Catholic University Students Design Hermitage

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

When I get overwhelmed and tired, I often quip that I want to retreat to a hermitage. But I could never make it in a rustic one like the ancient hermitage pictured. No indoor plumbing.

But this is a hermitage that just might be doable.

“Amid the busy backdrop of northeast D.C., the students witnessed the construction of a building that will one day allow for quiet prayer and contemplation.

When it is completed, the 350-square-foot structure will provide a silent and solitary space where a single person can reside for either long or short periods of time.

The hermitage will contain a sleeping area and restroom, as well as a kitchenette, deck and garden.

The design, which won the 2010 Unbuilt Award from the American Institute of Architects in D.C., will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will also be environmentally sustainable, making use of a ground source heat pump, natural ventilation and floorboards of recycled lumber. Read more….

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Light of Christ

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

The Easter Season begins. Now after forty long days of fasting we feast for seven weeks until Easter ends on Pentecost. Alleluia!

The Easter Vigil was beautiful.  Eleven adults and seven children entered into the waters of baptism. They died and rose with Christ.  In addition six people who were baptized in a separated Christian community came into full communion with the Catholic Church.

My favorite deacon and I never cease to be awed by the adults who decide to enter into the Church. We teach them all of the hard teachings—we go through the entire Catechism. Yet even when we unflinchingly affirm the hot button issues (sexuality, marriage, homosexuality, contraception, abortion etc.). Year after year people are baptized, confirmed, and receive the Eucharist.

They come even though many of them face hostility from family and friends. Often they lose friends and become estranged from family.  Adults who journey through the desert of the Rite of Christian Initiation know that discipleship comes at a price. No cheap grace for them.

We have some great pictures, but I have to get my favorite deacon to upload them for me.

Pope Benedict’s homily at the Easter Vigil was profound—as usual.

Excerpt :

At Easter, on the morning of the first day of the week, God said once again: “Let there be light”. The night on the Mount of Olives, the solar eclipse of Jesus’ passion and death, the night of the grave had all passed. Now it is the first day once again – creation is beginning anew. “Let there be light”, says God, “and there was light”: Jesus rises from the grave. Life is stronger than death. Good is stronger than evil. Love is stronger than hate. Truth is stronger than lies. The darkness of the previous days is driven away the moment Jesus rises from the grave and himself becomes God’s pure light. But this applies not only to him, not only to the darkness of those days. With the resurrection of Jesus, light itself is created anew. He draws all of us after him into the new light of the resurrection and he conquers all darkness. He is God’s new day, new for all of us.

But how is this to come about? How does all this affect us so that instead of remaining word it becomes a reality that draws us in? Through the sacrament of baptism and the profession of faith, the Lord has built a bridge across to us, through which the new day reaches us. The Lord says to the newly-baptized: Fiat lux – let there be light. God’s new day – the day of indestructible life, comes also to us. Christ takes you by the hand. From now on you are held by him and walk with him into the light, into real life. For this reason the early Church called baptism photismos – illumination.

Why was this? The darkness that poses a real threat to mankind, after all, is the fact that he can see and investigate tangible material things, but cannot see where the world is going or whence it comes, where our own life is going, what is good and what is evil. The darkness enshrouding God and obscuring values is the real threat to our existence and to the world in general. If God and moral values, the difference between good and evil, remain in darkness, then all other “lights”, that put such incredible technical feats within our reach, are not only progress but also dangers that put us and the world at risk. Today we can illuminate our cities so brightly that the stars of the sky are no longer visible. Is this not an image of the problems caused by our version of enlightenment? With regard to material things, our knowledge and our technical accomplishments are legion, but what reaches beyond, the things of God and the question of good, we can no longer identify. Faith, then, which reveals God’s light to us, is the true enlightenment, enabling God’s light to break into our world, opening our eyes to the true light. Read the entire homily…

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The High Holy Days Begin

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

In just a few hours the Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. The Triduum (3 days) is really one liturgy which ends with Evening Prayer on Easter (sundown).

