Praise be to God the Holy Father is here!

[Joysong]

Yes, the Eucharist is for all of us, but, it is not our own personal property to do with as we please. That is the wrong way to read the text. You need to know the backgrond of things in order to get a better, more accurate understanding of them.

B’gal, I would have been utterly surprised if you refrained from comments on my post, or on any other contributor’s post for that matter, when you have perceived even the slightest difference from your opinion. Some might call it stalking.

It is most condescending of you to assume from my post that I did not know the background, or worse yet, that I implied in any manner that the Eucharist is mine or anyone else’s personal property. Why do you persist in putting words in people’s mouths?

And may I send back your own words, that YOU “need to know the backgorund of things in order to get a better more accurate understanding.” It would help all of us who are subject to your criticism if you would begin with the V-II document on Religious Freedom. Your coercion is most evident and the message is clear - your way, or no way. You have a personal mission to hound any who do not agree with you, and you never let up. I think we have heard your message hundreds of times. Some of us don’t even read it any longer. This is what prevents true learning, when the messenger does not respect religious freedom to embrace truth. Read the document.

You will no doubt cry victim once again, but sometimes the truth is hard to hear. Many have tried, but failed to reach you. May God open your heart.

 

[Jean_Anthony]

I have reopened this thread at the request of the OP. Please, no personal remarks. And stick to the topic, everyone.

 

[anamchara]

Awesome! Thanks Moderator Jean!

JR! Thanks so much for your response. You wrote:

Another beautiful part of the Holy Father’s visit is going to come tomorrow when he visits with children who have varying disabilities. John Paul II had contributed to the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of the Disabled. Unfortunately, many Catholics have never read that document or those who read it, forgot an entire paragraph in it written by John Paul II.

As a result, the Catholic laity in the USA has not done as much as it can do for children and adults living with disabilities. The Holy Father’s undertaking to spend time with these children should send a message to the laity, whose primary duty it is to minister to this population.

Having a daughter with major disabilites, I am very interested in this. I missed the visit though. Can this be watched on EWTN? I work with at risk children and because of this I was asked by our priest to take on a child with disablites my first year teaching catechism. I was so touched by this child’s understanding of God.

When I read some of the posts on the DC mass, it sounds like everyone’s critique is based on their understanding of the Holy Father’s writings, but not of his rich contemplative life. Unless you have that blend of contemplation with study, as he has, you cannot really appreciate the man’s writings.

Yes, very well said. Balance between the two are very important.

 

[Jeanette_L]

Awesome! Thanks Moderator Jean!

Having a daughter with major disabilites, I am very interested in this. I missed the visit though. Can this be watched on EWTN? .

I have been watching the re-runs on EWTN all week. I’m hoping to catch today’s events this evening as well. We can watch together.

 

[anamchara]

I have been watching the re-runs on EWTN all week. I’m hoping to catch today’s events this evening as well. We can watch together.

I did see him with the youth today. That was so awesome. It brought tears to my eyes as all those young people were being introduced to him. I doubt I’d make it up without crying!

I need to go watch my daughters soccer game…be back later

 

[JReducation]

As a minister to people with disabilities, I was extremely touched to see a Pope with this popolation and their caregivers.

It’s funny, because yesterday I met with one of the Brothers in our parish. He and I run the ministry to families with disabilities and we were speaking about taking our ministry outside the parish. We have to wait for the bishop to return from the Pope’s visit to ask.

We were praying that the Holy Spirit would give us a sign that this was his will and not ours.

To see the Holy Father with the children and their families was the message that we prayed for.

I believe that the families are probably more blessed than the children. In the end, the families are the ones who struggle with the guilt, the day to day realities of caring for a child with special needs, and they go through all the pain and anxiety of worrying about “What will happen to my child when I’m not here?”

The Holy Father gave them a great deal of comfort when he asked the children to pray for him. It confirms his faith that these children have a special place in the Merciful heart of Christ. Knowing this brings great comfort to any parent. The Christ of Mercy who revealed himself to St. Faustina is very close to these children.

The Holy Father with these children reminded me of Christ when he forgave sins. “So that you may believe that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins, I say to you, take up your bed and walk.”

The disabled are the proof that Christ can forgive sins, that he is merciful, that he is loving and that he is invested in our welfare.

I was also impressed by the number of religious women at the mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Many lay people don’t realize that we have many young Hispanic, Filipino, Asian and Haitian religious who have come to the USA to serve as missionaries among us.

Also, unknown to many is the fact that there are more than 15 new religious congregations for men and women born in the United States within the last 25 years. Most of the sisters and religious men that we saw in traditional habits are new congregations. We do not have to push back the clock.

The young are moving the pendalum to the centre, old charisms of ancient religioius founders are finding new ministries in the USA.

If it were not for the Holy Father’s visit, no one would know that they are here and the pessimism would continue. Seeing so many young religious men and women, as well as secular seminarians gives me great hope and confidence in our Church.

It’s interesting, the Church does not have to push the young, all it has to do is open its arms.

I beleive that John Paul II did that and Benedict is now confirming the Church’s love for the young, their ideals and Christ’s call to live as consecrated religioius or ordained secular priests.

It goes to show that there is no rupture in the Church. On the contrary, the Church is a seamless coat of many colours.

JR

 

[Jeanette_L]

The Holy Father gave them a great deal of comfort when he asked the children to pray for him. It confirms his faith that these children have a special place in the Merciful heart of Christ. Knowing this brings great comfort to any parent. The Christ of Mercy who revealed himself to St. Faustina is very close to these children.

The Holy Father with these children reminded me of Christ when he forgave sins. “So that you may believe that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins, I say to you, take up your bed and walk.”

The disabled are the proof that Christ can forgive sins, that he is merciful, that he is loving and that he is invested in our welfare.

This is beautiful. And we have all seen the special graces given to the disabled, their clarity and purity of faith, Christ is ever near in a very special way to those who suffer disabilities and challenges.

If it were not for the Holy Father’s visit, no one would know that they are here and the pessimism would continue. Seeing so many young religious men and women, as well as secular seminarians gives me great hope and confidence in our Church.

It’s interesting, the Church does not have to push the young, all it has to do is open its arms.

I believe that John Paul II did that and Benedict is now confirming the Church’s love for the young, their ideals and Christ’s call to live as consecrated religious or ordained secular priests.

It goes to show that there is no rupture in the Church. On the contrary, the Church is a seamless coat of many colours.

JR

I agree with you, I see life and vitality everywhere in our Church. Christ has not abandoned us, nor is he displeased with our every movement, but is blessing us with His Spirit, with an invigorated youth ready to meet the challenges ahead filled with their love of Christ and His Church.