Resistence is Futile!



After essentially only a week we have had over 150 visitors to the site. Thanks to everyone who has put in an appearance. I suspect that the number might be inflated by my own egoistic need to see the site and bask in its warming glow.

The assimilation begins today. Bring more of your friends and let them join the Army of the 12 Ragemonkeys!

I am so excited

It always seems to sneak up on me. A few weeks of Ordinary Time and then another liturgical season is upon us. My lenten practices and sacrifices are often, shamefully, chosen with great haste because I haven't given sufficient reflection to them in the weeks before Ash Wednesday. I love the simplicity of Lent. I smile as I drive around town and see the Protestant communities advertising "Ash Wednesday" on their billboards -- if only they would come fully to the Banquet Table. I love how our churches are more full during Lent. And I wonder what happens with everybody's schedule after Lent: so many seem to find time to come to Mass and Stations during Lent; where is that time to be found afterward? And this Ash Wednesday 2004 in particular. Oh, I am so excited for the opening of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ"! I read in the newspaper yesterday that AMC Theatre staff in Oklahoma City are apparently claiming that they have sold more "Passion" tickets in OKC than any other AMC Theatre in the country. Wow! Yes, we are in the Bible belt. I know prudence dictates that we not prematurely "hang our evangelical hats" on this movie, before even viewing it. However, it frustrates me how many Catholics have only heard the scurrilous accusations of anti-Semitism hurled at the movie and so are left with the impression that "Catholics aren't supposed to see it". Even if that were the case, why can't we arrive at that kind of humble posture before doctrinal matters that the Church does authentically and authoritatively teach? Anyway, here's to getting excited about having a dirty forehead...

"On your marks, get ready..."

As I look around the rectory, I cannot tell you how ready for Lent I am. The place is a mess and I have all sorts of paperwork, not to mention my taxes to attend to. Plus a couple of articles to get on. So I need some quiet and time for meditation.

For most people, Lent is an ugly word. It means giving things up and not enjoying one's self until Easter. But I don't look at it that way. Lent is exciting because it speaks of possibility. The word "Lent" comes from a Middle English word for springtime. Outside the front door of the parish church in Alva, tulips or daffodils are beginning to poke green leaves through the soil. They can do this because the bulb has stored its energies and now directs them to the goal, to flower fully and beautifully. I sound like a hippie when I say this, but we can be the same.

When Lent begins, the Word, Jesus Christ, burrows into the heart of the one who hears. "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts...(Psalm 95)." From there, it seeks to uproot the weeds of vice and the hard rocks of sin by slowing moving its roots and tendrils outward. We give the Word assistance by taking a Garden Weasel to our souls and assisting the uprooting process. You might know this better as "fasting, prayer, and almsgiving." And when we start, we don't realize how in a year, the garden of the soul is really out-of-sorts.

As Lent progresses, we begin to see change and blisters from the work. We are tempted to give up. Then the Church reminds us to be joyful for the end is soon and goal is in reach. The flower is ready to sprout. And then we reach Holy Week. And then I have to see the cost all this change has cost. And how poorly I have responded. And how thankful, He has not forgotten his enemy. He has loved him back into existence, or a fuller existence.

He's Home but not Home Free!



As many of you know, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. was involved in a very serious car accident while working in Florida. There were several days when I opened the website expecting to see black crepe and funeral notices. The accident left Father with a broken arm, a broken leg, some kind of head trauma, and I think he had a heart attack as a result of the accident. Father is 70 years old and I wasn't quite sure how much longer we would have him amongst us.

That was a month ago. He has gone home to New York. I gave a link to Fr. Glenn Sudano, C.F.R. , Community Servant above (just click the picture). It is the most recent letter but you can access the past letters from there as well. The recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. It might even be a miracle, albeit a hard one to use for canonization purposes or prove in general. The hard part has begun for him.

So folks, please continue to storm Heaven for this most excellent priest. I suspect that without his intervention I would have abandoned my vocation to priesthood. If anyone is interested, I will tell you the story of how Fr. B. made courage my favorite virtue.

A Disturbing Dimension on Purgatory

I have been testing the Borromeo Project in one of my parishes (I have three that I am pastor of). Today, we talked about death, judgment, heaven, hell, and purgatory. It was very fruitful and very interesting as I have two Protestants (spouses of parishioners) in attendance. It often becomes apologetic-ious.

