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“Oh, just one more thing …”
Investigation Summary: “There are a couple of loose ends I’d like to tie up.” You contracted me to conduct a private investigation on behalf of individuals known as the “Sheep in Exile”. Based on your recent request, I have closed out that case. I have forwarded a large confidential file containing the following:
- Detailed report of investigation with key judgements,
- Photographs,
- Interviews,
- Source materials (news clippings & electronic media), and
- Physical evidence from dumpster diving.
As discussed earlier, I remain on retainer and am preparing for the imminent activation of Phase II operations. I stand ready to conduct a thorough review of certain matters pertaining to the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests (AUSCP).
With regards to the AUSCP, I have worked with your friend, Mr. Fre3d Capra, and trained him in the tradecraft required to infiltrate the AUSCP and provide inside information on the upcoming Albuquerque Assembly to be held June 25-28. His counterfeited dissident, liberal catholic credentials were impeccably contrived. He is now an AUSCP member in good standing.
Having Fre3d feign being comatose last year was a brilliant ploy. That gave him an opportunity to join the AUSCP and win their trust. Good thinking on your part!
Fre3d recognized that his old Rambler would be far too recognizable for undercover work. So he gave it to me. My dog loves it.
I have also been in touch with your “dead horse” Petition. He is quite alive and thriving
at Wyoming Catholic College. He is assisting with their P.E.A.K. summer programs (click here and here.) He will be part of the horseback riding and horse excursion program. His devotion to prayer and desire to help in influencing strong Catholic youths is a fitting way for him to move towards retirement. The way Petition was treated at St. Peter’s was a very sad thing, indeed.
As we move into Phase II, the sensitivity of the operations focusing on AUSCP and similar organizations demands that we refrain from any further open discussion. This will be my final post. All future correspondence will be encrypted and sent via other means.
Personal Comment: Although this was an exceedingly difficult case, it has certainly been intriguing and spiritually instructive. The reason I took this case pro bono was because all of us in the Church Militant have to contribute our time and prayers to defend the One True Church founded by Jesus Christ.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Evelyn Kerr who passed away today.
For the Sheep in Exile – Bulletin 2018-01-07
Here is Bulletin_2018-01-07
This post is both late and has no analysis or commentary. Why?
My beautiful spouse of 45 years has just returned home from five days in the hospital. There were two problems and both are likely to remain with her in one form or another for the rest of her life.
“Life” is the key word. Thanks to prayers from so many, the abiding grace of God, and dedicated emergency responders and hospital staff, my wife is still with me. God is so very good.
As I said, “life” is the key word. From conception to natural death, “life” is God’s gift to us.
It makes you wonder. On Friday the 19th, where will you be. Where will I be. Hopefully, we can make it to the March for Life.
The Women’s March – the march for selfishness and death – will be on January 21st. Would I be wrong in hoping for some powerful display of devastating “climate change” on that day? Let me check with Laudato Si’ – there might be an answer there.
Oh, by the way, Fre3d Capra was in the room next door to my spouse. Although he is still comatose, he is showing signs of recovery.
The Death of a Dear Friend
1. Death of a Dear Friend: We prayed and we prayed but the good Lord has finally taken our dear friend, that good and faithful dead horse Petition. My sweet spouse and I are mourning his loss. Meanwhile, Fre3d Capra remains in a coma. We hope we never have to tell him about poor Petition.
2. Why? You might be wondering what brought on the demise our dear dead horse. Perhaps the following from the official Diocese of Arlington site will explain it all. Petition truly hoped that he would see the name of our Pastor on this list, but it was not so:
2017 Clergy Announcement
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, has announced the following clergy appointments effective Wednesday, June 28, 2017, except where noted differently.
Pastors
Reverend Brian G. Bashista – from Parochial Vicar at Saint James Parish in Falls Church to Pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Lake Ridge.
Reverend Edward R. Horkan – from Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Luray to Pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Luray.
