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“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
Egypt recalled the Vatican ambassador in protest to the Pope saying the truth about Egypt not doing enough to protect Christians from mob violence. (comment: Guilt does have a voice.)
The International House of Prayer in Kansas City is being sued for using its abbreviated name of IHOP. (Solution might be to serve pancakes for the religious meetings)
The nun, who is in charge of the Apostolic Visitation of U. S. women religious, acknowledged that there are more U. S. nuns over 90 than under 60.
The Chinese State Administration for Religious Affairs has blasted the Vatican for its “attack on religious freedom in China.” (comment: the Vatican is right but as we in America owe so much money to China, we had better lay low on this one.)
Today’s Martyrs
In the latest of a series of targeted attacks on Iraqi Christians, Dr. Nuyia Youssif Nuyiz, a 
prominent Christian cardiologist, father of 4 children and faithful Chaldean Catholic, was shot by gunmen in his medical clinic. Miraculously, he survived his serious injury.
(Since our “rescue” of Iraq, over a million Christians in that devastated country have had to evacuate.)
My favorite priest, layperson, breathing saint or organization
No recommendations today – shame on you!
(Now, tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is making a difference – aljagoe@comcast.net)
Interesting sayings
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Benjamin Franklin
O Lord Jesus Christ, teach all men that the see of Saint Peter, the Holy Church of Rome, is the foundation, center, and instrument of unity. Open their hearts to the long-forgotten truth that our Holy Father, the pope, is your vicar and representative, and that in obeying him in matters of religion, they are obeying you.
Blessed John Henry Newman
The great crime against life is not to feel.
The American poet, Archibald MacLeish
Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a swell preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, “Hot damn—what a ride!”
Anonymous
Communiqués
- I especially like your “Chuckle time”, which always tickles my pylorus.
Archibald Whitfield
- The relationship problem between clergy and lay-folks is that we tend to treat our priests as if they belong to a special species with no belly buttons.
Margaret Kendall
- Your “The Catholic Church is Finished” deserves my applause and gratitude for the wonderful job you have done today and the days beforehand. Keep up the good work!
jukilopoll3gmail.com
Chuckle time
Teacher: I will give $10 to the student who can name the most famous man who ever lived.
Irish kid: St. Patrick.
Teacher: Sorry, but that’s not right.
Scottish kid: St. Andrew.
Teacher: No, not right.
Jewish kid: It was Jesus Christ.
Teacher: Congratulation! You win.
Jewish kid (after pocketing the $10): I know it’s Moses, but business is business.
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, 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, Lenore Sommers
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the cholera victims in Haiti, those in refugee camps throughout the world.
Oh! Those Friggin’ Sing-a-Long Masses
We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics. My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”
Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe
Oh! Those friggin’ sing-a-long Masses
That make the Devil dance and shout with joy to see Communion watered down to a ho-hum part of the service. I recently attended one at the Church of Saint Joachim in Rockport, MA.
The song leader, emcee and star performer was a large gray-haired woman who, during the hour long service, only relinquished the mike twice—for the reading and then the homily. Before distributing Communion, the priest announced, “We will first sing Communion hymn #1.” When the
song was finished, he first gave Communion to the woman emcee who gulped it down like a dog getting a tidbit and then immediately resumed the mike with “We will now sing Communion hymn #2.”
Thus the entire service succeeded in not allowing five seconds of silence for prayer and meditation. Communion, one of the most sacred sacraments in our religion, was treated like an incidental side order during a dinner meal. No wonder the Devil is overjoyed to see the Church crippling itself by belittling the belief that Christ, who was God, can and will transpose himself into bread and wine to be consumed by true believers—the mystical union of the sacred (the Holiest of the Holy) and profane (man) becoming one.
This miraculous deed is so awesome that I doubt if anyone, including the Pope, can fully comprehend its fullness of meaning and purpose. But that doesn’t give ground for the Church to minimize its value with distractions and no quiet time. Parents often say, “Keep children busy so they can’t get into trouble.” Today’s Church practices, “Keep lay folks busy so they can’t think, pray or meditate.”
In Models of the Church, Cardinal Avery Dulles wrote, “The Eucharist is the climactic sacrament, signifying the deepest and most intimate union with 
Christ, who makes himself the life-sustaining food and drink of his spiritual family. The Eucharistic liturgy is structured in such a way that Christ addresses the congregation by word as he spoke to the disciples at the Last Supper, and then gives himself in sacramental form under the invocation of the Holy Spirit.” (Hey, pastors, are you listening?)
