Fire and Brimstone homily today!

[jonbhorton]

… and all but a few walked to the altar to receive Christ, in the Eucharist. Not yet being confirmed, I tearfully made a spiritual effort of communion, and thanked God that I was finally able to find the fullness of Truth in the Church He established and has defended since. No emotional appeals to action then and there. No plea to join a system which doesn’t exist in the reality of the person making the plea (for there is no need to plea to join that which is known, and available for all to approach having heard the message given by the system- those who will, will; for Protestantism has no system- particularly in the emotional altar-call style churches, and cannot extend a plea in this regard.)

As a new convert from the background of such sermons being more often than not, I was at first a little apprehensive when I understood, immediately, where the message was leading.

Fr. pulled information from great theologians and Saints, and, just like I’d hoped, he brought it back around to the joy of God in Christ, through the Church and through choosing to choose God.

He addressed the reality that many clerics, laity, and non-believers, in the course of this life, do not make it to Heaven or even Purgatory. They go to Hell. They have not sought to change themselves, but merely go along to get along.

He pleaded with us to make sure we are on the path which seeks holiness, and not merely to mindlessly do certain actions; for our actions to have in mind an end, a hope, a promise, and ultimately an offer which is able to be rejected by the person of God-given free will.

He also read “the letter” from the Bishop.

We in the West are approaching a broad gate of destruction through both explicit and complicit rejection of God and the holiness He extends. The time is coming for Catholics and all people of good will to stand up. The time is now for the Church and her members to make known a voice of dissent at this immoral future which faces us. The time is now for us as citizens to say “NO!” to the proposed illegal violation of our rights as enumerated in the 1st Amendment. If they force the issue, it will reveal a narrow gate for any Christian. The Church, despite all protestations to the contrary, is looked at by the rest of the Christian world for guidance and a hint on what move to make. If the Church and Catholics cave on this issue, Christianity in the West is going to absolutely be murdered like the unborn children we now only shakily defend, often in word more than deed.

Tomorrow is not the day to decide what your course of action will be on anything as impacting as Hell or the earthly hell we face in this decision of future consequence. Today is that day.

Take stock of what you want, what you choose, and seek that to its, or your, end.

 

[petrel]

Fully agree with the priest on this.
No need for Eucharistic ministers that day.
Each Christian needs to examine their conscience before daring to approach the Holy Sacrament.
How desperately our church needs to be reminded of the horrors of hell and the reality that many of us will end up there, even priests and bishops.

Incidentally. What was the gist of the letter from the Bishop?

 

[coco2]

Praise God! it is about time, and I hope they all start telling the flock this. I wish that the last 20 years every priest has ended every sermon with " And please pray for an end to abortion, the legal killing of an unborn child."

 

[jonbhorton]

Incidentally. What was the gist of the letter from the Bishop?

Looked to see if the COS diocese website had it, but alas, nope.

It is regarding the healthcare issue of making Catholics and Catholic organizations pay for contraception and abortion.

The gist was basically: This is wrong. This is illegal. We cannot comply. We will not comply.

Here’s a multimedia abstract of the spirit/tone of it:

youtube.com/watch?v=guocvS7XQW0
(Johnny Cash- God’s Gonna Cut You Down)

 

[Catholic90]

Our Archbishop sent a letter. Your is probably similar.

January 26, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drug, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.

In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so) The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.

People of faith cannot be made second-class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.

And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would also recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Administration’s decision.

