Standing on My Head

Breaking News

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:40:00 +0000

The Vatican has published the Apostolic Constitution providing Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans today. You can read the document here.

Forward in Faith UK's initial response is very positive. You can read Bishop John Broadhurst's statement here. Damien Thompson in England comments on how former Anglican bishops will be treated here.

Cold Turkey

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:40:00 +0000

You may have to go through Standing on My Head cold turkey. I'm off to Florida on retreat with the other pastoral provision priests and I don't know if there is a hookup. Pray for us as we discuss the new Apostolic Constitution and its implications for Anglicans.

Last Chance

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:18:00 +0000

OK, today is the last day of the annual 'Stick 'em Up' campaign. I'm going to have one more push to get y'all to make donations or buy a book. Here's why you should donate.

You enjoy this blog because it inspires you and you want to say 'thanks'
This blog entertains you and why should that be free?
When you can't sleep this blog puts you right down it's so dull, and that's worth something
You're in love with Mantilla the Hon and want to do something nice for her
You believe in married Catholic priests and want to put your money where your mouth is
You love, admire, respect and almost idolize me
You don't admire, respect and almost idolize me, but you hope I'll shut up if you pay something
This blog informs you and gives you a new perspective and you want it to go on
You're in love with Todd Unctuous
You've learned to stand on your head on this blog and you want to make a donation to keep this dizzy past time going
You don't love the Vicar much, but you're desperate to know what's going to happen to Daphne so you're going to pay up to keep it going
You get new insights on the church and the world
You've just realized that November 9 is Caitlin O'Rourke's birthday and you want to give her a nice present.

Actually, lots of you have already been very generous. Thanks very much! If you haven't donated or bought a book, this is the last push. I enjoy doing this blog and will keep on going, but it does take a lot of my time and if you can help out today, well the bandito says Muchos gracias.

St Mary's Training Video

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Fr. Newman's education department at St Mary's has just issued this training video for newcomers to the parish who want to learn how to fit in at the 11:00 Solemn Mass.

Sad Homosexuals

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:40:00 +0000

A commenter on a previous post opined that she has never heard a Catholic priest be compassionate towards homosexuals. She said that homosexuals are very sad, lonely, despairing and often suicidal.

This is a red herring isn't it? I'm sure there are very many sad, suicidal and lonely homosexuals, and I agree that they need compassion, care and sensitive sympathy. But there are an awful lot of homosexuals who are not sad and lonely and suicidal. There seem to be loads who have successful careers, big bank accounts, creative jobs and a very active (errm) social life.

Similarly, there are many sad, depressed and lonely heterosexuals. They need care and compassion and help too.

Wouldn't it be discriminatory to help sad homos and not sad heteros? Furthermore, isn't it rather discriminatory to assume that all homosexuals are sad and lonely?

I think it's much simpler than that. We should be compassionate and non judgmental and caring towards anybody in need. Priests who are don't care for sad homosexuals probably don't have much time for sad heterosexuals either.

What Would You Do?

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Going back to this story of the guy who was fired for disapproving of his colleague's lesbian 'marriage.' He says he was goaded into it. He was only in the job for two weeks. She was his superior in the workplace. She threw her lesbian 'marriage' into his face four times. He finally said what he thought and was fired.

So what would you do?

It's a Miracle

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:02:00 +0000

This is the kind of story that makes London's Daily Telegraph my favorite paper. It's an article on Jack Sullivan-- the Boston deacon who was cured by the intercession of Cardinal Newman. The article is intelligent, fair, well researched and open minded. See what you think.

As for me, I'm simply amazed and excited by the things going on spiritually at the moment in England. First the triumphant tour of the relics of Therese, then the announcement of a papal visit in the Spring, then the announcement of the Apostolic Constitution for Anglicans, now the deacon who was healed by Fr Newman is making a tour of England to give his testimony.

Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for England. St Therese, pray for England, Cardinal Newman, pray for England.

Lord God, give the Anglicans the grace and courage to come into full communion with your Holy Church. AMEN

Stick 'em Up - Day 6

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:44:00 +0000

Giving money to a good cause is highly recommended on Sundays.

