The Scandal of Rupnik

When I was still on Twitter, when the logo for the year of mercy was released in 2015, I commented that it was hideous.  

I stand by that assessment...the oversized eyes, the melding of one of their eyes...it is creepy and hideous.

And then all the allegations have come out against the artist Fr. Rupnik...that he allegedly convinced religious sisters to have sex with him so that he could create his art.

Some, defending the idea that Rupnik's "art" should remain in Catholic Churches all over the world say some form of "Well, Carvaggio was a drunk and may have murdered someone; are you going to take down all of his work as well?"

But here is a big distinction: Carvaggio never murdered someone to help make his art.

Rupnik allegedly sexually enticed religious sisters and then allegedly absolved them of that same sin in the confessional, which incurs a latae sentiae excommunication on Rupnik if he in fact did that.  

Caravaggio never did anything that incurred a latae sententiae excommunication to make his art.

And Caravaggio's paintings are masterpieces, and Rupnik's art is hideous and creepy.

1st Sunday of Lent, 2024, The Angelus

 The Angelus

A recent survey found that 90% of Americans believe in angels, which is a greater percentage than believe in God, which does not make much sense to me, but hardly anything makes sense to me in the United States in 2024.

Almost every CHAPTER in the Bible mentions angels.  Including our Gospel today, which says the angels ministered to Jesus in the desert.

At every Mass, we believe that in a special and unique way ALL the Angels and saints are present here, eventhough we cannot see them...and no other Christian denomination believes that about their worship service.

At Mass, when the priest finishes the preface he says some version of "now with all the angels and saints, let us together acclaim...Holy Holy Holy..."

That is the exact phrase that both Ezekiel in the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation say that the angels and saints are singing unceasingly and without end...we are literally singing WITH the angels.

As I always say, the Catholic Church has a buffet of options for prayers and devotions, and not every prayer will be helpful for every Catholic, but one prayer that Fr. Meyer and I both pray is the "Angelus".  We start every morning in the rectory chapel with the Angelus at 6am.  The Pope every Sunday prays the angelus at noon and then gives a short reflection to those gathered in St. Peter's Square.

A parishioner donated cards with the prayers of the Angelus on it, and so I will ask the ushers to come forward at this time and pass out the cards to anyone who is interested, and/or looking for something to do during Lent.

Ash Wednesday 2024

 2 Things for Ash Wednesday

1) Give up something that you never want to go back to.  10 years ago, I gave up TV for Lent and on Easter I started watching TV again.  The next year, I gave up TV for Lent, and after Lent I was hardly watching it, but by the time Lent rolled around again, I was back watching an hour a day.  I gave up TV for a third lent...and now, for the last 4 years or so, I don't even miss TV.  

2) Pick at least one partner who will hold you accountable.  I have always had a gym membership, and I have noticed that the gym crowd swells on January 2nd from all of the people who make New Year's resolutions, but a week later it is always back to the regulars.  But I have also noticed another thing...the aerobics classes and exercise classes that meet every week...they keep coming after January 7th and come all year...why...because there is a community and there is accountability..."where's Jan...oh she is on vacation in Florida...she'll be back next week"  Maybe you are a part of a Bible study or a small group...let them know what you are doing and meet weekly to pray and talk about how you are doing with your Lenten resolutions.

One of our parish seminarians Randy Schneider!

2024 Legacy Gala from Cantaloupe on Vimeo.