Abbey-Roads2

The rebel priest!

Well finally someone at least wrote about this man, Northland Catholic Roundtable (see my links) has a post about him. After all he has been the longtime pastor of one of the most famous parishes in the country, and he put it on the map.

I’m not going to write anything historical or well documented with dates and places, that type of history may be had from the SJA website. The post on Northland Catholic demonstrates how SJA got to be the way it was with a concise timeline sort of deal.

Harvey Egan was an energetic man, idealistic and nothing but sincere. Did he care about people? You bet. He was in that forefront of the wave of religious and clerical activists seeking civil rights for the African American, protesting Vietnam, what have you. He shouted, marched, and carried signs. It was pre-Woodstock and the times were definitely a’changein’, as Dylan sang. The Council happened and yes indeed it was a new era, a new Church. For decades there were rumblings of change and unrest, he knew it, the seminaries taught about it, - it really did not happen overnight. Experimentation suddenly became open ended liturgically after the Council, Harvey and many priests his age and immediately following him embraced that whole heartedly. In society at large a cultural revolution was taking place, Harvey created a parish where these people might worship. It became the “Woodstock” of Catholic parishes. (That happened while the charismatic movement was developing over at Regina High School - another sort of “Woodstock” environment, albeit more faithful to Catholic teaching.) Ever since SJA has attracted the avant garde, the cutting edge element, perhaps the fringe, into it’s gymnasium. I was even impressed when Gloria Steinem spoke. I always liked her, even though I did not agree with her pro-abortion/contraceptive dogma.

So we all know about Fr. Egan and what he accomplished. He really was a very nice man. His idea of charity, not the social justice-activist expression, but the theological virtue, was usually to tell people that they were okay just the way they were. It’s just between you and God. You are saved. There is nothing wrong with you. He accepted everyone. He wasn’t - isn’t alone in this view. He was the high-priest of relativism. There are still 50-something and up priests who believe that. They seem to tell people don’t be so concerned about eternal salvation - it’s the here and now that counts. Liturgy and worship is about the people of God - God is present in the assembly and the people are God, as it were. Harvey was pretty new-age before the term was coined.

He admitted he was a rebel, a revolutionary. Perhaps he saw himself as sort of a Luther, a great reformer? After he retired I would see him on occasion at St. Olaf’s in downtown Minneapolis, sitting in the back at noon Mass. Sometimes he was there to go to confession. Sometimes I would say hello to him and he was very kind when he greeted me in return. I saw him not too long ago buying a baptismal gift at a Religious Goods store, it was rather traditional, I wondered if he had returned to the more traditional roots he had grown up with. He was a nice man who obviously had some issues with the pre-Vatican II Church, and cared enough about people to include them in the Church, except, very often, he just did not always present the Truth.

Fr. Harvey Egan died Saturday May 21, 2006 + May he rest in peace.

“Monsignor” - Fernando Botero

As one might expect,Botero is one of my favorite contemporary painters. Others are George Tooker (deceased) Jared French (deceased) and Frida Kahlo (deceased) -to name a few.

Botero’s clerical paintings certainly resonate with me. Their voluminous presence does not imply a shred of mockery, nor is it meant to. Their baroque oppulence says much more about status, position, worldly honor, even pomposity, etc. Nevertheless, in our anorexic culture the images remind me of the more common temptations vexing the celibate. If one successfully avoids sins of impurity, the next greatest temptation is usually gluttony, or seeking in food consolations the denial of intimacy imposes. This means of course that the celibate has not developed an adequate interior life that ought to be the reward of the vow of chastity, as well as the defense against loneliness. An unhappy celibate often uses food to fill a void, or deal with an unresolved conflict. Sometimes the celibate does use sex, sometimes possesions or travel, sometimes alcohol or drugs, and sometimes in severe cases, it’s all of these things. Aside from all of this, I just like Botero’s work.

Pictured, St. Catherine of Siena, beseiged by devils, but she herself is not one. (Refer to my post yesterday.)

