tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122224727175275972024-03-13T16:19:08.601-04:00Called by NameThe next day, Jesus decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, "Follow me." - John 1:43Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.comBlogger1380125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-56877139563916366942015-07-19T18:30:00.001-04:002015-07-19T18:30:13.398-04:00Transferred!For those who keep hitting back here, I have moved on up to a new site:<br />
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http://fatherschnippel.com<br />
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Stop on over and say hi.Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-36061597487783198082014-03-01T10:30:00.001-05:002014-03-01T10:30:57.495-05:00An Army Praying for LifeI am usually on to do the First Saturday Mass as part of the Helpers' of God's Precious Infants Mass at Holy Name Church in Cincinnati's Mount Auburn neighborhood. Just down the street from Murder, Inc. (Planned (un)Parenthood), I say Mass then hear confessions while the faithful process down to the abortuary to pray the Rosary for an end to abortion and a greater respect for life.<br />
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<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030114.cfm">During today's readings, a thought came to me</a>...<br />
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The first reading from St. James reflects the power of prayer, and that call to pray always. Citing the power of Elijah's prayer, James calls us all to that prayer of the righteous which God almost seems powerless to resist. (because hearts are so in tune with what He is already doing...) Intercessory prayer is something that I think so many find easy to pray, because we have come to have a natural disposition towards the other which allows us the freedom to lift that other person up, etc.<br />
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With this concept of intercessory prayer, we turn to the Gospel passage of Jesus drawing children to himself and lifting up that simplicity of childlike prayer as an example for us all to follow.<br />
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(remember, this is a Mass specifically for the Pro-Life movement...)<br />
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It struck me that Our Lord always calls the marginalized and shunned closest to himself. In His public ministry, he sought out those who were otherwise lost and who desired to come to know Him better. Is there anyone more shunned and dismissed by society today than the children who do not even get the chance to take a breath? Whose lives are snuffed out before they are even given the chance?<br />
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Certainly, in His love, Our Lord draws them to Himself.<br />
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Combining the two passages, then, would it not stand to reason that this unfortunately all too large of a group of children is now interceding before God's throne in heaven to stop the scourge of abortion and to change the hearts of those who are in the abortion industry? Is this a possible reason we have seen so many conversions over the last few years?<br />
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We must keep in mind that this is a spiritual battle, and the army of prayer on our side is growing and getting stronger.Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-8975299598420865462014-02-27T11:45:00.002-05:002014-02-27T11:45:24.123-05:00Not a good day to look at the readings...<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022714.cfm">It seems both St. James and Our Lord are having rough days today</a>.<br />
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But, as we prep for Lent, these are both good wake up calls to the need for ongoing conversion of heart.<br />
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The rich become comfortable and rest on their laurels while the needy languish around them. St. James is highlighting what happens when faith is not continually put in to action, as he has called forth throughout his letter. It will slowly die on the vine and then when called upon... nothing.<br />
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Our Lord makes a similar challenge, especially to those who lead others, particularly in ministry. "Whoever causes one of these little ones to sin..."<br />
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This is the technical definition of scandal and why scandal is such a pervasive thing within the faith community. It leads others to lose hope, to stop striving for greatness, to utter those most disheartening of words, 'well, if <i>he's</i> doing it, I can as well...'<br />
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As we enter Lent next week, a particular focus for the early stages might be to find those hidden areas of life that keep us from the greatness and holiness to which Christ calls us all.Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-295800940491968892014-02-26T09:09:00.000-05:002014-02-26T09:09:04.073-05:00The Light is on for Confession<i>My latest for the Catholic Telegraph:</i><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This coming March 18, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is participating for the first time in a national campaign simply entitled ‘The Light is On for You.’ Begun in New York, it is a night where every parish throughout the Archdiocese will have confessions offered from seven to nine in the evening. It has met with great success in areas that have conducted the program and we are excited to bring it here, too!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As a priest, the ability to hear confessions is at once both awe-inspiring and fear-inducing. It is awe-inspiring in the sense that it is often the time when you are able to the see the Grace of God most visibly active in a persons life. It takes a great deal of humility and emptiness to come to a brother in Christ to admit the wrongs that have been committed while seeking not just the priest’s forgiveness, but the forgiveness of God Himself! The words of absolution still strike me, even after nearly ten years as a priest and countless confessions, as one of the most beautiful prayers that the Church has passed down to us.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">However, the act of hearing a confession is also fear-inducing in the sense of trying to find the right words to help this person who is before to experience that unique love of the Lord available in this Sacrament. In fact, it is that initial love of the Lord which itself spurs that call to conversion! As I enter the confessional, I always try to say a prayer that I might be a good and holy confessor, a wise and prudent steward of the mysteries entrusted to me, a priest.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Because of the intimate and delicate nature of what is celebrated in this Divine Encounter, the training to conduct the Sacrament is deferred to our very last years of seminary formation. After all, this Sacrament draws on every other aspect of our training: knowledge of Scripture to see the ongoing call to conversion that is throughout the Bible; knowledge of theology to understand the implications of what we are doing; training in pastoral counseling so that we are able to engage the penitent where he or she is and draw them closer to Christ; and even knowledge of our own weaknesses so that we never forget that, as priests, we are first and foremost wounded healers who are also in need of forgiveness and mercy.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Uniting all of this together is practice. During our course on the Sacraments of Healing, we undertake practice confessions with our classmates so that once we sit on the other side of the screen, we might have some idea of what to do. Our professor then guides and rehashes how we did in those moments so that we can continue to learn from them. (In fact, that particular class when we practice can often be the most fun as we either try to outdo our classmates in ‘sins’ we have committed, or come up with some outlandish scenarios.)</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Yet, Confession is not meant to be something difficult and drear, but an encounter with the Living Christ who calls us all. Confession is to help us overcome our weaknesses and failings in order to recognize that Jesus Christ still calls, despite our sins, despite our faults, despite our failings. He waits and challenges us to move forward and to confirm once again, “Yes, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our Lord waits with innumerable graces to pour out upon those who come to Him in their need. As priests, we wait to be doctors of the soul. If you have not been in a while, now is the perfect time to come to Him and to hear those most powerful of words: ‘Through the ministry of the Church, I absolve you of your sins…’</span></div>
Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-28201257639913998382014-02-22T09:14:00.001-05:002014-02-22T09:14:53.898-05:00The Chair of St. Peter<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022214.cfm">Today we celebrate in the Church the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.</a> (Yeah, one of those 'you Catholics worship <i>anything!'</i> days)<br />
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Why?<br />
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First, it is a sign of authority and teaching. Think to the passage in the Gospel of the Unjust Judge. He sits on his judgement chair at the gates to the city. So to sit in judgement is a sign of that authority which the one who sits possesses.<br />
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It is also a sign of unity. For the community gathers around the one presides over them, listening and learning.<br />
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Therefore, we see that Peter's Chair is a sign of the authority that is contained within the one who sits upon it. But also the sign of unity throughout the Church. And those keys which have been given to Peter have been passed down through the ages to Francis today.Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-11380784500336693622014-02-19T09:08:00.000-05:002014-02-19T09:08:01.953-05:00Doers, not just hearers, of the Word<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021914.cfm">Today we are starting to get to the reason</a> as far as why Martin Luther called the Letter of St. James the Epistle of Straw.<br />
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"Be doers of the Word and not just hearers only, deluding yourself."<br />
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For St. James, to hear the Word of God, to encounter Him in the kerygma, the proclamation, to know and love Him; all demands a response in kind. We cannot simply sit idly by as the world goes on, our faith must drive us forward. (I think of St. Paul: 'Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!')<br />
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Our faith cannot stop at the doors of the Church, but must impel us forward in love of Christ and therefore in love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, whomever that is!<br />
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We also get a sense in the Gospel passage of something that is particularly Markan in scope: the Messianic Secret. How often over the last few weeks as we have journeyed with Jesus in Mark's account of the Gospel, we see how Jesus sends away those whom He has cured with strange instruction, such as today's 'Go straight home, do not go into the village.'<br />
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For St. Mark, there is an importance in having that one on one encounter with Christ and being changed by that encounter. Our witness to others might help that, but it is not an encounter with <i>me</i> that changes lives, but rather how we are able to lead others to a true encounter with <i>Christ</i> that can lead to lives being changed.Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-34959172049535705382014-02-18T09:14:00.001-05:002014-02-18T09:14:42.397-05:00Temptation can purifyI<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021814.cfm">n our initial reading at Mass</a>, we have turned from the historical books of the Old Testament to the Letter of St. James. (As an aside, this is the Letter that Martin Luther infamously called the 'Epistle of Straw' due to his dislike for the contents of this Letter.)<br />
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Today, St. James identifies something that we likely all intuitively know: temptation is a part of life. However, there is a hidden aspect when facing these temptations to ask the question: 'Why is God doing this to me?' James offers a stern and quick rebuke to this line of questioning: It is not from God but is an enticement of our own desire.<br />
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When we face temptations, (going with Sunday's First Reading), we face a choice to give in or to resist. Certainly, at times, the temptations may be strong, particularly when we are weak, but that is why we have the availability of Confession, thanks be to God!<br />
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Finally, as we face and struggle against those temptations, with the Letter, we also begin to recognize the good things that God also gives, those little moments of overcoming, those little moments of Grace throughout the day, so that as Jesus challenges the Twelve in the Gospel, we might use our eyes to see the fingerprints of God in our day and our ears to hear His whispering voice encouraging us all to greatness.Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-80979322997047890252014-02-13T11:30:00.001-05:002014-02-13T11:30:16.810-05:00Constant Conversion of Heart<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021314.cfm">Today's readings are a sad state of affairs</a>.<br />
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Solomon, despite his wisdom, has fallen from that inner devotion that his father David had and has turned to the false gods worshiped by his many wives. As such, the LORD God will deprive him of his kingdom, rending the united monarchy in two: Judah and Benjamin in the south and the other ten tribes in the Kingdom of Israel in the north.<br />
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It is a harsh punishment. But it is a merited punishment. After all, he had asked for, and been given, a wise and prudent heart from God; and while he used it well for many years, he did not nurture that wisdom, he did not nurture that ongoing conversion of heart. Rather than stay true (and/or repent strongly when he fell, as David did), he let the many wives and concubines draw him away from his inner devotion and truth.<br />
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The lesson here is not one of 'you must maintain perfection!' Rather, I think the lesson is that ongoing conversion of heart that is called forth in our discipleship of Christ. David sinned, and sinned boldly at that! Yet, he was given the promise of an everlasting kingdom.<br />
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Solomon sinned as well. But when confronted, rather than repent, he built altars and shrines to the false gods that his wives and concubines introduced. Hence, his kingdom is rent in two.<br />
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Therefore, let us examine our own lives so that we might find those hidden sins (for I am sure Solomon thought he was doing his wives great service) that block us from that true inner devotion to Our Lord. Then, when we find them, let us repent of them, as David did, so that we might continue to grow stronger in Christ.Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-79110756176625629752014-02-11T09:09:00.002-05:002014-02-11T09:09:51.198-05:00Our Lady of Lourdes and Inner DevotionToday we celebrate the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernadette_Soubirous">Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, commemorating the appearances of Our Lady under the title 'I Am the Immaculate Conception</a>'. Appearing to a young, uneducated girl, Our Lady called for conversion of heart and dedication to Her Son, doesn't she always?<br />
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Anyway, i<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021114.cfm">t fits with today's Gospel reading</a>, too. For the Scribes and the Pharisees had all the outward appearances of holiness and devotion to the Lord, yet their inner hearts were not oriented towards him.<br />
