Posted on 04/06/2010 7:29:57 AM PDT by NYer
.- Despite the recent media attacks on the Church and Holy Father regarding clergy sex abuse scandals, one U.S. archdiocese set a record for confirming the most individuals in its history to the Catholic faith.
On Saturday, the Archdiocese of Baltimore confirmed a record 1,090 adults to the faith at the Easter Vigil Mass in parishes throughout the area, breaking the archdiocesan record for a second year in a row, reported the Baltimore Sun on April 4.
“We're on a roll, I guess,” said Archbishop Edwin O'Brien to the Baltimore Sun. Although the bishop said he would like to credit the archdiocesan staff for the record numbers, “the rubber hits the road in the parishes,” he explained. “It's there where we find the real life of the Church.”
Local parishioner Rich Foster, 59, told the Baltimore Sun that the recently surfaced sex abuse scandals within the Church in the U.S. and Europe and the subsequent media attack on the Holy Father did not affect his decision to become Catholic.
“It reflects the frailties of all of us humans,” Foster said on Sunday. “We all have sinned … Part of what the church teaches us is reconciliation, redemption, and forgiveness.” An attendee of New All Saints Church in Baltimore, Foster described his church as “a congregation that I see doing wonderful work in terms of giving back to the community, being open and welcoming to both church members and the outside community.”
“I think that outweighs to me any concerns that may arise in this current controversy,” he added. “I trust my church will go forward in a righteous manner, dealing with these issues directly.”
The record 1,090 individuals confirmed on Saturday surpasses the 984 confirmed in 2009. According to Sharon Bogusz, coordinator of evangelization and adult catechesis for the Baltimore Archdiocese, approximately one quarter of those confirmed were the newly baptized. Others were baptized Catholic as infants but did not receive further sacraments and the majority of those confirmed were from others Christian backgrounds whose baptisms the Church recognizes.
“It's wonderful,” Bogusz told the Baltimore Sun, “our parishes are really doing a lot of hard work and sharing news and welcome.”
I think there is a fallacy in a general implication (not yours, just the way the word is used) that sedevacantism is an either-or, all or nothing thing. One can accept certain tenets and changes and not others. I don’t believe I am much more in schism than say the average Catholic in 1955, who wasn’t at all. Do I believe popes can be wrong or mislead when not ex cathedra? Yes, I do.
Whatever else that can be said about “Bishop” Robinson, he certainly gave one of the ickiest quotes of all time:
“God’s light and God’s life ooze
over me like warm butter.”
— Gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson
She says, "It's all about Gene. All the time."
Icky indeed.
I happen to reside in one of the most 'progressive' dioceses in the US. Our bishop was also elevated by the same one who put Mahony in his position, "Still Proud of the Bishops He Gave the US", Archbishop Jean Jadot. In fact, our bishop unleashed the "wreckovator of churches" - Fr. Dr. Richard Vosko.
After battling liturgical abuse at the diocesan level, I set off in search of - "a holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a community where my God-given abilities (whatever they might be) would be of assistance. That day, I compiled a list of several other RC parishes within a certain radius of home. Another freeper suggested that I also include any Eastern Catholic parishes. There were two and were added to the list. Each week I would attend Mass at one of the parishes and, with a sincere and humble heart, offer up that prayer to our Lord. On March 7, 2004, I stepped into St. Ann's Maronite Catholic Church. There was nothing impressive about the interior but I was immediately captivated by the 3 alcoves behind the altar containing - the Tabernacle, a beautifully simple Crucifix and the Book of the Gospels. Though disoriented by the different liturgy, I was moved to tears by its prayers that elevated my heart heavenward. The interior of the church was clean but dismal and I kept thinking "I will help them build a new church" (why that thought? I have no idea!) I left the church that day with a sense of peace unlike anything I had ever experienced before and, as already noted, I grew up with the Latin Mass.
That was 6 years ago. Two weeks later, I joined the parish and have never looked back. We are in the process of transforming a 160 y/o former Methodist/Episcopal Church into a Catholic Church. To restore the magnificent stained glass windows of the old church was much too expensive. Working with the pastor, we applied for recognition as a state landmark and were accorded both state and national status. The next day, I downloaded a large packet of materials to apply for a matching state grant to restore the brick masonry and the stained glass windows. More than 350+ applicants applied for a matching grant that year. I personally drove the 5 original copies up to the grant office on deadline day. The words of St. Paul rang out: "If God is for you, who can be against you?", and prayed to our Lord all the way back: "If it is your will Lord, please make this happen." Only 16 grants were awarded that year and we were one of them!
Over the past 6 years, I have been asked to serve in the women's society, elected to the Parish Council and acceded to the pastor's request to serve as Director for Religious Education.
My point in posting all of this information is to let you know that the Catholic Church is much larger and even older than what you imagine. There are 21 Eastern Catholic Churches that make up the One, Holy and Apostolic Catholic Church. The Maronite Church traces its origins to the city of Antioch where St. Peter served as bishop before proceeding to Rome. The liturgical language of the Maronite Church is Aramaic, the language spoken by our Lord, His Blessed Mother and the Apostles. It is the language still used for the Consecration, much like being at the Last Supper.
You don't get any older liturgy than that used in the Eastern Catholic Churches.
P.S. I have told a person or two that a couple of the best Catholics I know post frequently on FR and their usernames start with NY... and Sal...
I am working with the webmaster to include information on the history of the Maronite Church, pictures of the church restoration and other aspects of the parish.
Again, thank you! and God bless you and your family on your journey.
The only thing I have to my credit is posting “Ave Maria hymn sung in Chaldean language” on YouTube, but it isn’t even my video and I didn’t get the language quite right. They were quick to tell me that.
'Tidings'? If one in five Maryland residents is a Catholic, couldn't they at least have found a Christian of any denomination to tell them that the word is 'tithings'?
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