The parish picnic was a great success. I want to publicly thank Mr. Morissette, Betty Weller and all the others who worked so hard to put it together. The food was great and there were fun activities for children and adults. The girls who performed the Irish dances were among those who provided entertainment. Fr. Ramon and I both got a turn at the dunk tank. At different times in my life people have told me I was all wet. If you want to see some pictures of how wet I (as well as Fr. Ramon and others) can actually be, check out: http://oocities.com/Heartland/2964/picnic.html Even Samwise, the parish puppy, got a turn at the dunk tank.
Speaking of Samwise, this week he went to the vets to be neutered. Some people thought I should have saved him for breeding. Well, even though everyone agrees he is a “cute dog,” he would not earn the parish much money as a breed dog. A few folks joked that I was going against the teaching on Natural Family Planning. My response was that dogs do not need to be taught the Billings Method since they are quite good at recognizing signs of fertility. The part they have difficulty with is controlling their natural impulses.
Although there is some humor in comparing and contrasting ourselves with animals, it can have a more serious purpose if it helps bring out what the Catechism calls “two irreconcilable concepts of the human person and of human sexuality.” (2370) On one side man is viewed as just another animal. In this view there is no problem with abortion, contraception, sterilization, in vitro fertilization, cloning, etc. However, a Christian cannot see man as merely an animal. Although our sinfulness sometimes makes us worse than animals, still we have an innate dignity and vocation which no other animal possesses. More on this at the conclusion.
Before going much further, I want to thank and congratulate Mary Monsen the new Prefect of our Ladies Sodality and Isabella Becker, Treasurer. The Sodality continues to be a very important part of Holy Family Parish. Millie Delaurenti has done a wonderful job as Prefect for many years. Unfortunately, she and John are moving over to the Peninsula. We will miss them both. One of the jobs the Sodality has done so faithfully is helping keep our church clean and beautiful. This is vital because our most important work, as a parish, is the worship of God.
Last week Fr. Ramon, Deacons Ted and Joe, three lay representatives and I attended the Archdiocesan In-service on worship, which focused on the new General Introduction to the Roman Missal (GIRM). Monsignor Anthony Sherman, from the U.S. Bishops Conference gave the presentations. Overall, the In-service reinforced liturgical practices here at Holy Family. The GIRM underscores the importance of “noble simplicity” in the celebration of divine worship. An example of this would be the beautiful golden communion bowl and chalices which were donated by a parishioner a few years ago. The GIRM explicitly discourages the use of breakable materials such as glass or crystal. Another example of “noble simplicity” is the use simple chants. The celebrants and choirs at Holy Family are doing more of this, at both the English, Spanish and Filipino Masses.
Monsignor Sherman emphasized the different postures during Mass: sitting during the homily and preparation of gifts, standing during the Gospel and kneeling from after the Sanctus through the Great Amen. Those who cannot kneel may be seat. However, those whose knees are in still in good shape should use them to show reverence, gratitude and receptivity during the Eucharistic Prayer.
At the beginning of the In-service, Archbishop Brunett made some significant observations. He spoke about the importance of priests scheduling times for individual confessions. At Holy Family we have done this by setting aside First Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. as well as every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Wednesdays, after the 7 p.m. Mass. He pointed out that the use of General Absolution should occur only in quite rare circumstances. One example would be the general absolution given to firefighters on September 11 before they rushed into their rescue work.
The Archbishop also noted that the “Fraction Rite” before Communion sometimes has become like a “circus” with different people grabbing hosts out of ciboria. The placing of consecrated hosts in the various ciboria is the responsibility of the priest and deacon. At Holy Family we have been preparing the chalices at the time of the preparation of gifts and it seems like the preparation of consecrated hosts before communion is done reverently. Also we have been observing the norm that celebrant not leave the sanctuary during the Sign of Peace. The exceptions would be at funeral Masses to greet the family of the deceased or at weddings to greet the newly married couple.
On Thursday we had the final Listening Session before our all parish Session on October 17. Although only three school parents attended the session, we did have a lively discussion, as well as the opportunity respond to some rumors which have circulated like Canadian pennies. No one wants to take responsibility for them, but everyone seems glad if they can pass them on to someone else. Anyway, it is important we pull together because we face some great challenges as a parish family.
The September 20 issue of The Catholic Advocate (bulletin of the Washington State Catholic Conference) contained a couple of items I would like to bring to your attention. The first is Bishop Wilton Gregory’s letter to President Bush concerning Iraq. What he says merits our consideration not only because Bishop Gregory is President of the Bishops Conference, but because this is an issue on which the Holy Father has expressed great concern. The second issue is national and it could have most dramatic consequences: Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act which would force all health insurance plans to cover a wide range of prescription contraceptive drugs and devices as well. As medical science recognizes, many of these drugs and devices not only prevent conception, but also the implantation of a conceived human embryo. Though tiny, it is a new human life with a complete genetic package. You and I were once that size and already many of the most important things about us had been determined. Anyway, you know what is at stake in this debate. Here are statements from the Catholic Conference:
September 13th, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Wilton Gregory, sent a letter to President Bush urging the administration to step back from the brink of war. Bishop Gregory also discussed this issue in a meeting with National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice on September 16th. Copies of the letter have been sent to members of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The full text of the letter can be found at: http://usccb.org/sdwp/international/bush902.htm. The bishops “express our serious questions about the moral legitimacy of any preemptive, unilateral use of military force to overthrow the government of Iraq…. Given the precedents and risks involved, we find it difficult to justify extending the war on terrorism to Iraq, absent clear and adequate evidence of Iraqi involvement in the attacks of September 11th or of an imminent attack of a grave nature. The United States and the international community have two grave moral obligations: to protect the common good against any Iraqi threats to peace and to do so in a way that conforms with fundamental moral norms. We have no illusions about the behavior or intentions of the Iraqi government.” The bishops go on to say, “Your decision to seek UN action is welcome, but other questions of ends and means must also be answered.” They proceed to list the criteria for a just war and conclude, “We respectfully urge you to step back from the brink of war and help lead the world to act together to fashion an effective global response to Iraq's threats that conforms with traditional moral limits on the use of military force.”
Full text of the letter can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/bush902.htm
ACTION: Contact Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and your Representative, urging them to support efforts to ensure that no unilateral, pre-emptive military action is taken by the United States against Iraq.
On January 22, 2001, Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced S. 104, the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act (EPICC). First introduced in Congress in 1997, this bill would require all health insurance plans that provide prescription drug benefits to cover a wide range of prescription contraceptive drugs and devices as well. The mandated drugs and devices would include “post-coital” or “emergency” contraceptives. S. 104 has no conscience protection for individuals or entities that object to mandated coverage on moral or religious grounds. State laws on contraceptive mandates (and any related state conscience clauses) are preempted by federal law, unless the state law provides for even stronger mandated coverage. Gail Quinn, Executive Director of the Bishops’ Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities, sent a letter on July 25th to all U.S. Senators urging them “not to approve this misguided legislation.” The full text of the letter can be found at: http://usccb.org/prolife/issues/abortion/epicc.htm.
The Secretariat has also published a fact sheet that dispels the myths about a contraceptive mandate and exposes important consequences.
For more information, go to: http://usccb.org/prolife/issues/abortion/contfac2.htm.
ACTION: Contact Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, asking them to oppose S. 104. Emphasize that this bill would force all insurance plans to pay for drugs and devices that are contraceptive and abortifacient, and violates the conscience rights of individuals and institutions who object on moral and religious grounds.