Still troubled by events in the Archdiocese and deceptive clergy, I returned in prayer to the Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena. She wrote about the troubles and scandals of her own day, not in order to spread scandal but to reassure the faithful that Our Lord was aware of what was going on and was going to remedy it. She spoke that her words might bring to repentence those who offend God and give scandal to the faithful. That we might listen to her discourse again, I will quote from the Dialogue concerning homosexual priests.

“I am telling you this to make you see what great purity I demand of you and them, and especially of them (priests), in this sacrament. But they do just the opposite to me, for they come to this mystery wholly impure - and not simply with the sort of impurity and weakness to which all of you are naturally inclined because of your weak nature (although reason can calm its rebellion if free choice so wills). No, these wretches not only do not restrain their weakness; they make it worse by committing that cursed unnatural sin. As if they were blind and stupid, with the light of their understanding extinguished, they do not recognize what miserable filth they are wallowing in. The stench even reaches up to me, supreme Purity, and is so hateful to me that for this sin alone five cities were struck down by my divine judgment. For my divine justice could no longer tolerate it, so despicable to me is this abominable sin. The stench displeases not only me, as I have said, but the devils as well, those very devils these wretches have made their masters. It is not its sinfulness that displeases them, for they like nothing that is good. But because their nature is angelic, that nature still loathes the sight of that horrendous sin actually being committed. It is true that it was they (the devils) who shot the poisoned arrows of concupiscence, but when it comes to the sinful act itself they flee…”

Perhaps I will do best in the future to simply let the saints speak for me, although someone will still attempt to refute them as well. Our Lord is aware of what is going on, yet why does He delay the correction? St. Catherine pray for us for patience - but not too much patience! With your prayers help us in our repentance to be faithful to the Holy Father and the dogma of faith. Amen.

“Bishop in the Woods” Fernando Botero

I like this image as well. It speaks to me. Representational art is more effective in expressing ideas - for me at least - than words. Sometimes when I express myself in words it sounds too harsh or mean-spirited. When I paint something, and maybe when Botero and other artists do so, even if its “in your face” one may always excuse what may seem confrontational. If a painting is naive, as many Latin American works can be, and the style I like, one might overlook many things, dismissing it in precisely that way, calling it naive. Thus the painter may speak his mind with impunity.

“Dead Bishops” - Fernando Botero

An unusual painting by a Colombian artist who now lives in Italy. I believe he painted this in the late 1970’s. I don’t know what he wanted to say in this piece, but it is interesting. He happens to be one of my favorite painters.

Spirit Daily had a post asking the Bishops to consider reforming their chanceries and this painting came to mind.

“I don’t remember that.”

Driving to Kowalski’s this afternoon I was thinking how I occasionally would run into a friend with his girlfriend there. The guy actually worked for me and I was startled to see him and somewhat taken aback that an employee was so close to my “private territory.” (I try to keep work and my personal life separate.) Anyway - I suddenly realized that I never called his mother-in-law back. (Joe married the girl he was with.) I was supposed to help her with a gallery she is opening. I kept telling her that I’d call and come over, yet, as always, work got in the way. I got so wrapped up in work related projects that I honestly forgot her. I feel terrible - she asked for my help, I more or less assured her that I’d be there, and then I’m a no-show. She wanted me last month.

I’ve done this before. I’m from a rather dysfunctional family, (at least I can be pretty dysfunctional - why blame it on them) and I rarely see or talk to them. Anyway, one of my favorite nephews was getting married and I promised him I would be there at the wedding. However, I misplaced the invitation, still I thought I remembered the date and even would remember he was getting married. To make a long story short, I forgot the wedding. I simply forgot about it until I talked to my sister around Thanksgiving. Todd has finally started talking to me after several years. (He emails me that is.)

I’ve forgotten other invitations too. Although some friends are not so forgiving as my nephew.

