The Areopagus 4-23-09
posted by Phil Lawson
4-23-09
Kids and Church
Kids make noise. I recently talked to two families who don’t attend Mass because there little children aren’t quiet. I’m glad to hear their children are normal J. Now that we have that obvious point out of the way; yes, children make noise, but that shouldn’t stop parents from exposing them to the Graces they receive being in Christ’s Presence.
The sounds of children in Church are the sounds of vitality and the future of a parish. Yes, you may have to take them to the back of the church---one dad and I seem to have a regular appointment back there with our little ones!—but you know what, it’s worth it. My one-year-old has mastered crawling under the pews into the main aisle—while we certainly don’t encourage that—God’s probably laughing at her creativity.
Don’t deny your children the graces of Christ through misplaced embarrassment via noisy little ones. Trust me, God understands little children, He made them after all.
Phil’s Tidbits:
From Pope Benedict XVI:
“While, strictly speaking, she (the church) ought to be sinking, the Church sings the song of thanksgiving of the saved. She is standing on history’s waters of death and yet she has already risen. Singing, she grasps at the Lord’s hand, which holds her above the waters. And she knows that she is thereby raised outside the force of gravity of death and evil – a force from which otherwise there would be no way of escape – raised and drawn into the new gravitational force of God, of truth and of love.”
-How very true—by all objective measures, the Church really shouldn’t still be around—amidst the hostility of governments, the world, scandals, the failures of many people within the Church, the failures of those entrusted with leading the Church, and even outright incompetence—yet the Church marches on—because her foundation is Christ and the Promise He made of the Holy Spirit’s guidance till the end of time.
Here’s something you don’t see every day: An 80 year old Canadian widower was recently ordained to the priesthood. An inspiring story:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Life/never%20know%20what%20Lord%20store%20says%20priest/1423957/story.html
Archbishop Timothy Dolan was just installed as the new archbishop of New York City. New York’s gain is surely Milwaukee’s loss. Dolan was well beloved in Milwaukee for his warmth, charisma, and fidelity to the teachings of Christ. Upon his arrival in New York, those same qualities shone through brightly. Following is a quote from his homily at the Mass of Installation, which brought several standing ovations. I’ve never heard the “mamma bear” line before—but it certainly resonates!
"... the Resurrection goes on, as His Church continues to embrace and protect the dignity of every human person, the sanctity of human life, from the tiny baby in the womb to the last moment of natural passing into eternal life. As the Servant of God Terrence Cardinal Cooke wrote, “Human life is no less sacred or worthy of respect because it is tiny, pre-born, poor, sick, fragile, or handicapped.”
Yes, the Church is a loving mother who has a zest for life and serves life everywhere, but she can become a protective “mamma bear” when the life of her innocent, helpless cubs is threatened...
... Everyone in this mega-community is a somebody with an extraordinary destiny. Everyone is a somebody in whom God has invested an infinite love. That is why the Church reaches out to the unborn, the suffering, the poor, our elders, the physically and emotionally challenged, those caught in the web of addictions..."
-Special thanks to the American Papist Blog for the above citation.
Alth0ugh not well known—when the Church removed the mandatory abstinence from meat on all Fridays—the requirement to do some form of penance every Friday remained. (every Friday we mark the sacrificial death of Christ in some fashion). Most folks heard the first part—meat is now ok on Fridays!—and not the second...that some other form of penance should still be done. Bishop Conlon of Steubenville, Ohio is urging Catholics in his diocese to return to meatless Fridays—but with a special intention—solidarity with and prayers for the poor, suffering, and unborn. Not a bad idea for all of us to adopt. Indeed, I know many families that, even though not required, don’t eat meat on Fridays throughout the year as a sacrificial offering.
Bishop Conlon restores Friday abstinence from meat in Diocese of Steubenville
"I am inviting the Catholic people of the Diocese of Steubenville to resume the practice of abstaining from meat on all Fridays throughout the year, but with a twist. I am asking that this be not only a penitential practice but also an experience of prayer and service. This can happen by connecting abstinence with our witness to the sacredness of human life. (In another section he says: Abstinence can also be service if we eat simple meatless food and donate the financial savings to the poor or to pro-life efforts.)
... The resumption of year-round abstinence in the Diocese of Steubenville will begin after this coming Easter, one week after Good Friday (April 17). Although the practice will not be a requirement of law, and failing to keep it will not constitute a sin, I hope every one who is old enough to receive Holy Communion and well enough to come to church will take it seriously. Our parishes, schools and organizations should provide meatless food at their Friday activities.
... the present challenge to the people in our diocese is not really radical. It is a call to what many if not most of us have put aside. And it is a way for us, like the apostles, to give up a little food and help Jesus feed the world."
God Bless you!
Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
Kids and Church
Kids make noise. I recently talked to two families who don’t attend Mass because there little children aren’t quiet. I’m glad to hear their children are normal J. Now that we have that obvious point out of the way; yes, children make noise, but that shouldn’t stop parents from exposing them to the Graces they receive being in Christ’s Presence.