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Simply, do you go through the motions, or let the motions be the outward expression of that inner devotion and love for the Lord?Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-29886324012623949592014-02-10T11:47:00.002-05:002014-02-10T11:48:27.395-05:00The Glory Cloud takes up residence in the Temple<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021014.cfm">Today's First Reading</a> continues the story arc of David and now Solomon, today featuring the final conquest of Jerusalem and the Lord taking up his residence there.<br />
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Dirty little secret is that even though Jerusalem is the City of David, he never actually conquered the entire city... That was left for his son, Solomon, to complete.<br />
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As Jerusalem is taken over completely by the Israelites, to be their capital city and the City of God, in a way, Solomon today brings the Ark of the Lord to the city and to show his love and devotion to the Lord, he undertakes a massive sacrifice before the Lord to mark this monumental occasion.<br />
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As the sacrifices were completed, the whole Temple of the Lord is filled with the Glory Cloud as God takes up residence in His new home, in a sense. This is the same Shekina/Glory Cloud that led the people of Israel into the wilderness from Egypt and guided them throughout their journeys into the Promised Land. Now, after countless years of wandering, the people of Israel finally have a permanent home.<br />
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How do we adorn our own homes and hearts with the Glory of the Lord as we reflect on that wondrous mystery of the Lord God taking up residence in this palace?Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-75570848123728182642014-02-09T12:40:00.002-05:002014-02-09T12:40:54.875-05:00I resolved to know nothing but Christ, Crucified.In my wonderings around to different parishes, there is a frequent conversation that happens in the sacristy prior to Mass: 'What does St. Paul mean in this reading?'<div>
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As Catholics, we tend to study the Gospels the most. With the arrangement of the Lectionary Cycle, we can often see the typology of Christ hidden in the Old Testament, but St. Paul's writings are often lost to most of us. Even as a priest, I often overlook the Second Reading at Mass when preparing my homily.</div>
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<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020914.cfm">Today's Second Reading </a>gives us an insight into how to interpret the entirety of the Pauline corpus, and I want to look a little more in depth at this for our reflections today. In fact, I think there are two key hermeneutical lenses that can give us an insight into the writings of St. Paul.</div>
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First, Life in Christ: For St. Paul, the primary motivator for his journeys and his writings is to exhort the growing Christian community into a new life in Christ: Put on Christ over the old life of sin. In that time frame, there was such a dramatic conversion that was needed, he had to be forceful with his audiences (see, for example, the stupid Galatians!). He has experienced that conversion and desperately desires for his fellow believers to have that same joy that he has found in Christ.</div>
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The challenge becomes how do we continue to live that life in Christ? This is where today's Second Reading gives us the particular insight: 'I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Christ, and Him Crucified!' For St. Paul, this is the key into that life in Christ. The central event not just in Salvation History, but in all of human history is the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Divine Son of God. By this one event, all of human history has been changed. Therefore, when we enter into that particular mystery, all of life is changed.</div>
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This becomes an interpretive key for the modern day, as well. As a priest, I am convinced that life in Christ, particularly in the Cross, it what unites us all. For there is one thing that we have in common across the human condition: we suffer. We have our own weaknesses, we have suffered because of the weaknesses and sins of others directed at ourselves, we all sin.</div>
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Yet, by entering into the Crucifixion, we are able to overcome or pass through those sufferings to experience the joy that comes in the Resurrection. In fact, as we go through that suffering, we come to have a deeper awareness and appreciation of that joy that comes in Christ! </div>
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In this: life in Christ, and Him Crucified, we find the deeper joy that transcends our human weaknesses, transcends even the limits of time and space: we find joy that is rooted in Christ.</div>
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As we embrace this joy, then we are able to truly be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, spicing this world with the truth of the Gospel and leading others to Christ by the light of faith that shines in our willingness to proclaim Christ, and Him Crucified.</div>
Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-20234369405226729482014-02-08T09:15:00.002-05:002014-02-08T09:15:33.735-05:00Seek a Wise Heart<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020814.cfm">In our daily readings</a>, we have turned the page from the exploits of David and now look at the reign of his son, Solomon.<br />
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Appropriately, he begins his reign as King of Israel by acknowledging the one True King of Israel: the Lord God, offering a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon.<br />
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That evening, in a dream, the Lord speaks to him, offering him such a unique grace: 'Ask of Me whatever you want...'<br />
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So many options present themselves: long life, destruction of enemies, riches, etc. etc. Instead, he asks for an understanding heart so as to aid his leadership of God's Chosen People.<br />
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Because he asks for a gift not necessarily for himself, but in service to his people, God does give him all the other things, besides.<br />
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If you were given the opportunity, what would you ask for from God? If that dream was presented to you, would you ask for wisdom and understanding? Long life? Career help?<br />
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How is God already offering you the answers to the questions that you seek?Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-16323403291270239782014-02-07T07:53:00.000-05:002014-02-07T07:53:12.384-05:00A recap of how David was perceived Our first reading takes a quick break from the series in Samuel and Kings to give us a quick recap of the events that we have read about.<br />
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<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020714.cfm">The last few chapters of the Book of Sirach</a> gives us a wonderful insight into the prevalent thoughts that existed during the inter-testamental period, those last 150 years or so between the time of the end of the Old Covenant and the dawning of the New with the Birth of Our Lord. The Sacred Author retells Sacred History through the lives of the key figures of the Old Testament. If you have never read this section, it can be a great quick read for that sort of 10,000 foot view of the Old Covenant.<br />
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In today's section, we get the recap of David's life and ministry, and as we discussed a few days ago, we get an insight into why David is held up as such a great figure in Israel: 'With his whole being he loved his Maker and daily had his praises sung.' Everything David was and did was oriented towards praising the True King of Israel: The LORD God. He revolutionized the worship in the Temple as the author of so many Psalms that are still sung today. He recognized that beauty is able to change the heart and lead the devoted closer to God.<br />
