Pope Invites Christians To Join “New, Intense Evangelization”
Tweet ThisVia Catholic News Agency:
In his homily during the celebration of Vespers at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls on Monday evening, Benedict XVI outlined the essential elements of convergence between all Christian faiths. He also called for a "new, intense evangelization" to respond to important issues in the world today.
"In a world marked by religious indifference, and even by a growing aversion towards the Christian faith, a new, intense evangelization is necessary, not only among people that have never known the Gospel, but also among those in which Christianity has been spread and is a part of their history," Pope Benedict said emphatically.
Referring to the history of Christianity and the issues affecting the unity of all its branches, Pope Benedict explained, "Unfortunately, there is no lack of questions that separate some from others and we hope that they can be overcome through prayer and dialogue."
But, he added, "there is a central content of Christ's message that we can announce together: the paternity of God, the victory of Christ over sin and his death with his cross and resurrection (and) a trust in the transformative action of the Spirit."
"While we are on the path towards full communion, we are called to offer a shared witness against the ever more complex challenges of our time, including secularization and indifference, relativism and hedonism, the delicate ethical themes regarding the beginning and end of life, the limits of science and technology, dialogue with other religious traditions," Benedict XVI urged.
The Holy Father expressed the necessity of a untied [I believe they meant "united"] effort amongst all Christians to extend unity into other areas and that "from now on, we must give a shared witness (to) the protection of Creation, the promotion of the common good and peace, defense of the centrality of the human person, commitment to defeating the misery of our time, including hunger, poverty, illiteracy, unequal distribution of goods."
Considering the energetic response that Pope John Paul's call to the "New Evangelization" brought about - and still brings about - in the Church, I'm excited by this renewed call to a "new, intense evangelization." I like the wording, the expression of the need for intensity. This isn't the first that he's spoken on this topic, though.
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Marriage Matters
Tweet ThisA note, preface, and caveat: I've purposefully avoided posts about the permanence and the meaning of marriage, knowing that I have many friends who have strong, heartfelt feelings on many sides of the social/political discussions around "marriage" and civil partnership at this point in history. I post this not as part of those discussions, but as part of a narrower discussion around the institution of marriage between a man and a woman.
In addition, as I note below, I note that there are real and valid reasons that some marriages come to an end - or may never have really begun in the first places. I'm not throwing stones at any that have... I'm merely writing to the ideal, knowing that every situation is unique, deeply personal, and the result of deep discernment and relationships between man, woman, and God alone.
Our wedding
While we were preparing for our marriage, one of the things that meant the most to me was a discussion Suzanne and I had about the good and bad times we had witnessed our parents go through, and how their example of love and commitment to marriage through the "thick and thin" was something that had impacted both of us. We were both approaching our marriage with the mindset that it would be forever, and that we had no inkling that ending our marriage would ever be an option.
I imagine that the vast majority of couples approach marriage with that mindset - even some who end up leaving their marriage later in life.
Acknowledging that there are very valid reasons that marriages end (more accurately, that they could be said to have never actually begun), we believe that our commitment is for life. The feeling in this regard is mutual, and our commitment to each other is the same today as it was then, and will God-willing be the same in 40 or 50 or 60 years.
That said, there has been a real and frightening trend away from both the permanence and the sacredness of marriage in our world.
To quote some statistics from a recent study published by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, highlighted in "The First Vocation Crisis", a special report in Catholic World Report:
- In 1960, 69% of American males and 66% of females were married. By 2007, those figures had declined to 55% of males and 51% of females.
- Between 1960 and 1980, the number of divorces per 1,000 unmarried American women over the age of 15 rose dramatically from 9.2 to 22.6; the figure has since fallen to 17.5.
- In 1960, 1.8% of males and 2.6% of females were currently divorced (and not remarried). Today, 8.6% of males and 11% of females are currently divorced.
- 26% of children now live with a single parent—up from 9% in 1960.
- The number of cohabiting couples grew from 439,000 in 1960 to 523,000 in 1970 and 1,589,000 in 1980. Between 1990 and 2000, the figure grew from 2,856,000 to 3,822,000; by 2007, the number had skyrocketed to 6,445,000.