The sounds of children in Church are the sounds of vitality and the future of a parish. Yes, you may have to take them to the back of the church---one dad and I seem to have a regular appointment back there with our little ones!—but you know what, it’s worth it. My one-year-old has mastered crawling under the pews into the main aisle—while we certainly don’t encourage that—God’s probably laughing at her creativity.
Don’t deny your children the graces of Christ through misplaced embarrassment via noisy little ones. Trust me, God understands little children, He made them after all.
Phil’s Tidbits:
From Pope Benedict XVI:
“While, strictly speaking, she (the church) ought to be sinking, the Church sings the song of thanksgiving of the saved. She is standing on history’s waters of death and yet she has already risen. Singing, she grasps at the Lord’s hand, which holds her above the waters. And she knows that she is thereby raised outside the force of gravity of death and evil – a force from which otherwise there would be no way of escape – raised and drawn into the new gravitational force of God, of truth and of love.”
-How very true—by all objective measures, the Church really shouldn’t still be around—amidst the hostility of governments, the world, scandals, the failures of many people within the Church, the failures of those entrusted with leading the Church, and even outright incompetence—yet the Church marches on—because her foundation is Christ and the Promise He made of the Holy Spirit’s guidance till the end of time.
Here’s something you don’t see every day: An 80 year old Canadian widower was recently ordained to the priesthood. An inspiring story:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Life/never%20know%20what%20Lord%20store%20says%20priest/1423957/story.html
Archbishop Timothy Dolan was just installed as the new archbishop of New York City. New York’s gain is surely Milwaukee’s loss. Dolan was well beloved in Milwaukee for his warmth, charisma, and fidelity to the teachings of Christ. Upon his arrival in New York, those same qualities shone through brightly. Following is a quote from his homily at the Mass of Installation, which brought several standing ovations. I’ve never heard the “mamma bear” line before—but it certainly resonates!
"... the Resurrection goes on, as His Church continues to embrace and protect the dignity of every human person, the sanctity of human life, from the tiny baby in the womb to the last moment of natural passing into eternal life. As the Servant of God Terrence Cardinal Cooke wrote, “Human life is no less sacred or worthy of respect because it is tiny, pre-born, poor, sick, fragile, or handicapped.”
Yes, the Church is a loving mother who has a zest for life and serves life everywhere, but she can become a protective “mamma bear” when the life of her innocent, helpless cubs is threatened...
... Everyone in this mega-community is a somebody with an extraordinary destiny. Everyone is a somebody in whom God has invested an infinite love. That is why the Church reaches out to the unborn, the suffering, the poor, our elders, the physically and emotionally challenged, those caught in the web of addictions..."
-Special thanks to the American Papist Blog for the above citation.
Alth0ugh not well known—when the Church removed the mandatory abstinence from meat on all Fridays—the requirement to do some form of penance every Friday remained. (every Friday we mark the sacrificial death of Christ in some fashion). Most folks heard the first part—meat is now ok on Fridays!—and not the second...that some other form of penance should still be done. Bishop Conlon of Steubenville, Ohio is urging Catholics in his diocese to return to meatless Fridays—but with a special intention—solidarity with and prayers for the poor, suffering, and unborn. Not a bad idea for all of us to adopt. Indeed, I know many families that, even though not required, don’t eat meat on Fridays throughout the year as a sacrificial offering.
Bishop Conlon restores Friday abstinence from meat in Diocese of Steubenville
"I am inviting the Catholic people of the Diocese of Steubenville to resume the practice of abstaining from meat on all Fridays throughout the year, but with a twist. I am asking that this be not only a penitential practice but also an experience of prayer and service. This can happen by connecting abstinence with our witness to the sacredness of human life. (In another section he says: Abstinence can also be service if we eat simple meatless food and donate the financial savings to the poor or to pro-life efforts.)
... The resumption of year-round abstinence in the Diocese of Steubenville will begin after this coming Easter, one week after Good Friday (April 17). Although the practice will not be a requirement of law, and failing to keep it will not constitute a sin, I hope every one who is old enough to receive Holy Communion and well enough to come to church will take it seriously. Our parishes, schools and organizations should provide meatless food at their Friday activities.
... the present challenge to the people in our diocese is not really radical. It is a call to what many if not most of us have put aside. And it is a way for us, like the apostles, to give up a little food and help Jesus feed the world."
God Bless you!
Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
Comments:
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I loved Archbishop Dolan's statement that the church can be a "mama bear". I think most people in Wisconsin understand how protective a mama bear can be. We ought to remember the lesson taught about purgatory. Although God is a mercyful God we still have to suffer punishment for our sins. That is called justice. People of the world need to remember that justice can be meted out in this world as well as in the next. Jesus Christ, Redeemer have mercy on us. Bill Maher
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