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How might you and I continue to grow in the love of the Lord as David did... How might we all engage the world in Beauty so that hearts and minds might be daily lifted before our Lord and God...Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-5649704104971494662014-02-05T11:37:00.000-05:002014-02-05T11:37:57.251-05:00Pretty harsh, don't you think?So, <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020514.cfm">in today's readings</a>, David counts the people of Israel to assess their preparedness for war. In response, he is given three options from God:<br />
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1) Three years famine in the land<br />
2) Three months of pursuit by his enemies<br />
3) Three days of pestilence in the land.<br />
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Seems rather harsh, doesn't it?<br />
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To quote: 'Why so serious, God?!?!'<br />
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The reason this is such a serious sin in the eyes of The Lord is that He is to be their armor and protector. This is what makes Israel different from all the other nations who have to rely on their armies and walls and ramparts to protect them. Israel only has to rely on God. So when David has the census taken, he is basically saying to God: 'We don't need you!'<br />
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Think back on the history of Israel: the flight out of Egypt to the destruction of Jericho and the initial conquest of the Holy Land, as long as God fought for them, they were always successful. When they turned away, they started to falter and to fail.<br />
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Even at the beginning of the Exodus, Joshua is the only one who argues: 'it doesn't matter how many folks are in Canaan, we have the Lord!' Hence, he becomes the leader after Moses.<br />
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So, taking the lesson from David today, trust that God truly is on our side, even when the odds look long and daunting, and he will lead us through!Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-50580142269137910612014-02-04T10:15:00.002-05:002014-02-04T10:15:55.221-05:00Now a reason to actually look up to King David!Last week, we saw plenty of reasons why David was not the best example of how to be a disciple of God...<br />
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Today, we get a little better image of who he was and why he was held up as an example of discipleship.<br />
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http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020414.cfm<br />
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Despite the fact that his son Absalom was out to get him and had repeatedly exiled David, David still has a great love for his son. So much so, that when informed of his death by Joab, David weeps and sobs repeatedly.<br />
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How might we reach out to forgive those who have wronged us, because we have all had that experience. How might we still reach out in love to those who are out to get us?<br />
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It is a little thing, but still an important aspect of our path of discipleship.<br />
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<br />Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-48953781047009881902014-02-01T10:02:00.000-05:002014-02-01T10:02:29.237-05:00Meet Jesus, Don't Just Talk About Him<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">My latest Missive for </span><span style="font-size: 11px;">the</span><span style="font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"> Catholic Telegraph</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At the initial meeting I have with an engaged couple to begin their preparation for married life, I always start with how they met and why they are now sitting across from me thinking about getting married. It is enjoyable to me to hear their stories and to see in them the way that God truly has brought them to this point, sometimes after long and intertwining paths to reach this point.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Part of the conversation also turns to why they want to get married in the Catholic Church, which also involves their Mass attendance in the recent past. During a recent meeting, the couple admitted that they did not attend Mass very often at all and our discussion centered around how and why this happens, for it happens all too often among young adults these days.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In reflecting with them, we centered on two ‘causes’ of this backsliding that so many of my generation fall into. On the part of the young person, in many ways, it just sort of happens. Entering college, they miss Mass a few times that initial year, then a few more the next year and by the final year of college, they go to Mass when home with mom and dad and well, then, the ‘habit’ is broken. By the time they settle into a working career, so many young adults no longer have the pattern of Sunday Mass into their weekend routine and just stop altogether.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But is this solely the fault of this generation? In reflecting on the work I see being done with young people today and the focus that many youth ministers are bringing to their work, as aspect that was sadly missing in previous generations has finally been rediscovered. In my own faith formation, it seems that we talked about Jesus a great deal, but the key component that was missing is that we were never actually introduced to him. There was never an encounter with the Living God so that our lives were changed by Him.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">However, all is not lost! The good news is that there is a strong contingent of young adults who have had this encounter with the Living Christ and wish to fervently share this encounter with our young people! Even more exciting, so many of our young people (teens and high school students in particular) have also had this encounter and are leading a revolution in their families, schools and among their friends. They have found the pearl of great price and are willing to sacrifice everything they have and are to not only keep that pearl, but to also share it with their peers. The vibrancy and energy that they are bringing to the Gospel is powerful!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, this might be a chance for a renewed focus on not only how we are forming our young people in the academic life, but also how we are forming our young people in Christ! Our Catholic schools have small signs in each classroom that is a reminder that Jesus is truly the reason for our schools, the unseen teacher of all that we do.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But our challenge is to make Him more than just unseen, but to help all of our young people to know and realize the unique and dynamic love that He has for each one of them; all the while helping our young people to return that dynamic love back to Him as well.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Also, this is a challenge that is not just for our Catholic schools, it is for every Catholic to embrace. The more that schools, parishes, youth ministry programs, families, and diocesan offices are able to work together with the focus of truly presenting Christ in all that we say and do, the more we can help fight back on the ways the culture has infiltrated our efforts to spread the Gospel message.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As we do so, surely Christ will bless these efforts, for He truly does desire for us to find that unique happiness and joy that comes from knowing, serving, and most of all loving Him in both this life and in the life to come.</span></div>
Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-3866860066842890652013-01-31T11:38:00.001-05:002013-01-31T11:38:26.866-05:00Good Bye to a Brother Priest<em>My latest missive for the Catholic Telegraph:</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I write this, the parish where I reside is preparing to
say good-bye to a brother priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fr.
