Malta Thoughts ...

Just to make clear to those who may be unsure ...

I only post "hate emails' for the rather unchristian reason of mocking the ludicrousness of such people. I really don't let myself get disturbed by such nonsense. But I get irritated by their delusional notion that they represent 'true' catholicism. And any good 'orthodox' Catholic would realize that many Saints made it quite clear that it was quite sinful to speak against priests; PRAY for them, do not criticize.

Now I have no illusions ... I need LOTS of criticism! But nothing will help me nearly as much as PRAYERS!

To all those who regularly pray for me and for all priests I offer a great big THANK YOU!

Hate Mail From Malta Part II

Another missive from my dear friend in Malta. I think he would be appalled to realize that he basically commits heresy in his helpful comments. But then again ...

And let's not even bring up the whole "massage of God' thing. Not sure what's up with that.

daniel johnston 

kimberly@onvol.net

I challenge you to post this here e-mail on your website.

Do you not think that this is displeasing to Christ this, punk priest lifestyle. So Saint Paul used pagan poets, but he did that to send out his message: you on the other hand do not do it to send the massage of God. You do it to seem famous, as an excuse to listen to rock music.

What about the picture of those newly weds on your website? Don't you think that the bride is wearing clothing that is improper in front of Jesus in the Eucharist?

And the bookshelf? I found no True devotion to the Blessed Virign, no Secret of the Rosary, no Glories of Mary, no Imitation of Christ, no story of a soul and no famous spiritual books. In fact, the Blessed Mother seems to be missing on your website. She is scarcely mentioned and if our Lady is mentioned, it is only to name a feast or a parish or to show a picture of the Holy Family.

And how is your example supposed to make the little one's love Jesus and Mary? Why don't you spread the message of our Lady of Fátima? Or preaching the Rosary and the Brown scapular. You know what Saint Louis de Montfort said'' To Jesus through Mary!". In fact devotion to our Blessed Mother is the thing that pleases Jesus the most, even more than the Eucharist!

Please give me an answer.

Today's hate mail ...

... all the way from Malta! I feel honoured!

Name=Daniel Johnston
Email=Kimberly@onvol.net
Subject=On your priestliness
Comments=Excuse me for being so rude but, is this not blasphemous. This is not the conduct of a priest who should be working for God to please him and not the world. What do you think Jesus is saying when he is seeing you making a mockery of the mass with rock songs and all. Were rock songs present at Calvarly? No!

And I can see that you are not a Marian devottee because, if you were, you would be doing this outrage. I suggest saying the Rosary everyday with attention and meditationg on the mysteries. Read Saint Louis de Montforts book, Secret of the Rosary, and Saint Alphonsus ligouri's book, The Glories of Mary and The Same Louis de Montfort's book, True Devotion. I also see that Mary is not present on your website.
Fix this outrage immediatly!

Web Site Worth It?

Is having a parish web site worth the trouble and expense? In case I had any doubt:

Fr. Lubic,

I am writing to say how happy I am to see such a great web site for St. John's. St. John's was my parish up until 1999 when our family moved to Florida. My brothers and attended the school and I was the last class to graduate in 1994 before it closed. Our family lived in the red brick house on the corner 3 down from the church. I miss Perryopolis very much, and St. John's as well. But now, when I am feeling home sick I can log on to the web site, look at pictures, and read your blogs. It is comforting to know that a priest is there that cares about the people and about the community. I live in Myrtle Beach, SC that has a total of 2 catholic church's. I have not found one that I have been comfortable in. I wish that you could bring a little of your spirit to the priests down here. Once again thank you for such a great web site.

Sincerely,

Benjamin W. Martin

Nice letter ...

The parishioner who wrote me the following very nice and humbling email suggested it might be good to include it on the blog as counter to the "less-than-nice" email I published previously. So, removing all names so as to "protect the innocent, here goes:

Father Bob:

How can I even begin to thank you? I'm truly embarrassed to say that I have been dreading this day (the day of my daughter's baptism) for weeks because of all the tension and stress between myself and my daughter's father and our families. But, I have to tell you that you alone were able to take this day from something that could have left hard feelings among our Jewish guests to something absolutely beautiful and moving to everyone involved. You reminded me (and everyone else) why we were there today. You brought us back to the core of baptism. You were able to pull us out of our own personal tensions, to REMEMBER what this day is about - the baptism of a beautiful innocent child - not the petty differences between the families. The way [my daughter] smiled and laughed today during the service only solidified my belief that angels were among us and flying close to the ground today.