With every good wish, I remain
Cordially yours in Christ,

The Most Reverend John C. Nienstedt
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

 

[asia53]

Here’s our letter, actually, it was the Bishop’s Column in the Denver Catholic Register:

“The Bell is Tolling”
By Most Rev. James D. Conley, S.T.L., Apostolic Administrator
“Any man’s death diminishes me,” wrote John Donne in 1624, “for I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”
The bell is tolling for religious liberty in America. All of us should listen well.
On Friday, Jan. 20, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that most religious institutions – including Catholic hospitals, schools and social service agencies – would not be exempted from a federal government requirement that employee health plans must provide free contraceptives. This is a critical issue for us that must not be ignored.
The announcement was a death knell for religious liberty in the United States. Many recall that in August, HHS announced the obligation of contraceptive coverage in private insurance plans, and a narrow religious exemption which will cover, in fact, only some churches – and almost no other religious entities.
Many recall the outrage of religious leaders over this plan. Many recall that the Catholic Church, among others, pleaded with the federal government to reconsider. The pleas fell on deaf ears.
Moving forward with the plan, and in a weak attempt to provide concession to religious institutions, HHS announced that nonprofit groups would be given a year to “adapt” before being required to provide contraceptive coverage. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebellius stated that “this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”
Let’s be clear. This decision does nothing to respect religious freedom. Without change, Catholic institutions will soon be legally required to provide services which violate a fundamental principle of our religious beliefs. If plans go unchanged, the Catholic Church, acting through our Catholic institutions, will no longer have legal protection for the free exercise of religion.
Secretary Sebellius is wrong; this is not a year to “adapt.” The Catholic Church will not adapt by violating fundamental elements of our faith. Instead of adapting, this is a year to unify, and to fight injustice and flagrant disregard for the institutional protection of our religious practice.
The recent decision by HHS should make clear for all Catholics that under the proposed health care plan, the freedom to practice our religious faith is in jeopardy. Catholic groups who claimed that this health care plan, with its narrow “conscience clauses” and “religious exemptions,” would respect Catholic teaching must face the facts. Compromising with pro-choice, pro-contraceptive political agendas can have dangerous consequences. The bell tolls for our religious freedom.
Catholics must take the lead in restoring our Constitutional religious freedom. We need to work in all reasonable ways to convince the Department of Health and Human Services to reverse its policy; the Church will continue to lobby for this change. If that fails, which it may, we need to work with Congress to protect basic religious liberty.
There is an answer to this attack on our religious freedom. The “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act,” now before Congress, is more important than ever before. All Catholics need to support its passage. All Christians should join us by praying for a return to justice and by visiting www.usccb.org/conscience to begin contacting their representatives.
For many Christian denominations, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has just concluded. Unity has never been more important. Certainly, there is disagreement among Christians about the legitimacy of contraception. But there should be no disagreement among Christians about religious freedom. Each of us has an interest in defending liberty. Now is the time. The bell tolls for us all.
Most Rev. James D. Conley, S.T.L., is Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Denver.

 

[IrishRush]

“No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority” (Thomas Jefferson, 1809).

I’ve sent communications to my congressional representatives that start with the quote above and finish with instructing them, as our state representatives, to support the bill that stops Obama’s mandate. I hope everyone on CAF contacts their senators and representatives to do the same.
They are OUR EMPLOYEES. They need to represent us, not be our mommies and daddies. We tell THEM what we want supported, they don’t tell us what is best for us. Let them know you don’t support Obama’s mandate and that you won’t support them if they don’t represent your wishes.

God bless the Catholic Church and keep her strong in this fight.
St. Michael, pray for us.
Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us.

 

[Jeanne_S]

Here’s our letter, actually, it was the Bishop’s Column in the Denver Catholic Register:

That’s our Bishop:thumbsup:

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Weirdly enough, I didn’t hear any letter read today! Last week, the priest gave a very intense homily about this issue but he jumped the gun… and the letter was not even printed in the bulletin…strange. I was really looking forward to hearing it from the pulpit.

 

[jonbhorton]

Weirdly enough, I didn’t hear any letter read today! Last week, the priest gave a very intense homily about this issue but he jumped the gun… and the letter was not even printed in the bulletin…strange. I was really looking forward to hearing it from the pulpit.

