Fr. Pfleger Shames the Catholic Church

I know I said a while ago that I wasn't going to get political on this blog but today I am fed up to be quite honest. I am fed up and disgusted with the behavior of one of our Catholic priests, Father Michael Louis Pfleger of Chicago a Senator Obama supporter, so this post will probably be more of a rant than anything else. I apologize if it offends anyone, but I feel the need to speak out on this. This priest has continually pushed the limits of what I personally believe a priest should and since this is my blog I am going to spout off about it. His latest escapade in mocking Senator Hillary Clinton and acting like a buffoon to get applause is just more than should be tolerated. It's sexist, degrading, insulting and beyond the limits for ANY self proclaiming Christian, let alone a priest who is supposed to be an example of Christ and Christ's love for people. For those who haven't seen the clips of Father Pfleger on television, please watch the following two Youtube clips of Father Pfleger in action to see what I am talking about.

And...

There's much to learn about this Catholic priest that I think many may not know, I certainly didn't and if I hadn't read it and seen the proof of it I probably wouldn't have believed it. I didn't want to believe it! Father Pfleger became a priest in 1975. Since then he has (in my opinion) crossed the line several times. Now this of course is my own personal opinion, so if you disagree that's fine. A year ago, in May of 2007 Father Pfleger was protesting outside a Chicago gun shop when he decided to threaten, yes threaten the gun shop owner. Here is a direct quote of what he had to say reported by the ChicagoSun in June of 2007: "We're going to find you and snuff you out. Like a rat you're going to hide. But like a rat, we're going to catch you and pull you out." He later apologized for this statement and was called out for it by Cardinal George the Archbishop of Chicago. Going back a few more years to 2000 Father Plfeger decided to raise money to buy time with prostitutes as a way to reach them. He raised several thousand dollars from donors and went about purchasing prostitutes time. Did Jesus or any of the disciples pay anyone to reach them? I don't think so. Can you see Saint Peter or Paul paying a prostitute to tell them about Christ? I can't see it, but this Catholic priest thought it was a dandy idea. Last year NBC reported about Father Plfeger who was protesting rappers lyrics for "demeaning" and disrespecting women. Read what he said and keep in mind his mocking, disrespecting and demeaning of Senator Hillary Clinton when you read the hypocrite...er... I mean Father Plfeger's statement: "When you disrespect women and you continue to demean a community or race by names and by language, that's unacceptable. . . . We can kill with our words." That's right Father Plfeger, go after the speck in your neighbors eye while ignoring the giant redwood tree sticking out of your own eye! This priest has much to learn in my opinion and until he does should shut his mouth and pray for wisdom, humbleness and most of all forgiveness for his words and actions. As he said "We can kill with our words"- at least he got something right.

Sacred Heart of Jesus

May 30 is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The history behind this comes from St. Mary Margaret Alacoque whom God chose to reveal the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to in 1675. She was born in France and consecrated her heart to Jesus while she was still a child. She joined the Visitation Order of nuns at the age of twenty-three. She suffered many trials for her great love of Jesus. St Mary Margaret Alacoque with Father de la Colombiere, were used by God to bring about the institution of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. In 1690 she died.

Lord Jesus, let my heart never rest until it finds You, who are its center, its love, and its happiness. By the wound in Your heart pardon the sins that I have committedwhether out of malice or out of evil desires. Place my weak heart in Your own divine Heart,continually under Your protection and guidance, so that I may persevere in doing good and in fleeing evil until my last breath.
Amen. --St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Visiting Cemeteries

This Memorial Day I found myself at Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Hamden, Connecticut (photo taken at Saint Mary's Cemetery). This is where a large part of my family is buried and most recently my grandfather who was a World War II Vet. Some people get uncomfortable at cemeteries and avoid them as much as they can, often preferring to attend a deceased persons wake rather than funeral so they won't have to go to the cemetery. I admit this can be hard, but I have always found comfort and a deep sense of peace in cemeteries. I am one of those people who actually likes to visit cemeteries at different times of the year and read grave stones contemplating the lives of those buried there. I can't help but feel sadness at the sight of a child's grave. Or wonder and thankfulness at the sight of a soldiers grave. When I see a grave marked "Mother" or "Father" I wonder about their families and the lives and memories they had together, the laughter and tears they shed as a family. For me, a cemetery is not just about the death of a person, but the wonder of the persons life and how they might have touched other lives. Have you ever walked in a cemetery and saw your family name and wondered how or if you were related to the person buried there? An unknown or never met relative? I visit cemeteries in other states during vacations or just weekend trips (with the price of gas these trips have unfortunately dwindled). I think the only cemetery I've visited that just overwhelmed me with sadness and shear awe was Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. I can't really give a better description for what I felt seeing that for the first time. It was overwhelming. My favorites, if you can say there is a favorite cemetery are the old ones. The really old ones scattered around New England. Probably one of the oldest I have visited is the Old Granary Burial Ground in Boston, Massachusetts. It's like stepping back in time walking thru there. Another cemetery I have enjoyed visiting is the Trinity Churchyard of the Trinity Church in NY located near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. Here is where Alexander Hamilton is buried. We've got some nice old cemeteries here in Connecticut too. One that I have visited is the Old Durham Cemetery in Durham, CT. The oldest grave in this cemetery is dated 1712. Years ago we would do stone rubbings but most old cemeteries now forbid it as it could damage these old stones.
There's a Catholic tradition of crossing ourselves when we pass by a cemetery that my great grandmother taught me as a child. When I am thinking and notice a cemetery as I am driving I make sure to follow that Catholic tradition and I have taught my children to do it also. I'd love to hear from readers about cemeteries in their area's or cemeteries you've visited. Please share a comment or two about them or email me a story.

