|
Post by Tim Killmeyer on Oct 5, 2013 7:17:02 GMT -5
A book on Christian life by St Gregory of Nyssa Fight the good fight of faith
Whoever is in Christ is a new creation; the old has passed away. Now by the “new creation” Paul means the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a heart that is pure and blameless, free of all malice, wickedness or shamefulness. For when a soul has come to hate sin and has delivered itself as far as it can to the power of virtue, it undergoes a transformation by receiving the grace of the Spirit. Then it is healed, restored and made wholly new. Indeed the two texts: Purge out the old leaven that you may be a new one, and: Let us celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, support those passages which speak about the new creation.
Yet the tempter spreads many a snare to trap the soul, and of itself human nature is too weak to defeat him. This is why the Apostle bids us to arm ourselves with heavenly weapons, when he says: Put on the breastplate of righteousness and have your feet shod with the gospel of peace and have truth around your waist as a belt. Can you not see how many forms of salvation the Apostle indicates, all leading to the same path and the same goal? Following them to the heights of God’s commandments, we easily complete the race of life. For elsewhere the Apostle says: Let us run with fidelity the race that has been set before us, with our eyes on Jesus, the origin and the goal of our faith.
So a man who openly despises the accolades of this world and rejects all earthly glory must also practice self-denial. Such self-denial means that you never seek your own will but God’s, using God’s will as a sure guide; it also means possessing nothing apart from what is held in common. In this way it will be easier for you to carry out your superior’s commands promptly, in joy and in hope; this is required of Christ’s servants who are redeemed for service to the brethren. For this is what the Lord wants when he says: Whoever wishes to be first and great among you must be the last of all and a servant to all.
Our service of mankind must be given freely. One who is in such a position must be subject to everyone and serve his brothers as if he were paying off a debt. Moreover, those who are in charge should work harder than the others and conduct themselves with greater submission than their own subjects. Their lives should serve as a visible example of what service means, and they should remember that those who are committed to their trust are held in trust from God.
Those, then, who are in a position of authority must look after their brothers as conscientious teachers look after the young children who have been handed over to them by their parents. If both disciples and masters have this loving relationship, then subjects will be happy to obey whatever is commanded, while superiors will be delighted to lead their brothers to perfection. If you try to outdo one another in showing respect, your life on earth will be like that of the angels.
|
|
|
Post by deaconjohnschiffer on Oct 4, 2013 13:40:15 GMT -5
We take a regular rotation on Baptism Sunday, 3 to 4 times a year, plus a few off the regular schedule to accommodate parishioners with family travel issues.
|
|
dcnmick
New Member
Archdiocese of[br]Liverpool[br]Class of 1998
Posts: 3
|
Post by dcnmick on Oct 3, 2013 16:55:09 GMT -5
In our church we have baptisms twice a month outside of Mass. Father does one weekend and I do another. I also help out with baptisms occasionally at another parish in Liverpool. We normally have three or four children at a time for baptism.
I love baptisms.
|
|
msudnik
New Member
Diocese of[br]Birmingham[br]Class of 2005
Posts: 0
|
Post by msudnik on Oct 3, 2013 11:23:03 GMT -5
Most of the baptisms I perform are in the hospital, and I am asked to baptize a child in danger of death. Only rarely do I perform a baptism in the church. I am normally called to perform 3 to 4 such baptisms in a year. Mike Sudnik Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama
|
|
warrenhoy
New Member
Diocese of Monterey[br]Class of 2009
Posts: 2
|
Post by warrenhoy on Oct 3, 2013 11:17:22 GMT -5
My parish does about half our baptisms at Mass, which the pastor usually does, and the other half on Sunday afternoons after the last Mass of the day, which I usually do. We have another deacon who does some, but his schedule and preferences often have him off the schedule on Sunday afternoons, so I tend to do most of them. That's fine with me -- I love doing baptisms!
I also teach the pre-baptism classes for parents and godparents.
|
|
jerrylozon
New Member
Diocese of London, Ontario Canada[br]Ordained 2007
Posts: 2
|
Post by jerrylozon on Oct 3, 2013 9:25:47 GMT -5
There are two deacons in my parish cluster and one pastor. Our pastor does some of the baptisms during mass throughout the year and then the three of us take our turn each month for the outside of mass baptisms. We would each celebrate between 30-40 baptisms per year.
|
|
mjrobb43
New Member
Diocese of[br]Rochester[br]Class of 2006
Posts: 1
|
Post by mjrobb43 on Oct 3, 2013 8:51:00 GMT -5
Like Deacon Mike from Syr, o ur baptisms are predominantly performed during Mass, so I do the handfull of those outside of Mass.
|
|
magnetic
New Member
Diocese of[br]Syracuse, NY[br]Class of 2010
Posts: 0
|
Post by magnetic on Oct 3, 2013 8:19:20 GMT -5
Good morning Tim:
Most of our baptisms are during weekend liturgy, either the 9:00 0r 11:00 Mass, usually done by the pastor. If we have a visiting Priest, then I do the baptism. If couples prefer a private baptism, then I do them. I have done 11 baptisms this year with one more next weekend.
