Here is Bulletin_2016-05-01

All appears to be quiet at St. Peter’s. That is not necessarily a good sign.

Первое мая (May Day): As a retired Cold Warrior who stood guard against Soviet and Chinese Communist forces for 21 years, I recall this day with a set of mixed and dissonant memories. 

In my childhood, May was the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the time for the Rosary and May Crowning. I was not yet aware of the world’s great problems. In time, however, Our Lady of Fatima would reveal to me, as she did to the world in 1917, how important that Rosary would be in the context of my life.

In the mid-80s, at the height of tensions during the Cold War, there was a particular incident about which I can give no details. On that day, I could see more clearly than ever before, just how closely Mary was protecting her children. It was a moment that did much to change my understanding of who I was and what I must do with my life.

As the Church Militant we are not meant to be passive and expect God’s aid in all circumstances. Cold Warriors had to step up and face the evil of Communism as defined in worldly terms. At Fatima the evil of Communism was much more clearly defined.

“Russia will spread its errors throughout the world, raising up wars and persecutions against the Church. The good will be martyred, the Holy Father will have much to suffer, and various nations will be annihilated.”

Today, the evils confronting the Church are many, but their names are not nearly as well known as the simple term Communism. Nevertheless, the Church Militant should consider this Russian proverb: Бережёного Бог бережёт (God keeps those safe who keep themselves safe). In English we might say: “God helps those who help themselves. Pray to God but keep the powder dry.”

The Church Militant cannot remain passive, we must be ready to step up to the challenge, even if it appears to be insurmountable. Pray the Rosary. Look to the Holy Family for spiritual security. Look to Jesus for strength. Look to Mary for protection. And look to St. Joseph for guidance.

For many in the world this is Первое мая (May Day, International Workers’ Day), but for me and my family, this is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker and the first day of Mary’s Month. Pray the Rosary!

Here is Bulletin_2016-04-17

General Comments

1. Resurrection: The “blue screen of death” (BSOD) has been vanquished (at least for now) and late yesterday my wife and I celebrated the resurrection of my laptop.

Lesson Learned: Never follow the recommendations of Microsoft (MS). You may think you have installed Windows 10 over Windows 8.1 successfully, but weeks down the line, you may find yourself facing the BSOD. Microsoft and PC repair companies may take my security, time and money, but they will never take my soul – providing I go to Confession and repent of my foul mood, colorful sailor’s language, and earnest desires for MS programmers to spend eternity in a very warm place.

2. Double-Dog Dare: To date, we have no responses on our double-dog dare to attend the “April 10 Conversation about the Pope’s Encyclical”. So, we will not have the opportunity to treat anyone at Copper Fox Distillery or Rudy’s Pizza. Nevertheless, there was one valued reader who contacted us and provided useful comments and encouragement. That reader is now included in our daily Rosary intentions for two weeks.

Commentary

The Good Shepherd: The following comment was not, we repeat, not in this week’s bulletin at St. Peter’s, nor do we expect it to be in the bulletin any time soon. Nevertheless, it is good to know that in many parishes throughout our diocese, even within the Beltway, there are priests willing to lead their flocks toward the Father.

IN TESTIMONIUM…

On Wednesdays and First Saturdays, on Holy Thursday and on Corpus Christi, we gather at the altar to adore Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. When the priest or deacon leads prayers at Exposition and Benediction he is kneeling in front of the altar.

Try to imagine for a moment how it would look and how you would feel if the priest or deacon were to kneel behind the altar at Exposition and Benediction. When I try to image that it seems awkward.

When the priest or deacon is facing the same direction as most of the congregation, is it not clearly symbolic of his leading the Christian people toward God?

Cardinal Ratzinger would agree. In his book Spirit of the Liturgy (published in 2000 by Ignatius Press) there is a chapter entitled “The Altar and the Direction of Liturgical Prayer”. In it he says:

after the Council (which says nothing about “turning to the people”) new altars were set up everywhere, and today celebration versus populum really does look like the characteristic fruit of Vatican II’s liturgical renewal. In fact it is the most conspicuous consequence of a re-ordering that not only signifies a new external arrangement of the places dedicated to the Liturgy, but also brings with it a new idea of the essence of the Liturgy.

Needless to say, he considers the “new idea” to be mistaken. Instead of conceding these changes as permanent he insists:

A common turning to the East during the Eucharistic Prayer remains essential. This is not a case of accidentals, but of essentials. Looking at the priest has no importance. What matters is looking together at the Lord. It is not now a question of dialogue, but of common worship, of setting off towards the One who is to come.