Sounds to me like the priest was trying to capitalize on the momentum of Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan’s announcement, whereas the Bishop likely was tailoring the official word to fit his diocese, as the diocesan level might need different application of language or local incident. The priest, knowing the parish, likely went ahead and did what he did, whereas now he may have to clarify for the parish the Bishop’s letter once it is disseminated. Could be multiple reasons there was a delay. Given your location is Texas, it would follow that the letter likely had to be translated into Spanish, and if the Bishop is fluent, which I am sure he is being in your state, again it would have to go for approval at his level.

I suspect the delay in your area was due to translation logistics.

 

[YoungTradCath]

We had a super lame and meaningless homily today about doctors, of all things. I was almost fuming with anger. I hunger for so much from the Church, but it seems Her priests have been giving too little and too late, at least near me. I mean really, lately the homilies have been going in one ear and out the other for me. I’m looking for deep and rich meaning, not baby food goo. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know, but I know several others I’ve talked to have expressed the same thing.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

We had a super lame and meaningless homily today about doctors, of all things. I was almost fuming with anger. I hunger for so much from the Church, but it seems Her priests have been giving too little and too late, at least near me. I mean really, lately the homilies have been going in one ear and out the other for me. I’m looking for deep and rich meaning, not baby food goo. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know, but I know several others I’ve talked to have expressed the same thing.

Maybe he’s saving the the good ones for Lent. My priest is hit and miss lately, but last Lent he gave super good sermons, so I’m not too worried. I’m not really sure what he was talking about today. It was nothing but distractions at Mass this morning. Sometimes excellent hearing and peripheral vision can be a curse. I literally have eyes in the back of my head, and there are few sounds I can’t hear (one of which is the priest’s voice over wailing children.)

 

[jonbhorton]

We had a super lame and meaningless homily today about doctors, of all things. I was almost fuming with anger. I hunger for so much from the Church, but it seems Her priests have been giving too little and too late, at least near me. I mean really, lately the homilies have been going in one ear and out the other for me. I’m looking for deep and rich meaning, not baby food goo. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know, but I know several others I’ve talked to have expressed the same thing.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=8885233#post8885233

Must not have seen this thread. Download to your heart’s content and listen while driving, etc.

Hope this helps fill the gap.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Maybe he’s saving the the good ones for Lent. My priest is hit and miss lately, but last Lent he gave super good sermons, so I’m not too worried. I’m not really sure what he was talking about today. It was nothing but distractions at Mass this morning. Sometimes excellent hearing and peripheral vision can be a curse. I literally have eyes in the back of my head, and there are few sounds I can’t hear (one of which is the priest’s voice over wailing children.)

Yeah well, I don’t see how you can strongly imply that demons don’t exist even when it is crystal clear that they were in the Gospel today and that everyone automatically goes to heaven (which secondarily refutes the meaning and necessity of Confession) and that every single human affliction is caused by medical reasons. It’s just like, are you serious? And you have a five minute talk about the Superbowl before preaching such questionable things? Many people laughed. I was in the front row and I stared at him intently with a blank face the entire time praying Hail Marys and the minor doxology in intervals. Yes, I know most ailments are caused by medical problems. However, why should we be getting a briefing on medical philosophy at a religious event? I can get better watching the 700 Club on TV. That’s sad.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike my pastor. I just think he either thinks we’re too stupid or too ignorant to handle meatier talks.

Perhaps I listen a bit too far in to his homilies. But then again, perhaps I just take them for face value.

Our problems in American Catholicism are rooted in:

1. Liturgy
2. Catechesis

Both of these are inseparable and one cannot hope to survive without the other. We generally have decently solid masses liturgy-wise. They could be better, but they’re very good compared to some I’ve experienced. However, alluding to the above, it has little effect besides pretty superficialities if catechesis from the pulpit is in the toilet.

 

[m134e5]

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike my pastor. I just think he either thinks we’re too stupid or too ignorant to handle meatier talks.

Some shy away from the tough stuff because they don’t want to offend people. They need to realize that people aren’t as fragile as some might think (without forgetting the virtue of charity, of course). The truth is beautiful because it comes from God- we must never hide it.

