Sacred Heart Of Jesus - Grand Rapids, MI - Easter 2013 - Rev. Robert A. Sirico

Sacred Heart Of Jesus - Latin Mass - Grand Rapids, MI - Easter 2013

House of The Secularist

Home is where the heart is, or is the home what the heart is?  Our home secretly tells a story about what is most important to us.  Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi, a good summary of Catholic life, how we pray, reveals what we believe, and thus dictates how we live.  I'm talking about outwards signs of the faith displayed in the home.  My job brings me into different homes every day allowing me into almost every room.  I have noticed very little middle ground between homes that outwardly seek to honor God and homes that seek only a worldly honor.  A very disturbing trend of secularism in decor.

I have been inside homes that would put a church to shame, but I could count those on one hand.  I have been in homes with nothing more than a vague inspirational plaque or photo, but most of the homes I enter lack any hint of the occupant's spiritual life.  The more modern the home, the less likely I am to see any outward display of faith.  Secularism is definitely the trend in "conservative" West Michigan.  It reminds me so much of modernism in the Church.

So does it matter if you place a Blessed Mother statue in your yard?  Will someone see it and think you worship or pray to Mary as if she were God?  If you hang a crucifix in your living room will guests learn your well kept secret of being a Catholic?  Will a Holy Water font make you look like a religious zealot?  What about the books and movies on your shelves?  If you believe it, you should be living it right?

Easier said than done!  Not only do you have to create space for religious materials and icons, it sure would be nice if traditional preferences complimented modern decor.  Here is a good time to literally thank God for the internet, as quality religious items can be hard to find.  Even more difficult is the placement of said objects once acquired.  What belongs above the mantle?  A flat screen TV or a picture of Jesus?  Some might argue that outward signs do not an internal relationship make, but we live in a world where opinions and relationships are formed because of outward signs.

I can tell you that I always notice a crucifix or other religious icon prominently displayed, and I always notice when someone is staring at the articles of faith displayed in my own home.  A good first impression usually starts with outward observations.  Opinions are formed, conversations started, all based on the perception that how you live reflects what you believe.  I almost always find myself talking about my faith inside a house where faith and religion are prominently displayed, while I almost never find the opposite to be true.  I understand that sharing the faith is difficult for many, a home well adorned with the faith can literally open doors. 

Rejecting Tradition: An Act of Humility?

Since the surprise announcement of Pope Benedict XVI abdication, I spent a lot of time reviewing commentary on the 3rd secret of Fatima,  Akita, St. Malachy's Prophecy, & even Garabandal.  I also learned of Luctions.org which Monsignor John Esseff is apparently running.  I found the Malachy prophecies to be amusing, Garabandal to be confusing, & Locutions to the World to be outright deceiving!  Now we have a new Vicar of Christ in Pope Francis, a Jesuit from Argentina.  It seems we have in this pope a model of humility if you are to believe the media hype.

With the appearance of white smoke on Wednesday I was full of anticipation and excitement to hear the name of our new pope, hoping and praying for a man like Cardinal Burke or Cardinal Ranjith to appear, someone with great respect for the Liturgy and Tradition.  Instead Cardinal Bergoglio appeared on the balcony.  I was stunned, as were many in St. Peter's square.  The reported "roar" from the crowd did not occur on the screen I was watching, more like a moment of bewilderment.. I honestly thought I heard some booing from the crowd.

I have to admit, I am thoroughly confused by this new pope and his decisions thus far.  Hanging out a blank field, appearing on the balcony with no mozetta or stole?  Opting for the abito piano over the more appropriate abito corale?  Standing, his first comments are to make a joke?  Speaking in Italian rather than Latin, asking first that he be blessed before giving the Papal Blessing???  Where is the "Chair of Peter" to sit in, allowing cardinals to kneel while professing their love & loyalty to the head of Christ's Church on earth???

Now we learn that Sommorum Pontificum was blocked in his Diocese of Buenos Aires as well.  That the one Mass celebrated was only every 4th Sunday in the crypt of the church of San Miguel Arcángel, and that this was some sort of hybrid creation, not a Mass by the 1962 Missal.  Now there is even proof of priests in his diocese being told to stop celebrating the TLM when they tried without his approval.

I know the media is touting Pope Francis as so humble compared to Benedict XVI with all his traditional pride for the Liturgy and the Chair of Peter.  It's certain that our beloved Pope Emeritus is hated by many who saw his return to tradition as a step backwards.  Today, in Francis' first Papal Mass we see bland vestments, a portable versus populum table, and a Vatican II style homily.  Cardinal Mahoney and his ilk seem to be very excited about the election of Pope Francis, though I have a feeling their machinations will not be realized w/ this pontificate.  To quote Pope Francis, "May God forgive you for what you have done".

Which photo best represents the future of the Church?

Happenings @ Sacred Heart of Jesus

Fr. James Richardson and the rest of St. Philip Neri House are leaving Sacred Heart of Jesus November 5th.  This comes as quite a shock to all the parishioners including myself.  I'm sure there is more to the story than what's known, there always is..  A quick search of the internet suggests at least one possible roadblock on the journey to form the St. Philip Neri House Oratory.  It appears our good Bishop has his reasons for dissolving the relationship with these priests.  Will we ever know the truth?

One Man's Junk Is Another Man's Treasure

Great news for Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church!  Fr. James Richardson recently announced plans to restore the communion rail after receiving quite a bit of interest from the parishioners.  Plans to salvage St. Adalbert's communion rail were met w/ applause from those in attending the meeting.  Restoration and installation costs will be around $35,000 which is quite a bargain compared to $100,000+ for something new.  Plans are to have the communion rail installed within the next six months if all goes as planned.  Please pray that the Bishop approves this most venerable cause! 

Interesting poll that shows how the more "higher education" you obtain, the more liberal your mindset becomes. Many fall into such errors because they fail to recognize that the persons who love them and care about their happiness are parents, not professors. Trusting strangers over family should give everyone pause.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/154946/Non-Christians-Postgrads-Highly-Pro-Choice.aspx