THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN SUMMER'S ORDINARY TIME - St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
For The Bulletin Of only activity required of the farmer is
13 June 2021 vigilant patience. In the dispossession that
is his incarnation, even Jesus had to accept
some unknowing, some surrender of events
into His Father’s hands (Mark 13:32).
Perhaps we have had the experience with
children who have planted their seeds in the
garden and, excited about the possibilities of
the flowers or vegetables to come, must be
dissuaded from regular and disastrous
digging down into the earth to see how the
growth is proceeding! The farmer must wait
confidently on God’s good time and
providence, and eventually the time of
growth and the time of harvesting will
THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN intersect. Once we have received the seed
SUMMER’S ORDINARY TIME of God’s word in the soil of our heart, we
must be ready for the dispossession, the
From Father Robert gradual unfolding of the seed’s potential that
Jesus’ parables are not nice entertaining will push into our consciousness and
little stories. As Jesus proclaims in the first transform our lives, making us a plentiful
words He speaks according to Mark (Mark harvest and enabling us to become
1:14-15), His mission is to announce the nourishment for others. Because the growth
Good News of the kingdom, the reigning of the seed is God’s secret, it can often
and transforming presence of God in His happen in what, to our limited human
person and words, and call the people to perspective, are the most unlikely places: in
faith and repentance. Like all the parables, the lives of the poor, the despised, the
the two parables of green and growing persecuted. This was surely a great
things we hear today are words of Jesus that consolation to Mark’s community, for this
tease us into contemplating our own lives was the reality of their lives. It should give
and our response to the kingdom. the same hope and confidence to us today in
our personal, communal, or national
In the first parable, Jesus compares the situations. What seems humanly
growth of the kingdom to the seed that is insignificant, and even a failure, is
planted by the farmer who then retires from transformed by God’s power, just as the
the scene into the rhythm of his everyday seed of Jesus’ life fell into the ground of
life. Day and night he wakes and sleeps, death to be transformed by His resurrection
while the seed, once sown, has its own (John 12:24). This is the great
potential for growth independent of the encouragement for disciples as we live
farmer. The mystery of growth belongs to between the planting and harvesting into the
the seed and the soil, to the gradual kingdom of God.
“dispossession” of the hard little seed to the
nourishing earth, and its consequent The parable of the mustard seed and its
unhurried and gradual growth: first the surprising growth is also one of
stalk, then the head, then the full grain. The encouragement for struggling communities
1
frustrated or despondent because of what In his second letter to the Corinthians,
seems the small and insignificant growth of St. Paul tells the community, “we walk by
the kingdom of God and its impact on the faith, not by sight.” What does this mean
world around them. Jesus makes use of for your journey of faith?
legitimate poetic license in exaggerating the
size of the mustard seed (“the largest of In the gospel the mustard seed grows to
plants”), in order to stress the extravagant become a plant that can shelter “the birds of
and disproportionate growth of the kingdom. the sky.” How does our parish offer shelter
That God is in all our beginnings and and safe haven for others?
endings is the great and faithful hope of
Jesus’ disciples. The mustard bush, we are What evidence do you see of the kingdom of
reminded, does not exist only for itself, but God growing in our midst?
it offers a welcoming refuge for the birds of
the air who nest in its shade. So, the
Christian community is to spread out its
branches in welcome to others, especially to
those who are enduring the heat of suffering,
who are searching either physically or
spiritually for some “shade” or sanctuary.
We too often find it difficult to be at home
and comfortable with mystery; there is still About Liturgy: Ordinary, Extraordinary
the primeval temptation to be like gods, to This is the Sunday when, during the
know everything to overreach our God- Presider’s greeting to the assembly or during
given humanity. That we have Jesus’ word the homily, we are frequently “welcomed
to “explain” to us the deeper meaning of back” to Ordinary Time. As mentioned on
God’s action in our lives and our world, is Trinity Sunday, Ordinary Time actually
the privilege of Jesus’ disciples. began two Sundays ago, even though the
vestments were still white, even though we
don’t actually hear the phrase “Sunday in
Ordinary Time” until today.
Along with this misplaced greeting, we will
often hear as well about how it’s been
months since green vestment have been
worn on Sundays, and how after the
pinnacle of the year (Easter) and the great
feasts of Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi,
we are now returning to the ordinary days of
In both the first reading and the gospel, we the calendar, as if they are somehow
are given an image of the small becoming lackluster and banal. Some overcorrect for
great. Where have you seen this pattern in this by speaking about how the time isn’t
your own life? ordinary at all but rather “extraordinary,” in
that we will spend many weeks being
trained by the scriptures in the practice of
being a disciple of Jesus.
