We are currently in the most serious times in the recent life of the Catholic Church. In Rome, in the United States, and other parts of the Catholic world; stories of the cover up of misdeeds of an American Cardinal, involving Pope Francis; the findings of a Pennsylvania grand jury on clergy abuse of children; and reports of sexual misconduct in an Archdiocesan seminary have filled the air ways. And we now have bishops calling for the resignation of Pope Francis.
And in the midst of all, I cannot yet put fingers to keyword, and write my own reactions, my own reflections on what is happening now! How does all this negative news affect me? Because I am, as a deacon, a member of the clergy; although our lives are divided among family, work, and service to the Church. I am not really that plugged in to the clerical culture. So how do I react, one foot in Church “culture;” the other in the “real’ world? I have not quite figured that out yet, so my fingers are still. For the moment.
I am on Cape Cod this Thanksgiving Day, with my wife, her mother and some of her siblings, nephews and nieces. After a wet drive from the South Shore the night before, this day has been sunny, clear, crisp and cool. In the morning we went to the local Catholic church, and attended a Thanksgiving Mass. My wife, Peg’s father passed away in October, so after Mass, we visited his grave.
evening’s dinner. Food is being prepared, table cloths spread out, and the table has been set. With all this activity, I have begun to reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving Day. Some trace it roots to the English Reformation, during the time when the Puritans had strong influence over the Church of England. Holy days were done away with; to be replaced by Days of Fasting during times of national tragedies, or stress, and Days of Thanksgiving for good harvests and national victories. The Pilgrims brought these practices with them to New England. Various colonies and then states would proclaim days of Thanksgiving. Abraham Lincoln would issue a presidential proclamation, establishing Thanksgiving as a holiday throughout all the states.
Over a cup of coffee, I would share with you my sadness over the natural disasters that have afflicted this part of our world. Three hurricanes tearing apart the Caribbean, Mexico, Texas and Florida. Mexico then was hit by an earthquake, that caused further destruction and death.
thers, and the efforts being made to get aid to the suffering. My prayers go out for those who have died; for the mourning loved ones left behind; and for those who survived and are trying to rebuild their lives.
little Dell laptop. So now I have no excuse not to be a more frequent blogger.
members gather to elect a minister and council, who will help guide us on our Franciscan journey. It can be a long process, but it does draws us all closer as a fraternity. My prayers go out for those who were elected, that the Holy Spirit will give them wisdom, an increase in patience and charity, for the next three years.
olics, delving into their faith and spiritual lives. Today, I discovered that she had 
Musings From St. Anthony's Walnut Tree 