Happy New Year! Church Reform and Renewal in the New Year of 2019-Please God!!

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.....May all your hopes and dreams come true!!

This week I had lunch with my cousins.  One of them graduated from Kellenberg HS on Long Island and is now in college doing very well. I am his godmother and also his Confirmation sponsor, so naturally I am interested in his spiritual growth. When he's home from college he attends St. Mary of the Isle in Long Beach, with his family.  From what I hear,  everyone at that parish loves the pastor, Fr. Brian Barr. As he's been described to me by another priest in the diocese of Rockville Centre, "He's a cool priest!" My cousins would agree. They especially like the Mass on the beach in the summertime.....(Fr. Brian has special permission for that.)
Another one of my cousins who was at the lunch, is presently enrolled in Kellenberg Memorial High School, which is run by the Marianist Brothers He is a sophomore. I was his Confirmation sponsor so I am interested in his spiritual growth as well. It's well known on Long Island that the Marianists run two great schools on Long Island-Kellenberg High School in Uniondale and Chaminade High School in Mineola. (Many priestly vocations are nurtured in those schools, so they are doing something right!)
At the lunch I discussed what my cousin was studying in religion this year at Kellenberg. The answer was "Church history"......"the entire year?" "Yes"........I have nothing against Church history but I really think the curriculum at Catholic High Schools should be re-evaluated.......We need as Bishop Barres always says, "Dramatic Missionary Growth" on Long Island. That would be great! I agree. We have the right message, there is no greater message than the Christian message of love, hope, compassion, grace, love of God and neighbor and when its lived in its fullest, it can have life changing effects, as Christians know. But how do we encourage enthusiastic discipleship and dramatic missionary growth in Catholic high school students? That's an important question that needs to be answered. I believe they need a year of study, prayer and reflection on how to be a Christian disciple, an evangelist for Christ, a great missionary who is open to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
If it was up to me, I think Catholic high school students would greatly benefit from one year of studying the Hebrew Scriptures, one year of the New Testament, ( I feel biblical studies are extremely important), one year on how to be a Spirit-filled missionary disciple and evangelist for Christ and one year of morality/Christian service.
I think that would help with the renewal, reform and dramatic missionary growth that all the bishops would like to see, as well as those of us in the pews.
Just my humble opinion!

God Bless
Nancy

Celebration of Mary at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception-Huntington,NY-2018

I attended the "Celebration of Mary," at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY on the feast day of the Immaculate Conception yesterday. Bishop John Barres, the Bishop of Rockville Centre was the celebrant for the Mass ( he stayed for the whole day). The Seminary is beautiful and it was a beautiful, spiritually uplifting day. The bishop was personable as all bishops should be. Before the Mass began, he went around the chapel and shook hands with the congregation. A nice, sincere and simple gesture, but simple, sincere gestures mean a lot. In his homily he mentioned the You tube sensation-the famous professor/psychologist, Jordon Peterson, who speaks about the importance of the Old Testament stories in some of his videos.
Msgr. Peter Vaccari, rector of St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers is a scholar and great speaker so we all enjoyed his talk on Mary. Mary's fiat, her "Yes" to God's plan was repeated throughout her life. She was open to the Holy Spirit and God's will. Mary was the disciple who set her gaze on God. She was "full of grace," open to divine grace and love and that is God's will for us all. 
He suggested we read the Book of Isaiah- Chapter 60 during Advent which I intend to do. He spoke about the connection between the Annunciation and the Cross.
Brother Timothy Driscoll, a Marianist Brother from Kellenberg HS gave an excellent powerpoint presentation about the beautiful painting, "The Immaculate Conception," by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo,  an oil on canvas, which is at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. You can go to their website and search for the painting and examine it online. I love art and I love the Catholic faith, so naturally I enjoyed his expertise and art knowledge on the powerful painting.
Finally, the Cathedral Seminary Schola performed at the end of the day.
It was all good and a great way to spend a Marian feast day.
A Blessed Advent to you!!
NJA

John Allen Chau Tries To Evangelize an Isolated Tribe and Dies Trying

I'm not the only one fascinated by this story. According to news reports, John Allen Chau, the American Christian missionary who was recently killed on North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean, by a small isolated tribe, that has no contact with the outside world was prepared to die. He knew the dangers but he went anyway. The tribe are obviously fearful of outsiders and unfortunately their fear led them to kill the 26 year old. But he knew that was a possibility. They've killed others before, they want to be left alone.
He was trying to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to a forbidden area of the world. He went against authorities by going there which is never a good or wise thing to do. The Indian Navy is responsible to make sure no one gets close to the island but he did get close with help from locals, from other islands.
Going to North Sentinel Island became an obsession for him. He wanted to preach but his zeal and lack of understanding of the threat he posed and the danger he was in, should have been identified by others. Many others have tried to get close to the tribe and turned back.
Fishermen brought him to the island and he tried several times to make contact, to give small gifts, but it wasn't going well, according to a letter he wrote and gave to the fisherman as he paddled back and forth, over days, in a kayak.
The warning came. He should have heeded it. Besides the yelling they did at him and the arrows they shot at him, he wrote, "an arrow went directly into my Bible which I was holding." That was a clear sign he should get out of there.
I don't know what to make of this story. It's sad for the fishermen who were arrested because they brought him there, its sad for the young missionary, and his family.
Yet his words to the isolated tribe intrigue me, he yelled to them, "My name is John, I love you and Jesus loves you." But they couldn't understand his words. They don't speak English.
In the Catholic Church our history is filled with martyrs and missionaries who gave their lives for the faith, for Jesus and the gospel.
And though at first, I thought John Chau must have been crazy to do what he did, I'm not so sure. His brave and selfless actions, although they seem extreme, have probably inspired others. But missionary schools should always discourage missionaries from attempting what he did.
May some good come from this.
NJA