Reverend Stanley J. Krempa – from Pastor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester to Pastor of the newly established Parish of Saint Bridget of Ireland in Berryville, effective July 12, 2017.
Reverend Bjorn C. Lundberg – from Chaplain at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries, with residence at Holy Family Parish in Dale City, to Pastor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester, effective July 12, 2017.
Reverend David P. Meng – from Pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Lake Ridge to Pastor of Saint Timothy Parish in Chantilly.
Reverend Keith M. O’Hare – from Service in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic to Pastor of Saint Louis Parish in Alexandria.
Reverend Matthew H. Zuberbueler – from Pastor of Saint Louis Parish in Alexandria to Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church.
Parochial Vicars
Reverend Milton R. Acevedo – from Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge to Parochial Vicar at Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria.
Reverend Thomas B. Cavanaugh – from Parochial Vicar at Saint Theresa Parish in Ashburn to Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge.
Reverend Phillip M. Cozzi – from Parochial Vicar at Saint Timothy Parish in Chantilly to Parochial Vicar at Saint James Parish in Falls Church.
Reverend Alex Diaz – from Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Parish in Dale City to Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge.
Reverend Michael J.R. Kelly – from Chaplain at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax with residence at Saint Philip Parish in Falls Church to Parochial Vicar at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Fredericksburg.
Reverend Luis Quiñónes – from Parochial Vicar at Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria to Parochial Vicar at Holy Family Parish in Dale City.
Reverend Augustine Minh Hai Tran – from Parochial Vicar at Saint James Parish in Falls Church to Parochial Vicar at Holy Trinity Parish in Gainesville.
Special Assignments
Reverend Brendan W. Bartlett – from Parochial Vicar at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Winchester to Canon Law Studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., with residence at Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Arlington.
Reverend Keith D. Cummings – from Parochial Vicar at Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Fredericksburg to Chaplain at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries with residence at Holy Family Parish in Dale City.
Reverend Stephen F. McGraw – from Chaplain at Christendom College in Front Royal to service in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana in the Dominican Republic.
Reverend Marcus A. Pollard – from Pastor of Saint Anthony of Padua Parish in Falls Church to Chaplain at Christendom College in Front Royal.
Reverend Stephen J. Schultz – from Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge to Chaplain at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax with residence at Saint Leo the Great Parish in Fairfax.
Retirement
Reverend Gerald Weymes – from Pastor of Saint Timothy Parish in Chantilly to retired status in a private residence.
Newly Ordained Priests
Reverend Mr. Steven G. Oetjen – upon ordination to the priesthood, to Parochial Vicar at Saint James Parish in Falls Church.
Reverend Mr. Stephen M. Vaccaro – upon ordination to the priesthood, to Parochial Vicar at Nativity Parish in Burke.
Reverend Mr. Jordan M. Willard – upon ordination to the priesthood, to Parochial Vicar at Saint Theresa Parish in Ashburn.
Transitional Deacon Assignment
Michael J. Folmar – upon ordination to the diaconate, to All Saints Parish in Manassas, effective June 12, 2017.
Christopher F. Tipton – upon ordination to the diaconate, to Cathedral of Saint Thomas More, effective June 12, 2017.
Religious Personnel Assigned to the Diocese
Reverend James Puglis, T.O.R. – from service outside the Diocese of Arlington to Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph Parish in Herndon, effective June 10, 2017.
Clergy Personnel Assigned Outside the Diocese
Reverend William N. Serrano – from Parochial Vicar at Saint Bernadette Parish in Springfield to ministry outside the Diocese of Arlington, was effective May 15, 2017.
Reverend Jonathan St. Andre, T.O.R. – from Parochial Vicar at Saint Joseph Parish in Herndon to ministry outside the Diocese of Arlington, was effective May 18, 2017.