1 Sam. 2:6 "The LORD brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up."
Eze. 37:13 "Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them."

Anti-Catholic Hatred: Pure and Simply Sad

Unfortunately, anti-Catholicism is alive and well. If you are a Catholic and haven't come face to face with this sort of hatred be aware it's out there. I don't think most anti-Catholics will say this sort of thing to your face (though some very fundamental evangelists will and have to me), but they don't hold back on the Internet. Here is what someone thinks of Catholics and our Church:

Frey writes: God hates Roman Catholicism, her popes shall burn forever with sulphur in front of the Lamb and His born-again followers. Praise God for His Word: He foretells all RC's shall burn with their popes with sulphur in front of the Lamb and His true followers, forever:

Rev 20:10 "And the devil, who deceived them,was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,where the beast [the RCC cult] and the false prophet [her pope] had been thrown.They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

For encouraging the virtual worship of a dead woman instead of teaching God alone is worthy of prayer and worship. Catholics follow the pope only, who is but a man. Christians follow Christ and don't give a hoot what your pope says or claims. He's a fake and the sooner you realize that the sooner you can come out of her to follow the Lord and serve HIM in Spirit and in Truth.

My response: You have a very twisted view of what God hates and what scripture actually says by adding your own words "RCC cult" and "her pope" to scripture that isn't there. God does not "hate Roman Catholicism". Jesus Christ created the Catholic Church, it is a gift by the grace, love and mercy of God. It is not a "cult". Jesus promised the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church (Matt.16:18). He does not hate His own Church, He loves her and guides her by the Holy Spirit. You also claim that "her popes shall burn forever in sulphur", what a terrible thing to say. No one knows who will be condemned to Hell. That is for God to judge, not you or I. Certainly the Church has had some not so nice Popes in her history, but even so we should not judge the fate of anyone as it's not our place. The Church has had a great many wonderful Popes who have devoted and dedicated their lives to doing the Lord's will and serving others. It is appalling to me that you believe "all Roman Catholics with their popes shall burn with sulphur". What a horrid thing to say or believe about a group of Christians who belong to Christ's Holy Catholic Church. What makes you think simply being Roman Catholic is to be eternally condemned to hell? There is nothing even remotely in scripture which says anything like the things you claim. The scripture you quoted (Rev.20:10) does not name the Roman Catholic Church as "the beast" in any way, shape or form. You are changing scripture to fit your hatred (yes its obvious you have serious hate issues with Catholics) of the Catholic Church and Catholic people. Hate is not a Christian virtue and something you need to work on getting rid of. Christians are to love and forgive. We are to share our faith with others and live our lives as Christ taught. Christ didn't teach the hate you are speaking of. Catholics do not worship Mary (gosh if I had a dollar for every time I had to say that!). Catholics are Christians, the Pope is a Christian. He is doing the will of God and following God. Catholics follow God, we do not follow a man. The Pope is the physical head of the Catholic Church on earth, while Christ is the ultimate head of the Church in Heaven. Jesus created the position of the pope in the Gospels, it was His plan to have a pope on earth. In the Old Testament there was the Seat of Moses, in the New Testament it's the Chair of Peter. I don't know what you mean by "he's a fake". He is a real Christian leading a Christian life. Nothing fake there at all. I do not have to "come out" of Christ's Holy Catholic Church because He led me to His Church. I am a convert because our Lord led me out of Protestantism and it's confusion (30,000+ differing denominations and doctrines) and into His Holy Catholic Church. I am home and do worship God in spirit and truth. I hope one day you can too, but first you need to let go of all that hatred. God is about love, not the hatred you've shown for Catholics and Christ's Church.