USCCB Fall General Assembly Meeting 2018 and the National Advisory Council

I watched some of the televised fall conference of the U.S. Bishops meeting in Baltimore and was saddened that so much time had to deal with the sexual abuse crisis in the Church. The U.S. Bishop's National Advisory Council spoke about the issue of the sexual abuse crisis in a sincere and strong way. I thought the speakers were honest, firm and realistic. They said what needed to be said, it was the truth. As Fr. David Whitestone, chair of the Bishops' advisory council said, "The depth of anger, pain and disappointment expressed by members of the NAC cannot begin to be expressed adequately in words." Well that is exactly how most of the Catholic lay faithful and many priests feel as well.
The conference should be dealing with issues such as how to better serve the poor, outreach to the homeless, walking alongside the sick and marginalized, helping with prison reform, working for affordable housing in cities across the country and other issues that our Lord would want addressed. But instead so much time, energy and resources must be used to deal with the sexual abuse crisis, when so many other important issues need attention and time.
Very sad indeed. So far from what Jesus Christ wants for His Church.
Purification, sanctification, greater holiness.....let's see, because unless the Spirit leads, unless there is great purification, transparency and humility the Church will see older, devout Catholics die off, in time and no one to replace them in the pews. That's the reality of it.
Recently, a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, in the town of Mineola was removed from ministry because of sexual abuse allegations. They have to be investigated. The parishioners were shocked. My friend who lives in the parish told me, that on a Facebook page from a mother's group in the town, people were leaving messages saying, "That's why I don't bring my children to Church."
The National Advisory Board seemed to realize the severity of the problem and I just hope the bishops take it as seriously as the NAC did.
NJA

Guns in the Hands of the Mentally Ill-Thousand Oaks Mass Shooting

We live in a scary world. Of course, other times in history were scary too, but in the great country of America, there are too many mentally ill people who are in possession of guns and most of them are owned legally. So really no where is safe.
It's quite the conundrum. How do you get guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, while allowing law abiding citizens to have legally owned guns? This is the dilemma.
Yesterday as I watched the horrific news of yet another senseless mass shooting in southern California, in Thousand Oaks and watched as a father broke down after learning his young adult son, Cody Coffman had been killed, I once again was in disbelief.
In this modern world of technology, there should be a way to keep track of the mentally ill who show violent tendencies and make sure they do not own guns or have access to them.  It seems so simple and yet at this time in history, there is no follow-up (or follow-ups) when a person is showing signs of mental illness and has been evaluated. (At least in this case there didn't seem to be.)
I don't get it. People are suffering, innocent people are dying at the hands of people who should not own guns. Fathers and mothers, relatives and friends are crying, losing innocent children and young adults in senseless gun violence, as the holiday season draws near.
It's scary, senseless and sickening.
NJA

The Desecration Of A Sanctuary-Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre

My husband and I have many Jewish friends.  We've attended all their sons bar mitzvahs and weddings. We've been in temple with them for special occasions. We've prayed with them and their family. We all grew up together in Old Mill Basin and then later Marine Park, Brooklyn. In those areas of Brooklyn, NY, (and other NYC neighborhoods as well), it didn't matter what religion you were. We all played together, had similar values and our cultural and religious differences were not important.
It's unimaginable that someone can be so mentally disturbed and so filled with hate that they can walk into a place of worship, where innocent people are praying and kill them. What kind of world is this?
Those who were killed were the most dedicated, committed people, the ones who showed up early at the synagogue, and began early morning prayer. And yet in what should be a holy, sacred, safe place, evil flew through the door. One member of the congregation said, "We are questioning everything." I would be too. I do believe we need better security in places of worship, (and schools) so we can all feel safer while worshipping God or learning. This is the new reality.
Why are there always so many warning signs on social media and yet violent people fall through the cracks and are able to carry out heinous crimes? People blatantly post hateful threats which go unnoticed or unchecked. None of it makes sense to me.
God bless those poor, innocent people who were killed, as they prayed and their families who grieve.
God weeps.
NJA

Reason To Hope-Kim Jong-un Extends Invitation to Pope Francis

For the people, religious, priests and bishops of South Korea and others who have been praying for the people of North Korea,  and the conversion of Kim Jong-un, I consider it a miracle that South Korea's President relayed to the Pope at a meeting, at the Vatican this week, that Kim Jong-un would like Pope Francis to visit North Korea. What? Can it really be true?
After watching a documentary about North Korea about two years ago, I've been praying for the repentance and conversion of Kim Jong-un, since the people of North Korea are not free to worship God openly or read the Bible or take part in religious services. Sadly, Christians and Christian missionaries are persecuted in North Korea, and apparently there are thousands suffering in labor camps. According to a U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, "The North Korean government's approach to religion and belief is among the most hostile and repressive in the world." Watching the documentary, it struck me that North Koreans have to have a picture of Kim Jong-un in their house to honor. I thought when I watched the show on CNN, wouldn't it be wonderful if Christ's picture could be hung alongside Kim Jong-un. I brought it up at my prayer group and we prayed for those suffering oppression in North Korea and for the conversion of Kim Jong-un. And I continue to pray.......
So when I heard this news, I was beside myself. It sounded too good to be true.
Let us all pray for the repentance and conversion of Kim Jong-un and the people of North Korea and for all those suffering in labor camps. I pray the Pope will visit North Korea for an historic meeting between the leaders,  and be able to help the imprisoned Christians there.  Pope Francis can witness to faith and belief in God and all the benefits that brings and give hope to Christians in that part of the world.
It's such wonderful, hope-filled news!
NJA

"Salvation is From Our God...."-The Church in Crisis

In light of the latest disturbing news about yet more enormous pay-outs, from the Church,  because of child sexual abuse and negligence and how it was hidden and covered-up and allowed to continue, one has to ask, "what were they thinking," "how could they have put children at such risk"....It's all too bizarre, unreal and horrific.
And so thinking about and reflecting upon this Scripture verse from the Book of Revelation, it is apparent that the only one who can help the Church, at this low point in its history is God. Reform and renewal is needed, greater holiness for the clergy, religious and laypeople and common sense and pragmatic strategies to move away from this ongoing crisis, must be a priority for all pastors, bishops, cardinals and for Pope Francis.
As I read this quote this morning, I thought, yes it's only God who can save a wounded Church.
"Salvation is from our God and from the Lamb" (Rev.7:10)

