Pray for Haiti

Hurricane Tomas Strikes Haiti

Take some time to pray for the people of Haiti, who have suffered so much and who now must face a devastating new challenge.

New Saints in Roman Missal 3

The USCCB has an article on their website regarding propers for saints added to the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. Check it out at the link below.

USCCB - Roman Missal New Kids on the Block

A New Enthusiasm

What is needed at the present time is a new enthusiasm, a new joy and serenity of mind in the unreserved acceptance by all of the entire Christian faith, without forfeiting that accuracy and precision in its presentation which characterized the proceedings of the Council of Trent and the First Vatican Council. What is needed, and what everyone imbued with a truly Christian, Catholic and apostolic spirit craves today, is that this doctrine shall be more widely known, more deeply understood, and more penetrating in its effects on men's moral lives. What is needed is that this certain and immutable doctrine, to which the faithful owe obedience, be studied afresh and reformulated in contemporary terms. For this deposit of faith, or truths which are contained in our time-honored teaching is one thing; the manner in which these truths are set forth (with their meaning preserved intact) is something else.

These words sound as if they could have bee written today. Instead, they were proclaimed forty-eight years ago today, as Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council.

For people of my generation and older, Vatican II is part of our living history. For people in their 30's and younger, it is a thing of the past, something they read and hear about but have not really experienced. Still, Vatican II seems to be part of the collective Catholic lexicon, often cited with little real knowledge of why the Council was called, what the Council said, and what all of this means to the life of the Church and to each human person.

We argue about what the Second Vatican Council said about the Church Universal, the liturgy, the laity, the clergy, and many other important matters. But have we achieved the "new enthusiasm," called for by Pope John? Do we crave "that this doctrine shall be more widely known, more deeply understood, and more penetrating in its effects on men's moral lives?"

Today may be a good day to read Pope John's opening address to the Council. Towards its conclusion he reminded the gathered prelates of the importance of the Council saying,

The eyes of the world are upon you; and all its hopes.

Let us give thanks to God for his servant, Pope John XXIII and for all of those who so faithfully sought the counsel of the Holy Spirit during that important time in history. May we show our thanks by honoring their work and seeking the Spirit with the same fervor, charity and patience.

Workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Added

The Office of Worship has added an additional workshop for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at St. Mary Parish in Pardeeville this fall. The remaining workshops are listed below.

Sacred Hearts Parish in Sun Prairie
Wednesday, September 22 at 7 p.m.

Nativity of Mary Parish in Janesville
Saturday, September 25 at 9 a.m.

St. Peter in Madison
Wednesday, September 29 at 7:30 p.m.
for Madison east side parishes

St. Mary Parish in Pardeeville
Saturday, October 23 at 9 a.m.

For more information or to register, go to www.madisondiocese.org/emhc.

Over 5800 people have attended these workshops since September 2007.

(Artwork: La multiplication des pains by Corrine Vonaesch)

Pastoral Companion to the Roman Missal

World Library Publications is preparing to publish a Pastoral Companion to the Roman Missal by popular scholar/author Fr. Paul Turner. While I have not yet seen it, the description looks like this will be a very useful tool as we begin to pray with the newly translated texts. Here is the information from the publisher:

This is the essential companion to the new English translation of the Roman Missal. Father Paul Turner walks you through the newly translated Entrance and Communion Songs, Collects, Prayers over the Gifts, and Postcommunion Prayers for Sundays and Solemnities. Helpful pastoral suggestions and historical background are provided in a clear, concise, accessible manner. This eminently pastoral book is packed with helpful scholarship, making connections between the texts of the Missal and the Lectionary. Special bonus: introductions and conclusions to the Prayer of the Faithful for each Sunday and Solemnity, written in new Missal "style." A must-have!

Click here for more information.

I'll be placing other resources on the blog as time moves forward. If you have any suggestions, let me know.

A Cause for "Great Concern"

The Vatican released a communique from the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue concerning current events in our country and around the world.

VATICAN CITY, 8 SEP 2010 (VIS) - The Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue today released an English-language communique describing its "great concern at the news of the proposed 'Koran Burning Day' on the occasion of the anniversary of the 11 September tragic terrorist attacks in 2001 which resulted in the loss of many innocent lives and considerable material damage.