2
While that last part is true, utilizing the It is not the full vulnerability of lying down
language of “ordinary” and “extraordinary” or the powerful stature of standing; it hovers
in this way is a disservice. The periods of somewhere in between – not action, not rest
the liturgical calendar known as Ordinary – yet it is calm, watchful, alert. If we let it,
Time are called that because these Sundays it can become a posture of receptivity, of
are counted, and for no other reason. openness, of a willingness to hear and
You’ve likely heard of the ordinal numbers: understand. We spend much of the Liturgy
first, second, third, and so on. It is because of the Word in this posture, listening to
of these ordinal numbers we get, in English, Scripture, and that Scripture broken open in
the name Ordinary Time. Further, to call a well-crafted homily.
these days extraordinary is to use that word
to mean “amazing” or “remarkable,” when, For the presider, though, we have already
in the lingo of the church, extraordinary seen how the Presidential Chair is one of
typically means “outside of the normal, dignity and presidential authority when it is
usual, or prescribed” – for instance, used; for a bishop that cathedra is so
“extraordinary ministers of Holy important that the building it occupies is
Communion” are those people outside the named for it. Let us pray that our servant-
normal, usual, prescribed ministers, those leaders are mindful that, when they too are
who are ordained. called to hear and understand the words of
Scripture and the needs of the flock they
These coming weeks of Summer’s Ordinary shepherd.
Time, while not Advent, Christmastide,
Lent, or Eastertide, are no less vital to the
life of the church and our prayer and
formation. We should be careful, then,
about how we use language to describe the
passage of time and seasons in the Liturgical
Year.
Each week we are blessed by parishioner
About Liturgy: Sitting – A Middle Posture volunteers who come on Saturday mornings
Perhaps the most “ordinary” posture we to clean and prepare the church and
humans have is sitting. Whether at a desk in bathrooms for our weekend services. Once
a workplace or relaxing at home, eating a again, our thanks to Al Cosce, Reno and
meal, watching a movie or a play in a Thelma Benasfre, Jun Bajet, Carole
theater, sitting is perhaps the posture in Miller, Jean Rogers, Mency Osborne,
which we spend most of our days. Rose Salamanca, and Steve Rojek.
3
Our Art & Environment Committee has
once done an exceptional job of creating a There's a revolution
beautiful and meaningful environment for
Summer’s Ordinary Time with the artistic
fabrics, the Peace Lilies and Ficus Trees.
needed. Join it.
10 June 2021
Our thanks to Tom and Stevie Catchings, by Joan Chittister
Leo and Minnie Rivera, Tony and
Claudia Gumina, Pablo and Norma
Villegas, Dorothy O’Connor, Theresa
Nelms, Rich Confetti, and Don Benson.
A discarded plastic bottle floats in the Anacostia
River in April 2020, near Bladensburg,
Maryland. (CNS/Chaz Muth)
Journalism in the United States is more a
drumbeat than a narration.
Important stories come in one of two types:
First, there are the ones that come and go,
shock or entertain, surprise or delight us.
Today we join Andrew and Allison Harris These are the quick ones, the ones we search
in thanking God for their 40 Years of the headlines for day after day. Just to find
Married life and love. They will receive the out what's going on.
40th Anniversary Blessing at the conclusion
of this morning’s 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist. We share the cloudy details at suppertime.
May God continue to bless you with the best We recount them at family picnics. We
of health, much happiness, and the forget the names of the characters involved
deepening of your love. Congratulations! but we cherish the core of the story. They
bring a message or a lesson or a promise or a
fear.
They become the colors of our lives: yellow
for exciting, red for violent, blue for sad,
green for successful, purple for fear.
But they're short. They go away quickly. We
treat them as irritations or interruptions or
promises of a better or even more uncertain
tomorrow. They become the background
noise of what it means to be alive now. They
4
describe our world or our concerns but, most These are the really big stories, the ones, we
of all, they have very little to do directly are sure, are way over our heads and so
with us. They are short narratives that save ignore most of them.
us from dull and uninteresting. Like UFOs,
or more political, the coral reef in Australia. And therein lies the problem. What we are
not fixing is only getting worse. And if it
The second kind of journalism in modern doesn't undermine our own lives, it will
society is very different than that. These are affect the lives of the next generation. It will
the stories that seem to never go away. Day certainly affect the lives of our
after day, television news shows update grandchildren.
yesterday's slow, slow stories that inch
through our lives a moment at a time. But Which is where climate change comes in.
these are the stories that count. This is the kind of story that we forgive
ourselves for not listening to. It's just too
For instance, this one was written in the 12th large for the size of us. "Nothing I can do
century by St. Hildegard of Bingen, a about it all — except hope that someone else
German Benedictine abbess who saw the does, of course."
sacredness of the land as a manifestation of
the creator. As she captures in her concept Americans have two ways of dealing with
of viriditas, or "greening," we need to be stories like this. We yawn. Or we count on
aware of the power of God under our technology to solve the problems even
feet. She writes: though technology has had a great deal to do
with causing it. At the time of the great gas
Gaze at the beauty of earth's greenings. shortage some years ago, for instance, I
Now, think. heard the man in the airplane seat behind me
What delight God gives to humankind say to the man next to him, "Oh, don't kid
with all these things. yourself. This is just hype to justify their
All nature is at the disposal of humankind. price raises. And even if it's true, they'll go
We are to work with it. For into a lab next week and invent some kind of
without we cannot survive. substitute." Ah, yes, American superiority
wins again.