“Only one Mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday.  This special Mass, the Mass of the Lord’s Super takes place in the evening.  It is during this Mass that we remember three fundamental mysteries of our Christian Faith. 

First, we remember the gift of the Catholic priesthood. Secondly, we remember the gift of the Eucharist.  Thirdly, with the Washing of the Feet ceremony, we remember the mandate of the new commandment of love.  As a Christian people we are to live our lives with selfless love for all. 

At the conclusion of this beautiful Mass, we process solemnly to the Altar of Repose.  It is there where the Eucharist remains for our adoration until midnight.  We accompany Jesus as he begins his Passion.  We pray in reparation for our own personal sins and the sins of the world.”Catholic Online

The achingly beautiful Holy Thursday Chant, Pange Lingua.

Sing, my tongue, the Savior’s glory,
of His flesh the mystery sing;
of the Blood, all price exceeding,
shed by our immortal King,
destined, for the world’s redemption,
from a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
then He closed in solemn order
wondrously His life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper,
seated with His chosen band,
He the Pascal victim eating,
first fulfills the Law’s command;
then as Food to His Apostles
gives Himself with His own hand.

Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
by His word to Flesh He turns;
wine into His Blood He changes;
what though sense no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest,
faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
This great Sacrament we hail,
Over ancient forms of worship
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith will tell us Christ is present,
When our human senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
And the Son who made us free
And the Spirit, God proceeding
From them Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen. Alleluia

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Spy Wednesday

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

The Wednesday in Holy Week is known as Spy Wednesday. It refers to Judas conspiring with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus.

But the tragedy is that all of us betray Jesus when we turn our backs on Him and fall into sin. It is, after all, our sins that nailed Him to the cross.

Related: Monsignor Pope on the shortcomings of the clergy.

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Obama You don’t Speak for All Women

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

Women stand up for freedom of religion. Read and sign this letter. (H/T Mark Shea)

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA, SECRETARY SEBELIUS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
DON’T CLAIM TO SPEAK FOR ALL WOMEN
We are women who support the competing voice offered by Catholic institutions on matters of sex, marriage and family life. Most of us are Catholic, but some are not. We are Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Many, at some point in our careers, have worked for a Catholic institution. We are proud to have been part of the religious mission of that school, or hospital, or social service organization. We are proud to have been associated not only with the work Catholic institutions perform in the community – particularly for the most vulnerable — but also with the shared sense of purpose found among colleagues who chose their job because, in a religious institution, a job is always also a vocation.
Those currently invoking “women’s health” in an attempt to shout down anyone who disagrees with forcing religious institutions or individuals to violate deeply held beliefs are more than a little mistaken, and more than a little dishonest. Even setting aside their simplistic equation of “costless” birth control with “equality,” note that they have never responded to the large body of scholarly research indicating that many forms of contraception have serious side effects, or that some forms act at some times to destroy embryos, or that government contraceptive programs inevitably change the sex, dating and marriage markets in ways that lead to more empty sex, more non-marital births and more abortions. It is women who suffer disproportionately when these things happen.
No one speaks for all women on these issues. Those who purport to do so are simply attempting to deflect attention from the serious religious liberty issues currently at stake. Each of us, Catholic or not, is proud to stand with the Catholic Church and its rich, life-affirming teachings on sex, marriage and family life. We call on President Obama and our Representatives in Congress to allow religious institutions and individuals to continue to witness to their faiths in all their fullness.

Helen M. Alvaré JD
Associate Professor of Law
George Mason University (VA)*

Kim Daniels JD
Former Counsel
Thomas More Law Center (MD)

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Holy Week: It is time to Confess

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

Another reason to be careful what you post on Facebook.  H/T Deacon Greg

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Are You Willing to Die for Christ?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

Monsignor Pope has a challenging post up for Holy Week.

Excerpt:

“So to stitch the questions together: Has Christ given you life and joy, and thus made you an effective witness, that turns many from the sinful and confused world to Christ? And has this witness been so effective that some hate you for it? Has your witness been so effective and joyful, but also clear and contradicting of the world’s agenda (power, sex, pleasure, vengeance, possessions, popularity etc) that many also hate you for your contrary witness and would like to undermine it and you?

