No wonder Fr. Corapi packed his bags and left. If I had to deal with these people all the time I'd hop on the Harley and get out of town too.
I'm teaching 5th grade CCD this year, I have about 30-40 kids in the class. So I get the teaching book (from the Arcdioses I guess) and open it up a few pages and they're talking about how to be Green! LOL!). Anyways, nobody stepped up to volunteer so I did. I need get in a better state of mind...praying more would be good for me.
Jasper, God bless you for taking on this very challenging apostolate...pray to St. John Bosco a lot, and may I make a few quick suggestions? Get yourself a copy of the "Faith and Life" series 5th grade teacher's manual (available at Ignatius.com), and draw from it HEAVILY as your 'supplemental' material.
Also, Walmart has nice black binders for a dollar, I know you have a big class, but I find this truly worth the investment: Get a binder for each child, put 4 divider pages in marked; Prayers, Eucharist and Eucharistic miracles, Mary and the Saints, and Miscellaneous. Pre-fill the prayers section with the basics (also in Latin beside the English), and some other beautiful prayers and devotions (for instance, I always introduce them to the St. Gertrude Prayer just before All Souls Day and we talk about the indulgences offered for praying for the Poor Souls in a cemetery, each day, for the first week of November). Have them bring this binder with them to every class, and start & end EVERY class with a prayer.
For each class bring in a printed page for them about a Saint (LOTS of great stuff on the web, but watch your sources), and near the beginning of each class briefly talk about that Saint before they file the page under "Mary and the Saints".
The website "therealpresence.org" has GREAT material you can print off and discuss with/give to the kids to begin filling the Eucharist section….spread this out over the year.
Place an inexpensive, but nice, Rosary in the front pocket (ask all your relatives and friends to save the ones that Catholic charity organizations send in the mail...I have TONS of extras I could send you if you'd like to do this), along with one of the $.25 pamphlets on how to pray the Rosary (complete with beautiful pictures of all the 20 Mysteries, and available at any Catholic store…a great tool to use when teaching the Rosary).
MAKE THEM DO HOMEWORK and hold them accountable for it, and assign a Scripture reading every week….you will take TONS of guff from parents, but you need to make very clear to them that their religion classes are the MOST important classes they will ever have in their whole lives, and not just a time-filler/box-checker. Do not back down on this, and expect some slings-and-arrows from the most unexpected places…you will have much good fodder to ‘offer-up’.
Pray for ‘your kids’ EVERY DAY (every child you teach will forever be a spiritual child), and take them and their families spiritually before Our Lord in Adoration often. Love them with the heart of a father, and make prayers to the Holy Spirit your mainstay.
You will be great!!! May God bless you, the Holy Spirit guide you, and Mother Mary watch over you.
And a most blessed Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity to one and all!
What a contrast it is to think that yesterday you were told by the imprudent and rash judges reading your soul that they were glad they didn't have you around...
This year I have a six grade class and Susan is right about the Faith and Life series..I have used it for two years as my main resource, but this idea of a personal binder with sections is really a wonderful suggestion. Insisting on the homework does become an issue for sure as well as memorizing anything. The children are so consumed with after school activities and classwork it really takes a lot prayer and 'creative insistence'..
Every year I grow to love each of those children and I teach them as if they were my own...Then off they go at the end of the year, but when I see them around town...Sometimes I get a hug..
Since the comment thread has taken on a CCD theme :) (not to shabby); I teach the younger ones, and often also the "specials." I think this year I will have a little group pf three. All different ages, all different diagnoses, but one class. It's tough. I was given the Rose Kennedy program book, but frankly, there isn't much substance in it (sorry Rose), and it's over their heads to boot. I find myself tailoring things to each one,and using songs on my guitar, and manipulatives (they need lots and lots of visuals/things that can be handled). I try to get across a few main concepts, the foremost one being the Real Presence. Even last year when I had first grade, that was my main focus. And, Susan, I copied your whole comment to save for ideas! Thank you. If I do get the "regular" kids (yuck, sorry) the curriculum we get for them is pretty weak. I probably won't know what class I am getting till I get there! (roll of eyes). I belong to the Last Minute Parish. :/
I taught for 13 years. What an learning expeience it is. When I went into it, I still had questions about the wisdom of prohibitions on contraception...celibacy. I was up front about them to the priest but was also up front that I would never pass on my own flaws to the children and vowed to teach the religion flawlessly. He let me do it and I kept to that vow.
I taught the high school age level and they pushed all the buttons. I had to put out into the deep to come up with the right answers for them. While responding to their indignity and challenges with the teachings of the Church until they exhausted them - all my own doubts washed away with theirs, in the beauty of the Catechism, theology of the body and humanae vitae and John Paul's writings.
It is spectacular. You're going to love it. Keep us up to date on how it's going.
Sorry!--the way I said "Rose Kennedy program book" sounds so wacko, I know! lol It is the Rose Kennedy CCD curriculum for kids with special needs. That doesn't make the content any better, but at least it doesn't have to sound like a cult manifesto.
I've truly struggled with whether or not to respond to the ongoing posts regarding how to receive the Holy Eucharist and its subsequent issue of fraternal correction here and at Abby Roads. This world of blogging/commenting is relatively new to me and I do not want to be offensive to anyone. Who am I to judge someone else's intent? That said, I am dismayed to see that you removed AbbyRoads from your blogroll. Terry, like you, appears very devout (as do many of his commenters) and blogging as an answer to a calling, also perhaps like you . Different perspective, but a calling to evangelization. I do not know your motivation for removing the link, and it is your perogative - I just hope that it isn't the result of wounded pride. You and others did take a beating - I am sorry for that. More often than not these days, I am drawn to the "between the lines" differences in the blogs I read, and realize that many with polar opposite views all think that they are doing/saying what they are called to do/say. I do not see malice in many of you despite your differing opinions, and yet, you are often so different. Part of the plan to get the rest of us to think vs diabolical disorientation? I hope so, and pray that all of you who are so courageous to speak out like you do continue to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Many others of us out here count on that (nothing like a little pressure!). I'd like to think that the Holy Spirit has led me to all of you. I'm not totally sure of my roll yet, but I did feel called to question your motivation in deleting the link. Enough said.
Thank you for your thoughts. You've been reading here a while, enough to have a small taste of my personality, so I hope this makes sense to you. I had hoped this post would convey that I was in good humor over the whole thing personally. The discussion was 100 percent about Christ and His Church. The climate created for faithful Catholics. For the life of me, I could not drum up something to have hurt feelings about personally if I tried.
The reason why I deleted the link was because I can't keep my mouth shut when souls and salvation are jeopardized. It is impossible.
If I leave the link up, the temptation to go over there and comment overcomes me. Terry attracts several who are compromised, confused or hostile to Church teaching. When that happens, it switches from evangelism to a common ground barroom - finding things to laugh at.
Of late, instead of pithy humor, which Terry is great at, I've found posts that are mean. As a result, it cultivates meanspirited cackling jackals in the comboxes intolerant to teaching. It's disturbing and unsettling to me. But I don't want to be tempted to go over there because it has reached the point where they are entertaining themselves and hurting people. It is a contest of egos, not a discussion geared towards salvation. No benefit can be gained by going over there at this juncture.
I did it because I don't want the temptation luring me into an ambush.
p.s. I am on my way out for a walk but I should clarify that the above was NOT meant to imply that this is Terry's whole shtick or that he isn't orthodox or he dissents from the faith -- none of that is true.
I did get the humor of this post and yes, your not going over there as a means to avoid temptation does makes sense. Always good to know your limitations and avoid a slugfest if nothing more can be achieved. As I mentioned in previous comments, the loss of even the basic tenents of civility in fellow Catholics saddens me beyond words, so I applaud your bowing out if it helps to stop the vitriol. However, speaking as one who has gained insight from both the bloggers and commenters here and elsewhere,know that I have found many of those insights while sifting through the debris field of nasty comment land. I hope you reconsider adding back the link at some future point as others may be propelled forward on their journey as I have been, one link at a time. Besides, I think that Terry will miss you! Thank you for allowing me to add my two cents worth!
Carol, the woman on the left looks exactly like the sports editor for the Los Angeles bureau of Associated Press. I should know; I work as a free-lance sportswriter and did a lot of work for AP before she (insert past-tense verb form of deleted expletive here) out of work.
I feel very much the way that Carol does about Abbey Roads. Terry, for whatever reason, incites a lot of acerbic commentary from a number of people who are hostile to many Church teachings. I tried to refrain from commentary in this last go round as much as possible. I have been concerned because there is so much vituperative commentary, that I don't know how to respond without (1) being uncharitable or (2) I feel tempted toward sinful behavior (3) I end up feeling so demoraized by the now prevalnet antipathy toward the teachings of the Church that I no longer want to be there. I am left feeling that the best response is to absent myself from further commentary. I have been reading and commenting at Abbey Roads for a long time and have very much appreciated so many of Terry's posts. I have learned so much. I was however saddened to see that Terry chose not to intervene until after there was a lot of carnage. Comments were ulitmately closed but rather late in the game with no apologies to Carol. The topic of Holy Communion was then re-opened, and, again, no apologies to Carol.
This decision to absent myself from Abbey Roads has been difficult for me as I have so much appreciated, and been fond of Terry, for so many reasons.
Susan; I see you have been reading Fr. Hardon :) Hip hip hooray! Ditto re Carol's remark. How WONDERFUL that these children have you around them!
"However, speaking as one who has gained insight from both the bloggers and commenters here and elsewhere,know that I have found many of those insights while sifting through the debris field of nasty comment land."
Karen, this is very true. Additionally, not only are people learning how to defend the faith in aggressive circumstances, there is much going on spiritually. At the end of it all, a man surrendered to reverence the Eucharist. He also divulged a serious problem and was encouraged to find a spiritual director who can help him. Another woman decided to stop being an EM. Much fruit.
Truth, Justice and Mercy are symbiotic. They are usually granted by different people because we have too much pride. When mercy is granted without truth, the soul digs himself deeper into the hole of sin.
Sometimes Christ zealously told the truth to a soul. At others, he challenged them by saying they are sons of the devil, swine, a dog. He took the whip to one group. He healed and exorcised in different ways according to what was going on. Sometimes, He just fasted and prayed for the situation.
Those short on deep insight as to the reasons why, some with messiah complexes, believe everything others are doing to carry out Christ's complete mission in the face of priests who have abandoned exorcism and the Sacrament of Penance, is a flaw. Somewhere, the devil dances at these asinine scuffles.
Anyway - I think you are missing the main reason why I am trying to avoid the temptation. From Terry's post-mortem, I do not get the impression he sees or has an appreciation for the above and it is his blog..he should be left in peace to do whatever God is calling him to do.
Susan: Class act indeed. On the subject of the Catechism, Fr. Hardon was a great believer in memorization! Sounds like you are doing an incredible job.
Here is what Hardon says about memorization as it relates to imparting the Catechism in the Modern Catholic Dictionary:
MEMORIZATION. The practice of deliberately committing to memory facts and verbal expressions considered useful or necessary for future recall. Since the earliest times the Church has encouraged memorization, e.g., the directives of the American hierarchy: "The special place of memory in the transmission of the faith of the Church throughout the ages, should be valued and exercised, especially in catechetical programs for the young. Opportunities for memorization should be adapted to the level and ability of the child and presented in a gradual fashion. Among these elements of Catholic faith, tradition and practice which, through an early, gradual, flexible, and never slavish process of memorization, could become lessons learned for a lifetime, contributing to an individual's growth and development in an understanding of the Faith are the following: 1. prayers, such as the Sign of the Cross, the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, the Act of Contrition; 2. factual information contributing to an appreciation of the place of the Word of God in the Church and the life of the Christian through an awareness and appreciation of: a. the key themes of the history of salvation; b. the major personalities of the Old and New Testaments; c. certain biblical texts expressive of God's love and care; 3. formulas providing factual information regarding worship, the Church year, and major practices in the devotional life of Christians: a. the parts of the Mass; b. the list of the sacraments; c. the liturgical seasons; d. the holy days of obligation; e. the major feasts of Our Lord and Our Lady; f. the various eucharistic devotions; g. the mysteries of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary; h. the Stations of the Cross; 4. formulas and practices dealing with the moral life of Christians: a. the Commandments; b. the Beatitudes; c. the gifts of the Holy Spirit; d. the theological and moral virtues; e. the precepts of the Church; f. the examination of conscience" (Amendments to the National Catechetical Directory, 1977).
It is assumed that what has been memorized will also be reflected on and, as far as possible, understood. But memorizing is indispensable for any sound pedagogy in the Catholic religion (General Catechetical Directory, 73).
Slightly more than the coloring books that are served up as a substitute for the peace and justice crowd, don't you think? And we wonder why so few know the faith...
He also said: “What is memorized becomes part of the mind,” he pointed out. “And, unless something is memorized – and I really mean this – it does not become part of the mind.”
Without sound memories, “people are at the mercy of accepting the latest idea or concept that comes to mind – no matter how faulty or silly it might be – because there is no memorized, solid truth to fall back on...
During his travels throughout the world, he finds “a lot of Catholics who go to church and all the rest, but when I ask them a few things about the basics of their faith, they can’t give me a proper answer.”
He blamed that condition on what he called a preoccupation with secular issues, in which religion has been given a back seat in the classroom.
Thanks to those who expressed love and concern (personally and here). Your tenderness and kindness means a great deal to me.
Just for the record, there is no need for any apology to me. I would be concerned if a postmortem went that way because Christ would be cheated out of what really needs to happen.
An individual put those of us concerned with the mishandling of the Eucharist with the same trivia and minutia of complaints about wearing pants and dancing.
Silence is not a virtue, when charity calls for speech. What transpired in response to truth was...insane. Not sound of mind, body and spirit. In every conceivable way.
I can admit that Maria has a devotion to John Hardon without feeling inferior. I realize she's called to him so that she can respond with his teachings and enlighten and enrich those of us who are intimate with the treasures of our Church in other ways.
I have a friend who gets up at 3:30 in the AM so he can be sure he gets to daily Mass in Boston at 6 before his day starts at 7:30. I make excuses that with the twelve hours in my day, I am too pooped to do it. I can admit his devotion to daily reception of the Eucharist is more intimate than my own.
The irony of it all was, the combox combatants were the ones reading my soul and making unsound judgments, imputing motives, because that less of a blow to their ego than admitting they have a lesser devotion to the Eucharist than people who would never contribute to the trampling of Christ's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
If you know that you are dropping Him on the floor and going to keep on doing it until the Bishops tell you to stop it because they have released us from the temporal punishment from the sin of sacrilege, you've got a problem. Do some prayerful contemplation to find out what is at the bottom of it.
Just because in Mercy, Christ and His Church pardons us, doesn't mean you should keep on doing it when you, yourself, realize what is happening.
If you attack people telling you, if you come up with a big tada after it all that their zeal through it all indicates THEY are the people who should not be teaching, you are deluding yourself and the people relying on your witness. Lots of luck with it and God Bless.
In the end, on a post labeled fraternal correction, I would say in that kind of an environment, whatever I say or do may in fact scandalize people who would fear being treated that way by the crowd of jackals. Since I can't keep my mouth shut - I am avoiding the temptation. There is no ill will or hurt feelings.
My sorrow is for and with Christ. That's where I'd like to see the postmortem of it to be focused.
By the way, when I carefully explained having a 'dispensation' from the punishment of a sin by the Church because of a widespread ignorance and/or pigheadedness of the people, there was something that didn't get said when I walked away from it.
An individual who is suffering from a spiritual blindness to the remediation and forgiveness of sins, actually taught readers in the combox that Christ's Church cannot dispense and release us from sin.
In his own sad inability to taste and savor the purpose of the Institution of Christ and His Sacraments, he explained his own blindness to the remediation and forgiveness of sins of the Catholic Church as Catholic teaching.
Not even the priests reading had the courage to step up and speak the truth.
Is that not breathtaking?
The blind leading the blind while the cowards quiver in the corner.
Carol and Maria....I understand your decisions, respect your decisions, and appreciate your feedback on the issues surrounding Abbey Roads posts. As one who also finds it difficult to not speak out for my love of God and His truths, often at great expense (my poor husband and children!), I do get it (though maybe I am not articulating that well enough here). Sad though, that others that are willing to listen and learn from both of you via your comments there will miss out on your particular wisdom. Each of us feeling called to evangelize one way or another are all different parts of a bigger plan, with different strengths and perspectives that we bring to the table. Who knows who, what, when or where our words or interactions will help others on their journey. That ripple effect. I've often found looking back in retrospect that it wasn't what I would have guessed it to be that made a difference. I look forward to the day it all makes sense because it doesn't always now! Anyway....moving on... Yes, it is breathtaking- breathtakingly sad - when priests remain silent. I often think how much easier our speaking out as laity would be if we were following their lead rather than leading the way because of their silence. I think that the lukewarm need our prayers the most! So much to pray for...
Carol, I do not understand what you mean when you say that the Church can dispense from sin. Can you please quote some catechetical stuff about that? As I understood it, the Church ha the power of binding and loosing when it comes to discipline, and that She has the power of forgiveness of sins in the sacraments, but do not understand what you mean when you say the Church can actually allow people to sin through dispensation.
I am sorry for my blindness.
I have indeed decided to receive on the tongue from now on. Out of fear of mortal sin and hell. And I do have a spiritual director, but now my trust is compromised because he allows people to receive in the hand, and though he believes it is more reverent to receive on the tongue, he believes, like the pope, that reception in the hand CAN be done reverently. He also allows EMHCs in his parish.
Maria, I am sorry you feel that way about me and others there. If I have ever said anything contrary or in disagreement with Church teaching, please let me know.
The Church can dispense with sin in numerous ways.
One way - is a complete loosening. In a complete loosening, the action or inaction formally becomes Church teaching. The action or inaction is longer an offense against God. Because it is no longer an offense to God, there are no spiritual or temporal ramifications. We are released from all punishment AND spiritual ramifications.
Another way is a temporary or situational loosening. I explained that to you already when I described how a Bishop could loosen us from a Sunday obligation because of an emergency or disaster. Or the Bishops Conference can even do something asinine and decide they will release us one year from a holy day obligation because it falls on a Monday and oh what a burden it would be for the people to have to go to Church two days in a row. We are released from punishment but there can be and are ramifications.
In a temporary or situational dispensation or loosening, the action or inaction is still a sin outside of that situation. Even in the the temporary situation, though we are loosened from what would ordinarily be a sin de facto, there can be and are ramifications that can lead to sin or even simply ramifications for prayers and petitions delayed. There is a tremendous power in all of us gathering with the Communion of Saints to Lift Christ up in Sacrifice and petition. In a release, the Bishops do not have the power to make up for all of that and so ramifications happen in all kinds of ways.
If we skip Mass the following Sunday or holy day of obligation, it is still a sin. The action or inaction itself still remains an offense to God outside of that situation.
The sin of sacrilege that occurs during Communion in the hand has been a temporary release because the Bishops and priests have been negligent in their duties to teach and there are too many who are ignorant through no fault of their own. The obstinance and sin that accompanies ignorance is too widespread. What I described to you about what is happening to Christ is actually still happening. They did not and do not have the power to opine that the particles falling to the floor and being ground into dirt, shoes, washing machines no longer has spiritual ramifications to Christ, the people and the Church at large. In mercy, they have simply released us from the punishment.
You do not have to be concerned that your spiritual director has told you that the Church and Christ will not punish anyone for Communion in the hand.
A spiritual director should be a priest who will take the time to dig out whatever sins we have that are preventing us from making spiritual progress. Most are simply flying by the seat of their pants and at best, letting us all come and go for decades without getting to the nitty gritty of digging to release us from the bondage of sin.
Sometimes, they are doing their best but the soul is hostile. During times like this a good priest then goes to prayer and fasting on your behalf. Priests who know what is happening in the spiritual world and have the zeal to do it are few and far between but they are out there.
All I can say about a spiritual director is, if you are making progress, by the fruits you shall know it. If not, it's time to take a good look at whether its you or him and go on a search.
Most simply don't want to deal with the hostility and BS that happened in those comments boxes over the last few days. They too are weak.
I have really said all I believe I can and should say. You have nothing to be sorry about here and best of luck to you.
Carol and all, rather than say "dispense from sin," I think you mean "dispense from obligation." You don't mean to say that the Commandments and the moral law can be dispensed, but some folks may take it that way. For example, there is no way the Church can dispense a couple from the prohibition on contraception. (I am not addressing extraordinary circumstances involving "double effect" such as necessary medication that happens to also cause infertility.) But what the Church obliges, She can dispense.
Abbey Toads
34 comments:
Peerless.
I think I just pulled something I laughed so hard.....
Carol, all I see is the scene from the Wizard of Oz and the word "what". Is there something that my computer is failing to download?
Carol,
I tell ya, some of these so-called catholics have nothing on atheists.
I believe your experience as a Eucharistic minister. I believe we should be receiving communion on the tongue.
Thanks again, I 've learned so much from you.
Jasper
No wonder Fr. Corapi packed his bags and left. If I had to deal with these people all the time I'd hop on the Harley and get out of town too.
I'm teaching 5th grade CCD this year, I have about 30-40 kids in the class. So I get the teaching book (from the Arcdioses I guess) and open it up a few pages and they're talking about how to be Green! LOL!). Anyways, nobody stepped up to volunteer so I did. I need get in a better state of mind...praying more would be good for me.
Jasper
Janet, I am wiisecracking about a conversation on Abbey Roads. If you didn't see it, stay tuned I have an instant replay coming.
Jasper, you will be enriched and blessed. 40 is a lot of kids!
Jasper, God bless you for taking on this very challenging apostolate...pray to St. John Bosco a lot, and may I make a few quick suggestions? Get yourself a copy of the "Faith and Life" series 5th grade teacher's manual (available at Ignatius.com), and draw from it HEAVILY as your 'supplemental' material.
Also, Walmart has nice black binders for a dollar, I know you have a big class, but I find this truly worth the investment: Get a binder for each child, put 4 divider pages in marked; Prayers, Eucharist and Eucharistic miracles, Mary and the Saints, and Miscellaneous. Pre-fill the prayers section with the basics (also in Latin beside the English), and some other beautiful prayers and devotions (for instance, I always introduce them to the St. Gertrude Prayer just before All Souls Day and we talk about the indulgences offered for praying for the Poor Souls in a cemetery, each day, for the first week of November). Have them bring this binder with them to every class, and start & end EVERY class with a prayer.
For each class bring in a printed page for them about a Saint (LOTS of great stuff on the web, but watch your sources), and near the beginning of each class briefly talk about that Saint before they file the page under "Mary and the Saints".
The website "therealpresence.org" has GREAT material you can print off and discuss with/give to the kids to begin filling the Eucharist section….spread this out over the year.
Place an inexpensive, but nice, Rosary in the front pocket (ask all your relatives and friends to save the ones that Catholic charity organizations send in the mail...I have TONS of extras I could send you if you'd like to do this), along with one of the $.25 pamphlets on how to pray the Rosary (complete with beautiful pictures of all the 20 Mysteries, and available at any Catholic store…a great tool to use when teaching the Rosary).
MAKE THEM DO HOMEWORK and hold them accountable for it, and assign a Scripture reading every week….you will take TONS of guff from parents, but you need to make very clear to them that their religion classes are the MOST important classes they will ever have in their whole lives, and not just a time-filler/box-checker. Do not back down on this, and expect some slings-and-arrows from the most unexpected places…you will have much good fodder to ‘offer-up’.
Pray for ‘your kids’ EVERY DAY (every child you teach will forever be a spiritual child), and take them and their families spiritually before Our Lord in Adoration often. Love them with the heart of a father, and make prayers to the Holy Spirit your mainstay.
You will be great!!! May God bless you, the Holy Spirit guide you, and Mother Mary watch over you.
And a most blessed Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity to one and all!
susan
Susan,
Your post just blew me away. Brought me to tears.
What a contrast it is to think that yesterday you were told by the imprudent and rash judges reading your soul that they were glad they didn't have you around...
This year I have a six grade class and Susan is right about the Faith and Life series..I have used it for two years as my main resource, but this idea of a personal binder with sections is really a wonderful suggestion. Insisting on the homework does become an issue for sure as well as memorizing anything. The children are so consumed with after school activities and classwork it really takes a lot prayer and 'creative insistence'..
Every year I grow to love each of those children and I teach them as if they were my own...Then off they go at the end of the year, but when I see them around town...Sometimes I get a hug..
You'll be great, Jasper.+
Since the comment thread has taken on a CCD theme :) (not to shabby); I teach the younger ones, and often also the "specials." I think this year I will have a little group pf three. All different ages, all different diagnoses, but one class. It's tough. I was given the Rose Kennedy program book, but frankly, there isn't much substance in it (sorry Rose), and it's over their heads to boot. I find myself tailoring things to each one,and using songs on my guitar, and manipulatives (they need lots and lots of visuals/things that can be handled). I try to get across a few main concepts, the foremost one being the Real Presence. Even last year when I had first grade, that was my main focus.
And, Susan, I copied your whole comment to save for ideas! Thank you. If I do get the "regular" kids (yuck, sorry) the curriculum we get for them is pretty weak. I probably won't know what class I am getting till I get there! (roll of eyes). I belong to the Last Minute Parish. :/
The Rose Kennedy Program Book?
Just wheny you think you've heard everything...
I taught for 13 years. What an learning expeience it is. When I went into it, I still had questions about the wisdom of prohibitions on contraception...celibacy. I was up front about them to the priest but was also up front that I would never pass on my own flaws to the children and vowed to teach the religion flawlessly. He let me do it and I kept to that vow.
I taught the high school age level and they pushed all the buttons. I had to put out into the deep to come up with the right answers for them. While responding to their indignity and challenges with the teachings of the Church until they exhausted them - all my own doubts washed away with theirs, in the beauty of the Catechism, theology of the body and humanae vitae and John Paul's writings.
It is spectacular. You're going to love it. Keep us up to date on how it's going.
Sorry!--the way I said "Rose Kennedy program book" sounds so wacko, I know! lol It is the Rose Kennedy CCD curriculum for kids with special needs. That doesn't make the content any better, but at least it doesn't have to sound like a cult manifesto.
Susan, Caroline,
Thanks alot, I will sue your suggestions..
Thanks
Jasper
*use*
Jasper
I've truly struggled with whether or not to respond to the ongoing posts regarding how to receive the Holy Eucharist and its subsequent issue of fraternal correction here and at Abby Roads. This world of blogging/commenting is relatively new to me and I do not want to be offensive to anyone. Who am I to judge someone else's intent? That said, I am dismayed to see that you removed AbbyRoads from your blogroll. Terry, like you, appears very devout (as do many of his commenters) and blogging as an answer to a calling, also perhaps like you . Different perspective, but a calling to evangelization. I do not know your motivation for removing the link, and it is your perogative - I just hope that it isn't the result of wounded pride. You and others did take a beating - I am sorry for that. More often than not these days, I am drawn to the "between the lines" differences in the blogs I read, and realize that many with polar opposite views all think that they are doing/saying what they are called to do/say. I do not see malice in many of you despite your differing opinions, and yet, you are often so different. Part of the plan to get the rest of us to think vs diabolical disorientation? I hope so, and pray that all of you who are so courageous to speak out like you do continue to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Many others of us out here count on that (nothing like a little pressure!). I'd like to think that the Holy Spirit has led me to all of you. I'm not totally sure of my roll yet, but I did feel called to question your motivation in deleting the link. Enough said.
Karen,
It was gone five minutes!! You're a sharp eye!
Thank you for your thoughts. You've been reading here a while, enough to have a small taste of my personality, so I hope this makes sense to you. I had hoped this post would convey that I was in good humor over the whole thing personally. The discussion was 100 percent about Christ and His Church. The climate created for faithful Catholics. For the life of me, I could not drum up something to have hurt feelings about personally if I tried.
The reason why I deleted the link was because I can't keep my mouth shut when souls and salvation are jeopardized. It is impossible.
If I leave the link up, the temptation to go over there and comment overcomes me. Terry attracts several who are compromised, confused or hostile to Church teaching. When that happens, it switches from evangelism to a common ground barroom - finding things to laugh at.
Of late, instead of pithy humor, which Terry is great at, I've found posts that are mean. As a result, it cultivates meanspirited cackling jackals in the comboxes intolerant to teaching. It's disturbing and unsettling to me. But I don't want to be tempted to go over there because it has reached the point where they are entertaining themselves and hurting people. It is a contest of egos, not a discussion geared towards salvation. No benefit can be gained by going over there at this juncture.
I did it because I don't want the temptation luring me into an ambush.
Does that make sense?
p.s. I am on my way out for a walk but I should clarify that the above was NOT meant to imply that this is Terry's whole shtick or that he isn't orthodox or he dissents from the faith -- none of that is true.
Carol,
I hope that you had a good walk...
I did get the humor of this post and yes, your not going over there as a means to avoid temptation does makes sense. Always good to know your limitations and avoid a slugfest if nothing more can be achieved. As I mentioned in previous comments, the loss of even the basic tenents of civility in fellow Catholics saddens me beyond words, so I applaud your bowing out if it helps to stop the vitriol. However, speaking as one who has gained insight from both the bloggers and commenters here and elsewhere,know that I have found many of those insights while sifting through the debris field of nasty comment land. I hope you reconsider adding back the link at some future point as others may be propelled forward on their journey as I have been, one link at a time. Besides, I think that Terry will miss you!
Thank you for allowing me to add my two cents worth!
Carol, the woman on the left looks exactly like the sports editor for the Los Angeles bureau of Associated Press. I should know; I work as a free-lance sportswriter and did a lot of work for AP before she (insert past-tense verb form of deleted expletive here) out of work.
Karen:
I feel very much the way that Carol does about Abbey Roads. Terry, for whatever reason, incites a lot of acerbic commentary from a number of people who are hostile to many Church teachings. I tried to refrain from commentary in this last go round as much as possible. I have been concerned because there is so much vituperative commentary, that I don't know how to respond without (1) being uncharitable or (2) I feel tempted toward sinful behavior (3) I end up feeling so demoraized by the now prevalnet antipathy toward the teachings of the Church that I no longer want to be there. I am left feeling that the best response is to absent myself from further commentary. I have been reading and commenting at Abbey Roads for a long time and have very much appreciated so many of Terry's posts. I have learned so much. I was however saddened to see that Terry chose not to intervene until after there was a lot of carnage. Comments were ulitmately closed but rather late in the game with no apologies to Carol. The topic of Holy Communion was then re-opened, and, again, no apologies to Carol.
This decision to absent myself from Abbey Roads has been difficult for me as I have so much appreciated, and been fond of Terry, for so many reasons.
Susan; I see you have been reading Fr. Hardon :) Hip hip hooray! Ditto re Carol's remark. How WONDERFUL that these children have you around them!
"However, speaking as one who has gained insight from both the bloggers and commenters here and elsewhere,know that I have found many of those insights while sifting through the debris field of nasty comment land."
Karen, this is very true. Additionally, not only are people learning how to defend the faith in aggressive circumstances, there is much going on spiritually. At the end of it all, a man surrendered to reverence the Eucharist. He also divulged a serious problem and was encouraged to find a spiritual director who can help him. Another woman decided to stop being an EM. Much fruit.
Truth, Justice and Mercy are symbiotic. They are usually granted by different people because we have too much pride. When mercy is granted without truth, the soul digs himself deeper into the hole of sin.
Sometimes Christ zealously told the truth to a soul. At others, he challenged them by saying they are sons of the devil, swine, a dog. He took the whip to one group. He healed and exorcised in different ways according to what was going on. Sometimes, He just fasted and prayed for the situation.
Those short on deep insight as to the reasons why, some with messiah complexes, believe everything others are doing to carry out Christ's complete mission in the face of priests who have abandoned exorcism and the Sacrament of Penance, is a flaw. Somewhere, the devil dances at these asinine scuffles.
Anyway - I think you are missing the main reason why I am trying to avoid the temptation. From Terry's post-mortem, I do not get the impression he sees or has an appreciation for the above and it is his blog..he should be left in peace to do whatever God is calling him to do.
he should be left in peace to do whatever God is calling him to do.
I am in complete agreement, Carol.
As an aside, I have kept every one at Abbey Roads in my prayers this week, at Mass.
Carol, I echo Maria;
"Peerless"
...and a class act.
Susan: Class act indeed. On the subject of the Catechism, Fr. Hardon was a great believer in memorization! Sounds like you are doing an incredible job.
Hey All you Catechists--
Here is what Hardon says about memorization as it relates to imparting the Catechism in the Modern Catholic Dictionary:
MEMORIZATION. The practice of deliberately committing to memory facts and verbal expressions considered useful or necessary for future recall. Since the earliest times the Church has encouraged memorization, e.g., the directives of the American hierarchy: "The special place of memory in the transmission of the faith of the Church throughout the ages, should be valued and exercised, especially in catechetical programs for the young. Opportunities for memorization should be adapted to the level and ability of the child and presented in a gradual fashion. Among these elements of Catholic faith, tradition and practice which, through an early, gradual, flexible, and never slavish process of memorization, could become lessons learned for a lifetime, contributing to an individual's growth and development in an understanding of the Faith are the following: 1. prayers, such as the Sign of the Cross, the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, the Act of Contrition; 2. factual information contributing to an appreciation of the place of the Word of God in the Church and the life of the Christian through an awareness and appreciation of: a. the key themes of the history of salvation; b. the major personalities of the Old and New Testaments; c. certain biblical texts expressive of God's love and care; 3. formulas providing factual information regarding worship, the Church year, and major practices in the devotional life of Christians: a. the parts of the Mass; b. the list of the sacraments; c. the liturgical seasons; d. the holy days of obligation; e. the major feasts of Our Lord and Our Lady; f. the various eucharistic devotions; g. the mysteries of the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary; h. the Stations of the Cross; 4. formulas and practices dealing with the moral life of Christians: a. the Commandments; b. the Beatitudes; c. the gifts of the Holy Spirit; d. the theological and moral virtues; e. the precepts of the Church; f. the examination of conscience" (Amendments to the National Catechetical Directory, 1977).
It is assumed that what has been memorized will also be reflected on and, as far as possible, understood. But memorizing is indispensable for any sound pedagogy in the Catholic religion (General Catechetical Directory, 73).
Slightly more than the coloring books that are served up as a substitute for the peace and justice crowd, don't you think? And we wonder why so few know the faith...
He also said: “What is memorized becomes part of the mind,” he pointed out. “And, unless something is memorized – and I really mean this – it does not become part of the mind.”
Without sound memories, “people are at the mercy of accepting the latest idea or concept that comes to mind – no matter how faulty or silly it might be – because there is no memorized, solid truth to fall back on...
During his travels throughout the world, he finds “a lot of Catholics who go to church and all the rest, but when I ask them a few things about the basics of their faith, they can’t give me a proper answer.”
He blamed that condition on what he called a preoccupation with secular issues, in which religion has been given a back seat in the classroom.
Amen sister...AMEN!
I have GOT to get me some Fr. Hardon.
Thanks to those who expressed love and concern (personally and here). Your tenderness and kindness means a great deal to me.
Just for the record, there is no need for any apology to me. I would be concerned if a postmortem went that way because Christ would be cheated out of what really needs to happen.
An individual put those of us concerned with the mishandling of the Eucharist with the same trivia and minutia of complaints about wearing pants and dancing.
Silence is not a virtue, when charity calls for speech. What transpired in response to truth was...insane. Not sound of mind, body and spirit. In every conceivable way.
I can admit that Maria has a devotion to John Hardon without feeling inferior. I realize she's called to him so that she can respond with his teachings and enlighten and enrich those of us who are intimate with the treasures of our Church in other ways.
I have a friend who gets up at 3:30 in the AM so he can be sure he gets to daily Mass in Boston at 6 before his day starts at 7:30. I make excuses that with the twelve hours in my day, I am too pooped to do it. I can admit his devotion to daily reception of the Eucharist is more intimate than my own.
The irony of it all was, the combox combatants were the ones reading my soul and making unsound judgments, imputing motives, because that less of a blow to their ego than admitting they have a lesser devotion to the Eucharist than people who would never contribute to the trampling of Christ's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
If you know that you are dropping Him on the floor and going to keep on doing it until the Bishops tell you to stop it because they have released us from the temporal punishment from the sin of sacrilege, you've got a problem. Do some prayerful contemplation to find out what is at the bottom of it.
Just because in Mercy, Christ and His Church pardons us, doesn't mean you should keep on doing it when you, yourself, realize what is happening.
If you attack people telling you, if you come up with a big tada after it all that their zeal through it all indicates THEY are the people who should not be teaching, you are deluding yourself and the people relying on your witness. Lots of luck with it and God Bless.
In the end, on a post labeled fraternal correction, I would say in that kind of an environment, whatever I say or do may in fact scandalize people who would fear being treated that way by the crowd of jackals. Since I can't keep my mouth shut - I am avoiding the temptation. There is no ill will or hurt feelings.
My sorrow is for and with Christ. That's where I'd like to see the postmortem of it to be focused.
By the way, when I carefully explained having a 'dispensation' from the punishment of a sin by the Church because of a widespread ignorance and/or pigheadedness of the people,
there was something that didn't get said when I walked away from it.
