tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post8436199147101722247..comments2023-07-05T08:17:21.505-04:00Comments on Getting to the Point: The Opposite of FunnyFr. Denis Lemieuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01049723287624178155noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-43768494323906155272014-02-12T10:44:31.939-05:002014-02-12T10:44:31.939-05:00Catherine - well, I think the school situation is ...Catherine - well, I think the school situation is a very unfortunate one. I hesitate to express much of an opinion, because even though I read up on it a bit, I don't think I have all the facts. Best not to weigh in without all the facts.<br />I do think it could have been handled differently. The woman is in violation of her contract, and there is a good here at stake of the teachers at a Catholic school agreeing to live out Catholic moral principles (i.e. no sex outside of marriage) that is also important, and which this woman knew about when she signed the contract, and which she violated.<br />That being said, there is a more merciful path possible than what the school board did. I found a blog post by a pretty smart and good deacon that proposed a better way through it: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2014/02/how-do-you-fire-a-pregnant-unwed-teacher-from-a-catholic-school-heres-a-suggestion/<br />But, as in all things, we certainly do need to do a better job loving one another, and there is no question that some of the anger at least that comes against the Church does come from real hurt.<br />Not all of it, though, and what often gets ignored or dismissed (or perhaps taken for granted, as it is expected) is the tremendous amount of charitable work, love, mercy, real practical help that the Church does, in fact, offer to all people in all sorts of painful and difficult situations. It doesn't make headlines, but it goes on, day in and day out, in virtually every diocese and virtually every parish. It doesn't cancel out the (at times) not so great things that happen, but it sure does put them in context, don't you think?Fr. Denis Lemieuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01049723287624178155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-49688564179118255632014-02-08T10:58:17.285-05:002014-02-08T10:58:17.285-05:00Father Denis- bless you.
Please forgive me, but ... Father Denis- bless you. <br /> Please forgive me, but I have to say this...there have been actions taken by catholic communities and catholic bishops which I have a great deal of difficulty interpreting as anything less than hateful...and actions that I see as in no way supporting women and children. Perhaps, it was not the intent of the action- but hatefulness is a perception- and it is all about how our actions are received- have we truly moved closer to openness and love...and life...<br /> Most of the time when people respond as you reported...in hateful anger...it is because they have been deeply hurt. <br /> I do not think we will make any progress here until we truly listen- not just to ourselves- but to the other as well.<br /> Consider this: in the last few weeks am unwed pregnant teacher was fired from Butte Central High School. The reason publically reported was she violated the church's teaching on marriage. (This happens to gay people in catholic institutions all the time once they commit to a life partner)<br /> Anyway, the question is what does this bring to your mind an heart? A exams of concern or support for this mother and unborn child? Do you see that as merciful? Or do you see it as hateful? Or is there some place in between these extremes where we can meet each other?<br /> Does this remind you of Pope Francis who has baptized the children of single parents and even cold called one who chose not to have an abortion? <br /> I suspect that this particular incident will have recourse in the American legal system ( mercifully) . <br /> But, my point is these things are all tremendously complicated. We all have to do a better job of loving each other.<br />Bless you.Catherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-34017064476038005812014-02-06T17:01:32.272-05:002014-02-06T17:01:32.272-05:00To make comments about being against abortion beca...To make comments about being against abortion because of a knowledge that abortion is not ever good for women or that abortion means killing a small, weak human being is not "using force or coercing others to conform."<br /><br />It is stating a point of view, which is more or less what you yourself are doing, by making your own points or at least disagreeing with the points of others.<br /><br />Hopefully the conscience of one who has honestly considered the arguments against abortion will speak up with force against it, but that can hardly be called coercion either.<br /><br />THIS is force: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/chinese-woman-opens-up-about-brutal-13-day-long-forced-abortion-that-nearlyErinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13331552766061753817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-26646563223648099762014-02-05T12:57:45.778-05:002014-02-05T12:57:45.778-05:00My pro life views are strong but I realize that I ...My pro life views are strong but I realize that I must not use force or otherwise coerce others to conform. Your beliefs are opposite.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08523830314348019666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-9165840306850652722014-02-05T10:00:05.115-05:002014-02-05T10:00:05.115-05:00I agree with you totally, Catherine.