I would be embarrassed to take a potential convert to a sing-a-long Mass, because he would experience more spirituality in a service at a Unitarian church. (You readers, what are your thoughts about this? aljagoe@comcast.com)
Recommended readings
- “Sanctifying, evangelizing and catechizing a parish” by Fr. Francis Peffley in the October Homiletic & Pastoral Review
- “A moment of historic healing” in the October The Catholic World Report.
- “Why I pray the Rosary” by Unagidon in October 8 Commonweal.
QUIZ
The first to send the right answers to aljagoe@comcast.net will receive a gift copy of Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics.
- What two pairs of the Apostles had the same name?
- Who is the new President of Catholic University, and the third lay person to serve in this role?
- What did Elijah ride into heaven?
News flashes and items
- When attending a funeral in a Presbyterian Church, I found a “Welcome” pamphlet in the pew with this message: This dynamic congregation is serious about following Jesus Christ through worship,
study, service and fellowship. Our family of faith share laughter and tears a past of our mutual caring. We offer music programs, strong Christian education for all ages, and an active mission program in the local community as well as throughout the world. (Comment: (1) If you were searching for a religion, would this appeal to you? (2) Why don’t we Catholic do the same?
- The New York Times (10/9) The Pew Research Center Poll showed that one-half of the Catholics don’t understand Communion. (Comment: Wow! Whose fault is that?)
- Confirming today’s materialistic world, an article in the November Money magazine reporters that to “Get the Most Happiness for Your Buck” all you have to do is (a) eat frequently in expensive restaurants, rather than occasionally in expensive ones, (b) follow the herd and enjoy what others are enjoying and (c) be sociable and don’t be loner.
Facet Short Story
Simple Equation
Mary was the mother of Jesus;
Jesus is God;
therefore,
Mary was and is the mother of God.
Amen!
Aftermath of “The Pope is pregnant
We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics.
My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”
Michael J. Sheehan
Archbishop of Santa Fe
Aftermath of “The Pope is pregnant”
I have compiled the comments about this issue into 3 sections. It is interesting that the messages have been equally divided between the pros and the cons, providing I don’t include two threats. Here there are:
1. You have your nerve to poke fun at the Pope!
As a great admirer of Pope Benedict XVI, nothing could have been further from my mind. As you may recall, in a previous issue (“I could have baby-sat the Pope”), I confirmed my admiration and respect for this great holy man. Over 2000 years ago when God wanted to become man, he chose the most perfect human being to be the means of accomplishing this goal—the Virgin Mary. Today, if God wanted to repeat this miracle, He would again select that most perfect person on earth, whom I identified as our beloved Pope. If that is being critical, be my guest.
2. Thanks you for this great thought provoker. I’ll admit at first I was dumbfounded. After re-reading it three times, I absorbed its most powerful messages. I only wish our parish priests had the guts to use this in discussion groups with their parishioners. If they did, what would you suggest as lead points?
- Do you believe that this could have happened—that God could have produced this miracle? I imagine that only a handful of Jews in Bethlehem believed in Mary’s virginity. In your thinking, is there a glass ceiling on the will of God? Are you a sincere believer in miracles?
- In your belief, how important is gender? Do you think of the first person in the Holy Trinity as only God, the Father—or God, the Father, Mother and Essence of all Being? Should the Parousia occur during your lifetime, would you accept a female baby as the Messsiah?
- When you receive Communion, do you sense the miracle of a new inner life?
3. This is a real shocker and most Catholics are too complacent and provincial not to be offended. What fun do you get by rocking the boat? 
I admit I enjoy being a boat-rocker. If someone doesn’t do it, the comfortable passengers might nap off and miss the beauty and experience of sliding through the blessed waters of life. In the spiritual life of a Joyful Catholic, there should be no role for complacency. Unless we constantly sense the ecstasy of our faith, we are poor receivers of God’s treasures that he showers upon us. A complacent Catholic is third rate.
We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics. My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”
Michael J. SheehanArchbishop of Santa Fe
My favorite priest, layperson, breathing saint or organization
As the Executive Director of the Religious Formation Conference, Sister Violet Grennan of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters is a dynamo of energy and enthusiasm. The purpose of the Conference is to enrich Catholic religious women and men by helping them to gain new knowledge and skills in their pastoral ministries. She is benefiting us Joyful Catholic by endowing our spiritual guides with fresh and effective tools. Sister Violet, we love you!
Now, tell me about your favorite Catholic priest, layperson or organization that is making a difference.
