This is an example of why the pope is saying that we need to keep faith and praxis together. This piece attacking Bishop Robert Baker's position is an example of the confusion that exists out there. What does it mean to go to communion?
When you get down to it the common view doesn't even fit the "club" mentality for you would presume if you are a member of a club that you agree with the club's membership requirements. What I think is at issue for most Catholics who fantasize that communion is being used as a weapon by some bishops is their notion that "communion" has nothing to do with Communion--that we are free to remain individuals with our own opinions about everything and then just present ourselves at the take-out rail for Jesus--without any conversion on our part!
I write in my Advent Meditations today about searching out for the lost who Jesus says will perish if they are not brought back into the fold. In some cases we haven't done enough to seek out the lost, in other cases we haven't done enough to make some people aware that they are lost.
From The State | 12/07/2004 | Politics and communion
My friend Yvonne walked out of a Catholic church in Charleston and slammed the very heavy door behind her recently. The priest just had told the congregation that worshipers voting for candidates who support abortion rights should not receive communion, although he didn’t propose a Profession of Vote.
Charleston is my hometown, and I usually attend Mass there six or so times a year with my sister and her family. I was in Charleston the week after Yvonne’s exodus, and we commiserated about the latest twist in the Catholic church’s bumpy political ride.
It was my first trip back home since the bishop of Charleston, Robert Baker, announced that politicians who support abortion rights could not receive communion in South Carolina.
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
Pope to U.S. "No Separation Between Faith and Practice"
From the Vatican Information Service:
"Lay men and women," said the Holy Father, "must be encouraged, through sound catechesis and continuing formation, to recognize the distinctive dignity and mission which they have received in Baptism and to embody in all their daily activities an integrated approach to life which finds its inspiration and strength from the Gospel. This means that the laity must be trained to distinguish clearly between their rights and duties as members of the Church and those which they have as members of human society, and encouraged to combine the two harmoniously, recognizing (as stated in "Lumen Gentium) that 'in every temporal affair they are to be guided by their Christian conscience, since there is no human activity - even of the temporal order - that can be withdrawn from God's dominion'."
The Pope underscored that "a clear and authoritative reaffirmation of these fundamental principles of the lay apostolate will help to overcome the serious pastoral problems created by a growing failure to understand the Church's binding obligation to remind the faithful of their duty in conscience to act in accordance with her authoritative teaching. There is urgent need for a comprehensive catechesis on the lay apostolate which will necessarily highlight the importance of a properly formed conscience, the intrinsic relationship between freedom and moral truth, and the grave duty incumbent upon each Christian to work to renew and perfect the temporal order in accordance with the values of God's Kingdom. While fully respecting the legitimate separation of Church and State in American life, such a catechesis must also make clear that for the faithful Christian there can be no separation between the faith which is to be believed and put into practice and a commitment to full and responsible participation in professional, political and cultural life."
He encouraged the bishops "to foster among the laity a shared sense of responsibility for the life and mission of the Church" which, when "rooted in the principles of a sound ecclesiology," will ensure genuine collaboration "without the danger of distorting this relationship by the uncritical importation of categories and structures drawn from secular life."
"Lay men and women," said the Holy Father, "must be encouraged, through sound catechesis and continuing formation, to recognize the distinctive dignity and mission which they have received in Baptism and to embody in all their daily activities an integrated approach to life which finds its inspiration and strength from the Gospel. This means that the laity must be trained to distinguish clearly between their rights and duties as members of the Church and those which they have as members of human society, and encouraged to combine the two harmoniously, recognizing (as stated in "Lumen Gentium) that 'in every temporal affair they are to be guided by their Christian conscience, since there is no human activity - even of the temporal order - that can be withdrawn from God's dominion'."