Jesus did not die because he was a conformist who worked at fitting in and pleasing everyone. He is God and Lord who demanded repentance and summoned us to a faith that believed in the good news of deliverance from the sin we repented of. To a faithless generation he summons us to faith and offers it. To and unchaste and sexually confused world he summons us to chastity and offers it. To a greedy world he summons us to generosity and offers it. To an unforgiving and vengeful world he summons us to forgiveness and love of enemy and offers the grace and gift to do it.

And we killed him for it. He just didn’t fit it to this world’s agenda. Frankly, he irked just about everyone: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Herodians, and the Zealots, even the Romans. These political and worldly groups all hated each other but they all agreed on this: Jesus must go.

Outside the Gate: Scripture says, Jesus, in order to sanctify the people by his own blood,  suffered outside the city gate. Therefore go to him outside the camp and endure the insults he endured (Heb 13:12-13). Yes, outside the city gate. No city, no “polis” no “city-state” no political organization could contain him or tame him. So he died outside the gate, rejected by all. And only a very few had the courage to join him at the foot of that cross.

And so here is a question for Holy Week. Are you and I willing to suffer with Christ, and if necessary die with him, outside the gate? The world is becoming increasingly hostile to Biblical faith. Many of the ancient truths contained right in our Catechism are called bigotry, hatred, intolerance, foolishness and superstition by the world, and those indoctrinated in and enamored of the world’s ways. Are you and I willing to be humiliated, excoriated and hated for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are we willing to have even our heartfelt and joyful defenses of the faith be laughed at, misrepresented and called hateful? Are we willing to be hated by most?” Read more….

Well I am willing to be hated by most. But I am less than certain that I am such an awesome witness that I am despised. Wait–do hostile blog commentators count? Do the 8th grade girls who are stunned and outraged that I have insisted that they dress with Christian modesty for Confirmation count?

My favorite deacon frequently asks, “if they come to arrest Christians is there enough evidence to convict you”?

I don’t water down the Church’s teaching when I teach.  We covered the entire Catechism for RCIA. And I don’t shy away from the hot button “stuck in the middle ages” doctrines. But for the most part my audience, except for a few followers of this blog, are receptive to the message.

But I do suspect that living an authentic Catholic Christian faith is going to get tougher. We are going to be labeled bigots and brainwashed idiots. I say bring it on. This rebel with a cause can handle white martyrdom. Well if it includes prison, it might be a tad more difficult for me.

The question is, do I possess heroic fortitude? Do I have the certain faith and courage needed to literally die for my faith? Maybe. If it is quick and painless. This deacon’s wife is a bit of a wimp.

I don’t think things in the US will get that bad for Christians. But then I didn’t think that freedom of religion would be up for grabs either.

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Pray, Abstain, Fast for Liberty

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

The bishops of the United States are calling us to dedicate our Lenten practice of prayer and abstinence from meat to the preservation of our right to religious liberty. In addition they are asking us to fast.

Below is the prayer to the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States from the US Bishops. Remember that fasting without praying is called a diet.

O GOD OUR CREATOR,
from your provident hand we have received
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,
and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.
We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be “one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

You can find more resources (including in Spanish) here.

 

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In the Desert of Lent Spring has Sprung

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

As we wait in joyful hope.

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Happy St.Patricks Day

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Susan Kehoe

It is unfortunate that St. Patrick’s day is in lent. But then it is a day to remember a most heroic saint. It is not a day to celebrate  and drink green beer–an abomination to my favorite deacon–or to celebrate all things plastic Irish.

Here is a video from the History Channel were  they (surprise) get it mostly right.

Oh and please remember that the true Shamrock has only three leaves. St. Patrick, as my favorite deacon often rants, could not have taught the Trinity with a four leaf clover.

Here is a nice video of Ireland. Caveat: it is almost never as sunny as in this flyover.

Learn more about the Indiana Jones of Saints here.

To my favorite deacon: Slainte.  BTW: He says that the Irish idea of a seven course meal is a six pack of  Guinness and a potato.

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