 

[Muzhik]

… and all but a few walked to the altar to receive Christ, in the Eucharist. Not yet being confirmed, I tearfully made a spiritual effort of communion, and thanked God that I was finally able to find the fullness of Truth in the Church He established and has defended since. No emotional appeals to action then and there. No plea to join a system which doesn’t exist in the reality of the person making the plea (for there is no need to plea to join that which is known, and available for all to approach having heard the message given by the system- those who will, will; for Protestantism has no system- particularly in the emotional altar-call style churches, and cannot extend a plea in this regard.)

As a new convert from the background of such sermons being more often than not, I was at first a little apprehensive when I understood, immediately, where the message was leading.

Fr. pulled information from great theologians and Saints, and, just like I’d hoped, he brought it back around to the joy of God in Christ, through the Church and through choosing to choose God.

He addressed the reality that many clerics, laity, and non-believers, in the course of this life, do not make it to Heaven or even Purgatory. They go to Hell. They have not sought to change themselves, but merely go along to get along.

He pleaded with us to make sure we are on the path which seeks holiness, and not merely to mindlessly do certain actions; for our actions to have in mind an end, a hope, a promise, and ultimately an offer which is able to be rejected by the person of God-given free will.

He also read “the letter” from the Bishop.

We in the West are approaching a broad gate of destruction through both explicit and complicit rejection of God and the holiness He extends. The time is coming for Catholics and all people of good will to stand up. The time is now for the Church and her members to make known a voice of dissent at this immoral future which faces us. The time is now for us as citizens to say “NO!” to the proposed illegal violation of our rights as enumerated in the 1st Amendment. If they force the issue, it will reveal a narrow gate for any Christian. The Church, despite all protestations to the contrary, is looked at by the rest of the Christian world for guidance and a hint on what move to make. If the Church and Catholics cave on this issue, Christianity in the West is going to absolutely be murdered like the unborn children we now only shakily defend, often in word more than deed.

Tomorrow is not the day to decide what your course of action will be on anything as impacting as Hell or the earthly hell we face in this decision of future consequence. Today is that day.

Take stock of what you want, what you choose, and seek that to its, or your, end.

I don’t suppose there’s an audio recording or a transcript of his homily, is there?

 

[jonbhorton]

I don’t suppose there’s an audio recording or a transcript of his homily, is there?

I don’t even know if the parish records the homilies. Now that I think of it, there’s no reason not to as Fr. gives them at a microphone which runs through a PA system in the Sacristy.

I’ll ask. If there isn’t an audio copy, I’ll see if I can talk him into a photocopy of his notes.

I’m definitely going to ask about the idea of recording the homilies from now on though. The week prior, the deacon, who is about to be fully ordained this summer, gave a rousing homily on the necessity to identify and shy away from Marxism, Deism, etc. I wish I’d gotten that one on tape as well.

I can’t remember a homily there that I haven’t been wanting to jump up and cheer on some level. Even if they were watered down and saccharine, I’d still be there for the Mass though.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Sounds to me like the priest was trying to capitalize on the momentum of Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan’s announcement, whereas the Bishop likely was tailoring the official word to fit his diocese, as the diocesan level might need different application of language or local incident. The priest, knowing the parish, likely went ahead and did what he did, whereas now he may have to clarify for the parish the Bishop’s letter once it is disseminated. Could be multiple reasons there was a delay. Given your location is Texas, it would follow that the letter likely had to be translated into Spanish, and if the Bishop is fluent, which I am sure he is being in your state, again it would have to go for approval at his level.

I suspect the delay in your area was due to translation logistics.

Thank you. I am going to call the Diocese today to find out where things stand. Maybe we will hear it this coming Sunday. I pray so. I hope the Catholics who voted for Obama start visibly squirming in their seats.

 

[Muzhik]

First, I hear that a Catholic governor (or is that a CINO governor) says that there’s too much “hyperventilating” by the Church and the Republicans over the HHS rules. Then I read this:

Army Silences Catholic Chaplains

That’s right, folks; just keep moving, nothing to see here…