Our only hope is the love of God, forgiveness, retribution, reparation, greater holiness, deeper prayer lives, penance and Christian hope and charity. Lamb of God have mercy on us.
NJA

How Can We Leave Jesus or Our Faith?-The Church in Crisis-2018

I went on a retreat on Sunday to the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, Long Island NY. The Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist led the retreat. They live at the beautiful retreat house and regularly give Eucharistic Retreat Days (as well as other types of retreats), which helps the seminary and helps the faithful. They create a very holy and reverent atmosphere, which includes Mass, Adoration, Reflections, Confession, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction.
A priest from the Order, who spoke at one of the conferences said that in light of what is happening in the Church, what can the faithful do. We can't leave the Church, because we can't leave Jesus. So true. In the end its about our relationship to God and the Most Holy Trinity. Those of us, who have a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus, are holding on and praying that real reform and renewal will happen within the Catholic Church. For the good of the Church and all Catholics, (lay and religious) that better happen sooner than later. As long as there are those in the hierarchy who are in denial and don't see the enormous harm that has been done by this crisis, throughout the world, then I get frustrated as others do (and young people walk away from the Church).

I gave a talk and led a discussion about St. Therese of Liseiux yesterday. I know a lot about her, since many years ago I took a long distance course from the Carmelite Institute, centered on her writings, including her poetry.  She is a remarkable saint and Doctor of the Church. Her love for Jesus was mystical. She could feel his presence and loved him in a way we all should.
We can't leave our faith and we can't leave Jesus. Even in the midst of great suffering and a dark night of the soul, Therese never stopped loving Jesus.
NJA

Therese-the Little Flower-Her shortest prayer:
"Jesus, make me like you."

Who Will Make Reparation to God for the Sexual Abuse Crisis?

After the horrific Grand Jury Report from Pennsylvania on child and teen sexual abuse and numerous articles about the failure of Church leaders in protecting children and teens from predatory priests, there are a lot of changes that need to be made. Reforms must be instituted. And women in leadership roles must be consulted for their opinions as well as all lay leaders.
But what about the Bishops and Cardinals in our Church?
Upon leaving Mass on Sunday, after our pastor spoke at all the Masses about the damning report and how it was such a difficult week to be a priest and hear the devastating news about failures in our Church, on the way out, I said, "Father, we need a day of reparation, that goes into the evening." He replied, "I've been thinking the same thing."
Well, that would be a good start- a day of reparation throughout the United States and in Vatican City. Let all the Bishops and Cardinals in the Church fast, put on sackcloth and cover themselves with ashes and take turns lying prostrate on the floor of churches and cathedrals and pray for God's forgiveness. And for the lives that have been destroyed through sexual abuse and the poor handling of the crisis.
God weeps that the beautiful religion that is Catholicism has been mishandled and corrupted through crimes, cover-ups and sins against the people of God and against the holiness of God.
Who will make reparation for the gravity of this situation?
NJA

The Latest Grand Jury Report on Sexual Abuse from PA-Evil In The Church

Words cannot suffice to express the disgust and disappointment I feel after reading the front page New York Times article (8/15/18) entitled, "Church Hid Abuse of 1,000 Children Grand Jury Finds." This is beyond disgusting, deplorable, negligent, evil.
So the article goes, "Bishops and other leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania covered up child sexual abuse by more than 300 priests over a period of 70 years, persuading victims not to report the abuse and law enforcement not to investigate it, according to a searing report issued by a grand jury on Tuesday." Some of the individual reports and accounts are so disgusting it makes me want to vomit. The Times called it-"A Catalog of Horrors"
A front page article in the Times which we subscribe to,  means I have to discuss it with my husband because he will see it and once again tell me this is one of the reasons he doesn't go to Church on a regular basis.  But lately it's worse because he wants to stop the donations we give to my local parish. Of course I defend my local parish and its good priests but this on going embarrassing, deplorable sexual abuse crisis is doing damage beyond what anyone, at this present time, can imagine.
God weeps, God has been weeping because to use such a beautiful religion and the beauty of the teachings of Jesus Christ and tarnish it to such an evil degree and to ignore not only the teachings of Christ but the law, is criminal.
For all the faithful, like me, who continue to go to Church and support it and believe in its power to do good and transform society, I just hope we can get past these latest sickening reports.
NJA

A Broken and Suffering Church

In light of the horrific allegations against former Cardinal McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, one has to be worried about the future of the Roman Catholic Church. Yes, it is a divine institution with Christ as the divine head and of course, "the gates of hell will not prevail against it," but the post modern world, with its technological advances is a strange place. Young people are simply not going to take this nonsense, they will walk away from organized religion, as they have been doing for years. Even though Pope Francis acted swiftly and other Bishops have been condemning the "moral failures of judgment," within the Church, the faithful are fed up with the sexual abuse crisis and all the secrecy surrounding it, large pay-offs and poor judgment calls. Real change, pragmatic change is needed and sadly will be slow in coming.
Any corporation or large secular institution would not continue to hold onto out-dated, falling policies or by- laws or laws which were hurting the institution and causing it harm. But that's what's happening here.
Mandatory celibacy for Roman Catholic priests has failed in many ways. And yet the Church continues to hold onto this man-made law even though it has hurt the Church tremendously in spiritual ways, financial ways and worst of all, caused great harm, in some cases.
Well my generation was upset, we are upset and frustrated with the blatant failures and the sexual abuse crisis, but the younger generation, they'll just walk away. Many of them want no part of organized religion and this is one of the reasons they've lost trust in institutions.
NJA

