Clinging to My Rosary

My rosary is light pink crystal beads. 
I got it for First Communion.
I am sure, but don’t’ actually truly remember. 
I had an unusual First Communion.

We never prayed the Rosary at home growing up,
but when I was in college or after
I taught myself the essentials. 
Our Father, ten Hai
l Marys, Glory Be… 
then the creed?  I know in that last 20 years or so
they have added that Fires of Hell prayer. 
My mother hated that
and said it was not official
and not theologically sound. 
From what I hear of it, I would agree. 
But I just don’t pray that part. 

Besides, the Rosary is not meant to be a group prayer. 
I learned that in a class from Fr. Bill Traylor. 
It seems phony to me when we pray it as a group.

I have trouble putting certain
so I tend to ponder the favorites: 
Nativity.  That’s the mystery. 
The rest is pretty clear cut,
in one way of thinking about it. 
It comforts me.  It helps me sleep. 
When I am really worried or panicky,
I sleep with my Rosary or wear it under my clothes. 
When I feel it, I feel calmer.  It works for me.

Bishop to supervise national women religious organization.  .... I heard about this today from a UCC friend of mine (age 50) AND an 88-year-old Roman Catholic mother of 12.  So I looked into it.  Interesting stuff.  The 88-year-old Roman Catholic mother of 12 was appalled about Rome being so anti-Jesus and anti-people, while being so pro-control.  And I have to consider the wisdom of such a woman. 

Take a look.... http://ncronline.org/news/women-religious/vatican-orders-lcwr-be-closer-teachings-and-discipline-church

What do you think?  How is this a Jesus action?  or is it even meant to be a Jesus action? Who are we being protected from?

Women Religious being scrutinized by Rome?  Interesting times indeed.  I heard about this news today from a UCC friend who is my age (50) AND an Roman Catholic, 88-year-old mother of 12 who is appalled about Rome's anti-Jesus, pro-rules over people attitude.  I have to listen to a Roman Catholic 88-year-old mother of 12. 

Take a look... What do you think? 

Spiritual structures.... awesome interfaith photos

These are done by an undergrad from Texas who is making her home in Evansville.  An amazing spirit and an excellent artist.  This is grace.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fspiritualstructures.com%2F&h=7AQGpTZG7

Diocese of Evansville THE MESSAGE online

Diocese of Evansville weekly paper.  The Message.  It is totally great online.
This is a decent way to see what's up (what might be closing, where the priests are going and what Fr. Sauer and Fr. Don Dilger are thinking).

Rick Jillson, editor, writes a good editorial.
The head lines are at least good for keeping you up-to-date.

If you don't want Catholic surprises, take at least an occasional look.....
http://www.themessageonline.org

Catholic Bishops Criticize Republican Budget

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-04-17/catholic-bishops-paul-ryan-budget/54361480/1

This is a fair-minded and long overdue response.  As Bishop Thompson of the Diocese of Evansville said last winter, both parties are far from pure and all sides want to use only the convenient rules... this is (at last) a show of strenght that is needed from the bishops. 

How is the preferrential option for the poor not a societal issue?

Letter from Birmingham Jail, 49 years ago

Reading --- what are your favorites?

I Heard the Owl Call My Name, read in grade school.  A priest in Alaska (?) working with Native Americans and gains perspective.
City of Joy, read as adult.  A Polish priest moves to a poor slum in Calcutta -- also gains perspective.  A great GREAT book.
The Cry of the People, classic by Penny Lernoux.  A study of the Catholic Church in Latin America during the 1960s-1980s.  Makes you proud. I read it in 2001.
Fifty Years in a Jealous Marriage.  Of course!  Rev. Jim Lex' memoirs that I co-wrote during the 1990s.
The Secular Journals of Thomas Merton.  Found a copy at my parents.  It was my Granny Long's.  70 years old and still pertinent.  Easy to read, too.

What are your favorite reads that are about Catholics?  And how good is The Power and the Glory?

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, as Mass closed, the priest would say, “The Mass has ended. Go in peace.” The congregation replied, “Thanks be to God.”  I always thought that sounds a little rude.  Maybe that is just because I was literally thinking, "Thank God.  We can go home."  But it surprised me the priest would let us all tell him we were glad it was over!  

Happy New Year April 8

Do all Christians count the new Church year to begin with Easter?  For Catholics there is the Easter opportunity for a fresh start:  Happy New Year.  Naturally, there is January 1 with all the world, but for Catholics, Easter begins the Church Year.  If you need still another new year, use "Pentecost," which is the birthdate of The Church.  Last night, reflecting during Mass on a few struggles of this or that, it hit me we get a new start with Easter  It's a new year. 

Haiti.... think about Haiti in Holy Week

Every year, St. Joe-Vanderburgh County sends groups to St. James the Greater Parish, Plaine du Nord, Haiti.  To be friends and to be witness.  To learn and to help-as-we can.  You can learn a lot from finding friends in the Third World, like Haiti...

Prayer by Bishop Untener, Prayer of Oscar Romero

The Prayer of Oscar Romero

By Bishop Ken Untener, 1979

Delivered in a homily at a Mass for deceased priests by John Cardinal Dearden. 

It has somehow come to be called the Romero Prayer.

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation
in realizing that. This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well. It may be incomplete,
but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.

Amen.

Prayer by Bishop Untener, "Prayer of Oscar Romero"

The Prayer of Oscar Romero

By Bishop Ken Untener, 1979;  Delivered in a homily at a Mass for deceased priests by John Cardinal Dearden. 

It has somehow come to be called the Romero Prayer.

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation
in realizing that. This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well. It may be incomplete,
but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Amen.

Red Mass no more for Evansville....

After years of tradition and a special interfaith openness that the Diocese of Evansville has long been known for, last week the Diocese declined to allow non-Catholics to read from shared sacred scripture during Mass for the annual Thomas More Society Red Mass (Law Day).  So sad to be exclusive in the uglier sense of the word.  Jesus said, “everyone come to the table.”

After years of tradition and a special interfaith openness that the Diocese of Evansville has long been known for, last week the Diocese declined to allow non-Catholics to read from shared sacred scripture during Mass for the annual Thomas More Society Red Mass (Law Day).  So sad to be exclusive in the uglier sense of the word.  Jesus said, “Everyone come to the table.”

Seeing God at Six

When I was a kid, during the Eucharistic Prayer, when they rang the bells to let us all know something important was happening, I really thought if I prayed hard enough or looked hard enough that I would see God come down from the Altar Light and go into the host.  Never did see it. 
But still believe something worthwhile is happening there.