he strikes, his hands are full of sweetness, and we feel in our very faults we are received into his arms and find ourselves resting on the infinite sweetness of God.

Dom Anscar Vonier, O.S.B. the abbot of Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England, who died in 1906.

That which is loved is always beautiful. A Norwegian proverb

There is no room for pride of posturing once we realize that we cannot function at our best if we don’t want the best for everyone.

Kristin Armstrong

Acknowledge that without me you can do nothing, but I will never let you lack help as long as you keep your weakness and nothingness buried in my strength.

One of the many revelations of his Sacred Heart received by Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, who died in 1690.

I can’t censor the gleam in my eyes. Charles Laughton

Communiqués –

Your blast at the folkie Masses should remind our priest that Pope Benedict XVI said, “ This celebration, at which God not only comes close to us but also enters the very fabric of our existence, is fundamental to being able truly to live with God and for God and to carry the light of God in this world. We must all work together to celebrate the Eucharist even more profoundly: not only as a rite, but as an existential process that touches me in the very depths of my being, more than any other thing.” Regina Hopkins, Minneapolis -

Your “Friggin’ Sing-along-Mass” is a well crafted vitriol of this current horrid practice in our Church. Ken Reggins, Cambridge, MA -

 It’s old codgers like you complaining about the new Mass who are trying to move the Church back into the Middle Ages. Oscar Backstrom, St. Augustine, FL

Chuckle time

When the old pastor returned to his parish after a month’s vacation, he was surprised to find that both the number of people coming for confession and the collections had peaked. The young priest who had been covering for him said, “You told me to do anything I wanted to do, and I did.” The old man nodded and said, “But I don’t approve of two things you have done; first, the drive-in confessional. And then, the neon sign on top of the church COME IN AND TELL OR GO TO HELL.

 

 

Special Intentions List

As you pray with a broad brush, please include these loved ones, who have been submitted by our readers. You, too, are invited to send me names of your special persons who are in need of prayer. My address is aljagoe@comcast.net. They will be on the list for 60 days. At the end of that time, if prayers are still needed, you merely have to renew the name. Juanita Caldwell, Isola Todd, David Abbey, Linwood “Skip” Williams, Roseanne Somlock, Nicholas Gallagher, Tom Lewis, Donald Whitcomb, Violeta Zepeda, John Aylor, Rev. Joseph Marini, Enrique Portillo, Sharon McPike, Tom Ryan, Joseph Normile, Jim Quimby, Russell Edwards, Gertrude Goldstein, Rev. Stephen Huffstetter, Hugh Cannon, Eric Moore, Joan Barrett, 8-year-old Michael Fotta and his parents, Lolita Alvarez, Camilus Musselman, Ed Block, Isobel Milligan, Peter Bartkiewiez and his family, Joe Toles, Grace Toomey, Bob Earll, Camilus Musselman, Ed Cole, Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Jay Parker, William Stephenson, Roger Stoven, Bob Abbott, Denny Kline, Lois Pinkin, Larry Mannino, Cheryl DeSantis