And Moe, rec...I agree with you totally, Catherine. <br />And Moe, recently a pro-life woman with a Down's Syndrome baby who dared to critique the President's SOTU address had some pro-choice person on Twitter write "I would like to rip her uterus out of her body and eat it in front of her, just to see the look on her face." Ummmmmmm.... that sounds kinda like hate to me, especially when the person refused to apologize or back down in the slightest when her hateful screed was actually criticized. It's not about 'hating me' - I really don't care if people hate me, you know! It's about using the word 'hate' to intimidate, silence, and shut down debate, ultimately with a view to criminalizing the free expression of some opinions, as has already happened in the UK and increasingly in Europe.<br />Anyhow, I'm glad you don't hate anyone - good for you! I don't hate anyone, either. My pro-life advocacy is entirely and absolutely because I love women and I know that abortion is not a good thing for them, ever.<br />God bless you.Fr. Denis Lemieuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01049723287624178155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-42463744278370067312014-02-05T09:55:31.228-05:002014-02-05T09:55:31.228-05:00That's a great article! One of the best I'...That's a great article! One of the best I've read lately.Fr. Denis Lemieuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01049723287624178155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-63703404291755086252014-02-05T09:55:07.997-05:002014-02-05T09:55:07.997-05:00Patricio - sorry to have been slow on my response ...Patricio - sorry to have been slow on my response to comments. Life is verrrrry busy in my little corner of the world these days! I agree so much with you about the seriousness of the attack and the deep need for Christian education and conversation, not so much about the 'controversies' but about the deep truths of love, marriage, sex, and how they are intrinsically connected to the mystery of God, Jesus, Church. People just don't know, and it is my experience that, when things are presented to them, a la 'Theology of the Body', there is at least an openness to hear it. So... we continue to try.Fr. Denis Lemieuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01049723287624178155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-32167252171052484292014-02-05T07:35:43.438-05:002014-02-05T07:35:43.438-05:00Well, perhaps, I am understanding this a bit diffe... Well, perhaps, I am understanding this a bit differently. This passage brought my focus not so much on the funny or sincere word of the day- but on the process which creates this distinction.<br /> What really makes our words or experience holy? <br /> Perhaps, it is truly receiving the words of the other- truly listening- receiving the person, considering his perspective his idea. <br /> It is possible to hear each other, even disagree, without condemnation. <br /> A lot has been said in the last years about the importance of correcting each other- it seems to me that before we can decide whether something is "funny or serious"- we have to truly hear it. We have to really hear each other, receive each other- we are each more than our ideas and persuasions- we each are the beloved of God.Catherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-23816299806854718582014-02-04T19:26:58.351-05:002014-02-04T19:26:58.351-05:00I'm of course not ever going to have an aborti...I'm of course not ever going to have an abortion. I make safe sex a very high priority. I feel like abortion should be available to women and girls who decide that is what they want. I don't hate anybody over the issue.<br /><br />Who hates you, father? Tell us.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08523830314348019666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-59714496831035414932014-02-04T17:35:05.502-05:002014-02-04T17:35:05.502-05:00Having a conversation with myself I make reference...Having a conversation with myself I make reference to the article in first things by Bishop Conley in the February 4 issue of First Things entitled A POP ROCK MOMENT. In our own efforts as faith filled Catholics to be bruised and persecuted will be a joyful hurt. Patriciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06679413468450435320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6668594987436792920.post-7019074339946815152014-02-03T20:26:35.918-05:002014-02-03T20:26:35.918-05:00Catholics in general do not understand the Christi...Catholics in general do not understand the Christian teaching on marriage and the family and the changed definition of marriage brought on by the sanctioning of same-sex-marriage. Same-sex-marriage is just the present point of an anti-Christian attack designed to reduce the voice of faith as a moral presence in our communities. Presently, we do have an opportunity to have a conversation about our faith with ourselves. Are we using this time in our churches to talk to each other and become what we say we believe? Will we be ready to stand up for our God given beliefs or will we capitulate when activists stand outside the church door to bully, intimidate, and threaten as we go to Mass calling us hateful names. Secularism and Christianity are like funny and serious it would seem.<br />Patriciohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06679413468450435320noreply@blogger.com