Ordination Mass of Bishop Richard Henning-The Best of Catholicism

I attended the ordination Mass of auxiliary Bishop Richard Henning yesterday in St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Center, Long Island.  It was a glorious day! The sun was shining. With a filled cathedral and his family and friends overflowing with joy and gratitude, with a magnificent choir to set the tone, it was a faith-filled day to remember.
Bishop John Barres, the bishop of Rockville Centre officiated, with the auxiliary bishops of Rockville Centre, retired Bishop Murphy and many bishops and priests from the Diocese and beyond. Cardinal Dolan was also in attendance. As well as many Brothers and students from Chaminade High School. The Sisters of Life were there too, as well as other Religious.  The lay members of the Church, from many Long Island parishes, who traveled from all parts of the island, attended too.  I should not leave out, the affable Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Most Reverend Christopher Pierre, who loved sharing that when he called Bishop Henning to tell him the good news, Bishop Henning was driving on the Southern State Parkway and had the good sense to pull over.........
I attended with two friends and afterward at the Reception,  met many employees and volunteers from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, where Bishop Henning was the rector before being appointed bishop.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Henning, a native of Long Island and a graduate of Chaminade High School  spoke and his talk was outstanding. Using metaphors such as surfing, the ocean, waiting for the perfect wave with patience, it was thought-provoking, deeply moving and very down to earth too. On the way home we discussed it in the car and we had each gained from it.
He remarked that he had been on retreat before the installation Mass, and the retreat leader  had given the retreatants advice and suggestions and something to take away, which we can all do and learn from. Bishop Henning said he had been repeating those short prayers throughout the day, which gave him courage.
Firstly, in the morning begin by saying, "Jesus I consecrate myself to you." During the day, repeat, "Jesus I trust in you." (That famous short prayer was given to St. Faustina by Jesus, it's powerful and to the point!) And lastly before going to sleep, say, "Jesus have mercy on me."
We agreed on the way home that we could all add that to our spiritual disciplines....easy enough.
It was a beautiful day, the best of Catholicism. There is so much beauty in the Church. One friend noted correctly, that time passed by so quickly though the Mass was about two and a half hours. During the ritual, the sacred Mass, which gives glory to God, time was caught up in the eternal.
God continue to bless Bishop Henning as he grows into his new and important role in the Church.
NJA

Ordination of Bishop Richard Henning on Long Island

I'm very excited to attend the episcopal Ordination of Bishop -Elect Richard Henning tomorrow at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY. Bishop Henning is very deserving of this great honor. I know his good works from volunteering at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY for many years as part of a fundraising volunteer group, "The Friends of the Seminary." I was both the Vice President and President of that good organization. I am still an active member. Bishop Henning as the previous rector of the Seminary (before being appointed an Auxiliary Bishop by Bishop Barres) worked to make sure the Seminary remained vital and he contributed much to making sure it was a place of retreat, learning, growth and financial stability. The Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist reside there and give holy retreats there, year round, which has helped make the Seminary known throughout Long Island and beyond.  The grounds of the Seminary are beautiful, close to the Long Island Sound and a place where nature remains unspoiled.
So it's all good.
God's blessings upon Bishop Henning and his future good works for the Church of God.
NJA

St. Therese of Lisieux-Friend and Inspirer-Summertime Reading

For the final book that my parish Summer Book Club will read and discuss in September is the classic autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux-"The Story of a Soul." I will read it over the summer to lead the discussion. It will be my fourth reading of this spiritual classic. I even took a course about St. Therese from the Carmelite Institute many years ago. When you study the writings of St. Therese, or pray for her intercession, she befriends you in a mystical, mysterious way and I am certainly not the only person who has said that, many others confirm that as well.
St. Therese has been called "the greatest saint of modern times." She was canonized on May 17th, 1925 by Pope Pius XI and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II (now a saint himself) in 1997.
Therese wanted to be a saint, she was very focused on her love for Jesus and her little way of spiritual childhood. She knew that to be a saint she would need God's help. She couldn't do it on her own and so she asked God to lift her to heights, she couldn't possible reach on her own and be her  "divine elevator." One of the most remarkable things about Therese is that she attained every one of her goals though some were attained after her death.
I have two of her relics, small pieces of her brown Carmelite habit, which I have for many years and which were attained from Rome.
Therese has a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and her religious profession was on the day that the Church celebrates Mary's birth- September 8th. Therese took the day of her profession very seriously, she sent out wedding invitations! September 8th is an important day in my life too, as I was born on that day. So I feel connected to Therese and the Blessed Mother, in a special way, because of my birthday. It's a great grace to be born on a Marian feast day. I'm not boasting, it is what it is.
So I expect many graces to come from reading, "Story of a Soul," again. I'm not sure what they are but I'm positive that St. Therese will work from Heaven as she always does, to bring some added grace or graces into my life.
NJA

Suicide Rates Are Lower For People Who Practice Their Faith-Another Benefit of Belief in God and Prayer

I recently read something which I firmly believed in my heart to be true since I've read other studies about the positive effects that faith, worship and belief have for human beings. People of faith go through crisis better, handle misfortune better, and are usually healthier and live longer than people who don't. Why this is true is up for debate but the data supports what numerous studies have found and I've written about many times. And I've experienced firsthand the inner strength, courage and hope that belief in God gives, especially in times of loss.
And so I thought faith, religious practice and worship would also affect suicide rates and as it turns out, I read an article to support my belief. Such vindication!
This is what I read in an online article, "Against a grim backdrop of rising suicide rates among American women, new research has revealed a blinding shaft of light: One group of women-practicing Catholics appears to have bucked the national trend toward despair and self-harm. Compared with women who never participated in religious services, women who attended any religious service once a week or more were five times less likely to commit suicide between 1996 and 2010, says a study published by JAMA Psychiatry.
Faith and belief in God and of course, prayer, gives you courage, inner strength and the ability to realize that no matter how bad the disappointment , hurt, sorrow and/or rejection is today, tomorrow will be better. At least a little better. There is always hope because we trust the words of Sacred Scripture and the words of Christ. "God is my protector, my rock, my shield in whom I trust.""
For a few weeks in June and then again for a week in September I lead a Summer Book Club in my parish. Our first book this year was recommended by a Jesuit priest, the book is a highly recommended book titled, "In His Spirit-A Guide To Today's Spirituality." We are enjoying reading it and discussing it. Seems like the Church doesn't talk about the Holy Spirit enough...not sure why.  The Spirit is enlightener, sanctifier, one who guides and empowers and prompts us towards God and the will of God for our life.
"The goal of Christian spirituality is to recognize and respond to the continual interior movements of the Spirit, for the Spirit will always lead us toward greater union with Christ and greater love and service of God and others." ("In His Spirit.....")
Veni, Sanctus, Spiritus!
NJA

