Tag Archives: catholic laity

April 5, 2012 · 5:00 am

holy thursday foot washing

(This post was first published on April 21, 2011)

The Holy Thursday liturgy is rich with symbols and rituals. We commemorate the Passover meal, which was to be the last supper before Jesus`s death. Several themes are present: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the ordained priesthood, and the call to humble service. Which theme is highlighted and how the liturgy is celebrated can tell a lot about the theological leanings of the pastor and parish.

Here is one view from the pew…

Let us celebrate the Eucharist as the great sacrament of unity – a unity that transcends place and time. Holy Communion is healing food for us sinners. It is a source of energy on our spiritual journey. It should not be used as a tool of power or division.

In this scandal-ridden time of sadness and confusion, many of us are struggling with the exclusive and hierarchical nature of ordination. If Holy Thursday is a time to commemorate the institution of the priesthood, then we need to prayerfully ponder the meaning of priesthood for today.

The symbolic ritual of foot washing is too often a well-orchestrated spectacle. Many of us in the pews are immersed in the reality and messiness of service. We wash and care for our loved ones, from the wee babes to our elders. We teach and nurse. We serve and protect. We save and heal. We do this daily, without solemn processions and choirs singing. And, when we do, we aren`t surrounded by ministers and assistants carrying beautiful jugs, basins and fluffy white towels.

Rituals only have meaning if they are a sign of a deeper reality. Our church and our world are in need of true servant leaders. We are in need of men and women willing, like Jesus, to humbly bend before the feet of those they are called to serve.

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October 27, 2011 · 8:38 am

an adult church

I`m heading to Rome tomorrow morning. The past days have been awhirl with emails and reports, and the suitcase has yet to be packed. I hoped to write another blog post or two before I left, but the dual demon of time and energy got the best of me. Meanwhile, here`s a link to my last month`s column for the Prairie Messenger. It`s titled we need an adult church in which faith will grow.

Now, off to attack those suitcases!

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June 15, 2011 · 9:15 am

unhappy traditionalists vs unhappy progressives

In response to recent Catholic news headlines, a dear friend mused…

I find it interesting that unhappy traditionalists tend to send letters to Rome (witness the attacks on the Australian bishop, complaints against a newly named French bishop) while progressives unhappy with the status quo assemble and practice what they want to see in the church. This says a lot about our views of church!

It is an astute observation. On one side of the trenches we have Catholics who place all their faith and obedience in the hierarchical leadership (as long as the said leaders are of a traditional mind-set.) These Catholics are the loyal spies for orthodoxy, eyes and ears carefully tuned to spot the heresy or liturgical faux pas. It is their holy duty to record the failings of priests and fellow parishioners. They send regular, carefully written dispatches to their local chancery. If there are no sympathetic diocesan ears, or if the guilty party is the bishop himself, then the accusatory missives are sent directly to Rome.

On the other side of the trenches, we have the Catholics who have lost faith in the hierarchical structure of leadership in the Church. They support priests and bishops of integrity, but will not offer blind obedience based on ordination alone. They believe that the Church is the People of God, and it`s time for God`s people to stand up to injustices and inequality. They gather together for inspiration, support, and to strategize for change. The mere act of gathering will set off warning bells among traditionalists.

The former group believes that excommunications are an effective way of purifying the Church. The latter group does not bow to threats of censure or canonical punishments, as was shown in the recent gathering of the American Catholic Council.

I admit that the above descriptions are stereotypical caricatures, painted with very broad strokes. But it shows the deep theological differences that are present in our Church. As with all trench warfare, there is lots of noise and damage but little progress in finding common ground.

What will it take to cross over this ideological divide?

 

 

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April 21, 2011 · 6:00 am

holy thursday foot washing

The Holy Thursday liturgy is rich with symbols and rituals. We commemorate the Passover meal, which was to be the last supper before Jesus`s death. Several themes are present: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the ordained priesthood, and the call to humble service. Which theme is highlighted and how the liturgy is celebrated can tell a lot about the theological leanings of the pastor and parish.

Here is one view from the pew…

Let us celebrate the Eucharist as the great sacrament of unity – a unity that transcends place and time. Holy Communion is healing food for us sinners. It is a source of energy on our spiritual journey. It should not be used as a tool of power or division.

In this scandal-ridden time of sadness and confusion, many of us are struggling with the exclusive and hierarchical nature of ordination. If Holy Thursday is a time to commemorate the institution of the priesthood, then we need to prayerfully ponder the meaning of priesthood for today.

