Fellowship and F.I.R.E

Holy Spirit Fellowship Potluck Dinner

November 11, 2006
6:30pm

Please join us for shared prayer, food, fun and fellowship!

We will meet in the Activity Room at First Christian Church

First Christian Church is located at the corner of 10th and Nyssa
(2 blocks south of 10th and Pecan St.)
Parking and Entrance Door is in the back.

F.I.R.E
Families In Religious Education

Families will meet at 5:00 pm and break into age groups for community based religious education sharing. Bring your books (if you have them).

All F.I.R.E Families are also invited to stay for the Fellowship Dinner starting at 6:30 pm.


Our thanks to First Christian Church for the use of their facilities.

Voters Guide

Editorial Comment:

Voters Guide
I recently downloaded a guide for American Catholic voters called Faithful Citizenship.

Interesting reading, very well done and, of course, it is a reflection of the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church, since it is produced and provided by The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

I recommend that all of us read it. All of the links are active... just click!

As I was reading through the various issues, including: Abortion, War, the Death Penalty, Marriage, Economic Justice, Poverty, Welfare Reform, Health Care, Immigration, etc… I could not help but notice the policy of the Catholic Church concerning the rights and dignity of workers.

I guess it is still extremely hard for me to understand how a current Bishop of the Catholic Church can be a contributor to policy and actions that are considered offensive by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As an example:

“We reaffirm the Church’s traditional support of the right of workers to choose to organize, join a union, bargain collectively, and exercise these rights without reprisal.”

That seems to be very clear to me,.. but maybe we should add: “except for workers of the Catholic Church”.

Our Church calls on all of us to embrace the teachings of Christ, to embody it into our lives and it encourages us to elect public officials that reflect His teachings. How can we be expected to accomplish this if our very own local Church leaders (Bishop & Vicar General) contribute to practices that are so strongly prohibited by their Church? Maybe we can get the bishop to address this in his next editorial in the Monitor Newspaper?
~Kanickers



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Newsletter of 10/29/06

Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo
Thoughts from Some Fellow Parishioners of Holy Spirit—October 29, 2006

Other Christs
“As a child, I was taught correctly that a priest is ‘another Christ.’ There's just one problem with the statement: My teachers failed to inform me that he's another Christ not because he's a priest, but because he's a Christian.

“I, a priest, am another Christ, not because of what happened to me in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in December 1964, but because of what happened to me in St. Mary's parish church in Belleville, Illinois, in February 1940. Followers of Jesus become "other Christs" at Baptism, not at ordination.

“At times, our quest to honor our Church's clergy comes at the price of dishonoring everyone else. One person's dignity should never diminish anyone else's dignity….

“If only the priests in the community are other Christs, then, following Paul and Luke's theology, only the priests will ever rise from the dead or find blessings in imitating Jesus. Fortunately, we now realize that Jesus' image is to be found in all His followers—the other Christs to whom we priests are called to minister.

“If we don't recognize Jesus in them, it might be very difficult for them to recognize Him in us.” from Father Roger Kardan, scripture scholar and a priest of the Belleville (IL) diocese

A Candle, a Flag, and a Vote
Just a couple of thoughts: One of the things I appreciate about my church is the liturgy, the richness of the rituals and the depth of meaning. So, it bothered me this Sunday that the Easter Candle was nowhere in sight and in its place were two flags and a sign placed by our Knights of Columbus. The Easter Candle is lit at our Easter Vigil and should remain visible throughout the year in our church. Among many things, the candle reminds us that Christ is our light, that we celebrate resurrection every mass and that we have all been baptized into new life. If our Easter Candle has been replaced by an American flag and a KC sign, what does that say about what we are celebrating as the center of our lives?

Second thought: We are in an election season. Your own voice and the voice of your faith cannot be heard if you do not place your vote. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has information on their website regarding faithful citizenship. Our church supports all pro-life issues, including a campaign to end the death penalty, and has firmly stated that Iraq is an unjust war. We will hear this coming weekend about the greatest commandments—“love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Part of loving our neighbor is making sure we do what we can to put people in office, and policies in place that treat our neighbor with justice. Be informed and place your vote.
from fellow parishioner, Michelle Peña

Desaparecidos
In a coup on March 24, 1976, a military junta seized power in Argentina and went on a campaign to wipe out left-wing terrorism with terror far worse than the one they were combating. Between 1976 and 1983—under military rule—thousands of people, most of them dissidents and innocent civilians unconnected with terrorism, were arrested and then vanished without a trace. These are the desaparecidos, the disappeared.

Father Genaro Henriquez, still listed in our bulletin as Pastoral Vicar, seems to be un desaparecido—gone with the wind, vanished in the night, wiped from our sight like images in those doctored photos of Party notables in the old Soviet Union. Father Genaro? Who? Was he ever here?

There aren’t a lot of facts available, but we do know that the Monsignor requested that the Bishop reassign Father Genaro. Reasons? Details of events that might have prompted this? All speculation at this point.

What is not speculation is that Father Genaro provided, in his homilies, a thoughtful counterbalance to the endlessly repeated pious prattle that has been standard fare in our Parish the last few years.

What is not speculation is that the Monsignor has chosen to completely ignore Father Genaro’s departure. No announcement of it, no public acknowledgement and thanks to him for his service to the Parish. How callous and how petty.

Solidarity
In Solidarity with Our Priests.
A poster displayed at Holy Spirit Parish on 9/29/06
On the contrary, shouldn’t priests be in solidarity with those to whom they are called to minister? A Parish precedes its pastor, both in time and in logic—the pastor serves the community, not the other way around. So, the question is not whether parishioners stand with the pastor, but whether the pastor stands with the parishioners.

Education
At the two general meetings about religious education, the Monsignor told everyone present that those who would choose to “home school” their children would be provided materials, guidance, and support from the Parish. This is not happening. In fact, at Sunday Mass, from the sanctuary of the church, the Monsignor belittled and attacked a group of people who have formed their own support group so that they can help each other carry out the religious education of their children. F.I.R.E. meets monthly, both children and parents—see the Blog for the details of this support group.

Priestly People
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

The priesthood in our Church is not a cultic priesthood, like that of the Jewish temple or that of ancient pagan religions. By contrast, the readings from Hebrews that are being featured in these current weeks make it very clear that Christ is our High Priest and His the only sacrifice, and that that sacrifice is once and done, to be carried out no longer. The Eucharistic celebration unites us to Christ’s sacrifice, it is not a new sacrifice offered by the priest in our name. This is our celebration—the priest leads us, but it is not his celebration.

The gradual accretion of cultic priesthood characteristics to the Church’s office of priest has done a lot of damage to the workings of Eucharistic Communities and even to the understanding of the meaning of the Eucharist itself.

$$$$$ Update
This begins the second year of reporting on the state of parish finances. We have yet to receive a financial report for the fiscal year ending 6/30/06, so budgeted amounts are speculative, but assuming the same budget as previously ($14,500 per week), here are some numbers for the last two weeks. Total below budget: $6,434.46. Total shortfall (including expenditures over budget): $10,318.98. Projected yearly shortfall: $268,293.48.


Prepared by RGV Parishioners for Progress and edited by Jerry Brazier. Copy this, and pass it on to fellow parishioners, either by e-mail or paper. If you want an opportunity for prayerful discussion of these and other issues about the parish or have any other comments, please contact us at mailto:gbrazier@rgv.rr.com



Posting a Comment: You may now submit a comment simply by clicking the "POST A COMMENT" link under the "COMMENTS" button below. Approval of comments are done only to prevent unsuitable or advertising type posts. You may also wish to add your e-mail address to our database to automatically receive biweekly newsletters. Simply e-mail us at: Kanickers@aol.com with a notation to add your name to our list.

Letter to Monsignor Brum.

Letter to Monsignor Brum

Dear Msgr. Brum:
How dare you suggest that ANYONE not come to mass (re: your comments at the announcements today, Sunday October 22, 2006). How dare you!

How can you know what is in the hearts of parishioners and why they come to mass? Regardless of the reason they may come to mass, to show off new clothes or new spouse, socialize, a sense of Catholic duty, sell bar-be-que tickets, or whatever, let them ALL come says Jesus, and He will change their hearts THROUGH the shared celebration of the Eucharist.

I come to mass for several reasons. Even though you are the celebrant, and a very poor one, I STILL get something out of it. I come for the Eucharist, I come for the fellowship with other parishioners, I come to show you that I am STILL here demanding inclusion and that YOU as MY PASTOR serve my needs and the needs of all NOT only those who you happen to like.

I am a Catholic and always will be no matter how bad the clergy is; I just learned that lesson from a missionary priest in Honduras that I visited his month; being World Mission Sunday, it is good to bring that up. The church has survived bad clergy before and will again.

You, of all people, Msgr. Brum, suggesting that some have invalid reasons to come to mass and should not attend. You who have refused to even LOOK at a large group of parishioners during the celebration of the Eucharist. You who threw out the peace and justice commission, one of the pillars of the Church in this world. You who made our staff’s lives miserable until they left. You who once REFUSED me communion and stood by smirking while your misguided sycophants attacked me in public for pointing out a grave error you made. You who got rid of our excellent choir. You who destroyed our renowned education system. You who restricted lectors and Eucharistic ministers to only those who please you. You who scolded Adam Moya AT MASS because of your insane paranoia. Who are YOU, poor excuse for a pastor that you are, to suggest that ANYONE NOT come to mass!

Bishop, I know you are reading this, do you know what your pastor at Holy Spirit Parish is doing? Of course you do; he is doing your bidding. May God have mercy on both of your souls.

In all humility (truly),
Guy Hallman, parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish


Posting a Comment: You may now submit a comment simply by clicking the "POST A COMMENT" link under the "COMMENTS" button below. Approval of comments are done only to prevent unsuitable or advertising type posts. You may also wish to add your e-mail address to our database to automatically receive biweekly newsletters. Simply e-mail us at: Kanickers@aol.com with a notation to add your name to our list.

Newsletter of 10/15/06

Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo
Thoughts from Some Fellow Parishioners of Holy Spirit—October 15, 2006

The Blues Brothers (and Sisters)
We’re on a mission from God. Elwood Blues

Several years ago a parishioner was quoted as saying, “I’m on a mission from God to rid this parish of Father Jerry and Ann Cass.” So, in that person’s mind and maybe the minds of many others: “Mission Accomplished!” Is a banner being created and an appropriate aircraft carrier-like setting being scouted out?

This mentality - seeing the events of the past 3+ years as a power struggle that has finally been won by the “righteous ones” against the “forces of evil” - is poisonous and fundamentally flawed. Bishop Peña used the phrase “power struggle” when he spoke to us during Lent this year - both he and the Blues Brothers of the Parish are wrong when they talk that way. The Church is not about power, but about the proper exercise of authority; it is not about command and obedience, but about servant-leadership.

In the Church we have no say in who will be our leaders; therefore, those who are our leaders must serve everyone, not just those they choose to serve. Every parishioner has an absolute right to be able to practice the fullness of their Catholic faith in their own parish community. A parish exists for the parishioners; it is not a vehicle through which a pastor creates a comfortable lifestyle for himself by refusing to deal with parishioners he doesn’t like.

The only mission any parish has is the creation of a vibrant Eucharist Community that lives and witnesses the Gospel 24/7 - let’s work on accomplishing that. Together. All of us.

$$$$$ Update
A year ago (10/16/05) the Parish received, in the Sunday Bulletin, something that was described as a financial report for the fiscal year ending 6/30/05. The report was both incomplete and inconsistent. Over these last 12 months, the report of the Sunday collections in the each Sunday Bulletin, the stated budget from the 10/16/05 report, and the pattern of parish expenditures reported for the fiscal year ending 6/30/05 have been combined to produce this update each two weeks.

