The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

Thanks for passing this article along to jus.

2009-08-11T21:56:11.340-05:00

Thanks for passing this article along to jus.

I too began reading the book yesterday and couldn'...

2009-06-16T07:01:43.162-05:00

I too began reading the book yesterday and couldn't put it down! I find the book to be well written and full of very interesting historical data. I look forward to finishing the book this evening.

This is a title that I never expected on the blog ...

2009-01-15T18:56:00.000-06:00

This is a title that I never expected on the blog regarding the liturgy. This is a good title because it is very accurate. "The liturgy and rites of the church were never assembled to be practiced in solitude." These were among the first words shared with my class at the St. Clare Center by the Diocese Director of Liturgy Dean Daniels.

I read the liturgy of the hours each day from my Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). Dean is right it is not the same as doing it in community. The group of parishioners at St. John Cathedral is a wonderful group that meets each morning prior to Morning Mass (7:30a.m.). More often than not it is the same faces though it is a powerful group filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. The liturgy of the hours we say is Morning Prayer (Lauds) and this takes 15 Min. We have a little break and then there is the morning Mass.

What is remarkable about our group is that we have many very fine minds among us. a Sister with a PhD and a Marquette Professor who can answer questions as well as the words Father has to offer. Sometimes we will go out for a little coffee after Mass and Morning Prayer for fellowship and discussion.

Just like in Orphanages and Catholic Families there is always room for another. Please com out and join us. Be aware that we are a very friendly group and when the regulars come in it is a little reminiscent of cheers in a quiet and appropriate way. Every one shares hand shakes and hugs. I was a regular after my first time. Bev. our sacristan says that it's our little "love in." I have not been there in a while but I will return. It will be the same I bet. The Word of God celebrated in an environment of love and sharing.

Peace Be With You,

David

Dennis your scholarship is fantastic. This does no...

2008-12-31T10:52:00.000-06:00

Dennis your scholarship is fantastic. This does not relate directly to your point but isn't it also true that some saints in traditional rendering will be depicted holding the implements of their martyrdom?
I found this little quote from Westminster Cathedral's web site,"
St Paul is shown with the sword of his martyrdom.
Over the altar, St Paul is shown with his traditional sword - a symbol both of his eloquence in preaching the Word of God, and of his death. The marble behind the altar comes from Athens, where St Paul himself preached (Acts 17:15). Above, Christ is depicted with St Peter and St Paul, and the Latin inscription translates "The Lord gives us the Law". http://www.westminstercathedral.org.uk/art/art_chspaul.htm This is a neat site because it is for the Catholic Cathedral of London. The little chapel of St.Paul has some interesting references to his life as a tent maker and other interesting bits. Thanks Dennis! :^)

Dave

Well said.

2008-11-11T04:39:00.000-06:00

Well said.

Boy I was taken aback that "Sometimes though, the ...

2008-10-08T14:52:00.000-05:00

Boy I was taken aback that "Sometimes though, the movie is used as an example of self-indulgence." I read Helen's post last night; I have to say that I am really disturbed that Babette's Feast could be construed as an example of self-indulgence. How much more elegantly can human expression depict the bounty and extravagance of God's grace?

Let me continue with the premise of the Creighton Sunday reflection that the two critiques of Babette's Feast translate into the question: "How can we be both givers and takers in the model of God’s immense generosity and still follow a more typically “religious” path of self-denial and self-control?"

I think that, first of all, this reflection ignores the context of all the vineyard parables which the Church presented in the last few weeks. Jesus, hence the Church, illustrates the essential notes of the kingdom of heaven. That kingdom is not to be anticipated in worldly terms. I suspect that Judgment Day will be a big surprise party. And that will be part of the purgation. The light of Christ will then be unavoidable and will become irrefutable. It will be an "Ah, ha" moment. We were told about the kingdom beforehand, but, never in our wildest imagination has our eye seen, ear heard, and heart entered into what God has prepared for those who love him. [1 Cor 2:9]

“As you consider that question, remember that Jesus did both: he fasted and he feasted." Indeed he did.