Quiz
Last week, the winner of the autographed copy of Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholic is Susan Fox in New Orleans. Here are the answers:
- The sons of Jebedee whom Jesus nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” were James and John.
- 130 is the maximum number of Cardinals permitted to elect a
(Comment, I wish the maximum age were 50.)
- The patron saints of farmers is Isidore.
News flashes
- 
Bishop Felipe Arizmendi in Mexico lit a blaze when he blamed child abuse by priests on eroticism on television.
- Commenting on the U.S, Conference of Catholic Bishops publication of “Setting the Record Straight,” Commonweal magazine said, “If the authors of this publication wish to seize a ‘new opportunity for the Catholic community to come together in defense of human life,’ they can start by not questioning the motives of those Catholics who disagree with them about how best to interpret the provisions of the new health-insurance law. On questions such as this, disagreement should not be understood as a threat to unity, but as a sign of the church’s intellectual vitality.
“American bishops too often seem to fear that any acknowledgement of the complexity of the issue of the church’s teaching on abortion would weaken their own position.”
(Comment – AMEN!)
- Even though half of Catholic schools have closed since 1965, with a 20% drop in enrollment in the past ten years, Timothy Dolan, New York’s
archbishop is working on a strategic initiative to save the Catholic schools in his archdiocese by co-operating closely with Catholic universities. This is in opposition to converting the schools into charter status (as in Washington, DC) and they no longer operate as religious establishments.
(Comment – Congratulations, Bishop Dolan, may other Catholic educators follow your lead.)
- A sign outside the Church of God in Phoenix: HONK IF YOU LOVE JESUS; TEXT WHILE DRIVING IF YOU WANT TO MEET HIM.
Interesting sayings
Once I was at vespers and was gazing at the cross. And while I was thus gazing at the cross with the eyes of the body, suddenly my soul was set 
ablaze with love; and every member of my body felt it with the greatest joy. The joy which seized my soul in this moment can in no way be spoken of. And in no way whatever can I be sad concerning the passion; on the contrary, my joy is in seeing this man, and to come to him. All my joy now is in this suffering God-man.
Blessed Angela of Foligno, who died in 1309, was a wife and mother, and later a Franciscan tertiary and mystical writer.
When you are going through hell, keep going.
A waitress in Atlantis, FL
It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.
James Thurber
Communiqués
The avalanche of messages from “The Pope is Pregnant” blog deserves a whole blog of its own. They were both favorable and unfavorable, including a few threats. So, be patient until I put it together.
Chuckle time
In the book. How to Become a Bishop Without Being Religious, the author said there were two major requirements to be a bishop:
(a) grey hair
(b) hemorrhoids to give you a sorrowful look.
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 joyfulcatholic@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, Amie Ellis,
Linwood “Skip” Williams, Gerry Paradiso, Tom Medved, Eileen Grotsky, 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, Jack Conner, Ed Block, Isobel Milligan,
Peter Bartkiewiez and his family, Joe Toles, Grace Toomey,
Camilus Musselman, Bob Kehlhofer, Ed Cole,Bishop Thomas Olmsted,
Rev. David Granfield, Mort Barron, Jay Parker
As you note, because of miraculous healings, several names have been deleted and added to our Deo Gratias list.
Buddhists, Jews, Zionists and us Catholics
We do indeed need to show joy as Catholics. My motto — “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholic.”
Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe
Buddhists, Jews, Zionists and us Catholics.
When we learn from other religions, I think it strengthens our faith. When I 
made a two-week Buddhist retreat in Japan, I learned of their appreciation of nature, the treasure of a meditation garden and the desire to be one with the Supreme Being. But I saw no Buddhist orphanages, hospitals or facilities for caring for the poor. I returned home a better Catholic.
I had an aged Jewish client, who confided at lunch one day, “I am Jewish throughout. When I read the list of victims from a catastrophe, I am indifferent until I see a Jewish name—then I cry.” I said, “If a gunman entered the restaurant and said he would kill all but ten people and you were to select the ten, whom would you pick?” “All Jews,” he replied. “But what is the ten Jews were all in their late 90s? “I’d still pick the Jews,” he quickly replied. Upon later reflection, I admired his loyalty, even though it was limited to one breed of humans.
Recently I renewed friendship with a Zionist friend who spoke only about his several trips a year to Israel, his working on a commission to improve the
Israeli reputation at the United Nations, relief funds for Jewish refugees, and the importance of the powerful Jewish lobby in Congress. I asked him, “If American were in conflict with Israel, as an American citizen which country would you support.” He quickly side-stepped an answer with, “That will never happen.” I had to acknowledge his devotion to a single and very limited cause. And it made me appreciate with pride the word “catholic” which defines the scope of my Catholicism.