Bob Wolfer had lived in residence at Our Lady of Lourdes in retirement with his
brother who was also a priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the
last few years, he was in residence at a nursing home prior to being called
home by Our Lord here in middle January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am sad to say that I never really knew either of the Frs. Wolfer, as
we were of a different age cohort, and by the time I was on the scene at Our
Lady of Lourdes, they were already well into their eighties and needed full
time care.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, as Fr. Bob Wolfer neared his death, calls came in
to the rectory for the priests to visit him and prepare him for his final
journey home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fr. Sunberg, the pastor of
Our Lady of Lourdes, visited him, anointed him, gave him Absolution and the
Apostolic Pardon and one last reception of Holy Communion to be his strength
along this final journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we received word that he had been called home, a series
of events get put into place for that final journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calls were placed to the Archbishop’s Office
and the Chancellery to let our brother priests know of his passing that Masses
might be offered for the repose of his soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Arrangements are made with his family for the funeral Mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vestments are procured so that he might be
vested as he lies in state.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was this last part that I was called in to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was asked to stop by the funeral home that
is assisting the family to make sure that Fr. Wolfer is properly vested for his
final journey: his cassock and alb were brought over; a chasuble and stole laid
in wait for him to wear one last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is the responsibility of a brother priest to make sure that the priest who has
passed is properly vested for his funeral Mass, and I was glad to assist in
this humbling task.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In so doing, it is realization of Psalm 110 that is prayed
every Sunday at Evening Prayer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are
a priest for ever, according to the Order of Melchizadek.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of these little steps and traditions that
get activated when a priest dies reflect that he goes forward not just as a
Baptized Catholic, as important as that is, but that he goes forward as a
priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During his final journey, he is
accompanied by the hopes of all the children that he Baptized; by the dreams of
all the couples whose marriage he witnessed; the relief of all those whose sins
he forgave in the Sacrament of Reconciliation; and the souls of all those he
prepared for a happy death in the Last Rites of the Church.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We pray that the good works that he did as a priest might
overshadow his human failings, for every priest struggles with the call to
perfection while also the reality of being human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray that the homilies he preached
continue to echo in the hearts and minds of the faithful who heard them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray that the testimony of his life as an
‘Alter Christus’ might gain him entry to sit at the side of Christ in the
Banquet to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of my brothers, one of our Fathers, has died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now entrust him to the grace and care of
Almighty God, whose minister he was in this life; that Fr. Wolfer might now be
with Him forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may the Perpetual
Light shine upon him. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-21733488207289628812012-10-04T10:27:00.003-04:002012-10-04T10:27:59.173-04:00The only problem is, there are not enough of them!<em>My latest for the Catholic Telegraph:</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There is good
news to report: the number of seminarians for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
continues to increase, reaching a high water mark since at least the mid
1990's, if not back to the mid 1980's!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
this academic year began, we have 45 men in formation for the priesthood for
the Archdiocese, 28 of whom are in major theology at Mount St. Mary's Seminary
of the West, 17 are in college formation at one of two houses of formation:
Bishop Simon Bruté in Indianapolis or the Pontifical College Josephinum in
Columbus.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">These are great
numbers, and as Vocation Director, I am very thankful for the help and support
that our vocation program has received throughout the Archdiocese; from parish
staffs and youth ministry programs, high school campus ministries, young adult
formation groups, the excellent faculty and staff at Mount St. Mary's, my
colleagues in the Central Offices of the Archdiocese, and certainly my brother
priests who are out 'in the field;' all have helped to stem the tide of fewer
vocations to the priesthood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But it is not
just the numbers that have continued to increase, but the quality and
dedication of our seminarians is also outstanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have men in formation for the priesthood
who had many options that they willingly sacrificed to pursue this most noble
of callings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several of our college men
have full tuition scholarships based on academic merit; among our Major
Seminarians are men who had offers at the graduate level to the University of
Notre Dame, in addition to very successful business careers that were just
starting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of our men are very blue
collar, born and raised on farms in the rural parts of our Archdiocese,
connected to the ground in a way that those raised in cities just could not
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, they are a band of brothers,
united by the Calling from God to lay down their lives for their brothers and
sisters in the Lord was stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is an exciting
time to be working in this field, and not just here locally, but across the
country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dioceses and seminaries are
reporting increases and record enrollments, just as we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, some seminaries are reporting that
they simply cannot accept more students as their residence halls have been
packed full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an excellent
problem to have!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Despite the
optimism, there is still much work to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here in the Archdiocese, we need to at least double the number of men in
formation from 45 to 70.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would
allow us to begin to turn the tide from shrinking numbers of active priests to
actually increasing the laborers in the vineyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possible and we can continue the
trend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some parishes within the
Archdiocese currently have two or three seminarians just from that parish; if
even half the parishes in the Archdiocese supported a son to enter priestly
formation here locally, we would have over 100 men in formation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, it does not seem to be so great a
task to achieve the goals set forth by Archbishop Schnurr.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On his behalf, I
would like to thank one particular demographic for their support in our
vocation efforts: the older generation who cannot be as active as they once
were, but support the life and ministry of the Church through their vibrant
prayer life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the prophetess Anna was