Hit the 'Donate' button today!

Evangelicals and Catholics

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:32:00 +0000

Steve Wood points out this Christianity Today article on the increasing convergence between Evangelicals and Catholics on the subject of justification. My friend and fellow blogger Taylor Marshall is quoted.

Silence, Tolerance and St Thomas More

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:25:00 +0000

Here's a news story about a Massachusetts man who claims he was fired for expressing his opinions about a colleague's lesbian 'marriage.' The story is interesting because the guy claims that he wasn't radical and aggressive in his disapproval of the impending lesbian marriage, but that his homosexual colleague (and superior in the workplace) kept mentioning it until he gave some sort of response. In other words, he kept silent until he was goaded into a response, and being an honest person he could not give a response that was approving. The response he did give was (according to him) gentle, apologetic and regretful. Was his lesbian superior sacked because she hounded him over his religious views? No. He was fired because of his discriminatory behavior.

Here is the situation we are now in. The homosexualists run well financed campaigns to twist the majority view on marriage. They actively campaign for homosexual positive sex education in our schools. They have increasingly high profile 'Pride Marches' many of which are offensive to public morals with nudity, lewd acts, profanity, blasphemy and hate crimes against Catholics. We are supposed to respond to these aggressive, provocative and increasingly violent attacks with Christian tolerance, forbearance, wisdom and grace.

In fact this is exactly what we should do. We should respond with well reasoned, tolerant and gentle reproof. However, should we lapse and respond with the tiniest bit of fight back we're 'obsessed, bigoted, intolerant, full of hate, homophobic' and every other nasty name you can imagine.

The fact of the matter is the homosexualists will not be satisfied with tolerance. Like this guy's lesbian boss, they will insist on approval. I am reminded of St Thomas More's response to the wickedness of Henry VIII. Thomas More chose the path of silence. Time and again his was the voice of reasoned tolerance and forbearance. Over and over again he repeated that he would not be able to sign the Act of Supremacy, but he did not judge the consciences of those who did. He tried repeatedly to retire in dignified silence. This was not sufficient. Henry demanded either his signature or his head.

Be prepared for the same. Tolerance is not what these people want. They will not be satisfied with that. They want your approval. They will not even be satisfied with 'equality under the law'. Once they have civil partnerships they will demand that all churches provide the facility for homosexual marriage as the Church of Sweden has now done.

Finally, I should clarify my terminology. I regularly use the term 'homosexualists'. I do so intentionally. With this term I am not referring to people with a homosexual orientation. I am not even referring to people who are engaged in homosexual activity. The genesis of the homosexual condition and the morality of homosexual actions is another discussion.

I am referring to those people for whom homosexuality has become the definition of their life, their goals, their ambitions and their agenda. In other words, I am writing about those who have turned a sexual orientation into an ideology.

My arguments against them, therefore are the same arguments I would use against anyone who forcibly promotes a false ideology of any kind. You will see what I mean if you go through the above post and substitute 'communism' or 'vegetarianism' or 'Nazism' or 'climate change-ism' or any other ideology for 'homosexualism'.

Stick 'em Up - Day 5

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:39:00 +0000

I know you are enjoying the annual Stick 'em Up appeal, and would like my plea for donations to go on much longer, but it really is limited to one week. This is day five. It's not going to go on much longer. Take the chance while you have it! Hit the 'Donate' button in the right sidebar and give what you can and do so with a happy heart for the Lord loves a cheerful giver.

If you want to buy books and would like to buy more than five email me for a discount. If you would like me to sign the books and or send them to someone else as a gift, please say so in the 'comments' part of the book order form.

Finally, many thanks for all of you who have already made donations and ordered books. It is much appreciated.

Listen to Newman

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:35:00 +0000

The present Anglican crisis is only one of along line of such crises. For thought provoking posts on the continued anxiety faced by Anglo Catholics, you can't do better than Jeffrey Steel's blog. Jeffrey is an American who is married with six children and a former Anglo Catholic priest. He writes eloquently about his own conversion (he was received this Spring) and he is a strong voice encouraging other Anglo Catholics to take the step. All his recent posts are worth reading, but here he quotes from Cardinal Newman's famous essay, difficulties of Anglicans.

