Sunday, August 17, 2014

Full Text: Sermon of Fr. Eduard Perrone on Assumption Day 2014 at Assumption Grotto





Here is the text of Fr. Perrone's sermon for August 15, 2014.  If this Scribd box below does not work of you, click here for a link to the PDF.






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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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Thursday, August 14, 2014

Assumption Day at Assumption Grotto

Click the pic to enlarge


Tomorrow is the big day.  It is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Assumption Grotto goes all out making it a day of prayer.  There was a beautiful article in, "The Michigan Catholic".

The poster above, made by a parishioner, shows Archbishop Vigneron on 2009, singing to the Blessed Virgin Mary after the candlelight procession.  He celebrated the Mass that year - his first as Archbishop of Detroit. Just so no one misunderstands, His Excellency will not be with us this year, to the best of my knowledge.

Unlike past years, I will not be taking photos this year.  My camera broke on Friday.  Aside from that, I was feeling like it was time to just bring myself.  I've never had a chance simply to devote myself entirely to prayer and worship on this solemnity.  So, tomorrow, I will do just that.

The highlight of the day is the big 7:00 PM Mass and candlelight procession. Dress warm!

There is a spaghetti dinner which ends at 5:30.  It's a good idea to get there before then.  Parking can be a challenge.  Don't get there at 6:30 and expect a parking spot.  There is shuttle service going all day to and from St. Veronica's which is just about 2 miles away, in Eastpointe.  See map here.

Most Masses will be down by the grotto.  There are wheel chairs to assist those who cannot walk that far.  

The evening Mass will be in the Extraordinary Form.  I believe Fr. Perrone is the celebrant and if it is like past years, it will be a Solemn High Mass, with choir and a small orchestra. Usually, the Noon is also in EF.  I'm not sure about the 9:30 a.m. Mass.  The 6:30 a.m. Mass is the usually in English and has no music.

You will find more concise schedules posted around the parish.

A note about anointing advertised in the poster.  The Sacrament of Anointing is not indiscriminately given.  The priests usually explain who may be anointed.  As with any Sacrament, souls must be predisposed for it.   Therefore, private, Sacramental Confession is available in the parish church before hand (the anointing takes place down by the grotto).

Someone once asked me about this kind of communal anointing. From the catechism:

1517 Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration,132 whether it takes place in the family home, a hospital or church, for a single sick person or a whole group of sick persons. It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord's Passover. If circumstances suggest it, the celebration of the sacrament can be preceded by the sacrament of Penance and followed by the sacrament of the Eucharist. As the sacrament of Christ's Passover the Eucharist should always be the last sacrament of the earthly journey, the "viaticum" for "passing over" to eternal life.
I've seen the priests sometimes have a brief discussion beforehand with someone who seeks it and is not in advanced age or visibly ill.  It is not like what I recall when, after Mass, a priest went up and down the aisles anointing anyone and everyone who stepped forward.  If in doubt, ask a priest in advance. Here is a video of the anointing some years ago, and the Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament that followed.







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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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Sunday, August 10, 2014

Assumption Grotto Mourns the Loss of Pam Manteuffel




It is with shock and sadness that I bring the news to fellow Grotto parishioners that Pam Manteuffel passed away overnight, yesterday.  She had not been feeling well for many months and was taken to the hospital last week only to learn she had lymphoma.  She was too weak for the biopsy, then passed away rather unexpectedly at 2 a.m. Saturday, before anything else could be done.

Pam was a fixture at the convent, always helping the sisters and Opus Angelorum. She was also known for her pro-life work, and was a familiar face in the chapel and in the parish Church during Adoration, Mass, and other devotions.