night and day in the Temple praising God, so many of this greatest generation
follow in her footsteps in their devotion to Daily Mass and recitation of the
Rosary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ask this generation, in
particular, to keep the vocation efforts in their prayers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Finally,
vocations to the priesthood and religious life are signs of great blessings and
vitality for parishes and dioceses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May
the Lord continue to pour out these rich blessings on our Local Church, and
increase the good work He has already begun in our midst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-64732396397011604772012-08-31T11:59:00.000-04:002012-08-31T11:59:01.590-04:00But First, let me Check Facebook!<em>My latest for the Telegraph:</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I meet with men who are discerning the priesthood, I
eventually get around to the question of how they spend their free time, as it
shows where some of their interests lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, over the last three years in particular, the responses have
been getting more and more interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or, rather, the lack of response to the question of free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, they do not have any.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young adults go from work, to sports, to
play, to friends and back again constantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are constantly plugged in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Ask my family about my constant use of my iPhone!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so much ‘stuff’ going on in our
lives that it is difficult to find the necessary time for quiet and prayer,
where The Call from Christ is heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is not that these things are necessarily ‘bad,’
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young adults I know are
involved in excellent apostolates, both within and outside the Church:
volunteering at soup kitchens and homeless shelters, praying in front of
abortion mills for the end of this heinous practice, serving on Parish councils
and boards, dedication to work and family; coaching their children in sports;
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This generation, my generation,
wants to be active and involved in a wide variety of aspects of community life,
and we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what is the cost?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the ways this seems to affect the life of young
adults is precisely in their faith life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the many parishes that I visit, it is interesting that I do not see many
of my own peers, those in their 20s and 30s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is not that they do not believe, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">per
se</i>, but often I wonder if it is a matter of being too busy with the other
things of life that interfere with our faith life, even among ‘Committed
Catholics.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I write this, one Gospel story comes to mind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Luke 9, as Jesus is walking along and making
His way from Galilee to Jerusalem, He invites those around Him to “Come, follow
me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, He is met with various
excuses: “Let me bury my dead father;” “let me say goodbye to my family, first.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of these are not necessarily <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bad</i> things to do, rather seem to be
praiseworthy, yet Jesus rebukes both of them for putting other priorities
before Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How often do we do the same
thing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I work with young people, and not just those coming into
or discerning the seminary, it seems that the life of faith is slowly, but
surely being pushed aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not in an
outright, malicious, way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, it is
slowly being shoved further and further into the corners of our calendars, now
simply one option among many instead of the bedrock of stone upon which our
lives as Disciples of Christ must be built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is not that this “pushing aside” is intentional, far from it; it’s
just that, “I’m busy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what must we do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do we respond?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a
few simple things we can all embrace to return our faith life to the centrality
that it not only needs, but deserves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First, rediscover Sundays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
difficult as it can be, do not schedule non-family events on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep that as a time to reconnect after a
hectic week, spend time either with just the immediate family or with the
extended relatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, begin the
practice of a Morning Offering, consecrating the day to Our Lord and offering
your works that day for Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, make
time, once a week, for a Holy Hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother
has committed, from the time I was in my early teens, to making a weekly visit
before the Blessed Sacrament at our home parish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite now 19 grandchildren, this hour is
vital to her so that she can be present to each one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These little things can help us on the path of being more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">intentional</i> about the practice of our
Faith, rather than just sliding through the motions and letting other things
fill our time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we truly believe that
Christ is Lord and God, is this not the least we can do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-27009849166592075742012-07-24T08:47:00.002-04:002012-07-24T08:47:10.636-04:00Battling for Prayer<i>My latest missive for The Catholic Telegraph:</i><br />
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A few weeks ago, I was asked and gladly was a part of our
first CREDO retreat in the northern part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.<span> </span>Held on the beautiful grounds of the Maria
Stein Retreat Center,
where I had often gone as a teen for retreats, we gathered over 80 young people
for four days of prayer and reflection, funny enough on the topic of prayer:
what is it?<span> </span>How does it happen?<span> </span>Styles of prayer, etc.<span> </span>We wanted to give the attendees not just
information about prayer, but opportunities to also ‘experience’ prayer, to
begin a life-long habit of prayer, to begin a life-long habit of journeying
with Christ to our homeland in heaven.</div>
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As we put together the retreat, there was something of a
science to prayer that we wanted to convey, for there certainly are ‘steps’
that one can take for growth in one’s prayer life.<span> </span>But so much of prayer, in fact the very
source of prayer, does not start with the individual who is praying, but is
actually a graced moment from God Himself, He is the author of the prayer of
the individual, in that great twist of faith that so often happens.</div>
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Because God is the both the source and the summit of our prayer
life, the routine of personal prayer can certainly help us ‘clue in’ to what
God is doing in our lives.<span> </span>But
ultimately, prayer is that deeper conversation between the heart of the
believer and God.<span> </span>So, while there is
certainly a ‘science’ to prayer, there is also an art to it as well, a certain
requirement for flair, for the unexpected.</div>
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This is where the challenge can really arise, especially for
