Called by Name

Archbishop Schnurr on the HHS Mandate

2012-01-27T09:19:00.002-05:00

Archbishop Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati (and my direct boss!) has issued a statement to be read at all Masses within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati this coming weekend.

I've linked to it over at the Vocation Office Page.

The statement can also be found at the Telegraph's page.

Which also has a response from the new editor.

Vocations Among Us

2012-01-24T16:01:00.002-05:00

My latest missive for the Telegraph:

Vocations Among Us

One of the key moments in my own vocation was several years before I even thought about the possibility that I might even be called to the priesthood. But looking back now, without this event, I would have never even considered the possibility. At the time, however, it was just another event that I was honored to be a part of.

My junior year of high school, a son of my home town was ordained to the priesthood for the Congregation of the Holy Cross. As he was my oldest sister's brother-in-law and needed extra servers for his Mass of Thanksgiving, my twin brother and I were volunteered to assist; which we gladly did. I can still see the joy on the face of a newly ordained priest, years of study, prayer and hard work had culminated in this event; and even though I would not have been able to articulate it at the time, this became a key moment for me in looking towards the priesthood.

A year later, as my class was graduating and heading off to college, I learned that someone I knew from the neighboring town was entering seminary. Hmmm..... Men really do still do this. As I made my way through my own first year of college life, I recognized my own priestly calling through the ongoing example of the priests at the Campus Ministry and entered the seminary for my second year of college. I never really looked back since.

These recollections are not merely to fill space, but serve to highlight a very simple, yet vitally important point in the cultivation of a spirit of vocations within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. With both Archbishop Schnurr and Archbishop Pilarczyk (and now including Bishop Binzer in the discussion), we are convinced that there are vocations to the priesthood in our midst, sitting near you every Sunday at Mass, passing you on the street corner, riding the bus home from school. We just need to find them, encourage them, help them to discover this pearl of great price to which they have been called.

With this recognition, throughout the month of January as we went from National Vocation Awareness Week to the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, the Vocation Office has been recognizing the stories of local men and women who have answered the call and are now serving as religious, priests, or still in training to be so. I invite you to visit www.cincinnativocations.org to peruse these stories.

In reading through them, I am struck that there is no common theme besides faithfulness. There is no 'magic pill,' as it were, for families to do which inspired a vocation. There is no simple recipe that will automatically bring your son to be a priest. In these vocation stories, the life-long cradle Catholic is positioned side by side with converts from atheism. Families who were wonderfully supportive are contrasted with a few who nearly disowned their daughter or son for entering the seminary or convent.

Yet, even with the disparate versions of these stories, three common themes present themselves: faithfulness, prayer, and trust. As we move deeper into Ordinary Time and once again enter into the great season of Lent; perhaps these three dimensions are once again being called to the fore in your family as God continues to form us all to be more like His Son. And if God calls one of your sons or daughters to the priesthood or religious life, trust that He truly does know what is best.

Witness Awakens Vocations

2012-01-12T10:35:00.001-05:00

From http://www.foryourvocation.org/

Vocation Awareness Week Prayer Service

2012-01-04T14:03:00.005-05:00

Hey, all you folks up in the Northern fringes of the Archdiocese, have we got the event for you:

National Vocation Awareness Week

An Evening of Worship & Prayer
Thursday - January 12, 2012

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church
New Bremen, Ohio
Presiding: Fr. Kyle Schnippel, Vocations Director
& Deacon Greg Bornhorst

Mass at 7 p.m. followed with Prayers

The Church sets aside the week following the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord as National Vocation Awareness Week. A vocation to the priesthood and/or consecrated life can only truly be heard and answered by one who has a deep connection with Our Lord and fostered by a strong life of prayer. For more information, visit www.cincinnativocations.org

Sponsored by Serra Club of St. Mary’s/Sidney Deaneries

The New Translation and a Culture of Vocations

2011-12-28T09:51:00.000-05:00

My latest for the Catholic Telegraph, which is featuring their annual Vocation Issue this month:

As the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal neared, I was often asked what impact I thought it would have on vocations to the priesthood and religious life. While it seemed that some felt the new, more elevated translation might drive some away from pursuing the priesthood, it is my thought that it will actually do the opposite and draw more young men and women to recognize the possibility of a priestly or religious vocation.

There are several reasons for this possibility. First, over the last two years, we have had such a focus on the importance and centrality of the Eucharistic celebration in our identity as Catholics. Hopefully, this has led all of us to a deeper and more profound love for Christ and His Church. This love is what ultimately creates those initial stirrings of a vocation and provides the strength to overcome those sometimes tedious moments during formation when it all seems too much.

Also, a priest friend recently relayed an encounter he had with a parishioner, who admitted that the new translation was forcing her to listen with a more attentive ear. But she also admitted that this was not a bad thing! Yes, the language is ‘higher,’ more poetic and the syntax can be difficult at times; but these are the exact attributes which engage the mind, the heart, the imagination, the desire to learn and grow deeper into what is being celebrated. As we have now entered into these changes, we (priest and laity alike) can no longer just skate through Mass easily, we have to be much more intentional about the words we are praying. Again, the words will shape the heart which will ultimately, hopefully, engage the heart in the stirring of that desire to know Christ, personally, profoundly.

On a further note, the language of the new translation is one of supplication and pleading; rather than one of the sometime presumptuous found in the now outdated translation. I think this is mostly a result of the change from active to passive voice in the newer translation; but in reading the prayers, in meditating over them, as a priest, I get the sense that I do this with a certain amount of fear and trembling before the God of the Universe. It strikes me that the recognition of a vocation often requires a similar approach. One does not presume to take on the priesthood for oneself, but has been called forth to this life by God Himself; mystery surrounds why I was invited to this and not my brother; for instance. (To be clear, I am not denigrating the outgoing translation which nourished my own priestly vocation, just trying to understand the differences between the two.)

It is this encounter with the Living God is the source of any true vocation: priesthood, consecrated, single or married life. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was quoted as saying that men, in discerning the priesthood, will not give their life to a question mark, but they are willing to give their lives to a mystery.

As we grow more accustomed to this new translation, as we are formed by the words and actions of the Sacred Liturgy, as we meditate and pray over the mysteries being celebrated; let us all experience that awe inspiring mystery of the One True God, that He might lead us all through our pilgrimage of life closer to Himself.

What, Tom's son?

2011-12-17T11:25:00.001-05:00

The reaction when I felt a call to the seminary and priesthood was mostly positive; but one reaction from an Aunt of mine really caught me off guard: 'What, Tom's son?'

In his younger years, dad was a bit of a party animal. I would repeat some of his stories here, but it is a family blog, so well, you know. (Not that anything was illegal, rather more impish; so yes, I come by it honestly.)

I thought of that reaction at Mass this morning as I read the Genealogy of Jesus as found in the Gospel According to St. Matthew:

Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.

Not exactly the list of characters, if you were going through the Bible, whom you would choose as ancestors of the Son of God. Rahab was a harlot and prostitute. The kings were ruthless murders, cutthroats and thieves; among others!

Yet, these are the human ancestors of Jesus. This is his family heritage. I hope it gives some solace to those families who have a less than perfect record, that even 'Tom's son' can make it to be a decent priest. God works in mysterious ways, as we stand one week outside of Christmas; let Him work in your family, too.

The Christmas video that's conquering YouTube

2011-12-15T11:12:00.000-05:00

Really awesome!

Fulfill the Ministry

2011-12-13T14:39:00.001-05:00

The Vocation Office is glad to announce a new effort to help in the financial support of Vocations to the Priesthood for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati: Run for the Call!

The idea was developed after 'nun runs,' but with a bit of a twist: Priests, seminarians and those interested in supporting seminarians running the Flying Pig Marathon to gather donations and support for our seminarians in need of financial assistance. (and before you ask, I'm giving moral support from the sidelines!)

More details will be forth coming in the next few months until the Pig, but if you are interested, see the site here.

Immaculate Conception Chapel at Mount St. Mary's of the West, Cincinnati, Ohio

2011-12-10T15:38:00.001-05:00

This past Thursday, on the Patronal Feast of Mount St. Mary's Seminary, of the West, Archbishop Schnurr reconsecrated the Immaculate Conception Chapel for the private and devotional use of the seminarians. The sanctuary is pictured above, for more pictures, see here.

The Hidden Sacrifice of the Priesthood

2011-11-28T09:07:00.001-05:00

Often when I do presentations on vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the introduction includes the instruction to pray for our priests and religious because they have given up so much in order to respond to their call. While it is true that the life of a priest is a particular form of sacrificial living in giving up the good things of the natural world, there are certainly many blessings that nourish the priest both spiritually and emotionally during the course of his ministry in the Church. I would think, based on seeing so many religious who exhibit that deep seated joy in Christ, that they have a similar experience.

However, there is a sometimes hidden cost of responding to a priestly or religious vocation that becomes quite evident this time of year, but not necessarily for the priest or religious, but for his or her family. Because of our responsibilities and assignments, we often miss family gatherings during the holidays, or when we get there, we are so tired and worn down, all we want to do is sleep; yet nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, parents are all excited to see you and want to hear about what we have been doing.

But especially for members of religious communities, even this is not an option. Often stationed in houses around the globe, families have to make due with a two week ‘home visit’ at different points during the year. In between, hand written letters are often the only means of communication that goes between family and the professed. While the evident joy can temper some of the feelings of loss in the rest of the family, there is still something missing when that son or daughter’s chair remains empty during Christmas Dinner.

On the contrary, there certainly are many blessings that can come to the family of a priest or religious. I know my mother enjoys seeing people she meets make the connection that she is ‘Fr. Schnippel’s mother’ and my father’s favorite pastime is greeting me after Mass with a hearty: ‘Well done, Son!’ (and my sheepish reply: ‘Thanks, Father.’) Plus, family weddings and baptisms take on a special significance when celebrated by your brother or uncle, and it was a particular joy to me to receive my brother’s wedding vows while I was still a deacon.

Despite these great blessings, families of priests and religious can still sometimes feel left out. Perhaps with the upcoming Christmas season, it might make for an excellent awareness to thank those families from among your parishes and friends who have sacrificed in such a way in supporting a son or daughter in their call to the priesthood or religious life.

After all, priestly and religious vocations are not the product solely of one family, but naturally grow forth from a vibrant parish and school life. There is a pride that comes to the whole parish when a son is ordained or a daughter professed; helping a family who greatly loves, yet greatly misses, their child, brother or sister aunt or uncle; is certainly a great way to acknowledge that the fostering of a vocation is too important a task to be left to just one family. It is the responsibility of all.

During this Christmas Season, may Christ richly reward all those who have helped to foster a vocation!

For more on how families and parishes can foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life, please visit http://www.cincinnativocations.org/.

Collin Raye, A Christmas Musical

2011-11-22T10:18:00.001-05:00

December 7, Collin Raye will perfrom a Christmas Musical Event at the 20th Century Theatre in Cincinnati's Oakley Neighborhood, benefiting the Terri Schiavo Foundation. Looks to be a great time.

Tickets and more information can be found here:

http://seecollinraye.com/

The Miracle of Life, Mathematical Edition

2011-11-19T11:26:00.001-05:00

At nearly ten minutes, it is a fairly long clip for a youtube video, but well worth it. He has reconstructed the conception, maturation and birth process simply by looking at the mathematical data currently available, and readily admits that this is way more complicated that we can truly understand.As my mother just quipped, how can you look at this and not be Pro-Life?Found through New Advent linking to this page at Live Action.

Fr. Barron on the New Roman Missal

2011-11-15T09:52:00.001-05:00

I've used the new translation a few times in private Masses just to prepare for the implementation. Certainly, the new text has a greater poetry than the existing translation. Because of this, however, there are certain parts where you expect words to be in a certain order, but they are reversed. It is going to take a great deal of discipline to focus on the text in such a way to get the words all right, and in the correct order.

That being said, I am greatly looking forward to the implementation, as this new translation feels to be more prayerful, especially with the stronger link to quaesemus... clauses, ie: 'Grant, we pray, that...' There is a much stronger reflection that we approach prayer in fear and trembling, that God is the author of our prayer and He draws us deeper, closer to Himself in prayer; the liturgy is not ours, but Christ's.

As a further note, I am presenting on a few thoughts about the Mass this Thursday at St. Jude's Catholic Church on Bridgetown Road, Cincinnati, at 7:30. It would be great to have a nice crowd present.

The World is Usually in Crisis, and today is no exception

2011-11-14T11:26:00.001-05:00

I'm a bit late on this, but please read Fr. Benedict O'Cinnsealaigh's address from his installation as President/Rector of the Athenaeum of Ohio/Mount St. Mary's of the West, Cincinnati, Ohio.

It really is something else, a great vision of our times and how to move forward.

Vocation Views for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

2011-11-11T10:44:00.001-05:00

are now published at the Vocation Office site:

http://www.cincinnativocations.org/vocation-views-year-b/

Radio Double Play

2011-11-10T19:57:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow, I'm resuming a media blitz:

7:20 AM on Sacred Heart Radio and the Son Rise Morning Show across the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network to discuss Sunday's readings. Listen online at www.sacredheartradio.com

5:30 to 6:00 PM on Radio Maria to discuss our efforts in the Vocation Office. Listen online at www.radiomaria.us, I think.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Diamonds in the Rough

2011-11-02T08:27:00.000-04:00

My latest runs in the Catholic Telegraph:

Liturgically, November is certainly my favorite month. Beginning with the two great celebrations of All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day and usually concluding with the start of the new liturgical year, there are many things to celebrate and we are naturally called to focus on the question during these last weeks of the Church year of just where we might end up in the life to come: does the pattern of my life and the way that I have cooperated with Christ indicate that I will take the elevator up or down when called to account?

While there are many criteria that are used to define who, officially, makes it into the choirs of heaven, there is one thing that unites them all. It is not that they were perfect, have a particular talent, academic ability, or lived in a particular time or location; saints have come from every land and every age of the Church. Rather, what unites all those who are venerated as saints is that they have a deep, profound and lasting love for Jesus Christ. When Jesus turns and looks at Peter towards the end of the Gospel according to St. John, it is not a question of ‘How could you betray me even after I warned you?’ Rather, Jesus looks at Peter in that deep love and asks him to simply reaffirm that love back: ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!’ Certainly our goal on this earth is to be able to echo this same statement of faith.

The challenge that this presents, however, is that it becomes very difficult to identify this deep and profound love in those we meet. While this identification will certainly manifest in outward action, it may not always be easy to spot. Among some, this manifestation will be very evident; among others, it may not be so.

In my particular work as Vocation Director, this reality has to be kept in mind, for it is easy to only keep tabs on those who manifest great talent among the Christian people, those who have that personality that simply attracts others to Christ. In working with parishioners, this is often the criteria that are used to identify potential candidates.

Yet, strangely, it is often that quieter young man, the one who is not so much for the limelight, but does the right thing anyway, especially when no one is looking, who forms the backbone of our clergy. So often, we get caught up in looking for the next Pope John Paul II that we miss the St. John Vianney in our midst.

Instead of walking the world stage, as Blessed John Paul II did so marvelously, St. John Vianney toiled in the relative obscurity of a backwoods French town for years. While he achieved a certain fame, he just toiled in the confessional for longer hours, striving only to build up his little corner of the Kingdom of God.

What is needed in our Church today is this ‘worker bee’ mentality. We need men to be priests who will do what needs to be done simply because it is there for the doing. While there are glamorous aspects of the priesthood, more often , the days (just like those of parents) are long, tiring and tedious. It is in these days that true holiness shines through.

Pray for these men to be raised up as priests. Be on the lookout for that quiet, dedicated young man who simply does what is required. These are the men who will lead not just by voice, but by their more powerful example of life. These are the diamonds in the rough who shine so brightly in the Eternal Crown of Our Lord.