The Pope underscored that "a clear and authoritative reaffirmation of these fundamental principles of the lay apostolate will help to overcome the serious pastoral problems created by a growing failure to understand the Church's binding obligation to remind the faithful of their duty in conscience to act in accordance with her authoritative teaching. There is urgent need for a comprehensive catechesis on the lay apostolate which will necessarily highlight the importance of a properly formed conscience, the intrinsic relationship between freedom and moral truth, and the grave duty incumbent upon each Christian to work to renew and perfect the temporal order in accordance with the values of God's Kingdom. While fully respecting the legitimate separation of Church and State in American life, such a catechesis must also make clear that for the faithful Christian there can be no separation between the faith which is to be believed and put into practice and a commitment to full and responsible participation in professional, political and cultural life."
He encouraged the bishops "to foster among the laity a shared sense of responsibility for the life and mission of the Church" which, when "rooted in the principles of a sound ecclesiology," will ensure genuine collaboration "without the danger of distorting this relationship by the uncritical importation of categories and structures drawn from secular life."
Monday, December 6, 2004
Immaculate Conception Parish in Jacksonville Celebrates 150 Years
One of the most beautiful churches in the south...
From Jacksonville.com: Metro: Church thrives as it marks 150 years 12/06/04:
"With its imposing white limestone construction and Gothic design, twin steeples, pipe organ, vaulted ceilings, marble pillars, life-like statuary and bigger-than-life stained glass windows, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Jacksonville is a lot to take in.
'It's overwhelming compared to a normal church, at least in the beginning,' said Curt Crossley, 47, a parishioner at St. Patrick Catholic Church on the Northside.
A city employee who works downtown, Crossley attends Mass at Immaculate Conception during his lunch hour at least once a week because it's convenient. While he emphasizes that a church is its people, not its building, sometimes it's hard not to admire the structure itself. "
From Jacksonville.com: Metro: Church thrives as it marks 150 years 12/06/04:
"With its imposing white limestone construction and Gothic design, twin steeples, pipe organ, vaulted ceilings, marble pillars, life-like statuary and bigger-than-life stained glass windows, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Jacksonville is a lot to take in.
'It's overwhelming compared to a normal church, at least in the beginning,' said Curt Crossley, 47, a parishioner at St. Patrick Catholic Church on the Northside.
A city employee who works downtown, Crossley attends Mass at Immaculate Conception during his lunch hour at least once a week because it's convenient. While he emphasizes that a church is its people, not its building, sometimes it's hard not to admire the structure itself. "
Feast of Saint Nicholas
Everything you ever wanted to know about the saint...at Saint Nicholas ::: Who is St. Nicholas?
Sunday, December 5, 2004
Saturday, December 4, 2004
Gator's Get Pope Urban
From Jacksonville.com: Florida Gators: Ute movement 12/04/04:
"Utah's Urban Meyer has agreed to become the next coach at the University of Florida, choosing the Gators over Notre Dame, several sources told the Times-Union on Friday.
Meyer's salary package is expected to be in excess of $2 million annually, according to a Utah source. Another report said the deal is a seven-year, $14 million package.
Neither Utah nor Florida officials issued a confirmation of the hiring on Friday, but Meyer's older sister, Cincinnati resident Gigi Escoe, did. She said she spoke with Meyer on Friday afternoon and congratulated him.
'I don't question him at all [about choosing UF over Notre Dame],' she said. 'He did exactly the right thing. He had two wonderful choices. Those opportunities were amazing.' "
"Utah's Urban Meyer has agreed to become the next coach at the University of Florida, choosing the Gators over Notre Dame, several sources told the Times-Union on Friday.
Meyer's salary package is expected to be in excess of $2 million annually, according to a Utah source. Another report said the deal is a seven-year, $14 million package.
Neither Utah nor Florida officials issued a confirmation of the hiring on Friday, but Meyer's older sister, Cincinnati resident Gigi Escoe, did. She said she spoke with Meyer on Friday afternoon and congratulated him.
'I don't question him at all [about choosing UF over Notre Dame],' she said. 'He did exactly the right thing. He had two wonderful choices. Those opportunities were amazing.' "
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