Well, the point of today's story is now that
12th-century consciousness is a bigger story Not this time, not where climate change is
than ever. concerned. This story takes as much
immediate response just to keep up with the
These kinds of long-inching issues are the results of it, let alone to "solve" it.
underlying current of our lives. These are
the stories about COVID-19 and vaccines, But more than that, this great question is a
about voting rights and elections, about the moral one, not a political one at all. Not if
weather and climate change. These are the you're a Christian. Not if you were raised on
stories we get tired of hearing about. These the Scriptures. This one is in our own
are the stories that threaten all of us whether spiritual DNA: It comes out of the lifetime
we like it or not, know it or not, or do mandate of what it means to be the human
anything whatsoever to influence their race. It comes directly from the Garden of
outcome ourselves. Eden to humankind, "Be fruitful and
multiply ... till the garden and keep it."
5
Right now, we are barely doing saving for us as we ignore the damage we
either. Family size has dropped. The globe is are doing to ourselves.
under unnatural assault. The birds of the
air and the creatures of the sea are in danger. Professionals in the field of "solving plastic"
The development of the fruitfulness of the have written lists of ideas aimed at helping
Earth is under attack. From us. Worst of all, us find our own personal, private
the world we did not create, we are now able contribution to the cleanup and new creation
to destroy. And so we are. of the Earth. For instance, they tell us to "get
rid of the throwaway culture" by repairing
things rather than replacing them. Or by
buying higher quality furniture in the first
place rather than buying the same things
over and over again. Or how about by telling
restauranteurs not to use plastic straws or
cutlery that is littering the entire country.
The point is that as you and I get deeper and
deeper into saving our little part of the
globe, alternative energies will be
imperative. Electric cars will be next on the
list, too. Single-use plastics — the ones we
A woman and children walk through a drought- throw away immediately — utensils, food
stricken rice field in Cebu, Philippines in April containers, plates and packaging will
2016. (CNS/Reuters/Jay Rommel Labra) disappear from society because we will not
accept them anymore.
For instance, the obvious is upon us:
The greenness of life is withering under the And suddenly we will find ourselves
chemicals we have created to control and cleaning up the Earth for our grandchildren
enhance it. The oceans are full of plastic — and nothing will make you happier than
particles that are infecting the fish, and the that.
birds are dying by the millions for lack of
habitat and migration routes. Grazing lands But unless we begin to respond in force, the
are drying up; desertification is a creeping oceans will go on dying. The forests will
global disease that triggers immigration burn down. The land will dry up as
everywhere. Species after species — irrigation from the snowless highlands thins
including are own — are in danger, but we out. The animal species that pollinate and
are sure it will be fixed in a lab somewhere control growth, that spawn and refresh the
in California. All of life can live without us. food chain, will become more and more
None of us can live without them. scarce.
Clearly, it is time we each find ourselves a From where I stand, it looks like we are at
path into this issue. Each of us. This is not a the point again of Louis XV's "After me, the
story we can either ignore or dismiss as deluge." Pure chauvinism, narcissism, soul-
political hype. On the contrary, we are late less-ness, biological immorality.
in coming to consciousness while we wait
for the government or science to do our
6
The tragedy of it all is that it happened in
our time. To us. Because of us. By us, for Who are the bishops
us, and with little or no attention to the
creeping self-destruction of it all. pushing
Pick one thing. Do it. And know then, that
you were there in soul when the Scripture
Communion-denial
required us to "tend the garden and keep it."
That's the real story. That's the drumbeat of
efforts?
creation. That's the one commandment we
got in the garden. Oh, yes, and that other
The leading prelates
one: "Be fruitful and multiply." Which won't backing such efforts
happen much longer if we don't soon join
the revolution. Unless, that is: have a history of
Gaze at the beauty of earth's greenings. opposing Pope Francis'
Now, think.
What delight God gives to humankind approach to pastoral life
with all these things. 10 June 2021
All nature is at the disposal of humankind. by Christopher White
We are to work with it. For
without we cannot survive.
Joan Chittister
A Benedictine Sister of Erie, Pennsylvania, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San
Joan Chittister is a best-selling author and Francisco; Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver
well-known international lecturer on topics Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City,
of justice, peace, human rights, women's Kansas; Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix;
issues and contemporary spirituality in the and Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield,
Illinois (CNS photos/Dennis Callahan,
church and in society.