Data Dump, Mid October Edition

2011-10-17T09:30:00.001-04:00

Lots has been happening, so to catch up:

The rumors are true: my 19th niece/nephew is on the way! Friday night confirmed that my sister Tania is expecting her 5th. This news, of course, prompted my mother to look at my other siblings and remark: "Isn't 19 a horrible number to land on for grandchildren? Doesn't 20 have a much better ring to it?"

Last Thursday night saw the official charter of the Serra Club of Sidney/St. Marys Deaneries, which marks the northern two deaneries of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It was a great evening, with much celebration, and a wonderful reflection on the Call to the Priesthood by Bishop Binzer to culminate the night. Thanks to all who worked so tirelessly to make it happen.

Yesterday, (October 16) saw the inauguration of Fr. Benedict O'Cinnsealaigh as the 35th President/Rector of Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West and the Athenaeum of Ohio. Here's hoping he publishes that speech, it was absolutely fantastic!

(Oh, the Seminary has a new web presence, too; be sure to check it out.)

Tomorrow, I am visiting our college seminarians at the Pontifical College Josephinum, which is always a good time.

This week the Vocation Office is hosting two Andrew Dinners: Wednesday at Our Lady of Victory in Delhi and Thursday at St. Helen's in Dayton; doors open by 5:30, grub at 6:00, all done by 8:00.

Thursday is also the priest's convocation at Incarnation, Centerville. Pray for us that day, would you?

This coming weekend marks quite a few events:

1) Parrhesia Conference Saturday, October 22, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral.

2) Deep in History Conference, Oct. 21-23 at the Hilton Easton, Columbus. I'll once again be leading the Holy Hour Saturday night, if you are there, stop by and say hi.

3) Cast Your Nets - Dayton is Sunday, October 23, 2011, at St. Luke's, Beavercreek, featuring Tony Melendez. Again, stop by and say Hi if you're there.

Next Monday, I leave, with a priest buddy, for six days of much needed vacation in the Big Apple. Why we're going to the city that never sleeps when I need more sleep than usual is besides me, but more importantly: what should two mid-western priests see and/or do while in the Capital of the World?

#GratefulTweet Campaign

2011-10-14T14:24:00.000-04:00

If you following the Twitter Timeline over there ---> on the right of the screen, you've hopefully seen the #GratefulTweet Day N.: along with something that I am grateful for on that day.

Admitedly, I shamelessly (hey, what's the world wide interweb for but shamelessly stealing someone else's idea and passing it off as your own?) stole the idea from Matt Swaim, who produces The Son Rise Morning Show at Cincinnati's Catholic Radio: Sacred Heart Radio.

Several others have picked up on the 'Grateful Tweet' campaign; let's make it a Trending Topic, shall we?

From Matt's feed, there are a few simple ground rules:

1. First Tweet of the Day is to be the '#GratefulTweet' to start the day off with a positive spin. This can be anything, but something you are grateful for, even on the worse days, there's gotta be something.

2. While the challenge is to come up with something each day, if you miss one day, keep on tracking where you left off.

3. Challenge your followers to do the same!

That's about it, really.

So if you're wondering what to do with your Twitter feed (I'm looking at you, Rich!), if all you do is post how awesome your cat is, or just wanna get in the frey to make the interwebs a friendlier place; have at it and #GratefulTweet away!

Jibber Jabber at Mass

2011-10-12T15:38:00.000-04:00

This morning on Facebook, I posted a little note re: moms bringing little ones to Mass and the usual 'Jibber Jabber' that goes with it.

The on-going conversation thread afterwards was interesting, especially from the moms who struggle to bring little ones to Mass as they feel it is distracting, and they sometimes get stares from others who are in attendance.

I think there are a few things happening here:

1) Especially in bigger Churches, voices echo like crazy. Part of a toddler's growth and development (DISCLAIMER: NOT A CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST!!!!!) is learning to interact with their environment. When they hear that echo, they can't help but make some noise. For me, this is not interruptive. I can usually speak louder than a toddler and still get my point across. Also, it is important to have little ones in the presence of Our Lord, as I quipped: they speak directly to Him! So, to the rest of us: Suffer the little children!

2) To those who grumble, DEAL WITH IT! You were likely there once and shouldn't we rejoice, as a Pro-Life People, at the gift of life and little lives, especially?

3) Now, a screaming, wailing child is an entirely different matter. These children I can't yell over, cause it just encourages them to get louder. Feel free to take them out back to calm them down, deal with whatever made them so angry and come back in when you can. Anyone who has been around children should understand. THEY ARE NOT ROBOTS! They're not even dogs who are trainable. We all understand and no, you are not a bad parent because your child screamed out bloody murder at Mass. It is their way of getting attention, give it to them.

4) Some of the most humerous things I remember about my family involve my nieces and nephews (soon to be 18) doing goofy stuff, even at Mass. A few weeks ago, two nieces (cousins, not sisters) were sitting on the floor across the main aisle making faces at each other during the recessional at the end of Mass. I just stopped and looked down at both of them and laughed and then kept on going.

4.b) My oldest sister has a brother-in-law who was ordained to the priesthood when I was in high school (serving his Mass of Thanksgiving might have had something to do with my own vocation, don't ya think?) During that Mass, my nephew (and Godson) started screaming bloody murder. So, up he goes into mom's arms and starts to be carried out the back. Well inarticulate screams turned into very distinct yells: "DON'T SPANK MY BUTT, MOMMY!!!!" repeated down the side aisle (which was now roughly FIVE MILES long for my sister. I think I heard her mumble, even from up on the Altar: "Well, I wasn't going to, but now....."

Morale of the Story: Life Happens. With kids, life often takes unexpected turns. Enjoy the ride; and bring your children to Mass.

Tony Melendez to headline Cast Your Nets

2011-10-12T09:55:00.005-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2011
TONY MELENDEZ HEADLINES ‘CAST YOUR NETS’ DAYTON

Tony Melendez, an international recording artist and inspirational speaker, will be the featured speaker at this year’s high school Cast Your Nets event at St. Luke in Beavercreek on Sunday, October 23, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Due to a medicine his mother took to ease morning sickness during her pregnancy, Melendez was born in 1962 with no arms. At a young age, however, he told his father that he wanted to learn to play the guitar and began practicing using only his toes. At 16, Melendez remembers, he first started “hearing actual music” coming from the guitar he was playing. He has been playing ever since.

In 1987 he had the rare opportunity to play for Pope John Paul II during the pope’s visit to Los Angeles. At the end of the performance, the pope got down from his stage, walked through a small crowd to the stage on which Melendez was playing, embraced him, and kissed him on his right cheek. The Holy Father then returned to stand in front of his seat, where he announced, “Tony, you are a courageous young man. You are giving hope to all of us. My wish to you is to continue sharing this hope with all the people.” Since that day, Melendez has done exactly that. He will be coming to St. Luke to give a witness to that hope and living a life totally dedicated to doing the will of Christ.

“This is a rare and exciting opportunity for the teens of the Archdiocese,” said Wayne Topp, Cast Your Nets event coordinator. “A man with a life story such as this and with such great experience in inspiring teens to live their lives for Christ is a rare gem and one we are very proud to share with the Archdiocese.”

In addition to Melendez, the event will also feature Mass celebrated by the new auxiliary bishop of Cincinnati, Bishop Joseph Binzer.

“Bishop Binzer is a great example for the people of this Archdiocese in living with joy the life of faith,” said Cincinnati Vocation Director, Fr. Kyle Schnippel. “And his presence at this event is a real blessing to us as event sponsors and to the teens who will have the opportunity to meet him and learn from him for the first time as bishop.”

Cast Your Nets is co-sponsored by the Vocation Office and the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, who have worked along side the youth ministers in the Dayton region to put on this great event. The cost of the event, which also includes a live band, pizza dinner, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is $5 per person. T-shirts will be sold at the event for $10.

To register, visit: www.catholiccincinnati.org/castyournets or call Jeanne Fairbanks at 937-229-5916. Deadline for online registration is October 21, but walk-in registrations are also welcomed and encouraged.

Be a Man - Priestly Discernment Version

2011-10-11T10:57:00.000-04:00

My friend Emily posts the following video from the Priestly Discernment Program (formerly the Pre-Theologate) at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio:

I've worked with a few men from the program over the years and have found them all to be prayerful, well educated, well formed and well prepared for entrance into Major Seminary.

May God continue to pour out His rich Blessings upon the program!

Grieving the New Translation

2011-10-11T09:40:00.001-04:00

Fr. Charles, OFM Cap., has an interesting take on the new translation of the Mass, and a particular aspect of grieving while learing the new prayers.

As I first saw the headline, I tohught it would be another tirade. Yet, it is rather poinant in connecting his vocation to the priesthood with a priest from his youth:

That's a little thing. Here's another, maybe more important: One of the first priests I ever knew was the pastor of the parish where I was baptized, Fr. Leo Sutula at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Quaker Hill, Connecticut. May he rest in peace. He gave me my first Holy Communion and also (six days later) heard my first confession. He had a gentleness that gave glory to God. He also had a funny habit, at least at daily Mass, of saying all of the secret prayers out loud. So, until I learned the Mass well myself several years later, his Mass always seemed to have more prayers in it. I remember being especially struck by the private preparation prayer before Communion, which he would say out loud:

"Lord Jesus Christ, with faith in your love and mercy I eat your body and drink your blood. Let it not bring me condemnation but health in mind and body."

When I use this option myself, I always think of Fr. Sutula. Until I came to be a priest myself, he was my only experience of this prayer. As I pray the words myself, I'm aware of my connection to the man and his ministry in the economies of grace in my own journey. The prayer is a glimpse for me of the communion of saints.

When I was a mere youth, we often had the same visiting priest, Fr. Louis, who was a native of India, during times when the pastor was either on vacation or during the infrequent times we were between pastors in my small home parish: Immaculate Conception, Botkins, Ohio.

He also said this prayer out loud, and even 25 years later, I can still hear his distinct Indian accent as I pray this prayer now as a priest. Looking back, I can see this as a seminal moment in my own discernment of the priesthood. By hearing that call to Christ's love and mercy instead of condemnation, I started to recognize (even though I would never have been able to articulate it at the time) that the priest did something special and unique while at the altar: he called down Christ.

Fr. O'Connor would often say some of the private prayers of the priest aloud, too, especially those during the preparation of the gifts. I can remember thinking: this is not something ordinary that we are doing here. Again, did it begin to form, in me, a priestly heart? I hope so. What confirms it, when I was ordained, I didn't have to struggle to learn those prayers because I had already prayed them with the priest from my youth.

hmmm.... I think I might have just struck on my next Telegraph article....

Parrhesia: Bold. Catholic. Now.

2011-10-10T14:02:00.002-04:00

Catholic young adults in the Cincinnati area (and beyond) are invited to a new event:

Parrhesia

So, just what does this mean? The website describes it thusly:

The New Evangelization, as envisioned by every Holy Father since Pope Paul VI, seeks not to bring "new" faithful into the light of our Catholic faith, but to bring those who have fallen away (sadly, a growing population of young adults) back to the Church. This is necessarily a job for all the Catholic faithful, as we are the ones who can reach those who have left the Church for whatever reason. This requires faith, knowledge, love, courage and much prayer.

In his encyclical Redemptoris Missio, our late Holy Father Blessed John Paul II said:

Proclamation is inspired by faith, which gives rise to enthusiasm and fervor in the missionary...the Acts of the Apostles uses the word parrhesia to describe this attitude, a word which means to speak frankly and with courage.

In that spirit, Parrhesia (a new event on the New Evangelization) hopes to inspire young adults to boldly proclaim their Catholic faith in word and deed - and in doing so, to inspire others to take another look at the faith they once knew.

With the support of the Archdiocesan Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry and our sponsoring organizations, we are thrilled to launch what we hope will be an annual event.

DATE: Saturday, October 22, 2011 The inaugural memorial of Blessed John Paul II!

Location: St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, 325 W. 8th, downtown Cincinnati

Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Schedule, speakers and registration is all at the Parrhesia site.

'Childless' by Brain Gail

2011-10-07T12:50:00.001-04:00

In Fatherless, Brian Gail turned an eye to the past few decades to examine how the Culture of Death grew and became entrenched in American culture. Motherless examined the present day situation and how it has impacted families and the Church. Now, in Childless, (publish date: 11/2/11) the American Tragedy Trilogy series finds its fitting conclusion as he turns his eyes towards the future and what could possibly happen as the forces in the modern world push further towards the New World Order and seek to further marginalize the Church into the far corners of society.

Picking up the story of Fr. John Sweeney as he continues to minister to his small flock in suburban Philadelphia, the trials and tribulations of his parish families serve once again as a backdrop for Mr. Gail to analyze the global movements pushing towards a New Age of Man, and what could possibly happen if the Church were to lose her voice in the Public Square, calling the world to conversion and repentance. The characters continue to have an emotional depth that moves the story forward as they struggle to deal with the trials and tribulation of daily life, especially as living their Catholic faith continues to be more and more an embrace of a White Martyrdom, if indeed, not an actual red Martyrdom.

Certainly, this conclusion is a wake-up call to Catholics: priests, religious and laity; to take our call to be leaven for society seriously. We are called to change society, not to adapt to the whims of the ever-changing modern world. Moral courage will be tested, will we all have the courage to stand against the forces of the Enemy and be joyous witnesses of the great gift that is Life?

A special note of thanks to Brian Gail and the publishing team at Emmaus Road for the review copy, it was greatly appreciated.

It's On!

2011-10-05T10:25:00.003-04:00

UPDATE: over the air viewing: 14.1 or 14.5
Time Warner channel 982 or 1014 on their HD Tier package

Tonight, 8 PM, local Cincinnati PBS affiliate Think TV 14 HD: Catholicism, episode 1

Time Warner Cable digital tier channel 13, I think.

more:

What: The Catholicism Project

Time: 8pm

Dates: 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26 in Cincinnati (All Wednesdays); see local listings across the country; http://www.catholicismseries.com/watch/tv-schedule

Where: Channels 14.1 and 14.5 in Cincinnati (http://www.thinktv.org/); will also be carried on EWTN - check schedule link above.

Synopsis:

For the first time, in breathtaking and high-definition cinematography, the truth, goodness, and beauty of Catholicism are illustrated in a multimedia experience. Journey with Fr. Robert Barron to more than 50 locations throughout 16 countries. Be illuminated by the spiritual and artistic treasures of this global culture that claims more than one billion of the earth’s people.

From the sacred lands of Israel to the beating heart of Uganda, from the glorious shrines of Europe to the streets of Mexico, Kolkata, and New York City, the mysteries of CATHOLICISM are revealed. Learn what Catholics believe and why. Discover the full meaning of the faith.

My review is here.

Am Morgen, die Messe auf Deutsch!

2011-10-01T13:36:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow morning will mark the fourth language I have used to celebrate the Holy Mass: German, and I have to admit it is a bit rusty. There is one German language Mass still said in the Cincinnati area: 11:00 AM at Old St. Mary's in Over the Rhine. The priest who had been celebrating it is on a medical hiatus, so a few of us who have skill in der Vatersprache are filling in; should be a good time, hoeffenlich!

(English, Spanish and Latin are the previous three, in case you were wondering. Thankfully, the homily tomorrow is still in English!)

In Honor of the Day

2011-09-30T09:23:00.002-04:00

Why, yes, I think I will say Mass in Latin today!

The Catholicism Series

2011-09-28T13:06:00.001-04:00

So far, I have viewed the first three episodes of Fr. Robert Barron's Catholicism Project, which joyously awaited my return from Detroit. Since Monday was a brain-dead day for recovery after a week and a half of long days, I watched the first two episodes and caught the third last night, since nothing else was on.

