Minnesota Marriage Minute: What Massachusetts’ Experience Teaches Us

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Here is another Minnesota Marriage Minute video, explaining the necessity of passing the Marriage Protection Amendment on the Minnesota ballot in November. This video speaks of the changes that have occurred in Massachusetts since they legalized same-sex unions. You might be surprised at what you learn.

I might add that I read yesterday that a large majority of voters in this state support this amendment, according to a recent poll. Let us all get out and vote “YES” on the ballot. Remember, leaving the question blank counts as a “No” vote, so mark the ballot, please!

Posted in Marriage and Family, Politics | Comments Off on Minnesota Marriage Minute: What Massachusetts’ Experience Teaches Us

The Daughters of St. Paul

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Deacon Bob

One of the unexpected surprises during my time at the Courage Conference at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland this past weekend was a delightful conversation with three Daughters of St. Paul sisters over lunch. They were helping out with the audio and visual needs of the conference, and they had a splendid book and DVD display in the commons area of the auditorium.

I was struck by their friendliness, joy, confidence and faith during my conversation with them. They didn’t know me, except as a deacon, but the conversed with ease and eagerly shared with me the history of their congregation, and the story of their founder, Fr. James Alberione from Italy.

Log on to www.daughtersofstpaul.com  to view their website. Take a look. It is a treat.

Fr. Alberione was born on April 4, 1888 and died on November 26, 1971.  On June 25, 1996, Pope John Paul II signed a decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Alberione. Here is what the Vatican’s website says about him, in part:

Fr. James Alberione, Founder of the Pauline Family, was one of the most creative apostles of the 20th century. He was born in San Lorenzo di Fossano (Cuneo), Italy, on 4 April 1884 and baptized the following day. The profoundly Christian and hard-working Alberione family, made up of Michael and Teresa Allocco and their six children, were farmers.

Little James, the fourth child of the family, felt the call of God early in life. When questioned by his first-grade teacher as to what he wanted to be when he grew up, he replied, “I want to be a priest!”. His childhood years were directed to this goal.

He came to understand that the Lord was guiding him toward a new mission: to preach the Gospel to all peoples, in the spirit of the Apostle Paul, using the modern instruments of communication. This is confirmed by two books he wrote: Notes on Pastoral Theology (1912) and Woman Associated to Priestly Zeal (1911-1915).

For the sake of charism and continuity, such a mission needed to be carried out by consecrated persons because “the works of God are performed by men and women of God.” Thus, on 20 August 1914, while Pope Pius X lay dying in Rome, Fr. Alberione initiated the Pauline Family in Alba by founding the Pious Society of St. Paul. The Institute was born in utter poverty, according to the divine pedagogy: “always begin from Bethlehem.”

The human family—to which Fr. Alberione turned for inspiration—is made up of brothers and sisters. The first woman to follow Fr. Alberione was 21-year-old Teresa Merlo from Castagnito (Cuneo). With her help, Fr. Alberione began a second Congregation in 1915: the Daughters of St. Paul. Slowly the “Family” grew, both masculine and feminine vocations increased, and the apostolate began to take shape.

In December 1918, his first “daughters” left for Susa, where the work they initiated forms part of the courageous story of faith and enterprise that gave rise to what came to be called the “Pauline” lifestyle. But progress came to an abrupt halt in 1923 when Fr. Alberione fell gravely ill and the doctors despaired of his recovery. However the Founder was able to miraculously resume his journey, later saying, “St. Paul healed me.” During that period, the words Fr. Alberione had received in a dream or revelation from the Divine Master were first inscribed on the walls of the Family’s chapels: “Do not be afraid. I am with you. From here I want to enlighten. Be sorry for sin.”

The following year, a second feminine Congregation came into being: the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, whose members would carry out the Eucharistic, priestly and liturgical apostolate. To guide this Institute, Fr. Alberione chose the young Sr. M. Scholastica Rivata, who died at the age of 90 in a state of holiness.

