Fr. Bob's Corner

One of the more popular videos on the Internet from the Eucharistic Congress in Quebec, City was from June 19th – Catechesis by the most Reverend Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Bishop of Imus, Philippines.

EXCERPT:

“The Church however must also constantly examine its fidelity to Jesus’sacrifice of obedience to God and compassion for the poor. Like those who opposed Jesus in the name of authentic religion, we could be blind to God and neighbors because of self righteousness, spiritual pride and rigidity of mind. Ecclesiastical customs and persons, when naively and narrowly deified and glorified, might become hindrances to true worship and compassion. I am disturbed when some people who do not even know me personally conclude that my being a bishop automatically makes me closer to God than they could ever be. My words are God’s words, my desires are God’s, my anger is God’s, and my actions are God’s.If I am not cautious, I might just believe it and start demanding the offerings of the best food and wine, money, car, house, adulation and submission. After all, I am “God!” I might take so much delight in my stature and its benefits that I might end up being callous to the needs of the poor and the earth.”

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Benedict XVI is half way through his 2008 U.S. visit, and he has managed to capture the hearts of minds of the American people in his own unique way, says the American Ambassador to the Vatican. One CNN reporter commented that everything gets pushed aside (referring to the news), and focuses on this one man in a white cassock wherever he visits. He found this mysterious, but thought it was the way things should be. Each one of us is looking for a better glimpse of who this man is, and what he represents. A sexual abuse victim said today: “We are at the beginning of a new start, and there is real hope this time.” Let us keep praying for this 81 year old man and Pope who is obviously trying his best to reach out and inspire our modern world with the message of Jesus.

HMWN (online radio) hosts a weekly broadcast entitled ‘Bread for the Journey’ to help Catholics prepare for the upcoming International Eucharistic Congress. In her April 3rd broadcast, online host Sharon DiCecco, included 22 minutes from Bishop Paul André’s November 2007 Cornwall Conference on the Eucharistic Congress. The segment was entitled, ‘Walking with Jesus’. (Press ‘Ctrl key’ while hovering mouse over picture and left click to go to website) The program is archived, so you can hear it when ever you want. Of course, you can also listen live to this broadcast and many others.

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The National Catholic Register did a story on video as a means of evangelization:

“The latest innovation on the Internet is the rise of Catholic video podcasts, otherwise known as vodcasts. Through YouTube and other media, Catholics have been able to spread the faith, provide historical footage and draw attention to liturgical abuses.”

Here is an example on ‘You Tube’ of a video on why we sit, stand, and kneel at Mass. Do you know why? If you don’t, this little video will solve the problem.[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/8NFuu6W392k" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

[Fr. Edward L. Cleary is a professor of political science and the director of Latin American studies at Providence College.]

Fr. Edward Cleary has just published a new book on faith, religion, and the Latin American people. It is a must read for all those interested in our brothers and sisters in this part of America. In the last forty years much has happened to undermine the faith of these staunchly catholic people. But, there are seeds of hope, and wonderful things happening that offer promise for the future of Christianity and the the Catholic Church in this part of the world. Although the Pentecostal Church has spear headed a major religious revival and recruited thousands of new members, Catholicism has become more dynamic and fostered a more committed faith response. Just listen to these statistics that Fr. Cleary reports:

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Catholicism in Quebec

I grew up in Quebec and still have strong family roots in this magnificent province. This is where I learned about God, Jesus, and the Catholic church. Almost everyone was Catholic, and it seemed as if nuns and priests were everywhere.

Today, however, is another story. Although most of the churches still stand, they (though often empty)seem to be the only real visible sign of Quebec’s Catholic Heritage. Except this Halloween, something I hadn’t really noticed before, startled and surprised me. Many store clerks were in Halloween costumes, and the costume of choice seemed to be clerical dress. I was served by nuns, priests, and even a bishop. What does this mean? The answer to this question I am still pondering. Maybe it is nostalgia for a faith that lies dormant! The remarks of Cardinal Marc Ouelett of Quebec City at a public commission on October 30th (the day before Halloween) will help me find an answer: (This excerpt is from an article on CWN)

Speaking at hearings on the challenges that immigration has posed to Quebec French-speaking culture, Cardinal Ouellet said that the problem of cultural identity can be traced back to “the malaise of the Catholic majority, which needs to find a religious reference point.”

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As many of us struggle to define ourselves in relationship to the pluralistic world we live in, we have to always remember that our identity is ultimately defined by what we do. As we struggle to verbally describe ourselves it is imperative that we not get stuck in the realm of thoughts and ideas, as it it so easy to do. It was St. Paul that helped focus the first Christians by reminding them that without love they were nothing at all. In the fourth century,  a bishop and early doctor of the church, St. Gregory Naziansus gave this description of how Christ’s followers should be perceived by the 4th century world:

“If you are healthy and rich, alleviate the need of whoever is sick and poor; if you have not fallen, go to the aid of whoever has fallen and lives in suffering; if you are glad, comfort whoever is sad; if you are fortunate, help whoever is smitten with misfortune. Give God proof of your gratitude for you are one who can benefit and not one who needs to be benefited…. Be rich not only in possessions but also in piety; not only in gold but in virtue, or rather, in virtue alone. Outdo your neighbour’s reputation by showing yourself to be kinder than all; make yourself God for the unfortunate, imitating God’s mercy” (Orationes 14, 26 De Pauperum Amore: PG 35, 892bc).

Pretty hard to be hopeful when there is so much dis-trust, fear, and and narrow mindedness on our small little planet. Can we not let our light shine in this world, and let the power of God’s Spirit do the rest. It appears that many would say NO-No-No!

Sydney, Aug. 16, 2007 (CWNews.com) – Islamic leaders in Australia may encourage participation in the 2008 World Youth Day celebration, in exchange for a promise from Catholic leaders that there will be no effort to convert young people of other faiths, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Organizers of World Youth Day in Sydney had issued an invitation for other religious groups to join in the planning and participate in the celebration. The Islamic group responded positively, saying that the event could help “break down barriers” in Australia. (Muslim organizations have offered their halls and facilities to help house participants in WYD.)

Here are some Individual Catholic Reactions from the USA:

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According to the poll released July 3, 26 percent of Canadians believe “that God created human beings……..

Canadian Catholic News: Poll shows Canadians divided on role God played in human creation – Catholic Online