Thursday 3 September 2015

EXTENDING RITE III? COME BACK ST JOHN VIANNEY, WE NEED YOU NOW! (Letter to NZ Catholic, September 4)

Remember how people flocked to Rite II Reconciliation when it was first introduced? But now parish priests are sometimes embarrassed by having to send home the priests they’ve called in to assist with Rite II, for lack of penitents. The novelty has worn off, as it surely would also with Rite III. 

It’s not fear, as Fr Consedine alleges, but magisterial wisdom which reserves Rite III for emergencies. And it’s our natural, human preference for novelty, accessibility and ease which explains its attractions. But Jesus calls us to a supernatural, divine preference for the will of the Father.  

Michael Otto’s piece shows clearly that we urgently need priests who ‘hasten to meet’ the latter-day Prodigal Son literally, in their parishioners’ homes, figuratively in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, and collectively by authoritative catechesis on the benefits of the sacrament in their Sunday homilies. 

Jesus’ view of sin was always person-centred, and priests who dedicate time daily to Jesus in contemplative prayer will automatically acquire that view. 

Come back, St John Vianney, Cure of Ars, we need you now!

 

 

Tuesday 1 September 2015

IF FAT'S IN THE GENES, HOW COME KIWIS USED TO BE THIN? (Letter to Dom Post, September 1)

If genes are responsible for Kiwis’ obesity (A weighty look at the DNA of Kiwis, Sept 1), how come only two generations ago very few were overweight?

EARNEST RESEARCHERS DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF GIVING (Letter to Dom Post, September 1)

Clearly all those earnest researchers who’ve spent God knows how many hours discovering the benefits of giving (The benefits of being generous, September 1) have never taken on board the last advice of St Paul to the elders of Ephesus.

‘Remember the Lord Jesus said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than receiving’.