The Lord is waiting to show you favor and he rises to pity you. For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all who wait for him.  (Isaiah 30:18)

Copycat Suicides-Bourdain and Kate Spade-Hopelessness Ends Lives

It's hard to get one's head around the news this morning that Anthony Bourdain, a celebrity chef, author and host of Parts Unknown on CNN would take his own life. I watched his show often, he was gifted in many ways. I loved how he related so well to people of all religions and cultures throughout the world and how through food and cooking he could create good will. I always marveled at how he overcame drug addiction as he explained on one show, he was a heroin addict when he was young. So I thought to myself from heroin to becoming a celebrity chef and TV personality. Pretty good! But it was not all good because in the end, his demons got the best of him. You have to say, "Why?" What makes a successful person who came from so little and became rich and famous and related so well to all kinds of people die in such a horrific, hopeless way.
And then there was the other baffling news story of another successful, rich person, Kate Spade, whose name is everywhere taking her own life in a horrific way. Death by strangulation. That's pretty bad. It's pitiful. What's worse is who is left behind. Both Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade had teenage daughters. How will they ever be the same? I feel so bad for Bourdain's daughter Ariane, aged 11 and Kate Spade's daughter Frances age 13. Such a difficult time in life as it is for young girls growing up in this uncertain world and they have to deal with such grief and pain.
It just doesn't make sense to me. This is the reason I hold my deep faith very close to me and know of it's importance. Because even if one day seems hopeless or I am disappointed I know tomorrow I will wake up feeling better because Jesus walks with me in good times and bad. You can't minimize mental illness, I understand that, but I know how much hope my faith gives me. And because of that, it's priceless to me.
Rest in Peace Kate and Anthony
NJA

Does The Church Need An Order of Married Catholic Priests? I Think So

I don't write this lightly. I take this subject very seriously as I do my love for the Catholic Church. Warts and all. But in God's holy name how can the Church continue to have as a Church law  mandatory celibacy, for all Roman Catholic priests, with the situation as it is. And everyone knows what I mean by that. And as we know, Church laws can be changed.
I have worked in the Church , I know many holy, married laymen, of outstanding character,  who would make excellent priests. Then there are the deacons in the Church who could enter an Order of Married Priests. As I mentioned in my last blog entry,  I visited a Greek Orthodox Church last week on Long Island with the Rosary Society of my parish and their Divine Liturgy was reverent, beautiful, sacred and holy. All three priests on the altar were married, their wives were present and one of them had an adorable little daughter in the congregation that day.
Celibacy is certainly a call and valuable discipline for some men, called to the priesthood, but not for all.
If the Church doesn't examine this with clear vision and through prayer to the Holy Spirit, and act with common sense, it risks a lot.
I've seen so many changes take place within one generation. It use to take many generations for social changes and traditions to change, but now in the modern world, things are changing rapidly. I fear young people are going to keep leaving the Church, with all the bad publicity involving sexual abuse and large payouts. This is a very different world than the one I grew up in.
What is God's will for the Church in this matter? To me the answer is obvious. What matters is God's word is preached, Eucharist is shared and people are cared for and ministered to. That's more important than anything else.
NJA

What Roman Catholics Can Learn From the Greek Orthodox Church and What They Can Learn From Us

Today members of the Rosary Society of my parish along with our pastor and a seminarian visited the Greek Orthodox Church of The Archangel Michael in Port Washington, Long Island, NY. We were invited by one of their church organizations and priests to celebrate, along with their congregation, the Divine Liturgy of the Ascension and to share fellowship afterward.  It was a very moving experience. I came away with a lot of impressions.
First of all when we arrived 15 minutes before their liturgy began, the priests were already in the midst of worship, prayer, chanting and incensing the sanctuary. So even before the liturgy began, the priests were deep in prayer and worship. Now you know what I was saying to myself, don't you? Of course I was saying, why don't we do this in the Roman Catholic Church, (at least on feast days and Sundays).  I get annoyed sometimes at Sunday Mass because I always arrive a half hour before Mass begins to read the readings beforehand and to pray and usually there is someone near me talking, which drives me crazy. So that would solve that problem......and it wouldn't have to even be done for a half hour but what about 10 or 15 minutes of prayer before Mass begins. I thought it was very holy and sanctifying and gave me a transcendent feeling.
The Divine Liturgy (as they call the Mass) was amazingly uplifting, holy and sacred. Before Communion was given out, the priests processed around the Church with the Blessed Sacrament while a priest was walking backwards and incensing the Blessed Sacrament.
It is a beautiful Church and the liturgy was very beautiful and sacred as well.
All of the priests, as we later found out, were married. All of their wives who we met at the fellowship, were helpful and very nice. But that's another story.
What can they learn from us? Some observations I made in a short time. They wanted to hear about the rosary, so the President of our Rosary Society showed them a rosary and explained how we recite it. Our pastor explained the mysteries. They don't say the Hail Mary as one parishioner told me.
But of course, they revere the blessed Mother, so why don't they recite the rosary or pray the Hail Mary? I have no idea, but I find it perplexing.
It was a wonderful morning and the welcome we were given was a blessing to all of us.
NJA