Update: From the Will and Schwarzkoff Funeral Home website (source link)

Pamela L. Manteuffel, age 70 of Harrison Township, passed away early Saturday morning at Henry Ford - Macomb Hospital, Clinton Township. She was born August 10, 1943 to Florian and Helen (Gugala) Manteuffel in Detroit, Michigan. Pamela was a graduate of the University of Detroit, and was a member of Assumption Grotto Catholic Church. She was a teacher at St. David Catholic School and Denby High School, and retired in 2009 as a medical technologist from William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Pamela did volunteer work for Sisters of the Holy Cross, and enjoyed gardening, cooking and traveling. She is survived by her mother, Helen of Harrison Township; siblings, Max (Cynthia) Manteuffel of Florida, Michael (Fidez) Manteuffel of California, Linda (Ed) Allen of Shelby Township, Gregory Manteuffel of California, Laurence (Mary) Manteuffel of Washington Township, Mark (Teri) Manteuffel of Chesterfield, Maria Wilcox of Harrison Township, Ronald (Kit) Manteuffel of Chesterfield, and Andrea Jantz of Harrison Township, and 13 nieces and nephews. Pamela was predeceased by her father, Florian in 1994. Visiting hours are 3 - 9 p.m. (with an 8:00 p.m. Rosary), Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at Will and Schwarzkoff Funeral Home, 233 Northbound Gratiot, Mount Clemens. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. (in state 9:30) Wednesday at Assumption Grotto Catholic Church, 13770 Gratiot, Detroit with Father Eduard Perrone officiating. Burial will follow at Assumption Grotto Cemetery. Share memories at willandschwarzkoff.com

Here is a map


MEMORARE


Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, 
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, 
implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence,
 I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; 
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. 

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, 
despise not my petitions, 
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.







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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Mother and baby lose everything in house fire…


Dear Friends,

The daughter of a parishioner at Assumption Grotto, and her three month old baby, have lost everything they own in a house fire, including their beloved pet.  In your mercy, please pray for them, and consider helping them to get back on their feet.  Donations are being accepted at this Go Fund Me page for her and the baby.

Go Fund me uses credit cards.




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Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Catholic Virtual Wars 12: Mocking and ridicule of bishops - a failure in communication…




There are lots of ways to try to change the hearts of bishops where one thinks change is needed.  Some feel certain bishops are going out of their way to hinder the use of the extraordinary form Mass. In some dioceses, this may be true.  But, one sure way to fail at driving change, is to publicly mock and ridicule, "the bishops." It doesn't matter if it's done in a general way, or by name.  Such behavior will lead only to a self-fulfilling prophecy when those bishops, and ordinary people, think all traditionalists are cranks who can't seem to find 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 if it was taped to the inside of the 1962 hand missal.  St. Francis de Sales makes the point:

One of the most evil dispositions possible is that which satirises and turns everything to ridicule. God abhors this vice, and has sometimes punished it in a marked manner. Nothing is so opposed to charity, much more to a devout spirit, as contempt and depreciation of one's neighbour, and where satire and ridicule exist contempt must be. (St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life)

How much more offensive to God it must be when the target of contempt is a bishop?  Oh, people inform me all the time that St. Thomas Aquinas said we can fraternally correct a prelate, even in public, if what he says or does presents a danger to the faith.  But, I wonder how many have read it in context of all that he wrote on the subject?  And, kvetching is not fraternal correction. Aquinas lays down some boundaries that are somewhat inconvenient to the trigger-happy.  When composing or sharing something online we should also be mindful of canon 1373.

If you want to compound the failure in communication, simply gin up the  crowd-anger by mixing in other complaints in a condescending and abrasive manner on passionate subjects like Communion-in-the-hand. Hit a triple by showing public scorn for particular bishops by including the most undignified pictures of them in the narrative; and, don't forget to present every word and action in the most unfavorable light. Toss out the traditional practice of making excuses for others to protect their dignity. In this way opinion of them is lowered in the eyes of others.  Consider how Our Lord treated Judas.  St. Augustine points out something worthy of pondering...:

Of this patience Himself afforded and showed an example, when, before the passion of His Body, He so bore with His disciple Judas, that ere He pointed him out as the traitor, He endured him as a thief; and before experience of bonds and cross and death, did, to those lips so full of guile, not deny the kiss of peace.


