June 7th Pro-Life Memorial Prayer Vigils In Central Wisconsin on the Anniversary of Griswold v Conneticut
posted by WebmasterYou are invited to join a nationwide witness for life on Saturday, June 7th--the anniversary of the tragic Griswold v. Connecticut Supreme Court ruling decriminalizing contraception and abortifacients in the US.
IN STEVENS POINT:
We will gather at 3pm on the public sidewalk outside of the "Family Planning Health Center" on the corner of Sixth St. and Division (near "Family Video").
IN WISCONSIN RAPIDS:
We will gather at 3pm on the public sidewalk outside of the Shopko Mall at 8th St. & the Riverview Expressway where "Planned Parenthood" is located.
We will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Holy Rosary for respect for innocent human life and God's plan for marriage and family life. Join in solidarity with numerous organizations throughout the country (e.g., American Life League), the state of Wisconsin (viz., Pro-Life Wisconsin), as well as our own Bishop Listecki who will be leading a similar prayer vigil in La Crosse on this same day. Be a witness for Life and true Love! This prayer vigil is sponsored by the Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
For more information please contact Will Goodman 715.341.4034 / 608.698.7443.
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The Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an apostolate located in the Diocese of La Crosse, WI, dedicated to promoting a culture of life through prayer, the study of Catholic Church teaching, and missionary action. Will Goodman is a member of St. Peter Parish in Stevens Point.
We Must Understand What We Believe
posted by Webmaster"We must understand what we believe". A 16 lesson Basic Catholic Catechism Home
Study Course that covers the essentials of the Catholic faith, will be offered at St. Peter Parish, meeting in the St. Faustina room, beginning Tuesday, June 24, 2008. This group will meet on a bi-monthly basis, for about one and a half hours per meeting.
Written by the late Father John A. Hardon, this challenging home-study course is open to ALL, Catechists, parents, teachers and any Catholic adult.
This excellent course can help us grow to a deeper knowledge and love of Christ and His church.
Tuition of $50 includes all materials, shipping and correction of answers.
To register, Contact Diane Sommers at 340-4923, cell #
E-Mail: sommersreelfun@charter.net
COURSE DEADLINE DATE IS: MON. JUNE 9, 2008
The Areopagus 5-27-08
posted by Phil LawsonCardinal Avery Dulles recently stepped down as a professor at Fordham University---at age 89(!). For some time he has been a widely respected voice of wisdom and clarity in the Church. Just last year, he published a paper on the current state of Ecumenism “Saving Ecumenism from Itself” in First Things, that was among the best I have ever read. In fact, I sent a copy of it to a local protestant pastor who was similarly interested in ecumenism, suggesting he would also find Cardinal Dulles’ insights helpful.
He recently gave a farewell address, although it had to be delivered orally by someone else due to the Cardinal’s failing health. In it was this gem by this man so appreciated for his wisdom and insight:
“Very few new ideas, I suspect, are true. If I conceived a theological idea that had never occurred to anyone in the past, I would have every reason to think myself mistake.” Source: Catholic News Service as published in the Catholic Times 4-17-08
How’s that for humility, as well as understanding our role in teaching the faith or “doing theology.”? May the cardinal’s remaining days on earth be blessed!
Phil’s Tidbits:
A friend found this quote from the Holy Father. I trust you’ll enjoy it. J
"Romance is thinking of your significant other, when you are supposed to be thinking of something else" - Pope Benedict XVI
This is a really beautiful story about Archbishop Burke—and by the local secular newspaper no less! I myself wouldn’t mind signing up for one of those “walks”!
Special congratulations to Noah Waldman, ordained this past weekend. Noah spent some time at St. Peter’s discerning his vocation.
Burke's efforts lead to biggest Catholic ordination class in decades By Tim Townsend ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Sunday, May. 18 2008 Once or twice a year, each student at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary will drop by Archbishop Raymond Burke's residence in the Central West End at 4:30 p.m. From there, they set off down Lindell Avenue and into Forest Park.."The walks," as the seminarians call them, are opportunities for young men to have heart-to-hearts with a man who regularly meets with the pope, a heady prospect for a young priest-in-training. The conversations are usually casual, and the seminarians get to see a more personal, human side of Burke — like when he gets a little skittish around off-leash dogs. Kenrick officials organize the walks using time sheets. When the sheets are posted, there's a rush to sign on."It's like when you throw pellets at the Japanese fish at the Botanical Gardens," said seminarian Edward Nemeth, 26. "Guys falling over each other to get their names on the list."On Saturday, Nemeth and eight of his colleagues at Kenrick will be ordained as priests in the St. Louis Archdiocese — the largest St. Louis ordination class in 25 years and one of the largest in the U.S. It's also the same number of ordinations in St. Louis as the last three years combined.Since the 1980s, declining interest in the priesthood has been a growing crisis for the Roman Catholic church in the U.S., a situation that was compounded by the clergy sex-abuse scandal earlier this decade. One church study suggested that 80 percent of parents whose sons are considering the priesthood try to dissuade them, fearing their child is entering a life of loneliness and unhappiness.Burke is credited for helping to address such concerns at Kenrick. He is active in recruiting priests and knows the seminarians — their names, their life stories, their joys and their fears. He's also a frequent visitor to the seminary, sometimes dropping by unannounced for lunch with the students."He's the center and the core of this whole thing," said the Rev. Michael Butler, the vocations director for the archdiocese.The student body at Kenrick-Glennon, which includes the undergraduate Cardinal Glennon College and graduate-level Kenrick Theological Seminary, is 112 students, the largest enrollment in two decades and a 50 percent increase over last year. Monsignor Ted Wojcicki, Kenrick-Glennon's president, said he hopes to enroll 120 students next year, which would double the size of the seminary population from a decade ago. Last year, the archdiocese announced plans to expand the seminary.The archdiocese officially attributes its recent success with vocations — Latin for vocare, which means, to call — to a higher power. More men are hearing God's call to the priesthood, they say. But God has had a hand from Burke, who decided vocations would be a high priority since he arrived in St. Louis in 2004. "A bishop's principal responsibility is to provide priests for the people in his pastoral care," Burke said in an interview last week from Rome. "Ordinations have to be absolutely right at the top of my priorities."