In October 1938, Fr. Alberione founded a third feminine Congregation: the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd or “Pastorelle Sisters,” to assist parish priests in their work.

From 1962-1965, Fr. Alberione was a silent but attentive protagonist in Vatican Council II, attending its sessions daily. But at the same time troubles and sufferings were not lacking: the premature deaths of his first collaborators, Timothy Giaccardo and Thecla Merlo; worry for the Pauline communities abroad that were going through difficulties and, on the personal level, an excruciatingly painful condition of scoliosis that tormented him day and night.

Fr. Alberione lived to the age of 87. Having completed the work God had entrusted to him, he left this earth on 26 November 1971 to take his place in the house of the Father. In his last hours, he was comforted by the visit and blessing of Pope Paul VI, who had never hidden his admiration and veneration for the Founder.

 
Posted in Church News, General Interest | Comments Off on The Daughters of St. Paul

Quote for the Day

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Deacon Bob

“The word of God is a light to the mind and fire to the will. It enables man to know God and to love Him.” — St. Lawrence of Brindisi, OFM Cap.

Posted in Saints and Prophets, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Almost Home…..

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Deacon Bob

After only three hours of sleep, driving an hour and a half at 3:30 AM, catching two flights and one to go, I am almost home.

The Courage conference was well attended, and I was able to listen to and speak with some national leaders, scholars and clergy in this ministry of the Church. All in all, it was four days well-spent. I am sure I will be posting more on Courage in the future. Right now, though, I’m looking forward to a little rest.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Almost Home…..

Courage, my sons and daughters!

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I haven’t had a spare moment to blog since Wednesday because I am attending the annual Courage conference at Mt. St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In case you are unaware, Courage is the Church’s ministry to men and women with same-sex attractions. Bishop Quinn has wanted a chapter started in our diocese, and my presence here is a part of that effort.

Many men and women with same-sex attractions strive to live faithfully the Church’s teachings on the nature of human sexuality. Courage is the Church’s response to their need for support and acceptance.

More to follow.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A Man Forgives His Wife and Daughter’s Murderer

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Deacon Bob

View this video from the Catholic News Agency and see what forgiveness is all about.

http://youtu.be/dh6S1dSlViE

Posted in General Interest | 1 Comment

Minnesota Marriage Minute: What the Children May Face

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Here is another video that speaks of the issues our children may face if marriage is redefined in Minnesota.

Please view, be informed, and then vote “yes” on the Marriage Protection Amendment on November’s ballot in Minnesota. Remember, not voting on the amendment counts as a “no” vote.

Posted in Marriage and Family, Politics | 1 Comment

Quote for the Day

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Deacon Bob

“I speak to God in a familiar way, like a son to his father. I speak in prayers and aspirations. I make known to him with childlike confidence everything that weighs on my soul.” – St. Conrad of Parzham, OFM Cap.

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Avoiding Idolatry by Giving to God All Our Thoughts

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Deacon Bob

As I mentioned a couple of days ago in my post on praying unceasingly, I have been re-reading some of Fr. Henri Nouwen’s thoughts about prayer, especially his ideas about idolatry and its prevalence in our lives. Interesting that I seem drawn to thinking of this, because much of our first readings at Mass in recent weeks have to do with idolatry in the classic sense of the word, i.e., the public worship of false gods, such as Baal in the northern kingdom of Israel during the time of Amos, Hosea and other prophets.

Nouwen, though, stretches our understanding of how prevalent this particular sin is in contemporary society. While it is true more and more people are turning to “New Age” religions (which are actually a renovation of ages-old paganism) or resorting to Buddhism or animism, what is far more prevalent to so many more of us is an insidious practice of idolatry in the form of withholding from God parts of our own experience.