Archdiocese of San Francisco; Sean Gallagher,
The Criterion; Gregory A. Shemitz; Tyler
Orsburn; and Diocese of Springfield)
When Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the
disgraced former papal nuncio to the United
States, released an unprecedented and soon
discredited letter in 2018 alleging Pope
Francis' complicity in covering up for
former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick's
history of abuse, San Francisco's
7
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone came to president of the U.S. bishops' conference,
Viganò's defense. urging caution and outlining the necessary
process for moving forward with such a
Despite Viganò's shocking call for Pope document, which included greater
Francis' resignation, Cordileone was joined discussion among the bishops, Catholic
by a number of U.S. bishops who bolstered politicians and other episcopal conferences.
the testimony of the former nuncio. Among
them, Denver Archbishop Samuel In response, 67 bishops sent a private
Aquila, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of letter to Gomez, which was later leaked,
Kansas City, Kansas, Phoenix Bishop requesting that the vote on whether to move
Thomas Olmsted and Bishop Thomas forward with such a document be postponed
Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, all of until the bishops could meet together to
whom issued personal statements or gave discuss the proposal in person. Gomez has
interviews echoing Cordileone's praise of informed the body of bishops the vote will
Viganò as a man of faith and integrity. proceed without delay.
Today, those same bishops are also driving John Carr, who for a quarter of a century
the controversial efforts aimed at pressing worked as the top policy advisor for the U.S.
the U.S. bishops' conference to draft a bishops, described the open display of
document that will have far sweeping effects divisions, both among themselves and with
to deny Communion to Catholic politicians Rome, as "unprecedented."
who support pro-choice legislation. When
the U.S. bishops meet virtually June 16-18, "The idea that very direct warnings and
they will vote on whether to proceed with guidance from the Vatican would simply be
drafting a document on the "meaning of the seen as an advisory opinion was not part of
Eucharist in the life of the church," a my experience," Carr told NCR. "The
proposal championed through a series relentless campaigning for this proposal, the
of pastoral letters, media dismissal of other priorities, the leaking of
appearances, personal articles and social correspondence, the impugning the motives
media campaigns by the aforementioned of others is unprecedented in my
bishops. experience."
Yet the manner in which the debate among
the U.S. prelates has played out — and the
medium in which the body of bishops will
hold this debate — has come under scrutiny
in recent weeks, including by longtime
former staffers at the U.S. bishops'
conference and high-ranking Vatican
officials who see the rushed debate as a stark
departure from Pope Francis' call for
dialogue.
John Carr, co-director of the Initiative on
In May, Cardinal Luis Ladaria, the head of Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at
the Vatican's doctrinal office, sent a letter to Georgetown University, participates in
Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, Georgetown's March 18 roundtable dialogue on
"The Francis Factor at Eight Years: Global
8
Impacts, U.S. Challenges." (CNS/Courtesy of Included on Napa's current ecclessiastical
Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public advisory board are Aquila, Cordileone,
Life, Georgetown University) Gomez and Paprocki. Naumann is among
those slated to take part in this summer's
Carr said Pope Francis has become "just one conference, along with Bishop Joseph
voice among many" and now "the question Strickland of Tyler, Texas, who
is not whether I agree with the pope but has repeatedly defied Pope Francis and the
whether the pope agrees with me." Vatican on the moral efficacy of the
COVID-19 vaccines, endorsed a video
"The polarization in political life has found claiming that one cannot be a faithful
its way into ecclesial life that in a way, for Catholic and a Democrat, and offered a
too many of us, politics shapes our faith prayer at the "Stop the Steal" rally in
rather than our faith shaping our politics," Washington last December, which falsely
Carr added. "The saddest thing is that the alleged widespread election fraud.
Eucharist has become a battleground instead
of a source of unity."
Culture warrior bishops vs. Pope Francis
Many of the bishops now leading the push to
deny pro-choice Catholic politicians
Communion have been interconnected
through a web of conservative Catholic
organizations resistant towards Pope Francis
and favorable to former President Donald
Trump and the Republican Party. Pope Francis greets Bishop Joseph E. Strickland
of Tyler, Texas, during a meeting with U.S.
One of the primary organizations behind the bishops from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas
resistance effort is the Napa Institute, which during their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican Jan.
regularly holds high-end conferences 20, 2020. Bishop Strickland said he asked Pope
that provide a platform to some of the pope's Francis about the Vatican investigation into
Theodore E. McCarrick and the release of a
most notorious critics. Attendees pay $2,600
promised report on how the former cardinal
in registration fees (plus hotel resort fees managed to rise through the church ranks.
and travel expenses) to attend talks (CNS/Vatican Media)
from high-ranking conservative bishops and
priests, along with politicians such as Sens. In addition to their ties with Napa, the same
Lindsey Graham and Rick Santorum, while prelates are among those who most regularly
attending wine and cigar receptions in Napa appear on the Eternal World Television
Valley. Network (EWTN), which has come under
scrutiny for its selective presentation of
One of the inspirations for the Napa Institute Catholic teaching. In recent years, the
was now-retired Philadelphia Archbishop network's coverage has often been critical of
Charles Chaput, who served as its inaugural Pope Francis and favorable to Trump and
ecclesiastical adviser and who has been Viganò, who the network has continued to
among the most vocal prelates against host, despite his calls for the pope's
President Joe Biden. resignation and his backing of QAnon
conspiracy theories. Chaput and Gomez are
9
also both longtime board members to
EWTN.