3. To Our Bishop – The Smell of the Sheep: You live in Arlington. You do not live in Rappahannock County – you have only been here once. If you had to attend (not celebrate) Mass here every week, you might know what “odours” are in the air here. So in the words of Pope Francis:
This I ask you: be shepherds, with the “odour of the sheep”, make it real, as shepherds among your flock, fishers of men. True enough, the so-called crisis of priestly identity threatens us all and adds to the broader cultural crisis; but if we can resist its onslaught, we will be able to put out in the name of the Lord and cast our nets.
There is a “crisis of priestly identity” here and the Sheep of Kephas and the Sheep in Exile will “resist its onslaught“.
Assent to Counter Dissent – The Day the M̶̷̲̅ᴜ̶̷̲̅s̶̷̲̅ɪ̶̷̲̅ᴄ̶̷̲̅ Parish Died
It’s cold and damp out here in the barn.
Those good ole boys, Petition the dead horse and Fre3d Capra, have joined me in drinking a little whiskey and rye.
Petition slowly raises his head feebly saying, “Father, just say the black and do the red. Is that too much to ask?” Hearing no reply his head falls back to the floor. You’re a beaten dead horse if you dare ask for what’s right.
Fre3d Capra tries to cheer us up with some songs from the Adoremus Hymnal. But his attempt falls flat as we remember that hymnal rightly belongs in the pews at St. Peter’s and not in my barn. Parishioners asked to keep the hymnals, but you’re a beaten dead horse if you dare ask for what’s right.
There was member of the Finance Council who pointed out potential concerns about parish finances. He, himself would not contribute until his concerns could be allayed. But he was asked to leave the Council. If you attempt to dissent against a dissenter, you will become a beaten dead horse.
There was second member of the Finance Council who also voiced concerns. He too was dismissed. Once again, showing that you are a beaten dead horse if you dare ask for what’s right at St. Peter’s Parish.
More recently, another Finance Council member challenged the way a large sum had been spent without review by the Council. Rather than sign a statement that all was well when one could not be sure that all was well, he resigned from the Council. The point is clear enough now, you are a beaten dead horse if you dare ask for what’s right.
Those good ole boys Petition and Fre3d pour us another round of whiskey and rye. A silent salute is made in tribute to three former Finance Council members, three soldiers of the Church Militant who dared to ask for what’s right.
It’s cold and damp out here in the barn, but those good ole boys Petition and Fre3d have been watching this all happen for two and a half years. If you dare to assent to the teachings of the Church and simple Catholic common sense, you will become a beaten dead horse at St. Peter’s.
So, now it’s time for a purge at the Parish Pastoral Council. Just like at the Finance Council, one can not be allowed to voice an opinion that is counter to the Pastor’s thinking. It is required that your “party” credentials must be spotless to be a member.
A few weeks back, a Council member was asked to resign. That member and his wife had dared to ask for what is right. They did so publicly in this blog, the Sheep of Kephas. But that act of assent to counter dissent was viewed as grounds for dismissal from the Pastoral Council.
Petition, Fre3d, and I had thought about taking the old 1962 pink Rambler and surfboard down to Pensacola, Florida and sit on the beach with our Adoremus Hymnals and sing some Advent standards. However, tonight, here in the cold and damp barn we decided not to go. The fight is here, St. Peter’s is our Parish. We will continue to ask for what’s right, we will continue to fight, even, yes, even if we must be beaten like a dead horse.
Like Petition, I will raise my head and say, “Father, just say the black and do the red. Is that too much to ask?”
Meanwhile, my dear sweet wife will make the long drive to other, saner parishes and pray novenas and make sacrifices, as we all should.
Yes, it’s cold and damp out here in the barn.
Those good ole boys Petition the dead horse and Fre3d Capra have joined me in drinking a little whiskey and rye. And I’ll keep praying for the “status quo ante” until the day that I die.
And the moral of this story is: becoming a beaten dead horse at St. Peter’s is as simple as American Pie.
And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the M̶̷̲̅ᴜ̶̷̲̅s̶̷̲̅ɪ̶̷̲̅ᴄ̶̷̲̅ Parish died.
(To our readers, there will be more to follow.)