The Killing Of A Priest

Such a sad story coming from Notre Dame of Fatima, a Roman Catholic Church in the Central African Republic. The Church was attacked during Mass and the parish priest, the Rev. Toungoumale Baba was killed along with at least 15 other people. Innocents-worshipping God, praying, during the  sacred Catholic Mass and evil came through the door. Using grenades and gunfire the killers desecrated the holy Church and brought death and despair and pain to God. The worst of humanity.
A large crowd, protesting the violence and the death of their beloved priest carried his body to the presidential palace. But evil won the day. Their pastor is gone. The good priest died at the hands of the most fanatical, the most cruel and evil side of humanity.
And its not over. People want revenge. So the vicious cycle of violence will unfortunately most likely continue. No one wins. The children of the parish witnessed unspeakable horror.
I pray for the soul of the good priest who died celebrating Mass and those who care for him. So tragic. In this day and age, at this time in history and still, good, holy priests and good people are slaughtered because of misunderstanding, conflict and hate.
God bless the people of Notre Dame of Fatima Church, may God be with them during these difficult days. The United Nations peacekeeping group will have to work quickly to stop the spread of violence, God be with them and inspire their work.
NJA

Good Things Happening on the Korean Peninsula-Is Peace Within Reach?

Praise God good news is finally coming from the Korean Peninsula. I have been praying for the conversion of Kim Jong-Un, because I feel for those in North Korea who are not free to worship God or attend religious services or have have their basic needs met. And tonight I saw South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong- Un on TV,  meeting in the Demilitarized Zone between the Koreas and shaking hands, just like friends would do. It was a very encouraging sight.  Their meeting will hopefully open the possibility and likelihood that Kim Jong-Un will meet with President Donald Trump.
Pope Francis has praised the summit this week between the two Korean leaders and urged them to "have the courage to be artisans of peace."
Peace in the world, peace on the Korean peninsula would be a great move forward for humankind. The Pope said that the summit would be, "a concrete route toward reconciliation and regained brotherhood with the aim of guaranteeing peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the entire world."
And in the entire world............the peace and love of God in the entire world. That would be a miracle! The world is certainly ready for peace, the poor people of the Middle East, Africa, and other countries who have been mired in conflict for decades desperately need peace. Children have suffered for so long, in too many places in the world, because of civil wars.
Lord send your divine guidance, your blessings and wisdom upon all leaders of the world so that peace may prevail and solutions found to age-old conflicts and misunderstandings.  Amen.
NJA

Have Elderly South Koreans Found The Answer To The Craziness of the World?

I just love this story because the news is so strange of late and at times very depressing. Within our country, national news is so bizarre as to seem like fiction. International news is not much better. So when I read about what South Korean elderly people are doing during the day for exercise, fun and probably a good dose of distraction, I thought to myself, "They're onto something!"
I'm referring to an article I read titled, "In Daytime Discos, South Korea's Elderly Find Escape From Anxiety." How are they escaping from the turmoil in the modern world, through disco dancing. "A discotheque hidden among the back alleys of eastern Seoul, is packed with hundreds of grey-haired couples on a Monday afternoon, dancing to local hits from the 1960s in a basketball court-sized hall." Sounds like a good idea to me. One of the customers said, "If you have music and a partner, you can put all other thoughts out of your mind."
So many thoughts...........
Of course for people who are on a spiritual, religious quest, dancing could well provide a temporary distraction from anxiety and frustration with the modern world, but those of us journeying towards God, we also have to include prayer and a quest for holiness.  Pope Francis has advised in his latest Apostolic Exhortation-""Rejoice and Be Glad," that we model our life on Christ's life and that of course means growing in love, compassion and non-judgmental attitudes.
So we have to grow in holiness if we are serious about growing closer towards God ("Be holy for I am holy") And that is very good.
But I think it's good too, to enjoy oneself and reduce anxiety and negative thoughts and dancing might be a good answer for that, as the South Koreans have found.
NJA

The Beautiful Easter Season and Divine Mercy Feast-2018

I realized that I hadn't written anything about Easter this year, the most magnificent feast in the Church year and instead I wrote about Hell and a misunderstanding and a need for conversion. Only because I read an intriguing article about Pope Francis and how his words had been distorted about Hell by an Italian journalist.
But that's no excuse. It's Easter and now it's the Easter Season, the season of hope and new beginnings and I should write about that.
Easter was beautiful, the Mass at my church on Long Island was filled with beautiful music, great liturgy and a good homily. The spirit of the Risen Lord was present in many ways. My family was with me, except for one of my sons and his wife because they have a newborn baby. My first grandchild. It doesn't get better than that, having a granddaughter! So blessed! Thank you Lord!
This Sunday I have been asked to speak about Divine Mercy as I did last year at a Divine Mercy Feast Day of prayer and reflection. I'm one of three speakers, in an illustrious group.
And what I will say I have been pondering all week, allowing the Spirit to guide me as to what I shall concentrate on. It's mostly a day of prayer with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, so not too many words are needed. I will let the Spirit lead and guide and I will just point out the direction we need to go.
When you let the Spirit work through you, and ask for God's guidance (and I listen to the chant everyday-"Veni, Sanctus, Spiritus," and let it sink in), the Spirit will guide in a simple, yet powerful way.
Recently I was attending a retreat with a Jesuit priest as the leader. When after one of the sessions, I told him that I also give retreats and that I could teach centering prayer, which he was giving hand-outs to the participants about, he generously said, "Nancy, would you like to help me? Would you like to teach centering prayer?" And so I did. That's how it is with the Holy Spirit......I will say in prayer on Sunday....."Holy Spirit guide me and empower me, and lead me, so as to help all here grow closer to God and be open to God's merciful love." I'll make room for the Spirit to act.
Amen. "Jesus I trust in you."
NJA

What's With Hell?

