Last week a parishioner approached me and asked to speak to me about my homily from the previous Sunday.
Before I tell you more about my conversation with this person, I want to thank her and all who are willing to speak to me about anything that I said or did that might have bothered and/or upset them. I would much rather have a chance to converse with them about what happened than the person keep it inside or talk only to others about it. I pray that something good will come from the conversation between him/her and me and when necessary, I will have a chance to say "I'm sorry" to that person.
Getting back to my conversation with a parishioner about my homily, she told me that she was bothered by the fact that I quoted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the subject of the Church's stand on homosexuality. She said she felt that in doing that, I wasn't being sensitive to people in the congregation at the Masses that weekend who have relatives who have same sex attraction tendencies, or maybe people at Mass who have that inclination. I responded firstly by reminding her that I also quoted another paragraph of the catechism that says that people with homosexual tendencies "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity." (Cat. 2358) Pope Francis' comments have expressed these same sentiments on more than one occasion. I indicated, in my conversation with this parishioner, that in these times, when the winds of public sentiment and some of the media suggest an "acceptance" of a homosexual lifestyle, the Church in its teaching and preaching must always be clear that marriage is between a man and a woman, and remains consistent to what the Scriptures and the tradition of the Church say to us, while opening and not closing doors, to those who seek the Lord more clearly and deeply in their lives.
Before I tell you more about my conversation with this person, I want to thank her and all who are willing to speak to me about anything that I said or did that might have bothered and/or upset them. I would much rather have a chance to converse with them about what happened than the person keep it inside or talk only to others about it. I pray that something good will come from the conversation between him/her and me and when necessary, I will have a chance to say "I'm sorry" to that person.
Getting back to my conversation with a parishioner about my homily, she told me that she was bothered by the fact that I quoted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the subject of the Church's stand on homosexuality. She said she felt that in doing that, I wasn't being sensitive to people in the congregation at the Masses that weekend who have relatives who have same sex attraction tendencies, or maybe people at Mass who have that inclination. I responded firstly by reminding her that I also quoted another paragraph of the catechism that says that people with homosexual tendencies "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity." (Cat. 2358) Pope Francis' comments have expressed these same sentiments on more than one occasion. I indicated, in my conversation with this parishioner, that in these times, when the winds of public sentiment and some of the media suggest an "acceptance" of a homosexual lifestyle, the Church in its teaching and preaching must always be clear that marriage is between a man and a woman, and remains consistent to what the Scriptures and the tradition of the Church say to us, while opening and not closing doors, to those who seek the Lord more clearly and deeply in their lives.
I will admit to you right away that the timing of this Pastor's Corner comes, in part, from a need that we have in Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. We are in need of two regular adorers who are willing to take a 3:00-4:00 a.m. time once a week. As one who currently takes that time every Friday morning, I want to testify to the blessings that it brings me each week. Firstly, I was surprised to discover that, compared to the holy hours of the week that I do (usually starting at 5:30 a.m.), I am usually the most physically and spiritually alert during my 3:00-4:00 a.m. Holy Hour. Secondly, it is a blessing to know that for that hour, it is just the Lord and me until the 4:00-5:00 person comes. Thirdly, there is a great peace that comes during and at the end of most of these hours that I have, no doubt, comes from the Lord and leaves me thankful for the time I have given to the Lord and to my relationship with Him. Finally, I must admit that I am able to sleep for a few hours before my adoration time on Friday, and I am able to go back to sleep for a few hours after I return to the Rectory. I'm sure that other "late night" adorers could give testimony as to why and how they are blessed by being faithful to their adoration time each week, and I pray that some of you will consider joining our ranks (especially at the needed 3:00-4:00 a.m. time). If you are wondering, one of our 3:00 a.m. adorers backed out because he is gone for so much of the year, and the other person (who had been doing two 3:00 a.m. times each week) has cut back to one time due to health reasons.
If your are interested in being blessed by joining the ranks of the 3:00-4:00 adorers, please call Sherrie Nichols at 617-733-1395. If you want to become an adorer at another hours of your choice each week or at a time that we need to be filled, please contact Mike Kerwin at 922-1531. Remember, we do have substitutes and other ways for your hour to be filled if you have to miss. Also, we can always use substitutes that are willing to fill in when they can. Call Mike for that as well.
If your are interested in being blessed by joining the ranks of the 3:00-4:00 adorers, please call Sherrie Nichols at 617-733-1395. If you want to become an adorer at another hours of your choice each week or at a time that we need to be filled, please contact Mike Kerwin at 922-1531. Remember, we do have substitutes and other ways for your hour to be filled if you have to miss. Also, we can always use substitutes that are willing to fill in when they can. Call Mike for that as well.
I don't know about you, but I recently received a bunch of letters from charitable organizations that help a variety of people who are needy in various ways. I find myself overwhelmed as I try to decide which one, or ones, to help. As you know, there are many ways that these solicitors try to encourage our giving, with gifts, a coin, a stamp, or greeting cards being included in the solicitation. I'm sure that like me, some of you feel badly as you throw some of the solicitations away. I say that it is Christ-like to have a heart that wants to help "everyone" in need. The practical side of us, however, knows that is not possible for a number of reasons. I would certainly recommend doing some digging and find out how much of each dollar contributed actually goes to the needy persons. You might be surprised at how many people (who aren't so needy) are benefiting from your donation. I must admit that while I might give some charities that come to my attention through the mail, something once a year, I feel compelled to give to Catholic Charities like Catholic Relief Services, the Christian Refugee Relief Fund (through KofC.org) as well as the Catholic Arkansas Sharing Appeal and the once-a-month second collections we take up at church because I'm confident that most of my money does, in fact, go to the poor and others who are in need. A generous heart that leads to a generous response will always be a blessing to both the receiver AND the giver.