My Zionist friend turned the light on my joy in having a faith that is concerned about all of God’s people, regardless of their identity or locale. Hurrah for the openness and all-inclusiveness of our Catholicism!
Other religions, thank you for waking me up to the ecstasy of being a Joyful Catholic! (what are thoughts about other religions? Let me hear from you! joyfulcatholic@comcast.net)
Other recommended Catholic blogs
Recommended readings – The Week May 14 issue has two interesting article. One points out that in during the first decade of this century, the number of Catholic has increased 12%.
The other is about kooks Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, who are planning to arrest the Pope when he visits Britain in September for “crimes against humanity.” (Comment: fellows, you don’t have much to do, do you?)
The article on population growth in the May-June Mother Jones should be required reading for our top church leaders in their lofty site in the stratosphere, out-of-sight of reality.
Quiz Results
Last week, the winner of the autographed gift copy of Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics, is Mildred Andrews, Key West. FL The correct answers are:
1. Peter, James and John were the three apostles Jesus chose to go to the mountain top and experience the Transformation.
2. The Swiss Guards have been serving the Pope for over 500 years, beginning in 1506.
3. St. Joseph of Arimathea is the patron saint of undertakers. _________________________________________________________
Here is this week’s quiz. Who will be the book winner?
1. Who is responsible for electing the new Pope?
2. What was the period of the Crusades?
3. 
Who wrote, “All the efforts of the human mind cannot exhaust the essence of a single fly”?
Send your answers to joyfulcatholic@comcast.net
News Flashes
Catholic World News reported that in the seven years since the Iraq War was launched, 2,000 Christians have been murdered and 600,000 have fled Iraq. (Fellow Americans, don’t forget who initiated this war.)
The ultra-conservative Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz in Lincoln, Nebraska, celebrated his 75th birthday. He has done a splendid job in recruiting new seminarians, but in regard to the role of women in the church, he is as old-fashioned as knickers. He is the only bishop in the US to insist on having only male servers at Mass. Two generations from now, the old fellow will be spinning in his grave when we finally have female deacons.
George Neumayr, editor of The Catholic Report, wrote “The Church should 
fight back not by defending the indefensible or hatching some contrived PR campaign, but by restoring holiness and orthodoxy to the priesthood, which is the one authentic reform that these self-appointed reformers of the Church most fear.” (comment: to this, I say “Amen!”) – The May Atlantic has a full-page ad by The Teaching Company for recordings on “Explore the History of Buddhism.” Wouldn’t it be great is they had one for “Explore the Roman Catholic Church.”
How Long, Oh, Lord, How Long?
How Long, Oh, Lord, How Long?
Joyful quote- “No matter what activity you are engaged in, perform it with awareness and joy”
I realize the Church moves slowly and cautiously, but how long it is going to take it to correct some of the goofs of Vatican II? Two generations have passed and the Church has its head in the sand regarding very serious problems created by Vatican II.
Through the centuries, the Mass was developed as a fitting vehicle for the deserved reverence and awe of the holy sacrament of the Eucharist. The guts of Catholicism can be summed up in three words: God became Man The Mass service in which the reenactment of this event and of parishioners physically receiving Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, was one of deep reverence with a sense of awe at what was taking place. The Eucharist and the act of Communion have limitless spiritual depth — an ocean in which man with his limited human mind can only wade. But wade he should!.
During Vatican II, the key players used six Protestant leaders to advise them on means of modernizing and popularizing the Mass. Unfortunately, they heeded their suggestions, and the baby went out with the wash. It was decided that superimposed music should be the most prominent factor in a busy Mass. Parishioners would be requested to sing more than a dozen times during an hour-long service, when every minute would be filled with sound or activity. Silence and meditation were eliminated. Music would be written for the “Our Father” and the Gloria would be modified into a zippy song. One music director suggested re-writing the Apostle’s Creed into folk music. To water down the awesome fact that the Church members were to receive the Body of Christ, they were asked to sing before and after receiving Communion, without a moment to realize the awesomeness of what was taking place. The solemnity and mystique of the Mass were to be a thing of the past as the Church Fathers attempted to bring the Mass to the people 
rather than bringing the people to the Mass. This misguided act was like painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa.
As a awake-up call, every clergyman (from bishops on down) should sit in
the back of a church and observe what now takes place during a busy Mass.