The Vicar on Thought for the Day

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Guest blogger, The Rev'd Humphrey Blytherington is Vicar of St Hilda's, Little Snoring with All Saints, Great Snoring. He is a graduate of Plymouth University. He completed his studies for the ministry at Latimer Hall, Durham. He is married to Daphne and enjoys home brewing, model railroading and is an avid member of the Great Snoring Morris Dancers

You know Nigel, that's a very good question, a very good question indeed. Why should an atheist have a go on Thought for the Day? I realize most of you fellows listen to pop music on the wireless as you go in to work each morning, but some of us enjoy listening to Radio 4 while we're having our breakfast, and one of the highlights of the morning news is the 'God Slot' a great English tradition in which one of our religious leaders shares a few thoughts to inspire us and help us start the day.

Why just last week our own Bishop was on the wireless telling us about a wonderful new initative in the diocese called 'Beers for Queers'. I must say it was a bit odd hearing Bishop Bracket speak in such terms in public, but he said it we shouldn't be ashamed of names like that, and that it was a name chosen by the fellows who are like that themselves. Seems he has a special 'advisory group' for that sort of thing, and they've come up with this novel idea of a special Sunday when men who are that way would be offered free beer if they came to Church. He said it was a good chance for them and their partners to meet other families, and that perhaps they would join the church, get involved with the Boys Brigade and all that sort of thing.

What's that? You thought they only drank cocktails? Now, now, we've got to be a bit more open minded don't you think? After all, they're just ordinary chaps like us-- only different.

I can't see that Bishop Bracket's idea can do any harm. Goodness knows we can use all the help we can get at the moment. And that brings me round to the idea that an atheist should be invited to do Thought for the Day from time to time. At first I was opposed to it, and then I tried to listen to the other side and that Birt fellow who used to run the BBC assures us that atheists are, for the most part, very nice people with good manners and more often than not a top notch education. I mean to say, I hadn't quite seen it like that before, and I can't myself see what harm there could be in it if a good natured atheist had the soapbox from time to time. It might help us to see that they are ordinary fellows just like us who try to do our best, enjoy walking the dog on a fine day, don't mind the odd lager shandy and giving a bob to the BBC Children in Need Appeal.

I was discussing the matter with Lavinia and Georgie the other evening when they came over with a casserole. No, Alan, Mrs Vicar hasn't left me. She's simply gone to visit her cousin in the Midlands for a time. Anyway, Georgie was rather forceful about the whole matter and said it would be a jolly good thing for that Dawkins fellow to have a say. She thought it would help sharpen up all our arguments. I have to admit that I'm a bit rusty on that sort of thing and I can see what she means. Why just the other day I was puzzling over the creation of the world and couldn't for the life of me figure out why the Good Lord created the world at all. I remember old Canon Farnsworth at theological college dismissed it as a foolish question, but I've never been able to sort it out. Maybe these atheists could help me figure it out.

Lavinia said she didn't see the problem. She said there are plenty of Church of England clergy who don't believe in the 'big good sky fairy' kind of God. Said when she was up at Waddesdon Hall none of the theology faculty believed in God, and they didn't see why that should stop them being clergy in the Church of England.

Anyway lads, atheists on the God Slot? I'm all for it. We have to look at the positive side of things. After all, everybody has a point of view don't they, and who am I to say that my opinion is any more right than another fellow's?

You know Nigel, I think I will have another drink, and tell you what-- I think I'll be very naughty and follow this one with just the tiniest whisky. I've got a bit of a chest cold coming on, and it helps. Could you manage that? Good. There's a good lad. Thanks ever so.