I cannot express how much I enjoy these episodes. They are well executed, planned, beautifully shot, etc. etc. Fr. Barron is a master story-teller and covers some very intricate points in great detail, but without too much that he would scare away either the neophyte or non-Catholic. (For example, his discussion on the Problem of Evil in ep. 3 is superb!) He draws you into the story of Catholicism, our story, fully presenting it as ever ancient, ever new. His underlying principal comes across that Beauty (as a Transcendental) teaches and forms and he draws liberally from the artistic patrimony of the Church.

This, I think, becomes key to why I am enjoying this series so much. He does not re-enact the story, but he 'retells' the story in picture and voice. He visits the places where some of our greatest mysteries originally ocurred: Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Mt. Sinai, Hagia Sophia, St. Peter's Basilica; but he resists that filmmakers urge to dress up in cheesy costume and have Mary and Joseph with the Christ Child. Rather, in visiting Bethlehem, he presents the ancient roots of our faith, but in a modern way to convey the connection between the historical events in salvation history and the modern effects of those events. Ever ancient, ever new; the faith spawned by the Jewish Carpenter inspires and informs the Chicago food pantry.

In a way, this series seems like the Catechism in picture. He mentions Aquinas' Five Proofs for the Existence of God, but only delves into one. He sketches the notion of the problem of evil as a deprivation of the Good, but points you in the direction for further study. He draws imagery out of the Old Testament to illustrate the mission of the Messiah, but resists the temptation to get bogged down in the minutiae of the Torah. In all of these, he sets the stage that there is much more to be discovered and unearthed, whetting the appetite for the intellectually curious to search more deeply.

Finally, a note has to be made about his use of artwork. (I counted at least two different Caravaggio's.) Fr. Barron uses art and architecture, the beauty of nature and the power of man's creativity to enhance his message. In citing art from across the Christian spectrum, he often gives the interpretive key in how to read that particular piece, and hence then to also read other pieces of the same genre. And, he uses the great masterpieces from across time to illustrate and reinforce his dialogue. Therefore, while there is no actor portrayal of Mary and Joseph with the Christ Child, there are severak artistic representations of the Nativity event. In my viewing, this greatly enhances the overall feel and texture of the presentation.

This series is a great evangelization and re-catechesis tool, either as a stand alone piece or with the accompaning study guide and leader guide. I cannot wait to view the next seven episodes.

God Bless and thanks to Fr. Robert Barron and Word on Fire Ministries for such a fantastic contribution to the New Evangelization!

The 'Ten Best' vs. the 'Ten Worst' Jobs Surveys

2011-09-28T10:35:00.001-04:00

I'm a little late to the party, (hey, Detroit was grand!), but wanted to comment on recent releases of the 'Ten Best' vs. the 'Ten Worst' jobs. Forbes.com sums up the lists here, but the common themes surface:

(For those who don't want to visit the link, Clergy 'The least worldly are reported to be the happiest of all' won again)

1) Those who give of themselves to others find greater fulfillment and happiness.

2) Among the 'Ten Happiest' jobs, many are focused on making the lives of others better, not our own.

3) Creativity and a certain level of autonomy seem to be consistent themes.

Among the 'Ten Worst', let's see:

1) So tech jobs are all the rage, huh? (5 in this list are in the tech sector)

2) Comments here suggest 'imprisoned by hierarchical bureaucracies' as reasons for 'unhappiness.' Obviously, I work in an 'hierarchical bureaucracy,' and often admit that I didn't get into the priesthood to work in an office building downtown, but on the whole, the positives outweigh the negatives, at least for me.

3) Among the list, creativity seems stifled and, as described for law clerks, one is often subuject 'to the whims of a mercurial supervisor.'

Where are you in your position?

Notes from the Field

2011-09-27T15:11:00.003-04:00

My latest runs in this week's Catholic Telegraph, reflecting on last week's Vocation Director's Conference in Detroit:

Every year, the national organization of Diocesan Vocation Directors holds an annual convention that brings my counterparts from across the country for formation, training (especially for new Vocation Directors), key note addresses and just plain fraternization among priests. It tends to be an exciting week of activity and sharing of stories as we all compare notes of how we are doing in the home diocese. Admittedly, we do some bragging if we are doing better than others, but always in a friendly.

As we have compared notes so far, there are two very positive things that I thought I would share here. First, vocation numbers are up across the country: the increase that we have seen here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (we now have 42 men, up from just 28 a few years ago) is being repeated elsewhere. Several seminaries have reported full enrollment, nearly every seminary reports positive increases, and the vocation directors have all been very aggressive in attracting new men to study for the priesthood.

Secondly, there is a wonderful positivity among my counterparts concerning the men who are entering formation, too. We, as vocation directors, are in awe of the men who are approaching us in their discernment of the priesthood. They are serious, yet fun; prayerful, yet engaged in the world; a sense of holy detachment while still being fully engaged in the modern culture. It is a wonderful and exciting time in the Church, with so many new movements and energies that are flowering in so many wonderful ways. As Vocation Director, I can see the fruits starting to ripen while still on the vine, and it brings great hope for the future.

But among the Vocation Directors gathered here in Detroit, there is also a determination. We recognize the current shortage that we are under, especially as many of my brother Vocation Director also serve in parishes. There is a drive to what we do because there is a strong recognition that in order for the Church to continue her God given mission of proclaiming the Gospel in the modern world, we must reach out to those men whom God is calling to the priesthood.

This last idea, that it truly is God who calls these men to the priesthood, is what focuses our attention. Jesus is truly the Vocation Director and our bishop sets the vision that each vocation director implements. Quite simply, we work for them, and it is an honor to do so. In order to stay in touch with Him who is our strength, we began each morning with an Eucharistic Holy Hour, we celebrated Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours; we prayed the Rosary as a group. In all this, Christ remains the light guiding us in our work, for without Him; our efforts would be in vain.

In our efforts to build a Culture of Vocations within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, this centrality of Christ helps to foster an environment in which all Catholics work in the Vocation field, for we have all been called to some special purpose. It is in praying with and for one another that we find that true purpose, it is in our communion with Christ that we are given the grace to respond with that generous ‘yes’ that is demanded whenever Christ calls us forward.

May we all work for a greater awareness of the need to grow this culture, let us all continue to pray for those priests and religious we need, so that mission of the Church may continue to thrive and grow not only here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, but throughout our nation and our world.

Admit it, you're jealous

2011-09-15T14:37:00.003-04:00

You just didn't know it yet.

Wayne, my trusty sidekick in the Vocation Office, and I are heading to Detroit tomorrow (and will be there until next Friday) as the Ohio and Michigan region of Diocesan Vocation Directors meet in our annual Convention. There will be well over 200 priests (and a few lay folk thrown in, too) present from most parts of the country, internationally too, representing their respective Diocesan Vocation Offices, seminaries, vocation promotion efforts, etc., to chat about how we can do this whole thing better.

Archbishop O'Brien was to give one of two key-note addresses, but the Pope had the gall to move him to Rome without consulting us.

Workshops are offered on relations w/ seminaries, international candidates and immigration issues, social media (your's truly is co-hosting that one), discernment retreats, etc. We have 'cultural excursions' to the Henry Ford Museum and plant among a few other things; business to attend to (electing two 'at large' board members), training for new Vocation Directors, etc., etc. etc.

If you could, please offer a prayer or two (perhaps even daily) for us all while we gather. I'll try to post some things here, but keep tabs also on the twitter feed to the right and maybe even a few Facebook updates along the way.

We are meeting right in the heart of downtown Detroit, at the Marriott in the RenCenter. Our closing Mass is w/ Archbishop Vigneron at Sacred Heart Seminary next Thursday. (Which allows Wayne and I just enough time to get back to Cinci for CREDO next weekend.)

Pope Benedict and the Regensburg Moment

2011-09-13T11:31:00.001-04:00

An address I gave to the Cincinnati Serra Club:

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of Pope Benedict’s somewhat infamous ‘Regensburg Address.’ Shortly after he was elected Pontiff, he returned to the school where he first began his academic career to give a lecture to representatives of the Science Colleges on the nature of the interplay between faith and reason, launching from there into a discourse into our understanding of the very nature of God.

It is this aspect that I would like to focus on today, because I think it hits to the core of who we are as Catholics, how we pray, how we worship, how we interact with both one another and with the world, especially as we stand in the shadow of the remembrances of September 11, 2001 and the atrocities committed that day.

Early in his address, Pope Benedict cites a medieval dialogue between the Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus and educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam, a dialogue which was likely written by the Christian Emperor shortly after this encounter. On a side note, it was the citation of this work that caused a bit of backlash in the Islamic world, but which has ultimately led to a greater and deeper dialogue between the two great cultures, which may be one of Pope Benedict’s lasting legacies, one which is only seen in hindsight.

As Pope Benedict launches from this discourse into the core of his lecture, he ponders the historical growth of Christianity and the intertwining of Christian thought with Hellenistic, Greek thought. For Pope Benedict, it was a marriage made in heaven, as the Revealed Word of God found new expression in the on-going logical reflection upon the mysteries of this world. In summary, the logical approach of the ancient Greek philosophers found their completion in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of the Father, the Divine LOGOS, as revealed in both the initial versus of the Book of Genesis and the prologue of the Gospel according to St. John. For the Christian, God is knowable, because God acts in a logical, consistent way, unfolding His divine plan of salvation in way that draws the believe deeper into relationship with the One True God, while still in the context of the corporate Body of the Church.

However, the approach taken towards God in both Islam and, frightenly, in some Protestant circles, is much different. Instead of highlighting the nature of God as LOGOS, rationality and logic; the focus is on God’s omnipotence, His power, His Will: Voluntas. This changes the nature of discipleship in a dramatic way. No longer is one to be drawn deeper and deeper into an ever unfolding manifestation of the mystery of God; now all one has to do is follow, obey.

The result of this shift in focus from the rationality to the power of God results, actually, in a split between faith and reason. No longer should reason be used to explore the mysteries of the faith, for to do so is to cheapen the faith into something man-made, or so it is thought. As a result, theology dies a slow and painful death, while the sciences take precedence and priority.

Pope Benedict, however, does not conclude with a call to return to an age prior to the Enlightenment. Rather, we must seek out a new wedding of faith and reason, one that sees these two great approaches to modern understanding wedded back together. For the believer, faith must necessarily take a leading role in guiding reason to the one foundation of Truth: Jesus Christ.

We must also examine our prayer life, seeking out a deeper understanding of to whom it is that we pray. Do we pray to have our will taken away? Or do we pray to come to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of God so that we can then operate in this world as a more committed disciple of the Logos? It is this latter approach that we see the tide of a secular culture turned back and continued new flowering of Faith as the New Evangelization dawns as we still sit at the precipice of the Third Christian Millennium.

We Are Catholic

2011-09-12T13:07:00.003-04:00

Fr. JR sent in this video, had to be shared:

Some thoughts on yesterday's observences

2011-09-12T10:39:00.002-04:00

As has been remarked in many places, yesterday saw the 10th anniversary of the horrendous attacks of 9.11.2001.

In the lead-up to the commemoration in NYC, news was made about the lack of clergy during the day; for it was argued that to include one, one had to include all and it was a violation of Church/state separation to include clergy members.

I have thought a great deal about this question in the ten years since 9/11; and have a few thoughts to share as to how we have arrived at this position where clergy are now devisive figures in the realm of the secular society.

In the eyes of the secular cutlure, what caused these attacks? At the most basic level, it was a religious fundamentalism. Sure, as Catholics, we recognize that it was an Islmacist, Jihaddist, Fundamentalism that was at the core of it all, but to the eyes of a secular cutlure, there is no difference between the terrorists who perpetrated this crime, the members of Westboro Baptist Church who shamefully protest at Military funerals, and Catholics who stand praying outside of abortion mills. In the eyes of a completely secular culture, anyone who takes their faith seriously ultimately leads to flying planes into buildings.

We know it is not so, so how do we convince the world otherwise?

First, we must pray, for Christians are to be noted as a prayerful people. We pray for the victims, first and foremost, that our ever-merciful Father will grant them rest in the life to come. We pray for the responders who are a very visual embodiment of Jesus' statement: 'No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for a friend.' We pray for our country, that she may be healed of the deep wounds that continue to bleed. Perhaps the greatest challenge: we pray for those who perpetrated this crime that their hearts might be changed from anger and violence to peace and justice, cooperation instead of conflict.

We must also act, for our faith demands it of us. We act in charity to those who have lost, we must not stop doing so. We act in reparation to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice that all might know the love we have for God and He has for us. We act in love, that we might draw others to the Truth.

Only in Christ will true peace and justice reign, and that only by members of His Body being willing witnesses of His Truth to the world.

The Ongoing Treasures of World Youth Day

2011-09-08T14:51:00.002-04:00

My latest runs in the newly revamped Catholic Telegraph, now beginning her monthly, instead of weekly, circulation:

Every year, when the Center for the Applied Research in the Apostolate releases their survey of the men being ordained to the priesthood, the statistics, facts and figures get bantered about by those who work in the vocation business. The surveys show some consistency, however, in what leads a man to realize the potential of a call to the priesthood. While the direct invitation from a current priest remains the greatest influence in a future priest’s possible vocation; the second factor is usually attendance at one or more World Youth Day pilgrimages. Conveniently enough, as I type this article, hundreds of thousands of youth from around the world are gathered with Pope Benedict XVI in Madrid, Spain, for World Youth Day.

As I reflect on my own time at World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada, nine years ago, what is it about these ‘Catholic Woodstocks’ that elicit the call to the priesthood and/or religious life among the young? I have a few theories:

1) There are scores of young priests and religious among the pilgrims. It seems every group has a fairly newly ordained priest with them. Young, vibrant, joyous religious mingle among the scores of teens. The joy that is evident from those who are still growing into their chosen vocation is infectious, and the teens are drawn to them. During the meal breaks, walking around the common areas, the teens invite the priests and religious over to tell their story, how did they hear the call? In these stories, the teens hear their own story, that even though he or she is now a priest or religious, their childhood was no different from what that teen experienced, and the happiness that they have now can be found nowhere else but in Christ.

2) The international aspect of World Youth Day opens one’s eyes to the breadth and depth of Catholicism that is rarely experienced ‘back home.’ Growing up in a small town, I thought most Catholics were just like me. Heading off to college, I realized that this was not the case. Attending World Youth Day in Toronto, this notion was absolutely blown out of the water. We met Catholics from across Latin America, the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. In listening to coverage from Madrid, in a two minute span, a reporter met pilgrims from Spain, South Africa, the United States, Iran, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy and Germany. This international flavor helps our young people see that the Church is much bigger than just my local parish. And while there is a sense of the immensity of the Church, there is still a strong sense of belonging. Even at Mass with over one million in attendance, it feels as if the Pope is still speaking to me, one on one.

3) While the joy and the fun get all the media attention, the backbone of World Youth Day are the daily catechetical sessions led by the bishops. There is a deep beauty in the intellectual tradition of our faith, that for us as Catholics, faith and reason go hand in hand as we explore the depths of what it means to be Catholic. For many attendees, this might be the first time that they get to explore these depths in a challenging way. (The fact that the new YOUcat was distributed to this year’s attendees is a real bonus.)

4) Last, but not least, the connection with the pope brings it all home. When I attended in Toronto as a chaperone, one of the boys that went was a fairly typical high school student: into sports, girls and not so much into school and religion. I think he attended because his friends were going, and hey, it was a trip out of the country, even if just to Toronto. He was the social butterfly of the trip and loved talking with new folks and peers from around the world. His comment at the end of the week was telling, however, as he reflected: “Before I came on this trip, my heroes were athletes: Michael Jordan, Sean Casey, etc., but now, after spending time in the pope’s presence, there is something different. I can really look up to him and hear that challenge he is giving me.”

As our young people return from Madrid, let us all pray that they continue to be open to Christ call to something more.