One can advocate for more extraordinary form Masses or ending Communion in the hand, or any other subject that brings out strong emotions, but it ought not be made with all the tact of bison in a ballroom.  In fact, the more sensitive the issue, the greater the need for restraint in how it is discussed - if progress is desired.  If we want people to hear what we have to say on these topics, we have to cease the condescension, mockery, ridicule, and abrasiveness. It's not necessary. In fact, it is counterproductive, no matter how entertaining it may be to the choir. When we die, God won't ask us how well we entertained others; but, He might have something to say about our sins against charity. Venting is not a virtue; it's a vice.  More from St. Francis de Sales:

A brave man can easily bear with contempt, slander and false accusation from an evil world; but to bear such injustice at the hands of good men, of friends and relations, is a great test of patience.

Read that whole section from St. Francis de Sales. It will have you heading into Adoration to meditate rather than desiring to commiserate at the usual watering holes that leave you feeling hopeless, bitter, and angry.  See also what St. Alphonsus says about anger.

How to advocate for a good cause


Bishop Athanasius Schneider has been traveling the world, and writing books,(1) discussing how we can increase reverence for the Eucharist interiorly and exteriorly.  He does so in the most respectful way, very mindful of the dignity of those he addresses and speaks about.  His is a mission love - love for God that is manifest in the dignified way he speaks about the subject, about his concerns, and about people.  Anyone who has heard Bishop Schneider speak can sense that love.  He is not abrasive; he does not put on airs; he does not make use of put-downs and ridicule.  He explains and teaches, constantly proposing with gentleness and meekness. Sometimes he is firm on a point, but his most firm expressions are gentle and loving.  Knowing Bishop Schneider from his visits to Detroit, I can attest that his gentle and meek manner has everything to do with the fact that he is aware people have a free will and can accept or reject what he teaches.  This is prudence in action.

If you want to help Bishop Schneider, then follow his gentle and meek way of advocating.  If you want to harm his mission and cause a good many bishops, priests, and people in general to reject the discussion altogether, and turn against it, then go ahead and mock and ridicule them publicly.

I've seen people use Bishop Schneider's interviews and quotes to browbeat other Catholics over Eucharistic reverence.  I've seen people use the words of Cardinal Burke likewise, as well as Pope Benedict XVI.  I've never heard any of them speak the way that I see others sometimes quote them.  All this does is get people to tune out what they have to say. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone would think that quoting them in vinegar-laced airs would convince others to hear their words. It is so contradictory and unorthodox to promote reverence for the Eucharist or, for the EF Mass, by abrasive and condescending means.

Let's all remember to pray for our bishops and priests.  Where our public, and private, respectful discussion cannot make headway, prayers can.  We have to be mindful, that what God doesn't will, He permits.  If the thing we want doesn't come when we want, despite respectful discussion and prayer, then it is best to leave it in God's hands.

"We can have the most beautiful liturgy in the world, and not have love... It's just for show.... As we seek our way forward...not to be angry and embittered, but people filled with the joy of the Gospel, in love with Our Lord Jesus, and sharing that with our brothers and sisters..." - Archbishop Alexander K. Sample at first Pontifical Mass in EF as Archbishop of Portland. 

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
    Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Psalm 37:8



When will they learn?




More Catholic Virtual War Series posts:



(1) Both of Bishop Schneider's books, now in English, can be purchased here, including his latest book, Corpus Christi.


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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Saint Alphonsus: Love is not prone to anger


Today is the feast day of St. Alphonsus.  In his book on The Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ, Chapter 8, he writes about anger and how easy it is to fall into sinful anger. 
Still, as we all know, there are times when it seems absolutely necessary to answer insolence with severity. Occasions do occur when we may resort to righteous anger. But this we must remember: It may sometimes be expedient - speculatively speaking - to answer someone severely; but in practice it is very difficult to do so without some fault on our part.

We should take great care to practice meekness, especially when we are corrected, either by those who hold authority over us, or by our friends. Saint Francis de Sales writes: "To receive a correction cheerfully proves that we love the virtue in which we have failed. And, consequently, this is an indication of growth in holiness". We should even practice meekness toward ourselves in this case. Anger at ourselves is a deceit of the Devil to make us think that it is somehow virtuous to act in this way after we have committed a fault.