Stick 'em Up - Day Four

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:29:00 +0000

I'm giving it to you straight. Donate more money or I shoot Blytherington. The English priest is driving me crazy with his 'stiff upper lip' act. He keeps making endless pots of tea and trying to cheer up the fat journo and the Mandible fellow with lines like, "Come along chaps, have another cuppa tea. No need to be despondent. Where's the spirit of the Blitz? Enduring a bit of hardship like a man is what put the 'great' in Great Britain. Chin up!" Now he's started humming 'Rule Britannia' non-stop, so if you don't pitch in with more loot he gets some lead in the head. I don't care if he is some sort of minister.

Seriously, the annual 'Stick 'Em Up' Campaign is going pretty well and you all have been very generous and bought lots of books and a couple of folks have made hefty donations. However, since I only do this once a year I'm going to push a little bit harder. It's only for this one week a year, so if you're a regular reader, here's your chance to pay an informal subscription.

A donation is good, but why not buy a couple of my books? That helps too. Check them out on the right sidebar. Click the picture and it goes straight to the page on my website where you can buy the books. Let me know if you want me to sign them, or if they're a gift if I should send them to a different address. I specially recommend Gargoyle Code.

Personal Ordinariate Posts

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:32:00 +0000

I was a guest on Steve Wood's radio show on EWTN this afternoon discussing the Personal Ordinariate for Anglicans, and will be on Catholic Answers Live tomorrow. I'll also be featured on several other radio shows in the days ahead. For any listeners who have come here for more information, you may use the 'labels' facility to browse through all the posts I have written on this subject over the last week or so. You will also find useful links in those posts to my own published comments in The Times of London, InsideCatholic, CatholicOnline and elsewhere.

Future of the Personal Ordinariate

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:21:00 +0000

The more I think about the Personal Ordinariate the Holy Father has set up for Anglicans, the more I believe it could be a very important step for future reconciliation of many people--not just Anglicans.

The most important thing the Personal Ordinary will bring to the situation is a pro-active, informed advocate for convert clergy. I know from working with St Barnabas Society and from conversations with the people at the Coming Home Network that there are many many Protestant clergy who would love to 'come home to Rome'.

However, there are problems. One of the problems is that most Catholic bishops (assuming they are welcoming to convert clergy) simply don't know what to do with a convert clergyman. The reason for this is practical and complex. First of all, most Catholics bishops are not very knowledgeable about the different Protestant groups. Why should they be? I would have thought it is a job enough to know all the different Catholic groups, religious orders, apostolates, schools etc. etc. But to understand all the Prots too? It's impossible. How is the poor man to know the difference between the Church of Christ and the Church of God, the Assemblies of God and the Assemblies of Christ, the Disciples of Christ and the Christian Disciples? It's impossible to even stay on top of the Anglican schism groups. "Now let me see, are you Anglican Orthodox or Orthodox Anglican? Reformed Anglican American Church or the Anglican Reformed American Church?"

Secondly, the Catholic doesn't understand the man's experience and training. He doesn't know whether his mish mash of education in a Bible College here, a seminary there, a university theology department here or a correspondence course there is bona fide or bogus. Same with the convert's pastoral experience, spiritual training and formation. Is this man a dangerous lunatic or a sensible fellow? The bishop doesn't know how to read the situation.

Thirdly, the Catholic Bishop is not aware of the inner workings, mindset and worldview of the typical Protestant. There is a deep cultural and intellectual and spiritual divide. He can't get into the skin of the Protestant convert priest. He doesn't really know what makes him tick. He may therefore be suspicious of the fellow or at least confused and uncertain.

As a result the bishop simply doesn't know what to do with the guy. So too often he puts the letter back into the in tray and says, "I'll pray about it..."

Now the bishop will have someone he can turn to. If this works the way it should work the Personal Ordinary will be able to advise the bishop. He's walked that way already. He knows the Anglican Church. He knows the Episcopals. The men chosen should also know the rest of the Protestant world. He should be able to offer a warm welcome and advice not just to Anglicans, but to Lutherans, Presbyterians and every other type of Protestant.