Emergency Hymnal Rescue – Reconnaissance
After this blog’s report concerning the daring rescue of a large number of Adoremus Hymnals from the vestibule of St. Peter’s, a very observant reader advised us that there were several more hymnals being held hostage in a box near the organ and piano. Upon learning this, Fre3d was heard to bellow a terrible “Drat!!! and Double Drat!!!” He had realized his reconnaissance was not as good as he thought.
Today, the 1962, pink Rambler American once again stealthily slipped into St. Peter’s parking lot. Fre3d, followed by my very, very dead horse, made their way into the vestibule and found that the report of remaining hymnals was all too true. There they were begging for a new home and it appeared that no one had responded to their pleas.
Fre3d quietly and reassuringly spoke to the poor hymnals and promised he would do whatever necessary to free them and find any of their friends that might yet be held captive in the Church. They pleaded to be taken immediately by Fre3d and Petition. But Fre3d, aware that this could be some kind of trap, told them that they would have to wait there until he could devise a foolproof plan to free them from their bondage in such an inhospitable parish. Reluctantly, they promised they would try to hang on until Fre3d’s plan could be executed.
Meanwhile, Petition made his way into the Church. With camera in hand (of course I mean hoof) he advanced along the side aisle and saw what this now “Modern” parish has to offer its sheep.
There it was before him – a poverty. The new Journeysongs had displaced the Adoremus Hymnals. Where once there used to be missalettes for the sheep to use to follow Mass there was nothing now except a card that feebly said “Principle Parts of the Mass”. The parish that had once been rich in ways to worship had now been stripped bare to a Protestant-style emptiness. Petition, remembered that the new Pastor had said that Adoremus would stay, but that statement no longer held any meaning. Truly, thought Petition, this is a poverty.
The pink Rambler quietly exited the parking lot. My friend and my dead horse were both silent. St. Peter’s is now “Modern”.
The Curious Case of Lector Training – New Data
If you recall, in the last paragraph of the post The Curious Case of Lector Training – A Fre3d Capra Mystery my dead horse Petition cautioned Fre3d Capra concerning whether the LTP lector training materials were actually questionable:
… Petition did point out to Fre3d that Gabe Huck was fired from LTP circa 2001. It is possible that changes were made at LTP and the 2016 lector training workbook is not of the same questionable nature as one might have found in the Gabe Huck era at NTP. Nevertheless, the question of what is going on with lectors and lector training at St. Peter’s remains an open one.
Fortunately, this blog has a highly alert and knowledgeable collection of readers with an excellent corporate memory. One of them was able to fill in some important information gaps:
These Lector preparation books are issued to all of the Lectors, pre-dating Father Grinnell. They are especially needed since we no longer can “borrow” a Missalette, but they provide the opportunity for Lectors to practice before Mass. …
These are standard Issue for Lectors (and about 90% of their “Training” since Deacon Charlie retired), and I am confident that this is the result of ordering some extras to provide to new recruits. I am surprised they were left out, however; at last call, they still wanted an additional Lector for the 11:00.
Upon learning this, my dear friend who has a somewhat clever and acute mind, was moved to admit that perhaps, in his new found orthodoxy, he has become overly sensitive to what is questionable and what is not. He promised, that although his sleuthing activities will continue, he will pay close attention to gathering all the facts before jumping to a conclusion.
Fre3d, Petition, my wife, and I are, however, still faced with the challenge of finding a correct and proper explanation as to why the two copies of the LTP training workbook were discarded. Just as our friend was “surprised” that “they were left out”, we too wonder about that point. Of course, despite his promise to base his findings on fact, Fre3d has offered a theory. He suspects that there might be a new book being used for training. Hmmm!
The Curios Case of Lector Training continues ….
Emergency Hymnal Rescue
Despite the sign that innocently stated “Free to a good home”, there was an element of danger in this daring, daytime rescue.