those of us who live in the modern world.<span>
</span>So much of what we are formed in by this culture is to be in control, to
take charge and be a ‘self made man (or woman),’ as it were.<span> </span>In prayer, this is exactly the opposite.<span> </span>Instead, it is the call to ‘let go and let
God.’<span> </span>YIKES!<span> </span>Because when He takes over, who knows just
how deep the rabbit hole really can go!</div>
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This is where the Catechism of the Catholic Church turns an
interesting phrase.<span> </span>For in discussing
prayer in Part IV, they certainly hit the section which we all experience at
some point in our lives: spiritual dryness, or as Saint
Paul so eloquently termed: the spirit is willing, but
the flesh is weak.</div>
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The Catechism terms this struggle ‘The Battle for Prayer,’
recognizing that ‘prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on
our part. (CCC 2725)’<span> </span>While that initial definition seems to be
rather easy to embrace, it is that second half, the ‘determined response’ that
can lead to difficulties, especially when we bump into those physical and
spiritual limits that sometimes come our way and realize that to ‘pray always’
actually does take work!</div>
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In response to the dryness, the lack of faith that sometimes
arises in prayer, or simply the laziness that is easy to succumb to in prayer,
the Catechism calls us first to a filial trust: the trust that God, as Father,
hears our prayers and provides the gentle encouragement, not always in the way
we want, but in the way we need.</div>
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Often, when we experience these frustrations and dry-spells,
we throw in the towel and give up with a thought that our prayers are not
efficacious.<span> </span>However, it is precisely in
these moments that our prayer takes on a deeper level, because we do not pray
so that we see the results, but rather so that we might be drawn deeper to God,
and that is something that only He can do in us.</div>
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Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta experienced years of
darkness and dryness in her prayer, which strangely enough became part of the
secret to her great success.<span> </span>Shall we
not also expect the same?</div>Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-92151538521530963962012-07-03T10:34:00.001-04:002012-07-03T10:34:19.030-04:00thoughts on a new hobby....Over the last year, I've had several people suggest that I needed to take up a new hobby. I was finding that my days 'off' consisted of more work instead of doing something that allowed me to relax and do something productive and fun, while also still generally being inside (because of a photo sensitive condition).<br />
<br />
Let's see, that eliminated Golf, just another four letter word. Monday's eliminate Art Gallerys, (or maybe I just wanted to eliminate them? (BUT the Cincinnati Art Museum is FREE!))<br />
<br />
Ok, what's left... hmmmm..... (add in:) I was having trouble finding a beer that I liked and on a recent trip to visit friends in NYC, struck up a conversation on beer brewing. Yeah, but it's too long and complicated a process and I don't have the equipment and the space (wait, have you seen the residence where I live!)<br />
<br />
New Hobby Born: home brewing!<br />
<br />
Now that I have six batches under my belt, and talking about it with a friend last night, some thoughts.<br />
<br />
First, it is nice to do something that you see the results of a few hours worth of labor, when you finish that batch and wash up, I have made: THAT! In so much of our work, whether as a priest or just a faithful committed Catholic, we sow seeds that grow for someone else to harvest. It's nice to have something concrete to look at.<br />
<br />
Second: There is just enough tedium to the process that it keeps you honest and sharp. From keeping everything sterile and clean, to washing labels off old bottles, to stirring a boiling pot of wort, just enough to keep you sharp, without being too taxing mentally.<br />
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Third: There is a cooperation with God. The brewer prepares the Wort (unfermented beer), God gets the yeast to work their magic. After a few hours of boiling, stirring, steeping, siphoning, etc., the yeast is pitched across the product and it is set aside, and through a slow, steady process, sugars are turned into alcohol and what was once too sweet, is turned into a delicious concoction. God's Grace builds on our nature, taking what we offer Him and bringing it to a higher, greater level than we can do on our own.<br />
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Fourth, more than anything, it is fun to share! So far, I've brought a number of products to friends and family to share the fruits of the barley. What greater gift than to say, I made this and want to share it with you! So far, there have been good returns, too! (People actually like drinking this stuff!) (Added Bonus: no taxes!)<br />
<br />
Let's see, I started w/ a Robust Porter from Brewer's Best Kits; round 2 was a Witbier, also from Brewer's Best. 3 was a Russian Imperial Stout, (with Lots O Flavor!) also from Brewer's Best, I've pulled some of these aside to rest and sleep for a year or four. Round 4, with my pop, was a Belgian Abbey Ale from Listermann Brewing Company here in Cincinnati (With the Witbier, good summer brews.) Round 5 was an Australian IPA from Brewer's Best, ready to go in bottles tomorrow. 6 was a Irish Red Ale, also w/ Pop brewed this past weekend up at Indian Lake, a kit from Northern Brewer. Tomorrow, an Imperial Vanilla Porter from Hop City in Atlanta gets brewed.<br />
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I have a few other kits, including a Black IPA and a Scottish Ale that will be brewed by the end of the summer. Dad has a Nut Brown Ale kit, too.<br />
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If you're in the neighborhood, stop over and have ya some!Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-85133579816332383182012-06-22T15:22:00.000-04:002012-06-22T15:22:11.898-04:00Following the Footsteps of the Martyrs<i>The July edition of The Catholic Telegraph was published early to coincide w/ the Fortnight for Freedom. Hence, my article takes up the theme:</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">85 years ago,
our neighbors to the south were embroiled in a life and death struggle to
maintain their freedom to worship as they saw fit.<span> </span>With laws that the were enacted with the ratification of a new Constitution but never enforced, The Church in Mexico
thought it had found an uneasy peace with the government.<span> </span>However, as President Calles took office, he
began a systematic implementation of the rules that previously existed.<span> </span>This resulted in the suppression of the
rights of Catholics to gather for Mass and for priests and nuns to wear
religious garb outside of a house of worship.<span>
</span>Also, foreign born clerics were expelled from the country.<span> </span>(As a side note, this oppression and the
resulting heroism is told dramatically in the new movie, ‘For Greater Glory,’
which is currently in theatres.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Our brothers
and sisters to the south did not sit by quietly to allow this oppression to
persist, however.<span> </span>Bishops, priests,
religious and lay men and women, Catholic, Protestant and Atheist, even, bonded
together in a wide range of efforts to preserve the rights of Mexican citizens
to express their religious liberty.<span> </span>And
while it was a long and difficult struggle, eventually the government had to
withdraw, eventually the struggle for freedom was won; through the power of
prayer and an attitude that they would not succumb to the forces arrayed
against them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The atrocities committed in </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Mexico</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> against the Church are not the first time in history
that civil governments attempted to silence and/or marginalize people of faith.<span> </span>In the early Church, St. Justin Martyr was a
