Those that get the Wabasso Standard, I encourage you to write a response to the letter Christine Hassenstab wrote. Here are the talking points:
1. The main accusation of Ms. Hassenstab's letter seems to be that the Fortnight for Freedom is a violation of conscience and an unwarranted attack, which is ironic as no Catholic is forced to participate in the Fortnight, but the Government is forcing the church and many of her members to violate their conscience by paying (again either directly or indirectly) for contraception, the precipitating cause of the Fortnight.
2. The bishops have taken a stand for religious freedom, because of a desire to protect freedom and conscience, not as a violation. Further violations of Catholic conscience are possible, forcing the Church to change her practices of hiring/firing, sacraments, use of facilities, and much more.
3. Much of what people claim to be the teaching of Vatican II are simply extrapolations of the teachings, but were not part of the documents of the Council.
4. The Bishops are the authentic interpreters of the Second Vatican Council, whose teachings were annunciated by Bishops of the Vatican Council. There is not a campaign to repeal Vatican II, but to put into action its authentic teaching.
5. While Conscience was addressed by Vatican II, it is assumed that conscience must be well-formed. Vatican II did not open the door to all sorts of sin in the guise of following conscience. Put blunt, while one might think that something is alright due to malformed conscience, the truth remains, and the Church must annunciate that truth.
6. The Fortnight for Freedom is not an election year campaign or fear mongering, but a response to the real attack on the religious freedoms of religious institutions by the US Government. The HHS mandate requires Catholics who desire to live in accordance with Church teaching to violate their conscience by providing contraception (and one can assume a future step of providing abortion services). Freedom of religion is not just about freedom to worship, but also freedom to live in accord with the teachings of the faith, and from that is a freedom from supporting (either directly or indirectly) sin.
7. The Nuns on the Bus campaign is not about the HHS Mandate or Obamacare, but is a self-promotion of the Leadership Council of Women Religious, who recently received criticism that their conferenced were filled with dissident speakers and promoted questionable positions in opposition to Church teaching. The same congregation that criticized the LCWR praised religious sisters for their work, by and large. It is not an assault on religious women, but on the leadership council (that the media wrongly claims to represent 80% of all religious sisters in the US but in reality represents the leadership or 80% of religious communities in the US - the LCWR does not speak for the whole of sisters in the United States or the communities represented). The criticism is that in its own documents, there LCWR claims to have moved 'beyond Christ' and the Church and her sacraments.
8. To claim that because Bishops and priests are celibate they are not able to speak on sexuality issues is false. A doctor does not have to actually have a disease to know how to treat it, for example. An authentic sexuality is one that both honors celibacy and natural sexuality and their consequences.
9. The Fortnight for Freedom is not an attack on homosexuals, in anyway, shape, or form.
10. The 'fact' of 10% of the population is homosexual is not correct. It is an overestimation based on Alfred Kinsey's flawed study in which he used a false sampling method.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Pastor's Notes for June 24
Dear Parishioners,
I forgot to congratulate Jody Knott and Ronald Pearce who were married last weekend. May they have many years of wedded bliss.
Our sympathy to the extended family of Taylor Baune who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Also, our sympathy to Bishop LeVoir and his family on the death of his mother. May they rest in peace.
There have been some questions and comments regarding the cemetery rules. In a thumb nail, here they are. Wreaths, flowers, or other items may be placed for Memorial Day, but if they are not attached to the headstone or on cement, they will be removed within two weeks. If you place something you intend to keep, please make sure to pick it up within that time. Nothing is to be planted over the grave without the board's permission. The cemetery board or mowers are not responsible for broken pots, stolen lights, etc., and will not replace such things. Again, any lights, pots, etc, placed over the grave (and not on the headstone or cement) are not the responsibility of the mowers or board, and may be removed at the mowers' discretion. The cemetery board is responsible for assuring that the cemetery is mowed and that the gravestones are maintained in a reasonable manner. Our cemeteries are beautifully kept, and our mowers are now working harder than ever of keeping the lawns well-kept. Your assistance and understanding is very much appreciated.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
I forgot to congratulate Jody Knott and Ronald Pearce who were married last weekend. May they have many years of wedded bliss.
Our sympathy to the extended family of Taylor Baune who was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Also, our sympathy to Bishop LeVoir and his family on the death of his mother. May they rest in peace.
There have been some questions and comments regarding the cemetery rules. In a thumb nail, here they are. Wreaths, flowers, or other items may be placed for Memorial Day, but if they are not attached to the headstone or on cement, they will be removed within two weeks. If you place something you intend to keep, please make sure to pick it up within that time. Nothing is to be planted over the grave without the board's permission. The cemetery board or mowers are not responsible for broken pots, stolen lights, etc., and will not replace such things. Again, any lights, pots, etc, placed over the grave (and not on the headstone or cement) are not the responsibility of the mowers or board, and may be removed at the mowers' discretion. The cemetery board is responsible for assuring that the cemetery is mowed and that the gravestones are maintained in a reasonable manner. Our cemeteries are beautifully kept, and our mowers are now working harder than ever of keeping the lawns well-kept. Your assistance and understanding is very much appreciated.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
“What do legal experts on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate say about conflicts that would occur if marriage is redefined?”