So, no big surprise, the Protestant Observers had some difficulty with purgatory. Essentially, salvation is an all or nothing proposition and there is no need to make amends or to be purified from the effects of our sin after the sin itself is forgiven. I made a spirited defense and explanation, but I don't think I got all that far with them.

Anyway, as I drove home, an aspect of purgatory occurred to me. Normally, we like to think that we merit all of our good acts and that if we sin, we got "tricked." But if you assert that Purgatory is part of salvation and redemption then you have to admit a couple of things. You have to admit that our good acts are really more God's than mine. When I do good, I am really cooperating with the Grace and Revelation of God. You also have to admit that our sins are really more about me than God. You can think of it as Grace and Revelation pulling at us trying to keep us from the switch. But we still choose it, and then like Urkel, standing in a field of debris say, "Did I do that?"

Purgatory forces us to admit that we are not the be-all and end-all of the moral universe. We are required to assent and then act. After you read this, say a prayer for the Holy Souls. Help them and they will help us.

Okay! We'll tell you

We have been inundated with requests to our liturgical department regarding what Fr. Tharp and Fr. Hamilton will be wearing for Ash Wednesday. This is an aspect of blogging we never expected. But, public persons that we are, we are happy to accede to these requests. I have searched the internet long and hard to find an image of our sacred vesture for Ash Wednesday. Here it is:

There's a little taste of the fabric, anyway. The Children of the World Chasuble! I have dubbed this product the "Children who will never see the light of day because they will be shut inside the bottom drawer of my sacristy" chasuble. Seriously, we each own an absolutely dignified Holy Rood Guild vestment which will be in use. Unfortunately, I cannot find a photo of the vestment itself. But rest assured, it doesn't appear as if we just cut swatches of fabric off of Great-Grandma's couch and decided it was liturgically worthy!

Betrayed or Finally Visible?
I lamented the fact that my family would probably never see this site. I am not lamenting any more.

Fr. H's brother, in one of the comment boxes, has blown the whistle on Father's crypto-obsession with this neo-crooner. Here is the facts:

John Hamilton website @ 4:07AM February 22nd 2004 Sunday
Comments :
I am Fr Hamilton's brother and I know he loves Clay

Will Fr. H be leaving messages here soon?

But seriously, no more "Clay" messages. I don't want a bunch of teeny boppers confused when their Google search here.

Using our powers for Good...

As you can see, our blog now contains a series of links to various sites. Thanks again to the Tech Monkey, Dave, for installing and handing over the gnosis to bring more links to you.

The purpose of the links is simple. We want to "reward" those who are holding fast and teaching the truths of the Faith. So, if you are a tasty, worthy site, then you will be included. We want our readers to find the "Sam" necessary to bear the ring in this world, and it is our hope that the people and materials you find there will help in that.

If you have someone who should be included, please email me or place it in the comment box, and I will add them, after review, of course.

Soup and a Prayer

Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/4 Cup Butter
3/4 Cup Green Onion, chopped and including tops
2 Cups Fresh Mushrooms, chopped
2 Tablespoons Flour
1 Cup Half & Half (No fat type could be substituted)
1 Cup Chicken Broth (Low sodium type could be sub'd)
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Pepper

I usually double the above recipe. I also tend to cut back slightly on the amount of onions. In a large skillet or soup pot cook chopped green onions in butter over low heat until tender. Add the chopped mushrooms and cook the mixture, stirring for several minutes (2-5 min). Add flour to the mixture and cook, stirring several minutes (3-5 min). Remove the pan from the heat. Add chicken broth and half & half in a steady stream, whisking. Put back on heat and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Simmer, stirring for several minutes (at least 5). Add salt and pepper. The flavor seems to come out much better if it is not eaten immediately, but made ahead of time and reheated later.

Do yourself a favor and make this oh so easy and oh so delicious soup! I am posting it as a Lenten culinary idea. Friends, I have NEVER willfully chosen mushroom soup anything. I was skeptical. This is absolutely heavenly! Trust me.

