Bless The Beasts and The Children

Prior to my wife's conversion from radical WELS Lutheranism, we often discussed what denomination our children would follow. The only "child" we have had is a dog. One might assume the he is Anglican, as he is an English Cocker Spaniel. However, he is definitely Roman Catholic. I know this because this weekend will mark the 8th time he has been blessed.

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The Ripple Effect

My mother passed away last month. This event caused me to think about many of the people that played a role in her life. Sure, there are her parents, her siblings, her spouse, her in-laws, her children, her friends, etc. However, for some reason, one name kept coming up during my recollections - Father Marcellus Cabo.

Many year ago, I would drive with my family to a small community about 45 minutes away to bring my older siblings to summer camps. Whenever we would make these trips, we always made a little side trip to visit the church where Father Marcellus served as pastor. It was located on an Indian reservation and had a small gift shop.

I was very young, perhaps 4 years old, when I first met Father Marcellus. Up to that time, the only priests with whom I had contact were diocesan priests. I was afraid of the priest that wore a dark robe with a rope belt. However, Father Marcellus' friendly and caring personality, as well as the fact that he gave me a little toy from the gift shop, quickly wiped away my fears.

Every year, we made it a point to visit Father Marcellus and take him out for dinner. He was always so friendly to all of us. I remember the compassion he showed to our family - and especially me - when my sister passed away (she was 6 and I was 5).

I remember how upset I was when my father informed me that Father Marcellus died. He was stabbed to death by a person he was serving. I could not comprehend how such a peaceful man could suffer such a violent death.

However, my primary memory of Father Marcellus was his friendly and gentle nature.

My recollections caused me to try to track down some information about Father Marcellus. Until a few days ago, I didn't even know his last name! I was curious about where he came from, his education, his vocation story. My curiosity led me to contact the Franciscans of Sacred Heart Province to see if I could find out more about the man. I have had an ongoing e-mail dialogue with them for several days and have learned much. I reminded them that my memory of Father Marcellus confirms that the good works that they do can have a lasting ripple effect.

P.S. 09/23/09 I just learned after talking with a sibling that the memorial fund for my sister that died in 1969 went to the support of Father Marcellus' ministry.

A Matter of Perspective

This is what I saw when I took my beloved dog out for a walk early this morning. As we walked, I could not help but recall the events of September 11, 2001. For many of us, the world stopped for a bit. Things were not clear: Who would perpetrate such acts? Why would they perpetrate such acts? Why would God allow such events to take place?

At times, humanity can be in a fog. However, our faith makes it possible to believe that the sun will rise and the fog will go away. It always has and it always will.

Final Words On The Shepherd

What does a member of the flock do when their shepherd is attacked for doing exactly what that shepherd should be doing?

Last week, Bishop Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison, WI, wrote an article that provided a response to concerns that were expressed by some about the Catholic funeral for Senator Edward Kennedy. A good number of people in the Diocese of Madison and across the nation have expressed that Bishop Morlino's article provides an incredibly pastoral message about the infinite mercy God has for those that are open to and seek such mercy. There is also a fair number of folks in the Catholic blogoshpere that have loudly expressed outrage that a Roman Catholic bishop would put forth the possibility that Senator Kennedy may have sought and received God's mercy - and that a Catholic funeral was very appropriate. I cannot help but offer some final words about this controversy.

Using a format of which Bishop Morlino would approve for providing my reflection, I have three points:

1. A True Pastoral Message Often Makes Those That Need It Most Uncomfortable

Bishop Morlino's article in no way attacks anyone. To see the article from the Catholic Herald, go to:
http://www.madisoncatholicherald.org/bishop/13-bishopcolumn/864-gods-mercy-and-senator-edward-kennedy.html

All Bishop Morlino does in the article is present the teaching of the Church as it relates to the mercy of God. He then presents a general theme of some of the concerns expressed about Senator Kennedy's funeral. He leaves it up to the reader to "connect the dots" by asking the question, "Does the reaction jibe with Church teaching?" Connecting the dots obviously made some people uncomfortable - as it should. However, rather than doing some internal reflection about the reason for their discomfort, some people have attacked Bishop Morlino and his message about the infinite mercy of God. Bishop Morlino was doing what any shepherd of the Church should do - to share the faith through the teachings of the Church. As always, some people are more receptive and open than others to such teachings. The people that are attacking Bishop Morlino and his message are true "cafeteria Catholics". They agree with the Church teachings they like and attack the Church teachings, as well as the messengers of such teachings, that make them uncomfortable.

