Category Archives: Ecclesiology

The Maternity of the Church – World Day of the Sick

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Deacon Bob

From the homily today of the Holy Father on the World Day of the Sick, my translation of his Italian original: “The maternity of the Church is reflected in the caring love of God, of which the prophet Isaiah speaks: … Continue reading →

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Byzantine Catholic Convert

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Thanks to Deacon Greg Kandra at his blog (www.blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsbench) I ran across this interesting article in the Catholic Anchor, the newspaper for the diocese of Anchorage, Alaska on the conversion of a Lutheran minister to the Byzantine rite of the Catholic … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Ecclesiology | 2 Comments

Memorial of St. Clement of Rome, Pope

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Today is the memorial of St. Clement of Rome, the third pope after St. Peter.  Little is known about his life and death, except for a wonderful epistle to the Corinthians which he wrote toward the end of the first … Continue reading →

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Papa Luciani on the Family

Posted on November 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Pope John Paul I spoke to the Region VII bishops from the United States during their ad limina visit on September 21, 1978 about the Christian family.  Here is an excerpt: “Let us never grown tired of proclaiming the family … Continue reading →

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In the Church there can be no Right or Left

Posted on November 1, 2009 by Deacon Bob

There is no place in the Church’s teaching for a “right” or “left.” These are creations of our secular political system in the United States and not ecclesial life. To align oneself along these lines is perilous. There are those … Continue reading →

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Encore on Church Unity

Posted on July 12, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I attended a piano concert last night conducted by Ian Shapinsky. He gave three encores. I thought it was a bit much, but then I don’t frequent piano concerts often, so maybe that is the standard for world class pianists. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Saints and Prophets | 1 Comment

Church Unity

Posted on July 6, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I was googling available Catholic parishes in the Chicago area this past weekend to find one close to where I was staying and to determine Mass times.  I found that the parishes in the town where I was located had … Continue reading →

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St. Cyril of Alexandria and the Body of Christ

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Some thoughts on the unity of the Body of Christ, the Church, are given today by St. Cyril of Alexandria.  Good words to ponder when we think of the challenges to Church unity in contemporary society. My translation: “The power … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day – Papa Luciani

Posted on May 1, 2009 by Deacon Bob

(I am taking this quote out of a letter Papa Luciani (John Paul I) wrote to Bishop Hugh Aufderbeck who was the Apostolic Administrator of Erfurt-Meiningen in 1978.  The letter was sent in recognition of the 700th anniversary of the … Continue reading →

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More on Notre Dame, Obama and the Fallout

Posted on April 27, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The Catholic blogs are now reporting that Mary Ann Glendon is declining the prestigious Laetare Medal which Notre Dame was to have been given her at the commencment exercises next month.  She declines, reportedly, because the University invited President Obama … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“For the bonds which unite the faithful are mightier than anything dividing them.  Hence, let there be unity in what is necessary; freedom in what is unsettled, and charity in any case.” –Gaudium et Spes 92. Worth remembering when we … Continue reading →

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Obedience to the Truth — Dynamic Tension

Posted on March 29, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I had a conversation yesterday with a friend. He was concerned about divisions in the Church.  I tend not to think in terms of “divisions”, preferring to frame the issue in terms of holding in dynamic tension diverse practices and … Continue reading →

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Pope Benedict’s Apology

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Deacon Bob

As you may have heard today, Pope Benedict has issued a letter to all the bishops of the world regarding the Williamson issue. You recall, the Pope remitted the excommunications of four illicitly ordained bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1988. … Continue reading →

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A Big Tent Church

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I find it amazing that so many speak of the Catholic Church as narrow-minded or restrictive in its beliefs and practices.  My experience of the Church is so much the opposite.  Catholicism is a Big Tent Church. I have had direct … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day — Gaudium et Spes

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Fortiora enim sunt ea quibus uniuntur fideles quam ea quibus dividuntur: sit in necessariis unitas,  in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas.” Gaudium et Spes (GS) 92 For us who don’t read Latin well, here is the English for our meditation: … Continue reading →

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