The National Catholic Prayer Breakfast,
which annually brings together more than
1,000 Catholics to the nation's capital for a
morning of prayer and speeches, has also
served as a major platform for the same
individuals and organizations and is backed
financially, in part, by the Napa Institute.
Now-retired Philadelphia Archbishop Charles
In recent years, Chaput, Naumann and Chaput is seen March 25, 2019, at the Basilica
Olmsted have headlined the breakfast. of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
The 2020 virtual event, broadcast live on Conception in Washington. (CNS/Tyler
EWTN, included an address by Trump and Orsburn)
honored Attorney General William Barr
with its "Christifideles Laici" award for Chaput's essay came just days after Cardinal
service to the church, despite Barr having Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of
reinstated the federal death penalty, which Washington, said he would not deny Biden
has long been opposed by the U.S. bishops Communion and looked forward to a
and is against church teaching. relationship marked by respectful dialogue.
Even so, Chaput took to the pages of First As a retired bishop and one lacking
Things magazine and praised Barr for canonical authority in either Washington or
having "a thinking Catholic brain, a Delaware where Biden most regularly
character of substance, and a moral spine." attends Mass, Chaput's intervention into the
As an added bonus," Chaput wrote, "he's Communion debate marked a departure
disliked by all the right people." from the 2004 document produced by the
U.S. bishops' conference on "Catholics in
Soon after Biden's election as the nation's Political Life," when the body of bishops
second Catholic president, Chaput took a first took up the topic of Communion for
different tone towards Catholic public pro-choice Catholic politicians.
officials who enact policies against church
teaching. In another essay in First Things, The document, which Chaput helped draft,
he argued that Catholic politicians who said that the question of Communion should
support policies such as abortion and be left up to the local individual bishop. Carr
continue to receive Communion are causing recalls being a staffer working on the
"scandal" and that bishops who announce document and how, despite the sensitive
that they will give Biden Communion "do a nature of the issues at hand, "it united the
serious disservice to their brother bishops conference and brought the bishops and the
and their people." Vatican together."
"It accurately reflects the teaching of the
church on the commitment to the unborn
and the pastoral responsibility of bishops,"
Carr said, noting that it was passed with an
overwhelming majority vote of 183 to 6. "It
10continues to serve the church well," he institutional church that are allied to them,"
added, while warning that such consensus Millies said.
seeking efforts appear rare among the
bishops today. 'Extensive and serene dialogue'?
When Cardinal Ladaria, the head of the
Stephen P. Millies, associate professor of Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of
public theology and director of the the Faith, wrote to Gomez and the U.S.
Bernardin Center at Catholic Theological bishops in response to their plans for next
Union, told NCR that the current cohort of week's planned vote on whether to proceed
Catholic bishops are principally shaped by with a document on the Eucharist, he
the John Paul II and Benedict XVI era of the encouraged "extensive and serene dialogue"
church, which emphasized a re- prior to advancing any potential plans.
centralization of the church's authority and a Mercy Sr. Sharon Euart, a former associate
desire to slow down change following the general secretary of the U.S. bishops'
era of Vatican II. The Pope Francis era, conference, told NCR that "one of the
observed Millies, is about a decentralization fundamental questions that has yet to be
of power and making more room for voices answered is, 'Does the body of bishops want
on the margins. to act contrary to the directions from the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith?'"
Millies said what while many of the bishops I think the focus of the letter from Cardinal
leading a push for a document on Ladaria is on the unity of the conference,"
"eucharistic coherence" are in some ways said Euart, who is now the executive
making a "very Francis" argument about director of the Resource Center for
decentralizing authority and not wanting Religious Institutes. "In light of what has
Rome to "tell us what to do," while at the been reported, the question goes back to the
same time their impulse is not to approach action of the bishops: 'Will it promote that
the issue the same way Pope Francis would unity or will it obstruct it?' "
approach such a sensitive topic, with
dialogue and broad consultation. For his part, Carr believes that moving
ahead would be "ecclesially divisive,
"This is where a lot of the disunity comes pastorally destructive and counterproductive
from," he noted, adding that many bishops in public life."
