Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Marian Gathering 2012 Cancelled...


I am very sorry to announce that the Marian Gathering scheduled for November 25 has been cancelled. We look forward to rescheduling the event within the year.

I have heard from several people planning to attend.  Please don't give up we will have a gathering sooner or later.  Again thanks for your understanding.

It's been a tough couple of months for planned events....first the fall Medjugorje pilgrimage was cancelled and now this.


God Bless you.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Disturbing News or No Big Surprise?

I recently came across an article written by an older priest where he aptly described one of the dilemmas facing the Mother Church--we are running out of priests.  

I was ordained years ago into a church where the 'identity' of the priest was a common topic at most gatherings.  Social sciences were touted as having the answer to priestly despair, loneliness, delusions, addictions, disorders and unhealthy behaviors.  Speakers and retreat masters elevated beating drums, 12 step programs and enneagrams.  
I spent more time reading pop psychology self help books than I did scripture.

I can't remember confessions or a day of fasting ever being offered at a priest gathering (now, there is the possibility that I did ignore such and invitation, which in my case--shame on me, but I honestly can't remember confessions or fasting or even Eucharistic Adoration ever being part of a priest convocation)
Maybe it was just assumed?  I'm not sure. 

So are the numbers really a surprise?
Spiritually it makes perfect sense.


Thursday, October 18, 2012

This November...


A Marian Gathering


Camp Notre Dame
400 Eaton Road
Fairview, Pennsylvania

Feast of Christ the King
Sunday, November 25

Prayers
Talks
and
Discussion

Wayne Weible
Michael Ripple
Rev. William Kiel

10 am - 3 pm Concluding Holy Mass with Prayers for Healing

Participants are Requested to Provide Their Own Lunch

Light Refreshment and Drink will be Provided

No Admission or Registration Fees
However a Free Will Offering will be Greatly Appreciated



Tuesday, October 9, 2012

New Praylium Pilgrimage to St Michael's Shrine

Check out the upcoming pilgrimage to Rome and the Shrines of Italy with optional  Medjugorje trek.
Click the pilgrimage tab.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Just Be Nice?? Not Anymore.

A few years ago a parishioner of mine (at the Episcopal church) launched a campaign asking people to  'be nice'.
It reminded me of the Oh God movies when those posters appeared asking people to think about God.
This fellow's campaign was very successful, at least according to billboards and placards.
But I'm not sure about people's hearts.

My son is in marching band.
So is my wife.  Actually she is helping with color guard.
This isn't their first go at it.
It is mine.

Wow.

So I participate the best I can--I'm on pit crew.  This means I show up and load a trailer.  I drive to the competition (with my wife--so it is officially a date). I unload the trailer and move stuff on a field.  I watch 'judges' walk and talk and criticize.
We get home at four in the morning. (feels like it)

I love watching and feeling my son's and wife's excitement and I really do enjoy it.

However.
This past week, as I stood in the high school band room, I made the following observation:
People are not nice. They don't know how to talk to each other or even ask someone a question in a nice way.  No--everything is a demand.  Like the person is entitled to talk however they want--demeaning and demanding.
This is a learned behavior of communication that is oppressive and demonic.

I am not asking for Christianity--just civility.

The part that really gets me is that it goes unchecked.
This way of communication and social interaction has become the norm.
Did you hear of the fans cheering a quarterback who was hurt?

No social norms, no civility, not even the ability to just say nothing....not in a band room--and not at a stadium.

It's getting worse and what do we try to teach?  Turn the other cheek?  Shake the dust?  Defend the weak?

Yep--satan just keeps pinging.