Gentleness is even more important when we must correct others. Corrections made in anger often do more harm than good, especially when the person corrected is also excited. In such a case, the correction should be postponed. If we correct others when we are angry ourselves, our correction will always be mixed with harshness, and the person being corrected will, consequently, ignore our admonition.

We must prove how dearly we love Jesus Christ by meekly and gladly accepting every kind of injury and contempt.


We are what we eat


Years ago, after reading that chapter, I stopped following Catholic sites that seemed to gin up anger by focusing on some outrage or another, daily.  I'm not talking about the occasional thing someone might talk about; rather, I'm talking about Catholic sites that seem to draw traffic on scandal and outrage.   Our human fallen nature is drawn to it - whether it is in a printed tabloid in that check-out line, or in an online tabloid masquerading as orthodox Catholicism. Don't allow yourself to be dragged into those things.  Jesus told us to imitate Him because He was meek and gentle of heart, not because he flipped tables.

So, what do we do about the evil around us? Go to an Adoration chapel and pray.  Pray a Rosary.  Read Scripture. Read classic works by the saints.  Go find some charitable work to do or help an elderly neighbor. Spend time with your spouse and kids doing wholesome activities.  Make use of labor in prayerful silence.  All these things can be offered up to convert souls from their evil ways.  Do you want to really help the Christians being persecuted by radical Islamists?  Here's the Catholic response.  Does this mean we can't talk about those things? No. But, we should be discerning whether something is causing us to be in a chronic state of anger.

I shared a post yesterday on the movie of Saint Sharbel with English subtitles online.  At one point, two monks from another monastery enter where he was dining with other brothers. He explained that they were being persecuted by the Turkish regime and monks from several monasteries rose up against them.  Blood was shed - some were killed on both sides.  A young monk turns to Saint Sharbel and appeals to him using Scripture, after seeing him lower his head in disapproval. He responds, in part:



By acting on anger, we can cross into sinful anger very easily, and become tools of the devil, all the while thinking we are doing God's work.  There is a thing called righteous anger, but let me pull out one sentence from the quote by St. Alphonsus:

It may sometimes be expedient - speculatively speaking - to answer someone severely; but in practice it is very difficult to do so without some fault on our part.

I priest I know of a very traditionalist bent, who doesn't seem to get too worked up the way we see some traditionalists online, once told me that much of the anger we see displayed is not authentic righteous anger. We were, in fact, talking about bitter Catholics online.   I think this will make good content for a follow up post some day.  I will try to get more perspective from him on this. In the meanwhile, we need to learn about how to counter sinful anger.


Meekness is the virtue that is contrary to anger.  Fr. Hardon writes:

"...I would like to just for a moment pull out what I consider the key to the mystery of meekness and gentleness. How can we remain unmoved when we see so much that is wrong in the world especially when the wrong touches us? The key is to recognize that sin is also part of the providence of God. So that in practicing meekness and gentleness we imitate God himself in human form, Jesus Christ who couldn’t have been more meek and gentle with sinners always assuming they recognized their misdeed and were willing to repent. If God in human form practiced meekness and gentleness who are we to act otherwise."


In another talk on meekness Fr. Hardon said:

People watching you, people maybe even try testing you, and they find you meek under provocation. God gives meek people such influence over others as no one else on earth has a right to enjoy. It may be that the one toward whom I am to practice heroic meekness, it may be that the person toward whom I must practice heroic meekness, is the one over whom God wants me to exercise that influence. That it maybe without me and my meekness that person may never be converted to God.



That is what I mean when I often refer to the face we put on the Catholic Church.  I know, that every time I lose my temper, and am impatient or angry with others, I cause harm to the mission of the Church.  The anger we wear on our sleeve is like the bumper sticker on our cars that tells everyone we are proud to be Catholic, as we screech past them offering a salute with a few choice words.







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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

- Diane M. Korzeniewski

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.