There they were – 21 innocent Adoremus Hymnals. They were faithful and true and they had served St. Peter Catholic Church so very well over these past years. Ever present and ever ready to provide words and music to a collection of hymns that offered praise and worship through time-honored musical expression. They were innocent, but abandoned, discarded by a pastor who saw no use in them or what they represented to the flock at St. Peter’s.
Of course they would be “Free to a good home” because, if truth be told (and I submit the truth must be told) there was no longer a “good home” for them at St. Peter’s. And if hymnals could think or feel, they would share in the thoughts and feelings of those Sheep of Kephas who, like the hymnal, had been abandoned and discarded by a pastor who saw no use in them or what they represented.
So it was on the day of rescue. The old, pink 1962 Rambler American drove up to the side of St. Peter’s. Two strange beings emerged. First was the mastermind of the rescue, my dear friend Fre3d Capra. Next came none other than my dead horse Petition. They quickly sneaked into the front door and found the hymnals on a table at the left side of the vestibule. In swift, well rehearsed moves they rapidly collected 21 of the abandoned hymnals. Their hearts were pounding, not only with fear of being seen by the pastor, but also the deep anxiety that their rescue might not be successful.
Asylum seekers in the trunk of the 1962 Rambler
The pink Rambler squealed out the church parking lot and turned on to US 211. The mission was complete and it was a success.
Today, the pink Rambler pulled into a friendly safe haven for those who are orthodox and those who appreciate the work that a former pastor of St. Peter’s, Fr. Pokorsky, when he, Fr. Fesio, SJ and others made the Adoremus Hymnal possible. Fre3d brought ten of the liberated hymnals into the parish office, where they were granted asylum. Tonight, they are preparing to take their places alongside other Adoremus Hymnals and be used by parishioners who still appreciate them.
Two of the remaining eleven hymnals have also found good homes. Meanwhile, dear readers, I have retained nine for any of you who might want them. They are full of love and adoration and would be more than overjoyed if you were to offer them a truly caring and safe haven from the winds and waves of Modernism. If you want one or more, please address an email to Fre3d Capra at francis01ds@gmail.com
For the Sheep in Exile – Bulletin 2016-05-15
Here is Bulletin_2016-05-15
The press has no words or time for what we share this week, perhaps because there is no controversy or money to be made. Despite the silence and ignorance of the world, the Church has the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima (today) and Pentecost Sunday. Let us all profit greatly from the message of hope proclaimed on both these days.
Analysis and Commentary:
1. Join the Conversation: Once more we hear the refrain:
TODAY!!
SUNDAY, MAY 15TH…..
JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
3:30-5:30p.m. at the WASHINGTON FIRE HALL
Please read the Flyer insert in this bulletin
We have two comments. First, please do read the flyer. You will find it with the link to Bulletin_2016-05-15.
Next, please read Rules and Tools for Radical Pastors #13 – Graduation Day.
2. Biblical Study: A couple of weeks back, I was asked by a reader what translation of the Bible I use or I would recommend. I’m not very good with off-the-cuff answers. So, I just stuttered and stammered. Here is what I should have said. I have the New American Bible – it was a gift from my Mother. I have the New Jerusalem translation, the King James red letter, and several other translations. On electronic file, I have some Mormon versions of the King James. I also have the Bible in Russian and several books from the Bible in Japanese. Quite often, however, I go on line and refer to the Douay-Rheims translation. Occasionally, I even refer to original Greek text so that I can confuse myself. When I quote the Bible on this blog, I usually use the readings from the USCCB Website or I use the Douay-Rheims.
Now that I have wasted your time with my inability to give a direct answer, I am reminded of something my dead horse Petition and I learned from Fre3d Capra. He told me that he found a book at the Flatwood Refuse and Recycling garbage drop off site that claims to have a full chapter that was edited out of the Book of Acts. He says this book was written by a most credible door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman who translated the original Greek using a Urim and Thummim purchased at Woolworth’s in 1952.