Nouwen speaks at some length about how we are very much afraid to be “naked” in the sight of God in that we do not want to give God all our thoughts, imaginings, fantasies and inner impulses. He speaks of how we want to hide these from his view in shame and in doing so removing these aspects of who we are from his lordship. This anxiety, shame and shielding/covering are, in effect, idolatry for we then begin to erect little “altars” to these forbidden experiences and give them a lot of attention and energy. They become for us little gods that rule over us.

This form of idolatry can only be overcome, Nouwen seems to say, by exposing ourselves with these very thoughts, images, imaginings, fantasies and impulses to the love of God. By giving them to the light of Christ, in prayer – by holding none of them back from Jesus – we become obedient to the one God of all. We give God lordship of our entire lives and in effect, we pray unceasingly.

Isn’t this true? This is at the heart of conversion and metanoia. It is at the heart of repentance. It is the core of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is the experience of the mystics and contemplatives in our Christian tradition.

Avoid idolatry by giving all to God – yes, even our darkest thoughts and images and inclinations. Give them all to God. Every recovering alcoholic knows the power in this. Every saint knows its necessity. Satan and his legions fear it for he knows that it is in shame that he finds his power for he is the idolator par excellence.

Let us confidently approach God full of hope and firm in the belief that he draws us to himself to renew all of us, even the dark places, even those embarrassing thoughts that we would so often want to keep hidden.

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Avoiding Idolatry by Giving to God All Our Thoughts

Catholic Social Doctrine: The Renewal of Social Relations

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Deacon Bob

God, in Christ, not only redeems each of us individually, but he also redeems social relations between individuals. The Church community, gathered together in Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, is the catalyst for the transformation of social relationships.

This social transformation is a task entrusted to the Christian community which is to develop it and practice it through continual reflection on the Gospel. This reflection is necessary, for the redemption of society in Christ is not a static, once and for all time event. Christians seek dialogue with all people of good will in the common quest for truth and human freedom. This dynamic dialogue must be firmly rooted in the unchangeable principles of natural law, inscribed by God in the heart of all.

The fundamental law of human and social perfection is the law of love. It is the ultimate  measure and rule of every human relations. It is the mystery of God himself. The law of love is our authentic purpose both historical and transcendent. Therefore, “earthly progress must be carefully distinguished from the growth of Christ’s kingdom. Nevertheless, to the extent that the former can contribute to the better ordering of human society, it is of vital concern to the kingdom of God.” Gaudium et Spes, 39.

For a more detailed discussion of this topic, refer to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, nos. 52-55

Posted in Social Doctrine of the Church | Comments Off on Catholic Social Doctrine: The Renewal of Social Relations

Catholic Social Doctrine: The Autonomy of Earthly Realities

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Catholic Social Doctrine teaches that:

 “the more that human realities are seen in the light of God’s plan and lived in communion with God, the more they are empowered and liberated in their distinctive identity and in the freedom that is proper to them.” Comp. of the Social Doctrine of the Church (CSD) #45

This teaching leads us to a correct approach to earthly realities and their autonomy.

The Second Vatican Council in Gaudium et Spes (GS) emphasized this autonomy. The council fathers said, in part,

“If by the autonomy of earthly affairs we mean that created things and societies themselves enjoy their own laws and values which must be gradually deciphered, put to use and regulated by men, then it is entirely right to demand that autonomy. This….. harmonizes also with the will of the Creator. For by the very circumstance of their having been created, all things are endowed with their own stability, truth, goodness, proper laws and order. Man must respect these….” GS 36

There is no conflict between God and man but rather a relationship of love and mutual giving. The fruits of man’s activity in the world are objects of a gift to God and to His children. The rightful autonomy of creation as defined above never stands in opposition to, or contradiction of, God’s love and creative will. It stands as an autonomous gift, in which God has revealed Himself.

The human person transcends the limits of creation and its autonomy, because his end is God himself. Man is alienated if he does not transcend himself and fails to give himself to God to whom he is oriented. Society is alienated from itself if its social organization and economy make it difficult for man to offer himself in this way both to God and to his fellow human beings.

