April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Pope Benedict XVI’s Intentions for April

For the month of April, the Holy Father asks our prayers for the following intentions:

Fundamentalism and Extremism
General: That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by constant respect, by tolerance and by dialogue among all believers.

Persecuted Christians
Missionary: That Christians persecuted for the sake of the Gospel may persevere, sustained by the Holy Spirit, in faithfully witnessing to the love of God for the entire human race.

Filed Under: Pope Benedict XVI
Final Words on the Sex Abuse Scandal
April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Final Words on the Sex Abuse Scandal

Golgotha Crucifix, designed by Paul Nagel, Chu...

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When I was a student at UT, I had a meeting with then-Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin in his office at the Chancery. I met with him there a few times for a few different things and I couldn’t tell you which of those applied in this case. I can’t remember much from the conversation except one story that has stuck with me all of these years.

Bishop Aymond was telling of a conflict within a parish he was mediating. Two factions within the parish were causing hay to fly, not listening to one other, not respecting one another, etc. Finally, out of frustration, Bishop Aymond, as the story was told, said “It’s not about you! It’s not you either, it’s about Jesus Christ!”
That’s where I’m at with the latest round of sexual abuse issues in the Church.
I really don’t know what happened in any particular church, school, camp at any particular time nor do I know what did any bishop, the pontiff included, do or not do in response to any of these particulars. I don’t know if they were acting in good faith; I don’t know if any individual was trying to stage a cover-up.
All in all, to me and for me, it doesn’t matter.
I believe that the Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ on earth, but I remember that the Rock–Peter, the first Pope–publicly rejected being associated with Jesus. The Holy Father, by virtue of the position and the office, deserves our respect and, as Catholics, we should defer to him. He isn’t infallible (except, as crystallized by Vatican I, when he speaks ex cathedra, which virtually never occurs. Twice since 1800). He’s human. He sins. 
That being said, I’m far from being convinced these latest reports are examples of a pope sinning. Simply can’t trust the New York Times anytime there’s an opportunity to bash the Church.
The men who abused their power, our trust by not only breaking their vow, but by abusing children deserve as much as both the Catholic and secular legal systems can throw at them. God is merciful, but that does not equal a free ride. Bishops erred, perhaps sinfully so, in how they, or let those under them, handle situations. I honestly believe that in the vast majority of bishops are truly trying to do the best they can and, in the past, they didn’t appreciate the seriousness of the issue. I don’t know if, when much of this abuse took place, anyone had a full appreciation of the serious nature of these acts.
Ergo, mistakes were made. But, the Church is trying to learn from them and doing a fine job of it at that.
I’m digressing from my original point. None of that matters. When it comes down to it, it’s not about the Pope or the Cardinals. It’s not about the media (or whether or not they trying to report on this matter in a responsible way in all organizations–Catholic, governmental, secular–or if they actually are simply attaching the Church). Honestly, it’s not about these priests of whom all Catholics are ashamed and it’s not about the victims, although all of our prayers should be with them.
It’s about Jesus Christ.
As the sun prepares to rise on this Holy Thursday, Jesus Christ is all that matters. From the first days of the Church, he chose men who were weak, sinned, would fail, would be tempted and used their gifts to spread the Gospel message to all of us who now teach and profess the Catholic faith.
Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and Christ alone can the Church have hope in tomorrow. Jesus Christ is the truth and through Christ alone can the truth can be not only known, but understood.
Jesus Christ is the only hope for these men who did the unspeakable to those Jesus himself commanded us to protect the most. 
Jesus Christ is the only one who can truly bring healing to the victims. The Church, as the Body of Christ, must bring Jesus to these victims, but in a truly humble, contrite way. We, as the people, need to get our own egos out of the way so Jesus can work through us.
The Holy Father and the Church have their roles in bringing me closer to Christ. The richness of our faith. Guiding me when I stray. Ensuring that my work reflects my faith. But at the end of the day, it’s not about the Church. It’s about Jesus Christ.
My faith is not shaken by these reports, whether they are 10% or 100% based on fact. Why? My faith isn’t defined or built on a foundation of Pope Benedict XVI or Bishop Vasquez or Father Bill. My faith is in the Way, Truth and the Light–Jesus Christ. Christ is infallible–always and in all things and at all times. The Church could be as corrupt as it was during the worst of times, but it truly doesn’t change the faith.
My final thoughts on the sex abuse scandal is that all of this is sickening, disgusting and horrible. Law enforcement should do whatever they can. Church officials should do whatever they can. However, for me, for my personal spiritual journey, it doesn’t matter. “The path to heaven is heaven because Jesus said ‘I am the way’”. I’m seeking heaven. I’m seeking Christ. That’s my focus. That’s my aim. Everything else takes a back seat.
Filed Under: Church
Goodbye Route 29
April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Goodbye Route 29