An individual who is suffering from a spiritual blindness to the remediation and forgiveness of sins, actually taught readers in the combox that Christ's Church cannot dispense and release us from sin.
In his own sad inability to taste and savor the purpose of the Institution of Christ and His Sacraments, he explained his own blindness to the remediation and forgiveness of sins of the Catholic Church as Catholic teaching.
Not even the priests reading had the courage to step up and speak the truth.
Is that not breathtaking?
The blind leading the blind while the cowards quiver in the corner.
Prayers for all.
Carol and Maria....I understand your decisions, respect your decisions, and appreciate your feedback on the issues surrounding Abbey Roads posts. As one who also finds it difficult to not speak out for my love of God and His truths, often at great expense (my poor husband and children!), I do get it (though maybe I am not articulating that well enough here). Sad though, that others that are willing to listen and learn from both of you via your comments there will miss out on your particular wisdom. Each of us feeling called to evangelize one way or another are all different parts of a bigger plan, with different strengths and perspectives that we bring to the table. Who knows who, what, when or where our words or interactions will help others on their journey. That ripple effect. I've often found looking back in retrospect that it wasn't what I would have guessed it to be that made a difference. I look forward to the day it all makes sense because it doesn't always now! Anyway....moving on...
Yes, it is breathtaking- breathtakingly sad - when priests remain silent. I often think how much easier our speaking out as laity would be if we were following their lead rather than leading the way because of their silence. I think that the lukewarm need our prayers the most!
So much to pray for...
Amen to all of that Karen.
Carol, I do not understand what you mean when you say that the Church can dispense from sin. Can you please quote some catechetical stuff about that? As I understood it, the Church ha the power of binding and loosing when it comes to discipline, and that She has the power of forgiveness of sins in the sacraments, but do not understand what you mean when you say the Church can actually allow people to sin through dispensation.
I am sorry for my blindness.
I have indeed decided to receive on the tongue from now on. Out of fear of mortal sin and hell. And I do have a spiritual director, but now my trust is compromised because he allows people to receive in the hand, and though he believes it is more reverent to receive on the tongue, he believes, like the pope, that reception in the hand CAN be done reverently. He also allows EMHCs in his parish.
Maria, I am sorry you feel that way about me and others there. If I have ever said anything contrary or in disagreement with Church teaching, please let me know.
The Church can dispense with sin in numerous ways.
One way - is a complete loosening. In a complete loosening, the action or inaction formally becomes Church teaching. The action or inaction is longer an offense against God. Because it is no longer an offense to God, there are no spiritual or temporal ramifications. We are released from all punishment AND spiritual ramifications.
Another way is a temporary or situational loosening. I explained that to you already when I described how a Bishop could loosen us from a Sunday obligation because of an emergency or disaster. Or the Bishops Conference can even do something asinine and decide they will release us one year from a holy day obligation because it falls on a Monday and oh what a burden it would be for the people to have to go to Church two days in a row. We are released from punishment but there can be and are ramifications.
In a temporary or situational dispensation or loosening, the action or inaction is still a sin outside of that situation. Even in the the temporary situation, though we are loosened from what would ordinarily be a sin de facto, there can be and are ramifications that can lead to sin or even simply ramifications for prayers and petitions delayed. There is a tremendous power in all of us gathering with the Communion of Saints to Lift Christ up in Sacrifice and petition. In a release, the Bishops do not have the power to make up for all of that and so ramifications happen in all kinds of ways.
If we skip Mass the following Sunday or holy day of obligation, it is still a sin. The action or inaction itself still remains an offense to God outside of that situation.
The sin of sacrilege that occurs during Communion in the hand has been a temporary release because the Bishops and priests have been negligent in their duties to teach and there are too many who are ignorant through no fault of their own. The obstinance and sin that accompanies ignorance is too widespread. What I described to you about what is happening to Christ is actually still happening. They did not and do not have the power to opine that the particles falling to the floor and being ground into dirt, shoes, washing machines no longer has spiritual ramifications to Christ, the people and the Church at large. In mercy, they have simply released us from the punishment.
You do not have to be concerned that your spiritual director has told you that the Church and Christ will not punish anyone for Communion in the hand.
A spiritual director should be a priest who will take the time to dig out whatever sins we have that are preventing us from making spiritual progress. Most are simply flying by the seat of their pants and at best, letting us all come and go for decades without getting to the nitty gritty of digging to release us from the bondage of sin.
Sometimes, they are doing their best but the soul is hostile. During times like this a good priest then goes to prayer and fasting on your behalf. Priests who know what is happening in the spiritual world and have the zeal to do it are few and far between but they are out there.
All I can say about a spiritual director is, if you are making progress, by the fruits you shall know it. If not, it's time to take a good look at whether its you or him and go on a search.
Most simply don't want to deal with the hostility and BS that happened in those comments boxes over the last few days. They too are weak.
I have really said all I believe I can and should say. You have nothing to be sorry about here and best of luck to you.
Carol and all, rather than say "dispense from sin," I think you mean "dispense from obligation." You don't mean to say that the Commandments and the moral law can be dispensed, but some folks may take it that way. For example, there is no way the Church can dispense a couple from the prohibition on contraception. (I am not addressing extraordinary circumstances involving "double effect" such as necessary medication that happens to also cause infertility.) But what the Church obliges, She can dispense.
What Jerry said!
I thought the word dispense wasn't exactly right...but perhaps changing up the word sin works better with the explanation of the theology.
Thanks..
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