Peace Mike Letizia
|
|
Greg Kandra
New Member
Diocese of[br]Brooklyn[br]Class of 2007
Posts: 0
|
Post by Greg Kandra on Oct 3, 2013 8:00:45 GMT -5
I'm in rotation with two priests in my parish. We have baptisms on the first Sunday of every month, so I generally do baptisms every third month, or four times a year. Once in a while, I'll step in to do a private one, but most are group baptisms, with anywhere from 6 to 14 infants.
|
|
|
Post by Tim Killmeyer on Oct 3, 2013 7:39:49 GMT -5
I do one, sometimes 2 or 3, every couple of months. Besides my assignment to the Diocesan Department for Persons with Disabilities I am attached to a large suburban parish now down to the pastor and a priest-in-residence who helps out occasionally. Only a few years ago, when we had a pastor and a parochial vicar, there was very little reason for me to do baptisms and I did very few.
Usually, if the parents choice is to have the baptism during Mass, the priest just does it, but if they choose to have it after the Noon Mass on Sunday and the priest is busy, he might ask me to do it (them).
Tim
|
|
|
Post by Tim Killmeyer on Oct 3, 2013 7:32:21 GMT -5
While it is true that we are (ostensibly) ordained for ministries of charity and justice, there is no denying that many of us are often called upon to help with Sacramental duties as well as taking on leadership roles in para-liturgies and other types of prayer services. These are all part of what we were ordained to do but some of our diaconal assignments lend themselves to doing more of these things than other assignments.
There are also MANY variables that can't be reflected in the POLL, like the fact that a deacon assigned to a young suburban parish "might" do more baptisms than a deacon assigned to an elderly, urban parish (who "might" do more committal services). You get my drift. It might be interesting to do the same POLLs in 5 or ten years and see if percentages have changed!
Over the next few weeks we will highlight a different aspect of ministry. As usual I am open to suggestions for future POLLS.
We'll start with baptisms.
Tim
|
|
mikeb51907
New Member
Brooklyn Diocese[br]Class of 2007
Posts: 10
|
Post by mikeb51907 on Sept 29, 2013 15:33:05 GMT -5
It has gotten to the point that I avoid reading anything in the secular media about Church teaching. It was either that or double the dosage on my blood pressure medication. There is no denying that Pope Francis is making some uncomfortable with his insistent reminder of the mission with which Christ commissioned His Church. Good. I am sure the Pharisees to whom Jesus addressed the story of the rich man and Lazarus in today's Gospel. So the short answer is no, The Holy Father's comments are not going to change the direction of the church but they will help us to maintain our focus on our destination.
|
|
abreviario
New Member
Diocese of Brooklyn[br]Class of 2007
Posts: 0
|
Post by abreviario on Sept 27, 2013 18:07:43 GMT -5
I believe Pope Francis is already doing the mission of the Church, by bringing the Gospel message to all people by his words and his actions! He is not "throwing the baby out with the bath water"! He is refocussing his attention full time on the baby because that's the future of the Church!
|
|
dcnpat
New Member
Diocese of Winona, MN[br]Ordained 2003
Posts: 0
|
Post by dcnpat on Sept 27, 2013 14:57:43 GMT -5
The secular commentators know NOT of what they hear or say when it comes to the Church, and especially Pope Francis. They HEAR what they want to hear, even if it isn't said, and they understand what they hear in the context that they want the CHURCH to CHANGE, rather than themselves having to change.
Pope Francis reiterates that we, the Church, continue to treat, as Jesus did, ALL God's creatures with love, but continue to chastise their choice of poor actions. We are still required to separate the deeds from the person because we are called to SAVE SOULS, yet not condone by wishy-washy watered down rhetoric inappropriate and immoral acts. Pope Francis is SPOT ON in his comments, and he doesn't want the Church to be stuck on the sandbar of just a few hot-tpoic issues, he wants us to hit them all by boldly preaching the Way, the Truth, and the Life to everyone, without judgement of their actions.
|
|
Ron Tocci
Acolyte
Diocese of Rochester[br]Class of '94
Posts: 91
|
Post by Ron Tocci on Sept 27, 2013 14:04:50 GMT -5
I don't think the American Bishops have been "insisting only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage, and the use of contraceptive methods," if that is what Pope Francis is implying. It is the political climate here with the ObamaCare intrusion on religious freedom, and the states' push to legalize gay marriage that have compelled the bishops to come out strongly on these issues. If the government were attempting to eliminate welfare or to halt the flow of immigrants, the Bishops - I am sure - would come out just as strongly on these issues.
