The Church Is Not Falling Apart

Dear Beloved Faithful,

Given the current issues afoot in the Church, I’d like to offer the following challenge and encouragement...

The Church is not falling apart. The sins of man do not define the Faith. Have no fear. Christ is our light. In this difficult time, let us not allow punditry to win the day. All abuse and cover-ups will come to the light. In time, things will become more clear. Our role as Catholics is not to add to the hysteria with cries of schism or destruction. Our calling is to be faithful. 

Jesus promised us that the gates of hell would would not prevail against his Church. Regardless of who may be guilty, incompetent, innocent, or otherwise unworthy, the Bride of Christ will remain. We are not built on the holiness of the bishops or the Pope. Even if all of those who are being accused by Viganò are guilty, and even if the pope steps down, a new pope will be selected by the grace of the Holy Spirit. 

All we need to worry about is whether each of us are living the life worthy of the calling we have received. Just remember whose Church this is. I choose to be ever more mindful of my own sins and be open to God’s grace working through me, his imperfect vessel. Other than that I refuse to listen to punditry. 

God will once again heal and absolve his Bride. God will continue to inspire others to greatness in the faith. God desires, in his perfect compassion and mercy, to bind up and heal the wounded victims. We must join in solemn prayer and concord for the Holy Spirit to breathe fresh upon us all and remember the true source of all healing: Jesus Christ. In the meantime, fasting from news and praying for victims of abuse in all walks of life are spiritual acts of love which we all can do. 

Despite all the punditry, in our RCIA groups this year, the Spirit is clearly at work. Candidates have awareness and concern for victims of abuse, and they are truly focused on the Faith and Holy Mother Church. It’s inspiring. They are not shaken by the prophets of doom. Do not be shaken by alarmists. 

Finally, let us, once again, take heed of the wisdom of St. Pope John XXIII who proclaimed just prior to the opening of the Second Vatican Council:

At times we have to listen, much to our regret, to the voices of people who, though burning with zeal, lack a sense of discretion and measure. In this modern age they can see nothing but prevarication and ruin … We feel that we must disagree with those prophets of doom who are always forecasting disaster, as though the end of the world were at hand. In our times, divine Providence is leading us to a new order of human relations which, by human effort and even beyond all expectations, are directed to the fulfilment of God’s superior and inscrutable designs, in which everything, even human setbacks, leads to the greater good of the Church.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Think With The Church

Dear Parishioners,

The voting season is upon us which makes me wonder about two things: 1. our ability to think clearly with the mind of the Church, and 2. whether people will take the time to vote.

First, I think it is safe to say we live in a time more politically polarized time than ever. We are more likely to see the world in terms of “liberal” or “conservative.” Yet, the mind of the Church is focused on Jesus and the teachings of his Apostles. Remember our Creed we say each week? Political thinking robs too many of us of vision to think, see, and act as the Bride of Christ would. When a bill or law is debated, how one analyzes the discussion will reveal whether one is politically minded first or Church-minded first. If the most potent terms of analysis are “liberal” or “conservative” rather than “faithful” or “orthodox” then politics is first in one’s mind. Political camps on these two fronts see the other’s ideologies as inherently bad. Yet, the Bible and the Church are both liberal and conservative, both seek out liberty and freedom as well as preserve the truths which have been handed on to us. In many ways, society doesn’t understand Jesus or his Church. Prophetically, Jesus said:

To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn. ’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. ’ But wisdom is vindicated by her works” (Matt. 11:16-19).

Seeking out the lost and keeping company with those who are sinners is what Jesus came here to do. At the same time, he stood fast to the moral teachings, challenged corruption, and passed on and even fulfilled ancient covenantal rituals (think the connection with the Passover and the Mass) which we now hold on to so dearly. As Catholics, our goal is to be faithful not just liberal or conservative.

Secondly, in this season when we are being called to do our duty to participate in the process of civil government through voting, we need to steep our hearts and minds in the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles as well as the mind of the Church so as to form good consciences. Check out our webpage, stannegp.com, and read about the issues from the view of the Gospel of Christ. Read the Oregon Voters Pamphlet which should have been delivered in your mail already. If you have a computer, look up more details about questions you have regarding the issues on the ballot as well as persons running for various offices.

Finally, remember that people of good will are going to differ on issues and persons for whom to vote. This fact then calls us, above all, to charity in our thoughts, words, and actions. Please pray for God’s will to be done. Please take seriously the issues before us and vote. Your vote counts. Many issues and candidates have won or lost because of just a few votes. Do your duty as a Catholic and vote with your conscience informed by your faith.

Blessings,


Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor