2009 June archive at Being Frank

Archive for June, 2009

Jun

Teacher/preacher

Categories: Being Frank...

Isn’t it interesting how we have so many different calendars in our modern society? Depending who you are, or what nationality you are, January 1 might be New Year’s Day. Then again, for businesses it might fall on April 1 or June 1. If you’re Chinese, it probably falls sometime between January 21 and February 20, and for our Jewish brothers and sisters, it’s September 19 this year.

Or June 19 – if you’re a priest. :)

Back in March, the Holy Father declared that the 12 months beginning June 19 to be the year of the priest. This was done to encourage “spiritual perfection” in priests and also to call for us to pray for them – something our parish priest reminded us of yesterday morning during Mass, and as we were all given St John Vianney (patron of priests) prayer cards on the way out, the point was kind of rammed home. ;)

I raise this because in the same homily where this was raised, our parish priest took the opportunity to review the pastoral letter from the New Zealand Bishops regarding the Swine Flu liturgical restrictions. Now, since Filia has already done a great job of opening the debate on the restrictions themselves, I’m not going to focus on them too much. Except to say that I think that if we’re going to restrict receiving the Chalice and on the tongue, then we should probably not shake hands at the sign of peace (apparently less important to remove this time?) and nor should we be passing the collection basket from hand to hand as that seems to be a germ magnet to me. Come on people – automatic payments are the future! :) Oh, and no Holy Water either, right?

But all of that aside, I’d like to commend our parish priest (he knows who he is) for taking the opportunity to use this letter as a chance to perform one of the key roles of a priest (in my opinion) – that of a teacher. He read through the letter and then explained what a “spiritual communion” was, and how those who could not come to Communion (e.g. divorced and remarried) are still part of Christ’s church and can unite themselves in this way. He also spoke to the question on how the Eucharist can still pass germs etc. even though it is not bread and wine anymore. He quickly explained how even though the essence or substance has changed, the form remains the same and, therefore, still has the same elemental properties of bread and wine – including the ability to transfer bacteria and viruses like any other food can. Simple, to the point, but something I’d wager a large number of parishioners were a bit murky on. (And maybe some you reading this too? ;))

Later on, when baptising a little toddler who clung to her mother and wasn’t interested in being splashed with water, our priest was brilliant at explaining to her (and to everyone else) what was going on. “We’re going to put this special oil on the crown of your head, because today we’re making you a princess in the kingdom of God.” Brilliant.

It got me thinking about just how important it is for us to have priests who really live and breathe their vocation; priests who are proud of the office they have been called to, and yet humble enough to carry it out with dignity. Priests who, increasingly, have to be the unpopular rocks in the way of the tide that flows away from God, and who have to struggle to turn that tide.

I thank God for those men around the world who have heard the call and stepped up to say “yes”! Thank you to all of you, and happy year of the priest!Technorati Tags: priests, Communion, swine flu

Jun

Get out of my way!

By eyeWitness 8 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

As Catholics, we have a mindset of constant self improvement. Whether it’s our prayer life, our actions or our gifts that we are seeking to develop we are never quite there. With God’s grace we can constantly improve, but I don’t think we will ever quite be there in this life time. I guess it’s good for us then that there is a sanctification process when we die – the concept of purgatory.

Anyway, at the risk of making you all think I am a horrible person, one thing I struggle with is my thoughts – mainly toward people that I don’t actually know. The main thing, that I was thinking about this morning, is when I’m walking to work I am a very fast walker and constantly people are in my way. The same goes for driving. So I find myself feeling very negatively towards all the people walking very slowly in the middle of the sidewalk in my way. Which could perhaps be looked at as a small thing, but when I walk to work and back for half an hour each way every day, it’s actually quite a big part of me and the way I feel towards the people around me for an hour of my day every day!

Self control of the mind is often overlooked because society normally focuses on whether we are harming other people. I consider myself to be fairly controlled in that I don’t often express my emotion as action towards other people, so principally my internal thought is most destructive to my peace and ‘goodness’ – well that ‘s my analysis of it anyway!!

Here is something I found by Professor S.K. Singh, a Catholic Philosopher)

..In order to put an end to our unhappiness and miseries, we have to subtract our desires by cultivating detachment and self-control. We should incessantly endeavour to fill our minds with positive thoughts in place of negative ones. With the development of positive counter-forces afflictive emotions and thoughts start disintegrating. If we want to be happy, we should constantly try to subdue pride by modesty; hypocrisy by simplicity; greed by contentment; self-exaltation by humility; anger by forgiveness, hatred by love; and fear and worldliness by detachment. When sense organs are controlled and disciplined , it is heaven and when they are let loose, it is hell.

….Self-control is not a child’s play. It is not a fad to be tried one day and discarded the next. The persons who are in a hurry and looking for shortcut and clever devices are bound to fail. It requires patience and endurance. Despondency is the worst enemy in the process of self-control. So it should be cast out whenever it presents itself. We should struggle constantly and never give in…Though weak in the beginning, the person will surely be in a strong position one day to practise optimum self-control.

I will try and put it into practice!

Jun

Visual Impact

By On the Road 7 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

We are visual beings. Whenever we encounter something incredible, we tell others they have to ‘see it to believe it.’ What we see with our eyes has a monumental impact on how we perceive our world. Our eyes are the portal to our soul. From film, television, and advertisements to magazines and newspapers, our world is largely dictated by what we see around us.

In this light, I set about this week to find the best of what the Catholic world has to offer with regards to high quality video production. I was looking for Catholic videos that were professional, concise, and provocative. Videos that proclaimed Truth in innovative and meaningful ways. Videos that could be used as an aid to catechesis, or on television as advertisements, or as inspiration for the masses. Even videos that were just good ol’ entertainment.

What I found was largely devoid of those things. After multiple of hours searching, I came up with very few groups that were producing high quality material on the web.

What I did find were incredible quality nominal Christian videos, especially from Igniter Media, but none that highlighted my Catholic faith in particular. In fact, if anything, it discouraged any sense of ‘religion’ in a few of their videos. But, I was inspired, they proclaimed Truth (mostly) in innovative and impactful ways. They would serve as a great introduction to talks for young people. My favorite video of theirs is The Last Painting. Also very good is their older video, ‘That’s My King’. Definitely worth watching.

There were three sources of Catholic video I thought worthy of highlight:

- First is Malone Media (Cracking good watch), especially ‘One Life’.

- Second is ‘Catholics Come Home’- an extraordinary series produced out of America calling Catholics back to their faith. Check out the website – amazing resource and three awesome videos I have watched multiple times each this week. Take a look at all the personal testimonial videos as well.

-Third is Catholicvote.org – also an American production, this time as a group promoting through television the importance of the most recent presidential vote and upholding the sanctity of life. Check out their advertisement, ‘Life: Imagine the Potential’

I did find one source of exceptionally high quality feature length Catholic film production in Grassroots Films. While they produce feature length films, they seemed to be very inspiring and meaningful. I can’t wait to see ‘The Human Experience.’ Incidentally, the CatholicVote videos are also Grassroots Films productions.

I wanted to ask all of you, where are the resources for these types of videos in the Catholic world? The Protestants seem to dominate the area of high quality video production, even down to the individual church level. Where are the Catholics here?

Jun

“Marge, you’re standing in the way of my boyhood dream of managing a beautiful country singer”

By Methuselah's Beard 3 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

I enjoy watching ‘Stars in their Eyes’. Or rather, I enjoyed watching the English version of ‘Stars in their Eyes’. To be fair, I’ve never seen the NZ version but reports I’ve read haven’t been exactly favourable. I used to be fascinated by these ordinary people, who were willing to risk public humiliation, get made up to look like some faded rocker, and belt out tunes (sometimes while pretending to play an instrument). What drove them I wondered… was it the fame? Was it being able to be something other than what they were, if only for a few minutes? Was it a childhood dream? Maybe it was just being able to say, “Tonight Matthew, I’m going to be Michael Jackson. But only from the period when he was good”.

Anyway, I was watching ‘20/20’ on Monday… maybe it was ‘60 minutes’, actually I think it was ’60 Minutes’… So anyway, on ‘60 Minutes’ there was a piece on a gay couple who had, for all intents and purposes, purchased twin girls from a clinic in India. Basically, they selected a donor, selected a surrogate, and then picked up the babies at the end.

Now while wanting to be parents is admirable, I really think that children should be a result of an act of love between a man and a woman, and not just a transaction, or because it’ll make your ‘family’ complete. Oh sure the children will probably be brought up in a loving (albeit slightly different) environment, but is this really a good way to bring children into the world? There will be people who want children for valid reasons, but what’s to stop children being just ‘grown’ for all sorts of purposes?

When questioned, the doctor mentioned that he hadn’t really had time to consider the rights or wrongs of the procedure, but in a few years it’d be widespread so should be acceptable. Great. I’ll remember that so I can start stealing in the hope that it will become socially acceptable in the future.

Anyway, I don’t like it. Both the purchasing, and who can potentially purchase.

Jun

Ummmm Pork

By Filia Day 49 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

On Tuppence’s post yesterday, I came across Scribe’s attempt at thread jacking. Basically, he linked to an article in the NZCatholic (cracking good read) highlighting the reintroduction of the liturgical ‘recommendations’ in light of recent developments regarding the swine flu pandemic. As the attempted thread jack didn’t quite take off yesterday, (good thing too – I love your work Tuppence!) I thought I would steal the topic for today’s post.

For any of you out there is cyberspace who do not already know, the New Zealand Bishops have decided to reintroduce the liturgical restrictions that were put in place a few weeks ago. Namely, they have forbidden four actions that they believe could hinder containment of the flu. The Bishop’s stated in the letter;

Given the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus which is now occurring in the community, we ask that priests and parishes cease the following actions:

• Distribution of Holy Communion from the chalice (this includes intinction);
• Giving Holy Communion on the tongue;
• Holding Anointing Masses for the Sick.

Included, but not stated in this part of the letter, is the sign of peace.

I have to say when I heard the news (care of my parish priest on Monday) I thought that it was really over the top, mainly because I was under the impression that swine flu was pretty much like the normal flu – the symptoms that presented were the same – fever, vomiting, headaches etc etc. Our parish priest, however, knowing that it was illicit to restrict communion on the tongue failed to mention that particular criteria – (I just found out yesterday about the restrictions for receiving on the tongue, when I read the article posted by Scribe.

Moreover, I was particularly concerned about one particular section of the pastoral letter from the Bishops. They stated in the letter:

“More serious phases of an epidemic: If a virus being transmitted in the community becomes a threat to life or the health system is overwhelmed by cases, health authorities may take further steps in order to limit deaths and serious illness. Should this happen, health authorities may ban all public gatherings. This will mean that the Church must make the added sacrifice of not gathering for Mass or receiving the Lord in Holy Communion. In such an event, all of us will be required to make a ‘spiritual communion’.”

I did, however, meet up with a good friend of mine last night who coincidentally is a scientist (and is also a Catholic) so I proceeded to ask her opinion on the restrictions, and the swine flu outbreak more generally. She was of the opinion that the restrictions were wise, due to the highly infectious nature of the flu. Disclaimer: This young woman is certainly not swayed easily by hysteria and is well aware of the media’s tendency to blow things out of proportion. Apparently, it is not the swine flu per se that interested parties are worried about. Rather, it is the very real possibility that the virus will mutate and create some kind of superbug that could potentially be fatal for large sectors of the population. Many health professionals are arguing that our current predicament is very similar to the Spanish influenza outbreak. The first bout of the flu wasn’t fatal but the ‘second wave’ was deadly, killing millions. Not only that, it killed quickly. Apparently, the H1N1 type of influenza, if it mutates, has the quality of attacking strong, young and healthy people as it reacts to an immune system that fights back. Thus, instead of killing the weaker (children, elderly) in society, mortality tends to be higher amidst those in the prime of their lives.

After talking to my friend, I’m more convinced now of that the bug is a potentially a big threat. What does everyone else think about the issue? I need to get a balanced perspective, please help!

Jun

Did I break the comments record? And a bit on trust…

By Tuppence 35 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

Hmm, after last week’s impressive number of comments on my post I think I deserve a week off! haha

Anyway, this week in the name of being frank (ahaha..erm) I just want to share an experience that has happened to me here in Africa, which I hope will serve as a warning as to why we have to pray for holy young men to be called to the priesthood.

I’ve registered with the local theological library here to help me with my distance studies through Good Shepherd College (ACGC: a cracking good college). There are various other seminarians and the occasional novices there too however I have tended to keep to myself.

One night (late at night) I received a phone call from an unknown number. As curiosity killed the cat, I answered. It was an unfamiliar young man – let’s call him Bob. “Hi, My name is Bob, I am a seminarian and I saw you at the theology library. I’m Nigerian and noticed that you were an english speaker too. I found your phone number among the records at the library. I thought we could talk in english and about New Zealand…”

Rather disoriented, I mumbled something about maybe it be best if he contact me during the day. Afterwards, I thought “What the hek??” The following day, I told the staff at the library and they were exceptionally concerned, reprimanding the said seminarian and demanding that he apologise to me.

As chance would have it, he arrived at the library a few mornings later as I was about to leave. “The staff told me that there was a problem with the fact I called you?” “Yes,” I replied coldly, “In my country what you did is illegal. You stole my private information, it was not there for you to take. Furthermore, it is highly inappropriate that you would call me late at night. As a seminarian, you should be an example to others of moral and ethical integrity. As a young, lone women on this continent, I cannot just trust that your intentions were well-meaning. Please do not contact me again.” I promptly left the library suitably shaken and nervous as this is not your typical everyday confrontation.

He did contact me again, once, to wish me happy easter. I told him clearly and firmly again “Please do not contact me.” I think he’s gotten the message.

Unfortunately, he may have had harmless intentions, but how am I to know that? He should know better than to put himself in a compromising situation that could be interpreted scandalously.

This has possibly been one of the saddest elements of my experience of the Church here in Africa – finding myself in situations where, for the first time, I have doubts and suspicions about the intentions of some that I encounter within the Church community. While the vast majority are probably filled with good intentions, I can’t afford to put myself at risk by developping even a friendly rapport with these seminarians. A far cry from back home where I consider many priests as good friends and people whom I can work with and confide in for spiritual advice and general wise counsel.

The bulk of these seminarians have come straight from all-male seminarian prep schools, with very little life experience. In my opinion it’s hardly a recipe for a healthy priestly formation.

So as I’ve said before, while the seminaries in Africa are bulging, and while I don’t have a sense of the magnitude of the problem (I could be shining light on a very very tiny corner)…there is a problem that needs constant surveillance in a spirit of discernment and courage.

Jun

Something serious, something not so serious

By The Dumb Ox 21 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

Apologies for the lateness of my verbage, I was busy trying to avoid the new media-transmitted strain of the swine flu!

A couple of quick things this week…

Firstly, a very serious issue:

I see that the NZ abortion statistics for 2008 were released this morning, and Family Life NZ has responded with a press release on their Sempa Vita website.

Here is what it says:

Drop in NZ abortion rate must not lead to complacency

Family Life International NZ welcomes today’s news that the number of abortions occurring annually in New Zealand dropped slightly in 2008, however they also encourage people to consider this reduction in the context of the last five years, in order to avoid becoming complacent about the fact that abortion still remains a serious problem for New Zealand.

“This latest drop in the NZ abortion rate means that in 2008 more than 400 less women, and more than 400 less babies, were spared from the harm of abortion, compared to 2007” says Family Life International NZ media spokesperson; Brendan Malone.

“Any reduction in the number of lives needlessly harmed by abortion is always welcome news, but we must avoid becoming complacent about this vitally important issue by remembering that even with this latest reduction, there were still almost 18,000 women harmed, and almost 18,000 babies lost to abortion in New Zealand in 2008.”

“With almost 50 unborn babies being lost to abortion every day in NZ last year, this means that abortion still remains the biggest human rights issue facing our country, and as such, all members of the wider New Zealand community have an obligation to give urgent and proper consideration to this issue.”

“In the light of recent advances in research which show the true harm that abortion causes to women, and the latest medical science, which clearly points to the humanity of the unborn child, we need to start asking some very hard questions about abortion.”

“Most importantly of all, we need to be unflinchingly honest, and ask ourselves whether or not we believe that the practice of abortion is truly compatible with a culture which claims to pride itself on peace, justice and equal rights for all” says Brendan Malone.

Second issue:
This one isn’t serious at all, it’s a funny satire news segment that Onion have just posted (I especially love the final comment about the blind black woman following Obama everywhere)…

Star Trek Movie