He would find that during this sing-a-long service, only one out of twenty parishioners is singing. So, the hymns are a distracting solo performance. After forty years of trying to get Catholic to blast out hymns like the Protestants do, accept the fact that it ain’t going to happen.
While sitting in the rear of the church, the clergy-person would also observe the ho-hum attitude of the parishioners going up to received Communion. Monkey see and monkey do. With rare exception, each follows another in a disciplined manner to proceed to the front of the church to accept the wafer. Why not? It’s a free entitlement and is included in the package of attending Mass.
It would be an eye-opener if the observing clergy-person would ask parishioners what is to take place when they receive Communion. A minute number would reply, “I am going to take part in one of the most important acts of my life. Christ, who is both God and Man, has become the bread and wine. When I receive Communion, God is actually becoming one with me.” Instead, because of the current watered-down concept of Communion, 92% of parishioners could reply that receiving Communion is like swallowing a spiritual vitamin pill. Why not take it — it can’t hurt and it might help.
With these findings, the observing clergy-person might ask himself, “Could Vatican II changes in the Mass have caused the fact that today one out of ten Americans are now former Catholics? Is it possible that the modernized Mass is a factor for the Church now being in crisis?” Only by first acknowledging facts with self-scrutiny can our religious leaders consider and take corrective action.
Pray that they do!
Current News
Big deal! The Liberty Counsel, a conservative Christian group, has told its members that it is OK for them to pray for President Obama. Personally, I think it is the obligation for every American to pray each day for our President of the United States. For eight long, long, long years, each morning I even prayed for George W. Bush.
Recommended Reading
For an inspiring account of a modern day saint, read “A Life Freely Given” on page 22 in the October 5th issue of America
Quiz Time
The winner is Inez Thomson, Bronx, NY, who chimed in at 8:41AM on October 18.
1. The states with the highest number of church goers are Georgia and Mississippi. (Being a Southerner, I’m proud of this!)
And the states with the smallest number of church goers are New Hampshire and Vermont.
2. The European political leader who didn’t follow his grandmother’s advice of “Do whatever you want, but don’t marry a Catholic” is
Tony Blair.
3. There are over 10,000 saints, with 1,500 in the waiting room (and that doesn’t, but should, include 72% of you Joyful Catholic blog readers)
Chuckle Time
One morning, Father O’Reilly, an Irish priest recently assigned to the parish is a small Texas town, called the sheriff’s office to report there was a dead donkey on the church lawn. When he answered, the sheriff chuckled and said, “Well, you Catholics should know what to do. Just give the poor critter the last rite.”
“That I have done,” Father O’Reilly said, “and my second chore is to notify the next of kin.”
My favorite priest
For this issue, as there has been no submission for one’s favorite priest, I want to present one of my favorite Catholic laypersons. He is Joe Difato, publisher of The Word Among Us, which for a decade has been one of my morning readings, and I strongly recommend this monthly publication.
After many years of observing business and non-profit organizations, I found that greatness doesn’t seep upward. Every outstanding operation has an outstanding person at the head. Joe Difato proves this is true. Being one who has had his faith tested by personal tragedy, he is an admirable Catholic. Today, he and his splendid editorial staff are making a strong impact on the future of our Church. In addition to their many subscribers who benefit from The Word Among Us, his organization makes this publication available each month to 48,000 prisoners and 15,500 military persons. You can contribute to help finance this splendid action via joe@wau.org.
Thank you, Joe, for being such an outstanding example of a joyful Catholic!
Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist priest and author
Love without Provisos
I’m worn out by worries, night and day. Stop. Everything is secondary to God. Give in to reason. God didn’t make me in vain. I am turning my back upon this song. Now when the beloved mind has sung for me these things, I headed home, now laughing at this self-estrangement.
Saint Gregory Nazianzen (died 390)
Love without provisos
Love is love and it comes in many flavors. As joyful Catholics, we know that this broad expanse includes the love of humans for fellow humans, for pets, possessions, geographic location, nationality, religion, etc. “Love” is the only verb Jesus used in his advice to us — to love one another as He loves us, and to love God. He didn’t add a “however” for those whom some might consider not qualified. What instruction could be clearer?
With the Church in crisis, I’m getting tired of the flurry about same sex marriage. Why should we spend so much time fighting pro-and-con about this? I can name five other national problems of extreme importance that better merit our concern. Is there a need for national dispute about legalizing a lifetime loving relationship between two people of the same sex?