At the same time he suggests (back in the year 2000) that this takes time, admitting that “nothing is more harmful to the Liturgy than constant changes, even if it seems to be for the sake of genuine renewal.” His initial suggestion for immediate implementation was the placement of a significant cross in the middle of the altar to serve as a reference point.

The next modest correction that can be taken without any further rebuilding would be for the priest and deacon to stand at the front of the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer, similar to how they lead prayers at Adoration. This is what St. John has been doing on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday for many years. I would like to know your thoughts about our doing that more of the time.

God bless you!

Fr. Christopher J. Pollard
Fr.Pollard@StJohnCatholicMcLean.org

Consider this Sunday’s Gospel:

Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”

The Good Shepherd “leads”, the Good Shepherd leads his sheep to the Father. We at St. Peter’s desire eternal life and to know the Father. To this end, the Church gives a shepherd to individual flocks. Yet, not all the shepherds are dedicated to this mission. They have other concerns, concerns more of this world than the next. They would rather save the world than save souls, man’s impact on the climate is more threatening than Satan’s hunger for souls.

As Venerable Fulton Sheen has said: “Unless souls are saved, nothing is saved. There can be no world peace unless there is soul peace.”

Since June of 2014, my wife and I have found little peace of soul at St. Peter’s. Meanwhile, the shepherd is in town with his climate cronies, drinking the intoxicating brew served at the bar of social justicism.

“Unless souls are saved, nothing is saved. There can be no world peace unless there is soul peace.”

Here is Bulletin_2016-04-10

Apology: For two years, I had a contractual relationship with United Press International (UPI) and was eligible for press credentials. Each week I had to make a deadline with a 12-page newsletter. There would be little allowance for tardiness. Whether I was in Virginia, California or Hawaii on other business, I had to meet the deadline.

This week’s post is late. There were reasons, but there are no excuses. The fact that my computer was stricken with the blue screen of death (BSOD) is not an excuse. The whole affair prompts me to say or is that “C:prompts” me to say, “Computers are not our friends, they merely tolerate us.” Obviously, my computer is no longer tolerant.

Mortality: Though difficult enough for me, the death of a computer can be dismissed as just another event. The recent death of my friend is both a human and a spiritual event. His burial at Quantico National Cemetery brought a great reality into sharp and immediate focus. The mournful sound of Taps and the final blessing by the priest cause me to reflect upon my own 21 years in service to the country and my 44 years as husband and father. Mortality and the eventual call of Jesus to the place he has prepared for me must be understood and accepted. I must be prepared!

Then, with no warning, I learn that my brother-in-law has suffered a heart attack. He survived and is recovering and prayers were answered. Yet, here again the question of mortality demands consideration. I must be prepared!

The Gospel on this Third Sunday of Easter makes the point so well:

Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

And in answer to my concerns about mortality, Jesus clearly says, “Follow me.” It is my prayer that I live the kind of life and die the kind of death that “would glorify God.”

The Needs of the Flock: This week’s Gospel comes as close to addressing the needs of the flock at St. Peter’s as any scripture can. In this Gospel are the words from the Good Shepherd, the Divine Shepherd to all the shepherds and pastors who would ever receive the great gift of Holy Orders. These are the words that bring confidence to the lambs who might otherwise loose their way, to the sheep threatened by the wolves of this world, and by the sheep who seek nourishment and guidance. The instructions are simple, yet profound:

“Feed my lambs.”

“Tend my sheep.”

“Feed my sheep.”

There was no other priority. For St. Peter and all to follow the flock comes FIRST. Of course, those outside the flock must be gathered together and brought into the fold, but if the lambs and sheep have not been tended, how can any within or outside the fold be saved?

Double Dog Dare: This week there will be a great family gathering in Sperryville. Three children, their three spouses, eleven grand children, a 17 lb. flying feline fuzzball, a dead horse named Petition, and Fre3d will gather together to celebrate five March/April birthdays and many other important events. Consequently, I will be unable to attend the “April 10 Conversation about the Pope’s Encyclical.” This week they’re going to discuss population control. Yikes!!!

True Catholic teaching will be on display and probably mocked. Our Pastor will be there. What will be his position? This will probably be the best of the series – at least from the standpoint of sick humor. And yours truly will not be able to attend. Therefore, in the spirit of The Christmas Story, I hereby issue a double dog dare to any of you to attend in my place. Go put your tongue on the frozen flagpole as my wife and Spiritual Director urged me to do. Should anyone take this double dog dare challenge and provide a report on the proceedings, I will gladly take you to either the Copper Fox Distillery or Rudy’s Pizza and purchase the treat you most desire. More importantly, I will include you in my daily Rosary intentions for the next two weeks.