- The number of cohabiting couples who are raising children grew from 196,000 in 1990 to 2,505,000 in 2007. 65% of high school senior boys and 58% of high school senior girls now believe that cohabitation before marriage is a good idea—even though numerous studies have shown the negative effects of cohabitation on children’s well-being.
The article also calls out the drastic declines in sacramental marriage in the U.S. in the same decades.
As an initial response to this phenomenon as observed in recent years, the U.S. Bishops have issued a fantastic pastoral statement, "Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan" (PDF file). It should required reading for all couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage, in my humble opinion.
Which brings us to marriage preparation. While some might look at the statistics and suggest that the Church should make it easier to enter into a marriage in the Church, at least one diocese - the Diocese of Phoenix - is raising the bar.
Here's the bar as it's been raised in Phoenix:
- Nine months of pre-marriage preparation time instead of six. Several methods of preparation will remain available, including intensive weekend sessions or a series of weeknight meetings, but the time will be lengthened.
- A full course in Natural Family Planning, a type of family planning that does not use artificial forms of birth control. The church opposes use of contraceptives, from condoms to pills.
- More comprehensive courses on practical skills and the theology of marriage
Kudos to the Bishop Olmstead and the Diocese of Phoenix for providing the time for the couple to learn and to discern together before they walk down the aisle.
In an August interview, Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York discussed the four greatest challenges he believes the Church in the United States is facing today. First on his list was the state of marriage.
“That’s where we have the real vocation crisis,” he said. “We have a vocation crisis to lifelong, life-giving, loving, faithful marriage. If we take care of that one, we’ll have all the priests and nuns we need for the Church.”
Amen. Here's to that observation, Archbishop Dolan.
That's what we need to prepare our young couples for, and ensure that they're equipped to build - as well as we can help as a community of faith.
It was almost two years ago, in Peoria at a reception celebrating the ordination of my childhood friend, Father Robert Lampitt, to the priesthood, when his mother made quite an observation. She noted that out of the 100 or so people at the reception, 30 or so were kids, and of those, probably 25 were boys. And she hypothesized that God was going to provide the next generation of priests (what will all those boys do with so few girls?) in this little sample of active, "lifelong, life-giving, loving, faithful" domestic churches.
It has always frustrated me that so many Catholics consider praying the Prayer for Vocations as their way to be "working for vocations." The prayer is good and important, but there's work to do too. And the work that needs to be done is in the nest where vocations are formed in young men and women from the youngest ages. By moms and dads who are faithful to their promise and to the vocation to which they were called.
Marriage preparation, of course, isn't the only answer. Strong marriage prep is just one part of what the identity of "church" really needs to be. A community of faith supports and strengthens its own as well... and should make every effort to strengthen and support husbands and wives through their lives, through highs and lows.
We're blessed that our parish offers that, through activities and through the friendships with have with fellow parishioners. In fact, it's a big part of why we are so active at Holy Family. Our parish really is a significant part of our "extended family," and living up to our marriage vows is even more important to us because of the examples of faithfulness that we see around us in the parish.
Prayer for one another, awareness, discernment, and preparation, and ongoing community and support. All ways that we can work together as Church to strengthen and support marriage.
As the late Pope John Paul II said, "The future of humanity passes by way of the family." Solve one vocation problem - the one in the domestic church - and the other vocation problem will solve itself.
DON'T FORGET!
Commenting here (on this post's comment area) or sharing it on a social network are two ways that you can earn entries into this month's $25 Borders Gift Card Giveaway. Please comment and share your thoughts. I'm eager to hear them.
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Closed Sundays
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[to the extent possible]
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
A day of grace and rest from work
2184 Just as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done,"121 human life has a rhythm of work and rest. The institution of the Lord's Day helps everyone enjoy adequate rest and leisure to cultivate their familial, cultural, social, and religious lives.122
2185 On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body.123 Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health.
The charity of truth seeks holy leisure- the necessity of charity accepts just work.124
2186Those Christians who have leisure should be mindful of their brethren who have the same needs and the same rights, yet cannot rest from work because of poverty and misery. Sunday is traditionally consecrated by Christian piety to good works and humble service of the sick, the infirm, and the elderly. Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week. Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life.