The symbolic ritual of foot washing is too often a well-orchestrated spectacle. Many of us in the pews are immersed in the reality and messiness of service. We wash and care for our loved ones, from the wee babes to our elders. We teach and nurse. We serve and protect. We save and heal. We do this daily, without solemn processions and choirs singing. And, when we do, we aren`t surrounded by ministers and assistants carrying beautiful jugs, basins and fluffy white towels.

Rituals only have meaning if they are a sign of a deeper reality. Our church and our world are in need of true servant leaders. We are in need of men and women willing, like Jesus, to humbly bend before the feet of those they are called to serve.

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February 26, 2011 · 6:00 am

baby boomer elders

Fifty is the new thirty, a phrase most probably coined by baby boomers. I’m part of this group born in the years 1946-1964. Our sheer numbers meant we were, and are, a force to be reckoned with. We posed a challenge to society in each of our life stages from birth to school to post-secondary education to the work force. Red flags are now being raised about our upcoming take-over of the elder demographic. Dire financial forecasts bemoan the heavy burden we will place on health care and social services. It’s a tough guilt trip after a life-time of working, raising and supporting children, and paying more than our fair share of taxes.

Recently I’ve been noticing another baby boomer guilt trip within our own church. I admit that I have no empirical proof for this observation, and I`m not trying to make any generalizations (which I dislike and seldom trust). It`s merely a simple observation after reading and  reflecting on  recent articles and online discussions.

Some more traditionally minded Catholics blame baby boomers for the post-Vatican II reforms – reforms they believe had a negative effect on the Church. Now we are being portrayed as aging hippies whose current reform efforts within the Church are being rejected by the younger generation.

Is this true? Do only middle-aged and older women care if the priesthood excludes them? Do movements like Call to Action, We are Church or Voice of the Faithful speak only to baby-boomers?

Traditionalists and liberals come in all ages, but are we facing a new trend in our church? Baby boomers led many of the protest movements of the latter half of the 20th century. They were the young voice challenging the traditions of the older generations. Are we now facing an era where the younger generation takes up the banner of traditionalism while the voice of reform and protest comes from the elders?

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February 11, 2011 · 6:00 am

dumb sheep

The problem with some shepherds is that they think we’re just dumb sheep!

I laughed out loud the first time I heard this line. I quickly sobered up when I realized how much truth it holds.

The gospels present Jesus as the Good Shepherd, one who is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. This pastoral image has been used to describe the role of bishops in the Catholic Church. The symbolism is reflected in the crozier or ceremonial staff carried by bishops. Its shape resembles a shepherd’s crook.

The image of sheep is used to describe us as we follow Jesus. He leads us with compassion and love. He seeks us out when we are lost, and gently brings us back. We trust his voice, knowing that he is leading us on the right path.

Using these images to describe the relationship between the ordained hierarchy and the laity is problematic for me. We are no longer dumb sheep who will blindly and obediently follow the voice of any and all shepherds. Our following depends on the shepherd. Jesus, yes! Each and every bishop just because he is a bishop, no!

Sheep will follow the voice of the shepherd only if they trust that voice. Thankfully, there are good and trustworthy voices that genuinely follow in the steps of the Good Shepherd. But, sadly, there are also scoundrels. Only the truly dumb will follow someone just because he carries a shepherd’s crook or wears a clerical collar.

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January 3, 2011 · 6:00 am

Day 3 – laity

In the secular world the world `lay` describes a person who lacks the knowledge, training, or designation to be part of a specific professional group. It has a negative connotation, meaning someone who is `not` (a doctor, lawyer, rocket scientist, electrician, engineer, etc.).  We use lay terms to simplify complicated medical, legal, or scientific processes for a general audience. We respect those who have spent their lives to gain the expertise and proficiency in their profession for the good of others. After all, I did not choose to be a doctor and so do not expect to have a doctor`s knowledge. I am a lay person when it comes to the field of medicine.

In the church, the negative connotation of the term `lay` is magnified in our institutional structure, our thinking, and our ways of acting. To be `lay` is not who we are, it is what we are not. We are not ordained. (Technically, vowed religious women and men are still in the lay state.) It doesn`t get any more negative than that. To be not ordained means that you are automatically denied the right to many of the sacramental and teaching ministries in the church. To be not ordained means that you cannot hold any positions of power or authority by right. Lay women and men can be part of consultative processes on the parish, diocesan, and even the Vatican level, but the final decision making powers always lie in the hands of the ordained hierarchy.

Unlike the secular world, no amount of training, wisdom or academic accomplishments will take away the fact that you are still considered a lay person, a lay theologian, a lay minister, a lay pastoral associate, a lay chaplain, etc. If you are a woman, the lay designation is simply redundant. You have no other option but to be lay.

