Sunrise over Amazing Grasses Family Farm The mad Artist wields His brush, Painted colors rush, To life and give flush, Before the quiet autumn hush. The life seems to pour, As colors fall to the floor, To be seen no more, Outside the dark, grey door. Brightness from below, Sun upon the snow, High, cold clouds blow, Flakes and ice appear to grow. The man melts with little seen, Underneath, pale, grey green, Hides life in dark unseen, Waits for warmth and to careen. Buds on branches show, Patience starts to grow, Trickles, streams and veins flow, Bringing fruits of melted snow. Sprung to life it springs, Bees, birds, sound rings, Lush green flings, Its gift bounty brings. Green growth gives one last rush, Underneath the Painter's brush. The mad Artist wields His brush, before the quiet autumn hush. More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in The Last Dragon and Other Poems available now. My new book of cryptogram puzzles " Secret Messages from the Saints " is avai
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For the most part, I think this is a wonderful letter. As parents who do our best to give our children a solid education in our faith though, I can see how some parents might be a bit upset.
But, I can tell this is aimed at those who do not take the time & effort. I take our oldest to our parish's PSR every Monday night. He will be making his First Communion this spring, so the parents have started meeting lately to plan the altar banner & Parents' Prayer. Several of the parents don't seem to have any idea about our faith & how important this wonderful sacrament is.
Also, I'm constantly amazed at the number of parents & children I have never seen before & those I rarely see at Mass (I've been a member of this parish since I was born).
It's like St. Paul when he says the law no long applies to him. It's not that he is above the law but that the law is silly in his eyes. He doesn't need a law to tell him to love God, neighbor etc. He wouldn't dream of any other way. I don't need to be told to go to Mass, we wouldn't dream of missing. So, the obligation is no longer an obligation. It's an act of love! Like you say, this is just a part of being Catholic and it is a shame that letter like this has to be sent. It's even more of a shame when parents are upset by the letter - defending their sinful actions and example. Thanks for commenting. God Bless you and your family!
It's like St. Paul when he says the law no long applies to him. It's not that he is above the law but that the law is silly in his eyes. He doesn't need a law to tell him to love God, neighbor etc. He wouldn't dream of any other way. I don't need to be told to go to Mass, we wouldn't dream of missing. So, the obligation is no longer an obligation. It's an act of love! Like you say, this is just a part of being Catholic and it is a shame that letter like this has to be sent. It's even more of a shame when parents are upset by the letter - defending their sinful actions and example. Thanks for commenting. God Bless you and your family!
Jim,
I imagine that the DRE had the best intentions with this letter. I would not fault him/her at all. I am sad, however, that our Church has come to this point.
You and your family (and mine and others like ours) are clearly the exception in our Church. Like little children, who don't know otherwise, many families haven't a clue. The Church lost its Catechism (chose not to teach it) and now she has to remind its members that it's a sin to not go to Church, something that they should understand with every fiber of their being (like you said -- they should want to be there, not out of obligation ).
When our second son was preparing for Confirmation, at the beginning of seventh grade, we took all of our preparation materials to our Pastor and showed him what we were doing at home. We were fully prepared for him to pat us on the back and say "wonderful." We were teaching him the Catechism and bible history and all the traditions of the Church. Instead he told us our son would have to attend CCD -- "teen style" in order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We tried, honest we did. It was beyond ridiculous. We left that parish with heavy hearts.
But, sadly, that is where our Church has gone-- away from the true Church, seeking "happiness." We have sought to make the people content rather than disciples of Jesus Christ.
You hit the nail on the head. This is the fruit of a lack of catechesis for the past 40 years. In reality it should be laughable, like sending a note home to married couples telling them to love each other and that it is a mortal sin for them to cut one another up with a chainsaw.
Thanks for posting!
PS, Thanks for telling all of us about Kurt LeBlanc; I pray for him daily and really enjoy his blogging!