I guess I should have titled this blog “Better Late Than Never.” If you are like me, your normal schedule was probably thrown out the window this weekend. It’s a holiday weekend, there are graduations and graduation parties to attend, and whatever else is going on this time of year, so you probably don’t mind if the blog is a little late this go around. As we enjoy our activities this weekend, we remember that there are a lot of folks in Oklahoma who will not be celebrating, but rather rummaging through debris and continuing to care for victims as a result of the deadly tornadoes last week. If you would like to help with the relief effort, you can make a donation through Catholic Charities. Here is the information on how you can give:
1. Donate Online
Click here to donate online. The website is safe and secure!
2. Donate by Phone
Call the toll free number at 1-800-919-9338 to make a contribution using VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.
3. Donate by Mail
Mail your contribution check, payable to Catholic Charities USA, to:
Catholic Charities USA P.O. Box 17066 Baltimore, MD 21297-1066
This weekend, of course, we are also reminded to take time out to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom. We also pray for those around the world who continue to be in harm’s way. I came across this brief 3-minute video which is a great reflection on Memorial day from a religious perspective from the leader of the Archdiocese for Military Services. It reminds us that whether we agree or disagree with the decisions to go to war, we must always honor those who made the commitment and sacrifice to defend our freedom. Here is the video reflection:
Turning to our appreciation of our freedom, the beginning of the second annual observance of the “Fortnight for Freedom” is less than a month away. Archbishop Charles Chaput, leader of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, wrote an article this past week that used some very frank language to remind us of the fact that we can no longer consider our religious liberty a “given” right as our forefathers intended it to be. He says that “we need to wake up” and start fighting for our liberty. Here is a link to what I consider a “must-read” article for all Christians:
OK, last week I concluded my blog by mentioning that Pope Francis had told us that we should follow the example of Paul and “take courage.” That we should conduct ourselves with apostolic zeal and be “annoying” Christians as we go about spreading the word of God. Well, one thing I love about the blogosphere is that someone will pick up on any little thing that anyone says and expand on it. This past week someone took what the Pope told us and actually thought up eight steps that we can take to become annoying Catholics. I wanted to share some of them with you and add my own thoughts to them.
We as Catholics need laugh and radiate joy. Many people think the Catholic Church exists so it can take away everyone’s fun. But the true Christian is a person of hope, and we as Catholics see the example of people such as Pope Francis, Cardinal Dolan, and even our own pastor, Fr. Gene, and you can see the joy that the Catholic way of life has brought them. Anyone who has been to one of our Parish Council meetings knows that us Catholics have the ability to laugh and to see the lighter side of life.
We as Catholics also need to keep it real. Us Christians realize our imperfections, and we know that we all have our share of weaknesses. It is OK to own up to those weaknesses and show our imperfections. People will learn more from the “real” us than from the “fake” us. When we need prayers, we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for them. When we’ve screwed up, we should admit it.. When people struggling with their own marriages ask you why yours is so perfect, be honest and tell them it’s not. In other words, instead of spending our energy trying to hide our imperfections, we should be confident that God’s grace will be ours despite our failings.
We as Catholics should strive to know our faith better. Besides knowing some basic prayers and rituals, we should now more about church history and why we do things. We should know the “why” behind the hard teachings—on issues such as marriage, contraception, chastity, and homosexuality.
We as Catholics should do more to share our faith. If we see someone who is going through a hard time, tell them that we will pray for them We should be as comfortable in talking about Jesus as we are any other person. We should talk about what He has taught us and how He has comforted us during the challenging times. Cardinal Dolan, when asked who His role model is or who is best friend is, always immediately says that it is Jesus Christ. We need the courage to give the same answer.
We as Catholics should show everyone that we are loving people. Smile at the clerk in the grocery store. Visit the elderly neighbor up the street. Give to the poor. Talk to the homeless. Call your mom. Babysit your best friend’s kids so she can take a nap Tell your pro-choice college roommate who’s struggling with infertility that you’re praying for her. Praise the hard work of the gay couple that runs your favorite coffee shop. Tell your pro-choice friend who’s struggling with infertility that you’re praying for her. Praise the hard work of the gay couple that runs your favorite shop. As we say, :Love the sinner, hate the sin.”
And of course, to be really annoying we should pray often. Praying gives us every possible opportunity for God to enter into our hearts.
So you have my permission, and God’s orders, to go out into the world and be annoying pests. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a great week ahead. Peace.