No one is protesting the deteriorating importance of marriage between a woman and a man, yet 50% of marriages today end in divorce. If we want to raise a rumpus about social behavior, let’s do something about our annual record of 30,000 abused children and even greater number of battered spouses.
Love in any form should be encouraged. This includes love of husband and wife, parents and offspring, young and old, rich and poor, resident and alien, those of different religions and the intimate relationship between persons of the same sex. If one loves a person of the same sex, it is understandable for one to want legal and financial protection for the person he or she loves. The hurdle they face in achieving these goals is the word “marriage.”
We can solve the problem by changing our laws to have “Confirmed Relationship” be given the same legal rights as “Marriage.” Then, by means of this innovative law, lovers of the same sex could have their relationship legalized and each receive the same social and legal benefits as if they were “married.” After executing a legal Confirmed Relationship document, same-sex couples could celebrate their togetherness with a Confirmed Relationship celebration. Let’s restrict “marriage” for a male and a female, and “confirmed relationship” for two of the same sex. And hopefully we’ll all live peacefully from then on.
(And what are your thoughts?)
Admired saying
Hans Urs van Balthasar, the Swiss theologian writes, “Christianity is a joyful message. Its essential note must therefore incontestably be joy. Christian joy retains such a particular burning, devouring element.”
Recommended reading
Via the New Advent blog and YouTube, enjoy Father Barron’s talk on “The danger of turning religion into a toy.” He’s an effective spokesman for our Church. I like him.
Joyful Catholic Quiz
(The first to send the right answers will receive a gift copy of
Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics)
1. In a 2006 Gallup survey, which states had the highest and the lowest number of church goers?
2. Who the European political leader who didn’t follow his grandmother’s advice of “Do whatever you want, but don’t marry a Catholic”?
3. Which is correct? Our number of saints are:
(a) over 1,000
(b) over 5,000
(c) over 10,000
Chuckle time
Nine-year-old Michael wrote about angels:
“It’s not easy to become an angel. First, you die. Then you go to Heaven, and then there’s flight training to go through. And then you got to agree to wear those angel clothes.
My Favorite Priest
(Submit your recommendation for your favorite priest by clicking here)
Busy Work!
Just because I am God’s own, totally unique, God’s very own possession, what else can I do but sing of God’s goodness. My whole being sings
Sr. Charleen Hug, S.N.D
(She teaches theology at Notre Dame Academy in Toledo, OH)
Busy Work
With the Church in crisis, I was puzzled by our bishops devoting so much time and effort to change words in the Mass. They remind me of two of my women relatives. The first was my Mississippi great-grand-mother who raised prize chickens. Back in the early 1900s, house parties were popular social events in the South. One would invite four or five couple to come for a 
several day visit, when they would be constantly entertained with fancy dinners, parties, dances, picnics and games. My mother told me that the few days before she had a house party, the place was in constant turmoil with the family and servants preparing food, getting the house in order and planning for every hour of the event. During this time, her grandmother would devote her time to cleaning out her chicken house.
The other person was my splendid Spanish mother-in-law. Whenever she observed someone doing something which she thought was not of importance, she would say, “Ah, they must not have much to do.”
One aspect of the bishops’ changes puzzles me. At the beginning of the Mass, the priest faces the congregation and offers his blessing: “The Lord be with you.” When he says “you”, I assume he is blessing each body and spirit. We used to answer, “And also with you.”
But now, in reply, we are to say only “And with your spirit.” What gives? Why shouldn’t we also want a blessing on the priest’s physical being?
One reason they made this change might have been because of an event which happened one day at the beginning of a Mass when the priest was having trouble with his microphone. At the start of the service he was fumbling with his mike speaker attached to his robe, and the sound came on just as the priest said to the deacon, “There is something wrong with this mike,” and the congregation said with one voice, “And also with you.”
Admired sayings
“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.”
Henry James
Shame on me
(A letter to me from Rita S., in Portland, Oregon)
“Armiger, I read your book, Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics, and if I were the Pope, I would excommunicate you!”
Returned serve
(I wrote back)
“Dear Rita, I thank you for your frank comment about my book, and I thank God that you aren’t the Pope.”
Current news
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum is considering a run for the presidency in 2012. (God, please save America)
Recommended reading
If have an interest in teenagers, don’t miss the article, “Faulty Guidance”, by Father William J. O’Malley, S.J. in the September 14-21 issue of America magazine. It’s an excellent no-holds-barred article.
Also, check out the “Pray” article by Zev Chafets in the magazine section of the Sunday New York Times on September 20. In discussing how we Catholic pray, there is an interesting interview with Sister Janet Ruffing, director of Fordham’s program on spiritual direction.