I wish you could have been a fly on the wall after the baptism service this afternoon. EVERYONE (both Catholic and Jewish) had the most wonderful things to say about you. People were truly moved and overwhelmed that you were so very sensitive to the Jewish guests while still adhering to our faith as Catholics.

I'm honored that my daughter will learn and grow in the Catholic faith because of your sensitivity and persistence in helping to finally have her baptised. From the counseling sessions with me as well as [my daughter's] father, to the deterring phone calls from other family members, you have stood by my side in the most important quest - to have this innocent child become a member of our faith.

You truly impressed me and many, many others at the service today. I can only imagine how hard it was for you to make sure that everyone was comfortable admist the stress and uncertainity of having families with personal issues all together in one room, let alone knowing that half were Jewish. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Tomorrow, I will frame [my daughter's] baptism certificate and when she is older, I will proudly show her the videotape of today's service. I will always remember your kindness and will make sure she knows what a wonderful gift you have given her today.

I truly want you to know what an inspiration, calming guide and friend that you have become to me. As you know, I drifted slightly from the church for awhile and felt unworthy and reluctant to come back - being as I'm an unwed mother. But, you have made me feel welcome and have gone above and beyond to help me through the current hardships that I'm having in my life. If I would have tried to come back to my childhood church, St. John's, with another priest at the helm, I may not have had the courage to continue, but you have shown me what our faith is all about - forgiveness, community and most of all, love. You emcompass and define all that's good and true within the priesthood.

So, let the naysayers come - they can send you snarky emails or negative words - but don't let it get you down --- just know that you have a band of brothers standing behind you - both Catholic and Jewish. Isn't that what all priests should be doing? Respecting other faiths/beliefs while remaining true to our own?

As my grandfather used to say when we did something that he was pround of - "You done good."

And, I'd like to quote [...], who was at the service today (and for the record, is very 'hard to please' in any situation - but not today), she spoke of you fondly and in the end only had one additional thought of your service today - "brilliant."

Again, from myself, my family and my daughter - we thank you!

Why I LOVE The Internet

Every now and then I get unsolicited email. From persons who are, too put it mildly, vicious. The sad thing is that they imagine themselves to be exemplary Catholics. I post this recent missive to illustrate the point. Not sure what these "clown masses" about which these nuts keep ranting. I have never experienced such a travesty. And I certainly wouldn't participate in such a sacrilege; the Eucharistic Liturgy is way too Sacred to mock like that!

Anyways, for your amusement:

Name=Bernie McGinniss
Email=bernmcginn@aol.com
Subject=punk priest?

Comments=Dear Father - After hearing about you and seeing your website I am shocked. Maybe its growing up with the most loving parents who had a mystical Holy love for the Roman Catholic Church and The fact that I became a Marine. I became a Recon Marine and spent over 10 years in my beloved Corps. You make a mockery of the Sacred Priesthood and it seems that you can not except that reverence and tradiction is part of the Holy Priesthood. It is people like you and I speak of the dress and manner of actions that only confuse the catholic of today. I have seen my church go from 25 families to over 400 families in less then a year. After a while people realize that clown masses, rock music, and priest who rather be the headliner are leading them away from the One True Faith. There is no tradition, no holiness, no discipline and the people of God want a sacred holy mass a mass that gives glory to God and not the priest. Yes, by now you know that I attend the Latin Mass. The Novas Order Mass can be beautiful like on EWTN and I would attend this Mass. My wife who is a convert from the start without me telling her what Mass I attend she went to a local Catholic Church and then attended Mass with me as we were dating and stated that the Mass that we went to together was more Holy and fitting for the praise and glory of God. The words and action of the Priest reflexed a mystical prayer to God. My wife is black and was a Pentecostal member. By the grace of the Holy Sprit she picked up our faith faster then a Marine picks up his rifle. I know this e-mail will not change you so I pray that you see that the glory, praise and attention goes to God rather then you due to your way of punk life style. It's not about you it's about bring people to the One True Faith.