Is it short term memory loss? I don’t think so. I think I just get absorbed in my work and my projects. I have always worked full time, and I paint, I write, I pray. I know other people do this in addition to being married and raising a family, so I have no excuse I suppose. Although, maybe I just forget things I really don’t want to do. That could be it and I just forget I decided to forget. No - that’s not it either.

I’m sorry everybody!

Pictured: Andrea Martin and Catherine O’Hara on the set of Second City TV. (It could be Colleen and Nancy!)

I don’t have cable or dish TV but I do pick up Channel 19 - a UHF channel, which is mostly EWTN. I like watching EWTN’s ” The World Over Live” with Raymond Arroyo. I don’t watch the “Live” show much since Mother Angelica is out of commission. Fr. Pachwa is okay but I’m not as interested in his guests, he’s kind of boring for me. He had a great show recently on the English martyrs that was associated with an exhibition of relics or something out east. Someday I want to write more extensively on the English martyrs. How silly were they, dying just because they were faithful to Rome? I wonder just how that could relate to the Church today?

I miss Mother Angelica though. So does everyone else. I think that’s why they make sure she is on camera at the times they shoot in the choir. I do wonder why they keep running her old videos from earlier catalog shows however, that seems kind of crass and mercenary, and everyone knows she is selling old product. Of course there is always Raymond who can do a fine impersonation of Mother whenever he quotes her.

Otherwise there isn’t much playing for Catholic TV, that I watch I should say. Locally we have CPO, Catholic Parents on Line, a cable access show. It’s quite good; Nancy Barrett, Colleen Perfect, and Fr. Altier. I doubt Father will be doing any shows soon however. Their Show about the VIRTUS controversy was one of their best. John Trojack was on it as well. It was so good I gave Fr. Joseph Johnson a copy of the DVD. Check out CPO’s website for more information than I can give.

I would occasionally tease Nancy’s daughter Rose about the show, comparing it to the likes of Johnny Carson and telling Rose that her mom, Nancy, was as fun as Joan Rivers when she sat in for Johnny. Then I’d compare her to Catherine O’Hara when she performed her send up of Joey Hetherton on the SCTV skits in the ’80’s. It made Rose laugh (and made me hysterical - I just think I am so funny sometimes, even if others do not.) but she scolded me and said I was being disrespectful. Gosh! I was just trying to have some fun with an otherwise dry, serious TV talk show. I have always said they need better lighting and a better set - it always looks a little ditzy and “over-planted” - something we used to refer to at Dayton’s as “loving hands at home”. But it’s their material and content that matters, and they have it. It’s a darn good show and they are never afraid to tackle important, if not controversial issues. Now these ladies are definitely not “ecclesiastically correct”. They are pretty tough broads. Bravo! They are so not EWTN.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati laughing it up!

This is going to be sort of a Seinfeld post - kind of about nothing. A post about nothing. (Aren’t they all?)

So how’s this blogging thing going? It’s fun, isn’t it? I have a neighbor - really close by - like right in the next cubicle. So she is really into blogging and has a vegan site - Roman Catholic Vegans - that’s not the name - the name is “Roman Wolves”. Somehow she got into a site operated by “Otherkin”. Otherkin are people who believe they are really another creature in a human body. Some can be cats, or another animal. Some are angels, or fairies. But they are not really human, they are simply in human guise - so they claim.

My neighbor/friend started up this remarkable correspondence with them that has turned into something of a contest of wills and ideologies. She’s challenging their belief system and presenting the Catholic side - that is, the truth. (Now remember this whole thing has been unsolicited by the poor Otherkin.) Well these people are so upset and they keep writing back to my friend and she keeps writing them. (You have to be there I guess.) It’s a real fight. Out of the blue this Roman Catholic curious person emails a group of Otherkin, challenging them to defend their belief system, and all hell breaks loose. It’s “pandemonium”! What does she expect from these people? She stumbles upon them and tells them they are interesting and then, wham! she lunges upon them with all of this Catholic stuff. It just cracked me up. It is very, very funny. It’s like some absurd British comedy, and she is so serious about it and can’t figure out why they are so upset. This is one of the more crazy things that I’ve ever witnessed at work. This place is a blast - I love absurdities!