Rather consider this:

Self-denial and self-control are not specifically religious acts. Take a look at dieters and athletes. Asceticism, better called, does have a place in Christian discipleship. Take a look back to meatless Fridays for Catholics. That's why if our Marks of Discipleship included asceticism they would be Catholic.

Jesus fasted and feasted because he was like us in all things except for sin. [Heb. 4:15] "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin."
Temptation is not sin.

There will be no ascetic practices in heaven. But there will be a feast of God's bounty.

You might be interested in this online commentary ...

2008-10-02T05:37:00.000-05:00

You might be interested in this online commentary "Putting God on Trial: The Biblical Book of Job" (http://www.bookofjob.org) as supplementary or background material for your study of the Book of Job. It is not a sin to question God, to demand answers from God. There is a time and a place for such things. It is written by a Canadian criminal defense lawyer, now a Crown prosecutor, and it explores the legal and moral dynamics of the Book of Job with particular emphasis on the distinction between causal responsibility and moral blameworthiness embedded in Job’s Oath of Innocence. It is highly praised by Job scholars (Clines, Janzen, Habel) and the Review of Biblical Literature, all of whose reviews are on the website. The author is an evangelical Christian, denominationally Anglican. He is also the Canadian Director for the Mortimer J. Adler Centre for the Study of the Great Ideas, a Chicago-based think tank.

Robert Sutherland

Now I'm curious. Among the four gospel accounts th...

2008-09-30T21:34:00.000-05:00

Now I'm curious.

Among the four gospel accounts there are 21 mentions of "vineyard" in 19 verses. What else caught the eye of Jesus? Was he agriculturally or rurally minded? Some mention of "olive" is recorded 12 times within 12 verses. "Field" is mentioned 23 times in 21 verses. I always had the impression that Jesus spent a lot of time outdoors. But these instances seem to be a rather sparse in setting Jesus' whereabouts.

He and his disciples came into one village or another in 18 verses. Apparently Jesus liked the hustle and bustle of the towns: 45 verses.

Where else do the evangelists recount Jesus' time? For a man who learned a town craft, carpentry, Jesus spent an awful lot of time on the sea (read "lake"). Forty-five verses find him afloat. Not being a seaman or fisherman, Jesus, curiously, picked a lot of fisherman as his disciples. What's that all about? "You disciples take over for awhile; I want to relax now."

The peak locale for this biblical star? Do we even have to scratch our head to guess? The temple! Sixty-three times within sixty verses the temple site is the scene re-established by the four evangelists.

"Preparing for Sunday" is problematic for me. I ce...

2008-09-26T18:13:00.000-05:00

"Preparing for Sunday" is problematic for me.

I certainly prepare myself for the readings on Sunday morning or maybe on Saturday evening. That is mostly so that my easily distracted ears, inside and outside my head, pay attention to, or recount, or grasp what the lector proclaims ready or not. Also what the presider preaches ready or not.

I want the Word ringing in my ears when I leave the cathedral grounds. I want that to be my instructional, intellectual, thought-provoking, motivating, abiding sustenance for the week ahead. Sunday is not the end. Sunday is my Christian life resurrected. Get up, get up, get out of here! Ite missa est!

So... Preparing for Sunday?

I don't prepare in the sense that Mayfair Mall, as an example, prepares for Halloween, or Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or Easter.

I know that I will be asked to ask my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the LORD our God for what I have done and for what I have failed to do.

Am I prepared for Sunday? Every Sunday. Only because of all the Sundays before.

I studied the blog some more. "Subscribe to:Posts(...

2008-09-26T17:44:00.000-05:00

I studied the blog some more. "Subscribe to:Posts(Atom)" seems to be the same as "Older Posts."

