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From the Pastor - The Ascension of the Lord

May 14, 2021

We often cite Jesus’ quote from today’s Gospel of Mark: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” This was not a suggestion from the Lord. It was quite frankly a command, and it is one which still holds for each of us. Being an evangelist, being a disciple, being a steward is not a matter of choice for those of us who are Catholic and Christian. It is something the Lord expects of us.


Often, we may like to spend time debating how to do that, but that does not lessen the fact that it is something we are supposed to do. We need to acknowledge that even the original Apostles and followers of Jesus did not do that immediately. We learn that they stayed in Jerusalem for some time, and it seemed to be only when the Church and its followers were persecuted that they began to reach out and truly share the “Good News.”


Once Christians accepted that charge from the Lord, they did indeed take the Word of God to all corners of the earth. Look at the Church today. It is incredible how this Church has grown from one Man/God and a small group into what it is today. That does not, however, get us “off the hook.”


As much as we may argue about how to carry out this command from Jesus, the fact remains that our very lives need to stand as a representation of what it means to be a Christian, what it means to “love one another,” what it means to live and to work as a disciple of Christ. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2018


Pastoral Pondering

With the arrival of the Ascension, we have come to the end of our observance of Jesus’ earthly ministry and beginning the era of the Church. Jesus’ ministry continues through the Church He founded and the apostles and their successors entrusted with preserving and passing on the faith.


I had an interesting conversation recently with a priest friend who was noting a level of confusion in Catholic circles about what it means to be Catholic; or, more specifically, a practicing Catholic. Some of this confusion is fomented by the secular culture but much of it must be laid at the feet of those who have the responsibility of preaching and teaching in the name of the Church. A recent article posted on the website uscatholic.org highlighted some of this reality; albeit, in a biased way. The author, Peter Feuerherd, is well known for seeking out stories that highlight the divide in the Church or look to sensationalize various conflicts. Nonetheless, he does identify a reality that is being experienced in many parts of the Church these days.


No one can deny that a spirit of division has become dominant in the culture in which we live, and, sadly, the Church is not totally immune from this division. The divide in the Church tends to follow divisions in liturgy, morality and ecclesiology. Some of the author’s sources are dubious in terms of their veracity, but they all share a very common attribute – they tend to involve those who came of age in the 50s, 60s and 70s. These were turbulent times in the world in general, but the Church was swept up in that turbulence, especially during the years of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council (1962-1965) and the years of implementation that followed.


These years saw many Catholic colleges and universities abandon a commitment to faith, many religious communities being decimated and many seminaries closing due to a dearth of seminarians. There was also a general hope, spurred by the “spirit of the world” at the time that the Church would abandon traditional moral teaching. This, at least, came to a head when Pope St. Paul VI issued Humanae Vitae which upheld the Church’s traditional view of married life and the procreation of children.


When Pope St. John Paul II came to the chair of St. Peter, he inherited a Church, that in many respects, was in shambles. The culture continued to devolve and the Church, because of her own failings and the failings of her leaders, was ill-equipped to confront the culture and curb the tide. Nonetheless, the Pope from Poland did his best to evangelize the world and engage the faithful with an evangelical spirit. He influenced a whole generation of seminarians who became priests who desired to reclaim our Catholic heritage and uphold Catholic teaching.



The reality of division, tension and conflict has continued in greater or lesser degrees since then, and we often see it played out in parish life around the country and even around the world. I believe a substantial reason for this is rooted in the question that my priest-friend asked when I began this pondering, what is a practicing Catholic. Over the next few weeks, I will try to answer that question as I understand it and hopefully bring some clarity that will benefit all of us.