2187 Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day. Traditional activities (sport, restaurants, etc.), and social necessities (public services, etc.), require some people to work on Sundays, but everyone should still take care to set aside sufficient time for leisure. With temperance and charity the faithful will see to it that they avoid the excesses and violence sometimes associated with popular leisure activities. In spite of economic constraints, public authorities should ensure citizens a time intended for rest and divine worship. Employers have a similar obligation toward their employees.
121. Gen 2:2.
122. Cf. GS 67 § 3.
123. CIC, can. 1247.
124. St. Augustine, De civ. Dei 19, 19: PL 41, 647.
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Minor Leaguer Grant Desme to the Seminary
Tweet ThisWow. From one team of Angels to another. Not just a "minor leaguer," but a leading prospect for the A's.
Where else but ESPN:
As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.
Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
"I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things," the 23-year-old Desme said. "I wasn't at peace with where I was at."
A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A's when he told them Thursday night.
General manager Billy Beane "was understanding and supportive," Desme said, but the decision "sort of knocked him off his horse." After the talk, Desme felt "a great amount of peace."
There's just something about that "being knocked off the horse," isn't there?
That's awesome. God-speed to you, Grant. Look forward to being able to call you Father Desme, God-willing. Maybe someday we'll road trip out to hear one of your homilies.
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March for Life 2010: Interesting & Informative
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For those of us at home or in the office today instead of in D.C., a collection of a few links that I thought were interesting and/or informative from, or about, March for Life 2010:
American Papist - Covering the events live all day on Twitter.
Washington Times photo gallery.
Pro-Life... Pro-Active (Whispers in the Loggia) - A recap of the Vigil Mass from 1/21, and a preview of the day of the March.
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Elisabeth: The Littlest Survivor
Tweet ThisVery touching, personally, that she shares my wife Suzanne's middle name: Elisabeth.
From Daily Mail, via Verum Serum:
No one believed that [3 week old] Elisabeth Joassaint could have lived as the family home was crushed by the weight of its upper storey.
It was a full seven days later that a French rescue team returned to the ruins to search for the baby’s body – and heard faint cries.
Incredibly, Elisabeth was alive in a tiny hollow beneath the devastation, still lying on the bed where her mother Michelene had placed her moments before the quake hit on January 12.
Yesterday Mrs Joassaint, 22, sat in the shade of a makeshift tented hospital, clutching Elisabeth and giving thanks for what she called ‘a miracle and the mercy of God.’
Absolutely. And Amen.
Elisabeth: The Smallest Survivor
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Day of Prayer and Penance for Life
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At least three friends (that I'm aware of) are among the almost 250 from our diocese who have joined the hundreds of thousands who have converged upon our nation's capitol for this year's MARCH FOR LIFE.
January 22 is a dark mark in the history of our great nation. January 22, 1973 was the day that the famous Roe v. Wade decision came out of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Our household and family join with them in a vigil of prayer for an end to abortion in our country.
If you can, please join us tonight (Friday night) at Holy Family for an observation of what the U.S. bishops have requested of the faithful: A day of Prayer & Penance for Life. The Holy Rosary will be said and the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at 5:30 P.M. Mass (using the Propers for the Mass for Peace and Justice) begins at 6:30 P.M. And a light soup and bread dinner (donations suggested) will be served in the community center after Mass.
This is the second year we've observed this at Holy Family. God-willing, maybe one of these years will be the last.
Thomas Xavier Halbrook, 4 months, 2005
One of the other dads over at Catholic Dads had some suggestions from his pastor for things you might consider doing if you can't make it to Reconciliation and/or a Mass today...