Data Dump

2011-09-02T10:19:00.000-04:00

I would call this a '7 quick take' for a Friday, but I don't do those, so I won't.

Sorry for the radio silence over the last few weeks, been focused on a few projects we have coming due, and they've been taking all of my (admittedly) limited brain power.

First, we had 12 men enter formation this fall for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, assigned to the following locations: 4 to Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati (three into Pre-Theo I, one into I Theology, with 2 men who transferred from College Seminary programs); 4 to Bishop Simon Brute College Seminary in Indianapolis; 3 to the Pontifical College Josephinum; 1 to North American College, Rome (but he is studying for the Oratory in Formation that is part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati). All told, we now sit at 42 seminarians, which is getting closer to our goal of 100.

Speaking of Mount St. Mary's Seminary, there have been some updates to the Chapel:

Looks nice, eh?

This weekend, I'm heading back to my home parish to celebrate the 10:30 Mass on Sunday with my grandmother on the occassion of her 90th Birthday! I think all of my cousins and the next generation will be there, hmm.... rough tally, I know my math is wrong: Grandma and a few of her sisters who are still kicking; my mom and her five siblings and spouses; 23 grandchildren (and quite a few spouses); 25 (really, I have no idea, I think it is higher than that now, 17 are just my nieces and nephews, and there has to be maybe 15 from my cousins?) great-grandchildren. It promises to be an excellent time. If you could, say a prayer for Grandma as she continues to recover from hip replacement, because she didn't want to be confined to a wheel chair, at 90. YOU GO GRANDMA!

Tonight, I have second of three weddings in a row; after the one next weekend, only one more this year. I think that makes 8, total, this year. All my brother priests in parishes are throwing stuff at me right now! (My fee: first born son to the seminary!)

I was very happy to recieve a review copy of Brain Gail's latest, Childless, which is to be published and released on October 7th. All I'll say now is that it is a good read, I'll publish my full review closer to publication date.

Our Vocation Awareness Week materials are taking the lion's share of my brain power. We're focusing them around the Mass as a Well Spring of Vocations. If you could spare another prayer for inspiration that I might finish my section! (They were only due in rough draft form July 1st, and I have five sections yet to write.....)

Finally, point #7: the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors are meeting later this month in Detroit. I am doing a workshop of use of new media in vocation promotion, teaming up with Sam Alzheimer of Vianney Vocations, he's hitting facebook and email marketing, I'm hitting blogging and twitter. Should be fun! Archbishop O'Brien of Baltimore was supposed to do our keynote address, but something about the pope calling pre-empted him. There BXVI goes again, pulling rank! ;)

I think that's all the randomness floating around in my head right now, make sure to follow me on Twitter, like us at Facebook, and visit our main page, where the Vocation Prayer is now translated into Spanish!

2 to 1 Reduction

2011-08-12T08:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I posted a link to an article from National Right to Life on the new phenomenon of '2 to 1 Reduction Abortions.' It seems some expectant mothers feel they are not up to the task of raising multiples and have selective abortions to 'reduce' the number of children being carried from 5 to 2, or 2 to 1. This orignally began as fertility treatments were in their infancy (pun intended) and a women would concieve of 5 or more children at the same time.

What struck me hardest about the article was the comments by a mother who underwent the 'procedure:'

Finally, there is an almost throwaway paragraph that is worth pondering, about a woman who aborted (“selectively reduced”) two of the three babies she was carrying.

Today, her daughter is 2½ years old. Shelby intends to tell her about the reduction someday, to teach her that women have choices, even if they’re sometimes difficult. “I am the mother of a very demanding toddler,” she says. “I can’t imagine this times two, and not ever knowing if I’d have another person here to help me. This is what I can handle. I’m good with this. But that’s all.”

This mother considers it a badge of honor to wear proudly—telling her daughter she’s the sole survivor. This came long after Padawer gingerly touched the topic:

Even if parents work hard to conceal it, the child may discover the full story of his or her origins, and we don’t know what feelings of guilt or vulnerability or loss this discovery might summon.

A riveting piece, which I hope you will read tonight.

What struck me:

I am an identical twin, and conveniently enough, my parents are heading out to Iowa to visit him, his wife and two daughters this weekend.

But the story of our gestation and birth is, um, complicated. The long and short:

My parents were 27 when my twin brother and I were born, with 4 other children already at home, and running a business together, which they still do. They didn't know there were two of us in residence, and mom was having all kinds of difficulty with this pregnancy, including several months of bedrest. (Which my next oldest sister has still never forgive us for!)

Mom started labor 8 weeks early, which is when they found out there were two of us (our hearts were beating in sync up until that point). They slowed everything down, at least for overnight; meanwhile my older brother fell and and busted his head open, so mom is on the 2nd floor, brother is on the 5th floor, dad had slipped and fallen on ice in the parking lot, grandma and grandpa had the other three (all girls) at home, etc.

What would have happened? Would my parents, if this was presented today, been offered/invited/pressured? (That they would have said 'absolutely not' is of no doubt.)

After all, this is the 'loving' thing to do, right? Because, after all, you can't handle 6 kids, all under 7, right?

(See how the lies of the abortion industry stack up so quickly?)

A priest friend of mine is also an identical twin, but his twin brother died at birth. In talking one time, he mentioned that he was always looking to be 'complete,' that there was a hole in his heart where his brother had been. What will this woman's daughter think when at last she knows? Will she be able to forgive her own mother?

Where do Deacons Come From?

2011-08-05T08:52:00.000-04:00

Elizabeth Ficocelli continues her 'Where do ____ Come From?' series with the third installment, now on Deacons, mostly of the Permanent variety. Geared mainly towards the youngest readers, or to be read by parents, she once again explains the process for becoming a deacon, what role deacons play in the parish and in the Church, and why it is important that we have deacons in our parishes as an aid to priests; all while still maintaining and clarifying the distinction between the priest and the deacon.

I also shared the book with the Director of the Permanent Deacon Office, who concurs: "It is written at an appropriate grade level, lays a good foundation to explain the Diaconate, and will help children appreciate the role of Deacons in the Church."

At just 20 pages, it packs in a good mix of info and illustration, even including a short glossary to give children basic definitions of ecclesiastical terms.

All in all, well done, again.

Order directly from the author here.

Or from Amazon here.

A few prayer requests

2011-08-03T08:29:00.000-04:00

As I type this out on Wednesday morning, my grandmother (at one month shy of 90 years old) is hitting the operating table to have her hip replaced. If you could, please spare a prayer for her and for a speedy recovery. A few years back, she fell and broke her left hip and had that replaced. (We think she just missed grandpa, who was in the hospital at the time w/ congestive heart failure, and wanted to be by his side for his last days here on earth.) Now, she's having the other hip done, because otherwise she might end up in a wheelchair. (At 90, would that be so bad?) I annoited her while I was home on Monday, so she's good to go from that end.

Another request: a good friend of one of my nieces (10 years old) was recently diagnosed with a tumor on her brain stem. She's undergoing therapy, but it's something that no 10 year old should ever have to go through! Prayer for her strength, her parents, sisters and friends, if you can.

Thanks in advance.

Scouting and Vocations

2011-07-27T07:46:00.000-04:00

Fr. Barron turns the reins of his all encompassing blog over at Word on Fire to his seminarian intern who reflects on the relationship between Scouting and vocations to the Priesthood:

Many Catholics in America speak of a “vocations crisis,” or the decline in men seeking to become Catholic priests. Recently, Catholics have observed a spike in vocations wherein many talented men are beginning seminary studies. This has resulted in many seminarians throughout the country finding their communities full. Admittedly, there are many factors that affect this increase in vocations, but a significant percentage of the men ordained priests today are the fruit of one American institution, the Boy Scouts of America.

more

RTL Summer Speaker Series

2011-07-26T14:29:00.000-04:00

Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati, for whom I serve as a spiritual advisor, announces their 2nd Annual 'Summer Speaker Series' event coming up August 11, 2011:

Summer Speaker Series

You are invited to attend Cincinnati Right to Life's 2nd annual Pro-Life Summer Speaker Series featuring compelling national speaker Rev. Arnold Culbreath, Urban Outreach Director, Protecting Black Life for Life Issues Institute. Join us Thursday, August 11, 2011, 7-9 p.m., the Kolping Center, 10235 Mill Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231.

For the past 4 years, Arnold has been a member of the NAACP, collaborating with other national Black pro-life leaders to persuade the NAACP to use its influence to educate its members about this silent annihilation. And his efforts are paying off!

At the Cincinnati NAACP's May meeting, Arnold participated in a panel discussion with representatives from Planned Parenthood, the leading promoter and provider of abortions in our nation, addressing abortion's devastating effects on the African American community.

This event is free & open to the public. Any free will donations will be given to Protecting Black Life.

I've hear him speak, you will not regret it! Rev. Culbreath is passionate about the subject and brings a great zeal for life to his ministry.

Report from the Seminarian Ultimate Frisbee Tour

2011-07-19T10:52:00.002-04:00

Courtesy Cincinnati's Fox 19:

"I will take the cup of salvation...

2011-07-15T08:53:00.000-04:00

and call on the name of the Lord"

Today's Psalm response reminded me of the priest's preparation for the reception of the Most Precious Blood during the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, prayers athat are not in the Novus Ordo Missal of Paul VI. After he has received the Precious Body, the rubrics state: 'He pauses for a moment, and in thanksgiving says some verses from the Psalms (115:3-4 and 17:4):

Quid retribuam Comino pro omnibus quae retribuit mihi? Calicem salutaris accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo.
Laudans invocabo Dominum, et ab inimicis meis salvus ero.

Trans: What shall I render to the Lord for all the things that He hath rendered to me? I will take the chalice of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
Praising, I will call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from my enemies.

Perhaps a good thing to note down and pray as you prepare to receive the Chalice, if you choose to do so, during Mass.

More thoughts on the walk...

2011-07-12T16:33:00.000-04:00

At one point late Friday/early Saturday (time started to blend together after a while), the other chaperones and I had a wonderful and frightening thought at the same time: This is the high point of our career with youth ministry kids; we will never have a group of 10 teens like this again.

What do I mean by this? Well, best described by an example:

Wednesday night, half way through the journey, hot, tired, sore. We had gone through Dayton that day, see the post below for specifics, and were ending up at St. Charles Borromeo, Kettering for dinner and sleep. As I developed the habit since I couldn't walk, I would meet them outside, toss water bottles, bring them in to wherever we were meeting/eating/praying/whatever.

As they approached at about 8 pm, and we started at 6 am that day, I met them on the sidewalk: 'Great to see you guys, dinner's ready, come on in.' I started to walk to the room where we were eating, which passed by the Eucharistic Chapel. I got to the meeting room, turned around and felt like a failed dad: no one was behind me.

They all stopped in the Chapel to pray. "Of course they did, that's what these kids do!"

Boy, didn't I feel like an idiot going into the chapel as the preist to say the following: 'Guys, I know you want to pray, and as a priest, I love that you love to pray, but they are waiting on you to eat, so you have to stop praying now. Relax, we do have a Holy Hour later.'

They lifted each other up, carried burdens for each other, encouraged each other, stayed back on the bus so that no one would be alone, sang, prayed, chanted, translated Latin, discussed theology: 'What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of Man?' among so much else as we walked, slowly, from Maria Stein to the Cathedral.

It was absolutely awesome. Of the 10 young people, they are all seriously considering a call to priesthood and/or religious life. I could easily see 8 of them enter formation, if not all ten. There will never be another group like them, that's for sure.

It gives great hope for what this group, as well as their peers, will do into the future.

Called to be More

2011-07-12T11:11:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the Radio Silence last week, well unless you follow my twitter feed or to the right, as I was on pilgrimage.

Sadly, no, not to Compestello or Guadalupe, but right here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Last summer, two seminarians wanted to get to know the diocese better, so they spent two weeks visiting parishes and walking up then back across the diocese (they got rides, too.)

Their journey inspired a young lady who is discering a religious vocation to do the same thing, only with a group of teens, and since it was to be vocation oriented, I was recruited to go along.

To say I was skeptical (it's my nature) is an understatement, but I have returned with a new appreciation for what our teens can do.

(To read thoughts from the teens as to why they were doing this, see Emily's blog at Unshakeable Hope, pictures, too.)

On July 3rd, ten teens (5 boys, 5 girls from around the Cincinnati area), four other adult chaperones (2 seminarians, 2 young women (both current or former chastity educators)), and I spent the day on retreat preparing for our walk. Most gathered for Mass at St. Gertrude Church in Madiera, where the Eastern Province of the Dominicans have their novitiate. Turns out, their Vocation Director was also in town and gave a great talk on the call to holiness. As the afternoon got later, we jumped on a small tour bus and rode to the Spiritual Center of Maria Stein, roughly 120 miles from Cincinnati (near Sidney, Ohio.) After dinner and a holy hour, a few last minute details and time to bunk down.

To explain how the walking worked, the bus stayed with us all week to transport gear and keep water and gatorade cold. A group would leave walking, and the bus would go up three miles or so. When that group would get there, a new group would set out. Sometimes, walkers would continue, sometimes they would jump on the bus. Sometimes, to make up time, the next group left as soon as the bus pulled up to the three mile mark, etc. It played out more smoothly than I anticipated.

July 4th began the walk and we visited Holy Redeemer, New Bremen; St. Augustine, Minster (with a quick visit from my sister!); St. Michael's, Fort Loramie; and concluded at St. Remy, Russia. 20+ miles of walking. We ended with a cookout out a local family's house, where they even let us have showers! (stay tuned for next shower update....) We bunked down in the parish hall, first night of 'floor sleeping.' As one of the seminarians said: 'Father, I thought my time of sleeping on the floor in a bag was over.' I agreed, but sleep came relatively quickly after all that walking. Some had blisters already, legs were sore, but spirits remained high, as they would all week.

July 5th was a long day: St. Remy to St. Boniface, Piqua (newly renovated/restored, and it looks better in person than pictures), to St. Patrick, Troy, to St. John the Baptist, Tipp City. By the time was got there, my legs were really sore, but I thought I could keep going. I was wrong.

July 6th, Tipp to St. Chris in Vandalia, 6 miles. I did the 2nd shift, and it turned out to be my last. By this point, my left shin was in piercing pain and I stumbled around during Mass. The other adults bussed me for the rest of the day, thinking I would be better tomorrow....   The walking continued to St. Peter's, Huber Heights and on to St. Barbara, Byzantine Chapel and Holy Family, Dayton, a parish assigned to the Priestly Fraternity and dedicated to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. These two stops really helped broaden some of the teens understanding of the 'catholicity' of the Church present in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and provided great fodder over the next few sessions of walking about priestly celibacy, the nature of Mass and worship, Latin in the liturgy, etc. As a fellow chaperone quipped: 'I didn't know I needed a Ph.D. in Theology to be on this trip!' so deep were the questions being asked, and worked out, by the teens. From there, we made it down to St. Charles Borommeo, Kettering.to eat and spend the night, another long day, but another close w/ a Holy Hour, nursing sore blisters, knees and ankles, and quickly falling to sleep.

July 7th, I taped up my shin, hoping it would be better. It swelled up in protest, to the point I couldn't see my ankle, staying on the bus.....   We left St. Charles after Mass and headed down to St. Francis of Assisi, Centerville. From there, to Our Lady of Good Hope, Miamisburg and St. Augustine's, Germantown (up a massive hill, too. The bus barely made it, they prayed a rosary up the ascent, taking only two decades.) Sadly, St. Augustine's was locked up like Ft. Knox, we still prayed, reflected and then hit the road to Holy Family, Middletown, where we were welcomed by their Thursday night Bocce League. We joined them for food, conversation and an explanation of just what exactly we were doing before heading in to Church for another Holy Hour. Luckily, we had reinforcements to help in the walking: one chaperone's boyfriend and a local youth minister heard us on the radio and wanted to walk, too. It was greatly appreciated.

