The maze craze -- it's not just for Catholics anymore!

You can find a recent debunking of the labyrinth-walking phenomenon here; the piece is from the author of Taking Back the United Methodist Church.

Fresh green beans

One of my fondest recurring boyhood memories of summertime takes place at Nani and Papa's house in Rochester's Irondequoit neighborhood; we would gather for cookouts under canopies provided by the giant elm trees in their backyard. Given that my hometown gets roughly 125" of snow dumped on it from October through April, we came to appreciate the warm weather that arrived with July and August. Papa would fire up the charcoal grill to make lemon chicken, and Nani would pick fresh green beans from her garden. But these weren't just any green beans. They were Roma beans. Like their skinnier American cousins, they grow on a vine and are plentiful with a minimal amount of sun and water. Unlike them, Roma beans are thick, wide, and meaty. Each spring, Papa would run strings for the vines from stakes in the ground to nails just under the roof of the garage. Come July, the first of the beans were ready. Nani would quick-cook them in boiling water and combine the beans with potatoes, olive oil, and Italian spices to make a salad. I tried my hand at growing some this year, but could only find seeds for the "bush" variety, which given my small garden means we haven't had enough beans to do anything but munch on them two or three at a time. Next year, we're sending away for vines.

Nutty Nuns and Mary Magdalene

Last Tuesday, we learned that Louise Akers, SC, and her would-be priestess confederates adopted Mary Magdalene as their mascot. Now, in her latest piece for the Catholic Telegraph of Cincinnati, we find Sister Carol Gaeke, OP, fancifully linking St. Mary of Magdala to the "Women and Spirit" exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center. The exhibit highlights the accomplishments of women religious orders. Here's a sample from Sister Carol's piece:

The many wonderful women religious whose stories are told in this exhibit are like Mary. They are women who sat at the feed of the Lord, listened to Him and then proclaimed what they had heard to the ends of the earth. The exhibit goes from the Atlantic to the Pacific in America, telling the stories of those pioneering religious women who crossed the frontiers to bring the good news to God's people, in response to a mandate from God to "got tell." The work they accomplished along the way is still being carried out today by their followers and those whose lives they have touched.

Mary of Magdala was a woman of great faith, a preacher and a prophet. She spoke for God at the command of Jesus. She was commissioned to teach the doubting, and by the tears she shed was able to lead others to great joy. ...

What about those who question why established religious orders have gone from building schools, orphanages, and hospitals, to promoting Reiki, enneagrams, and women's ordination? They won't get much sympathy from Sister Carol:

Today the best way to discredit someone is to spread untruths. We know it happens in every political campaign. And it is happening to women religious who are seen as not loyal to the church or not faithful to the Gospel because they do not meet some people's criteria of what a women religious should be. The "Women and Spirit" exhibit shows what has been accomplished by women religious and how what we continue to do today is the fulfillment of the spirit and work of our founding mothers. We were not founded to live a specific style of life or wear special clothes but to be faithful believers, carrying out the works of our foundresses, and following the command of Jesus to "come follow me."

FYI, concerns about Sister Louise Akers' scheduled catechist certification course, which is sponsored by the archdiocese and hosted at a local parish, have been registered with the chancery. Stay tuned.

UPDATE, 18 July 2009. You might enjoy the 2006 interview "Meeting the Real Mary Magdalene" that Ignatius Insight conducted with author and blogger Amy Welborn.

AQJH

You will recall that when Rochester's Bishop Clark announced he was closing over half the diocese's parish elementary schools, two local high schools stepped forward with plans immediately to open middle schools: Aquinas Institute, my alma mater, and McQuaid Jesuit. In the just-released July newsletter, Aquinas announces its impressive retention rates:

Our Junior High finished its first year with a great deal of success. 99% of our 7^th graders are returning for 8^th grade and 93% will enter our high school in the fall. Congratulations to the faculty and staff of AQJH! For more information on the program, go to the Junior High website.

Oil change for the soul

A California bishop releases an analogy-filled letter on Confession, urging his flock to take advantage of the "liberating power" of the sacrament:

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Every 3,000 miles or so, we change the oil in our car. There may not be any major problem with our engine. But slowly, over time, minor impurities have been building up. If we leave those impurities unattended, they will eventually result in major and costly problems for our car.

Every once in a while, we move the furniture and vacuum behind our couch. If we don’t get to it one week, it’s no big deal. If we don’t get to it the next week, it’s no big deal. If we fail to move the couch and vacuum behind it for six months, it will be filthy with dust.