Next!

All these people are coming into Leaflet Missal asking about Fr. Altier. Where have they been? Under a rock? A priest from out in the boon-docks comes in looking for John in Church Goods. John is in Chicago so the priest has to talk to me instead. Without the slightest lowering of his voice he says “So what the hell is going on at St. Agnes?” I laughed, certain he already knew and simply wanted an editorial. But no! He did not know anything about it and wanted information. I told him the basics without editorializing and sent him on to another person for more info.

Then two women religious come in with their two cents worth of opinion. Now they knew all about “Agnes-gate” and quite a bit more. It just so happens they are not fans of St. Agnes or Fr. Altier. They were pretty happy about it all. Not everyone is sad about what happened, and not everyone is charitable about it, and that’s not funny.

Next!

One of the guys who works here, in a position of authority, and is married to one of the owners, and is best friends with Hastrieter, DID NOT know about the events at St. Agnes! How is that for recollection and keeping custody of the eyes, ears, and everything else? Now that is funny.

Next!

Remember Loyd from Seinfeld? He was working for George’s dad selling computers out of their garage and every time he made a sale he hit a call bell so that Mr. Costanza could write it down. I got a call bell for the Store so that everytime Karen sells a statue she could hit the bell - she loves that episode from Seinfeld. Anyway, A well known retired priest who comes in for candles once a month was here again today. Karen was at the counter but did not notice Father standing there. Father, a little annoyed, finally got Karen’s attention, she told him just to ring the call bell next time. (Maybe you had to be there.) Now that was funny. I actually think Father thought it was too.

Next!

My office neighbor has just informed me that she has been banned from the Otherkin site. She is thinking of getting a free email account and going back in with her arguments. Now I think that is funny too. She’ll be an Otherkin stalker.

Happy Birthday!

St. Joan of Arc, Patroness of France…
and who?

Yes, it’s poor St. Joan that lesbians refer to as their own. Why? Because she dresssed as a man and went into battle. And, in their mind, she defied the male hierarchy of the Church. Witches or adherents to wicca, the pagan religion, also claim her because she was tried and convicted of witchcraft by her enemies. All of these attributions are totally false. The process for her canonization straightened all of that out.

Joan was born in 1412, a daughter of peasant farmers. When she was seventeen, after a series of locutions, she persuaded the Dauphin, Charles VI of France to give her the command of the royal army and lead a campaign against the British invaders. Her military successes enabled Charles to be crowned King of France at Rheims shortly after Joan took command. This was Heaven’s charge to the young Joan. Since her duties were over it seem Providence allowed for her capture in 1430. Handed over to the British, charges of heresy and witchcraft were lodged against her. She was condemned to death and burnt alive at Rouen, May 30, 1431. Her case was investigated and declared null and void in 1456 and Joan was exonnerated of all charges. She wasn’t canonized however until 1920, and not as a martyr, as many believe, but as a holy virgin.

Where have these lesbians got it wrong? She was not a cross dresser; in her time there was no armor for maidens - women were not warriors in Europe, she had to wear male armor. Our Lord commanded her. She had a mission, she was never in defiance of ecclesiastical authorities, in fact she was very humble and obedient. God frequently chooses the weak, the lowly, and despised to confound the proud and powerful of the world. In this case he chose a peasant girl. And she was never a witch, though she was charged with this crime. As history demonstrates, she was later exonerated - Joan also died embracing the crucifix, dying as valiantly as a martyr in the odor of sanctity.

It is certainly true that the Bishop of Beauvais conspiried with the British to convict St. Joan falsely, however she never defied the Church authorites in the sufferings she had to undergo. In fact, as many saints before and up until now, she willingly suffered at the hands of those who ought to be her advocate and support for the sake of their own good and for the good of the Church.

I do believe however, St. Joan of Arc would be a good patron for those women struggling with gender identity and same sex attraction, but she was not a lesbian or a witch. St. Joan of Arc pray for us!