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A group called “Roman Catholics for Obama” uses a quote from Archbishop Chaput to support their argument. The Archbishop, in his usual, thoughtful, and engaging way, takes some time to respond. I include the full article here because it is well worth reading.
THOUGHTS ON ‘ROMAN CATHOLICS FOR OBAMA’
+Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
May 19, 2008
Forty years ago this month Bobby Kennedy was still alive and running for the Democratic Party's 1968 presidential nomination. I was a seminarian in Washington, D.C. I was also an active volunteer on Kennedy's campaign. I can still remember helping with secretarial work in the same room where Edward Kennedy and Pierre Salinger labored away on RFK strategy. It was my first involvement in elective politics, and after the Vietnam Tet Offensive in February and Martin Luther King Jr.'s murder on April 4, Kennedy's cause seemed urgent. Then on June 5, Kennedy was gunned down himself.
After RFK died, the meaning of the 1968 election seemed to evaporate. I lost interest in politics. I didn't get involved again until the rise of Jimmy Carter. Carter fascinated me because he seemed like an untypical politician. He was plain spoken, honest, a serious Christian and a Washington outsider. So I supported him during his 1976 campaign when I was a young priest working in Pennsylvania. After his election as president, I came to Denver as pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Thornton in 1977. I eventually got involved with the 1980 Colorado campaign for Carter's re-election on the invitation of a parishioner and Democratic Party activist -- Polly Baca, who was and remains a good friend. Carter had one serious strike against him. The U.S. Supreme Court had legalized abortion on demand in its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, and Carter the candidate waffled about restricting it. At the time, I knew Carter was wrong in his views about Roe v. Wade and soft toward permissive abortion. But
even as a priest, I justified working for him because he wasn't aggressively "pro-choice." True, he held a bad position on a vital issue, but I believed he was right on so many more of the "Catholic" issues than his opponent seemed to be. The moral calculus looked easy. I thought we could remedy the abortion problem after Carter was safely returned to office.
Carter lost his bid for re-election, but even with an avowedly prolife Ronald Reagan as president, the belligerence, dishonesty and inflexibility of the "pro-choice" lobby has stymied almost every effort to protect unborn human life since.
In the years after the Carter loss I began to notice that very few of the people, including Catholics, who claimed to be "personally opposed" to abortion really did anything about it. Nor did they intend to. For most, their personal opposition was little more than pious hand wringing and a convenient excuse -- exactly as it is today. In fact, I can't name any "pro-choice" Catholic politician who has been active, in a sustained public way, in trying to discourage abortion and to protect unborn human life - - not one. Some talk about it, and some may mean well, but there's very little action. In the United States in 2008, abortion is an acceptable form of homicide. And it will remain that way until Catholics force their political parties and elected officials to act differently.
Why do I mention this now? Earlier this spring a group called "Roman Catholics for Obama '08" quoted my own published words in the following way: "So can a Catholic in good conscience vote for a pro-choice candidate? The answer is: I can't, and I won't. But I do know some serious Catholics -- people whom I admire -- who may. I think their reasoning
is mistaken, but at least they sincerely struggle with the abortion issue, and it causes them
real pain. And most important: They don't keep quiet about it; they don't give up; they keep lobbying their party and their representatives to change their pro-abortion views and protect the unborn. Catholics can vote for pro-choice candidates if they vote for them despite -- not because of – their pro-choice views."
What's interesting about this quotation - which is accurate but incomplete - is the wording that was left out. The very next sentences in the article of mine they selected, which Roman Catholics for Obama neglected to quote, run as follows: "But [Catholics who support 'pro-choice' candidates] also need a compelling proportionate reason to justify it. What is a 'proportionate' reason when it comes to the abortion issue? It's the kind of reason we will be able to explain, with a clean heart, to the victims of abortion when we meet them face
to face in the next life - which we most certainly will. If we're confident that these victims will accept our motives as something more than an alibi, then we can proceed."
On their website, Roman Catholics for Obama stress that:
"After faithful thought and prayer, we have arrived at the conclusion that Senator Obama is the candidate whose views are most compatible with the Catholic outlook, and we will vote for him because of that -- and because of his other outstanding qualities -- despite our disagreements with him in specific areas."