still exert a central control and do so through
the support of "well-funded movements" He said that having this debate just over a
such as the Napa Institute, EWTN and the year into the pandemic where many
National Catholic Prayer Breakfast and are Catholics have been away from Mass for
able to reach a larger audience through their months — and at a time when many church
networks and platforms. leaders are trying to figure out ways to get
Catholics back into the pews — sends the
"In all of these ways, there's a pipeline from wrong message.
the money to the creation of the message to
the amplification of the message both "This is a time to step back and ask what is
through the institutional church and its the best way to encourage people to come
structures, but also through those parallel back to the Eucharist? What is the best way
organizations that support that vision of the to defend the humanity of the unborn child?
institutional church or those people in the What is the best way to share the wisdom of
11Catholic social teaching on immigration, "I think people are puzzled by 'what's the
poverty and life? What is the best way for us sense of urgency of a few months?' " she
to care for our people at a time of racial said.
reckoning?" said Carr. "If you've thought
about that, no one would say, 'Let's have a Similarly, Carr labeled the rush to proceed
fight about whether the Catholic president ahead as "pastorally dangerous."
can go to Communion.' "
The current approach of the conference, he
Euart doubts that, given the needed said, "generates and demonstrates the
sensitivity of such discussions, that a virtual divisions between the bishops and Pope
meeting would prove to be the right medium Francis and among Catholics."
for such a significant policy move.
Carr describes the contrast between these
"I think we recognize that virtual meetings bishops and the pope as "an expression of
do not favor dialogue, especially with 300 two different kinds of leadership."
persons," she said. "They tend to favor those
who are comfortable speaking out, but lack "If you think we have essentially lost the
the opportunity for back-and-forth dialogue. fight for the culture and that we're a faithful
It can be a series of people offering opinions remnant, then you hunker down and try to
but not the interaction and dialogue that preserve and protect what we have and you
being in person can create." make statements, you proclaim truth, you
make judgment and you issue penalties.
That's one style of leadership."
"But," he continued. "If you think we have
what the world needs, if you think Catholic
social teaching offers a path forward, then
you engage and persuade. You try to reach
out and invite people in, and judgment and
condemnation are counterproductive."
Quoting longtime PBS commentator Mark
Mercy Sr. Sharon Euart, executive director of Shields, Carr said that you can measure the
the Resource Center for Religious Institutes, health of an organization by whether it is
welcomes attendees Oct. 31, 2017, to the seeking converts or trying to find heretics.
Resource Center for Religious Institutes'
"Pope Francis is looking for converts," he
National Conference in St. Louis. (GSR
photo/Dan Stockman) said. "Some others are looking for heretics
and want to punish them."
As a point of comparison, she noted that last
summer, the Vatican's Congregation for
Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies
of Apostolic Life said that religious could
not hold a chapter virtually because they
could not discern together. They could not
take a canonical vote, because they could
not ensure the necessary requirements.
12The answer — spoiler alert! — is no.
At the June 16-18 meeting, the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops will only
vote on whether to permit its Committee on
Doctrine to draft a document "to help
Christopher White Catholics understand the beauty and mystery
Christopher White is NCR national of the Eucharist as the center of their
correspondent. His email address Christian lives," in the words of the bishops'
is cwhite@ncronline.org. Follow him on conference president, Los Angeles
Twitter: @CWWhite212. Archbishop Jose Gomez.
Any such document will likely not be
As Catholic bishops' produced until at least the bishops' fall
meeting and isn't likely to produce a ban,
Communion war which is the business of individual bishops,
not the bishops' conference, as the Vatican
roils June meeting, has made clear.
look what's not on But what is most telling is what is not on the
agenda: nothing about global warming,
the agenda racism or the economy, the topics most
central to the future of America and the
10 June 2021
world. What about voting legislation that is
by Thomas Reese, Religion News threatening our democracy?
Service
True, there are other items on the agenda
besides the Communion draft. The bishops
will consider a proposal to develop a
pastoral framework for young people, but
again, the vote will not be on a document
but on whether to draft a document.
But a framework on young people will do
little good if young people themselves don't
take bishops seriously. They won't take the
Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, bishops seriously if the bishops' conference
president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic does not prioritize the issues about which
Bishops, responds to a question during a news they are most concerned.
conference at the fall general assembly of the
USCCB in Baltimore Nov. 12, 2019. (CNS/Bob A more developed pastoral framework under
Roller) consideration is on marriage and family life
ministry in the spirit of Amoris Laetitia,
When the bishops gather virtually for their
Pope Francis' 2016 exhortation on love in
June 2021 meeting, all the attention will be
the family.
focused on whether pro-choice Catholic
politicians will be banned from Communion.