I must give credit to a family friend, Tricia, from my home parish for this recipe. I have been visiting her son in jail for several months now. And here is where the prayer comes in. Please pray for her son, Thane. I remember him as a young boy in the neighborhood and the school yard. He became caught up in drugs. That led to robberies for drug money. He's 20 years old and was sentenced to 25 years on a guilty plea. Enjoy the soup and, at least this Lent, could you pray for this young man and his family? Gosh Catholicism is so creative! You can make soup AND participate in a work of mercy all at the same time!

Welcome - Benvenuto - Bienvenido

Welcome to my little brother, John, who is visiting the blog for the first time! Enjoy! Oh, and I almost forgot: HEY, LADIES, he's single!!! Calling good, Catholic girls!

My parish

I have been here as the Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor, as is said in these parts) since June of 2003. Please don't confuse this with a comment on the church, as people, but the only way this structure speaks to me of God's Kingdom is perhaps by reference to Revelation and the Second Coming! Or, to be fair, I suppose we could go back to the Old Testament and the plagues. I live in the house on the front right. In fact, that corner of the house is where my room is located. When I view the picture I think of this, this, or preferably this.

Of all nights

There are six out of seven days a week that, though still unpleasant, sleeplessness can be tolerated. Saturday night is not one of them. Of all nights...when I need sleep to get up early and head out to the missions for Mass. Oddly enough, when I took the Sleep Quiz at the Unisom center, my score of 7 correct responses out of 10 means I could moonlight as the sandman. And no, I don't mean this.

The Field Narrows


Spot, the Bush family dog, begins and ends life at the White House. The President's dog died today. Apparently, a series of significant health woes brought about the dog's end. But it left with dignity. Now why can't Kucinich and Sharpton get the message? I mean Kucinich and Sharpton are in a statistical dead heat with me, St. Padre Pio, and Spot! Spot saw when it was time to get out and Padre Pio and I aren't even running. You didn't even come close to "Best of Show" boys! It's time to go home.

All the Blasphemy, None of the Conversion

Okay, folks, it is Lent time again, or at least it soon will be. In some ways I look forward to Lent. In some ways, I don't. Here's one reason.



In the name of getting ready for Lent, people cavort and engage in all sorts of gender-bending drunken debauchery. And then, I would suspect, very, very, very, very few of them show up for Ash Wednesday Mass. Why? Because everyday is Fat Tuesday when you don't follow Christ.

A faithful Catholic is not a puritan. He doesn't scorn a feast because it is a feast. But the faithful Catholic also knows the value of the fast. In the fasting, the feast is sweeter. It also serves to bring us to choose between two feasts: the one now or the eternal one the Lord hosts. Before Easter comes Good Friday. Before the joy comes the fast.

St. Bernadette once commented about how the things done on Mardi Gras were never made up for and could not be made for in a hundred Lents. I speak for myself deliberately, and for some accidentally, when I say, I am already too far behind in following the Lord to waste any momentum on backward motion.

May your Lent this year be well met, well done, and well rewarded.

I Suppose I Should Be Flattered...

I was informed today via email that Crisis magazine was using a letter I wrote them in April 2002 as part of their advertising for new subscriptions. I haven't seen the material itself as I am already a subscriber they may not target me. As I recall the letter, it was meant to be an encouragement as well as praise for a particularly good issue.

Finding out they are using this letter for advertising purposes bothers me a little. I certainly didn't write it for that purpose and I don't like the fact that it is being used for that purpose. It would be different if they had contacted me and said, "Hey, we are thinking of using your testimonial. Any problem with that?" I really do like Crisis, I read it cover to cover, and think that in general they will be a very positive contribution to Catholic media in the English speaking world. But this has left a sour taste in my mouth. The very least they could do is give me a free subscription if they liked the letter that much.

On the upside, I should be able to guilt them into publishing a couple of articles.