Joyful Catholic Quiz
(Answers to last week’s quiz)
The winner of the gift copy of Light Reading for Good and Wayward 
Catholics is Jacob Rodriguez in Chicago in New Orleans who logged in at 8:27 AM on September 23.
1. Because of the stain on her garment, St. Veronica is the saint patroness of laundresses
2. Papal Elections take place in the Sistine Chapel.
3. The first USA bishop was John Carroll, Archbishop of Baltimore, consecrated on August 25, 1790.
Chuckle time
From the book, How to Become a Bishop without Being Religious, by Charles Merrill Smith
“Two requirements to be a bishop: gray hair and hemorrhoids to give you that sorrowful look.”
My Favorite Priest
Rev. Andrew Gries, O.C.S.O.
While visiting at Carroll Manor, a nursing home in Washington, DC, I met Father Andrew Griest, a wonderful Trappist monk whose life has been dedicated to prayer and silence. While confined in this facility for the rest of his life, he continues his priestly mission by attending daily Mass in the chapel and sharing his time with fellow Trappist patients, Father Edmund and Brother James. He welcomes, listens and counsels both Catholics and non-Catholics who come to him for advice. He is a true priest—a good representative of God. I look forward to each visit with him and always leave peaceful and happy.
Submitted by Margaret Headley in Washington, DC
(Click here to submit your recommendation for your favorite priest)
Self-Blindfolded in Paradise
Just because I am God’s own, totally unique, God’s very own possession, what else can I do but sing of God’s goodness. My whole being sings.
Sr. Charleen Hug, S.N.D.
(She teaches theology at Notre Dame Academy in Toleodo, OH)
Self-Blindfolded in Paradise
Last week when I was in Florida, I took an early morning walk. The morning sun felt good on my face. I shook hands with a giant benjamina ficus tree by firmly grasping one of its root stalks, and I sensed the power and strength of this masterpiece of Nature. Further along, I stopped to listen to a mocking bird in a large hibiscus tree with yellow bell-shaped flowers. For my benefit, the bird sang every song it has ever heard — non stop.
When I passed a six-foot gardenia bush covered with white flowers that perfumed the area, I snapped off a flower to put in my buttonhole. In all directions, there was lush green vegetation and shrubbery with bright red and orange flowers. I thought that the word which best described the place was “paradise.”
Then I saw a man walking forward me, with a dog on a leash and a cell phone held against his ear. As we passed, he didn’t see me. I startled him when I said, “Good morning!”
He gave me a quick nod and pressed the phone closer to his face.
“Communication’s a great thing,” I said.
“You betcha,” he muttered as he passed on his way.
As have millions of his compatriots, the poor fellow walking the dog is a victim of the Age of Distraction, which has been successfully nurtured by mobile technology. iPods, Walkmans, cell phones and the yet-to-be-invented audio-communication tools entice us to be blind to that which is within our field of vision. It is difficult to be a joyful Catholic when you are not aware of nearby people and things in which you should have interest.
It is good to test ourselves occasionally to be sure we haven’t let modern hearing and speaking devices prevent us from quiet time. As Father Thomas Massard, S. J., wrote in a recent American magazine, “If technology is rendering this sort of deliberate oblivion more likely, then let’s unplug and make a choice for immediacy.”
I think it’s important to be available and receptive to hear the Voice which needs no device to reach our ears.
(And what are your thoughts?)
Joyful Catholic Quiz
(The first to send the right answers will receive a gift copy of
Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics)
1. Who were the women who discovered the empty tomb of Christ on Easter morning?
2 When a new Pope is elected, what is the color of the smoke that arises from the Vatican chimney?
3. Who was St. Monica’s famous son?
Chuckle time
(Church Bulletin) Now that we have a second baptism fount at the North Entrance of the church, babies can now be baptized at both ends.
My favorite priest
Don’t forget to submit your recommendation for your favorite priest above.
Lick the Bottom of Your Cookie !
I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your
joy may be complete.
John 15:11
Lick the Bottom of Your Cookie
When I was a kid, growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the 1930s, every summer evening was a play-out night. Those of us who lived on the beach would run wild playing capture-the-flag, king-of-the-mountain, and hide-and-seek. Then when we were pooped out, one of our mothers would provide us with cookies and lemonade. The standard procedure was to make a grab for the cookies, then sit down and lick the bottom of each cookie.
“Hey!” one would complain, “you got more than I did.”
“Okay, you can have one of mine.”
“No way, not after you’ve licked it.”