13Granted the centrality of family in Catholic Justice Corner by Carolyn Krantz,
life, the bishops' document could be Pastoral Associate
important as a framework for The first part of today's Gospel gives us an
implementing Amoris Laetitia in the United amazing but difficult clue to life. We do not
States. On the other hand, the draft will know how the planted field comes to be.
probably avoid controversial topics like gay “All the seed would sprout and grow, he
marriage and Communion for divorced and knows not how. We plant by our actions,
remarried Catholics. but what becomes of that is only the hymn
of the universe.
But will the bishops say anything at their
meeting about immigration and gun When we start a project, we plan it out with
violence, which affect so many families in an end goal, but life interferes and we have
this country, including many Catholics? to adjust and change. Confucius said, “The
The bishops will also be voting on a few would often changes that would be constant
liturgical translations up for approval, votes in happiness and wisdom.” We have been
liturgical geeks will be watching to see invited to that kind of change during the past
whether the translations follow the new rules year.
set down by Francis or whether they
continue the word-for-word approach This past month I have been in severe pain
favored by Benedict. from a herniated disk. I have offered it up
for peace in the Middle East. I do not know
But what about issues of concern to what will come of that offering, but I will
Catholics around the world? What about entrust it to the Lord of the Universe who
religious freedom in China, India and knows all things and keeps them in
elsewhere? What about our obligation to existence.
make COVID-19 vaccines available to
poorer countries? What about refugees? We must offer our pains and sorrows to the
Afghanistan? Lord. United with Him on the cross we can
move people's hearts. Howard Thurman
Some of these topics the bishops have said, “To be in unity with the Spirit is to be
spoken on in the past, but their urgency in unity with one's fellow people.” We must
demands more. It's sad that the U.S. bishops feel the oneness with others who are
are so focused on the Communion war that suffering. God plants us all in the same field
they have no energy for anything else. and gives us the inner movement to grow
The silence on these topics is deafening. into fullness. This is our invitation to
wholeness. “See the lilies of the field. They
neither toil nor spin, yet Solomon in all his
glory was not arrayed as one of these.”
The second parable expands on the first.
The smallest of seeds springs up to the
largest of plants and is home to the birds of
Thomas Reese
the air. Our small acts have great
Jesuit Fr. Thomas Reese's column for
consequences, far beyond our seeing. We
Religion News Service, "Signs of the
don't know how this happens, we just have
Times," appears regularly at National
to trust that it is so. The Spirit, like the
Catholic Reporter.
mustard tree embraces us all.
14If we want the world to be better we must,
“lay our lives on the altar of social change
so that where you are the Kingdom of God
is at hand.” (Howard Thurman) The mustard
tree is there, but we must find it. The
planted field is there, but we must harvest it.
We do not control the growing. Whatever
acts we have accomplished, we must leave
the results to the Lord.
Illia Delio said, “To live in evolution is to let
go of structures that prevent convergence
and deepening of consciousness and assume
new structures that are consonant with
creativity, inspiration and development...” to
live in openness to the future is to live with a
sense of creativity and participation.
15COVID-19 Worship Guidelines Update
Effective June 15, 2021
In light of the color tier system being lifted by the State of California, the following are
modifications of previously recommended liturgical practices. Although most of the state’s legal
mandates are being lifted, we must continue to adhere to recommendations from the CDC and local
health officials for the safety of our people.
Capacity
There is no-longer a government-restriction on capacity for indoor services, provided there is
adequate ventilation. Most tape and signage promoting social distancing may be removed.
Masks and Social Distancing
If you have been vaccinated you do not need to wear a mask indoors. However, non-vaccinated
persons, including minors, must wear masks indoors. If Mass is outdoors no one needs to wear a
mask.
Cleaning
The cleaning of commonly touched surfaces may be reduced but still maintained. Hand sanitizer
should still be available at all entrances.
Fonts and Worship Aids
Standing holy water fonts filled with holy water may be reintroduced. Hymnals and missalettes
may, once again, be used, although single-use worship aids are still safer. It is still recommended
that multi-use worship aids (like hymnals) be cleaned on a regular basis.
Music
The singing of hymns and acclamations may resume. Small vocal ensembles (choirs) may sing
unmasked if all singers are vaccinated and they maintain a six-foot distance from each other.
Processions
Processions may resume, including the presentation of the gifts at the Offertory. Persons
presenting the gifts should be masked if they are not vaccinated. A covered ciborium would be
best for preserving the hosts from any possible contamination before and during the procession.
Sign of Peace
The Sign of Peace should still be exchanged without physical contact, except for family members.
Precautions Regarding the Priest
All previous precautions regarding the preparation of the gifts and the segregation of hosts for
the faithful from the priest’s host may be eliminated, provided the priest has been vaccinated. An
unvaccinated priest should remain masked for the Eucharistic Prayer, but may remove the mask
while preaching at a distance from the people.The Eucharist
It is strongly encouraged that the faithful receive Communion in the hand, however provision
should be made so that anyone who wishes to receive on the tongue may do so, from a priest. If
the priest does not feel comfortable with this, he may delegate to another, trained minister.