July 8th, Friday, red shirts for the Passion, still a swollen ankle. The YM returned to walk a few shifts again this morning as we went from Middletown to Our Lady of Sorrows, Monroe, for Mass. (While we were welcomed everywhere we went, OLSorrows was particularly gracious in their hosting us for Mass.) From there, St. Max in Liberty Township for lunch, to Dr. Martin Haskell's new place in Sharonville. (He developed the partial-birth abortion procedure and has opened a new abortuary, we felt it important for the teens to stop there, too.)   A quick jaunt to St. Michael's in Sharonville prior to stopping at Sts. Peter and Paul in Reading for dinner, Holy Hour, and sleep. This was the next place showers were available, and I (who wasn't walking at all) was the only one to take advantage. Luckily, we had more 'fill-in' adult walkers to help, too. By this point, we couldn't smell our own stink, but I think I saw paint peeling from walls of places we stopped....

July 9th, blue shirts for the Blessed Mother, saw us complete our walking: Sts. Peter and Paul, to St. Cecilia, Oakley for Mass and breakfast, to Immaculata in Mt. Adams to Old St. Mary's for lunch, to st. Francis Seraph for a visit with the Franciscans, and finally concluded at St. Lawrence, Price Hill where we joined their festival for dinner and a quick visit in the Church. More fill-ins helped spell the adults who were present, too. We drove to the Holy Spirit Center to sleep (AND SHOWER!!!!!), and of course, one last Holy Hour.

Sunday, we visited St. Francis Xavier, downtown and St. Louis, downtown, prior to Mass at the Cathedral. Lunch, and a return to St. Gertrude's to send them back to their parents, and for the adults to collapse!

That's our itinerary, I'll keep posting more reflections through the rest of the week. 150 miles, total. I did maybe 20 before being sidelined. The teens all walked between 50 and 120 miles out of the 150. They were awesome in how they lifted each other up, supported when they needed breaks and prayed, sang, conversed along the way. As far as I know, not one argument in 7 days of pretty intense physical stress. God truly was with us.

The Scandal of the Cross

2011-06-28T17:03:00.000-04:00

My latest runs this week in the Catholic Telegraph:

With the advent of the 24-hour news channels, it seems that there is now a greater desire to, in a way, manufacture news. With 168 hours of news coverage to fill per week, there is a great deal of time to rehash and recover stories that even just 10 years ago might have fallen quickly to the wayside, especially when those stories center around the fall from grace of a public figure who has become bigger than the law, the constituents, the cause which he or she serves.

Recently, Rep. Anthony Weiner resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives over a texting scandal. Hollywood stars and starlets seem to live for the front page of the tabloids. Even the vicar general for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph has had pressure applied for failing to uphold his responsibility in the protection of children.

My point in this article is to not argue that a free pass should be offered to anyone, but rather to muse on the question of how it has come to this, specifically in regards to the people involved, and on the phrase from the investment scandals and the bank bailouts which has returned to the front of my mind: “Too Big to Fail.”

Lord Acton’s oft-quoted summary seems to apply once again: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Original sin continues to manifest itself, as the initial refrain from the evil one echoes through the ages: “I will not serve.”

Power, hubris, thinking that one is above the law, all are rooted in the most ancient, yet most modern of sins: pride. It is so easy to read your own press clippings, to ignore the criticisms rightly leveled, to rationalize one’s behavior while scoffing at the right reasoning of others; suddenly, the world does revolve around me and everything should serve my purposes.

As we have found out, even priests are not immune to this trap. We are complimented frequently, people tend to listen to what we say and we can be treated very kindly by strangers for nothing other than being a priest. It is easy to think that I can walk on water, instead of pointing to the One who actually did walk on water.

How is one to combat these temptations to pride? It certainly is not easy, but we have great examples of those who have come before us to follow. In 2 Samuel 16:5 and following, as David is leaving Jerusalem in scandal and fleeting from his son, Absalom, Shimei, a man from the same clan as David’s predecessor, Saul, starts throwing rocks and insults at the downtrodden king. Many who are traveling with David want to rush upon Shimei for these insults, yet David recognizes that he speaks for the Lord God and humbly takes his punishment.

In the New Testament, Peter is often chastised for his hubris before Our Lord, yet he is humbled by his inability to stay true to his promise to be with Jesus ‘even to the point of death’ during His passion and death. Yet, returning to the Lord, has there ever been a greater statement of faith than his pleading: “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you! “(John 21:17)

So many saints who have been wrongly accused, even by the church, responded with a quiet submission and trust in God’s providence and care. They knew it was never about them, but rather always about leading others to Christ. If their suffering helped that to happen, they rejoiced with St. Paul that they had been found worthy to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.

As we all face those temptations to pride, those temptations to hubris, to putting our selves above the law, let us always turn to the cross of Christ, for only in Him do we find our strength. Every saint has lived under some version of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s motto: “All for the Greater Glory of God.” May we, too, echo these same words.

Received with Warmth and Affection

2011-06-28T15:13:00.000-04:00

This year, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, takes on a special significance. Yes, the new Metropolitan Archbishops will be in Rome to receive their Pallia, but they also will join with the Holy Father in celebrating his 6oth Anniversary of Ordination.

To commemorate this most august occassion, and to launch the new Vatican News Portal (again, I LOVE this Pope!), News.va news.va runs a commemoration of Pope Benedict thinking back to the day he was ordained to the Priesthood by Cardinal Faulhaber in Munich with his brother and 42 other young men!

A snippet:

On the day of our first Holy Mass, our parish church of Saint Oswald gleamed in all its splendor, and the joy that almost palpably filled the whole place drew everyone there into the most living mode of “active participation” in the sacred event, but this did not require any external busyness. We were invited to bring the first blessing into people’s homes, and everywhere we were received even by total strangers with a warmth and affection I had not thought possible until that day. In this way I learned firsthand how earnestly people wait for a priest, how much they long for the blessing that flows from the power of the sacrament. The point was not my own or my brother’s person. What could we two young men represent all by ourselves to the many people we were now meeting? In us they saw persons who had been touched by Christ’s mission and had been empowered to bring his nearness to men. Precisely because we ourselves were not the point, a friendly human relationship could develop very quickly.

Irony

2011-06-22T09:58:00.000-04:00

did anyone else find a certain, umm..., irony between today's Gospel reading and Feast?

First, we celebrate Sts. Thomas More and John Fisher, martyrs of the English Reformation, beheaded for their resistence to Henry VIII's Act of Supremecy and refusal to take the Oath. Bound by their conscience, they stayed true to their Catholic Faith while Henry took command of the Church of England.

After 500 years, we have a bit of perspective on how that worked out, I suppose.

And today's Gospel reading, from Matthew 7:15-20, shouuld have been warning enough:

Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”

Delivers, as Promised

2011-06-20T11:39:00.000-04:00

My review of Dr. Edward Sri's guide to the new Missal: 'A Biblical Walk through the Mass: Understanding what We Say and Do in the Liturgy' at Amazon:

I was very pleased to receive a review copy of Edward Sri's 'A Biblical Walk Through the Mass' about a month ago and have finally had the chance to read through this excellent work.

As priests have long known, the Mass is a Biblical prayer: there are hints and allusions to the Scriptures in everything that is done at the Mass. In this work, Sri helps to make those connections for the average reader who may not have the working knowledge of Scripture or the Mass required to make these connections. Plus, with the upcoming changes in the English translation for the Mass, some terms and phrases will not roll off the tongue as easily, leading many to ask: 'Why?' Sri answers these questions with ease and an accessibility for the average reader.

The book is broken down into the four major sections of the Mass: Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rites. He begins each section with a general overview of what that moment in Mass is meant to convey and then walks through each section of Mass, highlighting the Biblical connections and also applying the lessons for today's readers. When warranted, he highlights specific changes in the text for Mass, giving both the Biblical and Theological rationale for the new text.

Of particular note is his explanation on pp. 112-3 of the change from 'for all' to 'for many' in the consecration of the Chalice. I was very pleased to see the connections to the Prophet Isaiah highlighted and the explanation that 'each individual must choose to welcome the gift of salvation and live according to this grace, so that he or she may be among "the many" who are described in this text.'

I did not notice any significant locunae in the text; however, serious scholars should note that this is directed more towards the parishioners in the pew than in-depth scholarship on the Eucharistic and Liturgical Theology. That being said, this will be among the very few books that I recommend to parishioners who are seeking a deeper understanding of what we celebrate every week at Mass.

Inadequate

2011-06-14T18:56:00.000-04:00

At the risk of saying something I might regret down the road, I have to admit I am pretty drained tonight, having completed a run of a few very tiring days, most of which I can't discuss.

To top it off, as I was returning to my office from lunch, my phone rang. A family I know from a previous parish assignment was on the way to Children's Hospital for an emergency surgery for their granddaughter, who was not yet Baptized. "Um..., Father, what do we do?!?!" "I'm on my way."

Of course, I hit every red light, got behind every slow truck, etc. on my way there. (At least I didn't get lost and Children's isn't terribly far from downtown.)

I managed to get to the room as they were getting ready to take her into surgery, I grabbed a cup, some water and poured and said the right words. That's that.

I couldn't leave, so spent the rest of the afternoon with the family as the little one was in surgery, pretty heart wrenching stuff, I have to admit. We have, reportedly, one of the best Children's Hospitals in the country here in Cincinnati, and the people who work there are absolutely fantastic in making the kids feel as much at home as possible; but it drains me to be there.

Why the child's life was never in danger, she is going to face an uphill battle and some adjustments. Please pray for a quick recovery for her, peace for her parents and grandparents, and thanksgiving for the doctors and nurses who work so tirelessly at our hospitals and clinics around the country, especially those who work with children. I'm spent, and I didn't do much besides be there, which can sometimes be comfort enough.

If you can, spare a prayer for me, too, please. Because despite doing a (hopefully) good deed today, work still needs to be done and I don't have the energy to do it right now. Some days, the best you can do is feel inadequate and hope God makes up the difference.

Don't have a ticket?

2011-06-09T09:05:00.000-04:00

to today's Ordination of Bishop Joseph Binzer, as Auxiliary of Cincinnati?

Listen to the proceedings on Sacred Heart Radio:

740 AM in Cincinnati
89.5 FM in Hamilton, Ohio
online at www.sacredheartradio.com

Should be exciting, only my 2nd Episcopal Ordination ever attended.

Looks like it will be streamed here.

Contraception and Vocations

2011-06-06T09:37:00.000-04:00

My friend Emily BizNet (theology of the Body Educator at Ruah Woods) points from her blog to a post by Fr. Dwight Longenecker about the impact that the contraceptive culture has on vocations to the priesthood and religious life. A snippet of Fr. Longenecker's article:

The second shift due to contraception is buried more deeply within the observable societal changes. We have experienced a radical change in the deeper understanding and expectations of marriage. Before the sexual revolution, a young Catholic boy or girl experienced a family context in which being a husband or wife, father or mother, would have demanded a natural kind of self sacrifice.

In most families, the man would have worked hard to support a wife and many children, and the woman would have given her life in bringing up a large family. Both the man and woman were expected to lay down their lives in a vocation of self-sacrifice, and the Catholic young man or woman would have accepted this vocation within marriage as the norm.

It was within this context of self-sacrificial family life that a young man or woman’s vocation to the priesthood or religious life would have been formed. The young person therefore did not question the demand for a life of self-sacrifice; it was assumed that this was the foundation of a good life. The question, then, was which manner of sacrifice is best for the individual: Dying to self through marriage and family, or dying to self through a religious vocation?

Now, because of artificial contraception, the whole underlying assumptions and expectations about marriage have shifted. Marriage is no longer a way to give all, but a way to have it all. Therefore, when a young person today considers a religious vocation, they are not choosing between different paths of self-sacrifice; they are choosing between a life that seems to have it all and a life that seems to have nothing. They must choose between a home in the suburbs, 2.5 nice children, and a double income or total self denial. The choice is between a familiar form of hedonism or an inexplicable form of heroism

Homily from Votive to the Sacred Heart

2011-06-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

My homily from Solemn Mass Friday night in the Extraordinary Form, in which I give a bit of a defense as to why I endeavored to undertake such a task:

As I begin, I would like to offer a word of thanks and gratitude to Fr. Juarez, pastor here of Old St. Mary’s, for both hosting this monthly Mass and for allowing me to assist over the last few months and to ‘step to the center’ here tonight. On behalf of many, thank you for making such a beautiful Church available for this liturgy.

Also, the MC for tonight’s Mass has been invaluable in preparing me for this occasion. Mr. Paver, thank you for taking the time to walk me through this process, to provide constructive feedback and encouragement; I greatly appreciate it. As I mentioned to you after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper during Holy Week: this has been a process that has helped to transform my own understanding of the priesthood and the Mass, and I am eternally grateful.

As I have been preparing for this occasion, I have had, on occasion, a number of questions as to why I, or so many of my brother priests (and seminarians) are desirous of celebrating Mass according to this Rite, or Form. I wanted to take this opportunity to provide a sort of ‘Apologia’ or defense of striving to do this, for as I just mentioned, this has been a transformative process for me, and I wish for others to understand.

What initially attracted me to this Form of the Mass, which I first attended while in College Seminary at the Josephinum, was the ‘otherworldliness’ of the approach to the Mass. To enter into these mysteries is to truly step out of time. Our physical senses are prevented from fully grasping what is happening so that our spiritual sense might become in tune with the mystery we celebrate: Latin forces the brain to relax and take it in, rather than mindlessly follow a text; the hiddenness of the priest celebrating towards the altar, instead of against the people, stresses that we cannot ‘see’ what is happening, but can only experience; the silence and stillness of so much of what happens might cause a bit of a reaction when we are so used to being engaged in everything that we do, this is somehow different, this is timeless, this is not ‘entertainment,’ this is ‘worship.’ When we confuse those two concepts, we have failed dramatically.

As a priest, there is even more to it than these. In the current translation of the Ordinary Form of the Mass, the language that is used is sometimes, umm…., presumptive. Even after only seven years as a priest, there is an idea that I say those words and it happens. As a priest, I am not proud to admit, but it can at times be easy to shut the mind off, and just go through the motions.

When one celebrates this Mass, these two traps: presumption and mindless recitation, are simply not possible. When I finish celebrating this Mass, even when said privately, I know something has been done. It takes focus, precision, and dedication to celebrate this Mass well and competently. When I hear that it was usually said in 12 minutes, rushed through and no homily and very detached from the life of the people, I simply respond: it didn’t have to be. And, honestly, is the newer form often said much differently?

More importantly, however, is the lack of presumption on the part of the priest. As I continue to learn the private prayers of the priest of this Mass, I continue to be struck by the, umm…, supplication that is included there-in. We plead and beg that this Sacrifice which is being offered might be found acceptable to God the Almighty Father, aspects which are sorely lacking in the current Ordinary Form, but will gladly be restored with the implementation of the new translation this coming Advent.

There is one prayer which I would like to highlight in how it exemplifies this difference, the ‘Placeat tibi’ which said following the dismissal and just prior to the Blessing. In English, it is rendered:

May the homage of my bounden duty be pleasing to You, O Holy Trinity; and grant that the sacrifice which I, though unworthy, have offered in the sight of Your majesty, may be acceptable to You, and through Your mercy be a propitiation for me and for all those for whom I have offered it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

As I read and pray this prayer at the end of the Mass, what strives to the fore is the humility required. The humility required to celebrate this Mass, that it is not about me as a priest, but about worshiping God. The humility that is required to assist at this Mass, that I am not here to be entertained, but to be united to Christ, and Him Crucified. The humility that is required for us all to approach our Lord and God in fear and trembling.