From the Pastor

From the Parochial Vicar - 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 21, 2025
In today’s Gospel, taken from the sixth chapter of Luke, Jesus offers a very challenging, seemingly impossible approach to daily life. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak do not withhold even your tunic.” It makes one want to say, “Seriously, Lord?” And He doesn’t stop there. Jesus adds, “Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.” It seems so unfair! That is, unless we look at this way of life from a stewardship point of view. Then, not only does it seem doable (though challenging), but it also actually makes perfect sense. A steward understands clearly that all he has and all that he is — his very life — is a gift from God given to him from an unfathomable abundance of love. This changes everything! This means “my” cloak, “my” tunic, “my” money, and time — all of it ultimately belongs to God. He has entrusted these things to each of us in love to use for His purposes and His glory. Does this mean we are to be passive “doormats” to anyone who wants to take advantage of us? Certainly not. Jesus explains this in the next verse of this passage when He says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” There is nothing wrong with loving oneself since God loves us and has made us in His own image and likeness. Jesus is simply asking that we also approach others, and the sharing of our gifts, with this same attitude. He is giving us a definition here of real love, a steward’s love! ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering Work is good, man is born for work, but that does not mean that we should forget that rest is good as well. A lot of times we hear the third commandment of remembering and keeping holy the Sabbath, and we think the commandment is only fulfilled when we attend Mass on that day. The commandment, of course, extends to more than that. Can. 1247 reminds us that in addition to participating at Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to abstain from works and affairs that hinder the worship due to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s day, or suitable relaxation of mind and body. This canon, of course, is an adaptation from the 1917 code which stated explicitly that one is to abstain from servile work, judicial work, and commercial operations (1917 CIC 1248). The specific wording is not present in the recent code but it still requires us to abstain from such works or acts. Regarding the mention of work, there are 4 common ways work can distinguished: The works we hear of frequently in the third commandment are Servile works which are works that require mainly bodily activity and seek to serve the welfare of the body. It gets its name from the fact that this was work that was usually done by servants. So these would include works like digging or ploughing, and mechanical works. Servile work’s character is such that it is not determined by the worker’s intention, the fatigue of the work, nor if there is payment involved. The character is determined by the nature of the work itself. There are also Liberal works/cultural works which are works of the mind. They proceed from the soul and look to cultivate the mind. Examples are reading, writing, singing, playing instruments, drawing and painting. Theologians hold that these works remain liberal even if one is paid for it or expends a lot of energy in performing the work. A third type is called ordinary (natural) work which is done for the daily sustenance of the body. Examples include eating, hunting, driving, cooking etc. A fourth type of work is judicial and commercial work which takes place in court or in the course of public trading. Examples here include sitting in court, defending criminals, buying and selling, etc. There are other forms of work whose natures are difficult to determine, and in such cases one is guided by the common opinion of men. For example painting, rowing, exercise seem like servile work but common opinion sees acts like these as recreation and regard them as lawful. I’m inclined to call exercise an ordinary work because it can be for the daily sustenance of the body. So which ones are not permitted on Sunday? The principle that exists for this subject is that any form of servile, judicial, and commercial work is forbidden on Sundays and holy days of obligation, but cultural and ordinary work is permitted. The reason as stated earlier is that servile, judicial, and commercial work prevent us from giving sufficient attention to the Lord, because of its effect on the body, and this is what the commandment and canon law warn against. Ordinary and liberal work do not have the same effect so they are allowed. Although to this I would add that we do not let them hinder the specifications of Can. 1247. Can we be permitted to do servile work on Sunday? Yes, several causes can allow for servile work to be done on Sundays and on holy days: Dispensations , if there is a just cause, may be granted by the Pope, a bishop in his diocese, or a pastor of his Church. The Custom existing in a place could be a reason why servile work is excused, so long as the custom is permitted and has not been censured by the bishop. Charity , done as a form of relief for one's neighbor who is in need, is sufficient to excuse servile work. Some examples are taking care of the sick and the poor. Necessity excuses one from the obligation if he cannot otherwise support himself. It excuses one when one would not have food for the day if he did not work, or when a person works so as not to lose the job or certain goods. Some might be compelled to work on Sundays, and can’t refuse doing so, such would be a sufficient excuse from the obligation. As is necessary, one is welcome to perform household chores that keep the family fed and the house in proper order. Sometimes the personal necessity might exist if there is a danger of sinning because of idleness. Smallness of the matter can also excuse from violating the obligation. Servile work, if done, should not last more than two hours. And if perhaps the work is light in character, then three hours is good. Piety towards God excuses the violation of the precept. This would mean that works which proximately/directly consider the worship of God are lawful. Best examples of these could be actions that take place within the liturgy, some altar serving roles, ushering duties, working in the church to clean or decorate it. Some final thoughts. Regarding servile works, perhaps they are not the same as they previously were, i.e., the works that servants would do. But many of us are servants in a way, and so what we do on a regular basis could be the servile work that we are called to avoid on Sundays and holy days. Recognize that we should joyfully seek to give God due to worship and relax our minds and bodies.  Rest is good! And what I want for us is to make sure that we are faithful to all, and not just one of the stipulations of the third commandment. — Fr. Chinonso Nnebe-Agumadu