We are not authorizing the distribution of the Precious Blood for the time being.
Ministers of communion should remain masked for the foreseeable future. It is also recommended
but not required, that they be vaccinated for their own protection and that of the people.
Communion Vessels should continue to be thoroughly washed after each Mass, once they have
been purified.
Home Visits
With caution we can begin to expand Eucharistic outreach to the sick by priests, deacons, and
extraordinary ministers. It is recommended that the minister and recipient be fully vaccinated and
masked. Not all hospitals or nursing homes allow outside ministers at this time, so be sure to
check before making arrangements.
Anointing of the Sick
When anointing the sick, it is recommended that the priest be vaccinated and masked. Masks
will probably continue to be required in health care facilities, for patient visitation, and for the
celebration of Mass.
Sacrament of Penance
The use of traditional confessionals and rooms of reconciliation may be resumed, provided the
room is well-ventilated. The priest and penitent, if unvaccinated, should be masked.
Restoration of the Obligation to Attend Mass
The faithful are encouraged to return to participating in the Sunday Mass if their health permits.
Bishop Barber will soon be issuing a Pastoral Letter on the beauty and centrality of the Eucharist
in our lives. The lifting of the dispensation from the Sunday Mass Obligation will come into force
on Sunday, August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption. The usual dispensations allowed by
canon law will be explained in the bishop’s letter.
Misc.
Gatherings before and after Mass are safer outdoors.
Taking people’s temperature is not required or necessary.
The passing of collection baskets may resume.
Altar servers may be reintroduced, following established diocesan policies. If they are
unvaccinated, they must follow the same precautions, listed above.
Diocese of Oakland Office of Worship
2Expansion Update
June 9, 2021
Last weekend, a portion of the drywall to be installed in the new kitchen was placed in the
Gathering Plaza. Parishioners were invited to write a message of support or simply add their
signatures. Although the signatures will not be visible when construction is complete, they will
remain a permanent part of the structure.
The second progress payment to Oliver & Co. as required under the contract in the amount of
$179,965 has been certified by the architect and submitted to the diocese for approval.
Great progress continues with the kitchen. Pictures on page 2 show the four walls and the
trusses for the roof.View of roof trusses from inside the kitchen looking up.
Kitchen trusses
Existing tile roof.
View of kitchen roof trusses from the existing tile roof. Framing for the new skylights over the hall entrance.Grandma’s Back!
$15 SUMMER FROZEN PIES
FUNDRAISER
ST. IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
PLACE YOUR ORDERS EARLY
SALES END JUNE 13th
Purchase your summer pies today. These pies
keep up to 1 year in your freezer.
FROZEN PIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK
UP IN THE ST IGNATIUS PARKING LOT
BETWEEN 1:30 & 2:30PM ON
SATURDAY, JUNE 26th
$15 for your choice of Apple, Dutch Apple, Apricot, Blackberry,
Blueberry, Boysenberry, Mixed Berry, Cherry, Nectarine,
Peach or Strawberry Rhubarb 10” Pies.
Apple, Apricot, Boysenberry & Peach Cobbler are also $15 each
Orders should be placed by emailing kofc12587@gmail.com giving
your contact phone number and your pie order. You may also place
your order by contacting your favorite Brother Knight from Knights of
Columbus 12587 of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Knights will then email
kofc12587@gmail.com to place your order. All profits will be used to do
good deeds and help our Council meet its financial commitments.
THANK YOU for your support!Troop 153
Boy Scouts of America
Golden Gate Area Council
50 Walton Lane Antioch, CA 94509
SCOUTING
FOR FOOD
SCOUTS ARE HELPFUL & KIND!
HELP FEED THE HUNGRY DURING THIS TIME OF NEED(COVID-19)!
COLLECTION DAY: JUNE 19, 2021-SATURDAY
PLS. SUPPORT OUR FOOD DRIVE! DROP OFF
YOUR DONATIONS AT ANTIOCH CHURCH ON THE
ROCK (50 Walton Lane, Antioch CA 94509)
FROM 9 AM - 12 PM!
ALL DONATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE FOOD BANK OF CONTRA COSTA AND SOLANO!
MOST NEEDED FOOD FOR OUR FOOD BANK ARE LISTED BELOW BUT WE
WELCOME ANY NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS YOU CAN DONATE!
Natural Peanut Butter, Whole Grain Cereals, Hearty Low Sodium Soups,
Beans and Lentils (dry or canned), Canned Tuna and Chicken in Water,
Canned Fruit in Juice, Nonperishable Low Sodium Ready to Eat Meals (chili,
ravioli, etc.), Low Sodium Canned Vegetables, Brown Rice, Whole
Wheat/Grain Pasta, Canned Tomato Products
Thank you for your generosity! God Bless You!You can also read