Apparently, a new “Christian community” more or less sprung up on its own and was claiming to teach “in the spirit of” Peter and Paul. Initially, the community flourished, but suddenly vanished because of loss of interest. The edited chapter recounted one of the practices unique to the community. It was called “conversation”. Here is an excerpt from the deleted chapter:
Format of our discussion:
— We will share in groups of 10 or 12.
— We will introduce ourselves (short).
— We will use a “round robin” method of sharing, i.e., each person has an uninterrupted chance to share (no more than three minutes for initial sharing).
— After each person has had a chance to share, we will have general discussions.
— There will be a note taker in each group to capture our ideas.
— After the general discussion in each group, we will have reports from the note takers for the benefit of the group at large
— Sharing of final thoughts: “How was this conversation for you?” “What would make the conversation better?”
Possible Questions for sharing –
I will spare you the rest of the story. Suffice it to say. The conversation led nowhere and the teaching of Christ as conveyed by St. Peter and St. Paul was never mentioned.
Beating a Dead Horse #9 – God is Still “Almighty”
Lately, my friend Fre3d Capra has been spending a lot of time in our barn with my dead horse Petition. Despite the snows of the Blizzard of 2016, he has come daily to visit his dear smelly friend. (Fortunately, with the cold of winter, the stench has somewhat abated.) It seems that Fre3d has been beset by a “crisis of faith.”
I first learned of Fre3d’s terrible new torment when I overheard him saying to Petition: “I’m afraid something I always thought was true really isn’t true. I had always thought that God is ‘almighty’. But today I read a comment in the Sheep of Kephas blog about our Pastor that suggests he no longer says that God is ‘almighty’. The comment reminded me: ‘Don’t forget….’Almighty’ used to be in the final blessing too…’
Fre3d went on to tell Petition that, without a missalette for reference, he had never noticed that our Pastor was omitting the word “Almighty” in the final blessing. Now that this omission had been called to his attention, Fre3d could only conclude that perhaps the Bishop or, perhaps, even the Vatican had called our Pastor and told him that the Magisterium he reevaluated the Church teaching and had determined that God was no longer “almighty”.
Then Fre3d said, “Petition, what happens if God is not ‘almighty’? Does that mean that there may be another god even mightier than our God? Or could it mean that our God no longer merits a capital ‘G’?”
At this display of a person’s faith being challenged and catapulted into absolute crisis, Petition could only respond with his usual sullen silence. “Huh?”
And so it went on for several days. Fre3d had reached a point of great disillusionment. There appeared to be no bottom to the depths of his distress. He was confronted with the prospect of worshiping a God or god that might not be ‘almighty’. Considering how hard it is for a dead horse to sink to a lower spiritual or emotional level, Petition also took on the cloud of gloom that engulfed our barn.
Fre3d and Petition had both fallen prey to the erosive effects of ‘minimalism’. On July 25, 2014, I used that word while speaking with our Pastor. He did not deny that characterization I made of his approach to liturgy, especially in saying the Mass. In his ‘minimalism’ words in the Roman Missal simply disappear – for example the word ‘graciously’ no longer exists. And, as Fre3d found out, without missalettes, no one will be the wiser when a word is jettisoned from the Mass. Now the missing word is ‘almighty’.
Consider how this minimization has actually taken away an attribute of God, so clearly stated in the Nicene Creed: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, …”
Is this how my story ends? Do I intend to leave you with two forlorn creatures, lost and despondent, in my barn. Will Fre3d’s crisis of faith not only drag him down to the depths, but will it also take my poor dead horse with him?
No, I cannot do that to you. Today, I forced Fre3d to go to Mass with me at St. Peter’s, kicking and screaming, “No, I can’t go. There is no ‘almighty’ God there.” And when we arrived, Fre3d and I witnessed a minor miracle. In God’s great and wonderful grace, Fre3d was to attend a Mass said by Fr. Pilon rather than our Pastor.