Earthly realities have their own autonomy, but as created realities they are both provisional and relative. There is what is called an eschatological relativity, in the sense that man and the world are moving towards their end, which is fulfillment of their destinies in God. There is also a theological relativity insofar as the gift of God is infinitely greater than human possibilities and expectations. Thus, any totalitarian vision of the State, and any purely intra-worldly ideology of progress are contrary to the truth of the human person and to God’s plan in history.

Why is all of this so important? One reason that makes sense to us all is this teaching warns against two extreme forms of social and political structure: Atheistic socialism/communism on one hand, and theocracies on the other.

For a more detailed discussion of this topic, refer to The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, nos. 45-48

Posted in Social Doctrine of the Church | Comments Off on Catholic Social Doctrine: The Autonomy of Earthly Realities

Minnesota Marriage Minute – Attention Professionals in Minnesota!

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Doctors, psychologists, social workers and others who object to same-sex marriage may face loss of license, lawsuits and potential loss of ability to make a living if marriage is redefined in Minnesota.

The following video describes why.

Posted in Marriage and Family, Politics | Comments Off on Minnesota Marriage Minute – Attention Professionals in Minnesota!

Quote for the Day

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Deacon Bob

“In the intimacy of my soul I feel contented because it desires nothing but the will of God.” — St. Veronica Giuliani OSC

Posted in Saints and Prophets, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Deacon Bob’s Homily: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Here is the audio of my homily this weekend.

14th Sunday of Ordinary TIme – Cycle B

Here is the text:

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B

Ez 2: 2-5; 2 Cor 12: 7-10; Mk 6: 1-6a

July 7/8, 2012

 I love the Church.  I love its richness and the beauty of the sacraments. I love its catholicity, in other words its inclusiveness of so many people, cultures and languages. I love its art and architecture. I love its traditions. I love its reverence for the dignity of each human life. I love its outreach to the poor, to the unborn, to the sick and the aged. I love its veneration of the Blessed Mother and the saints.  I love all these things about the Church. It has been a part of my family’s heritage for generations.

 But there is an even more important reason why I love the Church. I love her because it is in her that I have met Jesus Christ.

Now, I know you are probably thinking, “Deacon Bob! That is a little over the top, isn’t it? Of course you would say that, being a deacon and all.”

 Well, I am not just saying it because I am a deacon. I am saying it because it is true. In a very real way, I have met Jesus in the Church. I cannot deny this anymore than I can deny my own name or who I am or my own origins.

 Once you have encountered Jesus, you can no longer deny he is alive in the Church. To meet Jesus is to be changed permanently. That is why the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy orders leave what we call an indelible mark on our souls. It’s a way of saying that once Jesus grabs on to you, he doesn’t let go.

 The Church, my friends, is the Mystical Body of Christ. Jesus lives, breathes and works in and through the Church.

 “But Deacon Bob, what about all the sin in the Church? What about all the politics, the scandals, our loss of trust in the bishops and priests because of the hurt done to our children?”

 Yes we, the People of God have taken it on the chin in a lot of ways in recent years: Sexual abuse of minors, bad press, scandals, and the sudden fall of several prominent and famous priests. I too am angered by it. I too am a father! As the Scriptures say, “Better for a millstone to be tied to his neck and he be cast into the sea than for him to harm even one of the children.”

 Each and every defect is made known in today’s world. I am not saying that is bad. It does help hold responsible those guilty of hurting the weak and vulnerable, those who break their sacred trust. But I also think Satan can use it to his advantage,

 When Satan strikes the shepherds of the flock, causing them to fall into disgrace and sin, then he is able to scatter the flock. If he can cast doubt into our minds about the truth of the Church, he wins.

 His victory, though, will be short-lived!

 The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, and because Jesus continues to live in the Church, it can be said that the Church is both holy and perfect. The Church is also the People of God, as the Second Vatican Council said, and so it can also be said that it is a Church of sinners who are flawed and weak and in constant need of God’s healing and grace.