- Make a visit to any Catholic church to spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
- Spend some extra time in prayer at home, e.g. pray a family rosary
- Abstain from meat
- Fast for the day, from a meal, or from snacks between meals
- Give up television, music, video games, or some other entertainment
- Donate monies saved from above to any pro-life group or agency
Matthew James Halbrook, 5 months, 2007
"In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass 'For Peace and Justice' (no. 22 of the 'Masses for Various Needs') should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day." - General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373
Joseph Michael Halbrook, 6 months, 2009
"Openness to life is at the center of true development. When a society moves toward the denial or suppression of life, it ends up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man's true good. If personal and social sensitivity towards the acceptance of a new life is lost, the other forms of acceptance that are valuable for society also wither away. The acceptance of life strengthens moral fiber and makes people capable of mutual help. By cultivating openness to life, wealthy peoples can better understand the needs of poor ones, they can avoid employing huge economic and intellectual resources to satisfy the selfish desires of their own citizens, and instead, they can promote virtuous action within the perspective of production that is morally sound and marked by solidarity, respecting the fundamental right to life of every people and every individual." - Pope Benedict XVI
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Coffee: A Real Man’s Drink
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A cup of coffee: More valuable than previously thought.
I remember a few times when I was a young boy, my dad would give me his coffee mug and invite me to try a sip. I would, and I would give quite a nasty face as I could barely stomach the taste. There was probably more than once that I spit the coffee out into the sink or the backwoods where we were.
I've let my oldest try a sip of my coffee once or twice, but I took the easy route and had him sip from it when I had a mocha and the whipped cream on top was still plentiful and fresh. I'm probably giving him a mistaken impression of coffee really tastes like.
For me, the distaste for coffee changed in my late teens. I attribute it to one too many long weekends working at a scouting event at a camp, with late nights, early mornings, hard work, and a lounge full of old scouters sipping coffee during breaks from the young scouts.
In time, I joined that elite little club. Both in desiring the breaks, and in the appreciation of the acquired taste for coffee.
Since then, I've been a pretty rabid coffee drinker. Depending on where I am - home or on the road - I'll have anywhere from one to five or so cups of coffee a day. Sometimes it's just simple brewed. Sometimes it's espresso. Sometimes it's a more fancy espresso-based drink. But I certainly drink my fair share.
So I was more than pleased to see some worthwhile research coming out of the University of Illinois. (Via Primer: Coffee Can Provide a Better Workout.)
From the Primer article:
"We are all familiar with the fact that coffee is a wonderful way to start your day, but it may have even more health benefits when it comes to exercise. A health professor at the University of Illinois found through first-hand experience that caffeine offered him an edge as a competitive cyclist. Prof. Robert Motl discovered that the caffeine in coffee provided the ability for himself and his fellow cyclists to train even harder when competing.
"Through extensive research, he began to find that caffeine had the ability to block adenosine in the body, which can directly reduce pain and soreness related to a hard workout. Through a number of related studies, the conclusion was found that caffeine in coffee can help to increase intensity in exercise and reduce post workout muscle soreness."
So that explains the correlation between the serious bicyclists in Edwardsville and the clientèle at Sacred Grounds.
The data suggests that drinking about 2 cups of coffee prior to your workout will reduce pain and soreness by nearly 50%, allowing you to work out harder and longer, since you'll be less sore.
Further, the article points out that recent data also suggests coffee has much higher antioxidant content than once thought, so it even holds its own against much-praised green tea for protecting your body against free radical damage.
Add to that the fact that "coffee is suspected to have the potential to prevent Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, colon cancer, and cirrhosis of the liver," and coffee starts to look like more and more beneficial of an elixer.
I'm pretty thankful that those old scouters got me into coffee when they did.
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Column: Most Guys Wouldn’t Cheat
Tweet ThisThis is golden, in my opinion.
Someone tackles the obvious, but usually unspoken, truth: Most Guys Wouldn't Cheat.
In a column on NJ.com, Paul Mulshine of the Star Ledger masterfully ties together anecdotal evidence (the generally observed behavior of folks at a bar) with scientific (a 1994 University of Chicago study that showed that the vast majority of men were faithful and rather restrained.)
He shows that Tiger's the oddity, and that most men in America do the right thing, day in and day out.
As my dad said to me just before my wedding: "Son, whatever else you do, this is one promise you keep."
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TSA: Keeping Us Safe from This Kid
Tweet ThisMeet 8-year-old Mikey Hicks. Looks like me when I was a cub scout. And he's on the TSA's No-Fly list. Government at its finest, eh?
Mikey Hicks
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This is the online home of Michael Halbrook, Suzanne Halbrook, and their growing family. We're a family of five living out our Catholic faith and vocation in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
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