We have come a long way in the post Vatican II years in understanding that through Baptism we all share in the threefold ministry of Jesus Christ as priest, prophet and king/servant-leader. But, as laity we are too often reminded of the great divide between the clergy and us. Of course, this depends greatly on individual deacons, priests and bishops.  Some understand the truth that together we ARE church, and to be true church means to work as one with a respect for the diversity of gifts among all God’s people. But, sadly, there are those who still view the church as a strict hierarchy of priests on pedestals and the laity as  the great unwashed in the pews.

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December 10, 2010 · 10:23 am

power of the purse

Phyllis Zagano`s latest National Catholic Reporter article is titled Rome`s checkbook strategy on women religious. The Vatican is realizing the pastoral damage done with the Apostolic Visitations of U.S. Women`s Institutes. The Vatican depends on the wealth of the U.S. Church. Zagano points out that `women control the bulk of those millions of checkbooks`. If the women are angry, the checkbooks are shut and remain shut. She believes that the Vatican`s `strategies of reconciliation` are motivated more on keeping the money flowing than healing the underlying anger produced by the visitations. Still, it made the boys in the hats stand up and take notice!

I`ve pondered the `power of the purse` many times over the years. About 15 years ago, my husband and I had a horrible experience with our local church. It was a dysfunctional time in our parish and in our diocese. Since then, I have shared my story with friends from around the world. Too often, they respond with a similar scenario; priests and bishops on power trips, abuse of leadership and financial resources, hurtful divides between the laity and the ordained, and the list goes on. Our church consists of sinners and saints, and many of us have experienced the darker side of the institutional organization. It`s nothing new. Of course, for every nasty pastor and bishop, there are holy men who understand the church as the people of God and give their lives in collaborative service. But, too often the nastiness of one bugger is enough to make folks leave – never to return. And, the hurt and anger is seldom left behind.

We live in the rural prairies of Canada. Our parish community reflects the town – small, intimate, where everyone knows your name, and knows your business. We used to give generously to the parish. But, during `the troubles` we stopped giving, knowing it would hurt the parish coffers. We weren`t the only ones angry in the parish at the time. Tongues wagged, griped and complained about the pastor and the bishop`s influence. Yet, most of the core faithful continued to give of their time, treasure and talents. We`ve had a mixed bag of pastors since. The core faithful continue to give, in good times and bad.

The power of the purse. Sadly, it is sometimes the only corporate power that we have as laity. But, as individuals, we can also withhold our time and talents. Fifteen years later, I still see the same good women and men in our parish scurrying around in their busyness on a Sunday morning. I admire their ability to rise above the words and actions of an individual priest. I have neither the strength of character or stomach to do so any more. If I have good reason to bitch and complain, then I can`t fake a smile and pretend all is well. When this Mama ain`t happy, ain`t nobody happy!

Should a faithful Catholic give unconditionally of their time, treasure and talents for the good of the community? In a dysfunctional parish situation, does unconditional giving merely enable the damaging behaviour to continue? How do we, as lay women and men, use wisely the power given to us?

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December 8, 2010 · 4:03 pm

On this mountain

On this mountain the Lord almighty will prepare

a feast of rich food  for all peoples,

a banquet of aged wine –

the best of meats and the finest of wines.

(Isaiah 25)

Advent is my favorite season – an opportunity to retreat from the commercialism of the upcoming secular holiday, and be immersed in the rich, hope-filled imagery found in the liturgical readings. The poetry of Isaiah sends mind and heart soaring. I am happiest when I’m gathered around the table with good friends, good food, good wine, and good conversation. One of these dear friends once described these moments as a ‘touch of heaven’. Isaiah’s banquet image affirms this. The heavenly banquet sounds like great fun!

The Eucharistic Liturgy is meant to be such a banquet. We gather around the table of the Word, and the table of the Lord to acknowledge the Divine presence among us. To be nourished by that same presence. Yet, for me, it doesn’t seem like a banquet. There’s something missing. The food is there. The people are there. (Okay, not all people – we’re selective in our invitations.) The festive decorations are usually there. What’s missing? The conversation around the table! The only dialogue is in the back and forth of formulaic responses to tired prayers. The weary mumbles seldom exude the liveliness and excitement found at a good feast.

We yearn to be a Church of dialogue. This term is used in many parish and diocesan mission statements these days. We are encouraged in terms, resplendent in poetic vagueness, to be a Church of communion, where all voices are respected. But few are granted a voice at the table. Diocesan and pastoral councils are touted as a platform of dialogue. Yet many priests and bishops are quick to remind us that these councils are advisory bodies only. Final decision-making lies in the hands of the ordained. A true Church of dialogue can be added to Isaiah’s vision, to his list of yearnings for things that are not yet.

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