As we approach the implementation of the new translation of the Ordinary From, may the celebration of the Extraordinary Form lead us to a deeper appreciation of the mysteries we celebrate, help us all to approach our Lord in a spirit of humility and prayer, and finally strengthen us all to become more like Christ in this world so that we might be with Him forever in the world to come.

A Personal Relationship with the Living God

2011-06-01T11:46:00.000-04:00

My latest runs this week in the Catholic Telegraph.

When I was teaching high school, my final exam question was simple: “In your own words, with support from Scripture, tradition and material gleaned from class, answer the following: Who is Jesus Christ?”

The answers were always enlightening, and while some were certainly profound and showed a remarkable insight, many answers betrayed the current world-view in which we live: no longer is there belief in Jesus Christ as a personal being, He has morphed into some type of cosmic force, something that is “out there” and helps me be a good person but loves me no matter what I do, so it does not really matter.

I bring this forward not to cast aspersions on my students, but rather to point out that this type of spiritual malaise and misinformation is the driving force behind and the interpretive key to Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy. His goal is to re-introduce orthodox Christianity to what has become a post-Christian society.

This plays out in the many arenas that Pope Benedict uses to convey his message — his so far three encyclicals, two exhortations and speeches during his trips around the world. However, the venue in which to see this most clearly is his weekly Wednesday general audiences at St. Peter’s Square in Rome, as they provide a microcosm of his entire papacy.

As he ascended the throne of Peter, the pope continued a reflection on the psalms that was begun by his now blessed predecessor. However, as he concluded those reflections, he began a new tract to highlight those great men and women throughout history who have been friends of Jesus.

Beginning with the apostles and the early church fathers, working through great medieval bishops and writers and concluding with female mystics and later doctors of the church, Pope Benedict proposed these figures as those who can continue to lead us closer to Christ — not to a cosmic being, but in a dynamic relationship with the living and true God.

On Wednesday, May 4, 2011, the pope brought this to a deeper level as he began a new series of talks during his weekly general audience, now focused on prayer synthesizing all that he has spoken before, he wants to unite these various threads of the call to holiness and sanctity into a “school of prayer,” to respond to the apostles’ request of Jesus to “teach us how to pray” (Luke 11:1).

The “Marshall Plan” that Pope Benedict is outlining here is a way to reintroduce Christ to the modern world, through the life and practice of the individual believer. He has held up the example of what we should all strive to be, and now he will be giving us the steps of how to achieve that goal.

For Pope Benedict, for the individual believer, Christianity is never about a blind following of rules or a mindless obedience, but rather a great adventure in the pursuit of orthodoxy, for in coming to know Christ at a deeper and more profound level, we come to know the self at a deeper and more profound level.

As we do so, we continue to grow in love for our Lord, and then, by necessity, also in love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. What would this world be like if we each strove, just a bit more each day, to be a living example of sanctity and holiness? Truly the world would be transformed.

To find Pope Benedict’s weekly Wednesday general audiences, visit http://www.vatican.va/. For more on prayer, see the resources page at http://www.cincinnativocations.org/.

A 'How To' for Priests re: the Extraordinary Form

2011-06-01T09:10:00.000-04:00

I've been a priest for seven years, now. Throughout that time, I have wanted to learn to say the Tridentine Mass, aka, Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

As you can see, this Friday, I am ascending to the Altar of God for the first time in a public setting to do so, at a Solemn High Mass. How can others, who have as little spare time as I do, also make it? I offer a step by step guide:

1) On days off, if you do not have a 'public Mass,' but for legitimate reasons have a 'Private Mass,' ie: alone or with just a server, say Mass in the NO in Latin. The prayers are all there in the appendix of the current Missal. Use the English Presidential Prayers and Readings; everything else in Latin, or as much as you can. Start w/ just the Eucharisitic Prayer and the acclamations; anything to get the Latin in the brain and on the tongue. Even without much Latin training, you can do it.

2) Slowly expand. If at first you have to say the Latin parts silently, so be it. Start working on pronouncing the parts out loud and getting smoother from word to word, phrase to phrase. If possible, and you will know the parish, introduce parts to your parish, I would suggest a weekday Mass first, ;)

3) Once you have these parts down, attend a TLM in choir, if at all possible. You already know where it is happening in your diocese/city, I'm guessing. They are more than willing to have you take part, even if just sitting there in choir. WHAT I HEAR FROM PRIEST FRIENDS: 'I wouldn't know what to do!' My response: You don't have anything TO DO! (well, besides praying along) Remember, there is no con-celebration; you literally sit back and get the best show in the house, enjoy it for once!

4) Buy the Big Book, if you don't have it already. Yep, time to get the 1962 Missal, I would suggest two other things: get the English/Latin Hand Missal, as it is easier to use for the prayers at the foot of the Altar for the start of Mass and has the translations of all the prayers right there on the page, very nice! 2) If you have an ipad, get the iMass app from the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Same thing: Latin/English on both sides of the page, plus a video up top so that you can follow along w/ the priest as he says the Mass. I have foung this extremely valuable! As an added benefit, it loads up the current Mass for the Day, so you can find it in the Big Book, too. (very helpful!!!)

In your spare time (I know, right), page through the book and get somewhat familiar with it.

5) Next time you are at the EF, stop the MC after Mass (or the presider) and ask: 'Can you help me?' Anyone worth their salt: Absolutely! I had the local MC for Una Voce walk me through the Missal and the rubrics for Mass. At this point, it is helpful to get your own set of Altar Cards, which one can find online and print off.

6) Switch your private Mass from Latin NO to the EF and keep praciticing.

7) Offer to assist as a Deacon or Sub-Deacon at the Solemn High Mass

8) Step to the Center and DO IT!

For me, this was a four to six month process, some days I put in more time (when I had it), some days/weeks, I didn't get any progress made; but I tried to keep an upward trajectory.

This is worth it for your priesthood!!!!! It has helped me to celebrate the NO better, with more reverence. It has made me appreciate the Mass all the more. This will also help in appreciating the new texts we will be using this Advent.

As a priest, we get many demands, and this seems like a huge burden to learn and make progress. Break it down into the steps and timeline that works for you and DO IT!!!

A further note for Friday....

2011-05-31T14:28:00.000-04:00

It's getting closer, and the nerves are acting up already!

(Eric, I'm practicing, but don't think I can make 5,000/day!)

For those who have not been to Old St. Mary's, a few notes:

There is parking on Clay Street next to OSM, just south of 13th.

If the main doors are locked, the side entrance between the Church and the School will be open.

We are celebrating 1st Friday Solemn High Mass in Honor of the Sacred Heart. I have not yet heard who will be serving as Deacon and Sub-Deacon.

This is being sponsored by Una Voce, Cincinnati.

The Glory Cloud

2011-05-27T09:28:00.000-04:00

A tradition we have with Theology on Tap, Cincinnati, is to gather after the talk at a nearby parish for some time of adoration. In the past few years, we've gathered at the Cathedral Basilica in Covington, Kentucky, but with a move to Cincinnati's Hyde Park and The Pig and the Whistle, we now gather at Oakley's St. Cecilia Parish, where a classmate of mine is pastor.

Last night, the air was rather think with some humidity and a bit high temperature, so there was some 'weight' to the proceedings. However, as happens under those circumstances, the incense did not rise to the heavens, but rather stayed in a cloud right near the altar. (I have to admit, I did load up the thurible with copious amounts of incense as we started. You know how to tell if there is enough incense being used? If you can't see the back wall, you might have enough.)

As more and more smoke poured out of the thurible, the cloud hovered right above the Altar, growing thicker and thicker. Slowly, whisps of smoke drifted further out into the Nave of the Church, but for the most part, a big cloud hoevered there. Ocassionally, an updraft would surge through the 'cloud' and lift slightly further afield, yet it would hit that heavier layer up above and slowly sink back into the mass of smoke. From where I was kneeling to the side of the Altar, I could see a smaller pillar of cloud rising with the heat of the candles which surrounded the Monstrance, Jesus certainly lifiting our prayers to His Heavenly Father.

However, what struck me in the imagery were two-fold:

1) The Glory Cloud, the Shekenah (sp?) that lead the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land, you know: the pillar of fire by night, cloud by day, from Exodus. A sign of God's Providence and leadership of the People, He was the one leading them through their wanderings in the desert. Symbolically, here, last night, He continues to lead us through our pilgrimage of life, not to an eartly paradise, but to a heavenly one.

2) The opaqueness of the Cloud: If I turned to my right to look into the nave from my perch int he sanctuary, I could see clearly. However, as I gazed across the Altar, everything was obscured, hazy, distant almost. This is a second 'end' of using incense in the liturgy. Our physical eyes are obscured, veiled from seeing, so that our spiritual eyes might grasp the deeper reality. When Christ is present on the Altar, we peer into the Heavenly reality. But because we are limited by physical sight, we cannot see things as they truly are, but under the physical appearance so that we might have some insight. By using incense to obscure the physical, our spiritual eyes are allowed to take dominance and we see through the veil the separates this world from the heavenly. We are drawn to our final goal: Eternal Life with Him.

Thank you, Lord, for such a wonderful vision of Your Eternal Banquet!

Note to Cincinnati readers

2011-05-26T17:49:00.001-04:00

Next week, June 3, for First Friday, I will be the main celebrant for the 7:00 pm Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form at Old St. Mary's in Over-the-Rhine. Hope to see you there.

For those not coming to Theology on Tap to hear Mother Seraphina on Discernment, there is a Solemn High Mass in honor of St. Philip Neri on his feast in honor of the new Oratory there.

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Praying with and for the Pope

2011-05-26T14:28:00.000-04:00

for an increase in priestly vocations, from the USCCB:

WASHINGTON (May 26, 2011)—Catholics worldwide are asked to mark the sixtieth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s ordination to the priesthood with sixty hours of Eucharistic prayer for vocations.

The pope will celebrate his anniversary June 29, the Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul. In honor of his anniversary, the Vatican Congregation for Clergy suggested Catholic clergy and faithful be invited to participate in Eucharistic Adoration with the intention of praying for the sanctification of the clergy and for the gift of new and holy priestly vocations.

Dioceses nationwide are planning special prayers before the Blessed Sacrament in June, offered continuously or across various days in the month. Celebrations might conclude July 1, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for Priests.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, highlighted the importance of this celebration.

“An increase in number and sanctity of the priests in service to our dioceses is a sign of health and vitality in the Church,” he said. Prayer for vocations is “a worthy intention” and an appropriate spiritual sacrifice “in gratitude for the example and service of Pope Benedict XVI,” he wrote in a May 17 letter to bishops.

Imagine

2011-05-26T13:18:00.000-04:00

Going from commercial airline pilot, to seminary, to priesthood, to parish work, to vocation director, to seminary work, to rector of a Cathedral to Bishop.

Congrats to Bishop Elect Gruss

I'm not sure where he crossed over from the frying pan and into the fire, but it's there somewhere!

p.s. the new Auxiliary in Milwaukee is the local sem rector, too.

this is getting a little too close for comfort!

YouCat Trailer

2011-05-25T12:50:00.001-04:00

http://www.youcat.us/

From Ignatius Insight

On Being a Priest

2011-05-25T10:27:00.002-04:00

by Father Barron:

Quick Trivia Question

2011-05-18T12:48:00.001-04:00

With the news yesterday that Cincinnati Native Bishop Daniel Conlon is being moved from Steubenville to Joliet, IL; and with the impending ordination of Bishop-elect Joseph Binzer, I ask:

Who was the last bishop to be ordained in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains?

NO GOOGLING!

Good luck!

UPDATE:

Dr. Dan gets the prize! Bishop Jack Kaising is so far the last bishop to actually be ordained in the city of Cincinnati. A priest for Cincinnati, he spent most of his career as a chaplain with the Army. When he retired from there, he took a parish on Cincinnati's westside, but was called shortly thereafter to take up the post as an Auxiliary for the Archdiocese of the Military Service. He was ordained in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains on April 11, 2000. Unfortunately, he passed on to his eternal reward a mere seven years later: 13 January, 2007. May he rest in peace.

More Prayers

2011-05-17T17:00:00.000-04:00

This coming weekend, three men from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Schnurr. The Catholic Telegraph features their bios, as well as their classmates from Toledo and Youngstown. If you could, stop and offer a prayer for them as they finish their pre-ordination retreat over these last few days. Then offer another prayer that they might be good and worthy ministers of the Gospel as priests of Jesus Christ. They will learn of their assignments at the end of the Ordination Mass.

A second request: I have a bit of a project coming to fruition on Friday, if you could please offer a prayer that all goes smoothly, I would greatly appreciate it.

To say I'm excited about this

2011-05-16T10:50:00.000-04:00

is an understatement.

'It's just more, ummm...., poetic.'

2011-05-16T09:48:00.000-04:00

Last night, I was at a meeting of self-identified 'Catholic Geeks.' (One of whom boasts that she can identify every bishop in the line-up processing into the Mass for Life, that's right up there!)

What did we do for fun? Compare the new translations of the Missal with the existing ones. Reading through some of the prayers and new texts, I nearly had tears in my eyes in the way they convey the meaning and significance of the mystery being celebrated on a particular day.

For instance, the Preface for Advent II (which can be found in this PDF):

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.
For all the oracles of the prophets foretold him,
the Virgin Mother longed for him
with love beyond all telling,
John the Baptist sang of his coming
and proclaimed his presence when he came.
It is by his gift that already we rejoice
at the mystery of his Nativity,
so that he may find us watchful in prayer
and exultant in his praise.
And so, with Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts…

The current translation says: 'John the Baptist was his herald and made Him known when at last he came.'

Now, he 'sings' of his approach. wow.

Also, that ending: 'And so, with Angels and Archangels...we acclaim' is now the normative ending for the preface to lead into the Sanctus. It's always been there, in the Latin, but is an easy highlight to show how the original translators mashed things together in an effort to simplify things.

These new prayers, I think, really do lift the heart. Are there tongue twisters? Yes. The line above: 'It is by his gift that already we rejoice' strikes a bit odd, but it certainly makes one think, no?

Little help goes a long way

2011-05-12T12:58:00.000-04:00

A young woman from Cincinnati has been accepted to a religious community and needs help covering funds.

more here

What We Already Knew

2011-05-09T09:21:00.000-04:00

My latest runs in this week's Catholic Telegraph:

Every year, the Center for the Applied Research and the Apostolate releases the results of a survey of all the men to be ordained to the priesthood for the coming year. (For those interested, it can be found online here: www.usccb.org/vocations.) For those who work in the efforts of building a culture of vocations in the Catholic Church, the results both confirm the work we are doing and add additional challenges to spur us on further.

While the survey contains enough statistical data to make numbers people go over the moon, there are a few pertinent details that I would like to pull out for further reflection here, and how they reflect the current situation of vocations here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

As has been the case for the last several years, the average age of the men being ordained to the priesthood is 34, while the median age is 31. This has come down slightly over the last few years and reflects a growing desire on the part of our young people to give back to Christ and to the Church who have given them so much. There is a great passion and zeal on the part of our young people, which I see on an almost daily basis in working with high school, college and post-college men and women, both among those discerning a priestly or religious vocation, as well as among those discerning married life and a secular career. Over the last few years in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, we have striven to increase our numbers of college seminarians, as well as reaching out to current college students, resulting in a significant drop in average age, from the upper 30s when I was ordained in 2004, to now about 30, even.

Interestingly, despite the younger age of men both entering seminary and being ordained, still nine in ten men being ordained to the priesthood this year report some type of full-time employment prior to entering seminary formation, primarily in education. Again, this reflects on the desire of so many of our young people to ‘give back’ to those who have provided so much. There is a willingness to sacrifice, there is an openness to seeing the larger picture than just getting on the corporate grind that those in my generation, just 10 years older, seemed to embrace.