I'm familiar with this reasoning. It sounds a lot like me 30 years ago. And 30 years later we still have about a million abortions a year. Maybe Roman Catholics for Obama will do a better job at influencing their candidate. It could happen. And I sincerely hope it does, since Planned Parenthood of the Chicago area, as recently as February 2008, noted that Senator Barack Obama "has a 100 percent pro-choice voting record both in the U.S. Senate and the Illinois Senate."
Changing the views of "pro-choice" candidates takes a lot more than verbal gymnastics, good alibis and pious talk about "personal opposition" to killing unborn children. I'm sure Roman Catholics for Obama know that, and I wish them good luck. They'll need it.
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God bless you!
Phil Lawson
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, you can use the form on the sidebar of this page to sign up.
Labels: Areopagus Catholic Newsletter
Corpus Christi Mass and Procession
posted by Webmaster
Yesterday Corpus Christi (Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ) was celebrated in the U.S., and at St. Peter's the Mass and followed by a Eucharistic Procession.
The liturgy of the word included a chanted sequence "Lauda Sion". The homily was given by our pastor Fr. Kevin C. Louis who catechized on the difference between the change that takes place in ordinary life vs. the change that takes place when bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. There were a dozen boys and young men who served the Mass, including the master of ceremonies, torchbearers, and thurifers. After Communion, the Blessed Sacrament was placed in a monstrance as O Salutaris Hostia was sung, then everyone joined in the procession around the block while singing Eucharistic hymns (Gift of Finest Wheat, Jesus My Lord My God My All, O Sacrament Most Holy, and O Lord I Am Not Worthy). This was followed by benediction back at the main altar inside the church.
Here are some audio files from the Mass:
Sequence Lauda, Sion (partial)
Father Louis chanting the gospel John 6: 51-58
Homily by Father Louis
Hymn: Panis Angelicus, sung during Communion
Hymn: Tantum Ergo, sung at benediction and Fr. Louis' prayer in Latin following the blessing with the Eucharist
Organ postlude played by director of music Patrick Burkhart
Labels: Homilies, Parish Happenings
Eucharistic Worship; Ethical Stem Cell Research
posted by Father Kevin C. LouisToday’s celebration of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (also known by the Latin Corpus Christi or “the Body of Christ”) is “intended to teach the faithful how to share in the Eucharistic sacrifice and to have it more profoundly influence their life, to revere the presence of Christ the Lord in this Sacrament, and to offer the thanks due for God’s gifts” (Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 385). Besides centering your week in the Mass on the Lord’s Day, making that extra effort to participate in the Mass during the weekdays is one way to live this feast of Corpus Christi throughout the year! Come to weekday Mass! Saint Peter has Mass at 5:15 pm on Tuesdays and at 8:00 am Wednesdays through Saturdays. Another excellent practice is to offer time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament – stop in church to make a visit when you are in the neighborhood (the Saint Faustina Room doors remain unlocked until 3:00 pm) or take part in the Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays (8:30 am to 5:00 pm). What is more, why not consider committing yourself to prayer once a week before the Blessed Sacrament during our time of Solemn Exposition following the 8:00 am Mass Wednesdays through Benediction at 7:50 am Thursdays? Please contact Jason and Darcy Bunn (343-9007) if you would like more information about our 24-hour weekly adoration or if would like to commit as a regular adorer or substitute. What graces the Eucharistic Lord desires to bestow on us, our families, our parish, our community, and the world if we but place ourselves in His presence!
The Vatican’s Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass – approved by Servant of God Pope Paul VI in 1973 – encourages Eucharistic processions, especially on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Indeed, that ritual book states that “when the Eucharist is carried through the streets in a solemn procession with singing, the Christian people give public witness of faith and devotion toward the Sacrament . . . The annual procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi . . . has a special importance and meaning for the pastoral life of the parish or city. It is therefore desirable to continue this procession” (101-102). May our public witness of love of the Lord in the Eucharist enkindle in the hearts of those who have allowed the flame of faith to grow weak in their own hearts a newfound desire to encounter the merciful Savior!
This Friday, May 30, is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “Jesus knew and loved us each and all during His life, His agony, and His Passion and gave Himself up for each one of us: ‘The Son of God . . . loved me and gave Himself for me” [Galatians 2:20]. He has loved us all with a human heart. For this reason, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by our sins and for our salvation, ‘is quite rightly considered the chief sign and symbol of that . . . love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings’ without exception” (478). May this be our prayer throughout this month of June dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: “Father, we rejoice in the gifts of love we have received from the Heart of Jesus your Son. Open our hearts to share His life and continue to bless us with His love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen” (Collect, Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus).
Inserted into the bulletin this week is the recently-issued Pastoral Letter of the Bishops of Wisconsin entitled Serving All and Sacrificing None: Ethical Stem Cell Research. Please take a moment to read this important document that aims to clear up many misconceptions about stem cell research itself as well as what types of stem cell research are morally acceptable. Our bishops remind us that as Catholics “we are called to respect and love all human life. But we have a special duty towards the most vulnerable persons in our midst – the embryo and the unborn child, the chronically ill and the poor, the prisoner and the refugee. In so doing, we reveal the essence of our humanity and of our Christian faith.” For more information and to view a very well-done 14 minute video on ethical stem cell research go to www.wisconsincatholic.org.
Preparations for our annual parish picnic of June 14 and 15 are in full swing! By the hard work and dedication of every one of our parishioners we can make this another successful event. Do your part to publicize the picnic and sell those raffle tickets!