Don't give up. I look, and I learn --hopefully.

The renewed blog is indeed fresh, and, I'm thinkin...

2008-09-26T17:38:00.000-05:00

The renewed blog is indeed fresh, and, I'm thinking, easy on the eyes.

At the bottom of the blog page is a link to subscribe to: Posts (Atom). While I can view past posts, I missed a link to SUBSCRIBE. I do like having past blogs gathered in this way.

"...(1) a reminder to us that we are creations of ...

2008-05-05T19:16:00.000-05:00

"...(1) a reminder to us that we are creations of God in God's world and in God's image and (2) our physical beings are vital training grounds for any spiritual experiences we will ever have."

These two notes add appreciation to the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.

".. may we gaze
with ... awe at ... Your universe
- and find You gazing back."

Here is communion.

Helen invites us to discuss discipleship here. Unf...

2008-04-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

Helen invites us to discuss discipleship here. Unfortunately there are few instances of comments being posted to this blog. This is not unusual. The Catholic Herald (4-3-8) features a story on Heidi Russell, DRE at Holy Family Parish. Her blog began in September 2006. There are hardly any comments.

When I look at any other blogs (for example, New York Times, Slate, Department of State) I try to see what makes some of them successfully generate discussion, some degenerate, and some languish.

I appreciate the cathedral's blog.

This Saturday morning (April 5) appeared to me as ...

2008-04-05T16:49:00.000-05:00

This Saturday morning (April 5) appeared to me as the first day of Spring. Like my other mornings I awoke at 6:00, but this morning's light was different. My grandchildren did not require my care. The bathroom was empty. Before I knew it I was on my way to morning prayer and Mass at the cathedral.

I recall:
Luke 24:1 ... at daybreak on the first day of the week they went to the tomb.

In the day chapel:
Acts 1:14 All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

In thanksgiving and memory:
Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”

Sent forth:
Acts 5:42 And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.

So how do I think we are doing? Those gathered together in Eucharist demonstrate in diverse and devout ways discipleship. Disciples nurture each other not by uniformity in daily life but by acknowledging one another in the wide open life in Christ.

Some thing a disciple can do is sit and listen to the stories of teaching and proclamation by other disciples. Having breakfast after this morning's Eucharist with two other couples certainly opened up to me not only what could be done but what was being done.

Last year Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta was i...

2008-04-05T15:59:00.000-05:00

Last year Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta was in the news because it was made known that she suffered a dry prayer life, discouragement, and doubt. This week Servant of God Dorothy Day is in the news reporting that her Diaries are being published. Again, she's another with a prophetic message, all the while struggling with discouragement and vocational doubts.

Yesterday we commemorated Dr Martin Luther King's death by assassin. He was another in the long line of moral voices who was subject to those same struggles that any person of integrity faces.

Dr King is closer to the heart of America in confronting and engaging America in her principles and her flaws.

Mother Theresa's way is criticized; Dorothy Day is looked at askance. Dr King similarly is spurned.

May he rest in peace. May America come to peace.

This is a wonderful reflection. Indeed each receiv...

2008-03-18T16:46:00.000-05:00

This is a wonderful reflection. Indeed each receives a flame from another. Together we keep the light shining brightly.

Well stated, Helen. How I wish those who say "I p...

2008-03-17T15:25:00.000-05:00

Well stated, Helen. How I wish those who say "I pray at home, and that is enough" understood the concept of the parish as a supportive, active community in Christian discipleship! Yes, there are petty struggles - that is part of the human condition. Look only at the Scriptures for examples, even among the Apostles!

How I hope and pray that this week will be a time of contemplation, of active reflection and prayer. How I hope that those who fear coming to a community home will take that step and come to our parish home.

I am new to the cathedral blog and chanced on this...