For that 12 month period, the Sunday collections reported in the bulletin totaled $676,682.05, which is $77,317.95 less than the $754,000 yearly budget (in those 52 weeks only 10 collections met the weekly $14,500 budget amount). There is some very real doubt about the accuracy of the collection amounts, since second collections ceased being reported separately rather early on, even though the report from the year before did report standard and second collections separately. There is no way to know how expenditures have fared relative to the budgeted amount, but the year before, the Parish exceeded budget by $100,997.52. If the spending patterns continued, then the Parish fell short by $178,315.47 in the period between 10/16/05 and 10/8/06.

There has yet to be a financial report for the fiscal year ending 6/30/06. Who is accountable here?

Fundamentalism
There is an article in a recent Time Magazine called “ When Not Seeing is Believing” by Andrew Sullivan that put in clear language thoughts that have been swirling around in my head. Mr. Sullivan writes on the rise of fundamentalism in all the major world religions and the dangers that come with it. He makes the case that doubt, questioning and seeking are essential parts of faith. If there is no doubt, then God would be captured in human certainty – and that cannot be, because God is beyond our human categories. It is the great temptation of Adam and Eve again, to know all Truth. Only God has the pure and whole Truth. It is in the uncertainty, in the doubt where we can be initiated into the mystery. “True belief is not about blind submission. It is about open-eyed acceptance, and acceptance requires persistent distance from the truth, and that distance is doubt. Doubt, in other words, can feed faith, rather than destroy it. And it forces us, even while believing, to recognize our fundamental duty with respect to God’s truth: humility. We do not know. Which is why we believe.” (Andrew Sullivan)

Maybe for some the uncertainty is too uneasy. I find it comforting that God is bigger than my own understanding, that there is an existence of a higher truth.

I also appreciate when Mr. Sullivan points out that faith must be more than a set of precisely defined external principles or dogmas, and that in a “non-fundamentalist understanding of faith, practice is more important than theory, love is more important than law, and mystery is seen as an insight into truth rather than an obstacle.” That seems more Catholic to me than the road we seem to be traveling.
from fellow parishioner, Michelle Peña

Petty
Petty, adj., marked by narrowness or meanness (from the Fr. petit, small)

We used to have a group of folks that met every week to study the Second Vatican Council, its documents and its impact on the Church. All of a sudden, there is supposedly no room for this group to meet. Sure, it is generally a small group, but it has been meeting almost forever at the Parish - surely something could be found.

The whole process by which the request for space was handled was marked by delay and outright untruths. It is all so petty and so obvious: let’s run off some more folks—they aren’t the right kind of people, anyway.

Pro-Am
Some activities and ministries in the Parish are a little frayed at the edges these days. Religious education with its new modus operandi and under its new management is having a tough time getting the details under control: not enough materials, no support for those choosing home schooling, no Spanish program, etc. The English music ministry hasn’t quite got everything in synch yet, either. Adult education seems to have shriveled to near nothingness.

The generosity and enthusiasm of those involved cannot be denied, but eventually the Parish will expect more that that—it will expect ministries that are well carried out. We have a parish that is in the hands of amateurs and yet we still deserve the best outcomes for the youngsters in religious education, we still deserve outstanding liturgies, and we still deserve effective adult education. Amateurs can eventually learn to function reasonably well, but they can never supply the talent and expertise that professionals can. You get the best out of volunteers when their efforts are organized, directed, and nurtured by professionals whose (paid) responsibility it is to manage activities and ministries. All of those working hard need to be cut some slack, but let’s not forget that it wouldn’t have to be this way—we all have experienced a Parish that was managed quite differently.

Let’s hope that the motivation behind these changes in Parish ministries and the criteria for judging their effectiveness will be more than the fact that they are being done differently than they used to be.


Prepared by RGV Parishioners for Progress and edited by Jerry Brazier. Copy this, and pass it on to fellow parishioners, either by e-mail or paper. If you want an opportunity for prayerful discussion of these and other issues about the parish or have any other comments, please contact us at mailto:gbrazier@rgv.rr.com



Posting a Comment: You may now submit a comment simply by clicking the "POST A COMMENT" link under the "COMMENTS" button below. Approval of comments are done only to prevent unsuitable or advertising type posts. You may also wish to add your e-mail address to our database to automatically receive biweekly newsletters. Simply e-mail us at: Kanickers@aol.com with a notation to add your name to our list.