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Father Kevin C. Louis
Labels: Strengthen Your Brethren
The Areopagus 5-20-08
posted by Phil LawsonApril 30th and May 1st, the Pointers for Life, a campus organization at UW-Stevens Point put up a display called the “Cemetery of the Innocents”. This display is some 4000 white crosses placed in the ground to symbolize the number of children killed each day through abortion in the United States.
The students make sure to watch over the display as there are often threats of vandalism. This year the threat materialized, in broad daylight, as a student senator went through the display and started destroying it.
As this happened, the students, who had gone through all the proper channels to put up the display and were well within their rights, promptly called Campus Security and took out a video camera. They calmly did nothing to provoke further confrontation.
Personally, I am in awe at their self-discipline and foresightedness. Any kind of confrontation on their part would have negated the good they were trying to do. I’m not so sure I would have had the fortitude to calmly Not Act in defense as they did. For that I give these young people a tremendous amount of credit. Indeed, in recently talking to the group’s president, she expressed to me the need to pray for this young man.
The interaction and vandalism can be viewed here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=t5NeLyMZUYM
Here is a story that appeared in the local papers about the vandalism.
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080502/WDH0101/805020560/1981
Tolerance of other’s opinions is of course the byword and standard today, but here you have someone arguing that the Pointers for Life should not be allowed to express their views because they conflict with his. How do you rectify such a quandary? The University, to their credit, has spoken out against the actions of this student—however he is also a student senator, and as of now, remains one.
My favorite quote came from a very articulate young lady who was able to use modern parlance and verbiage to support her point:
"It's just so disrespectful, and it's disappointing that this comes from UWSP students. I've always thought of this campus as a tolerant place. ... Someone made these (crosses) with their own hands," said Pointers for Life member Tracey Oudenhoven. Source: Wausau Daily Herald 5-2-08
Touche’!
Here is the story as reported by Lifesitenews.com:
CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Wisconsin U Student Senator Vandalizing Pro-Life Display of Crosses
ARLINGTON, VA, May 7, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On Thursday, May 1, 2008, a peaceful Cemetery of the Innocents display at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point (UWSP) was vandalized by a Student Senator, Roderick King.
After having their display vandalized on the night of April 30th, several members from the UWSP pro-life group, Pointers for Life, were repairing the display around 11am on the morning of May 1st when a group of angry students, lead by UWSP Student Senator Roderick King, began to walk though the rows, taking crosses from the ground and throwing them.
King began to voice his complaints and said that Pointers for Life had "no right" to display the crosses, and that it was "his duty as a paying student" to take them down.
When the campus Protective Services officer arrived, most of the students stopped vandalizing the display; however, Senator King did not stop. He claimed, "The freedom of speech does not cover these signs and symbols!" Only after the Protective Services officer threatened to make him pay for damages did Senator King stop.
Bob Tomlinson, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, apologized to Pointers for Life for the disrespect and vandalism by the students. Student Senators Katie Kloth and Erica Wardle came to the display and clearly defined the university's policies, asserting that Pointers for Life had correctly reserved the space and were allowed to host the display.
That night, Pointers for Life submitted a complaint to the Student Government Association (SGA) and asked for Senator King to resign or be disciplined appropriately under the student government Constitution. However, the student government has yet to force Senator King to resign.
Jackie Kryzkowski, the Pointers for Life President, said, "Student Senators should be helping to defend our freedom of speech, not trying to take it away because of personal beliefs. If students had a problem with the display, they could exercise their freedom of speech maturely by protesting it peacefully, not by defacing our display."
Ryan Wrasse, another member of the group pointed out: "As we filed our official complaint with the UWSP Student Government Association, we also issued a strong ultimatum: The SGA could either vote to retain Senator King and condone this type of behavior, or remove him from Senate and send a clear message to UWSP students and faculty that this type of behavior will not be tolerated."
Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life of America, remarked: "This event shows that our country is not immune to the situation going on in Canada right now, where campus pro-life groups are being singled out and excluded from the guaranteed freedom of speech and expression on college campuses. This is not the first time that a student group has had this same type of peaceful display vandalized or has faced discrimination on a college campus. SFLA is here to make sure all college pro-lifers are guaranteed their rights to demonstrate on behalf of those who have no voice."
For more details and perspectives on this story:
Jill Stanek offers her thoughts and more background on the story:
http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/05/proabort_studen.html
Michelle Malkin offers further thoughts:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/07/video-another-campus-pro-life-memorial-vandalized/
Phil’s Tidbits:
This past Sunday is designated “Trinity Sunday” –to honor the 3 Persons of the Most Holy Trinity. Too often when the Trinity is mentioned, it’s followed by the phrase “it’s a mystery” and the topic is changed. Not this week at St. Peter’s!
“Father Kevin C. Louis gave this excellent homily at St. Peter Catholic Church in Stevens Point, WI, illustrating the relationship between the life of the Trinity and the total gift of self in married love, which extends even to the couple’s fertility. Please pass it on, this message needs to be heard!”-Darcy Bunn
http://www.saintpetercatholic.com/blog/2008/05/gospel-and-homily-for-trinity-sunday.html
Several months ago Georgetown released a study that was trumpeted as showing the Catholic Church loses more of its members as they grow up then the others. Here’s a follow-up article that makes some interesting points that were overlooked in the initial response…stating that in overall numbers we do lose the most, of course we’re also the largest---however as a percentage, the Catholic Church actually does the best at retaining her faithful.