With any luck, these Personal Ordinaries will be men who can really be evangelists. They will be elder brothers to the potential converts--advising them and pointing the way in the Catholic Church. At the same time they will be able to reassure and encourage the bishops to use the converts in all sorts of positive and creative ways in the Church. Some will be ordained as priests to serve in Anglican Use parishes, but I believe the Personal Ordinary, if he is doing his job, will keep an open door to men from many different backgrounds, and help them find appropriate ways to serve within the Church.

Lissen Up

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:28:00 +0000

Steve Wood lives here in Greenville and is a member of St Mary's parish. He runs his Family Life center from here in town and I'm heading off to be on his live radio show this afternoon to discuss the Anglican offer. Y'all tune in!

The Crescat Seeks

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:36:00 +0000

One of my daily visit blogs is The Crescat. I have her to thank for the pictures of the Vicar and Caitlin O'Rourke--both of which actually inspired one of my altar egos.

Crescat is a North Carolina single Catholic woman who wishes she weren't (single that is, not Catholic) She posts with great wit and passion about her search for a suitable man. The comments are a hoot. Take time to read them too. I like the prayer of a single woman to St Anne: "Dear St Anne, Send me a Man." It reminds me of the little thanksgiving you can offer up at the moment when you swoop into that prize parking space: "Hail Mary full of Grace, thank you for the parking space."

Anyhow, if you know any single Catholic men who are looking for an intelligent, Catholic woman take the risk and do some match making.

Stick 'em Up - Day 3

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:51:00 +0000

Aaarrgh!! The little red haired brat Caitlin just kicked me in the shins, slipped her ropes and took off running. Glad to see her go. She was a proper nuisance. But I've got more hostages here. There's a fat journalist called Todd whose been blubbing most of the time and saying, "But this is so unfair!" Tell you what, let's put things the other way around. Yesterday I said, "Donate or I'll pop the little girl. Pay up to save the brat." Today I'm saying, "If you're feeling like I do about this Unctuous guy, then up the donations and I'll do us all a favor and shoot the fat journo."

Seriously folks, this blog takes a lot of time. I enjoy doing it and will still do it for free because I think it's doing some good. On the other hand, I've got four kids and the I think our orthodontist is paying a mortgage on a home in the Bahamas. If you enjoy the blog now's your chance to say so with greenery, and I don't mean foliage.

Use the donate button on the right sidebar. PayPal is easy and quick and safe. You can also buy a book through the website. Click on a picture of the book in the sidebar and it takes you right to the site. If you'd like to buy more than five books, drop me an email and we'll arrange a special discount. email: dlongenecker@charter.net

Fruit of Catechesis

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:39:00 +0000

On Wednesdays I teach eighth grade confirmation at St Joseph's Catholic School and RCIA in the evening, and it is curious and sweet to observe how often one class cross fertilizes the other.

This week we are discussing the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ and it struck me that the Catholic approach to the life of Christ is so different from many Protestant approaches. The Liberal Protestant approach begins with Jesus the Rabbi, Jesus the healer, Jesus the worker for Peace and Justice--essentially Jesus the good person. It goes from there to expound his death and often his death is portrayed as that of a martyr to a cause. The resurrection is almost an afterthought...You can't keep a good man down...sort of thing.

The conservative Evangelical approach is different. There the death of Jesus is the focus and the supernatural accomplishment and redemption is the main emphasis. The ministry and teaching of Christ is almost forgotten in some Evangelical Protestant circles. This presents a supernatural divine being who descends to earth to redeem humanity and then returns to heaven.

To put these two approaches into the ancient world the first would be Arian (Jesus is essentially a good human being--even a god like person) The second is Gnostic (Jesus is a divine being who sort of floats through the world only seeming to be human)

The Catholic approach to the Life of Christ begins with the Paschal Mystery--the Cross and Resurrection, then looks back to the life of Christ and sees every aspect of the human life of Jesus as mystery that reveals the Son of God. This aspect of 'mystery' is increasingly profound for me. In my classes I define mystery as 'that which can be experienced even if it cannot be explained.'