Every so often we have to weed our gardens. If we don’t the weeds will take over and the garden disappears.

The sacrament of penance is like an oil change for the soul. It’s like moving the furniture of our souls and getting to the places that escape everyday cleaning. It is like periodically checking the garden of our souls for weeds that hamper our discipleship.

Pope Benedict XVI at his homily at National Stadium on April 17, 2008 spoke to us American Catholics about the Sacrament of Penance: “The liberating power of this sacrament, in which our honest confession of sin is met by God’s merciful words of pardon and peace, needs to be re-discovered and re-appropriated by every Catholic. To a great extent, the renewal of the Church in America, and throughout the world, depends on the renewal of the practice of penance and the growth in holiness which the sacrament both inspires and accomplishes.”

Since the Second Vatican Council and the cultural revolution of the 1960’s, the Sacrament of Penance has experienced a decline. We can list many reasons but I don’t think one of them is that we have stopped sinning! I think in our permissive society we have lost the sense of sin.

The main point of this letter is to encourage all of us, priests and people, to come back to this sacrament. I know there are many people who for many reasons haven’t been to confession for a long time and may not remember how to go, or may not feel comfortable going. Whatever the reason, I invite all to come back home, come back to the Lord.

In his sacramental presence through the priest, Jesus repeats his question to us: “What do you want me to do for you?” When we have unburdened our hearts we will hear him speak again, saying to us “Go in peace, your faith has made you well.”

Assuring you of my prayers, I am
Your Brother and Servant in the Lord,

Most Reverend Daniel F. Walsh
Bishop of Santa Rosa

The eight-year-old naturalist and the six-year-old skeptic

"All food comes from nature, you know."

"No, it doesn't."

"Yes, it does. Try something."

"Blueberries."

"Blueberries are from nature. They grow on plants."

"Cheerios."

"That's nature. It comes from wheat or something like that."

"Skyline."

"Hmmm."

"See."

"Well. It has noodles; those come from plants. And cheese; that comes from milk, which comes from cows. The brown stuff is meat, I think. That's all nature."

"I guess."

Their dignity as baptized persons

Carl Olson over at Insight Scoop runs an excerpt from Cardinal Arinze's book Celebrating the Eucharist about the liturgical roles of priests and the laity. There isn't a lot of new ground here, but it's a well-done summary of the challenges we face in this our most confused area of post-conciliar catechesis. It's been a while since I've read anything by him, and I'd nearly forgotten how ... plain-spoken he can be. Pace the Cardinal's description, I do not believe most extraordinary ministers and those involved in similar roles intend any sort of power grab. In my experience they're victims -- maybe a little willful at times -- of sloppy instruction.

The major challenge is to help the lay faithful appreciate their dignity as baptized persons. On this follows their role at the Eucharistic Sacrifice and other liturgical acts. They are the people of God. They are insiders. Their role as readers of lessons, as leaders of song, and as the people offering with and through the priest is based on Baptism. The high point is when they communicate at the Eucharistic table. This crowns their participation at the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

There should be no attempt to clericalize the laity. This could happen when, for example, lay people chosen as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion no longer see this role as being called on to help when the ordinary ministers (bishop, priest, and deacon) are not available in sufficient numbers to cope with the high number of communicants. When the extraordinary ministers see their role as a power display to show that what the priest can do, the lay faithful can do too, then we have a problem. How else can we explain the sad error of the lay faithful struggling around the altar to open the tabernacle or to grab the sacred vessels -- all against sane liturgical norms and pure good sense?

We have also the opposite mistake of trying to laicize the clergy. When the priest no longer wishes to bless the people with the formula "May Almighty God bless you", but prefers the seemingly democratic wording, "May Almighty God bless us", then we have a confusion of roles. The same thing happens when some priests think they should not concelebrate a Mass but should just participate as lay people in order to show more solidarity with the lay faithful. "In liturgical celebrations", says Sacrosanctum Concilium, "whether as a minister or as one of the faithful, each person should perform his role by doing solely and totally what the nature of things and liturgical norms require of him" (SC 28).

A task always to be attended to is the theological, liturgical, and spiritual formation of extraordinary ministers of the Holy Eucharist, of catechists, of other pastoral agents, and of the lay faithful in general. Often mistakes are due, not to bad will, but to lack of knowledge. It is then that the political models of power sharing and power struggle begin to infiltrate the sanctuary. Members of diocesan and national liturgical commissions are to be thanked and encouraged for all they do to bring in more light and, therefore, more harmony. Chapter 12 ["The Importance of Liturgical Formation"] of this book will go into greater detail on liturgical formation.