All of us Catholics have received the spiritual cookie of faith, standardized by the Catechisms and church dogma. However, as these accepted truths are filtered through one’s experiences, intellect and uniqueness of being, no two people have identical faith. We aren’t robots.
It is good to recognize and appreciate the uniqueness of your Catholicism. Through the years, you have personalized your faith, which should be an endless process. Those with ossified faith are doomed to dangerous complacency. Until our last breath, we should keep increasing our understanding of Catholicism with which we have been blessed — always marveling at its depth of meaning.
It is good to take time-out to examine the uniqueness of your Faith. For example, how do you visualize God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit? Today, tomorrow and in all the tomorrows to follow, be sure your spiritual cookie is well licked — and enjoyed.
(And what are your thoughts?)
Chuckle Time
The senile monsignor attending the farewell dinner for Father Murray heard him say, “The only other time in my life that can surpass my enjoyment tonight was the time I lay in the arms of another man’s wife.” Then the shocked group laughed when he added, “Of course, I am referring to my mother.”
The next year when the monsignor was leaving for a retirement community and he was being honored at a dinner, he remembered Father Murray successful story. He stunned everyone when he repeated that his greatest joy had been lying in the arms of another man’s wife. Then, with a broad smile, he said, “Of course, I am referring to Father Murray’s mother.”
My favorite priest
Even in his years of retirement, Father Joseph Marini, in Oakland, California, retains his spiritual zest which is an inspiration for everyone.
In spite of his limited walking, he makes regular visits to local nursing homes. He is a salesman of joy!
Frank Cerillo,
Monroe Township, NJ
(Submit your recommendation for your favorite priest)
Why this blog?
Consider the strong emphasis Paul places on joyful living.
He makes it clear that he himself valued joy as a desirable
and attainable human experience. By one count he employed
the words “joy” and “rejoice” sixteen times in his Letter to
the Philippians.
Msg. James Turro (2009)
The purpose of The Joyful Catholic is to remind us to enjoy our Faith and, by example, to invite others to the feast.
During WWII when I was flying bombing missions in the Mediterranean area, every time I switched from one squadron to another, I made friends with Catholics, not knowing they were Catholic. This puzzled me. Also Joe Marini, my co-pilot, who became as close as a brother, was Catholic. None of them every talked to me about their religion. (Joe is now a retired priest in Oakland, CA)
After the war, it was tough returning to bland civilian life. Working in downtown Washington, D.C., I frequently would retreat into St. Matthews Cathedral where it was dark and quiet. If I happened to be there when a Mass took place, I tried to follow in the Missal by brushing up on my high school Latin. Gradually, I realized that the Eucharist was the guts of Catholicism. I wanted to receive the Sacred Host.
After a 2AM revelation, I rammed my way into the Church and was baptized before noon, knowing only the Apostles Creed. Sixty years later I am still learning.
When I revisit my conversion, I realize that doctrine and knowledge of the Church played a minor role. The magnet was the example of Catholic friends.
In my Next in Line Clubs, which encourage the writing of autobiographies, I emphasize the importance of “show, don’t tell.”
The same advice applies to each of us Catholics in our daily lives. By what we say and do, we show to the world that we are blessed to be Catholic. By exuding joy, we are attractive advertisements for the Church. Each day, we should state with conviction, “I am a joyful Catholic,” and marvel at its effectiveness. Let us work to develop a joyful Catholic Community. It can be done!
(And what are your thoughts?)
Chuckle time
The irate father grabbed his rambunctious kid during Mass and took him out of the church. As they reached the door, the kid shouted back to the congregation, “Pray for me! Pray for me!”
My favorite priest
For many years, by his kindness and devotion to the Mass, Monsignor W. Louis Quinn at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Bethesda, Maryland, has been a constant inspiration to me. He radiates goodness!
Armiger Jagoe
Why I wrote Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholic.
I wrote Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholic to to express a few things which concern me about Catholicism. The overall theme of the book is to remind us Catholics to enjoy our religion. I have little admiration for my solemn fellow church-goers who have a “I’m holier than thou” look on their faces. I worry about the lack of community within the Church. For example, 94% of church attendees demonstrate they think each person is private islands with a “Keep Off!” sign on the beach. I have special concern about the watering down of the value of the Eucharist Sacrament. Once a very solemn and respected part of the Mass, it is now treated as a side dish, included at no cost in the Mass agenda.
Welcome
Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholic
The Purpose of the Joyful Catholic is to remind us each day to enjoy our faith and invite others to the feast.