I read an interesting article in the New York Times titled, "An Atheist and a Pope Talk (Maybe) About Hell," by Jason Horowitz. It begins, "The Vatican felt obliged this week to reaffirm that Pope Francis believes in a central tenet of Catholicism, that there is a hell."
I'm puzzled as to why Pope Francis continues to have casual chats and meetings with Eugenio Scalfari, an atheist, Italian, anti-clerical journalist, since Scalfari distorts the Pope's words when quoting him. Doesn't sound like the kind of person the Pope should converse with casually or at all.
The question of Hell and its existence has troubled theologians for centuries. Does Hell actually exist? And who is in Hell? Well I always go back to the saints for many of them have been given divine knowledge and some have said or written that they have been given glimpses of Hell and it certainly unnerved them.  They saw or felt or envisioned something horrific.
The authority on this topic would be the Catechism of the Catholic Church which says, "To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God's merciful love means remaining separated from him forever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is call "hell (CCC 1033).
There is a great story about St. Therese of Lisieux who prayed continually for a murderer who was sentenced to die. She prayed and prayed that he would repent before his death and as it turned out her prayers were answered. Before his execution he asked for a crucifix which he kissed and she took that to mean he repented and her prayers were answered and he was spared the "fires of Hell."
I pray for the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, as he has ordered the torture and death of innocent people and I hope and pray he converts or repents before he dies, because he is certainly a candidate for Hell. He should get his act together before its too late, in my humble opinion. I pray often that he repents, for his sake, the sake of his family and the sake of the people of North Korea.
NJA

Stephen Hawking's First Conversation With God

I wonder what Stephen Hawking, the great scientist, said to God when he entered Heaven. I've been thinking about that since Stephen Hawking recently died and I was watching a special about him and his theories last evening.
Did he say to God, "I'm sorry." Or "I should have known that there had to be a First Cause, something which ignited the Big Bang and sparked the creation of the Universe. " As he said on the TV special last night, that I watched, (I'm paraphrasing) "After the Big Bang there was 'cosmic luck'." Hmmmm....very interesting, our ever expanding, mathematically exact Universe, our magnificent Milky Way galaxy and all the other millions of stars and galaxies were formed by "cosmic luck." I don't think so.
And then he attributed the forming of the galaxies to gravity and then some failures so the Universe could expand. There had to be failures he said. There couldn't be perfection. No, actually there had to be perfect, intelligent design, complexity, genius, mathematical exactness, there had to be God designing, propelling, creating his masterful work. God. Somehow that escaped the brilliant mind of Stephen Hawking.
Great philosophers have always asked, "Why is there something instead of nothing?" And physicists have asked, "Why did the Big Bang happen at all, what sparked it to explode?" After the Big Bang, why did atoms form and why did the Universe keep expanding? And how is it that I sit here, typing on my computer, billions of years later, believing what my faith and my experiences have led me to believe. God exists and though God will always be incomprehensible mystery, there can never be a doubt in my mind, that God is the Creator and God deserves credit for this magnificent Universe, which we are all a part of.
NJA

Praying For The People of North Korea and the Conversion of Kim Jong-un

Months ago when I saw a documentary about North Korea, it started to weigh heavy on my heart of how deprived the North Koreans are. Not only because, in many cases, they lack food and other basic necessities but also because they are not able or allowed to worship God. I felt for them because they were "forced" to hang pictures and photographs of the erratic North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un in their houses and businesses.  If they failed to do so, there could be dire consequences. I thought about the lack of freedom of religion in North Korea and how people were unable to pray openly or attend any kind of religious services or have religious articles.  So sad.
So I started praying for the miraculous conversion of Kim Jong-un. Wouldn't it be wonderful, I thought if he had a dramatic conversion experience and became a believer and gave people the freedom to worship God openly. I know that would take a miracle but why not pray to help the North Koreans. It seems as good a prayer as any. Imagine a picture of Jesus hanging in North Korean homes alongside their leader. "With God all things are possible!"
I hope that talks between President Trump and Kim Jong-un do happen and diplomacy prevails. That would be good for the world and a step towards world peace.
NJA

Parkland Shootings-Cardinal Cupich Encourages Us To Listen To Young People About Guns

I read an excellent article at America Magazine online titled, "Chicago's Cardinal Cupich: Listen To Young People About Guns," by Michael O'Loughlin. It seems people are listening, even corporations with large retail stores, such as Dick's Sporting Goods and Walmart are listening and acting. The time for change has come and I hope and pray the 17 teenagers and adults who died in Parkland, Florida will not have died in vain. Their tragic, violent deaths coming on the first day of the holy season of Lent must be the last blood spilled in a school from gun violence.

As Cardinal Cupich put it, "The youth of our nation are shaming the adult world into action." The young people have the wind at their backs and public opinion is on their side. Reasonable people want stricter gun laws and universal background checks. Military weapons have no place in our society. This is not an attack on the 2nd amendment, its people crying for needed change, change that should have happened after the horror of Sandyhook.  This was an avoidable tragedy. Those poor parents who lost children, in such a violent, unexpected way, have to live with this everyday of their lives. It's unimaginable what they have to suffer. 

So the Church should speak out on this issue. Members of the Church should join with the teenagers when they march for sensible gun law changes. Young people everywhere are passionate about this issue right now and they would welcome the Church's involvement and encouragement. 

As Cardinal Cupich wrote, "The time for words is over, our children are telling us. What is now required is action."

Amen.