19-May-2008 -- Catholic News Agency
Georgetown Researchers Concerned over Interpretations of “U.S. Religious Landscape Survey”
Washington DC, May 17, 2008 (CNA).- The Catholic results of the Pew survey entitled "U.S. Religious Landscape Survey" have been closely examined by CARA, a Georgetown University research center who points out that commentators may have initially jumped to conclusions after reading the results in the Pew study.
Mark Gray, Director of CARA Catholic Polls; and Joseph Claude Harris, an independent Church research analyst, note in a Letter to the Editor in the April 6, 2008 edition of Our Sunday Visitor that when the Pew survey results were released, “Commentators were swift to assign blame, noting a range of factors from the sex abuse crisis to shortages of priests, or even the long-term effects of the Second Vatican Council.”
The Catholic Church has lost the most members out of all the denominations but, as Gray explained to CNA, “it's also the biggest religion and when you translate the discussion in to proportions you can see the Catholic Church is doing quite well comparatively. It keeps more of its young faithful than any Protestant denomination.”
A CARA essay titled, “The Impact of Religious Switching and Secularization on the Estimated Size of the U.S. Adult Catholic Population,” details the proportions: the “Pew study indicates that the Catholic Church has retained 68 percent of those who grew up Catholic. By comparison, 60 percent of those raised Baptist are still Baptists as adults.” Retention rates are much lower for “Lutherans (59 percent), Methodists and Pentecostals (both 47 percent), Episcopalians (45 percent), and Presbyterians (40 percent).”
In fact, out of all religions in the U.S. consisting of at least 3 million adult members, “only those who were raised Jewish or Mormon are more likely than Catholics to keep their faith as adults (76 and 70 percent, respectively),” the essay stated.
Another issue addressed by CARA is the concern that Pew’s “Religious Landscape Survey” underestimates the size of the Catholic population.
CARA points out that the Pew survey “estimated a smaller proportion of Latinos selfidentifying as Catholic compared to other surveys (i.e., where Spanish or bilingual interviewing is used), including other recent Pew studies.” This is something noted by the authors of the Pew report who state, “The number of Latinos in the Landscape Survey who identify themselves as Catholic (58%) is considerably lower than in a major survey of Latinos the Forum conducted in 2006 with the Pew Hispanic Research Center, where more than two-thirds (68%) identified as Catholic.”
The CARA essay estimates that “The difference between the 58 percent and 68 percent affiliation among adult Latinos is equivalent to 2.7 million U.S. adults.”
Another matter that has led commentators to jump to conclusions is that the Pew report does not include information as to when a person left the Catholic Church.
In a 2003 poll, CARA found that “more than half of former Catholics stopped considering themselves Catholic before 1988 (54 percent).” Gray told CNA that the amount of Catholics leaving the Church has been fairly constant over time. “There are not a lot of big differences in any segment of time and no evidence of some moment where there was a mass exodus.”
The CARA essay notes, “The median age at which former Catholics stopped considering themselves as Catholic is 21. This median age is consistent with research that indicates that these religious changes may often coincide with the young adult stage of life where separation from family, relocation, increased mobility, and marriage are common”
CARA’s report concluded by stating that the presentation of the results “may have left the impression that a vast number of Catholics recently got up and left the faith and that these losses were worse than those experienced by any other faith. In relative terms—as the percentage of those who retained the affiliation of their childhood—the Catholic Church has been among the most successful faiths in the United States."
From my friend, Angel Gebeau: “It’s interesting that the religions retaining the best are the religions that impact lifestyle the most and not the other way around.”
This is a disturbing story. Obviously there is more to this then what is included in the article. Nonetheless, the facts are abhorrent.
US Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Asylum Case for Chinese Forced Abortion Victim
By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman
WASHINGTON, May 14, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com)--The Supreme Court has refused to hear the appeal of a Chinese couple seeking asylum from China's brutal One Child Policy.
Asylum applicant Yi Qiang Yang married his wife when he was 20 and she was 17, defying Chinese laws that suppress population growth by requiring men to wait for marriage until the age of 22 and women until the age of 20. Yang's lawyers claim they married in a private religious ceremony.
When authorities discovered that Yang's wife was eight months pregnant, they forced her to have an abortion because she had become pregnant before the legal age of marriage, according to testimony submitted by Yang's attorneys.
"The fetus was placed in a bag and disposed of in front of Ling" states Yang's legal brief.
Yang's attorney writes that "Because traditionally married spouses are unable to register their marriages with the government, the state treats such couples who have children as violators of the population control policy," He adds that "Such couples are often subjected to forced abortions or sterilizations" according to the Christian Science Monitor.
China's One Child Policy, which has been in effect since the 1970s, regularly forces women to undergo abortions if they have more than a single child in urban areas, or two children in rural areas. Those who are unmarried under Chinese law are prohibited from having any children.