The Catholic Church thinks through the different theological theories of the Atonement, but it eventually puts them on one side and proposes that we enter into the mystery of Christ who is God revealed through his humanity. The Catechism says that the humanity of Christ was the instrument through which his divine love was activated. In other words, every aspect of Christ's life from the Annunciation through the Ascension was redemptive and charged with the grandeur and mystery of God's work of salvation.

We enter into this mystery not through theological speculation alone, but through a sacramental fusion with the mystery. It enters into us and we enter into it. Christ in me and me in Christ. We do this through the sacrament of the Church --Christ's body. We do this through the life of the sacraments and through the devotional life of prayer.

The result of this sacramental transaction is 'theosis' the transformation of ourselves, our souls and our bodies into living icons of Christ. The gospel cannot be understood without the lives of the saints, and Pope Benedict has said that 'the Scriptures can only be interpreted through the lives of the saints.'

I find this exciting and it fills me with hope. There is a chance that even yet this poor sinner might also be transformed by grace.

Behold I tell you a mystery we shall all be changed.

Conversion Story

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:42:00 +0000

Go here to read a convincing and genuine conversion story from John Gresham PhD-- a fellow who came into the Catholic faith from Evangelicalism, Wheaton College and the Episcopal Church.

Speaking of Evangelicals and Catholics, here's the account of a cradle Catholic who found himself working with Evangelicals. Read it to see what he learned from them and what they learned from him.

New Virginia Governor a Faithful Catholic

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Catholic Online reports here on the election of Bob McDonnell as the new governor of the Commonwealth of Virgina. Governor elect McDonnell is a pro life and pro family Catholic. Pray for him.

Stick 'Em Up - Day Two

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Make a donation or I'll shoot Caitlin O'Rourke

Day Two of the 'Donate or Buy a Book' campaign. You can check out my books on the right sidebar or go to the special webpage here. Why not do some of your Christmas shopping early? My book Gargoyle Code is a 'book in the tradition of Screwtape Letters'. Got a teenager? I've seen them pick up this book and not be able to put it down. If you want to buy lots email me and I'll give you a discount.

Straightforward (very large) donations are also welcome...

Caitlin O'Rourke on Praying for the Dead

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:55:00 +0000

I thought it was really sad and the priests wore black vestments and they had a pretend coffin in front of the altar and I didn't want to go because Maureen wanted me to come over and play but Aunt Margaret was in her I'm not taking any nonsense kind of mood and Mom would have went but didn't because Granny was sick and besides its not a holy day of obligation and she didn't really need to go and she said we could pray for the holy dead if we wanted to but she was going to stay with Granny and help the holy living and she'd go next year because by then Granny would have croaked anyway and she'll need prayers because Granny is sometimes mean to Mom and asks for cough drops in the middle of the night and sometimes she pees the bed and she watches I Love Lucy all the time which makes Mom mad but I don't see what's wrong with it only I like when she watches Beverly Hillbilliles more because that Granny is alot like her and Monsignor Botticelli was the main priest and Fr Florsheim had on a new white cotta with lots of lace that he got from Spain and I don't know why he didn't wear his biretta but he just carried it and walked in very solemn and Jimmy Pochowski said it looked like a girlie petticoat when he wore it the first time so I couldn't believe my eyes because Jimmy Pochowski has joined the altar servers which is something he said he would never do because it is for sissie girlie boys but he was there with his hair combed and Fr Florsheim won't let them wear sneakers so he had his good shoes on too and they were even shined I couldn't believe my eyes and he walked in very solemn and I hardly recognized him and I couldn't believe my eyes and when I told Maureen the next day she didn't believe me so she asked Jimmy at lunch and he pretended that he was not a server and that he was never there and said he was playing video games with his cousin and that's because he is a big chicken and scared of what the other boys might think and when I heard it I was so mad that I went over and told him that he was too there at the special Mass to pray for the dead and he shouldn't lie and say he wasn't and I said I didn't care what everyone else thought about him but I thought he looked so nice I could even kiss him and if he was my brother Seamus I would but he just laughed at me so I punched him instead and he said he wouldn't pray for me if I was dead and Kevin his friend who is a Methodist and I don't even know why he wants to go to St Bridget's anyway if he's a Methodist said that it was stupid praying for the dead and when I told Aunt Margaret she said that the poor boy was an ignoramus and Methodists were just Baptists who could read and I shouldn't take any notice because the dead people aren't really dead anyway they're just alive somewhere else and if Granny dies its not like she's dead forever but it's more like she's gone to another country to live and so why shouldn't we pray for her just like we do now and she said it so nice that I wished I could remember it when I see that Methodist Kevin again because then I'll be able to explain it but I will probably forget but it wouldn't matter because Aunt Margaret said if he died you could pray for his soul anyway as long as he was baptized he would go to Purgatory even if he didn't believe in it but Fr Florsheim wasn't sure about that but even if you can't I'll bet you can light a candle for somebody like that and that's what I'm going to do if Kevin dies but I hope he doesn't.