great apologist and defender of the faith, even to the Emperor himself.<span> </span>During the English Reformation, Sts. Thomas
More, John Fisher, Margaret Clitherow, and Edmund Campion stood against the
reforms of </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Elizabeth</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and gave their lives in witness to the Catholic
Faith.<span> </span>In the missionary countries of </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Africa</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> and the </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Far East</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">, the seeds of the Church were sown by the courageous
witness of those who challenged the status quo and fought for the freedom to
embrace this newly introduced religion, because it was true and resonated deep
in the echoes of the heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Every time the Church is
persecuted, it does not start with a full scale frontal assault, but rather
slowly chips away at the fringes before, all of a sudden, there is no longer a
freedom to do what our faith impels us to do: care for the poor and the
elderly, teach and form the young, preach the Gospel, manifest Christ to the
world around us.<span> </span>All of these are obligations
not just of the priest, but of every Catholic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The comforting aspect is
that we do not do this alone.<span> </span>Recently,
a Baptist woman came up to me as I was wearing my Roman Collar and affirmed: I
support the Catholic Church!<span> </span>And we do
not stand just in this time, as the saints who have gone before us give us the
example and courage to follow in their footsteps, so that there might be raised
up from among our very midst saints in the vein of those listed above, from
every age and walk of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The founding fathers of this
country purposely installed religious liberty as our first and most cherished
right because they knew the power of a citizenry that was aware of a higher
power to do great things.<span> </span>It is on all
of us to embrace that call today.</span></div>Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-87525959184276982772012-06-19T10:36:00.001-04:002012-06-19T10:36:34.127-04:00New Book to Build the Culture of Vocations<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0089NVGNK/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb"><i>Wing Tip</i> by Sherry Boas</a><br />
<br />
My review:<br />
<br />
I was honored to be asked to read a preview copy and submit a review of
the work to the author prior to publication. Here is my short synopsis:<br /><br />'The
inner life of a priest is not always easy to describe as both his
family history and his experience in ministry affect who he is as a
priest. Ms. Boas invites us into the inner life of Fr. Dante as he
struggles with his own weaknesses, yet relies on the steel that is
underneath as he struggles with the greatest challenge he will face as a
priest. She captures him beautifully on paper and I would love to chat
with my brother priest in person!'<br /><br />For those who have read
'Diary of a Country Priest,' you will find the similar internal doubts
and struggles that accompany one who has faith. We walk forward into
the sometime darkness of our world and what appears to be a chance
encounter leads to a chance of a life time.<br /><br />A great summer read with a truly Catholic worldview and a strong effort to build a culture of Vocations within the Church.Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-66647272809788993442012-06-12T15:11:00.000-04:002012-06-12T15:11:33.436-04:00Event for a Cause<i>A couple who's wedding vows I witnessed (and been friends of the bride and family since my seminary days) send along a personal note which I was asked to share:</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Please join us for
Vivian's Victory: a fun, family event to support our daughter and son in
law Maria and Rod Dunlap and their sweet daughter, Vivian, who has
been diagnosed in the womb with a congenital heart defect called
Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrom (HLHS). To learn more about the Dunlaps
and their journey of love with Vivian,</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <a href="http://viviangodishere.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff; text-decoration: none;">visit their blog</span></a>.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> Our younger
daughter Clare, when she found out about Vivian, decided to make this walk
her senior capstone project which is a requirement for Mount Notre Dame
seniors. It has not only been a journey of faith with Rod and Maria
but a joy to watch her sister work so hard as a 17 year old to try to
pull this big event together</span><span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">She has delegated to Tim and I emailing our contacts and the silent auction! </span><span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">The big day is </span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt;">Saturday July 14<sup>th</sup> at 10 am</span></b><span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">and the festivities begin with a 5K Walk/Run at beautiful Winton Woods. The proceeds of the walk will go to </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.1heart2souls.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff; text-decoration: none;">1 heart 2 souls</span></a>, </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> a
non-profit organization dedicated to supporting expectant parents with
poor prenatal prognosis for birth disabilities and infant loss, parents
like Rod and Maria Dunlap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Following
the walk, stay to enjoy a family picnic with burgers from JTM.
Throughout the morning, you can participate in a Silent Auction filled
with fabulous baskets your whole family will enjoy. Proceeds from the
Silent Auction will go to the Dunlap Fund.</span><span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">For more details and to register to attend, please visit the event website: </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.viviansvictory.eventbrite.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">www.viviansvictory.eventbrite.<wbr></wbr>com</span></a>.</span><span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">WAYS TO HELP:</span><span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">1)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">ATTEND THE EVENT</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16pt;"></span><span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">2)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">WE
ARE LOOKING FOR DONATIONS BOTH CORPORATELY AND PERSONALLY TO MAKE OUR
BASKETS AND ITEMS FOR THE SILENT AUCTION..please call me and I will be
happy to come and get those 478-4025 (no donation is too small) </span><span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">3)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">IF
YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION
TO 1HEART2SOULS to our address 5341 Stonetrace Dr or to THE DUNLAP FUND
AT ANY 5/3<sup>RD</sup> BANK</span><span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt;">4)</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 16pt;">PLEASE KEEP THE EVENT AND VIVIAN IN YOUR PRAYERS</span><span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">5)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Please forward this email to all of your contacts…thanks so much </span><br />
<i>Janet and Tim Lees </i>Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2312222472717527597.post-15584472775540358802012-06-12T10:34:00.002-04:002012-06-12T10:34:10.604-04:00For those who missed it on Facebook and Twitter, here is my address to last Friday's Stand Up Rally in Dayton, Ohio, (with a nice bell soundtrack in the background):<br />
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<br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HfvurLREKq4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Father Schnippelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04731842661336037433noreply@blogger.com0