We both prayed with Father through the Mass and Fre3d saw that every word printed in my Daily Roman Missal came to Fr. Pilon’s lips and, when we came to the final blessing, Fre3d heard the authority of the Holy Catholic Church being proclaimed when Fr. Pilon said: “May almighty God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
And the clouds of gloom were opened and the radiance of Truth shined through! Fre3d was struck with the awe of the Almighty One – the Almighty God.
As soon as we arrived home, Fre3d leaped from my car and ran through the snow to the barn to share his joyous and miraculous experience. “Petition, Petition! God is indeed “ALMIGHTY”!!
My dearly beloved dead horse was heard to say as he often has before, “Say the black, do the red!”
If you have not already done so, I recommend you acquire a Daily Roman Missal or some suitable missalette. Even if our Pastor casts away or minimizes the words that the Church has given him to say, you will have the words before you. Those words belong to the Church – those words belong to God – they were given to us so that we can praise Him Who is Almighty!
Beating a Dead Horse #8 – Fre3d Again
My somewhat naive and under-educated friend, Fre3d Capra, has engaged in many exploits since Beating a Dead Horse #7 – Fre3d and For the Sheep in Exile – Bulletin 2015-07-19 – Commentary; we’ ll save those for another time. Suffice it to say he is making great strides in his spiritual growth. Today, however, marks a highlight in the relationship that we share. Let me tell you about it. It won’t take long.
Immediately after the 8:30AM Mass this morning, Fre3d’s noisy old pickemup truck (that’s what they’re called in Hawaii) came screaming down my lane and skidded to a stop under the black walnut tree. Fre3d came bounding out of the truck (I think he picked this up by watching videos at Cooter’s) and started yelling, “Petition, I have to talk to Petition right now!” (Please recall that Petition is the name of my dead horse.) “Petition has to know what I’ve just seen at St. Peter’s.”
I said to Fre3d, “Whoa, friend! What’s the big hurry and what’s so important?”
Fre3d quickly replied, “I saw it, I saw it with my own eyes and I heard it, I heard it with my own ears. I think Petition is going to come back to life! I just saw it in the Sanctuary at St. Peter’s!”
“Slow down, Fre3d. What did you see and what did you hear? What makes you think Petition is going to come back to life?”
“There was a priest, an older priest with Deacon Benyo, and he said the black and he did the red, he did everything that was in the Missal that you loaned me.” I told Fre3d that’s great, but I don’t think that it’s enough to bring Petition back to life.
Fre3d responded, “No, there’s more, there’s much more!” He gasped for breath and tried to compose himself. “Not only did he say the black and do the red precisely, he also let the altar boys ring the bells at the Consecration. There were bells and the bells made the Consecration seem more solemn, and everyone was quiet and they looked to the altar when the bells rang.”
“Now that is interesting, Fre3d. What else was there?”
“Well, there was a real homily. I learned some things about the Eucharist. It was a beautiful teaching that I can share in the life of Christ. The visiting priest made it seem so clear.”
“Okay.” I was struggling to put all this new information into some order. So, I asked, “Many of these thing were the way it used to be at St. Peter’s. Was there anything else that surprised you?”
“Oh yes, for sure. When I went up to Communion, I didn’t have to wait for people lined up to receive from the extra extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. Apparently, the visiting priest didn’t need or want their assistance. There was no congestion or tripping or making way for people to get back into the right order in their pews. What a relief! Please, may I go tell Petition about this now?”
“Certainly, Fre3d. I think he will be heartened by the good news – even if it is only for this week. He will be glad to hear about how we had a brief return to the ‘status quo ante’ at St. Peter’s.” Fre3d went rushing to the barn, with all the flies and the somewhat odd odors and I could hear him recounting his story to poor dead Petition.
I too went to the 8:30AM Mass and enjoyed that momentary return to the way it used to be at St. Peter’s. As I left the Church I made sure to stop and shake hands with Fr. Mark Pilon. I’m not sure he will ever know how very sincere were my words when I simply said “Thank you for the Mass, Father.”
The Sheep of Kephas 