To end on an upbeat note—we continue through May, traditionally dedicated to Mary. Pope Benedict in the book “Benedictus: Day by Day with Pope Benedict XVI” published by Magnificat (Thanks Jeremy!) points out the following:
“We must become a longing for God. The Fathers of the Church say that prayer, properly understood, is nothing other than becoming a longing for God. In Mary this petition has been granted: she is, as it were, the open vessel of longing, in which life becomes prayer and prayer becomes life. Saint John wonderfully conveys this process by never mentioning Mary’s name in his Gospel. She no longer has any name except ‘the Mother of Jesus.’ It is as if she had handed over her personal dimension in order now to be solely at his disposal, and precisely thereby had become a person…”
May we do likewise!
God bless you!
Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
Labels: Areopagus Catholic Newsletter
Stevens Point 150th Anniversary Parade
posted by Jason and DarcySt. Peter's participated in a parade as part of the 150th anniversary celebration of Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Parishioner Angel Gebeau spearheaded the effort to create the St. Peter's float and organized a crew to hand out candy with a business card attached inviting the community to "come pray with us." Angel reports that all the candy and cards were handed out before even reaching Forest St. About the float itself, she said, "At last minute we had to cut down the tower 3’6” as it was too tall and would cause problems with some lower power lines to homes." What did this sizable creation look like? Here are the pics:
Gospel and Homily for Trinity Sunday
posted by WebmasterFollowing the Gospel, Father drew parallels between the Trinity and the mystery of married love in this homily delivered during the vigil mass of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.
Labels: Homilies
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity; Corpus Christi; Archbishop Appointments
posted by Father Kevin C. LouisThe Catechism of the Catholic Church helps us see the practical implications of this Sunday’s celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity: “The Church is one because of her source: ‘the highest exemplar and source of this mystery is the unity, in the Trinity of Persons, of one God, the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit.’ The Church is one because of her founder: for ‘the Word made flesh, the Prince of Peace, reconciled all men to God by the cross . . . restoring the unity of all in one people and one body.’ The Church is one because of her ‘soul’: ‘It is the Holy Spirit, dwelling in those who believe and pervading and ruling over the entire Church, who brings about that wonderful communion of the faithful and joins them together so intimately in Christ that He is the principle of the Church’s unity.’ Unity is of the essence of the Church” (813). A few paragraphs later the Catechism continues: “The Lord’s missionary mandate is ultimately grounded in the eternal love of the Most Holy Trinity: ‘The Church on earth is by her nature missionary since, according to the plan of the Father, she has as her origin the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit.’ The ultimate purpose of mission is none other than to make men share in the communion between the Father and the Son in their Spirit of love” (850).
Next Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ or Corpus Christi. As announced elsewhere in the bulletin last week, at the conclusion of next Sunday’s 10:00 am Mass we will have a procession with the Blessed Sacrament. I most warmly encourage you to take part in the procession to honor our Eucharistic Lord. Hymns will be sung and benediction will close the procession. Any altar servers who wish to be part of the Eucharistic honor guard should contact the parish office during regular office hours. Those who received their First Holy Communion this year are also welcome to take special part in the procession.
Our Diocese of La Crosse was honored recently as Pope Benedict XVI appointed a native son, Archbishop Raymond Burke of Saint Louis, to two additional posts in the Vatican. Of course, Burke remains the Archbishop of Saint Louis (as if that was not enough work!) and he still serves as one of the 15 judges of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura – a position to which the Holy Father named the Archbishop in July of 2006. You may recall that the Signatura is the Church’s “Supreme Court” that hears final appeals of decisions by Vatican administrators and offices and ensures that justice is administered correctly in the Church. On May 6, 2008, it was made public that Pope Benedict appointed Archbishop Burke to also serve on the Congregation for the Clergy and the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. The members of these offices of the Vatican – like all the other Vatican offices – offer their expert advice to the Holy Father so that he might better fulfill the divine mandate given to Peter to unify and “strengthen his brethren” throughout the world. The Congregation for the Clergy promotes initiatives to further the growth in holiness as well as the intellectual and pastoral life of diocesan priests and permanent deacons. A second crucial responsibility of this Congregation is the promotion of the religious formation (catechesis) of the faithful of all ages and states of life (for example, consecrated religious and lay faithful). The Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts chief responsibility is to resolve questions of the interpretation and application of the Church’s 1983 Code of Canon Law and the 1990 Eastern Code. May the Holy Spirit guide our Holy Father and those to whom he looks for advice and assistance!
In the next five years our parish anticipates having to address a number of issues with regard to our physical plant including the increasingly dangerous buckling of the carpet in the church proper and the sanctuary, the hazardous deteriorating bricks and concrete between the garage and the church, the incredibly wasteful heating system in the rectory, and the security of our magnificent church and school – to name just a few. We will only be able to solve these problems if each and every parishioner generously participates in the We Belong To Christ Campaign now being conducted in our parish. Complete and return your pledge card at your earliest convenience. For those of you who have not yet picked up your pledge card please contact the parish office so that we may get it to you. If we do not hear from you we will be contacting you personally.
Thank you for your prayerful support last week as I underwent successfully (!!) the final examinations for the certification program in Catholic bioethics sponsored by the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Now all that remains is to write my thesis which is due July 15.
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Labels: Strengthen Your Brethren
3rd Order Secular Franciscans Website Up
posted by WebmasterLabels: Parish Happenings
Men of Christ Prayer & Breakfast
posted by Phil LawsonOur next gathering will be Tuesday, May 20th:
6:00AM-Meet in Church for Prayer & Teaching
6:30AM-Meet at Perkins for breakfast and fellowship.