In a post at http://www.minnesotaformarriage.com/2012/06/new-marriage-minute-video-released-“what-do-legal-experts-on-both-sides-of-the-same-sex-marriage-debate-say-about-conflicts-that-would-occur-if-marriage-is-redefined”/. Minnesota For Marriage Releases New Minnesota Marriage Minute Video: “What do legal experts on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate say about conflicts that would occur if marriage is redefined?” Episode 25.
Legal experts on both sides predict conflict between same-sex marriage and religious liberty will work a “sea of change in American law” that will “reverberate across the legal and religious landscape.” Legal scholars predict “the volume of new litigation will be immense.”
Legal experts on both sides predict conflict between same-sex marriage and religious liberty will work a “sea of change in American law” that will “reverberate across the legal and religious landscape.” Legal scholars predict “the volume of new litigation will be immense.”
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Pastor's Notes for June 17
Dear Parishioners,
Happy Father's Day to all fathers of our parishes. Thank you, men, for your fatherly care.
This promises to be a great week! First, this Friday evening, Bishop LeVoir and a number of guests will join us in chartering our very own Knights of Columbus council (which we have named in honor of Bishop Schladweiler, first bishop of New Ulm). All are welcome to join us at 6:30 pm at St. Anne's Church for Mass and the installation of first officers, followed by a reception meal.
Wednesday of this week, we will host a movie night in the basement of St. Anne's (so we can have snacks, etc, in addition to the handicap accessibility), with the movie Soul Surfer being selected. It is a beautiful story of a teenage woman surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack, her struggle to understand God's will, and the ultimate meaning of her life. It is family-friendly - we will provide popcorn, but bring a cushion and your own refreshments.
Finally - a heads up! My mom and most of my aunts and uncles and a fair number of cousins are gathering here at St. Anne's next Sunday noon. It is the first time in a long time that we are all together like this, so we are all excited. Many will be at Mass on Sunday, so if you see strangers, it is just my family!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Happy Father's Day to all fathers of our parishes. Thank you, men, for your fatherly care.
This promises to be a great week! First, this Friday evening, Bishop LeVoir and a number of guests will join us in chartering our very own Knights of Columbus council (which we have named in honor of Bishop Schladweiler, first bishop of New Ulm). All are welcome to join us at 6:30 pm at St. Anne's Church for Mass and the installation of first officers, followed by a reception meal.
Wednesday of this week, we will host a movie night in the basement of St. Anne's (so we can have snacks, etc, in addition to the handicap accessibility), with the movie Soul Surfer being selected. It is a beautiful story of a teenage woman surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack, her struggle to understand God's will, and the ultimate meaning of her life. It is family-friendly - we will provide popcorn, but bring a cushion and your own refreshments.
Finally - a heads up! My mom and most of my aunts and uncles and a fair number of cousins are gathering here at St. Anne's next Sunday noon. It is the first time in a long time that we are all together like this, so we are all excited. Many will be at Mass on Sunday, so if you see strangers, it is just my family!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Friday, June 15, 2012
Plenary Indulgence for Prayer of Reparation on feast of the Sacred Heart
Today, there is the possibility of receiving an indulgence for praying the Actus reparationis.
MOST sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thee, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are now determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast founded.
Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honor, the satisfaction Thou once made to Thy Eternal Father on the cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.
MOST sweet Jesus, whose overflowing charity for men is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate before Thee, eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries to which Thy loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful, alas! that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Thy pardon and declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation, not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow Thee, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the promises of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Thy law.
We are now resolved to expiate each and every deplorable outrage committed against Thee; we are now determined to make amends for the manifold offenses against Christian modesty in unbecoming dress and behavior, for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holydays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against Thee and Thy Saints. We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Thy Vicar on earth and Thy priests are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which Thou hast founded.
Would that we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood. We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Thy divine honor, the satisfaction Thou once made to Thy Eternal Father on the cross and which Thou continuest to renew daily on our altars; we offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Thy Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth; and we sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Thy grace, for all neglect of Thy great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unswerving faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise to the best of our power to prevent others from offending Thee and to bring as many as possible to follow Thee.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mother, our model in reparation, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation; and by the crowning gift of perseverance keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to Thee, so that we may all one day come to that happy home, where with the Father and the Holy Spirit Thou livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Priests and the Importance of Fatherhood
Today, I listened to a great program on EWTN radio regarding fathers, and the speaker, Paul Vitz, referenced a recent article that he and his son wrote entitled Priests and the Importance of Fatherhood. It is a thoughtful read.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
“I have heard people talk about same-sex marriage interfering with ‘Religious liberty’ principles. What does that mean?”
New Marriage Minute Video (episode 24) Released:, “I have heard people talk about same-sex marriage interfering with ‘Religious liberty’ principles. What does that mean?”
It means that our country was founded on the principle that people of faith are guaranteed to be able to live their beliefs, and that legalization of same-sex marriage affects that right in many profound ways.
It means that our country was founded on the principle that people of faith are guaranteed to be able to live their beliefs, and that legalization of same-sex marriage affects that right in many profound ways.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Pastor's Notes for June 10
Dear Parishioners,
Work on the preschool room is preceding well. New windows, a little room for a bathroom, and some paint, and it will be up and ready! Thanks to a generous donation, I am happy to see that the costs of this project, in addition to the purchase of the supplies and furniture, is already covered.
I am pleased to report that the Diocesan Capital Campaign continues to do well. There is still time to make a contribution, or to make an additional one. St. Anne's and St. Mathias both are short of the goal, but OLV and St. Mary's (assuming all the pledges are paid) are set. Remember that every cent over goal returns to the parishes, and what a great way to make a contribution!
This weekend is the feast of Corpus Christi. In preparation for the Eucharistic procession at St. Mathias, I re-read the encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia by Pope John Paul II. A beautiful document, not too long of read, I recommend it to your reading, found at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html. I am especially fond of paragraph 8: "[E]ven when it is celebrated on the humble altar of a country church, the Eucharist is always in some way celebrated on the altar of the world. It unites heaven and earth. It embraces and permeates all creation. The Son of God became man in order to restore all creation, in one supreme act of praise, to the One who made it from nothing. He, the Eternal High Priest who by the blood of his Cross entered the eternal sanctuary, thus gives back to the Creator and Father all creation redeemed. He does so through the priestly ministry of the Church, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. Truly this is the mysterium fidei which is accomplished in the Eucharist: the world which came forth from the hands of God the Creator now returns to him redeemed by Christ." (¶8)
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Work on the preschool room is preceding well. New windows, a little room for a bathroom, and some paint, and it will be up and ready! Thanks to a generous donation, I am happy to see that the costs of this project, in addition to the purchase of the supplies and furniture, is already covered.
I am pleased to report that the Diocesan Capital Campaign continues to do well. There is still time to make a contribution, or to make an additional one. St. Anne's and St. Mathias both are short of the goal, but OLV and St. Mary's (assuming all the pledges are paid) are set. Remember that every cent over goal returns to the parishes, and what a great way to make a contribution!
This weekend is the feast of Corpus Christi. In preparation for the Eucharistic procession at St. Mathias, I re-read the encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia by Pope John Paul II. A beautiful document, not too long of read, I recommend it to your reading, found at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html. I am especially fond of paragraph 8: "[E]ven when it is celebrated on the humble altar of a country church, the Eucharist is always in some way celebrated on the altar of the world. It unites heaven and earth. It embraces and permeates all creation. The Son of God became man in order to restore all creation, in one supreme act of praise, to the One who made it from nothing. He, the Eternal High Priest who by the blood of his Cross entered the eternal sanctuary, thus gives back to the Creator and Father all creation redeemed. He does so through the priestly ministry of the Church, to the glory of the Most Holy Trinity. Truly this is the mysterium fidei which is accomplished in the Eucharist: the world which came forth from the hands of God the Creator now returns to him redeemed by Christ." (¶8)
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Pastor's Note for June 3
Dear Parishioners,
This last Wednesday, we said goodbye to a good priest and servant, Msgr. Greg Schaffer. As I began the morning of his funeral, it dawned on me that I was within 5 feet of when I first met him in person. I was about 10. He was state-side for a break, and for some reason, he wanted to talk to my mom (she had lived in his parents' house while working in New Ulm). She asked if I would go along, and I said yes. There, on the floor at his feet as he smoked a pipe and sat in a rocking chair, he shared stories of the mission, the people, and the tasks that he was planning. The love he had for the people was obvious. Later, when I heard that his life had been threatened several times, and witnessing first hand the mission on two trips, I only grew in my admiration of him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Please continue to pray and support the mission in San Lucas Toliman. Fr. Greg, while a humble servant and an ardent listener of the people, was the focal point of the mission activities. As his successors take his place, they have large shoes to fill. There is still a great need there, too.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
This last Wednesday, we said goodbye to a good priest and servant, Msgr. Greg Schaffer. As I began the morning of his funeral, it dawned on me that I was within 5 feet of when I first met him in person. I was about 10. He was state-side for a break, and for some reason, he wanted to talk to my mom (she had lived in his parents' house while working in New Ulm). She asked if I would go along, and I said yes. There, on the floor at his feet as he smoked a pipe and sat in a rocking chair, he shared stories of the mission, the people, and the tasks that he was planning. The love he had for the people was obvious. Later, when I heard that his life had been threatened several times, and witnessing first hand the mission on two trips, I only grew in my admiration of him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Please continue to pray and support the mission in San Lucas Toliman. Fr. Greg, while a humble servant and an ardent listener of the people, was the focal point of the mission activities. As his successors take his place, they have large shoes to fill. There is still a great need there, too.
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
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