I hope Pope Francis didn't intend to call "small minded" those who have devoted their time and energy to advocate strongly on a particular Catholic issue (e.g., abortion, religious freedom), but I can see how his choice of words could easily be taken as a directive to dial back one's efforts on that issue and instead focus on others. What would this accomplish other than disheartening those who are working in the trenches?
Yes, we should always balance the efforts to uphold Catholic doctrine with an attitude of mercy and compassion toward those who are not following it, but we should not "throw out the baby with the bath water." I hope what Pope Francis intended was to remind us to "condemn the sin, and love the sinner."
|
|
deaconmikeb
New Member
Archdiocese[br]of Milwaukee[br]Class of '94
Posts: 1
|
Post by deaconmikeb on Sept 27, 2013 11:04:19 GMT -5
I agree with Tim. The Pope's comments is not changing what the Church believes but what it is trying to change is the idea that abortion, contraception, etc. has to be the prime focus...and to some only focus. Mike
|
|
|
Post by Tim Killmeyer on Sept 26, 2013 9:12:04 GMT -5
O.K., I'll start.
;D
I think the Church has always taught that we have to be sensitive to the situations of people lives and that we need to invite anyone and everyone to hear the Good news.
I think that many members of our Church (and that includes some clergy, though I'm generally speaking of the laity) do ostracize and exclude and make fun of people who struggle with various things or who have made bad choices in the past. In that respect, I feel that Pope Francis' words should make for a change.
But for people to extrapolate from that the idea that the Church will not continue to condemn certain intrinsic evils is a big mistake.
IMO, we welcome everyone and everyone needs to experience a metanoia continue to change their lives.
The problem that Francis is pointing out, as I see it, is that some people fell that they have "made it" (are "good" or "righteous") and have the right to beat others over the head with their sins while ignoring their own.
In that respect, I think there might be some change (to recognize that we all sin and have thing we need to repent of and change).
But to think that Francis' words mean that the Church will welcome everyone and overlook any evil in their lives is a grave mistake, IMO.
Tim
|
|
|
Post by Tim Killmeyer on Sept 26, 2013 8:57:50 GMT -5
Hello gentlemen!
For this latest poll I wondered if we could have some discussion on the popularity of our new Pope Francis and how his words seem to resonate with people who don't usually give much credence to the Catholic Church as a whole, let alone anything the Pope has to say. His recent comments about changing our priorities from moral doctrines to serving the poor and the marginalized have given me to wondering if he is really saying anything different from the way I already live my Catholic faith or different from what I teach and preach. I wondered if his words will really "take the Church in a new direction" as the secular commentators seem to imply.
How about you?
As mention in the last POLL about paid deacons, the questions can't cover every little nuance. In fact, The board itself limits the number of characters in the question and answers, though it does allow for a LOT of answers. But I try not to get too complicated which turns people off. Participating in the POLL (by clicking one of the answers) and also joining in the discussion is the best way to clarify.
The question is: Will the Pope's recent comments change the focus of the Church's mission?
What I wanted to ask, but did not have room for in the question box is: "Do you think Pope Francis' recent comments about changing our priorities from moral doctrines to serving the poor and marginalized change the direction of the Church or the way you preach, teach, and minister?"
I only put "YES" and "NO" because the answers could only be 50 characters long (including spaces) and I couldn't make anything work, so feel free to reply to the thread to expand on your thoughts.
Tim
|
|
|
Post by Tim Killmeyer on Sept 26, 2013 6:53:19 GMT -5
O.K.... Point being? I didn't quote exactly? Still not vague.
|
|
bigj
New Member
Diocese of[br]New Orleans[br]Class of 1985
Posts: 7
|
Post by bigj on Sept 22, 2013 12:28:17 GMT -5
People have discussed this question a few times and I thought it might make a good POLL question for us. In the diocese of Pittsburgh deacons are not paid. If they are a business manager or pastoral associate or similar at a parish, they get paid for that as any person would, but they don't get paid by virtue of ordination to the diaconate. Note that the question is not "Do your deacons get paid?" but "DO YOU THINK deacons should be paid?" As usual, all responses to the poll itself are anonymous, but you can all reply to the message as well, if you like. Tim
|
|