This week we'll look at the Sign of the Cross as taught by St. John Chrysostom (337-407AD). I have encountered non-Catholic Christians who won't make the sign of the Cross because they view it as a "Catholic thing"--or for that matter many wonder why Catholic Churches insist on having a crucified Christ at the altar as opposed to an empty Cross or a Resurrected Christ. St. John Chrysostom provides some powerful insights.
Come for the whole time or whatever part your schedule allows!
God bless you,
Phil Lawson
Labels: Parish Happenings
Pentecost Homily - Fr. Derek Sakowski
posted by WebmasterLabels: Homilies
Solemnity of Penticost and Mother's Day
posted by Father Kevin C. LouisThis weekend’s celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost brings to a conclusion our Easter Season. The Collect (Opening Prayer) for the Vigil Mass of Pentecost summarizes the hope expressed by this liturgical memorial of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary: “Father in Heaven, fifty days have celebrated the fullness of the mystery of your revealed love. See your people gathered in prayer, open to receive the Spirit’s flame. May it come to rest in our hearts and disperse the division of word and tongue. With one voice and one song may we praise your Name in joy and thanksgiving. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.” Come, Holy Spirit, come!
Father Kevin C. Louis
For past issues of Father Louis's Column Strenghen Your Brethren, visit archives at the St. Peter Catholic Church Website.
Labels: Strengthen Your Brethren
Vacation Bible School at St. Peter's Stevens Point
posted by WebmasterBased on the recent visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States, this year's program will be themed "Christ Our Hope."
Unlike pre-packaged VBS programs from Christian publishing houses, the program at St. Peter's is created new each year by members of the parish, and has a strong Catholic identity, providing catechesis from both the Bible and Catholic Tradition. The past two years' programs have included short catechetical lessons, traditional prayers, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Catholic-themed crafts, creative and delicious snacks that correspond to the lesson of the day, recess with organized sports for older children and bubble shakers and sidewalk chalk for younger children, an original skit in which all the children participate, and music sessions where attendees learn songs that correspond to the theme and are performed as part of the skit for parents and friends at a Friday evening potluck.
This year's Vacation Bible School will take place July 28 - August 1, 2008. For more information contact Phil Lawson.
Labels: Parish Happenings
The Areopagus 5-6-08
posted by Phil LawsonMother’s Day is this Sunday. Take a look at the story below.
From “Mom’s choice on work” -by Karen Heller of the Philadelphia Inquirer as reprinted in the 4-22-07 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Motherhood is forever but not for every minute. Bennettts{Leslie Bennetts author of the new book “The Feminine Mistake”] identifies the ’15-year paradigm,’ the demanding aspect of mothering that spans a short period compared with decades in the workforce and longer life expectancies….Bennetts quotes economist Heidi Hartmann as saying that ‘unless you are the mother of an Einstein or a Madame Curie, which most of us are not, your own work, if it is significant, is probably more important than raising your kids.’”
Now, if you didn’t appreciate your mother before, perhaps you can be grateful she’s not like the economist described above? Thankfully, I don’t think I know any Mom’s who would ascribe to such a utilitarian and materialistic worldview.
Phil’s Tidbits:
Think about it…..
“According to most philosophers, God in making the world enslaved it. According to Christianity, in making the world he set it free. God had written not so much a poem, but rather a play; a play he had planned as perfect, but which necessarily had been left to human actors and stage managers, who have since made a great mess of it.” -G.K. Chesteron, Orthodoxy
A Day in the Life of Pope Benedict via YoutTube. It’s in German, but quite worth it for the video footage.
Cardinal Lopez Trujillo recently passed away. He was known as a brave defender of the family and human dignity.
Benedict XVI recalled one of Cardinal López Trujillo's writings in which he prayed, "I very much believe in the value of this decisive fight for the Church and for humanity and I ask the Lord to give me strength so that I am neither lazy nor cowardly."
http://www.ewtn.com/news/index.asp
Considering the “heady” nature of the above selections, here’s a bit of humor to wrap up this week’s edition:
On the first day, God created the dog and said:
'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'
The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years
and I'll give you back the other ten?'
So God agreed.
On the second day, God created the monkey and said:
'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'
The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?'
And God agreed.
On the third day, God created the cow and said:
'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under
the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'
The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty
years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?'
And God agreed again.
On the fourth day, God created man and said:
'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty
years.'
But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'
'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'
So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy
ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our
family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the
grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.
Life has now been explained to you.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service.
God bless you!
Phil Lawson
For the latest info on St. Peter’s, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
If you would like to be added to this list, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com
On the other hand, if you would like to be removed, send an email to the same address indicating that.
Labels: Areopagus Catholic Newsletter
The Ascension of the Lord and Pope Benedict's Visit
posted by Father Kevin C. LouisThe Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – a summary of the new Catechism in a question and answer format promulgated nearly three years ago by Pope Benedict XVI – offers a beautiful description of this weekend’s Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: “After forty days during which Jesus showed Himself to the apostles with ordinary human features which veiled His glory as the Risen One, Christ ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of the Father. He is the Lord who now in His humanity reigns in the everlasting glory of the Son of God and constantly intercedes for us before the Father. He sends us His Spirit and He gives us the hope of one day reaching the place He has prepared for us” (132).