 Jesus is perfectly human and perfectly divine, but his disciples and apostles whom he left behind as his Church were terribly flawed men and women. Sinful men and women who have met Jesus and have known him, men and women sent  by God to carry on his work until he returns in glory.

Have you ever thought, though, that this may be the a reason why we should listen and find the Catholic Church credible, believable?

 Weak and frail men are often the true bearers of the Gospel, not those who make themselves out to be strong and faultless.

 We heard in the Gospel today that Jesus was not accepted in his native place because of their lack of faith. The people didn’t think he was perfect enough to listen to him.

 We heard in the second reading that St. Paul, the great prophet and evangelizer, was beset by habitual sin (a thorn in his side) and ongoing weakness.

 Maybe we should beware of those prophets who seem too popular, too successful, too glamorous or perfect. If they don’t have a “thorn in their side,” maybe we shouldn’t listen too closely.

 The ones to whom we should probably listen to are the blemished ones, the ones that seem flawed and human, ordinary, humble and familiar. You know, the ones in your native place.

 Perhaps that is why we should find the Catholic Church believable; not because it is humanly perfect, but because it is not on a human plane.

 Let us not allow the behavior, the sins or even the crimes of some to blind us to the truth of the Church and of the message of the Gospel which is preached throughout the world by the Catholic Church! Let us not allow the sins of our fathers to cast doubt into our minds about the Truth of God’s love revealed to us by Jesus through the ministry of the Church!

 Yes, my friends, love the Church. Love its richness and beauty. Love its inclusiveness and catholicity. You will find in her find sinners and saints, law abiding citizens and criminals, the healthy and the sick, the old and the young. The Church is your family. It is the People of God who long to see His face.

 In the Church you meet Jesus and you will be changed forever.

Posted in homilies | 1 Comment

Papa Luciani is One Step Closer

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I was delighted to read in the Italian newspaper, Il Corriere Alpi that the cause of Pope John Paul I’s beatification and hopefully canonization is one step closer to fruition. According to the article, on October 17 this year, the official positio will be submitted the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. John Paul I is now called a Servant of God and if this petition is accepted after a lengthy examination and the recognition of a miracle attributed to Luciani’s intercession, he will be among the Blessed.

Here is my translation of a portion of the article. The original can be read in Italian at 

http://corrierealpi.gelocal.it/cronaca/2012/06/30/news/papa-luciani-la-positio-sara-consegnata-in-ottobre-1.5343942

 “On the 17th of October, during the centenary of the birth of Albino Luciani, together with my collaborator Stefania Falasca, I will officially submit to Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of the Saints, the “positio” regarding the “Servant of God” John Paul I.” This announcement was given yesterday to Agordo by Bishop Enrico Dal Covolo, rector of the Pontifical Lateran University and postulator of the cause for the beatification of Pope Luciani…… “The positio, the bishop said, is a dossier consisting of two large red volumes; the first collects the testimonies on the life and virtues of Luciani while the second is centered on the his personal history. In these volumes are found the best testimony of the heroism and virtue of John Paul I and they will be examined on two levels: by the experts of the Congregation and after them, by the members themselves. If the result of this examination, continued Bishop Dal Covolo, is positive, as I am certain it will be, then the Pope will authorize the giving of the title “Venerable” to Luciani. The process will continue therefore with the verification of a miracle, the seal of the iter, which is already going well, through which within a few years your illustrious countryman will rise to the honor of the altar as Blessed.”

I am thrilled that this is occuring! If you have been reading my blog for any time you are aware of my high regard for Papa Luciani and my desire to be able to see the day he is canonized a saint of the Church. I hope too that (only a grace of God will allow this to occur!) that I might be able to be deacon for the beatification of canonization Mass. I know… a tall order. But I served him at the Mass of Installation; I would like to serve him again at the Mass of Beatification.

Pray that the process goes smoothly and rapidly.

Papa Luciani, pray for us!

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I) | Comments Off on Papa Luciani is One Step Closer