Posted on 09/06/2001 10:57:15 PM PDT by patent
Edited on 09/03/2002 4:49:18 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Boy, I wish that was our priest when I took communion some 13 years ago on the occasion of my second daughter's baptism.
It was Easter Sunday and I went up to receive Euchrist. The "Euchristic Minister" was a young woman, wearing black jeans and a too-tight t-shirt. I repeat, this was on Easter.
I also was dumbfounded one Saturday when I went up to receive communion and was greeted by a woman who was wearing a sweater that sported a handgun and bullet motif. Now I know that a lot of freepers are dedicated to the second amendment; but, I just felt that the design of the sweater was a little out of place for the rite in which this woman was participating.
I suspect you're wrong.
Murphy doesn't sound like the kind of man who would publicly embarrass people like that.
He would make it an issue in the following week's sermon, but this man is too caring to make a big deal of something so insignificant.
Murphy is an ideal bishop: unwavering support of the Church, but able to work with different faiths, and different beliefs.
Imagine a Catholic bishop praying the Jewish prayer for the dying!
Regards,
Good for him! I work a block away from St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC and am dumbfounded at what some women wear when they visit the Blessed Sacrament. I understand the tourists who enter the cathedral may not be Catholic, but the Catholics who come to pray?! One of the priests said he can't believe what some of the "parishioners" (St. Patrick's isn't an official parish) wear to Mass.
AB, I've always contended that you can judge someone by his/her enemies. Your comment nailed it. A "former" priest and a woman who responded to the Bishop's invitation to meet with a retort that the meeting must take place on neutral grounds says a great deal. The "former" priest believes everyone can interpret "what Jesus would have done" rather than follow the dogma of the Church He established. Sounds like feel-good liberal tripe to me!
I also infer some antagonistic history here between this woman, her group and the Bishop. I can't imagine receiving a request for a meeting from my Bishop and feeling anything but anxious anticipation and elation.
Much of the anti-catholic bigotry to which sincere Catholics are subjected is caused by CINO's (catholics in name only).
--Dr. Kopp
What Could Be the Reason?
It is so difficult for me, and I know for many of you, to understand the reasons for:
* Talking in church before, during, and after Mass, by all ages, young and old.
* In some churches, the moving of Jesus in the Tabernacle from the center of the altar where it belongs.
* People talking loudly and laughing in the sacristy, only steps from the Tabernacle, while waiting for the Mass to begin and while some people in the church are trying to pray.
* Total irreverence before, during, and just after receiving Jesus in communion; and then even talking to their neighbor almost before the consecrated Host is dissolved.
* Talking during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
* Coming to Mass late and leaving early, and some with their children.
* Wearing to Mass jeans, halters, sweats, shorts, and everything else-the same clothes just worn to the football game or other recreational activities.
* Taking little or no time to speak with Jesus after receiving communion.
* Some only attending Mass periodically or when they feel like it; and not even doing the very minimum requirement of Mass on Sunday to be a Catholic.
After giving a great deal of thought to this over a long period of time, and not being able to understand why, so many hurt Our Good and Loving Lord over and over again, I have only come to one conclusion and the reason why these things are done.
And the reason is:
They do not believe that Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament.
For it is pretty simple-If one truly believes in His Real Presence, one does not do these things to hurt Him.
Think about it and pray about it.
You may consider people coming to the altar to receive the body of our lord in shorts and tank tops insignificant. I don't. It's time for things like that to come to a halt immediately.
I wonder if the good Bishop Murphy still believes that baptism is necessary for salvation. Seems to me he could have taken some steps to baptize the dying man.
There is a time and place to address attire in church. Calling attention to it from the altar and embarrassing specific individuals is childish and rude.
I agree that many come to Mass dressed as if they're going to a picnic. But this isn't something that developed over night.
Would you stand at the church door and turn them away? I remember when priests were horrified when women came to church with no head cover. I haven't seen a woman wear even one of those doilly things on her head in years.
Bishop Murphy believes, no doubt, that a good Jew goes to heaven. That is in keeping with Catholic teaching.
This man was his friend. Can you imagine imposing your religious practices on one of your best friends in his dying moments?
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You are *WAY* oversimplifying, and almost being disingenous to the teaching of the Catholic Church on the *possibility* of those not in formal communion with the Catholic Church of reaching Salvation. With the hordes of anti-Catholics, both on FreeRepublic and abroad, accusing Catholics of believing that "all you have to do is be a good person and you get to Heaven," I would think you shoudl be more careful in claiming to espouse authentic Church teachings.
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No, it took about 30 years after Vatican II. It's no coincidence that the attitude that allowed for the moving of the tabernacle from the focus of the congregation's attention to some out of the way niche in the church building is accompanied by a growing disbelief in the real presence and crucial necessity for people to eat and drink the body and blood of Christ to be saved.
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