From the Pastor - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • February 14, 2025
Today’s readings speak of an essential quality for the Christian steward — hope. This is especially fitting this year, as Pope Francis has designated 2025 as a Jubilee Year with the theme, "Pilgrims of Hope." According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1817).” In many ways, this is the very definition of a stewardship way of life — focusing on eternity as we live our daily lives and relying on God to provide for our needs and satisfy our deepest longings for meaning and happiness right now. In today’s Gospel from Luke, Jesus describes the true richness of life that is possible for those of us who are willing to live as his hope-filled disciples. We are all familiar with this passage in which Jesus reveals the Beatitudes: blessed are the poor; they have the kingdom of God. Blessed are those now hungry because they will be satisfied. Blessed are those who weep because they will laugh. Blessed are those who are hated, excluded, and insulted because they are disciples of Jesus; they will be greatly rewarded in heaven. Jesus is describing here the character of one who is living a life of hope – the life of a Christian steward whose trust is firmly rooted in God and who is focused on others and eternity. It is not always an easy life, but it is a deeply meaningful life and one that leads to eternal reward. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering Lately, I have had a number of folks ask me different questions regarding the Sacrament of Penance (Confession), so I thought it might be a good idea to address some of those questions that might be of interest to a wider audience. Back in 1983 the International Theological Commission issues a document encouraging a renewal of understanding the sacrament. The opening statement of the document is a beautiful reminder of what it is all about: In the preaching of Jesus, the call to conversion is connected immediately with the good news of the Kingdom of God. (see Mt. 1:14 ff.). Thus, when the Church following Jesus, and by virtue of the mission which it has received, calls to conversion and announces the reconciliation which God has worked through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (see 2 Cor. 5:18-20), it preaches a God who is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4)...Penance must be seen in an organic relationship with the other sacraments. In the first place, it is present in all as the word of reconciliation in the comprehensive teaching of the Church. A central witness to this is the article in the creed: “I believe...in the forgiveness of sins.” (“Penance and Conciliation,” in Origins, 23 [January 12, 1984], pp. 513-524. 1. Is confession necessary for the forgiveness of sins? The two introductory canons concerning the sacrament from the Code of Canon Law answer this question. Can. 959 In the sacrament of penance the faithful who confess their sins to a lawful minister, are sorry for those sins and have a purpose of amendment, receive from God, through the absolution given by that minister, forgiveness of sins they have committed after baptism, and at the same time they are reconciled with the Church, which by sinning they wounded. Can. 960 Individual and integral confession and absolution constitute the sole ordinary means by which a member of the faithful who is conscious of grave sin is reconciled with God and with the Church. Physical or moral impossibility alone excuses from such confession, in which case reconciliation may be attained by other means also. So, grave or mortal sin, under normal circumstances, can only be absolved through the sacrament. 2. Does confession have to be celebrated in a confessional? Can. 964 §1 The proper place for hearing sacramental confessions is a church or oratory. §2 As far as the confessional is concerned, norms are to be issued by the Episcopal Conference, with the proviso however that confessionals, which the faithful who so wish may freely use, are located in an open place, and fitted with a fixed grille between the penitent and the confessor. §3 Except for a just reason, confessions are not to be heard elsewhere than in a confessional. The canon simply states the norm that sacraments should normally be celebrated in a church or oratory. A just cause can justify celebrating the sacrament outside a church or oratory, e.g. a parish office, but this is not the norm. Moreover, confessionals are to be available in accordance with the norms of the Episcopal Conference. The proper norm for the United States was promulgated in 1999: “The National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in accord with the prescriptions of canon 964, §2, hereby decrees the following norms governing the place for sacramental confessions: Provision must be made in each church or oratory for a sufficient number of places for sacramental confessions which are clearly visible, truly accessible, and which provide a fixed grille between the penitent and the confessor. Provision should also be made for penitents who wish to confess face-to-face, with due regard for the Authentic Interpretation of canon 964, §2 by the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, July 7, 1998 (AAS 90 [1998] 711).  3. Can a priest refuse to hear confessions face-to-face? The answer to this question is addressed by the reference to the authentic interpretation noted above. It states the following: “The minister of the sacrament of penance may legitimately decide, even if there is no necessity, to hear confessions in a confessional with a fixed grill.” Hence, the general norm is that the faithful have a right to have their confessions heard. They can also request face-to-face confession; however, the priest-confessor has the right to refuse this request. This is rooted in the protection of the priest in light of situations that have arisen of false accusations made against confessors in the administration of penance. A priest is at a great disadvantage because of the sacramental seal and the inviolability of the sacrament. Therefore, some priests are more comfortable not hearing confessions face-to-face.
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