Seinfeldian responses?

Is it just me, or after nine days does the Holy Father's new encyclical seem to defy substantive commentary? In a July 15 article for the Catholic Telegraph of Cincinnati, editor Tricia Hempel conducts interviews with local experts. Ms. Hempel is to be commended for letting these folks have their say, and she doesn't pluck soundbites or pull quote material from their responses. Yet despite the obvious goodwill of the interviewees, nobody really says anything. That seems to be the pattern around the country. Unlike the Regensberg Speech, Sacramentum Caritatis, or his first two encyclicals, people appear to be having a difficult time sinking their teeth into this one. The guys from Xavier and the social action office zero-in on the world government and anti-capitalist bits (or at least what they perceive to be the anti-capitalist bits), but you knew they would do that. Two professors from the University of Dayton observe that the Holy Father's words "transcend our political categories," but, again, you can say that about any Church document that touches social issues. Perhaps the most honest assessment comes from Jozef Zalot from the College of Mount St. Joseph:

Zalot said he would have liked to have seen more of a discussion on ways in which abortion and stem cell research and other life issues influence economic development. Pope Benedict “began this discussion in Charity in Truth,’” he explains, “but never really developed it in any comprehensive way. I think there is a lot more he needed to say on this issue.”

Maybe it will take more time to digest the 30,000-word encyclical's contents. And there's also the possibility that the Holy Father covered too much ground, making it more difficult for readers to grasp a unifying theme. To date, it seems to be eliciting mostly Seinfeldian responses.

Personality theory

The hits keep coming.

As if to prove that every New Age and progressive fad has a home on Victory Parkway, Bellarmine Chapel of Cincinnati's Xavier University is offering an "Introduction to the Enneagram" this Friday and Saturday.

For a thorough debunking of the historical and psychological pedigree of this "personality theory," take a look at the transcript of a talk given by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J.

In the footsteps of Mary Magdalene

Earlier this week, I noted that Louise Akers, member of the Sisters of Charity and National Adviser to the Women's Ordination Conference,* will be teaching a catechist certification course sponsored by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and hosted by an East side parish.

At the very least, no one can accuse her of concealing her views:

December 12, 2008

Cardinal William Joseph Levada
Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith
Piazza del S. Uffizio 11
00193 Roma, Italy

Dear Cardinal Levada:

The Vatican's threatened excommunication of Fr. Roy Bourgeois because of his belief in the priestly ordination of women has diminished our Church.

As women religious who love our Church and who have served the People of God for decades, we support our brother Roy. As a Maryknoll priest for 36 years, he has followed the Gospel of Jesus in his ministry for peace and justice by speaking out against the war in Iraq and against the torture of countless human beings, aided and abetted by the U.S. government's School of the Americas. He has been a prophetic voice for thousands in our society.

Roy is now a prophetic voice in our church because of his support for women's equality in all Church ministries. Excommunications depend not on edicts or laws, but on compliance. We do not believe Roy is outside the community and we embrace him wholeheartedly. Like Roy, we know women who testify that they are called to priesthood. We know that Jesus did not discriminate in calling both women and men to ministry. And we know that our church needs the gifts of everyone called.

So we join Fr. Roy Bourgeois and the majority of U.S. Catholics, who believe that women are called to priestly ordination in the Catholic Church. We look forward to the day when Catholic women, following in the footsteps of Mary Magdalene who announced the Resurrection to the male Apostles, will minister as full equals in our church.

Sincerely,

Jean Ackerman, OP

Louise Akers, SC
...

* "Founded in 1975, the Women's Ordination Conference is the oldest and largest national organization in the world that works solely to ordain women as priests, deacons and bishops into an inclusive and accountable Roman Catholic church" (source: WOC website).

Three years from tomorrow

In the first of a promised two-part essay, Anthony Esolen shares his impressions of Catholic life in Canada; it is not a pretty picture, and it will seem familiar to my Rochester readers: feckless bishops, desacralized liturgies, doctrine-free sermons, spare architecture, and dwindling numbers of mostly elderly worshipers. And no priests. Much like Rochester, Canada is running with both hands toward mostly female lay pastoral administrators, an effort he likens to "curing the foot you have been shooting by cutting it clean off." Esolen begins and ends his piece by noting the famous "agreeableness" of the Canadian people. In his view, the Catholics of Canada have conceded, "without a fight, to the spirit of the age," which he contrasts to the combativeness of Catholics south of the border. We may be in trouble, he seems to be saying, but in America the Church has a fighting chance. But in Canada, "unless God works a miracle here, the Church will die." And that is what distinguishes Canada from Rochester: the people of my hometown still have plenty of fight left in them.