A final point from the data concludes, ‘on average, responding ordinands report that they were about 16 when they first considered a vocation to the priesthood.’ Among those who were major supporters of their discernment were priests (66%), while 71% had support of a friend, parent, grandparent, or fellow parishioner. These influences were much greater factors than any other tool in discernment: websites, videos, radio or television advertising. This stresses that the work of promoting vocations is too great a responsibility to leave to a two-man office in downtown Cincinnati; it is the responsibility of every Catholic!

What this reports stresses, a point which anyone who works with seminarians and those in formation already know well, is that these are regular men, men with many options in the world, yet men willing to give their lives in service to Christ and to the Gospel. They love the Church, they love life, and they wish to pour out themselves in imitation of Christ on the Cross. This report, once again, gives great encouragement to continue the work of the Lord in being fishers of men, but also stresses the need to continue to go out and fish for a larger, richer catch of men who will take up the call to lay down their lives so that others might live.

For more on promoting vocations to the priesthood and religious life among your parish and home, visit http://www.cincinnativocations.org/ .

Transitional Deacons Ordained

2011-05-04T18:05:00.002-04:00

The story is up at The Catholic Telegraph on last weekend's ordination of four men to the transitional diaconate for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

There Be Dragons

2011-05-03T15:27:00.000-04:00

A new movie on the life of St. Josemaria Escriva

Crazy weekend, eh?

2011-05-02T11:34:00.000-04:00

So, how did you spend your weekend?

Let's see:

The Royal Wedding. I watched it a bit while getting ready Friday morning, because, really, could you miss it?

Saturday, four men were ordained to the Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. What a great celebration, I'll post the Telegraph article when it comes available.

Saturday night, I spent time with my Grandmother, God-Father, Aunt, Uncle (x2), Cousin and her husband and two children; it was a nice relaxing evening.

Sunday morning was the Beatification. I didn't get up to watch it, but mom and dad had DVR'd it, so we watched it a bit later. I was asked to give my reflections on the life and impact of Blessed John Paul to the Little Sisters of the Poor for their blog, which is found here. Fr. Sunberg, whom I live with, poor guy, and I watched it again last night on EWTN. Amazing, wish I could've been there.

Sunday afternoon, my niece made her First Communion, which it is always an honor to give to the nieces and nephews. I've lost track of whom I have all given it to, but I think I am up to about 7 of mom and dad's grandchildren.

Later on that day, my Grandmother had wanted to see the Reds play in person, but had only ever been once before, 20 years ago. I arranged for her and my uncles to go to the game. I just talked to my Uncle who reported she had a fabulous time. Many thanks to the Reds for making it happen, a truly classy operation who know what it takes to win on and off the field.

Late last night, word about the Usama Bin Laden. Amazing, doesn't seem real. As other parishioners of St. Blogosphere's have mentioned, it is right that we pray for him. Difficult, yes; but do it anyway.

Today sees the Vatican Blognic, wishing I was there.

Alas, a full weekend, now back into the Mondays!

Theology on Tap, Cincinnat, Announces 2011 Line-up (and new location)

2011-04-28T10:07:00.002-04:00

May 5 – FR. JORGE OCHOA

HISPANIC CATHOLICISM 101

May 12 – MSGR. EUGENE MORRIS

OUR LADY IN THE LITURGY

May 19 – FR. TED ROSS, SJ

CARDINAL NEWMAN: A SAINT FOR A TIME LONG OVERDUE

May 26 – MOTHER SERAPHINA, FDM

DISCERNING YOUR VOCATION IN A SECULAR WORLD

June 2 – ANNA MITCHELL

THEY FOUGHT ON BOTH SIDES: CATHOLICS IN THE CIVIL WAR

June 9 – MIKE AQUILINA

WHAT MADE THE MARTYRS: THE MASS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS

This year’s series will be held in the main dining room at the Pig and Whistle Sports Pub in Hyde Park (2680 Madison Road), near Rookwood Commons. Doors open at 7:00, with the talks beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Adoration will follow at St. Cecilia Church in Oakley (3105 Madison Road).

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T13:15:00.000-04:00

As those following the Twitter feed over there on the right, I've made my way to the 'Rents for a few days. I made my way home on Holy Saturday and con-celebrated the Vigil at Sacred Heart in McCartyville, where I also celebrated Mass this morning. For my Easter homily, I pretty much stole the ideas from Dr. Michael Barber, which can be found here. I included a footnote in my homily notes, does that keep me from plagarism?

I've been running full steam over the last few weeks, hence the lack of posting, so I'm spending a few days up in the Northern Hinterlands, as they say, to catch up on some sleep and reading that was intended for Lent, but never gotten to. Please pardon the radio silence, but enjoy the Easter Octave, celebrate the entire season and we'll check back in later.

Before I get totally kicked out

2011-04-12T14:05:00.002-04:00

of my parents' will:

Happy Anniversary to my lovely parents who celebrated the start of their life together as husband and wife yesterday.

Better parents, a priest could not have.

Love you both!

Congratulations!

2011-04-06T13:30:00.001-04:00

to our newest Lectors and Acolytes!

Fr. Binzer Named Cincinnati Auxiliary Bishop

2011-04-06T07:14:00.002-04:00

Press Release from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati:

The Holy See announced today that Pope Benedict XVI has appointed the Rev. Joseph R. Binzer, Chancellor the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and pastor of St. Louis Church in downtown Cincinnati since 2003, as auxiliary bishop of Cincinnati. He will be introduced at a news conference at 10 a.m. today in the Synod Hall of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains.

“I am very grateful to the Holy Father for appointing Bishop-elect Binzer to assist me in shepherding the Archdiocese,” said the Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati. “He is an excellent administrator, but also a priest of great simplicity and compassion. His love of the Church shines through in his tireless service to the people of God. He is extremely well respected by his collaborators at the Chancery, by the parishes he has served and by people in general.”

An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned to a Catholic diocese or archdiocese to assist the diocesan bishop. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has not had an auxiliary bishop since the late Most Rev. Carl K. Moeddel retired in 2007. Bishop-elect Binzer succeeded Bishop Moeddel as vicar general, a post he will retain as auxiliary bishop. He will be ordained to the episcopacy on June 9 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains.

“I am honored and humbled that our Holy Father would make this appointment,” said Bishop-elect Binzer. “I will do my best to continue to work under Archbishop Schnurr to serve the people of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to the best of my ability.”

The Most Rev. Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop Emeritus of Cincinnati, warmly welcomed the appointment.

“The announcement of the appointment of Fr. Joseph Binzer to be auxiliary bishop to Archbishop Schnurr is good news for the whole Archdiocese,” he said. “We have all admired his energy and dedication, his generosity and his kindness. I, together with countless others, wish him well in this new service to the Church.”

Bishop-elect Binzer, a 55-year-old Cincinnati native, graduated from LaSalle High School in 1973 and earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in accountancy from Miami University. He worked for 11 years as a Certified Public Accountant before joining the seminary in 1988 to study for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1994.

He was associate pastor at St. Dominic parish in Delhi Township for three years, then earned a canon (church) law degree from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1999. After returning to Cincinnati, he was resident associate at St. Bartholomew parish in Finneytown, served on the archdiocesan Tribunal, and was master of ceremonies for Archbishop Pilarczyk before becoming chancellor.

As chancellor, Bishop-elect Binzer oversees the work of the chancery office, dealing with issues of canon law, collecting and preserving parish records, assisting parishes and priests with matters of civil law, and maintaining files on priests and parishes. He also supervises the Office of Communications, The Catholic Telegraph newspaper, the archdiocesan archives, the Office of Religious, the Tribunal, the Vocation Office, the Permanent Diaconate Office, child protection, and the victims assistance coordinator.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati is the 38^th largest Catholic diocese in the country, with almost 500,000 Catholics, and has the eighth largest network of Catholic schools in terms of enrollment. The 19-county territory includes 214 parishes and 113 Catholic schools.

2011-04-06T06:44:00.001-04:00

For Bishop Elect Binzer, named today as auxiliary of Cincinnati. He will be ordained June 9.

http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/27182.php?index=27182&lang=en

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Location:Prayers Requested

Happy Anniversary...

2011-04-02T10:49:00.000-04:00

April 2nd will be a long remembered day in the Universal Church: the day one of the longest, and most significant, papacy's in modern times came to an end with the death of Pope John Paul II. This year, with the added expectation of his beatification in a month's time, even more excitement seems to be brewing than normal.

In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, 'tis also a day of celebration, for this is the tenth anniversary of the episcopal ordination of our shepherd: Archbishop Dennis Schnurr. What does one get for the tenth anniversary of an episcopal ordination?!?!

Congratulations, Archbishop Schnurr, ad multos annos!

Prayer, the Heart of a Vocation

2011-03-31T09:57:00.001-04:00

My latest runs this week in the Catholic Telegraph: I was raised in a very small town, roughly 1,000 people all together, even including the surrounding countryside. To say everyone knew everyone would be an understatement! Despite the small size, and the fact that only 50% of the town is Catholic (Lutherans and Methodists make up the rest), my home parish has sent five sons to the seminary in the last 20 years. Two of us have been ordained, two were in the seminary and left, one is currently in the college seminary. A remarkable feat, which continues to stun me, even seven years after my own ordination. Whenever I mention this fact, people always wonder how this happened. ‘What’s the secret?’ There is no secret, but just a vibrant prayer life within the parish and it is based in two areas. First, my hometown has been blessed with excellent priests, who each brought his own gift to the parish. I vaguely remember Fr. Bastian, from whom I received my First Holy Communion. Fr. O’Connor brought about some changes introduced at the Second Vatican Council, taught me how to serve in the fifth grade, and was a constant, steady presence in the parish. Fr. Trick brought a vitality and joy to the parish, a quick wit and an ability to laugh with the best of them. Fr. Sloneker turned the focus of the parish to youth and the energy they bring to the parish. Fr. Lee has just recently joined up and has the enthusiasm of the newly ordained. But this is only part of the success. Even though my home parish is so small, there is a dedicated army of ‘adorers’ who spend at least an hour a week in front of Our Eucharistic Lord, present in the monstrance. From the close of the last Mass on Sunday at noon through Friday evening, at least one person (and usually two) is scheduled to spend an hour to watch and pray with Our Lord. In no mere coincidence, this dedication to prayer started roughly as this little vocation wave started to take shape. Because it is such a small community, everyone feels an obligation to keep Our Lord company: from the elderly who cover some of the early morning hours while everyone else is home asleep or the midday hours as others work, to students from school who walk over after school to spend an hour with He who created them. Moms and dads of young families take the late evening shift, after the kids have been tucked safely away. Others fill in as they can and are able. From the time this started when I was in high school to today, I know not to call my mother on Tuesday evenings, for she has to keep her hour at Church. As we continue our journey through Lent, we can use the discipline fostered in our prayer life to continue on into the future, instead of sliding back into old habits. Especially in periods of Adoration, we see Christ face to face, as it were, and encounter Him at a deeper level. During these times, are hearts are opened to experience the great love of Christ who came that we might have life through Him. In these moments, the initial stirrings of a vocation are heard, the longing of the heart is kindled, and the soul is strengthened to follow where ever God calls. For this, and so much more, whenever someone asks what they can do to support vocations, I urge them first and foremost to prayer before Our Lord during Adoration. It is a prayer time unlike any other. For a listing of times and locations of Adoration in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, see the ‘Resources’ tab at www.cincinnativocations.org.

Creating a Culture of Vocations in Catholic Schools

2011-03-23T15:46:00.001-04:00

This morning, I was asked to address the Catholic school principals of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on the topic of how to build a culture of vocations within our schools. I posted my remarks at the Vocation Office page.

Quick update

2011-03-11T15:58:00.000-05:00

While stopping in my office to clean out emails and grab materials for this weekend....

The Teacher Retreat went very well, thanks for the prayers.

Registrations for Welcome Weekend went from 3 on Tuesday to I think 9 now.

You all are prayer WARRIORS!

Thanks!

Prayer Bleg

2011-03-09T14:11:00.002-05:00

Starting tonight and running through Friday, I'm helping with a retreat for Catholic Grade School teachers here in the Archdiocese. Please keep the participants in your prayers, and send one up for me, too. One of hte team leaders came down ill and had to withdraw, so I get to step up and deliver a talk in his place. Theme is on God's love, so I should have that down pretty well, but don't really have the time to put it all together concisely. Help a Padre out!

I get back on Friday just in time for our annual Welcome Weekend out at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, where prospective guys are invited to visit the seminary for the weekend to see if this is where they are being called. The list is a bit short right now, but pray that those who do attend might be open to wherever God is leading them.

A reminder

2011-03-09T08:05:00.002-05:00

from the Curt Jester

Hope Springs Eternal

2011-03-03T13:48:00.002-05:00

Here it is, 4 short weeks till OPENING DAY! My latest missive runs in this week's Telegraph:

As a long, hard winter comes to a close, four words can always elevate my spirits: ‘Pitchers and Catchers Report!’ This simple phrase indicates the boys of summer are heading to the sunny paradise of either Florida or Arizona to work out the kinks that settled in during the long winter months. Pitchers are stretching out their shoulders, catchers hone the throw to second, and position players come into camp a few days later to adjust the timing on the swing and relay throws, practice fielding the slow bunt roller, and generally get into shape so that as April rolls around, Opening Day will dawn with the Local 9 in tip-top shape.

It is a hopeful time as off-season roster moves are analyzed, new players fit into the regular rotation, and the prospects of a playoff run are discussed by more talking heads than we care to acknowledge! As Spring Training winds down and the season heats up, some of that hope starts to be tempered by reality of a long and grinding baseball season.

As I was getting excited about the start of the baseball season and looking forward to another (hopefully) run by the Reds through the National League Central, I began to wonder about how this longing for a successful season parallels our longing for God.

Throughout our life of faith, we have a multitude of options in following God. During Lent, we have times to hone our mechanics, as baseball players do during Spring Training. We have that long drawn out season of Ordinary Time, in which if we get left behind by the front runners, it is easy to slide into temptations of backing off, taking it easy, waiting for next season, so to speak, instead of striving for excellence here and now.

As we turn to once again enter into the great season of Lent, perhaps it is time to ramp up our spiritual training regimen, so that we might be prepared for the long haul of our pilgrimage of faith. The three distinctive elements of Lent help give us the frame work of how to do so:
First: fasting, not just from sweets point of view, but from all those things that keep us from growing closer to God. What are those particular sins that you have confessed time and time again, yet might not want to really give up? How do they keep you from living to your fullest in God? These are things to offer to Him so that we might be a living sacrifice of praise before God in all things.

Secondly: prayer, as a priest, I notice that the attendance at Daily Mass during Lent increases, and what a wonderful thing that is! But do not let it stop just there, but rather use times of personal, private prayer; prayer as a family; or times of Adoration as ways to increase your involvement at Sunday Mass. To help enter into Mass more fully, preview the Readings that will be proclaimed, if possible, look at the unique prayers for the Priest on that Sunday, as well. What do these prayers say about what we celebrate during Lent?

Finally: almsgiving, as a natural outgrowth from our relationship with God. We do not give because the recipient is Catholic, but because we are. We give because we are thankful of the many gifts God has given to us, and we simply return them to Him.

Like the baseball player honing his skills for the long haul of the season ahead, training our hearts and wills through these practices in Lent helps to follow through with a successful season and summer ahead. Let us prepare so that we might hit Easter in fine spiritual shape so that we might also enjoy our pilgrimage through life to the promised land of heaven.

not a bad idea

2011-03-02T10:33:00.001-05:00

After the Year for Priests, now it's time for a Year for Consecrated!

Something tells me....

2011-03-02T10:00:00.002-05:00

I shouldn't reply to the following email received in the Vocation Office inbox this morning:

Dear Webmail User,

This message is from the Webmail Support team to all email users. We are currently carrying out an upgrade on our system, hence it has come to our notice that one of our subscribers Infected our Network with a worm like virus and it is affecting Our database.