Palisades Interstate Parkway

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I hardly knew you. To be filed in the “Things No One Cares About Else It Wouldn’t Be Happening” folder, Capital Metro is proposing that they cancel Route 29.

Route 29 is, frankly, not the best of the routes, heading from basically Zilker to the UT campus. When I lived near South 1st and Barton Springs, it was perfect. A direct, no frills bus from my front door to the front door of where I work. Since where I worked was the terminus, I normally could wait until seeing the bus before heading out to catch it.
The former Blue Dillo was a backup and then, worst of all, the 10-transfer-to-something-else combo.
Of course, I haven’t lived there since October 2009 and I’m no longer working on campus. When I rode the bus, I knew I always would have a seat, would recognize everyone on the bus and had a fair chance of winning money if I bet that I would be the only passenger. In short, the route has zero purpose to me now.
Nevertheless, thank you, Route 29, for being my most direct way by bus to work for those 14 months. I’m sure we’ll forget you.
Filed Under: Austin
In Defense of the Church
March 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

In Defense of the Church

Bishop Pates' Ordination.

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There has been more stories than anyone cares to read about the horrific cases of sexual abuse by priests of the Catholic Church and moreso recently with the Irish, German and Wisconsin cases breaking.

No one can even attempt to defend the men who actually committed these acts. What they did was horrible, wrong, sinful in the worst ways and they deserve some type of punishment–civil, canonical, eternal, etc.
Many church leaders have been targeted for roles they played in handling the cases. I know some leaders, quite honestly, failed. Cardinal Law, seemingly, really screwed up. He’s resigned doing, basically, nothing now. The deputy involved with the German case admits he erred.
I believe, and still do, that in many (most) cases, the leaders were trying to do their best to figure out how to solve the problem in a way that dealt with the issue at hand in a private matter. In the end, who knows if that was the right, or best, way, but most of this was done with no malice on the part of church leaders.
In short, the guilty are guilty, but let’s not throw the entire church under the bus.
Filed Under: Church
Sir Knight
March 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sir Knight

Members of the Knights of Columbus salute duri...

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Today, about 50 Knights of Columbus were knighted into the 4th Degree–the highest level within the Knights of Columbus. If you know virtually nothing about the Knights of Columbus, but have seen them, you’ve seen the 4th Degree. They’re most known for the colorful regalia worn by their color corps members who serve as the honor guard at special Masses and for any event with the bishop, by request.

Within the Knights of Columbus, there are four degrees which candidates work through before reaching either their third or fourth degrees.

The ceremony attached to the degree is secret to allow the full impact of the ceremony to be felt by aspiring candidates. Honestly, there is not much to these ceremonies, but nevertheless, after going through all four degrees, it is a good thing that I had no expectation of the ceremony as I learned from them their intended lessons.

The first degree is devoted to the most important principle–charity. If someone “joins the Knights”, they are entering into the First Degree. Membership in the first degree allows members to attend virtually all meetings, join in service work and participate in the financial options of the Order. The second degree is devoted to unity and the third degree is fraternity. In Texas, the second and third degrees are taken in a back-to-back ceremony at once. The third degree is, all in all, the terminal degree and is required for attendance at state and national meetings and to be an officer in a council.

Joining the fourth degree is joining an organization in an organization. You’re still a 3rd degree member within your council, pay dues to them and function as before, but you’re now also a member of a fourth degree assembly, pay separate dues to them and have added responsibilities to the fourth degree. The vast majority–over 80%–of Knights never reach the fourth degree, so it is a relatively small fraternity of men.

The Georgetown Assembly hosted the day’s events and did a fine job at that. Congrats to all of the new Sir Knights in Central Texas. Sir Knight Brandon Kraft, signing off.

Filed Under: Knights of Columbus
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