Proud of The Catholic Church

I received this article in an e-mail from my close friend and roommate Liz. I think there are some valid points that a lot of people don't realize. Additionally, the book "The Courage to be Catholic" by George Weigel, is a great book to read to increase one's understanding of the sex abuse reports from a couple years back.  Weigel gives an adequate account of how the transitions from Vatican II impacted all Catholics.

Where this article originally appeared, I do not know.

Excerpts of an article written by Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman - NOT Catholic.
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Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States, namely the Catholic Church?

Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million elementary and high school students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on to university studies at the rate of 92%.
The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students.

The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just Catholics - in the United States today

But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage.

Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church , 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed.

Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not just a Catholic problem.

A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been weeded out by now.

Walk with your shoulders high and your head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental entity in the United States today. Then remember what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions. 

Be proud that you're a Catholic.

Summer

Here is a glimpse at what I was up to last summer. I grew up with the Totus Tuus parish program, but have never seen the camp from the camper's side. As a counselor, I've never been more blessed to grow closer to Christ with all those around me. 
Click on the words to follow the link.

Totus Tuus Camp 

This coming summer I will be with the Salina Diocese and Prayer and Action. I'm excited!

Keeping My Marbles

In reading "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris the other day, I came across a short and relevant anecdote that is worth sharing. This book is one that I read as a senior in high school. Coming back to it four years later, I'm finding much knowledge in this book the second time I read it, not just about dating, but the means by which I view and treat all of my relationships. 

Making the Trade

One day a boy who has a bag of marbles proposed a trade with a little girl who has a bag of candy. The girl gladly agrees. But as the boy gets out his marbles, he realizes that he can't bear to part with some of them. Rather dishonestly, he takes three of his best marbles and hides them under his pillow. The boy and girl make the trade, and the girl never knows he has cheated her. But that night, while the girl lies fast asleep, the boy has no peace. He's wide awake, pondering a question that nags at him: "I wonder if she kept her best candy, too?" 
Like that little boy, many of us walk through life plagued by the question "Has God given me His best?" But the question that we must answer first is "Am I giving God my best?"

The explanation in the book goes on to explain: "You and I will never experience God's best - in singleness or in marriage - until we give God our all. We've help on to old attitudes foolishly clutching a lifestyle that the world tells us will bring fulfillment. God asks us to hand it all over to Him. 

Yup, I've been keeping some of my marbles, too. Whether this has been my attitude, my habits, my trust in self, I have yet to give God my best, all of the time. 

Alleluia!

I cannot hardly contain my Easter Joy! And we get to CeleBraTE this Solemnity (Our Greatest Solemnity) for the next seven days during The Octave of Easter!


I was blessed to be able to spend time at home today with my family. At the Easter Vigil Last night at St. Isidore's I witnessed almost 50 individuals become Catholic, members of the Body of Christ. I could hardly contain my joy then. It has come all the more to life when conversing and sharing stories with my sister and two of the great friends we have been able to grow up with, after a full day of catching up with family!


Alleluia! Jesus Christ is Risen! This is the source and summit, the means and the ends of our Catholic faith. (Remember I am not a theologian...). The sacramental truth that gives us the Eucharist for our food. 
Two days before Ash Wednesday, Fr. Bernie challenged a small group of people during a homily to make this Lent the best Lent yet, and thus it will be the best Easter yet. Taking his challenge to heart, I cannot say that I recall ever having experienced this much joy on Easter Sunday. All of which, I hope will continue to last throughout this week. If you read my last post, you know that I struggled through Lent. 


All of the friends who attend Catholic schools do not have class tomorrow. I must say I am a bit jealous, but will face tomorrow with joy. 


The real source of my joy comes not only from knowing that Christ is Risen, but also from the fullness of truth that is the Catholic Church. More in particular, the Sacraments. Especially Holy Eucharistic and Confession. And that we as Catholics, share this communion, this unity in the Body of Christ with Catholics throughout the world. 


May the Joy of the Risen Christ be with you through the Octave of Easter.