"These deplorable acts of violence, in fact, cannot be counteracted by an outrageous and grave gesture against a book considered sacred by a religious community. Each religion, with its respective sacred books, places of worship and symbols, has the right to respect and protection. We are speaking about the respect to be accorded the dignity of the person who is an adherent of that religion and his/her free choice in religious matters.

"The reflection which necessarily should be fostered on the occasion of the remembrance of 11 September would be, first of all, to offer our deep sentiments of solidarity with those who were struck by these horrendous terrorist attacks. To this feeling of solidarity we join our prayers for them and their loved ones who lost their lives.

"Each religious leader and believer is also called to renew the firm condemnation of all forms of violence, in particular those committed in the name of religion. Pope John Paul II affirmed: 'Recourse to violence in the name of religious belief is a perversion of the very teachings of the major religions' (address to the new ambassador of Pakistan, 16 December 1999). His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI similarly expressed, 'violence as a response to offences can never be justified, for this type of response is incompatible with the sacred principles of religion' (address of His Holiness Benedict XVI, to the new ambassador of Morocco, 6 February 2006)".

Lord, Give Success to the Work of Our Hands

As we approach Labor Day, I think that it is good to reflect upon and to re-orient ourselves toward the role of work in God's mysterious plan.

Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one another. Hence work is a duty: "If any one will not work, let him not eat (2 Thess 3:10, cf. 1 Thess 4:11)." Work honors the Creator's gifts and the talents received from him. It can also be redemptive. By enduring the hardship of work in union with Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth and the one crucified on Calvary, man collaborates in a certain fashion with the Son of God in his redemptive work. He shows himself to be a disciple of Christ by carrying the cross, daily, in the work he is called to accomplish. Work can be a means of sanctification and a way of animating earthly realities with the Spirit of Christ. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2427

Our faith calls us to value work, to desire to work, and to put in an honest day's work. At the same time our faith requires employers to provide a just wage and to allow full access to employment without unjust discrimination (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2426-2436).

There is so much talk about work these days, especially since so many people are unemployed and many, many more are underemployed. To make enough money to pay the bills or to have health insurance, many work long hours which impact the quality of their family lives. "Work is for man, not man for work," the Catechism reminds us (2428).

I think that Labor Day provides a chance for all of us to first thank God for the gift of work along with the many other gifts that he freely and generously gives us (life, faith, family, Church, creation, food, etc). It is also a time to pray for those who are in need of work.

Finally, I think it provides an opportunity to examine our own consciences about our view of human labor within the context of our faith:

• If I have a job, do I put in an honest day's work? Am I honest and truthful? Am I respectful of other's property or do I feel entitled to take things from work that aren't mine? Do I treat coworkers with respect? Am I charitable? Do I put work ahead of family? Do I rest from work on Sundays?
  
• If I do not have a job, have I done all that I can to search for a job? Have I tried to improve my skills or study a new field? Have I given up hope? Do I seek God's guidance and sustenance? Am I angry with God? Do I use the time that I now have doing something positive? Do I still seek to help others as best as I can?
  
• Whether or not we have a job, all of us can ask ourselves, Do I respect all people regardless of whether or not they have a job? Do I respect all people or do I judge people based on status or job? Do I have compassion for people who work in difficult conditions? Do I value companies that provide fair and just labor standards when I consider a purchase? Do I begrudge someone who gets government or other assistance when unemployed or underemployed? Have I reflected upon the Catholic position regarding immigration?

Labor Day gives us the opportunity to thank God for the gift of work and to pray for people who want to work but do not have employment or are unable to work. I know that this year I will pray for those who have dangerous jobs, especially the trapped Chilean minors (and for their families).

A number of years ago I was asked by our Office for Justice and Peace to compose a litany to be used on Labor Day. I try to review it each year around Labor Day to remind myself of the dignity God has bestowed upon work and worker alike. I wrote about it last year and it can be found by clicking here.

Below is a prayer (slightly adapted, for personal prayer) from the Sacramentary (Masses for Various Needs and Occasions: For the Blessing of Human Labor):

God our Father,
by the labor of men and women you govern and guide to perfection
the work of creation.
Hear the prayers of your people
and give all men and women work
that enhances their human dignity
and draws them closer to each other
in the service of their brothers and sisters.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.