Healing the Family Tree

Fr Dwight Longenecker (Fr Dwight Longenecker) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:17:00 +0000

Several readers have been intrigued by references on the blog to 'healing the family tree' or 'generational healing.' This ministry (to my knowledge) was discovered by an English Protestant psychiatrist called Kenneth McCall. Dr McCall wrote a book called 'Healing the Family Tree' in the 80's recording his discoveries that seriously mentally ill people could sometimes have the disturbance in their life traced to an unresolved death or trauma in the family history. For example, it was revealed in therapy that a man with severe fear of water (hydrophobia) had an uncle who died in a wartime submarine incident. The body was never recovered and he was never mourned properly. Dr McCall began holding funeral services for the deceased loved one and found that often the suffering living person was healed completely or was gradually healed or got significantly better.

This led Dr McCall to explore the phenomenon further and he researched other religious traditions' practices of making sacrifices for the dead on behalf of the living. Of course this led him to the Catholic practice of requiem Masses, and he realized that the Catholic Church had been saying funeral masses or requiem masses for the repose of the souls of their loved ones as a matter of course from the beginning. He began to quietly use this therapy for patients of every faith and found that much benefit was given.

This book (there may have been other work on this at the same time) was very influential in the renewal (charismatic) movement in many different denominations, including the Catholic Church. Fr Hampsch--a Claretian priest--wrote a book called Healing Your Family Tree. The term 'generational healing' came into use, and this was expanded to include all sorts of other psychic and spiritual problems like 'family curses' 'healing from occult involvement' and 'deliverance' which is a low level exorcism.

What are the problems with such things? One of the obvious problems is a propensity to superstition and a magical view of the Eucharist. Another problem is a tendency towards sensationalism. A third is an inclination towards the 'victim mentality' in which the suffering person blames all their problems on their ancestors. However, abuses should not undo right uses.

The fact remains that we, as Catholics, follow in the ancient tradition of the church and the Hebrew religion before us, in celebrating the sacrifice of Christ on behalf of our dead. We believe this does them good spiritually, but we often overlook the benefits to the living. A proper funeral and requiem Mass ritually cuts the bonds between the dead person and the living. It frees the living from the negative bonds that may exist and allows the dead person to rest in peace. It also, if you like, allows the living person to exist in peace.

In my view, the fact that 'generational healing' and 'healing the family tree' has become a kind of sensational fad, been abused by some or 'questionable practice' only indicates that the church has neglected an important part of her proper ministry. This always happens when part of the fullness of the faith is neglected or denied. The truth springs up elsewhere with a vengeance and often an extreme view emerges, sensible people repudiate it and 'extremist' types latch on to it.

If Catholics simply practiced our age old tradition of having masses offered for the dead, for years' anniversaries to be observed and for requiems to be offered regularly--especially when there has been a traumatic death, an unresolved family trauma or an unresolved death, then the dead would rest in Christ's peace and the living family members would find resolution of many of their illnesses, mental problems, family 'curses' and continued inherited spiritual and psychic diseases.

It would be a natural part of our life together rather than a stupendous and 'amazing' ministry of healing. Why not use this month of November to continue to pray and offer Masses for you beloved dead? It can't do anyone any harm, and it is likely to bring about much good that you cannot now imagine.