Word of the Day: Woe

One of the more destructive innovations of the post-conciliar period is the removal of hell and damnation from mainstream Catholic discourse. In our quest to demonstrate God's love and elevate "Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild," we skipped or skimmed over central themes of Scripture. You can scarcely go more than two pages in the Gospel without Jesus threatening someone with divine punishment. Heck, the Beatitudes themselves close with Jesus threatening to send His listeners to hell no less than four times (Luke 6:20-26)! Yes, yes, I know that talking about this sort of thing "all the time" is a potential turnoff. But we could at least hear it from the lectern (or in the parish basement) once in a while, particularly when it appears in the lectionary.

[20] Then He (Jesus) began to upbraid the cities where most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. [21] "Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [22] But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. [23] And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to Heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. [24] But I tell that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

Why should everyone in the world be Roman Catholic?

"I will give you seven reasons." -- a lecture from Peter Kreeft.

"You are the Church now”

The July 9 edition of the Catholic Telegraph of Cincinnati features a story about the ever-present topic of youth ministry. As my Cincinnati readers know, Coadjutor Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr has identified this as a priority for his episcopate. His comments in the article are fairly encouraging, especially the one about the importance of "serious study."

“We’re here to work with you but there must be a grassroots effort,” Archbishop Schnurr said to the group that gathered on May 19 at Champps American restaurant in West Chester Township.

Nationally, the Catholic Church hasn’t done enough to keep young people involved in church, the archbishop added. While it’s common to view children and young adults as the future of the church, Archbishop Schnurr said they are “the church now.”

“That’s the mentality you have to generate. Those of you involved in young adult ministries, you are doing a fine job. You are the church now,” he added.

He also said it’s important to have young adults represented on the various councils of a parish. Archbishop Schnurr said when parishes become completely inclusive then parishioners’ creativity and skills can expand to address concerns of the church. Young adult ministry can be complex to define, but it shouldn’t be narrowed to the point that it would exclude others. A ministry for young people should include social activities as well as serious study or discussion, he said.

“It has to be a blend of both for an exploration of faith to be involved. Without that, you’d have a young adult social club,” Archbishop Schnurr said.

Certifiable

Early next month, Sister Louise Akers, SC, will be leading the four-day course "Church: Vision, Mission, Ministry" at a parish on the East side of Cincinnati. Sister Louise is the author of “Patriarchal Power and the Pauperization of Women,” the local leader of 2006's World Day of Prayer for Women's Ordination, and a national adviser to the Women's Ordination Conference. The course is part of a catechist certification track offered by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. You may be interested to know that the St. John Bosco Conference begins roughly one week earlier.

Call-in programs

Something tells me this one ...

Father Corapi's local call-in show will run from 5 to 6 p.m. on July 15, 22 and 29 and Aug. 5 on Rochester's WHIC 1460-AM and Buffalo's 101.7-FM, which both are operated by Holy Family Communications. Listeners who wish to call in and talk to Father Corapi should call 1-877-511-5483 during the listed times. Listeners also can tune into the show online at www.wlof.net.

... will turn out markedly different than this one:

Catholics throughout the 12-county Diocese of Rochester can get answers to these and any other questions about the Church and their faith during a special toll-free "Catholic Call In" on May 19, 2008, between 2 and 8 p.m. The Call-In previously scheduled for April 22 was canceled due to technical difficulties.

The number is 1-888-477-1718.

The Call-in is just one part of a diocesanwide, three-year Spiritual Renewal called Spirit Alive!It was initiated by Bishop Matthew Clark in Lent 2008. Spirit Alive! will have three movements: Deepening one’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ, deepening one’s knowledge and understanding of the Word and deepening one’s commitment to discipleship and stewardship.

I'm very much looking forward to Fr. Corapi's segments. It would be an interesting exercise if members of the Diocese of Rochester called in with questions about the aberrant practices that are commonplace there, e.g., lay preaching during the time reserved for the homily, parish administrators serving as permanent pastors, women's ordination promoted in parish publications, self-intinction of the host in the Precious Blood, liturgical dancing, standing during the consecration, etc. There would be no need to "name names" or parishes; just cite the offense and listen to Fr. Corapi give the teaching.