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TERRI SCHIAVO VIGIL - So What Am I Doing? - Fr. Rob Johansen
THROWN BACK Blogspot ^ | October 26, 2003 | Fr. Rob Johansen

Posted on 10/26/2003 8:21:36 AM PST by NYer

So What Am I Doing?

I imagine some of you might wonder what I'm actually doing while I'm here. And since so many of you have generously contributed to getting me here, I want you too know what you have helped to accomplish.

Firstly, Msgr. Malanowski is very grateful that I'm here. He had all but exhausted himself in the past two weeks in being with the family and their supporters for 18-20 hours a day. Because I'm here, he's been able to take a break. He took a long nap Friday afternoon, and feels much better for having gotten some decent sleep. He's very grateful to all of you for helping me to get here.

Msgr. Malanowski has told me that one of the greatest disappointments he has had is the lack of support from local clergy or the diocese. I am the only priest, besides monsignor, that has been with the family or at the Hospice keeping vigil with Terri's supporters since the feeding tube was removed. I can't tell you how happy people are to see me when they come here to join the supporters: they're truly grateful to see a priest with them "on the line".

I spend most of the day with the family or supporters. Sometimes leading prayer, sometimes answering questions or clarifying points of Catholic teaching. Sometimes I take part in discussions with the family and their supporters on matters of strategy. I actually feel quite privileged and honored to be so trusted by them so quickly, both in a spiritual and a more prudential sense. I was a stranger to them a week ago. But they have welcomed me and taken me into their confidence in a touching way. That, I have no doubt, is the power of the priesthood at work.

Because a large number of the supporters and vigil-keepers are Evangelicals, there are frequent opportunities for Ecumenism and Apologetics in the best senses of the words. I have had a number of fruitful conversations with Protestants concerning questions about the Catholic faith. I think these are very fruitful because the bona fides of those present is established by their very presence. No one doubts the good faith or will of those here to support Terri, so a lot of baggage is left behind at the outset. I've been told that there have already been a number of conversions or re-versions as a result of these encounters. My own day was made today when I was able to convince several Protestant ladies to join me in praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart. I have a devotion to the Sacred Heart, and love the litany. I explained what it was to the ladies, and invited them to join in. At first they were skeptical, but after a little while they were joining in the responses with evident good will. Now that's ecumenism!

I would very much like to see Terri, but the list of authorized visitors is limited to family, some long-time friends, and Msgr. Malanowski. And all of them are only allowed to see Terri with one of the husband's designated "minders" present. So Bob and Mary have told me that it will be all-but impossible for me to get in to see Terri. But I can pray for her, and lead her supporters in prayer, and give comfort, advice, and support to Terri's family. I know I'm being of real help, and that's enough.


TOPICS: Activism; Apologetics; Catholic; Current Events; Ecumenism; Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; Ministry/Outreach; Moral Issues; Orthodox Christian; Prayer; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Religion & Science; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: catholiclist; felos; schiavo; terrischiavo; tslist
We're back in the Religion Forum for this post, which is truly where it belongs.

The Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus 
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed in the womb of the Virgin Mother by the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, united substantially with the word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of infinite majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, glowing furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, vessel of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and rich in mercy, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, rich to all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fount of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, saturated with revilings, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, crushed for our iniquities, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, made obedient unto death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all saints, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord,
Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. Jesus, meek and humble of Heart.
R. Make our hearts like unto Thine.

Let us pray

Almighty and everlasting God, look upon the Heart of Thy well-beloved Son and upon the acts of praise and satisfaction which He renders unto Thee in the name of sinners; and do Thou, in Thy great goodness, grant pardon to them who seek Thy mercy, in the name of the same Thy Son, Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, world without end.
Related Links: Sacred Heart

1 posted on 10/26/2003 8:21:36 AM PST by NYer
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To: american colleen; sinkspur; Lady In Blue; Salvation; Polycarp; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; ...
Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list
2 posted on 10/26/2003 8:22:55 AM PST by NYer ("Close your ears to the whisperings of hell and bravely oppose its onslaughts." ---St Clare Assisi)
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To: NYer; GatorGirl; maryz; *Catholic_list; afraidfortherepublic; Antoninus; Aquinasfan; Askel5; ...
Msgr. Malanowski has told me that one of the greatest disappointments he has had is the lack of support from local clergy or the diocese. I am the only priest, besides monsignor, that has been with the family or at the Hospice keeping vigil with Terri's supporters since the feeding tube was removed.

3 posted on 10/26/2003 8:34:24 AM PST by narses ("The do-it-yourself Mass is ended. Go in peace" Francis Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria)
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To: NYer
Thanks for the post! I love that Litany, which reminds me, I should recite it for Terri.

To all Catholics out there, please offer your mass and holy communion for her, but I'm sure you're doing that already!
4 posted on 10/26/2003 8:40:05 AM PST by diamond6 ("Everyone who is for abortion HAS been born." Ronald Reagan)
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To: narses
I am the only priest, besides monsignor, that has been with the family or at the Hospice keeping vigil with Terri's supporters since the feeding tube was removed.

What a scandal. When I called the bishop's office down there, I got the distinct feeling that this was being treated as an issue to ignore because it is so polarizing and politicized - but to a Catholic, this issue is about the sanctity of life and so you would think priests and the bishop of this diocese would be right there saying rosaries with the laity.

“But because thou art lukewarm and neither cold not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.”

And we wonder how the abuse scandal got so out of hand and secretive... it all ties in.

5 posted on 10/26/2003 9:06:42 AM PST by american colleen
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To: american colleen
Amen, Colleen.

Msgr. Malanowski has told me that one of the greatest disappointments he has had is the lack of support from local clergy or the diocese. I am the only priest, besides monsignor, that has been with the family or at the Hospice keeping vigil with Terri's supporters since the feeding tube was removed.
6 posted on 10/26/2003 9:40:28 AM PST by victim soul
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To: american colleen
The Archbishop of Atlanta has issued a somewhat measured but positive statement in support of Terri:

Statement Concerning the Terri Schiavo Case

7 posted on 10/26/2003 10:26:35 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . sed, ut scis, quis homines huiusmodi intellegere potest?. . .)
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