2. A Good Model

"How could a bishop praise such a pro-choice person like Senator Kennedy?" That is a major theme expressed by the attackers of Bishop Morlino. Bishop Morlino makes it very clear that Senator Kennedy often promoted issues and engaged in personal behavior that were clearly contrary to Church teaching. Hey, welcome to the club, Ted! It is a big club that includes popes, bishops, saints, politicians even Catholic bloggers. Bishop Morlino clearly points out that Senator Kennedy had many failings. Bishop Morlino clearly indicates that Senator Kennedy took several measures during the last part of his life that indicate he had remorse for many of the actions he had taken during his life and was not only open to God's mercy, but was actively seeking it. So, we have a human being recognizing that he is a sinner, expressing that he wants to sin no more and seeking God's mercy. This seems to be a pretty good model of Christian behavior.

3. True Evangelization

Some of the people that are attacking Bishop Morlino have said that their concern is that the funeral was a public "spectacle", not that it was a Catholic funeral. They even poked a bit of fun at Bishop Morlino's reflection about the funeral being subdued, except for the guest list. Had the funeral services been private, nothing would have changed except for the number of publicity-seeking officials that attended. Catholic prelates would still have participated. Nothing would have changed with the readings or the music. I am glad that the service was covered by major media outlets. This was an opportunity for a wide audience to think about what a Catholic funeral means in terms of God's mercy. God became man and died on a cross for all of us. That is the core of our faith. The mercy Jesus showed on the cross is the same mercy with which God has graced Senator Kennedy. May we all seek and receive such mercy during our life and at the time of our death.

May both Edward Kennedy and this controversy rest in peace!

Susan Boyle and The Bishop

What do Susan Boyle and Bishop Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison, WI, have in common? You may recall Ms. Boyle, the dowdy and plump woman from the United Kingdom whose first apprearance, when she sang "I Dreamed a Dream", on the UK version of "American Idol" spread like wildfire on YouTube. She became an overnight sensation.

Bishop Morlino, who looks and sings nothing like Susan Boyle, is the leader of the Diocese of Madison, WI - a small diocese in the midwest. He is perceived by some as being blunt and outspoken, as well as being very conservative when it comes to doctrine and politics.



A few days ago, I came across Bishop Morlino's most recent article from the Catholic Herald, the diocesan newspaper. It is an incredible article that provides a thoughtful response to those who view Sen. Kennedy having a funeral Mass as a scandal.

After adding a post about the article on this humble blog, I alerted a friend that is a major player in the Catholic "blogoshpere" about Bishop Morlino's amazing reflection. Well, Bishop Morlino's article has struck a national chord. Posts about the article have made it on The Deacon's Bench, Whispers in the Loggia and the Boston Globe website. My friend alerted me that Bishop Morlino's article has really been catching on and thanked me. It is the good Bishop that deserves the gratitude for penning such an amazingly pastoral article. All I did was share it.

Who Needs A Shepherd?

While browsing through recent magazines and blogs, I noticed that a fair number of Catholics have expressed concerns that Sen. Edward Kennedy was allowed to have a Mass of Christian Burial and that two Cardinals participated. Many people feel that, due to his pro-choice positions, Sen. Kennedy should not have been allowed to have a Church funeral.

Just yesterday, I came across an article that made me proud. The article was written by the Bishop of the diocese in which I live. I have had frustrations with my Bishop over the years. We have even maintained a somewhat regular "snail mail" conversation. As he and I grow older, we seem to be getting along better - the same thing that happens with many parent-child relationships. In fact, situations might be developing that will result in an increasingly strong connection between my Bishop and me.

To see the article, go to: http://www.madisoncatholicherald.org/bishop/13-bishopcolumn/864-gods-mercy-and-senator-edward-kennedy.html.

This is a perfect example of a Bishop being a pastor.

Plenty of Seasoning

While driving to work this morning, I drove by an outlet of America's biggest retail chain. I noticed that in their fenced in storage area behind the store, there were some newly delivered snowblowers. And this sight is just a couple days after waking up to patches of frost on the ground.....in August!

Given the experience of my mother recently passing away, the sight of the snowblowers reminded me that the primary purpose of the end of a season is to usher in the beginning of the next season.

Proud Parents

On a fairly regular basis, I see cars that have bumper stickers saying something like "My child is an honor student at ABC school". Up until today, I use to think that the parents must be of the domineering and egotistical ilk. You know - tell the world how great your kid is. Whoop tee doo! Not being a parent of children, maybe I am not in the position to understand the feelings parents have for their children.

After getting a bit of news this morning, I no longer feel that way about those parents. To find out why, click here.