2008-03-06T17:43:00.000-06:00

I am new to the cathedral blog and chanced on this one in particular. My comment rests in the firm belief that the Church is not only of a particular time and place but for all time and for all places. That being said - we are only finite creatures and have only our own time and our own place in which to help bring about the kingdom on earth. Today is our only opportunity. We will work on tomorrow's challenges only when they enter the reality of "today".

This posting is a good example for checking each d...

2008-02-17T20:53:00.000-06:00

This posting is a good example for checking each day. Perhaps some more than who donated blood this morning would have been prepared to join them.

"... terrific additions" indeed! From the last few...

2008-02-13T12:23:00.000-06:00

"... terrific additions" indeed! From the last few cycles of our RCIA program are seen a number of graduates who today are active not only in the Sunday celebration of Eucharist but also who have found their fit into parish life and ministry. To see these Catholics is encouraging. Courage,isn't that one of the cardinal virtues?

This Mary (Bennett) is the cathedral's Martha, but...

2008-02-11T18:00:00.000-06:00

This Mary (Bennett) is the cathedral's Martha, but she's really a Mary.

"We do not seek to live the life of another time, ...

2008-02-11T17:51:00.000-06:00

"We do not seek to live the life of another time, but to live and build the church in the time we have been given, in the place we have been given. ... Our task is to recognize his presence, to live by it , to live the freedom and happiness to which it gives birth and to be its witnesses to others. All else is in the hands of the Father."

Contrary to the wisdom implied above, I can't help but wishing that I had learned this years ago. An earlier insight might have afforded me more practice in living as a disciple. Thanks be to God for the "cathedral school." Thanks be to God for my classmates.

Pat has already written beautifully about St. Fran...

2008-01-28T17:15:00.000-06:00

Pat has already written beautifully about St. Francis De Sales and his meaning to so many at the seminary here in Milwaukee. I picked up my book of Mass readings book on Thursday and found another few paragraphs written by St. Francis De Sales - Fr. Carl said that the issue that triggered the commentary was one of scrupulous attention to details of monastic life but I found great interest in his words for me on this Friday afternoon - -

The original post (see above) confused me. What was the commentary that was triggered by what issue?

Last year my sisters were on retreat with Francis de Sales as the focal point. My curiosity was piqued. I often reflect upon a regula vitae suitable for me. Does St Francis de Sales have something to say to me?

Can we distinguish between scrupulosity and scrupulosness? Carefulness, attention to detail, leading to "perfection". Monasticism, regularity, habit, devotion, constancy.

I am so embarrassed! This will teach me to proofr...

2008-01-24T14:04:00.000-06:00

I am so embarrassed! This will teach me to proofread better! Of course St. Francis is with an "i"! I apologize!!! Typos, typos, no one is perfect and certainly not I!!! I just hope it didn't take away from the message for his feast day today!! Mea culpa, mea culpa!!

Pat

Besides the image of the crucified Jesus, the only...

2008-01-21T15:29:00.000-06:00

Besides the image of the crucified Jesus, the only other person (not including family pictures) presented in my home is Martin Luther King Jr.

I have long considered Abraham Lincoln a civil saint of our nation. In my own lifetime came Martin Luther KIng. Another saint, both for Americans of all stripes and for Christians in any land.

If I were to present one word as a descriptor of Christianity it would be forgiveness. By incarnating that notion Jesus calls his disciples to extend that practice. In order to forgive, and as a result of forgiving, peace is paramount. Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. If one is at peace in his acceptance of self as a child of God, if one is at peace with other selves as children of God, forgiveness is possible and is tied in with peace.

In 1964 ML King Jr was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This was one recognition of his genius in seeing and professing the connection between forgiveness and peace.

Basically Dr King showed a forgiveness of individual and societal abuse of people of color. That forgiveness derived from his sense of peace. That sense was clearly that of right order, justice. What became so moving on the grand scale of national importance was that that peace was not cowed by, nor circumscribed by, and in no way defined by violence.

His individual, personal virtue, with which he led others, is a model of public virtue.