1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

Memorial Day Tribute

All gave some, some gave all...



Almighty God
We stand before you in supplication,
Asking Your Divine mercy and protection,
To envelop with Your invincible armor,
Our loved ones in all branches of the service.

Give them courage and strength
Against all enemies,
Both spiritual and physical,
And hasten their safe journey,
Back to their homes and families.

If it be Your Holy Will
That they be gathered to Your bosom,
With the eternal vanguard of the saints,
Let their journey to Your everlasting arms
Be swift and painless,
Where they may stand in honor and glory,
Praising You for all eternity.

Amen.

Senator Kennedy Prayer

I haven't always agreed with Senator Ted Kennedy's politics or political views, but there is no denying the large place he has in our American political history, nor that he has worked hard in many area's to help other people. The news of his seizure, then reports of his brain tumor have rippled a shock across our nation. I'd like to ask my readers to please take a moment to pray for Senator Kennedy and his family as they cope with this situation. Let's put aside our political views, and pray for a 76 year old man suffering a brain tumor that could be fatal. I offer this prayer:

Lord, look upon Senator Kennedy with eyes of mercy,
may Your healing hand rest upon him, may Your comfort rest upon his family,
may Your life-giving and healing Hand rest upon his body and heal him for Your glory,
we pray that You would restore Senator Kennedy to wholeness and strength by your loving mercy and grace.
Amen.

The Crown of Roses

Catholic Ordinary Time

Oh the green of Ordinary Time. For non-Catholics that may not make any sense, but Catholics know what I am referring to. I'd like to share some thoughts on Ordinary Time today. Personally, I love Ordinary Time. Many people can't wait for Advent and Lent etc., and I too love those times of year, but for me I worship best in church during Ordinary Time. There are not so many distractions during Ordinary Time- maybe I have a short attention span or something. During Advent it's often hard to set aside all the hype over the season and focus on why we even have an Advent season. That's not to say I don't get the warm fuzzies and excitement of Advent, I do. But I also know myself well enough to know that I am not as focused at mass during these times as I am during Ordinary Time. I belong to a small parish church with many members (that is to say our church is small but our membership is not). Most of these folks don't always attend a weekly Sunday mass during Ordinary Time, but come on the holidays. When this happens people are standing OUTSIDE listening to mass because there are just no seats for them. Clearly my parish needs to expand our church, but that is getting away from my thoughts on Ordinary Time. I have divided feelings over some of these Catholics who show up only for Christmas and Easter. On the one hand, I am pleased that they still attend mass and know how important Advent, Lent and Easter (etc) are. On the other hand... I can't help but wonder (yeah it's none of my business I know and I am not judging them as I don't know their lives, but I can't help but wonder...) why they don't feel the desire and need to attend mass all year? Or for whatever reason they have. Maybe it's because I am a convert and still often feel overwhelmed with the joy of finally being Catholic and able to participate in the Sacraments. And it's not just me, even my kids love the sacraments and will often argue on the way to Penance (Confession) who gets to confess first (thus giving them something else to confess)! We love our faith and our Church and all it's Sacraments. I just can't seem to understand some Catholics who only go to mass for "special" holy days and not during Ordinary Time. I know several parents in my parish who only attend mass during their children's time in Religious Education classes (AKA: 'Confraternity of Christian Doctrine or 'CCD' as it's better known). I think they are missing out on the specialness of mass during Ordinary Time. I love the holy days, don't get me wrong, but there is something special to me about Ordinary Time. I absolutely love late spring thru summer in my parish. There is a sense of completeness after Lent and Easter and the children's First Holy Communion. All the hustle and bustle is behind us for a while. This is when I can really deepen my prayer life and enjoy mass to the fullest without distractions. Just the parking alone during Advent or Easter is a distraction in my parish, not to mention the attempt to find a seat for yourself and your children! If you are parking half a mile down the street because your parish parking lot is over flowing and you have to hike to mass, then stand against a wall or outside in the cold because there are no seats left, how much are you able to put that aside and really focus on God and worship? For me, not very much. I know some people probably have no problems with that, but for me it's a distraction and mass is too important to me, to be distracted like that. So admittedly, I often get frustrated with myself for not putting these type of things aside and giving my all at mass as I should. Something I clearly have to work on. So Ordinary Time is a welcome time for me and my family as they seem to share a few of my views on this. So I hope those Catholics who don't attend weekly mass during Ordinary Time will come back to the Church and enjoy mass during a more peaceful, less stressful time of year. Come to mass during Ordinary Time and see what you've been missing!