“And when the hour came, Jesus sat at table, and the Apostles with Him . . . And He took bread, and when He had given thanks He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my Body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the chalice after supper, saying, ‘This chalice which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my Blood’” (Luke 22: 14-20). Congratulations to our parish children who receive the Eucharistic Lord for the first time this Sunday! May God richly bless them and their families on the occasion of this their First Holy Communion. May our appreciation of this wondrous sacramental presence of Jesus Christ increase and may our participation in this Holy Banquet deepen!
Nearly a dozen young people from our area were part of the youth delegation of our Diocese of La Crosse participating in the Mass with Pope Benedict XVI at Yankee Stadium. Those from our area had made an appeal to your generosity to help them with some last-minute and unexpected expenses associated with the trip. And, of course, you were most generous in your response! Of the experience, Liz writes: “Seeing the Pope made me realize how there are so many people other than just us and our Diocese, and it was eye-opening to see all of the Catholics uniting for one common cause, to see the Holy Father.” Chelsea writes: “We were all very excited when we found out there was an opportunity for us to see the Holy Father. To see it all come together through people’s generosity was amazing. It showed us how Catholics can come together and make dreams come true! Thank you! Getting to see the Holy Father was an amazing experience topped off with great friends, and the love of a caring community. When I saw the Holy Father and all the people there to see him I also saw the great extent of the Church. Seeing so many people there who love their Faith shows us hope for that the Church will continue to grow and spread the Good News.”
In the next five years our parish anticipates having to address a number of issues with regard to our physical plant including the increasingly dangerous buckling of the carpet in the church proper and the sanctuary, the hazardous deteriorating bricks and concrete between the garage and the church, the incredibly wasteful heating system in the rectory, and the security of our magnificent church and school – to name just a few. We will only be able to address these problems if each and every parishioner generously participates in the We Belong To Christ Campaign now being conducted in our parish. In the whole Diocese the We Belong to Christ Campaign has been an overwhelming success as it is at an amazing 92 percent of the overall goal! Indeed, virtually every single parish of the Diocese has met and exceeded its goal or, at the very least, come very close. Please prayerfully consider the generous role you will play in our parish over the next five years. Please complete and return your pledge card at your earliest convenience. For those of you who have not yet picked up your pledge card please contact the parish office so that we may get it to you. If we do not hear from you we will be contacting you personally.
Please keep me in your prayers this week as I will be in Philadelphia (May 7-13) undergoing the final examinations for the certification program in Catholic bioethics sponsored by the National Catholic Bioethics Center. You may recall that I have been diligently working on this since last August, doing extensive reading and research along with weekly homework assignments. If I pass these oral examinations the only remaining thing is to finish my thesis which is due July 15. It has been a difficult and demanding program thus far, but very much worth it. Come, Holy Spirit, come!
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Labels: Strengthen Your Brethren
Moving Toward Our Eucharistic Lord- Homily by Father Kevin C. Louis
posted by Webmaster
Labels: Homilies, Parish Happenings
We Belong to Christ Campaign
posted by WebmasterThank you to so many of you who have attended the parish gatherings with regard to the We Belong to Christ Campaign, the five-year vision for our parish and Diocese. These meetings, which began in December, have been enjoyable for me. It has been inspiring to hear of your love for God, His Church, and our beloved Saint Peter Parish! Your excellent questions have sparked good dialogue and increased the participants understanding of our parish and Diocese. Eighty cents of every dollar given as a part of the We Belong to Christ Campaign stay right here at Saint Peter to address our parish spiritual needs and physical plant projects over the next five years as identified by our Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, and Parish Building and Grounds Committee. We are off to an incredibly fast start as you have already pledged nearly $150,000.00 towards our goal! Indeed, in the whole Diocese the We Belong to Christ Campaign has been an overwhelming success as it is at an amazing 92 percent of the goal! And that is with 34 parishes (including us!) still in the middle of the campaign! Virtually every single parish of the Diocese has met and exceeded its goal or at the very least come very close. Please prayerfully consider the generous role you will play in our parish over the next five years. Indeed, the participation of every single family of our parish is crucial if we are to remain vital as a parish! Please complete and return your pledge card at your earliest convenience. For those of you who have not yet picked up your pledge card we will be contacting you personally. Now is the time for us to imitate the profound faith and burning charity, the generous service and heroic sacrifices of our immigrant ancestors who founded Saint Peter. In this way, may our prayer to the Father be fulfilled: Thy Kingdom come! May the Lord richly bless you for the ways that you so generously serve Him and our beloved Saint Peter Parish!
The Risen Jesus appeared to the Apostles by the Sea of Tiberias. “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time He said to him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’” (John 21:15-17). Let us offer prayers of thanks to the Risen Lord for giving to us Peter – and his successors – to feed us! Let us thank God for Peter, who has spent this last week on the shores of our great nation, tending to us and feeding us with the Word! May the many graces God has given to us as a nation and especially as Catholics by the visit of Pope Benedict XVI bear much fruit in our lives! And let us pray for our Holy Father who celebrates (April 19) the third anniversary of his election as Pope! Ad multos annos! May he shepherd us for many years!
Saint Peter, pray for us! Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
For past issues of Father Louis's Column Strenghen Your Brethren, visit archives at the St. Peter Catholic Church Website.
Labels: Strengthen Your Brethren
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