o homo inanis

You ignoramus, an English translation of the Letter of St. James puts it. I failed to mention on Friday, when this line from St. James was read at Mass, how much I like being berated by Sacred Scripture, especially first thing in the morning! I marvel at what St. James could write. I marvel at St. Paul's force (Foolish Galatians!). And I consider how ridiculously sensitive our society is. Speaking of the evil, consequences, and seriousness of sin (the thing, mind you) is called judgmental condemnation of a person. No it is not. Handing on sacred truth (i.e., Sacred Tradition) is called narrow and close-minded. Heck, apparently correcting an altar server is taboo FOR THE PRIEST! And no one has the courage to go to the source and speak directly to the person concerned! Apparently, after Mass one day I told the servers to go into the sacristy where I told them that Holy Mass was not the place to carry on extended conversations. I don't even remember much of the episode; it didn't register in my mind as even noteworthy. Then just last week I read the minutes from the January parish council meeting, which I was unable to attend, and discovered a report there that "complaints had been received that the servers were being harshly disciplined." The story is apparently going around that I said to the servers: "Get in the sacristy! What part of keeping your mouth shut don't you understand?" I am shocked. First of all, my instructing the servers to go into the sacristy is being used as supporting evidence that I was taking them off to the side to be mean to them. Wrong. I always tell all the servers to continue the recession into the sacristy. Why? Because in my mind the recession has not ended until we all return there, where I bow to the crucifix before going out to greet people. Secondly, I think I would remember having said what is being claimed. I don't. Thirdly, while I would not hesitate to tell servers that their job is to be attentive and at the ready, not carrying on as if we were on a bus ride, I am certain I did not say what is being reported in the way it is being reported. Finally, let's say I did do and say what is being reported. Is that really "harsh discipline"? I mean, when I hear that phrase, I think of cursing and physical beatings. Please.

Like a pontifex over troubled water


It is tough trying to be a bridge. I am afraid I am just about to learn that anew. Today I received a publication apparently sent to every priest in the United States: Priest, Where Is Thy Mass? Mass, Where Is Thy Priest?. It is a compilation of the stories of sixteen priests who celebrate only the Tridentine Rite. That in and of itself is not only not problematic, but laudable. However, one of the priests interviewed is a local Oklahoman, a former priest of the diocese, who went into schism and, as best as I can tell, is "autocephalous". My first parish assignment was not far from him and so, on about two occasions, I stopped by his place to meet him and visit with him. I was curious to see who this guy is. What made him tick? What pushed him over the edge? Why did he leave? I also figured that in all the possible ecumenical efforts the archdiocese could foster, this guy was the closest to us. He had even been one of us, a member of the clergy of the diocese. The meetings were pleasant but strange. I expected the typical hard line traditionalist. I got, instead, a real hodgepodge of stuff. Regarding the Mass he was certainly traditionalist. Regarding other theological topics, I was getting strange, very modern sounding thoughts.

Well, though not listed by name, I am referred to in this priest's interview. He recounts how "one priest, only a year out of the seminary, [came] to visit me. He had studied in Rome for five years. He just came to talk to me and visit with me and to cry on my shoulder..." Since I am the only priest to study in Rome from this archdiocese since 1981, it won't be difficult to pin me on this. Well, I certainly came to talk and to visit with him. There was never any crying on anyone's shoulder, however. So, my fear is if indeed a copy has been sent to every priest and the priests of this archdiocese even bother to open it and read this particular priest's interview (perhaps likely given he was formerly "one of us"), rumors, gossip, and crucifixion may be around the corner for more than Mel's Christ this Lent! My only source of some comfort about this is that I did tell the archbishop about my visits back when they happened a few years ago and he seemed supportive of my attempts to make contact with the man. Boy, am I glad I did that! It sure helps to lead a transparent life.

Clay rates our blog: Invisible!


C'mon readers, give us a shout out! Let us know you're out there! Spread the word!

Gnosis is power indeed


Mother of Pearl, Batman, I think I've learned how to do this (after several failed attempts earlier this evening)!

Superman vs. Batman



This one's for all the comic nerds out there. I was watching History Channel about, oh, 2 months ago, and they had a special on the history of the comic book. One very interesting interview was with Frank Miller who brought to print the very excellent "The Dark Knight Returns." Anyway he commented that he delibarately put Superman and Batman at odds. After all their approaches are very different. Superman sees a world as basically good, and therefore his job is only to keep things in line. Not so for Batman. Batman sees the world as fundamentally flawed and therefore justice and right must be enforced. Or some would say, Inflicted.

What's the point? I think Miller might be on to something. Superheroes in some way speak to the essential character virtues that we wish to embody. I have always preferred Batman to Superman, althought Spiderman has held some sway as well. I think I like Batman more not because the purported worldview held, but because it isn't easy to be Batman. Yes, the gadgets and the brains help, but when it comes down at the end of the day, here is a guy that a bullet will stop. It costs him more to be heroic.

Am I cracked? Anyone else think/feel this way?