NJA

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. 
(2 Corinthians: 1:3-4)

The Lord is compassion and love.......(Ps. 103:8)

Courageous Students Demand Change After Horrific School Shooting in Florida

It was suppose to be a day to celebrate love-Valentine's Day and also it was Ash Wednesday 2018 and the beginning of Lent. After returning from Mass that afternoon, with a large ash cross on my forehead, I soon realized this was going to be a very sad day. It would be a Lent from hell for some families from Parkland, Florida, who heard the unthinkable and tragic news that day. Their precious children and some adults would be gunned down in what should be a safe place, their high school.
That a deranged and hate-filled teenager could buy an assault rifle so easily even though he had clear mental issues is a disgrace.
And now the students say, "enough is enough." Adults in power have failed them. They want to be the voice of the dead, who can no longer speak for themselves. Those who have no voice now should not have died a violent death in vain. Their friends and fellow students are demanding change. And lots of people are behind them.
Today, a week from that dreadful day, President Trump had a listening session at the White House and he heard from distraught parents who have lost children in deadly school shootings and students who witnessed them. Let's hope he acts wisely.
Where is the hope? The hope is that students across America want change and are demanding change. They want sensible gun laws and more serious background checks for those who want to buy guns.
I'm hopeful that, over time, they will make a difference. They're eloquent and brave and are impressing a lot of people, including me. My prayers are with them.
NJA

Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past, let us accept our own responsibility for the future. 
President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

Lent 2018 Begins on Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day

The holy season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which also falls on Valentine's Day in 2018. Interesting. The greatest love story of all time,  the remarkable story of how much the Creator is in love with His Creation, how God loves each of us unconditionally and knows us personally,  how the Son of God gave his life for each of us, how we are baptized into the Divine life of the Trinity at baptism, all because of love.
So in Christianity, it always comes back to love.
God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, that everyone who has faith in him may not die but have eternal life. It was not to judge the world that God sent his Son into the world, but that through him the world might be saved. (John 3: 16-17)
It always comes back to love.
The whole New Testament could be summed up in one word- "love."
The Great Commandment, a call to love-"Love God with your whole heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as you love yourself."
The saints tell us that God loves each of us,  as if there were no other soul but us. It's very personal. It's very intimate. That's how God loves us. An amazing and remarkable truth, that is difficult for the human mind to grasp.
NJA

End Of The World A Bit Closer? Hope Not!

On January 26th an article appeared in the New York Times titled, "End of the World Is A Bit Closer; Scientists Fear" by Sewell Chan. To be honest, when very smart people (atomic scientists) start getting nervous about the current global situation, that concerns me.
I quote, "The Doomsday Clock, a potent symbol of scientific concerns about humanity's possible annihilation was advanced by 30 seconds on Thursday to 2 minutes to midnight, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists announced in Washington. The last time the clock was moved so close to midnight was in 1953 during the Cold War."
What is concerning the scientists so much? They believe that world leaders are not doing enough to respond to threats from nuclear war and climate change. They cite problems with North Korea's nuclear program, tensions in the world and the build up of nuclear arsenals in Pakistan and India. The scientists sound very serious, "To call the world nuclear situation dire is to understate the danger and its immediacy." Just writing this blog post is making me anxious. I probably should have chosen another topic!
But anyhow,  all the dangers they noted, should concern everyone and be taken seriously, yet the one I find most alarming is-"the speed of technological change." That's a big risk. (From other articles I've read, artificial intelligence (AI), is something that can get out of control very quickly.)  They especially mentioned, "the hacking of computer systems that control financial and energy infrastructure; the development of weaponry that can make 'kill' decisions without human supervision, the misuse of synthetic biology......" Scary stuff. (I definitely should not have written this before bedtime!)
So what is a believer to do? Of course pray for the future of humankind. Pray for the conversion of leaders. Hope that pride and ignorance doesn't cause human beings in power to destroy, harm or do something irrational. (Also note that, The Doomsday Clock and the expert panel does have its critics, not everyone believes it.)
But since Lent is fast approaching, seems like a good idea to pray and fast for the global situation to improve. I pray the "speed at which technology advances" is good for humankind and is a blessing, not a curse. We shall see.
NJA

Pope Francis in Chile And the Joy of Indigenous People

As I watched the Masses celebrated by Pope Francis in Chile on TV, I thought it was wonderful that the indigenous people of Chile were given the chance to express themselves, at the Masses, in such a creative, authentic way. Their exuberance, music and song was joyful and a pleasure to watch.
The Church needs to be relevant in the modern world, and embracing multiculturalism and the natural gifts of indigenous people is certainly a step in the right direction.
Good music is so important in liturgies and good homilies that help people apply the gospel message of hope to modern problems and situations. We all need to hear the reassuring message that Christ continues to offer through Scripture....that God is with us, that God gives us courage and life-giving water and life-giving food for our souls. The modern world is desperately in need of the gospel message, most especially young people. Also, I think often of people in parts of the world where people cannot worship God freely or openly. I pray that all should hear the word of God and be open to the gospel message of hope. I pray that all people on the earth will....."with joy draw water at the fountain of salvation."
NJA

God indeed is my savior, I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the Lord...With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. 

St. Joan of Arc-Fearless And Bold-An Example for the Modern Age in 2018

I am not afraid.....I was born to do this.   St. Joan of Arc

I recently saw the quote above on a plaque and I just loved it. What better quote for a believer, in the New Year-2018. If only we could all find out what God's will is for our lives and then work to fulfill it. (Without having to be martyred, of course!) All the saints say, that it is very important (perhaps the most important thing), on the spiritual journey, to find out God's will for your life. That is not easy to do and takes much discipline and prayer.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC has a great, very large oil painting of St. Joan of Arc by Jules Bastien Lepage (1879). I love to gaze upon it and study it whenever I'm at the MET. Bastien-Lepage, a native of Lorraine, depicts in the painting,"the moment when St. Michael, Margaret and Catherine appear to Joan in her parents' garden, rousing her to fight against the English invaders in the Hundred Years War."
So what is it I shall do in the New Year to be fearless for Christ? And what will you do in the New Year to be fearless for Christ? What should the Church do in the New Year to be fearless for Christ?
I have an idea what the Church should do, should have done years ago to make itself more relevant (and open to growth) in the modern age. I know but I'll keep it to myself. But maybe you know too!
Pope Francis and the entire Roman Curia as well as the Cardinals and Bishops should be fearless and face the modern day realities we are dealing with. It is extremely important for the Church to face the unique challenges of the modern world and deal with them creatively and through working with the Holy Spirit as guide.
NJA

Veni Sanctus Spiritus!
Amen!




"Come Holy Spirit, Come!" St. Joan of Arc pray for us!