We are also having congestions due to the anonymous registration of email accounts, so we are shutting down email accounts deemed to be inactive. Your email account is listed among those requiring update.

To resolve this problem, simply click to reply this message and enter your User Name here
(_____________) And Password Here (___________) to have your email account Cleared against this virus.

Failure to comply will lead to the termination of your Email Account.

Hoping to serve you better.

(Unknown Name)
Webmail Support

Angry Birds

2011-02-16T09:25:00.002-05:00

At first, when presented with the title by a friend, I was thinking of hurling small red, blue, yellow and black missles at porkulent green swine.

Yet, not what the author intended.

Angry Birds mixed with cryptic Church signs, now that's something I can get into.

Divine Assistence...

2011-02-07T10:57:00.002-05:00

My brother, yes he of the chili recipe, sends me further links of awesomeness:

A Dominican Sister riding shotgun on a Zamboni at at Texas Stars minor league hockey game!

Viking Chili

2011-02-07T09:37:00.003-05:00

So, there was a little event last night on the TeeVee?

The chili I brought (recipe very kindly provided by my brother) seemed to be a good hit, recipe follows:

2 pounds beef stew meat
1 pound ground beef
2 cups hot water
1 can tomato sauce
2 onions peeled and chopped
1 jalapeno chili seeded and minced
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a large heavy bottomed pot, brown stew meat and beef, drain.
Add water, tomato sauce, onion, peppers, garlic and sauce, bring to a boil
Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Stir in spices
Gently simmer for 1 ½ hours
Serve warm

BROTHER’s Variety:

I would add a habanero or two (or any pepper), a few bell peppers cut in large chunks as well for color,
About 1 hour before serving, throw in half a stick of Velveeta Cheese for a thickening agent and some color.
Instead of tomato sauce, you can use chunked tomatoes.
Once, I used 5 or 6 different varieties of peppers, just for the fun of it.

FATHER's Variety:
I added a pack of chorizo sausage to the mix to add more texture. Peppers used: two habeneros, two Jalepenos, two others; plus a three pack of bell peppers.

We browned the meat starting at 10, all stewed in a crockpot from 11:00 till game time. By that point, good flavor all around, not too hot, just hot enough. The stew meat didn't stick together that long, so perhaps we stewed it too long, but it was good nonetheless.

But I have to get my throat blessed!

2011-02-03T08:35:00.002-05:00

Earlier this week, my mom told me of the conversation she had with her mother.

While Cincinnati was generally spared the worst of DeathStorm2011 (rev. A), my home town two hours drive north was projected to be in the midst of a snow/ice/sleet/ice/snow band. Not the best weather for a 90-something woman who has had hip problems to be out, I think we would all agree.

However, Grandma was insistent. Knowing that my mother helps out at Mass on Thursday morning, grandma innocently asked: 'So, Sharon, going to Mass on Thursday.' 'Yes, of course.' 'Do you think you could pick me up?' (Grandma doesn't drive, but lives litterally right behind the Church.) 'Mom, if it is nasty, I'm not getting you. I don't want to risk you falling.' 'But, I have to get my throat blessed.' 'No, Mom.' 'Sharon, I always get my throat blessed!' 'Mom, if it is nasty (and it is), I am not taking you out in the weather!' 'How am I to get my throat blessed?!?' 'If you can't get out, I'll call the pastor to have him come over and do it special for you.' 'Ok.'

End of story.

Family is such a joy at times!

(on the flip side, I wish I had time today to drive the two hours home to do it for her, but alas.)

Happy Feast of St. Blaise, today!

Happy vs. Miserable

2011-01-31T14:35:00.002-05:00

Last night, the Vocation Office and Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry co-sponsored Cast Your Nets! in Cincinnati. Archbishop Schnurr was invited to preside and preach to the gathered teens, roughly 350 in all. After the Mass, there were several requests for a copy of his homily text. He has graciously allowed the Vocation Office to host it over on the main site:

The gospel we have just heard are the opening lines of the Sermon on the Mount which, in the Gospel of Matthew, is the first major instruction of Jesus in His public ministry. These opening lines are customarily referred to as the Beatitudes. Each of the Beatitudes begins with the word “Blessed,” as in “Blessed are the poor in spirit” or “Blessed are the meek.”

Because Jesus spoke in the Aramaic language, sometimes it is difficult to find a word in the English language that conveys all the meaning of the words that He used. Thus, some translations of the Bible use the word “happy” instead of the word “blessed,” as in “Happy are those who mourn.” This, however, seems to set up a contradiction. By definition, isn’t a person who is mourning unhappy?

To understand better the Beatitudes, we need to go back to the culture of Jesus’ time. In the original language and cultural mindset of Jesus’ time, to make a strong statement automatically implied that the hearer should consider its opposite. Only then would the full meaning begin to emerge.

Thus, “Happy are the poor in spirit,” becomes “Miserable are those attached to earthly possessions.” And isn’t it true that an inordinate attachment to material things brings all kinds of misery, such as jealousy, workaholism, and even fear of loss? Rather than being dependant on material things, the poor in spirit have reverence for God and child-like trust in Him.

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Pope's Example Should be Model for Priests

2011-01-31T08:44:00.001-05:00

From EWTN's news' desk:

ROME, ITALY, January 27 (CNA) - Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco of Genova, Italy said that priests should follow the model of Pope Benedict XVI in fulfilling their missions without fear of criticism.

The country's bishops were gathered in Ancona, Italy for the conclusion of their winter meetings on Jan. 27. Cardinal Bagnasco, president of the bishops' conference, gave the homily during the closing Mass in the city's cathedral.

"If the nihilistic culture tends to erase the interior life of people, priests must help the faithful to rediscover it," Cardinal Bagnasco. "And in this mission they cannot be afraid of incomprehension or criticisms."

"The example to follow is that of Pope Benedict XVI, who teaches us humility, the disarming clarity of the truth, the lucid wisdom of dialogue, the ardent prudence of action, freedom before the world and the courage that comes from knowing he is in the hands of God."

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Understanding the Priesthood through the Theology of the Body

2011-01-28T13:55:00.003-05:00

My latest runs today at Catholic Exchange:

“What does that have to do with the priesthood, Father?”

I like to think, as Vocation Director, I can tie just about anything back to the priesthood, if I really try; but in the conversation noted, there was no need to try, as the links were plenty evident, if you but scratch the surface.

In the early parts of his papacy, Pope John Paul II delivered a series of Wednesday catechesis talks on spousal love. Built on his reflections of the first chapters of the Book of Genesis and refined during his trips as a young priest and bishop in Cracow, these talks have been coalesced into a systematic series of theology, collectively known as the Theology of the Body. Groundbreaking in their scope of thought, these talks are beginning a revolution in Catholic thought, especially in our understanding of the theology of marriage and the mutual gift of self contained there-in. In many ways, Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body gives the theological underpinnings for the teachings expressed in Pope Paul VI’s 1968 Encyclical Humanae Vitae.

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Around the Web: March for Life

2011-01-24T15:34:00.003-05:00

So, I'm here in chilly and snowy Cincinnati wishing i was in chilly and sunny DC. Alas.

As I was driving over for early Mass at a neighboring parish, EWTN's Son Rise Morning Show was featuring short call ins from various regulars who were on the way or already in DC for the March for Life.

Searching around, I found a few things that seemed worthy of posting.

From my friend Emily, a reflection she gave a few years ago on the occassion of the March and an encounter outside a planned unparenthood clinic. Again proving that abortion really does hurt women, not help them.

Random searches show up wierd things: a reflection on seeing the reflection of a sister. hmm....

Catholic Musicians? Does such a creature exist? A note recieved:
I’m trying to get the word out into the Catholic blogosphere about some new music – I released my second album a few months ago, called “The Luggage of an Optimist” (based on a chapter title in GK Chesterton’s “Manalive”). I’ve been featured on a Catholic radio station out in Oregon, and getting opportunities here and there around the Boston area, where I work and live...
Any help (i.e. a blurb about the music on the blog) you might give to an emerging Catholic artist would be great! I know that word can spread pretty fast through this sphere –
Music may be found here: http://www.myspace.com/miriammarston
And bought (in addition to I-tunes, Amazon, etc) here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarston2

Batman the Priest?

2011-01-21T08:44:00.002-05:00

What do you get when a Catholic PhD Biblical Scholar takes a look at the rebooted Batman movie franchise?

An awesome take that eventually compares Batman with the priesthood.

Long, yes; but still entertaining, thanks to Dr. Barber for posting!

(This is something my twin brother would call 'seminary humor,' I just think it's really 'Catholic Geek Humor,' and proud to share it!)

In Memoriam

2011-01-20T09:09:00.003-05:00

This coming Saturday is a day of great infamy in the United States. The legalization of abortion at all stages by determination of the US Supreme Court in the decision Roe v. Wade has led to the slaughter of countless American lives.

Yet, it is hailed by some as a champion of women's liberty. I have met and counseled women who have had abortions, they are trapped, not freed, by this decision.

A couple things to read and reflect upon during this weekend's remembrances/memorials/vigils:

First, you know those 'life of the mother' exceptions that they keep trying to ram through to keep this gruesome procedure legal? Mary Kochan at Catholic Exchange has a wonderful response.

Proving the lie that these docs really are all about protecting women, comes reports from Philly that shows the truth behind the procedure. Jill Stanek, Pro-Life Warrior!

Eric Sammons (who has Cincinnati roots) makes the statement that this is more 'norm' than 'exception.

Finally, if you haven't yet, please read Abby Johnson's gripping tale of her conversion from Planned Parenthood exec to Pro-Life witness. FYI! There are 2 versions of this book: a Catholic and secular one. The one available at Amazon for the Kindle (which is what I read) does not contain her conversion to also rejecting the contraceptive mentality. I've linked to the Catholic version available through Ignatius Press. This book outlines how to approach the silent witness of prayer in front of abortion mills. As Abby said at this past year's Cincinnati Right to Life Banquet: 'I knew that it just wasn't right to have people praying, 24-7, in front of your place of emplyment.' It eventually worked into her heart and led to her crossing the line.

One last note, Cincinnati Right to Life is publicizing a 'Walk for Life' here in Cincinnati this coming Saturday, beginning at 11:00 AM at Cincinnati's City Hall to Fountain Square.

Around the Interwebs

2011-01-13T08:53:00.002-05:00

I've had a few things collecting in the 'Post on Blogger' file, thought I'd clear that out a bit this morning.

First, from Adoro, comes an analysis of the Call of Christ in the Gospel of Luke, particularly apt during Vocation Awareness Week.

Second, in the midst of tragedy, a ray of hope. The Trappist Monks of New Melleray Abbey (where I spent my 2009 retreat) offered a child's casket for the youngest of the victims of the tragedy in Arizona. It was a gift of their 'Child Casket' fund, which offers appropriately sized caskets to families of children at no cost. Perhaps a gift to the fund in honor of Christina Green would be a fitting tribute?

Thirdly, and a little lighter: Bond, Father Bond. (The comments with potential titles are particularly funny.)

Fourth, why Vocations Awareness Week after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord? Fr. Fox, priest of the Archdiocese, has a great answer in his homily from this past Sunday.

Finally, ever wanted to know the impact on a family when a son heads to the seminary? This week's 'Vocation Issue' from the Catholic Telegraph features an article on our three transitional deacons and interviews with family and friends. (I featured this over at Cincinnati Vocations yesterday.)

OOPS! One more: have you prayed the Prayer for Vocations yet?

Fr. Boeke, RIP

2011-01-07T15:18:00.001-05:00

From the Chanellor:

We have received word that Father Anselm Boeke died today, January 7, 2011, at St. Charles Center in Carthagena. His funeral arrangements are as follows:

Reception of the Body: Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 12:45 p.m. at St. Charles Center, Carthagena (2860 U.S. Route 127., Carthagena, OH 45822, 419-925-4516). Celebrant: Reverend James Seibert, C.PP.S. Visitation until 7:00 p.m.

Vigil Service: Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Charles Center. Celebrant: Reverend James Seibert, C.PP.S.

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, January 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Charles Center. Celebrant: Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr; Homilist: Reverend Vincent Hoying, C.PP.S.

Burial: Immediately following Mass of Christian Burial, burial will be at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery, Cassella (6524 State Route 119, Maria Stein 45860-9599; 419-925-4775) Celebrant: Reverend James Seibert, C.PP.S.

I remember him as the last pastor of the little parish out in the country from my home town. He was a good, gentle soul, loved the Church, loved Our Lady, loved the priesthood.

If you could, please pray a quick prayer for this devoted servant who has gone to his rest after many years of toil in the Lord's Vineyard.

Introibo ad Altari Dei...

2011-01-07T10:29:00.003-05:00

Last night, I had the opportunity, for the first time, to attend/assist/celebrate a Traditional Latin Mass for the first time in public. (While on retreat after Christmas, I said a daily TLM in private, which is much preferable, to me, than saying the NO in private, but I'll get to that in a later post, hopefully.)

Those following my twitter feed (@fatherschnippel) noticed the following yesterday, late morning: "Message to Cinci folk: TLM at OSM, 7:00 PM, tonight, Epiphany Solemn Mass, urs truly as Deacon"

Yep, first time: Deacon at a Solemn High Mass! A bit of training from a very good MC, and off we went. To say it is different than the NO Mass is, umm, selling it a bit short. I am still trying to get my head around the experience.

First thought: strangely, it is much harder to 'pray' this Mass than the NO as a priest. At least these initial run throughs (with rusty Latin), I am so concerned with the Rubrics, the hand positions, the genuflections, the kissing the altar, hand, etc., I'm trying to get through it rather than 'pray' it. In TLM, it is not about the priest, it is about the ritual, the ceremony, the prayers; entering into a timelessness, almost. The prayers are beautiful in their wording, if sometimes wordy, even in the Latin (which can really get me toungue tied!)

Another thought, from a friend who was attending her first TLM: Afterwards, as we were digesting the experience over sandwiches at Cinci's oldest bar, her comment was: 'It seemed, ummm..., more masculine.' The guys at the table agreed: if NO Masses were celebrated like that, there would be more vocations. (leading a participant to quip this morning in a note: "Father, have you told your boss and your other priest friends that a very orthodox mass (even NO) with a very rigorous/demanding altar server program would help encourage vocations?" Well, we know it, harder to implement.

The chants (and the choir was really great last night!) all reflect that timelessness. Certainly, in TLM, there is not a notion of 'I don't get anything out of Mass,' even the laity have to work to pray along.

Another buddy, also attending his first TLM, tried to follow along at first, but dropped the little red hand missal and just decided to soak it in. I think he was still trying to put it into words, too. (I really hope he was joking with the 'needed more "active participation"!' line!)

Anyway, there is another chance to see me ply the trade of the deacon tonight, for the monthly 'First Friday' Mass at Old St. Mary's in Cincinnati's Over the Rhine. Hopefully, I won't be quite as lost, be able to enter the prayer a bit more and ultimately, soon, be able to step up to the top step of the altar and bat leadoff for the Solemn High Mass.

As a contrast, since I hadn't had my own Mass yet, I then celebrated a Low Mass at the same alter, with just two servers and maybe a few others at first in the Church. At least there, I was mostly getting the hang of things.

Finally, my friend (who commented above on the masculinity of TLM) was finally able to give me my birthday present, only a month late, but still appreciated: a center Altar Card she had picked up at a thrift store. Not to decorative, just pretty simple words hadn written on a paper, mounted in a frame. Awesome! And it will be very helpful at the home chapel, where we didn't have the cards yet. Mass intention for her today!

UPDATE: Fr. Z picked this up here. He highlights the beauty and the difficulty of this Mass: It wieghs upon the priest, it makes demands of both the priest and the people, it takes a while for things to get comfortable, routine. Isn't our prayer life much the same?

To be fair: the 'active participation' comment was firmly toungue in cheek